PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The NFL Report: Colts trade Quenton Nelson & DeForest Buckner + Cowboys get in done on MNF
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
26 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Oct 27, 2026
Published
Tue, October 27, 2026
24
Player insights
19
Players mentioned
Topics
CeeDee LambDak PrescottGeorge PickensJavonte WilliamsJonathan TaylorDaniel JonesGeorge KittleJadarian PriceJalen HurtsJared GoffKeenan AllenKyle JuszczykMakai LemonMalachi Fields
Player analysis
Player insights
CeeDee Lamb
PositiveUsage5:49
CeeDee Lamb was targeted early in the Cowboys' Monday night win, part of the offense's return to throwing the football down the field for big gains after weeks of criticism about balance and play-calling.
Insight pagePositiveUsage8:27
Lamb caught two touchdown passes on Monday Night Football against the Eagles, including a 16-yard score in the third quarter when the game was competitive at one point.
Insight pageDak Prescott
PositiveProjection7:12
Dak Prescott had more time to throw and did not look as frazzled as in recent weeks during the Cowboys' Monday night win, suggesting the offensive balance and improved running game are helping his performance and comfort level.
Insight pagePositiveProjection7:36
Prescott had a strong performance against the Eagles on Monday Night Football, throwing three touchdown passes including a 21-yard score to George Pickens and a 16-yard touchdown to CeeDee Lamb in the third quarter when the game was competitive.
Insight pageDaniel Jones
NegativeMatchup10:30
Daniel Jones faced Minnesota's Brian Flores defense and was blitzed 85% of the time—the highest blitz rate in the source's historical context. This extreme defensive pressure illustrates the challenge opposing quarterbacks face against Minnesota's scheme.
Insight pageGeorge Kittle
PositiveRole25:06
Thrilled with the reunion of Brentson Buckner and Kyle Juszczyk on the 49ers; all three players back together after their Pro Bowl years, restoring a prior offensive connection.
Insight pageGeorge Pickens
PositiveUsage5:49
George Pickens made a beautiful completion catch from Dak Prescott on Monday night, exemplifying the Cowboys' return to their downfield passing attack after weeks of offensive struggles.
Insight pagePositiveUsage8:20
Pickens caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott on Monday Night Football, described as a beautiful fingertip toe-tap catch in the end zone.
Insight pageJadarian Price
PositiveRole4:16
The Seahawks' running back experiment with Price has not gone well so far this season, creating a potential opening for a trade target like Jonathan Taylor if Seattle decides to upgrade at the position.
Insight pageJalen Hurts
NegativeRole9:15
Jalen Hurts' long-term status with the Eagles remains uncertain amid the team's struggles, injuries, and potential trade deadline moves, raising questions about the quarterback's future in Philadelphia.
Insight pageJared Goff
PositiveMatchup10:00
Goff faces Minnesota's Brian Flores defense in week eight, which blitzes at 70% (historical high; 85% vs. Daniel Jones last week). However, Goff is equipped to handle this: he holds the ball only four-tenths of a second longer than average when facing pressure—the quickest release in the NFL and fifth quickest since 2018. His quick decision-making and ball security should enable the Lions' number-two scoring offense to counter the number-one scoring defense.
Insight pageJavonte Williams
PositiveUsage7:00
Javante Williams rushed for a career-high in rushing yards on Monday night, bringing respectability to the Cowboys' running game and creating easier opportunities for the passing attack downfield.
Insight pagePositiveProjection8:37
Williams had a career night on the ground for the Cowboys against the Eagles on Monday Night Football, rushing for 155 yards.
Insight pageJonathan Taylor
PositiveValue2:35
Fifth in the NFL in rushing yards and still in his prime at late 20s, making him one of the best running backs in the league. His new contract extension doesn't begin until next year with no cash paid yet, creating $11 million in possible salary cap savings if the Colts move him. A contender like the Seahawks (struggling with Jadarian Price and Manny Wilson) could pursue him, though it would likely cost a first-round pick or better given his elite status and potential behind an excellent offensive line.
