REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
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REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
CFPlayoff Chaos, Chargers/Eagles & Week 14 Fallout w/ Eric In LI
We challenge a broken CFP selection logic, debate power resumes, and lay out how TV windows suffer when blowouts are baked in. Then we turn to NFL Week 14 chaos, diagnose the Eagles’ offensive identity crisis, and spotlight rising threats in Green Bay and Denver.
• why auto bids for group-of-five distort the playoff field
• Notre Dame’s path blocked by ACC tiebreaks and timing
• Alabama’s best-win argument versus Georgia’s momentum
• Indiana’s defense as a title-caliber blueprint
• Texas Tech’s portal-fueled defense and Oregon’s edge
• Eagles’ shotgun overuse, O-line injuries, and under-center success rates
• AFC North volatility and Lamar’s limited rushing impact
• Jordan Love’s growth and Packers’ balanced profile
• Week 15 watchlist: Packers at Broncos, Bills at Patriots, Lions at Rams
• Chiefs wobbling, Chargers’ shot to swing the AFC
• Philip Rivers’ return risk calculus
• Rangers’ narrowing window, Dodgers reload, OKC surge
And welcome everybody to another episode of Real Talk. Doc. You doing all right today?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, I am, and we're blessed to have a special guest, man. Do the intro, Marvin.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely. So uh it was a I hate to have him on in these circumstances, uh, especially with what happened, what what took place in LA Monday night. But uh Eric in Long Island joins us. What's up, Eric? How you doing, man?
SPEAKER_01:I'm doing good, guys. Appreciate you having me back on again. Always a pleasure.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely.
SPEAKER_02:100%. So, Doc, you know, that there was a lot that happened uh over the course of this past uh weekend with with college football and everything with the playoffs. So I'm not even going to set this up. I'm gonna let you go on your rant, and we will go from there. So, Doc, the floor is yours.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, man, I tell you, Eric, you I think you'll agree for the most part that I've never seen a committee relative to college football screw it up so bad, man. They just screw this thing up when we had the BCS era, you know. I don't know why they say they're gonna get the 12 best team, Eric and Marlon, and they put James Madison University in there, pretty much known for basketball, and then you got Tulane. Now, to for for um reference, both of those schools are 21-point underdogs to their respective teams next week, you know? 21-point dogs, Eric. And I got a problem with that. Not that I'm a Notre Dame fan, but they got to get this thing correct, man. There's no sense in the and and no, it doesn't make any sense, Eric, that you had Notre Dame ahead all during the beat uh during the um committee's rankings for the last six weeks, and all of a sudden they're not in. You know, you put James Madison in. Nobody wants to watch a 21-pointer underdog. I think James Madison playing Oregon and and Tulane. And not only that, the coaches are leaving. They're leaving. Now, it is one of those things where they got to find a better system. I mean, they're talking about expanding the 16 uh games next year. And I'm a college fanatic, Eric, for the record, man. I am happy that Georgia smashed Alabama. And you can make the case that Alabama, even though they lost by 21, you know, they shouldn't be in. Uh they stayed at number nine. So what purpose was the SEG title game other than going on Kirby Smart's mantle? And I'm proud about that. Alabama's had our our um you know number the past two years, one and seven, whatever the record is under Kirby Smart, but they stayed at nine. They stayed at number nine in the CFP rankings before the game and after the game after we dismantle them. But the main thing for me, Eric, is that, you know, uh Notre Dame didn't make it, you know, and and and James Madison did. I got a problem with that. They're not the 12 best teams, but you're a 21-point dog. Plus, their coaches are leaving. And Tulane, too. What the hell is that, fellas? You know? Bring it, Eric.
SPEAKER_01:You know, Doc, listen, I I'm I'm totally agreement with you on this. Uh, I look at it this way. Obviously, you want the 12 best teams. The first thing they need to do is get rid of the group of five conference champions, right? I mean, you take the 12 highest ranked teams, and those are the 12 teams that they should have been in. I think also to, you know, Notre Dame's point where this really went wrong for them is when the ACC decided they're gonna go to some tiebreaker between five different teams, and somehow Duke got into the game instead of Miami. Because if Miami's playing Virginia last Saturday night, and Miami probably is anywhere from a 10 to a 14-point favorite in that game, they're gonna be in Virginia, and that's gonna open up a spot for Notre Dame. So the ACC's, in my mind, screwed Notre Dame. I know Notre Dame's affiliated with the ACC outside, you know, pretty much everywhere outside of football. They didn't do them any favors. But Doc, to your point, nobody needs to see Tulane going up against Ole Miss again. They played in the regular season. Ole Miss beat them 45 to 10. I mean, you know. And and the same thing with James Madison. Listen, James Madison going to Oregon and being a three touchdown underdog on, you know, on that Saturday night of the December 20th. I mean, let's be honest. I mean, no one's watching that game when you got Packers and Bears in the NFL going on at the same time on Fox, where that game is on TNT, kind of hidden, because nobody's gonna care about that game. So I like I said, I think they need to do away with the group of five teams. Put the h highest ranked 12 teams regardless of what conference you're in. If that means you have eight SEC teams and four other teams, so be it. The goal is to get the highest the best 12 teams. And right now the system is broken, which doesn't allow for the 12 highest, highest best teams. You know that?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's a disgrace, Marlon. Uh, you're not really in the college, but I I tell you what, Eric, and that's a very good point. I didn't think about just had the 12 highest teams ver verbatim, you know, it doesn't matter. Uh, but it's one of those things where, you know, as you reference, nobody against the NFL and and and guys are playing for postseason seedings and all that in the league, and you put these games on 21-point dogs, it's an absolute disgrace. Now, Marlin, before I finish, and and and Eric, I I am extremely proud of what Kirby Smart did against Alabama as a reference. You know, I got fans in the family and my friends, some of them are Birmingham fans, Alabama fans from Birmingham. But the Ohio State Indiana game was a classic that night, and I love it because Indiana and Kirk Cinetti, Eric, I think you'll agree. Nobody really knows what Indiana is. You know, they're undefeated for a reason. And you can say the Big Ten is down, they only have two or three teams, but they beat Ohio State. It was an ugly game, and I'm into the 13. They don't have to be 44-41 for me. But, you know, that it goes noted, man. They shut down those two dynamic receivers and Kate and um Jeremiah Smith. And they're gonna be I I'm picking Indiana versus Georgia for the Natty. Of course, I'm biased. Your take, Eric.
SPEAKER_01:No, I would agree with you. Uh, that Indiana defensive performance on Saturday night in Indianapolis was was tremendous, especially, you know, uh holding Julian Sayon and Jeremiah Smith down. Uh, I mean, listen, everybody knows Indiana is a basketball school, but when Signetti got there in the last couple of years, what he's done has been absolutely remarkable. Uh those are making those are his stats may not be pretty, but when it comes to making some big-time plays when you have to make them, he does make them. You look at the Oregon game this year, the Penn State game. He made a couple of big throws on Saturday night against the Buckeyes. I'm very impressed with Indiana. And Doc, I'm totally agreeing with you. If I had to pick a national championship game right now, I'm taking your Bulldogs led by Kirby Smart going up against Indiana. And to me, that would be an absolute classic chess match, fourth quarter type of game. That can go either way. And I'll leave you with this with the NFL, uh, with the uh with the college. I'm I I think Alabama has to make the tournaments. The best win anybody's had all season or regular season was Alabama winning at Georgia on that Saturday night in September. So I'm glad they got Alabama in, even though they got whacked the other night. But Indiana, Georgia, sign me up for that. Come uh January 19th.
SPEAKER_00:That's a very good point relative to Alabama, and thank you for uh supporting Georgia and Indiana, right? Uh, because that loss still hurts me. It was in Athens, Marlon, and it's one of those things where we were favored by two and a half to three, and they came and kicked our ass, you know. Now both teams had injuries. I know Alabama was missing the kitten Miller at running back and his backup, but we were missing our starting center and a linebacker. So this time of year, Eric, it's gonna be some things, and and we're gonna get healthy now because uh Georgia has a bye, as well as Indiana, Ohio State. Uh, I want your take, Eric, before we leave this college football thing. Texas Tech. I really didn't watch the Big 12. What is it? I know they got a defense. What about this freshman quarterback? Is it lighting fire? Have you watched Texas Tech and all, Eric, real quick?
SPEAKER_01:I've I've seen Texas Tech a couple of times. Uh, you know, not that much. Obviously, I've seen I saw both of the BYU games. I saw them earlier in the year. I mean, listen, Texas Tech to me is led by their defense. So if they get enough from the offense, they're gonna be a pretty dangerous team. I I don't know if they have enough offensively to even beat an Oregon team once Oregon gets by James Madison, you know. That Oregon-Texas Tech game in the second round, the four-five matchup with Dan Lanning, I would favor Oregon in that game. I think they're a little bit tougher than Texas Tech, but I I think that I think Texas Tech's defense will obviously, you know, keep them in that game. But I, you know, I I I'm not a big fan of the Big 12 in the regular season. I I lean more towards the Big Ten and the FCC teams in these type of tournaments.
SPEAKER_00:That's right. And then for what I hear, Marlon, real quick, I think Texas Tech is benefiting from a transfer portal, NIL guys on defense, a couple of SDC guys. So, but the Rodriguez kid, the linebacker won the Buckers Award, he intrigued me. So I might watch Texas Tech in the postseason. But go ahead, Marlon. NFL, baby. I know we're pressed for time. Let's go. Week 14, recap. Do it, Marlon.
SPEAKER_02:All right. So let me uh hop over here real quick. I had it up and then I lost it. Give me one second. Yeah, we have the I think it's Alabama and uh Oklahoma. That is the first game next Friday. Um as I get that as I get my scores up and everything. Okay. All right, so uh week 14 uh that that week after Thanksgiving, Cowboys, they always play that game. Then the Lions had to win. Uh for for both teams you had to win. The Lions obviously came in there and stopped everybody. They took care of it there. If Falcons they went to bed again, Seahawks ran through the uh the Bills and the Bengals. Uh that was a tough one. You thought Bill Burrow would come back and and win it. And and you know, Josh Allen has dropped out. Did whatever he wanted to do for four touchdowns for the course again. Uh door standards, you know, quite okay. It it is a tightness, but uh C C Gotta start a spot, so CT doing hard. Uh, it's two and hard against uh Dolphins off the four sides uh box. So it's kind of every single week for the past five, six weeks for this box for just everyone. Uh in the NFT, and they're both just you know, they're gonna set the five um uh the calls. I hate to see what happened with with those that things uh still rivers can come back and possibly uh you know it's like reincarnate them, but you know, we'll see what happens with that. Uh still is the Ravens. The Ravens are a mess right now. Um watch the Raiders uh with the with the spread with that one. That was a little vegan. That's what they're doing with that last second field goal and screwing everybody over that had the Broncos in that one. Uh Bears Packers Packers uh took care of business, Rams they killed them 45 to 17, and of course the Sunday night football game, uh the Texans match on the Chiefs, and then of course our game in overtime. Uh it was an ugly game, 19-22. The Chargers take care of business. Uh Eric, we can go ahead and start with that game. Uh your thoughts on the game uh and and what do your Eagles go from here?
SPEAKER_01:Very sloppy game, one of the worst games I've seen Jalen Hurts play in his NFL career, four or five turnovers. AJ Brown didn't do him any favors, dropping three balls. I mean, listen, the Eagles had a couple of opportunities in this game when they took the lead after that Barkley big touchdown run. They got the ball back up by three. Hurts had that big turnover. I mean, at the end of the game, I thought the coaching was a little bit malpractice out there and not giving Barkley the ball more and trying to chew that clock down to maybe keep the game-winning field goal, but prior to the overtime. You know, the Eagles have been out of sync all year offensively. It's been a it's been like a migraine headache. You know, they have all this talent. The coaching is just the play calling is a mess. Kurts has been not leading the defenses that well. I mean, the defense is doing as much as they can to keep them in these games. You know, I didn't like what I saw from the defense against the Bears a week ago when they allowed 280 yards on the ground, but they had tremendous tremendous bounce back performance against the Chargers last night. But where the Eagles go from here, listen, I mean, they're sitting here at 8-5. They can pretty much kiss the one or the two seed goodbye in the NFC. Right now, for them, it's just trying to figure out how to get this offense right over the next month if they can, which I don't believe they can. I think they're broken right now. And trying to maybe hold off the Cowboys if Dallas, you know, still has a lifeline of trying to win out here. But right now, you know, as an Eagle fan, you know, the morale of this team and what what lies ahead for them, I I I don't have a lot of expectations for the rest of this season. I mean, yeah, win the NFC East, get a home playoff game in the wild card rounds, and maybe win that and then go on the road second weekend of the playoffs. I think that's their ceiling right now. Other than that, getting back to a Super Bowl with this offense, I just don't see it. I really don't guys.
SPEAKER_00:Well, Marlon, let me weigh in on this because Eric, I love you, brother, but you have seven sacks and lost. That's problematic for me as a fan looking outside. You didn't even have Jalen Carter. You had seven sacks, you know, and then Jordan Davis showed up with a couple, Nolan Smith. I know these cats from the University of Georgia, but it's one of those things where you gotta give credit to uh, you know, the quarterback Herbert coming out of surgery and with enduring the pressures in the sacks and then doing what he did. But I I still think I still got you winning in the division. I think you got an easy schedule where you can work some things out. But to me, Eric, if you're OC, man. You were pounding the rock last year, and then you saw what Barkley did a 52-yarder. Does losing Mekai Becton and Lane Johnson affect your offense that bad where you can't run the rock like you did last year? Is that a huge loss? Beckett is bam. But Lane Johnson's down, and and I I love my logo, whatever his name is, 6'8. What's your take on your O line in the OC, Eric, real quick before we move on?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, the O-line is my the O-line from week one has just been it's been decimated with injuries. These guys are gutting it out outside of Lane Johnson, Landon Dickinson, the old pro left guard, has been banged up in and out of the lineup, gutting through games. You know, they have not been able to run the ball well on the inside, you know, through the center and the guards. And when it comes to Petulo, you know, one thing as an OC that he's not doing is when Barkley has these big runs, it's when they get him outside the tackles or when they keep Jalen Hurts under center. The big discrepancy as an Eagles fan that we're losing our mind over with Petulo, the OC, is Hurts is in shotgun probably three quarters of the time, and he's under center the other quarter of the time, and they're having so much much more success when he takes the snaps under center, and and whether Ciriani or Bertulo, these guys have been too stubborn to keep him, keep him under center. And as when he's in the shotgun, these defenses are reading the run, and and it's just it's a major problem right now. And unless unless they go about, you know, getting back to the basics and getting Barkley the ball in the open space, I mean, they're just gonna struggle because this this offensive line right now is banged up. And Lane Johnson, you know, the last couple of years, I think they're 15 games below 500 when he doesn't play throughout his career. It's a major loss not having him at as right tackle.
SPEAKER_00:Well, that's a good reference point, Eric. And uh Marlon, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the three games that stood out of me for this recap on week 14. It's the Bears-Packers game. That was exciting. You're seeing Caleb Williams grow up growing up, but you're also seeing Jordan Love growing up. Uh, the old man in Pittsburgh getting on the road against a division rival uh in Baltimore. And then Joe, Joe Barrow, who threw 14 passes, Eric and Marlin, but lost because he had two critical interceptions back to back in Buffalo. They had the game. Those three games stick out to me, but you got to give props to uh Buffalo at home. It's hard to win in Western New York. But Joe Barrow, man, god darn it. And then, of course, the game still have reference, the Packers and the Bears. That's old school, Eric. You already know that, going back a hundred years. But what's wrong with Lamar Jackson, man? Those three three games stand, what's wrong with him, fellas? You know? I don't know.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I I when I when I see with with uh this is another offense. It's almost like the the Eagles and these quarterbacks, uh Lamar and Jalen, it's almost like they're playing, they're not a hundred percent themselves. Jalen's not running like he used to. Lamar's really not running anymore. And I feel like when they can't be themselves, the offense just doesn't work. And so but with with the great fence, uh, I I don't know. Uh at one point the the defense was horrible, then the defense got better, and now the defense is back to not looking like they know what they're doing. I mean, it's it's a rock that's a 25 years old running for touchdowns. Like it's it's uh I don't know what it is, but then the the vision is still close. And it would have been a great story we were talking about uh the bank was that would have been a great story to Joe Burrow and the team make a run. Um but you know it's uh I mean it's still there, but it's it's very, very, very clear. I don't even know if they can um they're mathematically still in it, but um yeah, but but this Ravens team, I I don't know. You when you want to trust and believe in them, they turn around and they let you down, and the Steelers, they don't want to win it either. So it's it's a funky division all over.
SPEAKER_00:Eric, your recap of week 14, three games, buddy. Go, Eric.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that Pittsburgh-Baltimore game, that AFC North is to me is gonna come down to week 18, the rematch in Pittsburgh between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. I mean, these two teams are very similar right now. You know, one team doesn't want to jump out way in front of the other. You know, Lamar, I think, is banged up, and I think that's what's hampering the Raven offense right now. The defense is comes in spurts, plays well one week, and the next week they don't. You know, and Pittsburgh's a little too inconsistent. You know, I I put nothing past the Steelers. They get that big win on the road last week. And who's to say they don't come home this week against the Dolphins and give it right back? So I I think we're gonna be sitting there. I still I think we'll be sitting there week 18 with that division up for grabs, and uh maybe whoever wins that game makes uh clinches that last playoff fight in the AFC and uh and wins the North. But uh as far as the Packers go and the Bears, I mean obviously that's a rivalry that goes back a hundred years. That was a tremendous game Sunday afternoon, that 424 window. And uh listen, I like what I'm seeing from Jordan Love right now. I mean, you know, the last the last time I saw him struggle was that second weekend, second week in November when he played my Eagles on that Monday night and they lost 10-7. But from since that game, Green Bay has rallied off four in a row. He worked really well on Thanksgiving against the Lions. Made a couple of plays to Washington the other day. The Packers right now are playing a great brand of football. Their defense is is very good. Parsons makes a huge difference coming over from Dallas, as we know. Uh, I think Green Bay is gonna end up winning that NFC North, holding off the Bears. Uh, I think, you know, I like what I see from the Packers right now. And then obviously you feel for Joe Burrow. I mean, listen, uh, they had that game up 10 points, and if they would have pulled that game out in Buffalo, their schedule would have opened up nicely for them down the stretch. And now by losing that game to go to four and nine, even with the Ravens and Steelers struggles, you know, I think it's gonna be obviously too much for the Bengals to overcome now. But uh listen, I mean, Burrow is a tremendous talent, and he just made two bad throws with the back-to-back interceptions, and that's probably gonna doom the Bengals season.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, two things before we move to week 15 that also sticks out the old dog. Shadur Sanders had four TDs, uh, and but his coach uh took him out on a critical two point conversion. That could have been a wonderful story. What's your take on Shadur Sanders going forward and going into next year, Eric? And and Seattle. They just played. Fountain. To me, they're flying on the reddit. I know Darnell had four interceptions against the Rams, but that's a team to me defensively and running game with Kenneth Walker and Smith and Jigmer, who's putting up his story numbers. You know, you better watch out for Seattle. Those two things right there, Eric, real quick. Shadur Sanders and the Seattle Seahawks. Can they make a run? Go.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, first on Shador. Obviously, I think he needs as much playing time as possible. This year into next year, I think we'll get a better read for better read if he is the starting quarterback of all 16 games. Obviously, I didn't like what Stefanski did the other day, taking him off the field on that two-point conversion. I think that has a lot more to do with the Browns trying to maybe lose that game rather than win it because it's going to help with a draft pick. But uh, I mean, listen, I think Shador's, you know, he's handled himself very well these uh these last couple of weeks. He just needs playing time so we can get a full read on him next year. And as far as the Seahawks go, I mean, they have a great defense. Darnold's making plays, and the jigma's a tremendous talent. I just don't know when they go up against the you know the better teams in the NFC, you know, the Green Bay's, the Rams, come playoff time if they're gonna be able to make enough plays offensively to really win those type of games, especially if they have to go on the road. And if they don't win the NFC West, which I don't think they will, I think the Rams will win that division as a wildcard team, as a wildcard team, Doc. Yeah, that means you're gonna have to win one, two, and maybe even three games on the road to get to a Super Bowl. I don't think Seattle has it in them to do something like that. So I'm I'm not really sure what their feeling is. Maybe one playoff win, but we know what Sam Darnold's track record is in the playoffs. It hasn't been favorable. Uh, you know, I it's almost like I'd have to see it to believe it type of thing. So I think Seattle's a tremendous team, great regular season team. I don't know about them come playoff time to really go on a run. That's my opinion.
SPEAKER_00:That's fair. That's fair. That's a very good response there. And then real quick, Marlon and the AFC West, where you I mean, the AFC West were number 15 Mahomes. Is this it for Mahomes, Marlon? And Eric, is the Chiefs done, and then we'll move on, I guess. Yeah. Take on Marlon, I want you to weigh on on Mahomes on some of these things going on in the league.
SPEAKER_02:I'm hoping so, because if if we can go in there and we can beat them, and that's essentially that's it right there. That's Nell and Coffin. If we can go to, because we we go to, we're gonna talk about week 15 in a second. If we go there, we take care of business, and they have not been playing great lately. Texans have the blueprint out to beat them. You know, Kelsey his head isn't in it, uh, the receivers haven't been on the same page with Mahomes, uh, the defense hasn't looked up strong. Uh if we can go in and do it, I'm hoping we can, because it's just as we know it, AFC fans. Well, you guys are NFC, but it's it's just gonna take all year. Um a part of me was just thinking back of a year or two ago whenever they were just looking real bad and they were last place in the division, and then they figured it out. And when they figured it out, they turned it on, and then they ran it. I believe they went to the Super Bowl once of all uh a few years back. So it's it's it's gonna be good to at least get them out now so that way they don't have a chance to make it. But uh as a special FC West, it's been a million years since another team has won the division. So it's gonna be great to at least see somebody else win it. And uh yeah, at that point the plows is wide open because you got the bills there. Texas are one of the scariest teams right now. Uh the the charge charges were there, Steelers, Ravens, whoever's gonna be with them, uh the drags, they're up and down, but then you got the two up top and the Broncos and the Patriots. So it's a very wide open team. I think in the AFC, it's more anybody could win versus the NFC. NFC is a little interesting because as far as for the wild card, you can have three teams, two teams, or no, I'm sorry, three teams, and either the NFC North make it or the NFC West make it. So it's gonna be very interesting with a lot of dishuffles. And the Bears are right there at number seven, the Lions are up there. So uh I don't know. It's it's it's it's definitely a wide open AFC, but if we can put the nail in the coffin with Mahomes this weekend, uh I'll be happy.
SPEAKER_00:Right on. Eric, do you trust Bo Nicks and the Broncos? Your take on that, man. Weigh in on it. They're doing good. 10-game winning streak. Your take on uh, you know, Bo Nicks and the Broncos, real quick.
SPEAKER_01:I do I do trust them. I think I think from an offensive standpoint, they run the ball well. Bo Nicks makes enough plays uh in the passing game to Cortland Sutton and crew. And to me, outside of the Texan defense, that Bronco defense is probably up there in the top three in the league, led by Patrick Certaine. I think Denver has a I think Denver has a much better chance to go on a playoff run than the Patriots do, with both teams being as uh you know 10 or 11 and 2 with the record is right now. Uh I would favor Denver over New England if I had to compare those two teams. But uh I think Wow.
SPEAKER_00:Okay. I love Raymond, but go ahead. I'm sorry to interrupt you. Go ahead, Eric.
SPEAKER_01:No, listen, I think, listen, I there's a there's one guy I don't want to discount yet and come playoff time. And if Lamar is not sitting there and Mahomes is out of the picture, if Josh Allen gets to the postseason and doesn't have to go factor in against those two quarterbacks that have given him problems, especially Mahomes and Buffalo beating Kansas City, obviously the Ravens present the challenge. I I I I mean Josh Allen would be a scary proposition for you know teams like the Patriots and the Broncos, who are having tremendous regular seasons, but maybe don't have that playoff pedigree to have to entertain Buffalo in their building. I would not discount that in the Bills with Josh Allen figuring a way out, come postseason time. But uh listen, New England and Denver right now, you got to be awfully impressed what you see from those two football teams sitting here at 11 and 2 through uh 13 games.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I will say this real quick before we move to week 15. The window is closing, I think, on Josh Allen and Bills. If he doesn't get it this year, I don't know who is. Because Drake, Drake uh Frabel and Drake May in New England, they're the real truth. But it goes no that postseason experience is lacking. It is very different. It's a very that's a very good point. All right, Marley, you're up, baby. Week 15. Let's go.
SPEAKER_02:So when you look at it, uh, we're definitely not gonna start with the Falcons and the Bucks. Nobody really cares about that one.
SPEAKER_00:But uh No, no, they don't know.
SPEAKER_02:That is a Thursday night game. The the notable games, uh, Chargers at Chiefs, that's a huge one. Um, Bills and Patriots. We're just talking about that. That's gonna be a big one that is in uh Foxborough. Um and then we have uh it's not really gonna be a crucial game, but Docker Raiders, uh, they're going to Philadelphia, so that should be about 50 to 3. Um and then we have uh the big one, uh two big ones in my opinion. Uh Green Bay uh at the Broncos. That's gonna be a great one. And then Detroit. We didn't really talk about Detroit, but Detroit at the Rams. So uh Eric, are any uh games stick out? Any games stick out to you uh coming up in week 15?
SPEAKER_01:I mean, listen, Green Bay, Denver, 425. That's the game of the week in my mind. I mean, like I said earlier, the Packers weren't winning four in a row. Love is playing well, that defense is playing well, going into mile high, taking on Knicks and company, led by Satan on defense. I think that's a game where maybe the first one to 23, 24 points wins, like a 24-21, 23-20 type of game. Two-minute warning is gonna be up for grabs. I mean, listen, that could be a Super Bowl preview for all we know. Uh, you know, both teams have tremendous defenses, they run the ball well. As long as the quarterback, Nixon Love, don't mess it up and you know, get in their heads and turn the ball over. These teams, like I said earlier, can go on some playoff runs. So to me, that's gonna be a tremendous game. And it's gonna be up for grabs, you know. That can go either way. And then obviously Buffalo, New England, you know. Listen, that I mean, listen, I I the way the Patriots are playing right now, I would favor them in this game, but don't discount the bills come out of playoff time. We we tal I just touched on that earlier. You know, I can I can see the Patriots winning this game this Sunday, and then if they had to play again in January back in Foxboro, not having that playoff experience, that could factor in. So it's something to think about where they might have to play each other twice in Foxboro in six weeks or something like that. So we let's not discredit not think about that for a second as we try and handicap this game this weekend coming up.
SPEAKER_00:You know that guy Yeah, that's a very good point, Eric. But McDermott bothers me, Eric, in a big spot. You know, he he just bothers me. And you guys are questioning if they run the rock with James Cook to help out Josh Allen, you know, that that sometimes James Cook goes entire half without touching the rock. And that's problematic going forward in cold weather. James Cook is out of Georgia. He's a stud, you know. But I don't know. For me out here, fellas, and the Rams, I think the Rams, you know, I like that game who they got coming up. Stafford, you know, uh, I don't know if it's Amy P. Kennedy, Eric has been ruined because he lost to the Panthers, I think it was. But the Rams, to me, they're the team to beat the NFC. And I like that matchup, what they got this weekend, Marlon and Eric. And I love Jared Verse, the Rainy defensive rookie of the rear, and also Fisk out of Florida State, their defensive tackle. They don't really miss Aaron Donald, man. You know, they're coming up with turnovers, the corners and all that, safety linebackers. And I want to see uh nobody's talking about Stafford's back now on the air. Remember in training camp, could the guy even make week one? So I I I live in out here, of course, I'm biased, but I think the Rams game is is huge, man. And the 49ers, man, they're lurking. I know the Rams swept them, but uh, I think they swept him. But you know, that NFC West can be a doozy going down the stretch. You know what I'm saying?
SPEAKER_01:I I totally agree. Uh I I'm with you, Doc, when it comes to the Rams. I think they're gonna have a big time performance against the Lions. The Lions are pretty banged up on the defensive side of the ball right now. You know, Nakouer, Devontae Adams, they run the ball well with Chiron Williams and play quorum. You know, I think the Rams are gonna be able to score a lot of points in this game. And the Scots can't keep up offensively, which you know, I don't think he's going to. I I think the Rams win this game going away by at least two scores, and they're gonna be a tough out come come January. Uh, and you know, like I said, they're they're probably the front runner right now in the NFC, gets a home field advantage. Uh, but it'll be interesting to see what comes uh comes playoff time with uh with the Rams. But uh Stanford's having a tremendous year. So uh he's a tremendous he's a tremendous quarterback, Hall of Famer in my mind. Uh and you know, uh you gotta love what you see from Stanford week in, week out.
SPEAKER_00:You know that that's right. That's right. And and and uh Marlon, you probably was gonna get to it, but I gotta ask this question to Eric, you know, 50-year-old Philip Rivers, he's really 44, signing with the coach. What are you expecting there, Eric? What the hell is that? I might as well bring Matt Ryan back to the Falcons. I don't know. Your take on Philip Rivers, man, who's all the same. I think he's on go ahead.
SPEAKER_01:I want I want to know was Jeff George not available that they had to call Phillip Rivers, guys? I mean, what are we doing here? I mean, Philip Rivers is 44 years old. I mean, at 44 years old, the guy's a grandfather, he's got grandkids running around, and you know, Daniel Jones goes down, and the first thing the coach think of is Philip Rivers. I mean, what are we doing here, guys? Um I mean, listen, I I I am dumbfounded. I have no idea what to expect if Philip Rivers has to take a snap and get elevated from the practice squad is and and is in there this week. I'll tell you one thing, that's gonna be tremendous TV, though. You're gonna have to tune in to watch that. And if if can you imagine if Phillip Rivers rescues the Colts who have lost, what, four in a row right now and are fading and get them into a playoff spot at 44 years old? And who hasn't played in a couple of years? I mean, I I mean, uh, you know, like I said, I I I'm completely puzzled on this one. So we'll have to wait to see how this plays out.
SPEAKER_00:Well, I'm looking forward to Seattle's defense to wear and get all over his ass up there in the Pacific Northwest. But go ahead, Marlon. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, when your ex-quarterback, go ahead, Marlon. Yeah, I think when when uh a couple years ago, when I think it was Richardson went down, he made a big stink about them not reaching out to him uh to come out and be the the quarterback. So I think that this was the first option. Okay, well, let's call Rivers. He was showing interest. He really wanted to play. So I think this was just a hey, we're gonna do the right thing and call you. But also, too, the last time you played was during COVID. So I think they made the playoffs that lost that in that first round, I believe, when it was with the Colts. Um, but this is yeah, it's it's I I guess it did look decent. Um, sounds at the practice class, so it didn't look bad, but I'm just like, man, with the way these quarterbacks are getting hurt with these Achilles and with I mean between Jane Daniels and just and I mean Lamar, we're just talking about all these quarterbacks. I I I what he's a grandfather. That's that's crazy. It's probably the uh I know Brett Favr was a grandfather, I think, at one point when he was playing, but um it's I just don't want him to go out like that. And then on top of that, too, he probably wasn't making the Hall of Fame this year, but you know, and then you got to reset the cycle of with the five years and everything. So uh I I don't know. I just want him to just walk away on his own versus walk away to uh a major injury.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and Eric Morgan, it's one thing to look great in great shape in the recreational gym or the rec league or flag league, but when you're playing in the NFL, man, looking good in the mirror and looking good throwing a rock, you know, you're going against Seattle's defense up there, you know, and I don't know, man. Eric, you bring up a good point. What the hell are we doing? That's Shane Steichen, you know. I feel sorry for Colt fan. It started out, what, 71 or 82, you know, and then after that they've gone downhill. But Phillip Rivers? Yeah. But yeah, go ahead, Marlon.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely, absolutely. So um I believe that's all I have for NFL. We do a little bit of hockey here and there. Uh so of course I have to ask, how's your hockey team doing? Uh, and and how's the outlook going for the for the season thus far, Eric?
SPEAKER_01:I mean, listen, guys, my New York Rangers, obviously, that's my second, uh, my second team outside of the Eagles, big hockey guy growing up here in New York, Long Island. Uh they're struggling, they're struggling this year. I mean, you know, I don't know how much you guys follow the NHL, but yeah, you could you look back the last couple of years, they were in the conference finals two out of the last three years. That was their window of opportunity to win their, you know, win a Stanley Cup, and they just couldn't capitalize. You know, they lost to the Panthers, they lost to the Lightning one year, and now they're a little bit older team. They got some younger players that they're hoping that develop that you know are struggling right now. You know, they're a middle of the pack type of team. Maybe they're challenged for one of those last playoff stocks, but you know, expectations-wise for my Rangers aren't as big as what you know what what I thought my Eagles were going to be this year. And uh, and like I said, you know, it's uh it's been a challenging year for the Eagles coming off that Super Bowl. They're not out of it yet, but uh we'll see what happens, guys. But listen, it's always a pleasure of mine getting on a show with you guys. I mean, you guys are legends, so uh anytime I can come on, you know, you just give me a call and uh I'd love to chop it up with you guys.
SPEAKER_00:Absolutely. We love you, brother. Thanks. Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. God bless. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you guys. Appreciate you both.
SPEAKER_02:All right, appreciate it. Okay. That was good, Doc. And I know we uh a little bit of MLB. That was good. Yes, a little bit of MLB action happened too as well in the winter meetings. I'm not sure with I think did the Dodgers get somebody?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, they got they got the reliever from uh Edgar something from Diaz.
SPEAKER_02:Diaz.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, Edgar Diaz. And I'm telling you, you know, they're gonna do it again. You know, there's no salary cap in baseball. Somebody should have jumped on that. And the question remains, Marlon, how come he didn't resign with the Mets? Because Kohan is one of the richest men in the world. You know, I don't know, man. You know, they gotta sign Pete Alonso. They can't lose both. They can't lose Diaz and Alonzo, but the props to the Dodgers, man, and it pains me to say that, let alone you. Shoot, I'm just trying to survive a little old Lana Braves. And you're in the insane division with the Dodgers. So props to them, you know. Yeah. So yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, it's crazy, man. This is we're we're in that period of, of course, we got the basketball going on, football's going on, and and you know, baseball season's essentially starting back up. When we're gonna look up the spring training, it's gonna be here. So uh, but yeah, but shoot, that's all I got for you, Doc. You got anything else for us?
SPEAKER_00:Well, real quick on the NBA, I'm just continuing to be amazed by OKC 23 and 1, 44-1, whatever the case may be, man. And I don't think they're so young. They can't burn themselves out in March if April because they're so young. I think they're gonna do it again, man. They might challenge the record for the uh most wins. I think Golden State has 73 and 9. But your Lakers are right there in second and or third place, I forget. You know, Houston's up there too, I think. Uh, but yeah, out here on the West, man. It's going through the West. Yeah. East Coast, you gotta think of Kate Cunningham. So yeah, we'll talk MBA another time, man. But to me, right now, before we leave, okay see is a machine. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:23 1. 23 1. That's crazy. So uh okay. We'll shoot. We appreciate everybody for listening. Uh and uh we will catch you guys after week 15. Peace. Peace.