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JAMES BROWN: Week nine in the NFL.
PHIL SIMMS: There is Josh Allen. He has eight more wins than Jim Kelly did in his first 50 starts. He is off to a great young start to his career. Sorry about that, Jim.
NATE BURLESON: There is Derek Carr, second in the NFL in pass yards per game and explosive completions down field with 37.
BOOMER ESIASON: Joe Burrow, three touchdowns in the game the last three weeks. Looking to see Cincinnati going 3-0 in the AFC North.
BILL COWHER: Rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, for the New England Patriots off to a good start. 68% completion percentage, 250 yards a game. Patriots are 4-4.
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JAMES BROWN: Hello, folks, and welcome to "The NFL Today" presented by Ram Trucks. I'm James Brown, and we are at the halfway point of this topsy-turvy, turbulent NFL season, and week nine brings even bigger games, news, and drama, so let's get you all set.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills look to continue rumbling over their opponents as they head to Jacksonville to take on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Meanwhile, in Carolina Stephon Gilmore welcomes back some old friends as Mac Jones and the Patriots are in town looking for their third win in a row. Meanwhile, the big AFC North showdown in Cincinnati as the Bengals try and flip the page after last week's shocking upset by the Jets while the Browns coming off their only tough loss to the Steelers play their first game since releasing Odell Beckham Jr.
>> Oh, it was picked off.
>> Jets' defense turns the tables.
>> Mike White wide open. Unbelievable.
>> Bengals had an 11-point lead with 5 minutes to go. They are going to lose to a one-lose New York Jets team.
>> Got outplayed, got outcoached today. They were a hungry team.
>> Bengals were the darling of the NFL for seven days.
>> Mayfield is better without Odel Beckham Jr.
>> He doesn't want to be there. The Browns don't want him there.
>> The Browns are in some trouble.
>> We're not playing how we should be.
>> A huge disappointing day.
>> We want to do better. We want to be better than .500.
>> They go to .500 and 4-4.
>> Nothing on the outside is going to help us. It's only going to create drama.
>> We talk about ignoring the noise. Certainly there are a lot of a lot of things in social media we need to ignore.
>> It's time to look in the mirror and handle those things internally.
>> The Browns have opted to release Odell Beckham Jr.
>> On the year they were supposed to soar to the top of the AFC North, they are right down at the bottom.
JAMES BROWN: And back here in studio 43, I'm joined by my colleagues. They will be -- he would call himself the handsome Boomer Esiason, multi-talented, busy Nate Burleson, the Hall of Fame coach, Bill Cowher, and what are you going to call Phil Simms?
NATE BURLESON: The great one.
JAMES BROWN: The great one, Phil Simms. Checking in from the booth in Cincinnati the site of today's battle for Ohio, the -- I love this word -- effervescent Tony Romo, and the big story in Cleveland this week, OBJ released by the Browns. Tony, why didn't it work out for OBJ in Cleveland.
TONY ROMO: Well, I think it's not just one specific thing, but I think at the very end of the day you have a receiver who is coming from a position of strength, right? He is not getting the the same production, and he feels the weight of that all around him. At home, with his friends, with family. The emotions build to a frustration point, and he goes boom inside, and the organization says, well, we're kind of playing okay when you're not here too, so we're not going to cater to you over and over again even though we're trying to get you the ball, and at the very end of it, they part ways.
JAMES BROWN: No question about it. Tony, switching gears, if you were in the ear of Joe Burrow today, what advice would you give him facing Myles Garrett and that tough Browns defense?
TONY ROMO: Throw it before he gets close to you would be the first thing. I think you're going to find that when teams go against the Browns, if the Browns are able to slow you down on first down and get into obvious passing situations, they don't have to blitz a whole lot because Myles Garrett, Clowney, these guys up front just attack, and they get these wide stances and come after you, and the game is really difficult.
They got to win on first down and play in rhythm early in this game. In other words, throw a slant, come out, throw a screen, then play action, then hand the ball off, then hand it off and then bootleg. Then go back and drop back.
If you try and get in the drop-back game, you're going to lose against Myles Garrett and this defensive front.
JAMES BROWN: Tony, you know I love the simple, clear vision. Throw it before he gets there. Hey, buddy, always a pleasure. Knock them alive on the call today. All right. We've got our resident wide receiver. That would be Nate Burleson. Your thoughts on Odell.
NATE BURLESON: Has Baker Mayfield missed Odell down the field? Yes. Has Odell been perfect as a wide receiver? No. As a coaching staff, have he this tried to get him the ball? Yes. The reason I bring up those three positions because when a receiver is successful -- yards, catches, touchdowns -- there's three people that should share the blame -- share the praise. That's a wide receiver, quarterback, and the coaches. When a receiver, a superstar receiver, isn't being as successful as they anticipated, I believe they all should share the blame, and that's the reason why it hasn't worked. This is an offense that is based off of the play action. You drop back, a receiver is supposed to be where he is supposed to be. Odell is used to a quarterback dropping back, looking for him, and then going through his progression. This hasn't worked because it wasn't a good fit. This Odell Beckham experiment, it just didn't work because of everybody involved.
I will say this. His next stop better be his best stop, which I believe it will be because I do think that Odell has a lot of football left in him.
BILL COWHER: It's about the system. He wants to be in a more wide open system. When he wasn't traded by Tuesday, he was disappointed in that, but when you look at this system, they are maybe better without him because what happens is Baker Mayfield feels the onus, as you said, to get his superstar the catches. As I sit there as a head coach in Kevin Stefanski, what I'm saying is I'm trying to build a culture I went to the playoffs a year ago. I want to do this repetitively. It's a culture that's based on unselfishness, of keeping people accountable to themselves. I got to worry about a team agenda and getting this team back on it. You work through those things when you are going through a season. These are the murky waters I talk about. You have to work through it.
I sit there and say, your personal agenda isn't at the forefront. I would ask him this, Phil. Odell, are you more happy if you had eight catches and we lost, or if you had three catches and we win? If you hesitated, I got my answer, and you may not be the player for me.
PHIL SIMMS: Hesitated. You know, I just got to say this. You're right, Bill. I played Boomer Esiason once in Cincinnati. We lost the game, and I was really down in the locker room, and someone said, hey, you know you threw for 513 yards today. I went, well, I fell better, man. I don't know. Listen, why I'm bringing all this up just to lighten the mood a little bit is the Cincinnati Bengals, they were 5-2, flying high, going against a team they think they're going to beat and the New York Jets have only won one game. They're not ready. You got to create as a coach a sense of urgency, and I don't think the Bengals did that. Bill Parcells was great at doing that. When we were playing a team that we thought we were going to beat, it would be, hey, you guys are not playing well. You're not practicing well. We're going to lose. The game would be over. We would win. We would be getting on the bus. All the guys would be getting at Bill, we told you so, we would win the game. He would have a smirk on his face because he did exactly what he wanted.
BOOMER ESIASON: Keyword in that example you gave. Lost. You lost the game to Boomer Esiason, and you are doing your best imitation of asking yourself questions.
Here's the thing, good riddance Odell Beckham Jr. You eviscerated Eli Manning and Baker Mayfield, who was playing with a bad shoulder. This is an important game for the Cleveland Browns if they want to save their season. It's a season defining game for me for them. Of course, with the Bengals, five minutes ago 11-point lead. They should have won the game. They lost. They'll learn from it and come out and play well today.
JAMES BROWN: Four distinctive viewpoints, and you had to mesh all of that together as the head coach.
BILL COWHER: Yeah.
JAMES BROWN: Unbelievable. Hey, folks, and for more on Odell Beckham Jr.'s future landing spot and all the updates from around the league, who better to welcome in than our "NFL Today" insider Mr. Jason La Canfora.
JASON LA CANFORA: Beckham will have a new team this week, J.B. The Browns will waive him tomorrow with $7.25 million left on his contract. Only nine clubs have enough cap space to claim him, and most aren't contenders. If he clears waivers, the Saints, 49ers, Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders among the many interested teams I'm told. Seattle could claim him. Aaron Rodgers is facing steep fines for violating the league's COVID protocoled, NFL sourced said. However, he will not be suspended.
The Packers face potential penalties too as the NFL investigates Rodgers' actions inside and outside their facility. Images of a maskless Rodgers at a team Halloween party are a primary concern. Rodgers, who is not vaccinated, tested positive shortly after that gathering. He could be back by week ten. The league office sent its initial list of vetted minority head coaching candidates to all teams last week. It includes three rising young assistants without prior head coaching experience. Patriots linebackers Jerod Mayo, DeMeco Ryans, and Tampa offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. All former stand-out players, and have strong backing from the NFL's football operations department. Former Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs could be facing up to 46 years in prison if convicted on multiple felony DUI charges for his role in a crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tinter in Las Vegas last week. The Raiders released Ruggs, their top pick in 2020, shortly after the incidents. He remains on house arrest pending a hearing on Wednesday, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: Sad all the way around, Jason. All right, folks. We'll step aside for a quick time-out. More of "The NFL Today" after this.
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>> "The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, Motor Trends truck of the year for the third year in a row.
JAMES BROWN: Salute to service is the NFL's year-round effort to honor, empower, and connect our nation's service members, veterans, and their families. Learn about the NFL's work with its long-standing military and veteran nonprofit partners by simply visiting NFL.com/salute.
You know it's been a good year for Mac Jones. The rookie has been a presence under center for the Patriots, who despite the slow start to the season, seem to be doing just A-okay.
>> Patriots are going to fall to 1-3.
>> It's disappointing. Just have to go back to work and get better.
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>> That's it.
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>> Let's go.
>> That's the way to go.
>> There's a confidence building.
>> Pick-6.
>> That's the way you make a play.
>> Touchdown, the Patriots strike magic.
>> A damn good win. Congratulations.
JAMES BROWN: And for those that are not believers Belichick is still out to prove that these Patriots are alive and well, and, folks, he has convinced the host of the Jim Rome Show. That would be that handsome man there on CBS Sports Radio and CBS Sports Network.
JIM ROME: So not dead, can't quit. Here come the Patriots. Maybe. They're 4-4, sure, but they can be so much more if not for close losses to Miami, Tampa, and Dallas, and now they are finishing those games.
No rookie QB Mac Jones was not specially sharp last week. His defense picked him up. Confusing Justin Herbert again. If the hoodie and Stevie did that to Herbert, wait to see what they do to Sam Darnold today. Better yet, wait to see what that monster Matthew Judon does to Darnold.
Winning in L.A. was nice, but if they want to be considered an actual playoff contender, the Pats better handle their business today in Carolina.
JAMES BROWN: And for Belichick and the Patriots, winning is business as usual, so, Coach, what should we expect from the Patriots today.
BILL COWHER: You talk about the New England Patriots. They have won three of the last four games with only one loss being in overtime to Dallas. They've done it because of this kid right here, Mac Jones. He has gotten better with each game, and the last four-game stretch, five touchdowns and only two interceptions, and he leads on Damian Harrison, the running game, and they're strong in the middle, and going against Carolina with that good pass rush, they'll do a good job protecting the edges, putting a tight end and a back over there to nix those outside rushers.
PHIL SIMMS: Mac Jones did not throw to this guy, Stephon Gilmore, one of the five best defensive backs in the NFL covered. Last week his first action against the Atlanta Falcons, he did a great job. Got an interception. Sam Darnold in there after the concussion last week starts for the Carolina panthers. They're being very conservative on the offense, and I like that because they're playing to their strong defense, and look who is back. They need Christian McCaffrey and the pass game because in three games he has 16 catches.
NATE BURLESON: He can do it all, but what about the Buffalo Bills and the Jags in Jacksonville? I say in Jacksonville because I want to check out these numbers of Josh Allen on the road. Check this out. 5-1. We know the points per game, the pass yards. This is what I love. 21-2. I mean, my dude is more comfortable on the road than a NASCAR driver. He can do it all. He can hurt you with his feet. We know he has the big arm. If you decide to bring pressure, he will make you hurt because -- he will bring pain. He puts up eight touchdowns up against pressure. That's second in the NFL. This guy right here, Cole Beasley, you can worry about Stefon Diggs if you want, but he can do everything in between the hashes.
BOOMER ESIASON: The Bills are done with their rebuild, Josh Allen has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Trevor Lawrence is starting the rebuild in Jacksonville with Urban Meyer. A lot of pressure on him. The number one scoring defense and the number one scoring offense in Buffalo, so it's not going to be easy for the Jaguars today.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah.
BOOMER ESIASON: Unfortunately, we have the Raiders and Giants to talk about, and this is not going to be really easy because we heard about Henry Ruggs, and we know what happened. First and foremost, for all of us here at CBS sports, our hearts and prayers are going out to Tina Tinter's family, her dog, max, and what happened this past week, and it's a cautionary tale for all of us to take heed and realize you can just absolutely destroy someone's life and family as well as doing it to yourself. I hope all NFL players learned a valuable lesson this week. I don't know how they can show up and play a football game in this circumstance.
NATE BURLESON: The ripple effect will last a lifetime. Derek Carr, the leader of this Raiders team, he came out this week, and he said I wish that I could have done something. Well, he couldn't. Couldn't avoid what happened, but Derek Carr can help on the field, and as a leader, he can help his guys focus on what's going on in between those lines, and not think about that tragedy that happened outside of it.
PHIL SIMMS: Yeah, Nate. Let's talk about the New York Giants and their offense. You got to talk about Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones is not the reason why the Giants are 2-6. He is playing well. Seven touchdowns, five interceptions. Let's remember he is playing with what we say all the time it seems like, a reshuffled offensive line for the New York Giants. They've had injuries at the wide receiver position. Kenny Golladay back for him today.
BILL COWHER: The New York Giants defensively coming off one of the best performances on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, had to deal also with faulty COVID tests this week, disrupt their week, but this defense without Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator, they've done a very good job. Leonard Williams up front has put pressure on the defense. Logan Ryan, free safety. James Bradbury, a very good corner. This defense is coming around.
NATE BURLESON: Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 10.5 sacks. We're talking about sack ratio. He averages .9 sacks per game. That's basically one sack. Joe Burrow, better watch out.
>> Coming up, on "The NFL Today" Von Miller was on the move this week landing in Tinsel Town. How the Rams newest star shapes the AFC as the second half of the season gets underway.
>> I went to sleep 4-4 and woke up 7-1.
>> While Josh Allen and the Bills' offense has been getting all the accolades, it's Buffalo's defense that has quickly become one of the most feared units in the NFL.
>> Under duress, and he is sacked.
>> Mac Jones and the Patriots are starting to catch momentum, but do they have a shot at making a postseason run?
>> That's the way to go.
>> Nice going. That's it.
>> Find out when the guys take an early look at the playoff picture in the AFC. That's all straight ahead in "The NFL Today" returns.
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[Commercial]
NATE BURLESON: If you want to see football covered like never before, you've got to check out NFL Slime Time on Nickelodeon. Join me to tackle the week's best Slime Lights. Catch NFL Slime Time every once night at 7:00 eastern on Nickelodeon.
>> It's been a busy week in the NFL, and now it's time for pregame HQ delivered by Domino's.
>> Bad news for the Tennessee Titans.
>> Headed to surgery.
>> I'm worried what this offense is going to look like without Derrick Henry.
>> We're going to have to find a way to move the football.
>> Aaron Rodgers has tested positive.
>> Investigating for potential COVID protocol violations.
>> Everybody in the organization knew I wasn't vaccinated. I wasn't hiding it from anybody.
>> It's unfortunate. It's not like this thing can't happen to anybody.
>> Russell Wilson, he had a pin removed from the middle finger of his throwing hand. Could be back in week tone or 11.
>> Broncos sending Von Miller to the Rams.
>> He has gone to the Rams for a second and third round pick.
>> This is all about trying to win a championship in Los Angeles.
>> I went to sleep 4-4, and woke up 7-1. On the back end of things, it's not really that bad.
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JIM ROME: Native of Los Angeles. I think I'm well-suited to explain what the L.A. Rams are doing in trading for Von Miller. All the right things, baby. The NFL trade deadline wasn't really even a thing until Sean McVay and Les Sneed showed up. Then again, draft picks used to matter too. Now the only thing that matters in L.A. is winning and winning right now.
Did you really think that they were going to build a $5 billion stadium, host the Super Bowl, and not do anything and everything possible to win it? That's their mindset.
All in every single chip to the center of the table, and then toss in your watch and the deed to the house too. That's how we do it in Hollywood, J.B. I absolutely love it.
JAMES BROWN: Bill Cowher turned to take a look back to see what was happening. It's always huge when Hollywood is in the headlines, and some big names involved with some big news this week, so the question is, what stands out the most, and we start with the Hall of Famer.
BILL COWHER: Jim Rome is right. We think about Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford doing trades and picking up draft picks. Think about Von Miller and what he has done. You can see since 2014, you have two of the top four right now on the same team, on the same line. Put Leonard Floyd in there, and you talk about a formidable front four. That's what you have. This is going back to the fearsome foursome. You're going back to see some of the great pass rushing teams that the L.A. Rams have had. He will be a great addition to them. He has four and a half sacks already this year. He gets healthy. I'll tell you what, they're doing it through trading and not through the draft. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
PHIL SIMMS: Good history lesson there. Derrick Henry, what kind of loss is he going to be? How do they overcome it? It's going to be tough. He was the MVP candidate. Look at the offense, 34 -- over 34% of the team's total yards. Derrick Henry, 237 touches. Leads the NFL. Listen, Mike Vrabel, we know him as a coach. He is not going to change. They're going to keep running the football even without Derrick Henry. You see there, the right foot is where he hurt the fifth metatarsal. The offensive line is very good. Adrian Peterson will come in there and run the football hard. I say it though Todd Downey, and the offensive coordinator. Create a few more plays to help out the loss of Derrick Henry.
NATE BURLESON: He is going to have to Hearn his check. You are a downer, Phil. I'll bring the mood back up. Russell Wilson is throwing the ball again. How about that? Let's talk about the Seattle Seahawks.
They are sitting on the outside much the playoff picture, but we saw him training, throwing the ball around. He will be back sooner than later. Now, I am still concerned about this defense. Even though they played well last week against the Jags, seems like teams take whatever they want up against that back end of the defense. Russell Wilson, if you are thinking to yourself, is he going to come back and make an impact? He has a career high in completions percentage right now, so he is playing very well.
BOOMER ESIASON: I love Aaron Rodgers as a player, but I'm sick of Aaron Rodgers off the field, and he really let his Green Bay Packers down. You know, he is supposed to be the leader of a team when you are a quarterback. I've reached out to Frank Reich this week, and the reason I reached out was because he has a quarterback who is unvaccinated and who has to follow protocols. Frank told me that Carson Wentz has been nothing but a role model under the conditions that the NFL has set forth. He is protecting himself, and he is protecting his team, and he is leading his team even though they're not the number one team in the NFC, like Aaron Rodgers is. For him to go to a Halloween party unmasked and put himself in that situation is the things that leaders don't do.
Whether you are upset about Jordan Love being drafted or upset because your way of immunizing yourself wasn't looked at as a vaccination, you have let down the Green Bay Packers.
NATE BURLESON: Are you seeing Carson Wentz, he wears a mask everywhere he goes.
BOOMER ESIASON: Everywhere he goes. If you were to watch on Thursday night against the Jets, he wears a mask on the sideline a lot, and then after the game is over, he will put the mask on. He is taking the -- the league seriously.
NATE BURLESON: Following the protocols by the book.
BOOMER ESIASON: Remember, the NFL has put cameras in every single building, and if Aaron Rodgers has violated any of the protocols in football spaces as Matt LaFleur was talking about this week, they will fine him heavily, and they will fine the Green Bay Packers heavily, but Aaron Rodgers, once again, puts mark Murphy,in Brian Gutenkunst and Matt LaFleur in a difficult situation.
JAMES BROWN: Do you think Von Miller has gotten over the disappointment of being traded? Fill physical I think you survived it somehow.
JAMES BROWN: With kickoff just about a half hour away, time to set the scene at your game as we take you out first on the field for the latest news and updates on your matchup.
J.B., thank you. We're looking forward to this one under beautiful blue skies in Cincinnati. Tony, for the Cleveland Browns, it has been a very busy week filled with a lot of drama. More than you want.
TONY ROMO: Way more than you want, and I think you find very quickly this happens in the NFL, though, Jim. It's a big deal outside of the building. When they go home, their friends text, everyone talks about it, the emotions are high. When they're playing football and practicing, they're immersed in their opponent, and I think you're going to see the Browns come out today and play good football.
JIM NANTZ: You think Baker will play well today.
TONY ROMO: I do.
JIM NANTZ: Jarvis Landry, he had a tough finish for last week's game. Dropped a couple of passes, fumbled. What about him now as far as a leader in that wide receiver core.
JIM NANTZ: He was down after last week. Didn't perform quite up to his standards. It's never about one guy or one drop. He is going to come out like any great competitor and bring his A game today.
JIM NANTZ: This guy brings his A game every week, doesn't he?
TONY ROMO: He has a lot of tools in his tool belt, and I think today every game plan starts for stopping that guy.
TONY ROMO: Impressive young man, honestly. He is young, right? Just like this guy, Joe Burrow, and they're both doing an outstanding job of growing and learning, you and you are seeing the evolution of that right now.
JIM NANTZ: The offensive coordinator has put up over 30 points each of the last three weeks Brian Callahan. How about had this matchup? His father, Bill, the long-time coach around the league. The Browns offensive line coach. There they are just minutes ago.
TONY ROMO: What a special day. For that family it's got to be tore up right as a mom sitting there. This is a great moment for these two, and they know how special it is to be able to talk to your dad, your mentor who taught you a lot.
JIM NANTZ: This guy is a good one. Joe Mixon can do a lot of things out of the back field.
TONY ROMO: They're going to throw him the ball, special back. He has to have a big day for them to win today.
JIM NANTZ: See you at the top of the hour. Browns and Bengals, "NFL Today" continues after this.
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[Commercial]
JAMES BROWN: Welcome back to "NFL Today". Hey, folks, there is Tony preparing for today's big game. You know what, tell a football novice that you know to enter at Tostitos.com/Romo. That's to have Romo in your ear to listen and repeat smart football references directly from Romo himself in real-time. As the official chip and dip of the NFL, Tostitos is helping one football novice get in the game.
>> This defensive front has been completely dominant.
>> Gaskin is stuffed.
>> Sacked.
>> Got to him in a hurry.
>> It across the middle, and it's picked off.
>> Intercepted. Seals the deal for the Buffalo Bills.
>> Over the middle.
>> Intercepted.
>> Fifth take-away of the ballgame.
>> Team has been excellent.
JAMES BROWN: There is Tremaine Edmunds and Micah Hyde, two pieces of the unit, that has quickly become the number one defense of the league under Leslie Frazier. We sat down with the two stand-outs and find out how the team has succeeded by staying focused on the long-term goals they set at the top of the season.
>> A sack at the 2 yard line.
>> Roethlisberger slammed down.
>> Intercepted. Jordan Hoyer.
>> Micah comes the pressure. Down he goes.
>> Fifth take-away of the ballgame.
>> We know when teams turn us on and see us defensively, it rings that this is a team that plays hard and fast, and plays physical. Those are the things we pride ourselves on.
>> With this defense I think we are getting the recognition. People are realizing what we're able to do on the defensive side, and not just on the defensive side, but just as an organization.
>> The most important play is playing free. Guys know their assignment. Guys know their responsibility, and guys are in position to make plays, and the plays are being made.
>> It's intercepted by Micah Hyde. He is going to race to the end zone. Touchdown, Buffalo.
>> Four guys coming, and that's enough.
>> Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo's leading tackler.
>> Definitely something that Coach McDermott and the coaching staff focuses on each week, fundamentals and getting the ball away, that's what we preach about week in and week out. Defensively getting the ball out, punch-outs, interceptions, whatever it may be. Guys are doubling down on taking the ball away and protecting the football.
>> If our offense has a bad day, the defense can definitely win games for us. If they get into a slump, you know, we go out there and try to play our game defensively. We feel like we're a complete football team, and if that case comes around where one side of the ball is slacking, then hopefully the other side will pick us up.
>> We have playmakers on offense, and we got playmakers on defense. We've got a great group of guys that has love and passion for the game. It only forces you to get better in your craft and come out each day with a new mission, and that's just to get better, and that's one thing I love about this team.
>> We have a day by day mentality that we don't want to be playing our best football in September and October. We want to be playing our best football late, Thanksgiving and into December and January. Going to keep grinding each and every day and making each other better and see what happens late in the season.
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>> To have our fans screaming anywhere we go. We were down in Miami. It felt like a home game. In Nashville it felt like a home game.
>> It's amazing. I think we have one of the best, if not the best fan bases in the league, and just to see the bills Mafia out there going crazy jumping on tables it gives us a lot of energy when we go out there on game day.
NATE BURLESON: That type of defense made them one of the best Ds in the business. Listen, through eight weeks of the season we're talking about 18 takeaways, coach. Look at the numbers right here.
BILL COWHER: Talk about that, Nate. You think about defensively, number one thing you want to do is get off the field. One play and done. That's what a takeaway is. Total yards allowed,en that's not giving up big plays. You have to hold teams to field goals, play great in the Red Zone. When watch these guys, it starts because they have depth. Here's Greg Russo, number one pick right here. He is a big long-arm athletic in the Red Zone. You try to put screen. He is able to not just bat it up in the air, but he can take it. One of the best corners in the National Football League, Tre'davious White.
NATE BURLESON: Single high safety, coach.
BILL COWHER: Look at the break on the ball. He is reading the quarterback and receiver. This guy can play bumper run and playoff. He is a good tackler as well. You know, it starts with Micah Hyde and Jordan Hoyer. Here give you one look, and they play another. Jordan Hoyer is coming. This is a coverage two blitz zone. Give you a different look. They're experienced and playing together for a long period of time. The break-up is right there. When you look at this defense, they are great at every level, and you talk about them, and they have depth.
NATE BURLESON: Shout out to Leslie Frazier who has been doing a great job this year. Here's the thing, they don't need to blitz in order to get pressure. They are bottom ten in the league in bringing the blitz, but top ten in actually providing pressure. Let's talk to a couple of quarterbacks that would have been scared of a defense like this, Boom and Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: We're shrinking violets.
BOOMER ESIASON: Yeah. The only one we're scared of every now and again is Coach Cowher. It's midseason report card file for the five rookie quarterbacks. Three of the five are incomplete, but two out of the five, Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence, take a look at their ranks. You see Mac is first in a lot of these. What is your grade for Mac Jones and what have you seen thus far.
PHIL SIMMS: I'm going to be a tough grader here. A-Minus. Let's don't forget he is a rookie quarterback in the NFL. What do I like about Mac Jones? One, he is very accurate with the football. He does a tremendous job of avoiding sacks. When somebody is coming free to sack him, he throws the football away, protects his offensive line, and protects himself. He moves very well in the pocket also. That's the reason why he has had good success.
BOOMER ESIASON: Trevor Lawrence, I'm giving him a C-plus. The reason is it's been a struggle. They're rebuilding down there. New coach. The whole thing. He has played every single snap for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is not a shrinking violet, to say the least. He reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert of the L.A. Chargers. I think the future is going to be really bright in Jacksonville, without question. At the end of the day two of these guys will be going toe to toe for years.
PHIL SIMMS: You are a tough grader because when I watch Trevor Lawrence, I think he is everything a franchise quarterback you want, and I think the team is happy, the organization is happy. I would give him an A-minus.
BOOMER ESIASON: The numbers don't represent that. How about this? I got this from Brian Coyle. Josh Allen times two. You know what Brian Coyle told me? There's never been a sack of a quarter by two players by the same name, if that means anything to you.
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JAMES BROWN: The Raiders hosted over 1,500 boys and girls for an NFL flag qualifying tournament with teams vying for a chance to compete at the regional championship and a bid to the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl in Las Vegas.
PHIL SIMMS: The Carolina panthers got Stephon Gilmore's first action against the Atlanta Falcons. He had an interception. He makes a good Carolina defense even better.
BILL COWHER: There is Matt Judon. Big free agent pickup for the Ravens. He has three sacks in the midway pointed.
NATE BURLESON: Max Crosby always giving max effort. Second in the NFL with QB hits. He has 19. He will get to the quarterback.
BOOMER ESIASON: The four year, $60 million free agent has already paid dividends. His QB pressure rate of 17 is number one in the NFL. Let's go over to our colleague Jim Rome for more vies from Rome.
JIM ROME: If you are Sean Payton, who do you go with at QB after losing Jameis Winston? Taysom or Trevor? The answer is easy. Phil. Not Phil Simms, although I know he can still sling is. Philip Rivers led the Colts to the playoffs last season. He is exactly what they need. Someone to manage the game and get it to Alvin Kahmara in open space. No brainer. I know they're starting Trevor Siemian this week, but he is Trevor Siemian. This is a really tough year not to have a great quarterback in the NFC. You tell me which one is not like the others.
Rodgers, Murray, Prescott, Brady, Stafford, and Siemian. Sure, Payton can coach up either Hill or Siemian ]and get them to the postseason, but if you want to do once you get there, rivers is the guy. The Ravens get a bye and wake up back in first in the AFC North.
Then, who is the team to beat in that division? I still love the Bengals and what they're building in the Natty, but given all the adversity that the Ravens have overcome there's a toughness and grit to this crew that's hard to go against. Now they're getting healthy, and no one is going to benefit from that bye more than Lamar Jackson.
Remember when everybody said the league would figure him out? Well, it hasn't. Not only does he look like 2019 MVP Lamar point of the season, he has looked even better. Generally, I do not have much use for on pace guy, but Jackson is on pace to pass for more than 4,700 yards and rush for 1,200 more. If he does that, the Ravens are going to rip this division, JB.
JAMES BROWN: He said dag gummit. Was he trying to imitate Phil?
PHIL SIMMS: That's what it felt like.
JAMES BROWN: Hey, folks. Anyway, Jim, thank you so very much, and at the halfway mark, Baltimore firmly in the playoff race sitting among division leaders Tennessee, Vegas, and Buffalo. Now, the Bengals, Steelers, and Chargers make the cut with some pretty heavy hitters on the outside looking in, but with so much football left, how do you see this changing by season's end, Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: Well, Jim Rome was talking about Philip Rivers. Not me. I don't say that anymore. Are there going to be changes? Of course, the one name I'm going to take off of it is the Los Angeles Chargers where, when you don't run the football well or stop the run, that's a bad combination in this league. Who am I going to put? The New England Patriots. They have a good conference record, good division record, so they can win some tie breakers.
BILL COWHER: It's way too early. We're not even halfway yet. One team --
PHIL SIMMS: We have to do it.
BILL COWHER: Tennessee Titans do not have Derrick Henry. Indianapolis Colts are 4-5. Don't discount them. I just will say the Kansas City Chiefs to me are one team that I'm not going to say they're going to get back in the playoffs. They're too good, talented on the offensive side of the ball, and they're going to get the defense figured out.
NATE BURLESON: They're trying to make some TV over here, Coach. I'm going with K.C. as well, though. They're facing the Rodger-less Packers at home. This is a great time of the season. Middle of the year to kind of redirect where they want to go.
BOOMER ESIASON: I'm going with the New England Patriots. I picked them to make it to the playoffs as the season started, so I'm going to stick with them. I also have a sneaking suspicion that maybe the Indianapolis Colts make a late run here late in the season. I think if their defense can get healthy, they're in every single game that they play. They just got to start finishing games.
NATE BURLESON: Yep.
JAMES BROWN: You talk about making TV. Try to coach year one, show one asking him who is going to win the Super Bowl.
NATE BURLESON: You want to play too, right.
JAMES BROWN: Meanwhile, over in the NFC, the Packers are in the driver's seat followed by the Cardinals, Cowboys, and Bucs. The wild card spot are occupied by the Rams, Saints, and the Panthers with a host of teams still on the hunt. Who is in and who is outs, Mr. Boomer.
BOOMER ESIASON: You heard Jim talking about the quarterback situation in New Orleans. It's a tenuous quarterback situation in Carolina. I would think those two teams have a long way to go before we can decide whether or not they are Super Bowl-worthy. That leads me to the San Francisco 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo played well last week. Look, they got a great defense. They got a great defensive line, and they can run the football. I'm going to say the 49ers somehow sneak in.
NATE BURLESON: I'll double down on the Saints. There's rumors of Mike Thomas getting healthy. People are bringing up O.B.J.'s name. The quarterback situation, it does cause some concern, though. Trevor Siemian might not be your it up of tea. Taysom Hill, Drew Brees, are you doing a good job on TV. How does that arm feel? Philip rivers, high school football is about to end here in a little bit, huh? Do you guys want to come back and play some football.
BILL COWHER: Think the top five, New Orleans and Carolina question. I see the team San Francisco with you. The Seattle Seahawks get Russell Wilson back. Look for them to make a late season push.
PHIL SIMMS: He can't play defense, though, Coach. I'm going to say Carolina is out. Of this because of their schedule. They played the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay and Buffalo the last four games of the year. That's going to be tough. I like San Francisco in. Garoppolo and the speed on their defense.
JAMES BROWN: Let's stay with you and talk about upset special.
PHIL SIMMS: Who do I have? I have Philadelphia with the Los Angeles Chargers. I'm having a hell of a day.
[Laughing]
BILL COWHER: I got the Cleveland Browns with everything that took place this week going down to Cincinnati and getting the win.
NATE BURLESON: Who do I have? The Cardinals beating the 49ers.
BOOMER ESIASON: What do I have? I'm going to take the Giants over the Raiders. Coach, you got something against Nat Senate, I haven't figured that out yet.
JAMES BROWN: For those of you getting the 4:00 game today, we'll be back with more after a quick time-out, but, Nate.
NATE BURLESON: Phil, we love you, man. Kickoff a few minutes away. We'll get you out to your game next.
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JAMES BROWN: Amazon takes you to the sights and sounds of the game between the Browns and Bengals. Let's get you out to Cincinnati with our announcers, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson.
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JIM NANTZ: The Bengals home for the first time in a month about to take on the rivals, the Cleveland Browns. Hello, friends. Great to be with all of you. Residing once again this week in the AC North where Baltimore sits atop at 5-2. The Bengals have already beaten the Ravens and Steelers on the road, while the Browns have lost three of the last four. All teams at .500 or better, but this, a pivotal game. They all will be the rest of the game, especially when it comes down to a divisional game. Tony, sliding on in here, let's talk a little bit about what this is going to look like today for the Browns. I think everybody is anxious to see, are they going to be galvanized off the whole Beckham saga or is this going to set them back?
TONY ROMO: I think you are exactly right. We're going to find out, it's like this locker room, if it's built the right way, they'll be okay, and the head coach, when you are drafting players, you are going through this, I trust Barry, the GM, and Stefanski to build this with good people, the correct kind of people. When you lose a guy like that who is a leader, I still think they'll be able to keep going, put their head down and go win football games. I think they're going to play good football the rest of the year.
JIM NANTZ: I would like to hear what you think about Baker Mayfield. Last year he came here and had a big game, had five touchdown passes on this field last October.
TONY ROMO: He did. This is an improved Cincinnati defense, and a team as a whole. Baker Mayfield, last week he was injured. There was a question mark. He showed up, and he actually played a pretty good sound game. I think is he going to do the same thing this week. I think he is going to help, actually, in certain areas I'm going to discuss during the game of not having Odell.
JIM NANTZ: Look forward to that during our broadcast. Let's go to the sideline. More on Beckham and all of this from Tracy. Welcome, Tracy.
TRACY WOLFSON: The distraction is gone. The Browns don't have to try to force the ball to Odell Beckham Jr. Anymore, and I was told expect a lot more freedom from this offense. We've seen this story before just last year when O.B.J. got hurt. He tore his ACL, and look at the numbers on their way to a playoff run. Baker's numbers, 20 touchdowns. Just three interceptions. I had chance to speak with someone close to the team just a little while ago. He said this is Baker's team now. Expect him to come out on fire.
JIM NANTZ: Now, who steps up without Beckham? Last year it was Higgins along with Peoples Jones. There's a rookie that factors into this. What do you think.
TONY ROMO: Schwartz, number 10 right there, he has some speed. They're going to use him different ways. Some play action. Peoples-Jones, has done a great job. They're efficient and good, and they have good players. They're going to keep the track going. They're going to be just fine, Jim.
JIM NANTZ: Joe Burrow, he is just fine every single week. What a season he is putting together. You've enjoyed preparing for this game look at his film. Tone ton just watching it I was really excited. The development from year one to two, it's really impressive. This is only his 19th game. You have to remember, this is only like he has only played a season, but he has really turned this whole franchise around and given them belief.
JIM NANTZ: It's helped his old LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase has stepped up to a remarkable start to his rookie campaign.
TONY ROMO: We're going to talk about him a lot because he is going to get the ball a lot.
JIM NANTZ: Let's get to kickoff. It's coming up shortly. Cleveland and Cincinnati chomping at number one rush offense ready to take on their in state rivals. The battle of Ohio. That's what it is. The Browns and Bengals, it's coming your way on CBS.
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