Russell Wilson Benched (Hour 1)

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Offer valid for a limited time, $10 minimum per order, additional term supply. Live from the play show yet not overly ostentatious studios of CBS Sports Radio here in beautiful New York City, sitting on top of the 10th floor 345 Hudson Street, welcome on in to a Wednesday edition of the Zach Gelb show across all the great local CBS Sports Radio affiliates, Sirius XM, channel 158, the free Odyssey app, and of course streaming on YouTube. 855212, four CBS number to jump on in, 855212, 4227, you can always get at me on Instagram where I'm straight flexing or via the good old cesspool of Twitter at Zach Gelb, that's Z-A-C-H-G-E-L-B.

Got Carlos with a K, Carlos Ortiz, and also Moist Mike standing by, we're rocking and rolling all the way up until 6 p.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. Pacific. Damon Heward, former Washington Huskies quarterback is going to stop by 20 minutes from now, he will preview Washington and Texas, one of the semifinal games coming up on Monday, and we will have Jared Gordon, UFC fighter, has an incredible story today, he's eight years sober, he's going to stop by at the top of the hour and then the final hour of the show, former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokely will join us, and let's start with the Denver Broncos today. You know, we were just having this conversation yesterday about the future of Russell Wilson and Sean Payton together in Denver, and I laid it out this way, they are a couple that just got married, they should be in the honeymoon phase, but instead of being in the honeymoon phase early on in their marriage, they are in couples therapy. And when you are in the first year of a marriage, and not even a full year, and you're already having problems and in couples therapy, we all knew there was going to be a divorce, we all knew there was going to be an expiration date, but as I said yesterday, and this is where I was wrong, I thought it would come at the end of next season, not this season, let alone not today. But today is the beginning of the end of what has been a short but disastrous tenure for Russell Wilson with the Denver Broncos, and don't get me wrong, he was brutal, he was putrid, he was lethargic last year, this year he improved, where I wouldn't say he's elite, I wouldn't say he's great, but he was a solid NFL quarterback this year. And if it's based off play, when a team is 7-8, with a roster that quite frankly I don't love, I don't think the benching from a talent standpoint and a production standpoint is deserved. But we always know it's not about just what you do on the field, off the field matters, contract matters, and when you knew that Sean Payton wasn't the biggest fan of Russell Wilson, when James Palmer even told us from the NFL Network and he's based in Denver last week, that I wouldn't say they love each other, but they have learned how to somewhat tolerate each other, we all knew where this was heading, and it was an eventual split. And when you read that his salary is already fully guaranteed for next year in 2024, but if he's still on the roster come March, his salary gets fully guaranteed for 2025, well this benching I believe has more to do with finances than it does have to do with Russell Wilson no longer being able to play the quarterback position. Because let's say he gets hurt in these remaining two games, and then he can't pass a physical in March, well then that salary for 2025 gets guaranteed, and it gets it a more complicated way in order to move off from Russell Wilson. So it's kind of wild though, because there used to be a time when you would get an extension, and he's not even operating on his extension yet, this is still part of the final two years that remained on his deal when he got traded from Seattle to Denver.

But there used to be a time when I thought we all knew and understood deadcat, and when someone would get an extension it would be nearly impossible to move off from him. But when you've seen throughout the years, teams eat an enormous amount of salary on Carson Wentz, on Jared Goff, and a few other quarterbacks, we have now found ways in pushing money down the road, or other specific language that is in the contract, where you could move on from a player, even though you're taking a huge financial hit, and people kind of look at it and go up, there's a way, alright we'll travel down that road, and even though it seemed crazy heading into this season, not that they would split, but that it would like actually happen, like the conversation was there, coming off of last year. And eventually you knew Sean was going to win this quote unquote power struggle between Sean and Russ because Sean followed Russell Wilson, and Russ was there with a coach that wasn't working out in Nathaniel Hackett. Sean still doesn't like Russell Wilson, but he improved in this year and Russ couldn't have as bad of a season as he did a year ago, so when you like factor in all those things, it was okay, we have a problem, we don't like each other, you're not a good fit for me, I'm not a good fit for you, so instead of just kicking the can down the road, let's just bite the bullet, and it will shoot us in the foot financially for a year or two, whatever, and we believe Sean's going to be the guy that's going to continue to run this team. Now, here's the thing, let me just say this about Sean Payton, we all know, phenomenal coach, won a Super Bowl in New Orleans, turned the aint's into the Saints, right? It's, I don't understand why he's the coach of this team, I really don't, this was a guy that last year when he was on Fox, he practically begged over and over and over again for the Chargers job to open up, because he wanted the Chargers job with Justin Herbert, and even after Brandon Staley choked a 27 point lead in a playoff game, the Chargers, because they're cheap, the Chargers because they're stupid, the Chargers because they're idiotic, were like, oh, we just made the playoffs, so even though we had one of the more embarrassing defeats of all time in the postseason, and everyone knows that Brandon Staley is not the guy, we're going to kick the can down the road another year, and look where we are now, the Chargers are open, and if we shot Sean Payton up with true serum, I would assume, if I asked him, hey, where would you want to be coaching right now, would it rather be the Chargers or the Broncos, he would say the Chargers. So that's also the other part of this, it's the addiction to coaching, but also the impatience of Sean Payton, because in all likelihood, like they should give another go at this with Russell Wilson for next year, even though I'm not a believer in it, but you took that job for a reason. You had to believe in Russell Wilson in a little bit, and now we sit here and we knew this relationship had flaws, but it was clear you never believed in him from the start. So if you're going to a place that already gave up a ton of assets to get you and to get the quarterback, and they committed a lot of money to this quarterback, why would you take a job just for the sake of taking a job? And I know people could say, well, he's getting highly compensated, like I understand that, but Sean could have got highly compensated from Fox, could have kicked his feet up for another year, relaxed, stress-free, and say what you want about Sean Payton, he isn't a dummy, and he would have been the lead candidate for this Chargers job, the job that he wanted all along. And this is not revisionist history, this is not a hot take in the moment, I never loved the fit. We all know he's a good coach, but I never loved him taking that Broncos job, because I never loved the position the Broncos were in.

So now what? You give Sean probably two or three years to fix this thing, because this year, now what does it mean? I don't like this move right now, I get it from the financial standpoint, but you are 7-8, you're not mathematically eliminated yet, this has been a crazy year, I don't trust Jared Stidham to go get you two wins even though you're going up against the Chargers and the Raiders. Like Russ plays, I know it has gotten away from the last two weeks where they lose to the Lions, they lose to the Patriots, but if he plays, like Russell Wilson could have got two victories against the Chargers and Raiders, and if that's the case then you get to nine wins and who knows how this is going to shake out in the AFC. So this is not, the way that I'll say this, is I don't buy when the Broncos say today that this is performance based. I'm not telling you Russ is great, I'm not telling you Russ is elite, but this is more so, Sean doesn't like Russ, Sean wants to move off of Russ, and they need to pull him now and sit him down and make him the backup quarterback. Sit him gets hurt, we're not seeing Russell Wilson, I'll tell you that. I don't even know if they have the backup on the roster after that, but this is all because of the finances.

That's what this is. They are making this a financial decision rather than a performance decision. And let's say I'm a player in the Broncos locker room, I'm heated, because there's no way you could tell me that Jared Stidham gives you a better chance to win than Russell Wilson, I don't even think that highly of Russell Wilson anymore, and even I'm saying that. So now I think we get into another fascinating conversation with this, and I'll just ask this question, where does Russell Wilson play next? Because you can't be that naive to think, oh Russell will be back in the team next year. Like I don't ghetto anyone after seeing the news today, and after they have benched Russell Wilson says, oh yeah maybe Russell will be back with Denver next year. No, they are telling you today, by making this move, regardless if they say it's performance based or not, they don't believe in Russell Wilson. Sean Payton does not think Russell Wilson is a good quarterback.

But, when he inevitably gets released, remember how much money Denver owes him, I'm sure he doesn't have, he'll have some interest. But he's not going to be as attractive as he was a few years ago, because the last two years were ugly, and I could see Russell Wilson taking a team friendly deal on a short term basis somewhere else. And the first two destinations that I thought of, that let me put myself in the shoes of Russell Wilson, and I say, who are the most intriguing destinations out there, that have a good roster, a good team, and they could use an upgrade at the quarterback position. Number one were the Atlanta Falcons. You have Bijan Robinson, Tyler Algier, Drake London, you're in a bad division, and if that team just had a competent quarterback, and Russ could still be competent, he's not a lead anymore, he's not even very good anymore. But he showed you this year, he could still be competent regardless of what the Broncos are telling you this year, the Falcons had Russell Wilson this year, they win the NFC South, they would be in the playoffs. So I would think, on a cheap deal, and I don't know if they're going to be able to get Justin Fields, I don't know if they're going to be able to draft a quarterback, I think that's a match that could work on a short basis, and Arthur Smith is going to be coaching for his job next season, I don't even know if he'll be the coach next season.

But you need someone to carry the baton for the next year or two before you find your guy. The other team? What about the Pittsburgh Steelers? The Steelers have two wide receivers that are probably on the verge of killing each other, with George Pickens and Deontay Johnson because they have no quarterback play. Heck, Mason Rudolph just played well, and now he's replacing Kenny Picken who was a first round pick just two draft classes ago.

You have a defense that's got a ton of talent if they can stay healthy, and you also have Jalen Warren and Najee Harris running the football. Mike Tomlin is starting to lose some of the fan base in Pittsburgh, even though they'll finish above.500 most likely, and they could make the playoffs. But he hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. He needs a quarterback, and I don't think Russ is a long term answer, but Russell Wilson, for a year or two could still be effective in this league. Those are the two teams that need a quarterback, and for Russ they would be great landing spots. The Atlanta Falcons, and also the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So that leads us to our poll question today. 855-212-4CBS, 855-212-4227, you can chime in on the phones or on social media at ZachElb at CBS Sports Radio. Russell Wilson's next team will be the, here are the options. Commanders, Raiders, Falcons, Steelers. Commanders need a quarterback, they're going to have a new coach.

I would probably guess that they'll go a younger route, that's why I don't think it's the commanders. The Raiders, we'll see how they'll jump through hula hoops like every other team to get out of this Jimmy G deal. Antonio Pierce, I would like to think he's going to be the coach next year, I don't know though. But the Raiders could be an option, you bring in someone that Devante Adams could trust.

And maybe not request a trade this offseason, and then the other two as we just explained, the Falcons and the Steelers. The early early returns, 32% say the commanders. But is Dan Snyder still running this team?

That would be a very Dan Snyder-like move. 26.6% say the Falcons, 21.1% say the Raiders, and 20.3% say the Pittsburgh Steelers. Carlos with a K, look into your crystal ball real quickly, give me a clairvoyant Carlos prediction. Russell Wilson will be quarterbacking whom next year? Commanders. That was my first thought.

Moist Mike, what are you rocking and rolling with? Where is Russell Wilson playing quarterback next year? See, for Russ you have to take into consideration all the other factors, you know, with his wife and their non-football related ventures and things like that, so they need to be somewhere where they can do that. If Atlanta would make sense, Vegas would make a lot of sense. But I don't think that he can stay in the AFC West. I think Atlanta probably makes the most sense.

For some reason, Tennessee, the Titans always seem to come out of nowhere to be in name, and I guess they could. Yeah, but they have Will Levis now, so I don't think that's going to be the destination. Do they really trust Will Levis?

I don't know, maybe. I would much rather rock and roll with Will Levis and just see what you have than Russ where you know he's on the downside of his career. Yeah, so I think especially, I think these are the four best options. I think it's either DC or Atlanta, because I'm looking more at the city than the team, so I'm going to go Falcons. Selfishly, I would love to see him go to the Raiders, because I think staying in the division creates a good storyline.

I don't think it will be the Raiders, I don't think it's going to be the Commanders. I don't know if the Steelers will move off of Kenny Pickett this quickly, even though they benched him for this weekend, or stick with Mason Rudolph, but Atlanta I think would be the best for both parties. Because I don't think Atlanta is going to be in a position to get the guy in the draft. Let's say the Bears don't trade Justin Fields, then it's like where do you go? And if you bring back Arthur Smith, you can't be going back to Taylor Ham, Heineke, and Desmond Ritter this year.

And Russ would be in a better situation in Atlanta than he was this year with the Denver Broncos, because I like their offensive roster more than I do with Denver. Alrighty, we'll take a break here on the Zach Gelb show on CBS Sports Radio. We'll be back in five minutes when we do return. We're entering closer and closer to the semi-final of the college football playoff. You know on one side you got Michigan going up against Alabama, and on the other, you have one of my favorite teams in the country. The Washington Huskies going up against the Texas Longhorns. Damon Heward, former Huskies quarterback, will join us when we return in five minutes on the Zach Gelb show, but where else?

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Offer valid for a limited time, $10 minimum per order. Additional terms apply. Alrighty, we continue this Zach Gelb show coast to coast on CBS Sports Radio. Inching closer and closer to the college football playoff semi-final games. We'll see who advances to the national championship game between Alabama and Michigan. And also Washington and Texas.

Can't wait for New Year's Day. Let's go out to the guest line right now. Welcome in former NFL quarterback, played with the Pats, the Chiefs, a few other spots.

And obviously started his career as a college quarterback with the Washington Huskies. And that's Damon Huard, kind enough to join us right now. Damon, I know it's been a while.

Appreciate the time as always. How you been? I'm great, Zach. Are you kidding me? It's Christmas time, New Year's Eve, and the dogs are in the college football playoff. Life is good, man.

Let me start you off actually with the NFL, and then we'll get to your college squad. We were just talking about it right before we brought you in. The big news today is that Russell Wilson got benched. It looks like they're going to move on from him after the end of the season.

What was your reaction when you saw that news today? Yeah, it's pretty crazy. You know, obviously he did so many amazing things here in Seattle for the Seahawks for so long. You know, a heck of a player. But boy, this transition to Denver just has been horrible.

I mean, it just hasn't worked. And I think for guys later in their career, I mean, I know these guys play forever now, but he's in his mid-30s and, you know, maybe not quite as dynamic athletically as he was, you know, 12 years ago or so. But, you know, still all that money Denver gave him, all the first round picks the Seahawks got in return, looks like a pretty good move the Hawks made. And for Denver, I mean, this is going to put them behind the eight ball, you know, probably for another year, especially if they got to eat $37 million if they let him go.

And that, boy, it's going to be tough sledding. But you know what, maybe this is one of these things where, let's see how, you know, Sean Payton's old school, you know, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, maybe it's one of these things. Let's see how Russell reacts to maybe me putting them on the bench here and see what I got in Trevor Simeon. And, you know, you know, who knows, maybe he's back out there next week. I mean, I've seen stranger things in this league.

So, you know, we're probably not putting the cart before the horse here because odds are the writing on the wall, like he's probably gone, but who knows again with these old school coaches. Yeah. And we could only observe right with what we see. And sometimes what we see, if it looks like it's bad, it's usually worse behind the scenes. I equated this to a couple that just got married and already they're in couples therapy.

And when you're three, four months into a marriage and you're already in couples therapy, it feels like the divorce is inevitable. And that pretty much is what is what played out today, I would say. Yeah. You know, something just, you know, Russ's numbers are pretty good.

I mean, I don't have them in front of me or whatnot. But he's played better this year, Damon. There's no question about it. The bottom line, though, is just it's always about wins and losses. And, you know, if Sean feels he can't do, you know, what he wants to do schematically with a quarterback with Russell Wilson style, you know, it just to your point that divorce is probably not far down the road.

All right. Are you around Bill Belichick for a long time? Can you envision the Patriots without Bill Belichick? Because that's also another thing that a lot of people have been floating out this year, potential divorce with Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick. Yeah, man, I just gosh darn I, you know, there's only a few of these guys left from my playing days 15 years ago. Obviously, you know, it's been a rough stretch for me watching pro football without Tom Brady this season and to imagine the National Football League without the greatest coach of all time, potentially next year in Bill Belichick.

The times they are a changing. But yeah, that doesn't look like it's probably going to end well either this season. Just kind of two back to back tough seasons in this league. Usually, you know, owners front offices make changes. That's a tough one to make because he's been the greatest of all time and going to be super strange if he's not Roman those those New England sidelines with his cut off hoodie and all the fun stuff that he's brought to the National Football League for, you know, what now almost, at least almost two decades. Yeah, but, you know, maybe built surfaces somewhere else, which, you know, I certainly hope would happen should he leave New England, but, but who knows what that one but Bill was awesome to play for arguably his record is accolades speak for themselves and like the NFL will will lose a big character should be this be the end of Bill Belichick.

Yeah, I would think even if they move on he winds up somewhere else. I was talking about maybe the Chargers because he needs more talent and they have a ton of talent with that young quarterback in Justin Herbert Damon Heward here with us before we talk about Washington and their big college football playoff game against Texas. I just want to wrap up the NFL part of this chat, talking about the Kansas City Chiefs, we all know my homes is the best quarterback in the league, but he doesn't really have a lot of weapons to throw the football to this year.

And even when he places the ball perfectly nine times out of 10 it feels like they drop them. I know that when you look at Kansas City there's always that fear of them because of Andy Reid and because of Patrick Holmes and because of Travis Kelsey, but it looks like this team is going to come up short this year from from what I've seen through the first 1516 weeks of the season. Yeah, I mean, you kind of are what you are, you know, by this time of year, although there have been those teams that just, you know, once they get to the playoffs they're they're they're peaking at the, at the right point and they kind of take their, their game to the next level and make a deep playoff run or win a Super Bowl like the 2001 Patriots did. But yeah, what you see the eye test right now certainly isn't great for the Chiefs. But, you know, I promise you everybody else in the AFC should they have to meet them in the playoffs, you know if they are a lower seed. It's the last team. They're going to want to play with all that playoff experience and Super Bowl runs and, and just Patrick my homes but yeah maybe the Taylor Swift distraction is real enemy, you know, moving on, you know, maybe there's something, something there.

But yeah, certainly you kind of hit the nail on the head with just kind of those pieces on offense those weapons. They just don't seem to be making the same place for my homes and company that they have in years past but certainly will be an important story to follow here down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs, Damon Heward here with us. Alrighty, let's get to Washington.

I love Kalin DeBoer. He's one of my favorite coaches in the country, the guy barely loses from all the stops in May. One of this is second year with Washington only two losses, less than eight points and both those losses but it still feels like Washington doesn't get the respect that they deserve like going up against Oregon Damon, they were a nine and a half point underdog and now there are four or five point underdog against Texas. I guess this is where Washington loves to have them but it's amazing how everyone else hasn't given them the respect and what's been a sensational season. Yeah, you know, I think it starts with the Pac 12 conference and what once was the Pac 12 conference. You know, just not quite the same respect for West Coast football in recent years.

Certainly, being up here in South Alaska and Seattle. We are a long ways away from the East Coast and the SEC and the Big Ten but yeah, this team has had a historic run since Kalin DeBoer has taken over 24 and two, are you kidding me. And, you know, certainly going into this sugar bowl here on New Year's Day and five short days, you know to be underdogs, you know against I think pretty good Texas team, but you know this this Husky team handled them a year ago in the Alamo bowl and I know there's a few men were they had a few missing players that day, notably, you know Robinson they're running back.

But, you know, this team just finds a way to win. And, you know, the Pac 12 championship game if you saw it, you know, they really were at full strength. You know, both of our safeties were back to Lee our defensive lineman been battling a knee all year was at full strength finally.

And then the addition of Jalen McMillan he's really missed the last, you know, 678 games. You know he's that speed receiver over the top you saw make some big plays so I think you know they're healthy, they're peaking at the right time they did have a stretch where the offense had some struggles. But I think what really gives this team a chance to win it all is the evolution of the running game that has come down the stretch here with Dylan Johnson are running back. You know, I think people around the country think of Michael Pennix and the fireworks and throwing for 400 yards game he did lead the league, or lead the nation in passing around 340 yards game a season but now with the run game and having that balance I think you need to have as you get into the CFP, you know, these guys do have a legitimate chance to win this whole thing. And so it's going to be an awesome matchup down there in Texas a lot of great storylines with Sarkeesian or old coach, coach in the Longhorns and peak Wieckowski their D coordinator here who was our D coordinator during the peak. Chris Peterson era, so a lot of fun storylines, these teams know each other well they prepared for a month to play each other last winter, and we get to do it all over again in New Orleans on January 1 going to be an awesome game. What jumps out to you with both these quarterbacks Quinn Ewers has had a really good season, his problem has been staying healthy with injuries last two years we know what the deal was with Michael Pennix Jr. at Indiana, he just wasn't healthy but hey, he just finished runner up for the Heisman Trophy.

So give me your quarterback eye on both these QBs that we'll see coming up on January 1. Yeah, you know, Quinn Ewers certainly a talent. You know, last year really his first year playing saw him live there in the Alamo Bowl and, you know, wonderful arm has some playmakers around him. Solid player and then, you know, you factor in Steve Sarkeesian one of the best game planners play callers in the country, you know, they've kind of taken it to the next level offensively this year. And certainly when he's healthy, you know, they've been pretty doggone good, you know, going into Tuscaloosa that win early in the season I think you know what a statement that was for the young quarterback and, and really the program. So, yeah, he's better, he's going to be a solid opponent for this Husky defense for sure.

But, you know, obviously I'm biased if I had to choose between the two quarterbacks. I'm going to go with the six year senior quarterback Michael Pennix who, you know, led the nation in passing the last two seasons and just to me his accuracy his anticipation, the deep ball that he throws. He's different, and he's been the catalyst here to make this thing go for this Husky offense and led him to the 24 to record the Heisman Trophy run and all those things.

So, you know, Michael Pennix special player going to play on Sundays. And again, I like I like his experience his leadership and his skill set a little bit better than yours going into this game if I'm being honest, and you know the last thing I'll bring up with this matchup Damon you were to joins us right now. So before the Oregon game you just saw how jacked up that Washington team was and there's big emotions before a big pack tall championship game like that. And they really took it to Oregon early, I still I know that Texas played Alabama really well but that was all the way going back to week two. I think what we saw in the pack tall championship game when you don't know how a team is going to respond after a month off. And with the emotions of this game. That's why I kind of believe that Washington gets off to that better start and that could end up being the difference towards the end of the game.

Yeah, I'm with you. I think the start of this game is super important as it was in the pack 12 championship you know the Huskies they only got a field goal in the opening drive but the chewed up eight minutes of the clock, you know, and then they got a quick three and out versus Oregon who hadn't been stopped in six weeks. So yeah, they kind of set the tone early in that game so I think the beginning of the Sugar Bowl is going to be a big determining factor and how the rest of the game goes. I also just like the experience and the age and the depth of this Washington football team. You know, we got 10 six year seniors. Nine of them have actually been here all six years. They've been here all six years. Then you bring Michael Pennix, you know, as a six year guy.

So there's just all this, you know, professionalism, age, depth experience. You know, I talked about that running game but also this Husky defense, you know, they've gotten a lot better down the stretch. They have and they've been clutch when they've had to they've gotten the tough fourth down stop and we were really struggling on offense in a game earlier in the season against Arizona State. We get the pick six, you know, to win the game. So, you know, excuse me, they're playing really, really well on defense right now.

And, you know, Texas's struggles offensively on third down and in the red zone, I think are going to be the difference in the Huskies winning this football game. Damon Heward, always great to catch up with you. Appreciate the time.

Thanks so much for doing this. Thanks for having me, Zach. Happy New Year, buddy. You got it.

You as well. There is Damon Heward, former Washington Huskies quarterback, of course, Washington going up against Texas. And right now, I know it's only Wednesday. We'll make the official prediction on Friday, but I like Washington to beat Texas in a high-scoring affair. We'll continue to preview that matchup and also Michigan and Alabama coming up throughout the week right here on CBS Sports Radio.

Alrighty, let's take a break. Jared Gordon, UFC fighter, who has a crazy story to tell, is going to join us at the top of the hour. Brandon Stokely will stop by at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific as the Denver Broncos are benching Russell Wilson. And they're probably going to move on from him at the end of the season. But first, not only do we have to get to a CBS Sports Radio update, but when we return, we'll do a little Take 5 Wednesday.

I'll give you my top five teams in the NFL. Update time. What's up with everyone this week? Santa earlier in the week looked like he was dressed to rob a bank.

And now, I don't know. Pat Boyle looks like he's about to rob a bank or he's about to join a boy band. You decide if you're watching on YouTube.com. YouTube.com slash CBS Sports Radio with the latest CBS Sports Radio update. Here is Patty Boyle.

It's called fashion. As the dust settles from last week's games, it's time to look at which teams are rising and which are falling. Zach ranks his top five NFL teams on this week's edition of Take 5, only on the Zach Geld show.

All right, that's what I'm talking about. It's time to ask the pros. The listener gets to ask us a question and it's brought to you by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Simply tweet your question at CBS Sports Radio or at Zach Geld using the hashtag askthepros. Be listening later in the show when we might answer your question. Think O'Reilly Auto Parts for all your car care needs.

Get guaranteed low, low, low, low, low prices and excellent customer service from the professional parts people at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Alrighty, I'm going to do the same thing we did last week. Because I think the first two teams, you can't debate them. But then after that, to make out the top five spots three, four and five are very debatable. So in at the number one spot, the Baltimore Ravens. Last week they were two, the team that was one was the San Francisco 49ers. Not only did Baltimore get a win up against the 49ers, they went to the Niners house. They sat down on their couch. They used their buffalo chicken dip. They drank their cervezas in the fridge. They cooked up some steaks as well. And they had a party.

And they didn't pay for it at all. And that was just an ass kicking by the Baltimore Ravens who are a great well-rounded team. The defense is awesome. And on offense they're led by their leader. Their identity is Lamar Jackson. You look at the running back position. They lost J.K. Dobbins. They lost Keita Mitchell.

No problem. You look at the wide receivers. Zay Flowers, solid young wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr., not the same player he once was but continues to get better and better as he gets more comfortable in Baltimore. Isaiah likely has turned into a good player replacing Mark Andrews.

And then you also have two things that are very important. A great coach, and that's what John Harbaugh is, and also a great kicker. And Justin Tucker is arguably the greatest kicker of all time.

The Baltimore Ravens, number one. Number two, yes it was embarrassing. Yes it was disappointing.

I thought this was going to be a heavyweight fight. Brock Purdy finally played a not so Purdy looking game and he threw four interceptions in the contest. They ended up getting five interceptions with Sam Darnold coming in as well and also picking up an INT. This 49ers team is still not deserving though of falling too many spots.

They deserved to fall one spot. They did go through a three week stretch where they were without Trent Williams, they were without Deebo Samuel, and they lost three straight games. But for the most part, when this team is healthy, I don't want to say they're unbeatable because they just lost to the Ravens, but it's going to take all you got to beat them. And I would still say they're the best team in the NFC and the second best team in the NFL. So Ravens won 49ers too.

Surprise, surprise. Anyone could have told you that if you had a pulse and you watched about one second of that game from last week and a few other seconds of the NFL season. Now in at number three, I have moved up the Miami Dolphins. I still don't think the Dolphins are going to go farther than the Buffalo Bills as I already had that ticket three weeks ago and the Bills to win the AFC a plus 1000. But the Dolphins, my biggest gripe with them was in the bigger games, they have not played well. They lost to Kansas City, they lost to Philadelphia, they lost to Buffalo.

All those games though, were on the road. So they finally got a big game at home. And it was back and forth back and forth between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins. And just when Dak Prescott gets the ball in the end zone, Tua, Jeff Wilson Jr. and company, they matriculate the ball down the field.

Jason Sanders had the game of his life. And he boots the game winning field goal, and they emerge victorious. The Dolphins now have an enormous game this weekend in Baltimore up against the Baltimore Ravens, which is like crazy to me that that's a one o'clock game.

You would think that would be like 425 or maybe flex, but it didn't get moved at all. So this is another opportunity for the Miami Dolphins to shine. But they finally got off the shnide in terms of going up against good teams and losing.

They get a victory. That means a lot that elevates them into the number three spot. Because even though they probably won't have Jalen Waddle for the rest of the regular season, they have so many explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Davon Achan, Rahim Mostert, clearly it all starts with Tyreek Hill.

And how about our guy, Alec Ingold, even getting a semi-hurdle into the game as well. And that defense is starting to figure out life without Jalen Phillips, who's an enormous piece for them. So the Dolphins in at three.

Number four, I know it wasn't pretty. I know that you would have thought they probably would have covered the 12 and a half point spread before the game. They were in Los Angeles, Chargers coming off fire and their coach usually get a little lift there. Buffalo did not give a great performance, but a win is a win and who cares about style points. They continue their win streak. They have Josh Allen, who's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. And this is a year where quarterbacks have not been able to stay healthy.

Josh Allen is not only one of the best quarterbacks in the league, one of the best football players in the league. I like the momentum that Buffalo continues to show, even though it wasn't pretty last week. They'll beat the Pats and then you could have the AFC East up for grabs if Miami loses this weekend. That will be a win and you win the AFC East for the week 18 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins. So Buffalo win at number four.

And then finally, number five. This was a tough one because I thought about a few teams. I ended up going though with the Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions two weeks ago blew out the Denver Broncos. And then with their first division championship on the line since 1993, it looked like they were going to get into a dogfight. Then they started to pull away and then it was, uh oh, here comes Nick Mullins moving the football down the field. A crazy fourth and 27, fourth and 28 conversion, whatever it was. I forgot what the down and distance was, but it was a great catch by Justin Jefferson. And just when it looked like, uh oh, here comes the same old Detroit Lions.

Just when you're in on them, then they fold and then they go back to who they've been for what, the last 20 years? They found a way to get an interception at the end and win the game. They win their first division title since 1993. The last time they won the division championship was the NFC Central. Now it's the NFC North. So I put the Detroit Lions in at number five, but we'll have a home playoff game. So the 49ers won, excuse me, the Ravens won, the 49ers too, the Dolphins three, the Buffalo Bills four, and the Detroit Lions in at number five. Michael Santer, speak now or forever hold your peace.

I love you Zach, but you're just a prisoner of the moment. I understand that the Eagles have had their issues. Well that's the segment, it's called take five for the teams how we currently rank them in the NFL from week to week. But what I'm saying is like week to week, if you're telling me right now that you don't have the Eagles as a top five team defending NFC champions.

And I've been their biggest proponent. And I know they've been struggling, but like every team goes through ups and downs. The Eagles from top to bottom on that roster, there's maybe no better roster outside of the 49ers.

The Eagles need to be in that top five. But you know what ruins a great roster? Bad team chemistry. You have a Son Redick annoyed with the coaching staff. Devante Smith annoyed with the coaching staff.

A.J. Brown annoyed with everyone. Articles coming out about Jalen Hurts and how they want more out of Jalen Hurts. I think there's a team chemistry problem right now with the Philadelphia Eagles and that's why I'm out on the Philadelphia Eagles for this week. Because that team chemistry problem is a concern and it looks like Nick Sirianni is too much of a pushover rather than a respected NFL head coach.

Who's the next team? Well, of course, I mean, I'm wearing red for my Chiefs. Listen, they didn't look great, but the Chiefs are still the Chiefs. They lost to the Raiders. I can't argue with you about the Chiefs because you've had them off of this list for a while now.

And the Chiefs are rubbing off on you, by the way. I saw you before the show. You dropped a cup of coffee.

You look like Kedarius Toney dropping a football on the field. So I saw you dropping coffee right before the start of the show. Me?

No. Yeah, I saw you in the newsroom. You had all these cups of coffee. You couldn't juggle them and you dropped them all on the floor. I drank my coffee like nine hours ago. You must have mistaken me for another short, hairy... No, I had my Conner Stallions binoculars out.

It was definitely you. But why is Kansas City not there? Because if they didn't have Patrick Mahomes, no one would be intimidated by this team. This offense is not good. These wide receivers couldn't catch a cold right now. And this is a Kansas City Chiefs team that they'll always be feared because of who the quarterback and the coach is. But they got to have it translate onto the field and I'm just not seeing that success this year. And they already have six losses and now we are into the final two weeks of the season.

I just don't think they're going to be able to put it together. Last one, who do we got? Well, I know you love this team and they're rolling with Joe Flacco, but... Yeah. Here we go, Brownies. Here we go. I guess the Brownies could have had double-digit wins, but are like, do you really believe in the Browns? Come on.

Yeah, I do. I actually believe in the Browns more than I believe in the Kansas City Chiefs right now. Crazy. Because the Browns' defense is phenomenal and Joe Flacco is playing really good football. And guess this, they have a wide receiver, crazy concept, by the name of Amari Cooper.

He could actually catch the football and he did so 11 times on Sunday for 265 yards. But the reason why the Browns aren't in, yeah, they have 10 wins right now. And I got to see a little bit more from them, but they're right on the cusp. They're right on the precipice of jumping into the top five.

So, Ravens 1, 49ers 2, Dolphins 3, Bills 4, and the Lions 5. Alrighty, Zach Gelb shows CBS Sports Radio, Jared Gordon, UFC fighter. He will join us next when we return in five minutes. At Peloton, we know starting is the most important thing. So start today with up to $600 of Peloton bike purchases and get two months free membership and access to thousands of classes to choose from. My name is Cody Rigsby, welcome to your low-impact ride. With instructors that take the guesswork out of working out. I'm here for you every step of the way. And Peloton Entertainment, so you can watch your favorite shows and live sports as you ride. Shop our New Year's offers at onepeloton.com slash deals. Terms apply.