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- [00:00]
Adnan Virk
As we gather together during this holiday.
- [00:02]
Richard Sherman
Season, let me share a gift that keeps on giving. Chase Freedom With Chase Freedom Unlimited, you'll not only experience the joy of 1.5%.
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Jason Demers
Unlimited cash back, but also the freedom.
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Richard Sherman
To create cherished memories with your loved ones. Discover the magic and learn more@chasefreedom.com and let this season be filled with love, laughter and the delight of extra cash in your pocket.
- [00:25]
Adnan Virk
Cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC this is Doug Gottlieb from All Ball with Doug Gottlieb. Listen, I'm gonna get serious for a minute. The hate in our country is getting out of control. In fact, it's sadly at an all time high. But it's gonna take all of us to stop it. I mean, we're all on the same team in this country. So let's take a break from our hate so our team can regroup. We need to take a timeout against hate. Visit standuptoallhate.org to help and join me in calling for timeout against hate by following ot'supwithhate or or posting the Blue.
- [01:00]
Richard Sherman
Square Emoji Holiday magic is in the air and DSW's got all the shoes to make your season extra merry. Believe you've got parties to attend and lists to check twice. So DSW is taking care of the details like gifts to make their eyes all aglow. Styles that bring joy to your world. Brands everyone wants like Ugg, Nike, Birkenstock and more and deals to make your budget bright. Find the perfect shoes for you and yours at a DSW store near you or dsw.com Thursday Night Football is on and it's only on Prime Video. Breaking the tackle Touchdown this week, keep the holiday celebration going as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Chicago Bears. You're gonna love this. Coverage begins with TNF tonight. Not a Prime member. Sign up for a 30 day free trial to stream the game. It's the Seahawks and Bears Thursday only on Prime. Video restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.
- [01:58]
Adnan Virk
What's up everybody? Ad Nan Ver here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virkin Demers, Jason Demers here.
- [02:05]
Mitchell
And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.
- [02:09]
Adnan Virk
Hey, I got a lot to say here too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.
- [02:13]
Mitchell
Tons of guests are going to join in too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le Table.
- [02:23]
Adnan Virk
Listen to NHL unscripted with Virk and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:32]
Richard Sherman
The volume. You know this, sir. You fall for this joke, you dope. Super bowl championship. That should always be the expectation. I ain't mad at you. Go ahead. Welcome back to the Richard Sermon podcast. Another incred week inching closer and closer to these playoffs. And a lot of things happen this week. A lot of games that that had some expected outcomes and others not so expected. The Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Washington Commanders lose Jalen Hurts early in that ball game. That's going to be something to monitor. That helped the Washington Commanders, even the Philadelphia Eagles have not yet secured this division yet, if I'm not mistaken. I think there's still a chance for the the Washington Commanders to to pull it out now. It's a long shot because the Eagles play Dallas and the Giants to finish the season, but there's a lot of things that can happen. The Buffalo Bills had a really crazy scare from the New England Patriots. A game that should have been a walk away blowout was a dog fight down to the last seconds and onside kick recovered by Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen does not have an MVP performance. Mitchell. Your Detroit Lions find a way though.
- [03:48]
Doug Gottlieb
They're back. And Richard, I'm back. Fresh off of laryngitis last week. I apologize. I missed last week's episodes, guys. I could not talk and Richard heard me talk on the phone. It was not pretty and I was fired up to watch these games. I mean from a Detroiter standpoint, I was rooting heavily for your Seattle Seahawks. It looked like everything was going right for Seattle. It's vintage Seattle. Geno Smith throwing for over 300 yards and Jackson Smith and Jigba looks like a star in the making for the Seattle Seahawks team. But it's just not enough and they needed to win badly and they go down to almighty Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson late in this game. Your thoughts what went wrong for the Seattle Seahawks down the stretch?
- [04:37]
Richard Sherman
A lot of things went wrong, Mitchell. A lot of things went wrong starting with the turnovers. You can't have them. And obviously the last one was was to clinch the game trying to find DK Metcalf deep down the field. They were playing what looked like a form of too deep, you know, just keeping a shell on the defense, not allowing a big play. Geno wanted it bad he forced it in there. Unfortunately, that's what happened. He was under duress most of the day. Managed to throw for 315 yards, three touchdowns. But the two interceptions are where the difference in the ball game. Your boy K9 only had eight carries but had 31 yards. You know, had a few breakout runs there, but just, just played from behind for a lot of this game and was. Was chasing the the Minnesota Vikings for a good portion of this game. So had to throw the ball 43 times again. You, like you said, JSN had a really, another really consistent, really good game. Eight catches for 95 yards in the touchdown. Had one really incredible grab in traffic, got up flexing, you know, great catch. He's starting to develop into one of the better receivers in national football league. Obviously. DK had his touchdown, three catches for 57 yards. Jaren Reed, Boyer Mafe, Derek hall all record a sack against a really good Minnesota Vikings offensive line. Sam Darnold just continues to amaze and astound. If it, if this was a different life, people would be talking about, you know, potential MVP for Sam Darnold. But this isn't that life and it's just a really good, feel good story right now. Sam Donald, 22 of 35, 246, three touchdowns, no interceptions. Aaron Jones, 18 carries, 67 yards, another three catches for 26 yards. But Justin Jefferson, the guy you had to find an answer for, the guy you had to stop in this game, 10 catches for 144 yards in the two touchdowns. That is what killed him. Obviously. The dagger 39 yard touchdown at the end of the game into cover two. I wasn't sure what happened on that play. It looked like Jordan Love was trying to, to. To kind of give presence in the middle of the field. But you can't give presence in that situation. You got to get over to Justin Jefferson. It looked like Reek funneled him in, even got a lot of depth to make sure it wasn't a big window. Sam Donald got pressured, moved up in the pocket, found that window, darted it in there. No, no air under the ball. If there was any air under the ball, I think Julian Love would have picked it. There wasn't any air. It was a dime. That was the difference in the game at the end. Obviously people talk about the miss field goal, but that was a long, long, long field goal. 60 yarder that they tried to attempt to tie the game. I don't think anybody expected that one. You know, it had been nice if it went, but 60 yarder to tie the game is tough from anybody. They had a chance to go down there. I think the defense made enough stops in the second half to give the offense a chance. Unfortunately, the missed field gold and in the interception are what doomed them. I mean, the Seahawks couldn't ask for to be in better position going near the end of that game. Had the ball low, backed up, but with a chance to win the ball game or at least drive down and tie it. That, that interception was a, was a gut punch. It was a. It really, really, really, really killed the momentum. It killed everything. Killed the hopes of the Seattle Seahawks, at least for this season. You know, I don't think they're mathematically eliminated. I think, you know, if the Rams lose and some other crazy stuff happens, there's a chance they could get in, but just a disappointing game for how well they played on both sides of the football, the plays they made. You know, obviously the, the Minnesota vikings are, are a 12 war 12 win ball club coming into this game. So it shows that Seattle Seahawks could play with anybody. They can keep the quarterback upright. They can cover with the best of them. Justin Jefferson is one of the best, if not the best receiver in the National Football League. Reek was with him step for step in a lot of these routes. Obviously, you know, that was a cover to what they called where they scored the touchdown and there was a, you know, he got beat on a couple. But you expect that this is the best receiver in the National Football League. He's going to get his too. That's why you play the game. But the two interceptions by Dallas Turner and Theo Jackson are what ended up being the difference in this ball game. When you have a game like this, you have to execute on all cylinders. You have to, you have to be hitting on all cylinders in order to win this game. Seattle Seahawks weren't. Minnesota Vikings were. They are now 13 and 2. They host the Green Bay packers next week in a really, really pivotal game in that division. If they find a way to win that, there is a big, big, big time game with the Detroit Lions coming up that will decide perhaps the number one seed in the nfc. That's going to be crazy.
- [09:29]
Doug Gottlieb
It's insane to me that this team is 13 and 2. I feel like they're not talked about enough. They deserve to be talked about more. They are and they've always been a competitive team. It doesn't matter, you know, who's at the helm. Like clearly, I mean, Kirk Cousins led this team for years and now you sub in Sam Darnold who's had a resurgence, a career revitalization. This team's locked and loaded and they're so well coached defensively they can gun anyone. And you go on the road against Seattle, who desperately needs a win. And by the way, Richard, they are not eliminated. They go on the road like you said and play against these lowly Chicago Bears who we saw the Detroit Lions beat up on today. And then they finish up in what could be a deciding factor game at the end of the season against the LA Rams. I don't know the tiebreakers. I'm not that guru just yet. I'd have to check exactly what has to go on here for the Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs. But if it comes down to it and the Seattle Seahawks have to play the LA Rams for that final week, a play in game potentially. I mean, Richard, this could be. This is exactly what the NFL wants at the tail end of the season and say why they schedule these division games at the end. The fact that the Detroit Lions at 13 and two and the Minnesota Vikings at 13 and two are fighting for the one seed and one of these teams is not going to have home field advantage in Week 1 of the playoffs is a complete nutter joke. I would say confidently right now these are the two best teams in the NFC. But the fact that two teams in the NFC north are both 13 and 2 and it could potentially come down to that final week in Detroit is madness. And this is exactly what the NFL wants. Let's talk more about the Detroit game because obviously this team has been. Oh my goodness. I mean, to say they've been injured is an understatement. 22 guys on the, on the IR entering this week, the next closest team was 16. I mean, by a comparative factor for all the listeners out there, the Detroit Lions have 22 guys on IR. The team they played last week, the Buffalo Bills, have a total of three. It's a battle of attrition in the NFL. Richard, you know that better than anybody. These injuries can come up at random at any time. And this Detroit lion team is battling injuries right now. Hopefully they can get some key guys back entering the playoffs. But right now that the focus and goal of this franchise is to take that one seed so that they can have a first one first round buy and get healthy. They desperately need David Montgomery back today. Didn't matter, right? You're playing the Chicago Bears on the road, you're projected to win, you take care of business. But the reality is you're playing a division foe. Richard, you know, all Too well, it doesn't matter the record. You, when you play a division rival, especially on the road, it does. It's anyone's game. And for the Detroit Lions to come out with their hair on fire and go up numerous scores early in this game, it was huge. You can't take more than, than what the Lions have had to overcome this season. And they keep doing it and doing it and doing it and I don't know, I'm curious to know where your head's at with this Detroit lion team. Despite the injuries. Do you believe still that they are the NFC's best team at this point?
- [12:52]
Richard Sherman
I don't think it's particularly close and I don't. We watch what the Philadelphia Eagles were today without Jalen Hurts, obviously. But until they lost C.J. gardner, Johnson, they're pretty old on defense and Jalen Hurts doesn't play defense. So to see Jaden Daniels, a rookie quarterback, throw for five touchdowns against that defense was concerning. And it's concerning on, on a number of levels. They scored 36 points on this defense. So that's one of the strengths and has been a strength of this Philadelphia Eagles team down the stretch and what we've started to really, really count on and really give them credit for. Even when Jalen Hurts struggled, it was Saquon Barkley who, who picked up all the extra, carried the extra weight. But I believe in this Detroit Lions team, I, I think it's inspiring what they're doing. It's inspiring that you talk about next man up mentality. It's been that and that's what it is for super bowl caliber teams. You talk about the Kansas City Chiefs and what they overcome every single year. They lost Pacheco for a while, they put Kareem Hunt in there and it was next man up. They, they lose a guy, they replace him. They lose a guy, they replace him and the next man just keeps stepping up until they get to the Super Bowl. That's what Detroit is going to have to do and it's unfortunate. Thankfully, they're saying David Montgomery isn't lost for the season. They're saying there's a chance that he can return, which would be huge. But right now, Jameer Gibbs is going to have to carry a load and that's what he's doing. He's. And that's what he did today. 23 carries, 109 yards, one touchdown, four catches for 45 yards. Impacted both, both phases of the offensive game plan. Jameson Williams, with his best game career high, 143 yards on five catches with the one touchdown. That's what you expected from him. And sometimes these injuries allow for other guys to flourish and other guys to develop. And these are still NFL players. You got, you got to find more. You got to get other guys. Guys are going to have to step up and it's going to be an inspirational story. At the end of the day, if the Detroit Lions can pull it all together and win a Super bowl under these circumstances with everything against them, they're not making any excuses. They're just going out there and getting to work. This was a beautifully game plan game by both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. Again, the same thing that makes you laugh, can make you cry. And hopefully the team is able to finish the job this year because those coordinators are likely going to get head coaching jobs. Other places you heard Ben Johnson earlier in the week talk about Caleb Williams and what makes him special and what he'd do and how he'd fix him. And you know, he hasn't looked at a lot of tape and it's like, what are we saying, Ben Johnson? But I hear you focus on where your feet are. Focus on where your feet are. And that's what he said. He's saying all the right things. But that was very curious for me, Mitchell. That was very curious for me to, to hear. And Caleb Williams over the last five games, 63% completion percentage, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions, 101.9 passer rating. These are things that make me say, now he's gotten sacked a lot over those games and I think he's held a lot of footballs he could have thrown away, which would have lowered that passer rating and things like that. And those are things the fans don't really know. But an offensive lineman would, because an offensive lineman is credited with those sacks, but the quarterback's not credited with an incompletion. Mitchell, you see how that works there. When a quarterback holds the ball and he doesn't have something, he could throw it away and live to fight another down, but they eat it so they can protect their passer rating and things of that nature. And offensive linemen have to deal with the sack numbers. So we'll get to that another time. But Caleb Williams throws for 334 yards, two touchdowns, ran it for 34 yards. But again, playing from behind most of this game, they were never really a threat in this game. Keenan Allen, the veteran, did have nine catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on a double move, which I don't understand why you're biting on in this situation, but it is what it is. Our guy Sonic gets our Breitling players in prime time. Brought to you by our friends and partners over at Breitling. He had a heck of a game, Mitchell. They asked for more and he delivered. He delivered more in both phases of the game. And I think he's going to continue to do that. He's going to continue to say, hey, if you don't have knuckles here, I can carry it. I can show you I'm a viable back. I am a Pro bowl running back in the National Football League, and if you need me to be that, I will be that for every down, not just third down, not just pass situations, I will be it 100% of the time until my guy gets back. And I love the unselfishness of this locker room. Whatever it takes seems to be the mentality of everybody in this locker room, Mitchell. You got to be proud, Richard.
- [17:47]
Doug Gottlieb
I am. And you know what I am proud about? I was just at the Breitling store, you know, this week, flashing off my Honolulu blue Breitling, and I'm pretty sure Jameer Gibbs has got a matching one of these. And they said, the Detroit Lions Breitlings have sold out, my friend. But if you. Yeah, Richard, that's how hot this team is right now. These bad boys have sold out. But if you are a fan of another team in the NFL and you want one, go get you one. Breitling's doing some special stuff with teams across the NFL. You guys got to check them out. But, Richard, this team was laughed at. The Detroit Lions were laughed at for drafting Jameer Gibbs at number 12. And Brad Holmes said he would have drafted him at number six if they had stayed there. But they chose to trade back and they got him at 12, and it's showing why they did that. And obviously, this team is. Is wanting to grind it out and beat teams up. Between the tackles Jameer gives, they're going to have to lean on him quite a bit, you know, down the stretch. They're going to have to go to San Francisco next week, Rich. Monday Night Football, and they're going to have to get another dub. A redemption tour continues in San Francisco. Make right for that NFC Championship game. The Detroit Lions, they needed this one bad, and they got it. Richard, you love to see it. It's the most wonderful time of the year for getting in on all the hoops, football and hockey action at DraftKings Sportsbook. In the season of giving, we're being gifted. College football and basketball, pro football and basketball and pro hockey too. Almost 247 so many games every day. So many opportunities to place your first bet. Try betting on something simple like picking a team to win. Go to the DraftKings sportsbook app and place your bet now. And here's a gift for all new customers. Bet just $5 to get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins, download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use Code Richard. That's Code Richard for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins when you bet just five bucks. Happy holidays from DraftKings. The crown is yours. GAMBLING PROBLEM Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1-800GAMBLER.net In New York, call 877-8-HOPNY or text H O P E N Y 467 369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort licensee partner Golden Nugget Lake Charles 21/ Age varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. See sportsbook.draftkings.com Football terms for eligibility and deposit restrictions terms and responsible gaming resources.
- [20:32]
Richard Sherman
Thursday Night Football is on, and it's only on Prime Video. It's the best season yet, packed with big rivalries and even bigger stars. Join Al Michaels, Kirk Herb street and Kaylee Hartongue every week for the games you can't miss. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with football's best party, TNF tonight. Not a Prime member, Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial and you can cancel at any time. It's Thursday Night Football and it's on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.
- [21:10]
Doug Gottlieb
But Richard, let's take it to your San Francisco 49ers. Another team desperate for a win on the road in Miami. I know it's tough. I know it's tough. And here comes the hat change. The infamous hat change to the San Francisco 49ers. Richard, this team needed a bad their. They know the head coach from the Miami Dolphins all too well. But going on the road, especially from west coast time zone to east coast time zone, is not easy. And it didn't look easy out there for The San Francisco 49ers at all. Today. Miami had a field day. Devon Achan got wild on him for 121 yards and I don't know what's going on with Tyreek Hill, though. Rich, I want to start there with Tyreek before we get more into the San Francisco 49ers. What the hell is going on with Tyree Kill? He puts out some cryptic tweet earlier today saying that I. I don't know if he wants out of town or if he wants a coaching position or what the hell is going on, but this. This Tyree Kill does not look like the Tyreek till we've become accustomed to know. What's your mindset with Tyreek?
- [22:16]
Richard Sherman
I don't know. I got to make some phone calls and try to figure it out. Um, I got some guys on that coaching staff, but he doesn't look like the same guy. Um, he's not making the same impact. He looks disinterested. And obviously you see all the. The. He's dropping some passes that he used to catch, and that's outside of all the. The social media theatrics. He's just not playing well. And they're winning almost this in spite of him in his performances. Tuatanga Bailoa, 22 of 34, 215, one touchdown, no interceptions. But they need more out of him, and they're starting to lean on guys like Jonu smith, who's had six catch for 62 yards, a couple crucial catches in that game. But Devon Hn, also, six catches for 70 yards, you know, starting to become a real factor in the passing game. This was a tough one to watch, and I'm not sure what's going on with Tyreek Hill, but they didn't need him. They didn't need him today. Their defense put enough pressure on this, on this San Francisco offense that that's going to have to be a point of. Of concern this offseason. Like, even with Trent Williams coming back, the rest of this offensive line needs to be talked about. It needs to be addressed. Like, there should not be. I. There shouldn't. I mean, unless we get rid of a couple guys, there should not be another position that they focus on more than offensive line. And I know you can't just draft them. 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6. But that's what I would do. We gonna hit on one of them. Like, I'm. I'm focusing every bit of free agency, every bit. Offensive line, defensive line, the rest of it. I think they got great guys there. Deebo had a really good game. 7 catches for 96 yards, 5 kit, 5 rushes for 25 yards. He looked motivated. He looked passionate. He looked like a guy trying to prove a point, trying to make up He. He literally caught the same pass that he dropped last week versus the Rams and took it for a touchdown. He. You could see fight, fight through everything to get that touchdown. Had another big play on a third down that got called back because of an illegal formation that really frustrated Kyle Shanahan. But at this point, this season is a wrap. Guys are playing for a pride and playing to see who really wants to be on this team next year. Draft position is going to matter. Obviously, they got this game against Detroit and they finish it off against the Arizona Cardinals. But now you got to focus on where you draft, and I think they're 11th right now in draft order. And you need a right tackle. You're going to need a right tackle. That's not no ifs, ands or buts, no discussion, no nothing. A right tackle. You need to figure out a center, maybe in the second round, a young center that can get, you know, has an anchor, smart. There's plenty of them in the Big Ten somewhere to find them. Maybe one in the sec, find a center and then maybe find a guard in free agency. It looks like you have one in puny. You got to put a competition out there at left guard and the rest of it. I think you feel good about the pieces coming back, but that offensive line needs to be the number one, number two and number three priority this offseason. If you're going to pay this quarterback all the money you're going to have to pay him, or if they decide to franchise them or whatever they're going to do, you want to keep him upright. You want to keep him upright so that he can be the. The playmaker that he has been this year. He's been under a lot more duress. He's been using his legs more. He's had to leave the pocket more often than not. It hasn't been great. And a lot of. A lot of it is because the offensive line hasn't been strong. And without Trent, it's looked even worse. Jalen Moore came out, and now it looks Spencer Buford went to left, left tackle. And it was a rough game in that regard. They put a lot of pressure. Jordan Brooks had a sack. Zach Sealer had a sack. Chop Robinson had a sack. And on the opposite side, The San Francisco 49ers defense had no sex. And that's another concern because Tua Song of Iowa is one of the quarterbacks that gets the ball out quick because of his concussion issues, because of the things that he's had to deal with. But you got to find A way to get home. When receivers are covered up, you got to find a way to get turnovers. You got to find a way to impact this game. And there's no sacks, no turnovers in this game. That's a point of concern. But I think they got the right pieces in place. Obviously gotta, gotta get Greenlaw healthier him and Fred. You might have to find another pass rusher in free agency. I know obviously Javon Hargrave is a guy they paid a lot of money who hasn't been able to play. You know, injury took him out of the lineup, but that's somewhere else you're going to have to address after, further after the offensive line because there has been a lot of investment in defensive line. Again, Eric Armstead was a big deal guys he was doesn't always show up on the stat sheet and sure he missed some games, but when he's in there, he makes an incredible impact on and off the stat sheet and you're missing that. DeForest Buckner got traded away a couple of years ago. I'm sure they'll, they'll look to, to maybe have a conversation with the Indianapolis Colts and see if they can bring him home. Perhaps that'd be a good move to make. But right now, you know, this team is playing for pride. Get through the end of the year healthy. There's not a posit. A lot of positives that come out of this game. Only scoring 17 points, kicker misses another kick. I think that's going to be a position they have to address. I think it should be. Jake Moody should not be go in feeling comfortable about his job next season. I think there needs to be a competition all offseason long. There should not be comfort at the kicker spot. He did not play well enough. Regardless of draft position. You have to bring kickers in here because that is a position where guys are a lot more efficient and reliable than he has been this season. And I know you can talk about injury, you can talk about this, you can talk about that, but this is the National Football League and I'm sorry, the margin for error in that position is a lot less than, than every other position because of what it means, what it takes like so much harder to do every other position. Now, it's not saying kicker is an easy position, but there are guys that become kickers a few years before they come into the National Football League and do it do the job at a high level. There are very few other positions in the National Football League. You can just kind of learn as you Go kick a few balls and then become an NFL kicker. That's. You're not becoming an NFL corner that way. You're not just coming, hey, I've never played it played sport, but let me get out here, cover a couple guys and see what I got. Like, that position is going to need to be addressed because again, in this game, this game could have been a lot closer with a made kick. You know, I think that changes the trajectory, changes the thinking during some of these drives, but you're missing kicks consistently. You know, it's almost like you're so unreliable. That's the only thing that's reliable about it is that you, you're probably going to miss. And you don't want to have that. You don't want to have that mindset going in as a coach when you're kicking field goals. You don't. You don't want to feel like you have to go for it. And Kyle doesn't take that on and take that mentality on and just go for it every time. But if you have a more reliable kicker, these out, some of these outcomes would be different. So that's something that they're going to have to address again. The 49ers host the Lions next week in a game that the Lions are highly motivated for. And I don't know if San Francisco is as motivated, but they'll have to go out there and deal with the Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions got something on their minds.
- [29:42]
Doug Gottlieb
They do. And you talked about playing for pride, Richard. That's what The San Francisco 49ers are playing for, his pride. And I asked them to play for one pride. You know, my Detroit Lions, let's play for one pride here and let's, let's help the Detroit lions secure that one seed in the NFC. Richard, you can't fault the 49ers for draft and make Jake Moody. He was a stud at U of M. But you do have to question John Lynch's deciding to draft him in the third round. Especially if you give up so much draft capital to move up and get Trey Lance, which is proven to be one of the, the bigger blunders in recent NFL. You know, history here. Richard, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but in my role here, I got to put you on the spot. If you're John lynch, how do you handle this Brock Purdy situation in the off season? Because this is a turning point of this franchise, whether you want it to be or not. You pay the man, you franchise them. You have so many other positions of need at this point. The championship window is not closed in San Francisco. We've already talked about that. But the big question is Brock Purdy. Richard Sherman, put your GM hat on. How do you handle the Brock Purdy situation in San Francisco this offseason?
- [30:54]
Richard Sherman
Well, they're going to. They're going to pay him. We pay him. You obviously are going to have to make some other decisions. Probably restructure Fred, extend him, something along those lines. Same thing with George. Guys that you want here, guys that do things the right way, you know, I hope people don't take that the wrong way. Restructure doesn't mean take money away or less money or anything like that. It will likely mean an extension and longer contracts for these guys, pushing their money out further, which will make their cap hits less for this year, which will change the way that you, you know, either make them less for. For this year or make them more for this year so that Brock's hits can be bigger later on. You figure out what the number is with Brock. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of guaranteed money in this deal. I hear people Talking about the 3 for 100 that I think Kirk signed or who. Who signed the three. Four. Oh, oh, Baker Mayfield signed. It's not going to be anything like that. And I don't think Sam Darnold is going to be anything like that. I think. I don't think Sam Darnold signs for anything less than $150 million, but that's just me. And I definitely don't think Brock Purdy signs for anything less than $150 million guaranteed. That'll probably be low end of it. I think they'll make a decision about Javon Hargrave, what they want to do there, whether there's a salary reduction or a cut, depending on what the number looks like. The June 1st option, I think they'll look to either extend or renegotiate. Charvarius Ward. There's a number of things they can do to get the money where it needs to be to have availability. This is not a. Again, the people talk about the window being closed. It's nowhere near closed. And that's why they've managed it the way they have. That's why they structured these things the way they have. And I'm sure they'll leave themselves room to maneuver going forward. Obviously, Deebo has another year on his contract. Brandon Ayuk will come back hopefully healthy next season. You just extended Christian McCaffrey, so I think that'll they'll leave that there. But I think again, offensive line will be the thing that they focus on this, this offseason. Like it has to be through both free agency and the draft. You have to address that and you have to address it in a big way. You can't just be like, hey, we just, we're just going to put guys out there and whoever. You need talented guys out there. We've. It hasn't been good enough at the center position. It hasn't been good enough at the right tackle position, hasn't been necessarily good enough at the left guard. The right guard showed promise, especially early on in the season. Showed, showed that he could be a really capable player. Obviously, you know, it's his first year. We expect, you know, him to be better next year and you expect things to get better with time. But the rest of the positions need to be addressed in a big way and you have to find a way to do that young. You have to find some young guys to get it done. That's how you continue to keep this championship window open. I know everybody wants to sit there and dive off the, jump off the deep end and say the window's closed, all is lost. It's not, it's not. These guys are really talented team still. It's just been a bad year and a bad offensive line. They're going to make some changes, they're going to make get healthier and they're going to go in next year with a different hunger and a different mentality and you're going to see a different team. And I expect this team to be a team that can competes next year for the super bowl, competes to, to be at top of this division. Obviously, you know, this division is still up for grabs. If the Rams win next week against Arizona, I think that that pretty much locks it up for them, you know, regardless of what happens in Seattle, but against the Seattle Seahawks at the end of the year, but that's a story for a different day. But I don't think this window is closed. I think this is still a really talented team. I think they needed a reset. I think this, A lot of things have been weighing on them. A lot of the contract issues earlier in the season, a lot of the things coming in with holdouts multiple years in a row, deep playoff runs every single season, disappointment, hurt, frustration. These are humans. And so a reset, you know what I mean? A good, stern, like understanding man to man conversations happening in this locker room. I think this team comes back with a renewed vigor, a renewed intensity. And ready to compete. And I think John lynch will say the same thing. I think Kyle Shanahan will say the same thing. I look forward to seeing what they do next year and what they do in this offseason. Because right now, you know, it's not much to say. It's this season has been a disappointment on a lot of. On a lot of. On a lot of levels. I'm sure by both the staff, the fans, the players. Nobody expected this. But I don't think this is a reflection of how this is going to be or what the future is going to hold. You got to remember, this will be the first year in a number of years that this team isn't in an NFC Championship game or a Super Bowl. So give them a break. It happens.
- [35:49]
Doug Gottlieb
Like you said this this roster is littered with Pro bowl veterans and once they get healthy, The San Francisco 49ers are still going to be championship caliber team.
- [36:00]
Adnan Virk
How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on Thursday.
- [36:05]
Richard Sherman
Morning and thinking to yourself, just one.
- [36:07]
Adnan Virk
More day until Friday. But then somebody walks into the elevator.
- [36:11]
Jason Demers
And says, happy Friday.
- [36:14]
Adnan Virk
Then you check your phone quickly and.
- [36:15]
Jason Demers
Discover today is actually Friday.
- [36:18]
Adnan Virk
So yes.
- [36:18]
Jason Demers
Happy Fri. Yay, random stranger in the elevator.
- [36:22]
Adnan Virk
Happy fry.
- [36:23]
Richard Sherman
Yay, indeed.
- [36:25]
Jason Demers
Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that.
- [36:28]
Adnan Virk
Get more with geico. What's up everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Burkin Demers.
- [36:38]
Mitchell
Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy oh boy, does Daddy have a lot to say.
- [36:47]
Adnan Virk
I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right?
- [36:55]
Mitchell
Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what? Tons of back and forth on all things NHL.
- [37:06]
Adnan Virk
Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear on NHL.
- [37:15]
Mitchell
Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Virky.
- [37:18]
Adnan Virk
That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Vir and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [37:31]
Jason Demers
What's going on, everybody? This is Justin Penick from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week, week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays. Breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything. We break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.
- [38:21]
Richard Sherman
It's time to take a look at this weekend's tastiest matchups in a segment we're calling Sunday night Food Ball, brought to you by Uber Eats. You know what game it is? It's the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Washington Commanders. Philadelphia roared out to a commanding lead. They were up 27 to 14 at one point. It looked like this game. Again, Washington was punching out of their weight class and Philadelphia was going to walk away with this division again, walk away with this win, you know, show them who's boss, etc. Etc. But Jaden Daniels flipped the switch and really got got after it. The Commanders won this game. He threw five touchdowns despite the five turnovers they had on offense, which should have doomed them. It should have doomed them. Obviously your Lions, your Detroit Lions are the other only other team this season to win a game after turning the ball over five times, that's just crazy. But sometimes it's your year. The Commanders only had nine turnovers before this game and so to have five in one game was crazy. But Saquon had a great first quarter. Seven carries for 109 yards. I think he had a 70 yard run for a touchdown. And again he looked like the MVP to Philadelphia. Eagles looked like they were doing what they've done majority of this season, playing great defense, taking the ball away and Saquon Barkley feeding him. They lost Jalen Hurts early on to a concussion. Can he pick it through an interception a couple drives later. But after that they looked like they settled in. He continued to do what they have been doing, feed A.J. brown. They targeted him 15 times, only targeted everybody else 10 times. So I guess you know what I mean.
- [40:16]
Doug Gottlieb
A.J. brown had to love it, Richard.
- [40:19]
Richard Sherman
I had to love it. The squeaky Wheel gets the oil, Mitchell.
- [40:23]
Doug Gottlieb
And you know what? This, this marks the return of is Kenny Pickett. Yes, he can.
- [40:29]
Richard Sherman
Yes, he can. Can he? Pickett? Yes, he can.
- [40:32]
Doug Gottlieb
Yes, he can.
- [40:32]
Richard Sherman
Can he throw a pick? Yes, he can.
- [40:35]
Doug Gottlieb
Yes, he can.
- [40:36]
Richard Sherman
Mitchell. He, He. You knew Kenny Pickett was going to throw a pick, but he played solid. You know, I, I think after that interception, they played a lot more conservatively with him. He only threw the ball 24 times for 143 yards. The one touchdown, the one interception, only completed it to three receivers. And Devontae Smith had a. Had a really critical drop in this game. That was uncharacteristic. That was one of those plays I'm sure he wants back that could have gave them a chance to win this game. Reed Blankenship had an interception. CJ Gardner Johnson had the interception, got kicked out of the game for a play. I kind of. I don't really, really know what happened, and I don't really know if I agree with it. Nobody really explained it to me, and I got to go back and look and see if they, they got a better explanation post game of what happened. But it looked like he got his helmet mushed off. And I know the ref was standing right there, so whatever he said was worthy of an unsportsmanlike penalty. But then to get your helmet mushed off in the other guy, not get anything, I just didn't get that. I know life is hard enough on defensive players. And yes, I'm biased, just like everybody. The whole world is biased for offensive players. So somebody got to got to be biased the other way. It's disgusting. And some of those PI calls, that's another thing. Those PI calls on Lattimore were absolute horseshit. Absolute horseshit. I'm so tired of this game getting so scared, soft and ridiculous. And people have an audacity to complain about it. Like, how are those PIs? Like, if the receiver's physical, then you have to let the DB at least defend himself from it. Don't be praising these receivers for being, oh, man, he's so physical. He's so strong. You look how physical he is at the catch point and you see him pushing the corner in the neck and pushing him off and, and grabbing him by the collar. And then when the corner gets his hands off of him, you're like, oh, my God, you can't grab him. That's illegal. You can't grab him. What about him grabbing me by the neck while running this route? Because everything's acceptable for a receiver to do but there's nothing acceptable for a corner to do. Let the boys play. Let the boys play or call offense PI. If you're not going to call off ncpi, you got to let the boys play. I'm tired of these penalties that they're calling almost back to back to back. Punishing corners for covering these receivers when they're quote unquote physical. And it's like, I don't know what you want him to do. You want them to stay close to him while he's getting pushed around and not grab him back. It's like, have you ever been punched in the face and then just kept getting punched in the face. And then they're like, hey, don't worry. If he punches in the face one more time, we'll say something. They're not. And it's hard to play that way. I got. You know what I mean? He has a team to play for. Thank God the Washington Commanders were able to come out with a win because those penalties were. Those were disappointing to say the least.
- [43:36]
Doug Gottlieb
No question about it. And Richard, I know I followed you for my, for your entire career and I too am biased, but objectively speaking, I think it's hard to argue against the fact that cornerback position is the hardest position to play in all of sports. You are expected to go against these top flight athletes that can do anything they want after five yards, right? They can do anything they want. They can hand fight you, they can shove you. They can do anything they want. And if you lay a fingertip on them, you're getting a flag thrown at you. It's getting ridiculous. Kudos to the Washington Commanders and this is a huge one for them. It seemed that the trajectory their season had plateaued. Right? It was this beautiful crescendo of oh my God, Jaden Daniels is the second coming of C.J. stroud. And then all of a sudden it was like, okay, that, that rookie Wal was hit. And now to see them take this win, albeit without Jalen Hurts on the opposing side of the field, I mean, that's a huge injury. Let's not, let's not undersell that. I mean, Jalen Hurts going out impacted this game mightily. The Philadelphia Eagles had this game in control prior to that injury. And Kuda, kudos to the future gold jacket wearing middle linebackers. One of the goats in the game, Bobby Wagner with a huge pass breakup on Saquon Barkley late in that contest. Bobby poked that ball out. Saquon's arms was a dime to Saquon falling to the ground. Bobby smacked it out. You got to give a shout out to one of your best buds, Rich. Bobby Wagner, keeping it rolling here with the Washington commanders. Bias aside, I know your buddies of Bobby's, how much fear would you have playing Washington Week 1 if you are, say the Minnesota Vikings, say the Detroit Lions, say the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs?
- [45:34]
Richard Sherman
Well, you have, you got to have a little bit of fear because the quarterback has. No, none. And that's the thing about young quarterbacks that you gotta, you gotta be careful with because they don't know any better. Older veteran quarterbacks get in there and they panic sometimes they, they don't play well, they throw the game away because they're thinking too much. They're like paralysis by analysis. But young guys, some, sometimes, not all the time, because obviously there's young guys that go to the playoffs and go home and it's like, hey, good try. You were a young quarterback and you learned. But if you're not playing against a really crazy elite or complex scheme like Flores or like Todd Bowles, who's going to give you a lot of crazy exotic looks in the playoffs, I give him a puncher's chance. Because you got a young quarterback who can be really efficient and can catch fire like he did in this game against the Philadelphia Eagles that isn't scared of the moment. You got veteran receivers, zacchaeus, who had two touchdowns today, obviously Terry McLaurin who can get the job done, set the franchise record for receiving touchdowns with 12 this year, but has his fifth straight, fifth consecutive thousand yard season. They can get it done. A veteran tight end and Zach Ertz, a defense that is getting a little bit better and learning to play together and got a lot better by getting a cornerback that they needed. I think they're going to be a team that, that if, if they get the right matchups, it's going to be a nail biter for one of these teams.
- [47:03]
Doug Gottlieb
That has been this week's Sunday Night Football brought to you by our friends and partners at Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Uber Eats has the best game day deals all season long. Order now for game day. Let's talk about the Bills. Today they play the lowly New England Patriots. They get down 14 points early and they narrowly escape defeat against a division rival. Richard, you've played in this year, this league a number of years and you know how big division foes and opponents are. But riddle me this, how in the world does this Buffalo Bills team go on the road against Detroit, beat one of the Best, if not the best team in the NFL on their home turf, return back home as a 14 point favorite against the lowly New England Patriots and have a dogfight. And not to mention, you know, Josh Allen doesn't look like the second coming of an MVP candidate. He looks more like that was a quarterback, Peterman that played with the Buffalo Bills. He looks more like the second coming of Peterman with the Buffalo Bills. I just, I don't get it with this. How does this happen? Because the Buffalo Bills to me looked like the team to beat after last Sunday and now they just look like a good team, slash decent team. They still come out with a W. But Richard, it did not come without a tremendous fight against a 31 Patriot team.
- [48:32]
Richard Sherman
Complacency and human nature. You know, they knew they had this Detroit game scheduled. They had it circled, they got hyped for it, they got up for it, they gave everything they had. And then you look up and you say, New England Patriots, they're a three win team. Like we can take it easy here. And although, you know, you may say all the right things in the media, you may say all the right things in practice, you may practice regular, clearly your performance says you overlooked them. Clearly your performance says you didn't respect them. You didn't think they would be an opponent that would give you a challenge. And this was a game Josh Allen needed to be Josh Allen and he wasn't. And his defense stepped up enough, made enough plays to help him get the win. And I know Buffalo fans are sitting there arguing in my comments every week, he's the mvp. How do you not think, how do you, how you think anything else? Because games like this, because games like this happen. And when they happen, you question it. You question like, hey, do for 154, 151 yards this game, a touchdown and interception, ran it for 28 yards, did enough to win the game, sure. But you keep saying he has no help when, when Cook had 11 carries for 110 yards in this game. And so when they say he doesn't have any help, he doesn't have any running backs, he doesn't have anybody behind him. And then you look up and, and, and Cook is, is having 100 yard games after 100 yard games and you're like, wait a minute now, wait a minute. Is it no help or is it help because his defense is playing pretty well sometimes? They didn't play well against Detroit because they gave up 42 points, but they played well in this game when he had to have it, you know, when they had to have stops, when they had to get stops, they got them. Held this team to 21 points. Now, it's not a great team. They were down 140 at one point. But games like this, MVPs are 1 in December. And if you looked up. Joe Burrow doesn't have a chance. But his numbers. His numbers say he should.
- [50:39]
Doug Gottlieb
They're silly.
- [50:40]
Richard Sherman
His numbers say he should have a chance. That's true. They don't have a chance. But then his numbers say he should have a Chance. He has 39 touchdowns passing, eight interceptions, 4,200 yards. Those are MVP numbers. Any other season, he still has two games to go.
- [50:57]
Doug Gottlieb
Let me paint a picture for you, Richard, because the Bengals. I'm here to tell you guys, the Bengals are not out of the playoff picture just yet. They got a glimmer of hope. They play the Denver Broncos next week and then they need the Broncos to lose against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Bengals can win out and the Broncos lose out, Richard, dare I say Joe Burrow has a shot at the MVP after all, if they sneak into this playoffs.
- [51:24]
Richard Sherman
You may not say that, Mitchell, because he does not. I wish. I wish I would be with you, Mitchell. I would be with you. But he does not. That is not enough for an mvp. Unless, I mean, his numbers would have to be really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really insane.
- [51:43]
Doug Gottlieb
But really, Richard. But they have been really, really, really, really, really, really insane up to this point. So that's my point. If he can bring this team back and sneak them into the playoffs, no one's going to want to play Cincinnati round one if they can sneak in. Absolutely no one. So how can you tell me with these really, really, really insane stats that Joe Burrow is putting up that he will not have there. I do. I do. I dare go. Tony Romo, gm. Richard. Richard, are you sure Joe Burrow, I mean, give him a. Give him a shooter shot here.
- [52:22]
Richard Sherman
Because this is why. Mitchell. Because there are very few quarterbacks, if any. I gotta look at it. I don't think a quarterback has had 35 plus touchdowns and under five interceptions thrown on the season like Lamar Jackson has and not want it. Mitchell, it hasn't happened yet. It's going to happen this year because they keep telling me Josh Allen's going to win it. And last year they told me Lamar was going to win it. When I said how. And I'm saying it with Josh Allen. How? Like, I want you. I know you guys want the numbers to be numbering but they're not. LaMar Jackson is second in touchdown passes, a second in yards, four interceptions on the season. How. And I think he has 40 total, maybe 41 total touchdowns. How. How can he not get it? Mitchell? How can he not get it? Actually has 40 total touchdowns. So let me not misquote because I know who they are. So he has 40 total touchdowns, 37 of them passing 3,700 passing yards, which will probably end up being 4,300 or so. He'll likely get to 40 or so touchdown passes. So if he gets to 40, let's call it. If he has two and two, 41. If he throws for 41 touchdown passes and only has four or five interceptions and they're the three seed, you're telling me that's not the MVP of the league? If you're telling me that, then you got to show me the numbers that support that. Because all I keep hearing is, look at the tape. Look at the eye test. Well, am I still taking the eye test? Because I watched the game today and that eye test didn't look as good. That eye test. You're not passing that test by my eye. Like, that's not an mvp. And if it has to be every week either, it's like, because now the goal posts are going to move for people, they're going to tell me that it has to be record. But record matters when you're the one seed. Like it matters if you're going to be the 1 seed in a conference. If you're not the 1 seed, then you're just everybody else. You're playing a playoff game, you're playing in a wild card just like everybody else. So that really doesn't differentiate you that much. Lamar was the one seed. That's why he got it. His record had him as in his team as the 1 seed, clearly the best team. And when they had to have that game against The San Francisco 49ers that everybody circled and needed him to have a big game, he had a great game. He had five touchdown passes. Like, he had the game he needs to have. Give him the trophy. They gave him the trophy. Now, you could say, did Josh have a good game against the. The Detroit Lions that you need to have 100%. And then he used his. Used the restroom in the bed. This game of sorts, you know, use.
- [55:18]
Doug Gottlieb
Easier language, pick up what you're putting down. I smell what you're saying, Rich.
- [55:22]
Richard Sherman
Yeah, yeah. I smelled what he was putting out there this week. And that's the difference. Like, they aren't the number one seed. And they aren't the number one seed on either side. It ain't like, oh, if they were in the nfc, they'd be the one seed. They wouldn't be. They beat the three. You know, there's three teams. There's two teams in the NFC north with better records in them. Your Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and then you got the Philadelphia Eagles with the same record as them. So again, this isn't even the best record in National Football League. So the record argument doesn't really compute. So if the eye test doesn't compute, the numbers don't compute. What's computing? They keep telling me he's breaking records, but the records I'm seeing is Lamar Jackson is breaking records and they're going to continue to be broken. And again, if you just keep looking and they're going to keep putting the graphic out. There's a graphic out there. 35 plus touchdowns, under five interceptions. MVP is what they are awarded to those players. I'm sorry, Buffalo fans, that's not me making it up. That's what it's been. Now can it change? Sure. Does it make sense to change it? It doesn't. Unless Lamar Jackson does not play well over these next two games and Josh Allen plays out of his mind. And maybe, maybe the Kansas City Chiefs lose two games, Buffalo grabs the one seed. All everything points to Josh Allen carrying the MVP trophy out. But if that doesn't happen and Lamar Jackson has two decent games where he doesn't throw interception, he throws for two touchdowns, maybe runs for one. It throws for two. Runs for one. Again, you're going to have a hard argument saying a guy with 46 total touchdowns and two interceptions, I mean, four interceptions, doesn't deserve the MVP. I'm sorry.
- [57:10]
Doug Gottlieb
We shall see. Richard. There's a couple games left here and it's still a battle for that mvp.
- [57:17]
Adnan Virk
What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Firkin Demers.
- [57:25]
Mitchell
Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh, boy, does daddy have a lot to say.
- [57:34]
Adnan Virk
I love you, by the way, on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love.
- [57:42]
Mitchell
Right, Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. Culture. And you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL.
- [57:53]
Adnan Virk
Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear on NHL.
- [58:02]
Mitchell
Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts.
- [58:05]
Adnan Virk
Virky, that shirt of Kazar Ruckus. Listen to NHL unscripted with Virk and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [58:14]
Mitchell
Foreign.
- [58:17]
Jason Demers
What'S going on everybody? This is Justin Pennock from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week, on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson Kennedy? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything, we break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.
- [59:05]
Richard Sherman
Foreign.
- [59:08]
Doug Gottlieb
Let'S talk a little bit about the New York Football jets, not the Giants and the LA Rams. Vegas did not like this game so much for the Rams. They only favored him by three points and we saw it potentially as a trap game for the LA Rams going on the road again going across coast to a very cold environment in New York. And the Jets, Jets, jets jets looked like the team to beat early on and kudos to this LA Rams team being able to pull it off in the fourth quarter. You saw Tyler Higby come back. Thank God he's back after the devastating knee injury he took in Detroit last year with a game winning touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford. This marks four wins in a row, five of six for the LA Rams. This LA Rams team is getting hot at the right time similar to how they did last year. Like how much do you believe in the LA Rams? You know entering this playoffs in the NFC with with the Detroit Lions injured, the Philadelphia Eagles facing adversity late in the season with Jalen Hurts going down with a concussion. Obviously the Minnesota Vikings still playing competitive, but can we throw the L A Rams hat in the ring as true contenders in the nfc?
- [60:26]
Richard Sherman
Well give Chris Shula a lot of credit for taking the lowest paid defense in the National Football league and making something out of it, you know, held their last two opponents under 10 points back to back weeks. It's impressive to do that. Shout out to Akello Witherspoon made some really good plays this week and last week, playing out of his mind, starting to play like the guy that I think everybody in San Francisco knew he could be. Anytime Stafford's in it, all bets are off with me. Mitchell. I'm not betting on that guy. I'm not betting against him. I'm not betting with him because he g he gonna make it shake. And the way Puka n was playing, the way Cooper cup continues to play and if they, if they find a way to get Tutu Atwell out there as much as they can, they can do something cool. Tyler Higby's back. That's a guy who, who Stafford has liked in, during his time in, in la, obviously Kyron Williams and the way he's been running the ball. If they're playing good defense and offensively scheming it up like they have, anything's possible in these playoffs. And none of these teams look totally unbeatable. None of these teams look like they're world beaters. They run into the right matchup, they can find a way. Mitchell. They run into the Minnesota Vikings in the first round. Who knows they'll be at home, you know, if they can win this division, they'll be at home in LA playing the Minnesota Vikings. They're, they're not having to go to elements. You put Stafford in that stadium and so far anything's possible. Mitchell. And they're playing good defense. They believe, you know, they got the underdog mentality. They're on how playing with house money.
- [62:16]
Doug Gottlieb
Why not Saturday we had two showcase games. I mean, the NFL couldn't have dreamed up two better games to have on this Saturday slate. Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans was the first one. And Mahomes supposedly had a high ankle sprain. Everyone was saying, oh my gosh, he's so bruised and battered and, and you know, the Houston Texans are going to take advantage of them, et cetera, et cetera. It certainly didn't look like it out there. Patrick Mahomes had one of his better games on the season in terms of just controlling this game early and often. He threw for 260 yards at a rushing TD early in this game. He got Xavier Worthy involved heavily. You hate to see Tank Dell go out with the injury. He did. Houston Texans are just battling injuries in their wide receiving core. You're hearing rumors that Odell Beckham Jr. Might join that fold. We shall see. But the Chiefs just keep on winning and winning and winning and winning and winning and say it with me, Richard.
- [63:18]
Richard Sherman
And winning and winning.
- [63:21]
Doug Gottlieb
They just, they cannot find a way to lose Richard. What's it going to take to beat this Kansas City Chiefs team?
- [63:28]
Richard Sherman
It's going to take some pass rushes. It's going to take not missing sacks on Patrick Mahomes. It's going to take mistake free football. And you know, they, they moved Tuney out to left tackle. They, they switched Caliendo into guard to replace Tuney and they're, they're shuffling this offensive line to make things work. But you see it's creating more issues. They're getting more interior pressure from the defense than they used to give up with Tuney on the inside. So I think they're going to have, the teams are going to have to get home and it's going to take Highsmith, T.J. watt, Cam Hayward, Preston Smith to, to really show what, what, what is capable, what teams can be capable of if they attack these tackles and find a way to win inside and not miss sacks on Patrick Mahomes. Obviously that ankle isn't too in too bad a shape. He ran a lot this game. He used his legs a lot. He got out of bounds, he got himself to safety. There's a little bit of limping, but he had 33 rush yards. He had the rushing touchdown from, from I think at least 15 yards out. Took a hit in that, got up, kept going. Kareem Hunt, 11 carries, 55 yards in the touchdown. Xavier Worthy. They found ways to get him the ball in the run game. In the past game. Our guy friend of the program, Trent McDuffie back to back games with an interception. Congrats to him. I told him we'd have him back if he got another, if he got his first interception. He's got two. So we got to get him on schedule. We got to talk about before these playoffs. They're going to get the buy so maybe we can get catch them in the bye week. Jaden Hicks also had an interception, But I think C.J. stroud and the Houston Texans played a really good game. They just ran out of steam. They emotions got to them when Tank Dale had that tragic injury that looked horrible and don't ever replay it. I don't want to see it. I think that took their hearts. They continue to go out there and play, but football's emotional game when you care about people that you're playing with and I think that took an emotional toll on this team, especially on a quarterback. You could see him visibly hurt and frustrated by it. That matters. I'm sorry. I know how much people want these people to be robots, but they're not. They're not robots. They're human. Human beings. And you could see the connection and the camaraderie and the brotherhood that he and Tank Dale have had. I think he was a big reason that the Houston Texans drafted Tank Dale. I think they've developed a friendship. Obviously he cares about that human being a tremendous amount. He felt like he put him in harm's way. Tank Deal did everything he could to bring that pass in to at least make it a touchdown without the major injury. We still haven't got a lot of information on that, but things like that take an emotional toll on the team, you know, and it can send you one way and you go out there and fight for your teammate, but I think it sent this young team into shock a little bit. Obviously Nico Collins coming back has helped them. Tank Dell had six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown before he left. They're going to find have to find a way to replace that kind of production. Obviously you just said Odell Beckham Jr. Might be called. I'm not sure if he has what he used to have in the Tank, but it'll be better than what they have without Tank Dale, without Stefon Diggs who they came into the season with. They're going to need some help to get some of that production back. But your prayers up to Tank Dale and, you know, hoping that he can get that fixed and that he comes out and heals quickly and is able to get back out there playing the game that he loves because that was a devastating injury. CJ Stroud was visibly shaken up and that changes the complexity of the game. Chiefs have now won 16 straight one possession games. I told you, Mitchell, they could go. They could get put out in divisional or they could win the super bowl by a field goal. Walking off, you don't really know. They found a way to win every other game at this point. It's not luck. They got a system and they're executing, no question.
- [67:21]
Doug Gottlieb
And they get Hollywood Brown back here soon. I see they activate him off ir at least activated his practice window. We'll see how that transpires. Both of these teams are going to be playing on Christmas Day. They only got a couple days to recover. Chiefs at Steelers. The Texans host the Ravens. It's going to be an awesome Christmas. Richard, let's talk A little bit about that Baltimore Ravens Steelers game. This game was tight. It could have gone either way. And then you talked about it. Lamar Jackson kind of took over late and ultimately blew this game wide open. The Baltimore Ravens go home a Victor 34 to 17, but it was tied. You know, it was tied early in the second half and Pittsburgh overcame some adversity, down 10 late in that first half and ultimately tied it up. But Baltimore comes away the victor. To me, this Baltimore team is starting to fire at the right time because you look at Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the maturity is a flowers. He and Mark Andrews is finally healthy and Isaiah likely. There's so many contributors to this Ravens team. I would be putting some money on Baltimore to come away with the AFC crown. I really like what they've got going here and to take down a division foe that is really beaten up on him quite a bit. The Ravens have beat the Steelers just twice in the last 10 games and to them to double them up this Saturday was impressive to me. Richard, how much do you like the Ravens right now?
- [68:51]
Richard Sherman
I really like them and I like what they're doing because they're running. Derrick Henry, he had 24 carries for 162 yards. And I said this earlier in the season, run it. That's the, that's the formula. Obviously. Lamar Jackson makes his impact, throws the football all around the yard. He has his impact running it when he has to. Derrick Henry, 20 plus carries, 20 plus carries. I believe they have a high probability of winning that game. It's not foolproof. You know, you still have to do other things, right? They still needed to play good defense and they did. Marlon Humphries, who's having an all pro season even despite missing a couple games having an all pro season, had a 37 yard pick six that blew this game open. Russell had to had the fumble in the red zone on an incredible run on an incredible scramble that took points off the board. The last nine games have been decided by seven points or fewer between these teams. This game obviously 17 point win by the Baltimore Ravens, a lot of it came because of those turnovers. But a guy that's made a lot of money by not playing George Pickens. George Pickens. This offense has averaged 19 points a game the three weeks without George Pickens. George Pickens is out with a hamstring. And sometimes your value shows when you're not there. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. And I don't think Pittsburgh fans could be any more fond of George Pickens than they are right now because they know how much they need him and in order for this offense to go, I think they appreciate the way he impacts the game a lot more right now than they ever have before. And they're going to need him healthy in the playoffs to make a run because they're stumbling and they have a game in three days against the Kansas City Chiefs and I think hopefully he's back for that game. I think that's going to be a dog fight even if he is back, because the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to lock up home field advantage so they can rest Patrick Mahomes in that ankle for two weeks before they have a divisional game. But their D line isn't going to just give up. Alex Highsmith had a sack in this game. He had a lot of pressures over there on Ronnie Staley, but Minka Fitzpatrick had an interception. Their defense is still capable of getting things done. The things that make Russell Wilson really picture perfect for this offense is when their running game is reliable with Najee Harris and Jalen Warren and he's able to drop back, push the ball down the field, play mistake free football, don't give the ball to the other team and they can win these games. But when you turn the ball over, you throw a pick six, you fumble the ball in your red zone. That's when these games can get out of hand. So again, I think they understand the formula. He understands the formula. You got to take care of the football. They got to be able to run the ball better than they did this game and defensively they got to give them a few more cracks at it. Obviously the Minka Fitzpatrick interception was one, but they need another one and that's going to be their formula for winning these playoffs and getting upset. But you're right, Baltimore Ravens are playing as good as anyone right now and that AFC is up for grabs. I don't think you feel like the Kansas City Chiefs are a juggernaut. I don't feel like the Buffalo Bills are a juggernaut. I don't think the Baltimore Ravens are afraid of to go to Buffalo and run the ball and play in the cold, frigid. I don't think they're scared to go into Kansas City and play in the frigid cold. I think they're more than likely going to have to go to Buffalo to be seeing how things are going to shake out right now. But I think Baltimore would be favored in that game with Derek Henry and what he's been able to do and you know, depending on how Buffalo ends this season.
- [72:32]
Doug Gottlieb
Well, Richard, we're almost at the finish line of this regular season. Week 16 is almost over. I will let you sign us off, my friend.
- [72:41]
Richard Sherman
Well, it's been a great week, a great weekend of football. Thank you guys for joining us as always. Whether you stayed for a minute, an hour, or the entire thing, we sincerely appreciate you. I hope you have a merry, very merry Christmas with your family and friends. Eat a lot of good food, enjoy some more football. Love and respect from the Richard Sherman podcast. We sure do appreciate you. Happy holidays. Hit that sub button if you're new the volume.
- [73:32]
Adnan Virk
What's up, everybody? Adnan Virk here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers.
- [73:38]
Mitchell
Jason Demers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.
- [73:43]
Adnan Virk
Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.
- [73:47]
Mitchell
Tons of guests are going to join in, too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table.
- [73:57]
Adnan Virk
Listen to NHL Unscripted with Vir and Demers and the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [74:05]
Jason Demers
What's up, everyone? It's Justin Penick from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did.