JAMES BROWN: Week 8 is on the way.
PHIL SIMMS: Derrick Henry, running back for the Tennessee Titans, love that outfit. 869 yards rushing, ten touchdowns, and just to add a little icing on the cake. 18 receptions.
BILL COWHER: In Buffalo, Stefon Diggs picks up the ball. He finds a wide open Stefon Diggs in the end zone, touchdown Buffalo. Good start for them.
NATE BURLESON: Digs for Diggs like he's playing with his brother. Big Ben Roethlisberger has been a beast against Cleveland, 23-2-1 in the regular season. Once again looking to take down the Browns.
BOOMER ESIASION: Speaking of beasts, how about Joe Burrow, he's completing 69 percent of his passes, 17 TDs. He'll lead his Bengals into MetLife against the 27th ranked defense of the New York Jets.
Is this Odell Beckham Jr. Or Michael Jackson in his thriller outfit? They have a game against the Steelers. Happy Halloween.
>> It's officially scary hours. Welcome to week 8 in the NFL, where seeing is believing. You have to be paying attention. Belief is all twisted and upside down. If today marks season's end, the Bengals would sit atop the NFC playoffs. The Cardinals were the league's last undefeated team. I bet you didn't see that coming.
The Patriots have the same number of wins in New England as the Jaguars have in actual England. The Chiefs own the same record as the Panthers, but now Patrick Mahomes is the one seeing ghosts, boo. Finally, the black hole has something to cheer about. It's truly twisted indeed. Spooky season is upon us. Perhaps it's best to embrace it.
JAMES BROWN: Yes, my guys will embrace it all, folks, as we say hello and welcome to the spooky season at "The NFL Today" presented by Ram Trucks. I'm James Brown.
Phil, you know me, I'm scare. I think these are the hallowed halls of studio 43. I'm joined by my colleagues, Super Bowl MVP, the handsome Phil Simms. NFL Hall of Famer Bill Cowher and also therapist. Nate Burleson. And the MVP formerly in the league, Boomer Esiason. What did Boomer just do?
NATE BURLESON: His nose. I don't know what that was.
JAMES BROWN: Today's fright fest features some of the league's best, some looking to exorcise their demons if you will, and others want to bare their teeth.
Derrick Henry to continue his role as a wrecking ball as he and the Titans head to Indy to take on Darius Leonard and the Colts.
Josh Allen and the Bills offense have been frightfully good this season, and they'll look to separate themselves from the rest of the AFC east when they host Tua and the Dolphins in Buffalo.
The old black and Blue AFC north has been a scary place for opponents this season. With the Ravens on a drive, the Steelers and Browns battle it out in Cleveland while the Bengals look for their third win in a row as they take on the Jets.
Joining us now live from the booth in Cleveland, where he'll be calling today's game, you know what, I can't even call him a name. I can only say the effervescent Tony Romo. I don't want his wife on my case. Tony, Baker Mayfield returning to the Browns team as he deals with a shoulder injury. What are the realistic expectations for him?
TONY ROMO: I think realistically he's going to throw the football fine. Just watching him out here, he's throwing it like he always does. They talked about the pain tolerance. They're going to do things to obviously offset that, and hopefully he'll be able to go and play the whole game.
I really want to see him take a hit early. In his brain right then, he's going to say, ouch, this hurts. This is uncomfortable the rest of this game, or he's going to say, oh, I'm okay. I can do this. Then he'll stand in there, take hits on third down, and take on the winning quarterback.
JAMES BROWN: What are your thoughts on the division and the surprising play of the Bengals so far?
TONY ROMO: The division is very deep. We've known the Steelers have been there for such a long time, and the Ravens have been good. The Bengals at stretches. Right now the Bengals are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That's shocking to anybody at this point in the year who actually looks at that, but they are deep and they have a talented quarterback. He keeps making those winning plays that I just talked about that you need out of your quarterback.
Late in the game, Joe Burrow's going to throw the ball, and Jamar chase is going to catch it. He's very explosive. This is a formidable unit.
JAMES BROWN: Tony, that was an approved way to introduce you. You're okay with that, correct?
TONY ROMO: I like it. I think it's a good thing, I think.
JAMES BROWN: I love it. Boom, the return of Baker Mayfield, look, you guys have experienced this before. Talk about who's going to be looking at it?
BOOMER ESIASON: He's got three different injuries in that left shoulder. What is he going to rely on? He's going to rely on the number one rush team in the NFL led by Nick Chubb. Tony's right. It's about pain tolerance. They'll take mitigating circumstances to try to minimize the pain.
This is what he can fall back on, good news for the Cleveland Browns fans. A dynamic duo back there. Darius Johnson had a good game against Denver. I wouldn't be surprised if Tony Romo -- if things go right in this game, that Baker Mayfield should throw left than 25 times. That's what I think.
NATE BURLESON: Speaking of throwing the ball, some of those passes are going to Odell Beckham Jr. I know he dressed up like Michael Jackson, and a couple of Michael Jackson songs come to mind with Odell in Cleveland. Do you remember the time when he was a smooth criminal with cleats on? That's the way he made me feel. Will they ask him to beat it before the trade deadline?
All jokes aside. He hasn't had a 100-yard game. He hasn't gotten in the end zone. This isn't a shock to Odell. It's not always a good player with a good team and a good fit. Maybe this isn't working. He's not the same receiver he was when he was with the Giants. He could go somewhere else and play better for another team.
BILL COWHER: He hasn't had the production. If you go to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the playoff game, they threw the ball 68 times, four interceptions by Ben. The past two weeks, back to the running game and passing game 50-50, Ben zero interceptions. Na Jay Harris averaged 133 yards and 24 carries a game. Go back to the identity that fits this football team. Run the football, play action, throw the ball down the field three or four times a game, and lean on what your strength is, and that's the defense. You run the football, and shortens the time of defense on the field because the best part of their football team is the defense.
PHIL SIMMS: Sounds like you want to coach the team. Oh, he did. The defense starts with T.J. Watt. He single handedly won the game against the Denver Broncos. Had an intercepted pass, calls the game into overtime to take the game winning field goal. Take Cam Heyward inside. 11 years, second leading tackler on the football team. Alex high Smith, he's opposite of T.J. Watt. Man, he's coming along, second year guy. If you're playing Cleveland today, we know they like to run it, they're a play action team. To me, the Steelers -- I don't know how they play. Crowd the line of scrimmage, try to take the run away, some of those play actions, and I think their dropback pass game is average. I'm being kind. Make them do that.
JAMES BROWN: A lot of Halloween candy. This guy is fired up this week.
BILL COWHER: A lot of sugar, man.
JAMES BROWN: For more news and updates from around the league, let's bring in our NFL today insider Jason La Canfora. With the trade deadline just around the corner, must be busy.
JASON LA CANFORA: Nobody's busier than me, but a Deshaun Watson trade is possible by Tuesday's deadline, but the market very limited. The Dolphins and Panthers have balked at the Texans' asking price. The Panthers maintain they're no longer interested. And Miami has few attractive players to offer the Texans. Watson is facing 22 lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints for sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
Seven GMs told me they believe seven time all pro Von Miller could be dealt by the deadline with the Broncos able to add a third round pick. Giants are shopping for a first round pick Evan Engram. And they're trying to pry Cox out of Philadelphia, but the Eagles are open to dealing other veterans.
And the NFL expanded the Rooney rule last week. Teams must now interview at least two external minority candidates for GM and coordinator roles, not just head coach openings. And commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated findings from the Washington football teamwork place investigation will not be made public, J.B., despite calls for more transparency.
JAMES BROWN: Jason, thank you so much. This next story involves one of the finest people in all of broadcast television. On Friday night we were all sad to learn of the passing of Michael Johnson, the son of our Turner colleague, Ernie Johnson and his wife Cheryl. Michael, who was born with duchenne muscular dystrophy, led his 30 years to the fullest with vitality and perseverance. Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with Ernie, Cheryl, and the spire Johnson family at this time.
[ Break ].
NATE BURLESON: This is Nate Burleson at our new home at times square. I'm looking forward to seeing you bright and early on CBS mornings.
JAMES BROWN: We've all seen and cheered Ryan Tannehill finding a second life, if you will, joining the Titans in 2019, a path to success that Carson Wentz hopes to emulate. Perhaps it's poetic that these two find each other on opposite sides of a division rivalry, especially today in what's been deemed a must win game for the Colts.
>> Derrick Henry is a bad man.
>> Henry turns it up, runs into the end zone.
>> Tannehill firing, deep left side.
>> Here it comes.
>> What a catch.
>> Wentz going for the home run. Michael Pippen, touchdown. Taylor starts right here. Touchdown.
>> Jonathan Taylor.
>> Darius Leonard, the maniac.
>> Colts have a touchdown. Special teams.
>> Henry. Let's get something going.
>> Taylor down the far sideline.
>> Tennessee is rolling. Indy.
>> Never stop.
JAMES BROWN: We've got quite a few division rivalries coming up in just a bit, but maybe none more important than this AFC South battle between the Colts and the Titans.
PHIL SIMMS: All right. Thank you, J.B. When you talk about this game, first you've got to talk about Ryan Tannehill, the best play action passer maybe in the NFL because they have a good running game, and when they're open, this guy doesn't miss them. When you talk about running the football, both of these -- look at this. The first two rushing leaders in the NFL, Derrick Henry, look how far he's ahead of Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.
When you're playing defense for the Indianapolis Colts today, Derrick Henry is seven yards behind the center, what do you do when Ryan Tannehill turns around? Do you attack the line of scrimmage, or do you wait? If you wait, he will run you over and get it done. Over 500 yards the last four games against the Colts.
BILL COWHER: Indianapolis Colts have won three of the last four in large part due to Jonathan Taylor. He's over 100 yards in three of the four games and relies on the running game. The play of Carson Wentz has been the difference. These last four games, eight touchdown passes, zero interceptions. You talked about it on the other side, Phil, the key is stopping that Tennessee Titan running game. DeForest Buckner is going to be a big part of that, along with Darius Leonard. Another AFC east matchup, Miami travels to Buffalo.
BOOMER ESIASON: We saw the Bills lose a shocker on a Monday night in Tennessee. Josh Allen takes the second highest scoring offense in the league at home against a Miami league where they knocked Tua out of that game. Stefon Diggs is healthy. I look for them to have a huge game. They've been sitting on that loss for two week. You know they're going to come out motivated.
NATE BURLESON: Speaking of Tua, Tua came out this past week and said I don't feel not wanted. That's a little bit of a double negative, but here's a double positive. Tua last week, four pass TDs in the air. He's playing well. And completing 75 percent of his passes the last couple of weeks. Every game is his resume because we are still not sure he's the franchise guy. I know who is our franchise guy, James Brown. Let me toss it to him.
JAMES BROWN: That means we can't come at Nate later in the show. Hey, folk, I think I speak for all of us who work at NFL today when I say that I am incredibly blessed to be a part of a show that is so important to the history of this business. That history is anthologized in the book You Are Looking Live, how "The NFL Today" revolutionized sports broadcasting, by Rich Podolsky.
You can't tell the story of the NFL today without mentioning the great Joan Pappen, who's retiring today after 47 years at CBS sports. This show launched back in 1974 with Joan working as a production coordinator. Since then and the mid-90s, she served as the videotape associate director. In her nearly 50-year career, Joan has broken barriers as the first woman to be named associate director and the first female game truck AD at a Super Bowl, working four of her 13 Super Bowls in that role. Her legacy casts a shadow as large as anyone else's in the business, and her name will forever be synonymous with CBS sports.
Congratulations on a remarkable career, Joan, for sure.
BILL COWHER: Kudos, Joan. Kudos.
NATE BURLESON: Congratulations, Joan.
JAMES BROWN: Loving her big time as we tell you that "The NFL Today" continues after this.
>> Coming up on the Halloween edition of "The NFL Today," Bengals fans know that Joe Burrow has plenty of tricks up his sleeve, but what other treats does a young quarterback have in store for the second half of the season?
The Titans are striking fear into opponents across the NFL, and we want to hear what Mike Vrabel thinks is the scariest thing about his own team.
Tennessee isn't the only team playing lights out football, and the guys are here to tell you who they will be the most scared to face as the season rolls on.
All that and more when "The NFL Today" continues.
[ Break ].
JAMES BROWN: NFL play 60 is the NFL's national youth and wellness campaign to encourage youth to get physically active for 60 minutes a day. Over the last 15 years, the league has partnered with leading academic, youth focused, and nonprofit organizations to help children of all abilities lead healthier, more active lives. Visit NFL.com/play60 to access free online resources.
Just how good was Joe Burrow last week? Outplaying Lamar Jackson with over 300 yards and four touchdowns. That gives him 17 through the first seven games.
The other Bengals quarterback to do that, some guy by the name of Norman Esiason. Time now for pregame HQ delivered by Domino's.
>> Time to go. Let's go.
>> The Joe show. Dropped it perfectly.
>> Touchdown.
>> That was fun. That was fun.
>> Burrow throws a perfect spiral.
>> Let's go. Let's go.
>> What a throw by Joe Burrow.
>> That's a Cincinnati touchdown.
>> Oh, baby.
>> The Cincinnati Bengals have arrived.
>> That's how we do it. That's how we do it.
>> How about them Bengals?
BOOMER ESIASON: You know, in Joe Burrow they have finally found their unquestioned leader, and he is off to such a hot start. Take a look at some of these numbers. 9.2 yards per attempt. That's second in the NFL. Then of course Jamar chase, what a rookie season he's starting off with. NFL ranked first in yards per reception at 21.5. Why are they so good?
PHIL SIMMS: First off, let's start with talent. That's the big thing they both have going for them. Jamar chase stopped the screen. Joe Burrow sees man to man coverage, one on one, he drops back. Jamar chase did a great job at stuttering at the line of scrimmage. He throws to the back shoulder. Jamar chase makes the plays look really easy.
Now we're talking about the coaches. They run a lot of screens to the right. Watch the defense. They fire up there. Oh, my gosh, they're fooled. You saw him at the tight end, wide open, uncovered down the field. Scores the touchdown, avoids the tackle.
This last play is awesome. Joe Burrow is going to work the pocket. Watch the play action face. Patrick queen up top, tight end man to man. His first response, I've got to take the run. The safety comes out of the middle to take the tight end. Not a mistake. That's the way they teach it. Humphreys, the defensive back, he's expecting the out route. Usama fakes the out route, goes across the middle. He's open. Avoids the tackle, gets the touchdown. When you take talent and put a good scheme with it, it's one of reasons this team is 5-2.
BOOMER ESIASON: They're balanced on offense. Great running back in Joe Mixon, big offensive line. And a guy with a big personality calling all the plays finally.
PHIL SIMMS: It's about time Cincinnati got a quarterback with some personality.
BOOMER ESIASON: Very good point. J.B., back to you.
JAMES BROWN: Those two guys love each other, don't they? We could pontificate on Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense all day long, but let's give the defense its flowers. They've been just as impressive on that side of the ball.
BILL COWHER: Just going back to last year, J.B., look at this, sacks, they were last a year ago. Points per game, 22nd. They are now seventh in sacks, fifth in NFL rank in terms of points per game. They're doing this when they don't have to blitz. They don't blitz much, don't give up a bunch of big plays. Guys like this, Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard up front, Larry Okenjobi, D.J. Reeder, and P.J. Hill, they've got depth up there and put pressure on the quarterback.
NATE BURLESON: 17 sacks all last year, and just 19 through the halfway point of the season. For me, it's about the fact they don't blitz. They're 26th in the league with blitz rate, but No. 1 in tackles for a loss, No. 1 in pressures. Which means as a coach you can lean on your play makers and don't have to game plan blitz after blitz after blitz.
BILL COWHER: Don't give up the big play.
NATE BURLESON: Exactly.
JAMES BROWN: I know these guys are going to love this, but while we have the spotlight on this side of the football, we're going to get defensive and recognize the elite talent in the league. Up first, who is the best pass rusher in the league?
NATE BURLESON: I'll jump right in. I'll go with Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans, seven sacks in the league with 7 1/2. More importantly, he can get to the quarterback. Pressures is that stat we don't talk about often. You're making quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket, and he does that with the best of them.
BILL COWHER: I love to get excited about defense. I'm going to the Cleveland-Pittsburgh game. I'm going to say Myles Garrett, you talk about what he can do and what he's done, leading the league in sacks. The guy on the other side, you judge for yourself, T.J. Watt, he's not too bad either.
JAMES BROWN: Best defensive back in the league?
BILL COWHER: I'm going to say Jalen Ramsey. I'm not talking about interceptions much the don't you throw at that boy. He can shut down anybody. Jalen Ramsey to me is the best cover corner in the National Football League.
NATE BURLESON: There is a guy they're throwing at, and quarterbacks are paying the price. That's Trevon Diggs. As soon as that ball goes up in the air, he turns into his brother Stefon Diggs. Six interceptions in six straight games. How about that for play making?
JAMES BROWN: Best team defense in the league?
NATE BURLESON: I'll go with the Cardinals. Offensively they're like a track team. Defensively, they're doing the same thing. Marcus Goldman and Chandler Jones on the defensive side of the ball that can get to the quarterback. Isaiah Simmons, the young playmaker starting to do his thing. On the back end, guys like Buddha Baker make this defense fast on every level.
BILL COWHER: I look at the Buffalo Bills, from the front end to back end, they don't give up big plays. They play well together. Sean McDermott and Leslie Fraser, the defensive coordinator, they are so good together. The calm in the room is Leslie Fraser, and I create the storm. That's what Sean McDermott is up there. You have a great combination up there.
NATE BURLESON: Coach said I'm the storm.
JAMES BROWN: The calm of Fraser, the storm of Bill. We kick off just a half hour away. Time to set the scene for your game as we take you out to first on the field, presented by direct TV stream for the latest news and updates on your matchup.
Coming up at 4:00 eastern on CBS, Mack Jones and the Patriots come to the city of Angels to try to knock off the electric Justin Herbert and the Chargers. And Seattle, Boomer, looking to snap a three-game skid when Trevor Lawrence and the Jags come to town.
BOOMER ESIASON: Let's start with the Patriots, who last year schooled Justin Herbert, I mean, to the point where it was his worst game of the year. I'm sure there's a little bit of revenge on his side, Nate.
For the Patriots, Damian Harris, the last two weeks, he started to run the ball even more, take the pressure off of Mack Jones. He threw for over 300 yards his first time as a rookie quarterback. I'm telling you, I think this is going to be a big game for Justin Herbert.
NATE BURLESON: It has to be. Last year they treated him like a rookie. We know how Bill Belichick game plans against rookies.
They lost this game 45-0. He was a rookie, and he's not that anymore. He's a sophomore sensation. I'm looking for a little get back from Herbert.
BILL COWHER: Talk about Jacksonville going to Seattle. They went to England one time, now to the other side of the country and going to Seattle. They've still not won in the United States, but they're coming off their best game. Trevor Lawrence in these last three games has only thrown one interception. He threw seven the first three games. James Robinson is a big part of the running game, and Marvin Jones, a big part of that offense. Really I think they're coming along.
PHIL SIMMS: It's going to be a good game. I look at the Seahawks and look at Jamal Adams, he's the guy that makes it happen on defense. Blitzing, making big tackles in the backfield. I want to talk about Geno Smith real quick. Geno Smith has starter talent in the NFL, but you've got to learn how to manage the game. Watch the clock. Control the huddle. Lead the team. All those things. I haven't seen that from him. I know he's a backup, but you're the starter now. Go out there, have some presence to you, and will your team to do better.
NATE BURLESON: There's Derrick Henry, four straight games 100-plus yards against the Colts. Which is fitting because he's an absolute stallion.
[ Break ].
NATE BURLESON: On this Halloween, the players and fans are all dressed up, from kitty cats to T-Rexes, sponge bob and Patrick. But it's all about the trick or treaters, right? At least we think so.
>> Coming up next on "The NFL Today," trick or treating with an NFL twist.
>> Oh, great. Another wacky NFL pregame show Halloween skit. I can't wait. Wonder what they'll do this year. Let me guess, there's a cute little trick or treater dressed like an NFL player right behind this door. What do you know? It's Patrick Mahomes.
>> Trick or treat.
>> Enough with the no look. Look at me. Eyes right here. Never mind tricks. Never mind treats. I'm going to give you some truth. Let me see that bucket. Just what I thought. A lot of paydays, and now you've added some butter fingers. I'm going to give you some gum so you can stick it on the ball one of these weeks. Here you go. Intercepted. Don't you hate that? Now get out of here.
>> Trick or treat.
>> Well, well, reunited. Hey, Coach, I've got to tell you, there's a rumor going around the neighborhood here that all those ring pops in your bucket, that guy put them there. As for you, tales from the Crypto, you are taking this candy and eating this candy. I don't want to hear about it. Consider it a performance decreasing drug. Give somebody else a chance for once. Try the Mars bar, I believe it's named after your home planet. Get out of here.
>> Trick or treat.
>> Hey, little buddy, look at you. You got big. You want to know what I got for your bucket?
>> What?
>> A bucket list, and it's only got one thing on it. Win a game that anyone's ever going to remember. Got it?
>> Yeah.
>> Get out of here.
>> Trick or treat.
>> You got to be kidding me. Big man, you are way too old to be trick or treating. Look at you. You don't need M&Ms. You need an IPA. What are you, 30?
>> I'm 11.
>> If I wanted a joke, I would just have you tell me the Titans are going to win the AFC. Get out of here and try not to break my gate when you smash through it. 11? I got to say, that was pretty good. And by the way, if those kids really want candy, they got to go way uptown to Esiason MANOR, cross the drawbridge, go under the port cullis and the team of Butlers will give them anything they want, right, Boom?
BOOMER ESIASON: I appreciate that, Kyle. Very good. Very well done. Kind of mean to the kids, though, don't you think?
NATE BURLESON: A little mean spirited.
BILL COWHER: Kind of like Phil.
BOOMER ESIASON: You and him have a lot of the same traits.
JAMES BROWN: The brilliant Kyle with intellectual heft beating up on the kids. A very special thanks to Kyle Brandt. You can see him on good morning football every morning on NFL network. Only fitting on Halloween Sunday we talk about the scariest teams in the league. What's the one team that gives head coaches nightmares? We start with --
PHIL SIMMS: This is made for -- you okay, Nate? A little Lightning here.
NATE BURLESON: Getting scary.
PHIL SIMMS: Got some kids come to go my house later. I'll treat them better than that. Who's the general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Boomer?
BOOMER ESIASON: Steven Jones or Jerry Jones. One of the Joneses.
PHIL SIMMS: The Jones are crushing it when it comes to the draft. You look at their football team, they have minimum of 25 guys that contribute to the game that are good on this roster. You saw Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, a good tight end, offensive line is loaded. Randi Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence. Micah Parsons and then Trevon Diggs. How's that for drafting well by the Dallas Cowboys?
NATE BURLESON: I hear you, but talking scary. Nothing is scarier than an old man with grown man strength that knows how to beat up on all the little kids, that's Tom Brady right now. He's absolutely balling out. Forget he's leading the NFL in touchdown passes and touchdown yards at this age, he's surrounded by talent. Give me a weak spot on this team. You can't. That was the Phil question because I was asking myself that. Running game, passing game. On the defensive side of the ball, these guys are getting healthier. They're the scariest team in the NFL right now.
BOOMER ESIASON: I would say the Buffalo Bills because they have the No. 1 defense, Josh Allen, and they're a great team. We know they're going to be in the mix towards the end. But how about the Bengals? The Bengals make me more relevant. You know that, Nate. I'm going to continue talking about the Bengals because we spent a lot of time already talking about them. They're scary because they're just starting to figure it out. When Phil did his eye vision on Jamar chase and you saw how good he is, you realize the best is yet to come. So I say the Bengals.
BILL COWHER: I sat there and watched Thursday night game, and you tell me the scariest team has got to be the Green Bay Packers. Week one, they got thumped by New Orleans, 38-3. We all called out Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers since that first game, seven wins in a row. 19 touchdowns, and one interception. He put this team on his shoulders and did it Thursday night without Davante Adam. Great combination with Jones and D.J. Dillon. This is the scariest team I wouldn't want to play because that man is on a mission.
JAMES BROWN: Is fondness a word you would associate with Boomer?
BILL COWHER: I'm fond of him when he's leaving. Just kidding.
JAMES BROWN: Fondness when talking about Cincinnati. What a gutsy performance by the Packers, to Bill's point, against Arizona. Just a terrific game from both squads.
BOOMER ESIASON: The Packers could have easily lost this game, Coach. This came down to the final play. When you see what Kyler Murray did, he actually audibled to this play, and A.J. Green didn't hear it. Phil and I were watching the throw by Kyler Murray, that was a perfect back shoulder play.
NATE BURLESON: Literally hit him on the back of his shoulder. For me, Aaron Rodgers want more control in this organization. He fought to get Randall Cobb on this squad, and guess what, he balled out. That just proves when you give your quarterback who knows what he's doing a little more power and leverage, it can really help your team.
PHIL SIMMS: When you look at that game, here's what came to my mind as I was watching it. Matt LaFleur is doing a great job of managing games and so is Aaron Rodgers. They managed the game beautifully, took pressure off their defense. With Aaron Rodgers, you can manage the game well.
BILL COWHER: And the ramifications of that loss could be home-field advantage because Arizona is also 7-1. I would say to management, if you want to make Aaron Rodgers happy, you have the trade deadline on Tuesday, get yourself a tight end to go with that receiver.
PHIL SIMMS: Evan Engram maybe? You never know.
NATE BURLESON: Myles Garrett is living in the spirit of Halloween, and these are the tomb stones of quarterbacks he has sacked.
BOOMER ESIASON: You take a look at Bruce Smith, he did the same thing. This reminds me driving into the midtown tunnel off the Long Island expressway and looking to my right, there's 200-sack Bruce Smith there. I made that list. Phil made that list. Kenny O'Brien, 17 1/2 sacks is number one.
NATE BURLESON: Bruce Smith, and Myles Garrett came back today. I'll call him Myles "The Grim Reaper" Garrett, and he has all of the quarterbacks on the back of his Halloween costume.
[ Break ].
JAMES BROWN: The Tennessee Titans awarded the NFL's digital divide grant to youth villages, which is a nonprofit that helps kids with emotional and behavioral problems as well as assisting their families. The grant, by the way, provides resources to purchase technology to bridge the digital divide.
PHIL SIMMS: There's T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, plays with great energy, has seven sacks so far this year. One team with an offensive tackle puts his arms out. He can chop them down.
BOOMER ESIASON: A trade and sign by the 49ers, DeForest Buckner, the disrupter in the middle of the defensive line of Indianapolis Colts.
NATE BURLESON: And there's Denico Autry, a career high QB hits this season. A little revenge, he played three seasons with the Colts. For more with Coach Vrabel, let's hand it over to our Coach Bill.
BILL COWHER: The Tennessee Titans looked formidable as one of the best teams in the AFC. But head coach Mike Vrabel doesn't want the team to get ahead of themselves as he keeps them focused on the bigger picture.
>> What a win on Monday Night Football for the Tennessee Titans.
>> Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans are riding high.
MIKE VRABEL: We're seven games in, so a long way to go. Thanks, guys.
BILL COWHER: The last two weeks have been very impressive wins. You beat Buffalo. You beat Kansas City. You seemed anything but happy after the game. What was the message to the team? I'm sure it was somewhat let's temper this, people.
MIKE VRABEL: I think we all expected to win. We go out there and we prepare all week, and my mind was already on to the Colts. The message to the team was let's enjoy it, but let's focus on the Colts and what we have to do and not make this be some Super Bowl victory in the middle of the season.
BILL COWHER: So there was a shot we had last week of Derrick Henry getting off the bus, coming into the stadium. And I'm thinking to myself, wow, I have to tackle that guy all day long, and I went back and started thinking, I had Jerome Bettis. We called him the bus, right? You have Derrick Henry. What would you tag him?
MIKE VRABEL: He wants to be called tractorsito, sometimes. I don't know where that came from. He is very unique, and Jerome was unique. Jerome was big and almost round to a point, but he had these quick feet and he could run over you. Derrick is a speed guy that has great length for a running back. You don't really get to see that. He's really perfect the his stiff-arm to keep people from getting into his body, and he's worked hard at that.
>> Derrick Henry is a bad man.
BILL COWHER: Tell me about where you are in this fourth year as opposed to where you were in your first year, in terms of you being a more experienced and better coach.
MIKE VRABEL: I think the first year you think, oh, man, we're going to have some great scheme, and it's all about scheme. It's not about scheme. It's about figuring out and making decisions that are best for the team, trying to gain a personal touch. It's about the players holding each other accountable. Those are things that win, not plays. It's all about the players.
BILL COWHER: So many people have been a part of your development. I'm sure your philosophy as a coach. On that note, I want to give you a name, and give me the first thing that comes to your mind, okay?
MIKE VRABEL: Okay.
BILL COWHER: Bill Belichick.
MIKE VRABEL: Bill Belichick, detail.
BILL COWHER: Nick Saban?
MIKE VRABEL: Prepared, consistent.
BILL COWHER: Bill Cowher? Careful with this one.
MIKE VRABEL: The chin, the jaw. I used to have to look at that thing as a 21-year-old kid and it would scare me to death. Now I'm not quite as scared of it.
BILL COWHER: All right. Tom Brady.
MIKE VRABEL: Pretty boy.
BILL COWHER: He's thrown over 600 touchdown passes. How many of those touchdown passes did Mike Vrabel catch? Do you remember?
MIKE VRABEL: Probably eight -- or ten.
BILL COWHER: Oh, you do remember them?
MIKE VRABEL: There was only 12 of them. It wasn't like I caught 127 touchdowns. I'm not Randy Moss or somebody. Who is that guy?
BILL COWHER: When you think about Mike Vrabel, he is definitely a reflection of their football team. They've taken on his personality. They're smart, tough, and resilient, and he's made a concerted effort to try to improve that defense.
PHIL SIMMS: He's done that. They're just like him, mad as hell when they out and play. Denico Autry, a disrupter with power. They have Jeffery Simmons up front, man, he's a big man. And the speed is Harold Landry from the outside. He has seven sacks.
BOOMER ESIASON: This is a make or break game for the Indianapolis Colts and head coach Frank Reich. They fought back and got into the mix. They're three out of the last four. Carson Wentz is playing great football right now. This is an underrated defense, guys, led by the animal himself, Darius Leonard.
NATE BURLESON: He's a maniac for sure. Look at the numbers. Two plus pass TDs, zero interceptions for Carson Wentz. The most important thing is zero interceptions. He's not forcing the ball and not doing too much. Jonathan Taylor, second in the league in rushing, has never scored against the Titans.
JAMES BROWN: And Mike Vrabel's former team, the Patriots, against the Chargers. Last time they had a field day against Justin Herbert. Different results this time?
PHIL SIMMS: It's going to be a different game for sure. I'm going to talk about Mack Jones, the quarterback on the other side. Everybody talks, throwing short pass, this and that. Listen, this is what he's learned to do his whole life. He's getting rid of the football. He finds the second and third receivers faster than anybody in the NFL. He is dead accurate. That's what he does. He's never going to be a power thrower, and he's a little better athlete than a lot of people give him credit for.
BILL COWHER: And Justin Herbert is right now a better quarterback than he was a year ago when he got that beat down. The other side of it is the matchup is going to be Damian Harris and that running game. He's had over 100 yards the last two weeks. Going against the 32nd ranked run defense in the L.A. Chargers. That's a matchup to keep your eye on. May not match up well for the Chargers. Chargers can score a lot of points, which can take away, potentially, that running game.
JAMES BROWN: Time for upset specials. Boom, we start with Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: I got the New England Patriots today over the Los Angeles Chargers, and I think I'm undefeated.
BOOMER ESIASON: Okay. You keep thinking that.
BILL COWHER: I'm going to take the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Cleveland Browns. They're coming off of a bye week and won two straight. I like their identity on offense.
NATE BURLESON: Phil is 4-1 actually. Not undefeated. I'm going with the Tennessee Titans. Right now Derrick Henry is running like a runaway train.
BOOMER ESIASON: Phil is 2-3. I'll tell you that right now. I'm taking the Detroit Lions over the Philadelphia Eagles. Polar opposites on the sidelines, Nick Sirianni versus Dan Campbell. I hope Dan Campbell finally gets a win.
JAMES BROWN: Why is Phil continuing to talk about Nate's suit? That looks pretty darn good.
PHIL SIMMS: I have an orange couch in my house has missing a section.
NATE BURLESON: That was good.
JAMES BROWN: Action coming your way next. [ Break ].
JAMES BROWN: Coming up later today, Nate, the young quarterbacks are on full display starting with a head to head matchup between Mack Jones and Justin Herbert as the Patriots visit the Chargers.
Then Trevor Lawrence makes his first trip to Seattle for a showdown with the Seahawks. Coming up at 4:00 eastern right here on CBS. Time now for game day presented by Amazon.
PHIL SIMMS: Let's talk about this Seattle football team. I want to talk about the offense and Pete Carroll. Let's run the ball. Let's run the ball. Let's run the ball. You're 16th in the run. That's not good enough. Who are your best players? Okay, it's D.K. Metcalf outside and Tyler locket. Let's find more ways to get them involved in the offense. That's how you score points. When you run it, run it, run it, it makes it hard on Smith, but also it's taking your two best guys. I want to see them come out and throw the ball today.
BILL COWHER: Talk about the defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars, how about Shaquille Griffin going back to his former team? I wonder if he'll get matched up against D.K. Metcalf. Nothing personal there.
Jacksonville the last few weeks, it's about finishing games. I love their Trevor Lawrence is at, particularly the way he's trending. I think he's the best quarterback in this game. That's why I like Jacksonville.
NATE BURLESON: Speaking of trending, Trevor Lawrence, just one interception the last three games. You think about the first three games of his rookie season, he had seven interceptions. He's start to go figure it out. He's not forcing the ball into certain spots. He understands at linebackers and safeties and corners are really fast in the NFL. Then he also can lean on the run. I think one of the unsung heroes in the league, James Robinson at running back. When you have a guy like that you can lean on, you don't have to force the ball downfield.
BOOMER ESIASON: About a month ago when Urban Meyer decided to do what he did and got in trouble for it and everybody was wondering whether or not he was going to make it through the season. All of a sudden this week, shad Khan, the owner of the Jaguars, gave him a lot of support. Likes where his team is heading. That in large part is the way that Trevor Lawrence is playing.
On the other side, Geno Smith, Phil, you said it earlier in the show, he's got the talent of a starter but backup in decision-making. Tua is getting better every game, but the decisions he's making in the red zone are killing the Dolphins. Same thing can be said about Geno Smith, and it's something that's plagued him since he's come into the NFL.
JAMES BROWN: Let's come back around. Patriots and the Chargers?
BOOMER ESIASON: We talked about the running game of the Patriots and they're going against the 32nd run defense in the Chargers. That's how you play defense. That's how you hold onto the ball. I almost feel like Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have been getting ready for this game by playing the way they played the previous two games. A lot of play action, a lot of screens, a lot of down the field throws by Mack Jones, but it all starts because Damian Harris has been maybe the most underappreciated running back in football.
NATE BURLESON: You're right about that. Speaking of the run game, it is not the traditional form of running between the tackles. Phil, you talked about it earlier. Who cares if Mack Jones occasionally is checkdown Charlie. You live to play another down. Those screens you're talking about, being able to go through your progressions, dump it off to your running backs who are always available and always open in the Patriot offense, that right there is part of the run game. We'll see a lot of that today.
BILL COWHER: And the play action off that, Henry has a touchdown the last four games. Jonnu Smith is part of the that offense. And on the other side of that ball, you're talking about going against an L.A. charger team. Who do they rely on? Austin Ekeler. He's in the running game, the passing game. A big part of this identity on offense.
PHIL SIMMS: You talk about Mack Jones, and I say to everybody here, and we all know this, got to get rid of the ball quick. He's under pressure. This offensive line is maybe one of the big disappointments for the New England Patriots this year, not blocking that great. They do run the ball well. If you're going to be a running back for Bill Belichick, you'd better smash that thing in there. I love what they do there. I love the passing game. But, Bill, you are the King. Trick plays. I'm going to call them trick plays, but keep the defense honest plays.
That's what they are. The Patriots pull them out every single week.
JAMES BROWN: Any response?
BILL COWHER: I call them gimmicks.
JAMES BROWN: Gimmicks, okay.
BILL COWHER: That's actually a compliment.
BOOMER ESIASON: I always thought you were a little gimmicky.
NATE BURLESON: No gimmicks here. That's it from us. We'll see you at 4:00 p.m. eastern right here on CBS.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports