[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Week 13 in the NFL. There's Garner Minshew of the Philadelphia Eagles. Today replacing the injured Jalen Hurts. He is making his first start since last year week 15.
BILL COWHER: Carson Wentz and the Indianapolis Colts are 5-2 in the last seven games 14 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. All the interceptions came in the two losses.
NATE BURLESON: There's Justin Herbert, the big QB with an even bigger arm. First time facing Joe Burrow and the Bengals today. There will be fireworks in Cincy.
BOOMER ESIASON: And there is the aforementioned Joe Burrow, the unquestioned leader of the Bengals. Third in the league in passing yards per attempt. Completing almost 70% of his passes. He is Big Pro Joe. Not Check Down Charlie like Phil used to be.
NATE BURLESON: Oh.
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Hello, everyone, and welcome to "The NFL Today" presented by Ram Trucks. I'm James Brown back here. You know the way Boomer started off. Can I call this the friendly confines of Studio 43? I'm joined by former NFL MVP, that would be Boomer Esiason. The Emmy Award winning Nate Burleson, Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. Phil has to change just to make sure not only a two-time Super Bowl champion.
BILL COWHER: He is the MVP. Get it right, J.B.
PHIL SIMMS: Do you feel better slapping me around? I'm back after last week.
JAMES BROWN: We're starting off wonderfully, Nate Burleson, are we not? Coming down the stretch of the regular season, and we've reached the point where desperation becomes dangerous, and for us that should mean some terrific football.
In today's late games, two big rivalries take center stage as Lamar Jackson and Rayens, they're in Pittsburgh to take on Big Ben and the Steelers. Meanwhile, over in Seattle Russell Wilson and the Seahawks looking to get back on track against Jimmy G and the Niners.
First, our early window, Carson Wentz and the Colts, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings and DeVonta Smith and the Eagles, who are without Jalen Hurts due to an ankle injury, look to improve their playoff standings as the postseason races heat up.
Speaking of the playoffs, two teams with divisional championship aspirations face off in the Natty, Boomer, as Joe Burrow and the Bengals host Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
>> With the first pick in the 2020 draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow.
>> With the sixth pick the Los Angeles Chargers select Justin Herbert.
[Music]
>> Going deep. Looking for Higgins, and caught!
>> What a throw by Joe Burrow.
>> Herbert throws the touch pass for the touchdown.
>> Justin Herbert doing it himself.
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Such a tight race in the AFC. As it stands now, both the Chargers and Bengals are in. Hanging tough in the Wild Card slots with the Bills. The Raiders, Broncos, Colts, Steelers, and Browns are right on their heels. Meanwhile, up top Baltimore wears the crown for now with New England, Tennessee, and Kansas City not too far behind.
From the booth in Cincy where he is ready to call today's battle, we're joined by the always insightful Charles Davis. C.D., a lot of lover for the quarterbacks heading into the game, but for the Bengals, Joe Mixon certainly has been the real difference maker.
CHARLES DAVIS: You're right about that, J.B. Before I get back to Joe Mixon, Boomer, it's still your city. Don't worry about that despite the fact that Joe Burrow is trying to take over. It's still a Boomer city.
When we talk about Joe Burrow being the face of the franchise, Joe Mixon, the running back, is quickly becoming the identity of this football team. He is what powers what they do on offense. He is the guy that makes them go. They turn and put the ball in his chest, and good things happen. Last week 165 yards, a career high against Pittsburgh. 117 of those in the first half.
He runs teams into submission. Here's how he gets it done. He is the complete package at running back. Watch the division here. The play side is to his left, but the cutback is to his right. He finds it, and now he sees the end zone. How about the power to finish?
He averages over three yards after contact on the season. He gets five there and a touchdown.
How about him reading his block to the back side? Double blocks. Now he is in the open field. Shows his speed and elusiveness to get into the end zone again. Joe Mixon, as I said, the complete package at running back. He powers this team, and I think he is licking his chops today because this Los Angeles Chargers defense is a struggle.
They have struggled all year long against slowing down the run, giving up 145 yards, last in the league, and their big run stopper Linval Joseph at nose tackle, he will not play again.
There's questions about the offensive line for Cincinnati. A couple of guys might not be there. Their identity, their focus is to run the football, and Joe Mixon is getting it done.
JAMES BROWN: Thanks a lot, and knock them alive today. Thanks a lot. Did Boomer need to hear that he is still as big a name in Cincinnati as he is in New York?
PHIL SIMMS: We have to tell Charles to stop hanging out the old folks home. How is that, Boom?
JAMES BROWN: Just how important is Joe Mixon to the offense?
BOOMER ESIASON: I got to tell you guys, Cincinnati fans will appreciate what I'm going to say right now. He reminds me so much of Corey Dillon. They wear the same number. They carry the ball in their left hand. They're both physical. They're identical in size, and they do the same thing -- he does the same thing as Corey Dillon used to do for the Bengals.
I played with Corey when he was a rookie, and I believe he should be in the Hall of Fame. This guy has that same type of ability, and when they started handing him the ball, all of a sudden they started winning again. That's why I think they are a team that's going to be formidable here in the stretch run in December and January.
PHIL SIMMS: Boomer, they're doing a good job in offense, but their defense is also playing very well. When you look at it, what have they been doing down here the last couple of games? Points allowed, just a little over 11. Then, rushing yards allowed. If you stop the run game and you don't give up a lot of points, that tells me you got a really good defense. When they played the Baltimore Ravens, you never know what to expect. Cincinnati's defense blitzed a lot, and last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, no threats. Just don't worry about it. Our front four can take care of it, and they got pressure, and they got turnovers, and when you talk about this Bengals defense going against the Chargers today. Trey Henderson, Sam Hubbard, two defensive ends for the Bengals, 17.5 sacks. Look out.
NATE BURLESON: Speaking of the Chargers, it's all about Justin Herbert. How good has he been? Check this out. The most 300-plus passing yard games and right above Mahomes, Allen, Brady, and Carr with 14. What I love about Justin Herbert, it's not just his size and his big arm. He is athletic, and he has the ability to leave the pocket whenever he wants to, but he wants to sit in there and deliver the ball down field to guys like Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler.
BILL COWHER: You talked about their defense. Probably the one weakness for the L.A. Chargers. When you look at the Cincinnati Bengals, there's no holes. You talked about their offense, talked about their defense. Evan McPherson, their field goal kicker, is 7 of 8 from over 50 yards. He can match up right now with Justin Tucker and also in the same division. The thing they have to do now is validate this record. Validate everything we're saying. They've won two games in a row three times. They're on a two-game winning streak now. They have to be able to win consecutive games. A three-game winning streak would show me something. The last time they won three consecutive games, 2015, which was the last time they went to the playoffs.
JAMES BROWN: Hey, Bill, some big news coming out of Tampa this weekend. For more on that, of course, and all the latest news and updates from around the league we welcome in our "NFL Today" insider, it Jason La Canfora.
JASON LA CANFORA: Antonio Brown's three-game suspension for using a fake vaccination card angered many rival coaches and executives, J.B., who told me the penalty was far too lenient. Tampa coach, Bruce Arians, says he will address the matter when the injured receiver returns, but sources said Brown remains very much in the team's plans.
The Steelers were surprised when all pro T.J. Watt was cleared from COVID protocol Saturday after a positive test Monday. However, Watt still may be limited. He has been hampered by knee and hip injuries and scouts noted Watt didn't look like himself against the Bengals last week.
These are likely the final for days for Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. Retirement is a strong consideration. Even if he did return, sources said the Steelers are heavily invested in the 2022 QB draft class. Many in that organization it anticipate using a top pick on a passer for the first time since taking Big Ben 11th overall in 2004.
Vikings star Everson Griffen took to social media to announce his bipolar diagnosis. He is being treated by mental health professionals and is away from the team indefinitely. Griffen said he wants to be a medical health advocate when he returns, J. B.
JAMES BROWN: We certainly send our prayers and encouragement the way of Everson Griffen. Cheers for you, indeed, for sure what you want to do.
All right, folks, S.E.C. Championship. It was Alabama and Georgia. Take a look. The air attack had its way against college football's top ranked D. Boy, Bryce Young, we'll see you next week.
BILL COWHER: He is fast.
JAMES BROWN: Talk about fast, Bill. All of them are. Bama wins it 41-24. Bryce Young, quarterback, throwing for an S.E.C. championship record 424 yards.
Impressed, Phil?
PHIL SIMMS: Very. Heisman Trophy winner. We saw it yesterday.
JAMES BROWN: All righty. And more to come on "The NFL Today" after this.
[Music]
>> Coming up on "The NFL Today", thanks to a three-game winning streak, the San Francisco 49ers are in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Find out how far the guys think Jimmy G and company can go. The storied rivalry between Pittsburgh and Baltimore is one of the best in football, and today one more chapter will be added when the teams battle it out in the Steel City. Joe Burrow, has Cincinnati one game back of the Ravens in the AFC North. He talks with Evan Washburn as they make their run to the postseason.
>> Nowhere near done, and we have a long way to go, but we're excited about where we're at and the guys in the locker room.
>> All that and more when "The NFL Today" returns on CBS.
"The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, Motor Trend's truck of the year for the third year in a row.
[Music]
[Commercial]
JAMES BROWN: The NFL has launched a first of its kind program to reward fans with virtual commemorative E-tickets. Fans in attendance have these upcoming games can receive a commemorative NFT ticket after the game. Visit NFL.com/tickets/NFT.
The NFC playoff race, it's heating up. The top five remain the same as last week, with the Cardinals taking the top spot, followed by the Packers, Bucs, and Cowboys. Despite a third straight L, Los Angeles remains firmly in its Wild Card spot with San Francisco and Washington. The rest of the NFC South along with the Vikings and Eagles remain on the outs, which makes this game more important to Philly. Garner Minshew will be under center. No Jalen Hurts today. Maybe a little Minshew magic is just what the doctor ordered.
Time now for a pregame HQ delivered by Domino's. Our 1:00 window is filled with desperate teams in need of wins to stay in the postseason hunt, and maybe none more desperate than the Eagles. As we mentioned, Nate.
NATE BURLESON: The Eagles and the Jets. This is the time of year where you need to run the ball. I'm talking about ground and pound like an MMA fight, and they're not just good. They're great. They are first in yards per game and also rush TDs, but like J.B. said, Jalen Hurts is out. Garner Minshew will be leaning on Devonta Smith. Three touchdowns in the last four weeks. Zach Wilson has four pass TDs all in the second half of games. What does that say to me? That says that he needs to settle down. It seems like he gets a little rattled. He starts pressing and forcing the issue when the game starts. Take a breath. Slow it down, rookie. You'll be just fine.
BILL COWHER: For the Minnesota Vikings, they're 5-6, and Kirk Cousins is having a Pro Bowl year. He has 23 touchdowns. Only three interceptions. All six of these losses have been by eight points or less. He is not finishing games. He'll have to do it today without Dalvin Cook. Alexander Mattison will fill in for him. For Detroit a lot of heavy hearts.
BOOMER ESIASON: There are a lot of heavy hearts in Detroit today. It all starts really when you take a look at the sideline and you see all the different jerseys. That's Lions safety Jalen Elliott wearing the number 42 in honor of Oxford high school football player Tate Myre. He was one of four people killed along with seven other injured victims. Tate is considered a hero in Oxford, and Phil, you know he tried to disarm the shooter, and his bravery will stand the test of time.
PHIL SIMMS: Good job, Boomer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families in Oxford, Michigan, and we wish them well.
Talking about the game today, the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, it's about the Colts' running game. Jonathan Taylor, look at this. First in the NFL in rushing yards, first in the NFL in rushing TDs. They have a really good run blocking offensive line. He has speed. He can break tackles, and just one of the best runners in the NFL right now. Now, the Colts' defense, this is confusing. Look at this. The takeaways, 27. Points off turnovers, 105. Fumble recovers, 13. How is this team 6-6? That's the big thing. Darius Leonard, their terrific linebacker along with another linebacker, Bobby Okereke, they got almost 200 tackles between those two. Good defense for them.
NATE BURLESON: We have another big game. The Patriots and the Bills. This is going to be a good one.
BOOMER ESIASON: It is going to be windy and rainy on Monday night in Buffalo. That means I'm staying is with the Patriots. They can run the ball effectively. They can stop the run. The Bills cannot stop the run.
BILL COWHER: Bill, the Bills have been hearing about this the last three weeks. In a game with a lot of wind, I'm going to take the quarterback that can beat you with his arm and legs. I like Josh Allen.
PHIL SIMMS: Is he weather-proof. It doesn't matter. They play in wind every single week up there, and he can play in the rain and just keep giving him the football. Sooner or later he gets hot, then the avalanche comes.
NATE BURLESON: What I love about Mac Jones, it's his decision-making. Sometimes it's the throws that you don't make, and he is doing a great job of not just hitting the Sears down field, but taking the runningback when he needs to check it down.
If you want to watch football like you have never seen it before, come kick it with us on NFL Slimetime on Nickelodeon every Wednesday night at at 7:00 Eastern to see the best slime lights. This week's MVP was a four-touchdown performance, and there was no denying Lombardi Lenny.
>> I'm here with Lombardi Lenny, and he just had four tutties, 100 yards rushing, 30 plus yards receiving, but most importantly, he is the Nickelodeon MVP. Congratulations, Lenny. Four.
>> Thank you, Nickelodeon. Thank you, Gronk, for my trophy for MVP most valuable player.
NATE BURLESON: This guy has the real horsepower. Jonathan Taylor made for this Colts offense.
BILL COWHER: He was slimed.
[Music]
[Commercial]
JAMES BROWN: The multi-facetted back, Austin Ekeler always finds a way to make his presence felt. Last week, folks, six catches, 68 yards, and a touch. Expect to see that air guitar at some point today.
Later today some bitter NFL rivalries take center stage, starting with Lamar and the Ravens coming into Pittsburgh to battle Big Ben and the Steelers. And Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, boy, do he this need a win when they host the streaking Niners. It's rivalry week right here on CBS.
[Music]
>> This is a physical game. Let's not disappoint them.
>> This is going to be a bloodbath, and it is just like we thought it was going to be.
[Music]
>> Pittsburgh and Baltimore, you don't have to say a whole lot more.
[Music]
>> It's always heated. It's always hostile.
>> Never shied away from saying it's our rivalry game.
>> Touchdown, Ravens.
>> You know the nature of this matchup and the history of this matchup.
Q. Touchdown, Pittsburgh.
>> You ready to win this game?
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: As we take a look over at Coach, we could say that the intensity of this rivalry, Boomer, might be unparalleled in the league, and no one knows more about that than our guy Coach Cowher. The Steelers have a little more than pride on the line.
BILL COWHER: This started back with Coach Bullock and I, and I think Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh have done a good job of keeping.
Right now for the Steelers it is about the physicality or lack thereof. This week Mike Tomlin put the pads on. Their defense the last two weeks have been horrendous. Not been able to stop the run, and that's been a staple of the Pittsburgh defense. Not being able to run the ball as well. Mike Tomlin has said, listen, we can't continue to give up these chunks of yards, and it was really about, again, the physicality at the line of scrimmage, in the trenches, something Pittsburgh has been a staple of what they're doing.
Again, I go back to Chase Claypool said, we should play more music in practice, and you know, Mike Tomlin says, here's the music you're going to get. I want to hear popping of the pads. That's the only music that he heard this week.
BOOMER ESIASON: I thought it started between you and Shannon Sharpe, actually, by the way you used to act around here when these games were being played. Lamar Jackson struggled. Seven interceptions in the last three games. If you go go back to the October 24th game against the Bengals, they showed you the blueprint of how to play Lamar on defense, and he has been struggling ever since, and you take a look at these numbers. His first seven weeks, we thought maybe another MVP season would be in the offing, and then now all of a sudden between 9 and 12, you can see the numbers dipping and the interceptions rising. This is a last stand for the Steelers. This is going to be a really difficult game, but for Lamar to get it back on track and get it back on track against the Steelers today, that would be exactly what he needs.
BILL COWHER: Yes.
JAMES BROWN: You and Bill will get on my case. I'm going to say, what kind of help does a young man have? Don't worry. I know you have some shots on that. I thought the Shannon Sharpe reference was something happening recently. I hope not. Let's take a look at a recycle play, if you will, represented by Pepsi.
>> It's going to be a fight. We need everyone.
>> Let's go!
[Music]
>> Garoppolo throws over the middle. He will dive into the end zone.
>> Down the sideline goes Deebo.
>> The 49ers went down the field the whole way.
>> Got a second touchdown of the game.
>> What a catch by George Kittle.
>> What a dive by Deebo Samuel.
>> San Francisco.
>> That feels great, baby.
JAMES BROWN: Know the difference, make a difference. Be a team player and recycle. For more information on the Pepsi's trash talk sustainability program, visit Pepsitrashtalk.com. Right now let's head over to two guys who can do a little bit of trash talking themselves with the best of them. There will be Phil and Nate.
NATE BURLESON: Nothing wrong with a little trash talk, right?
PHIL SIMMS: I did it. Nobody listened, but I did talk some trash.
NATE BURLESON: I listened to you. Here's a guy that deserves to talk trash. He is a beast on the field. Deebo Samuel, he can do it all. On the ground and, of course, in the air. Over 1,200 total yards, and it's the creativity. You can hand it off to him or throw it down field, but the question is because he is not playing, can this offense keep going?
PHIL SIMMS: I think it can. When you talk about creativity, Kyle Shanahan has it. It's not about the pass game, which we always think of. It's about the run game. Lots of formations. A lot of movement and shifts. Here comes George Kittle across the formation. Gets the kick out. Then watch number 71, Trent Williams, left tackle. He gets the seal, and then Elijah Mitchell makes a nice cut through there and picks up extra yards. These running backs for the 49ers always making good decisions. Trent Williams just fall on the goo I.
NATE BURLESON: Took out two dudes.
PHIL SIMMS: When you are that big, you can. Look at the defensive line, worried about the outside run. Elijah Mitchell, nice cutback. What do you do after that? We got to find throws down the field. Nate, wide receivers against safety. You know this is an epidemic in the NFL.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah.
PHIL SIMMS: Deebo Samuel, he will clear it out, take two defenders with him. Look at Aiyuk, he is looking to his left. He is gone, and he makes a cut across and gets the easy catch. Nobody there.
NATE BURLESON: Wide open. That's the creativity, right? They'll gas you on the ground and then the passing game they're going to take exactly what you give them. Now, on to the Seattle Seahawks, they have been struggling. Talking about one team that is creative, and then another team that is struggling. Shane Waldron, the OC, he will have to do a little bit better. I know D.K. Metcalf hasn't been the same D.K. of old, but when you look at this division, you have the way the Arizona Cardinals use D. Hop, the way that the 49ers use Deebo Samuel, and the way the Rams use Cooper Kupp. You are telling me you can't have any more creative play calling in your offensive game plan on a weekly basis? I see these guys struggling, and it's not just because of Russell Wilson.
PHIL SIMMS: I agree with you. They need to show more creativity. Russell Wilson, did he come back too early? I think so. If you watch him, high release throwing the football, middle finger is hurt. We've seen him overthrow receivers that I have never seen him do that and miss. Also, when you are hurt as a quarterback, your decision-making can change, and Russell Wilson has missed 134 receivers down the field.
NATE BURLESON: I had that exact same injury. I do feel like he came back a little bit too early. That's just my opinion. Back to you, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: With kickoff just about a half hour hour, time to set the scene in your game as we take you out to first on the field presented by Crown Royal. The latest news and updates on your matchup.
>> J.B., it's at Ford field, downtown Detroit. A little more than 30 minutes away from kick between the Detroit Lions, still looking for their first win of the season, and the Minnesota Vikings. We welcome you inside the broadcast booth. A game out as they chase that final Wild Card slot in the NFC, and this is a big day for them, and they have to deal with big injuries. No Dalvin Cook. Out likely multiple weeks, but this kid Alexander Mattison has filled in and been productive for them.
>> 113 yards last time against Detroit because they didn't have Cook. They can run their offense the same way. He is not an explosive as Cook, but they can continue to run their offense the same way with Mattison.
>> Lions, on the other side are in the exact same spot. DeAndre Swift, who accounts for so much of their offense, out with a shoulder, and Jamaal Williams, same deal. Very good backup running back.
Q. He can run the ball well and physical. What they lose without Swift is the ability to slow DeAndre Swift the ball. The wide receivers and the tight ends are going to have to pick up the slack.
Q. Then the question becomes, which of these two quarterbacks, cousins or Goff, can operate without such a key piece?
>> I think the Vikings' offense is the best when Kirk cousins is aggressive going down the field and trusting his receivers.
>> Meantime, Jared Goff, coming over from the Rams in the offseason. Statistically he was better last week in the Thanksgiving loss, but still trying to figure it out.
Q. It's been a struggle both for Jared Goff himself and for this offense and their coordinators and figure out who is calling plays, and they haven't found the balance yet to get the best out of Jared Goff.
>> Meantime, Mike Zimmer's defense has been decimated all season. The good news, they get Tomlinson and pierce back on their defensive line, but they're missing their two stud linebackers. Kendericks and Anthony Barr both scratches. Huge losses for them. We'll see how the Vikings fair. Biggest game that they've played to date this season. One that they have to have here in Detroit. Kickoff coming up about 30 minutes away. We'll get you back to "The NFL Today" right after this.
[Commercial]
JAMES BROWN: Three quarterbacks in action, and our early one. All three squarely in the center of the AFC's playoff race with draft class mates Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert going head-to-head today. Perhaps Carson Wentz and his Colts can reap the benefits of a Chargers loss.
And the Colts are one of six AFC teams with five or more wins on the outside of the playoff picture. There's very little separation from one to 12, which sets us up for a mad scramble down the stretch.
>> AFC playoff picture looks like this.
>> A lot going on right now.
>> It's up for grabs.
>> Touchdown, Ravens.
>> And the Ravens having a day.
>> They are overpowering.
>> The Ravens have won in overtime.
>> Touchdown, Patriots.
>> What a throw by Jones.
>> The rout is on for the Patriots.
>> This is an impressive win. It's in their control.
[Music]
>> Touchdown. Titans.
>> Talk about the best in the league? Come on now.
>> Mahomes fires it late. Back of the end zone, caught. Touchdown.
>> Hero, hero.
>> Let's go.
>> Cincinnati is embarrassing Pittsburgh.
>> How about that Bengals?
>> Cincinnati Bengals have arrived.
>> Touchdown, Buffalo.
>> Wow.
>> That's domination there. That's imposing the will.
>> Holy.
>> The Bills are bomb.
>> Steps up, fires it right side.
>> Touchdown, Chargers.
>> And the Los Angeles Chargers.
>> On the doorstep.
>> Who will have that top spot?
>> A lot still can happen. Amazing.
JAMES BROWN: With so many squads in the hunt, it might be impossible to play this game behind me, but you know what, it's back by popular demand. It's time for who is in and who is out. This is the AFC playoff edition. Now, if the guys are wrong, we will hold it against them, so no pressure. Phil is up first on the board talking AFC.
PHIL SIMMS: Okay. I don't feel any pressure, J.B., and I like this because I saw Bill Cowher's list by accident. He is not going to like this either. First off, let's take this, right, Bill? You agree. We're going to take the Tennessee Titans and put them all the way in front. Yeah, that's right. Look at their schedule. Look at the football team. I love it. Here's number three. The rest I like where they stand. Boomer, Nate, I like the Bengals there, but I hate to do it. I'm taking the Chargers out. I'm going with a team that wants to run it, and this is their defense. There you go. Pretty simple.
BILL COWHER: We do think alike, but I took a philosophical approach to this. I applied analytics with the feel for the game. I sat there and looked at it. Phil, I agree with you the Tennessee Titans, when you talk about the analytics of the schedule and talk about the feel for Mike Vrabel, I like where you are at. I like New England. I think Kansas City goes right here to number three because I like the way they're playing.
NATE BURLESON: You got it, Coach?
BILL COWHER: Okay. I'm going take this. How about these guys? The Cincinnati Bengals, they may be the most talented, most rounded and balanced team in the National Football League. I'll put them number four. And number five, yeah, Baltimore just moved down from number one to number five. Buffalo is right there, and sorry, Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: That's all right.
BILL COWHER: Your Denver Broncos, I don't like their quarterback. You know who I do like? I like the Raiders. How about the Raiders down here? Raiders going here at number seven. Only things that really matter, they get the bye, they get in, and this is the AFC playoff picture.
PHIL SIMMS: What's amazing all year long he has done what to us? Complained about analytics.
NATE BURLESON: He is all about that data. For me I like what you did here, but you know who I trust? I trust teams that been there before. I like the way they're going to finish out the season. All right. Kansas city, they know how to finish. They have been there and done that. I do love the Bengals. I'm putting these Bengals right here. You know what, Tennessee, I'm going to put them in the Wild Card spot. You know who I'm bringing up?
BOOMER ESIASON: Thank you.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah.
BILL COWHER: Did you see the record?
NATE BURLESON: I'm you just saying. They're going to finish. That's what I like right there, and this looks good to me.
BOOMER ESIASON: I have to say I'm not changing anything, man.
NATE BURLESON: That's what I'm saying about.
BOOMER ESIASON: He saw my card before he started. That's why. I actually love all this, and the fact of the matter is that almost all of these teams above this line --
NATE BURLESON: I know what you are going to say.
BOOMER ESIASON: Are rung the football.
NATE BURLESON: Exactly.
BOOMER ESIASON: I'm not changing any of that.
NATE BURLESON: You got to run your way to the playoffs.
BILL COWHER: Give us an objective viewpoint as you sat back and listened to the placement of these teams, the philosophical approach that everybody took right here. What do you think?
JAMES BROWN: I'm surprised you even mention the word analytics because I know how you absolutely hate that. This is a reflection of each side of the desk. These two have become very close at that end of the desk, and these two, Coach said he would love to coach Phil. That's what this is. We'll we'll step aside and find out if they still like each other after this.
[Music]
[Commercial]
>> "The NFL Today" is sponsored by Jersey Mike's Subs. Be a subabove. Verizon, the official 5G network of the NFL. And by Ram Trucks, Motor Trend's truck of the year for the third year in a row.
JAMES BROWN: The Chargers led by center Corey Linsley and his wife, Anna, raised funds for a advocates for children of L.A. and Orange County, helping kids who are experiencing abuse and neglect.
This week NFL players are wearing custom cleats in honor of the causes that they support through my clause my cleats. Text MCM to 635635 to hear the players' stories, bid on their custom cleats for charity, and learn more about how they're making a difference in their communities.
BOOMER ESIASON: Yesterday it was Frank Reich's 60th birthday, and he asked fans to support his not today foundation cause, and you can see DeForest Buckner wearing those cleats. They combat sexual abuse and exploitation of children. He and his wife, Linda, are very, very much involved.
NATE BURLESON: There's Laurent Duvernay-Tarduf, Dr. Duvernay-Tarduf. The charity Atlanta Health System. He opted out of playing last season so he could work during the pandemic.
BILL COWHER: T.J. Hockenson, his charity is Warrior Rising, which is empowering veterans to create sustainable businesses. Good job, T.J., recognizing the military.
PHIL SIMMS: There's Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers. His charity More Than 4 Athletics. It raises awareness and money for pediatric cancer through sports. Just a great job by all of the NFL players.
JAMES BROWN: Folks, you can bid on all these cleats at NFL.com/auction where you will be able to find some very special shoes from our guys.
BOOMER ESIASON: He doesn't have --
PHIL SIMMS: Let me go here, J.B. I'm sorry. Get your emotions together here. Here's iron Matt here, Matthew Lawrence and Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Tumors. The Founders are Greg and Kelly Larson. They live by me. They do a great job raising money for the families.
NATE BURLESON: I wanted to tap into the animalistic side and teach kids that they can conquer whatever jungle they are in, and the proceeds will go to Seattle Boys and Girls Club. Shout out to Koda Customs who put these together for me.
BOOMER ESIASON: You guys know I have been fighting the battle against cystic fibrosis for 28 years because my son was diagnosed when he was a Jets quarterback back in 1993. He has been an inspiration to me his entire life. He just turned 30 years old. He got married this summer, and he is expecting his first child in December.
NATE BURLESON: Yeah.
JAMES BROWN: Very nice.
BILL COWHER: I'm going to piggyback on you, Boom. I've been around you for 15 years now up here, and your BEF Foundation is very special. This was a special year for me because I also went into the Hall of Fame, but for BEF, that was it, and for Gunnar, for you, my friend, you continue to live your life with courage, with strength, and with purpose. You will not be defined by what you have. You'll be defined by what you do. You are an inspiration to us all, and you are absolutely gold jacket worthy. That's why I got him right here. Please take a picture of this. I got him right here on the top of this. There's two of us right here on air. There's me with my gold jacket. Gunnar with his gold jacket. Gunnar, proud of you, man. Love you.
NATE BURLESON: Well said.
BOOMER ESIASON: That's amazing.
JAMES BROWN: Boomer, wow. Wow. Hey, folks, and check out the cleats on Joe Burrow. Choosing to represent his charity, the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, Burrow continues to do excellent work off the field to help combat food insecurity. That in his native Southeast Ohio. Also in Cincinnati our own Evan Washburn caught up with the Bengals quarterback this week. Always good to see you, Evan.
>> Joe Burrow can really do no wrong in the Queen City with the Bengals back in the playoff conversation. With more wins through 12 weeks than their last two seasons combined, and as you mentioned, got a chance to sit down with Joe on Friday, who in just his second year in the league has already become the unquestioned leader for this team and the steady hand for this organization.
[Music]
>> This is pretty cool, man. We're in the end zone here. It's an empty stadium, but Sunday this place should be rocking because for the first time in six seasons we're in December, and the Bengals are playing playoff caliber football.
>> It's exciting for the city and the organization. We're nowhere near done, and we have a long ways to go, but we're excited about where we're at and the guys in the locker room.
>> You go through your skill position guys, and it looks like a pretty good fantasy football line-up. I mean, it starts with you, obviously. You got Joe Mixon, Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins, Boyd. What type of luxury is it to have that group around you to move the ball?
>> Everyone knows how good they are as players. Not everybody knows how good they are as people. Really unselfish guys that don't care who gets to shine. It doesn't matter if T or Ja'Marr have zero catches or ten. It doesn't matter to them.
>> Burrow throws it deep down field for Higgins. Intercepted.
>> Got a little brouhaha going on.
>> T.J. Watt hammered him to the ground.
>> To get locked up with T.Y. Watt last week, it looked like you enjoyed it.
>> Sometimes as a quarterback you don't get to throw yourself in there very much, and then he grabbed me and locked me up, and I said, all right. It's part of football. You're going to -- if I throw a pick, I deserve to get blocked like that.
>> Come on! Let's go!
>> You are very even-keeled. You are almost low key. Seem like a relaxed dude. On the field you got swagger. That's a word that's used to describe you. All positives. Is it a situation where you flip the switch when you walk on this field?
>> Yeah, I think game day Joe is different than every other day Joe.
>> It's over.
>> I try to lock in on my job and whatever emotion comes out comes out, but I just try to focus on my job and do what I need to do and stay even-keeled through the ups and the downs.
>> We're going to need two more. We're going to need two more.
>> You're becoming an inspiration pour mow, Joe, as a guy who likes to look good. I appreciate -- I thought about this outfit. I talked to my wife about it and everything, but I don't know if I could hit your level. I'm hoping we could do some fashion police here. I want to start with I'm going to call it a green suit.
>> I just throw on whatever I think looks good. I'm not really thinking about it too much. I say I like that, and I throw it on.
>> The bag matches the shoes. I mean, that's next level, dude.
>> Yeah, I don't know if that was on purpose too much, but it worked out.
>> Here I saw this in person. How would you best describe it?
>> I don't know. I was just comfy.
>> It's a sweat suit that makes a statement, I would say.
>> I am not not making a statement. I'm just wearing something I like.
>> We have SpongeBob SquarePants socks here. What's the background of these?
>> I just love SpongeBob growing up, and still watch it every now and then, so I thought I got a bunch of SpongeBob gear, so I thought I would put something on and put some in the if its. I just wear what I like wearing, man. Not trying to make any statements. Just throw anything on that I think looks good.
>> Are you the best dressed man on the Bengals?
>> For sure. Not even close.
>> I got you.
[Music]
BOOMER ESIASON: Great job by Evan there. Gives you a different perspective of who Joe Burrow is. I said this when he brought the Heisman Trophy in there, you are the perfect guy for Cincinnati. He is from Athens, Ohio. He is a local kid. He was doing stuff for the food bank prior to even becoming the Cincinnati Bengal quarterback. He is the perfect leader for that time.
BILL COWHER: For Zac Taylor, I give him a lot of credit for changing the offense from last year to this year. He has thrown the ball 50 times a game. Back in shotgun. He brought Joe Mixon to be the forefront of that offense, and it meshes the whole team together. Offense, defense, special teams. Like we said before, maybe the most balanced in the AFC North.
PHIL SIMMS: Going against Justin Herbert today. They're different style quarterbacks. There's no doubt when you watch them. Justin Herbert is a physical, throw the ball with power down the field. If you are the Cincinnati Bengals on defense, I wouldn't crowd of line of scrimmage too much because he loves to find it to Keenan Allen and Michael Williams.
NATE BURLESON: The Bengals are the most dangerous team in that division. This Ravens-Steelers game, this is a statement game for Baltimore, so if they can pull this off and do it in the way with where he send the message to the rest of the division, we'll have to watch out for Lamar because he will be back.
JAMES BROWN: Hey, fellows, I know you follow the college football game closely. Let's see if you agree with this. The football playoff matchups are set. Fresh off of a 29th S.E.C. Championship, top-seeded Alabama will face the fourth seed underdog in Cincinnati. That in the Cotton Bowl, and the Big Ten champions, Michigan -- boy, Jeff Winetraub was screaming about this -- makes its college football playoff debut taking on the three seed Georgia Bulldogs. That in the Orange Bowl.
For some of you, we'll be back with more after a quick timeout. For the rest of you --
NATE BURLESON: We'll get you out to your game next.
[Commercial]
>> "The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, Motor Trend's truck of the year for the third year in a row.
JAMES BROWN: And welcome back to "The NFL Today", and now Amazon takes you out to the sights and sounds of the game between the Vikings and the Lions. Let's send it out to Detroit with our announcers, Spero and Jay.
>> All right, James. Inside Ford Field downtown Detroit, Michigan, where we are set for a battle in the NFC between the Minnesota Vikings at 5-6 and the Detroit Lions still winless searching for that elusive first victory.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports