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JAMES BROWN: Week ten in the NFL. There's Ryan Tannehill, quarterback of the Tennessee Titans. No Derrick Henry, don't worry. The team is in good hands. The Titans when he is the starter 26-11.
BILL COWHER: Baker Mayfield, only one interception in the last eight games. There's a guy called J.C. Jackson, better be careful.
NATE BURLESON: Carson Wentz, the past six games, four TDs, two interceptions. He has been in the zone, and today he is facing the Jags at home.
BOOMER ESIASON: Josh Allen has only thrown two TDs in his last two games. He is 3-2 versus today's opponent. That would be the New York Jets.
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JAMES BROWN: Hello, everyone, and welcome to "The NFL Today" presented by the all new 2022 Grand Wagoneer. It is a great time to be a football fan as week ten continues. Sammy Smith is calling it an opulent NFL season. That's because he said what more can you want, folks? We have stars on the move, a wide-open playoff race, and some terrific games to come. Let's get started.
Later today, two of the best signal callers in the game return to the field as Russell Wilson and the Seahawks look to swoop in and steal one on the one road against the Packers at Lambeau.
In Nashville Sean Payton and the Saints come to town looking to slow down Mike Vrabel and a red hot Tennessee Titans, and believe it or not, it's been 30 years since Bill Belichick became the head coach in Cleveland, and today he will face his former franchise as Baker Mayfield and company take on Mac Jones and the Patriots.
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>> Give me everything you got today. I need it all.
>> Peoples-Jones with the touchdown.
>> Garrett got them. Just devours them.
>> The number one man in the NFL in sacks.
>> Best in a generation. That's what I'm trying to be.
>> Denzel Ward, he may be going the distance..
>> All in a day's work.
>> 10, 5, victory! Cowboys win!
>> The Patriots strike magic.
>> To have success he knows what he is talking about, and people buying in, and each week we got better.
Q. Diving catch by Henry. Pulls it in with his right hand.
Q. Intercepted. Phillips, touchdown, New England.
>> That's the way to go.
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JAMES BROWN: Back in the cozy confines of studio 43 -- Phil got me there. You know what, drew says give the guy some credit. We have the former NFL MVP. Boomer Esiason, the multi-talented Nate Burleson, back from hanging out with berry Gordie. The Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher, and two-time Super Bowl MVP, that will be the professorial look Phil Simms.
NATE BURLESON: And the best in the business, James Brown.
JAMES BROWN: I was asking about Charles Davis. Phil said in the booth in Foxboro we're joined by the one and only. That would be the smart Charles Davis. C.D., the Patriots, winners of four of their last five, they have to be happy with where they are right now. Especially with a rookie under center.
CHARLES DAVIS: You are right about that, J.B. Remember, you go back to training camp or even back to when when they picked Mac Jones at 15, the idea was that he would sit for a while because Cam Newton was in town. Bill Belichick made the decision in preseason that he is their guy. He has been just fight in making that decision. Among all rookie quarterbacks, he is far and away above all of them right now and has his team doing well. Here's why he has been doing so well and why the team is doing well in addition.
Mac Jones knows how to speed up mechanics under duress. If you are going to play quarterback in this league, ask the guys in the studio. You're always under duress. How about the touch and trajectory? When it's time to put a good spin on the ball, he does it. When it's time to throw the fast ball, he does that as well. That's last week to Hunter Henry. This guy is coming along.
What's really impressed me, J.B., and guys, the last two games haven't been great for him. Yet, when it's time to win the game, he finds a way. Witness that seven-minute drive against the Chargers. Even on not his best day, he still finds a way to win.
JAMES BROWN: As a rookie, that's pretty dog gone good. Thank you, Charles, so very much. As always, knock them alive today. Coach, Mac Jones certainly going up against the Browns' defense that likes to do what?
BILL COWHER: They get personal on you, J.B. You think about the Cleveland Browns the last three games averaging 15 points a game. When you look at them, they have playmakers everywhere. Denzel Ward last week with this pick-6 in the secondary. You got Myles Garrett, who leads the league in sacks. You got a defense that's really started to gel, and they're getting healthy as well. They also are going up against a team, the New England Patriots, that's been healthy on the offensive line. You get Trent Brown back. When you this by this game, New England is not going to put Mac Jones in harm's way. They will have somebody out there to Nick against Myles Garrett.
This game have game is about the Malik boys. Malik McDowell and Malik Jackson. They're going to want to run the football. Right now Cleveland is number three against the rush, so I think to me this interior offensive line of the New England Patriots, they're for real. They're for real. This is a big challenge I think for Cleveland and for New England.
PHIL SIMMS: Well, it is. You talk about the Cleveland offense, they like to run the football. They're about play action and screens. They're second best running offense in the NFL. When you run a football this well, you got to be good in the play action game. Here's a running formation. Three tight ends, they do more than anybody else in the league. Deep drop by Baker. In, out, and in move by Donovan Peoples-Jones for the long touchdown. The football traveled in the air 53 yards last week against Cincinnati. They made five explosive pass plays, and when you throw it 21-times a game or like they did last week in a game in the NFL, you usually are going to win.
BOOMER ESIASON: The thing about New England for me is the defense and how they rounded in shape. One of the reasons why they've won three straight, J.C. Jackson has been amazing. Take a look at these numbers. Since 2018 the most interceptions in the league with 22. The former University of Maryland Terrapin, I might add, is playing extremely well, and look what they did to Sam Darnold last week. I mean, it was actually embarrassing how bad it was, and J.C. Jackson is all over the place. He has great Hans lands. He is like a wide receiver playing defensive back, and he has that sense about him. Especially an offensive sense when he gets the ball in his hands.
NATE BURLESON: No doubt about it. Mac Jones, just like Charles Davis said, he has finally found his rhythm. It seems like the identity of this team is a balanced offense, right? They are going to lean on the game and the run game -- they're going to lean on the run game, and that's an extension of their pass game. He is bottom of the league in air yards. He doesn't need to push the ball down field. That intermediate area, that's where he survives. I will say this. Here's a warning. Don't stare down your targets because this Browns' defense will bait you into some throws, and that ball will be headed the other way for a pick-6.
JAMES BROWN: How excited was Bill Cowher to talk about defense?
NATE BURLESON: He loves it.
JAMES BROWN: Hey, a couple of quarterbacks returning to the field this weekend. Another head egg to the bench, and for all the latest news and updates from around the league let's go to our "NFL Today" insider, Jason La Confora.
JASON LA CANFORA: Ben Roethlisberger will miss today's game on the COVID reserve list after testing positive Saturday. As a vaccinated player, he could be back early this week. Rival coaches and executives were angered by the NFL's handling of Aaron Rodgers repeated COVID violations and so were some within the league office. Rodgers was fined just under $15,000, and the Packers $300,000, while other teams have been docked draft picks. Some execs told me they believe a cozy relationship between Packers president Mark Murphy and the league office may have something to do with that.
Russell Wilson is back to face Rodgers today. Something that seemed impossible when he underwent surgery just a month ago. Dr. Steven Shinn today Wilson he would miss at least six to eight weeks, sources said, after inserting a pin into his middle finger. Wilson attacked his rehab with a team of therapists and missed just three games. It's a borderline miracle, one source close to the QB told me.
Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden is suing Roger Goodell and the NFL claiming they leaked his offensive emails in an effort to force him out in Las Vegas. He will pursue the release of all 650,000 emails reviewed by the league into the investigation into the Washington Football Team. Boom, the NFL says the lawsuit is without merit.
BOOMER ESIASON: Is anybody happy in the NFL these days, Jason? Come on, man. This is the leader of the Titans defense,
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>> Straight ahead on "The NFL Today". After last week's shocking loss to the Jags bills mafia went into hiding, but the guys are here to solve Buffalo's recent struggles and steer Sean McDermott and company back on the right path. The Patriots defense has New England poised to contend in the AFC once again, and this week Devin McCourty and Matthew Judon filled us in on their unit's secret to success.
>> The last couple of weeks we've been executing the details, and that's what has been leading to our success.
>> Today Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers return to action in what should be a can't miss quarterback dual between the Seahawks and Packers at Lambeau. All that and more when "The NFL Today" continues on CBS.
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>> "The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by the all new 2022 Grand Wagoneer.
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JAMES BROWN: It's been a tale of two seasons for Josh Allen and the Bills who are off to an outstanding start before dropping two of the last three games, including what some call a stinker last week that has some questioning their contender status.
>> Buffalo is the best in the NFL. Best in the AFC.
>> The Bills' defense is the best overall.
>> Allen sneaking. I don't know.
>> He did not make that.
>> This is going to be a really disappointing loss by the Buffalo Bills.
>> They were sleep walking and taking them a little lightly.
>> Intercepted.
>> A stunner in Jacksonville.
>> Who would have saw that one coming?
>> You look at Buffalo, and there's reasons for concerns.
>> I don't know what's going on.
>> Having a pit in our stomach puts things into perspective.
JAMES BROWN: Here's a fact, a lot of squads jockeying for position, but the Bills could use a win against a familiar foe in the New York Jets. I'm going to answer all of the questions after that rough outing last week.
PHIL SIMMS: Yeah, J.B. Thank you. Bill won't be happy until teams don't score any points. You know, the first six games of the year this Buffalo offense 18.5 in the first half of games. Look what they've done the last two games. Only 4.5 points. What they got to do, the Buffalo Bills, they got for quit putting everything just on Josh Allen. Incorporate more people. Try to run the football. Today you're going against the New York Jets. To say they're struggling on defense is an understatement, so this is a game where you can get back in rhythm on the offensive side and help your defense too.
Mike White playing for the New York Jets making his third start. Look, he is a confident guy, to say the least. When you listen to him talk. He is big. He has a strong arm. He moves around well. What I really like about him, when you watch him play is he has a confidence, an air, an energy about him. If he wins today, he will get the start next week.
BILL COWHER: 5-3 Saints go to Tennessee. They'll do it with Trevor Siemian. The last game and a half he's had three touchdowns and no interceptions. He will be without Alvin Kamara who accounted for 32% of their offense, highest in the league, and leaning on this guy Mark Ingram and the run game. You talk about the Tennessee Titans, no Derrick Henry, Adrian Peterson, and a lot more leaning will be going on with Ryan Tannehill.
BOOMER ESIASON: Ryan Tannehill has had multiple interception games already this year. He has to protect the ball a lot better. Their defense led by Jeffrey Simmons, and we talk about Kevin Byard. Mike Vrabel wanted to improve his pass rush this offseason. That's exactly what they've done. The game plan for them? Get those turnovers from Trevor Siemian.
NATE BURLESON: Jags and the Colts. Trevor Lawrence, he has been dealing with the ebbs and flows of the rookie woes. Seven straight starts with one or zero TD passes. The struggle has been real. They do get James Robinson back in the line-up. I mean, they did beat the Bills without him last week. That should help. Carson Wentz, do you remember that 2017 season where he had 33 touchdowns, 7 interceptions right before he tore his ACL. Ever the front runner in the MVP. He is playing just as good this year. 18 interceptions, 3 interceptions. The run game really helps him out. Derrick Henry, these numbers are ridiculous, but Jonathan Taylor, he has been playing like a beast. Last week 172 yards. Averaged 6.7 yards per attempt before contact which shows -- tells you a lot about him, but also shows you what type of offensive loin is in front of him. Yeah, Carson Wentz is going to be able to lean on the run game.
This guy right here, Stefon Diggs, in my opinion, the purest route runner in the business. I know that Josh Allen will be looking his way today.
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[Commercial]
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. Simply learn about the NFL's work with its longstanding military and veteran nonprofit partners by visiting NFL.com/salute.
Folks, let's salute the service of Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona. The two-time Super Bowl champ, a graduate of U.S. Naval Academy. He continues to serve as the lieutenant in the Naval Reserves. Indeed, we thank you for your service.
Coming up later, game two of our double-header features the triumphant return of Russell Wilson just in time to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. That will be in Lambeau, and the Broncos try to make it three straight when Jalen Hurts and the Eagles fly into Mile High. That's coming up here on CBS.
Time now for pregame HQ that's delivered by Domino's.
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>> Hasselbeck drops back. Intercepted. He is going to score. Green Bay has won it in overtime.
>> Snowy Lambeau field. Left side. Coming in. Making the catch. Driving into the end zone. Touchdown!
>> He is in. Touchdown, Green Bay.
>> Ballgame over. A fabulous performance by Brett Favre.
>> It was caught. It was caught. It is a touchdown! Unbelievable.
>> The officials are still digging to see who has the ball.
>> The game is on the line here.
>> In my mind this is not a touchdown.
>> Call on the field stands. Touchdown.
>> They just cost the Packers a victory.
>> Russell takes the snap. He has them in. The ball is caught. The game is over. The Seahawks are going back to the Super Bowl!
>> Seahawks 40. Rodgers in the center. Pass down the middle. 10, 5, touchdown! Davante Adams, he has done it again.
JAMES BROWN: So much history between these squads, and as of late, Aaron Rodgers has definitely gotten the better of Russ. Over the last five games, check this out, fellows, the Packers 4-1 against the Seahawks, and while Russ has struggled to get it going in Lambeau, Rodgers has been just masterful. The question is could we see much of the same today? Put some realism in this.
PHIL SIMMS: Aaron Rodgers, how will he be overcoming COVID, and then Russell Wilson with the fractured middle finger. Will that affect his throwing? I sit here and go I don't think it will affect effort one of them. I expect them to go out and play well. You talk about the Green Bay offense. One thing I love about them, they never get away from the run game. Always pacing it, managing the game. They have, I think, the best short passing game in the NFL. Screens, picks. That's why they don't worry about third, four, and five. They really focus the offense to their starters. Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, they get the ball constantly to make the bill plays.
BILL COWHER: One of the differences this year with Green Bay has been the defense. I think Joe Barry has done a great job. When you think about the Seattle offense, they're going to come in and try to run the football. Chris Carson is not active today. When you talk about the linebackers, Devante Campbell and Chris Barnes and Rashan Gary, that's one of the best free safeties for the deep passes in the National Football League. Russell Wilson likes to throw and that's Darnell Savage. I think this Green Bay defense has carried as much as the offense.
BOOMER ESIASON: For Russell Wilson it's going to be his 150th start as a starting quarterback. Take a look at some of the numbers. If he throws three touchdown passes today, he will pass Tom Brady on this list for touchdown passes within his first 150 games. Phil, I'm with you, man. I can't wait to see how these two quarterbacks handle the elements. It's going to be about 25 degrees today. One is coming off of COVID. The other one is coming off of a fractured finger. He is not going to have his featured running back Carson in the back field with him. They're going to be asking him to do a lot in a frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. You are asking a lot from him.
NATE BURLESON: I had that exact same injury to my middle finger, and it was tough for me to grip the ball and I'm not a quarterback, so I'm curious to see if Russell Wilson still can deliver that fade ball and those deep crossing routes to Tyler Lockett. On the defensive side of the ball Seattle Seahawks, they're a bend but don't break defense. They don't get after the quarterback. They're pretty good in the Red Zone. Top five Red Zone defense. I'm going to talk to Jamal Adams. I feel like Jamal Adams is extended to do more. I know stats don't tell the whole story, but Jamal, 35 rushes. You have zero sacks, zero QB hits or interceptions. You have to do more. I expect more because you expect more, and they need you to do more within this defense.
JAMES BROWN: You know what, at some point that Seattle defense will have to face their NFC West rivals, they being the Los Angeles Rams who are seemingly assembling -- this is a Nate word -- the Avengers adding yet another star to the bunch in O.B.J.
NATE BURLESON: At one point O.B.J. was looked at as a superhero, and it's been some rough sledding since then. I once heard that the football Gods are cruel and they deserve they asked for sacrifice. As soon as they sign O.B.J., Robert Woods goes down. Unfortunately for Robert Woods we hope he held up. O.B.J., it's your opportunity. You get to come in right away and make plays. I could say it's as inch is as just getting him the ball. The Browns tried that, where he was the most targeted wide receiver on that team. When it comes to the Rams Sean McVay is going to have to scheme up plays to help him get open, which is what he does for the rest of the wide receivers.
BOOMER ESIASON: There's nothing more annoying than a wide receiver who doesn't expect him to do as a quarterback. That's been said about O.B.J. when he was with the Giants and the Cleveland Browns. He would do his own thing on the field, and he would create a lot of problems for the quarterbacks that he was playing with. I would like to think that Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford will tell him, look, this is what your role it, this is where you are, and the fact that they lost Robert Woods, it's fortuitous they signed him now. Now he will have the opportunity to be the big play receiver if he wants a contract next year from another team.
BILL COWHER: I think you're going to see the best of O.B.J. because of that. Because he is a free agent at the end of the year. I think he picked the right team even before Robert Woods. We saw Robert Woods carry the ball a lot as a runner. The reverse quarterback -- does that now give him that opportunity to touch the ball, and is he still the same player with these injuries that he was before?
NATE BURLESON: You mean as explosive. Yeah. Good question.
BILL COWHER: Then learning the offense as you talked about. I'll tell you what, he is in the right place with the right team at the right time.
PHIL SIMMS: The right time is saying it right about O.B.J. I think Rams offense just watching them all year long, they throw a lot of passes inside the numbers. When you do that, he is the guy to go over the middle because I think Nate, he is a big receiver.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah.
PHIL SIMMS: There's a physicality about Odell Beckham Jr. That we don't talk about. He has those long arms, those big hands, and like I said, they're going to throw in the middle, and he gives them big playability. I think it's going to work out for him.
JAMES BROWN: You said you also like O.B.J. because he brings another skill to the field?
BILL COWHER: He is a blocker, too, and this is a running football team. We know Sean McVay likes him, and he was in a good place with the Browns. This running element of the team is also playing to his strength.
JAMES BROWN: To the experts here, another star on the move this week with former league MVP Cam Newton reaching an agreement to return to the Carolina panthers.
PHIL SIMMS: I think it's exciting. I really do. The Carolina panthers need something. Some juice. Something to get them going again. We know the defense is good, but Cam Newton, his personality and presence is overwhelming, and that's going to have an effect in the locker room. I think he will be a changed guy, and he will rub his teammates the right way.
You see they're going to ask him to do this. Run the football, get rid of it, be really simple on offense when his turn comes because they want to play to that defense which I think is still very good.
BILL COWHER: Air of confidence is what he walks into that building with, and you walk into a locker and into a huddle, he gives you a guy that you can believe in. He has been there before. Taken them to a Super Bowl. Where he is at right now, it's great. He is a backup running back to Christian McCaffrey. He can utilize his skills. It's a great pick-up by him. They needed an infusion of injury right now.
NATE BURLESON: They couldn't be more different. They have different personalities. For a team that is searching for something, something to grab on to, some passion, some fire, Cam will provide that. Like you said, Cam, use those legs, man. You can run.
BOOMER ESIASON: You've been throwing the ball into the ground the last couple of years. With you know what, it's a no-brainer for Carolina. It really is. I mean, it's absolutely no-brainer. He does bring the energy. There's no question about it, where they're not going to the playoffs. They're just not.
PHIL SIMMS: You don't think so? You know one thing, Cam Newton is going to go there and run it in there and muck up the game. He loves that.
BILL COWHER: They have a pretty good defense too.
JAMES BROWN: Throwing the ball into the ground because of?
BOOMER ESIASON: I can't even explain it. Last year, you know, you would watch these games when he was with the New England Patriots, and he was like Jack Wilson last year.
NATE BURLESON: Is he rested. He might come back with a fresh arm.
BOOMER ESIASON: Good for him.
JAMES BROWN: I would say there was a little COVID fog for sure. Yesterday we were all saddened to learn about the passing of pro football Hall of Famer Sam Huff. The league's true first superstar defensive player. Huff spent 13 seasons pioneering the linebacker position with the New York Giants and Washington. Giants owner John mara called Huff, one of the greatest Giants of all time, and he was, in fact, a giant on and off the field." In Washington he and sunny engineering enson made a legendary broadcast team, and there's no question he will be missed.
And with kickoff just about a half hour away, time now to set the scene to your game as we take you out first on the field to the latest news and updates on your matchup.
>> J.B., 11 teams in the AFC currently with a winning record two of them here in Foxboro. The Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. The second half of the NFL season is underway. Welcome to the broadcast booth, everybody. Ian Eagle along with Charles Davis. As we know, Nick Chubb inactive for this game. In fact, placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, and D' Ernest Johnson will get the start. They're losing a pro bowler at that position. They're not going to change their philosophy, though, and their approach offensively. They have so much trust in this offensive line, including the longest tenured brown Joel Bitonio. He has a new contract.
>> Three straight pro bowls. This guy mauls people at the line of scrimmage and gets out into open space and hits targets, too.
>> Matt Judon leads the team with nine sacks. He has been a perfect fit for this system.
>> Both on and off the field, great leadership in the locker room, and an intimidator on the field.
>> Cleveland has a massive front of its own with Myles Garrett. He is a terror. Jadeveon Clowney is on the other side of that front.
>> A run defender as well.
>> Hunter Henry continues to produce at a very high level for New England. He has a touchdown in five have his last six games.
>> Really starting to come out and I expect a few more targets for him down field, too.
>> With Odell Beckham now in Los Angeles, the Browns have high hopes for young wide-out Donovan Peoples-Jones.
>> Really starting to come out. Can play all the wide receiver spots and knows how to get deep.
Q. Nobody has been more opportunistic than Pats corner J.C. Jackson, an NFL leading five interceptions this season.
Q. He may be the guy you want to avoid the most in this defense.
>> More from the Patriots, New England's Devin McCourty and Matt Judon sit down with Evan Washburn as "The NFL Today" continues on CBS.
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JAMES BROWN: A dominant performance for Jeffrey Simmons last week. Folks, he became very acquainted with Matthew Stafford, sacking him three times with nine pressures en route to locking up one of the league's best offenses.
Let's take a look at recycled plays presented by Pepsi.
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>> Stafford.
>> And he goes.
>> Big-time sack.
>> Stafford dropping. He struggles, hit. It's intercepted at the 5.
>> 20, 10, 5. End zone scram.
>> Back-to-back take-aways.
>> Jeffrey Simmons, one, two, three. That's five on the night.
PHIL SIMMS: All right. All those highlights you saw were last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Bill, when you look at this Titans' defense, 2020 they had 19 sacks for the whole year. They already have 23 for this year. Defensive touchdowns, one last year, three so far this year. What's the big difference?
BILL COWHER: Mike Vrabel assess the their playoff runs have fallen short the last few years. I want to make a concerted effort to improve the pass rush, and that's what he has actually done. Jeffrey Simmons is a leader of that front. If his third year right now he has become a man to be reckoned with. You talk about his power and the ability to get the gaps. He runs right over the guard. Then what did he do? He goes out and gets Denic Autry, Bud Dupree. Who is the recipient of that? Harold Landry will have nine sacks. You see the pocket collapse. The quarterback gets uncomfortable. And when he gets uncomfortable, he wants he wants to make a quicker throw, and the Ken Baird read the eyes and got the jump. He has two touchdowns on the year. This is a pick-6. When you look at the defense, Phil, they are good at every level, and they're just getting better.
PHIL SIMMS: We see the power up front. They just are a power rush football team, and their defense disguised as a secondary. That has to cause problems for the quarterback.
BILL COWHER: When you talk about today's game, quarterbacks make a preread, and they have an advantage. When you look at this defense, they're veterans. They've been together for a while, and in this Mike Vrabel system. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
PHIL SIMMS: That was a great job. Let's now throw it over to James Brown.
JAMES BROWN: Was Phil being sarcastic there? I have no idea. Know the difference. Make a difference. Be a team leader and recycle. For more information on the Pepsi trash talk sustainability program visit Pepsitrashtalk.com.
You know what, at this point in the season, it seems like the AFC is completely wide open. Hotly contested division races, especially in the AFC West with every squad sitting with five wins. Who do you think will win the division?
BOOMER ESIASON: I think the Chargers are going to win the division, and I think that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to make it to the playoffs, and only those two teams out of this division are going to make the playoffs. I'm going with the young stud quarterback Justin Herbert and the kind of young stud quarterback in mat Rick Mahomes.
NATE BURLESON: I've seen the season fall apart for the Chargers in the month of November and December, so I'm going with the Chiefs. I think they have proved over the last couple of seasons that they can really pick things up. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, he is coming back healthy at some point. I know that Patrick Mahomes has struggled to take care of the ball. 10 interceptions. He is top three in picks. Patrick Mahomes, you are getting paid half a billion dollars to take care of the ball. You're not supposed to be top three in picks. Should be top three in yards and touchdowns. He is going to have to tighten up as well. I got the Kansas City Chiefs and just them.
JAMES BROWN: Your expertise is excellent. That's not your heart speaking as far as K.C. is concerned?
NATE BURLESON: I'm saying by the numbers the last couple of seasons K.C. has proven that they can do what they need to do in the last couple of months.
JAMES BROWN: Nate's numbers about this and much of the same over in the AFC North with the Ravens holding a slim lead for the division crown and the rest of the pack right on their heels. Same question to you.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah, this is as tough as it gets because every team at some point this year we thought was going to be number one in this division. I'm going with the Browns, though. I just feel like when it comes to these months as the weather gets colder and the pressure starts to build, what do you need? You need a team that can control the ground in the run game. You need a guy like that on the other side that can get after a quarterback. You need a QB that can take care of the ball, and I think Baker Mayfield realizes that. I have the Browns. I do have a couple of teams in this division making it to the playoffs.
BOOMER ESIASON: I agree in terms of the Browns. I do believe that they have the best running game. They have the best offensive line. The question that I would have would be the quarterback himself. That's Baker Mayfield. I don't know whether or not if he gets into a shoot-out game, say, with Joe Burrow or with Lamar Jackson, is he going to be able to keep that up? I know he did it last week.
NATE BURLESON: Last week they just kicked the Bengal's butt.
BOOMER ESIASON: I think the Bengals are going to make the playoffs as well as the Browns. After the Steelers beat the Lions today, without Ben Roethlisberger, don't count them out.
JAMES BROWN: A defensive quarterback's nightmare is what quarterback in the league.
BOOMER ESIASON: I would say Lamar Jackson.
JAMES BROWN: You don't know Lamar?
NATE BURLESON: Did you see that loss to Miami? Did you see the loss to Miami?
BOOMER ESIASON: Yes.
JAMES BROWN: Phil, they looked like these two just pointed at each other.
NATE BURLESON: The Jags defensive end Josh Allen, that's the Jags' Josh Allen celebrated a huge game being named MVP on NFL slime time. Here's where ward with a big bucket of slime. Josh Allen loved it. Everybody wants to get slimed. Now, make sure you check us out on slime time on Nickelodeon. Wednesday night at 7:00 eastern. You do not want to miss it. There he is, Josh Allen. My man had an interception. A sack and a fumble recovery. In football we call that the old hat trick.
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JAMES BROWN: The Colts have teamed up with big brothers and big sisters to advance equity through mentoring. Over the last three years, the Colts will make a $150,000 investment to support the organization's mission.
BOOMER ESIASON: On the left you're going to see defensive captain Devin McCourty, and on the right that's Matt Judon. He has nine sacks. Maybe the best free agent signing this offseason. Let's go out to Evan Washburn with more on the Patriots' surging defense.
EVAN WASHBURN: It was a tough start to the season for the Patriots, but they've rattled off three straight wins. Thanks in large part to the play of that defense. The top five in points allowed. Leads the NFL in interceptions. On Friday I got a chance to sit down with Judon and McCourty to talk about this defense, but also this turnaround that has this team back in familiar territory just a half game out of first in the AC East.
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>> The Patriots now sit at 2-4.
>> In a run-away.
>> Another win on the road. They improve to 4-4 overall.
>> A big win for New England.
EVAN WASHBURN: Four weeks ago this team is 2-4, and now you win three straight, and you are 5-4. What's led to the turnaround?
DEVIN McCOURTY: I think believing in the process. I think any time you get involved in a season and you are working hard, you are doing the things, and especially some of the games we've had, losing to Tampa at the end losing to the Cowboys at the end, and Bill came in and was, like, get out of here, take Monday and Tuesday off, come back Wednesday ready to work.
I think when we came back Wednesday, no one really said anything. I think it was all about the energy level. I think ever since then we know what it takes. It's about putting in the work each week.
>> Tear back in the thick of it in the AFC East. Three straight wins.
MATTHEW JUDON: It comes down to the little things and the details. I think in the last couple of weeks we've been executing the details, and that's what's been leading to our success.
>> Terrific performance overall by the Patriots' defense.
EVAN WASHBURN: Big part of these three wins has been the play of the defense. What's the personality of this Patriots unit?
MATTHEW JUDON: It's hard-working, blue collar go-getters, and everybody that's on the team is ready to step up.
>> Matthew Judon plays so hard.
DEVIN McCOURTY: I think there's this whole talk from people outside of the locker room, outside of this organization of how you have to be to be a patriot. I mean, Judon has one of the biggest personalities, be and I think that helps your team. Guys need to be themselves, and I think within that, other guys start to go, oh, man. This guy connects with me in a certain way. You start building real relationships.
>> For New England there's a confidence building.
EVAN WASHBURN: There's not much you haven't done in 12 years in the NFL. This is the fifth playing with a rookie quarterback. What have you appreciated about Mac Jones, the player and the person.
DEVIN McCOURTY: It's not easy coming in being a rookie, coming and being a rookie quarterback in this organization, which, you know, for 20 years you had one guy, so you never worried about a rookie quarterback playing. For him coming in with all of that, all of the noise outside, he has just been so locked in and focused. It's been a lot of fun as an older guy to see a young guy come in and have the success he has had so far.
MATTHEW JUDON: I think Mac is just a ballplayer. He has a will to win that he has. He wants to win. When we don't win, he is probably the most upset, but he doesn't let it linger like a lot of rookies might.
EVAN WASHBURN: Whether it comes to this organization, and I say football in November, you think what?
DEVIN McCOURTY: That's when football starts. In November. I've heard 11 years in a row, and I'm sure it will be 12 years this year, and it's November/really Thanksgiving. Once we get to that Thanksgiving time, it's really about trying to play your best football. When we get to a point where our best is going to be needed every Sunday, and I think we have to keep zeroing in on our opponents and doing those things.
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JAMES BROWN: The Patriots are especially dangerous at home this time of the season. Since 2002 New England holds an NFL best 83-19 home record once the calendar hits November 1st, and, of course, everybody is going to say what?
>> It's because of Tom Brady.
JAMES BROWN: With a defense this guy the sky is the limit for the squad. Make no mistake about it. No one loves that side of the ball more than how pumped up was he in the greenroom today? Oh, my gosh. Now the Patriots, are they among your top five?
BILL COWHER: Let me give that to you, J.B. It's November, December. It's time to play defense and run the football. Let's talk defense, number five. We're going to talk the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods. They got the leading sacker in Myles Garrett. Denzel Ward has proved to be a shutdown corner. Number four, the New England Patriots. Defensive coordinator I'll call the Belichicks. All the brothers and the son and the dad. Fourth in take-aways, fourth in points. Matt Judon, nine sacks. J.C. Jackson, five interceptions, 12 pass defenses. Green Bay Packers are number three. Top three in points, yards, and takeaways. Darnell Savage and Rashan Gary lead the way.
Number two, the Arizona Cardinals. Vance Joseph is the defensive coordinator. Top four in points, yards, and take-aways. Chandler Jones. Byron Murphy, a shutdown corner and Budda Baker, and number one, the no-brainer, it's the Buffalo Bills. Depth and experience at every level. Defensive coordinator is Leslie Frazier. I love their two veteran safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Hoyer, and they got a shutdown corner in Tre'Davious White.
JAMES BROWN: They are writing down --
BILL COWHER: I want to give you the criteria. The criteria I used is number one take-aways. Criteria number two, yards. Criteria number three, points. Number four, most importantly, the eye test.
JAMES BROWN: Look at Nate.
NATE BURLESON: I eye test. You did an eye vision on the Titans, and they're not even on the list. You are talking about take-aways. The coach leads the NFL in take-aways. This is ridiculous, Coach. I don't like your list.
BILL COWHER: I don't even like those two teams you talked about. I gave the Tennessee their due, but they're not there yet.
BOOMER ESIASON: How about the Saints and Broncos? They give up both less than 20 points a game. I don't know what you are talking about.
BILL COWHER: I said criteria included with them all. Go ahead, goive me yours.
PHIL SIMMS: The Denver Broncos should be in there. They can cover. Their secondary is tremendous. They can pressure the quarterback. Vic Fangio, a defensive coach.
BILL COWHER: Number six for me the Los Angeles Rams. You guys are way off.
BOOMER ESIASON: Nobody cares about number six.
JAMES BROWN: Nonplussed in the word for sure.
PHIL SIMMS: I'm ready. I'm taking the Las Vegas Raiders upset specials, over the Kansas City Chiefs.
BILL COWHER: The Philadelphia Eagles over that vaunted Denver against.
NATE BURLESON: I have the Browns having a big day in New England and beating the Pats.
BOOMER ESIASON: I'm going to agree with you.
JAMES BROWN: Go ahead, Boomer.
BOOMER ESIASON: Don't call me Phil. I'll go with the Raiders over the Chiefs tonight.
PHIL SIMMS: That was an insult, huh, when I said that?
JAMES BROWN: Hey, folks, we'll see you back at halftime, but first, kickoff just a few moments away.
NATE BURLESON: We'll get you out to your game, when? Next!
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>> "The NFL Today" on CBS is presenteded by the all new 2022 Grand Wagoneer.
JAMES BROWN: Welcome back to "NFL Today". Now Amazon takes you out to the sights and sounds of the game between the Browns and the Patriots. Let's take you out to Foxboro with our announcers, Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, and Evan Washburn.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports