PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Ravens acquire Eagles center Cam Jurgens + Vikings sign Odell Beckham Jr. to practice squad
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
56 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Oct 8, 2026
Published
Thu, October 8, 2026
28
Player insights
27
Players mentioned
Topics
Michael Penix Jr.Bo NixBraelon AllenBreece HallBrock PurdyCaleb WilliamsCam WardCeeDee LambD.J. MooreD'Andre SwiftDaniel JonesDeshaun WatsonDrake MayeJ.J. McCarthy
Player analysis
Player insights
Bo Nix
NegativeProjection21:38
Bo Nix has struggled significantly to start the season, averaging only 18.5 yards per game and consistently throwing short, with air yards under six yards per attempt. While a matchup against the Chargers could allow for more aggressive downfield passing, the offense is currently hampered by dropped passes, poor pass protection, and penalties.
Insight pageBraelon Allen
NegativeRole47:46
With Breece Hall expected to be out, the Jets' backfield workload will fall to Braylon Allen.
Insight pageBreece Hall
NegativeInjury47:43
Breece Hall is expected to miss the upcoming game against the Browns due to a quad injury.
Insight pageBrock Purdy
NegativeMatchup26:43
Brock Purdy faces a difficult challenge against Mike McDonald's Seahawks defense, which utilizes a two-shell scheme that limits big plays and forces offenses to be patient with short, methodical drives.
Insight pageCaleb Williams
NegativeInjury29:28
Caleb Williams remains sidelined as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Insight pageCam Ward
NegativeProjection53:01
The Titans are looking for better play from Cam Ward down the stretch. The team remains confident in him despite the learning curve of their system, which places high demands on the quarterback.
Insight pageCeeDee Lamb
PositiveUsage40:26
CeeDee Lamb remains a focal point of the Cowboys' passing attack, recently recording 21 targets and 17 receptions.
Insight pageD.J. Moore
NegativeInjury25:47
DJ Moore aggravated a shoulder injury he originally sustained in the season opener. It is a painful injury that he will need to manage moving forward, with the hope that it subsides over the coming weeks.
Insight pageD'Andre Swift
NegativeInjury29:49
DeAndre Swift is dealing with both knee and hip injuries and did not practice, putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Packers in question.
Insight pageDaniel Jones
NegativeProjection52:03
Daniel Jones has thrown an interception in each of his last two games, totaling four on the season. He is also throwing significantly shorter passes (under six yards) compared to his career-high 8+ yards per attempt last season.
Insight pageDeshaun Watson
PositiveProjection46:25
Deshaun Watson has led a game-winning drive in each of the last three games. Todd Monken notes that Watson is continuing to improve with repeated reps in the system.
Insight pageDrake Maye
PositiveProjection31:48
After a difficult start to the season with a 1:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Drake Maye had a breakout performance against the Bills with three touchdown passes. Mike Garofalo notes this was a confidence booster and a sign that he is on the right track, with the potential for further improvement upon the return of A.J. Brown.
Insight pageJ.J. McCarthy
PositiveDepth Chart15:07
J.J. McCarthy is getting reps with the Giants and is expected to climb the depth chart, potentially becoming the backup as soon as this week and eventually the starter. His skill set is viewed as a good fit for the team's offensive scheme.
Insight pageJa'Marr Chase
NegativeInjury50:59
Ja'Marr Chase is currently in the concussion protocol, putting his availability for the upcoming game in doubt.
Insight pageJalon Daniels
NegativeProjection40:32
Undrafted rookie Jalen Daniels is making his second start for the Buccaneers. While he showed mobility with 55 rushing yards in his debut, he faces a difficult primetime matchup on a short week while still adjusting to the nuances of calling plays.
Insight pageJavonte Williams
NegativeProjection39:48
Javonte Williams is coming off a career-high three-touchdown game, but expectations should be tempered for Thursday's matchup against a stifling Buccaneers run defense that allows only 78.5 rushing yards per game.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
PositiveInjury8:42
Jayden Daniels practiced in full for the first time since his Week 2 dislocated elbow injury. He is on track to play Sunday against the Giants while wearing a protective brace, which he has been adjusting to in practice.
Insight pageJordan Addison
Justin Jefferson
NegativeInjury43:32
Justin Jefferson was limited in practice with an ankle injury, which is considered positive news as he was held out of most of practice the previous week.
Insight pageKeon Coleman
PositiveBreakout26:37
Keon Coleman is coming off a productive performance, recording a 100-yard game for the Buffalo Bills last week.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
NegativeInjury1:50
Lamar Jackson is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him out of the Week 4 game against the Titans. While he did not practice on Wednesday, Adam Schefter notes there is still a realistic chance he plays Sunday night against the Falcons, as the team will wait until later in the week to test the ankle. Even if he misses this game, the expectation is he would not be out for more than one week.
Insight pageMatthew Stafford
PositiveProjection24:04
Matthew Stafford is underperforming compared to his previous MVP-caliber season, evidenced by six interceptions in four games and a 36% off-target rate on downfield throws (10+ yards). He has struggled specifically against playoff-caliber teams, completing under 60% of his passes in those matchups.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
PositiveBreakout42:15
Michael Penix has invigorated the Falcons' offense, which has scored 80 points over the last two games. He has shown efficiency on downfield passes, completing 9 of 15 attempts of 10+ yards, which could be an advantage against the Ravens' defense.
Insight pagePositiveProjection42:25
Michael Penix Jr. has invigorated the Falcons offense, which has scored 80 points in his last two games compared to 16 in the first two. He has completed 9 of 15 passes of at least 10 air yards, and his downfield passing ability has opened up the run game, which has exceeded 200 yards in both of his starts.
Insight pageOdell Beckham
NegativeDepth Chart43:45
The Vikings signed Odell Beckham Jr. to their practice squad to provide veteran depth due to injuries in their receiver room. Kevin O'Connell noted his familiarity with Beckham from their time together with the Rams in 2021.
Insight pagePuka Nacua
PositiveInjury24:58
Puka Nacua has returned to the lineup, which is expected to help Matthew Stafford and the Rams' offense round into form as the season progresses.
Insight pageTee Higgins
NegativeInjury51:08
Tee Higgins did not practice Wednesday due to groin and neck injuries.
Insight pageTyson Bagent
NegativeRole28:31
Tyson Bagent is set to make his first traditional start for the Bears against the Packers while Caleb Williams continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. We'll preview and recap every game.
0:04Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:10Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
0:15Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
0:19Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
0:25Whether you're a first time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count.
0:34Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:40Hey, it's Drew Franklin from NFL Cover Zero. The 2026 season is underway and we are loving football on TV.
0:47Here's what you can expect from the podcast in our second season.
0:51I would suggest for these preseason games, I think they should do what they do on the NFL draft.
0:57You know when coverage of the NFL draft is basically for moms.
1:01And they're just like, hey, he has a dog named Spark.
1:04Listen to NFL Cover Zero on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:10Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson couldn't finish week four with an ankle.
1:14Could he miss week five? A week that could see the return of commander's quarterback Jaden Daniels on the men from that dislocated elbow.
1:22All the while, the Eagles offense feels disconnected inside the locker room in Philly just ahead.
1:27As we welcome you to this Wednesday edition of the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
1:32Here with me today, Mike Garofalo, Judy Batista, and Adam Schefter.
1:35I am Rhett Lewis. Friends, let's begin with what is new today.
1:39That, of course, the status of Lamar Jackson. Last week we were saying, relax, when Lamar was limited with the back, but a greater level of concern now.
1:48Jackson did not practice today as he deals with that ankle injury that knocked him from the Ravens' win over the Titans in the second quarter.
1:57Head coach Jesse Minter now on his QB. Yeah, it's Wednesday.
2:00You know, there's a lot of time between now and Sunday.
2:04I think, to Lamar's credit, he's getting a lot of treatment and doing things.
2:08And there will be a point later in the week where we'll figure out kind of where it's at.
2:14But to his credit, he's putting in work and working with the trainers and things like that.
2:20And when he's ready to play, he'll be ready to play.
2:24So, Jesse, when will he not be available? Is that Friday?
2:27You know, I think there's guys that can really go all the way up until that time limit before the game.
2:34Calibers of players and enough experience to be able to play without a week of practice.
2:39I think he's in that category based on everything that he's accomplished.
2:43And so we'll see how the week shakes out and see where that leads us towards the end of the week.
2:50Okay, Adam, as Jesse said, still some time, obviously, before Sunday here for the Ravens.
2:55But how are things looking right now for Lamar?
2:58Well, that was the key expression there. There's a lot of time between now and Sunday.
3:03And even though he didn't practice today, does not rule him out of Sunday night's game at Atlanta against the Falcons.
3:10There is still a realistic chance that Lamar Jackson is going to wind up starting this game.
3:15And they're not going to rush him along this week.
3:18They'll wait until later in the week before they decide to test that ankle, whether it's Friday or Saturday, to see whether
3:26he can be out there on Sunday night in Atlanta.
3:29But there's still a realistic chance. Sometimes you see a player not practicing on Wednesday, and you know right away that the
3:36player doesn't have a chance to play that week.
3:39I think it's just the opposite with Lamar. I think he's going to have a chance to play here on Sunday night.
3:46And the Ravens are going to take this as long as they have to before they get clarity about whether he does or doesn't play.
3:54And even if he doesn't play on Sunday night, it tells you that he's not far away from playing now.
4:01And he wouldn't miss more than a game if he misses even the one game.
4:05Yep. We'll keep an eye on that as we get through the week.
4:10Who's going to be snapping to him or whoever the quarterback is.
4:14It won't be Cam Juergens because he's in the concussion protocol.
4:17But the week after that, Adam, as you reported earlier today, acquired via trade from the Eagles.
4:23So the Ravens, who have had a saga at the center position ever since Tyler Linderbaum left via free agency.
4:29Injury after injury after injury. The Ravens at some point said, we've got to do whatever it takes to get Cam Juergens from the Eagles.
4:37The Eagles weren't looking to trade Juergens from what I understand.
4:41It's just that the offer kept going up to the point where they go a second round pick for an interior lineman.
4:48That is a price that they don't believe anybody's ever paid before.
4:52So they get a second round pick in 2028.
4:55Juergens was playing guard for them because they like Drew Kendall better at center.
4:59So they like the youngster there. He's going to continue to play there.
5:04They get incredible value in a draft. They really feel like it's going to be a strong one in two years.
5:10Remember, they already have the A.J. Brown first round pick in there as well.
5:15Also, two ones and two twos for the Eagles in 2028.
5:19Yeah, and the Eagles drafted Cam Juergens in the second round.
5:22So essentially getting their investment back plus some. Talking now about Jaden Daniels continuing to progress from the dislocated elbow.
5:29Today practicing in full for the first time since before that week two injury in Dallas occurred.
5:34Great sign that the starting quarterback will return to the lineup for this week's matchup with the Giants.
5:40Reps. Reps with the brace, you know, it's a part of me for right now.
5:45So I just got to get used to it.
5:48At some point you're playing football. We all understand that instinct takes over.
5:52So what is the – how do you balance that in your head knowing it's third and eight and there's the marker
5:59and I got to get to the marker, but that might put me at risk?
6:04Is it a four quarter? Yeah, I mean, in four quarter we got to do something to win, right?
6:10Were you guys doing anything different in practice either last week or this week in terms of kind of learning how to
6:17play with the brace on and kind of protect yourself while also obviously being able to play the game that you know?
6:24Nah. Yeah, nah, I can't really. I mean, it's ways you could talk about different ways of protecting myself, but I don't
6:32know how to get hit in practice, so I wouldn't know until Sunday.
6:36Adam, Jaden kind of making light of the situation there, but how comfortable is he and how comfortable are the commanders that
6:43the injury won't hinder him or cause any future damage down the road?
6:47Well, this was a situation where it was always going to be about him adjusting and adapting to wearing that brace again.
6:54And going to London last week, he practiced with it part of the time.
6:59It was part of the adjustment. And with them losing Marcus Mariota, they need him back out there this week.
7:05The fact that he was a full participant today tells you that he is on track to play Sunday against the New
7:13York Giants with that brace on his dislocated left elbow.
7:16Just how it's going to have to be. But this is the new world for Jaden Daniels.
7:21The new reality, the good news for him and the commanders is right now it looks like he's going to be out there on Sunday.
7:29Well, he's going to be out there on Sunday, but who knows who else will be out there.
7:35ESPN Research has an incredible number, kind of a disturbing number.
7:39We're four weeks through the season and already 39 quarterbacks have started a game.
7:43If two more have to start this week, Tyson Bajan and maybe Snoopontley in Baltimore, we'll see how things go with Lamar.
7:51You'd be at 41. As you can see in a non-strike season, the high watermark is 42.
7:56So it's not your imagination. It has been a very, very tough start to the season for starting quarterbacks.
8:02We are going through a lot. The good news, if there is any good news here, is we are starting to get some back.
8:10Jaden Daniels is coming back this week. Caleb Williams is not going to be far behind.
8:15And certainly if Lamar can't start this week, as Adam pointed out, he won't be out for more than a week, if that.
8:23So we are getting some of them back. But again, it has been a really rough first month of the season for the quarterbacks.
8:30The NFL, so much of their star power is built around the quarterbacks.
8:35Certainly hopes this pace slows down. Yeah, no question, Judy, especially this early on.
8:39Giants, of course, feeling the hurt there with Jackson Dart out for the year.
8:44Jameis Winston did have some good moments against the Arizona Cardinals.
8:47And then Deontay Banks sealing the victory with the pick six at the end as the Cardinals were knocking on the door.
8:54And so without their starting quarterback, their best edge rusher and top receiver, less than 100 percent, the Giants find themselves, Mike,
9:02at the top of the NFC East. They're also getting a little bit more comfortable now with the quarterback they acquired via trade in J.J.
9:10McCarthy. How does the winning maybe affect the way that the Giants are approaching the quarterback situation down the road here?
9:17J.J. McCarthy getting reps with the Giants. Off to a really good start there, from what I understand, trying to get acclimated, trying to catch up.
9:25And his skill set lends itself to what they wanted to do with Jackson Dart under center.
9:31Now, they did sign Jake Hayner from the practice squad back to the active roster.
9:35He's kind of ping-ponged back and forth, and he was the number two last week.
9:40That just gives them added flexibility, because if you keep promoting a guy from the practice squad, you run out of elevations
9:47at some point, so they can preserve a few more by adding him to the roster.
9:53So they've got three quarterbacks. There's going to be different combinations of them as they work through this.
9:58But again, I expect J.J. McCarthy to climb the depth chart, if not as soon as this week.
10:04Be the number two, and then eventually be the number one.
10:08You asked about winning. As long as Jameis Winston keeps winning, that'll help him hold on to that job, and nobody can
10:15predict how long that's going to go. But J.J.
10:18McCarthy there, definitely knocking on the door. No question.
10:21And the offense showed a little bit more life in last week's victory.
10:25They put some points on the board at these.
10:28But the real reason that the Giants have won the last two games with Jameis Winston starting has been the defense.
10:35You saw the Deontay Banks pick six. That's the second week in a row that they had a game-sealing interception right at the end zone line there.
10:44Very unusual. But that's what this defense is doing right now.
10:47They are top 10 in scoring defense and top 10 in overall defense.
10:51Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the run defense in particular looked really shaky early in the game.
10:57And then they made some adjustments, and they were blitzing, among others, Arvel Reese and Jameis Edmonds.
11:03That was taking away the running game and obviously harassing Jacoby Brissett.
11:07Arvel Reese, the rookie, has been all over the field.
11:10He has been a terror. He's been batting down passes.
11:13He had an interception last week. His name is called constantly for tackles.
11:17So he has been quite a revelation. Everything and more that they could have hoped for when they drafted him.
11:24But really, it is the defense that they have been leaning on right now while they figure out what their offensive identity
11:31is going to be, while they figure out eventually who their starting quarterback is going to be.
11:37Well, and Judy was just talking about the injuries to quarterbacks.
11:40Certainly not the only position group that has been dealt some blows.
11:44Look at the Bengals receivers, potentially without Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins this week.
11:49We'll have more on DJ Moore's shoulder injury coming up as they get set for the Rams.
11:54The Chargers could be without both their tackles again.
11:57Joe Walt expected to miss this week's game. Pat Sertan could be out a couple of weeks with the ankle, while the
12:04Eagles have a couple of key defenders on the men, Quinian Mitchell and Jonathan Grenard, on their injury reports.
12:10Okay. Still to come. Here on the Insiders. Drake May finally gets his day against the Bills.
12:16Is it something to build on for the Patriots?
12:19Plus, struggles continue for the Philadelphia Eagles. And now two offensive linemen out the door.
12:24We'll go inside the Eagles locker room. Next. The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily
12:31as we march along to Super Bowl 61. Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game.
12:38But that was last year. If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
12:44It is in the name. NFL Daily. Fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
12:50Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. Big time trades that shake up the NFL.
12:54AJ Brown is loose. And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
13:01The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60. They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
13:05If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
13:09Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
13:15I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. Have you ever watched a game and wondered what really made the difference beyond the final score?
13:22That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Throw, throw, got a man wide open.
13:27Seahawks! Every week, we use exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content to break down the biggest stories, matchups, and moments from around the league.
13:35We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
13:43Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
13:49And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
13:52We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
14:00So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
14:07to help you see the game in a whole new way.
14:11If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
14:18NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
14:21Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
14:26Football's back! Hey, it's Drew Franklin from NFL Cover Zero.
14:30Enjoy the NFL season while listening to NFL Cover Zero.
14:33We have storylines, predictions, and lots of silliness. Here's what you can expect from the podcast in our second season.
14:39When 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.
14:47I did have one of the more difficult questions, though.
14:50He sits next to me, and he sees I'm on my computer, and he goes, big sports fan.
14:56And I was like, yeah, actually. And he goes, what are you thinking about my Jaguars this year?
15:02I realized, like, no one's ever asked me that question ever about anything.
15:06And I was like, Duval. Listen to NFL Cover Zero on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
15:13Hey, everyone. I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama.
15:16And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
15:19Fantasy season is upon us. Are you ready to dominate your league?
15:23Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
15:29Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
15:33Injury updates that you'll need before kickoff. The best starts and sits across every position.
15:38And matchups you can exploit to destroy your league mates.
15:41Now, we're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
15:46From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
15:50Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count.
15:59Weekly analysis, hot takes, and unique insider knowledge all in one place.
16:03Does fantasy dominance sound appealing to you? Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
16:12All right, back here on the Insiders, Jalen Hurts in the Philadelphia Eagles, facing off against Travis Hunter and the Jaguars from London on Sunday, 9.30 a.m.
16:20Eastern, on NFL Network and streaming on the ESPN app.
16:24But one of the best to ever do it, Lane Johnson choosing to retire from the NFL this week.
16:30A shock, but maybe not a surprise when you learn what he's been dealing with from a mental health standpoint and with the health of his parents.
16:39171 games, all with the Eagles since they selected him fourth overall back in 2013.
16:43Head coach Nick Sirianni describing Lane's impact. It's been a great run here with him.
16:48Every day here that he was here was awesome.
16:51Obviously a phenomenal player. Loved the guy. And, yeah, it was just, you know, business as usual.
16:57How did you reset things with the team after, you know, get news of one of the top players not going to
17:04be with you guys for the rest of the year?
17:07Yeah, we went over today the things that we need to do to win this football game, you know, and went through
17:14that, you know, in front of the team offensively, defensively, special teams wise.
17:18Went through those keys with the points. Talked about staying together, locking arms, staying together.
17:23And, you know, just having each other's backs in a situation.
17:27You know, we're on a two-game losing streak also.
17:30And staying focused on the task at hand and locking arms and not letting anything penetrate that and being together.
17:36Tim McManus joining us now. Spits some time in the Eagles locker room today.
17:41Tim, what are the Eagles saying about, you know, not just losing Lane Johnson, but obviously the trade of Cam Juergens today.
17:48So two starting offensive linemen down, plus Landon Dickerson has been out and banged up.
17:53Yeah, they're doing their best to take emotion out of it.
17:56This offensive line group is very tight and they've also have been the backbone of this organization for decades now.
18:03And so they're trying to work through that. Also using it as an opportunity to push the narrative forward and try to
18:10bond together the way that Jalen Hurts put it.
18:13He said he had gratitude for his time with Johnson and with Juergens.
18:17But this is a way to, as Sirianni said, lock arms with the rest of the team and try to forge forward and through adversity.
18:25At the same time, the Juergens trade in particular is a harsh reminder of just how bad this business can be sometimes for these players.
18:33Jordan Maialata, their left tackle, saying that he didn't get a heads up about the trade.
18:39And he eventually caught up with Juergens today. They had an emotional moment.
18:43They cried together. He said he also found a bit of irony in the whole situation because when he first got in
18:50the league, his mantra was don't dip your toe in the water, drown in it, and learn how to swim.
18:57He said we're drowning right now and we're learning how to swim.
19:00Well, Tim, thanks very much there. I know Jalen Hurts and the Eagles would love a resurgence like Drake May and the
19:08Patriots saw this past week in a road win over the Buffalo Bills.
19:12Drake entered week four with just one touchdown pass and six picks.
19:16Worst ratio in the NFL. He went out and tripled his touchdown pass total with three and a big win in the AFC East.
19:23More now on the mindset that guided him through the struggles.
19:27I'm trying to keep the same mindset when things don't go well of next week and trying to bounce back from it.
19:34And also from this week when you said ride the roller coaster.
19:38You've got to try to, every week's a new week in this league and every team's different and got different challenges and
19:45know that it's any given week, like I've said, time and time again in this league.
19:50You've got to play good football to end up on the right side of things.
19:55All right, Mike Garofalo back here with us. Mike, something to build on here for Drake May and the Patriots following a big road win in the division?
20:04Definitely. And he's trying to say as much as last week was up, it could be down again.
20:10And I understand that. But I also know that last week was a confidence booster for him because the results weren't there
20:17on Sunday, even if the process was good. And I know that was frustrating for a lot of people in the building.
20:25So this was a reminder that he's been on the right track and sometimes it's just not going to work out on Sunday.
20:32He was trying to force things maybe a little bit too much at times.
20:37And look, a big factor here, I'm not providing excuses, but a big factor here is A.J.
20:42Brown not being a part of this. The expectation is that Brown's going to return in the near future, and that'll be big for Drake May.
20:50And for this offense that had so much built around him.
20:54I mean, I was there at training camp. There's a lot of just one-on-one routes with A.J.
21:00Brown using his physicality. He can get him to football.
21:03So the hope is he gets back, and that adds even more confidence, get him back on track consistently and not just for one week.
21:11Patriots taking on the Raiders this week. The Broncos dealing with the L.A.
21:15Chargers in an AFC West matchup. And look, the Broncos have played the toughest first four games of any team in the league for ESPN Analytics.
21:24Struggles at the start of each of those four games.
21:27Have been a common theme. Scoring just 13 points combined in the first half as pressure mounts a new play caller, Davis Webb.
21:34With, of course, Sean Payton saying the time is not now to take the play calling duties back from Webb.
21:41But, Judy, as we assess the struggles here of the Denver Broncos, how long can we expect that patience to persist for Payton?
21:48I don't know, but consider this number. The Denver Broncos are averaging only 18.5 yards per game.
21:54That is definitely not something you would expect from a Sean Payton-led team.
21:58Bo Nix has been struggling. He's been throwing really short, under six yards in the air.
22:03Now, maybe that changes this week because the Chargers definitely allow teams to push the ball down the field.
22:09So maybe he'll be able to get aggressive and go down the field.
22:14But there's a video just missing. Receivers are dropping passes.
22:17The pass protection is breaking down. They haven't been able to run the ball.
22:21They're getting penalties that set them back. And, of course, the slow starts that you referenced, Rhett, the slow starts are a thing.
22:29And the fourth quarter heroics are certainly a thing.
22:32And they love that. But you can't live on that for too long.
22:36And all of this, all of this combination, there is Davis Webb has created this brew of speculation about Davis Webb and
22:43how long he can hold on to the job.
22:46The reality is Sean Payton gave Davis Webb play calling responsibilities in part because they wanted to keep him in the organization.
22:53He was going to have an opportunity to call plays for somebody else if they didn't give him that.
22:59But the reality now is it hasn't been going well in the first month of the season.
23:05And Sean Payton is not just a play caller.
23:08He is one of the elite play callers in the NFL.
23:11We will see how long this lasts. Certainly, it would help Davis Webb if the offense gets going this week.
23:18Okay, keeping an eye on it. Thanks very much, Judy.
23:21Still to come, thought to be a Super Bowl preview when the schedule came out.
23:26What will we learn with Josh Allen's bills? And Matthew Stafford's rams meet on Monday night at SoFi Stadium, the site of Super Bowl 61.
23:34Next. How about it? Don't miss Josh Allen and the Bills taking on Matthew Stafford and the Rams at SoFi Stadium Monday, 8 p.m.
23:42Eastern on ABC, ESPN, and on the ESPN app.
23:45The last two MVPs in the NFL guiding their teams into this Monday night matchup.
23:50We've seen it three times in Monday night football history.
23:53You had Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson back in 2020.
23:56And then how about a salute, a mile high salute to Terrell Davis, who took on Kurt Warner back in the year 2000.
24:04And look, Judy, it's been a bit of an uneven start, right, for the Rams.
24:09What have you noticed about the way the offense has performed, the way that Matthew Stafford has guided that unit through four games?
24:16He's just a little bit off right now. He's not quite playing like he did last year during the MVP season.
24:23For example, one small thing, six interceptions already. He only had eight last year.
24:27In particular, where he is off is on the downfield throws, throws that are at least 10 yards in the air.
24:34His off-target rate is 36% this year. Last year it was only 24.5%, so that's way up.
24:40And he's already thrown five interceptions on those downfield passes, only three touchdowns.
24:44Last year he had 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions on those downfield passes.
24:49In particular, he has struggled. They've played three teams that went to the playoffs last year.
24:54He's really struggled against them. His completion percentage is under 60% against those teams.
24:58Long season ahead. He hasn't had Puka Nakua healthy for the whole time so far, so certainly you would think Matthew Stafford
25:05in this offense is going to round and perform.
25:08Well, Judy, just like they got back Puka Nakua last week, the feeling is that Aaron Donald will be back this week
25:15after missing Sunday's win in Philadelphia against the Eagles.
25:18He sat out with a back issue that had flared up from the week before.
25:23The Rams want to be smart with a veteran player who's coming out of retirement to play again, so they did not
25:30play him last week against the Eagles. But it sounds like Donald is on track to be able to return to the
25:38lineup Monday night against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
25:41The Rams will need Donald out there, and right now it looks like he will be out there against Buffalo.
25:47Adam, on the other side of this game, you've got DJ Moore who left the game the other day with a shoulder injury.
25:55Remember he got banged up previously for them when he landed on that shoulder in the Thursday night game, the opener of that new stadium.
26:03So he aggravated that injury. Look, it's a painful thing, and at some point the hope is that this goes away, but
26:10this seems like something that he's going to have to manage and deal with.
26:15You hope you just don't land on it because that's what leads to a lot of the pain right there.
26:21So DJ Moore working his way through this injury, and again, in three weeks we may be saying, oh, that's subsided, hasn't
26:28had a problem, and it's starting to heal and starting to go away.
26:32But for now, something he's going to have to manage and keep an eye on.
26:37Did get a nice 100-yard game from Keon Coleman last week, a receiver for the Buffalo Bills.
26:43Let's talk Brock Purdy and the 49ers, as they get set for a massive NFC West Divisional tilt against the Seattle Seahawks
26:50in which Purdy will have to deal with Mike McDonald's defense, which, look, has caused some problems for Purdy compared to what
26:57he's done against other defenses around the league. Kyle Shanahan is head coach now on the challenge the Seahawks present.
27:04It's a bend-but-don't-break defense in terms of they don't give up big plays.
27:08They play out of a two-shell defense, I feel like, more than anybody in the league.
27:13And so even when you get through that front seven, it's tough to get past those safeties.
27:19The safeties back up everybody for big plays, yet they're still very aggressive, and it doesn't just feel like you can de-conduct them the whole game.
27:27So the combination of those two things is rare.
27:30Adam Schepter back with us here. Adam, what are you looking for when we get this matchup here to the best head coaches in the game right now?
27:39Well, there's nobody that calls plays quite like Kyle Shanahan.
27:42There's nobody that calls defenses quite like Mike McDonald.
27:45They'll square off Sunday. And Kyle Shanahan was talking today about how important it is for his offense to be patient because
27:52the Seahawks just don't allow the type of big plays that other teams do that beat them.
27:58And so the drives that the 49ers will have to try to put together on Sunday are the short drives, patient drives,
28:05not take more than the Seahawks are giving up.
28:08He also mentioned the fact that Seattle has so many good players on the defensive side of the football, but it's a great chess match.
28:16It's a great showdown. The 49ers haven't lost a game, but this may be their toughest battle to date going into Seattle
28:23to play the defending world champions on the road.
28:26Big-time rivalry there in the NFC West. And another one, the oldest in the NFC North.
28:31Well, technically Case Keenum made his second straight start last week in the Bears' win over the Jets, but Tyson Bajit also
28:38on the field for that first play and likely will be in a more traditional sense this week as the Bears travel
28:46to Green Bay for that rivalry matchup with the Packers.
28:49We're just looking to get better from his first start to his next start.
28:53And really, I think as a team right now, we're still in that mode.
28:58You know, we're a quarter away through the season.
29:01We highlighted a number of things coming out of last game that all three phases need to improve upon.
29:07And it's no different for Tyson. He's just got to figure out what he did well, keep doing that, and then the
29:14things that we need to improve on, what we'll improve on.
29:18It doesn't matter home or away or who we're playing.
29:21That's really the name of the game. Adam Bajit in as Caleb Williams continues to work his way back from the hamstring
29:28injury, but the quarterback position, not the only one on the offensive side.
29:32The Bears are falling victim to injuries. The running back group saw both of their top two backs mispracticed today.
29:39What's the latest on that front? We're at some major questions at the running back position for Chicago.
29:45You remember last week DeAndre Swift missed a day of practice with a knee injury.
29:50Well, today he didn't practice at all due to a knee and a hip injury, two injuries.
29:55Well, Kyle Monunga, everybody knew he had a thumb injury, but he also had a toe injury that he was on the
30:02injury report for today, and neither running back practiced.
30:05And my understanding is both are pretty banged up, and I think there's a question about the availability of both running backs heading into Sunday.
30:13Now, we'll see how these running backs recover as the rest of the week goes on.
30:18We know the Bears are going to be without Caleb Williams and starting Tyson Bajit, but I think there remain some major
30:26questions in the Bears' backfield as to which running backs will be healthy enough to play Sunday in Green Bay against the Packers.
30:33This is why that's really important, because that rushing attack in Chicago is averaging, averaging 196 yards per game.
30:39Of course, that leads the league. It's almost as many yards as the Packers have had in four games in total.
30:46Interestingly, they lead the league in yards before contact and yards after contact, which means the offensive line is mauling and opening
30:53holes, and the running backs are just using their physicality and their speed to get away from defenders.
30:59The offensive line has been exceptional. They have been able to lean on the running game.
31:04That is why they have been able to survive the absence of Caleb Williams so successfully.
31:09We will see who is healthy this week and how it affects them.
31:14On the other side here, Judy, Micah Parsons is still not back at practice as he tries to return from that ACL injury.
31:21He had talked about the possibility of mid-October for his return.
31:25That's not going to happen here. I mean, we're almost to mid-October.
31:29He's got to start getting back to practice. I mean, we're talking about the potential for him into November.
31:35And in the meantime, Jonathan Gannon, a guy who was the defensive coordinator of the Eagles a couple of years ago when
31:42they set the franchise sack record, they didn't blitz much because they got guys that could get home.
31:48Micah Parsons is a guy that can get home without blitzing.
31:51Problem is, he's not on the field. And right now, Gannon's up at 36% blitz rate.
31:56Back with the Eagles, it was 20%. With the Cardinals when he was the head coach there, 22%.
32:02So this is out of character for Gannon right now, but he feels like that's what he's got to do until this guy gets back on the field.
32:11And Mike will go from Parsons to his former teammate in Dallas, the stack press con as the Cowboys get set to
32:19help us open up week five on Thursday Night Football battling the battered bucks.
32:23Now back to 500 with potential reinforcements on the way in Dallas.
32:27That's next. The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
32:35Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game, but that was last year.
32:41If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
32:46It is in the name. NFL Daily, fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
32:51Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. On a dazzling dart from Matthew Stafford.
32:56Big time trades that shake up the NFL. AJ Brown is loose.
32:59And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
33:04The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60. They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
33:09If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
33:13Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
33:18I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. Have you ever watched a game and wondered what really made the difference beyond the final score?
33:26That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Got a man wide open.
33:30Touchdown! Seahawks! Every week, we use exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content to break down the biggest stories, matchups, and moments from around the league.
33:38We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
33:46Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
33:52And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
33:56We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
34:03So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
34:11to help you see the game in a whole new way.
34:14If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
34:21NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
34:25Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
34:30Football's back! Hey, it's Drew Franklin from NFL Cover Zero.
34:33Enjoy the NFL season while listening to NFL Cover Zero.
34:36We have storylines, predictions, and lots of silliness. Here's what you can expect from the podcast in our second season.
34:43When 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.
34:51I did have one of the more difficult questions, though.
34:54He sits next to me and he sees I'm on my computer and he goes, big sports fan.
35:00And I was like, yeah, actually. And he goes, what do you think about my Jaguars this year?
35:05I realized, like, no one's ever asked me that question ever about anything.
35:10And I was like, do you fall? Listen to NFL Cover Zero on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
35:17Hey, everyone. I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sykema.
35:20And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
35:23Fantasy season is upon us. Are you ready to dominate your league?
35:27Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
35:33Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
35:37Injury updates that you'll need before kickoff. The best starts and sits across every position.
35:42And matchups you can exploit to destroy your league mates.
35:45You know, we're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
35:50From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
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36:16All right, take a look at the injury report ahead of the kickoff to week five on Thursday night.
36:22Bucs and Cowboys. Bucs will miss a couple of key pieces of their secondary in addition to Baker Mayfield out for the second straight week.
36:30Marvin Overshawn and Kobe Durant also out for the Dallas Cowboys.
36:34More on Tyler Smith in just a moment. Well, Dak Prescott, certainly familiar with playing on Thursdays when he considered Thanksgiving.
36:4113-7 in his career on Thursday. He can tie Tom Brady for the most wins all time if they get past the Bucs on Thursday night.
36:49That's tomorrow night. More important than the day, of course, is the consistency of any game day for this Cowboys offense where they have been a high-performing outfit.
36:58Number two total offense last year, even better this year in a number of categories, including points per drive and yards per drive.
37:06Cowboys owner Jerry Jones assessing the success of their offense so far.
37:10Jerry, you know, there's a lot of talk from the guys leading up to the season about this acronym.
37:16They have Gaudi of greatest offense there is. That's what they want to be.
37:20How close do you think this offense is to reaching those sort of high, you know, expectations that they set for themselves?
37:27Well, closer than we were when they came up with Gaudi.
37:31And the reason is we've endured our Smith injury at guard, which is huge.
37:35And was huge to not have him those first four ballgames.
37:39And I'm not for sure if he's going to be there tomorrow night or not.
37:44But that's big because in the meantime, we've had some depth, get some real good snaps, get some real good experience.
37:51I have underlined for our show today the value of repetition and football.
37:55And I underlined that because I want to be sure and make the point.
38:00We are getting some great repetition. We're playing a lot of players.
38:03And we're playing some depth out there when some of the ones, especially in the secondary, get back.
38:09We've got depth that's getting repetition out there. And Sarah Walsh here to help us get ready for Thursday night football.
38:16Sarah, we showed you the injury report earlier. Usually when a player's on there is questionable, it's not necessarily a good thing.
38:23But in Tyler Smith's case, it feels like the closest we've been to a season debut.
38:28What's the latest on that front for the Cowboys guard and how they've managed to find that success that Jerry Jones was talking about there?
38:37Yeah, if you're a Cowboys fan, you're just happy to see him back out on the injury report because that means it's possible he could be playing.
38:45And it's actually trending in a positive direction. They opened that 21-day practice window.
38:50He was limited the first two days. He actually was listed as a full participant.
38:55And again, keep in mind, these are not full practices.
38:58They are on a short week recovering from the game they just played on Sunday.
39:03But he is now listed as questionable. And Brian Schottenheimer was asked about would you play him on a short week?
39:10And he said, look, it's as simple as if he comes to me, he says he feels good, says he can play.
39:17He said, I'll play him no problem. He's not going to have concerns about the short week as it pertains to him.
39:24Obviously, Tyler would make a huge difference in the run game.
39:28And Dak was asked about that. And when speaking of the run game, he said, I love to play this game when
39:35a defense is trying to just stop the run.
39:38And you've got George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb running down the field.
39:41I mean, what offense wouldn't love that? Now, Javante Williams had a career-high three rushing touchdowns for Dallas last week.
39:48I wouldn't expect that to happen again, given that the Bucs' defense, they are stifling when it comes to the run defense, led by Vita Vea and company.
39:57They've allowed just one rushing touchdown all season long.
40:00They're allowing just 78.5 rushing yards per game. That is third best in the league.
40:05They will stop the run. They will make him throw.
40:08The problem for the Buccaneers is Dak can sling it.
40:11And he's got receivers to sling it to. And as you mentioned, that injury report before, it got even tougher with no Antoine Winfield Jr.
40:19this week. Todd Bowles called this Cowboys team the most physically gifted team they're going to see all year, Rhett.
40:26Yeah, I mean, they've got to deal with CeeDee Lamb getting targeted 21 times and catching 17 balls also.
40:32On the flip side, the Cowboys' defense will have to deal with Jalen Daniels, the undrafted rookie free agent, making his second
40:39start now in place of Baker Mayfield. What are they saying on that front?
40:44When you question Cowboys' defense and what are they doing in terms of what they're allowing, the one thing any defense loves is a rookie quarterback.
40:52And this is an undrafted rookie quarterback coming into Dallas with all of four quarters experience under his belt, playing against the Packers last week.
41:00And that was a loss. This is not easy for Daniels, right?
41:04He had to come in for Baker Mayfield and now he's on a short week and now he's playing in prime time.
41:11He said this week he's just trying to get the play calls down.
41:16The nuances of just being able to spit those calls out is going to be loud.
41:21This is a guy, though, that can also take off.
41:24He ran for 55 yards in his NFL debut.
41:27The Cowboys have just four sacks on the season.
41:30Schottenheimer talked about this pass rush. It has to be better, and he said to do that, the coverage has to be better.
41:37They have to be sticky. They can rush, but it starts with pass coverage.
41:42But that's one of the things that they're keeping an eye on with Daniels because obviously he can take off if he needs to.
41:50The Cowboys, by the way, looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since last November.
41:55And they've got a Bucs team that Dak Prescott said they know that this team is desperate to win.
42:01And that can do funny things in this league, as you know.
42:05No question. Cowboys looking to go over .500 for the first time this season.
42:10All right. The Atlanta Falcons are the darlings of the primetime windows here in the NFL thus far.
42:15A win on Thursday night in Michael Penix's return from the torn ACL.
42:20And then backing that up with a win on Monday night, now getting set for a Sunday nighter.
42:25How has Michael Penix's Judy Batista really invigorated this Falcons, not just offense, but team, really?
42:31Well, I mean, consider they only scored, I believe it was 16 points in the first two games of the season.
42:37They've scored 80 points in the last two games that they've played so far.
42:42He has also completed 9 of 15 passes of at least 10 yards in the air.
42:47This is something to watch against the Ravens because they do give up downfield passes.
42:52So that could be a big advantage for Penix.
42:55And, of course, his presence and the downfield passing attack has really opened up the running game, which was excellent even before
43:02he was playing and now has been over 200 yards in each of the two games that Penix has played.
43:09The offense has just completely turned around. They weren't getting into the red zone in the first two weeks.
43:15And now they can't be stopped from scoring, right?
43:18Yeah, no question. Not just Bajon. The other Robinson scoring a hat-trick's worth of touchdowns.
43:23And Brian Robinson as well. Dominant effort by the Atlanta Falcons.
43:26Well, look, the Minnesota Vikings stay on the winning side here despite not scoring a touchdown last week.
43:32Justin Jefferson limited in practice again today with the ankle injury.
43:36I guess that is some good news here as he was held out of practice most of last week.
43:42Jordan Addison did not practice as he deals with a hamstring.
43:45But the Vikings in response signing Odell Beckham Jr.
43:48He was released by the New York Giants following a very limited participation through the first couple of weeks of the season.
43:55Kevin O'Connell on the new signing. Being a little banged up in that receiver room and just knowing how we can be
44:03a player too away from needing to call upon guys to be elevated and make plays.
44:08And the fact that we can bring Odell in on our practice squad and start getting him acclimated to our offense.
44:15And obviously I have a great history with him going back to 2021.
44:19Spending a lot of time with him when he came in midseason and getting him ready to help us.
44:25And just how impactful he was down the stretch of that season.
44:29And really great job by Nolan and his staff.
44:32You know, getting a player of Odell's caliber in here and just excited to get him going.
44:37Mike, of course, Kevin O'Connell talking about that run with the Rams there in 2021 when both were there in L.A.
44:44What is the plan now? Because it sounds like it might be of not just, you know, a want but a need here with the injuries.
44:53A different kind of reunion for Odell Beckham. The first one was with much fanfare when he reunited with the Giants.
44:59This one now with Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. The two together with the Rams.
45:04And, yeah, it's receiver depth. I mean, you're seeing it right now.
45:08We just showed. They've got two of their top guys that were injured and Justin Jefferson missing last week.
45:14So the Vikings saying we've got an opportunity here to add a guy to the practice squad.
45:20Add more veteran depth. Give us some more options.
45:22And who knows? Maybe it'll be a different situation and a different offense certainly than what the Giants were running.
45:29They're going to need a little bit more from the receiver position than the Giants who want to play more of the ground game.
45:37And on offense. Okay. We'll keep an eye on the Vikings as they try to stay at the top of the NFC
45:44North where the Cleveland Browns find themselves in the AFC North.
45:47Top of the division after winning three in a row.
45:51We'll hear from Todd Munkin coming up here on The Insiders.
45:54All right. The International Series continuing this week. So following the Eagles and Jags, you're going to see Game Day Live pick
46:01it right up for you at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
46:05Then Game Day Highlights checks in at 7.30 with Game Day Final finishing off a Sunday all live here on NFL Network and on the ESPN app.
46:13How about those suddenly surging Cleveland Browns after a season opener that was woeful?
46:18Well, they won three in a row and the start is tied for their best in four games since returning to the league.
46:25While Deshaun Watson has led a game-winning drive in each of the last three.
46:30Todd Munkin on the success they've seen. We're still trying to find our way.
46:35What do we do well? What do our players do well?
46:38What is Deshaun comfortable with? You know, I think we've come a long ways up front in terms of running off the ball and trying to displace people.
46:47I think our receivers have come a long way.
46:50I think Deshaun's going to continue to improve with every week that we do the same things over and over and over.
46:57And he gets repeated reps at it. And so that's the hardest part is it's not really a deeper dive.
47:04It's really like how do we streamline and just do it better?
47:08Okay, Judy, so as the Browns get set for the Jets this week, some weather to contend with there.
47:14How does that change the calculus for these teams?
47:17Yeah, this game could be played in the remnants of a hurricane.
47:21So if you were hoping to see the quarterbacks throw the ball around, maybe not.
47:25Might be more of a ground-based attack. That still favors the Cleveland Browns.
47:30Quenchen Judkins, who's one of the young players that formed the nucleus that has so many people excited about the future in Cleveland.
47:37He is their lead running back. Brees Hall, we expect, will not play again with the quad injury.
47:43That means it'll all be on Braylon Allen for the Jets.
47:47The Jets are coming off a really woeful offensive performance last week.
47:50They just need to try to stay on the field, get some first downs, keep the Browns off the field, play ball control.
47:58Again, could be a messy one in East Rutherford.
48:01Okay, Judy. Yeah, I guess could be a good one if you've got Lions or Cardinals offensive players on your fantasy squad,
48:08considering the struggles on the defensive side of the ball for both of these teams.
48:13The Lions, 31st in the league right now in scoring defense.
48:16But some good news, help could be on the way.
48:20Brian Branch's 21-day practice window is now open following his recovery from the torn Achilles.
48:25In the meantime, Mike Garofalo, the struggles to patch together that secondary have been evident.
48:29How are they trying to move forward while reinforcements are on the way?
48:34Yeah, well, they lost a big piece this offseason with Terryon Arnold with his legal situation deciding to move on from him.
48:41The Seahawks haven't gotten anything from him yet as the NFL still works through his situation.
48:46So they've had some injuries. Every team's had injuries.
48:49They've been looking for guys. I mean, they inquired on a few guys.
48:53They were in on a couple of veterans that were potentially available.
48:57And it's just hard to really piece it together at this point.
49:01Kenny Moore was one of those veterans. He's now with the Eagles.
49:05So it's hard to kind of piece these things together.
49:08So they've got to figure out a way to just get the guys that are in-house.
49:13I mean, those are going to have to be the answers for the Lions as they try to move forward here with a better defense.
49:21All right, keep an eye on it as the Lions try to find some improvement this week against the Cardinals.
49:28Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with some injuries at the receiver spot.
49:31How that could affect Joe Burrow this week when we come back.
49:35All right, Jalen Hurts in the Philadelphia Eagles facing off against Travis Hunter in the Jacksonville Jaguars from London on Sunday.
49:429.30 a.m. Eastern time. Your early kick right here on NFL Network and streaming on the ESPN app.
49:48Then, don't miss Josh Allen and the Bills taking on Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
49:53It's all at SoFi Stadium to close down week five in the NFL.
49:57Monday night football, 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN app.
50:01And how about Saturday? The SEC on ABC taking center stage.
50:05First, A&M traveling to number 14, Missouri. Then it's the Red River Rivalry.
50:09Number one, Texas taking on Oklahoma from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
50:13And how about your nightcap? Number two, Georgia heading to Tuscaloosa.
50:16The battle number six, Alabama. And speaking of Alabama.
50:19If I can take up the world away, I can see it!
50:23Nick did a very good job of hiding the total human being.
50:27Alabama wins! I'm driven to make ordinary people want to do extraordinary things.
50:31Genius. Traitor. Champion. I just recall the ass-chewings. He didn't get it.
50:35There was a method to that madness. The seventh national championship.
50:39Right now, it's the time. We fight! We fight!
50:42We fight! We fight! Saban, presented by Verbo. The man, the coach, the process.
50:46The six-part series premieres on Thursday, 6 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, with all episodes available to stream on the ESPN app.
50:53Okay, getting you ready for the Bengals and Dolphins, and Joe Burrow perhaps getting ready to be without Jamar Chase and Tee
51:00Higgins at wideout chase in the concussion protocol, while Higgins did not practice Wednesday with groin and neck injuries, yet Burrow remains unfazed.
51:08We don't really know what Sunday's going to look like yet.
51:11You know, it could be a lot of guys that haven't had a ton of reps, and it could be guys that have had a ton of reps.
51:20So, you know, we'll know more as we get closer and have some more practices and have some more time for those guys to recover.
51:28But, you know, I feel confident whoever we put out there will get to make it work.
51:34All right, Colts and Steelers also coming your way this week as Aaron Rodgers with a chance to pass Ben Roethlisberger for
51:41the fifth spot solo on regular season wins among starting quarterbacks since 1950.
51:45It will be 166 for Rodgers. However, Judy, the Colts have rattled off back-to-back wins after the victory in London against the Commanders.
51:53What do the Colts need from their quarterback, Daniel Jones, to continue building on that success?
51:58Well, maybe to clean up a little bit, he's thrown an interception in each game.
52:03So that's four interceptions already this season. He only had eight in all of last season.
52:08Also, he's throwing everything really, really short, under six yards.
52:11That's the opposite of last year when he had a career high, over eight yards per attempt.
52:17So you'd like to see them push the ball down the field.
52:21Most of all, they're going to have to protect them.
52:24Alec Highsmith and T.J. Watt already combined for seven and a half sacks, so they've got to keep Daniel Jones upright.
52:31All right, so the Colts making up some ground there in the AFC South.
52:35Texans and Titans are struggling in a big way as they get set to meet this week.
52:41Texans' defense has had its fair share of problems, giving up more than 10 points per game on average, more than they did a year ago.
52:49D'Amico Ryans taking over play calling on the defensive side of the ball.
52:53Mike, what do you like in this matchup here as the Titans try to get more out of their young quarterback, Cam Ward?
53:01They do. I mean, at this point, I don't think anybody thinks the Titans are making the playoffs and Robert Sala and
53:08company trying to set the table moving forward here.
53:11They need to get better play from Cam Ward down the stretch, and they're still confident that they will.
53:17They feel like they're putting a lot on him, which means that it's going to take a little bit longer.
53:24They ask more of this quarterback in this system than another system, so they're hopeful this is going to start to turn here.
53:31All right. It would seem we're going to lose one from the ranks of the winless here this week.
53:37Thank you very much. Mike Garofalo and Judy Batista with us here on The Insiders.
53:42Enjoy the game, everybody. Tomorrow night, we're back with you on Friday right here at 7 o'clock Eastern.
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55:33I would suggest for these preseason games, I think they should do what they do on the NFL draft.
55:39You know, when coverage of the NFL draft is basically for moms.
55:43And they're just like, hey, he has a dog named Spark.
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