Ranking Wild Card Teams + Talking Azeez Al-Shaair Situation

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – "Ranking Wild Card Teams + Talking Azeez Al-Shaair Situation"

Release Date: December 4, 2024
Host: Bobby Skinner and Justin Panick
Description: In this episode of Football Today, hosts Bobby Skinner and Justin Panick delve into the current landscape of NFL wild card teams, providing comprehensive power rankings and insightful analysis. Additionally, they tackle the controversial suspension of Aziz Alshair following his incident with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, examining the implications and consistency of NFL disciplinary actions.

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1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Bobby Skinner welcoming listeners to Football Today alongside Justin Panick. The primary focus areas for this episode are:

• Power ranking the current wild card teams in both the AFC and NFC.
• A detailed discussion on the Aziz Alshair suspension incident involving Trevor Lawrence.

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2. Wild Card Teams Power Rankings

Overview: Bobby and Justin engage in an in-depth analysis of the six wild card teams in each conference, evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, and potential as playoff contenders.

Bobby Skinner's Rankings:

1. Green Bay Packers (1)

   • Strengths: Aggressive defense, improved quarterback performance.
   • Key Insight: "Jordan Love avoiding interceptions and making incredible throws can win you games in the postseason" (22:25).

2. Los Angeles Chargers (2)

   • Strengths: Strong pass rush, solid defense.
   • Key Insight: "They have truly benefited from maybe the easiest schedule in the NFL" (17:38).

3. Baltimore Ravens (3)

   • Strengths: Best quarterback in the NFC, Derek Henry's performance.
   • Weaknesses: Offensive line vulnerabilities.
   • Key Insight: "Their offensive line is going to be exposed in the playoffs" (18:05).

4. Minnesota Vikings (4)

   • Strengths: Talented offense, Brian Flores' defensive coaching.
   • Weaknesses: Lack of superstar defensive names.
   • Key Insight: "Postseason can come down to Jimmy's and Joe's" (13:23).

5. Denver Broncos (5)

   • Strengths: Number two defense in the NFL.
   • Weaknesses: Offensive inconsistency.
   • Key Insight: "Bo Nicks has been borderline a top 12 quarterback" (08:45).

6. Washington Commanders (6)

   • Strengths: Jaden Daniels' standout rookie performance.
   • Weaknesses: Overall roster talent and defensive depth.
   • Key Insight: "Their roster and especially that defense is not ready to make any kind of postseason push" (04:30).

Justin Panick's Rankings:

1. Minnesota Vikings (1)

   • Strengths: Robust defense under Brian Flores, versatile offense.
   • Key Insight: "The Minnesota Vikings have the best record out of all these teams too" (13:26).

2. Baltimore Ravens (2)

   • Strengths: Derek Henry's running game, solid quarterback play.
   • Weaknesses: Inconsistent offensive line performance.
   • Key Insight: "Justin Tucker has become an issue for them" (20:20).

3. Green Bay Packers (3)

   • Strengths: Jordan Love's improved performance, aggressive defense.
   • Weaknesses: Turnover management.
   • Key Insight: "Jordan Love is making throws that can win you games in the postseason" (22:25).

4. Los Angeles Chargers (4)

   • Strengths: Defense, pass rush.
   • Weaknesses: Potential struggles against top-tier quarterbacks.
   • Key Insight: "They can't beat Lamar Allen or Mahomes in the playoffs" (17:38).

5. Denver Broncos (5)

   • Strengths: Previously ranked number five by Bobby.
   • Weaknesses: Offensive inconsistency remains a concern.
   • Key Insight: "Bo Nicks has been a much better quarterback in the last two months" (08:45).

6. Washington Commanders (6)

   • Strengths: Jaden Daniels' rookie impact.
   • Weaknesses: Defensive vulnerabilities and overall talent.
   • Key Insight: "Commanders haven't looked as good despite their performance" (07:45).

Discussion Highlights:

• Commanders' Potential: Both hosts agree on the team's ability to secure a wild card spot but express skepticism about their depth and readiness for the postseason. Bobby emphasizes the lack of defensive talent preventing them from advancing beyond initial rounds.

• Vikings' Dominance: Justin lauds the Vikings' balanced offense and formidable defense, citing Brian Flores' coaching as a significant advantage. However, Bobby raises concerns about the lack of superstar defensive players who can make game-changing plays.

• Packers' Quarterback Play: Bobby places high confidence in Jordan Love's abilities, highlighting his low sack rate and ability to avoid turnovers. Justin echoes this sentiment, noting that Love's aggressive play can be a double-edged sword in high-stakes playoff scenarios.

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3. Aziz Alshair and Trevor Lawrence Incident

Incident Overview: Aziz Alshair was suspended for three games following a controversial hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during a game on December 1st.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Description of the Incident:

  • Timestamp 26:23: Alshair delivered a forceful blow to Lawrence's head and neck area after Lawrence went down, leading to a physical altercation on the field.
  • Host Commentary: "You can tell intent from Aziz Alshair to make a hit on him" (33:33).

• Hosts' Opinions on the Suspension:

  • Bobby Skinner: Criticizes the NFL's inconsistent disciplinary actions and questions the length of the suspension. "I think three games is too much of a suspension" (34:41).
  • Justin Panick: Agrees that the suspension is excessive and highlights the lack of consistency in NFL penalties. "He just should be suspended for one game" (32:39).

• Discussion Points:

  • Consistency in NFL Penalties: Both hosts express frustration over the NFL's arbitrary enforcement of rules, citing previous incidents like Brian Branch and Kareem Jackson's penalties as examples of inconsistency.
  • Impact of Public Pressure: They argue that the NFL's decisions are often swayed by public opinion rather than standardized guidelines. "It's like the NFL doing what it wants based on public pressure" (34:41).
  • Protecting Quarterbacks: There's a broader conversation about the NFL's stance on protecting quarterbacks, noting the double standard where quarterbacks are expected to protect themselves while facing rigorous penalties for defenders.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Bobby: "Your continued disregard for the NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both of you and your opponents in jeopardy" (27:01).
  • Justin: "This is a bad precedent for the NFL to send" (32:39).

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4. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Bobby Skinner and Justin Panick reinforce their rankings and reiterate their viewpoints on the Aziz Alshair suspension. They highlight the complexities of NFL rule enforcement and emphasize the need for more consistent and fair disciplinary measures. The hosts hint at future episodes where they will continue to monitor team performances and lingering disciplinary issues within the league.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Jordan Love avoiding interceptions and making incredible throws can win you games in the postseason." – Bobby Skinner (22:25)
• "I think three games is too much of a suspension." – Bobby Skinner (34:41)
• "This is a bad precedent for the NFL to send." – Justin Panick (32:39)
• "He’s become an issue for them [Ravens]." – Justin Panick (20:20)
• "Their offensive line is going to be exposed in the playoffs." – Bobby Skinner (18:05)

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Conclusion:

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers listeners a comprehensive analysis of the NFL's wild card landscape, coupled with a critical examination of NFL disciplinary practices. Bobby Skinner and Justin Panick provide valuable insights into team performances and league governance, making it a must-listen for dedicated football fans seeking depth beyond game scores.

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Note: The transcript provided contains promotional segments and commercials interspersed within the main content. This summary focuses solely on the substantive discussions between Bobby Skinner and Justin Panick, omitting all advertisements and non-content segments as per the episode guidelines.

Transcript

[Bobby Skinner]

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[Unknown Speaker]

Welcome to Football Today Wednesday I don't know the date off the top of my head is December 4th. How's everybody doing today? I'm Bobby Skinner here with Justin Panic and want to break down the Trevor Lawrence Aziz alchier thing because it's become a well, this is crazy on both sides thing where he should be suspended for the season or for not at all because of past precedent. So we're going to talk about that. But before that, we're going to power rank the current wild card team. So the 5 through 7 seed in the AFC and the NFC just power rank them as we view them as like playoff and super bowl contenders. Justin Panick, how we doing? How we feeling?

[Bobby Skinner]

I'm feeling much better. The hot tub that I was in this weekend over Ohio State, the ph imbalance was bad. Hey, if you want a hot tub, make sure your ph balance is good. So you don't. How do you.

[Unknown Speaker]

So this is the first time I've talked to you since. Because I've recorded shows without you. How do you know that, that that's what it was?

[Bobby Skinner]

Because my mother, when we first got our hot tub when we were growing up, she had the same thing. Fully diagnosed, fully everything. And immediately like the same symptoms, the same marks. So we just knew exactly, exactly what it was. And also I looked it up online. I have marks like on my body and it's mainly on my legs. Well, I'll show you after.

[Unknown Speaker]

That's why. No, you won't. Some are saying Dan Patrick poisoned that hot tub, but I, I'm not one of them. We welcome on the listeners from the Dan Patrick network. All right, so we're gonna power rank our wild card teams one through six. Should we. I mean, I guess we always start at the bottom. Who is your number six wild card team? So this is base. This isn't officially the team with the least likely hood to advance in the playoffs and make the super bowl because we're not including division winners. And I think, I think there's a chance a division winner may be the weakest team in the NFL. But who is your number six for just power wild card teams?

[Bobby Skinner]

I have the commanders.

[Unknown Speaker]

I do as well. And what is, what is like your main reason why the commanders aren't ahead of the Chargers, the Packers, Ravens, Broncos, Vikings?

[Bobby Skinner]

Number one? I think Cliff Kingsbury in the month of November, December is a real thing, you know, and they have two wins this month, but their two wins are over the Giants and the Titans. And then there are three losses that are pancaked in between those two wins are the Steelers, the Eagles and the Cowboys. The cow. That Cowboys loss was bad, man. Really really bad loss but three kind of decently ish Cowboys aren't a good team. I don't think this commander's team has enough talent. I think they they should be commended on a very very good season. Jaden Daniels should win offensive rookie of the Year Even with Bo Nicks having a strong second half push there was still we haven't really seen anything like the first nine, ten weeks of you know Jaden did Jaden Daniels season I think he should almost win off it's a rookie of the year off that alone But I don't think this roster, this offensive line and especially that defense is ready to make any kind of postseason push and unless they're playing a team coming out of the AFC south or really if unless they're playing the Atlanta Falcons, I don't really see them winning a playoff game.

[Unknown Speaker]

I I like I said I think they're not going to face the Atlanta Falcons most likely unless they wouldn't things flip so there's a good chance they're going to be playing the Philadelphia Eagles. I think that defense my main thing is the defensive talent. I think that the defense has over exceeded but I just think that defensive talent is going to catch up with them. By the way, I've become a Brock Bowers offensive rookie of the year. You're the best at your position, you all pro your position. You get rookie of the year. It's not a I'm not turning a rookie of the year into just a best QB award because I just, I don't want to be that. So I want Brock Bowers around rookie of the Year. But off of that side note. Yeah it's just the Commanders haven't looked as good. Now they did smack the Titans around but those are also you know that's the only team the New York jets beat this year. You know they're they're a team that's contending for the number one pick in the NFL draft. So I'm not going to be overly impressed with that but I'm very impressed that the Commanders are even in the playoffs at this point I'm pretty confident they're going to get in. They're two games up on the Bucks with and you know, and the Rams with five games left. I do think that they get in it's not a lock but yeah, Commanders are my number six wild card team as well.

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah they have a bye week. This week they have the Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys to finish off the year. If they go 2 and 2 they probably get in at 10 and 7.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah, it'd be. It'd be hard to miss that. 10 and 7 or 2 and 2. What are they right now? They're 7 and 5. Right.

[Bobby Skinner]

They're 8 and 5 because they just beat the Titans. They have a bye week, week 14, and they finish at, you know, at Saints. Home against Eagles, home against Falcons, at Cowboys.

[Unknown Speaker]

This is the last week for bye week. So I keep forgetting that teams have had.

[Bobby Skinner]

I know it's very late, very weird.

[Unknown Speaker]

So I think two and two is very doable for them. All right. Number six for me is going to be the team that's won a Monday Night Football. A team that's hot. The number two defense in the NFL. I'm going to go to Denver, the Denver Broncos.

[Bobby Skinner]

I. And this is number five, correct? Because you just said number six. Yes, number five. So, yeah, number six Commanders. And then number five. I also have the Denver Broncos.

[Unknown Speaker]

Okay. So why are we not like, fully bought into what the Denver Broncos are doing right now?

[Bobby Skinner]

Again, I'm going to certainly defend. They're not lacking defensive talent. And I legitimately do think that this is a deep. This is a defense that can do some good things in some big games. They have had some games even like the Browns, where they've had a, you know, they've allowed a lot of points, they've allowed a lot of yards. But we know that pass rushers can win in the postseason. I don't know. I'm still not fully believing that Bo Nicks and that offense and that offensive talent can win against better defenses. Call me a hater, right? I said call me a hate. Call me a hater at this point. But I'm really impressed with Bo Nicks. And he's been. Over the last 2ish months, he's been like borderline a top 12, top 10 quarterback.

[Unknown Speaker]

He's played really well. And in the beginning, it was God awful. Like, he was like. The first month I was like. And I wasn't like the biggest, but like, I had Bo Nicks rated ahead of Michael Penix. I talked about how I thought his film was much better than J.J. mcCarthy's.

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah.

[Unknown Speaker]

You know, and then obviously I didn't have any of those guys in the same level as the Caleb Drake May and Jaden Daniels level. So I thought bone. But that first month of the season, or even his first six weeks, I'm like, this is really bad. Like, this is. This guy's unsettled. His feet aren't there. He's missing passes. He's not dealing with pressure. Now he has not had to face a lot of pressure in his last month or so as well. And I think that. But you know their last three they've on a three game winning streak being the Browns, the Raiders, Falcons, the Falcons one is fairly impressive. You know like that the Falcons are a division leader right now. Got beat by the Chiefs 16 to 14. That was on the block field goal, but still only scored 14 on them and then got smoked by the Ravens 41 to 10. Then there wins before that Panthers, Saints, then lost to the playoff Chargers and then you know, I won't go over the first month of the season because Bo Nicks has been a much better quarterback since then. So I think that defense is again it's one of these attacking defenses that comes at you, it brings it all game long. But at the end I don't. That offensive line is performing really well. I just don't trust that offense to put up enough points in the playoffs when it matters. I don't, I don't think that defense, as good as it is, is a carry you through a couple rounds type of defense.

[Bobby Skinner]

Can see them beating a wild card team though like with that, with that defensive performance and that pass rush just shutting everything down. Patrick certain shuts down a number one wide receiver. I definitely could see them shutting. You know right now they'd be playing.

[Unknown Speaker]

Bills in the first round though.

[Bobby Skinner]

Oh, Bill. It depends how the, how the AFC shakes up too because the Bills could lose a game. Steelers could go up there.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah, you get Broncos, Steelers. It's, you know that they did lose to the Steelers early in the year but that's, you know, like they lost 13 to 6 now. But I'd say both teams have different quarterbacks at this point. Bo Nicks is not what he was in that matchup and Justin Fields is not the quarterback. But yeah, they can, they can beat the Steelers. I picked the Steelers, but they can beat them. So we have the same one. We need to start differing on some of this stuff. Justin, my number. Who is your number? Four out of your six wild card teams.

[Bobby Skinner]

I have the Vikings.

[Unknown Speaker]

I have the Vikings number one.

[Bobby Skinner]

Whoa, whoa.

[Unknown Speaker]

That defense is hard to prepare for. Right. And also like think about this a little bit. It's not about opponent but like think about this. Think about Brian Flores's defense vs. Jalen Hurts, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Jordan Love and Jaden Daniels. The Lions. I'm not comparing many teams, I'm not comparing any of these teams against how they'll do against the Lions. But hell, they almost did beat the Detroit Lions. So there's a divisional foe part where they have a chance in that one too. The offense is obviously super talented. They can run the ball. And I do have worries about Darnold in a playoff game, but I also think they're good enough to overcome if he's having some turnovers, you know, which they've been able to do this year. You know, they have, you know, they only have two losses on the year. Like, the Vikings are my number one team. Like, again, if we're ranking quarterbacks in this, yeah, I'm not. I'm not feeling comfortable with that at all compared to the rest of these teams. But just overall team coaching, I think the Vikings can make some actual noise in these playoffs.

[Bobby Skinner]

I think quarterback is a huge part of this in terms of like, you know, who is really contending for Super Bowl. And I would just put these other, these other quarterbacks in this wild card bracket ahead of where the Vikings are now. And also, the Vikings are a frisky team. They are a dangerous team, but they also lack talent on the, especially on the defensive side of the ball where Brian Flores has been a really, really good coach. And I know they have Bernard and I know Van Ginkel has been really good for them too. Van Ginkel really only has like a 10% win rate on true pass sets. Bernard's been really, really good. And don't get me wrong, Van Ginkel has been really good for them as well. Byron Murphy's been good for them in the secondary. Stefan Gilmore has been pretty solid. But still, like, there's. There's not a ton of like, firepower, superstar names on that defense that, like, who am I gonna. Who can I see really stepping up and making that game winning play for the Minnesota Vikings?

[Unknown Speaker]

But they're all in a Brian Flores defense.

[Bobby Skinner]

I know, but it's still. I think the postseason can come down to Jimmy's and Joe's though. Whereas, you know, scheme. Scheme is good. Everybody, everybody has good scheme. Everybody has a good game plan. Everybody knows what you're about in the postseason. There's so much film on everybody where I think it may come down to Jimmy's and Joe's. And I just don't know if the Vikings at this point of their roster build have that. And especially it comes at quarterback too.

[Unknown Speaker]

So I agree when we're talking about a team that plays too high, right, the Vic Fangio defenses and stuff, but that defense, man, it's just hard for the best quarter. Like the best quarterbacks just have to Be on their A game and they've made the, some of the best quarterbacks look awful this year. And you look at the NFC like we don't love the quarterbacks in the nfc. Hell, even the Lions, you know, with a Jared Goff like you compare that versus, you know, the top of the afc, it's not even close. So if they were in the afc, maybe I wouldn't be taking them as serious. But with the nfc, with that talent, they have, you know, the best record out of all these teams too, which you know, plays some part. And they're, you know, like the Minnesota Vikings only losses are against the Detroit Lions which they lost on a, on a game winning field goal. And then they lost to the Rams 30 to 20. The week after, you know, they, you know, beaten the Texans, they've beaten the Packers. Right. That game looks like a two point game, but they really beat the out. And I don't think that score tells the story, you know, you know, beat the Cardinals last week in a tight game where they had to pull it out at the end. But I, I really am a believer of these Minnesota Vikings.

[Bobby Skinner]

I mean who, and who's to say I don't even want to hate on the Vikings, but who. This is for the, this is the case for the Vikings, packers and Lions. This division is still up for grabs.

[Unknown Speaker]

Oh yeah, that's this. I'm trying to think of like when has a division been this good? Like when's, when's the last time we had a division that was just flat out this damn good where like there's multiple teams that can like you can see making a Super Bowl?

[Bobby Skinner]

That's a good question. I have no clue. Comment down below.

[Unknown Speaker]

If you know nobody in the nfc, I kind of want to go through, go through this exercise. I mean I guess the AFC north has had some sometimes when, when they were like that, but there's been times.

[Bobby Skinner]

Where divisions have been this close. But not because the records are this close.

[Unknown Speaker]

But I'm talking about like just three teams that are just like you can make an argument for, you know, top eight in the NFL.

[Bobby Skinner]

Well here, here's my hope. My hope is that Vikings at Lions on January 5th. Right now it's slated to be a 1pm game. I'm hoping, part of me hopes that this is 4 the NFC north title. Flex that to a somewhat significant time slot and we're going to have a party. That's my hope.

[Unknown Speaker]

By the way, we're going to record after the Thursday night game this week.

[Bobby Skinner]

What's The Thursday night game this week, Lions and Packers. Ah, okay.

[Unknown Speaker]

We kind of got it. That's a bit. That's game of the week right there. Number four for me is the Chargers. You know me, I love, I love myself some Los Angeles Chargers. I, I don't know if that, that offensive talent is just there to hang in the playoffs. Like, I really like that defense. But even then they are where you talked about like everyone's got scheme in the playoffs. You know, Like, I, I think the Chargers have truly benefited from maybe the easiest schedule in the NFL. And that's one reason why I picked them to win so many games this year. But you know, they, they lost to the Ravens. Like, tell me, tell me that. Like they beat the Broncos. But again, Bo Nicks was a different. But I would pick them one one v one versus the Broncos. And they're, you know, the team we ranked second to last in this. I just think they're, they're not really a team that can beat like Lamar Allen and like a duo like two of Lamar Allen or Burrow, sorry, Lamar Allen or Mahomes in the playoffs. And to win as a wild card team, you're probably going to have to be two of those guys.

[Bobby Skinner]

So number three again, I had the Vikings four. Number three, I have the Ravens. And then I do have the Chargers ahead of the Ravens.

[Unknown Speaker]

Okay, so I have the Ravens number two. So we're going, obviously going out of, not out of order, but our orders are different. So I like. Let's, Let me just. Let's go. Let's go one through six. Right now my one through six is Vikings, Ravens, packers number three, Chargers number four, Broncos number six, Commanders. Wait, Vikings one.

[Bobby Skinner]

You've been getting the numbers wrong all episode.

[Unknown Speaker]

Ravens number two, packers number three, Chargers number four, Broncos number five, Commanders number six.

[Bobby Skinner]

I have packers one, Chargers two, Ravens three, Vikings four, Broncos five, Commanders six.

[Unknown Speaker]

Why I felt dirty not putting the Ravens number one. They have the best quarterback in all of this. They have, you know, Derek Henry. Their defense is starting to come together a little bit. I just, I worry about them not playing with the lead and where Derek Henry is playing good but not having a dominant Russian game.

[Bobby Skinner]

Boom. And you want to know. You want to know. So I follow some Ravens people and some Ravens people that break down film.

[Unknown Speaker]

And some study Ravens.

[Bobby Skinner]

He's one of them. And then another guy, another guy, another guy that interacted. I forget, I forget his name, but another guy that interacted with a Chiefs video that I made a while back and I followed him. Something That I talked about a lot during the summer and after the first game of the season where they lost against the Chiefs where their offensive line was exposed. And then that, hey, credit to the Ravens staff and credit to their offensive line coach. Where the Chiefs offensive line and the weak parts of their offensive line, particularly the right side, has not been a talking point, I think, over the last three weeks, especially against the Steelers and against the Eagles. Jalen Carter, you know, had some. Had some good plays, and the Eagles front is kind of dangerous. I think the Eagles offensive line is going to be exposed in the playoffs, particularly the, The. The Ravens offensive line is going to be exposed in the playoffs. I think it's not very good. The right side Valley is inconsistent. Whoever they have running out there at right tackle, whether it's Rosengarten or, you know, if they're their other swing guy, I think they're going to be exposed. And especially if they get down early, like you said, Bobby and Lamar Jackson has to drop back and they have to push the ball down the field. This is where pressure can get to Lamar. Whether it's physically or metaphorical pressure that you need to carry the football team. I think that offensive line is going again, Jimmy's and Joe's in the postseason. It's going to be exposed. And I think that's why I trust the Chargers more. Even though, hey, they're not the most talented either. And also this Ravens defense is not, not nearly as dominant as what it was last year. It's borderline. Not even a good defense.

[Unknown Speaker]

No, it's. It's really not by any statistical measure, but with some of the guys you have on there, you kind of like have some trust in them with, you know, Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton. Yeah, they also have a kicker issue.

[Bobby Skinner]

Oh, huge kick. Like Justin Tucker shouldn't.

[Unknown Speaker]

They've lost games because of, like, yeah, they, like, they don't have a kicker on the practice squad unless they sign one. Since we recorded on Monday, they need to go sign a kicker to their practice squad because, like, that's. And I like Justin Tucker has been. He'll be a ring of honor. And for the Ravens, we're talking about, you know, trying to win a Super bowl here. And he may be a disadvantage for you, which is a crazy thing to think about, how quickly it happened for him. But he, he's become an issue for them. But I don't, I don't at the same time, like, you kind of hope he gets out of this funk and is a good kicker for you. Next year. So it's like, how do you go about that? So I think they have an issue, but they did just beat the Charger. So I, I have them over the Charger and, and so you have the packers number one. And we'll finish off with this. And before we get into the Trevor Lawrence stuff, I'm not like, I think the packers are capable. I think they can go to the Super Bowl. I got to see more from them. Like the most impressive thing I think the packers have done this year is going undefeated with Malik Willis at quarterback. And that's awesome. But that's not what's going to win you Super Bowl. It's about winning with Jordan Love, which they have done. But I thought they got beat badly by the Vikings. They lost to the alliance, they lost to the Eagles Week one. Obviously teams are a lot different, but if anything, the Eagles look a lot better than what they did in that week one matchup. You know, like the packers have losses to the Eagles, Vikings, Lions, they have wins over the Dolphins, the perdulous 49ers, the Bears on a block field goal, the Jags, Texans, Cardinals and Rams. So like Texans, Cardinals and Rams are, are some solid wins, but they're not these season defining wins. But Jordan Love is getting hot and that can make all the difference in the world.

[Bobby Skinner]

And that's, that's where I'm coming from, where they have a defense that takes the ball away. They have a defense that's aggressive. Jordan Love has an incredibly low sack rate at 3% this year. Now here, here's the thing with Jordan Love. You got to not turn over the ball, you got to not make the dumb mistake, you got to not make that critical mistake in a critical moment in the playoffs. But this is a team that's been there, done that. They were literally on the doorsteps last year to beating the San Francisco 49ers. They were one drive away and one Jordan Love interception, away, game winning drive away from doing it. This is a young team that I believe in the coach, I believe in Jordan Love, the quarterback. Now despite, hey, I could say don't make the critical and crucial mistake, but also I still want to empower Jordan Love to make the incredible throw because we have seen some incredible freaking throws. That throw to Jaden Reed that he had against the Dolphins where he's, he's running to his right, he's running to his right and he's running backwards, almost backwards on an angle and he throws that ball on the run to Jaden Reed and he one hands it like, that's awesome stuff. That's awesome stuff. Jordan Love is making throws. It has the confidence off platform and to do certain things that not a lot of quarterbacks are doing right now. And that's the type of shit. And those are the type of plays that can win you fucking games in the postseason. Just don't do the dumb shit. Don't do the dumb shit. Avoid the negative plays. They're at least doing half of it by not getting sacked. And they can, and they can produce turnovers on their side. On the defensive side of the ball too.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah. And I think that's where the packers is. Like when Jordan Love is, is playing really well, it's hard to make a case against them. It's just like you mentioned, Jordan Love avoiding the interceptions. You can't take the aggression away like you said. But you do have to avoid the turnovers, which he's had a ton of this year. But you can make again, I think you can make an argument for like, like, let's just, let's just go through the quarterbacks in the nfc. Golf, Hertz, Geno, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, Jordan Love, Jaden Daniels.

[Bobby Skinner]

I'm putting love three I have behind who Golf and Hertz. Is there anybody egregious that I'm missing in there?

[Unknown Speaker]

No. If anything, I think maybe you put him over Hertz.

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah, I think maybe. I think maybe you do put them. I would put him over Hertz. Yes.

[Unknown Speaker]

And I think there's some people who would argue golf, but I think that's a little too early for that.

[Bobby Skinner]

I agree.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah. Justin. So I just relist six through one six Washington Commanders. Five Denver Broncos. Four Los Angeles Chargers. Three Green Bay packers. Two Baltimore Ravens. And number one new man on the Minnesota Vikings. Justin, who is your top six?

[Bobby Skinner]

Not your top number six. Who is your rankings number six? I have the Washington Commanders. Number five, the Denver Broncos. Number four, the Minnesota Vikings. Number three, the Baltimore Ravens. Number two, the Los Angeles Chargers. And number one, the Green Bay Packers. We ranked the powers of the wild card teams and before we talk about this, Trevor Lawrence and Aziz all sheer situation, we got to talk about DraftKings. Today's episode is sponsored by DraftKings. Grab your favorite team's jersey and some snacks and head to the couch for another Sunday of action packed football. Get even closer to the action each Sunday with our partners at the DraftKings sportsbook. Right now, all new customers who bet just $5. You're going to get 150,000 bonus bets. If your Bet wins when you use our code football today. All one word staying on the action. Use your 150, 000 bonus bets on DraftKings. Same game parlays, first shot and an even bigger payout. Sports betting is not yet available in your state. Don't worry, you can still join in on all the fun with DraftKings Daily Fantasy and have a shot to win cash prizes. So download the DraftKings sportsbook right now. New customers use promo code Football today. Bet just $5 on the wage. You get 150,000 bonus bets if your bet wins. That's promo code Football today only at the DraftKings sportsbook. You will be glad you did. I want some money because I in the first quarter, I said Michigan plus nine and a half. Boom. And I won. I won some money. When I was at the Michigan Ohio State game, there was pepper spray on the field.

[Unknown Speaker]

Some were, some were saying you got pepper sprayed, but that was not. That was confirmed to be false.

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah, I was up in the three hundreds.

[Unknown Speaker]

Well, people get pepper sprayed. That's honestly the most, if you ask me where. What's the most likely place for someone to get pepper sprayed?

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah, it's a good point.

[Unknown Speaker]

All right, so let's talk about this Trevor Lawrence, Aziz Alshier thing and thing by I mean Aziz Elshear trying to take Trevor Lawrence's head off. So he was suspended for three games. Justin and I just kind of want to lay all this out there and then we can talk about it. We don't need to spend time on this. So he suspended for three games and then the NFL rules thing. And this computer doesn't have the statement that I had pulled up. So let me.

[Bobby Skinner]

By John Runyon.

[Unknown Speaker]

By John Runyon. Right. And there's a discussion of whether it's hypocritical for John Runyon being in this position because of some of the hits he had. But nonetheless, that is his job and you can't judge him based off of that. So they come out with this. During your game against the Jacksonville Jack. And we've all seen the hit, you know, don't need to describe it. During your game against the Jacksonville Jags on December 1st with. All right, 4 minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the league considered unacceptable in a serious violation of the playing rules. Video shows you striking the head neck area of the Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down. And a feat. First slide. You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow. To the head neck area of your opponent. You had time and space to avoid such contact. After the illegal hit, you proceed to engage in a brawl which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his face mask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike conducts, unsportsman like acts, you removed your helmet and re engaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone. Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is troubling and does not reflect the Gore values in the NFL. Your continued disregard for the NFL playing rules puts the health and safety to both of you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated. So let's talk about it. Demiko Ryan's, you know, in his presser talked about how QB slide later go out of bounds last second. This was not that. Right. If we're talking about the way Patrick Mahomes can play the games or Kenny Pickett and a couple years ago at Pitt, then yeah, that's that stuff's bullshit. If a QB is on the on the field towards the sideline and he's maybe trying to bait you in and get an extra couple yards, crush him. I don't care. Like get out of bounds quarterback.

[Bobby Skinner]

And that's exactly what Caleb Williams did earlier in the year. Aziz Al Shahir, which I people are using like oh, Aziz's previous, previous, you know, actions, previous actions of being dirty. Caleb Williams does this thing where he slows up, waits to get hit and tries to bait people into a flag. That shit shouldn't fly.

[Unknown Speaker]

Right? Right. And but here's the issue is that you could see the intent from Aziz Alshir and what he did versus Trevor Lawrence. Like right. It's not just slowing it down. You watch it live and you're like oh that. Like you watch it live from every angle and it looks like you're doing that on purpose. You mentioned the Caleb William Williams thing. He threw a punch on Roshan Johnston on that he crushed Tony Pollard out of bounds. He's grabbed Brady by the neck. Like that is a part of the story when it comes to disease. I'll share. And Demiko Ryan saying their sideline overreacted. Shut the up to Miko Ryan's their sideline did not overreact at all. If in anything they reacted less than they should have because they should have had his helmet in the ground for that. And then here's the person I Actually agreed with a little bit Nick Casterio, the Texans gm, talking about no consistency. He mentioned Derwin James getting all these penalties and then suspended one game. Brian Branch ejected and then played the next week. And then I thought the one that he brought the best was Kareem Jackson, who has been ejected and fined three times before he was suspended for one game. So I actually agree a three game suspension is not. That's brand new. That's brand new. And I don't think Aziz Al, despite past offenses, has been this repeat, repeat offender where he needs that. But what I don't like from Nick Casaro is talking about him being a captain and going to a charity offense to defend him. Like that sounds silly. Like, you know, says it's bullshit about how he's being painted by the referencing the run. No, I don't think it's at all like, you know, like maybe we can have a discussion of John Runyon being, you know, the VP of policy and rules administration, that being hypocritical. But all have fun killing the messenger. Like, I'm sorry, but if you lay a guy out who gave himself up to put him in the fucking fencing position, then you keep engaging in this stuff, post play brawling and still don't stop jawing all the way until the fucking locker room. You get to be painted however the public wants. When you have this past history, right? And then his, I thought his apology sucked, right? It started good. And then he's blaming reporters and for what they're writing about him. That dude, fuck that. You do that, you get criticized. So I actually agree that three games is too much of a suspension. But spare me the fucking pity party that the Texans are trying to be put out there about how, oh Zel, maybe if you didn't grab Brady by the neck and have these late hits and then are trying, you know, are trying to fight people all the way into the fucking locker room after a guy's in the fencing position, then I maybe have a little more pity for you. I have no pity for Aziz last year. I don't think he should be suspended for three games. I think it should be one game. But I'm not crying about it because like I think his reaction to this and blaming media and shit, it drives me fucking insane. Or driving fans act, you know, saying racism and Islamophobia. No, you put a guy in a fencing position and then continue to try and fight people afterwards. I understand defending yourself when Ingram comes and puts you in the ground and the team, but continue taking your helmet Off.

[Bobby Skinner]

Yeah. Taking your helmet off when Brandon Sheriff, you know, is coming up to him afterwards. But again, you know, you're suspending a guy not for, I guess they also suspended him for the, for the.

[Unknown Speaker]

He just should be suspended for one game. Unless wants to change the rules, which I think that's a deadly game, a dangerous game to be playing and change the standard. But I think he should be, should be suspended for one game. Find him, whatever, but he should be suspended for one game. I do think that this is, this is a bad precedent for the NFL to send because I, I feel like this is a bit of an overreaction to an incident.

[Bobby Skinner]

I agree we, we have to be quick with this. But there, there is no consistency there, there is no. And this is the thing with the, with the NFL where I agreed that you, you gotta, you gotta suspend, you gotta suspend it for the. There, there, there was intent there. You're lowering the forearm, you're lowering your head, you're going after the guy's neck. There's, there's intent there. And I think there even is a, a conversation around the over protection of the quarterback in the NFL where it's also, it's also on the quarterback where if you want to be protected, you got to also protect yourself. But that's not on Trevor Lawrence, that's on the Mahomes thing, the Josh Allen fake slide, Caleb Williams, it's on. It's on.

[Unknown Speaker]

And there's times where guys will slide and they may take a hit. This was different. You saw Aziz al to get a hit on. In on him. Yeah, right. Like there's times where it looks bad, but it's, you can, you can tell or at least it's questionable if the intent was there. This, I think when you watch this in live action, not freeze framing it, there looks like clear intent from all Shearer to make a hit on him.

[Bobby Skinner]

But in terms of the NFL just as a sanctioning body, there is no consistency. And this is with a lot of things that they rule on, whether it's on the field, whether it's off the field, whether it's substance abuse or, you know, sexual abuse stuff that they've, that they've ruled on in the past. There is no consistency. There is no precedence. There is no guidelines. They rarely have any guidelines. It's the NFL doing what it wants, when it wants to based on public pressure. Like, you know, Tua freezes up. I don't even know the guy that hit, that hit two. All those times when he freezes up, you don't know it, but it's always there, you know, but it's the public. Ironic, but it's the public pressure. Whenever, like, there's public outcry and pressure for the NFL to do something, then they will react and at times overreact whether there is no guideline to what they do. It's like, all right, three games. All right, cool. That Brian Branch hit was gross, man. Was fucking gross. I did. I did a short on it. I did a breakdown on it. Like, that is a gross, gross hit. Where it was even arguable whether Brian Branch should have even been thrown out of that game or just a personal foul penalty.

[Unknown Speaker]

Well, here's the difference, is that we haven't seen this happen on a guy who's giving himself up since Joe Flacco and Kiko Alonzo. I don't know how many years ago that was. The only other thing I think of is Rob Gronkowski, like, jumping on that guy's back after the play. But we haven't seen anything like where it's. That's the quarterback sliding and there looks like there's intent to make a hit on them. Yeah. So. All right, that's an episode. We will see you guys on Friday. We'll recap the Lions and Packers game on Thursday Night Football and then give you a little Preview for week 14. I'm Bobby Skinner, that's Justin Panick, and this is Football Today.

[Justin Panick]

Wow. What is this place?

[Bobby Skinner]

Welcome to Cloud 9.

[Justin Panick]

How exactly did I get here?

[Bobby Skinner]

You're a Toyota Crown driver, and only.

[Justin Panick]

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[Bobby Skinner]

That's how the Crown transports you here. It's pretty awesome, right?

[Unknown Speaker]

The captivating Toyota Crown family Toyota. Let's go places.

[Justin Panick]

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[Bobby Skinner]

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[Unknown Speaker]

You are to become a mother and have a son.

[Justin Panick]

That's not possible this December.

[Bobby Skinner]

Great Herod the prophecy speak of the coming Messiah. What need have we of a Messiah?

[Justin Panick]

Witness the miracle.

[Unknown Speaker]

I'm gonna bring this child into the world with love.

[Justin Panick]

Starring Anthony Hopkins where is he?

[Unknown Speaker]

Tell me. Love would cost you dearly.

[Justin Panick]

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[Bobby Skinner]

But in the end, love will save the world.

[Justin Panick]

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