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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. The Patriots. This team, destroying everyone in front of them. How far can they go?
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Earlier on the show. Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Coming up. Prime Video TNF analyst Andrew Whitworth.
Savannah Bananas left fielder Robert Anthony Cruz. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Yeah. Hour number two of the Rich Hodgson Show is on the air here on this busy Wednesday. We just said farewell to.
Our friend Kurt Warner and another Walter Payton Man of the Year, Andrew Whitworth is going to join us in the middle of our number two, this one. We just have good people on this. We have good people here every day. We're good people.
Well, I mean, some of us, some people that might not be here today, we question.
Well, I mean, yesterday was a giving Tuesday. Today is just a regular What do you want from me Wednesday? Yeah, right. Leave me alone. What do you want from me Wednesday?
Right. Giving Tuesday?
Well, Mad Dog has, you know, making you mad Wednesdays. What do you want from me Wednesday? What do you want from me Wednesday? Followed by. Tomorrow's Leave Me Alone Thursday.
The hell going on Thursday. You know what I mean? Hell going on Thursday. And Friday is like we can't Friday.
Now stop it. We're on 50 Plus. We're a family program every day.
Sometimes. Hey, your name here. You know what I mean? Like we're open for business and we're family friendly. Yeah.
Say what was your motherfucking? We talk a lot of the NFL. And this just in the NFL is popular.
So are the Chiefs and so are the Cowboys.
Now, we did a what's more likely on Wednesday, one week ago. Just a what's more likely for the Thanksgiving games. And your what's more likely was what's going to be the higher total. Total points between the Cowboys and Chiefs, or the ratings. In millions, yeah.
In millions. Yes. And because going into the season, we had Mike North, who is the. Executive in charge of scheduling. He has a fancier title, I'm sure.
Um He said, because the AFC North is playing the NFC North this year. He's the vice president of broadcast planning and scheduling. Thank you. Very good. And I think he's also the executive vice president of man buns of the NFL as well.
He's on Mike. Hey, listen, there's not many guys walking around the NFL offices with a man bun. No way, you're here.
Now that you hear either. None of us have a hair bunny. Don't look at us, right, Chris? Or you, too, Jay. All right.
I have the capability. We digress. But Mike came on and said because there's so many compelling matchups based on how good these teams are and how it's all working out with one division playing another division, we're able to. We're able to have tons of filet mignon to place on plates that ordinarily we don't place them on because we need to have a matchup. To be boosted by the beachfront property, like, say, the middle game of Thanksgiving.
And because they could open the season. Because of that, they were able to open the season with the Eagles Cowboys. Yeah. Right? And then have Chiefs Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
And Mike said at the time that could set a record.
Well, guess what? It did. And what's more likely, 59 total points between the Cowboys and the Chiefs. 3128. In millions?
Missed it by that much. Oh, what was the number?
So close. 57 million and change. Is the grand total number. Sane number. That's what happens when you put diversity.
In a prominent schedule placement. Excuse me, sir. Every year. The middle game of Thanksgiving is it. Crush it.
Okay. Where we usually usually are. Then you place the Chiefs at 6-5, and the Cowboys playing well, and the game. was tight. Fifty seven point two three million viewers watched.
Everything. That is awesome. Including. George scrapes his pickings on top of McDuffie in this phone graph out here. Almost having the play of the year.
Right there, that is one of the coolest photos I've seen in the middle. Wait a sec, is that what Andy Reid meant about? Like, no, oh, goodness. What?
Okay. A number this is. And the thing is, you said 50 million, right? Yeah, it was almost. And you were underestimated.
I did, which is crazy. Because people in the comments were like, 50? There's no life.
Well, laughing. laughing.
Well, they ain't laughing now, Richard. Look at this. That's a heck of a number. And um Because the total for the game was 52.5, obviously, the overhit. And I'm like, oh, that's pretty good, decent.
Does it get to 50? You know, both teams could play some defense. Nope. They both crushed it. Hans Schroeder, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Football League and NFL Media, will be on Thursday's show to talk about this.
Because he asked, and my contract's up. Wait a minute, wait a minute. No, it's a big story. You know the other thing, Rich? It's like It's like the Howard Stern thing.
The fans of both teams watched, but then how much was this hate watch? Sure. For people that hate the Cowboys, they hate the Chiefs and get these sad. Why would there be a hate watch? Because you know people.
Have you been to a Thanksgiving rate? Do you know people? I understand people watching their family. Oh, it's the exact opposite. You would like to think that.
It's. Listen, man. It is amazing. And this weekend's slate. You know, 34 T's bananas.
I mean, that's with the Niners and Pats on by. That's right. That's right. Great games.
So, congrats to all involved. CBS, my goodness gracious. Oh, my gosh. And the NFL. And again, Hunch Schroeder's on tomorrow's program to talk about it.
Hunch Schroeder. Indeed, sir. Oh, it's a great one. That's a great name. I'm going to swear it out.
That's a great awesome name. Excuse me, sir. I think Nakatomi Plasma. Yeah, exactly. It's Christmas time.
We're going to fire up diehard and we're going to talk to Hans. Oh, he's outright Zone.
Well. Yep, Let's hope it'll be a better ending for this Hans, okay? You know who we should have on? Correct. Who?
Argyle, the limo driver. What is happening around here? That's your man right there. That's your man. That's when the Cowboys are playing well and the whole country's stopping to watch.
It gets giddy. Yeah, I was angry for both of you. It was literally a game over 500. We'll talk about that next game against the Lions on Thursday night, tomorrow night, with our friend Andrew Whitworth in about 13 minutes' time when he joins us from Detroit already. Rudy in Arizona.
Yeah, welcome to the party, Rudy in Phoenix, Arizona. What's up, Rudy? Rudy. You don't want to fight, Rich, do you? Rich, season greetings to you and your family and all the fellows on the show today.
We want to appreciate having a Rudy who's on sides. What's up?
Okay, so really appreciate you over the weekend, Rich, coming on and assuring all our Eagles fans. To have hope and you're eight and four, what are you worrying about? Don't worry, you're in good. Position right now, you just got to win a couple games. Just relax.
So, I really appreciate you coming on this weekend and reassuring us. How did that work? How did that work, Rudy? Because, in the mentions, it didn't work, didn't work at all.
Well, we'll see what happens on Monday, right? Yeah, I had a lot of viewers place their jerseys on the table and walk out. Just for Rudy, Coach? Not me.
Okay. I'm not one of those.
Okay, good. Good. Good. Oh, that's your call? Is just saying they're thanking me for reassuring you.
Yeah, that's my call.
Okay, good. For reassuring me. Because you should, Rudy. Let me triple down on it now. Thank you.
You know, yesterday, and thank you for the call, when we did our giving Tuesday with Seth Rollins sitting here, again, Seth. Seth's sitting here in his Matt Suey throwback. That was a Gary Fencing. It's a Gary Fencing throwback. Nice.
Good one. Good one. When we did our Giving Tuesday segment, I went. I'm like, what would you give to an NFL team? He said he would give Cam Scatabu a new right leg.
Um And So I said I'd give the Bills a number one receiver for Josh Allen. Honestly, I thought about it going home. I'm like, I screwed it up. I would have given. The world's largest chill pill to the Philadelphia Eagles fans.
I should have done that. Yeah. Whatever chill pill there is. I would give to them. Again.
The Eagles schedule the rest of the way. Two games against Washington.
Now, I understand. They took Denver to the limit. They haven't given up. There's no U-Haul backed up. Yeah.
Or they may not be one because there's people like Bobby Wagner who's probably saying: if there's a U-Haul, I will drive it off the property. before you back it up. But there's a game against Vegas. And in this game against the Chargers. This is exactly what can happen here.
This could be what they need. to try and play in a manner That they have been playing in the past, even at some points of this season. A home game on the road. And I do not say this to disrespect our neighbors across the way with the Chargers. I was there when the Steelers were there on that Sunday night, and the Chargers killed them.
And to their credit. Because they had to go silent snap count in that stadium. It was. Across Shir West. And they were giddy.
Okay, they were giddy. And then when the Steelers started playing poorly, no one was booing.
So The home fans showing up on the road for them to turn it into a de facto home game on Monday night football. Where the Eagles, if they do run into adversity Which could happen against people like Khalil Mack. And Darwin James. You know? These are some real people, and Jim has got this team thinking they can win this division.
as well they should. But Justin Herbert's coming in with a surgically repaired left hand. Who knows? It could be Trey Lance at some point. Mm-hmm.
And when things do go a little bit sideways. For the Eagles. Even though that doesn't usually happen for them in this building, don't forget last year when they were here against the Rams. It was Saquon Palooza. And they feel comfortable in this building because there's Eagles fans everywhere who aren't prone to go nuts.
and require a chill pill the minute something goes awry as if Last year's Super Bowl parade didn't happen.
Now, I'm strolling the line of criticizing Eagles fans, which I know is very dicey. There's no silver lining in that playbook. But Let's just see what happens this week, and you win. We'll see what happens with the Cowboys against the Lions. And then you got the Raiders, and you start building some momentum.
Let's go. Find your inner excellence. Take a... Chill pill and read a book. Here I say.
All right, it's time for my power rankings. Oh, it's Week 14 Power Rankings presented by Sonos. My first December Power Rankings hit it. That is correct. It is my power rankings presented by Sonos, the first of its kind in December 2025.
The last of its kind in November of 2025. I debuted a team on this list from the state of Texas. At ten and Thanksgiving proved me right for putting the Cowboys on it. I know we're 6-5 now. I'm going Houston Texans here.
Oh, I'm putting the Texans on this list for the first time, maybe all year, if not forever, probably all year because they started 0-3. This defense is no joke. And you heard Kurt Warner say in hour number one: hey, C.J. Stroud played his best game of the year.
Okay, let's go. And they're going into Kansas City, and this would be approved them and everyone else right game. They've won four in a row. They are. Having momentum and that defense is scary.
And then number nine on the list. You've been asking me, where is this team for weeks? I'm putting the 49ers at 9. That's Tulo, but nice to see it, Mary.
Okay, Tulo, you tell me what you think. That's Ken Tulo.
Okay, you. You will tell me later on what you think. But the Niners are 9-4. They're on a buy. Purdy's back.
He's knocked some rust off. He's out there dugging in. He's dugging. He's dugging. I never thought I'd see that.
Brock Purdy hit the dug. Why wouldn't you? Because it's Brock Purdy, and he can do no wrong around these parts, as you know. McCaffrey is playing MVP caliber football again. The defense with Sala without some of their name players is balling out.
They're on a bye. They're 9-4. They're number 9 on my list. Number eight, down four spots. I'm putting the Eagles here.
No. I'm putting the Eagles here, even though I keep telling everybody chill pills. But over the last two weeks, I'm looking at the teams that I'm about to name, and I'm wondering: would they be able to beat them? They should, but the way that they're playing, I'm concerned. I'm not.
Putting him any lower than eight. I was even. Hitching my giddy up on putting him at eight, but I'm putting the Cowboys at seven. And the Cowboys just came back from 21 down on them. And they're up three spots.
They're sitting there at seven. and I'm putting back on the list the Packers right there. The Packers are at six at eight, three and one. And the reason why I'm putting them at six is because at five is the Bears.
So the Bears are now nine and three. They're in my top five for the first time all year. They're a half-game better than the Packers in the standings. They play each other this week. And I figured Yeah.
Seven, eight. No, okay.
So, you know what I mean? Like, they're right there. They're right there. I'm putting them right there in the middle of my top 10, and that's what this game is about. For the lead of the division, for the right to be top five in my power rankings, I don't know which stakes are bigger.
I know which they are, but I'm just not going to say it.
So they're five. I'm putting the Seahawks at four, one up here. Because they are just destroying everybody, man. If I told you that the Vikings would hold Jackson, Spithev and Jigba to a total number of yards that's almost equivalent to his uniform number. And they would also uh be able to keep Sam Darnold from lighting him up.
That would be enough, right? Uh But if you come in with some weak you know what On offense, they're going to chew you up and spit you out. And that's what they did to the Vikings. And they're four at 9-3. And I'm putting, here's my top three.
I'm putting the Broncos here at three. No change. Stays like before. Like the Ren. Like the Godfather to Ren.
I'm keeping them here. I I'm just at some point can we see Can we see coming out of the gates on offense clicking, please? Can we see it a little bit more easy on offense? It's just such a struggle sometimes. They're on a struggle bus a little bit too much.
And I'm nitpicking for a team that's won nine in a row. But I'm putting the Rams here at two, and your Patriots, Chris, are the first time at number one. I can't sit here and say anything but. The Rams going on the road and losing to Carolina, I'm not penalizing them anything but one spot. These things happen.
They happen in the rain. They happen. With pain, I'm going to full Dr. Seuss Raimani here. But the Rams are still, in my estimation, the best team in the NFC.
And Damn near close to the best team in football. If they take on the Patriots, the Patriots would have their hands completely full. But New England is playing in all three phases. They've got an MVP quarterback just like the Rams do. They have a defense that is, you know, bending.
but definitely not breaking. I think the Rams might have a more ferocious defense than New England's, but New England's just as stout as they come, and boy, are they lay in the wood as you saw on Monday night. And then special teams. They have got a special player in Marcus Jones. Yeah, man.
Game breaker. All right. He's doing things like that only Dion's done. I'm serious. Look it up.
So, New England's playing like it, and they have finally climbed to the top of my power rankings because they are not only top of my power rankings, they have the most. Wins in the NFL Off the list are the Ravens and the Colts. I told you I was concerned about the way the Colts are finishing. And the Ravens just, you know, I can't have a six and six team that just lost on a Thursday night at home. And a quarterback that hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in three games, still on my top ten, with a way with the Texans and the Niners are playing.
My POW rankings are brought to you by Sonos. Explore soundbars, speakers, and more at Sonos.com.
Sonos products look as good as they sound. I mean, would you put the Niners above the Eagles, Cowboys, Packers, Bears? Would you really? Seahawks? I'd have yeah, I'd have the Niners probably above the Cowboys.
I don't know about that. I mean you guys are playing really Really well. We are. And by the way, a Niners Cowboys playoff game. Oof.
Remember what I've said for years though, the Niners are that hurdle that we just cannot. Right. Oh, I thought you always liked pointing out the Niners have not won the Super Bowl longer since the Cowboys Linux. That's being petty. At this moment, I wasn't going to be petty.
Well, let's not be petty because we've got to keep up with this Walter Payton and Man of the Year theme. We already had Kurt. Here comes Andrew Whitworth next, talking about Cowboys Lions tomorrow night to kick off this week 14 and more. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. As many of you know, supporting pediatric cancer research is something I care deeply about.
That's why I'm proud to share what Hyundai is doing through Hyundai Hope on Wheels. For over 27 years, with every Hyundai sold, they've helped fund pediatric cancer research. Alongside over 850 dealers, they've raised more than $277 million, helping over 25,000 kids and supporting more than 1,400 research grants at 175 institutions nationwide. This year alone, they've committed another $27 million in honor of the 27th anniversary of the program. And they're proud to have national youth ambassadors like Jackson Trin and Emmy Cole who bring hope to kids across the country by sharing their stories.
because at Hyundai, hope is our greatest feature. And it comes standard. Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on Wheels to learn more. Welcome back to the Rich Eyes and Show on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. What a big-time football game to kick off week 14, chock full of them.
Dallas at Detroit. Full complement of rest coming off of each. of their Thanksgiving Day appearances. It's on Prime Video, and joining us now to talk about it is one of the Prime Videoers, but most importantly, a Walter Payton Man of the Year, and maybe even more importantly than that, The man who paid The entirety of Lane Kiffen's buyout so he could coach at his alma mater. Andrew Whitworth.
That's right. I'm in the checking shirt. It's pretty good. My kids aren't getting anything for Christmas, Rick. Is that what it is?
You paid it all. That's what I heard. Every last dime that Lane got to walk to come to coach your alma mater. I'm a mater came out of your pocket. Right, Andrew?
Is that what I'm telling you? No, hey, listen. You got to make sacrifices. Go, Tigers, baby. Let's go.
We'll get to that in a second. How big is this football game, brother? How monster big is week 14 on your network? Man. That's huge.
I mean, you look at these two teams and how they're coming into it. I mean, Dallas obviously, you know, on a hot streak here, seems like they're getting hot at the right time, and a lot of things are coming together for them and the belief they have in their head coach. And, you know, I think Brian Schottenheimer has done an amazing job. And I think that, you know, really, when you start to see that belief word, that confidence word in the NFL start to be something the team talks about and their whole aura is that they think they can do anything. And so they want to play anybody, anywhere.
And that's a scary thing because you're going to Detroit. This is a place Detroit plays great at. And listen, coming off of a loss, nobody's been better since 2022 than them. I think 14 straight games wins after losing.
So this is going to be awesome. This is a game Detroit normally bounces back and plays great after a loss. And Dallas is coming in hot. And a lot of things that set up in this game. Detroit's going to play man-to-man coverage.
Dallas has got some absolute aliens to throw the football to, and Dak Prescott loves throwing it.
So it's going to be fun.
Well, let's take it one at a time. Dallas looks like a good one. Looks like a different team. Right, over the last three weeks, where clearly they're playing with passion and they're also playing with grief. About their teammate in Marshawn Nealand.
They're also now playing with Quinnen. Williams, they're playing with DeMarvian Overshone, and as you pointed out, they're playing with George Pickens playing like he's. Terrell Owens reincarnate. You know what I mean? Like, you know, in the body of DK Metcalf, conjured up by Michael Irvin.
Like, this is what he's playing. Right now, it is. It's special to see them really bond and what they've been able to do over the last three weeks. Obviously, an unbelievable tragedy to have to go through losing a teammate. I've been there.
You know, we lost Chris Henry when I was a Cincinnati Bengal in the 2009 season. It was a horrible thing and really tough. But it's something that different than, you know, in the NFL, I think we talk a lot about a loss of a game or a player and those kind of things. And how does a team respond? I don't think that something like grief is something you respond to, it's something you bond through.
And I think it's something that you pull closer together and you realize, man, you start to appreciate every little moment and every little thing you have and every ounce of like every time I get to go walk in those white lines, man, I don't take it for granted. And every time I get to see a teammate or love up on a teammate or celebrate a touchdown, you don't take any of those little moments for granted. You almost cherish them even more because you realize life is fragile. And so to see a team bond through that and then start to pull. Closer together to add some more pieces, a guy like Quentin Williams come in and start playing the way he's playing for them.
I just think they're starting to not only build belief and confidence, but start to rally and pull together and build this strong bond of who am I playing for and why am I playing. And I think that's a tough thing to break. And so it's going to be a heck of a challenge for the Detroit Lions come Thursday. Yeah, because Dallas is playing better than Detroit over the last month. It's that simple.
And if you had to put your marker on one team that could make a run based on how they're playing, you'd. You'd still maybe put it on Detroit because of their record, which is currently right now slightly better than Dallas's. But what do you see when you see a Lions team? Playing like this coming in with potentially no Amon Ra on Thursday night as well. Andrew.
Yeah, that's going to be the challenges for them is it's it's almost more of a you know you're in a heavyweight bout and and you've got injured and how do you fight your way out of it? And that's really what they're dealing with because now you've you've lost a guy on Amon Ron who possibly is going to be out and you're going to say, hey, all right, that's our guy that he runs all our emotions. He's our guy on third down. He's our safety valve. He fills in in the run game and in support.
He does everything for us.
So now we got to have guys that either have to make electric plays.
So we got to either create a lot of explosives with Jamison Williams and Jamar Gibbs in the run game, or we're going to have to have some guys maybe play more down in and down out effective than they've had to be asked to do in the past because that's who he was with them. And then also having Sam Laporta have been out and not a part of this team. That's two guys that did a lot of those type things for you. They could do a bunch of different things to help you be successful on offense. And then on top of that, they've really struggled inside.
They've lost some guys in the interior line. Coming into the year, especially a huge one in Frank Ragnow, but then even throughout the season, had some injuries, the guys have been banged up, and it just hasn't been the group that it's been in years past. And so I think that's a big challenge for them: they aren't upfront what they've been in the past, and then now they're dealing with injuries as well. And that's really for them on offense going to be a big challenge: how do they overcome that? Andrew Whitworth here on the Rich Eisen Show prior to a, again, a massive week 14.
Kicked off with a Dallas at Detroit Thursday night football game on Prime Video. And your Prime Video. Got a month to go, brother. You got after this one, an Atlanta at Tampa game that. prior to Atlanta falling apart was a a a matchup between Two teams one would think to win the division.
Tampa's getting healthier. Mike Evans' practice window opened up this morning. He could even be back as soon as this weekend, if not that Thursday night game. They're getting healthier and then take on Carolina two of the following three weeks. While your week 16 game.
Rams at Seattle. Just a small one. Just a small one. Not a big game at all. Monster, monster big.
What do you make of the Rams' loss at Carolina, which is playing better? As I mentioned, that. Is the team that's going to be battling with Tampa for the NFC South over the final month of the season? What do you make of the Rams and Seattle, that division, and the conference all together? Andrew.
Yeah, yeah, I'm really excited for them for a lot of reasons. And I think that Seattle and LA, to me, I still think have been two of the most consistent teams in the league this year. I think when you look at Denver, you know, how great they've been on defense and Bo Nick's and the offense have kind of been up and down throughout the year. There's been some games where you get really frustrated while they're not doing more on offense. You look even in New England now, the amazing season Drake May's playing, how that defense has stepped up.
You know, those are the two of the teams that stick out my mind, the AFC. But when I go to the NFC, to me, it's Seattle and LA. And it's which team, the survival of the fittest, right? And that who stays healthier, who has the opportunity to get hot at the right moment. One of these two teams to me has got the opportunity to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
And I think that those two teams have to have that in mind and they got to be preparing themselves for this journey. And I think you look last week against Carolina for LA. I don't think I agree with Sean McVay. I don't think it was something they overlooked. I think that the reality is we see this in sports.
They played the Seattle Seahawks two weeks before that in a huge game. Come back the next week. Week where they got Sunday night football against the Bucks, an opportunity to come out and show again against another huge contender, who you are. Those are two massive games you get up for. You travel all the way across the country.
And I think it's one of those games where you forget: hey, you know what? The Carolina Panthers, do you know what they saw you as? The measuring stick of who they are as a football team and everything they could prove that they are. And they went out and played their best football game of the season. And I think that you have a couple turnovers and you lose a game.
And I think it kind of tells us the story of this NFL season. To me, I think this is the parody of the year of this season is higher than ever. And it's really truly to me the hottest teams have a chance to go win a Super Bowl when we get to the end of this season. We get to the playoffs. Who can get hot at the right time and who's healthy?
They got just as much a shot as anybody because I think everybody has their warts, and everybody's kind of shown us that there's a pretty even play-infield when everybody plays their best.
So, I think it's going to be a lot of fun to see the rest of this season unfold because I think there's some sleeper teams. You brought up one of the Bucks. If Mike Evans is back, do they all of a sudden start to ascend? The Cowboys are ascending right now. Who's going to stop them?
You know, there's some of these teams that are making runs, and I think it's going to be fun to see how this season kind of unfolds here at the end. Don't forget about the Texans and that defense because if they can start playing some offense, Lord, they're a team that defensively feels like they can stop anybody. Yeah, that said, there are many though who observe professionally, and I'm raising my hand. It's just tough to quit some of the teams that we're used to seeing. You know what I mean?
And in the last game of the prime video season, Christmas night. Is Denver at Kansas City. And remarkably, Andrew, the Broncos could have the division wrapped up at the expense of Kansas Cities. By then, we'll see what happens with the Chargers, who are in between the two teams right now. Where do you stand on the Chiefs?
Andrew, and their ability to s just Still get there. What do you think? Yeah, I think it's going to be a real challenge. And one of the main reasons is, we've said this throughout the year when they've not been able to have their tackles, is that when you don't have those tackles for Patrick Mahomes to give him the opportunity to extend plays, to beat him, they've still been really good on offense this year. You know, there's no doubt about that.
They're still going to put up points. You even look at the Dallas game. It's not like they were inefficient on offense. They were playing well in that game. It's just Dallas made more plays than them.
And that, unfortunately, for them, without their tackles, if Josh Emmons is out now, and you look at the games they've lost, it's when they've kind of had to fill those positions. You know, you look at what the Bills did to him with injuries at both tackles positions. And then in this game, it got the same way. I think that without their four Arsenal offensive line, we've seen this. It hurts him.
I mean, I think of even the only Super Bowl, like you think of the Super Bowl they lost to Tampa when they lost both guys before the Super Bowl. It's one of those things that we've seen. This is a huge factor for them. When he loses that ability to extend plays and maybe play. Within the pocket, within the time and rhythm, he wants to, it really affects their football team eventually.
And I think to me, that's going to be the biggest challenge. I will say this: I think it will be unbelievably impressive if they pull it off and get in the playoffs because they've had to overcome a lot this year, and to overcome that again, it would be one heck of a freaking hill to climb, that's for sure. And I think there's some other teams, Texans, some of these others, that seem to be getting hot at the right time. They're going to make it even more challenging. Yeah, and the Chiefs face the Texans on Sunday night.
And again, that pass rush. Again, you know, it is off the charts, right? And, you know, again, what they need to do, the Chiefs need to win this game, obviously, first things first. And then that would mean they have a tiebreak over the Colts and the Texans. And they have to hope the Jaguars, who they've lost to, wins the AFC South.
And that's the way the Chiefs can make the playoffs if they keep winning. Because I think the division's gone. I do believe. It's a wild card or bust for Kansas City for the first time in the Mahomes era to make the playoffs. And then, you know, I would be remiss if I did not bring up what you personally witnessed on Friday.
uh in Philadelphia I honestly, watching that Black Friday game on Prime Video, Andrew, I was looking on my Amazon app to see if they were giving like 20% off on spite. You know, and delivering it for free to the stadium. You know what I mean? Because it was insane. Literally every.
Yeah. uh run for no gain every attempt that was incomplete was just a hammering of booze. From the crowd. Where are the Eagles in your mind at eight and four? Andrew.
Yeah, it's been tough to get a hold of them because you keep feeling, I think, that every week we almost have put them in that category with the Chiefs and some of these other teams that are in the outer good. You just expect, hey, man, even when there's these lulls, like, all right, they're about to get going. They're going to have this huge run and they're going to turn things around. And it just hasn't seemed to happen. And they haven't been able to find any consistency offensively.
And then, even to me, now they feel like they're searching a little bit. Like you look at it, they kind of start all of a sudden playing some more empty. They start changing up a little bit formationally what they want to do. And you're starting to see some repeat calls of things they believe in. And then still can't get Saquon going.
I mean, I thought of all weeks to me, what really put them to me in the category of, man, I just don't know if it's going to happen was this week because I said, look, the Bears have been opportunistic on defense. They've gotten turnovers, but they haven't been statistically great against stopping the run or doing any of these things. And all of a sudden, it's like, I'm like, this is the game. Like, this is it. You just got beat by the Cowboys.
You've got to be livid. This has got to be response game. We're the defending champs. Like, we're about to go out and show the world who we are, remind people why we're special. And for them to get shut down in the run game again, to get nothing going in a game in an atmosphere with the weather, the wind, everything else, that like this is the game.
If you could do it, you'd do it. They're not able to do it. And on the other side, the Chicago Bears run the ball at will against them. I think to me, that's really the message was sent. And that is that we might have been waiting on the wrong team to take off.
Maybe it's the Chicago Bears that we need to put into that conversation of a team that's ready to make a run. Yeah. And then this weekend against the Green Bay Packers, a half game separates them. Uh well that one tie separates them. And so which is the best team in the NFC North, the team that you're seeing on Thursday night going to put their foot in the ground and flip a switch?
Or The winner of this game in Green Bay this weekend? Again, you just eyeballed the Bears, man. What do you think? The best team in the NFC North is Andrew Wigworth? Who?
Yeah, I think to me, right now, I'm going to sit here and say I think it's the Green Bay Packers. And I think it's just because I believe that they've got a little bit of everything you need to go contend and be the best team in the NFC and really compete with Seattle, compete with LA, because of what they can do on offense, the defense they can play, some of the playmakers they have. I think to me, they've played more consistent at the quarterback position as well than probably what Kayla Williams has done in Chicago. But I mean, this game this weekend is for it all. I mean, the Bears can prove who they are and show their metal.
And I think it's also cool. You look at the NFC North in the next three to four weeks, we're going to know exactly who they are. I mean, they got games, the Lions play the Rams, they play the Cowboys, the Bears and Packers play each other twice, the Packers also play the Broncos. Like, we're going to know exactly what's going on in this division and who's for real over the next three, four weeks. And it's a little bit of survival.
Like, how many of those games they get through healthy and showing who they are as contenders? I think it's going to be fun to say who, fun to see who kind of rises to the crop in this division. And right now, I think to me, it's probably going to be the Green Bay Packers. But hey, anytime you start off, Rich, your opening press conference, and you say, I can't wait to go beat the Packers twice a year. You know what?
And Matt LaFlore, this one's going to be fun because you know how it is. We're going to hear all week that it was nothing, it meant nothing. LaFleur is going to ignore that it existed. And behind closed doors, there is for sure some conversations of this is what was said, and this is what has to go happen on the football field.
So I'm excited to see maybe a little bit of some extra energy in this game come next week. I love it. Extra energy. And then, yeah. Brother, I have been taking a beating from this chair.
For months.
Okay, hold on a second. I've been taking a beating from this chair for months over me saying the Bengal season is not over. Because I believed in Jake Browning and then I believed in Joe Flacco, and then I'm like, hey, Burroughs coming back. And now I saw what I saw on Thanksgiving night.
Okay. And they're just two back. That's it. They're two back, but they're in Buffalo, Western New York, Burrow versus Allen, good old-fashioned. December football, man.
Is the Bengals season over? Andrew Whitworth, are you with me? What do you got? Never over if Joe Burrow's got a chance, baby. If Joe Burrow's around, there's never over.
I feel like all we are is back to last year, Rich. I mean, I'm back to last year watching them on this chase, all these things. I'm like, dude, did we just get back to 2024? What happened? Because it's just now we're going to sit here and play the game of if this team beats this team and this team beats this team and then they could win this game and then he's going to play out of his mind.
You know, I don't think, you know, I think Ryan Fitzpatrick is probably nervous this week because Josh Allen and his Buffalo Bills knows it. He knows what happens. Because here's what happened. Not only did Joe Burrow come back and play quarterback last week, apparently he also played middle linebacker for safety, rush end. Like all of a sudden, their defense is good.
Like, this doesn't make any sense. I don't know what's happening, Rich. But it's Joe Burrow apparently makes everyone better.
So listen, I think it's going to be fun and it's going to be a heck of a war in Buffalo. This could be, man, the story if Joe Burrow can go get. this dove. Of the rest of the season is going to be a lot of fun to watch. It is so much fun.
And it all starts on Thursday night on Prime Video with. Cowboys at Lions. What a week. Awesome stuff. Fitz and Witt is going to be a great pod to listen to, certainly off of Burrow v.
Allen coming up this weekend. I can't wait to see the rest of the season with you and the rest of the crew on Thursday night. And again, everybody, tell everyone where the GoFundMe is for you now that you're helping pay off Lane's house. Is that what it means to you? You're helping pay off Lane's house in Oxford so he could coach.
Yeah, he's actually sending he's sending me back to Ole Miss to help out with the rest of the season as well.
So that's what's happening. And you know why? Because it helps put some mailbox money there in Baton Rouge for them if they win it. What a great idea. That's right.
That's what I was talking about. I'm going to go work with the old Miss Olim and just, you know, maybe throw in a couple of good words about Baton Rouge and a couple of my favorite places to eat.
Someday when you and I are going to be spending another moment together having a libation, you'll have to explain to me SEC football.
Okay. Just explain to me how that world is completely different from the rest of planet Earth.
Okay? You'll have to do that for me one day. Very different. Hey, great to see you. Look forward to seeing you and the rest of the crew in Detroit tomorrow night to kick off a week of the season.
And what a great way to do it. Thanks for the time, brother. Appreciate it. Yeah, brother. Appreciate you, man.
Andrew Whitworth, one of our favorites right here on the Rich Eisen Show. All right. There he goes. And there we go. We got to take a break.
Back with more for hour two on the Rich Eisen Show on all our family of networks. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Get into the Hyundai Getaway sales event and get away with a deal so right it almost feels wrong. Almost. Because right now you can get a great deal on our most popular models, including our adventure-ready SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Santa Fe hybrid models.
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Joe Shane, you're up. Yeah. I shouldn't laugh. It's just another lost season for the Giants. He's still there as the general manager of the New York Giants because they believe in his roster-making ability and what he did with the.
Buffalo Bills. That's why they brought him and Dayball together. As we know, that package deal did not work out. Dayball is gone. Shane is there, and the owners have essentially said he's staying to choose the next head coach.
who currently is right now, interim wise, Mike Kafka. Who is doing his best to discipline Abdul Carter every other week these days, it seems. And um and keeping Jackson Dart healthy. Which is something Dayball um Wound up. in essence, eating it over.
Joe Shane had an interesting presser in the New York metropolitan area yesterday. Two wins is not where we want to be right now. It's not good enough. I understand the frustration from fans, ownership, you know, the people inside the building. And nobody's more frustrated than myself, and it starts with me, and I'm tasked with.
Trying to get this organization going back in the proper direction. You and Brian Dable came in and worked as a collaborative pairing.
So, why is he held accountable for the results after four years, but you are not? Yeah, I understand the question there, too, Pat. And again, I'm equally as you know, my hands are in it just like Brian's is. And ownership made a decision to move on. And again, I'm going to do what I control what I can control, and that's support Kafka moving forward.
And again, I wish Dave's nothing but the best, and we're going to do everything we can to get this franchise back to where it should be. What a tough question. The only thing I could equate it to is frequently when I upset Susie. Mm-hmm. And she'll look at me.
And say Why are you still here? Yeah. Yeah. That's essentially what that is. Hey.
Hill? You and Dave all were brought together. He's not here. Oh, what are you doing? Why are you still around here?
Why are we talking to you? Why am I talking to you? I thought we're done. I thought I made my point. Why are you still here?
Uh is a tough thing to ask somebody. What's he supposed to answer? Pat Leonard, I understand your question. The New York Daily News, I understand why you're asking me. We've been god-awful again.
And I got to be honest with you. I thought. They'd be better. I really, really, really did. I thought they could win a lot of games.
Seventeen to ten. Yeah. And you know what? They were ready to do it, and they just couldn't close. They could not close.
They could have four or five more wins this year if they just finished games. And we're healthy, too. But that's what happens in the National Football League. You blow leads in the fourth. You can't stop anybody in the fourth.
You can't run it. And you can't wait. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
