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JAMES BROWN: Tonight for the fifth consecutive year Arrowhead stadium in the site of the divisional round contest when Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills try to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and hello, everyone, and welcome back to Studio 43. I'm James Brown along with my colleagues here at the desk. Boomer Esiason, Nate Burleson, Nate Cowher, and Phil Simms. Over on NBC Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they are trailing the Rams in the fourth quarter, and the score there?
BOOMER ESIASON: 27-13. And Tom Brady has been under siege pretty much the whole game. They talk about our game coming up between Buffalo and Kansas City. I think back to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and how many great match-ups they had. They had 17 match-ups. Tom led that 11 wins to 6 losses. That's what I think of when I think of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Those type of players and that segment, we'll see what the future holds for both of them.
NATE BURLESON: These two quarterbacks are some of the best throwers in the league, so, of course, they're going to light up the sky with their arms, but to me this is about their legs. They can do it all. It's inside the pocket traditional quarterback play, and it's when they get outside the pocket and they extend those plays for wide receivers, and more specifically, Josh Allen, he turns into a running back when he tucks it.
BILL COWHER: They are exciting to watch. I go back into the two coaches in this game and the connection they can have. Sean McDermott coached 12 years under Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles. He started with Andy Reid, and he is going back for the second time a championship game and trying to beat his mentor. I remember going back trying to beat Marty Schottenheimer. I went back to Kansas City. Same place. Your mentor on the other sideline. It's something about that that takes you to another level. This is the team right now for Sean McDermott. We have to get the Kansas City Chiefs. They've been thinking about that since the last game they played last year, so I'm telling you what, I know the regular season took place, but now it's playoff time.
PLAYER 4: T.
PHIL SIMMS: You want to beat your friend. Beat the other quarterback. Trying to get both coaches, both aggressive, but get your quarterback off it a good start. For these two it could be many ways. Judge Josh Allen, run the football. Let him get hit. Get him into the game and make him settle down, and I think Andy Reid does an unbelievable job. His opening sequence of plays is always good. They drive down the field, and he gives his team a chance to score early.
JAMES BROWN: For a closer look at this game, we take you out now to Kansas City and check in with our announcers for tonight's game, the dynamic duo of Jim Nance and Tony Romo.
JIM NANTZ: Well, folks, it's going to be in the mid 30s, a mild day in January in Kansas City. The Chiefs get sit to host with the winner advancing and hosting the championship game next week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Along side with Tony Romo, and, listen, once this game kicks, we're down to only five teams still in the chase for the Lombardi trophy, and this is a special match-up.
TONY ROMO: It really is. We're going to talk about it from different angles. The rivalry that's developing between these two quarterbacks, this has a chance to really become the next thing. Brady-Manning for all those years. This is shaping up that way, but the Bills, they came in and won. They can do that again. They're good and talented and deep.
JIM NANTZ: That was week five. Speaking of the number five, they both come off five touchdown performances in the wild card round last week as each team put up over 40 points. These two, Josh and Patrick, they are coming in here operating at absolute Primetime best.
TONY ROMO: When you draft a quarterback, you're trying to change the organization, right? We have two guys that will be playing in games like this for the next decade, and they're playing great football right now, and if you are a fan of high level quarterback play, you're going to see it today.
JIM NANTZ: I always have been. I don't know about you, but I also like good running backs.
TONY ROMO: Would I agree with you.
JIM NANTZ: There's a running back for Kansas City in Jerick McKinnon who was something else last week. You got to watch this guy for the bills because look what he has done. Devin Singletary, the last five weeks, Tony, he has been a huge difference maker. They've won all these games.
TONY ROMO: Huge difference maker. What happens is teams really against the Chiefs and the Bills stopped wanting to give up big plays. They gave up two safeties deep. When they're back further away from the line of scrimmage, hand the balm off and get it to your running backs and the guys inside, and that's really done a world of difference for these two teams.
>> Kansas City and Buffalo met in the AFC title game. That's coming up later.
BOOMER ESIASON: Take a look at so many match-ups all over the field. Those guys were talking about. I think Micah Hyde are going to have their hands full. They to stop Travis Kelce. 108 yards and reception touchdown. A pass TD. Five receptions for the year. 92 receptions. 1,1125 yards and 9 touchdowns. You know, the thing about -- that I love about Kansas City, what they do is when they get into the Red Zone, there are so many different types of plays that they run, and I feel like sometimes they're bored in practice, and Eric Bieniemy goes back to the laboratory and says let me do a little of this and a little of that, and he gets everybody involved. That's one of the reasons why it's so exciting, I believe, to watch the Kansas City Chiefs.
NATE BURLESON: That's why it's to difficult to stop this offense. When you talk about Travis Kelce, he is a hybrid wide receiver/tight end. He can run routes just like any other wide receiver and get in and out of his breaks fast. He has great hands. All these physical traits that he has, that helps him get open, but what helps him be successful within his offense is the variety of ways that they use him. I've seen him run every route in the book. Even the routes that get him open before the play starts. We're talking about wide highs and premovement behind the line of scrimmage. That's why this is a difficult offense to stop.
BILL COWHER: We saw George Kittle and the impact he has last night. Dawson Knox, on the other side, you talk about another tight end who becomes a favorite of the quarterback. Particularly out of the pocket and improvising plays and trying to get on the same page. These two have that. They are developing that. I think you look in the two really good tight ends, yes, we talk about Travis Kelce, but Dawson Knox is becoming the guy right now for Josh Allen.
PHIL SIMMS: Yeah, he is.
JAMES BROWN: The Rams are taking on the Buccaneers. That game over on NBC. Right now the Rams are leading 27-13. 6:31 left in that game. Back to our guy, Phil.
PHIL SIMMS: Boomer is talking about all the ways they have to do -- try to score down in the Red Zone inside the 10. Andy Reid lets the players submit plays to him. He looks them over, make your case, and if it's good enough, he runs the play. Why? Get the players excited. Oh, it's my idea. Look what we're doing. It works a lot of times. Travis Kelce, talking about him, he was open in week five down the field. Mahomes missed him. He is a terrific target. He has played quarterback. He has run the option. He threw a pass for a touchdown, what, last week, so Travis Kelce can do it all, and that's just part of what they do to keep their players excited by doing those plays.
BOOMER ESIASON: One thing I've noticed the last couple of years is they've drafted defensive linemen high, and the reason that they've done that and the type of defensive linemen that they've added, extremely athletic, quick, and that's what you have to be if you want to go against the Kansas City Chiefs because number one, the quarterback is going to move all over the place, and number two, what are the Kansas City Chiefs down field? They're fast. You have to have top quality safeties, which they have, and they also have very active defensive linemen, and the reason you do that is so you can actually try to nullify some of the speed of Patrick Mahomes.
NATE BURLESON: They have to be disciplined. Both defenses really. When those ends rush upfield, you can't get too wide, and you can't get too deep down field because these quarterbacks will step up in the pocket, keep their helmet up, and they'll deliver the ball down the field. More importantly, they'll start going left to right, sideline to sideline, and that's why you get in trouble because as a wide receiver, I know I'm going into scramble rules which means one guy comes down to the quarterback, another guy goes to the sideline, and then there's one guy going deep, and that's where Patrick Mahomes really will destroy you.
BILL COWHER: He will, and a quick passing game has been a big part of their offense, and they got speed. I think the biggest factor tonight could be tackling. That secondary of the Buffalo Bills. They're going to be out many space. He will get it out of his hands quickly because of the pass rushers they have. The tackling and the open space. Tyreek Hill and Hardman, and Jerick McKinnon. These are guys out of the back field, they get the ball in their hands, they can make a big play.
PHIL SIMMS: When you have a fast defense, usually leads to good tackling. We can close the gaps. To go back to your point, and the last four years Sean McDermott and Brandon bean have drafted five defensive linemen, and you are right. Why did they do all this? They're trying to beat the enemy, and one of those enemies is the Kansas City Chiefs. You need defensive linemen, rotate them in there, and keep chasing them.
NATE BURLESON: One of those enemies is Eric Bieniemy.
PHIL SIMMS: Yes.
JAMES BROWN: You don't want to see this is an indication that the guys have their buckets full. They are ready to talk about this match-up and we will get all into that. Right now we'll step aside for a quick timeout, and "The NFL Today" will be back in a moment.
(Commercial)
>> In order to be the best, you got to beat the best, so --
>> It's obviously pretty cool to be in that conversation with a player who has won MVP and won a Super Bowl already. He has done all the major things that you want to accomplish in your career.
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>> He is a tremendous player. They put a lot on his shoulders, and he rises to the occasion, and he is able to run the ball.
>> The juke move.
>> Throw the ball.
>> Allen. A laser beam.
>> He has the arm strength to throw it anywhere on the football field, and he makes great decision.
>> Josh Allen throws it right. Mahomes is fired up.
>> What a play. Amazing. Mahomes.
>> This is all Josh Allen. All Josh Allen.
>> The Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs collide.
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JAMES BROWN: It is the perfect evening for football in Kansas City, Missouri. 34 degrees, clear skies. You know what, a sense of deja vu in Arrowhead Stadium 364 days after losing in the AFC Title game. The four seed Buffalo Bills relishing the opportunity to take down the mighty two seed, Kansas City Chiefs.
PHIL SIMMS: Week five against Kansas City. Josh Allen accounted for 374 yards. Today facing a better Kansas City defense.
BILL COWHER: Patrick Mahomes, we think he has hit his stride in the last five games. Patrick, 17 touchdowns and one interception. A master of extending plays.
NATE BURLESON: There's Stefon Diggs, one of the best route runners in the NFL. Since joining the Bills, seven catches per game. Josh Allen will look for him early and often.
BOOMER ESIASON: Here's one of the best football players in all the NFL. Travis Kelce, he has 92 receptions this year, 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns for that explosive Kansas City offense.
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JAMES BROWN: Hello, and folks, and welcome to "The NFL Today" presented by Ram Trucks. I'm James Brown. This is the second of back-to-back days in Studio 43 delivering compelling playoff action along side my esteemed colleagues two-time champ and Super Bowl MVP, that will be Phil Simms. Need more to be said other than the Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. The Emmy Award-winning Nate Burleson, and former league MVP and the captain of the "Bengals Bandwagon," Boomer Esiason.
PHIL SIMMS: Boomer is mad because they showed me first.
BOOMER ESIASON: You read my mind.
NATE BURLESON: He was surprised, though.
JAMES BROWN: I think I speak for everyone when I say you couldn't have asked for a more exciting start to divisional round weekend. Last night in Green Bay San Francisco special teams, Bill, came up big helping the Niners to upset the Packers 13-10. They now advance to the NFC Championship game where they will meted the winner of today's Rams-Buccaneers match-up.
Speaking of upsets, Bengals rookie Evan McPherson knocked in four field goals including the game-winner as the Natty punched his ticket to the AFC Championship Game, 19-16 over the number one seed Tennessee Titans.
Folks, we will find out who joins them in that game after tonight's marquee match-up right here on CBS when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs host Josh Allen and the red hot Bills, winner of five in a row. You know what, it could be an explosive rematch between possibly the two most gifted signal callers in the league leading two dynamic offenses and, Nate, it seems like this one is personal.
NATE BURLESON: J.B., you mentioned that loss a year ago. I want to show you something. I'm not sure people remember this, but after the Bills loss, check out Stefon Diggs. Instead of going into the locker room, he decided to stay out there. Here's the thing. He wanted that to sit in his spirit, soak in so he can feel it. Two types of players in the NFL. You guys know this. There's one guy who takes the L. He doesn't care. Checks still clear. He got the big house, fancy car. He is ready to book his vacation. Then there's other guys when they lose, it means everything to them. Stefon Diggs is one of those guys. He wanted to see those guys celebrate. He wanted to know what it feels like to be on the losing end. In this game he is trying to change that, and I know his quarterback is going to be looking for him all day long.
PHIL SIMMS: Yes, he is, but motivation, seeing where we have to go. Josh Allen, look, we were talking about the modern day quarterbacks. He has great size and mobility, and he has a powerful right arm. Both of these quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, they led their teams in rushing in week five, so that tells you something about what they can do, but they got to find a way to keep both of these quarterbacks in the pocket. I just say to them, good luck.
BILL COWHER: You talk about that week five where Buffalo came into Kansas City and got that win. It was regular season, but also in that game the Kansas City defense did not have this guy right here, Melvin Ingram and did not have Chris Jones, did not have Tre'Davious White. That forced Steve Spagnolia to have to blitz and not be the four-man rush. When you go against Josh Allen, you give him time and rush lanes, he will extend plays. You look at the Buffalo offense, you're going against a defense in Kansas City that has a lot more players than they did before.
BOOMER ESIASON: You know, guys, the Buffalo Bills have been ascending for four years under Josh Allen and Sean Mcdermott. The problem that they have today is they're going against Patrick Mahomes, who is 6-1 in the playoffs. That one loss came to the Patriots when he didn't get the ball back in overtime, and Tom Brady did. Look at those numbers. 20 touchdowns, one interception. He is virtually unbeatable at Arrowhead stadium in the playoffs. You can say whatever you want. I like Josh Allen. I love where the Bills are going, but this guy right here, Patrick Mahomes, he knows how to defend his home turf.
NATE BURLESON: No doubt about it. He knows how to start off a game. What do I mean by that? He is going to go to his bread and butter, Travis Kelce. I call him a hybrid wide receiver/tight end. He can run routes like a wide receiver, and high-point the ball. He is very physical. He is a better blocker than people give him credit for, and they also scheme plays to make it ease why are for him.
BILL COWHER: This guy right here, you talk about being explosive and you talk about having to be able to tackle well. That's Tyreek Hill. They move him all around and try to get the ball in his hands. He is a playmaker. You couple him with Jerick McKinnon. Two of the -- they simply don't give up a lot of big plays, but Tyreek Hill can really challenge you.
PHIL SIMMS: Who is the number one team in the AFC? The Kansas City Chiefs. The Buffalo Bills have done a good job over the last couple of years. Building their football team to beat teams like Kansas City. Over the last four years, they've drafted five defensive linemen. They played nine defensive linemen in week five against Patrick Mahomes because they want dudes chasing him because they know he is going to get outside the pocket, and you need that speed, that depth, and everything. They have it to chase him around and maybe make it happen today.
JAMES BROWN: A lot of gifted talent on both of these squads. Most people feel like that. We'll be seeing a lot of these two squads for the foreseeable future. Speaking of futures, you know what, there may be some guys who are questioning their own future. With that in mind, let's check in with Jason La Canfora.
JASON LA CANFORA: Indeed. Aaron Rodgers with will meet with Packers officials next month to discuss his future, but a return to Green Bay is far from certain. They face a serious cap crunch and won't be able to keep all their free agents. Retaining Davante Adams, however, is a must if they want Rodgers back. The reining MVP already made it clear he is not interested in a rebuild if Rodgers is dealt. The Broncos may be the team to beat.
Tom Brady's future also very very much in doubt. Those who know Brady well tell me they would not be surprised if he retires this offseason. Some of Brady's teammates have intimated that they believe this is the end for the quarterback no matter how the season concludes. The Bucs won't be able to keep their entire team together for 2022. Brady turns 45 in August. And Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is the only one of Andy Reid's assistants to get a head coaching interview so far this year. Bieniemy met with the Broncos, but at this point it's more likely that he is back with Patrick Mahomes next year, beam.
BOOMER ESIASON: 45 is the new 25. Teacher and pupil, that's Andy Reid and Sean McDermott. Sean McDermott worked for abandonee Reed in Philadelphia as they were with the Eagles together.
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Announcer: Straight ahead on "The NFL Today". Two of the NFL's best young stars shine bright on wild card weekend, and tonight Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen go head-to-head to find out who will move on to host the AFC championship game next Sunday. With the help of rookie kicker Evan McPherson, the Bengals went into Nashville and upset the Titans. While at Lambeau the 49ers brushed off the cold and shocked Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Find out who the guys think will wear the Cinderella slipper all the way to Super Bowl 56. That's all coming up when "The NFL Today" returns on CBS.
"The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, GD power's number one brand in new vehicle quality. Built to serve.
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JAMES BROWN: Is there a quarterback with more responsibility than Josh Allen? You know, this team relies on him to make so many plays with his arms and his legs. In fact, during most games, if you look closely, you can see the entire city of Buffalo riding on his back.
Let's take a look at some surprisingly great plays presented by State Farm.
>> Super wild card weekend. Temperature currently 7 degrees.
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>> Fires one into the end zone. Caught. How did he make that happen?
>> The Bills strike first.
>> To the end zone. Touchdown!
>> There he goes. Oh, the juke move.
>> Allen back to throw. Sanders, he has got it.
>> Touchdown, Buffalo again.
>> Highlight after highlight.
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BOOMER ESIASON: What a game Josh Allen had last week against New England. Take a look at these numbers. For my money maybe one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history, and certainly he is weather-proof, as he proved once again. Now, tell us why, and you saw this four years ago from this young man, why he is now jumped up into being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL?
PHIL SIMMS: He has experience. Let's see. He is really big. He is really fast when he runs the football, and he has a great arm. I don't know how he is doing it.
Here's one play I love. He does a little pump-fake to the left. Why does he do that? He knows the corner is looking at him and the receiver at the same time. J.C. Jackson relaxes a little bit. He gets the ball thrown over his head. Watch this, just to show you the arm strength and athletic ability. Moving left, throwing right to Gabriel Davis across the field. One of the most powerful arms in the NFL, without question. Then if you pressure him in the pocket, him and Patrick Mahomes, they're not afraid to run, be physical, and in the open field, Matt Judon, you have no chance of getting him. He has everything you want in a quarterback, and I think the Buffalo Bills do a great job of using him that way.
BOOMER ESIASON: For four years he has been one of our favorite topics on "The NFL Today". Coach has to figure out how to stop him. Let's go over to J.B., Coach, and Nate.
JAMES BROWN: There are times when Josh Allen looks like he cannot be contained, so what can Chiefs defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnolia, do to slow down the young super star.
NATE BURLESON: These are two of the most dynamic quarterbacks the league has seen. Most pass TDs on the run. Josh Allen at the top of the list right above Patrick Mahomes, but it's about Josh Allen with 14, Coach. Here's the thing, he can do it all, inside the pocket, but it's outside the pock where he really kills you where, how do you stop him.
BILL COWHER: There are two things, too. It's when he is passing the ball, he have to contain him and keep him in the pocket. They design plays to get him out there as a running back. You look at Steve Spagnolia. You have to mix-up the blitz. You have to be able to play a four-man rush. They have Chris Jones back. They didn't have him the last game. They have Melvin Ingram, who they picked up in the trade deadline. They can put pressure on the quarterback. Charvarius Ward, the best corner did not play last time. You can't blitz this guy often, Nate, because he will beat you. You have be to disciplined and have integrity in the rush lanes going against him when you're not blitzing. You have to mix it up. Josh Allen is a leading rusher, he is a thrower, and makes plays outside the pocket.
NATE BURLESON: The "Honey Badger" is one of those guys that's going to be focussed on Josh Allen. They treat him almost like a spy safety sometimes. They'll put him down in that box. On the flip side, Coach, I'm looking at that Bills defense trying to figure out how they're going to stop Patrick Mahomes, right?
BILL COWHER: The Bills defense is pretty good. They have done it all season long. They're number one in terms of touchdowns allowed, completion percentage, and yards per attempt because they do a great job with Leslie Frazier. They have great experience. They're coordinated together.
NATE BURLESON: You mentioned discipline, and it's perfect for guys like Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. These guys oftentimes when a quarterback leaves the pocket, it's easy to get fixated on the QB, but you can't do that. You have to keep your eyes on the wide receiver because what we do, we go into scramble rules. It's going to be one guy going to the sideline, one guy coming back to the quarterback, and then another guy going right over your head, and that's where Mahomes loves to take those shots down field. You have to have discipline, Coach.
BILL COWHER: It's called eye discipline.
NATE BURLESON: Oh, eye discipline. Hanging out with the wife and a pretty girl walks by. It's eye discipline. I'm not looking. I'm looking straight.
JAMES BROWN: You know what, Nate just ad libs so wonderfully. What about Patrick Mahomes?
NATE BURLESON: There's Mahomes. Emphasis on homes. When he plays in K.C. in the playoffs, 20 TDs and just one interception.
BILL COWHER: I have my eyes on you.
JAMES BROWN: Eye discipline.
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Announcer: "The NFL Today" is sponsored by Jersey Mike's Subs. Be a sub above. Verizon, the official 5G network of the NFL and by Ram Trucks, J.D. Power's number one brand of new vehicle quality.
JAMES BROWN: Well, folks, when you talk about guys with game breaker ability, these two must be near the top of the list. You heard Nate talking about Stefon Diggs already. Tyreek Hill, the two of the best of the game, and with a propensity to always get open, folks. They are both a quarterback's dream and a D.B.'s nightmare.
Time for pregame HQ delivered by Domino's.
>> McPherson trying to kick the Bengals into the AFC Championship.
>> That guy is unbelievable. Give a little warmup swing, and he said, looks like we're going to the AFC Championship.
>> McPherson, he's good!
>> It's a kicker's dream to have the game on your shoulders and just to go out there and execute.
>> They are going to the AFC championship game.
>> Let's go!
>> Next round, going to win the championship. We're not done.
>> When we said in our talent advantage on this team.
>> It's a San Francisco touchdown.
>> We thought they had an opportunity to possibly win us a game.
>> Kick is good. San Francisco has stunned Green Bay.
>> All I got to say is, we not done yet.
>> Let's go!
>> Yeah, I mean, a little numb for sure. Didn't think it was going to end like this.
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JAMES BROWN: Yesterday the road teams got out of the mud. Yes, I'm trying, Sammy. With a couple of hard-fought victories, and Cincinnati returns to the AFC Championship game for the first time since, who was there then, 1988?
BOOMER ESIASON: That would be me.
JAMES BROWN: Perhaps the bigger upset of the Niners silencing the hopes of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers yet again.
PHIL SIMMS: They did a great job in the last drive of the game, the 49ers' offense. Their big guys came through, and when you watch it, the big moment they made the plays. Here it is the last drive. George Kittle, five wide receivers. One-on-one against Campbell, the linebacker. Easy completion. Good job by Jimmy G. Garoppolo looks right. Nobody open. Comes back to the back side, and finds Deebo Samuel for a big first down. And then this. Third and seven. Deebo Samuel making a great run to get them in field goal position, and then Robbie Gould, these kickers are hot this weekend. He puts it right through the middle, and it's an upset by the San Francisco 49ers.
BILL COWHER: Not all the kickers are hot, Phil. When you that you can about that game last night with San Francisco, they got a verdict of their special teams. Green Bay Packers, it was the blunder. Ended the first down. A block right there about Jimmy Ward on the field goal. Then with four minutes to go in the game, you see Jordan Willis block it, and you see the recovery. Take it in for a touchdown. The only touchdown of the game. Tied it up and then certainly you saw the game-winning field goal before. Two blocked kicks really cost them for the Green Bay Packers and a chance to move on.
NATE BURLESON: Who made this Packers' offense good is that they can Nickel and dime you all game long.
BILL COWHER: Yeah.
NATE BURLESON: Then they're very selective when they take the shots down field, which Aaron Rodgers does. They lull you to sleep, and then, boom, hit you down field. That 49ers defense, they suffocated that and took away the intermediate routes, which basically had Aaron Rodgers back there padding the ball, holding on to it and even second guessing himself be he was trying to make some plays. Credit to that defense. They really took away one of the biggest strengths that that Packers offense has.
BOOMER ESIASON: I credit Jimmy Garoppolo for playing with a bad thumb. Everybody forgets that. It's 0 degrees and the snow and the wind and everything else and making some key throws at the end. I know the drama of Aaron Rodgers begins. Is he going to be in Green Bay next year? Is he going to play next year? All of that stuff is yet to be determined, and we'll just start getting into all of that, but this is a massive failure by the Green Bay Packers. I don't know how else you can put it. Aaron has played maybe his best football the last three years and really has nothing to show for it when it comes to playoffs. Think about this. If Tom Brady beats the Rams today, that means Tom Brady would have more playoff victories in the NFC playoffs than Aaron Rodgers. That is crazy when you think about that.
NATE BURLESON: Didn't it seem like the writing was on the wall as soon as he walked off that field? It just seemed like it was a wrap. The era of Aaron Rodgers playing for the Green Bay Packers, it's over. It's unfortunate. I played against Aaron Rodgers, and I love seeing him in that green and yellow. He kicked my butt epileptic of times when I was playing for the Detroit Lions. It just seems like this was the last step, I guess.
BILL COWHER: For Aaron Rodgers he is talking about winning championships, and when else is going to be any better than being in the NFC North.
NATE BURLESON: Nowhere.
BILL COWHER: Can they keep this team together? Davante Adams, they're going to have to sign him. They have a number of free agents that are up. My sense right now with Aaron Rodgers, I think we've seen the last snap of him in a Green Bay packer uniform.
NATE BURLESON: For sure.
BILL COWHER: I think he is going to contemplate his retirement. Like you said, Boom, they've never had a better scenario than right now. Home field, playing at home, and, yet, they can't get over that hump to get to another Super Bowl. Whether -- I don't think it's a rebuild either. They're going to have to be something or concessions made that goes to a team that's going to contend.
PHIL SIMMS: My question is always with the Green packers, can their defense stand up and make it happen against a physical team? Their defense was spectacular last night. It was the offense. Aaron Rodgers said it after the game. We only got ten points. How do we do that? Boomer, you said it right. We laughed about the San Francisco 49ers' pass rush against Dallas. They were all over Green Bay. They were condensing that pocket, and Nate, he couldn't get those easy throws to the outside, which he is usually having. I thought he got a little rattled where, when you start getting hit a lot, what do you expect the next play? To get hit again.
JAMES BROWN: You used the word spectacular as well. That defines the game between the Rams and Buccaneers, and it's a final.
BOOMER ESIASON: The Buccaneers came all the way back thanks in large part to four fumbled and thin Cooper Kupp right down the middle of the field, and now Matthew Stafford has to run down, spikes the ball. Here comes Matt Gay. The Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers. Round three between those two next week out in SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Man, what a comeback by the Buccaneers.
JAMES BROWN: Isn't this what you like to see divisional round playoffs. All three games decided by game-winning field goals.
BILL COWHER: Are we having the same conversation with Tom Brady? Did we see the last play of Tom Brady in the Tampa Bay buccaneer uniform? You talk about, again, man, to go back through this and this kind of game at home to lose this type of game like he just did, that question has been talked about. A lot of people are questioning that. I'm not so sure that we're not going to see -- we've seen the last of Tom Brady as well.
PHIL SIMMS: I agree with you, Coach. I think too. Go back to that game, Matt Stafford. Can he come through to the clutch and make the big throw? Well, for one more week he can live, and everybody will get off his case.
NATE BURLESON: 42 seconds left they gave him the ball.
PHIL SIMMS: Got him as he was throwing it to Cooper Kupp. Good job by Matt Stafford.
JAMES BROWN: You have talked about Travis Kelce being a hybrid. Narrate over Kelce as we head to break before we head back here. Travis Kelce, one of the best tight ends in the business where. He is going to be able to do it all today. May even throw a touchdown too.
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JAMES BROWN: So the anticipation level rising there in Arrowhead stadium, folks, as we approach kickoff to this AFC heavy weight brawl. That between the Bills and the Chiefs. Time now to deliver our game day picks presented by Amazon. The question is will we see a repeat of what happened here a year ago, Phil?
PHIL SIMMS: I know to know are we going to see the game we're expecting to see? I'm taking the Buffalo Bills 30-28 over the Kansas City Chiefs.
BILL COWHER: I go back and forth in this game. Maybe who has the ball last. I don't know. I just see Josh Allen and the look in his eye the last couple of weeks and the focus that they've had, and that picture of Stefon Diggs from a year ago. I think they're going back to that same path. I am going to take Buffalo with a late field goal.
NATE BURLESON: Patrick Mahomes is really good when he plays at K.C. in the playoffs. I feel like this is going to be a high-scoring affair. I have the Kansas City Chiefs winning 42-28.
BOOMER ESIASON: You know what, guys, I want to go to Jim Kelly's house for a party because nobody throws a better party than Jim Kelly in Buffalo. We've all been there, so you know what I'm talking about and a rematch of the 1988 AFC championship game between the Bills and Bengals in Buffalo. I'm going to go with the Buffalo Bills 34-31. This game is going into overtime.
PHIL SIMMS: I was never invited to those parties, so I wasn't there.
JAMES BROWN: You were just pretty straight then, huh?
PHIL SIMMS: I wasn't invited.
BILL COWHER: If I have to think about a player to they that's emerged in the Buffalo Bills offense that I think has to get involved early it's Isiah McKenzie. He reminds me of a Kansas City receiver. His speed, they get the ball in his hands on his reverses. He is the one guy that will give you an explosive play any time he touches the ball. Devin Singletary has emerged, but Isaiah McKenzie could be a fact O.
PHIL SIMMS: That's one thing about their Buffalo offense, they widen the scope of who gets the football. McKenzie, Gabriel Davis, Singletary. It's been good. Focus will be on the play calling as well. How creative can you be? We know that K.C. loves to throw wrinkles in their game plan, so I'm really curious to see if they're going to have anything new or something that we haven't seen.
JAMES BROWN: You have also talked about the maturation of these two quarterbacks. Talk about what incremental progress we've seen?
BILL COWHER: Brian DABOL has done a great job with Josh Allen. To me Sean McDermott has made this entire season personal. I don't care what anybody says. I just feel like the Buffalo Bills are on this trajectory to get there, to either get to the Super Bowl, I believe. I really do believe that. Josh Allen has grown into the quarterback that you and I both thought he would be when he was drafted perfectly by the Buffalo Bills.
PHIL SIMMS: Josh Allen has matured every single year. Patrick Mahomes, when they put him on the field, he was ready. I mean, right from the start, he just started ripping it up, and the guy, the way he played at Texas Tech, all those throws, it was just a great experience for him.
BILL COWHER: For Patrick Mahomes, I talk about him being patient. Don't try to force the big play. Take what the defense gives you. That may be running the football with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is back healthy for the first time, and the short passing game. I go back to the same thing. The tackling of the Buffalo Bills will be imperative because they have speed and explosive players. That being the Kansas City Chiefs at the skill position.
NATE BURLESON: I think there's a certain wrecklessness that both quarterbacks play with. Josh Allen has learned to live to play another down. We saw earlier this season Patrick Mahomes doing a bit too much. I just feel like the lights are bright. These quarterbacks might try to put too much on the shoulders if they can dial it back at the right moments, they'll be okay.
BILL COWHER: Do you think Jim Kelly is watching, boys?
BOOMER ESIASON: We're coming, Jimmy. We're coming.
JAMES BROWN: We'll see you back here at halftime. Kickoff is just minutes away. Bills-Chiefs, the rematch. Coming up next!
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports