[Music]
>> Talk about immortality. Some of us think maybe we will be immortal, that we'll live forever, but when you really think about it, we're not going to be, but I say this. Through this bust, in that hall we will be forever.
>> Good afternoon, everyone. Dick Stockton with John Madden.
>> Hi, everybody. I'm Vince Scully along with John Madden.
>> I'm Pat Summerall here with my colleague John Madden, as usual.
>> Hi, I'm John Madden.
>> I have never worked a day in my life.
>> That is football. That is great football.
>> I went from player to coach.
>> Madden goes on the shoulders of his players.
>> To a broadcaster?
>> What a way to start a Super Bowl. Come out and make something happen.
>> And I am the luckiest guy in the world.
>> Says this one of the great holidays that we have, and we got the turkey here.
>> Jerry, you get the whole turkey, the whole bird.
>> Whap, he comes here. He lines up here. Where are you going to run on this thing? They have no idea where we are, who we are, where we're coming from or who we're throwing to.
>> It scares me, but I understand it completely.
>> This is the father bucket. This is the mother bucket. Since the last game, they had a baby bucket.
>> I can't tell you what a joy it's been working with you.
>> Well, I sure enjoyed it, and I thank you for everything. For having to put up with all my goofy things.
[Music]
>> There's no higher honor than winning a Super Bowl. This is as good as it gets. The great thing about it, it lasts forever.
[Music]
>> I thank you all very much. This has been the sweetest ride of them all. Thank you.
[Applause]
JAMES BROWN: Happen New Year, and welcome to "NFL Today". I'm James Brown and blessed to be in Studio 43 with my colleagues. Of course, the former league MVP, that will be Boomer Esiason, Emmy Award Winner Nate Burleson, and, of course, the Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. Folks, out of an abond yarns of caution, due to COVID protocols, former Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms, he will be joining us remotely in just a bit.
Folks, the entire sports world is certainly reeling after the loss of our former colleague and friend, the iconic John Madden, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 85. There were certainly no words to adequately describe the he indelible mark that Jon left as a player, coach, broadcaster, and most importantly, as a husband, father and friend. To say that his name is synonymous with football is indeed an understatement. He lived the game, unlike anyone had before.
Just as John entertained millions from the booth for decades, so, too, do Jim Nance and Tony Romo who are joining us now from Cincinnati to talk about the huge legacy that John left behind. Hello, Jim.
JIM NANTZ: Hello, J.B.. To know him as a friend and colleague going back to the mid '70s. Just a towering figure, a giant of a man, and goes way beyond winning football games or popularizing a sport through a video game or broadcasting games. He was just a wonderful man. You knew him too from your first start.
TONY ROMO: He did my first start, and to have a John Madden feel like he likes you, it was just an unbelievable moment for a young man, and for me, Jim, you knew him at CBS for a long time. What did you think. I know you loved him.
JIM NANTZ: His finger print is on everything, and it goes way beyond Xs and Os. He was a teacher. He always considered himself a coach more than a broadcaster. There he is with, of course, his long-time great running mate. What a kinship they had, John and Pat Summerall.
It was about people with John. He had time for everybody. He would know everyone on the crew, whether you were a runner or an entry level production person, a technician. He knew you by name. You knew about your family. Let me show you a picture. Our game today will be directed by Marc Arnold who first started working with John 40 years ago. This is a picture when his son was born. There is John holding him like a proud grandfather. That's the kind of relationship he had with his colleagues at CBS.
He loved this thing he called "the hang." He never wanted a production meeting to end. He wanted to sit around and hear stories. He was a great listener. He wanted to hear what your story was, what made you interesting, and he just had time for everyone.
TONY ROMO: He really did. His for instance was so felt. When you were in had the room with him, you couldn't help but really love this guy. He was a gentle giant, but he had such an insatiable appetite for football, and you wanted to sit and listen to him, be in his presence. I don't think you really could understand the influence he had over all the people across everywhere. As a youngster, the Madden football game. And when I played football, he was right there announcing, and then here in the booth. It's such an honor just to have known the man, and he will be missed, Jim.
JIM NANTZ: He will sorely be missed. This would have been a Madden-Summerall game today, and we will try to pay tribute to the icon today and Pat. Pat and John from this day forward moving on. He will be very much missed. J.B., back to you.
JAMES BROWN: Thank you so much. Jim, there's no question that our own Wayne Fidelman, a John guy, knew all about the hang for sure. Look, I love saying these guys are members of the fraternity of players and coaches. Your thoughts about coach.
BOOMER ESIASON: I'm going to try to keep it simple. Often he was imitated, never duplicated. He was the ultimate original, guys. Hence, the moniker icon. Take a look at this resume. It speaks for itself. I think back to the 1970s when the NFL and the AFL merged, and John was the voice of NFL films. You think about those great Steeler, Cowboys, Vikings teams, and the John Madden teams and then he goes on to become a broadcaster. I once told him the offensive lineman's prayer. We work the hardest, we're known the least, but who cares, for we are the reason. As a former offensive lineman, he loved it, and he became respected, revered, and, of course, coach, for all of us, coaches and players alike, he was trusted.
BILL COWHER: He was trusted, boom. As I sit there as a head coach, my memory of his is the passion and energy he had on the sideline. The flailing of the arm and yelling at officials. I felt, okay, I'm validated in just being like job Madden as a coach. Then as a broadcaster, you got into that, and the year we won the Super Bowl in 2005, we had three Monday night games leading up to that, and he did that Super Bowl. By the time we got to that third Monday night game and into the Super Bowl, you sit there with his player chart in the production meeting and say, tell me about Ben Roethlisberger. How is he progressing? I guess good, Coach. We're doing really good. Awkward moment of silence. We're probably going to do some things different this week, so I think we're going to try to throw the ball early more. Oh, interesting. Yeah, I think you're going to like it. We're going to get him out of the pocket.
I sat there and just kept wanting to get his approval. I'm giving my whole game plan because we did trust him, and you were looking for a guy -- looking at a guy that you revered, Nate. As a coach, as a broadcaster, as a man of the people.
NATE BURLESON: It's like we all wanted his validation. I was familiar with him growing up, but then as a player, things were put into perspective. When these coaches that I respected, these players that I looked up to, they all looked up to Madden. Then when he transitioned into the space that we call home, which is TV and delivering the game to the viewer, he did it his way. He was passionate about it. We oftentimes say we stand on the shoulders of giants. Well, I walk in the foot steps of Madden. He made the onamonapia popular, saying, boom, he is on his back. We talk about that and use those type of words and that type of language every single day. Not just when we're talking about sports, but when we're off camera as well.
JAMES BROWN: For those of us in this family right here, our colleague Phil Simms, no one probably had Madden do more games of his than Phil Simms. Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: He was there. He did a lot of games of ours, and I'll tell you this. There was never a Friday when he was doing the game that he wasn't standing on you are on sidelines watching practice. When he stood there, I can tell you you could feel it. The energy and the passion of our practice, it would all pick up because John Madden was standing over there on the sidelines and the players wanted to try to impress him with what they're doing on the field. I heard Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, everybody talking about how much we trusted him, and production meetings, I would tell him everything. Listen, never had to worry about what he was going to do with that information because he never broke that trust. That's for sure.
Like everything he did in his life, bigger is always better. Coach Madden, that's the way he was. 1986 I was very fortunate enough to make the All Madden Team. I think this trophy is perfect and it exemplifies him. Big, heavy. I went downstairs last night and weighed it. It weighs over 20 pounds. Coach Madden, one of my favorite trophies. Really loved everything you did.
JAMES BROWN: You know what, let me focus on the production meeting aspect of it. As Jim Nantz said, Madden was bigger than life, but he knew that success was a team thing, and his launching pad here at CBS had him with Hall of Fame caliber talent like producer job Steiner, the lead director Sandy Grossman and Broadcasting Hall of Famer Pat Summerall. Unselfish and a brilliant wordsmith. John never closed out his information gathering sessions with the teams that would be playing on any given weekend without turning to his production team and asking them, is your bucket full because they knew that his bucket would be full to the brim in preparation for that game if not overflowing.
You know, folks, yesterday the NFL community was further saddened by the death of Dan Reeves at the age of 77. The only person to appear in multiple Super Bowls as both a player and a coach. Reeves won a title as a running back and then, again, as an assistant with the Cowboys. As a head coach, he made four Super Bowl appearances leading the Broncos to the title game three times and losing to them once in Super Bowl 33 while finishing his career with the Falcons. Reeves also spent four seasons with the Giants where he coached our own Phil Simms back in 1993.
PHIL SIMMS: Well, J.B., I don't have the time to tell you everything I want to about Dan Reeves, but I'll just say this. The first meeting we had with him just kind of encompassed everything. He walked into the room, put his notepad down on the electric turn, looked at the football team, and he says, "Everybody sit up straight, put your feet on the ground, take those dang hats off." He had our attention. I whispered to Bart Oates, my center next to me. I said, Bart, we are going to win. A team with no expectations, we went 1-5, went to the playoffs won the playoffs game. Dan Reeves, a great person and a Hall of Fame coach.
BILL COWHER: I had a chance to meet Dan Reeves in league meetings my third or fourth year. We made an annual golf trip. I got into a car. There was Don Shula, Marty Schottenheimer, and Dan Reeves. I don't know if I was there to caddie for them or what, but I was like a fly on the wall. I'll say this about Dan Reeves. He became a mentor and a colleague, and he became a friend. This guy had over 200 wins. This guy has been to four Super Bowls. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
BOOMER ESIASON: That's right.
JAMES BROWN: I was about to say that, Coach. Our thoughts and prayers and condolences are with his family at this time. We'll have more "NFL Today" after this.
[Commercial]
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Welcome back to "The NFL Today" presented by the all new 2022 Grand Wagoneer. The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the sixth spot in the NFC playoff race. They'll look to solidify their position later today when they look to upset the Houstan Texans. Ryan Tannehill looks to hit the right notes as he faces his former squad from Miami. A big one in the AFC playoff race as the second seed Titans play host to red hot Dolphins in Nashville. If games with big playoff implications is your thing, then it doesn't get any better than this week. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs holding on to the top spot in the AFC against Joe Burrow and the surging Bengals.
>> Mahomes. Touchdown!
>> Thoroughly impressed by this time.
>> Formidable.
>> The Chiefs won eight straight. They win the AC West for a sixth consecutive year.
>> They're the most dangerous team in the league.
>> Burrow back to throw.
>> Higgins having a big day for Cincinnati.
>> What a day, Joe Burrow.
>> This is a franchise record 525-yard performance.
>> What an impressive performance by him.
>> He has his team right where they want them, and they have the Kansas City Chiefs.
>> The Chiefs headed to Cincinnati.
>> One of the biggest games in years for the Bengals.
>> Oh, baby! Unreal.
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Still a lot to be determined in the AFC. Up top Kansas City remains top dog with a decent chance to clinch that first round bye today, but the Titans can prevent that, wrap up the division with a win. The very same scenario applies to the Bengals and Buffalo controls its own destiny. In the wild card spots, the Colts are win and in. The Patriots and Dolphins are holding on for now. The rest of the West and the North remain on the outs. Things are a little clearer in the NFC. The top five seeds having already clinched a playoff berth. The Rams could permanently join the Packers, Cowboys, and Bucs coach in the top four by clinging and clinching the division today, but Arizona could hold them off with a win while the Eagles and Niners need victories to strengthen their cases. Meanwhile, the Vikes, Falcons, Saints, all still holding out hope for a wild card berth. Nate, your boy is breathing hard because I know --
NATE BURLESON: I see it, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: Hey, Joe Burrow and the Bengals open some eyes after a record day in last week's W, but now with the North on the line, it's time to put on their, if you will, big boy pants facing a Chiefs squad that's hotter than what, Nate?
NATE BURLESON: Fish grease.
BILL COWHER: They have to be able to win three consecutive games in a row. Knee not done this since 2015, which is the last time they went to the playoffs, and to me it comes down to Joe Burrow and that offensive line. Protecting Joe Burrow, they've given up 17 sacks, that being the offensive line the last four games, and Joe Burrow protecting the ball against a Kansas City defense that's hot as well.
BOOMER ESIASON: They are. Could you imagine a Madden telestrator for this game? All over the place because balls will be flying in the air, but the Chiefs' defense, 13 points a game. Joe Burrow and the Bengals are stepping up in class. Last week they played against a decimated Baltimore Raven defense. This should be a very tight ball game, and the question is whether or not, Nate, the young Bengals will hold on to the balm and not turn it over.
NATE BURLESON: You mention the Chiefs defense, two plus turnovers on the defensive side of the ball. They are opportunist, but Joe Burrow has a couple of good wide receivers. Tee Higgins and we know about Ja'Marr chase. Both over 1,000 yards. Tyler Boyd is 200 yards away from hitting that 1K mark. They could have three 1,000-yard wide receivers. It comes down to him taking care of the ball and taking those shots down field, but he has to be careful because that Chiefs defense will get after him.
PHIL SIMMS: When you look at the Cincinnati defense, number one, number two, number three, what's the main key for them? Keep Patrick Mahomes in the pocket, make him throw the football short, be a good tackling defense, and if you do want to play man-to-man coverage, two things they got to do. Double Tyreek Hill, which I think they will, and put somebody on Travis Kelce at the line of scrimmage and try to push him around so he can't get down the field so quick. Easy to say, but hard to do against this Kansas City offense, J.B.
JAMES BROWN: Miami has forced its way into the playoff picture with seven straight wings, but to stay in they'll have to make it eight this time against the Titans who are playing for the AFC South crown.
NATE BURLESON: This is about protection and protection. What do I mean by that? He is going to have to make sure he is upright. That Miami Dolphins defense during this win streak they're first in sacks. They get after quarterbacks and make them uncomfortable. The other protection, protect the football. Second most give-aways in the NFL. Ryan Tannehill, you have to take care of the rock.
BOOMER ESIASON: The seven game winning streak for the Dolphins, who are they? The combined record of the teams they have beaten in this streak 36-26. How about Tua, the last two games under 200 yards passing. They, too, much like the Bengals, are making a major step up in competition.
JAMES BROWN: Meanwhile, the Patriots are reeling after dropping the last two. Mac Jones could use a rebound game, if you will, against fellow rookie Trevor Lawrence and the Jags.
BILL COWHER: Question is has he hit the rookie wall? I've seen it with Ben Roethlisberger. He has thrown 2 interceptions in the last two losses that they have. This needs to be a get-right game for Mac Jones. Throw the ball early, often. Get his confidence back right now.
PHIL SIMMS: Coach said rookie wall. Whatever. For a quaterback, it is real. I lived it. Boomer, I think you said you did too. For Mac Jones, he has made some bad reads and missed throws the last couple of weeks. Today he needs to get back on track and get that confidence going once again.
BOOMER ESIASON: Kind of nice having Phil at home, isn't it? I had to get that in there.
JAMES BROWN: As teams around the league continue, Boomer, to deal with the impact of COVID-19, we have our "NFL Today" insider Jason La Canfora here to give us all the news and latest updates from around the league. Hello.
JASON LA CANFORA: Hey, J.B. The NFL followed the CDC's last week and altered their return to play protocols yet again. Under the new rules unvaccinated players can return in just five days, which is why Carson Wentz is able to start for the Colts today. However, Kirk cousins tested positive later in the week. He is out for the Vikings tonight. Judge Dr. Sills of the NFL said he expects an uptick for the next couple of weeks in positive results. Even with the new protocols in place.
The Titans, they expect all pro running back Derrick Henry back for the playoffs. This after he had foot surgery in November. In fact, I'm told Henry likely to return to practice this week. Trey Lance, the rookie, starts for the 49ers today. Jimmy Garoppolo's thumb injury, not long-term. Could be back next week, and it's Tyler Huntley back for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson still inactive with an ankle injury, and Big Ben Roethlisberger, he is preparing for what undoubtedly will be his final game at Heinze field on Monday. Big Ben hinted as much this week talk to the media. It's been an open secret in the organization. Ben's looming retirement. Nate, the Steelers have done a lot of work on this 2022 QB draft class. They're hopeful to find their next franchise QB in the spring.
NATE BURLESON: If you want to see football covered like never before, tap into NFL slime time to see this week's best slime light. Tune in every Wednesday at 7:00 eastern on Nickelodeon to see who joins Joe Burrow as the winner of the most fun trophy in sports, the MVP. Only on NFL slime time.
There he is, Mr. Big play Burrow faces K.C. today. Today is the biggest test of the young quarterback's career.
[Music]
>> Coming up on "The NFL Today", has as the new year begins, the NFC playoff picture starting to take shape, but which one of the top contenders do the guys think has the best shot of winning it all. The Titans A.J. Brown shined in his return to the field last week, and this week the star wideout sat down with coach to discuss the importance of finishing strong with the playoffs around the corner. After last week's big win against the Patriots at Foxboro, could this be the year the bills finally exercise their demons and make a deep postseason run? All that and more when "The NFL Today" on CBS returns.
"The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by the all new 2022 Grand Wagoneer.
[Commercial]
>> Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Madden's family.
>> We lost an icon.
>> You realize how much he touched the football world and all of us.
>> No one did it like he did it in terms of his ability to teach the fans the game on a layman's style that was entertaining.
>> I was so excited to meet him, be around him, to hear his voice in person. That was a big thrill.
>> The impact that John Madden made on not only the NFL but me and a lot of the players here in this league, it's tremendous.
>> And he brought a lot of people to the game. He brought a perspective to the game that was very unique.
>> He has always been very supportive, always been there, and he was a tremendous inspiration for me.
>> An amazing football legend. He meant a lot to the game. He entertained a lot of people and brought a lot of joy to a lot of people's lives. A great man. Lived a great life.
JAMES BROWN: For years our eye vision segments have been a cornerstone to our show. I know our guys relish the opportunity to break down and analyze the game in order to teach you, the viewer, just a little more about the sport that we all love. For a long time those segments weren't possible. Then, boom, John Madden popularized the use of the telestrator, so let's take a look back at Madden's best moments on the board.
>> I'll show you how I'm going to line them up. Right here. Solomon from this point starts out, runs a corner pattern here, and that's the one that got him down to the goal line.
>> Bert, he lines up cock-eyed. Off sides. It's okay. Line up anywhere you want. The safety comes over, and look at this middle here. That's the area that they're going to try and hit.
>> See, now, Boomer can take the ball here. He can roll out left.
>> It brings from the outside and, boom, two up the middle.
>> Tethered glimpse. It's tethered. These lines hold it still, so it stays there. This means nothing. That's the camera.
>> He comes here. Marshall, he comes here. Juan, he comes here. Where are you going to run on this thing?
>> Keith Bishop leads through here. I got too many in there.
>> Boom, boom, boom, keep going back like this.
>> You broke your chalk.
>> This is a father bucket. This is a mother bucket, and since the last game, they had a baby bucket, so this is a baby bucket.
>> This guy crosses here. He crosses here. They have no idea where we are, who we are, where we're coming from or who we're throwing to.
>> Scares me, but I understand it completely.
BILL COWHER: You talk about eye division. You talk about trying to give the fan a little bit of an understanding of the game, strategy of the game, the Xs and Os, the moves and counter moves. At the same time telestrating and showing the great skills that our NFL players have. To understand the game and appreciate the game is really to know the game. That's what we try to give the viewers a little bit of that insight.
JAMES BROWN: The nuances that you know all too well. Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: Well, J.B. and Coach, the telestrator with John Madden, it was about information and, of course, a lot of entertainment. Every Friday I would have meetings with him when he did our games. I would get on the chalkboard, draw up three or four pass plays. Why I think they would work and maybe big plays of the game. Come home after the game, watch the tape if we won, and see how he did with those plays. He would draw them up. I would put four lines on each play. He would put 20 lines, circles, arrows everywhere, and when we got done, I don't know what he did, but I looked at it and just, well, that was entertainment, and that was John Madden.
JAMES BROWN: Phil looks a little more animated away from us than when he is in the studio.
BILL COWHER: Sometimes Phil's eye visions have all those same lines going on too, where trust me.
JAMES BROWN: No doubt about it. With kickoff just about a half hour away time to set the scene for your game as we go to first on the field presented by Pepsi. The latest news and updates on your match-up.
JIM NANTZ: That was brilliant stuff out of the studio. It's going to be a chilly day to say the least here in Cincinnati with a game that has so much riding on it for Kansas City and the Bengals coming up. He didn't have a closer friend in the league than Andy Reid. We'll get into that in a bit. Andy Reid and the Chiefs have already clinched the division, the West for the sixth straight year. Mahomes and company on an eight-game win streak.
TONY ROMO: They're the favorite, and right now coming out of the AFC as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy and out there, and he is playing unbelievable football. Still went out there last week without Kelce and looked efficient.
JIM NANTZ: He is thrilled to have Kelce back. He comes back to the University of Cincinnati, where he went to school, and his presence is felt every single week he is in uniform.
TONY ROMO: Got to have a plan for him on third down and in the Red Zone. If you do, you'll give yourself a chance to stop Tyreek Hill. Who do we defend? Nobody, I guess, Jim.
JIM NANTZ: Zac Taylor and the Bengals have constructed something here that's kind of as exciting as the Chiefs when you are talking about the firepower and the offense starting with Joe Burrow.
TONY ROMO: He has done a great job. Zac Taylor, two years not so great. Third year needed to see is, and Joe Burrow really showing you you draft aid franchise quarterback.
JIM NANTZ: Somehow lost in a lot of this is the play of Joe Mixon. He is second in the league in rushing, 16 touchdowns on the year overall.
TONY ROMO: He is a fantastic weapon, and they used him a lot of different ways, and you'll see today it's pick your poison. It's who are you going to try to stop? It's not just him, Jim. There's a plethora of weapons out here as you see these two. Who are they, Jim in.
JIM NANTZ: I like that you went with plethora.
TONY ROMO: It's a big word for me, and they do have a plethora. Tee Higgins can catch the ball from all different angles, high point it. This is a tough unit to stop. They have a chance to beat the Chiefs.
JIM NANTZ: "NFL Today" continues in a moment.
[Music]
[Commercial]
JAMES BROWN: Next week is the season finale starting with the Saturday double-header over on ESPN at 4:30 and 8:15 eastern. Then Sunday brings a full slate of games here on CBS and Fox before the season comes to a close in Primetime on NBC.
Time now for pregame HQ delivered by Domino's. Bill Belichick certainly doesn't need anyone's validation, but, folks, while the last two weeks might have left with some with questions, don't be surprised if we see the very best, even more so, from the hoodie.
After beating New England last week, the Bills got the ultimate validation from the host of the Jim Rome show, which can be heard daily on CBS sports radio and CBS sports network, our guy Jim Rome.
JIM ROME: Hey, there. Just a minute ago we were regoating Bill Belichick and talking about seeing him go up against TB44 in the Super Bowl. Now it is the Buffalo Bills who control their own destiny in the division. Previous these are the Bills that we have been waiting on. The ones who came this close to the Super Bowl last year and it was fair to ask whether that crew was ever going to show up. And they finally did. Busted up in a hostile environment in the most important game of the season, they didn't just show up, they showed out. No one more so than Josh Allen. Now, that is that's what a franchise QB looks like, and that's what a Super Bowl contender looks like. Yes, today's match-up with Atlanta is the ultimate track game. Especially for a team prone to letdowns after big wins, but there is no way that happens now that the real Bills have shown up. Welcome to the party, pals. Better late than never.
Yes, I am the guy who has been hyping the Arizona Cardinals all season, and every time I see one of the legends at that desk, no names mentioned, Boomer Esiason, he reminds me of it. He is right to do so because now I have the same questions about Arizona. They're playing their worst possible ball at the worst possible time again. They look bad, and they're making me look bad. Things don't look good going up against a Dallas team that just hung 56 on Washington, but here is my question about the Cowboys. Are they really that good, or is Washington really that bad? I need to see that kind of effort against a desperate Cards team. Do that again, and I will believe they aren't just good enough to win the division, but good enough to rip the Lombardi. Niner fans are gripping, and they should be. Their crew came from ahead to lose to the Titans and beat themselves as much as Tennessee did. Actually, Jimmy Garoppolo did as much to beat them as the Titans did. Tossing two picks and missing a wide-open touchdown. Now he has a mangled thumb. I know Kyle Shanahan has figured it out a formula for winning. Nasty defense, win the turnover battle, and unleash Kittle and Deebo. He do need a quarterback of some sort. It's not clear if San Francisco has that right now.
Credit to the Texans for wrecking the Chargers last week, but no matter who is under center for the Niners, if they can't handle the Texans today in their house with the season on the line, they do not deserve to go to the postseason Gibbs the top competition in the NFC.
[Music]
>> Let's go!
>> Aaron Rodgers.
>> The Packers have done it very well.
>> Let's go!
>> Victory. Cowboys win.
>> There's one talented offensive football team.
[Music]
>> Touchdown, L.A.
>> L.A. has floated open, and the Rams have new life.
>> Let's go.
>> Rams not stopping now.
>> Your quarterback is as hot as Tom Brady, you're going to get wins.
>> Bucs win the NFC South.
[Music]
JAMES BROWN: Some very strong contenders. Atop the NFC, the Packers, Cowboys, Rams, and Bucs all loaded with talent begging the question:who are you most confident in?
BOOMER ESIASON: There's only one thing that makes me madder than Phil Simms, and that's a pass rush, and three of these teams have a great pass rush, and that would be the Bucs, Rams, and, of course, the Cowboys. I would be worried about those teams, but Aaron Rodgers is my guy. I feel like he is on a mission this year, much like Tom Brady was on a mission last year. Four numbers stick out to me. Number one in the NFC. That means home field advantage at Lambeau. 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions by the great number 12, Aaron Rodgers, up in Green Bay, and only 27 sacks. I'm going to ride my Super Bowl pick all the way to L.A. with Aaron Rodgers.
NATE BURLESON: I'm right there with you. It's the Green Bay Packers, and they're talented on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is their leader. He has only had two lackluster performances. Right out of the gate. We remember that game against New Orleans. He had zero TDs, two interceptions. They lost that game. Middle of November he had a bad game against Seattle, which they still won, but it's the defensive side of the ball that we're not talking about. They're sixth in take-aways, and they get Alexander back. I feel like it's the Packers.
BILL COWHER: Your defense will have 30 points in three of the last five weeks. That's the only thing that's waivering, but I tell you what, when you look at the Dallas Cowboys and L.A. Rams, both have won four straight. I'll say this about the Rams. Aaron Donald is starting to heat up. He has sick sacks in his four-game winning streak. Odell Beckham, four touchdowns, and Sony Michel, over 100 yards right now. This is a team that they went out and got these trades, these veterans are starting to fit into the system. The L.A. Rams are a team I would say right now they're peaking at the right time.
NATE BURLESON: Here we go. Here is Saquon Barkley in the words of Charles Barkley, they call this game terrible, but he has a couple of weeks left to prove that he is the man for the job in New York City.
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JAMES BROWN: Week 17 and 18 mark the first time the NFL will collectively highlight its commitment to its year-long social justice initiative Inspire Change. That focuses on reducing barriers to opportunity and creating progress in education, economic advancement, community and police relations, and criminal justice reform. Simply text NFLIC to 635635 to learn more. It takes all of us to advance social justice.
Remember, folks, A.J. Brown is like, what? 7-11 indeed. He lived up to that moniker last week by putting up all Madden type numbers. Our coach got some face time well the star receiver this week.
BILL COWHER: That's right, J.B. A.J. Brown major a triumphant return and dominating the defense in a huge win, and earlier this week I caught up with the Titans' young star and discussed everything from his relationship with Mike Vrabel to the importance of mental health for players across the NFL.
>> Tannehill drops. Pressure coming. He fires down field. Touchdown, it A.J. Brown. Welcome home.
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BILL COWHER: Let's talk about last week. Your first game in over a month. 16 targets, 11 receptions. Number one, how are you feeling?
>> I was out of breath majority of the game, but I was having fun, so I wasn't too tired when I needed a big catch or something.
BILL COWHER: What were your teammates saying to you on the sideline? Was there anything that gave you encouragement as you were sitting there trying to catch your breath?
>> As I was heating up, they were telling me keep going, keep carrying us, and we're glad you're back. I took the responsibility for myself just to give this team a spark.
>> I believe in you.
>> Why would you not?
BILL COWHER: You've had this great relationship with Ryan Tannehill. You both came there in 2019. It seems like you've just clicked. Talk with me a little bit about that, how that's evolved.
>> He is more than just my quarterback. I go over to his house. He comes over to my house, shoot pool. I'm glad he is my quarterback. He believes in me. I believe in him. I'm excited what the future holds for both of us.
BILL COWHER: You seem to have a very good relationship with Coach Vrabel. How is that?
>> It's a great relationship. Sometimes we bump heads, of course. You know Vrabel just as well as I do.
BILL COWHER: Yes.
>> He is a great coach and even better person.
BILL COWHER: A month ago you made a reference to a year it's been that you dealt with the mental health issues. You did a TikTok video, a press conference on it, and quite frankly, A.J., it was very powerful.
>> My name is A.J. Brown. I play for the Tennessee Titans. I'm nervous even to be saying this, but a year ago from today I thought about taking my own life. I had no more hope for better days, and everything was just going wrong for me. The reason why I'm sharing this message today to you is I'm still here, I'm still going, I'm still smiling. I got a lot of things to be grateful for.
BILL COWHER: What is your message about the mental health issues that are in our society today?
>> In the sports world we need to get rid of the stigma of being so tough and you can talk about whatever is going on with you, and if you are dealing with something, it's okay not to be okay. I was just so proud of myself, how far I have came. I just wanted to share the good news and I know people didn't really know what was going on behind closed doors, but that's what a lot of people do today. We put on a fake smile and just try to keep going, but life happens to everyone, so I just wanted to help someone, and I knew that video would help someone, most definitely.
BILL COWHER: Good luck to you the rest of the way, and continue to speak out on it because, you know what, you are so powerful of a platform you have and your message. Again, it's not just for players. It's pour for people out there. With our society where it is right now, people have a stigma about it and are afraid to talk about it, and you talking openly about it, it's going to be a difference in people's lives, and I mean that. Thank you for sharing your story because you're going to make a difference in somebody else's life.
>> All right. Thank you. Thank you so much.
BILL COWHER: I talked about Mike Vrabel. I believe Mike and I coming in at times, and a lot of players went up to the Coach and shut the door and talking about life and how they are at home. If a player is not good at home, he is not going to be good at work. For A.J. Brown to come out and use that platform, it isn't a stigma. It's a sign of courage. We all have to be very comfortable to have those uncomfortable conversations, and kudos to A.J. Brown for talking about this openly.
NATE BURLESON: I like that he says I'm always open, and maybe after listening to this that means something different. Being open about what you are going through. We're wearing these inspire change pins on our lapels to highlight the work that the NFL is doing in certain communities. Players can inspire change. I would encourage every athlete, every celebrity, influencer to share these issues because your private fight can become somebody's public strength, and if are you going through something at home, which a lot of you are, just remember, you will get through it, and when you do, you'll realize life didn't get easier. You just got stronger.
BOOMER ESIASON: Great advice, Coach. Nobody knows better than I do that you can take a platform that is the NFL or broadcasting platform and you can raise hundreds of millions of dollars and you can bring smiles to many people's faces, which I have done through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and my own foundation. I want to see A.J. Brown out there smiling and doing more and I appreciate him being open and honest with us, and inspiring change for the NFL and people who have those issues.
JAMES BROWN: I know, so much of the public probably wants to know more particulars about what A.J. was alluding to. That's not what's important. What's important is that they have a listening ear and coaches and staff and commend the NFL for its robust inspire the change despite all the criticism. This game is played by human beings.
NATE BURLESON: That's right.
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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 Chiefs and the Bengals. Let's get you out to Cincinnati with our announcers Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports