[MUSIC]
ROB LOWE: Television stuff. Lots of screams, loud voices, the spectacle of the event. And there's nothing bigger than Week 17 in the National Football League.
It's playoff time.
>> We got to win today.
>> Let's go get it.
ROB LOWE: But the truth is I have been so busy fighting fake TV fires that it's hard to keep up with what's really at stake this weekend.
>> Let it all hang out.
>> Who is a lock?
[MUSIC]
>> Who's on the bubble?
>> There's still a lot of ball left.
ROB LOWE: Who's going to win the NFC East? Who's the Cinderella against all the odds? You didn't come here for the numbers or the byzantine metrics and permutations of who's in and who's out.
You came for heroics and impeccable timing, a smile that just won't quit. You came for the art because today is not about football, the playoffs. Today, my friends, is about action and adventure.
>> Ready, set. He is done!
>> That's the last jingle of the bell right there.
ROB LOWE: For this lineup of games, Week 17 is going to be fire, and it's coming up next on Fox!
[MUSIC]
CURT MENEFEE: All right. It's the final day of the regular season. And at the top of the hour, both the Cowboys and Giants will have one last chance to stay alive for the playoffs. The loser is definitely eliminated.
The winner -- if Washington loses later tonight, the Eagles would wind up as champs of the much maligned NFC East, which would most likely earn them a matchup with Tom Brady. He and the Bucs have already qualified for the postseason. A win over Atlanta locks them into the Number 5 seed in the NFC, and the game next week against the East Division champs.
No question that this is the biggest day of scoreboard watching around the league. And later on Fox, Wilson, Brees, and Rodgers all compete for the Number 1 seed in the NFC, all playing at the same time.
A Packers victory over the Bears clinches that all-important first-round bye for them. But if Chicago wins, they're in the playoffs as the Monsters of the Midway are somehow back from the dead. What a story that proved to be.
We will cover that, break down all the playoff possibilities, and a whole lot more here on the Built Ford Tough "Fox NFL Sunday" pregame show brought to you by the Ford F Series, the official truck of the National Football League.
Come on in and stay awhile, folks. I'm Curt Menefee. Thanks for joining us. And thanks to Rob Lowe for kicking things off. You can catch him on his Fox show "9-1-1 Lonestar," which returns for Season 2 January 18th.
>> Good guy.
CURT MENEFREE: He's a great guy. Nice arm there on the throw, too.
Terry, Howie, Michael. Jimmy Johnson will be joining us in just a little bit. Happy New Year, first of all.
>> Happy New Year.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Hello, America. On behalf of Michael Strahan and Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw, we want to apologize for anything we've said negative about the Dallas Cowboys all year long because this is the first year that none of us got our Christmas ornament from Jerry and Gene Jones. I'm truly sorry.
HOWIE LONG: I got mine.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Well, that's because you don't ever say anything.
HOWIE LONG: Well, well...
CURT MENEFREE: Well, we've got lots to talk about including the Cowboys possible playoff --
TERRY BRADSHAW: There you go being negative.
CURT MENEFREE: -- possibilities.
[LAUGHTER]
CURT MENEFEE: But as we kick things off, we will look at the playoff race.
While in the NFC, we see the 6-10 team could get in. In the AFC, five teams, all with 10 wins already, are battling for the final four spots. It all comes down to today in what is kind of a cliff-hanger, the kind you might see in a comic book.
ANNOUNCER: Three of our superheroes -- Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Big Ben -- have already gotten their teams into the playoffs. And if Ryan Tannehill and the Titans can knock out Deshaun Watson's crew, they will clinch the South.
By the way, Derrick Henry is dashing towards his second straight rushing title. As for the Colts, let's just say things look pretty dire. They'll need to win and get a lot of help.
A week ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick saved the day for Miami, but he is out today, so now it's up to his sidekick, Tua Tagovailoa.
The guardian of Baltimore, Lamar Jackson just needs to beat a Bengals team that's not exactly a scary villain these days. While in Cleveland, two arch enemies battle it out. If the Browns stop the Steelers, they'll join the justice league of the playoffs for the first time in 18 years.
[MUSIC]
CURT MENEFEE: So what do we start there, Howie? Pittsburgh resting Big Ben today. Cleveland battling another COVID outbreak, the second one they've had this season involving both coaches and players.
How do you gauge this game?
HOWIE LONG: How do you gauge Cleveland? Three weeks ago, we were talking about the Browns potentially because Pittsburgh, at that time, was floundering. They're talking about them maybe winning the division, going on a run. They've lost two of their last three, including a loss to the Jets.
As you mentioned, last week, they get hit with COVID. Their entire wide receiving core or pretty close to it was out of the game. And, again, they have a number of players out and their offensive line coach/run game coordinator, Bill Callahan, who might be one of the best, if not the best, offensive line coach in football.
The Browns have not made it easy on their fans. It's 17 straight years without being in the playoffs. The last time they were in the playoffs and win 10 games is 1994, and the coach was Bill Belichick. Winning today would be validating for Baker Mayfield. It would be validating for the head coach and the GM, the direction they're going in. Lose today, I think the fans are on the brink. They've had all they can take.
[LAUGHTER]
TERRY BRADSHAW: You're not supposed to say anything negative today.
HOWIE LONG: No, I'm not. I'll let you do that.
CURT MENEFEE: We'll have more on the Browns and the COVID outbreak in just a second, but I wanted to get to Jimmy Johnson here as we welcome him and say, "Happy New Year, Jimmy."
It's down to Tennessee and Indy in the AFC South. Who wins it?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Well, Tennessee can win if Indy loses to Jacksonville. Well, that's not going to happen. You know, you look at Tennessee. You know, they've got to beat Houston to win the South.
Now, if they get in the playoffs, which they will, you know, Henry and Tannehill on offense, they showed last year in the playoffs just how dangerous they can be. They need to shore up the defense just a little bit.
As far as Indy, they could have 11 games won and not make the playoffs, and that's if Baltimore, Cleveland, and Miami all win.
Now, Michael, is Miami without Fitzpatrick? Are they going to keep Indy out of the playoffs?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I mean, it's something, Jimmy. Miami has got a tough game. They're going to get a team in Buffalo that has won the last two games by 29 points.
And it's funny, we talk about no Fitzpatrick, do they have a shot. He's not even starting quarterback. He's been the safety net for this team this season. They put him in when they need a spark, and he always delivered. So without him, everything falls in the hands of Tua.
And we're going to see: Is this moment too big for him? Can he handle this moment?
I don't know if they have enough firepower offensively to keep up with Buffalo's offense. Even though they do get DeVante Parker back, he can go deep. He's missed the last two games. But this is going to be a defensive battle. Miami's defense gets a lot of turnovers. They're going to need a lot of turnovers today to even keep this game close.
TERRY BRADSHAW: There's some things in life you just don't want to face.
Number one, I don't want to go fishing with Jimmy Johnson and Jimmy Johnson takes his shirt off. That's not -- I don't see Howie -- when Howie and Michael used to juice, take those steroids --
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I don't want to see those guys -- I'm not through.
HOWIE LONG: You have us --
TERRY BRADSHAW: I'm not through.
HOWIE LONG: You have us mixed up with a team that you played with.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Exactly.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I don't want to see those guys coming at me. I don't want to see a divorce lawyer come knocking on my door.
And if you're in the NFL, you don't want to see the Ravens because no team is going to be harder to beat once they beat Cincinnati today. Lamar Jackson, that running team. They've won four -- well he's thrown for eight touchdown passes in four games, three for four -- three of those four. They're rushing for over 200. They run. They play great defense and smart quarterbacking. They are going to be hard to deal with. That's the way it is.
CURT MENEFEE: You know, we started this conversation talking about the COVID outbreak with the Cleveland Browns. As we bring in Jay Glazer --
The odd thing is, Jay, as we get to the final game of the regular season, it's the teams that are in contention that are actually having the issues right now.
JAY GLAZER: Yeah. About a month ago, we were all nervous about the teams that were out of contention. But instead, these playoff-caliber teams, they're without Alvin Kamara, you said Ryan Fitzpatrick, Christian Kirk, Michael Brockers, Cooper Kupp, Joe Haden, Eric Ebron.
And, you know, the issue is they're not just out today. But depending on when they got placed on the COVID list, they could also be out the first round of the playoffs because they have to miss 10 days. So for a guy like Alvin Kamara, he'll be eligible to play Sunday. But depending on when that's -- that playoff game is scheduled, if it's on Saturday, he's going to miss the game.
CURT MENEFEE: Yeah. But that's down the road.
How will it impact today?
JAY GLAZER: Look, you talk about the Cleveland Browns. How about this? The Cleveland Browns, because of another positive test last night, this morning, they all had to get rapid tests again, and they were not cleared to go to the stadium until about an hour ago. And they're missing several coaches there.
Everybody has to pitch in. Kevin Stefanski said even their center, J.C. Tretter, he's going to be using this Microsoft Surface tablet, which normally the coaches do. You were talking about Bill Callahan. He is going to be doing that. So everybody has got to chip in.
But Sean Payton, he's without Alvin Kamara but also his entire running back room. So he's moving Ty Montgomery, receiver, over there. Their quarterback, obviously, is going to play. Taysom Hill is going to play running back as well. That's what Week 17 looks like this year.
CURT MENEFEE: Keep those fingers crossed there, Jay.
You know, also, part of the business -- this is going to be the final game as head coach for some guys. Next time we see Jay, we'll go over the list of who's getting fired and some names that might replace them. That and more still ahead.
ANNOUNCER: Still ahead, Ford gives Howie a chance to catch up with a familiar face, infamous Raiders superfan, The Violator. That's just before Troy Aikman fills us in on his former team's chance at the division title.
We'll also hear from two of their top receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, as they get ready to take on the Giants today.
And as we move towards the playoffs, we'll look back and reflect on a season unlike any other. Stick around.
[COMMERCIAL]
[MUSIC]
MAYIM BIALICK: As the owner of a cat cafe, I love all cats. It's just that some can be a little more challenging than others.
What can I get you, Mr. Panther? No, we don't have any tuna-favored coffee.
And some can get a little aggressive.
Break it up, guys. Break it up!
Bad kitty! Bad kitty!
And they don't always mind their manners. I told you, Mr. Panther, if you're going to use the Wi-Fi, you need to buy something. I mean something from the cafe.
[MUSIC]
MAYIM BIALICK: You guys have way too much energy. I need to find you a distraction. Works every time. Get it. Go get it. Way to go.
CURT MENEFEE: All you got to do is get the laser pointer. It works, as she said, every time. Thanks to Mayim Bialick. Make sure you catch her brand new show, "Call Me Kat." It premiers tonight right here on Fox. Critics are calling it one of the best new shows of the year.
Well, he's not an official mascot, but he's about as well known as one. And now nominated for the Ford Hall of Fans is the leader of Raider Nation submitted by our own Raider legend.
HOWIE LONG: Without the fans, pro football wouldn't exist. That's why the Ford Hall of Fans was created.
Now in year three, its mission is to recognize pro football's biggest fans by honoring them with their rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame next to all the great players they've supported over the years.
This year we've all been challenged, but fandom can help us come together and be stronger. That's why I'm on my way to surprise one of the Las Vegas Raiders' biggest fans, Wayne Mabry, and nominate him for induction into the 2021 class of the Ford Hall of Famers.
WAYNE MABRY: I'm Wayne Mabry, and I am the violator.
>> Game day, baby, let's go.
HOWIE LONG: Wayne has no idea he's been nominated and no idea I'm coming to see him. This is going to be epic.
WAYNE MABRY: I came up with a crew Mad Max kind of looking costume and September 1991 The Violator was released.
HOWIE LONG: Wayne's just as diehard when it comes to giving, volunteering his time to help feed veterans and help kids battle cancer, autism and cerebral palsy, a true ambassador of Raider Nation.
WAYNE MABRY: We don't know how much time we got on this earth, but it's the impact that you leave and it's the people that you touch along the way. So never judge a book by the cover.
HOWIE LONG: When a player's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, President David Baker literally knocks on your door and delivers the news.
Well, I'm here today to pay it forward to Wayne. Getting ready to knock on his door. Let's do it.
WAYNE MABRY: Some of my favorite Hall of Famers, Howie Long, Marcus Allen.
A knock at my door. Oh, man, I can't -- in the middle of taping?
HOWIE LONG: Hey, Wayne.
WAYNE MABRY: Come on, man.
HOWIE LONG: Come on out, man.
WAYNE MABRY: Quit playing. Are you kidding me, dude. He is standing there in a gold jacket.
HOWIE LONG: I am honored to be here today to nominate you to the Ford Hall of Fans. How about that?
WAYNE MABRY: I was just talking about you, man.
HOWIE LONG: Really?
WAYNE MABRY: Imagine that. Got Howie Long at my place. Nobody would ever believe it.
HOWIE LONG: You know, I'm partial. I think our fans are as great as any fans and he certainly is kind of the poster child for that.
WAYNE MABRY: All pro right here.
HOWIE LONG: When this thing is over, you come in the studio and be my guest.
WAYNE MABRY: Dude.
HOWIE LONG: Yeah.
WAYNE MABRY: Honored, man.
HOWIE LONG: I hope you get that second knock in Tampa. I'll see you farther down the road.
WAYNE MABRY: Appreciate it.
HOWIE LONG: All right.
WAYNE MABRY: That's my champ, man!
HOWIE LONG: Great program by Ford. I think we have great fans all across the country, but whether it's is Oakland, Los Angeles and now Las Vegas, I think we have the most unique, passionate fans in football.
CURT MENEFEE: Unique's the word for it.
HOWIE LONG: And Wayne certainly embodies that.
CURT MENEFEE: Absolutely unique, special. And --
HOWIE LONG: A cool trip.
CURT MENEFEE: -- rabid in a lot of ways.
You can vote for your favorite nominee for the Ford Hall of Fans Class of 2021 right now at FordHallofFans.com.
You know what, the Packers and Bears also have great fan bases. Up next, we'll preview their NFC North showdown which has huge playoff implications.
Plus Troy Aikman covers Dallas, New York and the NFC East. Jay Glazer tells us which head coaches are on the chopping block. And then we will look back at 2020 from a football perspective.
That's when we continue here on "Fox NFL Sunday."
[COMMERCIAL]
[MUSIC]
CURT MENEFEE: We're going to do screen pass a little differently today as we use it to ride the coaching carousel with Jay Glazer.
We'll start with Atlanta where, since firing Dan Quinn after an 0-5 start, the Falcons, where they've one 4-6 under Raheem Morris, have earned him an interview this week for the permanent job.
Detroit, they also fired Matt Patricia 11 games into the season, they've gone 1-3 since firing. With the Lions now looking for a new GM, interim head coach Darrell Bevell doesn't seem to be in the mix long-term at least.
Which brings us to Jay Glazer. All right. Let's take a look at it. Atlanta, Detroit, Houston all fired head coaches during the season. What do we know about some of the other coaches who are currently on the hot seat?
JAY GLAZER: You know what, Curt, going into this season, we thought, okay, maybe because of COVID, that owners will have a lot more patience for the job security of their head coaches, GMs. Not been the case at all. We're going to go with guys who I do believe are safe.
Doug Pederson, couple of weeks ago didn't look like that. He is going to have to make a bunch of changes on his staff, and also his general manager, Howie Roseman, he looked to be on the hot seat. He's not. He'll return to Philly as well. Zac Taylor, no, they didn't have the season they want to have, but he should remain in Cincinnati. Matt Nagy and their GM Ryan Pace, I don't know exactly what's going to happen here because we don't know if they're going to make the playoffs or how deep they go in the playoffs, so time will tell on them.
But again, six names here that are gone. Anthony Lynn has a meeting with the owner on Monday. I think he's going to be moved on. Adam Gase, you haven't heard anything out there yet, but I think Adam Gase moves on. They have a big decision to make with Sam Darnold and that number two pick. Doug Marrone, last year it was reported that he was informed that he'd be fired. That wasn't the case. I spoke to him this morning. He still has not been informed that he's going to be fired. However, their owner is calling around about other candidates, so that obviously is a sign that Doug Marrone will be fired.
And also, last three right there, they're interim coaches, Raheem Morris, he interviewed this past week. I don't think he gets the job there. They're looking for an offensive coach. Nor Romeo Crennel nor Darrell Bevell will be hired to be the permanent coaches at their places.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. Doesn't take long to turn the page in this league. So who are some of the hot candidates who might be in line for some of these head coaching jobs?
JAY GLAZER: All right, Curt, I'm going to start here with some defensive names. Two really hot names there. Wig Martindale in Baltimore, he's ready for this job. He's had a phenomenal run here with the Baltimore Ravens. And Robert Saleh, very hot name there for San Francisco. In fact, I think he's going to interview with Atlanta as early as Monday.
Todd Bowles' name's coming back up also in a place like Detroit. And Brandon Staley, he's coaching for Sean McVay. He's viewed as young defensive Sean McVay. Arthur Smith loved what he's doing out there in Tennessee with the quarterback and running back.
Brian Daboll, his name has gotten really hot the last three weeks for the Buffalo Bills. Eric Bieniemy hot last year, hot this year. He's going to get a ton of interviews. And Joe Brady, everybody wants that next young guy. Sean McVay, Sean Payton, Joe Brady, one year back in this league. He's learned under Sean Payton a couple years ago. He's going to get some interviews as well.
And finally, go back over here to college. We talked about Pat Fitzgerald last week. A little guy named Matt Campbell, Iowa State. His name's starting to get traction. And Urban Meyer. Oh, Urban Meyer, we share a dressing room, and here's the thing. Urban Meyer, right now, Jacksonville Jaguars, obviously, they love what a guy like Urban Meyer could bring to the table there. It's whether or not Urban he wants to go there or somewhere else. He already has a relationship with Trevor Lawrence, but there's going to be a lot of change here coming up in the next 48 hours.
CURT MENEFEE: Yeah, urban Meyer has a relationship with Justin Fields there from Ohio State.
Jimmy Johnson, anything jump out to you there with what Jay just said?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Yeah, what jumped out at me is -- Jay, take a breath.
[LAUGHTER]
JIMMY JOHNSON: I know your three phones are just ringing off the wall. Yeah, you keep going, you're going to have a heart attack. Yeah, really.
No, I've consulted with three or four owners here in the last couple of weeks, and what's interesting, there's more general manager jobs open than there've been in a long time.
And one guy can't do both jobs. I did it in Dallas, and that was before the salary cap, before free agency. I tried to do it in Miami, and really, it's too big a job for one guy.
The one thing that I did tell all the owners is whoever you hire, make sure the two individuals are compatible, they get along with each other, they work with each other. Because I've seen some cases where they were not on the same page and it is a disaster.
CURT MENEFEE: All right, jimmy, we will have more from you in just a smidge because we're about to head outside where Cowboys' legend Troy Aikman will join us to preview that win and wait game between Dallas and New York.
We'll hear from rookie CeeDee Lamb as the Cowboys try to go for their fourth straight victory.
As for Probowler James Bradberry and the Giants, well, they're trying to be the first team in history to start 0-5 and still make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Justin Jefferson looks to break Randy Moss' team record for rookie receiving yards.
And could this be the last time we see Matthew Stafford in a Lions uniform? Tom Brady this season proves you can go to another team and still have some success.
[COMMERCIAL]
[MUSIC]
>> I'm Pat Summerall here with John Maddon.
>> It's kind of fitting that it was going to come down to the last game between the Giants and the Cowboys.
>> Touchdown, Emmitt Smith. And Smith is hurt. Puts his right arm down and goes on the right shoulder.
>> Here comes Emmitt Smith.
>> This guy is a tough guy.
>> Eddie Murray wins it for Dallas. They are the NFC Eastern Division champions.
CURT MENEFEE: Well, that '94 classic was also Jimmy Johnson's last regular season victory with Dallas and also marked the last sack of Maurice Taylor's career. The quarterback he took down in that game, none other than the Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, who's calling the contest for us today between the Cowboys and the Giants. He joins us right now.
TROY AIKMAN: Happy new year.
CURT MENEFREE: Happy new year. What do you remember most from that game?
TROY AIKMAN: Well, Emmitt's shoulder, and then Eddie Money making the winning field goal there in overtime to win the ballgame. It was obviously a huge game and a big game in the history of the Cowboys.
CURT MENEFEE: Ed Murray's nickname was Eddie Money because he was money.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Money.
HOWIE LONG: There you go, we got that figured out.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Troy, the weather may be an issue today, but I really think right now Andy Dalton and Kellen Moore, looks like they've really gotten in sync with this offense.
TROY AIKMAN: Yeah, I think they have, too, Terry. And I think a big reason why has been the play up front. You know, the problem throughout the season for Dallas, one of them, anyway, has been the inconsistencies along the offensive line. But it's the same five that have started now for the fifth week in a row and that's helped Andy Dalton.
And they've gotten the ball out of his hands quickly and so it's a style that's worked really well. And for Dalton being a veteran player, it's served the Cowboys well here over the last three weeks.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Hey, Troy, on that little piece that they just ran, they said something about that was my last regular season win in Dallas.
You know, you and I should know, we don't count regular season games. Only thing we count is Super Bowls.
[LAUGHTER]
JIMMY JOHNSON: You know.
TROY AIKMAN: A good point, Jimmy, you're right.
JIMMY JOHNSON: As far as this team, you know, if they do make it into the playoffs, are they good enough to go past that first round?
TROY AIKMAN: Well, I think when you look at Dallas, you really kind of have to just look at where they're at right now. I don't think it's fair to say that this is a team with a losing record. They're playing pretty good football. I think the defense is playing a lot better. The offense, of course, is.
The biggest reason is they're not turning the ball over and then they're creating takeaways, which they haven't done in a real long time around -- around Dallas. So that has allowed them to have the success.
I know there's a lot of doubters out there and I understand that, but I do feel that if they are able to get into the postseason, I think they could be a dangerous team. I think a lot of people would probably be overlooking not only the Cowboys, but any team that comes out of the east.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: And, you know, Troy, that game that you and Jimmy are talking about, that was my rookie year. I remember being on the sideline not playing much, watching Lawrence Taylor doing what he was doing.
There's all this playoff talk. You know, getting in the playoff, being -- they got to make it. They still got to beat the Giants. And in the case of the Giants, it's all about Daniel Jones. He only has one rushing attempt in the last two games, and that's such an important part of his game. So is that an indication of how healthy he is?
TROY AIKMAN: Well, he has been limited. He had the ankle injury and then, of course, the hamstring that has continued to be a factor. I do think, though, Mike, that we're going to see a little better version of Daniel Jones tonight. I think that what he was able to do early in the year and, you're right, his ability to run the football and the read option and he is a threat, I do believe that we'll see more of that and I don't believe that he's as limited as maybe what he has led people to believe.
HOWIE LONG: Hey, Troy, we've waited 16 weeks to try to figure out who's going to win this NFC East. We're down to the 17th week. How do you see it shaking out?
TROY AIKMAN: Well, I think -- I think Washington is going to end up winning the division. I know it's been a tough couple weeks for them and it's right there waiting on they will.
But I think that with Alex Smith coming back, as you guys know, they're a much different football team with him at the helm. And they get their running back and wide receiver and then all of the guys that are missing for Philadelphia. I just think that Washington is going to take care of business here this evening.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. Thanks a lot. Have a great call this afternoon for us, Troy. We'll talk about Washington and --
TROY AIKMAN: Bye, guys.
CURT MENEFEE: -- Philadelphia in just a minute, but Jimmy, how do you see the Dallas-Giants game playing out?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Well, the Cowboys are hot. You know, the last three games, they scored 36 points, whereas the Giants only scored nine points a game the last three games, plus they were sacked 15 times in those three games.
Now, you look at it, you know, defensively, you know, the Cowboys have gotten a lot better since that first game when the Giants scored 34 points. They scored 34 points, won on defense, they got the ball on the 17.
Now, Michael, you look at the matchup, hey, the Dallas Cowboys are hot and the New York Giants are not.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Jimmy, I'm looking at that shirt, Jimmy, and I want to throw up. How about that.
TERRY BRADSHAW: First time time all year you had the blue on.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You been wearing black all year and now you have on blue and you're doing the shift.
TERRY BRADSHAW: But you've got a Christmas ornament.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Now, Jimmy, you do mention something. The Giants, they've only scored a collective 26 points in the last three games, but this is a different Giants team when it comes defensively because defensively, they were in their infancy when they played the Cowboys before and lost 37-34.
The Cowboys defense, Jimmy, they're still giving up 30 points a game, so I feel like if the Giants could not turn over the ball -- that's been the biggest problem with Daniel Jones -- and when they've had success, when they went on their hot streak, he didn't turn the ball over. 162 pass attempts without an interception. They need to continue that. They need to get back into their -- get the running game going, and also, they need to stop the run.
Last week, gave up a lot of yards, over 200 to the Ravens. So they've got to -- got to squash Zeke from the beginning to give themselves some confidence and not turn the ball over.
CURT MENEFEE: Right, so the winner of this game wins the NFC East only if Washington loses to Philadelphia tonight. Will they?
TERRY BRADSHAW: No, no, they won't lose this football game. Michael, defense, Howie defense. I loved defense when I was in Pittsburgh and one of the things that you can rely on, if you have a great defensive football team, you can win football games with defense.
And I think Washington, if you go back to week one -- I know it's a long time -- when they had eight sacks on Wentz, maybe that's the pressure. Get that pressure. Turn that defense loose. They raise it up another notch, this defense is as good as you'll see in the National Football League. I think Smith plays well, but I think the defense, after eight sacks the first week, they'll create turnovers and Washington wins with defense.
HOWIE LONG: I don't think there's a more inspiring story than the one in Washington with Ron Rivera and Alex Smith. Ron Rivera has brought in a new culture. He made a -- what I consider to be a franchise changing decision moving on from Dwayne Haskins. Alex Smith has been banged up. Jay has chronicled his injuries. Half a calf or a portion of a calf not there. How far he can go in the game, I think, will go a long way towards telling us who wins.
They scores 27 points with him, 18 without him. I think the game really comes down to this defensive front, Josh Sweat and, yeah, that whole defensive front for --
CURT MENEFEE: Chase Young?
HOWIE LONG: -- yeah, Chase Young for Washington. I think Jalen Hurts versus that defensive front will determine the game. I think without Sanders in the lineup, the pressure is -- more pressure's on Jalen Hurts.
TERRY BRADSHAW: What about if Washington quits quickly? If Washington -- something happened to Smith and the calf and he can't play, do you think Heineke can come in? I think he can.
CURT MENEFEE: Well, he's played in this offense before with Ron Rivera down in Carolina.
HOWIE LONG: He was finishing his math degree, and Ron called him up.
CURT MENEFEE: We will talk about other divisional matchups with playoff implications as we cover the Packers and Bears with Chicago looking to make it to the postseason.
And for the first time in history, Round 1 of the postseason will feature 12 teams competing in six games over two days. Both Saturday and Sunday are triple-headers. Games start at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on both days. It's super wildcard weekend. It's only six days from now!
[COMMERCIAL]
>> Anybody in their conference right now. Chicago, worst team in their division.
>> -- a month ago, and now they're red hot.
>> The Bears are starting to pound.
>> Green Bay is hot.
>> One game away from clinching home field advantage.
>> Bears are back over .500, sets up the Week 17 matchup against their hated rival, the Green Bay Packers.
CURT MENEFEE: Well, the NFL's oldest rivalry will go a long way in determining playoff seeding in the NFC. The Bears and the Packers meet for the 200th time.
Howie, Green Bay going into this -- this is -- going in for Chicago -- but Green Bay, if they win, they're the Number 1 seed in the NFC.
HOWIE LONG: Yeah. They're the number one seed. It's a place that Aaron Rodgers had great success. If the Green Bay team that showed up last week, not the team that showed up two weeks -- versus Carolina -- if the team that showed up last week that ran for over 200 yards -- A. J. Dillon -- the only thing that stopped A.J. Dillon was the Lambeau leap.
I mean, it's like a ladder at your house where it says "Anybody over 240 pounds, don't get on the ladder." They should have a thing on the wall, "If you're over 250" -- and he -- I think he's, like, 260. He's a load. He missed eight weeks.
That's another element to what they do in Green Bay, the run game, the physicality. Their defense played great. And I think Aaron Rodgers put an exclamation point on the MVP award last week.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah. And I think Green Bay is going to stay where they are. They're going to keep the number one seed.
You know, the Saints, that's another team -- and it really is amazing when you look at them. Jay said earlier -- they have no running back. They don't have anybody. They've gone through this the entire season.
And when you talk about coaches of the year, Sean Payton's name is not one that people usually say. But think about it. Through Drew Brees' injury -- defense has been banged up; no Michael Thomas, who's the best receiver on your team; and you're still fighting for the number one seed.
And anytime you're in a game, even without running backs, we don't sit here and say, "Well, the Saints don't have a shot." Any other team, we say that because we expect Sean Payton and his coaching genius --
HOWIE LONG: To draw it up.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: -- to be able to draw it up and adapt. So it really is amazing the job that he's done this season, and I just don't think we can let that go by. I expect them to win today regardless of not having running backs because I just feel like Sean Payton offensively knows how to plug the right guys into the right position even if that's not their primary position to get the win.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Yeah. He is the best.
Before we go any further with this, I'm always on this show trying to make fun and help people have a good time, and today I talked about steroids and --
MICHAEL STRAHAN: It's very rare that it works, but he tries.
TERRY BRADSHAW: -- two guys that I love, and I just want America to know I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't --
HOWIE LONG: For what?
TERRY BRADSHAW: I feel bad that I said that because I know neither one of you did. And I just feel better that I say it in front of our audience. Now, enough of that.
I want to talk about Mitchell Trubisky. Here's a guy, if you look at him, who has been written off, cast away. The coach, you --- we've heard, doesn't like him. Ownership wants him out of the building.
But let me tell you something. When you average 35 points a game your last four games, which he has done, and you play flawless football, sometimes benching, insults, ridicule, and you get the next opportunity wakes a person up. Right now --
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Toughen them up.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Today, here's what I want to happen. Here's the scenario: Three touchdown passes, a 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter to beat Green Bay at home to seal the deal. That's what I'm hoping for him today.
HOWIE LONG: Oh. And what happens then?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Then they sign him. What do you think?
CURT MENEFEE: That'll be interesting.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I've got another scenario.
>> No, no!
HOWIE LONG: I love Mitch, and nobody could be happier for Mitch.
CURT MENEFEE: Jimmy?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Well, first I all, I disagree with Terry totally. I don't think it's going to happen. Chicago is not going to win, in my opinion. Now -- but if Chicago wins, it really affects that NFC West. First of all, Seattle now -- if New Orleans was to lose, Seattle would have a chance for the number one seed.
And then the big game, Arizona and the Rams. You look at that. If the Rams win, they're in. You know, Arizona, they've got to win. They've got to have Chicago lose to get in. Now, only thing the Rams -- they don't have Jared Goff. You know, they're going to have another quarterback, John Wolford. He's a little shorter than I am.
HOWIE LONG: No.
JIMMY JOHNSON: But he's got really -- he's got good athletic ability. And, in fact, we're similar in that way as well.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Oh!
[LAUGHTER]
JIMMY JOHNSON: I think Wolford was in the Alliance League. He played for the Arizona Hot Shots, threw 14 touchdowns. He'll have a big day today because he's a little short, but he's very athletic.
TERRY BRADSHAW: They'll use him exactly how they started the season off with Goff and those bootlegs and going outside. He'll be perfect for that, Jimmy.
CURT MENEFEE: Hey, speaking of short and athletic, Jay Glazer is back with us right now for "Ins and Outs" brought to you by GEICO.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Oh!
CURT MENEFEE: I gave you athletic.
JAY GLAZER: Listen to Michael Jordan over here. I appreciate that.
All right. Here, we're going to stick with the Rams over here. And, obviously, what they're going to need is a good running game. And Cam Akers, I talked to his head coach, Sean McVay, this morning. He said he should be good to start. We'll see how he is in the game. Hopefully, everything is okay.
Leonard Floyd, he had some difficulty this week, abdominal issues. Took him to the hospital. Turned out he was okay. He's in today.
Andrew Whitworth, he was trying to target to come back early here for the regular season. Not going to happen. Looks like more for the playoffs.
All right. Let's go to the Cardinals now. Christian Kirk, he's out because of COVID. Larry Fitzgerald, looks like he's going to be out as well. So that's a very depleted receiving core for Arizona.
Carlos Hyde for Seattle, he's out because of a stomach illness, not because of COVID, because of an illness. And Greg Olsen had a little setback with that foot, so he's out as well.
And Gus Edwards for the Ravens had an expanded role recently. He's been questionable, the back injury. He's in today. DaVante Parker, he's in today as well.
And later on, Alex Smith -- look, I talked to Ron Rivera this morning. He said, "He's going to go for us today. We don't know how it's going to -- really, his calf is going to be affected as the game goes on. Hopefully, he can make it through this game." Same with Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin.
>> Nice job, brother.
JAY GLAZER: You got me all thrown off with that athleticism thing.
CURT MENEFEE: No, what, that's a compliment? That throws you off by giving you a compliment?
JAY GLAZER: I'm not used to getting compliments on the show. That's too much!
CURT MENEFEE: All right, well thanks a lot. Nice job done there.
JAY GLAZER: Thank you buddy.
CURT MENEFREE: All right, folks, if your team still has a shot at the playoffs, well, fingers crossed because as they say, hope springs eternal. Take it from our friend, Hope.
>> If you're wondering if your team still has a shot at making the playoffs, call the any chance hotline and find out.
>> Any chance hotline.
>> Do the Colts have a chance?
>> Do win the division they need to beat the Jags and to have the Titans lose or tie. If they can tie Jacksonville, Houston needs to beat Tennessee.
>> When you call --
>> To clinch a playoff spot, the Colts need a win and to get a loss or tie from either the Ravens, the Dolphins or the Browns. If you guys tie the Jags, you'll need a loss from either Miami, Baltimore or Cleveland. Does that make sense?
>> Just, sorry, can you say that again. I couldn't find a pen.
>> Thanks for calling.
>> Any chance hotline.
>> Bengals, any chance?
[LAUGHTER]
>> No chance. So give us a call. Operators are standing by. Any chance hot line. Hope here.
>> I'm calling about the Raiders.
>> This is the hardest part of my job. You might want to sit down for this.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. Hey, Tony Gonzalez joins us. He will break down every possibility that is left for the Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs. Save that for a little bit. Right now, you at home, all you got to do is download the Fox Super 6 app and you can win $100,000 if you pick all the contest right. Terry Bradshaw's been giving away money this year.
TERRY BRADSHAW: All year long.
CURT MENEFEE: And has been correctly picking games this year, extending his first place lead last week by pick against his Giants.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Now why you all got to throw that part in there. I did it for motivation.
CURT MENEFEE: No, no, for motivation.
HOWIE LONG: His Giants by 13.
TERRY BRADSHAW: That's for motivation.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: And I've got to say, Terry, thank you for your apology, but I am honored that you think this physique needed some help, but it is all the blood of Gene and Louise Strahan right here, baby. It's the packet. Thank you, Momma and Daddy and thank you, Jesus.
TERRY BRADSHAW: That's right. Amen.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: There you go. I'll take my picks. I'm going with the Green Bay Packers over the Chicago Bears, and I'm going with a big margin by 14.
HOWIE LONG: Browns fans, get off the ledge. I've got the Browns by 7. They get in the playoffs, break the 17-year streak.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Michael Simon's happy.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Dallas by 5 over New York.
CURT MENEFEE: Oh.
HOWIE LONG: Oh.
TONY GONZALEZ: I'm going to take a page out of your book and I'm going to take the Buccaneers over the Falcons -- over my Falcons just to motivate them -- that's the only reason I'm picking them -- and I'm picking by 7.
TERRY BRADSHAW: We heard that.
HOWIE LONG: We heard that spiel last week.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Hey, see this smile? This is smiling because I'm not in last place. I'm taking Minnesota by 7.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. Guys, hey, as we put 2020 in the rear view mirror, it might get overlooked, but the NFL is about to finish its entire season and compete the regular campaign on schedule on time.
The Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Friday Night Lights" Buzz Bissinger reminds us that football has helped lift up our country during very difficult days many times.
BUZZ BISSINGER: A hundred years from now, how would you explain the circumstances you were dealt? How many words, pages, books would it take to tell the story? With so many questions, would you even begin to explain to the ones that would never understand what a wild ride it's been.
We love this game because it's always new, always continues to surprise us. No two seasons, no two stories the same. But this season sits in a category of its own because it is stranger than fiction, but all too real to be untrue.
When the ink dries on the 2020 NFL season, you'll find under the toughest conditions a group of football players coming together to help us heal in a way. Because it was a time not long ago when football was an afterthought.
>> The World Health Organization today declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.
>> 2020 will be a time in history to be remembered.
>> A world flipped on its head. Unspeakable tragedy and uncompromising response that followed.
>> If you don't stand up and say something or do something about it, then you're just as wrong as the people who are doing it.
BUZZ BISSINGER: But through it all they played.
>> Yeah, and we don't know what's ahead of us.
>> We just try to go out there and enjoy the moments that we do have on the field.
>> When I'm out there with ten other guys in the huddle, I'm just in paradise.
BUZZ BISSINGER: They push through not only for themselves but for the people who depend on them.
>> When everything's going on, the first thing you thought of was all your loved ones. Today we play for them. Let them know we okay.
BUZZ BISSINGER: Sacrificing so much for the game that they love, that we love.
>> You know, it's life sometimes. You deal with the ups and downs and you try and stay positive.
>> It's really about fighting and never giving up.
>> You know, you've got to look at each other in the face and know who you can depend on.
BUZZ BISSINGER: It is kickoff weekend around the National Football League.
>> We are excited. We're grateful.
>> Will you remember the bad with the good?
>> Beautiful day for some football, man.
>> I love you, brother, let's do it.
>> The uncomfortable silence of emptiness.
>> Ah, God, this don't feel real, man.
>> This is weird.
>> For the absence of that dull roar.
>> Ah, just dead silence.
>> And those slipped of the opportunity it created.
>> It has been extremely tough.
>> We have so many Raider fans that are just dying to get in that stadium.
>> The next time we get to be in these stands, it's going to be a religious experience.
>> It wasn't perfect, but it couldn't be. They carried on.
>> These are the moments that we work for right here.
>> We put it? Every one of you, man.
>> I love you guys. Win on three. 1-2-3, win!
>> And just imagine what we might have missed if they didn't.
>> Did you miss me?
[MUSIC]
>> That's why they pay me the big bucks.
[MUSIC]
>> I'm not losing!
>> That is championship!
>> One of the greatest games in history right there.
>> We all know there's more chapters to come, but after today, there's a small achievement that we can all take pride in. These teams were able to show us what was possible and what was truly a season unlike any other.
It may not feel like it now, but one day this will be just another story among millions on the shelf.
>> And I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
CURT MENEFEE: Well, like the entire world, entire globe, really, when you think about it, Michael, this season has been unlike any other, but it's also taught us to appreciate the little things.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, teaches you to appreciate life, your family, your friends, all those things that are really important. And I think it also puts sports in a different perspective as well.
I know For me, that -- it's entertainment, it's something that I'm glad came around. I think we are all happy that sports came around, not just the game of football, but all sports and I think it's given us definitely an appreciation.
HOWIE LONG: People are really looking forward to it.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Oh, no doubt, no doubt.
CURT MENEFEE: You know, when we look back, when we were looking forward at the summer, no one thought we would get 17 weeks in in 17 weeks.
HOWIE LONG: No way, no way.
CURT MENEFEE: No pause button, no delay. Great job done by the National Football League as week 17 is just about to get underway with a lot of playoff positions still to be decided. That will do it for us.
Before we go, however, our friends at Ford, they've got a special message as we all work together to battle the pandemic this year as we get ready for kickoff, take a look.
>> Welcome to an epic new season of dedication, preparation, and passion. If your NFL fandom is a cut above, you could join the legends of the game in the Ford Hall of Fans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Enter for your chance today at fordhalloffans.com.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports