>> Hugging it out, high-fives and butt slaps. That's why I watch, and the greatness, come on, of Tom Brady. Seven Super Bowls, over 600 touchdown passes. He has done everything there is to do in the NFL except play in Los Angeles, so I am just excited to see the GOAT here in L.A. for the first time.
(Music)
>> Yeah, that's right. We got an actual goat. We also named it Tom. It's Hollywood, baby. Week three is next on FOX.
>> Nowhere else would you see a goat on a surf board. Before we see the greatest of all time, it's maybe the most exciting right now. At the top of the hour Kyler Murray, who can do it all, takes his undefeated high-flying Cardinals into Jacksonville to face number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence, one of five rookie QBs getting the start here in week three. The most anticipated is no doubt Bears first rounder Justin Fields who takes the field in his first-ever start in front of the menacing Dog Pound up in Cleveland.
Call those games, the exciting trailers for the Hollywood blockbuster. We've got America's game of the week. Tom Brady leads the Super Bowl champion Bucs into Los Angeles to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams. A battle of unbeatens and a possible NFC championship game preview.
We'll set the table for you with the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show powered up by Ford and their line-up of electric vehicles including all new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. It's the only EV that's an F-150.
CURT MENEFEE: Come on in and stay a while, folks. I'm Curt Menefee. Thanks for letting us be a part of your football Sunday, and a special thanks to the talented Melissa McCarthy for getting us started. The Starling can currently be seen in theaters and on Netflix. A big double-header.
Terry, Howie, Michael, and our boy Jimmy down there.
>> Hey, Jay Jay.
JIMMY JOHNSON: I'm going to use my sexy Barry White voice today.
CURT MENEFEE: We will get great sexy-voiced Jimmy Johnson for just a bit. Right now we start our first show with the great story as we kick off our look-around social media that we like to call Hash Mark #Hashtags. In addition to lighting up the scoreboard this week Derek Henry put a positive social media spin on a kid in Florida. That's because Henry had his state high school single rushing record which was 502 yards broken when Kayleb Wagner ran for 535 yards in a game on just 25 carries. Henry reached out to Wagner, who was born with just one hand, on Instagram to congratulate him. The kid then went out and put up another 400 plus rushing on Friday night. Congratulations to Kayleb.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Amazing.
CURT MENEFEE: Elsewhere, Carolina is running away with the title of best social media department on top of their first 3-0 start since 2015. How cool is this virtual panther they have unleashed online? I still take our virtual mascot Cleatus if the ever went toe to toe.
Meanwhile the Giants are 0-2 and getting killed, New York's other winless team got absolutely destroyed on TikTok by a 12-year-old.
>> If there's one play that sums up the New York Jets, this is it: This Patriots winning off the edge. This Jets dud is being pancaked on the ground, and these two idiots staring at each other like, yo, what are doing? I don't know. Let's just stand here. The cherry on top has to Zach Wilson then throwing this pick.
CURT MENEFEE: Harsh media.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Why you gotta throw the Giants in there? That was all about the Jets.
CURT MENEFEE: Both winless right now. We'll talk about those teams as we zip around the league. Let's start with some interesting matchups. Jimmy, I want to start with the big game going on between the Packers and the Niners.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Curt, I'm concerned about the Packers. You look at them, they are starting a third string offensive tackle. They've had pass protection problems. They're going up against Kyle Shanahan, the best in the league at scheming the run game, and they haven't been good against the run, giving up nearly five yards a carry.
I know Aaron Rodgers says, Relax, it's a long season, but I see inconsistencies there, and I don't know if they're going to give up 38 points or going to score 35 points.
CURT MENEFEE: It's going to be a big weekend for Jimmy Johnson. He is here with us all day today, and then tomorrow night at halftime you get your Hall of Fame ring there between Dallas and Philadelphia game.
JIMMY JOHNSON: I need another ring. Right.
CURT MENEFEE: You going to change the name of your boat, the four rings?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Oh, no. I got more than that, Curt.
CURT MENEFEE: Excuse me. I'm sorry.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: That's what they say.
CURT MENEFEE: What about the game?
HOWIE LONG: If nothing else, Nick Sirianni is entertaining at a press conference, and I think he endeared himself to the city this week, and he certainly knows who to hate: The Dallas Cowboys.
It's a big week for that football team. I think he feels good about his football team, particularly after their performance against San Francisco. They went blow for blow with San Francisco, very physical game. Had opportunities to win it, and I think a guy that has an opportunity today to win over the organization, or a lot of kind of rumors circling around what they were going to do at the quarterback position, Jalen Hurts going down to Dallas against Dak Prescott, big win.
That would certainly win the organization over.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Absolutely. Another game, the Chargers and the Chiefs. When you look at this game obviously we know what Kansas City can do. Patrick Mahomes, 16-2 in this division. They're big play offense, but Chargers have done a great job of limiting those big plays. Only three passes over 20 yards so far this season, and with their quarterback Herbert and Allen, they've really been connecting so far.
Allen has two games over 100 yards. Only player in the league with that being done. But they lead the league in red zone offense as far as getting in the red zone, and also, they have as many touchdowns as turnovers. That's three apiece.
Kansas City defense on the other side has really struggled in the red zone. One of those have to give today. We'll figure out which one it is.
CURT MENEFEE: Panthers won on Thursday night. Are they at 3-0 for real, and Sam Darnold for real?
TERRY BRADSHAW: I've always loved Sam Darnold. You always hear me say that on this show. You've got to put these young quarterbacks and surround them with talent. Curt said, look, I'm finally flourishing as I should because we have great talent around Curt Menefee, and we all agree with that.
Darnold is the same way. You take these young quarterbacks, you beat them up, and then you get rid of them because they're not any good, when you haven't helped them. I think what's happening now, Ruhle now the head coach in Carolina, they're surrounding him with talented people. McCaffrey, the running back, although out this game, their head coach does a great job. Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator, phenomenal. The fact they have the number one defense in the NFL all helps Darnold. 3-0, yeah. The real deal, man.
CURT MENEFEE: Legit 3-0. While we're talking about quarterbacks, why don't we bring in Jay Glazer because the Houston Texans they lost Tyrod Taylor, then got beat by the Carolina team we just talked about. Is there any chance they turn to Deshaun Watson?
JAY GLAZER: Nope not at all. He doesn't want to play for the Houston Texans, but it's interesting because while we went into the season, the Texans really were not fielding phone calls. They really weren't open to trade talks unless somebody was going to give them a ridiculous trade offer, more than six draft picks. They've already been offered three ones and three threes; wanted more than that. However, I was told this past week their stance started to soften a little bit with that.
The interesting part, you look down to Miami with Tua going down. That would be an obvious trade partner. Remember this, if they end up trading Deshaun Watson right now, he is eligible to play next week. He is not on the Commissioner's exempt list or on any suspension list. He can play immediately. It's just to see if the Texans can actually soften their stance even more and possibly send him out of town, but, no, he is not going to play. He is not playing for them.
CURT MENEFEE: Another quarterback, Indy's Carson Wentz is really banged up. What's the status?
JAY GLAZER: He has two sprained ankles. The good news there is they're not high ankle sprains. They're low ankle sprains. I'm told the left one is worse than the right one. He'll tape them up pretty tight today. If he ends up not being able to make it through the game, then Brett Hundley, not Eason, would take his place.
CURT MENEFEE: Odell Beckham Jr. missed almost a year. He is back in the line-up for the first time today. What's the plan for him in Cleveland?
JAY GLAZER: Look, week one it was Odell's decision. Just didn't feel like he was 100% ready, was not fully right. Last week it was Kevin Stefanski's decision. Let me hold him out an extra week just to make sure.
So today, Odell Beckham, I talked to Kevin Stefanski this morning, he said he is going to start. I don't have him on a pitch count; however, I am going to talk to him after every series just to make sure he is feeling okay.
But no pitch count today for Odell Beckham.
CURT MENEFEE: All right, something to keep an eye on. Thanks a lot, Jay. Hey, we're just getting started. Here's what else is on the way.
(Music)
>> Coming up, it's the toughest division in football, but who is the best in the west? Plus, five rookie QBs are getting the start this week. Which one will win now and in the future?
Later, Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson links up with the man, the myth, the hoodie, Bill Belichick in Foxboro. Then, Hollywood's newest star, Matthew Stafford, sits down with Terry Bradshaw to talk about what has the Rams rolling and today's matchup with Tom Brady. All that and more ahead on FOX NFL Sunday.
(Music)
(Commercial)
>> This week's lightning strikes player is brought to you by the all electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Three total touchdowns for Derek Henry, yep, lightning strikes.
(Music)
>> When you have Russell Wilson, you always have a chance.
>> I'm a believer.
>> San Francisco!
>> 2-0 to start the season.
>> This kid here, he is a natural.
>> It's not a mirage. Arizona is a real team.
>> Touchdown, L.A.
>> They are as good as it gets in the NFL.
(Music).
CURT MENEFEE: With a combined record of 7-1, the NFC West is no doubt the best in football. Who is the best of the best? We'll tackle some of those titles right off the bat, and we'll start with you guys. Let's begin with you, Michael, in fact. Quarterback, four good ones in this division. Who is the best?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You know, Curt, this is a tough one. I am going to go with Russell Wilson.
CURT MENEFEE: Why?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Russell Wilson, thrown over 30 touchdowns. The only one in that division who has a Super Bowl win, and he just continues to get it done. Highest pass rating of his career this year. I got to say, Kyler Murray is an incredible player, closest thing to Michael Vick that we've seen in a long time. Beat you with his feet. Can throw the ball just as good or as well as anybody else.
Matthew Stafford, Godsend for the Rams.
And then you have Garoppolo, who probably the least like -- of these quarterbacks --
>> Gets the least attention, yeah.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: But, he wins, and that's all that matters. But Russell Wilson is the guy in this division.
CURT MENEFEE: Coach Jimmy Johnson, who is the best coach in this division?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Hey, it's the best coaching in the entire NFL as a group. As a group.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: We didn't ask that.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Now, who has won a championship? Pete Carroll. So he's got to go No. 1.
Shanahan is the best in the league as far as the run game.
McVay, you know, he came close to winning a championship, as did Shanahan.
And Kingsbury went fishing with me. Best coaching in the league.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Just because he went fishing with you gets an honorable mention.
CURT MENEFEE: Now you get to be a good coach. So we have got two Seattle picks so far, which is really interesting. Terry, I'm going to come with you. This wide receiver group, Seattle has a good one, but you look from top to bottom who has the best?
TERRY BRADSHAW: To me it's the Rams. They're all good. Arizona is phenomenal. I would go with Higby at tight end. Woods and then Kupp at wide receiver for the Rams. Just amazing, electrifying. Sean McVay's offense creates a lot of mismatches. It's what's called a motion triangle. We were talking about that yesterday. Someone down the middle always wide open. Great receivers.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Is it the system or these guys? You look at Arizona. You look at Seattle.
TERRY BRADSHAW: The system has a lot to do with it.
HOWIE LONG: A lot of people are copying that offense right now.
CURT MENEFEE: Bring us home, Howie. Who is the biggest star in this division?
HOWIE LONG: Like "Us Magazine" or "People"?
CURT MENEFEE: Best player.
HOWIE LONG: Best player in that division to me it's a no-brainer in that division is Aaron Donald. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, 30 years old. A generational player. Not just in that division, he might be one of the top three, four players in the entire NFL.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I can agree with that. Second it. You don't get much of a mention in defensive linemen, so, Howie, well done, my friend.
CURT MENEFEE: We have two Seattle positions and two Rams positions.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Yep.
CURT MENEFEE: San Francisco the best at anything? Arizona the best at anything?
HOWIE LONG: They pound the football.
CURT MENEFEE: Run game.
TERRY BRADSHAW: And defense. Boy, that defense played well last week.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. That's it for breaking down the NFC West. We have much more to come, because still ahead two of the greatest coaches of all time, Jimmy and Bill Belichick, talk shop. Plus, Terry sits down with one of his favorite QBs, Matthew Stafford.
TERRY BRADSHAW: California is the place you ought to be, so you loaded up your family and headed to Beverly.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: It was -- that's a big move. You know, it's a huge move.
(Music)
(Commercial)
>> Are you an NFL player that's been flagged for taunting? Call the law offices of Jeffrey flag-off. I can't read, but the new taunting rule is confusing. Vague and not very fun. Don't let a referee stop you from ball spinning, arm flexing, chowing down. Can we just have a little fun for a second? I've been practicing law for almost two weeks now, and I still haven't won a case. It's like, huh?
>> Called a penalty on a player that was rowing a boat in the end zone. The next day I found an actual row boat in my living room. Now I watch TV in a boat.
>> I had nothing to do with that. If your celebrating is deemed unsportsmanlike, I'm here to fight for you. What? Oh, come on.
(Whistle)
>> I'm just pointing. That's not a taunt. The ball thing is a taunt.
CURT MENEFEE: Concept, execution. All right. Let's talk young quarterbacks here in the National Football League. Let's start with you. We got three of them starting here on FOX at the top of the hour, including the Patriots and Mac Jones. What do you think the long-term perspective is for the kid?
HOWIE LONG: The long-term is you hope, you know -- and I hope that this guy to me looks like a young -- emphasis on young -- Tom Brady. Right down to the walk he had right after his name being announced on draft night.
I think he is in the best situation. Terry talks about a young quarterback needing surrounding people, with an offense, offensive line, head coach, coordinator. He has all that.
And this offense looks a lot like the offense that a young Tom Brady ran. Run the football. Play defense.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You say Brady a lot.
JAY GLAZER: I talked to Sean Payton this morning and said one of the young quarterbacks are going to be a bust. Which one do you think it is? He said not Mac Jones. Are you saying that because you are playing against him today? He said, No, I actually loved him coming out. As I saw him on film this week, he makes really fast decisions. He is hard for us to sack as a young quarterback, but he will also be hard to bait him into making rookie mistakes.
TERRY BRADSHAW: You are not even in the list to talk. Why are you talking?
JAY GLAZER: Because you can't read. It's right there.
CURT MENEFEE: Talking about Trevor Lawrence, he was the number one overall pick, but that also means he is going to the worst teams.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Trevor has arm strength, mobility, all that. He has everything it's got to take to be successful in this league, and I think he will. Just needs to be surrounded by better talent at this point, and this is the worst team in the league for a reason. Urban Meyer, first-year coach. It's going to take a while for them to buy into his program, to understand his system, but if you are a Jacksonville Jaguar fan, be patient. You have a great young quarterback that any team will be happy to build around.
CURT MENEFEE: Bears fans have not been patient. They've been begging to see Justin Fields. They get a chance to see him start today. What's the long-term prospect?
JIMMY JOHNSON: If you have somebody that's going to be your future, a franchise quarterback, I don't believe in sitting him. You know, and so I don't think Dalton should be out there.
Justin Fields should be on the field. Let him play. He is going to cost them some games, you know, but for the future, the only way he gets better is by playing on the field.
JAY GLAZER: If they weren't on the hot seat I don't think they would play Justin Fields. Andy Dalton, they're saying he will be the starter when he comes back in case Fields doesn't play well.
Yes, Jerry, you can't read. It's one letter. It says J, and it's one letter.
CURT MENEFEE: Let's wrap this up by talking about Zach Wilson; struggling right now. Only two games with the Jets.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Saleh, the head coach of the Jets, is going to do a great job with this kid. He has everything you want in a starting -- a franchise quarterback. If you just look at when they got rid of the other quarterback, Darnoldson, down to Carolina; 98 sacks in 35 --
CURT MENEFEE: Who?
HOWIE LONG: Added the son on the Darnold, but, hey.
JAY GLAZER: Hey, if you read your list, it says Darnold.
HOWIE LONG: You are doing great.
JIMMY JOHNSON: I'm having a visceral reaction here.
CURT MENEFEE: All right, we talked about Justin Fields just a little while ago. We'll get a chance to see him make his first start in Cleveland, and as we note in our sleep number screen pass, that will also feature the season debut of Odell Beckham Jr. Michael, coming off a torn ACL and broken ankle a couple of years as well, what are the realistic expectations of the impact he can still make?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Odell, Odell. The guy is not used to being a regular player. He is going to make an immediate impact. He is the guy. He knows that. He is not going to play unless he can play to the level that we all expect him to. I expect a big game out of Odell.
CURT MENEFEE: All right, you saw the cover there at Giants -- well, I call it Giants Stadium still. It's Metlife Stadium because Eli Manning, they will reveal his name in the ring of honor. Michael Strahan is already there. He is also getting an honor having his number retired.
Now, Michael, right now they need a lot more of you than of Eli. Howie, they've got no pass rush at all. What can they do to try to fix it?
HOWIE LONG: Look, for two weeks I've been watching games with Michael here with the Giants and particularly the pass rush is frustrating. Michael is going up there around Thanksgiving to get his jersey retired. Put on ten pounds, maybe give him 15 snaps. I think that would ignite the pass rush.
JAY GLAZER: Can you get out of that stance? Medic! Let's go.
CURT MENEFEE: Get up. Get up. Maybe facing the Falcons will help them. Atlanta has been using wide receiver using Cordarrelle Patterson, including as a running back. Tb, what does that say about the Falcon offense?
TERRY BRADSHAW: It says they have no running back. I thought Patterson was still in Minnesota. I had no idea he was in Atlanta. He has already had 14 carries. He probably is their best running back.
CURT MENEFEE: Finally, the Patriots host the Saints, which means what next, Jimmy?
JIMMY JOHNSON: I have got a feature coming up. It's going to have boating, fishing, trophies, and a great football coach. Hey, don't miss it. It's going to be great.
(Music)
>> FOX NFL season brought to you by Verizon. From the network more people rely on, Verizon.
(Commercial)
(Music)
>> I had a great career there, a great 20 years.
>> Drew Brees is the NFL all-time leader.
TOM BRADY: I left everything I could on the field there for 20 years. I gave my heart and my soul, everything.
DREW BREES: Whenever you leave one chapter and go on to the next one, you hope to have left a legacy behind where you left it better than when you found it.
TOM BRADY: My football journey took me someplace else. It was just time.
(Music)
>> Good luck to the New Orleans Saints finding his replacement.
>> Let's talk about the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is long gone.
>> New England the last 20 years has been defined by the greatest quarterback ever.
>> It's all about doing your job. Whenever my time comes, I'll do that.
>> I would love to carry that torch.
>> First time after 15 seasons it's someone else.
(Music).
CURT MENEFEE: For the Patriots and Saints it's bye-bye Brady and Brees, hello Mac and Jameis. We'll cover that in a bit, but, Jimmy, you had a chance this week to catch up with your buddy Bill Belichick.
JIMMY JOHNSON: You know, Bill Belichick won his first game as a head coach in his 30s. Now just shy of 70 years old, he won his 312th. He has won six Super Bowls. I never pass up a chance to sit down with the greatest coach of all time.
(Music).
JIMMY JOHNSON: Over the years Coach Belichick and I have been able to enjoy the Florida sunshine together without me having to even consider leaving the water, but with all the offseason happenings in New England, I thought I would head north to see my good friend as he begins his 22nd season in Foxboro.
>> Always good to have a Hall of Fame coach in practice.
JIMMY JOHNSON: The fishing is slow, so I went and got on a plane, went through the Hall of Fame, saw all the trophies, all the banners, decided to come up and talk to the guy that's won six Super Bowls.
(Music)
>> What a day, man.
>> Love it.
BILL BELICHICK: It's been an interesting year. Certainly good to be back to football after last year. It's a lot of new players on the team. Some free agents, some draft choices. We were able to get in on a number of the young players, players 26 to 28. Plus we resigned a couple of guys.
We can rebuild with those players and see how it goes.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Let me ask you this: 1975, what would you tell this young coach about professional football?
BILL BELICHICK: You got a long way to go, buddy.
(Laughing).
JIMMY JOHNSON: Got a lot to learn. You had good-looking hair back then. What keeps you energized?
BILL BELICHICK: I just enjoy it, all parts of it. The preparation, the team-building, the interaction with the players.
>> That's the way to step up, D.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Everybody is asking about a rookie by the name of Jones. What's your thoughts on him?
BILL BELICHICK: Mac has done a good job for us. He has picked things up very quickly for his age and his experience. He did a great job for Coach Saban down there and played good in big games. Works really hard and has good natural instincts in the game.
>> Touchdown! It's the first in the career of Mac Jones.
JIMMY JOHNSON: On a personal note, it gave me a great feeling when I saw you at my induction into the Hall of Fame.
>> What's the common denominator on a Hall of Fame player or Hall of Fame coach?
BILL BELICHICK: I would say the one thing that sticks out to me more than anything was physical and mental toughness. They can withstand being at the center of attention, being the guy that's game-planned for, being the guy that's focused on and still come out and play good every week or still come out and coach good every week when you know everybody is pointing for you like when you were at Dallas.
You turned that into one of the greatest teams of all time as both the head coach and general manager, which is why I have learned so much from you because you have given me great advice and great counsel through the years. Great respect for what you did and happy for you. I know it was a great day. Great to see you out there.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Don't ever retire. I love watching your teams play.
BILL BELICHICK: Thank you.
(Music).
JIMMY JOHNSON: You know, it would really be easy for New England to look past New Orleans with Tampa and Tom Brady coming up next week, but not with Bill Belichick. He is 100% focused. He is doing his job. He is looking at New Orleans, and that's the only thing he is looking at.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Pretty cool seeing the two of you there. Jimmy, he is a great coach. I wouldn't put myself behind him at all. I know you will, but we won't.
JIMMY JOHNSON: He is something else. Six Super Bowls. He is really special.
CURT MENEFEE: Big challenge today, though, facing New Orleans.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You are being so nice to each other.
CURT MENEFEE: Terry is on New Orleans.
TERRY BRADSHAW: One thing about the Saints, they had eight coaches out. They get four of their starters back finally this year, but eight coaches out. No preparation. Only 128 yards in total offense. The worst in Sean Payton's career as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Things are going to change even though Thomas, their great receiver, is not back in action and the starting center is out, I still believe the New Orleans Saints are a football team now slowly going to come back into position with Lattimore coming back in and the other corner, Gardner-Johnson coming back as a starter, two crucial pieces of their puzzle for being a very successful team.
HOWIE LONG: Let me say this about Jimmy and Bill in watching that conversation. It's so cool that the greatest coach of all time has leaned on Jimmy over the years on so many topics -- personnel, salary cap, you know, building a football team. That's pretty cool.
Getting back to Cleveland and today I think Cleveland it's all about taking the next step. I mean, they fell short versus Kansas City in the playoffs. Baker is in rhythm. You know, I think they were excited about the possibly of getting Odell on the field with Landry. Landry is out now. The last time Odell was in the line-up I think Baker forced the ball to him. He felt obligated to get him the football. He is a three-step, five-step drop make your reads through your progressions, throw to the open guy. That's what it is. They've added a number of players on defense, and they thought they would be much better. To this point it hasn't gelled. I expect it will by the end of the year. Then get everybody on the field and get in sync, they're going to be a tough team to beat.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I got to add on to Jimmy. I have leaned on Jimmy, too, as long as I've been here at FOX. Hasn't paid off as well as Belichick, but I just had to put it out there. (Laughing).
But I want to -- now we transition over to Washington and Buffalo. When you look at Washington, backup quarterback, Heinicke, who he and Terry McLaurin have found a nice little rhythm together. That cannot be said on the other side for Buffalo. We know Josh Allen is talented. One of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he and Stefon Diggs have not been on the same page so far.
Both of these teams have leaned on defense. Washington, their front four is one of the best in the league, and then on the side of Buffalo, they have only given up 16 points all season long. Fewest in the league. No points in the first half of the first two games that they've played so far this year. This is going to be a defensive game because offensively neither one of these teams have their best rhythm right now.
TERRY BRADSHAW: As talented as Beckham Jr. is sometimes his strong personality actually consumes that quarterback huddle.
HOWIE LONG: It's the presence when he is lined up. I think the quarter -- you tell me. You feel obligated. I got to get him the ball.
TERRY BRADSHAW: If you feel comfortable with him, then no problem. If you are a little -- you're right. A little intimidated by him, then you force things.
HOWIE LONG: I think Baker is in a different place than he was when he was in the line-up.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I think you're right.
CURT MENEFEE: And also with a different head coach as well. When we come back, we will continue to lean on Jimmy Johnson for quite a bit.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Again?
CURT MENEFEE: But not only Jimmy. Our man, Terry, provides a conversation with Matthew Stafford who is looking to grab a signature win with his first season with the Rams if they can knock off Tom Brady and the Bucs later today.
You talk about Justin Fields making his first start and Odell Beckham. Odell, 75th anniversary uniform for the Browns saying hello to the rookie.
(Music)
(Commercial)
(Music).
CURT MENEFEE: Nice start there on the walk of fame. The greatest of all time in Tom Brady.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Right.
CURT MENEFEE: No question about that. This is his first game ever in Los Angeles, but he will try and end the season in the Super Bowl, which is also here in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, your guy Matthew Stafford is looking to do what Tom did last year: Play in the Super Bowl in his home stadium. And it's really a new home that he already looks comfortable in.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Prior to the season we heard a couple of quarterbacks saying, like one guy in Seattle, maybe get me out of here, and the guy in Green Bay is still talking, and we've heard enough of those guys, and they're still in Seattle and still in Green Bay, and Stafford after 12 years in Detroit never complained, never have to explain, and finally they traded him to Los Angeles.
(Music).
TERRY BRADSHAW: Let's go.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: What's up, T.B.?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Let's do it. One of the things that I always admired about you is you're a stand-up guy. You never complained about wanting to be traded from Detroit. You took a beating there for how many years?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: 12.
TERRY BRADSHAW: You have no regrets leaving Detroit. You left, right?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: The only thing I wish I could have done is win more football games. That's the organization that gave me my start in this league, and the way they went about the trade, I told them, Hey, nothing is going to come out from my side. You know, if nothing comes out from your side, I would really appreciate it, and we can figure this thing out on our own and go from there.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Last week on our pregame show I said that the deal between you and McVay was sealed in a hot tub.
(Laughing).
Now --
MATTHEW STAFFORD: No hot tub involved, but there was -
TERRY BRADSHAW: No hot tub?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: There was water around, water and white sand, no doubt.
We thought we were going to the Bahamas and then the we thought we were going to the Dominican, and then we said, Okay, let's just go to Cabo, and showed up and happened to be at the same place.
(Music)
>> Sets his feet and launches. Deep right.
(Music)
>> He gets it in! Touchdown!
TERRY BRADSHAW: California Jack. When you came out here and started going through this Sean McVay offense, what was the first thought you had?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: It was a lot, you know.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Complicated?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Oh, yeah. Very complicated and just different than, you know, what I had ever been a part of. But, you know, he is a great teacher. He makes it easy for you. Helped me learn it. Motions, formations, all of it.
It was a lot to look at I feel like if you were in a defense, and with my skill set and the skill set of the guys in that huddle that I -- when I step in, you know, make them think for a half second on what was that last play, what is this play, we're going to have a big advantage and go from there.
TERRY BRADSHAW: What did you think about that stadium? Did you like that?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: It's unbelievable.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I fly over when I come out here, and looks like -- I feel like I'm in outer space somewhere.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: It's an unbelievable thing.
>> Stafford with another deep spiral.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: I got a chance to walk it when I first got here.
>> Welcome to L.A.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: I think it's rocking and rolling pretty good.
TERRY BRADSHAW: It's fun to watch. Big game this week. Do you ever get into a deal with I'm playing against Tom Brady? Let me help you out here, though. He has won seven Super Bowls.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: I hear you.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Do you ever get caught up in all the hype?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: No, I think the biggest thing is when you are going against a team that Tom Brady plays on, you know you're going to have to score points. He is going to do a great job at doing his job, which is getting his team in the end zone.
So for us as an offense, I want to make sure that every guy in that huddle is proud that I'm out there playing quarterback for them.
>> Fires! It's caught again! Touchdown!
MATTHEW STAFFORD: When I put the helmet and pads on I'm going out there to prove that I'm --
TERRY BRADSHAW: -- the best out there playing?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Yeah, that's why I go play. It's a great challenge every single day for me, and I enjoy it.
(Music).
TERRY BRADSHAW: I love this guy. When Magic Johnson was in Los Angeles with the Lakers they called it, Showtime. Now with Sean McVay, when Sean McVay brought in Matthew Stafford, automatically he saw a chance to have an exciting offense by stretching the football down the field with one of the greatest arms, if not the best arms you'll see, in the NFL in Matthew Stafford today.
A lot of crossing routes. I doubt we'll see them run the football a lot today.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, they may not -- they may not be able to because they're going to have to keep up, because this Bucs offense is potent. Like 39 points a game. You know, you look at Tom Brady and you think, How do you stop this offense? You got to rush Brady. Who do they have to do that? Aaron Donald. There's nobody like Aaron Donald. The best -- as Howie said earlier, the best defensive player in the league and possibly his position ever. Three-time MVP.
You need this guy to put pressure. You have zero sacks against Brady in the games they've played. Jalen Ramsey has zero interceptions. Who is going to be the difference maker? You need a guy like Sebastian Joseph-Day, who is a nose tackle, to come in and take some pressure. Let guys come to him so you can't double up on Aaron Donald.
Also you'll need Leonard Floyd, who will have to have a big game from the outside.
The only way to beat Tom Brady is to put pressure on Tom Brady, and then they also have to find an answer for Rob Gronkowski, who looks like that connection is back to what it was in their heyday with the Patriots.
HOWIE LONG: That Achilles heel with the Tom Brady and the New England Patriots versus your group was their hubris. We're not going to run the football. We're going to throw it. We're going to throw it against the best defensive front in football. You have four pass rushers. What did you call the package? Four defensive ends on the field.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: We just called ourselves pretty darn good.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Oh.
HOWIE LONG: This is a different offense that Tom Brady is with. It's not the offense that Tom had in New England when they beat the Rams in the Super Bowl. What was the final score? 13-9. It was some low-scoring game. This offense is loaded, and Tom is more patient in this offense. The run game and the play action pass sets up their shots down the field.
Antonio Brown is not playing, but they have a ton of people, and I think the matchup will come down to, I think, who can convert in the red zone. It's Stafford. It's a big game for them, and I think it's a bigger game for the Rams psychologically and also within their division than it is for the Buccaneers.
JIMMY JOHNSON: As much as we all love football, I'll be disappointed if this doesn't turn out to be one of the greatest games of the season. When we look back -- at the end of the year when we talk about it and we said, hey, that Tampa-Rams game, that was one of the great games of the year, and I'll be disappointed if it's not. That's what I'm expecting.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Tampa has won ten great games.
CURT MENEFEE: And scored over 30 in nine straight, so they have a high-powered offense.
HOWIE LONG: Kansas City and the Rams, it was huge.
CURT MENEFEE: It was a Monday night game two years ago.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I want to take you back three years. Stafford has beaten New England in New England, and he has also -- they beat the Tampa Bay Bucs last year down in Tampa Bay, so it's not like they have to walk in there being, oh, man, I don't know if we can handle these -- I think they can win.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: They beat him without Stafford who is better in the offense now so they should have more confidence having him.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Howie, you were good with Showtime. Word.
CURT MENEFEE: Most of you will get a chance to see that game. That is a huge contest. America's game of the week.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Get him out of here.
CURT MENEFEE: Some of you will catch our other late game here on FOX when Seattle goes to visit Minnesota. Jimmy Johnson, what do you expect in that one?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Seattle blew one last week. They let Derrick Henry run all over them at the end of the ballgame and got into a physical game, and they shouldn't have. They should have won that ballgame. You know, Seattle should be in good shape today.
Let's talk about a guy that -- he is not appreciated, kind of like I am on this set, Tyler Lockett.
CURT MENEFEE: There's a reason.
JIMMY JOHNSON: He is one of the great receivers in the league. One of the best deep ball receivers in the league, and he doesn't get enough credit. You know, give him some recognition. This guy is good.
HOWIE LONG: It's hard for us to pat you on the back when you are patting yourself on the back all the time.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: There's no room for our hands to pat you.
CURT MENEFEE: We all last segment were talking about how great he was. That wasn't enough apparently.
A great matchup between the Rams and the Bucs. Jay Glazer joins us right now to let us know who is in or out brought to you by GEICO. What's the situation at running back for the Rams?
JAY GLAZER: How cool? I got a new home over here. I love it here.
First with IR, we're going to start with the running backs. Darrell Henderson with the Rams, he has been banged up. Sean McVay said he is going to be out. Sony Michel will start for him.
You talked about our other game. Dalvin Cook, fantasy fans want to know if he is going to be in. Not going to play. Unless something dramatic happens between now and three hours from now, he will be out of this game.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, we all know his pec is messed up. He got a deep bruise on that pec, and also his hip is giving him some issues. He is in. However, they lose their two best pass rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, both out.
Trey Sermon will be in for the 49ers. They keep losing running backs left and right. He was deactivated a couple of weeks ago. He will start for them in this game.
Lamar Jackson for the Ravens, he was sick this week. He had a stomach flu. That's it. They expect him to be in. However, the Ravens did get hit with COVID on the other side of the ball and close contact. They'll be out from COVID and from injuries seven starters on that defense.
Finally, DeAndre Hopkins, D-Hop banged up all week long. However, he is going to end up playing today, and they thought, hey, is he going to play? Is he going to have the reins put on him at all? Not at all. D-Hop is a full go. You see him right there.
CURT MENEFEE: Great job by Jay, and how about the job by the graphics department putting that little thing together.
HOWIE LONG: Wow.
CURT MENEFEE: Thanks a lot, Jay. Since 2017 the Jets and Giants are tied for the worst record in the entire National Football League, and after another awful start to the season. Here on FOX it's judgment day for Joe Judge's team.
(Music).
JOE JUDGE: My name is Joe Judge, and I'm the head coach of the New York Giants. I'm tired of getting judged for being 0-2, and now it's time for me to do the judging on the Judge Joe Judge Show. Hut hut.
>> All rise, the honorable Judge Joe Judge is presiding.
JOE JUDGE: Thank you, Bailiff Jones. Watch out for that turf monster, Daniel. Okay. Patriots, so you are suing the Buccaneers for stealing Tom Brady.
>> That's correct, Your Honor. At the time it was reasonable to assume that a 42-year-old quarterback was wicked old, but now we realize that that was wicked stupid, and we want him back.
>> In our defense, Your Honor, we triple stamped that with a no-take-backsies, so finders keepers, losers weepers.
JOE JUDGE: I'll allow it. Joe judgment for the defense. Hut hut.
>> Okay. NFC West, you're suing Kyler Murray because you think he has an unfair advantage?
>> That's correct, Your Honor. Look, he is so short our defenses can't see him.
JOE JUDGE: Okay. Is the defendant Kyler Murray here?
KYLER MURRAY: I'm here.
>> Oh.
>> Judge Joe Judge.
JOE JUDGE: It says here, sir, that you are looking to sue your football team for all the emotional distress that's been caused by these losses?
KYLER MURRAY: That's right, Your Honor.
JOE JUDGE: Okay. And is the person responsible for these losses in the courtroom today? And if so, could you point him out?
Let the record show this is an unreliable witness. Bailiff Jones, get this guy out of here. You hold it against me, this is not my fault. I can't believe you blame this on me. Hut hut.
>> Judge Joe Judge.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I do not condone that message or that video.
CURT MENEFEE: He actually does look a lot like Joe Judge. Let's get through our FOX Bet Super 6. We are going to give you one last chance to win $1 million of Terry's money. All you got to do is scan the QR code you see right there, download the app, play for free, and correctly pick the outcomes of six NFL games.
It's the last chance to win $1 million of Terry Bradshaw's money, but you got to play right now.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I'll pay you cash maybe. No?
CURT MENEFEE: Maybe.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Maybe. I did not say that. I did not say that.
CURT MENEFEE: Let's get to the picks for this week. Michael is in first place, but T.B. gets to choose first.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I am going to pick the Rams at home by six over the visiting Tampa Bay Bucs.
JIMMY JOHNSON: That's strong. I'm going to take Arizona by ten over Jacksonville.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: First place going third, okay. I'm going to take Buffalo at home by seven.
HOWIE LONG: Why are you picking so late in this? I'm going to go New England. Jimmy, you sold me. I'm going New England over New Orleans at home for three points.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Excellent choice.
CURT MENEFEE: And I am going to go with the Cleveland Browns by seven over the Chicago Bears. Time for one last extra point. Michael Strahan.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Extra point right here. My extra point is congratulations to my man, Eli Manning. He is having his number retired today in New York with the Giants. Congrats, Eli. You deserve it. Very proud of you. Two Super Bowl championships. He brought them to the city.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Well deserving.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Well deserved.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Absolutely.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Congratulations, Eli Manning. I was going to wear this, but it doesn't fit.
CURT MENEFEE: Michael is getting his number retired later on this season.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: November 28th.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Well deserved.
CURT MENEFEE: That's it for us. Here with the pregame show reminder, most of you will see the Bucs and Rams later today. Early game kickoffs are come your way next. Thanks for watching FOX NFL Sunday.
(Music)
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports