WEBVTT - Thrilling Matchups with BIG STAKES! 0:00:04.299 --> 0:00:06.699 NFL Game Deview is a production of the NFL in 0:00:06.739 --> 0:00:12.419 partnership with iHeartRadio. 0:00:14.619 --> 0:00:17.219 Hey everybody Well on the Game Debut Present about Mercedes Benz, 0:00:17.219 --> 0:00:20.259 Patrick Claibon Here with Greg Rosenthal and Cynthia Freeland. As 0:00:20.299 --> 0:00:23.459 we have made it to week sixteen, the playoff pushes on. 0:00:23.619 --> 0:00:25.899 Everybody's doing the math, and the math is becoming more 0:00:25.939 --> 0:00:27.099 and more simple every week. 0:00:27.219 --> 0:00:29.859 Right it is, and the math is telling me that 0:00:29.899 --> 0:00:33.739 Cynthia as usual is playing well down the stretch. 0:00:33.819 --> 0:00:36.659 The picks are hot. It got us. Cynthia Freeland didn't 0:00:36.659 --> 0:00:37.499 know where he was going with that. 0:00:38.899 --> 0:00:41.899 Well, this is where it's going. Greg Rosenthal, still wearing 0:00:41.899 --> 0:00:45.459 the crown, but right there, one game behind it. Perhaps 0:00:45.819 --> 0:00:49.219 a cowardly change of a pick a few weeks ago 0:00:49.339 --> 0:00:51.019 away from being tied at the top. 0:00:51.459 --> 0:00:53.099 Where what do you think? 0:00:53.139 --> 0:00:56.179 I didn't want to be all aboard the bears in 0:00:56.339 --> 0:00:57.219 Santa Clara. 0:00:57.339 --> 0:01:00.539 Nobody remember, pretty happy with us for all being over. 0:01:00.579 --> 0:01:02.299 It's like, if you think about ten wins for a week, 0:01:02.339 --> 0:01:03.899 we're all over that, we're doing it. 0:01:04.419 --> 0:01:05.019 You're doing great. 0:01:05.219 --> 0:01:08.419 I'm not at all right behind. Kansas City has themselves 0:01:08.499 --> 0:01:11.539 a huge scare last week. Patrick Mahomes limping off the field, 0:01:11.619 --> 0:01:13.659 Carson Wentz had to come in. He's dealing with the 0:01:13.739 --> 0:01:16.699 high ankle sprain as Mahomes, but he's been practicing all week. Thursday, 0:01:16.779 --> 0:01:20.019 Andy Reid said his star quarterback will most likely end 0:01:20.099 --> 0:01:23.579 up playing this week against the Texans. So let's discuss 0:01:23.619 --> 0:01:26.179 that game. The Chiefs playing host to Houston on Saturday, 0:01:26.299 --> 0:01:29.419 and what could be a potential playoff preview Hollywood Brown 0:01:29.499 --> 0:01:32.059 might be bad for case. What do you see happening here, Greg, 0:01:32.219 --> 0:01:32.979 I see. 0:01:32.859 --> 0:01:35.859 Defenses dominating on both sides of the ball and the 0:01:35.939 --> 0:01:38.539 Chiefs winning an ugly game, because that's what the Chiefs do, 0:01:38.779 --> 0:01:41.619 especially when Patrick Mahomes is coming off an injury. 0:01:41.619 --> 0:01:43.819 That's right. I can just think about two years ago. 0:01:43.739 --> 0:01:45.619 When he had that high ankle sprain and you thought 0:01:45.619 --> 0:01:48.739 it was going to ruin their entire playoff run. And 0:01:48.779 --> 0:01:51.659 you know what he did against the Jaguars. He cooked 0:01:51.699 --> 0:01:54.139 him in the end. I mean it was slow and 0:01:54.179 --> 0:01:57.259 then it was fast, and that's how the Chiefs beat you. 0:01:57.499 --> 0:02:00.739 And this guy, injuries just don't seem to matter. And 0:02:00.779 --> 0:02:02.339 I know he's not playing very well and he's going 0:02:02.419 --> 0:02:03.859 up against a really good defense, and that's why. I 0:02:03.859 --> 0:02:06.059 don't think they're going to really score that much. But 0:02:06.179 --> 0:02:08.099 when it comes to the fourth quarter and making the 0:02:08.179 --> 0:02:10.819 drive that you need to salt the game way, I 0:02:10.859 --> 0:02:13.419 think they get it done. Seventeen to thirteen, Chiefs win 0:02:13.539 --> 0:02:14.619 and they cover the number. 0:02:14.739 --> 0:02:16.699 Ooh, well, I don't have them covering the number. I 0:02:16.699 --> 0:02:18.979 have them with a two point win in this matchup 0:02:19.059 --> 0:02:21.619 twenty three to twenty one. When I'm looking at you 0:02:21.619 --> 0:02:24.139 know who else is facing a strong defense in this one, yeah, CJ. 0:02:24.259 --> 0:02:24.659 Stroud. 0:02:24.819 --> 0:02:26.659 And then when I look at what's the difference between 0:02:26.739 --> 0:02:29.179 this year and last year, it's really how he's performed 0:02:29.179 --> 0:02:31.659 against zone defense. Last year that was a huge source 0:02:31.699 --> 0:02:35.659 of success fifteen touchdowns to just two interceptions. This year, 0:02:35.939 --> 0:02:38.379 with around the same number of passing yards per game, 0:02:38.619 --> 0:02:42.219 he's averaging oh you know, nine touchdowns with eight interceptions. 0:02:42.259 --> 0:02:45.219 That's a huge difference and a huge source of a problem. Well, 0:02:45.259 --> 0:02:48.819 what's going on. The defenses are disguising man versus zone check. 0:02:49.099 --> 0:02:52.139 The Steve Spagnolo Chiefs can do that really well. They're 0:02:52.179 --> 0:02:54.619 getting pressure along the interier of that on line check. 0:02:54.699 --> 0:02:56.859 We know that they can do that as. 0:02:56.699 --> 0:02:58.659 Well, and then they're getting a lot of penalties on 0:02:58.659 --> 0:02:59.139 that offense. 0:02:59.139 --> 0:02:59.539 So CJ. 0:02:59.619 --> 0:03:01.979 Stroud's going to find himself in a very difficult situation 0:03:02.179 --> 0:03:03.379 yet again in this one. 0:03:03.179 --> 0:03:05.739 I've got a low scoring game as well with you guys, 0:03:05.779 --> 0:03:08.099 but it's probably splitting the difference. I've got an eighteen 0:03:08.259 --> 0:03:11.659 seventeen game, but I have the Houston Texans winning. These 0:03:11.659 --> 0:03:14.259 are two teams that are very similar offensively. In fact, 0:03:14.259 --> 0:03:16.859 it's just one tenth of a point that separates them 0:03:17.059 --> 0:03:19.819 in points per game. But the fact is the Kansas 0:03:19.859 --> 0:03:23.579 City Chiefs have had trouble protecting Patrick Mahomes and the 0:03:23.619 --> 0:03:26.779 Houston Texans have the best edge duo in the entire league, 0:03:26.859 --> 0:03:29.739 the only pair of teammates in the NFL with ten 0:03:29.859 --> 0:03:33.059 or more secks. Daniel Hunter has twelve sex and Will 0:03:33.099 --> 0:03:35.099 Anderson has missed a couple of games. He has ten 0:03:35.139 --> 0:03:38.019 and a half. A top ten passing defense in every 0:03:38.099 --> 0:03:43.219 category per net NFL Stats, short passing, long passing, play 0:03:43.219 --> 0:03:45.819 action passing. The only one the Chiefs have an advantage 0:03:45.859 --> 0:03:48.059 down the list is quick passing, and we saw what 0:03:48.099 --> 0:03:49.899 the Texans were able to do against two on the 0:03:49.899 --> 0:03:52.019 Miami Dolphins. So yeah, I'll go solo here and be 0:03:52.059 --> 0:03:55.819 absolutely fine with it. Eighteen seventeen Texans win, which is 0:03:55.899 --> 0:03:59.139 certainly doomed. Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs as we 0:03:59.179 --> 0:04:02.539 go to our next Saturday game. A similar to Greg 0:04:02.539 --> 0:04:05.579 and Cynthia's rivalry in our picks competition, the Steelers and 0:04:05.619 --> 0:04:08.779 the Ravens have an equally vicious rivalry, which apparently makes 0:04:08.779 --> 0:04:10.859 me the Cleveland Browns. The teams were set to score 0:04:10.899 --> 0:04:14.379 off Saturday Big Stakes between the Steelers and Ravens rematch. 0:04:14.419 --> 0:04:17.099 Pittsburgh can clinch the division with a win. George Pickens 0:04:17.219 --> 0:04:20.619 is out, but TJ. Watt is expected to play, so 0:04:21.179 --> 0:04:23.219 that exchange. Does that work out for Pittsburgh? 0:04:23.259 --> 0:04:26.099 It does not work out. You need George Pickens out there. 0:04:26.219 --> 0:04:28.819 I don't think they score enough. Twenty six to thirteen. 0:04:28.859 --> 0:04:31.099 I have the Ravens winning. I don't think it's close 0:04:31.099 --> 0:04:33.579 because I think this is the best overall group of weapons. 0:04:33.659 --> 0:04:36.339 Lamar Jackson has ever had in the tight end position 0:04:36.499 --> 0:04:39.219 is such a big part of that. People say, okay, 0:04:39.259 --> 0:04:41.619 like Lamar doesn't have enough guys to throw to. How 0:04:41.619 --> 0:04:45.539 about the all time leading touchdown scorer as a pass 0:04:45.579 --> 0:04:49.499 catcher in Mark Andrews, who, after a quiet start, is back. 0:04:49.299 --> 0:04:50.499 To being Mark Andrews. 0:04:50.579 --> 0:04:53.939 Then you compliment him with Isaiah Likely, who is just 0:04:53.979 --> 0:04:56.819 a dynamic playmaker in the matchups that you can get 0:04:56.819 --> 0:04:59.379 in the running game and in the receiving game. Against 0:04:59.379 --> 0:05:03.179 these Steelers linebackers, I think are really advantageous after the buye. 0:05:03.339 --> 0:05:05.819 They used both tight ends on forty four percent of 0:05:05.859 --> 0:05:08.339 their snaps against the Giants last week. Look for them 0:05:08.379 --> 0:05:10.859 to do more of that. Get heavy and beat up 0:05:10.859 --> 0:05:11.739 the Steelers. 0:05:12.099 --> 0:05:14.619 Ooh, well, I love watching Lamar Jackson spin it. It's 0:05:14.619 --> 0:05:16.899 so much fun. But I want to talk about something 0:05:16.939 --> 0:05:19.739 that is driving my win for Baltimore twenty seven to twenty. 0:05:19.779 --> 0:05:21.299 But on the other side of the ball, that is 0:05:21.379 --> 0:05:23.939 Russell Wilson, who we saw those deep plays. You saw 0:05:23.939 --> 0:05:26.939 George Pickens all over that game in Week eleven. But 0:05:27.059 --> 0:05:29.419 this time we've seen a little bit of causes for 0:05:29.619 --> 0:05:32.499 concern in terms of the comfort level of Russell Wilson, 0:05:32.499 --> 0:05:35.339 who's now throwing the ball on twenty seven percent of 0:05:35.419 --> 0:05:36.379 his dropbacks. 0:05:36.539 --> 0:05:37.859 That's the highest in the league. 0:05:38.139 --> 0:05:40.659 And interesting now we've seen two games in a row 0:05:40.659 --> 0:05:42.979 where he has sub two hundred passing yards. Those two 0:05:43.019 --> 0:05:45.099 games line up with George Pickens being out. 0:05:45.299 --> 0:05:46.779 My whole point here is. 0:05:46.859 --> 0:05:49.459 Now we're starting to see panic mode, a little bit 0:05:49.499 --> 0:05:50.699 of like, what's going on? 0:05:50.859 --> 0:05:51.819 Where's my dude? 0:05:51.899 --> 0:05:54.299 What happens when this deep pass doesn't work? This is 0:05:54.339 --> 0:05:57.379 a situation that doesn't bode well for Russell Wilson in 0:05:57.419 --> 0:05:59.619 this matchup. At this point in the season. 0:05:59.779 --> 0:06:04.379 I've got a Baltimore Ravens win as well, especially considering Russ. 0:06:04.419 --> 0:06:06.859 The biggest difficulty that Greg mentioned is the fact that 0:06:06.939 --> 0:06:09.379 there's no George Pickens there, so the explosive play isn't 0:06:09.619 --> 0:06:12.579 The explosive play is always there for the Baltimore Ravens, 0:06:12.619 --> 0:06:14.859 far and away leading the NFL in that category. Year 0:06:14.899 --> 0:06:17.419 two with Todd Malkin has been great, and a big 0:06:17.459 --> 0:06:19.299 part of that has been Rashad Bateman. 0:06:19.819 --> 0:06:22.179 That's how I feel, too. 0:06:21.539 --> 0:06:23.579 Yes, that's what it was, because the passes were looking 0:06:23.579 --> 0:06:25.539 great against the Giants and this is not the Giants 0:06:25.539 --> 0:06:29.779 Stephens coming up by any stretch, regardless of TJ wats 0:06:29.779 --> 0:06:33.219 health status. But the problem Rashap Baateman was on the 0:06:33.219 --> 0:06:35.979 injury report late this week with a foot. But the 0:06:36.059 --> 0:06:38.899 Ravens are so versatile they could just get more too 0:06:38.939 --> 0:06:42.139 tight end not gonna be Deontay Johnson because he's out 0:06:42.419 --> 0:06:44.339 this week as well. But just confidence in playing the 0:06:44.339 --> 0:06:46.299 Steelers for the second time and this one being at 0:06:46.299 --> 0:06:48.899 home and the margin simply being a two point conversion 0:06:48.939 --> 0:06:51.659 the last time around. I feel comfortable. We're all there, 0:06:51.899 --> 0:06:54.979 Meme away Steelers fans. Speaking of the Steelers and Ravens, 0:06:55.819 --> 0:06:58.419 you can also catch both games that we just talked 0:06:58.419 --> 0:07:01.099 about on Christmas Day, except the teams were playing in 0:07:01.099 --> 0:07:02.899 the other teams. It's like a little end season tournament, 0:07:03.099 --> 0:07:06.859 a huge playoff in implications, live on Netflix on Christmas Day, 0:07:06.899 --> 0:07:09.099 starting at one pm Eastern in the Kansas City Chiefs 0:07:09.099 --> 0:07:11.459 taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed up by the Baltimore 0:07:11.539 --> 0:07:13.939 Ravens and the Houston Texans at four thirty pm Eastern. 0:07:14.099 --> 0:07:17.019 Speaking of holiday cheer, let's head right to the city 0:07:17.139 --> 0:07:22.099 of brotherly Love. Turns out winning and scoring makes everybody happy. 0:07:22.099 --> 0:07:22.339 A J. 0:07:22.499 --> 0:07:24.499 Brown and Jalen Hurts is just fine. After last week. 0:07:24.499 --> 0:07:26.859 The Eagles now face off against Jayden Daniels and the 0:07:26.859 --> 0:07:29.899 Commander's Sunday. Philly has won ten straight. Do they win 0:07:29.939 --> 0:07:31.459 eleven straight this time next week? 0:07:31.499 --> 0:07:34.019 Cynthia, They sure do. I have twenty five to twenty one. 0:07:34.219 --> 0:07:37.539 My biggest question was was that the dance from Kidden Place? 0:07:37.659 --> 0:07:37.979 Yes? Sure? 0:07:38.059 --> 0:07:38.099 What? 0:07:38.259 --> 0:07:40.579 Okay, just making sure because they kind of didn't finish it. 0:07:40.619 --> 0:07:42.859 Anyways, We're going to talk about that some other time. 0:07:43.059 --> 0:07:45.019 But I want to talk about Nolan Smith because in 0:07:45.139 --> 0:07:47.859 all of this mess, he hasn't gotten his flowers. This 0:07:47.939 --> 0:07:51.499 man is doing terrible things. Two posing quarterbacks. Great if 0:07:51.499 --> 0:07:55.339 you're a Philadelphia Eagles fan, But if you're Jayden Daniels, 0:07:55.379 --> 0:07:57.939 he's coming for you. This man's pressure rate is coming 0:07:58.019 --> 0:07:59.899 right at you. And maybe we don't talk about him enough. 0:07:59.899 --> 0:08:03.099 We talk about Jalen Carter. Okay, we talk about controversies 0:08:03.139 --> 0:08:04.579 on the offense, if they like each. 0:08:04.379 --> 0:08:04.859 Other or not. 0:08:05.339 --> 0:08:07.739 But you know what, let's talk about this defense between 0:08:07.819 --> 0:08:09.899 him and Zach Bond. There are some guys who just 0:08:09.939 --> 0:08:12.499 don't get enough love. We are giving them love right here. 0:08:12.339 --> 0:08:12.899 On this show. 0:08:13.339 --> 0:08:15.739 Yeah, there's something about the Eagles that year after year 0:08:15.939 --> 0:08:17.899 you just look up front on both sides of the 0:08:17.939 --> 0:08:20.819 ball and they're just dominant. And the one constant on 0:08:20.859 --> 0:08:23.659 the offense is Lane Johnson. I think the Eagles win 0:08:23.699 --> 0:08:25.979 this game. I think they do it going away because 0:08:26.019 --> 0:08:28.139 their run game will just lean on Washington like they 0:08:28.139 --> 0:08:31.459 did the first time around twenty seven to fifteen is 0:08:31.539 --> 0:08:34.539 my score. Lane Johnson last week got banged up and 0:08:34.579 --> 0:08:37.379 you're worried he's going up against TJ. 0:08:37.459 --> 0:08:37.699 Watt. 0:08:37.699 --> 0:08:40.099 You know how many pressures Lane Johnson gave up last week? 0:08:40.539 --> 0:08:40.859 Zero. 0:08:41.139 --> 0:08:43.659 This is an all time great who's still at the 0:08:43.699 --> 0:08:46.419 absolute peak of his powers. First ballot Hall of Famer 0:08:46.699 --> 0:08:49.059 in the mix, I would say as maybe the greatest 0:08:49.139 --> 0:08:52.499 right tackle of all time, maybe the greatest offensive lineman 0:08:52.739 --> 0:08:54.939 of the last twenty years. Like he's right there with 0:08:55.059 --> 0:08:57.099 Joe Thomas. Maybe doesn't get that sort of love, but 0:08:57.179 --> 0:08:59.459 he has that sort of career going right. 0:08:59.579 --> 0:09:01.739 Yeah, the Eagles were able to do things in a 0:09:01.739 --> 0:09:05.939 big stretch without Also they've missed Lane Johnson for parts 0:09:05.939 --> 0:09:08.259 of this season. That was concerning. They were able to 0:09:08.259 --> 0:09:11.939 overcome Landon Dickerson missing parts of last week. No concerns. 0:09:12.219 --> 0:09:15.659 They're concerns about other spots. Go coaches beefing, players beefing. 0:09:15.899 --> 0:09:19.779 No concerns there. Nobody's concerned about Advante Smith easier either, 0:09:20.299 --> 0:09:22.939 a guy who's playing in the slot now more than 0:09:22.979 --> 0:09:25.099 he has in his entire career. In fact, it's almost 0:09:25.099 --> 0:09:28.179 double the amount of snaps from the slot. Speaking of 0:09:28.219 --> 0:09:31.339 career highs. He had a career high and eleven catches 0:09:31.499 --> 0:09:33.219 last week, So yeah, they wanted to work on the 0:09:33.219 --> 0:09:37.539 passing game. Turns out we've seen Jalen Hursts, Dvante Smith, 0:09:37.579 --> 0:09:38.899 AJ Brown be successful. 0:09:38.939 --> 0:09:39.499 It's not like. 0:09:39.619 --> 0:09:41.819 Those guys are gone. They could just turn it up 0:09:41.939 --> 0:09:44.379 when they need to, and they did last week against Pittsburgh. 0:09:44.379 --> 0:09:46.899 We all agree they win this game in the division 0:09:46.939 --> 0:09:49.619 against the Commanders. Just getting started here on game Dave, 0:09:49.739 --> 0:09:52.139 you don't look now, well, I guess you can, because 0:09:52.179 --> 0:09:54.979 the bump's coming up. Sam Donald's got the Vikings cooking. 0:09:55.259 --> 0:09:58.259 Minnesota is caught up to the Lions in the NFC North, 0:09:58.539 --> 0:10:00.899 but they've got their eyes set at the number one 0:10:00.979 --> 0:10:04.779 overall seed in the conference. How far and they go 0:10:05.459 --> 0:10:07.299 this week in Seattle's Big We'll tell you how we 0:10:07.339 --> 0:10:16.819 think it will go. Next time for the Drive to 0:10:16.859 --> 0:10:20.419 Excellence presented by Mercedes Bins. As we look at the 0:10:20.659 --> 0:10:24.739 NFC playoff picture, you hear Cynthia's ci despite the fact 0:10:24.739 --> 0:10:28.139 that the Lions still in position to have the number 0:10:28.179 --> 0:10:30.539 one overall seat in the NFC, but there's a couple 0:10:30.539 --> 0:10:34.219 of other teams at twelve and two. And then as 0:10:34.219 --> 0:10:36.219 we get Yeah, let's get to the Drive to Excellence 0:10:36.219 --> 0:10:38.979 presented by Mercedes Benz because it's a big matchup between 0:10:39.019 --> 0:10:41.739 the Vikings and the Seahawks. After an injury scare last week, 0:10:41.819 --> 0:10:44.379 Gino Smith is expected to play, and he's a big 0:10:44.419 --> 0:10:47.299 reason why I have Seattle winning twenty four to twenty 0:10:47.299 --> 0:10:49.779 two because we have not won but two former Jets 0:10:49.859 --> 0:10:53.099 quarterbacks now with franchises that actually support and enable them. 0:10:53.099 --> 0:10:56.819 They're both good, but Gino's better right now. In one spot. 0:10:56.899 --> 0:11:00.619 Since the buye back in Week eleven, for the Seattle 0:11:00.659 --> 0:11:05.299 Seahawks with a minimum of ten dropbacks, Geno Smith has 0:11:05.299 --> 0:11:08.459 the highest completion percentage over expected against five or more 0:11:08.699 --> 0:11:11.219 pass rushers. Why is that important? Because they're playing the 0:11:11.259 --> 0:11:14.339 Minnesota Vikings, something they are certainly willing to do with 0:11:14.379 --> 0:11:17.899 Brian Flores calling up the plays, it feels like a lot. 0:11:17.979 --> 0:11:20.739 But the Seahawks sneakily kind of need this one. Greg. 0:11:20.739 --> 0:11:23.619 That's why I feel confident in them at home with 0:11:23.739 --> 0:11:24.499 Gino playing well. 0:11:24.379 --> 0:11:27.459 Against Okay, they need it. I don't know that I'm confident. 0:11:27.659 --> 0:11:30.139 I think they cover that number. And if I'm gonna 0:11:30.299 --> 0:11:32.419 have them cover the number, let's just go all the way. 0:11:32.459 --> 0:11:36.939 And have Seattle win this game against Minnesota in part 0:11:36.939 --> 0:11:39.579 because their defense I think bounces back. The Packers gave 0:11:39.619 --> 0:11:41.979 them a lot early last week, but I believe Ernest 0:11:42.099 --> 0:11:45.619 Jones and this Seattle defense can figure things out and 0:11:46.019 --> 0:11:49.979 against the Vikings. I think having a strong second level 0:11:50.379 --> 0:11:52.419 not only could help stop the run against Aaron Jones, 0:11:52.419 --> 0:11:54.699 and Seattle's been much better stopping on except for that 0:11:54.739 --> 0:11:56.979 first half against the Packers, but they've been much better 0:11:57.179 --> 0:12:00.019 since picking up Ernest Jones, but also in the passing game, 0:12:00.059 --> 0:12:02.219 they've been better at the second level, and I think 0:12:02.259 --> 0:12:05.579 they can force Seam Darnold into miss I don't know 0:12:05.579 --> 0:12:08.099 if I feel that confident, but I'm hoping. As I 0:12:08.179 --> 0:12:11.139 send it over to the more Christmasy part of the set, 0:12:11.499 --> 0:12:13.979 Cynthia Freeland, I noticed that like when when Cynthia is 0:12:14.019 --> 0:12:16.299 on her one shot, it's just way more festive than 0:12:16.339 --> 0:12:17.259 when Patrick can there. 0:12:18.219 --> 0:12:20.299 I can look at me. She's like a little elm. 0:12:20.419 --> 0:12:21.939 You know, this is our last show, but for Christmas, 0:12:21.939 --> 0:12:22.779 had to spice. 0:12:22.459 --> 0:12:23.619 It up a little bit, all right. 0:12:23.979 --> 0:12:26.539 I actually have the Minnesota Vikings in this matchup twenty 0:12:26.539 --> 0:12:27.539 three to twenty one. 0:12:27.699 --> 0:12:29.619 The messy middle, if you will. 0:12:29.459 --> 0:12:31.139 So I guess I'm kind of on the side of it, 0:12:31.139 --> 0:12:32.859 but it is a prime number in terms of straight 0:12:32.899 --> 0:12:33.179 up picks. 0:12:33.739 --> 0:12:35.979 D Lady, when I'm looking at the reason why what 0:12:36.099 --> 0:12:37.059 you loving my deed lyad? 0:12:37.259 --> 0:12:41.979 Yes, you're giving me the Minnesota Vikings tour favored with 0:12:42.219 --> 0:12:46.099 Justin Jefferson. Okay, fine by me, I'll take it. The 0:12:46.659 --> 0:12:48.779 reality is is it's not just Jefferson, but it's the 0:12:48.779 --> 0:12:52.179 addition of Addison. See what I did there, Hokinson and 0:12:52.299 --> 0:12:56.179 Jefferson that all together create just such a problem. Now 0:12:56.259 --> 0:12:58.699 layer in Aaron Jones and I don't care if a 0:12:58.739 --> 0:13:01.419 linebacker levels great or I don't care if individual cornerbacks 0:13:01.419 --> 0:13:05.099 are great. The model says Justin Jefferson, and this run 0:13:05.179 --> 0:13:08.739 and pass attack just has an advantage over the Seahawks. 0:13:08.859 --> 0:13:10.339 I'm not gonna say I liked it. And two weeks 0:13:10.379 --> 0:13:10.779 ago I. 0:13:10.699 --> 0:13:14.499 Looked back, the model had the opposite but potential injuries 0:13:14.539 --> 0:13:17.179 to Gino Smith. Now, even if he's playing like great, 0:13:17.499 --> 0:13:20.299 but is it one hundred percent? We can't factor that in. 0:13:20.379 --> 0:13:22.739 If it's eighty percent Gino Minnesota wins. 0:13:22.819 --> 0:13:25.859 Yeah. The explanation for that would be how Sam Howell 0:13:25.859 --> 0:13:28.579 looked in the last game perhaps that's why you would 0:13:28.659 --> 0:13:31.819 run eighty percent Gino out there the Vikings looking up 0:13:31.819 --> 0:13:35.059 at the Lions still Cynthia in the standings. Detroit came 0:13:35.139 --> 0:13:37.379 up short against the Bills last week, but it certainly 0:13:37.459 --> 0:13:39.819 was not because of their offense. But the Lions came 0:13:39.899 --> 0:13:42.339 up just short last week. They got a ton of injuries, 0:13:42.459 --> 0:13:45.019 but are looking to bounce back against the Bears. How 0:13:45.019 --> 0:13:46.019 big will the bounce back be? 0:13:46.139 --> 0:13:49.059 Some I have a touchdown bounce back twenty seven to 0:13:49.139 --> 0:13:52.379 twenty in this matchup. You saw the weird creative play 0:13:52.379 --> 0:13:54.899 to Dan Skipper. Luckily he didn't throw up after, although 0:13:54.899 --> 0:13:57.019 that was pretty funny in the week prep. But anyways, 0:13:57.179 --> 0:13:59.779 I also think Jamison Williams and Tim Patrick, these are 0:13:59.819 --> 0:14:01.499 the type of guys who are going to be used 0:14:01.499 --> 0:14:04.939 in ways we maybe haven't seen before, especially Jamison Williams, 0:14:04.979 --> 0:14:07.419 who we know has some wheels on him. You're watching 0:14:07.459 --> 0:14:09.779 plays where he's catching the football now, but don't be 0:14:09.819 --> 0:14:11.739 surprised if he lines up in the backfield. Don't be 0:14:11.779 --> 0:14:13.979 surprised if we see him do something that you know, 0:14:14.059 --> 0:14:16.659 maybe I don't know, something that looks like something and 0:14:16.779 --> 0:14:19.459 looks like something else, right, So trick oration some things 0:14:19.459 --> 0:14:22.619 where I'm trying to kind of politely request that they 0:14:22.699 --> 0:14:24.779 use him in you know, flea fleers, just stuff that 0:14:25.219 --> 0:14:27.619 tricks the defense. This is a defense you can run on, 0:14:27.819 --> 0:14:31.779 especially running to the outside. Just do that, Jamison Williams 0:14:31.939 --> 0:14:34.779 take the easier thing. Jamis Williams is super fast. You 0:14:34.779 --> 0:14:36.219 can run on the bear sea outside. 0:14:36.299 --> 0:14:36.659 There you go. 0:14:37.419 --> 0:14:41.019 Okay, So earlier there was a sigh way. 0:14:41.139 --> 0:14:43.499 Yeah, the sigh is because now the Eagles in my 0:14:43.579 --> 0:14:45.579 model are forecast to be the one seed, which means 0:14:45.699 --> 0:14:48.139 they don't get a bye the Lions, which means that 0:14:48.179 --> 0:14:49.899 the Eagles are playing at home for the last time 0:14:49.979 --> 0:14:51.219 until the potential Super Bowl. 0:14:51.259 --> 0:14:52.219 Well, we'll see. 0:14:52.339 --> 0:14:54.179 First of all, I just would like to take you 0:14:54.219 --> 0:14:56.979 back to a different version of Cynthia years ago and 0:14:57.059 --> 0:15:00.299 hear that you're sighing because your Lions are only twelve 0:15:00.339 --> 0:15:01.939 and two and tied for the buy. 0:15:02.379 --> 0:15:06.539 Let's have some confidence, like the Lions. Let's crush the Bears. 0:15:06.539 --> 0:15:08.819 They're gonna win forty one to thirteen. I'm gonna go 0:15:08.859 --> 0:15:11.379 back and tell that Cynthia. Yes, you're gonna have a 0:15:11.379 --> 0:15:14.379 lot of injuries when you take this situation, though you 0:15:14.459 --> 0:15:17.979 have the best offense in the entire NFL. You have 0:15:18.059 --> 0:15:22.579 an MVP candidate and a recognized top five quarterback in 0:15:22.699 --> 0:15:26.339 Jared Goff, who is maybe weirdly underrated. 0:15:25.819 --> 0:15:28.219 Now because he's the same guy each and every week. 0:15:28.259 --> 0:15:31.419 You have a great coordinator dialing up plays, who's finding 0:15:31.499 --> 0:15:34.659 receivers open, and you have a quarterback who's just on time, 0:15:34.779 --> 0:15:37.219 on rhythm, been in that offense so long that he 0:15:37.259 --> 0:15:39.939 gets the guys to the receiver in stride. I know 0:15:40.019 --> 0:15:42.419 the defense is all injured, and that's gonna come up 0:15:42.419 --> 0:15:44.659 in the next few weeks against better competition. The Bears 0:15:44.659 --> 0:15:46.819 are not that team. They're gonna want to feel better 0:15:47.059 --> 0:15:49.139 this week. They're gonna put a forty burger on him, 0:15:49.139 --> 0:15:51.339 and they're gonna cover this by so much. It's not 0:15:51.379 --> 0:15:53.219 my last time talking about it in this show. 0:15:53.459 --> 0:15:55.019 I feel like I should have I should have gone 0:15:55.179 --> 0:15:58.659 between you guys. I have almost the same score Cynthia does. 0:15:58.899 --> 0:16:01.579 That's fine, twenty eight to twenty, So Greg, I want 0:16:01.579 --> 0:16:04.139 to take the thunder away from Greg's speech. We would 0:16:04.659 --> 0:16:07.379 that the thunder aspect of the Detroit Lions was still around. 0:16:07.459 --> 0:16:10.059 Hopefully David Montgomery is able to make a quick recovery 0:16:10.139 --> 0:16:12.379 whatever route that he chooses. But what a luxury it 0:16:12.459 --> 0:16:16.659 is to have Jamiir Gibbs there, who far and away 0:16:17.219 --> 0:16:20.939 leads all running backs in explosive run rate at seventeen 0:16:20.979 --> 0:16:24.459 point eight percent. He's just ahead of Derrick Henry in 0:16:24.539 --> 0:16:28.179 terms of explosive runs on the season on like seventy 0:16:28.259 --> 0:16:31.299 fewer carries. He can take the top off of the 0:16:31.299 --> 0:16:34.899 defense in the run game. I know Cynthia wants Jamo 0:16:35.019 --> 0:16:37.339 to get back there as well, to attack these bears 0:16:37.379 --> 0:16:38.699 on the edge, and they can do it. They can 0:16:38.819 --> 0:16:41.819 beat you in so many different places. We're all on 0:16:41.859 --> 0:16:45.139 the Detroit Lions, and yes, past version of Cynthia, they're 0:16:45.179 --> 0:16:47.579 still really good. We'll tell the present version as well. 0:16:48.579 --> 0:16:50.899 Huge second half for Devonte Adams last week, ton of 0:16:50.939 --> 0:16:53.539 sees the season present about Caesars Sportsbook. As we look 0:16:53.699 --> 0:16:56.899 at the first touchdown score odds between the Rams going 0:16:57.019 --> 0:16:59.579 all the way across the United States take on the 0:16:59.739 --> 0:17:02.499 Jets at Mettlife, Kayle Willis, Puka Takua leading the way 0:17:02.499 --> 0:17:05.739 and then Breese Hall the first Jett plus six hundred 0:17:06.059 --> 0:17:09.659 this game in MetLife, where la is sitting in first 0:17:09.699 --> 0:17:12.419 place in the NFC West right now, But Rogers and 0:17:12.459 --> 0:17:15.099 the Jets have been playing better. Who wins great. 0:17:15.299 --> 0:17:18.499 I think the Rams win, but they've been a little enigmatic. 0:17:18.579 --> 0:17:20.899 I would say when they've gone east, it's been close. 0:17:20.939 --> 0:17:24.259 So I have the Jets covering because Aaron Rodgers in 0:17:24.299 --> 0:17:27.579 this offense is finally looking like you hoped it would 0:17:27.579 --> 0:17:31.499 look back in September. Aaron Rodgers was their leading rusher 0:17:31.579 --> 0:17:33.939 last week over forty five yards. He really has been 0:17:33.979 --> 0:17:36.659 moving better. Some of it is matchup based. I don't 0:17:36.659 --> 0:17:38.419 think this is one of the better offenses in the league, 0:17:38.419 --> 0:17:41.219 but I think now with DeVante and Garrett Wilson a 0:17:41.219 --> 0:17:44.059 little more in sync with their quarterback and Aaron Rodgers 0:17:44.099 --> 0:17:46.299 just a little bit more willing to hold onto the ball, 0:17:46.619 --> 0:17:50.499 I think they can score against average defenses, and that's 0:17:50.539 --> 0:17:52.219 what I would consider the Rams right now. 0:17:52.299 --> 0:17:53.979 They're not great in the second theory. 0:17:54.099 --> 0:17:56.859