Insight pagePositiveValue5:08
Taylor is still in his late 20s and one of the best running backs in the NFL; if placed behind an excellent offensive line, he would be one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. A trade would likely require at least a day-two pick and additional assets given his elite status, though the source notes running back shelf life typically extends only to age 30.
Insight pageKeenan Allen
NegativeDepth Chart3:30
A veteran receiver acquired by the Colts who has been productive for them this season but could be moved as part of the team's rebuild following the GM firing and the trade deadline approaching on November 10.
Insight pageKyle Juszczyk
PositiveRole25:06
Acquired by the 49ers; reuniting with George Kittle and Brentson Buckner, restoring a prior offensive connection from their Pro Bowl years together.
Insight pageMakai Lemon
PositiveUsage9:00
Makai Lemon made some plays in the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys, representing one of the few bright spots for Philadelphia's offense in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Insight pageMalachi Fields
PositiveBreakout20:09
Described as 'the real deal'; receiving completions from a quarterback willing to throw accurately and on time to pass catchers, capitalizing on improved quarterback play compared to prior seasons.
Insight pageMalik Nabers
PositiveRole20:05
Forged a connection with the quarterback in recent play; receiving accurate, timely passes from a passer willing to get the ball to pass catchers, a contrast to prior quarterback play.
Insight pageSam LaPorta
PositiveUsage11:36
Against Minnesota's historic blitz rate, the Lions will employ shorter passes and catch-and-run opportunities. Sam LaPorte, who did not appear until the fourth quarter in the previous game, is expected to see increased usage in this game plan designed to counter Brian Flores' defense.
Insight pageSaquon Barkley
NegativeInjury8:24
Saquon Barkley may have played too early in the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys and exited with a new injury on top of an existing one, raising questions about his health and potential availability going forward.
Insight pageTanner McKee
NegativeRole8:00
Tanner McKee had moments in the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys but uncertainty remains about whether he is the long-term solution at quarterback for Philadelphia.
Insight pageTyrone Tracy
NegativeInjury24:09
Placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury; out a minimum of four weeks before the 21-day window opens to potentially bring him back. Giants continuing their running back shuffle.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Coming up on the NFL Report, is everything for sale in Indy?
0:06The latest on two big trades, and who could be next out the door with a deadline looming?
0:11Have you noticed how good the schedule is week number eight?
0:15We'll tell you how the Lions can take down the Vikings and finally give Minnesota its first loss.
0:20Plus, you wrote off the Buccaneers. Are they going to write back?
0:24Nick is all shook up. It is next on the NFL Report.
0:27We are presented to you by Nationwide from the home office today.
0:31Hi there. My name is Andrew Siciliano. Yes, the Vikings are undefeated, but should they be number one in the power rankings?
0:38Shook, defend yourself. Coming up next. We begin, however, with what is news to me and there's a lot of news.
0:44We got the deadline coming up on November 10 and today we might have a fire sale in Indianapolis.
0:50Two huge trades. That guy, Quentin Nelson, the former sixth overall player.
0:54Pick is going to the Seahawks for a three and a five.
0:57Seattle, massive O-line upgrade. And the Colts say goodbye to an eight-time pro bowler and one of the faces, again, of their franchise.
1:04This guy, also a face of the franchise, DeForest Buckner.
1:07He is going back to the 49ers, the team that took him seventh overall back in 2016.
1:12San Francisco traded him to Indy and they got a one.
1:16Now the Colts trade him back for a four.
1:19Both Buckner and Quentin Nelson, Nick Schuch, have expiring contracts.
1:22So the Colts, after firing Chris Bauer a week ago, say, you know what?
1:26Let's just start moving, guys. But these are two massive trades, dude.
1:30Two massive trades that when you look at this team playing right now, you think to yourself, do they really have a purpose there at this point?
1:38If the Colts are going to be struggling, if they fired their GM, if they're entering a rebuild, do they have a place there?
1:45They don't. And that's why you move them now and get capital.
1:49But the question becomes, who else might become available on this Colts roster, given how bad they've been this season?
1:55And the first person I think of is Jonathan Taylor, the running back who just signed an extension, but who could also save them some money.
2:03$11 million possible in savings if the Colts were to move on from him.
2:07He's not the only one on the list either.
2:10Keenan Allen, a veteran that they brought in at receiver.
2:13He's one of those guys that, yeah, he's been pretty productive for them so far, but ultimately he could be moved.
2:19Sauce Gardner, probably not going to be moved. He's younger.
2:22He's done a very long contract through 2030. He'll probably still be part of the long-term plans.
2:27All right, so let's talk Jonathan Taylor here. He's still at his best, right?
2:32He's still in his prime. That new contract you just mentioned, it doesn't even begin until next year.
2:37They haven't paid the cash on that deal yet.
2:40He's fifth in the NFL in rushing, but he is a running back here.
2:44What could they realistically get off the top of your head for Jonathan Taylor?
2:48It's always a matter of give and take, demand versus supply, and I think you have to find a contender that desperately needs a running back.
2:56One team that comes to mind is the Seattle Seahawks, whose Jadarian Price experiment has not gone well so far.
3:02Manny Wilson had a nice game in their most recent victory, but that's not really a long-term plan.
3:08So I could see them considering it, but it would probably cost them a decent amount, given that Taylor is still in
3:15his late 20s, still one of the best running backs in the NFL.
3:18And if you put them behind an excellent offensive line, going to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL.
3:25So I would imagine if you're not willing to part with a first-round pick, which is a little high for anybody at
3:32a running back position, given that their shelf life usually only lasts to 30, you're looking at a trade that could potentially
3:39involve a day-two pick and something else along the lines.
3:42And I think the Colts would only really do that if it was worthwhile in the return.
3:47Jonathan Taylor himself at one point coming out of Wisconsin, a day-two pick for the 49ers, Nick.
3:52They could get Nick Bosa back right now. They're on the bye, so you get Buckner, you get Bosa back as well.
3:59And they are loading up fresh off their first loss as the Seahawks load up.
4:03What does it mean for the Niners? I mean, it's a reinforcement that they desperately needed.
4:08We know that they've dealt with injuries on the defensive line.
4:11They've actually played better than most expected, given how many people they've lost up front.
4:16And it's a guy that 49ers fans may still be familiar with.
4:20He's a game-changer. Put on any Colts game this year, and DeForest Buckner is still making plays.
4:25He's still popping off the tape, even at this stage in his career.
4:29So it's very good for the Niners. It's one of those moves that you make when you're chasing a Super Bowl, and
4:36even though they just lost their first game, they are right in the thick of Super Bowl contention.
4:41All right, dude, stay right there. We're going to get into the highlight from last night, Monday Night Football in the NFC
4:48East, which is not nearly as good as the NFC West, but roll it regardless.
4:52Cowboys-Eagles primetime, 33rd time. Believe it or not, they meet in primetime.
4:56Dak had himself a night. He threw three touchdown passes.
4:59Look at this beautiful ball. Walt getting hit back in the end zone to George Pickens.
5:04A 21-yard touchdown. Fingertip toe tap. That is a thing of beauty.
5:07Also, fairly nice. This in the third quarter, when it's a one-point game, when the Eagles are making it interesting to CeeDee Lamb.
5:14A 16-yard score. CeeDee had two on the day.
5:17And a career night for Javante Williams. A hundred and fifty-five yards on the ground.
5:22At the Cowboys roll, they get to three and four.
5:25They're one game back in the win column behind the Giants.
5:28The Eagles fall to two and five. Definitely hungry, pissed off version of Shadi.
5:32It's not like he's naive. It's not like he hadn't heard some noise about him.
5:37And you know, whether it's the call in the games or whatever doubt that's been out there.
5:42But we've got his back. He knows that. But he's a guy that takes a lot of pride in his job.
5:49A lot of pride in his team. And yeah, I mean, everybody handles everything different.
5:53And so I don't blame him to an extent.
5:56And yeah, we've got his back more importantly. And it's just about us going out there and executing on Sundays.
6:02We got ourselves in this hole. And it's our job to get out of it.
6:07And so, you know, no one's writing off anything.
6:09I think the division's wide open. Obviously, it would have been nice to get one tonight in a division game.
6:15But, you know, we didn't. And hats off to them.
6:18All right, Shook, let's go back to what Dak was saying.
6:22He was answering a question about his head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, who was not his normal loquacious self on the podium.
6:28A winning podium after the game. And remember last week, we played Schottenheimer defending himself because he was asked midweek, Hey, you've heard the critics.
6:36What do you have to say? And do you hear them?
6:39So, the offense, I think, heard them. Absolutely. They heard them and they went back to what they do best, which is
6:46throw the football down the field for big gains.
6:49It was Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb early. It was Dak Prescott to George Pickens on this catch right here.
6:55A beautiful completion. One that reminded me of this offense and how it looked for most of last season.
7:00The offense that was supposed to carry this team to contention with a defense that was supposed to be better.
7:06And you know what? To their credit, on this Monday night game, they were a little bit better.
7:12They did force a turnover in the second half.
7:15But it all came back to the balance of Dallas' offense, which has been missing all season long.
7:20Javante Williams going for a career high in rushing yards and bringing a bit of respectability to the running game, which was
7:27lacking, and then made it easier for the Cowboys to push the ball back down the field.
7:32Dak Prescott had more time to throw, too. He didn't look as frazzled as he had in recent weeks.
7:38Overall, you get the complete picture. This is what the Cowboys are supposed to be.
7:42We'll see if it lasts beyond this week. All right.
7:45The Cowboys, as mentioned, a game back in the win column behind the Giants and the NFC East.
7:51The Eagles have now dropped five in a row.
7:54It is ugly. Tanner McKee sure had his moments last night, but who knows if he's the guy or not.
8:00Two weeks ago, the Panthers beat up on the Eagles, and they kind of flexed a little bit.
8:05Now the Cowboys and Christian Parker, nice for him.
8:08He goes back to Philly. They get the win.
8:11The defense looks better, but I don't know what kind of flex that would be.
8:15Where are the Eagles now? Because at one point they were 2-0.
8:19The Eagles are now trying to find replacements because they have suffered more injuries even in this game.
8:24Damian Pierce, the backup, ends up exiting the game with injuries.
8:28Saquon Barkley probably played a little too early in this game, and he exits with an injury as well.
8:34A new one to add to the one he was already dealing with.
8:38And you look at this team in total, the defense has not been good enough.
8:42It hasn't lived up to expectation. You don't have your starting quarterback on offense.
8:46There's just problems everywhere. You lost your right tackle to retirement.
8:50You traded your center who was playing left guard.
8:52There's been so much change. The defense was supposed to steady this operation.
8:56Instead, it just gave up 38 points to a Cowboys team that couldn't break 20 over the last couple of weeks.
9:03So there's really, it's hard to find a silver lining and a positive other than that Makai Lemon made some plays.
9:09And where do they go from here? I wonder if maybe they start shipping out some players, much like the Colts.
9:16Could Saquon Barkley, if he's healthy enough, be on the block.
9:19What about the uncertainty of Jalen Hurts long term?
9:22There's a lot of questions still to be answered in Philadelphia.
9:25Yeah, you answered my next question. Like, I don't know if it's a fire sale.
9:30I don't know if they can do a fire sale thing.
9:33I mean, their cap numbers in the years to come are going to be ridiculous here, but it might be time for Philadelphia to start moving.
9:41November 10 is the trade deadline. That is the Tuesday after week nine.
9:45We're heading into week eight right now. Shook's coming right back.
9:48Look at the week eight schedule, by the way.
9:51This schedule is ridiculous. Panthers Packers on Thursday to open.
9:54And then you get the Ravens of the Bills, the Browns of the Steelers, the Falcons, the Bucs.
9:59Those are all one o'clock Eastern time games. Also at one o'clock Eastern, you've got the Vikings and the Lions.
10:06And Minnesota still is the only undefeated team in the NFL.
10:09And, yeah, I know it was Indy that the Vikings beat last week, but they're winning still with defense.
10:15And they are blitzing the opposing quarterback into submission.
10:17This week, Brian Flores takes aim at Jared Goff.
10:20Statistically, he's been one of the best quarterbacks. Not even statistically, period.
10:24He's been one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League over a good amount of time.
10:29And so, yes, he's grown quite a bit. And that's what you expect, you know, as guys get more time under their
10:36belt, see more coverages, see more fronts, see more blitzes.
10:39You know, he's seen all the blitzes. You know, he's seen them all.
10:43Yeah, all the blitzes because every play is seemingly a blitz.
10:46They're going at 70% right now. 70. Historical context, that's a lot more than anyone has ever blitzed.
10:52Shook, last week against Daniel Jones, I assume you know the number.
10:55You're prepared. But the average fan doesn't know the number.
10:58They blitzed 85% of the time. 8-5. And, yes, percent means out of 100.
11:03What do the Lions do to beat that? Well, luckily they have the right quarterback for it, and they know that this is what's coming.
11:10They have experience against this Brian Flores defense. On the board we just showed, three of the four teams were Brian Flores defenses in Minnesota.
11:18This is not a surprise. What they have is a quarterback who's getting rid of the ball pretty quickly.
11:24He's only holding onto it for four-tenths of a second longer than when not facing pressure.
11:29It's the quickest in the NFL. It's the fifth quickest since 2018.
11:32So he sees pressure, he identifies, and he gets the ball out.
11:36But what it's going to result in is shorter passes, less of the explosives, more catch-and-run opportunities, which means more Jameer Gibbs.
11:43That means more Sam Laporta who didn't show up in last week's game until the fourth quarter.
11:48And I think that ultimately they'll have a plan that's capable of countering Brian Flores, who actually hasn't found as much success
11:54against Detroit, especially when Ben Johnson was the O.C., than he has against other teams.
11:59You've got to forget, we cannot forget that this is the number two scoring offense in the NFL facing the number one scoring defense.
12:06It's going to be a heck of a game either way.
12:10Vikings swept the lines a year ago. They sacked Jared Goff five times for ten total in each of those two victories.
12:16Nick Schuch is coming right back. We are coming right back as well.
12:20As the NFL report continues on a Tuesday ahead of week number eight, is Lamar Jackson back for week number eight.
12:27We will try to make sense of what Jesse Minter said on Monday.
12:31We'll translate straight ahead. Football's back. Hey, it's Drew Franklin from NFL Cover Zero.
12:35Enjoy the NFL season while listening to NFL Cover Zero.
12:38We have storylines, predictions, and lots of silliness. Here's what you can expect from the podcast in our second season.
12:44When you meet people and you say your job's a sports announcer, it's always interesting to see what the first thing they say is.
12:51I did have one of the more difficult questions, though.
12:54He sits next to me and he sees I'm on my computer and he goes, big sports fan.
13:00And I was like, yeah, actually. And he goes, what are you thinking about my Jaguars this year?
13:05And I realized, like, no one's ever asked me that question ever about anything.
13:10And I was like, Duval. Listen to NFL Cover Zero on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
13:16The NFL report continues. The Vikings are the last remaining undefeated.
13:20The Chargers are the last remaining winless team. Guess what?
13:23They're at home this week. They're not really at home, but they're in their own building.
13:28They are the road opponent against Sean McVay's three and four and evidently grumpy Rams.
13:32Humility is a day away. This is a good team.
13:35I really am. The records and stuff with the way that this season and the way that everything's kind of gone in this league, anybody can beat anybody.
13:44I would hope that we're mature and professional enough to know that we've got to be able to have the right focus, concentration, level of urgency.
13:52This is professional football. They got great players. They're really well coached.
13:55I couldn't care less about what their record is.
13:58We'll get humbled if we're not ready to go.
14:01I totally get why Sean McVay might be a little bit grumpy here.
14:05I totally get it. His team is three and four.
14:08And you would understand as well why they're grumpy in Baltimore because they can't figure out when Lamar Jackson is going to be back.
14:15Now I say they, meaning the media, the fans.
14:18Jesse Minter, you would think, would know. Jackson has missed three games.
14:22They are one and two without him. And the Ravens got another one this week against the Bills.
14:27Lamar's working his butt off to be back and be out there.
14:31I think he was, you know, was able to get in a little bit of work, obviously, towards the end of last week.
14:38And so I think he'll be in a decent spot, but we'll know a lot more on Wednesday.
14:43Jesse, not specifically about the injury, but it was described as you guys being shocked that he was unable to play.
14:50Is that a mischaracterization, would you say? I would say a little bit.
14:53But, again, we kind of had Saturday, you know, that we, you know, got a little bit of working on Friday.
15:00Come in Saturday and feel it out and see where it's at and see, you know, how it's going, how it's feeling, how it responded.
15:07And then what happened, happened. Part of the job trying to figure out why he's all shook up.
15:13I love that animation, by the way. Nick Shook is all shook up.
15:17And why they can't figure out, or at least the media and the fans there, why Lamar Jackson's going to be back on the field.
15:25But the last two weeks, they've blown big halftime leads and fallen apart in the second half.
15:30Can Lamar Jackson fix that? Yeah, that's a big question because I'm not sure that he can.
15:35He doesn't play defense, number one. And they've been outscored 48 to nothing in the last two second halves, both losses, both
15:42games in which they took double-digit leads in the first half and had nothing more to provide.
15:47So you think, all right, well, maybe he comes in and steadies the offense and they're at least able to compete.
15:53But he doesn't play defense and he can't stop the aerial attack of a team like Joe Burrows, Cincinnati Bengals.
15:59That's what they dealt with last year. If they're going to fix this, they also need to figure out other ways to move the football.
16:07Derek Henry has largely been a non-factor. Zay Flowers has been very productive in the first half, disappears in the second half.
16:14I would like to see them turn to him more often.
16:17I know defenses like to focus on taking him away.
16:20But overall, there are a lot of problems to fix.
16:23And I don't think the return of your quarterback is just going to be enough for all of it.
16:29Yeah, I don't remember music last week for All Shook Up.
16:32I truly do like this. Well done, everyone. Back in the control room.
16:36Let's get to the Buccaneers here because the Buccaneers got Baker back and just boat raced the Panthers a week ago.
16:42And now they're only one game back in the win column, Shook.
16:46And they get the Falcons at Raymond James this week.
16:49Are the Bucs back? Are they back? Well, their defense, I think, is back because that's been what has really helped them succeed in the last two weeks.
16:58It certainly would stop the Panthers' offense in that blowout win on Sunday.
17:02They were all over Bryce Young. They were forcing turnovers.
17:05In the last two games, they've had five sacks in each of the last two games as a defense.
17:10And it's been different guys. Ruben Bain, Yaya Diaby, you can continue to go down the list.
17:16Even Vita Vea getting a sack right there that you see.
17:19So it's been a group that's played a lot better.
17:22They've been opportunistic. Baker Mayfield threw for 64 yards last week.
17:25They won by 30 points. I have to think that maybe, just maybe, they'll get back in this NFC South race because
17:32this division is wide open and very winnable. Okay, so let's go back to those Baker numbers again.
17:38The guy barely threw the ball. He threw for 64 yards.
17:41I'm looking at that box score while I'm in Tennessee doing the Browns and the Titans, and I'm like, oh, Baker must
17:48be going nuts on his forward team. They barely threw the ball.
17:51Yeah, they barely threw the ball because Bucky Irving was able to pace the ground game.
17:56It was fantastic. It was fantastic. I love that, you know, the offense is able to find different ways to succeed.
18:03It's not just relying on the quarterback. Jalen Daniels gave it, you know, the old college try.
18:08But even getting Baker back didn't matter because they ran the ball 40 times.
18:12They were just keeping it, pounded on the ground, dominating up front.
18:16When you see a team win the surge up front, that's when I think there's a sign that you're turning a corner.
18:22Yeah, and again, the Panthers still do lead the NFC South, and the Giants lead the NFC East.
18:28Jackson Dart is hurt. They're on a bye this week.
18:31Joe Shane, is J.J. McCarthy now the guy? Yeah, it's a really good room, I would say.
18:36It's probably one of the stronger ones in the league.
18:39I mean, Jameis has started six games over two years for us.
18:43Five of those games he had, you know, we had the lead or a tie in the fourth quarter.
18:49Other than New Orleans game was the only game that we didn't have a lead or a tie in the fourth quarter.
18:55You know, the two young guys with Jackson and J.J.
18:58that, you know, both talented players. I mean, it's a good position to be in.
19:03It's a good position to be in. And hopefully J.J.
19:06and Jameis can stay healthy throughout the rest of this year.
19:09And, you know, J.J. can continue to play at a high level.
19:13We did a really good job on Sunday and was impressed with how we played.
19:17So many ways to go with this. Like, are the Vikings people looking at J.J.
19:22last week winning in Houston going, wait a minute, what, what?
19:25And, Nick, from a Giants perspective, they still have Jackson Dart potentially coming back next year.
19:30I mean, he's under contract. He's coming back next year.
19:33And now J.J., is he it? I don't know if he's it in the long term, but he's it for right now.
19:40He's it for this season with Dart being out.
19:43And what they've done is built a quarterback room with two quarterbacks that are similar in a lot of different ways.
19:49If you throw on the Jackson Dart tape, you throw on the J.J.
19:53McCarthy tape, you'll see a lot of shared qualities.
19:56But what was most important with J.J. McCarthy was that he was just inconsistent in Minnesota.
20:01You couldn't trust him as a passer from one game to the next.
20:05Well, he certainly delivered on Sunday. 20 to 28, 252 yards at Houston.
20:09And really forged a connection with Malik Nabors. Malachi Fields, who I think is the real deal.
20:14He hits him for a few completions. I think that they're capitalizing on their pass catchers because they have a quarterback who's
20:20willing to throw them the football, get it out on time, and put it on them accurately, which is what they lacked at times with Jameis Winston.
20:29So, is he the guy long term? He's the guy right now.
20:32And that's really all that matters for the 2026 season.
20:35Nick, are the Giants good? I don't know. I can't tell because, I mean, how do you reconcile with their loss to the Saints?
20:43And then they go out and beat the Texans.
20:45Yeah, exactly. They live in an alternate dimension in which every game is entertaining.
20:50And we can just say that. Yes. And I say the same thing about the Browns.
20:55Is it sustainable? I don't care. Enjoy it. It's fun.
20:58Supposed to be fun. Football is fun. Coming up next.
21:01The Bengals had fun last week. Where does that put them?
21:04In Shook's new power rankings. Don't go anywhere. All right.
21:07Go get NFL Plus, everybody. With NFL Plus Premium, you get NFL Red Zone.
21:11You get all the touchdowns every Sunday afternoon during the regular season.
21:15You also can catch game replays. You can track advanced analytics powered by next-gen stats.
21:19Go get NFL Pro, friends. And do it right now.
21:23Or NFL Plus. I beg your pardon. Sometimes I just cut off my own copy.
21:27All right. Let's get to the power rankings on NFL.com right now.
21:31Where you can also get NFL Plus when you go to NFL.com.
21:34The Vikings are 6-0. They are up three spots to number one.
21:38The Bills, the Niners, the Seahawks, and the Bengals are rounding out your top five.
21:43Nick Schuch puts these together. He welcomes all your comments.
21:46You can find him on all your favorite social media platforms.
21:49Nick, the Vikings are the last remaining undefeated team, as we've said a hundred times.
21:54And so you have them number one. Are they number one because they're undefeated?
21:58Or are they number one because you think they're the best team?
22:02They're number one because they're undefeated. And we're at that point now where we have one team that's left that's undefeated.
22:08And they have a defense that can win a Super Bowl.
22:11It's just a question of whether their offense can hold up their end of the bargain.
22:16So far, they haven't needed it to other than, I don't know, put 16 points on the board to beat the Colts
22:23or, you know, find a little bit of a rhythm in the second half to beat the Saints or, you know, put
22:30a few field goals on the board to beat the Bears.
22:33Doesn't matter. This defense is that strong. I expect this offense to round into form eventually.
22:38And again, the only undefeated team. So that's why they're there.
22:41Angry Bengals caller here on line two. Actually, angry Jaguars caller.
22:44The Bengals are five. The Jaguars are six. The Jaguars beat the Bengals.
22:48You have them behind the Bengals. Yes, I have them behind the Bengals because let's think about what's happened recently.
22:54That game between the Jags and Bengals was ages ago at this point.
22:58The Jags obviously on a bye this past week.
23:01And they're coming off of a three-point loss to the Texans in a divisional game in a battle that's always very close.
23:08So that's fine. But it's what the Bengals have done more than anything, which is overcome a 13-point deficit in the first
23:15half and drop 35 on the Ravens. It's a defense that has always had a good defensive front this season, but got
23:21production from its second and third levels. That win was so impressive to me that I felt they needed to move up into the top five.
23:29They've been lurking in this area for a while.
23:32It's about time, even though they're in a very competitive division, that people pay attention to these Cincinnati Bengals.
23:38You say ages ago. Like, dude, it's only week eight.
23:41It feels like ages ago. Trust me. I know.
23:43How is it only week eight? Yet at the same time, how is it already week eight?
23:49NFL.com slash power rankings. Go there. Nick Shook. I thank you, my friend.
23:53Always great to ride with you. Nick Shook has the power rankings.
23:56We have now some quick hits. Another Ravens center is injured.
24:00Ridiculous. Venga Yohane, who moved from guard to center, has been playing so well.
24:04MCL sprain, according to Ian and Garofalo. Remember, they traded for Cam Juergens, so they seemingly already have an answer in-house.
24:10Is there an answer for the 49ers at kicker?
24:13Eddie Pinheiro has had issues of late, but today John Lynch said he is sticking with them.
24:18Also, that Nick Bosa is tracking well to play week nine.
24:22Mentioned that one earlier. You're getting Buckner and now Nick Bosa potentially back together again.
24:26And now the Eddie Pinheiro story. I got ahead of myself.
24:29Sorry about that. Here's the Eddie Pinheiro story. They're going to stick with them.
24:34Okay. Maybe not. There it is. Eddie Pinheiro story.
24:36John Lynch on KNBR says, we don't have a kicker tryout.
24:40We have a lot of belief in Eddie. So they're not going to bring in another kicker.
24:45You saw the Giants wipe there. We have Giants news for you as well.
24:49They, as they continue the running back shuffle, are going to place Tyrone Tracy on injured reserve.
24:54He has a hamstring injury. So he is out a minimum of four weeks before they could open up that 21-day window to potentially bring him back.
25:03We have time now for one more thing before we go.
25:06I mentioned the reunion. The 49ers, George Kittle specifically, thrilled with the reunion of not only Brentson Buckner, but getting Kyle Juszczyk.
25:13All those three guys back together. This was an old photo from the Pro Bowl years ago.
25:18Remember when we had the Pro Bowl years ago?
25:21Yes. Such fond memories. All right. That's going to do it for me.
25:25This is the NFL Report. We thank you for rolling with this home edition of said report.
25:30Tomorrow, back in the building, and I have a promise to make.
25:33I'm not going to wear this sport coat. We're going to mix it up.
25:38We'll see you Wednesday. This is an iHeart Podcast.
25:40Guaranteed human.
