PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Giants QB Jaxson Dart will miss rest of season + Bears QB Caleb Williams considered week to week
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
56 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 24, 2026
Published
Thu, September 24, 2026
36
Player insights
34
Players mentioned
Topics
Michael Penix Jr.Zay FlowersAaron JonesBrock BowersBrock PurdyC.J. StroudCaleb WilliamsCeeDee LambDalton KincaidDavid MontgomeryDerrick HenryDeshaun WatsonHarold FanninJ.K. Dobbins
Player analysis
Player insights
Aaron Jones
NegativeInjury43:45
Aaron Jones is dealing with a knee issue and did not practice, though he is coming off a strong performance with 105 yards on 23 carries against the Bears.
Insight pageBrock Bowers
PositiveInjury44:12
Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut on Sunday after recovering from a late summer knee procedure.
Insight pageBrock Purdy
PositiveProjection49:00
Brock Purdy continues to play at a high level for the 49ers, with 492 passing yards and five touchdowns through two weeks, earning praise from Kyle Shanahan for his consistency and growth.
Insight pageC.J. Stroud
PositiveUsage53:41
CJ Stroud leads the league in both dropbacks and pass attempts, indicating a heavy passing volume for the Texans offense.
Insight pageCaleb Williams
NegativeInjury21:47
Caleb Williams is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury and is not expected to practice all week. While the Bears are leaving the door open for a Monday night appearance, it is considered unlikely. He remains involved in the quarterback room by contributing ideas during walkthroughs.
Insight pageCeeDee Lamb
NegativeUsage23:00
Jerry Jones suggested using CeeDee Lamb and Kevante Turpin to help the Cowboys' run game, but the idea was met with fan backlash and skepticism from the coaching staff.
Insight pageDalton Kincaid
PositiveUsage31:51
Dalton Kincaid is off to a strong start with 12 catches for 225 yards, benefiting from improved knee health after opting for strengthening over surgery for his PCL injury.
Insight pageDavid Montgomery
NegativeUsage53:46
The Texans have David Montgomery but are currently not running the ball very much, despite a desire to increase their rushing output.
Insight pageDerrick Henry
PositiveUsage33:26
Derrick Henry is a focal point of the Ravens' offense, coming off a three-touchdown performance in the season opener. The Cowboys are specifically prioritizing stopping him and Lamar Jackson on the ground.
Insight pageDeshaun Watson
NegativeProjection45:18
Deshaun Watson showed a bounce-back effort in the second half against Tampa, but his fantasy outlook remains tied to whether he can maintain that level of play or if he reverts to the inconsistency seen against Jacksonville.
Insight pageHarold Fannin
PositiveUsage46:56
Tight end Harold Fannin is showing up in the Browns' offense, recording five catches recently.
Insight pageJ.K. Dobbins
NegativeInjury28:45
J.K. Dobbins has been dealing with hamstring cramps and was limited in practice, though there is optimism he could return for Sunday night's game.
Insight pageJameis Winston
PositiveRole8:32
Jameis Winston is now the starting quarterback for the Giants. While his performance against the Rams was rough, the team attributes this to a game plan tailored for Jaxson Dart. The expectation is that the offense will look better with a game plan specifically designed for Winston's skill set, with Harbaugh noting that Winston can throw the ball well and the team will lean on a run-first approach with play-action.
Insight pageJaxson Dart
NegativeInjury2:22
Jaxson Dart is out for the 2026 season due to a meniscus injury sustained on the final play of the first drive Monday night. While he also has an MCL injury, the meniscus damage necessitated season-ending surgery. Although Harbaugh left open a slim possibility of a return if the Giants reach the postseason, the recovery timeline is 4-6 months. This injury follows a history of physical issues, including missing two games and five concussion evaluations last year, raising long-term durability concerns for the franchise.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
NegativeInjury15:17
Jaden Daniels is out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks due to a dislocated left elbow. He is currently seeking multiple medical opinions to determine the best treatment path and whether he can avoid a stint on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four games. If he returns, he is expected to wear a brace on his left elbow, similar to last season.
Insight pageJaylen Warren
NegativeInjury35:13
Jalen Warren did not practice due to a shoulder injury, creating uncertainty for the Steelers' backfield ahead of their matchup with the Bengals.
Insight pageJimmy Garoppolo
NegativeValue12:16
Jimmy Garoppolo is considered a potential candidate for the Giants to sign as a backup or depth option following Jaxson Dart's injury. He has a small list of preferred franchises, and the Giants are viewed as one of the few jobs he would consider returning for.
Insight pageJonah Coleman
NegativeInjury28:45
Rookie running back Jonah Coleman, who emerged as a force in the Broncos' backfield, did not practice due to an ankle sprain, leaving his status for Sunday night in question.
Insight pageKirk Cousins
PositiveProjection44:00
Kirk Cousins has performed well through two weeks with three touchdown passes in each win, and the Raiders' offense is trending upward as he builds rapport with his receivers and tight end Brock Bowers.
Insight pageKyler Murray
PositiveInjury43:11
Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and is back in the lineup for the Vikings.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
PositiveMatchup21:48
Lamar Jackson presents a significant challenge for the Cowboys' defense, which has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks like Jackson Dart and Jayden Daniels over the first two weeks.
Insight pageMalik Nabers
NegativeInjury36:14
Malik Nabers was limited in practice due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Monday night loss to the Rams.
Insight pageMarcus Mariota
PositiveRole15:26
Marcus Mariota is set to start for the Commanders in place of Jaden Daniels. Dan Quinn expressed confidence in Mariota's command of the system, noting his vision and communication skills provide a sense of calmness to the team.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
PositiveProjection40:51
Michael Penix is set to make his NFL debut this week against the Packers after recovering from offseason knee surgery and gaining extra practice time.
Insight pagePositiveRole41:48
The Falcons have high confidence in Michael Penix Jr. for Thursday night, noting he has had extra practice time to ramp up and feels better physically and mentally after simulating contact during scout team work.
Insight pageMike Evans
NegativeInjury50:14
Mike Evans did not practice Wednesday due to a hip injury, though Kyle Shanahan previously indicated it was not serious.
Insight pagePatrick Mahomes
PositiveProjection50:29
Patrick Mahomes is playing at a high level despite his previous knee injury, recording 566 passing yards and five touchdowns, and he reports feeling more mentally comfortable in the pocket.
Insight pagePuka Nacua
NegativeInjury27:48
Puka Nakua is dealing with a hip and groin injury that is not a sports hernia, but he is expected to remain sidelined as the team avoids rushing his recovery.
Insight pageRico Dowdle
NegativeInjury35:13
Rico Dowdle did not practice due to a toe injury, putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Bengals in doubt.
Insight pageSam Darnold
NegativeInjury18:44
Sam Darnold is returning to practice while managing a glute injury. The team is ramping him up throughout the week to see how he responds, with no immediate fear of re-injury. His status for Sunday remains undecided, but he is trending toward the earlier side of his recovery window.
Insight pageSaquon Barkley
NegativeInjury35:58
Saquon Barkley is undergoing an MRI for a stinger suffered against the Titans and has not practiced this week, putting his status for Monday night in question.
Insight pageTrevor Lawrence
PositiveProjection23:56
Trevor Lawrence has shown significant growth in decision-making and maturity, moving away from the turnover-prone play of his rookie season to play at a high level.
Insight pageTyreek Hill
NegativeDepth Chart52:21
While there is no immediate move, there is speculation about a potential reunion between Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs given the team's need for a downfield threat.
Insight pageTyson Bagent
NegativeInjury21:56
Tyson Bagent is currently in concussion protocol. His availability for Monday night against the Eagles depends on clearing the protocol; if he cannot play, Case Keenum is expected to start.
Insight pageZay Flowers
NegativeInjury20:42
Zay Flowers did not practice again today, continuing his absence following a hamstring injury that forced him out of the opener after a 150-yard first half.
Insight pageNegativeInjury26:54
Zay Flowers is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice. His status for Sunday's game remains uncertain after he missed the week two loss.
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.
0:10I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. If you love football and want to understand what's really happening on the field, check out our show, NFL Pro.
0:18Every week we break down the biggest plays, trends, and matchups using exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content you will not find anywhere else.
0:26Whether you're new to football, a fantasy football fanatic, or a diehard fan, NFL Pro will help you analyze the game like a pro.
0:34Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:39Whether you're a seasoned NFL fan or new to the game, there's one place to keep up with all of it.
0:46The league's newest podcast, the NFL Report, hosted by me, Andrew Siciliano.
0:50It is your home for everything football. Breaking news, expert analysis, game picks, and hear from your favorite players too.
0:56Join me and an all-star cast of experts for everything you need to know from around the league.
1:02Get new episodes of the NFL Report Monday through Friday all season long.
1:06Listen to the NFL Report podcast on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:12Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
1:17Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
1:21Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
1:27Whether 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.
1:35Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:42A loss on Monday night, and now Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
1:45Loss for the season. Path forward is next. Also in the NFC East, Jaden Daniels down in Washington as Marcus Mariota steps in to command the offense.
1:54And to South America, where the international series resumes with the Cowboys and Ravens searching for their second wins of the season.
2:01Welcome, everybody. Another episode of the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
2:04Now off and running, digging into the info for us today.
2:08Mike Garofalo, Judy Battista, and Adam Schefter. I am Rhett Lewis.
2:11Friends, let's begin with what's new today, which of course is bad news for New York.
2:16Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart expected to have knee surgery, which would cause him to miss the rest of the season.
2:23It happened on the final play of the first drive Monday night.
2:27Initially, some optimism on the recovery. Imaging said otherwise Tuesday.
2:30John Harbaugh, head coach, noncommittal on Dart as we went on the air yesterday.
2:34Now though, Harbaugh coming to grips with the unfortunate reality.
2:37I think he's determined. You know, he's bummed. He's, uh, it's hard.
2:41It's a, the season's not over, but it is for him, you know.
2:45And, uh, and we kind of talked about that too.
2:48That was part of it. That was part of the deal is like, you know, injuries.
2:54We, there's a certain mourning that takes place. You know, we had the same thing for Calvin, you know.
3:00Over the, over, and even over the years when, because you realize how hard it is for the player really.
3:06But it's tough on the team. It's tough on all of us.
3:10Uh, but as we said, you wake up in the, uh, you feel like it's the end of the world.
3:16Then you wake up and it's, the world's not done.
3:19You know, the world keeps spinning. The games keep getting played.
3:23Nobody feels sorry for you. You know, it's time to go play the next game.
3:28Sunday at one o'clock, the ball is going to get kicked off.
3:31And we're going to have to be the best football team we can be.
3:36And that's the thing. It's not a one man game.
3:39It's not like tennis. You know, you don't forfeit.
3:42We're going to have our team out there. The Giants are going to roll out into that, into that field out there and play the football game.
3:51And we need to be the best Giants we can be.
3:54And that's, that's really the message that you have.
3:57Well, Mike, certainly a roller coaster of emotions, right?
4:00From Monday to this point now. And look, the MCL was one thing, right?
4:04Which we talked about in the aftermath of the actual injury, but it sounds like the associated damage really started to turn the tide here.
4:12Yes, it's the meniscus for Jackson Dart. That's the great concern.
4:16There is an MCL injury. I mean, we reported that on Monday night.
4:20There is an MCL injury, but it's the meniscus that was really the point at which season ending surgery was on the table.
4:27Because there's two ways to repair a meniscus. Well, there's one way to repair a meniscus.
4:32You could trim it and you get rid of some cartilage.
4:36You lose some cartilage there though, or you sew it up and you repair it.
4:41The problem is that takes longer for the recovery process, but it's better for the player in the long run because there's no lost cartilage.
4:49And while it sucks that Jackson Dart is losing the 2026 regular season, this is going to be the best thing for him.
4:56A full recovery for 2027 and beyond. Now, Harbaugh did leave open the possibility that Dart could return if the Giants make
5:03the postseason because the recovery from this surgery is about four to six months.
5:07That takes us into January at that point at the earlier part of that timeframe.
5:12So a lot's got to go right. Jameis Winston is going to have to play a lot better, although that game plan
5:19the other night was tailored for Jackson Dart, not for Jameis Winston.
5:23But the long and short of it is good in the long haul for Jackson Dart.
5:28Not so great in the short term. He is done for 26.
5:32And it's got to be devastating for him and for this football team that put so much into the season and had all these plans around him.
5:40And now when we look back at the last two years, last year he missed two games, was evaluated for concussions on five separate occasions.
5:48Now this season, two games into the year, he tears up his knee.
5:53It's a brutal injury. And it just leaves you wondering whether this team as good as Jackson Dart is, as talented as
6:00he is, if they're going to be able to count on him for 27 with all that he's been through physically.
6:06There's no question the talent is there. But what does this team do in the draft in 2027 when it's faced with
6:13the distinct possibility that there may be one of these franchise quarterbacks sitting out there in the draft.
6:19Do they bypass that or do they think long and hard about it?
6:23It'll be something to track and a lot will be dependent upon how this season plays out.
6:29Well, and a lot about how this season plays out is going to be in Jameis Winston's hands.
6:34He is going to be the starting quarterback now, as Mike referenced, it was rough against the Rams, but that was with
6:41a game plan tailored for Jackson Dart. The expectation among the Giants is that it's going to look much better now with
6:48a game plan tailored for Jameis Winston. John Harbaugh calls it like changing lanes, not really a change of direction, just changing lanes.
6:56He was asked, well, what does Jameis like to do?
6:59And he says, well, he can throw at anybody who's watched knows that.
7:03So maybe we'll see some deep shots from Jameis.
7:06But ultimately, this team wants to be a run first offense anyway.
7:10So they're going to lean on the running game play action.
7:13And then they are certainly going to have to bring in another quarterback.
7:17They only have Josh Hainer now available. So they need another quarterback and experienced quarterback.
7:22John Harbaugh said all options are on the table in terms of potentially could they trade for a quarterback.
7:28It's not like there are a ton of great quarterbacks just sitting out there waiting to be picked up by the New York Giants.
7:36Mike, the biggest name is Jimmy Garoppolo. Derek Carr is still on the reserve retired list for the Saints.
7:42Others would require a trade. And of course, teams are not dying to trade their backup quarterbacks to the New York Giants right now.
7:49So they would probably have to overpay Mike if they go the trade route.
7:54But for right now, it is Jameis Winston again.
7:57The hope is that he silences all the question about whether they need another quarterback who could potentially become their starter.
8:03Jake Hainer is going to be the number two quarterback for the Giants this week.
8:08Judy, you referenced Jimmy Garoppolo. He toyed with the idea of retirement in the end, decided not to retire.
8:14Now, the Rams wanted him back and some other teams have been interested in Garoppolo as well.
8:20I do sense that this would be one of the few jobs that he would come back for.
8:25It seems like he's got a small list of scenarios and locations for him that he would want to go to franchises
8:32that he would want to go to. So I expect him at least to be part of the discussion that's been going
8:39on here for a couple of days. And think about it from the Giants perspective.
8:44Potentially, Jameis Winston, who you just gave an extension to, could go out and play well Sunday and play well moving forward.
8:51And then you don't necessarily need a quarterback. So you don't want to rush and make a decision to trade for somebody in the short term.
9:00But if Winston goes out in a game plan more tailored for him and bombs, then I think a lot of things are on the table.
9:08Because, Rhett, it's still so early in a season with a team that believes that it's talented enough to compete.
9:14And, Mike, more trouble for quarterbacks in the NFC East.
9:17Jaden Daniels out this Sunday as he deals with the dislocated elbow injured at the end of the first half of the loss for the Cowboys.
9:26Dan Quinn and the commanders now getting Marcus Mariota ready to start against the stingy Seahawks defense.
9:31The nice part with Marcus, like, man, does he have a real command on things that we need?
9:37And so there's a specific way, like in each game, that you have to go about and what it takes to win.
9:44We hit that with the team today. But with Marcus, like, he's one that's really in control, like has good vision of
9:51it, what it is, where to go. You can hear that type of communication with him.
9:56So I think, you know, like a number one, him running the system gives everybody, OK, like a calmness about them, knowing
10:03like, all right, it'll take care of it. Well, certainly fortunate, Adam, to have Marcus Mariota there, who started in place of
10:10Jaden Daniels for 10 games last year. Of course, unfortunate that we're talking about the same injury again here for Jaden Daniels.
10:17What are the commanders, how are they approaching the quarterback situation here moving forward?
10:21Well, Jaden Daniels continues to seek out more medical opinions about the best way to handle and treat this dislocated left elbow
10:28injury that he has suffered yet again. And he's been meeting with doctors, going over their recommendations, taking in their advice before
10:35he and the commanders come to a decision about what's best and whether or not he's able to avoid a stint on
10:42injured reserve, which would sideline him for a minimum of four games.
10:46It sounds like they're getting closer to getting more information and reaching a decision.
10:51They're not there just yet. But we do know that Marcus Mariota is going to start in Jaden Daniels' absence.
10:57He'll start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. The chances are he'll start next week's game as well.
11:02But they want to see how soon they can get Daniels back.
11:06And I would imagine if he is able to avoid going on injured reserve and he does come back sooner, he will
11:13be come back wearing a brace on his left elbow in much the same way that he did last season.
11:20Well, quarterback uncertainty on the other sideline in this game as well.
11:24Sam Darnold returning to practice this week with his glute on the mend after missing the week two win in Arizona.
11:30Mike McDonald and company still undecided, though, if Darnold will suit up this Sunday.
11:35If it was something where, like, he was at risk of getting worse, that over the normal risk you take by taking
11:42the field, that might be part of the conversation.
11:45But really, it's a function at this point of, does he feel good enough to play?
11:50Okay, well, it sounds like there's some positivity on the Darnold front, Mike.
11:54What are you learning about the quarterback situation in Seattle?
11:57There is. And the plan is to ramp him up throughout the week, see how he responds.
12:02They really can't make a call right now. They have to see how he does as he gets throughout the week.
12:09But you heard it right there from Mike McDonald.
12:12It doesn't sound like there's a real fear of a re-injury on this one.
12:16It's just a question of can he move? Can he operate?
12:20And then in the end, you decide whether you want to go with Sam Darnold at less than 100% or Drew Locke,
12:27who you have complete confidence in as your backup quarterback that has been playing for Sam Darnold for most of the last two games here.
12:35So it's something where we're going to watch how the week goes.
12:39It sounds like he is on the earlier side of the window that they thought about for his potential return.
12:45It was within the four weeks. That's why they didn't put him on injury reserve.
12:50This was the one that seemed like a smaller percentage of a chance for him to return with next week.
12:56Being the real realistic target. But let's see how the week goes for Sam Darnold here as they ramp him up and feed him more throughout the week.
13:05Okay, keeping an eye on that one. Also ahead of the Monday nighter in Chicago, Caleb Williams considered week to week with
13:12his injured hamstring, suffered late in that loss to the Vikings.
13:16Back up, Tyson Bajit not at the facility today after entering concussion protocol while filling in for Williams, which means it could be Case Keenum.
13:24Starting Monday against the Eagles, Bears head coach Ben Johnson on Caleb not practicing but still contributing.
13:29Just the day-to-day coming in today, it's foreign. It is.
13:32And so we've got to get a cadence and a rhythm, not just so that he's healthy and getting back and helping
13:39this team win games, but how can he impact those around him in the meantime?
13:44And still being a great supporter in the quarterback room, walkthrough right now, making sure he's contributing ideas for what we want to get done.
13:52And, you know, it's one of those things. I know he's an antsy individual.
13:56He's a competitor. He wants to be out there on the grass going full speed.
14:01So it is a little bit more challenging to hold a guy back like that.
14:06But if you could build a player, that's what you'd want him to be like.
14:11Okay, Adam, so trying to stay active is Caleb Williams in the game planning as they prepare for the Eagles on Monday night.
14:18But what is the plan of attack for Williams with the injured hamstring?
14:22Well, Rhett, let's go back to what Ben Johnson initially said right after the injury.
14:27He said that he expected Caleb Williams to miss a little bit of time.
14:31Those were his words. He also said he wouldn't practice this week.
14:35He's dealing with that hamstring injury. When he went down, everybody could see how much pain and discomfort he was in.
14:42He's not going to practice all week long. Tyson Bajan is in concussion protocol.
14:46And today, Case Keenum ran practice as QB1 for the Bears.
14:50So Bajan has to clear protocol to be able to play on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
14:56I think it's hard to imagine that Caleb Williams would be back on Monday night.
15:00But the Bears certainly are leaving that possibility open at this point in time.
15:05But it does seem like it'll come down to whether Bajan can be cleared.
15:09And if he can't, then it'll be Case Keenum's turn at the helm for the Chicago Bears in a big Monday night matchup versus the Eagles.
15:18And if Caleb can't go, we'd be looking at five new starting quarterbacks through two weeks of this season due to injury.
15:25Okay. Jalen Arts and the Eagles traveling to Soldier Field.
15:28Face DeAndre Swift and the Bears in a QB to be named later for an NFC showdown.
15:33Catch it all on Monday, 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC ESPN.
15:37It's streaming on the ESPN app. And, of course, our friends with Good Morning Football will be there, taking the show on the road to the Windy City.
15:46Get you ready for all the action starting at 8 a.m.
15:49Eastern time right here on NFL Network and the ESPN app.
15:53Okay. Dan Campbell gave Aaron Glenn his first chance to be defensive coordinator in the NFL.
15:58Now Glenn hopes to deny Campbell his first win of the season inside the familiarity in this Lions-Jets matchup ahead.
16:04Plus, Rio de Janeiro in for a treat. Two of the best quarterbacks in ball bringing their teams to Brazil while Lamar
16:11hoping he can bring his top target with him.
16:14But no Zay today. Status for Sunday next. The new NFL season is here.
16:18And you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
16:24Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game.
16:28But that was last year. If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
16:34It is in the name. NFL Daily. Fresh content in your feed every day all season long.
16:39Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. On a dazzling dart from Matthew Stafford.
16:44Big time trades that shake up the NFL. A.J.
16:47Brown is loose. And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
16:53The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60. They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
16:57If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
17:01Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
17:06I'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?
17:14That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Got a man wide open.
17:18Seahawks! 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.
17:26We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
17:33Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
17:39And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
17:43We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
17:50So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football, or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
17:57to help you see the game in a whole new way.
18:01If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
18:08NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
18:11Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
18:16The NFL never stops, and neither does its newest podcast.
18:19The NFL Report, hosted by me, Andrew Siciliano. It is your home for everything football.
18:24Williams, drifting, in all kinds of trouble, playing up for next season.
18:28We're tapping the biggest news stories, giving you expert analysis, fantasy previews, game picks, and more.
18:33We fly around every single play. We dominate every single play.
18:36Want to hear from the league's top stars ahead of the biggest matchups?
18:41We've got you covered. They're a really good football team.
18:44We've got to have all hands on deck. Join me and an all-star cast of analysts for everything you need to know from around the league.
18:52Get new episodes of the NFL Report Monday through Friday, all season long.
18:56Listen to the NFL Report podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
19:02Hey everyone, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
19:08Fantasy season is upon us. Ready to dominate your league.
19:11Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
19:17Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
19:20Injury updates that you'll need before kickoff. The best starts and sits across every position.
19:25And matchups you can exploit to destroy your league mates.
19:28You know, we're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
19:33From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
19:38Whether 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.
19:46Weekly analysis, hot takes, and unique insider knowledge all in one place.
19:50Does 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.
19:59All right, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens put on one of the best offensive shows of opening weekend in a win over
20:06the Colts, including a hat-trick of TDs for Derrick Henry.
20:09But couldn't replicate that success against Saints falling at home in week two, which felt like a tale of two weeks in Lamar Jackson.
20:16We're definitely upset, you know, and not taking anything away from our fans, you know.
20:21They're going to be more upset because they're not, you know, they're not in the building and working with us, you know.
20:28So they don't really know what's going on until we play this Sunday.
20:32So, yeah, I probably got over it yesterday. Well, certainly didn't help the Ravens cause that Lamar's top target, Zay Flowers, was
20:39out with a hamstring in that week two loss.
20:42Didn't practice once again today in that absence, no joke, considering he put up 150 receiving yards in the first half of
20:49the opener before the hammy forced him from the game.
20:52To help us get ready, Jane Slater joining us live now.
20:56And, Jane, look, you know, certainly no Zay Flowers would help the Cowboys cause here, but they still have to deal with
21:03Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the ground. How are the Cowboys prioritizing this Ravens attack?
21:08Yeah, that's plenty for them. You know, the big thing is at least the Ravens are familiar with this international series, Rhett,
21:15albeit, you know, not the entire team. But this is a first for the Cowboys going back to 2012.
21:21What they're essentially going to do is they got a meaningful practice in today, Rhett, and then they'll wake up tomorrow.
21:28They'll come here for meetings, a little bit of a walkthrough.
21:31Then they'll return later that night, and it's a 10-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro.
21:36Once they get there, then they are immediately to the hotel and then to practice.
21:41And, look, that's all of a challenge, getting your sleep in.
21:44But the bigger challenge, absolutely, is when you talk about Lamar Jackson.
21:48You know, we've already seen through two weeks the problem that Dallas has had with some of these mobile quarterbacks.
21:54I take you to week one. Jackson Dart, 54 yards.
21:58Jayden Daniels added 69 Sunday with 9.9 yards per carry.
22:01That's 123 yards from opposing quarterbacks in two weeks.
22:04So, Coach was asked, against Lamar, is it more important to get him on the ground or just simply affect him?
22:10Getting him on the ground is the biggest deal.
22:13You'd like to get the sack. But I think if you affect him, hopefully you're making him make poor decisions.
22:20He's loose with the ball. Maybe he throws the ball in a double coverage.
22:24You know, we've gotten to the point where you're playing a guy like Lamar.
22:29If you move him off the spot, sometimes they become more dangerous, which is why we have to be better at containing.
22:36He's looking at the film. He's seeing the seams that we've created and given to Jackson Dart and Jayden Daniels.
22:42And he's going to be aware of that. But this is a new week.
22:46It's a different deal. We've got some different things that we're looking at that we kind of like going into this game.
22:53And hopefully those things, you know, perform well for us.
22:57And speaking of run game, let's talk about the Cowboys.
23:00It has not really been that robust. It led Jerry Jones on Tuesday to suggest, well, maybe we'll use Kevante Turpin and CeeDee Lamb.
23:07Fans did not love that, guys, when I posted that on the Internet.
23:12And when we asked Brian Schottenheimer about it today, he said, you know, it's not my first choice.
23:17But he says the bigger issue for them is that they are not blocking enough in the run game.
23:23That's why he's not calling the running plays. But as we kick that around with George Pickens, you know, they're doing pretty good in the passing game.
23:32So if it's not broke, don't fix it. But we saw what happened when they tried to get creative with Lamb before.
23:39Don't do it. Don't do it at all. When in doubt, just ask the Internet.
23:44They'll tell you the truth, Jane, as we all know very much.
23:48Thank you, Jane Slater, live for us. Just getting a set for the International Series to resume.
23:53Also getting a set now for Jaguars and Patriots.
23:56Trevor Lawrence, when going up against Mike Braybill when he was head coach of the Tennessee Titans, is a rookie.
24:02Not great, right? Five interceptions to just one touchdown.
24:05Been a lot better against Braybill's defenses since 2022, though, as Braybill sees some real growth in Trevor Lawrence's discretion.
24:11I think you can always count on some turnovers maybe three or four years ago.
24:16I don't think that's necessarily the case now. He's done a really fantastic job of being able to move the ball downfield,
24:23but keep it out of harm's way. He's decisive when he scrambles.
24:27You know, I mean, it's a guaranteed first down, if not longer, when he decides to scramble.
24:32And those aren't even the design run plays. Those are drop-back passes that turn into play extensions, and he's either keeping his
24:39eyes downfield and hitting somebody, or he's decisive and he's willing to scramble.
24:44So, you know, just see a lot of maturity, and he's playing at a high level.
24:49So, plenty of familiarity on the sidelines when the Jets and Lions get together, as we continue looking at Trevor Lawrence and the Patriots here.
24:57Lawrence in the Jags struggling against the Broncos in Week 2.
25:00And now we'll get to the Jets and the Lions.
25:03So, the familiarity, obviously, starting with Dan Campbell, who gave Aaron Glenn his first defensive coordinator opportunity, and parlayed that into the head coaching gig in New York.
25:12But Glenn, not one for nostalgia this week. A place that I coached, a place that I have fond memories, a place that we want to win.
25:21I mean, I think some of this will be, you know, there's things that he knows we want to hang our hat on.
25:28I mean, that's just going to be there. And things that I know he wants to hang his hat on, we do.
25:35So, some of those are always going to be, it doesn't matter, those are going to show up.
25:41But then there'll be these other things, because we know that, he knows that, that there'll be these wrinkles that get thrown in.
25:48And it can be everything from a front to a pressure to a, you know, third down.
25:54You get a couple of these other looks that they haven't put on tape yet.
25:58But, and for us, we don't entirely know that personnel.
26:02All we know is two games worth of what they've shown, what they do.
26:06But I know enough to know that AG's got a Rolodex of looks now, and pressures, and he's got it all, and coverage disguises.
26:14So, you know, we kind of got to be prepared for everything.
26:18And really, you know, you're going to do the things you feel good about, and that your offense does well, players do well.
26:25But also, we're going to need some catch-all plays, you know, just to be able to handle anything that they throw at us.
26:32That could be a little oddball, man. Just play the Logue.
26:36Let's go back to camp, and it's some of our staples, and let's just play football.
26:41All right, still to come, Josh Allen taking the lead by storm through two weeks.
26:46Again, playing at an MVP level, but head coach Joe Brady not ready to print the Super Bowl t-shirts just yet.
26:52Details on the growth mindset in Buffalo. Just ahead.
26:55Hey, we're going to the Super Bowl. And you can, too.
26:59Enter for a chance to win four tickets to Super Bowl 61 and a three-night vacation to Disneyland Resort.
27:05To watch the Super Bowl champion cavalcade, you can just scan that QR code right now on your screen or visit ESPN.com slash SPLXI.
27:12You'll learn more. If you didn't get chills when he was introduced, then you're not freaking alive.
27:18Donald got him! Aaron Donald put the gap! That felt good to be back out there, man.
27:23I'm a little sore right now, y'all. All right, the Rams and the Broncos both rebounding in week two after lackluster outings to start the season.
27:31Now meeting up at a clash of contenders on Sunday night.
27:35Devontae Adams, big part of the Rams resurgence with a pair of touchdowns from Matthew Stafford in the win over the Giants
27:42and in the absence of Puka Nakua. So, Mike Garofalo, are the Rams expecting that absence to continue this week?
27:48Seems like it might. Sean McVay saying that it's not a sports hernia.
27:52I know a lot of people were putting the clues together there and saying it might be that core muscle injury.
27:59I know some people don't call it a sports hernia anymore, but it's the one that requires surgery and an extended six to eight week absence.
28:07Excuse me. It's not a hernia! But it's not a hernia!
28:11Good job, Brett. It is a hip and groin injury.
28:14He needs to rest it. So, as he starts the week not practicing, it seems like that might wind up being the case once again.
28:22Kanata Mumfield got a bunch of playing time the other day.
28:26He uses a blocker a bunch. They've got tight ends that they can use.
28:30So, they don't want to rush it if they don't have to.
28:34Again, not a hernia, but rest needed for Puka Nakua.
28:37Well, Mike, neither of the Broncos running backs, none of the Broncos running backs have a hernia, but they do have other injuries right now.
28:45J.K. Dobbins has been dealing with hamstring cramps. R.J.
28:48Harvey missed last week's game with a hamstring injury.
28:51And while those running backs were taking some time off, Jonah Coleman emerged, the rookie running back, to become a force in the Broncos' backfield.
28:59But guess what? At practice today, Jonah Coleman didn't practice.
29:02He's got a sprained ankle. So, he was the one of the three running backs that didn't practice at all.
29:08Harvey was limited. Dobbins was limited. Coleman was a no-go.
29:11So, while Puka is dealing with whatever core muscle injury he is dealing with, the Broncos have major running back questions going
29:18into Sunday night's game against the Rams. We'll see which of these three running backs are able to return.
29:25It certainly sounds like Harvey and Dobbins could be back.
29:28And the question is whether the rookie running back, Jonah Coleman, also will be able to join them on Sunday night.
29:34Well, Adam, not as much injury, more inefficiency and ineffectiveness for the Chargers so far.
29:39Talk about opposite sides of the statistical spectrum. After two weeks, Chargers crumbling.
29:43Bills balling. Buffalo number one scoring offense in football so far.
29:4777 combined points. But even the best can get better.
29:50We have a lot to improve on. We knew two games wasn't going to define our season one way or the other.
29:57Whether we were 2-0, 0-2, 1-1. The growth that we need to see from week two to week three is, there has
30:04to be a lot of growth from it. And I thought, you know, we were really intentional in the meetings today about, again, small sample size.
30:12But it's still, you know, stuff on tape that's like this is the house isn't catching on fire.
30:18But, you know, smoke is showing. We got to make sure we're doing a good job of cleaning some of the things up.
30:25And, you know, like I said, there's a lot on all sides of the ball that, you know, we've been able to
30:32obviously overcome and find ways to get the victory.
30:35But, you know, if we want to continue that and find ways to get better, we can't continue to do this stuff.
30:42Okay, Judy. So, yeah, they've been scoring points, but they've also given up 31 in each of the first two weeks.
30:49So how do the Bills look for improvement on that side of the ball defensively?
30:54Yeah, the 31 points given up each week is like in very tiny print because the Buffalo Bills offense is scoring at will right now.
31:02So it hasn't mattered that they're giving up that many points, but that's probably not sustainable throughout the season.
31:08The good news for the Bills is they are getting to the quarterback.
31:12They've already got seven sacks this season. Gregory Rousseau, a Miami Hurricane, by the way, has four of those sacks.
31:18So the pass rush is effective. That is certainly good news when they are going against the Chargers.
31:24Justin Herbert obviously has been struggled. They have been struggling to protect him.
31:28So perhaps this will lead to the Bills finally getting a team under 31 points.
31:33But certainly when Joe Brady talks about things that need to be cleaned up, that the house isn't on fire, but there is smoke.
31:41That is one of the smoke signals that they would like to tamp down right now.
31:46On the other side of the ball, how about the start that Dalton Kincaid is off to?
31:5112 catches, 225 yards through two games. This is mostly about health, number one, for Dalton Kincaid because he's had a PCL
31:58injury he's had to deal with in his knee over the previous two seasons.
32:03It sort of flared up last year. And then he said this offseason, well, I didn't have surgery.
32:08Doctors advised me to just strengthen the knee. And it's the best I've ever felt.
32:13Yeah, okay, you and every other NFL player. No, no, no, no, really.
32:17You can see it on display for Dalton Kincaid.
32:20And now you're seeing what he is. He's a matchup problem because if you match him up with a corner like Derek
32:27Stingley, he bodies him and makes a catch down there in Houston.
32:31If you try – this is the play I'm talking about right here.
32:35If you try to cover him with a linebacker or a safety, he runs right by those guys.
32:41So Dalton Kincaid has been unlocked his previous high 73 catches and 673 yards in his rookie season.
32:46If this continues, it's going to blow right by that.
32:50They are super stoked about what Kincaid has done so far this season.
32:54Mike and AFC North rivalry renewed this week in Pittsburgh with Steelers trying to find their way on offense against the Bengals
33:01who do not offer a reprieve on that front.
33:04Since he's defense, one of the best in football and the subject of Joe Burrow's praise this week.
33:09I was talking about it all training camp. I was just excited to get out there and watch them.
33:15They've lived up to the hype through two weeks.
33:18But just as we've talked about in our meetings and in here, it's two weeks.
33:23It's – you know, we're still in September. We're not even close to where we want to be, nor is anybody.
33:302-0 is not going to get anything done in this league.
33:33So we just got to keep going. Wise words from Joe Burrow, Judy.
33:37But Dexter Lawrence, a big piece of the Bengals' domination so far on the defensive side of the ball.
33:43As one of their acquisitions, you know, here this offseason, does it feel like – or do they feel like that this
33:50is, like, part of the plan finally coming together on that side of the ball?
33:55I mean, Dexter Lawrence, literally the big piece. But they also spent other resources and got other players on the defense.
34:02But this was part of it, right? I mean, this is what Joe Burrow has been lobbying for for a few years.
34:09And it is finally coming to fruition. They broke character.
34:12The trade for Dexter Lawrence was out of character for the Cincinnati Bengals.
34:16And they did it, and it has been transformative.
34:19This may be – we are not overstating it to say this may be one of the biggest changes in a unit in the NFL this season.
34:28They have 39 quarterback pressures. That's second only to the Vikings.
34:31We talk about how great the Vikings' defense is all the time.
34:35They're tied for the league lead, again, with the Vikings, among others, with eight sacks.
34:40So this defense that has been a hindrance for so many years is now a strength of the team.
34:46And you saw it last week when Joe Burrow by himself said he had an average game.
34:51Well, this defense now allows for Joe Burrow to have the very occasional average performance, and they can still win.
34:58It takes a lot of pressure off that offense to feel like they have to score on every down.
35:04So really a huge change for the Bengals. Well, Judy, the Bengals' defense poses a big challenge for the Steelers' offense, which
35:11has averaged through two games eight points per game.
35:14The offense has not been highly productive. Aaron Rodgers has been under constant pressure.
35:18So if the Bengals' defense is getting that much pressure, it could be a long Sunday for Aaron Rodgers, who already has been sacked six times this season.
35:27And then we throw in the fact that the Steelers are dealing with some key injuries at key spots.
35:33Both their running backs did not practice today. Rico Dowdle dealing with a toe injury.
35:38Jalen Waddell or Jalen Warren dealing with a shoulder injury.
35:41Michael Pittman limited to practice. So there are some key offensive parts that are in question for Sunday's game at a time
35:48when they have a matchup against the now tough Cincinnati Bengals' defense.
35:52Yeah, exactly. And that will stay in the Keystone State, actually, Adam, here tracking another big injury in Philadelphia.
35:58We're running back Saquon Barkley dealing with a stinger.
36:01He's having an MRI to determine severity there. It happened early in the Titans' win.
36:06He would return, but no practice yet this week for the Eagles as they prepare for Monday night football.
36:12More injuries to follow for receivers around the league.
36:14Malik Nabors limited with that shoulder injury suffered in the Monday night loss to the L.A.
36:20Rams. Everybody else you see here, DJ Moore, Mike Kevitt, Nico Collins, Dave Flowers, all DNP, did not practice today.
36:26So something we've got to continue to monitor. Some good news for the Chiefs and the Steelers.
36:31Chris Jones and Joey Porter limited today in practice, while a couple of big pass rushers like Brian Burns and Trey Hendrickson
36:38did not practice for the Giants and Ravens, respectively, on that front.
36:42All right. When we come back, we'll talk about Michael Penix getting ready for his season debut against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
36:50That's next. The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
36:58Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game, but that was last year.
37:04If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
37:09It is in the name. NFL Daily, fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
37:14Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. Big time trades that shake up the NFL.
37:19AJ Brown is loose. And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
37:25The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60. They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
37:30If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
37:33Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
37:39I'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?
37:46That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Got a man wide open.
37:50Seahawks! 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.
37:58We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
38:05Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
38:11And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
38:15We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
38:23So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
38:30to help you see the game in a whole new way.
38:33If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
38:40NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
38:43Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
38:48The NFL never stops, and neither does its newest podcast.
38:51The NFL Report, hosted by me, Andrew Siciliano. It is your home for everything football.
38:56Williams, drifting, in all kinds of trouble. We're tapping the biggest news stories, giving you expert analysis, fantasy previews, game picks, and more.
39:04We fly around every single place. We dominate every single place.
39:07Want to hear from the league's top stars ahead of the biggest matchups?
39:11We've got you covered. They're a really good football team.
39:14We've got to have all hands on deck. Join me and an all-star cast of analysts for everything you need to know from around the league.
39:23Get new episodes of the NFL Report Monday through Friday all season long.
39:27Listen to the NFL Report podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
39:33Hey, everyone. I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
39:38Fantasy season is upon us. Are you ready to dominate your league?
39:42Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
39:48Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
39:52Injury updates that you'll need before kickoff. The best starts and sits across every position.
39:56And matchups you can exploit to destroy your league mates.
40:00We're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
40:04From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
40:09Whether 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.
40:17Weekly analysis, hot takes, and unique insider knowledge all in one place.
40:21Does 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.
40:29Well, every Sunday is game day, folks, and we get you covered from sunrise to the final whistle.
40:35Game day morning gets you set. Game day live keeps you in it with all-day-long highlights.
40:40And then game day and game day final catches you up on every big play you might have missed.
40:46Tune in Sunday only on NFL Network and now also streaming on the ESPN app.
40:51Michael Penix inactive first two weeks of the season as he continued his recovery plan from the offseason knee surgery, but will
40:58make his debut this week as the Falcons travel to Lambeau Field.
41:02Head coach Kevin Stefanski now on how he's setting Penix up for success.
41:06I think there's a lot of conversation that occurs between the play caller and the quarterback in this case.
41:12So you want to make sure that the game plan is a bunch of stuff that Mike's comfortable with.
41:18And then you get to a day like today and you say, okay, what plays do you want early?
41:24What calls do you want? So there's a great rapport between Tommy and Mike, and they've had those conversations.
41:30But like you mentioned, I mean, it's the first time for Mike in there with us.
41:35And, of course, there's going to be things that come up, and you're going to work through it.
41:41But that's no different than any quarterback. Okay, Mike Garofalo, what's the confidence level for the Falcons that the extra ramp-up time
41:48here for Penix will allow him to feel prepared and ready to roll on Thursday night?
41:53Pretty high, Rhett. And compared to where he was, let's say, a week ago, having the extra practices under his belt, I
42:00mentioned to you on the air here that when he was running the scout team, he got run into a couple of
42:07times, even though you're not supposed to hit the quarterback.
42:10And, you know, a little bit of that contact is about as best as you can simulate leading into what's going to be his first real contact here.
42:19And so he just needed a little bit more time to feel good about it.
42:24There's a physical element to this, and there's an emotional slash mental part to this.
42:29For a guy who's been through this a couple of times before, that was part of the process here.
42:35So they feel better. He feels better. Now let's go out and prove it on a short week for everybody else, but for him, really, an extended week.
42:44Because last week was really about starting to get him ramped up because you can't have the full practices the way you normally would for a Thursday game.
42:53And this is a bit of a red alert there for the Falcons.
42:57They have not been to the red zone yet this year, hoping Michael Penix can turn the tide on that front.
43:03Looking at the other quarterback injuries in the NFC, it's too many.
43:07Dart, out. Daniels, out. Caleb Williams, still uncertain. Same with Sam Darnold.
43:11But good news for the Vikings. Kyler Murray is coming off this list.
43:15He's out of concussion protocol and back in the lineup for Justin Jefferson and the Vikings.
43:20Yeah, looking forward to it. You know, obviously what we've built throughout training camp, throughout, you know, the offseason, leading into the
43:27season, you know, that definitely has been exciting and something that, you know, we've all been waiting for.
43:33So the time was limited, you know, the first game.
43:36So for him to be back out there and for us to get, you know, back started with him, it's going to be a joy to see.
43:45Vikings running back Aaron Jones a little banged up, though.
43:48Did not practice today as he deals with a knee issue.
43:52Jones with 105 yards in the win over the Bears.
43:55His first 100-yard game since week 12, 2024. And his 23 carries, the most since week 10, 2022.
44:00All right, still to come. The Raiders have to like what Kirk Cousins has given them through two weeks.
44:06Three touchdown passes in each win. And now could get his biggest receiving threat back in the lineup.
44:12More on Brock Bowers. All right, back here with you on the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
44:18Deshaun Watson and the Browns heading back to Cleveland for the home opener with a win.
44:23Deshaun Watson, a big second-half effort to take down Tampa.
44:26Grateful for the support from head coach Todd Munkin.
44:29Now hopeful to hear it from Browns fans as well.
44:32Man, it's always been good for someone to be able to support me.
44:36To support anybody as a human, you know. It's hearing positive things.
44:40It builds confidence. It builds courage. It builds that team chemistry.
44:43It just makes a person feel good. So, you know, when you get that from the head man and the guy that's
44:50leading this organization, this team, that means a lot.
44:53I mean, the biggest thing, like, I don't never try to go at war with the fans.
44:59So, I think the biggest thing is just, you know, ready for support, ready to feel their energy, ready to get this
45:06big dub for the city of Cleveland. And, you know, continue this great feeling that we have this week.
45:12So, that's my motto is just keep pushing forward, finding ways to win on Sunday to, you know, take advantage of the opposing team and get a W.
45:21Yeah, that play from Deshaun Watson. We just show, or Deshaun, Denzel Boston from Deshaun Watson.
45:26It was one of my favorite of the week there, Judy.
45:29Certainly a bounce-back effort from Deshaun. But how the Browns harness that moving forward is really the question.
45:35Yeah, that is the question. That really has been the question about Deshaun Watson during his time in Cleveland is, which Deshaun Watson are you going to get?
45:44Are you going to get the player we saw against Jacksonville, who certainly looked rusty after not playing for so long?
45:51Or are we going to get the player that we saw in the second half against Tampa, who looked pretty good, good
45:58enough to keep the job for at least another weekend, certainly good enough to win games?
46:03If that's the player they are going to get now, he is healthy.
46:07If the rust is knocked off, and if that is his level now, that's good enough for Cleveland to win some games
46:14and certainly for Deshaun Watson to hold on to the job for a while longer.
46:19If it goes back to being up and down Deshaun Watson, then the Browns will eventually have a decision to make about the future.
46:26Don't discount, though, the Carolina Panthers' defense. They were on the receiving end of the 50-burger from the Chicago Bears in week one.
46:34But last week, they forced five turnovers and allowed only three points.
46:37So they are not to be overlooked. This will be a challenge for Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns.
46:44But certainly lots of hope in Cleveland that they are going to get the Deshaun Watson they saw against Tampa, that that
46:51is the Deshaun Watson he can still be when he's healthy.
46:54Yeah. Continue to target Denzel Boston. And how about the tight end Harold Fannin really showing up with five catches?
47:00Speaking of tight ends, arguably the best in the league expected to make his season debut on Sunday in New Orleans.
47:07Brock Bowers at the late summer knee procedure ready to roll.
47:11And that's music to Kirk Cousins receivers. Yeah, I think it's something you build.
47:15You know, I think even the other guys I'm throwing to, you're kind of building this rapport as you go through the real thing.
47:23OTAs is one thing. Training camps are one thing.
47:26Preseason games are one thing. It's all building a foundation.
47:29But there's nothing quite like, you know, real games.
47:32And so these last two weeks have been great experience for us as a unit to kind of gather together.
47:38And with Brock, you know, he's, if you will, two weeks behind.
47:42But great to have him back. And we'll be building that rapport as well.
47:46You know, every snap we have together this week and on Sunday.
47:50Yeah, and that chemistry that he's talking about with the receivers and with Brock Bowers.
47:55I mean, that's one thing. But the chemistry, like, within this offense is what the Raiders were hoping for when they made
48:02him the starter, brought him in to this franchise.
48:05And it feels like all things are trending upwards here, Mike.
48:08A lot of things are trending upwards for Kirk Cousins.
48:11And the way that he is vibing with the coaching staff right now, the way that he is locking in on the system.
48:19He's been in different variations of this same system that he's in right now.
48:23And it's clicking for him. And the other thing, the other part of this, you know, we talked so much about what
48:30is Kirk Cousins going to do for Fernando Mendoza.
48:33Some of the vibe I'm getting is what Mendoza is doing for Cousins.
48:37There's that youthful energy. There's that feeling of being at the beginning of his career with so much that he can soak in.
48:45And Cousins, not only the chance to do that, but to be around a guy that can interject some energy with him.
48:52It's sort of working both ways right now for Cousins.
48:55It's a good vibe. All right, let's get to the Cardinals and Niners NFC West matchup here.
49:00The Niners 2-0 despite dealing with injuries all over the place, especially at the wide receiver spot, but hadn't affected Brock Purdy.
49:07492 passing yards and 592 touchdowns. And Kyle Shanahan recognizing how well his QB is playing.
49:12Brock is a rookie. Seven games he played, he played as good as any quarterback I've had.
49:18You know, and those were his first seven. And then I think his second year, he was top five for MVP of
49:25the league and took us to the Super Bowl.
49:28So Brock's played at such a high level since his first game versus Miami.
49:32So to say, like, how much better he's gotten, I mean, you can't get that much better.
49:37I think he's been extremely consistent. And I think he gets more comfortable just with everything he's faced.
49:43He's been in every situation. I think he's been comfortable with the offense since the beginning.
49:48But, you know, just the more you play, the more you see defenses, you see certain fronts, you see disguises, you know
49:55what it feels like to be up a lot, to be down a lot.
50:00I think Brock learns from every life experience he's in.
50:03And that just makes him better as a player and better as a man as he gets older.
50:09Well, one of those receiver injuries the Niners are dealing with is to the stud Mike Evans.
50:14Didn't practice Wednesday with the hip. It's something Kyle Shanahan said wasn't serious postgame on Sunday.
50:19Something, though, to monitor ahead of this matchup with the Cardinals.
50:23All right, still to come here. Well, it doesn't take a genius to monitor the success of Patrick Mahomes coming off the
50:30knee injury of last year, playing at a very high level, looking to continue that heading into week three.
50:36Kind of bad start for Patrick Mahomes coming off the knee surgery, right?
50:40566 yards through the air thus far to go along with five touchdowns, plus the rushing touchdown from the opener.
50:46And even with all of that success, a transparent self-account from Patrick Mahomes this week on how the knee has felt through these first couple games.
50:55I definitely took a big jump, I think, just mentally, just kind of being able to trust and be in the pocket and stuff like that.
51:03There were still times where you could tell I was kind of rushing up and kind of just trying to throw the
51:10ball away quickly whenever there was maybe other opportunities to step up in the pocket and find a check down.
51:16And so that's stuff that I'll continue to work with.
51:19But definitely felt a lot more comfortable. And I think running the ball so well the first week gave me more time
51:26to kind of see stuff and it became clearer.
51:29And so I think just having other guys around me have so much success has kind of helped me be more comfortable quicker.
51:37Mike, I don't know how many times I asked you about Mahomes' recovery throughout July and August and into this regular season even.
51:44And the answer was always, yeah, he's feeling good.
51:47I would imagine the proof is in the pudding here.
51:50Yeah, feeling good. Not going to be 100%, but close enough to 100% and better at 95, 90, whatever.
51:56I mean, however I phrased it, and that's what we're seeing right now with Patrick Mahomes.
52:01We want to see the ball go down the field a little bit more.
52:06Had some throws to Taequann Thornton that connected the other night.
52:09Those were huge. But, you know, they want to have more of a downfield passing attack at some point.
52:15And Tyree Kills is lurking out there. Okay. I keep being asked, like, you know, is he going to play this year?
52:22Yeah, he's going to play this year. And these are two teams that he's played for.
52:27Now, listen, he's not going to go to Miami.
52:30But with Kansas City, it just feels inevitable that there's got to at least be a conversation at some point.
52:36There's nothing on the front burner, but it's got to be somewhere on the back burner for a burner that could stretch defenses in this offense.
52:45Look at you putting it all together here. Oh, by the way, the Colts, you know, might be in need for a
52:52receiver here at some point, especially looking at what they have done here on the defensive side of the ball.
52:58It's been a bigger struggle. Here's Shane Steichen. Yeah, I have a lot of conversations with those guys, you know, going there and talk to them.
53:06Obviously, I have a lot of one-on-ones with Lou as well.
53:10But again, I got a lot of confidence, you know, in this team and this defense, you know, moving forward.
53:16I mean, it's early in the season. Obviously, we got a lot to clean up, but we got a lot ahead of us too.
53:24All right, a couple of teams here that were considered contenders in the AFC South still searching for win number one.
53:31Judy, what do we make here? Well, the Colts are having a historically bad start on defense.
53:36As for the Texans, CJ Stroud leads the league in both dropbacks and pass attempts.
53:41They are not running the ball very much, and that is what they would like to do.
53:46They have David Montgomery. The Colts are giving up a ton of rushing yards, a ton of passing yards.
53:52We will see if they can tighten up against the Texans this week.
53:56All right, a lot of storylines to watch there for those two teams searching for win number one.
54:02Plus, we get game number one of week three coming up here from Lambeau Field with the return of Michael Pennix.
54:09Stocks and Packers looking forward to it. Enjoy the game, everybody.
54:12Thanks for being here with us on The Insiders.
54:15We are right back here with you on Friday at 7.
54:19The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
54:26It is in the name NFL Daily. You'll have fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
54:32That game-winning drive. Maybe it's Herbert. Maybe it's Gino.
54:35Maybe it's Mahomes. We'll have the highlights. If Fernando Mendoza or any of the rookies are balling out, we'll break down the tape.
54:42Join me, Greg Rosenthal, and an all-star cast of co-hosts as we preview and recap every game.
54:47Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
54:52I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sykema. If you love football and want to understand what's really happening on the field, check out our show, NFL Pro.
55:01Every week, we break down the biggest plays, trends, and matchups using exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content you will not find anywhere else.
55:09Whether you're new to football, a fantasy football fanatic, or a diehard fan, NFL Pro will help you analyze the game like a pro.
55:17Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
55:22Listen to the NFL Report Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
55:27Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sykema. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
55:33Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
55:36Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
55:42Whether 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.
55:51Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
55:57This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
