PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The NFL Report: He's Baaack! Lamar Jackson's Return + Panthers Fire DC After TNF Loss
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
24 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Oct 30, 2026
Published
Fri, October 30, 2026
15
Player insights
13
Players mentioned
Topics
Lamar JacksonA.J. BrownBaker MayfieldBryce YoungDeshaun WatsonJared GoffJeremiyah LoveJosh JacobsJustin JeffersonMichael Penix Jr.Sam DarnoldSaquon BarkleyZay Flowers
Player analysis
Player insights
A.J. Brown
NegativeInjury3:12
A.J. Brown's issue flared up status for Sunday's game against Miami is questionable; through two and a half games of action, he has nine catches, 101 yards and no touchdowns. He was supposed to be the big ticket item for the Patriots offense this offseason, but the offense still hasn't been seen at peak powers. Head coach Mike Rabel indicated Brown wasn't able to finish practice on Wednesday and will be evaluated for Sunday, with Rabel focused on getting the team ready to play rather than committing to Brown's long-term availability.
Insight pageBaker Mayfield
PositiveMatchup20:10
Baker Mayfield faces his former coach Kevin Stefanski in a revenge matchup against the Falcons; Mayfield's time at Cleveland ended acrimoniously when the Browns traded him to Carolina for a conditional fifth to pursue Deshaun Watson, but he has found success in Tampa and is climbing back into NFC South contention at the perfect time.
Insight pageBryce Young
NegativeMatchup2:35
Bryce Young and the Panthers offense showed signs of life in the fourth quarter against Green Bay, scoring 14 points in that period (from 13 to 27), suggesting the offense can be explosive in specific game situations despite overall defensive struggles.
Insight pageDeshaun Watson
NegativeInjury3:32
Deshaun Watson had to leave the Thursday night game against the Panthers and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, missing approximately an hour before returning to the field. The source notes he was eager to return, as evidenced by the crowd reaction when he re-entered the game.
Insight pageJared Goff
PositiveMatchup10:10
Jared Goff is well-equipped to handle the Vikings' heavy blitz and exotic pressure looks. His average time to throw of 3.04 seconds under pressure is the third fastest in the NFL (only Jordan Love and Michael Pennix get it out quicker), and his passer rating near 90 under pressure suggests he will perform well against this defensive scheme. As a divisional opponent, he has familiarity with the Vikings' approach.
Insight pageJeremiyah Love
PositiveInjury5:03
Jeremiah Love, Cardinals rookie running back, is set to return from a two-week absence due to an ankle injury in the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He is looking for his first touchdown since week one of the NFL season.
Insight pageJosh Jacobs
PositiveRole1:46
Josh Jacobs is in his second game back from injury and continues to contribute as a receiver in addition to his rushing role. The source notes he had a receiving touchdown the previous week, demonstrating expanded offensive usage beyond traditional running back carries.
Insight pageJustin Jefferson
NegativeRole9:00
Justin Jefferson acknowledges the Minnesota Vikings offense is still sorting things out despite being undefeated. The Vikings have scored just 125 points this season (21 PPG, 23rd in NFL), tied for the second fewest points scored during a 6-0 start in NFL history. Jefferson attributes this to growing pains and the team trying to get on the same page, noting it takes time for the offense to have a complete game.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
PositiveInjury0:45
After missing three games with a high ankle sprain, Lamar Jackson returns to play against Buffalo in Week 8. Jackson expressed confidence in his recovery, stating 'I'm no longer a statue, man, I'm able to move around a little better so I can give it a shot,' indicating improved mobility and readiness to resume his dual-threat role.
Insight pagePositiveProjection5:16
Lamar Jackson is ready to return from ankle injury and should provide a significant offensive boost to the Ravens. The source notes that with Lamar on the field, the Ravens offense becomes much more dynamic and opponents must defend them every play twice. Points per game difference is about 12 per game with Lamar versus Tyler Huntley, and yards per game is about 70 yards better with Lamar, though rushing yards and giveaways are similar. The source expresses hope that Lamar can elevate the entire team and spark them back on track after two straight losses where they blew double-digit first-half leads.
Insight pageNegativeMatchup8:25
Lamar Jackson returns to face a Buffalo offense averaging nearly 33 points per game, the number one offense in the league. The Bills have won 11 straight games after bye weeks. The source expresses concern about the timing of Jackson's return, noting it's tough to face this Bills team coming off a bye, though acknowledges Joe Brady's first season as coach and a leaky Bills defense that Jackson can exploit.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
PositiveProjection17:52
In games with Michael Penix, the Falcons have scored the second most points in the NFL; they face a hot Buccaneers defense this week that could be a difference maker.
Insight pageSam Darnold
NegativeMatchup21:01
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks face Jeffrey Simmons and the Bears on Monday night; Simmons is expected to disrupt Seattle's offense, get Darnold uncomfortable, and force turnovers.
Insight pageSaquon Barkley
NegativeInjury4:30
Saquon Barkley missed the first two days of practice this week but was able to return to practice today; he is dealing with a back and hamstring injury sustained in Monday night's loss to the Cowboys. Despite being banged up, he will play in the Eagles' matchup against the Commanders.
Insight pageZay Flowers
NegativeUsage5:44
Zay Flowers has been heavily relied upon early in Ravens games but disappears in the second half. The source notes this as part of a pattern where the Ravens take double-digit first-half leads but are silent in the second half, losing two straight games in this manner.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. He's back.
0:02Let's go. The Ravens have missed the two-time MVP, but after missing three games with an ankle injury, Lamar Jackson will play
0:08his return very timely against the Bills. We'll explain that.
0:11The Bears, they're pushing the chips in the middle of the table.
0:14A trade this week and a ridiculously tough test with the Super Bowl champs.
0:18What you need to know about a monster matchup.
0:20And there is only one perfect team in the NFL.
0:23The Minnesota Vikings deserve some respect, but our expert thinks their first loss is coming very soon.
0:28Hi, I'm Mike and we've got a brand new edition of NFL Report.
0:31There's a ton to get to. Injury updates that will affect your fantasy team and of course your NFL fandom.
0:37My buddy Nick Shook is going to be with us.
0:39We'll get a preview of some of the great matchups in week number eight, but we get to the headlines and a
0:45big story that centers around the health of Lamar Jackson.
0:48The Ravens, while they started the year great four and one Lamar suffered a high ankle sprain missed the last three games
0:54after losing two straight Baltimore goes from first place to last place in the AFC North.
0:58He will get the start against Buffalo. Excited. You know, I'm always excited when I'm able to be back on the field.
1:04My guys, man, put us in the wind column, help us get another dog.
1:08That's what I'm, that's what I'm ready to do.
1:10Yeah, I feel like I'm no longer a statue, man.
1:13I'm able to move around a little better so I can give it a shot.
1:17The sense of urgency is extremely high. You know, uh, divisional, divisional game, it didn't go the way we wanted to last week.
1:23You know, um, guys just behind the ground running.
1:26Just trying to get back to where we should be.
1:28You know, all, all phases, special teams, defense and offense.
1:31To that matchup, a little bit more on that game still to come here.
1:35Meanwhile, some significant news from a Carolina perspective, and it's not just this game.
1:39We'll get to a change on their coaching ranks in just a moment, but there's a look at Jordan Love Thursday night football against the Panthers squad.
1:46That's had some struggles. Josh Jacobs. Welcome back to the lineup.
1:49Second game back for him. And again, doing some damage as a receiver.
1:52I remember had that receiving touchdown a week ago.
1:55Bryce Young, you know the offense can be explosive down here in this fourth quarter.
1:5927 to 13 signs of life here. Dylan Coker.
2:01How about this dude getting into the end zone?
2:04A 26 yard touchdown pass for him. Green Bay though still on top 27 to 19.
2:08Love looking to ice this thing. That'll get it done on a third and two.
2:12Keep in mind, Watson, by the way, actually had to leave the game.
2:16Went to the hospital, checked out. City missed about an hour or so.
2:19Dude was so ready to get back on that football field.
2:22Lambeau just erupted when he hits the field coming out of that tunnel and they were slightly loud for this.
2:28The Milwaukee Brewers. How about this? The World Series champs.
2:30I mean, we'll get some Lambeau leaps up in here.
2:33You got the trophy in that hardware and a city that obviously knows all about winning important games.
2:38But for the state, man, it is awesome to see what the Brewers were able to accomplish out on the football field.
2:44Now I made reference to it. The Panthers announcing that they've fired their defensive coordinator Ezra Evero and the defensive pass game coordinator and Jonathan Cooley.
2:51Now the defense ranked 30th against the run. Ninth versus the past 23rd in total defense.
2:55Panthers given up the six most points per game in the league.
2:58That is not good. Defensive line coach Todd Washi takes over as the interim.
3:02Here's Dave Canales. What's the best decision? Ultimately, this is my decision.
3:05This falls squarely under the responsibilities of the head coach.
3:08And so as I was evaluating it and looking for what was best for the 2026 Carolina Panthers, this was a decision
3:14that we discussed and weighed in all the factors, the timing of it, the position of our group, all of those things
3:20to make the best decision going forward. But ultimately it had to come from me and it had to come from something
3:26that I believe in and that I want for our players.
3:29Could not have been an easy decision midseason to let go of Evero.
3:32Meanwhile, A.J. Brown, the issue flared up status for Sunday's game against Miami, a little up in the air.
3:37He's listed as questionable. Basically, two and a half games of action for A.J.
3:41Brown, nine catches, 101 yards and no touchdowns. He was supposed to be the big ticket item for this Patriots team this offseason.
3:47Still haven't seen this offense at the peak of their powers.
3:50But Mike Rabel shared a little bit more context for us.
3:53When you come out of the game or long week or practice on Monday, evaluate the player.
3:58Just wasn't able to be able to practice or finish practice on Wednesday.
4:01And so we continue to treat him and then we'll see where he is tomorrow.
4:05Since he's questionable with A.J., you're not worried at this point that it's like a long term thing?
4:10I'm focused on today. I'm focused on getting a team ready to go down to Miami and win.
4:15That's what my focus is. We have 11 out there on offense.
4:18I hope that we do. That's our goal. And again, I appreciate all your guys' questions.
4:23They don't have 11 out on offense. That's a bad thing.
4:26Speaking of bad things, I got some good news and bad news from an Eagles perspective.
4:30Missed the first two days of practice this week.
4:32That's Saquon Barkley. But he was able to return to practice today.
4:36A bit banged up. Get it through it on Monday night in that loss to the Cowboys.
4:40Dealing with the back and the hamstring injury. He will give it a go as the Eagles get the Commanders.
4:46Now, that's the good news. Here's the bad. Montae Smith, hamstring injury.
4:49Missed his second game in a row. Did not practice at all this week.
4:53The Eagles 29th in the NFL in scoring just 18 points per game.
4:56My God, they could use them in the worst way.
4:59Philly has lost five straight games for the first time since the 2016 campaign.
5:03Some more injury news to get to after missing the last two weeks with an ankle injury.
5:07Jeremiah Love, Cardinals rookie running back, is set to return in the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
5:12Cowboys. Dude's looking for his first touchdown since week one of the NFL season.
5:16Love this man. When it hits your inbox and you get some dramatic news, you just roll with it.
5:21Big news of the week. Titans sending their defensive tackle.
5:23Jeffrey Simmons to the Bears. Chicago sent two first rounders to Tennessee.
5:27Guy had 11 sacks last year, four already this season.
5:29Simmons spoke today and he sounds like he's ready to be a major contributor.
5:33This team believe in what they have here and they want it right now.
5:37And my game, my passion, my energy, my leadership.
5:39I can only help the team even more than what it's got.
5:43This is a great locker room from quarterback all the way down.
5:46So my job is not trying to come in here and be nothing more than but myself.
5:50And, you know, I'm excited to be able to help this team compete for a championship.
5:55Jeffrey's the guy that we've talked about over the last two years.
5:58He's just admiring his game and almost dreaming of, you know, if we ever could get this guy on our team, what
6:04it would do for us on the field and off the field as well.
6:08If you do the research, you know, Super Bowl teams really probably go back to 2018.
6:12Since then, they all have what we call like a red level interior defense alignment.
6:16So in order to get to that, you need one.
6:19I really believe that. One thing I want to hit, like, I know it's kind of a joke that kind of goes around, but like F them picks.
6:26Is like a big thing. That's really not what we're about.
6:29I know it took a lot to get this done.
6:32But we absolutely believe that the draft and bringing young talent is a way that you sustain success around here.
6:37We're going to challenge. I'm challenging myself and our crew that for the picks that we do have, we have to hit.
6:43Yeah, there's some pressure from that perspective, but that seems to be the going right now in the NFL.
6:48Two first rounders for a game changer on defense.
6:51Keep in mind, this is Sunday schedule more on the Monday night game with the Bears and the Seahawks coming up in just a bit.
6:58Top left corner Ravens and Bills. That one I would take out the Sharpie circle multiple times for a little bit more on the matchup.
7:04Nick Shook from NFL dot com is with us.
7:07Also power rankings. If you're not watching that on Tuesdays bad job by you because that is not an easy job to
7:13do to rank some of these teams. But look, this great news.
7:16We started the show. Lamar Jackson ready to go coming off the ankle injury.
7:20Is that enough to go get a road win against the Bills team also coming off the by?
7:24Yeah, I mean in theory it should be enough to get a road win against the Bills.
7:29But is it going to make the entire team that much better?
7:32It's going to make their offense better for sure.
7:35Just the numbers alone show that Lamar Jackson makes this offense much more dynamic.
7:38You have to defend them every play twice when he's on the field.
7:42But is it enough to spark this entire group?
7:44Derek Henry still not getting going. Heavy reliance on Zay Flowers early and he disappears in the second half.
7:50They've lost two straight in which they've taken double digit leads in the first half and been silent in the second half.
7:55If you look at the points per game difference, it's about 12 per game with Lamar as opposed to Tyler Huntley.
8:01And yards per game is about 70 yards between the two.
8:04But the rushing yards is pretty similar. The giveaways are pretty similar.
8:07The winning and win loss record is not similar.
8:10So hopefully the Ravens get back on track. The other question is this defense.
8:14This defense was a shell of itself against Cincinnati last week.
8:17They gave up 35 unanswered in the second half.
8:19Obviously, the offense didn't help them going three and out a lot.
8:22But they have to be better as a team.
8:25Hopefully Lamar can elevate them to the point where it's no longer an issue.
8:28I think that's what concerns me. This is a Buffalo offense right now putting almost 33 points per game.
8:34Number one offense on tap of the fact I know made reference to coming off the by 11 straight seasons.
8:39Now this Bills team has won their game after a bye week.
8:42I just feel like this is tough timing for Lamar Jackson return.
8:45A little bit of a tough timing, but that that's that with the you know how many games they've won after a
8:51bye a little bit different now because you have a different coach in Joe Brady his first season and you also have a Bills defense.
8:58It's been very leaky. Lamar can take advantage of that.
9:01All right. There's another team that I think is not getting nearly enough respect this season and maybe there's some people doubting what they can do offensively.
9:08It's the Minnesota Vikings only undefeated squad, but they've scored just 125 points this season, which is about 21 points per game.
9:14That's good for 23rd in the NFL. It's actually tied for the second fewest points scored during a 6-0 start in NFL history.
9:20Justin Jefferson, he'll tell you they're still trying to sort things out.
9:23Sometimes, you know, it's, you know, just growing pains of, you know, just trying to figure out the offense and getting on the same page.
9:30You know, that's the main thing. And, you know, it takes time, you know, and I is we still, you know, talk
9:36about how, you know, that office is going to have one of those games of being complete and, you know, just dialing it up.
9:43And that day is going to come, but it takes time to get there.
9:46And look, maybe it's good timing from a Minnesota perspective.
9:49And I don't know what the end result is going to be, but I do know Detroit has struggled this season defensively.
9:55They get that win against Green Bay in this last matchup.
9:58But is this the recipe for this offense? Just going up against a team that has struggled defensively?
10:03It's a bit of a case of bad versus bad and good versus good.
10:07The good being the Lions offense, the good being the Vikings defense.
10:10But the question is, can the Lions offense overcome what the Vikings defense brings to the table, which is heavy blitzes, lots
10:16of pressure, lots of exotic pressure looks. Jared Goff, I think, is equipped to handle this.
10:20His average time to throw of 3.04 seconds when under pressure is the third fastest in the NFL.
10:25Only Jordan Love and Michael Pennix get it out quicker under pressure than Jared Goff.
10:29And his passer rating near 90 under pressure. So that all suggests that he's going to be very good against this blitz look.
10:35And he's going to be prepared for it because they play each other so often as divisional opponents.
10:40But there are some underlying concerns, which is that this offensive line has had a few shuffles.
10:45Cade Mays, the center, came back for the first time this season last week and had some struggles.
10:49Can he identify where they need to set their protections in tandem with their quarterback?
10:53If they can, they rely heavily on Jameer Gibbs, Sam Laporta, shorter passing game, catch and run situation, then they'll be fine.
10:59And I think they can, in fact, beat the Vikings because that's how little confidence I have in the Vikings.
11:05Are there some signs of life with this Lions defense?
11:08I think about that matchup against Green Bay. Four trips into the red zone, one touchdown against, candidly, a pretty explosive offense.
11:13Yeah, I mean, it's definitely one of those things where you've got to get better.
11:17You have to learn from the mistakes and you have to make the corrections that you saw on tape last week.
11:23But I think that they will. And in a division matchup like this, they're going to be well prepared.
11:28It's just a matter of who makes the better plays.
11:31Yeah, I can't wait to see if they win.
11:33Minnesota, that is where you have them slotted Tuesday on power rankings here on the NFL channel.
11:38Meanwhile, I'm already thinking about my fantasy lineup. I've had to make some adjustments, guys, that are banged up right now.
11:44We told you the news about Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley and A.J.
11:47Brown. I'll tell you this, Brees Hall, I feel like we've been talking about him questionable pretty much the entire season.
11:53And look, for what it's worth, DJ Moore also questionable with that shoulder injury.
11:57That's a big loss right now if he can't give it a go from a Buffalo Bills perspective.
12:01Almost surprised there. And a Carnell Tate also out from a Tennessee perspective.
12:05A surging Steelers squad that now sits with a 5-2 record just like the Cleveland Browns.
12:09Todd Monk, the job that he's done right now, you'd say coach of the year in the NFL.
12:14But the AFC North is the first AFC division to have every team above .500 entering week eight of a season since
12:201984 when it was the AFC West doing the math.
12:23I was three years old, so that is a very long time ago.
12:26You break this down for me because when I think about the Steelers team, it feels like, hey, this is where they're supposed to be.
12:33Cleveland maybe not as much, but they got that win a couple weeks ago.
12:37Who's got the biggest edge in this game? That's a great assessment of it because you're like, this is where the Steelers are supposed to be.
12:44But are they that good? They've been better in the last two weeks, really since the fourth quarter of this game against
12:50the Buccaneers in which they came back, forced overtime to win the game.
12:53It's when Aaron Rodgers accepted, hey, the running game is not working.
12:56The deep passing game is not working. Let's just take the short game.
13:00And since then, they've been very versatile and willing to adjust in game.
13:03Last week, low scoring affair. Both wins have not really been very pretty.
13:07And yet Rodgers has been able to find ways to get things done within what Mike McCarthy wants to do with the offense.
13:13And I think that's the most important thing to unlock the Steelers and their potential this season.
13:18Now against the Browns, history is on their side.
13:20The Browns are 2-25 in Pittsburgh since they re-entered the NFL in 1999.
13:24You talked about your age. The last win that the Browns had in Pittsburgh, week five of 2003.
13:29I believe that was a primetime game. I want to say the Browns wore orange pants that night because I remember it because I was 11 years old.
13:36So since then, they've lost 22 straight. I have a bad feeling about this, but I don't think that they're going to win and end that losing streak.
13:44And the Steelers could get that other side of the one-and-one split and an advantage in the AFC North.
13:49Look, we're going to come full circle. 2003, what month was that?
13:52Did you say? Week five. So we're talking like October.
13:55Okay, I'm going to tell you this right now.
13:57I was sitting in my dorm room in college at Fordham.
14:00There was Jay-Z going on in the background. A little blueprint.
14:03I just hope Super Bowl Sunday at halftime, Jay-Z gives us little girls, girls, girls.
14:07That's all I'm hoping for. That's a good little cross right there.
14:10We're bringing it full circle. There's an NFL theme before I get in trouble for going off the rails.
14:15By the way, just our research team gave me this nugget.
14:18I thought it was phenomenal. If Cleveland wins, and it doesn't sound like he thinks that's the case, but if they do,
14:24they'll be six and two or better for the first time since 1994.
14:28Bill Belichick and Nick Saban were on that staff.
14:30Saban was their DC. Belichick obviously that kid. And I was a toddler.
14:34I remember being young, and I miss those days.
14:36Juicy Monday night matchup for you. Bears and Seahawks, two teams that added all pros.
14:40Told you about Simmons a little bit earlier. Quinton Nelson, by the way, going to Seattle.
14:45Realistically, all the games are important, but Caleb Williams will tell you the primetime matchups, they just feel special.
14:50I often tell my guys, man, we're the best in the world, B-I-W.
14:53And that's the mindset we like to go into games is practice, that mindset.
14:57And so that mindset, you have to hold yourself to a certain standard.
15:01And that's what these primetime games are. They're, the league seeing us as one of those teams that's the best in football.
15:06And we want to go out there and prove ourselves each and every week.
15:10It doesn't matter if it's primetime or not. But in that sense of it being primetime, I mean, that's what the league, you know, wants for us.
15:18That's what we want for ourselves. I think we've shown that from last year to this year.
15:22And we want to keep chugging along. All it's time for Game Picks presented by Hulu Plus Live TV.
15:27I am telling you, I am actually really excited for this Monday night matchup.
15:31By the way, we'll get you set here on the NFL channel with a fresh edition of Game Day Preview.
15:36But make the pick. Is it Caleb and company or is it Sam Darnold and the defending Super Bowl champs?
15:42I'm going to be pretty honest with you. I made this pick with my heart on Tuesday and the stats don't back me up.
15:48But I'm going with Caleb because since he's come back, this offense has been what we expected it to be.
15:54The Bears have looked like the team we expected them to be.
15:57If he continues at this rate, he'll be in the MVP conversation.
16:00The Bears will be NFC North champions again. But in this matchup specifically, the numbers say he's going to have a hard time.
16:06Under pressure, his completion percentage is under 40%. He's only averaging four yards per attempt.
16:10His passer rating is under 48. Those are all signs that against the Seahawks team that can generate plenty of pressure that
16:16he's going to have a tough go. But again, I'm going back to my heart.
16:20I believe in the superpowers of Caleb Williams and throws like that to Romo Dunze and the throw that he made on
16:26Thursday night against the Patriots from the shadow of his own goalposts on third and long to Romo Dunze.
16:31That was just incredible. Left my jaw on the floor.
16:34I believe in these Bears and I believe in Jeffrey Simmons, the new addition.
16:38Who, by the way, will be playing in this game, which I thought was fairly interesting.
16:42I'm glad that you mentioned that the stats don't support this pick.
16:45There is these special moments. Last time I checked in Caleb, the Iceman when he's out there, not the original Iceman.
16:51That's George Girvin. But this version of the Iceman, still one of the more spectacular players in the NFL.
16:56I would argue the magician in Patrick Mahomes would be the most spectacular.
17:00Always figuring out ways to make plays. This Seattle defense was dominant against a team that you, they weren't one in your
17:06power rankings, but they were like top two or three.
17:08Yeah, they were, I think they were number two before.
17:11Okay, so they were two. This Seattle defense has been phenomenal.
17:14I finished watching this game going, this defense, not Minnesota's.
17:17I thought the Seahawks defense was the best in the NFL.
17:20They hold Kansas City to three points in that game.
17:22Seattle, fewer than 300 total yards in six of their last seven games.
17:26That is the most in the NFL. They are a dominant unit.
17:29The one thing that maybe keeps them in this game, the questions that you have about the other former USC Trojan quarterback
17:35and Sam Darnold, the interceptions and the turnovers have been a thing, but you like Chicago, I will take Seattle in this game.
17:41So you and I would keep going back and forth, man.
17:44Like, I feel like last week I said it was going to be a separation week.
17:49It wasn't. Generally speaking, you and I agree in a lot of these matchups.
17:52Look, Tampa Bay, the Falcons and Buccaneers, one in the division.
17:55We're going on opposite sides. Falcons, by the way, in the games with Michael Penix, they got the second most scoring points in the NFL behind.
18:02They're facing a very hot defense though, the Buccaneers.
18:05Yes, which could be a difference maker. And then obviously we, we, a lot of chalk here.
18:09No, too much chalk still. I'm riding bears. That's going to really put me in front of you this season.
18:15I'm going to be feeling it on Monday night on game day preview, which by the way, you can catch at 7 30 PM.
18:21Eastern time ahead of Monday night football. I'll be thinking about your pick back here on NFL report.
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18:28Cause you're watching the show. What are you doing without NFL plus premium?
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18:45All right. So this just coming into our newsroom a few moments ago in Rappaport putting this out on social media, not great news from a commander's perspective.
18:53Dron Payne suffering a significant foot injury in practice.
18:55Ooh, going to knock him out for the foreseeable future will likely put him on injured reserve.
19:00When you talk about a tough blow, no question that that is going to be the case for a Washington squad.
19:06Still looking for some answers right now. Maybe an opportunity to win this week.
19:09Brian Schottenheimer press conference Halloween party going on outside.
19:12Look, we got serious business to talk about. We're talking about football here.
19:15There's no fun on the outside. That is scary.
19:18I don't know if anyone saw that which kind of in the background that would bother me just a bit time for weekend vibes.
19:24So this is your opportunity to just tell me kind of like what you're what you're feeling heading into this weekend.
19:30There's one particular matchup that I think under the radar Stefanski versus Baker Mayfield.
19:34I don't think this is getting enough play. Yeah, you know, it's a weekend that's going to have a little bit of
19:40revenge, a little bit of frights with Halloween. We're going for revenge with Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski.
19:45He said Kevin Stefanski hasn't talked to him since 2021.
19:47Those of you who are familiar with Baker's history know that his time at the Browns ended acrimoniously because the Browns decided
19:53to get a wandering eye and go find Deshaun Watson and kick Baker to the curb, send him to Carolina for a conditional fifth.
20:00That didn't work out. Baker's come all the way back around.
20:03He's found his place in Tampa and he's faced his old coach who happens to be in charge of a division rival in Atlanta.
20:09This is his opportunity, his first this year to get revenge over his former coach at the perfect time, right when the
20:15Buccaneers are catching some fire and climbing back into the NFC South.
20:18Are you with me where this means more to Baker than Stefanski?
20:21Absolutely. Because I think Stefanski is part robot and Baker is the opposite of robot.
20:26He's all emotion. No, no, he's feeling that one.
20:28I think one of the reporters asked Baker Mayfield like how he's feeling about it.
20:32He's like, I'm doing all right. He just got what a buck 50 in the off season.
20:37He's paid and he's ready to go. Baker is doing fine.
20:40By the way, it worked out great for him.
20:42I mean, Tampa Bay right now has got a home there.
20:45They've had some success. I know this year it's been some struggles.
20:48Now we made reference to the trade that Chicago pulled off.
20:51They get Jeffrey Simmons into the mix. Seattle, their Monday night opponent.
20:54Quentin Nelson, we got all pros here. Who's got the bigger impact for their new team?
20:59You think you would leave the AFC South and get away from one of your toughest competitors?
21:03Nope, not Quentin Nelson. He's going to the Seahawks and immediately playing the guy who probably caused him those headaches in his divisional matchups.
21:10And Jeffrey Simmons, who do I think has the edge?
21:12I'm a former offensive lineman. I'm a former guard.
21:15I relate with people like Quentin Nelson, never nearly as good as Quentin Nelson.
21:19But I'm going with Jeffrey Simmons because he is a game disruptor.
21:22The big question, you see how he's got the red sleeve on there?
21:25Is he going to change to orange in Chicago?
21:28I need an identifier. You have to. I don't actually think I need an identifier.
21:32He pops off the tape every game he plays.
21:34He'll be playing against one of the best in Quentin Nelson.
21:37But I do think that he'll have the edge and he'll be able to disrupt some of what Seattle's doing.
21:43Get Sam Darnold a little uncomfortable, force a turnover.
21:45And that's why I'm going with the Bears in that game.
21:48All right. Look, both of these teams loading up.
21:50Both of them thinking that they can get to the Super Bowl.
21:54Certainly Seattle's in that mix because they are the defending champs.
21:57Meanwhile, look, it's weekend vibes. We got the great music that just kind of got squashed there for just a moment.
22:02But there's one player in particular who is really leaning into the Halloween theme.
22:06Yeah, just living the present, you know, like today, having a great time with you guys and going to have a great
22:12Friday practice and just focus on playing against the Dallas Cowboys and trying to get a W at their stadium.
22:17Oh, Buddha Baker and right on cue. Didn't work in time.
22:20No, no, no. It's all good. But look, I mean, you came in theme.
22:24I thought I was repping the Halloween. Just like a little pocket square.
22:28I was like, oh, that's Halloween enough. This guy comes in with a stone-called vest.
22:32He's got the championship belt. We're talking costumes. Yeah.
22:34It's Halloween weekend. Let's go, baby. Look, I can't.
22:37I don't think legally I can smash the beverages and pour them in my face.
22:41Those who know me know I've been known to do that.
22:44But we're all in the mood for the Halloween weekend.
22:46I'm glad Buddha Baker's at the tone. He had to answer some weird questions while in costume.
22:51But he stayed largely in character, I guess, between I don't know what that is, a monster and the monster that he
22:57is on the field with a bad football team right now.
23:00We're going to keep all the vibes going positively for him as he doesn't go to a Halloween party, but many other people will.
23:06Stay safe out there. Hopefully he can put some frights in their opponents.
23:10Got to tell you, like Buddha Baker, not the biggest dude in the NFL, but one of the biggest hitters who's not afraid of contact.
23:17If he was rocking that mask under the helmet and that was coming at you like a missile, I'm telling you right
23:22now that would scare the bejeeus out. I mean, a dark visor is enough.
23:26That would frighten me. Well done. Well done. I feel like I needed to bring in like Halloween candy for him.
23:32And that's the bottom line. I know. We got a bunch at home.
23:35We don't even get the trick or treaters. I always get bummed out on when city gets in their costume.
23:41So that candy's got your name on it. We'll see you Sunday for game day preview.
23:45This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
