CURT MENEFEE: Take a bow, Dak Prescott, he's trying to lead the Cowboys to a third straight win today, however, hosting undefeated Carolina won't come easy.
Meanwhile, in the Big Easy, New Orleans gets to play in front of their home crowd for the first time in almost two years. That should give Alvin Kamara and the Saints plenty of extra juice against the Giants.
Bears' quarterback Justin Fields could use all the help he could get. He makes his first NFL start in front of the home crowd today against Chicago, looking to bounce back from a rough initiation on the road last week.
All roads out west lead to a huge matchup of first-place teams. 3-0 Arizona visits Los Angeles. A lot of you will get that game later today. Some others will see a key clash between Russ and Jimmy G, as the Seahawks take on the Niners. We'll cover all of that and more as we kick off week 4 with the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show, powered up by Ford. I wanted to get that "Ford" out there.
They have a great lineup of electric vehicles, including the all new, all electric Ford F-150. It's the only EV that's an F-150.
Come in and stay a while, folks. I'm Curt Menefee. Special thanks to Leslie Odom, Jr. for opening up our show. His new movie Many Saints of Newark is in theaters right now.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Good man. Very talented.
CURT MENEFEE: These guys are talented as well. We'll have Jimmy Johnson in a moment. Here's Terry, Michael and Howie right now. Hello, boys.
Would you say Mercury is in retro-phase?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Right.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Retrograde.
CURT MENEFEE: You know, this is a big day in sports from coast to coast. In New York, the Yankees are trying to get into the playoffs to make up for the New York football teams. Out west, the Dodgers are trying to get there to keep up with the L.A. football teams. Before we get to sports, why don't we get a weather report?
GRAYSON SHINE: Let's take a look at the national map. We see a major contrast on the two coasts. On the east coast, especially in the New York/New Jersey area, it's dark and gloomy, and really no relief in sight. There's a black cloud hanging over the tri-state area that I would expect to be there through 2022-2023, depending how the draft comes through. Speaking of sight, this Nor'Easter is messing with visibility level, as some people can't see what's right in front of them.
A different story out in the west coast, where it's bright and sunny in Southern California, barely a cloud in the sky, or a mark in the loss column.
Let's take a look at the extended forecast, Giants, Lions, Texans coming up. So get your sunglasses out, put the top down and start playing some Don Henley, things are looking bright out west.
It's not just SoCal where they're feeling the heat wave, but spreading all the way to Las Vegas where the weather is typical 72 and smoky. That's a casino joke. Jimmy gets it, don't you, Jimmy?
Coming up, I'll have the L.A. traffic, which still sucks. Back to you, Curt.
CURT MENEFEE: First. We get weather and traffic, now we get to the sports. That was pretty good.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I like that a lot.
HOWIE LONG: Mike got caught in that this morning.
CURT MENEFEE: Yeah, bottleneck.
The LA teams are a combined 5-1. We'll talk about the Rams in a bit but let's talk about the Chargers game. They've got a big game against the undefeated Raiders Monday night.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, Brandon Staley has done a great job, first-year head coach. He got that job because he created the No. 1 defense in the league with the Rams. Now he's moved over to the Chargers, he has Bosa, James, Asante Samuel Jr. on defense. Then on offense he had the second-year Justin Herbert who had been fantastic. "Phenomenal" is the word Terry Bradshaw would use. This is a man who has some weapons. He has Keenan Allen who had eight catches last week, Mike Williams two big touchdowns. But Austin Ekeler who was injured in the first game, didn't play so well, then with the injuries, come back and the last two games over 100 yards from scrimmage. This is a very well-balanced team that a lot of people don't give a lot of credit to or a lot of attention to, because they're in L.A. with the Rams. I think they're going to give the Raiders all they can handle on Monday night.
HOWIE LONG: Great divisional game. The Raiders go back to LA, where they won a Super Bowl. I feel they have a built-in fan base. The Raiders are 3-0. They beat three teams that won ten games last year, two of those games were in overtime. Gus Bradley's impact on that defense is tangible. They have multiple weapons on offense.
I think the real story to me is, when we have a conversation about elite quarterbacks, we rarely -- I'm as guilty as anyone, do not talk about Derek Carr. He's put up big numbers in the past. This year it's dynamic. They're No. 1 in yards at 471, No. 1 at 379 per passing yards per game. He's an extension of Jon Gruden. He's made big throws both in the game and in post -- post overtime.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Hey --
CURT MENEFEE: Whatever Mercury is in.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I'll tell you what...
MICHAEL STRAHAN: It flipped the series last year. It'll be interesting to see how these two teams --
TERRY BRADSHAW: The Raiders haven't beaten those three teams with ten wins. That's pretty impressive.
Unlike Denver, they're one of five teams undefeated so far. But who have they beaten? Jets, Giants, Jaguars.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Don't remind me.
TERRY BRADSHAW: And the Giants. I think one of the things that's so good about Denver is their quarterback. When Bridgewater came in from Carolina -- don't forget, Teddy Bridgewater was the No. 1 pick of the Vikings. Played great until he got hurt. Then he went down on New Orleans as a backup, but he came off the bench and led them to five straight victories one season. Always has been productive. Goes to Carolina, same thing. Played great last year. Gets unloaded and now he's out in Denver doing the same thing, playing great football.
CURT MENEFEE: Let's bring in Jimmy for the first time. Jimmy, we talked about the New York teams being 0-6 combined. Any hope for fans of either the Giants or the Jets?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Curt, you look at these two teams, doing some Terry Bradshaw research on these two teams. They're as screwed up as Howie's post overtime. There's not a lot of positives about these teams.
I'm sorry, Michael, but Daniel Jones, he's responsible for four touchdowns, he's been okay. He doesn't turn the ball over as much as he has in the past.
As for as the chance, Zach Wilson, he's getting hit every other pass play. He's been sacked 15 times. And the only positive thing I can say about the Jets' Zach Wilson, he's still standing, and he's somewhat healthy.
I think the weatherman was right, 2023 is going to be a much better year for these two teams.
CURT MENEFEE: Just hang in there. Maybe that's what you're trying to say. We'll get back to Jimmy a little later. Let's get Jay Glazer joining us now. Fresh off celebrating his son's 19th birthday.
JAY GLAZER: FOX is a family, I appreciate you guys so much. Love you guys, thank you.
CURT MENEFEE: Tom Brady used to be Belichick's boy. Everyone's talking about him going back to New England. This was also supposed to be a homecoming for Gronk.
JAY GLAZER: I talked to Gronk yesterday. He said, Look, there's misinformation out there, how many ribs, did I do this. He said, Listen, it's not two ribs, I actually cracked four ribs, I broke one, and I punctured a lung, which is about the only thing that would keep me out of a game like this.
He said, Of course I want to be up there, but at this point in my life, I have to consider my health. Man, I really want to be out there. But, yeah, a lot worse than anyone thought.
CURT MENEFEE: Last week you reported the Texans have softened their demand for Deshaun Watson, and you said Miami was in play, but there have been rumors all week long that he may get traded to Philly. What's the latest there?
JAY GLAZER: No, Philly is not in it right now. They're taking calls; however, they don't just want to give him away for nothing. They want to get a lot for Deshaun Watson. I say keep your eye on this with Miami.
CURT MENEFEE: You talked about the Eagles' unexpected development this morning.
JAY GLAZER: Yes, Lane Johnson for the Philadelphia Eagles is deactivated today. He left the team for personal reasons. When you're dealing with something like this, we care more about the person than the player. Lane Johnson out for personal reasons.
CURT MENEFEE: We're thinking about Lane. We'll be back after this.
>> Coming up, Tom Brady returns to New England. We talk to the fans to see if it's a welcome homecoming.
Then the matchup between the Panthers and Cowboys ain't just about offense. We'll take a look at these two young but tough defenses.
Greg Olson shows some southern hospitality to new Panthers QB, Sam Darnold, in his old stomping grounds. Before the undefeated Rams take on the undefeated Cardinals, Kristina Pink sits down with Andrew Whitworth and Tyler Higbee to talk about LA's explosive offense. Next, on FOX NFL Sunday.
>> This week's lightning strike's player is brought to you by the F-150 Lightning.
>> An outstanding job today.
>> By this red-hot defense.
>> Pressure is out and he's going to get sacked.
>> Fumbled the ball.
>> Intercepted.
>> Another spectacular play.
>> The defense can totally turn this game on one play.
CURT MENEFEE: It should be a good one. At the top of the hour, we have 3-0 Carolina taking on 2-1 Dallas. We're talking about the two quarterbacks in this game in just a bit, but I want to focus on the defense right now.
Howie, when you take a look at this Carolina defense, they rank number one in just about every statistical category so far through three weeks.
HOWIE LONG: Yeah, I think Matt Rhule saw there was a need there, and did something people typically don't do. You have seven draft picks a year ago, and all seven draft picks were on defense.
Phil Snow, he brings over from Baylor with him. Brian Burns a guy, a great example of this defense, three sacks, three tackles for a loss. They're young, they're athletic, they're fast.
I want to see today, because a lot of the openings end up coming from breakdowns in protection, I want to see how they handle this Dallas offensive line, this Dallas run game, and the Dallas pass protection.
CURT MENEFEE: One of the few places, Michael, they don't lead is in turnovers. The Dallas Cowboys have eight turnovers in three weeks. That's the most in the league.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, you know what? Defense, Micah Parsons, he's been a difference maker for this team, especially for a defense that's had some injuries this year. Randy Gregory has been out; Demarcus Lawrence has been out.
So they move this kid over to defensive end, which he played in high school. He also played running back in high school. One of the most versatile players in the draft decided to sit out his last year in college, but still was selected 12th overall by the Cowboys. He sat out because of COVID.
CURT MENEFEE: 11th overall.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: This kid is not overpowering, Curt, but he's so fast and so athletic that he's a mismatch. Once he gets a little bit stronger he'll be able to use more power against his offensive tackle. His ability to get on the block, get off the block and close on the quarterback is second to none.
HOWIE LONG: It's like the offensive tackle -- he ran a what, a 4.3, 4.4?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, he's like me.
HOWIE LONG: Yeah, exactly, just like Mike. As a matter of fact, when I look at him on film I'm like, That's Mike. But the tackle just overkicks.
CURT MENEFEE: We'll have more on this matchup a little later in the show. That includes Greg Olson sitting down with his new neighbor, the revitalized Panthers quarterback, Sam Darnold.
SAM DARNOLD: I'm excited as a fellow Charlottian. I hope you enjoyed our city.
GREG OLSON: Is that what it is, Charlottians?
SAM DARNOLD: If not, edit it.
>> Where was I when it happened? I was sitting right here. I remember it like it was last week. Three seconds left, down by one. Out comes Justin Tucker, attempting the longest field goal in NFL history.
I'm thinking, no way. 66 yards? This is nuts. He steps back, here we go, he kicks it. Bounces off the crossbar.
>> It's good.
>> Yes.
(Music.)
CURT MENEFEE: Life's all about timing, right? Justin Tucker is in the argument to be the greatest kicker of all time for quarterbacks, but there is no debating the title among quarterbacks. In case you hadn't heard, the GOAT, Tom Brady is about to play in the place where he won six Super Bowl titles before leaving and breaking up six million hearts.
>> Tom was the heart and soul of New England. There's no more parades, no more duck boats. Watching football games now is depressing. I miss him dearly.
>> I was heart broken.
>> I was heart broken.
>> What does Tom Brady mean to New England?
>> I think he means everything.
>> He's a staple in sports.
>> I love Tom Brady, more than sometimes my husband.
>> He walked out on New England. He walked out on us.
>> Do I think Tom Brady misses us? Probably not.
>> I'm sure he's much happier with the warm weather in Florida.
>> It is indeed Brady week. The most anticipated regular season game in NFL history.
>> You have to keep the GOAT playing.
>> He's always a Patriot in my heart.
>> We can fix this, you can come home. It's not over yet.
>> Lay off the avocado ice cream, and maybe come back to New England for just one more season.
>> We're bringing this sucker home.
>> It will be mixed, but I think most people in New England are fairly sane.
>> I'm sure this showdown Sunday will be a little more personal.
>> Inside, everyone's gonna be dying.
>> When Tom runs out of the tunnel I'm hoping we see that vintage fist bump.
>> Thank you for changing our lives as we know it in New England.
>> On behalf of pirates and poets, Tom, welcome back to Boston.
>> Welcome home, Tom.
>> Tom Brady, you suck.
>> In the end, I'm a New England Patriots fan first and a Tom fan second.
>> I have room for Gronk, just to throw that out there.
>> He's just a winner. That's what we all aspire to be some day, a winner.
CURT MENEFEE: Emotions system raw up there in New England. Usually we talk about looking forward to a game, but Jimmy, it seems as though this one is as much about reflection as anything else between Brady and Belichick?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Yeah, it's ridiculous to talk about who deserves the credit for their success. You're talking about two of the greatest ever. This is a team game. Tom Brady wasn't a Super Bowl-winning quarterback when he was a sixth round pick out of Michigan. Bill Belichick and that staff molded him into being a great quarterback.
You look at it, it certainly helped that they were one of the better defensive teams in the league, one of the least penalized teams in the league and had the best turnover ratio in the league. It's a team game, and would Bill Belichick have won a bunch of super bowls without Tom Brady? Probably not, but we don't know. We don't know who his quarterback might have been. You know they would have been good, but you don't know who the quarterback would have been. Let's enjoy two of the greatest ever.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Jimmy, I agree. Quarterback needs the coach, coach needs the quarterback. Every great team in the league has a great coach and great quarterback. You got the pupil going back against the master.
The only reason Tom Brady isn't in New England, they didn't want him in New England. It was time for them, as they thought, after 20 years of marriage, to move on. He goes and wins a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay for the Buccaneers.
It's a perfect scenario. We're going to enjoy it, but Jimmy is exactly right, they both need one another.
JAY GLAZER: You don't think that bothers him? Absolutely that bothers Tom Brady. A million percent. This is not just your normal game, saying these two guys are going to go back and there'll be a happy little reunion. That's not the case. Tom Brady this week, from what I'm told in practice, he's been working with extra -- the receivers extra, the backup linemen extra, the practice guys extra. He's kind of looking at, almost like it's a Super Bowl type of situation.
But I talked to Bruce Arians, his head coach this morning, he said, my biggest issue is, I have to keep Tom calm. Especially when you go out there for those pregame warmups, it's going to be like that. Just keep him calm. By the way, Tom -- to his credit, he's only 68 yards away from breaking --
CURT MENEFEE: All-time passing record.
JAY GLAZER: He wants the game to -- 20 second stop, go to bring the ball over. That's it. Let me go back, try to play against Belichick.
TERRY BRADSHAW: When I hit 28,000 yards, fellas, I swear to you --
>> That's about one third of where they are right now.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You didn't want to stop, yeah. I also think losing a game last week has him motivated. Going back to New England has him extra motivated. I don't think the fans who are like, Tom Brady sucks, they wouldn't have said that had he not won a Super Bowl last year with Tampa Bay.
He's not there because they didn't want him there any more. He took them to nine Super Bowls, he won six. How could you complain? Be happy for this man.
And Jimmy, one question for you: Who deserves credit for those Cowboys, you or Jerry?
JIMMY JOHNSON: I'm not going to answer that.
CURT MENEFEE: We'll take Jimmy off the spot. Howie, one, you grew up in that area. What do you expect the reception to be?
HOWIE LONG: The people in the area are having a hard time dealing with this. And everyone talks about it will define one of their legacies. That's crazy. Jimmy hit the nail right on the head. They both complement one another.
Bill is Bill. He coaches people the way he coached them. Tom was looking for a some, maybe a pat on the back. Not a long walk on the beach, but you're certainly not going to get that from Bill Belichick.
CURT MENEFEE: I'm interested to see how the other Buccaneer players respond. If they don't try to win this one for Tom, so to speak. That game is later on tonight.
All day long, really for the past 12 years, the NFL and its Crucial Catch Cancer screening initiative, will they raise more than $23 million.
Today that annual campaign begins again. You at home can help by bidding on Crucial Catch items. For more information, follow #crucialcatch or go to NFL.com/auction.
CURT MENEFEE: Today's Sleep Number Screen Pass shines directly on Sam Darnold. Why not? After leaving the mess that is the New York Jets right now, Darnold has been reborn in Carolina, leading the Panthers to a 3-0 start, and is coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing games for the first time in his career.
Former Panther Greg Olson is calling that contest for us at the top of the hour. Greg, Darnold is starting to show why he was No. 3 overall pick. I think a lot of people forget, the kid is only 24 years old.
GREG OLSON: He is, and I think he has a bright future. Back in April shortly after he got traded from New York down to Carolina, we got connected through a mutual friend. I just kind of shared my perspective as someone who had been through a similar trade.
I told them, I said, Listen, getting traded to Carolina, living in Charlotte, was the best thing that ever happened to me. Here's Sam. He's playing some of the best, if not the best ball of his career. He's got his team off to a 3-0 start, and we got a fun one today here in Dallas.
>> I mean, Darnold just can't do it. He just can't hit the open receivers.
>> I don't get a rat's ass about Sam Darnold any more.
>> This is typical Jets. They didn't show up.
>> We knew it was going to be a train wreck and it was.
>> This is this franchise. It never freaking changes.
When you think back on those times, the ability to have some hindsight and your time in New York, what do you carry with you today? The good, the bad, the ups and downs?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, there's a lot I carry with me, and carry forward, good and bad. You look at past experiences where you might have messed up, or for me, didn't necessarily have the best game. You kind of remember more of the bad plays than you do the good ones.
GREG OLSON: That's so true.
SAM DARNOLD: So, yeah. You just kind of learn from those experiences, and you can also use it as fuel.
GREG OLSON. Where were you? How did you find out you got traded?
SAM DARNOLD: I was working out at home, I got a call from Joe Douglass, the GM out there in New York. I kind of figured something was up because my agent reached out telling me it was probably going to happen.
Once I heard, it was a mix of emotions.
>> Sam Darnold is going to the Carolina Panthers.
SAM DARNOLD: You know, uneasy about it at first. As an early draft pick, especially as a quarterback, you want to kind of see things out.
>> With the second overall pick, the New York Jets select Zach Wilson, quarterback, BYU.
SAM DARNOLD: It sucked honestly getting traded, but once I got to meet my team mates, the coaches that were here, and realized how special a place Charlotte is, that's when I knew things didn't work out in New York, but I have a good opportunity to start something new here in Charlotte.
And it went like
>> Darnold fakes. Throws long in the middle, 10, 5, touchdown.
GREG OLSON: You're sitting here 3-0. How good does that feel?
SAM DARNOLD: It feels good. It means we're doing something right. We're doing our job on game day, and that's really all that matters to us.
>> D.J. Moore, that's a Panther touchdown.
GREG OLSON: Talk a little bit about Joe Brady. What is it about him that the quarterbacks who play with him find the best version of themselves?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, with Joe, he's a great person and a former player. He's easy to talk X's and O's with. If he loves a play but I don't like it, he's not going to try to force it.
GREG OLSON: Design plays for you. I mean, when did you become like the red zone goal line?
>> Quarterback red zone. He's up the middle.
GREG OLSON: We've seen you run for three touchdowns. I mean, just talk about how much fun it's been.
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, it always feels good.
GREG OLSON: I get it.
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, it's been great so far, but there's a long way to go. Get complacent in this league, it will chew you up and spit you out really quick. NFL football is kind of the world's best reality television I like to say. I know it's early, but to see it come to fruition a little bit here, we just got to keep taking when we get time.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I love this guy coming out of USC. I loved him in New York. You guys have heard me say this time and time again: This is a talented quarterback. Unfortunately, you go to a bad team, they can't run, they can't catch, they can't block, they can't play defense, and actually, very poor coaching.
I'm surprised New York fans haven't picked up on this. It takes more than just a great quarterback. It takes everything. Him going to Charlotte is the best thing in the world for him. Joe Brady's offense, you have to be extremely intelligent, which is he, and what we're seeing now with back-to-back 300 games from Darnold is this: A guy that can play the position, a guy that's accurate, a guy that has everything I want to see in a quarterback.
I think Charlotte has hit on the greatest quarterback in their franchise history.
CURT MENEFEE: You know, Jimmy, we talked about the defenses earlier, the way Dak Prescott is playing now, this may end up being a shootout they're dealing with.
JIMMY JOHNSON: We knew if Prescott came back healthy, they were going to be dynamic. Great receivers, Ezekiel Elliott, on and on. They've been better than expected. Prescott has been phenomenal. You look at him, you know, over 400 yards a game, 30 points a game, and then on top of that, Mike McCarthy is doing something with this football team, he's rotating a lot of players in. Tony Pollard is giving some relief to Ezekiel Elliott. And Pollard is rushing for nearly 7 yards a carry.
On the defensive side, they're doing the same thing with Dan Quinn. They played some really pretty good offensive football teams. And Michael talked earlier about Michael Parsons, he's been so disruptive, they have eight takeaways, they're playing good defense, and with what they're doing, they're going to run away with the AFC East. That's not a question, but that's not the goal. I think because they're playing so many players, they'll be strong and fresh going into the playoffs.
CURT MENEFEE: Let's talk about a couple other games. Howie, Kansas City with a healthy Andy Reid, thank goodness, goes to Philadelphia today for the first time since Patrick Mahomes has been their quarterback. They're under .500, what's going wrong there?
HOWIE LONG: I think people are asking the questions, has the league caught up with Kansas City? Is it a team that thinks they can turn it on and turn it off when they want to? I disagree. Last week was a microcosm of their season, over 400 yards in offense, over 180 yards in rushing the football, the time of possession, third down conversions, the whole thing.
Really what it comes down to is the four turnovers last week, and the turnovers in the previous two games. They've been in a position to win all of their games this year, and people say, is it time to panic? No, and two reasons, one, Andy Reid is back, two, Patrick Mahomes, and how great he is, I think he'll be fine.
CURT MENEFEE: Michael, whatever is going on in Pittsburgh, a trip to Lambeau is not going to help it.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: What is going on with Pittsburgh?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Offensive line problems?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Yeah, a lot of problems. After week one, Pittsburgh beats Buffalo, we're like, okay, the Steelers are back. Green Bay loses and we are like the sky is falling. Well, those fortunes have reversed. You look at the Steelers, Ben, no protection on the O-line, and he's taking a beating. On top of that he's having to throw the ball over 40 times a game.
Claypool is out this week, that's going to be tough for him. Najee Harris, you bring him in, you expect to get a running game to help the passing game, he has more receiving yards than running yards. For the Steelers, there just is no balance there. They're without Watt last week on defense; hopefully he's back for them.
And Green Bay, they do have a challenge with Green Bay, Davante Adams is getting back on track the last few weeks with 20 catches for 253 yards. What they can hopefully lean on for Pittsburgh is that Green Bay's defense in the red zone has given up 10 touchdowns in 10 trips to the red zone. If they can get in, they should score. But I think it's going to be tough for those guys to keep up with the Packers.
CURT MENEFEE: It's been a struggle so far for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, on the flip side, the L.A. Rams have been red hot. Two of their star veterans, Tyler Higbee and Andrew Whitworth, talk with our own Kristina Pink, who is in the house today. At the top of the hour, a lot of you will get to see the unbeaten Carolina Panthers taking on the 2-1 Dallas Cowboys.
CURT MENEFEE: The only game in the NFL today that features two unbeaten teams has the Cardinals facing the Rams right here on FOX. For more on this NFC West showdown, we get the rare pleasure of getting to see Kristina Pink in person and studio. Hello, Kristina.
KRISTINA PINK: Hello, Curt. So great to see you guys in person. Now, the Rams offense led the league in scoring back in 2017, and well hasn't been the same since.
This season they're back to lighting up scoreboards. It's just how they're doing it that is a little bit different in the in the Sean McVay era. They've gone from Todd Gurley and now they're letting it soar with Matthew Stafford.
I talked to two veterans who have been along for that ride.
>> Stafford can take the snap, take the knee. It's good to see you. It feels like this has been an awesome year for you guys.
>> Starting off the best way we can, right, 3-0.
>> Stafford sets up the screen. Higbee kicks it in; touchdown L.A.
KRISTINA PINK: It feels like Matthew's been in this offense forever. It's only been a short time. Why have you guys gelled so quickly?
>> Just the way he operates. The way he comes in and works every day.
>> The best way to put it, he's a grown man, and he works his butt off. That's one of the things that instantly young guys see, and they see what really leads to him being on that video game and what leads to him being known for being a great quarterback.
Instantly he's brought credibility and inspiration to your team just by stepping out on the field and being who he is.
>> Let's go, boys.
>> Andrew's been around this league for quite some time. What has his leadership meant to this team?
>> Yeah, I think he's one of the best leaders in the league.
>> I want to model myself, my leadership ability after him, on and off the field. He's been around for a while: 40 innings, 57 years old, something like that. I'm just kidding.
KRISTINA PINK: I have to check the birth certificate.
>> To be able to pick his brain and listen to him and how he comes and brings the guys together and let's them know what's important.
ANDREW WHITWORTH: I think for me, what you do for the guys around you is going to make a difference in the kind of team and the kind of culture we're going to have. Something that when I leave the game, that's the most important thing to me, that guys felt like, Man, this dude was just all about us winning.
KRISTINA PINK: I was going to say, it's been a couple years since I talked to you, but I feel like I've gotten older and you haven't aged a day.
ANDREW WHITWORTH: My hair has definitely gotten whiter, that's for sure.
KRISTINA PINK: I'm like, Geez, another year.
>> Pressure on Stafford.
>> DeSean Jackson on the shoulder up the 30.
KRISTINA PINK: Is this why you came back? Did you kind of have a feeling this may be a special year for this group?
ANDREW WHITWORTH: Yeah, I mean, always, you always feel like there's an opportunity there each year. For someone like me, I started seasons with great starts. We were 10-11, 12-1 here. If you've been there, you realize adversity is coming at some point, and it's going to be, how are we going to handle it and really let it not stop us raising the standard around this place.
KRISTINA PINK: Hey, how about that ageless wonder, Andrew Whitworth? The guys all look up to him, like Tyler, but I checked the birth certificate, and no, he's not, in fact, 57 years old. He'll be turning 40 in December, making him the second oldest player in the league behind one Tom Brady, who's doing impressive things in Tampa, but so it Whitworth.
Speaking of the fountain of youth, Michael, do you turn 50 next month?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Thank you. Actually, it's next month. I'm a little shy of 50. Kristina, thank you. Great, great piece as always. Great work there. You look at this Rams team.
First of all, I got to say about that piece. The first thing I noticed, one's not wearing shoes and the other has on flip-flops. They're embracing that L.A. lifestyle. I love that we gave Andrew Whitworth a little love. A big guy gets to do an interview. You only see these quarterbacks and guys like that.
So I love that as well. A new stadium, new quarterback, new attitude. Yeah, this team, it's amazing what one person can do. After that win last week everyone's saying that this team is the Super Bowl favorite. And I have to give a lot of credit to Sean McVay. He's taken a team that was a run-centric team with Todd Gurley, all of a sudden they're a to a pass centric team since they brought in this new quarterback.
So many weapons on offense. You have Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Higbee, and then you have the immortal DeSean Jackson who continues to run past people at 37 something years of age.
But this team, they're 8-0 against the Cardinals with McVay's record here. They have the No. 3 scoring offense in the league, but they're going against the Cardinals who have the number one offense in the league for points. They have a lot of work cut out for them on defense.
HOWIE LONG: Yeah, I think they're going to have to score points if you're Arizona, because this Rams' offense is dynamic right now.
TERRY BRADSHAW: That's what they do.
HOWIE LONG: The Rams are an organization that has shown they're willing to do whatever it takes to win now, win in the year the Super Bowl's being played in L.A. They've traded away seven first round picks, none bigger than Matthew Stafford. The tangible effort he's had on that offense, and will continue to have on that offense and their play calling as you mentioned. They're reliant on the quarterback now, versus the run game, setting up the play action pass.
But the impact it's had on the defense. Don't forget this defense has played well for quite a while, they're really good. You look back at the Super Bowl, they hold the New England Patriots to 13 points, and I think the defense started to question, are we ever going to be in a position to really make a run at a Super Bowl with the roster constructed as it is? I think Matthew Stafford not only helps the offense, he helps his defense, Jimmy.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Michael mentioned the Rams have beaten Arizona eight straight teams. This is not the same Arizona team, before it was always Kyler Murray. Well, he's still sensational. But I think the thing they've got now is balance. You look at Edmonds and Conner running the football over 100 yards a game, that's why they're scoring 34 points a game. The balance on offense really helps.
And defensively, Budda Baker, Chandler Jones, J.J. Watt, they have play makers on defense, it's a different Arizona team than what they've seen the last couple years. This is a really good team. I don't know if they're good enough to beat the team they're playing today, though.
CURT MENEFEE: Meanwhile, TB, San Francisco and Seattle will try to keep up here. Seattle has blown double-digit leads in back-to-back weeks. Russell Wilson on the verge of losing three in a row for the first time in his career should they fall today.
TERRY BRADSHAW: And I think our viewers know, when they think about Seattle, you think about what? Great defense. Always bombs away with Wilson at quarterback. This year, they can't stop anybody. You look at a cap hit from their quarterback, highest cap player in the league at quarterback is Wilson. Linebacker, Wagner, highest cap hit. And then if you look at Adams at safety, highest cap hit. They have no money, they can't move around and fix the problems on their defense. They have no draft choices; only three this past year. You kind of sit back, it's kind of catches up with you, you have to regroup. This year, as far as I'm concerned right now, from what I'm seeing, defensively is a wash. I don't see how they can possibly get better.
HOWIE LONG: If anyone can retool it --
CURT MENEFEE: It's John Schneider and then Pete Carroll?
HOWIE LONG: Yeah.
CURT MENEFEE: Well, they have to win today in San Francisco to end this streak. Then they have the first Thursday night game on FOX this year, hosting the Rams. Back-to-back big NFC West games.
Speaking of Rams, it's time to go who's in or out brought to you by GEICO, and Jay Glazer has got more on Los Angeles.
JAY GLAZER: We were just talking about the Rams and all the weapons they have, well they got another one back as well, as their head coach, Sean McVay tells me Darrell Henderson will play today. Sony Michel will still play but Darrell Henderson is back.
You also just talked about the Seattle Seahawks, Tyler Lockett did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, with a hip injury. Came back Friday; they expect him to go.
George Kittle, this one is a little bit of a surprise, Wednesday and Thursday, his calf really blew up on him. They thought at that point, man, he won't be able to go. He woke up Friday, totally better, they do expect him to play later today.
Dalvin Cook, he missed last week, talked to their head coach today. He said he's going to end up playing today. But also Mattison will also play at running back as well.
Both Julio Jones, A.J. Brown both out for the Tennessee Titans.
We talked an awful lot about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Richard Sherman signed with them this week. Bruce Arians said, I'm going to start him later today.
CURT MENEFEE: Thanks a lot, Jay.
If you thought the Chicago Bears' performance last week was fodder for some comedy, you were right.
>> Coming this fall to a stadium near you. It's the original NFL Kings of Comedy tour. Starring all your favorite teams like the Chicago Bears.
>> Yeah, I know our team is terrible. Last week we had 47 yards of totaling offense. When they said football was a game of inches, we took that literally.
>> And the Washington Football Team.
>> Can anyone explain to me how do we share a city with Congress and yet we have the worst leadership in town? It ain't right.
>> This young Carolina Panthers team is really hot right now. In fact, they're so young and hot, that Leonardo DiCaprio wants to date them.
>> What's up with Tom Brady? I mean, today he makes his first return in New England. It has to be the first time an old man has left Florida for the Northeast, am I right?
>> After the first game with the Buccaneers, my wife started calling me a loser. Now that we're first place in the NFC East, she doesn't call me "loser" any more, she calls me "king of the losers."
>> Everyone is here, including the Kansas City Chiefs.
>> We're in last place, in last place. I haven't been this shocked since I heard Michael Strahan turn down a job.
>> The NFL Kings of Comedy Tour, coming to a stadium near you.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: That was good.
CURT MENEFEE: Michael's still working on his picks. He's tied with Jimmy officially. Terry, you get to go first.
JIMMY JOHNSON: I'm going to go with Kansas City by 7 over the Eagles.
CURT MENEFEE: Jimmy Johnson, who are you taking?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Now, Curt, I'm leading. I'm in first place now.
CURT MENEFEE: Oh, you're tied.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Little Michael now, he's close, he's really close. But I'm going to pick the New Orleans Saints over Michael's Giants by 10.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You know what? First of all, that pick hurts; secondly, you're mistreating the bobblehead. That hurts even more. That's all I'm going to say.
And you know, Jimmy, you are in first place. I don't know how that happens around here, because I'm the only one that's picked every week. Right? But I'll take the message -- I'll take it for what it is.
We're tied, but I don't like to tie with Jimmy. I'm going to take Tom Brady going back to New England with the Buccaneers and he's not going to be nice. Buccaneers by 14 plus.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Wow, that is solid.
HOWIE LONG: Jimmy was back in New England -- I mean Dallas last week. He inspired the troops I pick Dallas by 6 today versus Carolina.
CURT MENEFEE: All right. The Chicago Bears Justin Fields got his first start last week against a tough Cleveland defensive front. Sacked nine times. They reigned it in a little bit this week. They take on the Detroit Lions.
HOWIE LONG: What do you mean by reigned it in?
CURT MENEFEE: They simplified the offense. They protect him a little more, and they wind up winning the game. He wins his first start at home by three points over the Lions.
TERRY BRADSHAW: That ain't going to happen.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I'm glad you're picking this year, because I will definitely never be in last place again.
TERRY BRADSHAW: That is not gonna happen.
CURT MENEFEE: Why do you think it won't happen?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Because the Lions are so much better than everyone realizes.
CURT MENEFEE: This is my pick.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You know what, Curt?
CURT MENEFEE: There's still time for you to get your picks in at home. Just play the FOX Bet Super 6 contest, scan the QR code, download the app, play for free, and predict the outcome.
Before we go, time for one last extra pick. Howie Long?
HOWIE LONG: I'm going to go Dak throws two and runs for one today.
CURT MENEFEE: A lot of you get that game in the top of the hour. We say good-bye to Jimmy Johnson right now. If you have a west coast game, you'll be back here for more.
Everyone else, your kickoff is next. Kickback, relax and enjoy, as we thank you for watching FOX NFL Sunday, powered up by Ford and the all-new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
>> Here are the Panthers in Arlington to take on the Cowboys. Good to have you aboard for a Sunday afternoon. Should be a great game. Here's my partner, Greg Olson. I'm Kevin Burkhardt. The Cowboys put 41 points on Philadelphia, and Dak Prescott is playing amazingly right now.
>> It's not often the team finds themselves with an MVP quarterback. On any given weekend they can control the game through the run. That's what the Dallas offense finds themselves being able to do. It's a challenge today for this young defense in Carolina and Phil Snow.
>> Most people wouldn't realize this. They have the number one pass team, the number one rush team, the number one D in the NFL.
>> They're feeling good about themselves and they should. You never apologize to anyone in the NFL about how you play. I think Phil Snow is going to have a great plan, have his guys ready to go. They're going to play hard, play fast, and it will be fun to watch.
>> It will be the 3-1 Carolina Panthers with their biggest test yet, here to take on the Cowboys in Texas next.
>> Today's players to watch, if you like linebackers this may be the game for you. Shaq Thompson, wearing a new number but being all over the field for Carolina. And then the rookie sensation, Micah Parsons for Dallas. Cowboys-Panthers coming right up.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Everybody loves me.
HOWIE LONG: I feel like I need to tell you. Terry, this is your money.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Shhh.
>> Download the free to play FOX Bet Super 6 app right now, for a chance to win $100,000 of Terry's money. That's right $100,000.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports