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JAMES BROWN: Hello, everyone, and welcome to "The NFL Today". I'm James Brown. The entire NFL community is mourning after the passing of Demaryius Thomas at the age of 3. A five-time pro bowl receiver, Thomas led the Broncos to two AFC titles and a Super Bowl 50 win leaving the franchise second in career receiving yards and touchdowns. He last played for the Texans and the Jets before retiring this June after ten seasons. A devout man of God, Thomas is remembered as an even better person than he was as a player. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.
And "The NFL Today" is presented by Ram Trucks, and back here in studio 43, pleased to be joined by my colleagues. They will be former NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, Emmy award winning Nate Burleson, Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher, and Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms.
Just a few weeks left in the regular season, every team is feeling, as Bill calls it, a sense of urgency, and so are we. Let's get right to it.
Today our two late games have major playoff implications in both the AFC and NFC, as Tom Brady and the Bucs welcome in Josh Allen and the Bills wile Jimmy G and the Niners head to Cincy looking to tame Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
Out in the AFC West a classic NFL showdown between two old school rivals. Derek Carr and the Raiders visit Kansas City looking to chase down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Speaking of the Chiefs, they along with the Ravens, Titans, and Patriots have all been on a bit of a roller coaster ride to the top this season, so with three of them in action today right here on CBS, let's take a look at how it started and how it's going.
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>> Touchdown, Ravens.
>> Ravens find themselves on a five-game win streak.
>> Come on now.
>> Best in the league.
>> Rolling over Kansas City.
>> Nothing is working for the Chiefs.
>> A little pressure now. Down he goes.
>> That pass is intercepted.
>> The Patriots have had a couple of very difficult losses.
>> 345 homes angling to the right. He is at the 5, 4, 3, 2, touchdown!
>> He rolling. He rolling.
>> Jackson lobs it.
>> It's one inch from Baltimore going to 9-3.
>> Tennessee no longer in the top spot.
>> The Patriots hold on to the top spot in the AFC.
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JAMES BROWN: No team is safe in a tight AFC playoff race. The Patriots have surged to the top followed by the Titans, Ravens, and Chiefs. Parked in the Wild Card spot for now are the Chargers, Bengals, and Bills, but Indy, Vegas, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Denver, and Miami are all right there hoping for a chance to get in.
Meanwhile, in the NFC the Cardinals remain kings of the hill with a chance to clinch a spot on Monday night. The other division leaders, the Packers, Bucs, and Cowboys aren't too far behind. The Rams still pretty comfortable in a Wild Card spot. They're joined by Washington and San Francisco, but Vikings, Eagles, and the rest of the NFC South are definitely all in contention.
Let's welcome in the brilliant Charles Davis who is calling today's game between the Raiders and the Chiefs. C.D., as the playoff picture tightens up in the AFC, how confident are you in the Chiefs to make another deep postseason run?
CHARLES DAVIS: Hey, J.B. I'm glad you are asking me now as we get ready for week 14. If you had asked me a little earlier, maybe around week 7, my confidence wouldn't be quite as high. Back then the Kansas City Chiefs were in third place chasing the team they're playing today, the Las Vegas Raiders, but what a difference seven weeks makes. Now Kansas City back in their accustomed spot. They've won five straight AFC West titles, going for six. They are in the driver's seat, and they are at home today. Now, why is my confidence higher? It's because Steve Spagnuolo as a defensive coordinator is still there and still putting together great numbers in this streak. Remember, earlier in the year the numbers weren't so terrific. Now he has all of his parts back. He is able to move Chris Jones from defensive end into defensive tackle because Melvin Ingram has been acquired. Their health and continuity is there, and that allows him to do what he does on defense, which is confuse people and turn loose some of the best players like Melvin Ingram, who is terrific against the run and the pass. Now that Chris Jones has moved back into defensive tackle, watch him work over the guards where they have a hard time keeping him out of the back field.
Now, let's put Jones and Ingram together, J.B. Work them in tandem. Derek Carr is on his horse in week 10 and has to throw the ball away. What we're seeing now is it all coming together for the Kansas City Chiefs. Health, continuity, great play, Steve Spagnuolo's mind. I send it back to you. Congratulations, Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer James Brown.
JAMES BROWN: My daughters told me to retire the expression, but I am too dark to blush, but thank you so very much, Charles.
Hey, Coach, all of the AFC'S top squads have some holes in their games, but who do you see going the furthest?
BILL COWHER: You look at New England, they've won seven straight. Played the hottest team in the AFC, and you talk about Kansas City. They've won five. I go back to the Tennessee Titans. When you look at their schedule that they have coming up, coming off a bye and two consecutive losses, there's a certain edge that they have right now there in Tennessee.
They have been able to develop the receivers because all of a sudden Julio Jones is out, A.J. Brown has been out, and Derrick Henry might be coming back for the playoffs. They're developing depth on the offensive side of the ball, and Mike Vrabel has got them kind of chippy. This week he walked out of a press conference. I just like where they are. Last year the Tampa Bay Bucs lost three straight, and then they went off and won eight straight games. Everything has a life cycle, Phil, and right now I think the life cycle is starting tore the Tennessee Titans, and I look for New England and Kansas City, I don't know if they can sustain it.
PHIL SIMMS: I'm just shocked that you picked the angriest team out there to be the guys that come through this. Who do I think is going to make the longest playoff run, or who do I trust? The New England Patriots. Look at their offense. Josh McDaniels, do you believe that he can come up with a game plan each week to help his guys succeed? Yes. How about Bill Belichick? The best game manager in the NFL. Look what he did up in Buffalo. The conditions, the run defense. Let's run it with six offensive linemen, Mac Jones, three passes. Now the big worry is, J.B., can Mac Jones do it in the playoffs? Well, of course, he can. They couldn't run it two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans. What do they do? He was 23 of 32 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Mac Jones when it comes playoff time will deliver.
NATE BURLESON: I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Phil, you really know your stuff. I agree with you, man.
PHIL SIMMS: Wow.
NATE BURLESON: You talked about the Xs and Os. This is going to be the most important bye week in Patriots history. They are as hot as anybody. You know what it is. When you come out of that bye, you are either going to pick up where you left off or you are going to lose focus. I don't think that's going to be the case. The last time they had a bye in the month of December was way back in 2001 when they had a young quarterback by the name of Tom Brady in his first year starting, and we all know it resulted in a Super Bowl win that year. I'm not saying history will repeat itself, but we know in the NFL it often times does.
BOOMER ESIASON: I'm shocked at you. You picked the Chiefs to go to the Super Bowl. You haven't gone off of that until today. I don't know really what's happening.
NATE BURLESON: Some things changed.
BOOMER ESIASON: Charles Davis hit on everything that I was going to say. One of the things that has gone on out in Kansas City is they made the trade for Melvin Ingram in the middle of the season. Normally trades like that don't foster the success that Kansas City has had on defense the way they have had with him now in the line-up. He is averaging 35 plays a game. Let's face it. They've been to the last two Super Bowls. They have Andy Reed and Patrick Mahomes, and they have Clyde Edwards-Helaire now back on the field. I'm telling you right now, this team has played its best football in the last five weeks, and they haven't had to put up 30 points in order to win games. I don't know what you guys are looking at. I really don't.
JAMES BROWN: He doesn't have a video room. It's a film room.
NATE BURLESON: Film room. 16 millimeter.
JAMES BROWN: He is on top of it all. The team that the Chiefs knocked out last year, the Cleveland Browns, they're in action today, and for more on their quarterback and the latest news from around the league, we welcome in our guy Jason La Canfora.
JASON LA CANFORA: Baker Mayfield's healing knee feeling better, but his left shoulder remains a concern. Mayfield must wear a harness for the rest of the season and will require surgery to repair that labrum in the offseason. No contract extension is imminent.
Urban Meyers' tumultuous first NFL season took another strange turn when he was untruthful about the benching of top running back James Robinson last week. He has lost the trust and respect of players and coaches according to numerous sources and GM Trent Baalke has distanced himself from the coach as well. The locker room would support assistant head coach Charlie Strong taking over should ownership make an immediate move. Long-time agent Trace Armstrong spoke to the Bears about taking over their football operations. Armstrong played for the team and is held in high regard by ownership. With Matt Nagy almost certain to be fired, Ohio State's Ryan Day would be the candidate to watch if Armstrong took over. He represents Day and has been championing him to NFL front office people since last year, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: All right. Thank you so much, Jason. When we come back, we'll hear from the star of last night's Heisman ceremony, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. That would be the electric Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, Bryce Young. "The NFL Today" is brought to you by Ram Trucks. Back with more after this.
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>> Coming up on "The NFL Today", with Buffalo's recent struggles on the field and the season of giving right around the corner, we decided to put together a little message of hope for the Bills' faithful. The Brady to Gronk connection is now the second most prolific in NFL history, so Boomer sat down with the future Hall of Fame tight end to find out about the special bond he shares with TB12.
While the Chiefs stand atop the division, the AFC West is still anyone's for the taking. With all four teams within reach, the big question is who wants it more? That's all straight ahead when "The NFL Today" on CBS return.
"The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, Motor Trend's truck of the year for the third year in a row.
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JAMES BROWN: Two rivals going head-to-head today. Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. They are also Heisman Trophy recipients. They won in 2016 and '17 respectively. Last night another legend was born by joining the Heisman fraternity.
>> The winner of the 202 Heisman Memorial Trophy is.
>> Bryce Young.
>> I've always been ruled out. People a lot of times just told me that I wasn't going to be able to make it, and for me it's always been about not really proving them wrong, but proving to myself what I can accomplish. Thank you, everyone, for coming out and everyone watching at home and have a great night.
(Applause)
JAMES BROWN: Simply love that altitude. Hey, folks, when you think about Alabama, you think about the names Bart Starr, Joe Namath and Kenley Stabler, who I worked with before. Those quarterbacks didn't win the Heisman, but you are the first in the school's history to do that, and all the things that people were talking about you, how do you like me now?
>> It's a huge blessing, a huge honor. There's been such a rich history of quarterback play at the University of Alabama, and I understood that coming in. I took that seriously. It was a lot of hard work and dedication. I'm grateful for the people around me that made it possible, but to try to carry on that legacy and tradition meant a lot. Hopefully I made them proud.
NATE BURLESON: From an individual standpoint, the Heisman is the highest honor. When you look at that trophy, is it about the validation that you receive for being the best player in college football, or is it a representation of what you could become in the NFL?
>> I wouldn't say it's as much validation. It's a huge honor. It's a tremendous blessing, but at the end of the day it's an individual award about something that's really happened in the past. It's about things I've done in the past and it's a great honor, but it doesn't prove anything for the future. I have a lot personally that I have to improve on. There's a lot more for me to accomplish. It's not going to help me on anything in the future, so it's a huge honor, but I definitely a long way to go.
BILL COWHER: This is "The NFL Today", and you've had Nick Saban who coached in the NFL, Bill O'Brien has coached in the NFL. Is there a certain player that you would model your game after after you watch and kind of say, you know, we're similar in style?
>> Aaron Rodgers has been my favorite quarterback in the league for a while.
NATE BURLESON: Aaron Rodgers.
BILL COWHER: Piggyback off of that. Aaron Rodgers has a lot of taking control of the offense. How much is bill O'Brien give you in terms of your understanding of protections? Do you set protections?
>> Yeah, yeah. O.B. has given me a lot of freedom in the offense. That meant a lot for me. For him to coach some of the greats that he has coached and to be around so many great quarterbacks and for him to come in and I had to earn that trust. That came through the offseason, through the season, and everything, but for him to give me that freedom to deal with the protection and just as far as putting in plays and getting us in and out of stuff, we have those conversations throughout the week, but having the freedom to do that on Saturdays is huge.
BILL COWHER: You see a blitz coming. Can you make an audible and give you a deep pass?
>> It's on me to do that. That's the expectation, and that's when I'm talking to Coach Saban, O.B., it's on me to do that stuff.
NATE BURLESON: Aaron Rodgers. Okay, Bryce. Okay.
JAMES BROWN: I'll impressed because mom and dad have been leaders of character and integrity, but real quickly, who is better an athlete, your mother or father?
>> Oh, my mother.
JAMES BROWN: He didn't waste any time. Congratulations. Continued success. You are doing modeling character and integrity as well.
We've got a couple of quarterbacks who model at least what would you call it, Bill, character or integrity with these two?
BILL COWHER: It's all about them.
BOOMER ESIASON: Thanks, guys. What a great young man Bryce is. Congratulations where, great job. We have two young men playing quarterback in this game between the Ravens and Browns. Look at the Ravens' offense the last four games. Not very good. As a matter of fact, Lamar Jackson has thrown eight interceptions, been sacked 16 times, and he is going to be going against a ferocious Browns defense. Lamar on one side has already won an MVP. I don't know if there's more pressure on the quarterback today than there is on Baker Mayfield. We just heard about his injury. He is going to have surgery on his left shoulder. The torn labrum. He is going to see a ton of blitzes today.
PHIL SIMMS: Spotlight is on these two quarterbacks and not in a good way. Baker Mayfield, he hopes they can run the football against this good Baltimore defense, so his play action passes and his bootlegs will be there, and the big question so to me, can he make plays on his own will be big today, and can the receivers for the Browns separate down the field. How about the Jaguars at the Titans? When you look at that Ryan Tannehill, he has to start making decisions and not be so aggressive where he is throwing the football. It's led to a lot of interceptions, but he has some help today in Julio Jones, who is big, can run over the middle in the play action passes and make those catches to help him out. Then for the Jacksonville Jaguars, what's the bright spot of their football team? It's this guy. Trevor Lawrence getting lots of experience. Only one touchdown pass in the last five games. What do you do if you are Jacksonville? Build his confidence up, do everything for him to get him ready for next year.
BOOMER ESIASON: It's a mess down there. It's impossible to play quarterback as a rookie. We have two BYU quarterbacks. Taysom Hill will start for the Saints who have lost five in a row. They've been turning the ball over alarmingly. On the other side, it's going to be Zach Wilson for the New York Jets. You want to beat the Saints who have lost five in a row? You got to run the ball against them. No Elijah Moore for the Jets today. 167 yards per game. The defense of the Saints have given up on the ground the last three games. That's how you beat the Saints.
PHIL SIMMS: The Raiders are at the Chiefs. How about Derek Carr? Last five games 1-4 records, five TDs, four interceptions. 3-12 record against Kansas City.
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JAMES BROWN: Coming up at 4:25 p.m. Eastern -- I was about to say Matt, our director -- the Bengals play host to the Niners, and Tom Brady and the champs welcome the reeling Buffalo Bills who after Monday night, Coach, desperately needed a pep talk from a very special fan.
>> Bills losing.
>> More than embarrassing.
>> This is going to be a disappointing loss by the Buffalo Bills.
>> Who would have saw that one coming.
>> Bills coming up with another loss.
>> Buffalo, they said this was the year. They said this team was special. Well, they never said it was going to be easy. I would ask what you have to say to your critics, but nobody wants to hear it, so don't talk to them. Listen he. Because they say you're average, you're over-hyped, you can't run.
>> Slam down.
>> The Jaguars took you out, and the Patriots took your soul. They say last year was a nice little season, but now it's time for another New England nuclear winter. They're asking if if you are embarrassed. I'm asking, what are you going to do about it? Bills mafia has done their job. This team doesn't need broken tables. It needs to start breaking tackles, so is it over? Not a chance.
I still believe in this defense, in this quarterback, and this coach. I still believe it violates everything Buffalo, New York, stands for to have the team that's more talented than tough, and I refuse to believe that this is a nightmare matchup in Tampa. This is a perfect matchup. You having a rough couple of months? Brady gave your town a rough 20 years.
>> Let's go!
>> Shut the goat down. Shut the world up.
>> We set the tone.
>> Today is the day you decide to believe or you decide to be done.
>> Everything we fought for is right here.
>> Now what's it going to be? Buffalo, let's go!
NATE BURLESON: Okay. Shut the goat down. Shut the world up. Kyle Brandt, it's easier said than done, though. That's for sure. Great job, K.B.
JAMES BROWN: Does he need oxygen after that?
NATE BURLESON: I feel like putting some pads on.
JAMES BROWN: Check out Kyle on "Good Morning Football" every week day morning on NFL Network.
It's been a roller coaster of a year for the Bills. Folks, they haven't been able to string together two wins in a row since week five, and now they find themselves hanging on by a thread facing the defending champs.
BILL COWHER: It's strength against strength. When you are talking about yards, number one in the National Football League is Tampa Bay offense, number one defense in the National Football League in yards is the Buffalo Bills defense. You have the offense against defense. Passing touchdowns number one for the offensive Tampa Bay. Number one is Micah Hyde, Jordan Poirier. They need to step up big this week. They were a question going last week against the Patriots. They have to be the ones and for right now for Josh Allen, you can't turn the ball over.
PHIL SIMMS: They got to do more than say Josh Allen win the game for us. It's too much about Josh Allen. It's hard on a quarterback, and I think you can see that when you look at some of his past games, his touchdowns, interceptions and what he is doing. The last five games that Josh Allen has played, he is 2-3, nine touchdowns, seven interceptions. Been sacked 11 times. The offensive line is just okay. They don't move the guys around enough for me for the deception that should even make easy plays. He has to scramble and run. He has to move to make throws down the field. Listen, today playing against Tampa Bay, that rush lane for the Tampa Bay defense, they're good staying there, so might be tough for Allen.
BOOMER ESIASON: Here's the reality check. Tom Brady is 32-3 versus the Bills. He is undefeated against Sean McDermott as head coach of the Bills. That's the reality. Plus, Rob Gronkowski is back in the offense, and how about Chris Godwin, 15 catches last week. Just set a team record for that number. When you think about the Buccaneers and Phil just said it, where it's not all about Josh Allen. It's not all about Tom Brady with the Buccaneers, although the numbers may say otherwise. They do run the football, and they play run defense, so it is a total team effort.
NATE BURLESON: Speaking of numbers, I once heard men lie, women lie, numbers don't. First number, 44 years old. At his age, check out where he is ranking. Attempts first, completions first, pass yards and pass TDs. First, first, first, first. Tom Brady is doing it at a high level, and, listen, he does have surrounding pieces that make him look really good, but he is making the number 44 look great like a Pistol Pete Maravich jersey.
BOOMER ESIASON: Bruce Arians called his team dumb. They haven't lost since he called them dumb.
PHIL SIMMS: Is that what it takes? Okay.
JAMES BROWN: I'm glad you included men and women together because it was going to be tough to go home.
NATE BURLESON: Not going to do that, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: The Niners taking on the Bengals.
PHIL SIMMS: A couple of things about this this Niners offense when I look at it, where Jimmy Garoppolo has played well the last five weeks. Taking too much heat for interceptions to throw it well. Here's who I look at. George Kittle, the tight end. Man, does he have some wiggle, Nate, and it's everywhere. He can catch the ball, make plays, make you miss, good route runner, and Kyle Juszczyk, a fullback that goes down the field to catch the ball, goes down the field to catch the ball and can redirect and make those blocks. The San Franscisco offense needs a big game today.
BILL COWHER: Don't turn the football over. Joe Burrow throws a pick six three weeks ago against the Cleveland Browns. Last week Joe Mixon getting ready to get back into the game, fumbled and returned for a touchdown. You can't have the -- the question is, can that offensive line give Joe Burrow enough time to take advantage of a depleted secondary of the San Francisco 49ers?
NATE BURLESON: Two guys I want you to focus on. Ja'Marr Chase, who I like to call Mr. Big shot. Some people are calling him Mr. Big Drop because he has some balls slip through those fingers. He is big a part of this offense. He will be the focal point again. Another side, Deebo Samuel back in the line-up. When he is in a condensed split or presnap movement, know he is going to be a big part of that play. Whether he gets the ball or he is a decoy.
BOOMER ESIASON: I thought the Bengals were too young this year, and it's starting to show itself in turnovers. This game is all about the defensive line. 60 combined sacks coming into this game. Trey Hendrickson for the Bengals, eight straight games with the sack. Nick Bosa, 16 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback that handles the pressure the best will win this game. Jimmy Garoppolo and the five losses, he has 12 sacks and 7 interceptions. Get after them, you can force them into a mistake.
PHIL SIMMS: You are saying get rid of the football today.
JAMES BROWN: What is the name of the football factory that Juszczyk went to school?
PHIL SIMMS: That's a good question. I don't even know. Harvard? I thought it was a basketball factory.
JAMES BROWN: With kickoff just about a half hour away, 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.
IAN EAGLE: J.B., old school AFC West rivalry today in Kansas City. The Chiefs hosting the Raiders as they look for the season sweep against Las Vegas. Hi, everybody. Ian eagle along with Charles Davis. It's been the defense for Kansas City that's fuelled this five-game winning streak, and a number of reasons that you can look at, C.D. It's execution. It's chemistry. It's leadership with Tyrann Mathieu.
CHARLES DAVIS: He knows where everyone is supposed to be, and he makes sure they are executing quite well right now.
IAN EAGLE: 6-6 record for the Raiders. One of the most consistent performers this season has been the talented wide-out hunter Renfroe.
CHARLES DAVIS: He knows how to get open down feel and creates great separation.
IAN EAGLE: The Chiefs offense may not be putting up the video game-like numbers that we've seen in the past, but you look up, and Travis Kelce, among the best tight end stats in the league.
CHARLES DAVIS: His last 100 yard game was against the Las Vegas. He wants to repeat today and look for him on third down.
IAN EAGLE: The Las Vegas front wreaks havoc weekly. Max Crosby number one in the NFL in quarterback pressures.
CHARLES DAVIS: Plays all-out on every snap and wants to get to the quarterback and get him on the ground.
IAN EAGLE: Chris Jones back inside for K.C. A defensive tackle. He is having a major impact there.
CHARLES DAVIS: Right where he is supposed to be. He creates a rumble inside.
IAN EAGLE: And Josh Jacobs, heavily involved in the pass game last week against Washington. Can the Raiders run the ball effectively this afternoon against Kansas City?
CHARLES DAVIS: He wants more opportunities, more touches. He is going to come out super charged for this one.
IAN EAGLE: We have the Chiefs hosting the Raiders today. Big game as Kansas City is completely focused on the number one seed and the Raiders just trying to stay alive. Coming up, Boomer with Rob Gronkowski as "The NFL Today" continues here on CBS.
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JAMES BROWN: And to help people affected by the southern and midwest tornadoes, text tornadoes to 90999 to give $10 to the American Red Cross, southern and midwest tornados relief. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with all of the affected families.
Love Chris Jones. Nate said, yeah, this is true, J.B., he is a dangerous man. Four and a half sacks and all of his pass deflections have come during the streak of five straight Ws, thank you, Sammy Smith. The resurgent K.C. defense has given up just 11 points a game. Time now, Boomer, for the pregame HQ presented by Domino's.
BOOMER ESIASON: The Chiefs are playing good defense.
>> One of the best in the game.
>> Speed and athleticism.
>> Pick off by Sneed.
>> Recovered by the Chiefs.
>> Crushed.
>> Shut down by Nick Bolton.
>> Big-time play for Kansas City.
>> 25 yard line. He will be sacked by Chris Jones.
>> That's a scary thought when he is coming bearing down on you.
>> Chris Jones.
>> The Chiefs' defense stifling?
PHIL SIMMS: You are talking about high-powered. This Kansas City defense, week eight. Points allowed per game, second in the NFL. Takeaways, great stat always for a defense, tied for fourth in the NFL. Bill, why is this defense playing so well.
BILL COWHER: Enter 5-0. Steve Spagnuolo, their defense always gets better as the season goes on because it's complex, it's a variety, and the players get more comfortable. Right now Chris Jones, Jarron Reed inside. Derrick Nnadi, another guy with depth. They get penetration. They have stopped the run. That's always been one of the flaws in the Kansas City defense, but they're able to do it, where Willie Gay on the right. Nick Bolton on the left. It's a second year player. These guys are fast, they're explosive. They can get to the football. They've got speed and speed on defense. Right here Steve Spagnuolo, third down. They're also number one since week five on third down. A lot of different looks. The safeties do a great job. This is zero coverage. This means there's nobody in the middle of the field. Quarterback has to get rid of it. Then you got a guy like Melvin Ingram and Frank Clark coming off the corner. They have it all. They have depth at every level.
PHIL SIMMS: Tell me this, why does it take so long? You said it. Why does it take Steve Spagnuolo so long to get this defense in the rhythm that they're playing with right now?
BILL COWHER: He gives them a lot of different looks, and he is comfortable with letting these guys grow into their positions to understand what everybody is doing. You talk about Willie Gay and Nick Bolton, second year player, first year players. New corners come in. There are a lot of different pieces, but as they get more comfortable, they player faster, and they are tough to go against.
PHIL SIMMS: A lot of new players for that defense. They're playing great. Let's throw it over to J.B., and he can talk about the AFC West.
JAMES BROWN: I if I that both Nate and Boomer agree that the Chiefs have found new life recently, but they are still skating on thin ice in a very tight AC West. All four squads have six or more wins, so the question is how many teams from the West reach the postseason?
NATE BURLESON: We both believe that the Kansas City Chiefs are good, and they're going to continue that streak that they're on against the Raiders today. Let's look at the Chargers' schedule. Out of these last five games I have these guys winning four of these games. That puts these guys at 11-6 going into the postseason. I have the and the Chargers. What do you think about the Broncos and Raiders?
BOOMER ESIASON: Let's take a look at the Broncos schedule. Can they get to ten wins when you take a look at the last five games? They have a good chance of winning the next two and maybe winning at the Raiders. They have an outside chance of making it.
NATE BURLESON: Not an easy schedule, but winnable games.
BOOMER ESIASON: The way the NFL has the schedule set up as well, everybody plays within their division. Now take a look at the Raiders. I think they're a dead team walking. I think look at the five games that they have left right now. Starting today at Kansas City where Derek Carr has not played well. They have not played well offensively the last couple of weeks, and the one thing I will say about the Denver Broncos, they will run the ball down your throat, and they will play defense. They may have a little question mark at their passing game, but at the end of the day I think they are a rough time, and they're going to be really difficult to beat.
NATE BURLESON: Tough schedule with as inconsistent as they've been playing. I think it's a wrap tore the Raiders as well.
If you want to see football like never covered before check out NFL slime time on Nickelodeon. Join me to tackle the week's best slime-lights to make sure you catch NFL slime time every Wednesday night at 7:00 eastern on Nickelodeon.
JAMES BROWN: My grandson J.J. says you work with Nate Burleson?
NATE BURLESON: Bring him to the show, J.B. Patrick Mahomes former Nickelodeon most valuable player. Last time he faced the Raiders he had over 500 yards passing.
(Commercial).
>> "The NFL Today" is sponsored by Geico. You could save even more when bundling home and car insurance. The Home Depot, how doers get more done. And bring Ram Trucks, Motor Trend's truck of the year for the third year in a row.
JAMES BROWN: The Walter Peyton NFL man of the year award recognizes players, yes, who have exhibited excellence on the field, but more importantly, whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game. The winner will be announced Super Bowl week at NFL honors. That's Thursday, February 10th. To learn more about this year's nominees, visit NFL.com/man of the year, and the nominees are --
BOOMER ESIASON: Quinnen Williams to give back to the community in hopes of tackling poverty and also an ambassador for the American cancer society.
NATE BURLESON: This is Denzell Ward. Donated money and equipment to schools in Northeast Ohio. It's part of his Make Them Know Your Name Foundation.
BILL COWHER: There's Myles Jack. He dedicated time and resources to the Jacksonville community with annual back to school events and scholarships and founded a Myles Jack Foundation that supports veteran causes.
PHIL SIMMS: Tyrann Mathieu of the Kansas City Chiefs has hosted events around the year including back to school shopping sprees for underprivileged youth and his foundation gave away turkeys this past Thanksgiving.
>> Here we go. Allen got the shotgun snap. They rushed five. Here comes the blitz. He throws a line drive pass and got it down to the 1. New England's defense does it again.
>> Let's not get more credit than we need to Bill Belichick on this one. They beat us. Sloppy football. We got to coach better. We got to play better. It's not just one person. It's all of us.
(Music)
>> On a sunny afternoon, Brady to the end zone. Caught by Godwin.
>> Fournette. Drives across. It's a touchdown.
>> Touchdown.
>> A dynamic offensive unit here in Tampa.
>> I'm not going to move back to the cold weather, I know that. It's really amazing to come out and practice football in weather like this.
BOOMER ESIASON: Not just the weather is going great for Brady. Last week he and Gronk hooked up four the 89th and 90th touchdowns becoming the second most prolific connection in NFL history. I sat down with the future Hall of Fame tight end touching on everything from facing off against his favorite childhood team and the one teammate that's allowed to call him babe.
>> 10, 5, 3, 2, 1.
>> Tommy to Gronky. Touchdown, Tampa Bay.
>> Tommy to Gronky again.
>> Gronkowski has two today.
BOOMER ESIASON: Let's start with Buffalo. I know it means everything to you. You're from Buffalo. You probably are asked a million questions about what it means to be playing the Bills. Here they am could. This is a huge game against them on Sunday.
ROB GRONKOWSKI: It is a big game. It is versus Buffalo. I grew up in Buffalo. I've been a Bills fan since I was a kid. We used to go to the games. We used to tailgate. I used to pretend I was Eric Moulds in the backyard whenever we played flag football or tackle football in the backyard as kids. I'm basically everything Buffalo. I love Buffalo. The blue cheese, the chicken wings, the pizza. You can't beat it.
BOOMER ESIASON: When you go home, how do they treat you when you go back to Buffalo?
ROB GRONKOWSKI: You know, it depends on where I'm at. When I go to my nephew's baseball games, everybody is polite to me, nice. I'm sure if I went out clubbing into the bar, I could probably get myself in trouble. There's some series Bills fans out there. I stay away from those scenarios, but overall, they treat me well, and they cheer me on.
>> Touchdown, Tampa Bay. Holy Gronkamole.
>> He has his 23rd touchdown of the postseason from Tom Brady.
>> He is obviously the greatest tight end to ever play the game, and still doing it.
>> Your quarterback comes out and says he is obviously the greatest tight end to ever play the game and is still doing it. When you hear those words come out of his mouth, how does that make you feel?
ROB GRONKOWSKI: It's a cool feeling. It definitely makes me feel good to hear that, but at the same time it makes me want to work. Makes me want to keep going.
BOOMER ESIASON: You and he have combined for 90 touchdown passes, trailing only Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. They are at a staggering 112. Now, I know Tom is going to play until he is 50, but are you going to able to hang around long enough to try to catch Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison?
ROB GRONKOWSKI: That's an unbelievable record set by Peyton and Marvin. Peyton doesn't think this record is ever going to be broken, and we got a long way to go, but just got to take one week at a time and keep building.
BOOMER ESIASON: I did want to ask you about how you and Tom discuss things on the sideline because Julian Edelman tried to interpret the conversation that you and Tom were having on the sideline, and I guess he refers to you as babe.
ROB GRONKOWSKI: Yes, Tom refers to a lot of people as babe.
>> Great job, baby.
>> Nice job, baby.
>> Babe.
>> He so you, baby.
ROB GRONKOWSKI: He refers to a lot of his teammates like that. Even to some coaches as babe. It throws you off at first when you have never heard it. All right, I take it. I'm a babe.
BOOMER ESIASON: Mike Evans your teammate said this week, man, winning is fun, and you and Brady haven't lost a lot in your career. What's it been like watching your other teammates really bask in all these victories that you guys have had?
ROB GRONKOWSKI: It's really fun, actually. Just to see it in Mike's eyes, put a smile on your face, and we're working hard. Everyone is working hard and getting after it because we all got that feeling of how it feels to win, and we all want that feeling to continue.
BOOMER ESIASON: Well, babe, I appreciate you giving us your time today, and I wish you the very best versus the Bills this week.
ROB GRONKOWSKI: Hey, Boomer, thanks, babe.
BOOMER ESIASON: Sounds good. Thanks, Gronk. It's great when Gronk is back in the NFL. We missed him back in 2019. He and Tom picked up right where they left off where they were playing with the New England Patriots. I does ask him, was he rooting for the Bills or the Patriots? He said, look, I didn't really want to root for one or the other. I just wanted to watch tape. Take a look at this guys. They're 22 behind the great Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, and a combo touchdown between the two of them. Can they get it. Now, I think they can get 23 over the next two years, and I wasn't kidding. I think Brady is going to play until he is 50. The question is will the tight ends stay with him.
NATE BURLESON: If Gronk plays the next couple of years, they'll get that record. Those arms look pretty good, babe.
NATE BURLESON: He had his guns out while he was talking to Gronk.
BOOMER ESIASON: One stud to another.
NATE BURLESON: You took it too far.
BILL COWHER: Rob Gronkowski being one of the greatest tight ends ever. He does. This guy blocks. He does all the grit that you want a tight end to do, and yet, he can run down the seam. It's interesting because to me when Tom Brady went to Tampa Bay, he is the first person to call because in the Red Zone, that's a target. What's he try to do? He is trying to take Leonard Fournette to be the James White. He is trying to put together the same pieces.
PHIL SIMMS: Bill, all those passes, you see to Gronkowski down the seem seams and down the sidelines, that's stuff he did in New England as part of their offense ever since Bill Belichick was up there. They know how to read it. In other words, back shoulder, forward, whatever. They've got so much confidence in each other. The other thing is, Gronk, covering their team for so many years. Defensive players would always say this about him. Man, he is so much faster in person than you think he is whether you watch him on film.
JAMES BROWN: Drew Kaliski says this is your favorite team of the day. This particular show. Upset specials for week 15. Make that week 14.
PHIL SIMMS: I got Cincinnati over the 49ers.
BILL COWHER: Atlanta over Carolina.
NATE BURLESON: I have the Baltimore Ravens over the Browns.
BOOMER ESIASON: It's personal for me today, boys. I'm going to take the Cincinnati Bengals over the 49ers for reasons that I don't want to get into.
NATE BURLESON: What?
JAMES BROWN: On behalf of all of us, we certainly want to send a heart felt get well to Howard Katz, senior vice president of scheduling. Good man. We pray you'll be back soon. Well, for some of you, we'll be back with more after I guess a quick timeout we can call it, Phil, but for the rest of the folks --
NATE BURLESON: We'll get you out to your game next!
(Commercial)
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JAMES BROWN: Welcome back to "The NFL Today". Now Amazon takes you out to the sights and sounds of the game between the Raiders and the Chiefs. Let's get you out to Kansas City with our announcers Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, and Evan Washburn.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports