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Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. This is the Rich Eisen Show. We're gonna kick you in the teeth. They give it to Jameer.
He's gone, baby. We're gonna buy the kneecap off. And intercepted by the Lions, TJ Reed. Earlier on the show, NFL Network insider Tom Palisero. Coming up.
Super Bowl-winning head coach Bruce Arians. Academy Award-nominated actor Andy Garcia. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Isen Show is on the air. While FIFA's handing out awards, I think I need to have an award.
Maybe FIFA could give you the first ever FIFA Remarkable Restraint Award. Because I started the show talking about the Lions win and not the Cowboys' loss, which I think is generationally. Different. Trophy and a medal. Let me tell you, I would like both because I showed remarkable restraint in not talking about how the Dallas Cowboys are in massive trouble.
It's your damn act together. I appreciate that, Mr. Jones. No, you did the right thing because that's how sports shows should be. You should be the winner first.
And not the team that has a. Fan base that's everywhere. Having lost to go six, six, and one entering week fifteen, four games to go. And here's the issue. The three, five, and one start.
In the same way that the Raven started one and five, when you start like that, it's normally an anchor that weighs you down. In the back half of the season, because the margin for error gets that much slimmer.
Okay, the Texans starting 0-3, currently being 7-5. Is the difference between them being in the wild card or in first place or sniffing it like they are entering week 14? And they in order to keep surging. need to just go into Arrowhead and beat a desperate Chiefs team. On a Sunday night, they got to go into a nationally televised night game in Arrowhead, which I'll tell you what, since Mahomes has taken over, I don't need research to tell me.
Chiefs usually win those games.
So when you start 0 and 3, that's a problem. When you start 3, 5, and 1. And you've won three in a row, and you look like you're a top five team in the NFL. They almost cracked my top five of my power rankings this week, and for good reason. Because they were playing complimentary football.
They were playing defense like we hadn't seen over the first two months of the season because Quentin Williams is here, DeMarvian Overshone is here. They got Better rostering. They got guys back. They're getting guys back healthier on the back end of the defense. And when you lose a game like last night, and you're now 6-6-1, and you put up the NFC standings.
The Dallas Cowboys are in trouble. Because they're sitting there tenth, a half gang behind the Panthers. And there's the Lions at eight. The Lions are eight and five. That's not good enough to have a wild card position.
And Dallas just lost to him.
Now, again, that one tie will be. Removing the Dallas Cowboys from any negative tiebreak situation, because how are you going to tie anybody when you have a tie and only one other team does? And that's Green Bay. And the problem for them is Green Bay, even if Green Bay loses. To the Bears.
They're two behind Green Bay. with four to go.
So they need to win out and get a ton of oat. That lands. In reality. And Dallas's remaining games You take a look at them. are winnable.
Because they're Sunday night at home. in week 15 against Minnesota.
Okay, we're all assuming that's a win. the way that Minnesota's playing, and we'll see how J.J. McCarthy looks returning. And I hope he does, as you know, show up as the nine that he referred to himself as, unfortunately, a few weeks ago. Then they got the Chargers at home.
That's gonna be tough. Because Jim's going to need that, and the Chargers are going to need that. And we're going to need that. You're going to need it too. I know.
At Washington, at the Giants to finish things up. You give him three wins. Let's just say you win three of the four. That's not going to be good enough now. You gotta win all four of them.
And then you gotta hope for other results to land. I think winning the four is doable. Sure. But to say we're in trouble, I mean, you are. We were already in trouble, though.
I mean, we had a nice little street. You were climbing out of it. You were climbing out of it. And rightfully so, you were climbing out of it. The fact is, had we even won yesterday, we'd still be in trouble.
No, you'd be in a better position. You'd be in that realm of a third of a chance of making the playoffs as opposed to a tenth. I mean, that's where you are right now. They just got to handle business. Four games.
No, I know you can't scoreboard, watch, and cross fingers. And you gotta play games. You know, Dak after last night's game, in which he. Had a season-high passing yards, 376. CeeDee Lamb goes out with a concussion.
I mean, you saw his hands pop up. I mean, you saw his hands pop up, you knew something was up. Yeah, that was it. He already had his 26th career 100-yard passing game, and Flournoy did what he did as well. Stepped up.
Right. And we'll get to Pickens in a minute. I mean, Javante, well, listen, the offense is... Here's what they ran into a team that got hot because they. have the ability to get hot.
And in a spot in Detroit where when it gets rolling. And like I said off the top of the show, Jameer Gibbs is absurd. He's amazing. He's generational. And He torched him.
Yeah. He torched him and Goff did what he needed to do, and they just couldn't put enough pressure on Goff. And these things happen in the NFL in December. You're going to run into desperate opponents who are either just as good of you, maybe not better, and you need to play perfect football and you need to have a better. You know Significant weapon landing punches than a place kicker.
And I don't mean to just refer to Brandon Aubrey as a place kicker. He's a weapon. He's a weapon. He's a weapon. First ever game in the history of the NFL in which a kicker.
had three field goals of 55 yards or longer. And the way he just swings his leg, it looks like, you know what? When Aubrey kicks a field goal, you know what it reminds me of? I swear, and I know I might be. Crazy and saying it.
Can I guess?
Someone. No, you wouldn't be able to guess it because it's golf. I was about to say, I was about to say someone a nice golf suit. He looks like Fred Coppels on the 9iron. I'd say Ernie, Vijay, Freddie, smooth swings.
You know what I mean? Yeah. Tempo town. It's unbelievable. Yeah.
I part I didn't mean to Well, I mean, you know my job. I know you're not a golf guy, right? But that's what he looks like. Freddy Petty. You hit Freddy, just hit nine irons, just flipping wedges.
It looks like he's flipping a wedge every time he swings his leg. And then he said he doesn't even know how far he can kick the ball. It's crazy because he's never really tried.
Well, he's going to have to at some point, because I think the Cowboys at some point are just. going to say, screw it. We every every torpedo must be damned. And again, you got to sometimes play better than the ref's ref. I thought they did get a break on on a on a um Safety being taken off the board.
Yeah, it looked like you were. Certainly when Terry McCauley was very. Adamant about it being the wrong call. I do believe that reeked of New York getting into the ear of the Prime Video truck saying, You have the shot we used. Let's come back from break with it, please.
And they did, and it did show you that the ball was out of the end zone. Yeah, it was so close. Offensive pass interference call on Ferguson at the end was absurd. That was absurd. But look, I'll take the high ground and go: a lot of Detroit fans are saying that our left tackle was offsides.
And.
So, on that same play.
So, you know, I don't know. It's like you always say, you got to play better than the rest. I mean, the. Uh Yeah. I know it's not funny because they've lost, but that reaction by Schottenheimer.
After the offensive pass interference call got called against him, he was laugh out loud funny because he took his headset off and every single Sharpie that he has, different colors that were jammed in the brim of his cap came flying out. Looked like he had one of these pen. Did make me laugh. It's just like, okay. You know.
But anyway, Dak, no laughing matter afterwards. I think guys are pissed off right now. I don't think this is any deflated moment, like, oh, hands are up, we're done. You know what I mean? Like, no, no, like.
Absolutely not. Think you're going to get a team that's Pissed, especially as we talked about, right? A team that's kind of changed since the bye week. This is the first time. this group to an extent suffered this.
I hope it pisses people off the right way. We use it as fuel, and I know starting with myself, we'll make sure we have a great week of prep for next week. Listen, um I don't think coaching is an issue. I don't think the want to is an issue. Although, I mean, the commentary after the game that Richard Sherman had in the direction of George Pickens was like.
He was on cruise control. And again, when a ball, he might have lost it in the lights. There was a ball just before the two-minute warning that if Pickens had caught that and ran it into the end zone. That's exactly the setup that they Dallas could have used down two scores. Is boom, come out of that two-minute timeout.
Two timeouts left. Maybe you get it with like a minute to go. All you need is like one first down, and Aubrey will kick it from 70. and tie the game and send it. You know, send it to where it needs to go.
Actually, they needed two touchdowns.
So, long story short, is when the ball hit the ground, it was just like, what was that? And Steelers fans were like pointing at the screen, like Rick Donchiff, like there was. That's it. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. Like that.
That's it right there. All the Steeler front offers, like, that's it right there. That's it right there. You know? It's amazing how the children are.
No, no, it's amazing how quickly things change and how he's one of the best receivers in the league, if not the second best, behind Jackson Smith and Jigba, and he's doing all sorts of things. Like two weeks ago, we were joking that he's turned CeeDee Lamet to Alvin Harper earlier this week with him leaping over McDuffie. We were saying he's George's scraping his pickings on people. And now it's just like, yeah, was he trying hard enough? It's crazy.
The difference between winning and losing in this league is significant. And here's what has to happen. Dallas has got to win out and get some results. I don't know off the top of my head what the results are right now, but they're going to be a lot of them, a lot. And it's got to start on a Sunday night on NBC, and then they got to go take care of business at home in their final home game against the Chargers, and then show up on Christmas on Netflix with Bugs Bunny or whoever else is going to be there at this point in time.
And we'll see what happens in the final game. Against the Giants, which they should clean up right there. Eagles need to collapse and need one of the NFC West teams to fall apart, too. And by the way, last, just let me just stick the landing on this one. Eagles fans, remember I told you to take a chill pill.
Yeah. Okay.
Now I'm seeing their magic number is three. That's it. Wins and losses. Combine wins and losses between them. The division is fine.
It's going to be fine. Everybody relax because Dallas has now got to win out, and you've got to totally fall apart now.
Okay? Just win. And you got, and then the commanders have a chance to play spoiler here with Jaden Daniels coming back. Because they take on the Eagles twice and the Cowboys once.
Well, you're a Commander fan now, TJ.
So Yeah. All right. 844-204 rich is in the number of dollars. It's a Friday, so let's do what's more likely before Bruce Arians joins. Let's hit it.
What? What's more likely? Never say never, but never. All right. What's up, guys?
Happy Friday. What's up, Chris? Great to see you. What up, though? Let's get right to it, Rich.
More likely team from your preseason Super Bowl picks to make the playoffs, Lions or Chiefs. Phew. Oh my god. You're making me do this now before I see what the Chiefs look this weekend. Absolutely, yeah, absolutely.
Well, I chose the Chiefs to still make the AFC championship and the Super Bowl through it. on Thanksgiving and I got off the line so I'll just try to be consistent here and say that. Lions' next game is out here against the Los Angeles Rams, everybody. That's a good one. And the Chiefs, like I said, their toughest opponents are all at home, and they've only lost once at home.
And they've got two very winnable games at Vegas, at Tennessee. I'll go Chiefs. Three winnable games at home. Wow. Two winnable games.
A team with two less wins than the other one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Right, right. I just said it.
You're wearing a blue sweater today, bro. I know. What does that have to do with anything? It's a lion's color scheme.
Okay.
Okay, great. I'm a blue. I think blue is my best color. It's the color scheme of this program. Agree.
I'm also wearing blue. You know, red is an Ohio State color. Why would I do what I get out of here? Guys, these two guys have been absolute beasts this season, especially of late as well. Is it more likely Devontae Adams catches a touchdown inside the five-yard line?
Yes. What else? Or Devin Antchan has a third-straight 120-plus rushing-yard day. You want to rethink that, Rick. Mm.
I'm going to say both happen, but if what's more likely, it's Devontae Adams again. Coop, just as you know, traded for Puka Nakua in his league, and he's just like, dad. He's like, Puka's got four touchdowns, like more, more catches and more receiving yards than Devontae, but Devontae has three times or four times as many touchdowns. I'm like, yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. Adam's limited, but I think he won't be limited against Arizona. Get out of here, man. Both will happen, but if I have to choose one, I'm talking to Adams. It's crazy how often, just at the one-yard line, touchdown pass to that.
It's their touch push. It's great. I love it. Here we go. Here's a fun one for you, Rich Eisen.
You like these two guys? more likely to be coaching their current team in 2026. Mike Toddman or John Harbaugh. John Arbo. What else do you want me to say?
We could fill in the blank with all the Tomlin criticisms with Harbaugh. Where's the hardball on the hot seat? Where's that coming from? I think locally.
Alright. Guess what? No way. Interesting. I do have a sense that I don't know.
It really all depends on what Mike Tomlin's thinking. I don't know what he's thinking. I don't think anyone does. No. You know what I think he's thinking?
How am I beating the Ravens this week? That's what he's thinking. That's all that he's thinking. But at the end of the day, Tom Policero said in hour one, It will be, he's got to go to the Steelers to say, I'm thinking this is it. And so.
Yeah, he's still under contract, obviously. Correct.
So, but. I'll go Harbaugh if I have to choose one. What else you got, Chris? More likely to be the higher total. J.J.
McCarthy passing yards. Oh, boy. Or Bajon Robinson total yards. I'll go Bajon Robinson total yards. I I I I I just want, I got to see it from JJ.
I want to see it from him, as you know. The caping I have done. is uh it's not working. I know. We loved him too.
Great kid. I mean, don't use the past tense yet. It's just six NFL starts. That's all. Just six NFL starts.
I get it. That is all. And the offensive line is just not. That Good. And they're not healthy.
Admin, they have but one game where all five of them were there, and then after that game, three of them go out. Yeah, and that, you know. What did Justin Jefferson say? It's been a brutal season. Yeah, it's been a brutal season.
And I give him credit for he's as professional as they come. Yeah, he's been taking the high road. He is 100% doing exactly what you're hoping he would do if you're the Vikings organization. Because if anyone had a reason to crash out, it would be my cousin at the receiver position. He is my cousin.
I understand. Figured that out. TJ, this was your higher register yesterday. More likely to win the AFC South, Colts or Jags. Oh, I'll go Jaguars.
As you know, I'm I'm I'm I had the Colts as my number one team of me being most concerned about finishing slow. And not fast enough, Jaggie Wall. And the Jaguars have momentum and the home. Field Advantage this weekend. And as you know, Ask a Colts fan how well they've done in Jacksonville.
That was the moment. When apparently may he rest in peace. Jim Ursay looked down at the field in a week 18 and said, I don't want to see Carson Wentz here anymore. He ain't going to be here. He's not.
He's full Magic Johnson. He ain't going to be here next year. That was the least kept Secret at the combine. Weeks later. is that Wentz is not the starting quarterback of the Colts any longer.
So I'll go Jaguars, sir. Could be a points palooza in Buffalo on Sunday. More likely to be the bigger number. Total points scored in Bills Bengals or. Longest fuel goal of the week.
Brandon Aubrey had a 63 yard. Oh, that's. Tell. Last quarter. We had 74 points last night.
A lot of points last night in Detroit. I'll go. Oh, my goodness. I'll go. I'll go.
Total points in this game. Let's go. I know. You know how I know. Row and Alan.
Come on, man. You know how I feel. You know I'm showing. T. Higgins is also back too.
Yep. Burrow, Higgins, and Chase, and Chase Brown. Oh, my God. Let's go. I just have to be right at the end of the day.
That the season for the Bengals is not over. And I just want that bit to last deep into December. Sure, of course. Um So and and that bit is not results dependent outside of what is happening in western New York. Ravens win, Steelers win.
Gold jacket, green jacket. Right, sure. You know what I mean? Two more quick. More likely to be the bigger number.
Bears rushing yards. Can they do it again? Or Jordan Love passing yards? I'll go Jordan Love Passing Yards. This is going to be an awesome game.
I'll go Jordan Love Passing Yards. I think Jordan Love has found something. 80 last week in the Rares? On the ground? Yeah.
Yeah. I'm going to take Jordan Love passing yards in this one. It's going to be fun. I know. It will be fun.
All right, last one: a little college football playoff. Is it more likely Indiana is the overall one seed or Alabama misses the playoff entirely? I'll go, Indiana is the number one overall seed. And that's not Ohio State hate. I just don't think Alabama's missing the playoffs entirely.
What would have to happen for that to happen? They'd probably have to get blown out. Then Notre Dame and Miami move up. Maybe Texas sneaks in. You know, Michigan has beaten Alabama more times since 2007 than Georgia, right?
Where then? Georgia does not play them well in the SEC championship. Just saying, just pointing. Michigan beat Alabama on the first and last day of the 2024 calendar. Yeah.
Maybe about me, but I will say I don't think Alabama is going to miss the playoffs entirely, nor do I think Indiana is going to be the one seed overall because that means they have to beat Ohio State, which is a tall order. Sure. And even though I think it's not in anyone's interest for that game to be played. I will of course be tuned in to seeing it. Uh In Indianapolis.
844. Good stuff, by the way. That's what's more likely right here. Let's take a break because Bruce Arians is waiting. He's waiting to talk about the new documentary on the Bucks on Prime Video.
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So don't settle for just any insurance when there's state farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. For our radio audience, we just saw a clip of Raise the Flags, a new 10-part Prime original docuseries debuting next Thursday on Prime Video, on the same day that we'll see the Bucks and the Falcons take on each other to kick off week 15, covering 50 seasons.
Of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football, and the man who helped bring their most recent ring. To Central Florida. Ladies and gentlemen, the head coach of that championship team for the Tampa Buccaneers, Bruce Arrians, back on the Rich User. What's up, coach? How are you doing?
Doing great, Rich, but it's great to be back on, baby. It's great to see you here, too, man. Like I said, when we were talking off-air a little bit, I see you on with Pat, and it looks like you're having a blast, man. Looks like you're having a total blast. It really is.
It's such a great crew and such a great time. Yeah, he's like I said to you again off the air, he's such a stick in the mud, man. You two can't get along. You two can't get along. But it's great to see you here back on this show as well.
The clip we just showed, again, for our radio audience, was basically you sitting down with Tom Brady for the first time. Um, after when, when you acquired him, or you were in the midst of trying to get him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Walk me through that it was about the recruiting process, and uh, you know, Jason Light had a history with and John Spytek both with Tom. Uh, so for us, it was just a matter of um. Him feeling us out and us feeling him out.
And I think we recruited each other as hard as the other one was.
So it was like he knew everything there was to know about us. For me, it was such an easy thing.
Well, I mean, uh obviously we we know who he was and he knew who you were. What what made it work between the two of you? Do you think?
Well, I think Tap had everything he was looking for. He wanted to stay on the East Coast close to Jack and his son. And, you know, obviously he was building a house in Florida at the time. And so everything worked up. You know, plus we had Mike Evans or Chris Godwin.
And, you know, we were fortunate enough to trade for Gronk and got all the pieces. He knew everything about our football team and how close we were.
Well, I mean, listen, though, bottom line, obviously that helps, but he had to trust you. And you, you know, obviously knowing the situation he had come from, a hard coach. Hard coaching. I mean, you know Bill as much as anybody else.
So, what do you think about you and him that worked out? Do you think?
Yeah, it was so different for him to hear it from a head coach's offensive mind versus a head coach defensive mind, you know, and one that's a little more no-risk it, no-biscuit than Bill was.
So, yeah, that part took a little time and I'm growing issue, but he was looking forward to it. And, you know, it's the philosophy of, hey, there's a minute left and there's two timeouts. We're going to just run it out right at halftime. Hell no, brother, we're going for points, man. That's what we do.
And it took a little time, but you know, that was the year we had no OTAs and. No preseason games, and it was crazy. Yeah, I know that was the COVID era. How walk me through, though, where you had to give a little bit to Tom. That you had to sit down maybe for a split second and go, do I really want to do this?
And heck yeah, it's Tom Brady. Was there a moment like that for you, Bruce? No, no, you know. Once we made the decision that he could still do it at a very, very, very high level, and we weren't really unsold on Jameis Winston. We figured we could correct some of the mistakes he was making.
He did throw for 5,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. And Byron Leffwich just did an unbelievable job that year with Jameis. And for Tom, it was. Hey, I know your offense. I've been in it.
You're very, very smart. It's a difficult one to learn for 21 other guys. How about you just learn ours? Oh, yeah, coach, that's not a problem. You know, it's just terminology and how he read things out, how he wanted routes run.
And, you know, you meet in the middle with all that kind of stuff.
Well, and you got a good story of during a timeout where you and Tom got together. Hash something out. And then it turned into something big and successful. For your Super Bowl. Team, Bruce, you gotta get one.
Yeah, half right, I think it was about maybe a minute and 15, maybe a minute and 20, right before half, and we had the lead in the Super Bowl. And Tom comes over, got 80 yards to go. And hey, we're just gonna take it real easy, right? Because I said, heck no, man. We're going to be very smart with the ball.
But if you get a shot to Mike, take it. And of course, he takes a mic shot and gets a PI, gets another PI, and we get a touchdown. And, you know, it's like that one and the one up in Green Bay with. With about six seconds left, I got pissed off. Called timeout.
We ain't punting. And Byron left what's called a jewel. And Tom Note said, This is going to work, man. They're going to squat on it. And he throws that touchdown to Scotty Miller up in Green Bay right before the half.
So I think the half of both of those games determined those games. Wow, that was a holy ass moment for me, Bruce, to be honest with you. That Scotty Miller play. For me, where I'm sitting there going, this Cause the entire season, I'm sitting there saying. I can't believe that Tom's going to be in a new spot for the first time.
And this had nothing to do with you, the team, everything. I just couldn't imagine. That Brady would finally go to a new spot and it would work out to the ultimate in his first shot at it. And I was always sitting there going, there's got to be some moment where this turns back into a pumpkin, you know? And then he had that moment with Scotty Miller against the Packers, and I'm like, Holy ass, like this is.
Actually, going to happen that they're going to make the Super Bowl here, and then all bets would be off, certainly playing in. in Raymond James, despite of the taking on the Chiefs. Bruce, I'm wondering if that happened for you too at that point. Yeah, you know, you know, leading that whole week leading up to the game, Rich in Green Bay, they're hanging all the Super Bowl banners and stuff in the stadium. And say, hey, boys, you better not be looking at that stuff because we'll get our ass kicked up in Green Bay if you're looking over there worrying about the Super Bowl.
Hey, well, we got the championship game to win first.
So don't be looking over there and getting ahead of yourself. And, you know, this team was so grounded. We had such great leadership on it. And, you know, the offense, defense, special teams, the whole crew. And that game in Green Bay, I think just something about winning at Lambeau is so, so unique and so cool.
Yeah, I didn't even think of that.
So because the preps for the Super Bowl, they have to change the stadium around. And certainly, if you're not hosting the NFC Championship Games, so they can get in nice and early.
So, you're and your facilities are right there. It's not like, again, the Rams in SoFi, you know, Southern California, they might as well be in Vermont, you know what I mean, compared to where they play the games.
So you had to have your guys would be walking around seeing the preps for the Super Bowl. Before taking on Green Bay, that actually happened. Yeah, we and you know, all our meetings were outside. We ate outside. You know, we had this, we did have a huge advantage being in Florida that the ownership built us.
All the facilities we needed outside. And so, but yeah, we're standing there just looking straight over there at all. I see Super Bowl banners, Super Bowl banners, and they're hanging stuff, and trucks are going down the street, like, but food, let's go get ahead of ourselves here, boy. Yeah, like, don't pay attention to that that you can make and play in your own stadium. And I just remember right, exactly.
And I remember on game day morning when we did the pre-game show in that stadium. There were the cardboard cutouts that they were putting in chairs and seats. And it was really wild, to be honest. But anyway, long story short is Michael Irvin sat on the set and said, there is no way the Bucs are losing this game. And I'm like, all right, why?
And he's like, there's no way. He goes, if I was on this team, I would say there is no way we're going to let anybody come on our field and have the ultimate victory against us. I will never set foot on this field without thinking about that, and I will refuse to allow that to happen. I'm wondering if that was also a sensibility your team had. For that, Bruce.
You know, I'm not a big, big speech giver. And, you know, we rallied them up before the game, and I said what I wanted to say. Then Tom gave a hell of a speech. And it was short, but right to the point about becoming legendary. And, you know, our guys, you could tell they were ready.
I mean, we got embarrassed by Kansas City earlier in the year, so it was a little bit of a payback, too. And Todd Bowles' defensive game plan was outstanding. Byron Lefwich's game plan on offense to run the ball as well as we did was outstanding. Obviously, we're diving into the Bruce Arians portion of the Buccaneers history. Raise the flags, a new 10-part Prime original docuseries debuting next week when the Bucks and the Falcons have added on-prime video.
Also includes the birth of the team, the Bo Jackson drafting that went down in Tampa, the hiring of Dungy, Gruden, so much more. Raise the flags, Bruce Arians here on the show. I would. Be remiss if I didn't ask you about the current game that I know you're completely up on because you and Pat chop it up all the time. Um The best team in the NFL right now.
It's so difficult to try and identify one because it just seems to be so wide open right now. Bruce, who do you think that is? Yeah, you know, I keep going back and forth. I thought the Rams were, and then, you know, they go to Carolina, and Dave Canalis and Harold Goodwood, and Joey Gilbert, they've done a hell of a job in Carolina. I don't know if there is a best team in the NFL.
Right now I know this. You don't want to play Seattle at home. You don't want to play Detroit at home. You don't want to play really any of the really good teams at home. uh especially denver people have that speed pass rush You're going like last night was its prime example.
Dallas has been playing great, but those tackles had no chance, especially against Aiden Hutchinson alone with that crowd noise. People don't realize. how much crowd noise affects the offensive line.
So, if you had to put your marker on one, would be who? Come on. You know how these shows work, Bruce? You got to get. You know, I don't have a topic bar at the bottom that you have to answer a specific question, but you put your marker on one right now with a month to go.
Who do you? I'm a little bit of a homer. I'm a little bit of a homer. I think the Bucs with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jamil McMillan, and then even Clyde Jacansy, all may be coming back in the next two weeks. I think the Bucks could be getting healthy at the right time.
Uh, get a couple wins under their belt, and uh, then we'll have those two games with the Panthers and see who goes. But uh, again, home field advantage in the playoffs is huge. And then, what about the AFC? Who do you think is the team out there? Right.
I think I just better, I'm going to say it again. Just watch out for the Bengals, man. I just think Joey B coming back, they're going to get on a run and win the north, and they can go on the road. They can go on a run and score points against anybody. Because he's, Burrow, I mean, how does that work where a defense can't stop a cold?
And obviously, they were beginning to get a little bit better before Burrow comes back. He comes back. They come up with their best defensive performance of the season. I know there's another team that's involved, and the Ravens have been struggling on offense, which is another reason why a lot of people would agree with your sensibility about the Bengals. But how does that happen?
You know, it's crazy. One guy can change it. You know, what Patrick Mahomes has done in Kansas City, he's raised the level of play for everybody. And I think Joe Burrow does the same thing. And when he's in that locker room, there's an air of confidence without Defense, offense, special teams.
And Joe Flacco, man, he did an unbelievable job in his absence getting that ball to Chase and Higgins. And all of a sudden, they got a running game.
So I just I think the Bengals are a team that could get on a roll. They got If they can get past the bills, they got maybe the easiest schedule going out. Brother, if the Bengals and Bucs play each other in Super Bowl 60, I'm coming to you for power ball numbers, okay? There you go, brother.
Okay, just if there's billions on the line, I'm coming to you and say, tell me some numbers. Hit me with that powerball. If it's Bucks and Bengals in Santa Clara come February, I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about what's going on in Pittsburgh, a former haunt of yours. You know, and I know that you have a history there. But what do you think about what is happening there?
Rogers, age 42. Tomlin is hearing chants of his name no longer, you know, the fans asking him to be fired. What do you think, Bruce, about that? Yeah, that's a sad state. I mean, I'm watching.
the history of the Steelers and and know the history very well, been a part of it for eight years and For the Packers to come in and Aaron Rodgers to have to use a sideline count in Hinesfield. That was the first sign to me that something was seriously wrong. And um And to lose the way they're losing at Heinzfield, and for the fans to be Booing Renegade. Um Yeah, there's something missing. I don't know what it is, having not been in their locker room, and I hate to say anything about that.
But when I hear Ben talk, when I hear James talk, and some of the guys and former players, Um Everybody's frustrated, you know, because it's not. It's not the level of play that Steelers are expecting to watch and see, and especially the Steeler fans. I personally think it'd probably be good for for for Mike to to s move on to another place and uh You know, I know that's hard to say, but sometimes the message gets a little stale. And, you know, We just gotta see what happens. They get still winning division.
Well, and again, you know how tough it is to go to a new spot sometimes, or you also know how easy it is to go to a new spot and get a new start. Right. I mean, and so yeah, hey, when I was in Pittsburgh, I had Bruce FireBruceAryans.com on the on the on the table every night.
So you're well aware of the feeling. You're well aware of that. And again, you know, I have said, you know, That it does look like something is up as well. And you gotta just look, Andy on the eastern part of the state was so synonymous with a franchise. And now, look in a new spot.
We saw what happened with you when you wound up with the Colts and then in Arizona and clearly with Tampa. As well, but what does it take for a coach to sometimes realize it? You had it. Foist it on you, but what does it take for a coach in a spot to just realize maybe this is it? Bruce?
Yes, I don't know if we ever realized that. There's too much ego involved. And AI can fix this. We know we know we've done it for a long, long time. It's been a long time since the long time since they've been in a playoff hunt, seriously.
Uh but uh I don't know. It's a tough, tough call because the Steelers' history is we don't fire coaches, that's for sure. Bruce, it's great to see you, man. Family's good. Everybody's good.
You got the whole thing. Everybody's doing great, man. Yeah, Jake's going to have to have the hip replaced here in the next week or so, but it's from his kicking leg. But everybody's doing great. Yeah.
Everybody's great. That's great to see. And I love all those trophies behind you and all the stuff that's going on with you. I always love looking up and seeing you, like I said, chopping it up on McAfee and just being happy and doing what you want to do. It's all well deserved, man.
All well deserved. Appreciate it, brother. You know it. You're right back at you. Bruce Arians here.
Everybody, check out Ray's. The Flags, a new 10-part Prime original docuseries debuting next week when the Bucs. who Bruce says, look out for. Are taking on the Falcons on Prime Video Kickoff Week 15. Bruce Arians, right here on the Rich Hison Show.
We take a break. There's breaking news out of the college football world in your phone calls: 844-204-RICH, number to Dowell. And then the top of the next hour, we're going to start hour number three with Andy Garcia. In studio. REI Co-op presents a perfect outdoor moment with the perfect gift.
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Kenye in DC has been hanging on since Jump. What's up, Kenya? What's going on, sir? Hey Rich, how you doing man? Hanging in there.
What's going on? Ain't nothing but brother. Um, well, first off, I wanna talk to uh TJ about them cowboys. You know, I'm an Eagles man. What happened to y'all last night?
Uh oh. I mean, Rich. Listen. That was real quiet. Do you still feel that we need to relax?
Because I heard you say earlier in the broadcast that we need to relax. And our destiny is in our own hands.
So, do you still feel that way? Because I'm a little shaky, man. Our offense ain't looking too good. Correct.
The defense is kind of crumbling. That's right. Yeah. So tell me what you think, man. Let me ask you this question, Kenya.
So Eagles make the playoffs.
Someone's got to come into your house and knock you out. as opposed to, you know, uh previous seasons when it looked bad. You know what I mean? Like, someone's going to have to come into Philadelphia. And could it be the Niners again?
That it comes to Philadelphia, whoever finishes second in the NFC North. You know, it'll be a stout opponent, that is for sure. But you also could only need two wins to make the Super Bowl. You could be the one seed at the end of the day. You're right.
No, like Jalen Carter, I'm concerned that he's got surgery, but he wants to be 100% for the playoffs. Fine. Fine. And the Cowboys just lost. You're not going to just stroll in as a wild card like the last time he got one and done after being 10-1.
It's going to be. Take the chill pill. And trust me, take a chill pill and call me next week. Let's see how it works.
Okay? I'll call you after the Monday night game. We'll talk about it. We'll chat again next Tuesday. I'll be in New York.
You'll still be in D.C. And TJ.
So, Kenya, he had more of a statement, not a question, right? That's right. He didn't ask me anything. No, he's just like, I'm an Eagles fan. You're a Cowboy fan.
You're now. Five to two. Yeah, you're now two back. Five to two. You're too back.
Hey, Penn State was supposed to have totally screwed up this coaching search. That's what it looked like. That's what I've heard. But Matt Campbell from Iowa State. is a nice kick save and a beauty if that's what it is.
For years, this guy has been The apple of other programs' eye and trying to poach him from Iowa State. Speaking of Brock Purdy. I don't know much about him, so make me feel good about this. Everybody's been wanting him for years, and he's done. Remarkable work at a spot without supposedly the facilities and the NIL and everything.
And now he's going to be sent to Penn State to do this, according to Pete Fowl at ESPN. It's. And for him to basically say, all right, you kick the tires on 19 other people, and then you come to me, I'll take you off the griddle. I kind of saved some bacon. They're in central Pennsylvania.
I think that's a terrific hire. And the Big Ten just got better. And, um That is something that I think Makes Penn State fans feel a lot, like breathing a sigh of relief with all due respect.
Sorry, with all due respect to Terry Smith. You know, went three and three as the interim there. Yeah, Iowa State fans are pretty bummed. That should tell you all you need to know. Yeah, they're bummed.
Hell of a coach. They thought he was going to stay there and kind of be, I guess. You know, their Ference, who's going to just stay there forever and, and, and, Give you terrific football. And some hope? Make a college football playoff, see if he can do some damage one year.
But now he's going to Penn State, it looks like, and that is a nice hire by Penn State. Certainly, when everybody thought that they were going to be left at the altar. As I mentioned, like 19 different coaches said we are. Not interested. And then this guy raises his hand and says, I'll take the gig.
Andy Garcia is coming up. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
