Week 3 preview: Stroud vs. Brian Flores, Saints get tested, Harbaugh vs. Steelers D
01:07:30 Share

On this episode of Football 301, Charles McDonald joins me as we preview week three. We take four games that we think are juicy, we think are interesting, some 2-0, some 1-1, some interesting units, some interesting players. It's a lot of fun. We also do a little four-minute drill at the end to wrap it up.

See you guys in a sec. Credit Karma is your evolved financial assistant, making managing your finances simpler and more tailored to you. Join us at creditkarma.com to start your personalized financial journey today and continue to grow with our innovations. Credit Karma, evolve your finances. Okay, it's time to commit.

2024 is the year for prioritizing yourself. Begin your new smile journey with Bite, and you could start seeing results in just two to three weeks. Just order your at-home impression kit today for only $14.95 at Bite.com. Bite clear aligners are doctor-directed and delivered to your door. Treatment costs thousands less than braces. Plus, they offer financing options, accept eligible insurance, and you can pay with your HSA FSA.

Get 80% off your impression kit when you use code WONDERY at Byte.com. That's B-Y-T-E dot com. Start your confidence journey today with Byte. ♪

Hello and welcome to Football 301, a special Friday edition for our preview show. Charles McDonald is going to join me as we preview four of the most interesting matchups. We picked four this week, even though we have a full slate of games, ones that we really wanted to highlight that we think are the most juicy of this slate of NFL games. Plus...

A little four-minute drill at the end of the show to cover a couple other things that are happening this weekend. But like I said, the person that is joining me every single week for these preview shows is Mr. Fornverts himself. Mr. Charles McDonald, how are you doing today? Doing good. It's Friday. We're all black.

- I'm wearing my Mr. Beef shirt. If you've watched the bear. - Oh, very nice. - For some work stuff earlier in August, I stopped by the Mr. Beef shop.

If you've seen The Bear, that's what the show's based on. They have an amazing steak sandwich over there, by the way. Did you say it was kind of like life-altering steak sandwich? Yes, like life-altering steak sandwich. In fact, I went back the next day and I got two. So I ate three in the span of two days. And every day you go, the line's out the door. But yeah, I live in New York City, so I'm kind of running out of clothes and I need...

Like I have to go out and get quarters and like bring them back to my apartment so I can do laundry. And quite honestly, sometimes I just don't feel like that doing that. And I'm running low, but I have my Mr. Beef shirt. I like it. Not much else. So you've hit Chicago for the first time this summer, right? You hit LA for the first time this summer. Yep. All right. We're just going to go down the order. San Diego for the first time this summer. San Diego? That's all. San Diego's great. It's fake. Yeah.

I used to go to San Diego every summer for Del Mar. This is very much a Tice story, but Del Mar is the horse track and San Diego is gorgeous. It's where the surf meets the turf. When I would go there and I would handicap the forums before we go to the races, I'd go to the beach in the morning. I'd be sitting there. I'm from Minnesota, grew up in Wisconsin. I think at the time this story happened, I was living in Pittsburgh as a GA.

And I'm sitting there, I'm on the beach, handicapped before. This is great. See these kids come out, I would say ranging from like 12 to 16, you know, like middle school, high school kids. And they have beach volleyball practice and they start practicing beach volleyball. They go for like an hour and I'm just like, whatever I go, they finish. Then they just go grab their surfboards, grab their boogie boards and just run into the water. And I just got actually the most boomer I've ever felt because I was like, you guys never went through a Minnesota winter.

You guys are just finishing beach volleyball practice and going into the beach. Like this isn't fair. So yeah, that, that is my number one feeling about San Diego. This is how jealous I am of everybody that lives there. But yeah, you guys never been, been through a Baltimore winter, man. Oh man. Next, next to the bay. It's so, so cold.

God, I mean, listen to you right now, getting quarters for your washer and dryer. Don't do that, San Diego. But anyways, we are previewing some of the games. The former San Diego Chargers are one of those games that we'll be talking about, but it's not what we're starting with. Actually, it is what we're starting with. Look at that transition. The former San Diego Chargers, the Los Angeles Chargers.

playing at Pittsburgh. Wow, look at that. I didn't even mean to transition that way, and I referenced both of these cities. This is great. But anyways, they're playing at Pittsburgh. This is the first game that we will be highlighting. The Steelers are one-and-a-half-point favorites at home. Charles, when you are watching this game, if the Chargers have the ball against this Steelers defense, let's start with kind of a low-key kind of Haas fight.

On this side of the ball between the Chargers and the Steelers defense, but what are you looking out for? I was about to say there's no chance in hell Mel Kiper watches this game, right? He's going to be wearing the explosive passes. Why is everyone playing too high coverages? Oh my God. Dude, Mel, you're like 70 years old. What are you talking about? And he was glorifying 1970s.

football which is like the worst era of football like this for offensive football i should say like the 60s was actually fun because the afl was fun but no the yeah 70s nfl football man he's talking about some damn terry bradshaw like go look at terry bradshaw's numbers

Dude, Caleb Williams would be the best quarterback ever seen in 1970. What are you talking about, Mel? Oh, my God. That was just brain rot that I couldn't even fathom. I have 100 rants on it. I'm trying to pick which one. I'm going through my roulette wheel, which one I want to go with. But it's like, have you ever...

Like, obviously, we are on social media a lot. And we have friends who are not on social media a lot. Yeah. And when you talk to them about something dumb that's on social media and they're not on it, and they're just like, bro, what the hell are you talking about? That's like what happened to Mel when he was on TV this week. When he was like...

The only place I've ever seen the band too high stuff is in fancy football Twitter before it got to ESPN. And then the actual players in the center are like, dude, what are you saying right now? What are you talking about? How do you enforce that? Get rid of the right. You want more penalties, Mel? What are we talking about? And also, it's not even the main coverage right now. Oh, God, screw it. I'll go on a 10-second rant on this. There's so many things that are happening right now with like,

Everyone thinks the quarterback should become a quote unquote check down artist. And really what's happening is that most plays run plays will have bubbles and flats with them and screens and smoke screens and everything. So it's a combination of runs have merged with passes where they have both options. And because of the defensive looks cover to pressures, funky things that are happening.

More of those get thrown. So the ADOT, you know, the air yards and all that stuff that comes down when you're those. Yes, it count as passes, quote unquote. But if I were in a football building and we were self-scouting ourselves, we'll go, oh, that's a run play with a package play on it. And that's what's just been kind of misconstrued is we have to separate. There's like not even straight drop back.

like a straight drop back with no play action in football terms, like in a football building that is different than a play action pass. There's straight drop backs and then there's play action drop backs and then there's bootlegs. And when I, I know I have to sift through these stats and we have to group them all together and make it easy. But,

But normal play actions are grouped together with bootlegs. And that still blows my brain. And because bootlegs are completely different. No one's blocking anybody on bootlegs. So, no, there's a whole bunch of things. I've written articles on this. But defenses are really good guys. I think we just got to really appreciate how freaking good defenses are right now. And that's really a lot of the issues. Defenses outmatching the offensive lines currently right now in the NFL. That's where it all comes from. It all starts up front. But anyway. That's where this game is starting.

It is. I know. That Chargers-O-Line, Steelers-D-Line, it's actually kind of a little juicer matchup than you'd think. I think it is, and it will be a good matchup for...

For the Charters, because let's be real, they get to come back to reality, or they have to come back to reality this week. The Panthers... I was going to say, not playing the Panthers. And specifically the Panthers without Derrick Brown, because that was the only guy they had on defense, really. And then he goes down game one, and you're looking at... Someone who knows football can go look at the Panthers depth chart and be like, man, who the hell are these guys? Because it really is that bear on that side of the ball. But this week...

You're back. You're playing like a real NFL front seven. Let's keep it real. Like outside of one JK Dobbins chunk play versus the Raiders,

Wilkins and Crosby kind of kicked their ass in the run game a little bit. So now you get to go back and kind of get another go at it with Cam Hayward, who has been playing some pretty good football. Yeah. Because at the end of last season, I was watching his Cam Hayward clips. I'm like, oh, no. He looked washed. So maybe this is just an early season thing. He's going to die off towards the later end. But right now he looks good. TJ Watt looks good.

Keanu Benz playing well. I think that even Alex Highsmith has had a pretty good start to the season on the other side. And also Minka. Minka's been like a madman versus the running field and downhill. So this defense is good. I think they're in a better spot than they were last year. And if the Chargers can...

Dude, Jim's going to be Jim. He's going to do what he's going to do. They're going to line up and they're going to try to mash it no matter who's in front of them. But if this is a game where they can kind of grow up a little bit on offense and start to put some things together, I think that'll be really promising for the long-term view because I don't think

like the Steelers overall are a great team, but like this matchup particularly will, will, will go far in terms of just saying, can the chargers actually do this and make the playoffs? Cause if they could run on the Steelers, then that's more like themed theme. That's more like a credible theme of what they can do against real playoff teams.

I think the schematic advantage of being this kind of bully ball Chargers offense is when you play against a team like the Panthers or any of these weaker teams that don't have a lot of front players or spine or anything like that, maybe are built more by pass rushers, you can kind of neutralize them. And that is a schematic advantage. It really is. I know we think of schematic advantages as like, oh, the Dolphins and their motion, the speed everywhere, and Sean McVay and the 11 personnel, but...

Being big can be a schematic advantage as well. And the Chargers are the leader right now in 22 personnel, which is hilarious. 22 is two running backs, including fullback, two tight ends and receiver, one singular receiver. I'm a fullback, man. Oh, he's not.

He's not good. It's a meme. He's a meme pullback. He really is. I know, but it's the thought. It's the thought. They thought they could just do Pat Ricard again. I'm like, guys, this is the reason why there's only one, man. Or Bruce Miller back from the 49ers days. Yeah, that ended well. And Bruce Miller's got like 50. We have to wrap up that. Yeah, I know, right? I played with him at a freshman at UCF. Yeah.

Things happened. So they've run 22 personnel 24 times this season. The rest of the NFL has combined for 59.

So they have accounted for basically a third of the 22. They average over five yards per play of a bully ball of 22 personnel. And yeah, that's what they're going to lean into. It's just that the Steelers, the Steelers defense is cool, man. Like it always is. It's just the Steelers defense. But you mentioned guys up front. They can be big and burly. You know, the Haywards, Keanu Benton's, Ogunjobi.

those guys up front, but then they got the speed on the back end now. And it's, yeah, it's a nice little combo. You mentioned Minka, you know, when Joey Porter Jr. is out there, they got some, got some speed on the back end too. So I think that's a really good defense. Our, the third member of football 301, Matt Harmon, he keeps kind of going like, this might be the best defense in the NFL. And I, at first I was like, Oh, okay. And I'm like,

Hey, man, you might be on to something here. When he said that, I was like, whatever, Harlan. And then I was like, oh, okay. Because they kind of have answers against anyone they play against. And that's kind of what you need to be a good defense. And they can get after the passer, too. Like you said, TJ Watt's a true game wrecker still. Like, yeah. And I think this is a game.

that the Chargers are going to try to run. Of course they are. But we're finally, even with Herbert with the ankle injury, we see a little bit more of Herbert because like as far as Pat, just straight numbers because they have to. But then that gets scary because we saw how that Raiders game was when they legit couldn't block guys for five straight snaps and he had to like just throw on hook shots and stuff. So we'll see. That's what it's going to be more of a passing game, I think, for the Chargers because of that, because the Steelers can actually match them with size up front, maybe see a little lad.

Little land mcconkey in the slot see how he goes he can wind up outside too, but he's he's coming along really well So I also want to give a shout out to simi fahoko big burley stanford receivers bounced around and now he's become a glorified screener in this offense and I'm loving it I love I love a good blocking receiver who literally just like does not even get a target just straight blocking the entire time He's a screener for for this offense. So I would say Give a quick quick shout out quinton johnson two touchdowns last week. Yeah

They're comfortable. That's a good start in that direction. Dude, people make fun of Harbaugh, and I know he's insane, but he tries to build up guys' confidence, man. You see him after the game. He really is trying, and that's genuine. Harbaugh being actually genuine, I know we think some of it is a bit. I know he probably exaggerates a little bit, but from what I've heard, it's like, no, this is just how he is. Not too much. This is just how he actually is. Players...

I don't know if respect's the right word, but they're kind of like, I'm okay with that. I'm cool with you being you because players see right through if you're a fraud. Like after a while, especially if you start losing. So I think a lot of players are just kind of like, hey, this is kind of nice for this guy. Yeah, he's weird, but like at least he's honest with us and truthful with us. Like players respect that. So I'm going to the other side of all Steelers offense against this Chargers defense. The one little factoid I want to throw out there is the Steelers with your boy Artie, Artie Smith.

leaders and 13 personnel which is one running back and three tight ends so we got the leaders and 22 personnel the leaders and 13 personnel this might be a greg maddox game that ends in two and a half hours which how much these teams both run the ball uh they're really good out of it get out of it too but uh i that is something i am very curious to see because i don't know if the chargers are uh can hold up against that but when you're watching this game with something that's standing out to you uh or this side of the ball i should say with something that's standing out to you

I feel like their 13 personnel is like close to like a six. So I'm packaged almost with Darnell Washington. Cause he's good. He's good. He's good. And I think he's gotten better too, because yes, at, at Georgia, uh,

I think what a lot of people became enamored with were the blocks in space where he's lined up on a DB. And it's like, okay, on one hand, I am always impressed by a 270-pound person who can keep their balance in the open field against a DB and pancake them. Because a lot of times...

in college especially, you'll see DBs just slip by an offensive lineman because they're not quick enough to get out there. But on the other hand, that's a 100-pound weight advantage. So yeah, please steamroll him. You should win that every single time. But the actual down-to-down in-line blocking with Darnell was not always that consistent. And I think that he's gotten a lot better with that in the NFL. And the clip that you posted of him pass-blocking him...

Stonewalling. And then John Franklin Myers the next week with no help. Yeah. Like a legit left tackle. That's insane. They're 13 personnel. It's like...

It's even more bludgeoning than most teams 13 personnel because now you can get Washington and Frymuth on the field to set a solid start to the season with Justin Fields in the backfield. And can we just be real about this? They clearly want to just start Fields for the whole season. Yes.

They're doing it politically. Right. I feel like that's going to be tough with Russell Wilson, so why not just trade him to Miami or something? If you want to do the Justin Fields thing, just rip the bandit off and go for it, and if it doesn't work, just blow it all up in the office. Russell Wilson with the Dolphins offense, actually, that's a great thought experiment.

that I kind of want to see now. Just to see how that matches. That is a take nuclear bomb waiting to just go off. I'm going to start looking at that contract. It's one year. It's pretty easy to move. One year? It's punter money, basically. It really is. I know. It's good punter money.

Base million dollar salary, yeah. No, I'm glad he shot out Darnell Washington because he is a weapon for them. The Steelers' offensive line against the Broncos...

They're coming into their own. Fontenot got out there. They're trying to rotate Broderick Jones in there, but he keeps busting. He's always going to take time, but it just seems like he's just kind of a head case right now. Head case and like, oh, he's a bad guy. But I think just mentally, he's just trying. He's swimming still. There was a six play sequence where he was on the field where he had three false starts or two false starts in the holding. And I was like, dude, what are you doing? Come on.

And then he had one absolutely amazing block where he wiped out the entire right side of the line and he got penalized the next play. It was pretty funny. It was like penalty. Awesome block because you could tell he's pissed off and he was like, I'm going to get this one. And he gets another penalty the next play. So that's why. And then Fontenot gets in there and it's like, oh, yeah, this is why I loved you in the draft.

You're a good starter already at right tackle. Yeah. And then they got Zach Frazier. And it's kind of a joke, but I'm kind of dead serious. He has been legitimately one of the best rookies in the league through two weeks at center. He's solidified the whole line. The guards look okay. Dan Moore.

It actually looks okay. Like the run games come together. It's so that's why I'm curious in this game that against the Chargers team, that's going to try and kind of get after him with it and kind of get funky looks. But that 13 personnel, it's kind of a joke like, oh, they're big burling stuff. But again, it's a schematic advantage because they're going against the Chargers.

they'll outsize you if you trot out, you know, nickel, trot out five DBs. And if they go base, the Chargers are averaging over five yards or allowing over five yards of play when they're in base defense. So pick your poison. So, but I do think the Chargers can have that side of the ball, even if the, or I'm sorry, the Steelers are gonna have the advantage on that side of the ball, even if the past game is a

a little dicey. Chargers defense is going to do a lot. They're going to move around to that kaleidoscope scheme where everybody's flying to every spot. It's not really the Ravens for last year where they had a little bit more speed and talent. They still have some, but why I'm saying all this is I think this is going to be a lot of field scrambles because when you have guys running every which way, QB could just tuck it. Fields might just go like, screw this. I'm not going to try and figure out what they're running and I'm just going to run. So I can see Fields running a lot in this game and really just the Steelers in general just running a lot this game.

What's your pick? I'm going to wrap it up. What's your prediction, I should say? Prediction. I think the Steelers win. I think the Steelers go 3-0. I think they have enough where they can bully the Chargers run game. And if Herbert's hampered, I don't think they'll score. Chargers don't have that extra juice on offense. I'm a little worried about the interior still a little bit. Steelers kind of have their number on that end. And then on the other end, I just think even if the Steelers pass game is whatever, it's

where only one receiver has over 100 yards and the other two receivers have combined all the other receivers on Steelers have combined for 28 yards receiving so far this year. It's still I think they have an identity that can get after this Chargers team where they can just run it and stuff. I think it's gonna be a fistfight all the way maybe with a couple Herbert throws in there but I think the Steelers kind of end up taking this one down.

And we got a great Joe Alt, TJ Watt, Haas fight that we also have to mention because that's, we'll talk about Zach Frazier as one of the best rookies in the year. Joe Alt, the right tackle for the Chargers, is also one of the best rookies in the NFL right now. All right, moving on to the next game. We are going into an NFC.

Oh, no, they're 1-1. 1-1 Eagles at the 2-0 Saints. The Saints are three-point favorites. When you watch this game, Charles, when the Eagles have the ball against the Saints defense, what are you keeping your eye on? Is Jalen Hurst going to be able to survive against what Dennis Allen throws at him? Because Dennis...

has been especially like the Panthers games are always just like a little suspect. Green salt. But like, dude, some of the blitzes that he has thrown out over the first two weeks where like they'll put seven on the line and they'll send five and drop two or they'll send pressure from putting seven on the line or like just like the angles that they're coming from. I would be really interested to see what that looks like for Hertz, like a kind of a complex defense like that in his first game.

doing this without Jason Kelsey because like what the Falcons do, not quite what the Saints are doing on defense in terms like the complexity of some of these blitz looks. But also at the same time, I do feel like the Eagles, like they're still in a spot where it's like,

We still have a bunch of just really good players. So like even in that game against the Falcons on Monday night, I know they only scored like 21 points, but there were times where they were just running, like literally running over the Falcons because Saquon Barkley is still playing good football. The right side offensive line has been playing pretty good. So I think they can still just like kind of out-muscle their way and score some touchdowns against the Saints. But like when you get into those third and long situations and Dennis Allen is telling guys to just,

pin your ear backs and go kill him um that's kind of where i want to see jalen heard still take that next step it's it's gonna be a question until proven otherwise but really he hasn't proven it yet i know the numbers were good in week one but it wasn't that wasn't like it uh uh really him determining it it was just the offense and the scheme and everything and then last week it was

The stats, like he, you could tell Hurts started just scrambling in the middle of the game against the Falcons, which was great. But it's like, okay, we do need to see more of that scrambling stuff out of you. Because that's what's going to help out the whole offense. The design runs are still like still bad. You know, all the QB run game stuff. Like they should, again, just take that out of the offense and just hand the ball straight to Saquon because that stuff is amazing. That first couple drives against the Falcons, it's just, it's clinic tape. I posted one clip. It's just,

It's great blocking against great looks with Saquon. Okay, this is blocked for eight yards. Saquon makes it 18. Okay, that's why I'm just so bullish on that run game, like real life and fantasy life. It's so fun. It's so good. It's so talented. It's so fast. They can do anything. Great call about Dennis Allen, though, because people forget he's a Greg Williams disciple.

And for those who don't remember Greg Williams, who outside of Bounty Gate and maybe because of the deep safety jokes, you know, all that. The Jets. Yeah. Greg Williams is a psychopath, defensive coordinator, defensive play caller. Like he was like one of the guys in the aughts, especially of just bringing the craziest stuff.

Every time I hear Greg, there's this game, and you probably remember this, but there's this game where the Jets are playing the Raiders a couple years ago. And the game ended on a, which is going to sound crazy now, but a Hail Mary from Derek Carr to Henry Ruggs for a touchdown to win the game. And on the final play of the game, Greg Williams called a cover zero blitz.

and the linebackers and the whole just got stonewalled. And next thing you know, you have, you got Henry Ruggs, four, two speed, one-on-one on the outside with a slow corner, right? But on the video, there is Adam Gase is like talking to the offense, right? And he has his headset on. And at some point he hears the defensive call in his headset and he's talking to the quarterbacks and he just stops, right?

He goes what and then he starts running and as he's like looking for Greg the play starts and he's just Henry Ruggs flying down the field one-on-one. It's just like God But just as soon as Adam here's cover zero, he's like what Aren't they aren't they related somehow to or they are married or something?

I actually don't know that, but that would be amazing if they were. Yeah, something like that. They're not related, but there's something through marriage or something, how they know each other, too. So, oh, God. So that's the thing is the head coaches can get. If you're on the offensive staff, you only hear there's two comps. There's the passing game comp, and then the offensive line coach and the assistant line coach will go on the other line. And then the head coach, though, has the main offensive comp and the head defensive comp, and he can hear both.

That's what's hilarious about that is he's the only one on offense that could probably hear that. So that is just like a perfect kind of like example of like how the comms work too, because they only, they don't hear the discussion. All he hears is that the mic comes over and he hears what goes into the headset. So he didn't hear any of the discussion that happened before that. That's such a good story though. But I am curious too, when going back into this game, AJ Brown's out again, Saints have some browniness up front, but that Eagles old line man, the guy backed in at guard,

He's moving people, literally moving guys over a gap. Like, which is just, why did we let Jeff Stoutland and the Eagles get him? Like, this is, of course he's going to look good. The whole line in general just looked big and burly. Again, I know they went against the Falcons front last week, but still, it's just, that's the strength of this team. Saints have some beef up there, but it's just not an easy ask. So I'm just really curious on this side of the ball. It's going to come down to passing downs. I mean, really it is. Look for...

Hurts to throw another pass when he breaks the contain to the right. That's against the Blitz. That's what you're going to see. You're going to see a lot of Jalen Hurts throws from outside the pocket to the right. That's what happens in these games. All right. I think he has 14 throws outside the pocket to the right. No one else is in double digits. That's crazy. Dude, this portion of the season, that's a lot. 14? Yeah, that's a lot. None of them are sprint outs either. Yeah. Or bootlegs.

All right, going to the other side of the ball. Saints offense versus the Eagles defense. What are you keeping an eye on when you're watching this side of the ball? Is someone going to make Clint Kubiak use his brain yet? Like that's what I keep coming back to. Because honestly, like to me, the run game stuff is,

It's more sustainable than the past game stuff. Because through two weeks, I don't know what happened to Zimmer last week, but they just let them have the middle of the field the entire game. And I feel like, especially once you get into some of these offenses that are really going to just spam digs and crossers and routes that got receivers flying across the middle of the field, it almost turned into...

a game of Madden where you are just like, okay, well, Hey, they're going to keep coming out in single high. And like the DBs are playing outside leverage. Why wouldn't I throw a million crossers across the field? Like, why not? Like it's, it's free money. Like it's, it's right there. So, you know, and I know we've talked about this offline, but like Clint Kubiak in the passing game is not reinventing the wheel here. Like they just, they, they just haven't been challenged really yet. And to his credit, like,

He's not overthinking this. If you're just going to keep letting my receivers get wide open and catch the ball in stride across the field with no one in front of them to tackle them, well then, yeah, I'm going to keep calling that play. So,

I want to see if they can just, if, if they can, what does offense look like when teams start making plays on the ball? I don't know if the Eagles are that defense to like make that happen. Maybe Quinnian Mitchell can be that guy. The rest of them, I don't really know. But the run game stuff, I think is definitely repeatable. Like Fulaga has been pretty good in the run game. Their interior has been absolutely dynamite. Kamara looks juicy and healthy again. So yeah,

I'm interested to see just what the pass game looks like, really. Because to me, that's just like, someone's going to slow this down eventually. And then what's your counters off of that when you get there?

No, that's the best point. That's always the preferred game script against a, I'll say, Shanahan offense, but a Kubiak offense. Same thing. Same tree. But when you're watching this, these, yeah, you want to get them into passing downs. You want to get Derek Carr into passing downs because you also want to get this offensive line into passing downs when they don't have the training wheel. I was just a training wheels, but the buffers of.

Chip help moving the pocket with play action of getting the defensive line or sorry, the off ball linebackers to move up with the play action or anything like that. Shifting everything, getting all these guys going every such way, every which way when you drop back.

very much more straight, very much a pass rush that can just tee off on you if they feel that way. So that's it. They're not going to get those favorable game scripts. They're not going to play the Panthers in week one every week. They did get after the Cowboys, and you got to give them credit, but it was, you know, not every screen's going to go 75 yards and not, you know, not every, Rashichi, it's pretty damn good, but not every deep ball is going to get completed like that and go to the house. So everything you just said there is, the problem with all of it, though, is,

Can the Eagles run defense even stop this run offense? Like, I want to say, oh, yeah, yeah, no, it's good. It's like, yeah, they're going to give him the passing downs. This defense is more talented. This is the worst run defense so far. It's extremely suspect. You know, that's a mix of we expected some of that, but it's a mix of, you know, Fangio's going to do light boxes. Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith are setting the edge.

at a combined, yeah, quote-unquote setting the edge. Yeah, hanging out on the edge. So that's not ideal. The spine of the defense is still kind of shaky, you know, against the run. Jordan Davis has had some nice moments early in the game. Kind of fades as the game goes along. Linebackers are still iffy. But that's the thing is they're going to run a bunch of outside zone. Do we see a little

Fangio 6-1 defense in this game. You know, see a little... Am I half-fane? Right? The Saints have only been in 11 personnel on a fifth of their snaps so far this season. Everybody else is like above 40%. Usually teams are about 60%. That's about the norm. But this is like, they haven't had to. They haven't had to trot out three receivers. And so if they're going to try and play with a lot of fullbacks, either if it's Taysom Hill, a fullback, or the other guy...

I think Fangio might try some of those 6-1 fronts. And what that is, is you have six guys across the board and you're playing... What year was that? So that would have been 2018 when Fangio was at DC with the Rams... Or I'm sorry, with the Bears. And they just took the Rams to the woodshed. And then everyone copied it because what 6-1 does, it's a...

it's a good zone beater, zone run beater, take away double teams, really just make it ugly. And then if you play quarters behind it, the safety is going to kind of fill the run from off of there. This is the ideal offense to run that against. So I'm curious if he gets to it.

A little easier with those defensive players in Chicago than Bryce Huff on the outside. So we'll see. We'll see how that goes. But I'm curious if he brings it up because they have to do something to slow down the run. I mean, teams are just having their way with them. I know it's two weeks, but that's what I thought. That's what happened. So far, Robert Sala looks right on his assessment of Bryce Huff. Like, this can't be an every down player for us. Yeah.

Sorry, like he's barely played. He's never gone over 40% of their snaps. I think he's damn near like edge for the Eagles right now. Yeah. And that's tough because I love how you said Robert Sala, not Joe Douglas.

I know who's in charge of some stuff. Right. I'm going to give a job. I'm going to give a call on what it is. Because it's the reason why he never got on the field except for third down. But I was thinking in my head, I was like, you know,

if I'm, if I'm the saints, like wherever I see Nolan Smith lined up, I'm like, we're flipping the run to that side. He's not holding anyone up. And then I was like, wait, but that applies to Bryce off too. And at times they can apply to Josh sweat too. Just like, wait, like,

He goes rogue, man. He like shoots inside. He changed the number to 19 and just lost everything. I don't know what the hell happened to him. 19's not a defensive number. Not a bench number. No, that's a receiver or a bad quarterback. Don't look at who wears number 19 for the Arizona Cardinals. All right, but what's your little prediction for this game? Not a little prediction. Give me a big prediction for this game. The Saints are favored by three.

Saints a favor by three I'm gonna go for touchdowns for Alvin Kamara Wow, that's the big prediction. That's the big prediction for touchdowns for Al Kamara I don't think they slow down the run much

I have no, like, feel like this. I do think the Saints take it home, but it's, I don't know. This is a very much a proven ground game. I think for everybody, like all four units, Eagles offense, Eagles defense, Saints offense, Saints defense. So that's how I kind of want to just, you know,

look at this game and review it and just see how everybody goes about it because they can really attack the weaknesses. I think I'm going to go with the Saints being at home and just because I think their run game is going to be able to help control the game or keep them in that game. So, yeah, one that I'm pretty excited to watch because I kind of like proving ground games a little bit. It's not a loser leaves town. It's a proving ground game. It's an eliminator match. All right, but we are going to take a quick break and then we'll come back with a couple more games from week three.

Forget one-size-fits-all diets. With Noom, you get a personalized weight loss plan that's tailored to your lifestyle. Have cravings? Food FOMO? Noom can help you lose weight while still enjoying your favorite foods. Noom's users love the flexible approach, blending psychology and biology to help you lose weight in a way that's sustainable for you. Plus, you can rest assured Noom's approach is grounded in science. They've published more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles describing their methods and effectiveness.

Stay focused on what's important to you with Noom's psychology and biology-based approach. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. T-Mobile 5G internet keeps getting better. Boost your connection to harder-to-reach places with Home Internet Plus and get internet right where you want it. With Wi-Fi that reaches the attic, I finally have a home office. Get a free upgrade to T-Mobile Home Internet Plus while supplies last. Home Internet Plus starts at 50 bucks a month with auto pay and any voice line. Check availability at T-Mobile.com slash home internet.

All right. Moving on to a AFC versus NFC battle. We have two 2-0 teams. We have the Houston Texans.

Looking good through two weeks playing at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They got the Vikings. Vikings are two plus two. So two point underdogs at home.

We got CJ Stroud versus Brian Flores. We have Sam Darnold versus D'Amico Ryans. That doesn't have the same kind of ring to it. But when you're watching the Texans offense against the Vikings defense, which is a pretty juicy matchup, what are you keeping your eyes on, Charles McDonald? Dude, I'm glued in on Sting Lever's Justin Jefferson. I know Sam Darnold's been the story forever.

Kevin O'Connell. No, yeah, Kevin O'Connell, yeah. Yeah, you're right. You're right. You're thinking of our new co-worker. New co-worker. Shout out to the other KOC. Yeah. In my brain, I'm like, who the hell am I talking about? I do it all the time, man. I just say KOC whenever I tweet it because, yeah, whatever, I'm right. Yeah, but I just think the individual, like,

player versus player spectacle here. Justin Jefferson versus Derrick Stingley. I'm not mad at anyone who thinks Derrick Stingley is the best cornerback in football. Like that guy, it's just unbelievable. Like I'll probably still put Prithik Sertan and Sauce

over him, but he's in the conversation if you want to take it there. That matchup, how it goes, to me will potentially dictate the entire outcome of the game. Because, you know, Sam's still Sam. He's got some moments where

He's fighting demons, you know, back there, fighting demons and amnesia and moving coverage pictures. But at the same time, like he Bob and weave around those ghosts, man. That's good enough to get the ball. He's good enough to get the ball. Justin Jefferson, though. And I think that he's like,

He solidified himself as like, at worst, maybe like QB 16, 17, something like that. I was going to say he's in that 16 to 20 range. 16 to 20 range? Yeah. Right? Yeah. But with the top five, with the S tier throws that get me to come back, he's 16 to 20, but he's volatile. Like he's not a...

golf 16 to 20 you know that in my head i i know that's me and people lions fans are like oh my god golf's better it's like whatever i'm just talking about in the grand town but yeah yeah yeah no whatever but like that golf at least it's kind of a little more you can set your clock to them it's hard hold it's we'll see we'll see what we got on this given play uh yeah and it's like it's like he's got the jamis because i don't remember who tweeted this but this is back when like jamis first started

in Tampa Bay and someone tweeted like, "Jameis Winston has the most 'No, no, no, no, no, no, yes!' plays." And that's kind of where Sam is, 'cause there was this play last week where

dude, you watch it from the broadcast angle, but Sam, from the broadcast angle, it looks like the craziest throw ever. But Sam throws like a bullet, like 30 yards down the seam that just lands perfectly, pulls the receiver away from the safeties that are coming over, lands them right in between the cornerback is pinching down, and it was just a great throw. But from the broadcast, you were like, oh my God, like he just, he did it again. Like he got, he got coverage amnesia again. And the,

But he's still capable of making those throws. It's just like the whole, dude, would you just stop the dumb stuff and just do the good stuff that we all know you're capable of? So at least he's in a situation where the picture's clearer for him. But he's still fighting demons back there, man. Just a little bit. He has about two or three plays still. It used to be five or six. And now it's about two or three, which is good. But it's not just like, oh, a missed throw. It's just that...

It could be everything to come down. I went totally blind for a play. That's such a great shout out though when you were saying with Jefferson and Stingley and everything. I was looking more like, oh, some of the scheme stuff. How do they play Justin Jefferson? Because last week they won a bunch of man coverage against the Bears. So

that no one runs man coverage against the vikings like everybody runs cover two that's kind of what jefferson was talking about like hey no offense to garrett wilson people people treat me differently the funny part about it was last night the patriots ran a bunch of cover two against garrett wilson so actually yeah he did get that treatment um they're on cover two against anybody but everybody but uh that's it's a great call that that's how they might do it are they gonna go more zoned that's what they usually are they just gonna go hey derrick

This is your matchup. We're going to go man on third down a bunch. We're going to run a bunch of pressures. I forget. I get re-reminded how good D'Amico Ryans is on third down every time I watch the Texans. And I'm always like, oh, that's right. Because I think of him as like a basic zone guy. And then when he gets the third down, he becomes just a totally different person. And it might be one of the coaches that's a handle on it. But when he was with the 49ers, it was the same way. And Matt Berkey is the defensive coordinator there. But whoever it is.

So that's why I'm kind of I'm really curious to watch how they get off to the Vikings off its line, how Darnold handles that, how Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler pick it up. Did they put CJ Hand back there? Give that away. So that's the little schematic advantage or schematic matchup there that I'm really excited to watch. But also.

The other side of the ball, this is the Vikings defensive floor is what I really like about it is it it makes offenses work. It makes quarterbacks have to do straight dropbacks. There's no training wheels. This is why the 49ers game felt last week felt just so different, probably from a lot of 49ers fans. They ran three snaps of play action the entire game.

That's high Brock Purdy's career low in a single game with the last time they played the Vikings last year when they ran play action three times the entire game. Because Flores and his funky blitzes, all the funky looks they when you're pulling guys and move guys on play action, it screws it up. Guys knife and guys get missed. So a lot of offenses just go. I'm not going to deal with it.

And the other thing is there's no pullers in the run game. So they don't let you... When you pull somebody, it becomes a risk-reward. It becomes, you know... We can get a bigger gash if we pull somebody, but they can gash us and we get tackle for loss. It's a risk-reward to all of those. So...

because they move so many guys around and do so much. Teams just don't pull anybody. Last year, they faced the least amount of pullers in the entire league. It's the same way this year. Teams just run a whole bunch of zone, and they run a whole bunch of straight drop back stuff against this team. We know who runs a lot of zone, the Texans. You know who's really good straight dropping back? C.J. Stroud. These are kind of strengths of this team. Even if the run game does, like...

It all depends if Joe Mixon's healthy. He hasn't practiced yet. If he's playing, this makes me feel a little better. They have the scheme for it, but they have, you know, we know this Texans run game could be so frustrating if they didn't have mix. If they're not playing the Colts defense in week one, like the last week, it wasn't good. Kind of became a pumpkin again.

But I think they have the scheme for it. Whether they're able to pull it off is another thing to be seen. But we're going to see Stroud dropping straight back against this defense. And I think that's going to just be a lot of fun because the best quarterbacks against this defense are guys that can read the whole field, dial it up and push the ball. That's why Justin Herbert did well against this defense last year. And I'm excited to see how much they use Stroud that way because I think it's the best way of attack for them.

Yeah, I think you just kind of said everything. I was excited. That's why I kept trying to get to this side of the ball because I was like, I am so geeked up about this side of the ball. You kind of covered it. I don't really have much to add. I just want to see what the Blitz situation looks like for Stroud because he's one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch versus Blitz because he just doesn't,

He just doesn't panic. - On face. - Just unflappable, I feel like in all circumstances. And that plays well against a Brian Flores defense where Purdy is like someone who's like, ah, it's D.

Things are changing. I'm scared. I don't know what's going on. Purdy can spiral. And now it does. People keep forgetting about Iowa State Purdy. Dude, he was the ultimate spiraler. So yeah, I'm like, I'm a little scared. But Cedar doesn't really get there. So I'm excited to see what that looks like for his game. Because I think he's kind of like the perfect quarterback to at least mentally survive what it takes to take on a Florida defense.

i'm a little fearful bobby slowick might be an opening script merchant meaning you know these shanahan some of these guys once they get off their first 12 15 plays they kind of aren't able to adjust so this is some concerns i have about bobby john or bobby johnson uh ben johnson as well ben johnson with the lions he's proven otherwise like he's had some good second half stuff but i i'm still

Jury's still out for me on Bobby Sloak with that. And my last little stat, because I found this and I have to share it. The Texans haven't run a single snap of base defense this entire year. Every look's been nickel or dime. The Vikings use tight ends and a fullback a ton. So...

The Vikings run game is also the most efficient run game in the entire NFL right now. It's super explosive. I've talked about with Matt earlier this week about it, but I think they can have a field day if they take care of business. Like they, they're going to be, I think this Vikings run game will be able to run the ball a little bit on that side of the ball. So I did want to check about that. All right. What's your prediction for the game? I don't know.

I'm scared. I just haven't been able to make a pick, but I think I'll roll with the Texans. Better quarterback. And that's the fault of that. I think I'm going to go with the Texans, but I think this will be a fun game. Yeah. Obviously two, two and O teams. NFL's fun anyways. All right. Moving on to an NFC tilt. We have, this is, this is kind of, this felt like a, a for me game. We have the lions.

at the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are plus three at home when the Lions have the ball against this Cardinals defense. What are you keeping your eyes on, Charles? To me, this is kind of like what we've talked about earlier where the Chargers kind of got a week off against the Panthers because I feel like that's where the Cardinals defense was last week against the Rams offense that just has no players left. You kind of got a week off there because

They're just so decimated. They're so bad. They suck right now. Yeah. And like the offensive thing is kind of no fault of their own defense. Like, yeah, we'll see. Yeah. We can't do that with the defense. So I just kind of want to see like what does this look like when, no, it's not the most injured offensive line you've ever seen. Actually, it's a pretty damn good offensive line. I don't, I don't, I don't, I actually don't think the Lions offensive line maybe is quite as good as they were at their peak offensively.

last year. Run games are fine. It's pass pro. They've taken a step down. Yeah. I was going to say, I think what you're looking at for the Cardinals in this game is can you affect Jared Goff in the pocket? Because I don't know if they're going to be able to stop and run. Don't feel so strongly about that. But if you can, especially because their guard situation isn't great, if you can get

these guys' situation, maybe through blitzes or through stunts where they have to communicate or in Zeitler's case, move, you know, a little bit more like over a gap and try to block someone. You can get Jared Goff off his spot. Maybe that's a way you can slow down the offense because I think that might be one of the few ways they can slow down the Lions offense because, you know, I think the Cardinals offense is fun, but

you know, they didn't finish with the fourth overall pick for a reason last year. It wasn't just Kyler being out for most of the season. Defense is still like a multi-year rebuild. And I think we might see that this week.

Yeah, it's the Cardinals defense is fun, but it's not good. And I kind of keep saying that, but they're going to give some offenses issues, especially ones with weaker pass protection stuff. The lines are not one of those teams. Even if I said they took a step down, maybe personnel wise, schematically and rules wise, they're one of the best. That's why I really like Hank Fraley, their offensive line coach, like their stuff's really sound.

But if you're watching the Cardinals defense against watch for Buda Bakers, just look for number three. And that's that's what you can focus on if you're looking at the back end because he's flying everywhere. They use them every which way. I will say is the Lions and Ben Johnson are really good at using motion, using shifting and not just saying that to say it, but just as to manipulate the defense to go, OK, we're going to shift this over. So now your front is screwed against what we're about to run.

But what's cool about the Cardinals defense and why I'm optimistic about long term, and this is more maybe a 2025 take, is that it's kind of like a poker player playing position. They shift last. They use those safeties and use Buda Baker to move last. So offense bets puts their personnel formation out there. Defense raises with their shallow in front. Offense raises with a motion and shift. Then most defenses are like, okay, a call.

But the Cardinals go, okay, we're going to ship Buda Baker down. We're going to get the last, we're going to hold the pen last on this play. And I like that. And I think smarter defenses are trying to find ways to do that so they don't get manipulated. I feel like a lot of good defenses are just happening right now. It's not always perfect, but it's a possible answer. Like you said, trying to make Jared Goff feel uneasy, make him hold onto the ball that extra second. I thought Todd Bowles did a great job last week of constantly messing with the play action stuff.

uh not only just sending blitzes but sending creepers and what a creeper is is you know a little definition term a blitz is when you bring five or more pass rushers usually your four defensive linemen and then one extra guy so you require four base pass rushers and an off-ball player off-ball linebacker defense back a simulated pressure is when you show a blitz

you bring a linebacker or a DB, but then you drop a defense alignment. So you're only bringing four, a creeper is you don't show blitz. You bring a linebacker or a DB, but then you drop a defense alignment and you only run rush for. So you counter you're simulating or creeping like you're bringing a blitz, but you're only rushing for. And,

And what that does, and Bowles did a great last week, and I think Rawless, the defense coordinator for the Cardinals, will do it this week. The Cardinals are second in creeper rate, only behind the Bucs. So it's like, all right, we're going to see this. So you're rushing four. The offense is forced to commit six or even seven blockers. And so you only get three, two sometimes pass routes out against seven in coverage. And that's what was really messing with Goff last week was he had no check down.

because they were occupied by the blockers. So he's looking to push the ball. Guys are just flooded with coverage. And he's like, okay, I'm going to check it. Where's my check down? And that guy's occupied. And so I think the Cardinals trying to lean into that. They will get gashed a couple times, but I do think that's one little curveball that can throw out this offense. That is good. It's still good. Other side of the ball, Cardinals offense against the Lions defense, which you're keeping your eyes on.

Just the Cardinals chunk plays. It's so much fun. And I feel like it's just, it's just such a, it's, it's like from a defense perspective, it's such a, it's such a tough offense to, to stay disciplined for, I feel like, because like the offbeat plays do Kyler so fast. Like,

He hasn't slowed down at all post-injury. It's the same. Here's the very funny, real advantage that Kyler does have from being short. You'll see sometimes from the end zone angle when linebackers are trying to spy him, they literally lose track of him in the pocket so they can't see him. And next thing you know, if he's running out to the pocket and he's got a step or two on a linebacker, he's not getting caught. He's either going to...

you'll make it back to the line of scrimmage and scramble for a few yards or do what he did last week. Like the picture that you, he replied to where, you know, he is doing a no scope for shot and turning away. I've never seen that through. Steph Curry shot a three, uh, catching them and the receiver catch the ball for a touchdown. And like, that was not an easy throw that he made at all. Like coming across his body, flinging it back. Right. And then the receivers sliding, leading the guy.

Right. Leading the guy on the very edge of the end zone, right? And he's sliding in for a touchdown. That's a trick shot throw. So if he's going to be able to do stuff like that,

I kind of think that, like, that specific skill is something that can translate versus any defense because that just relies on him being a great athlete. And I still think, like, if you're looking at the Lions' defense, like, one area that maybe you could attack would be, like, just getting speed on their linebackers. And in this case, the speed comes from the quarterback. And not only that, like, that opens things up for Trey McBride. We saw it open things up for Marvin Harrison last week. So, like, this...

part where yeah maybe the Cardinals like their offense and structure I think can still be a work in progress sometimes just because like they're the offensive line they've got a whole bunch of different guys up there but for the most part

This is going to be a group where you can still count on big plays happening because you've got Kyler Murray, you've got Marv, you've got McBride. James Conner's having another nice start to the season. So they're still tough out. I just think the key for the game for the Lions will be not getting absolutely killed on the out-of-structure plays because they're going to happen.

that's the that's the again it's the needle moving place especially if you want daring to run man coverage that's though you're more susceptible to these big plays if you run man coverage kyle eyes are back to to the qb they're running around that's where kyle might feast on so that's a great point uh i cardinals are another team and i sound like a caricature myself but it's true i have to bring this up they use a lot of 12 and 13 personnel a lot of tight ends a lot of big boys these

The Lions run defense when they are in base, they match. So some teams don't match. I just mentioned the Texans ran no snaps of base. So some teams will go, hey, we're going to trot out our big boys, you know, four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four DBs. When you trot out what they call pro personnel, 12, which is two tight ends, 21, which is a fullback and running back, meaning two receivers.

Some teams now in the modern NFL, the bills, the Cowboys last year, Washington this year, the Texans, they just go, we don't have enough linebackers. We're going nickel and we'll just figure it out. We just, hopefully our DBs can tackle well enough. Some can, some can't, some can, some cannot.

But the Lions run defense, when they are in base and they got their big boys out there, they're tough to run on. They've had 22 carries and they've only given up 42 yards on running back runs out of base. 1.9 yards per carry allowed through two games. 27% rushing success rate allowed when they are in base defense. However, and this is the however of all this, the but of all this, the caveat.

Defending the pass out of base, whole different story. QB so far throwing the ball when the Lions are in base defense. 37 pass attempts, 28 completions, 241 yards, a touchdown, a 52% success rate, 0.23 EPA per drop back. Anything over 0.2 is considered MVP rate, just for perspectives. Only one sack and six QB pressures on 40 drop backs.

So I think the Cardinals are going to be trotting out their tight ends every single play. That's my prediction of this game. And the Cardinals are really good out 12 and 13. They have the fifth highest rate of 12 personnel. They are averaging 7.3 yards per play out of 13 personnel, 23 plays, all three touchdowns. I'm sorry, three touchdowns, including both of Harrison Jr.'s scores last week were out of 13 personnel. So I think you're going to see a lot of Tip Ryman, Trey McBride, Higgins,

And Marvin Harrison Jr. and a lot of bully ball and a lot of play action off of that. I think that's what their point of attack is going to be because that's, I think, the path of least resistance. Get the big boys out there and throw it. Your prediction for this game? I think the Lions will take this. I think just more complete

getting their offense versus Cardinals defense. And not only that, they can sit on the ball too if it gets down to it. So I think they win. I think it'll be a physical game, maybe more physical than people are expecting, but still good lines to take at home. I'm very excited. This is a game I big time circled. This might be my first game I review on all 22 the next day. I think also the Lions take it, but I do think the Cardinals are going to make this

Keep it close because they can, because I think their offense will be able to dictate a lot of things. And then you throw it, drop in wildcard with Kyler every once in a while.

Yeah, so that's where I think they'll keep it close. So maybe a cover by the Cardinals, but the Lions take it home. But I'm very excited to watch this game. I think it'll be a very good one. That's why we previewed it. That's why we chose it. We are going to take a quick break, and then we're going to come back with a little four-minute offense, a little four-minute drill to wrap this show up.

You know that feeling when your favorite brand really gets you? Deliver that feeling to your customers, every time. Memorable moments like these are key to building your business and your brand. Klaviyo turns your customer data into real-time connections across AI-powered email, SMS, and more, making every moment count. So you can continue to build smarter, more meaningful relationships with your customers. Build smarter digital relationships with your customers. And make every moment count with Klaviyo.

Learn more at klaviyo.com slash BFCM. All right, wrapping it up. Four-minute offense. Wind this clock down. Run the ball. Milk some clock. Snap the ball with two seconds left on the play clock. We're going to start Ravens at Cowboys. Cowboys are one point underdogs at home. What's the one thing you're watching in this game, Charles?

It's just tough because I feel about this the same way for both teams. Can you just grow up a little bit and just do what you're supposed to do? I labeled this. I had a term for it. I labeled this the is everything all right bowl? Right. Because what the hell was that last week with the Raiders, with the Ravens and the Raiders? Because look, you went to Kansas City.

At least like you were for the most part going blow for blow with them. Like at the end of the game, you're right there with a chance to win it. That losing that game is not that offensive. Losing this game against the Raiders where you're blowing a multi-score lead to Gardner Minshew for the second year in a row.

Dude, what the hell was that? And I think for this game with the Ravens, like, I'm just going to go straight full-on narrative. Like, you can't lose this game. Like, you full-on just cannot lose this game. Because Dallas, at least they have a win week one that they can kind of lean on to hold place and hold steady in the standings. You can't be 0-3 in the AFC North.

I just don't think that that's really a feasible plan for them to actually make the playoffs this year. Legitimately, when you're 0-3, you are like, will we make the playoffs this year instead of we are hunting for a Super Bowl? So Ravens can't lose this game. I think they're just going to come out and hopefully just beat the crap out of the Capitals because if they don't, you are on life support as far as what you want to get done this year. If you can't run on this defense, what's...

what, like what, what are we doing? I want an apology form if they can't run on this defense. But also that's the thing is the saints just ran all over this Cowboys defense. What do you think Mike Zimmer is doing all week? Like that. Sometimes you don't want another team to catch the team you just went against because you want to like take advantage of them and make them feel safe.

Yeah, that's I'm glad you actually said it. It's like I'm more narrative kind of scouting this game. That's kind of how I feel. I call the is everything all right? Well, the question mark bowl. It's like there's both of these teams have so many question marks for me, and I still feel OK about both of them. But still, I want to be like, all right, let's.

prove it all right are you guys actually for real or are we just kind of what my initial maybe feelings about both these teams you know in july should have gone with my gut instinct you know as opposed to what happened in august but uh yeah it was embarrassing what happened with the cowboys defense last year they averaged seven yards per play out of base personnel that just just can't happen the linebackers couldn't the that's what kubiak did they put a fullback on the field and they said hey linebackers fit the run oh you can't all right i'm just gonna do it 20 times like

What do you, what do you, what position is Pat Ricard playing? So we'll see how that goes. Going on, last game here in the four minute offense as we take a knee.

Your team. We have the Chiefs at the Falcons. The Falcons just came off a Monday night victory against the Eagles like we all expected. It wasn't like you went on a different show this week and they had to change the subject matter because the Falcons actually pulled off. Didn't plan at all. Where are we starting? Diddy. Okay. Okay. Sounds good. Charles doing a lot of shows. It's so funny. But what are your thoughts on the Falcons right now? Where are we at?

I'm happy they won that game because it gives you a little bounce back to lose this one. Hey, the run game looks good. It does look good. Dude, Bijan looks incredible right now. Amazing. I think he might be the best running back in football right now. It's like him and Saquon to me. One and two is from what I've seen so far. Yeah. Christian's out.

I mean, yeah. I mean, those two look really good. Jack Takenstead, a good start to season two. Yeah. It's just these guys, man. They were just so explosive. Yeah. I know. Bijan's just so deceptive. You had the whole point that he's an all-22 star, which usually it's not on running backs. Running backs is just kind of like, yeah, they're good. They're obvious. It's running back. But he's good, obviously. But then you watch him on all-22, and you're like, oh, you made three guys miss there? I didn't even see him juke.

It was crazy because there were some runs, especially in the Steelers game, where he is setting up a run and you'll see... It'll go for four yards, but you'll see before he got the... As he's getting the ball, he's setting up two guys to...

to miss. And it's like, okay, he played a different level and they need that because I still don't think that that game against Philly proved that Kirk was much healthier than he was. He was, he was moving like a little bit better, but like the play that I keep coming back to is, um,

I don't remember which quarter it was. I'm pretty sure it was after halftime. But there's a play where Darnell Mooney is just butt naked open on a corner route near the left sideline. And clean pocket and Kirk just airmails it. And I'm like, okay. I know you're good enough to hit that one. That's basically just a seven-on-seven throw. That's clean pocket. No real coverage. Just missed it. So that's where I'm like, okay. We're still a work in progress here. But at least...

He was able to summon up whatever he needed to get down the field in like two seconds on that last drive that they had. Because I remember when they got down to third down and Taequann Barkley dropped the ball.

And this is me being jaded. I know that. But I was like, yeah, this game's still over. So I remember I went to use the bathroom. I went and grabbed another beer out the fridge. And when I came down, came back, they were at the 40-yard line. I was like, what the hell is going on? And then another play, they were at the 15. I was like, okay. So at least you know that that's in there. I'm still waiting for just the more traditional...

drop back like deeper like deep stuff to come uh into the passing game because i still think that they're still kind of hiding that part but that was definitely a better game than than week one but also it could just be the eagles defense isn't that good and the steelers defense is really good and that's kind of what happened

I know. I think there's some truth to that. I think there's some truth to that. When Darnell Mooney is running all over you, I kind of, my alarm bells start kind of going, hmm. I still just want to see more Kirk turn your back to the defense. Yes. More Kyle Pitts. Like, dude, because the one thing with Kyle Pitts is like the short stuff, that's just not really his game. That's not his game. He's an extended route runner. Yeah. Yeah.

He's long-legged. He's 6'6". Get him running. Right, right. And then he'll get the ball in a little flat route, and he's not the guy that's going to make someone miss in tight quarters. No. You're going to have to get back and play action, drop deep, and find him over on a crossing route. But I don't think they can quite do that just yet. But I do think he was moving a little better than week one, so maybe we're improving here. Yeah. I'm still...

I still think the Falcons run game is good. I will say that. I know, but it's, it should be. It was always the passing game that we're curious about. So Kirk cousins, primetime Kirk coming back in a two minute drive with the Falcons and they were 99% chance to lose that game. They only had 1% chance to win according to action stats. Yeah, that,

That's not something on my bingo card. That was not something I would have bet on happening. What is going on here? Like what universe are we in? And I still won't moving forward. I still won't. Yeah. But watch the game.

Island games, man. Island games mean more. When you do something in an island game, it means 100 times more than if you did it at one o'clock on a Sunday. Yeah, but watching that, I still got to see Drake London more outside the touchdown. I know he's fine. I'm just saying more of the scheme for him. Great point about Pitts. I will say Pitts has actually really improved as a blocker. I know everyone hates that. You don't hear a top five pick

you know, top, top five picks tight end doing that. He's only 23, still got a long career. So the fact that he's already becoming like nine, we just, I would say is like average plus now, as opposed to just a guy you have to hide. Hey, that's good. I know some of the passing game stuff's not there, but that's good.

Dude, week two was a big improvement on week one for the Pitts blocking stuff. Because I will say, the Alex Highsmith TJY experiment. That's a little tough for him. Highsmith, they get his number. Yeah, you're right. You're right. I think maybe the Brandon Graham one-on-one block, which technically Pitts gave up the sack on because my cousins took so long on. But yeah. Yeah, that...

I think the Chiefs take care of business, but the Falcons are just such a curiosity. The defense is a little more sophisticated than I thought they'd be. And they have the right attitude. Those safeties, man, they are fun. And they can get burly. Like when they went big boy, they held up better than I expected against an Eagles front that's fantastic. So, yeah, I know. They're...

I just still don't know what to think of him. Until I see more. Until I see more. Rodgers' Achilles looked good last night. We're talking about Achilles' QBs. Aaron Rodgers' Achilles looked fine. He sprinted more in a game, according to NextGenStats, sprinted the most in a game last night than he has since 2018, which is saying something when...

Somebody pulled up an interview when he did with Joe Rogan when he said he was on Percocets in 2018. So I'll let you do the math there. All right. That will wrap us up with our week three preview. It's Friday. Yes, it is Friday. I hope everybody enjoys their weekend of games. There's a ton of good ones outside the ones we just highlighted. But closing it out today.

I will be back on Tuesday with you, Charles, I believe. We'll be doing a recap show of week three. We're giving Matt a little deep breath. I am Nate Tice. You can find me at Nate underscore Tice. Where can they find you, Charles McDonald?

You can find me on Twitter at 4verts. Check out our stuff at Yahoo Sports. We are writing so much. Please read it. Please read it. Don't let that be in vain. Don't let that be in vain. Please do. I take pride in it. There's plenty of little next-gen stats in there. Just search our name, Yahoo, and find us. That's a great point. Search Charles Robinson. Search Joy Epson. Search Frank Schwab. Search Matt Harmon. We are writing so much. Please help us. Yes, we are.

Great stuff out there. Shout out Joey Galeno and Al Tobey. All right. But subscribe to us as well. Read our articles, but also subscribe to this podcast, Football 301. Follow us. Rate us. Five stars, hopefully. I want to see the number count go up. Just the quantity.

Hopefully quality with the five stars, but just quantity too. Please, that would really make my weekend. Watch us on YouTube, on the Yahoo Sports YouTube channel. You can check out every single show of Football 301. We're going to have some more visual elements to come. Also, follow Yahoo Sports on Snapchat.

And we have a mailbag email, I should say. Send in your questions. Football301mailbag at yahoosports.com. We are going to be hitting those pretty soon. Also, thanks to Brett, Stone, and Adi behind the scenes. Thank you all for listening. And we will see you guys next week.