Lay fifteen to ten touchdown. Welcome to Chargers Weekly and with juliladed Jelil's gonna be a little bit of a shorter one because with the players having the weekend off, with the extended sort of mini bi just gonna kind of recap what we saw last night. We're doing this Friday in Thursday Night football, huge victory over the Broncos, and then we'll get into next week's contest against the Patriots with another Chargers Weekly back to our originally scheduled posting date of Thursday. So I'm gonna start with this because someone who's been through it kind of take me through what's going on a defense, specifically a secondary When you got three drives, three consecutive touchdowns, run game is working for the Broncos. You're coming off a second half where you had five possessions, five scores, three touchdowns, two field goals from the Buccaneers. How do you get that thing right? Like kind of what's the communication like to say, all right, let's get this thing figured out.

Lay fifteen to ten touchdown. Welcome to Chargers Weekly and with juliladed Jelil's gonna be a little bit of a shorter one because with the players having the weekend off, with the extended sort of mini bi just gonna kind of recap what we saw last night. We're doing this Friday in Thursday Night football, huge victory over the Broncos, and then we'll get into next week's contest against the Patriots with another Chargers Weekly back to our originally scheduled posting date of Thursday. So I'm gonna start with this because someone who's been through it kind of take me through what's going on a defense, specifically a secondary When you got three drives, three consecutive touchdowns, run game is working for the Broncos. You're coming off a second half where you had five possessions, five scores, three touchdowns, two field goals from the Buccaneers. How do you get that thing right? Like kind of what's the communication like to say, all right, let's get this thing figured out.

Well, it just starts with we always talk about it every time we come on this show, and it's about the coach. It's about the coaches, about the players belief and they understand that. Listen, no matter what is going on in the game, no matter how the game's going, we believe in each other. We believe in our scheme, and the coaches are confident enough not to start pointing fingers, but more so figure out how to get it done. Obviously, like you said, last week against the Bucks, very very tough out and for the defense. Then they come in against the Broncos, and the Broncos are on fire money.

Well, it just starts with we always talk about it every time we come on this show, and it's about the coach. It's about the coaches, about the players belief and they understand that. Listen, no matter what is going on in the game, no matter how the game's going, we believe in each other. We believe in our scheme, and the coaches are confident enough not to start pointing fingers, but more so figure out how to get it done. Obviously, like you said, last week against the Bucks, very very tough out and for the defense. Then they come in against the Broncos, and the Broncos are on fire money.

I mean, yeah, three.

I mean, yeah, three.

Possessions, three touchdowns, right, and then they go into halftime and they come out and then it's punt I think in a field goal to.

Possessions, three touchdowns, right, and then they go into halftime and they come out and then it's punt I think in a field goal to.

Tempt filgal on their first possession, and then three and out six plays like eight yards or twelve yards or something, three and out or their next three outiods.

Tempt filgal on their first possession, and then three and out six plays like eight yards or twelve yards or something, three and out or their next three outiods.

So it's really simple, and it's just them believing in their defense. Right, and all season long, this defense has played well, and I think that they felt like, hey, you know, we have sputtered maybe last week, and we've came out sleepy. They look sleepy. They came out not looked really lethargic, not much energy. We see the defense fly around, and I think they went in a halftime and it was probably some words thrown around. It was, you know, some obviously some corrections made on what they were seeing the Broncos were doing, but it just shows the belief in this team and belief in the coaches and especially what the decimated secondary as this team has man. It was it was impressive to see how they came out in the second half.

So it's really simple, and it's just them believing in their defense. Right, and all season long, this defense has played well, and I think that they felt like, hey, you know, we have sputtered maybe last week, and we've came out sleepy. They look sleepy. They came out not looked really lethargic, not much energy. We see the defense fly around, and I think they went in a halftime and it was probably some words thrown around. It was, you know, some obviously some corrections made on what they were seeing the Broncos were doing, but it just shows the belief in this team and belief in the coaches and especially what the decimated secondary as this team has man. It was it was impressive to see how they came out in the second half.

Yeah, you let me write to it because I think what people maybe fail to understand because you know, what do we do. We follow the ball, So we watch a lot of Justin Herbert watching a lot of the front and Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and maybe a little bit of day On Henley there because he's making all these tackles and oftentimes we're not necessarily playing or focusing our eyes on the back end of the defense and what's back there, even if they're not involved in the play, and you are. And that's why I'm bringing it up because I think what people failed to notice is Number One, make sure you recognize how important Aloie Gilman is to this team and what it has meant since he has gone down and been on ir Then you've got his back up Elijah Molden and how important he is to this team. In the first meeting against the Broncos had an interception, right, And so now you got Marcus May back there with Tony Jefferson. So Tony Jefferson again, we talked about this, you know, prior to the Atlanta games scout with the Ravens last year. And he's back playing football. So he's playing one hundred percent of the snaps? Is that one high safety with a hammy? And who's the other guy? Marcus May? And he's gone after three snaps, and guess who has to go high? Yeah, number three. So now you've got Derwin after three snaps playing high safety, and that run game is gash and gash and gashing. And to me, that was the biggest adjustment where Minard just said, all right, Kennall Williamson, I know you just got here, but go on and get back there because number three is gonna be on the line of scrimmage for the rest of the game. And man, that it changed everything.

Yeah, you let me write to it because I think what people maybe fail to understand because you know, what do we do. We follow the ball, So we watch a lot of Justin Herbert watching a lot of the front and Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and maybe a little bit of day On Henley there because he's making all these tackles and oftentimes we're not necessarily playing or focusing our eyes on the back end of the defense and what's back there, even if they're not involved in the play, and you are. And that's why I'm bringing it up because I think what people failed to notice is Number One, make sure you recognize how important Aloie Gilman is to this team and what it has meant since he has gone down and been on ir Then you've got his back up Elijah Molden and how important he is to this team. In the first meeting against the Broncos had an interception, right, And so now you got Marcus May back there with Tony Jefferson. So Tony Jefferson again, we talked about this, you know, prior to the Atlanta games scout with the Ravens last year. And he's back playing football. So he's playing one hundred percent of the snaps? Is that one high safety with a hammy? And who's the other guy? Marcus May? And he's gone after three snaps, and guess who has to go high? Yeah, number three. So now you've got Derwin after three snaps playing high safety, and that run game is gash and gash and gashing. And to me, that was the biggest adjustment where Minard just said, all right, Kennall Williamson, I know you just got here, but go on and get back there because number three is gonna be on the line of scrimmage for the rest of the game. And man, that it changed everything.

Yeah, because when it first happened, they went to using just here as the nickel, right, And that's what the Broncos wanted. They wanted just share at the nickel bring the formation to the field, fast motion, jet motion forced him to get into the box. Now he's in the run fit. Now he's taken on guards, now he's taken on tackles, and that's what you've seen. I mean, he's a baller. I love just here, but he's not the same person in the run game that Duran is. And that's why they use Duran in the big nickel so much. You could blitz him. He can cover the tight end, he can cover slots if you bump motion, if you slide him in the box. He's playing the box better than most linebackers in the NFL. Right, So when that happened. When it happened, I literally told my wife on the couch, I was like, darn it, they're gonna have to move Durham back to safety deep safety, and they're going to try to use that against us and use just here in the run game. And then you've seen it started to They went right at him and it's obviously it's the NFL. That's what they do. They look for matchups, they look for disadvantages, and I seen as soon as Marcus May went out, I was like, look, coach Minner is gonna have to leave Durwin at the big nickel, and whoever he has left on the roster has to go bell. You know what, coach, I'll drive jersey. I'll drive well, give me a jersey. So, man, it was awesome though. Credit seven thirty seven. There we go, thirty seven. Pull it out, pull it out, pull it out. I'm ready. I'm ready. Baby.

Yeah, because when it first happened, they went to using just here as the nickel, right, And that's what the Broncos wanted. They wanted just share at the nickel bring the formation to the field, fast motion, jet motion forced him to get into the box. Now he's in the run fit. Now he's taken on guards, now he's taken on tackles, and that's what you've seen. I mean, he's a baller. I love just here, but he's not the same person in the run game that Duran is. And that's why they use Duran in the big nickel so much. You could blitz him. He can cover the tight end, he can cover slots if you bump motion, if you slide him in the box. He's playing the box better than most linebackers in the NFL. Right, So when that happened. When it happened, I literally told my wife on the couch, I was like, darn it, they're gonna have to move Durham back to safety deep safety, and they're going to try to use that against us and use just here in the run game. And then you've seen it started to They went right at him and it's obviously it's the NFL. That's what they do. They look for matchups, they look for disadvantages, and I seen as soon as Marcus May went out, I was like, look, coach Minner is gonna have to leave Durwin at the big nickel, and whoever he has left on the roster has to go bell. You know what, coach, I'll drive jersey. I'll drive well, give me a jersey. So, man, it was awesome though. Credit seven thirty seven. There we go, thirty seven. Pull it out, pull it out, pull it out. I'm ready. I'm ready. Baby.

Still got it stored right here.

Still got it stored right here.

No doubt. So I seen it when when Marcus went down, Obviously, I was like, yeah, this is gonna kind of hurt the secondary here and the defense overall. But coach man are sticking with his guns and saying, you know what, no matter what we're gonna we're gonna die on our shield. And that's what Darwin James playing in that box closer to the line of scrimmage, and it helped the defense a lot.

No doubt. So I seen it when when Marcus went down, Obviously, I was like, yeah, this is gonna kind of hurt the secondary here and the defense overall. But coach man are sticking with his guns and saying, you know what, no matter what we're gonna we're gonna die on our shield. And that's what Darwin James playing in that box closer to the line of scrimmage, and it helped the defense a lot.

Now you're talking about running for six point six. I think it was yards per carry in the first half, two point three in the second half, and Derwin affecting. That's what was so I think maddening about the game. And I think this is part of a bigger conversation overall with Bonix. Right, is his a dot his average depth of target, it's three yards. It was a three yards. It was just dumping off and guys were you could tell it was an adjustment thing right where it's like they're just not quite in the right spot and ah, there's Junior kind of stuck over here, and it's like there's a big play there, and you could tell they can just fix it. There's not It's not a team that gives you explosives. You know, they had the one big pass to Marvin Mims and yeah, it should have been flagged for PI, but they get away with it, so whatever. But outside of that, that's not what they do. They're just dinking and dunking. And that's how you can take That's how you can have I'm assuming that that's how you can have the difference between the first half and the second half, right because it's not explosive places that are getting you. It's Marvin Mims catching a ball one yard passed the line of scrimmage and going fifty four yards like that's what this offense does.

Now you're talking about running for six point six. I think it was yards per carry in the first half, two point three in the second half, and Derwin affecting. That's what was so I think maddening about the game. And I think this is part of a bigger conversation overall with Bonix. Right, is his a dot his average depth of target, it's three yards. It was a three yards. It was just dumping off and guys were you could tell it was an adjustment thing right where it's like they're just not quite in the right spot and ah, there's Junior kind of stuck over here, and it's like there's a big play there, and you could tell they can just fix it. There's not It's not a team that gives you explosives. You know, they had the one big pass to Marvin Mims and yeah, it should have been flagged for PI, but they get away with it, so whatever. But outside of that, that's not what they do. They're just dinking and dunking. And that's how you can take That's how you can have I'm assuming that that's how you can have the difference between the first half and the second half, right because it's not explosive places that are getting you. It's Marvin Mims catching a ball one yard passed the line of scrimmage and going fifty four yards like that's what this offense does.

And the running game was working so well for them in the first half that when the running game is working for you, your playbooks at your disposal. So now they're worried about the run, and then they're running and they're playing play action. Then they're booting right, and then they're doing quick game and it's just they they were able to do whatever they wanted to because of how well the running game was. Now once the running game was stopped, now it's like guys aren't flying down hill as fast. People are starting to you know, take the reads to read their keys, see you exactly what's happening in front of them. I think the game slowed down for the defense in the second half, and they were able to, you know, even though he kept checking down, kept checking down. What they did well in the second half as well, what they didn't do in the first is they tackled well in space. Yes, right, So even though they were making those checkdowns in the first half, those guys were wiggling, missing one or two tackles and now you have a first down. I mean the fullback probably had three or four catches in the first half, right, So it wasn't really that they were taking us up top and you know, explosive plays because we were keeping that two shell high. We're keeping a roof on the defense, so to say. But it was just really just really annoying. Run game, boots, quick game, and he was taking what the defense was giving him. And credit to him in the first half and it worked for them.

And the running game was working so well for them in the first half that when the running game is working for you, your playbooks at your disposal. So now they're worried about the run, and then they're running and they're playing play action. Then they're booting right, and then they're doing quick game and it's just they they were able to do whatever they wanted to because of how well the running game was. Now once the running game was stopped, now it's like guys aren't flying down hill as fast. People are starting to you know, take the reads to read their keys, see you exactly what's happening in front of them. I think the game slowed down for the defense in the second half, and they were able to, you know, even though he kept checking down, kept checking down. What they did well in the second half as well, what they didn't do in the first is they tackled well in space. Yes, right, So even though they were making those checkdowns in the first half, those guys were wiggling, missing one or two tackles and now you have a first down. I mean the fullback probably had three or four catches in the first half, right, So it wasn't really that they were taking us up top and you know, explosive plays because we were keeping that two shell high. We're keeping a roof on the defense, so to say. But it was just really just really annoying. Run game, boots, quick game, and he was taking what the defense was giving him. And credit to him in the first half and it worked for them.

Yeah, and Sean Payton and his Hubris made sure to let the country know because he wrote run it on the top of the play card. And don't think that that was not for anything but a television production. I'm sorry, That's exactly what that was, which is why it was nice to see him have to eat it in the second half and all of a sudden, run It started disappearing from the play card. And I think I'll say this, I think it's partially I think it's actually in large part on him. He did not run it as much in the second half. We started first down passes and he was trying to get his bon Nicks flex going and all of that. He really was, and it bit him. And I'll tell you so before I get to the final eight seconds of the first half, because it's one of the greatest moments, you know, that we've seen in a long time. And the free kick. I do want to point this out because Chargers go three and out on their first play right on their first series, they lose the coin toss, they defer, they go three and out, hot knife through butter broncos right down the field, touchdown, And now you're like, oh boy, so you need an answer. And I thought it was telling, Like to me, it just sort of encapsulates the story of this season and the story really of justin Herbert's career and who he's willing to throw to and how he wants to get things going. What was his drive starter on that next on that first play of the second series, A guy that just came off the field playing defensive tackle, dump off the Scott Matt Locke playing fullback. He jukes, a guy, trucks another gets ten yards and you can just see the offense you could if you watch that play. When for people who can go back and watch it on film, you see them all like, okay, I mean you want to talk about a drive starter and just setting a tone and getting guys to kind of forget about the previous eight to nine minutes. I don't think people, you know, maybe I'm making too much out of you. Then it just felt like that's how you get it on.

Yeah, and Sean Payton and his Hubris made sure to let the country know because he wrote run it on the top of the play card. And don't think that that was not for anything but a television production. I'm sorry, That's exactly what that was, which is why it was nice to see him have to eat it in the second half and all of a sudden, run It started disappearing from the play card. And I think I'll say this, I think it's partially I think it's actually in large part on him. He did not run it as much in the second half. We started first down passes and he was trying to get his bon Nicks flex going and all of that. He really was, and it bit him. And I'll tell you so before I get to the final eight seconds of the first half, because it's one of the greatest moments, you know, that we've seen in a long time. And the free kick. I do want to point this out because Chargers go three and out on their first play right on their first series, they lose the coin toss, they defer, they go three and out, hot knife through butter broncos right down the field, touchdown, And now you're like, oh boy, so you need an answer. And I thought it was telling, Like to me, it just sort of encapsulates the story of this season and the story really of justin Herbert's career and who he's willing to throw to and how he wants to get things going. What was his drive starter on that next on that first play of the second series, A guy that just came off the field playing defensive tackle, dump off the Scott Matt Locke playing fullback. He jukes, a guy, trucks another gets ten yards and you can just see the offense you could if you watch that play. When for people who can go back and watch it on film, you see them all like, okay, I mean you want to talk about a drive starter and just setting a tone and getting guys to kind of forget about the previous eight to nine minutes. I don't think people, you know, maybe I'm making too much out of you. Then it just felt like that's how you get it on.

Yeah, because when it happened, I said the same thing to myself. And then when you looked at it. He was distributing the ball to I think eight ten okay, so ten different targets, right, So he's spreading the ball around. It's not like, you know, g Ro's drawn up a play for one receiver to get five or six catches. No, Justin's dropping back. He's surveying the field and he's dishing it off to guys like you said, Maddie's start exactly. So it's I mean, we can go all day long. I'll say this was they say there's a heartbeat of a team, right, And there was two posts on the offense and the defense. One was Durham James on defense, and then it was Herbert. Herbert put the team on his back last night and he won the game, right and on a national stage where everyone said he can't do it. Everyone's you know, it's always this criticism about what he can't do, rather than just appreciating what the guy does.

Yeah, because when it happened, I said the same thing to myself. And then when you looked at it. He was distributing the ball to I think eight ten okay, so ten different targets, right, So he's spreading the ball around. It's not like, you know, g Ro's drawn up a play for one receiver to get five or six catches. No, Justin's dropping back. He's surveying the field and he's dishing it off to guys like you said, Maddie's start exactly. So it's I mean, we can go all day long. I'll say this was they say there's a heartbeat of a team, right, And there was two posts on the offense and the defense. One was Durham James on defense, and then it was Herbert. Herbert put the team on his back last night and he won the game, right and on a national stage where everyone said he can't do it. Everyone's you know, it's always this criticism about what he can't do, rather than just appreciating what the guy does.

Right.

Right.

So I think that was really the when the stars needed to show up. The two biggest heart beats of the team showed up.

So I think that was really the when the stars needed to show up. The two biggest heart beats of the team showed up.

Yeah, for the I know, and I know we got a ton of them. For the folks that like to defend Herbert. I don't think you need to. I mean, his play does it for But if you want to like what I repeatedly tell people, and it's why it's such a damn shame to see someone as smart with his fancy Harvard education, and I like Ryan Fitzpatrick, I think does a really good job. But you would think that that it would be someone that would do a little bit more homework. If you're going to take the shot at someone as talented as Herbert that plays the same position you played to recognize better than play, well, yeah, obviously you're going to take shott. I'm not looking at all I'm saying is just look at the amount the number of fourth quarter leads that he had guided the Chargers too with under five minutes to go, Like he brought up his recer, Oh it's eight and thirty this or whatever it was, and it's like, how many of those games did he have a lead with under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Herbert's done it in the past. The defense and offense and special teams all play a part, and so you can't put it on one guy. The other thing on top of that is his primetime numbers are good. He has been really good in primetime, and there's a reason why last night was their seventeenth primetime game since twenty twenty two, which is what the most in the NFL tied with the Bills and the Cowboys, because they're really good and they play competitive games in primetime. When the light shined the brightest. You mentioned the two heartbeats, I thought Trey in the post game he was just losing his mind. And I think he said he went into Sicico mode and said, man, I would follow him into the depths of Hell, follow him anywhere like. And I think that's because he isn't really the most you know, he doesn't. He has no hubris, there's no boasting from Justin Herbert, so the other guys kind of have to do it for him, and they all did that. After the game, I lost my train of thought because I was just thinking about how dumb Ryan Fitzpatrick looked with his little profes cereal whiteboard out there, and then having to eat it in the post game and not even having the courage to bring the guy out for the postgame interview. Nothing wrong with bringing laden derwent out. They certainly had great games, but yeah, bring the guy out and tell him who won the game. Yeah, you made a fool of yourself in the pregam, which is fine. I do it regularly on here every single week, but it perfectly put. I'm trying to think where I want to go now because I just can't stop thinking about how dummy looked with his shirt unbuttoned and doing the little thing with the pointer on the whiteboard, and then by the way to come up and have Andrew Whitworth say, well, you know, he can't really climb the pocket because the interior of the line has been a little bit soft, so he's kind of had to roll out to the edges all season long. So I appreciate the point you made about he's got to climb the pocket better, but kind of hard to do it when there's a guy in your lap.

Yeah, for the I know, and I know we got a ton of them. For the folks that like to defend Herbert. I don't think you need to. I mean, his play does it for But if you want to like what I repeatedly tell people, and it's why it's such a damn shame to see someone as smart with his fancy Harvard education, and I like Ryan Fitzpatrick, I think does a really good job. But you would think that that it would be someone that would do a little bit more homework. If you're going to take the shot at someone as talented as Herbert that plays the same position you played to recognize better than play, well, yeah, obviously you're going to take shott. I'm not looking at all I'm saying is just look at the amount the number of fourth quarter leads that he had guided the Chargers too with under five minutes to go, Like he brought up his recer, Oh it's eight and thirty this or whatever it was, and it's like, how many of those games did he have a lead with under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Herbert's done it in the past. The defense and offense and special teams all play a part, and so you can't put it on one guy. The other thing on top of that is his primetime numbers are good. He has been really good in primetime, and there's a reason why last night was their seventeenth primetime game since twenty twenty two, which is what the most in the NFL tied with the Bills and the Cowboys, because they're really good and they play competitive games in primetime. When the light shined the brightest. You mentioned the two heartbeats, I thought Trey in the post game he was just losing his mind. And I think he said he went into Sicico mode and said, man, I would follow him into the depths of Hell, follow him anywhere like. And I think that's because he isn't really the most you know, he doesn't. He has no hubris, there's no boasting from Justin Herbert, so the other guys kind of have to do it for him, and they all did that. After the game, I lost my train of thought because I was just thinking about how dumb Ryan Fitzpatrick looked with his little profes cereal whiteboard out there, and then having to eat it in the post game and not even having the courage to bring the guy out for the postgame interview. Nothing wrong with bringing laden derwent out. They certainly had great games, but yeah, bring the guy out and tell him who won the game. Yeah, you made a fool of yourself in the pregam, which is fine. I do it regularly on here every single week, but it perfectly put. I'm trying to think where I want to go now because I just can't stop thinking about how dummy looked with his shirt unbuttoned and doing the little thing with the pointer on the whiteboard, and then by the way to come up and have Andrew Whitworth say, well, you know, he can't really climb the pocket because the interior of the line has been a little bit soft, so he's kind of had to roll out to the edges all season long. So I appreciate the point you made about he's got to climb the pocket better, but kind of hard to do it when there's a guy in your lap.

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I'll get to this. Let's let's shift to more positive things and celebrate this because it was a big win.

I'll get to this. Let's let's shift to more positive things and celebrate this because it was a big win.

Yep.

Yep.

The look, I've got a I've got a mental catalog of probably I don't know fifty throws that I can access. I don't know if I've seen a better one than the touchdown throw to Darius Davis as a defensive back. Give me an idea level of difficulty on that throw.

The look, I've got a I've got a mental catalog of probably I don't know fifty throws that I can access. I don't know if I've seen a better one than the touchdown throw to Darius Davis as a defensive back. Give me an idea level of difficulty on that throw.

I mean, I haven't seen it in a long time. Like rolling to your left originally one of Darius Davis in the flat. Darius Davis improvises and heads up Phil because he sees his quarterbacks in trouble. He has a defensive lineman bearing down on him, and when he throws the ball, if you look Darius in the second in the safety excuse me, our pros.

I mean, I haven't seen it in a long time. Like rolling to your left originally one of Darius Davis in the flat. Darius Davis improvises and heads up Phil because he sees his quarterbacks in trouble. He has a defensive lineman bearing down on him, and when he throws the ball, if you look Darius in the second in the safety excuse me, our pros.

Step almost so it's almost an anticipation throw right, and so he.

Step almost so it's almost an anticipation throw right, and so he.

Throws him open as he's getting hit while the defensive lineman is coming to his right side by with a ball while rolling to his left, why rolling to his left on a bad ankle, and throws a complete seed dime.

Throws him open as he's getting hit while the defensive lineman is coming to his right side by with a ball while rolling to his left, why rolling to his left on a bad ankle, and throws a complete seed dime.

Yeah, just right in the hole.

Yeah, just right in the hole.

I mean, I mean, not too shabby. I can do it. I could do it.

I mean, I mean, not too shabby. I can do it. I could do it.

And that, by the way, if you're if you're Darius Davis, you know what I would probably have like a nice frame and a monitor and just have that thing on a loop in my in my foyer. Because that's his first touchdown, you know, first touchdown from scrimmage. He obviously had the punt return for a touchdown. But talk and these are two guys. You got two guys, and that's you were talking about it, right, ten different receivers. You got Darius Davis who first touchdown reception of his career, and how does it work. He's in the flats just kind of little release, and instead he sees Herbert running and he's got the you know, mental fortitude to say, oh, I'm gonna get out of here. Right and and it's an ad libbed play from two really great players, right.

And that, by the way, if you're if you're Darius Davis, you know what I would probably have like a nice frame and a monitor and just have that thing on a loop in my in my foyer. Because that's his first touchdown, you know, first touchdown from scrimmage. He obviously had the punt return for a touchdown. But talk and these are two guys. You got two guys, and that's you were talking about it, right, ten different receivers. You got Darius Davis who first touchdown reception of his career, and how does it work. He's in the flats just kind of little release, and instead he sees Herbert running and he's got the you know, mental fortitude to say, oh, I'm gonna get out of here. Right and and it's an ad libbed play from two really great players, right.

And it's impressive because Daris Davison, justin Herbert, doesn't have that kind of chemistry. It's not like he's his number one, or he's his number two or even his number three.

And it's impressive because Daris Davison, justin Herbert, doesn't have that kind of chemistry. It's not like he's his number one, or he's his number two or even his number three.

Right.

Right.

You know, Daris is known for his electrifying return ability, pitting him in the backfield doing jets for last year, Yeah, for sure, doing jet sweets. But for him to have the mental fortitude to say, hey, my quarterback's in trouble. Hey, I can either go. He could have went right, he could have went left, he could have came back to him. He turned up the field where it was avoided zone. And you've seen Herbert throw one of the best throws of the season. So it was really impressive. Man. I was on my couch watching that one, and all that I do is just I just shook my head and started laughing.

You know, Daris is known for his electrifying return ability, pitting him in the backfield doing jets for last year, Yeah, for sure, doing jet sweets. But for him to have the mental fortitude to say, hey, my quarterback's in trouble. Hey, I can either go. He could have went right, he could have went left, he could have came back to him. He turned up the field where it was avoided zone. And you've seen Herbert throw one of the best throws of the season. So it was really impressive. Man. I was on my couch watching that one, and all that I do is just I just shook my head and started laughing.

It must be nice. Must be his twenty fifth career catch and it goes for his first career touchdown. The other first career receiving TV and he got his first career rushing TV. A guy that put up nearly fifteen hundred yards and twenty touchdowns a senior season for coach Harbought Michigan in twenty twenty one. And Hassan Haskins, man, you want to talk about run after catch and getting some wiggle for a guy that's really just great special teams player, really good in pass pro, And here's your opportunity. And it's something coaches talked about. Guys are going to get opportunities, so when they come, we expect them to take advantage of them. Little shovel pass and Haskins does the rest for thirty four yards man eluding guys, turning on the Jets, shaking off tackles. I mean, it was an impressive run to give us that, to give the Chargers that ten point lead.

It must be nice. Must be his twenty fifth career catch and it goes for his first career touchdown. The other first career receiving TV and he got his first career rushing TV. A guy that put up nearly fifteen hundred yards and twenty touchdowns a senior season for coach Harbought Michigan in twenty twenty one. And Hassan Haskins, man, you want to talk about run after catch and getting some wiggle for a guy that's really just great special teams player, really good in pass pro, And here's your opportunity. And it's something coaches talked about. Guys are going to get opportunities, so when they come, we expect them to take advantage of them. Little shovel pass and Haskins does the rest for thirty four yards man eluding guys, turning on the Jets, shaking off tackles. I mean, it was an impressive run to give us that, to give the Chargers that ten point lead.

Yeah, and that was really the dagger money when you looked at it, right, So Herbert checks it down a little shovel pass and I'm thinking, okay, maybe a five to ten yard game, but you know he used he loses one defender, puts on the speed like it's a beautiful thing. Because like we're saying we're talking about guys who aren't big time names in the organization, Guys who are you know, special teams contributors, Guys who are maybe second or third string on the depth chart, and they come into the biggest moments when the lights are bright on national television. And it was just a complete team women. I don't know how at the end of the game you've seen in the locker room, coach Hardball says, you know what, the game ball goes to everybody. There was not one person. Obviously Justin played a really phenomenal game on offensive side. Dicker will get into that in a little bit of what he did and had the momentum switch. But everybody played a pivotal part in this game, and it was a beautiful thing to see. It was a real team win.

Yeah, and that was really the dagger money when you looked at it, right, So Herbert checks it down a little shovel pass and I'm thinking, okay, maybe a five to ten yard game, but you know he used he loses one defender, puts on the speed like it's a beautiful thing. Because like we're saying we're talking about guys who aren't big time names in the organization, Guys who are you know, special teams contributors, Guys who are maybe second or third string on the depth chart, and they come into the biggest moments when the lights are bright on national television. And it was just a complete team women. I don't know how at the end of the game you've seen in the locker room, coach Hardball says, you know what, the game ball goes to everybody. There was not one person. Obviously Justin played a really phenomenal game on offensive side. Dicker will get into that in a little bit of what he did and had the momentum switch. But everybody played a pivotal part in this game, and it was a beautiful thing to see. It was a real team win.

Yeah, I mean, and I think it's sort of like we talk about the Scott Mattlock pass, right, so we can go on and I think it mirrors what coach Harboss said after the game, right, which is who do they have up on the stage, because picked from ten guys. So think about the first down catch on third down from Hayden Hurst. They got that drive started. Guy that's not played in a game since November tenth, has been banged up all year, and in one of the most crucial moments of the game, ends up making that catch sure and getting that first down. And you talk about chemistry. He's a guy that's pretty much been banged up since that second preseason game and there hasn't been a lot of that opportunity. But again, it speaks to the greatness of Herbert. The other one, Tucker Fisk, you know you're blocking tight.

Yeah, I mean, and I think it's sort of like we talk about the Scott Mattlock pass, right, so we can go on and I think it mirrors what coach Harboss said after the game, right, which is who do they have up on the stage, because picked from ten guys. So think about the first down catch on third down from Hayden Hurst. They got that drive started. Guy that's not played in a game since November tenth, has been banged up all year, and in one of the most crucial moments of the game, ends up making that catch sure and getting that first down. And you talk about chemistry. He's a guy that's pretty much been banged up since that second preseason game and there hasn't been a lot of that opportunity. But again, it speaks to the greatness of Herbert. The other one, Tucker Fisk, you know you're blocking tight.

End, catches the ball and he's a guy committeed.

End, catches the ball and he's a guy committeed.

It's a little wiggle, drags three people for another first down. I mean, it was just when you look at the box score, it's hilarious to see kind of how he spread it out.

It's a little wiggle, drags three people for another first down. I mean, it was just when you look at the box score, it's hilarious to see kind of how he spread it out.

And it's kind of fitting out at my crucial catch sweater on the charge edition. And how about Joshua Palmer, Yes, in the back of the end zone against Patrick Sir Tan the second a tip ball two point conversion that's needed, very very pivotal point of the game. Concentrates one hand, Totec Dragson does the Michael Jackson lean for two like you gotta love it, man, It's I mean, it's one of the most complete team wins I've seen all season long.

And it's kind of fitting out at my crucial catch sweater on the charge edition. And how about Joshua Palmer, Yes, in the back of the end zone against Patrick Sir Tan the second a tip ball two point conversion that's needed, very very pivotal point of the game. Concentrates one hand, Totec Dragson does the Michael Jackson lean for two like you gotta love it, man, It's I mean, it's one of the most complete team wins I've seen all season long.

Yeah, two point conversion number two for Josh Palmer. Remember that laser in Atlanta. Man, you want to talk about a fastball that Josh secured That just I don't know how you can saw it. It was threaded through like three defenders and then this one gets tipped at the linebacker level. And it's not like it was a floated pass. It was a fastball. So you got a fastball tipped. Now the trajectory's changed. Sir Tan's back is turned to the ball, and it's funny when you go back and watch it, you can just see that it's it's a half fifty percent disbelieve fifty percent discussed on Sir Tan's face. It's just like there's no way because it's tipped. And then Josh tips it again as he's fallen out of bombs to himself, drags the toe and that makes it a ten point game, and you know, changes everything. So or I shouldn't say a ten point game. That was the touchdown before Haskins. Yeah, it was as complete and this is on So that's I feel like we got that. Oh you know what, we don't have the offensive side finished yet Julil, because here's something we talked about. Eleven carries against the Bucks. Eleven carries, eleven carries in the first half, and it's not like they were popping them yet, they were still going for like three yards per carry. But what if we said repeatedly, just stick with it, man, tend to rize that meat.

Yeah, two point conversion number two for Josh Palmer. Remember that laser in Atlanta. Man, you want to talk about a fastball that Josh secured That just I don't know how you can saw it. It was threaded through like three defenders and then this one gets tipped at the linebacker level. And it's not like it was a floated pass. It was a fastball. So you got a fastball tipped. Now the trajectory's changed. Sir Tan's back is turned to the ball, and it's funny when you go back and watch it, you can just see that it's it's a half fifty percent disbelieve fifty percent discussed on Sir Tan's face. It's just like there's no way because it's tipped. And then Josh tips it again as he's fallen out of bombs to himself, drags the toe and that makes it a ten point game, and you know, changes everything. So or I shouldn't say a ten point game. That was the touchdown before Haskins. Yeah, it was as complete and this is on So that's I feel like we got that. Oh you know what, we don't have the offensive side finished yet Julil, because here's something we talked about. Eleven carries against the Bucks. Eleven carries, eleven carries in the first half, and it's not like they were popping them yet, they were still going for like three yards per carry. But what if we said repeatedly, just stick with it, man, tend to rize that meat.

Body blows, body blows, body blows exactly in the twelfth round, what happens.

Body blows, body blows, body blows exactly in the twelfth round, what happens.

There's the knockout forty three yards, you know, and it's a bad angle from Sternad and Gus is able to make him pay for it. And you're talking about forty three yards and the difference in a perhaps a win versus a loss. But they stuck with it. That's what was the most impressive. Now, I know the the numbers are going to be a little li sided because of the three technically rushes that Herbert had at the end of the game. So it's twenty one total, I think is what they is. What they show to how many attempts to twenty eight attempts, like, that's that's what this team is. I just I feel like the old line is better going this way than they are going this way. And we take the interior of that line.

There's the knockout forty three yards, you know, and it's a bad angle from Sternad and Gus is able to make him pay for it. And you're talking about forty three yards and the difference in a perhaps a win versus a loss. But they stuck with it. That's what was the most impressive. Now, I know the the numbers are going to be a little li sided because of the three technically rushes that Herbert had at the end of the game. So it's twenty one total, I think is what they is. What they show to how many attempts to twenty eight attempts, like, that's that's what this team is. I just I feel like the old line is better going this way than they are going this way. And we take the interior of that line.

Yeah, we talked about it a few episodes ago. Money is just like everybody. They started off the season and the running game is strong, and it's rushing. Jk's rushing for one hundred and twenty one hundred and forty yards and then slowly but surely, you're like, we're not getting the same effect in the running game. But it's not about the flashy run. It's not about the one hundred plus rushing yard games. It's about how can you beat a team down for four quarters? And that's Jim Harbaugh's blueprint all over this team, right. We talked about the fourth quarter program, what they did in the offseason, what they did in training camp. After training camp, they go to a fourth quarter program and they work out and they do different exercises and different things to you know, stress your body while you're tired, and you see it continue to pay off in the fourth quarter. They're just physically and mentally outlasting other teams.

Yeah, we talked about it a few episodes ago. Money is just like everybody. They started off the season and the running game is strong, and it's rushing. Jk's rushing for one hundred and twenty one hundred and forty yards and then slowly but surely, you're like, we're not getting the same effect in the running game. But it's not about the flashy run. It's not about the one hundred plus rushing yard games. It's about how can you beat a team down for four quarters? And that's Jim Harbaugh's blueprint all over this team, right. We talked about the fourth quarter program, what they did in the offseason, what they did in training camp. After training camp, they go to a fourth quarter program and they work out and they do different exercises and different things to you know, stress your body while you're tired, and you see it continue to pay off in the fourth quarter. They're just physically and mentally outlasting other teams.

The one uh, I know, I said that was the last thing I was gonna say about, but the one thing, and I'd love to get your kind of opinion on it here, So justin I think had he didn't run. In the first half, I think he had two carries for three yards, and I think the the ankle really came into focus when they didn't have a third and one. They had a third and about maybe a football and they opted not to sneak, and I'm like, Okay, I guess I can kind of see that his ankle's not good. You don't want to tweak it and have him leaning into multiple three hundred pound bodies trying to push that pow for so I'm thinking, man, this is not good ability. You know, you end up losing two. You got to kick the field goal instead of getting a first down, and she kind of got this thing rolling and instead of being twenty one to fourteen, it's twenty one to ten and all that sort of stuff. And then all of a sudden first and it's almost like the coaches were protecting Herbert from himself, right, And then that first drive of the second half, second and four, at the thirty six, Herbert up the middle for eighteen yards and you know, it was a rough eighteen and it was a rough eighteen, and you it was almost like, Okay, if you're not gonna let me go, I'm gonna go I'm tired of this and it's set to me. That was I think DJ Daniel Jeremiah on the broadcast, he had his flip card and he took out a sharpie and he wrote seven fifty five three Q. He's like, I'm gonna note this. He goes that is a that is a spark. That is a moment that all of these players are gonna look at and say, Okay. It's like the Forrest Gump. The braces come flying off the legs when the guy goes gun and it's like, oh, he can run, And it was you did feel it, right.

The one uh, I know, I said that was the last thing I was gonna say about, but the one thing, and I'd love to get your kind of opinion on it here, So justin I think had he didn't run. In the first half, I think he had two carries for three yards, and I think the the ankle really came into focus when they didn't have a third and one. They had a third and about maybe a football and they opted not to sneak, and I'm like, Okay, I guess I can kind of see that his ankle's not good. You don't want to tweak it and have him leaning into multiple three hundred pound bodies trying to push that pow for so I'm thinking, man, this is not good ability. You know, you end up losing two. You got to kick the field goal instead of getting a first down, and she kind of got this thing rolling and instead of being twenty one to fourteen, it's twenty one to ten and all that sort of stuff. And then all of a sudden first and it's almost like the coaches were protecting Herbert from himself, right, And then that first drive of the second half, second and four, at the thirty six, Herbert up the middle for eighteen yards and you know, it was a rough eighteen and it was a rough eighteen, and you it was almost like, Okay, if you're not gonna let me go, I'm gonna go I'm tired of this and it's set to me. That was I think DJ Daniel Jeremiah on the broadcast, he had his flip card and he took out a sharpie and he wrote seven fifty five three Q. He's like, I'm gonna note this. He goes that is a that is a spark. That is a moment that all of these players are gonna look at and say, Okay. It's like the Forrest Gump. The braces come flying off the legs when the guy goes gun and it's like, oh, he can run, And it was you did feel it, right.

Yeah, you felt it in when you watch a TV copy, that ankle was ben It looked like an I robotic couldude. It was like, there's no way he should be running on that ankle. And I think that was more so him saying, you know what, I'm gonna put the team on my back no matter how I'm feeling. Right now, we're fighting for a playoff game. He said it after the game. They look every game right now is a playoff game. And you've seen how he went about it, like, hey, this is a playoff game. This is a playoff atmosphere, This one matters the most because it's the next one, it's the division game, and my team needs me right now. The play broke down. Listen, he ran like I said, it wasn't eighteen, like it was a he stepped through a tackle, like it wasn't just oh he ran for eighteen and it was a physical run. He broke a few tackles, man, and it just it really uplifted the team's morality all all over the field. I mean you felt it. Another one is Cameron Dicker's kick. Obviously was a momentum changer, but that particular play with Justin Herbert rushing for eighteen yards on a bad ankle, Man, it really showed who he was.

Yeah, you felt it in when you watch a TV copy, that ankle was ben It looked like an I robotic couldude. It was like, there's no way he should be running on that ankle. And I think that was more so him saying, you know what, I'm gonna put the team on my back no matter how I'm feeling. Right now, we're fighting for a playoff game. He said it after the game. They look every game right now is a playoff game. And you've seen how he went about it, like, hey, this is a playoff game. This is a playoff atmosphere, This one matters the most because it's the next one, it's the division game, and my team needs me right now. The play broke down. Listen, he ran like I said, it wasn't eighteen, like it was a he stepped through a tackle, like it wasn't just oh he ran for eighteen and it was a physical run. He broke a few tackles, man, and it just it really uplifted the team's morality all all over the field. I mean you felt it. Another one is Cameron Dicker's kick. Obviously was a momentum changer, but that particular play with Justin Herbert rushing for eighteen yards on a bad ankle, Man, it really showed who he was.

Yeah, the Broncos came out, kicked the field goal on their opening possession to extend the lead once again to eleven. Then they score the touchdown. What does the defense do after that? They force a three and out on three yards and then what does the offense do score a touchdown to take the lead twenty seven to twenty four, And you can probably circle that play is sort of that moment of when you felt like, oh, we got full Herb, you know, we got the full compliment of what he's able to do. All right, let's let's do the halftime. I didn't know, Like I fully, it's not good for me not to know this. I should know this exact rule. I did not have it exactly right. I assumed that they were going to have the you know, I assumed that they were gonna have to snap it back for a field goal, not just kick it from the forty seven yard line. So I was not aware of that free kick rule. We were trying to piece it all together, and I was so confused because the offensive line was still on the field, and I'm like, well, why is why they're just going to throw a hail Mary? And that's I think we kind of set some people off. But let's start at the point of why it happened. We say it all the time, Hubris coaching Hubris is why that play happened. And it's been a knock on Sean Payton his whole career that he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room. You got forty seconds, you're on your own eighteen I think thirteen and through the ball and throw the ball and loses three yards on the first play. So instead of having like a second and two and like, okay, let's take some shots. It's a second and thirteen, right, and you would think he rows it again. You think you'd run it there because he takes two knees and charge are like, yeah, whatever, let's get to the you know, and instead throws the ball. They called the time out on the next time.

Yeah, the Broncos came out, kicked the field goal on their opening possession to extend the lead once again to eleven. Then they score the touchdown. What does the defense do after that? They force a three and out on three yards and then what does the offense do score a touchdown to take the lead twenty seven to twenty four, And you can probably circle that play is sort of that moment of when you felt like, oh, we got full Herb, you know, we got the full compliment of what he's able to do. All right, let's let's do the halftime. I didn't know, Like I fully, it's not good for me not to know this. I should know this exact rule. I did not have it exactly right. I assumed that they were going to have the you know, I assumed that they were gonna have to snap it back for a field goal, not just kick it from the forty seven yard line. So I was not aware of that free kick rule. We were trying to piece it all together, and I was so confused because the offensive line was still on the field, and I'm like, well, why is why they're just going to throw a hail Mary? And that's I think we kind of set some people off. But let's start at the point of why it happened. We say it all the time, Hubris coaching Hubris is why that play happened. And it's been a knock on Sean Payton his whole career that he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room. You got forty seconds, you're on your own eighteen I think thirteen and through the ball and throw the ball and loses three yards on the first play. So instead of having like a second and two and like, okay, let's take some shots. It's a second and thirteen, right, and you would think he rows it again. You think you'd run it there because he takes two knees and charge are like, yeah, whatever, let's get to the you know, and instead throws the ball. They called the time out on the next time.

I think Harbor really just called a time out, like, hey, I don't know, maybe something can.

I think Harbor really just called a time out, like, hey, I don't know, maybe something can.

Happen, right, And here you go. Tremon Smith makes the mistake, Darius Davis gets clipped on the fair catch, gets the extra fifteen yards, and you got yourself. Football history nineteen seventy six, Ray Worshing Chargers versus Bengals. Last time it happened, and it was a really cool moment being in the booth and just kind of looking at the operations guys to the left of us, and everyone's just laughing. I was talking to Joe who works in there and he does high school football, and he's like, he goes. I was telling everyone, and everyone was there, They're like, oh, yeah, he wouldn't shut up. He's like, because he goes. I saw it. It was I think it was might have been Chaparal versus h versus Murrayette or something like that. He goes it was for the game winning field goal was a free kick.

Happen, right, And here you go. Tremon Smith makes the mistake, Darius Davis gets clipped on the fair catch, gets the extra fifteen yards, and you got yourself. Football history nineteen seventy six, Ray Worshing Chargers versus Bengals. Last time it happened, and it was a really cool moment being in the booth and just kind of looking at the operations guys to the left of us, and everyone's just laughing. I was talking to Joe who works in there and he does high school football, and he's like, he goes. I was telling everyone, and everyone was there, They're like, oh, yeah, he wouldn't shut up. He's like, because he goes. I saw it. It was I think it was might have been Chaparal versus h versus Murrayette or something like that. He goes it was for the game winning field goal was a free kick.

Hey money, I played almost a decade in the NFL, and I had no whole idea. So you're not by yourself. Don't feel too bat Okay, I'm pretty sure the viewers at home probably didn't know that as well. But being a professional athlete for ten years, you've been around the game for a very long time. I had no idea. I'd always we'd always see kickers kick the ball off and it'd go through the upright and the crowd would cheer like that'd be sweet if that actually counted. But lo and behold, there's a situation in where it could count. So that was awesome. And then playing for Anthony Lynn in twenty eighteen, he would always tell us in the team meeting room, I don't want to lie and say the percentage, but the percentages was really really high on the team that scored last before halftime, that if you scored last before halftime, your chances of winning increased significantly, right, And that was such a momentum swinger for the Chargers. Yeah, scoring before half getting us three points and you see it, what happened at the end of the game. Who became victorious retardles. Yeah, it's an awesome not only an awesome deal, but it was a very big play for the Charges at that time. And it's swung the momentum.

Hey money, I played almost a decade in the NFL, and I had no whole idea. So you're not by yourself. Don't feel too bat Okay, I'm pretty sure the viewers at home probably didn't know that as well. But being a professional athlete for ten years, you've been around the game for a very long time. I had no idea. I'd always we'd always see kickers kick the ball off and it'd go through the upright and the crowd would cheer like that'd be sweet if that actually counted. But lo and behold, there's a situation in where it could count. So that was awesome. And then playing for Anthony Lynn in twenty eighteen, he would always tell us in the team meeting room, I don't want to lie and say the percentage, but the percentages was really really high on the team that scored last before halftime, that if you scored last before halftime, your chances of winning increased significantly, right, And that was such a momentum swinger for the Chargers. Yeah, scoring before half getting us three points and you see it, what happened at the end of the game. Who became victorious retardles. Yeah, it's an awesome not only an awesome deal, but it was a very big play for the Charges at that time. And it's swung the momentum.

I think it's and it's beyond just a field goal to cut it to a one score game and eight. You know, look, you make Darius has let's say somehow there's like sixteen seconds and he pops a punt for two seconds left and Dicker banks a fifty seven yard Yeah that's great, that's a great momentum. But the way it happens, everyone's going into that the locker room was just smiling. Even down eight points. It was just kind of like, holy crap, that really just happened, and it was I'm sure half of them were getting it explained to them why it happened, and so it almost lightens the mood of oh yeah, we gave up three consecutive touchdown scoring drives. We're down twenty one to thirteen. It's a pivotal game. And you know, you heard what coach said about Derwin and his message to the team, and you know, just you gotta give it your all. Every single person in here is expected to give every last ounce of energy and effort that they have in this second half, and if we do, we'll we'll get out with the win. And that's what happened.

I think it's and it's beyond just a field goal to cut it to a one score game and eight. You know, look, you make Darius has let's say somehow there's like sixteen seconds and he pops a punt for two seconds left and Dicker banks a fifty seven yard Yeah that's great, that's a great momentum. But the way it happens, everyone's going into that the locker room was just smiling. Even down eight points. It was just kind of like, holy crap, that really just happened, and it was I'm sure half of them were getting it explained to them why it happened, and so it almost lightens the mood of oh yeah, we gave up three consecutive touchdown scoring drives. We're down twenty one to thirteen. It's a pivotal game. And you know, you heard what coach said about Derwin and his message to the team, and you know, just you gotta give it your all. Every single person in here is expected to give every last ounce of energy and effort that they have in this second half, and if we do, we'll we'll get out with the win. And that's what happened.

Yeah, sir, it was a beautiful thing. And the thing about it is it's the kick could have been good money from like sixty five sixty five. Hey, it was money, yeah, and it was no effort. Was like woop, And that's that's dicker though he's he doesn't get rout.

Yeah, sir, it was a beautiful thing. And the thing about it is it's the kick could have been good money from like sixty five sixty five. Hey, it was money, yeah, and it was no effort. Was like woop, And that's that's dicker though he's he doesn't get rout.

On he's the all pro man.

On he's the all pro man.

He is man.

He is man.

He is the all Pro And I think that made that kick made it because that was his second field goal, So I want to be sure. I believe he is now forty one for forty two at SOFI Stadium taking fields. Yeah, and Coach Harbaugh we were talking about this before we started the pod for all the people that think sometimes he just you know, says, whatever the heck is on top of mine. When he said when he was asked about it, he's like, it's my favorite rule. I've been trying to go and everyone's just kind of in the and then all of a sudden he's like, yeah, I remember it was like twenty twelve, we had we had filled do it. We had old mister Dawson do it, and everyone was like what and someone chimed in and they're like, yeah, it's just he said, yeah, I think it's like from seventy and someone said no, it's seventy one yards. He's like, yeah, we tried to do it back then, and everyone's like, all the crap.

He is the all Pro And I think that made that kick made it because that was his second field goal, So I want to be sure. I believe he is now forty one for forty two at SOFI Stadium taking fields. Yeah, and Coach Harbaugh we were talking about this before we started the pod for all the people that think sometimes he just you know, says, whatever the heck is on top of mine. When he said when he was asked about it, he's like, it's my favorite rule. I've been trying to go and everyone's just kind of in the and then all of a sudden he's like, yeah, I remember it was like twenty twelve, we had we had filled do it. We had old mister Dawson do it, and everyone was like what and someone chimed in and they're like, yeah, it's just he said, yeah, I think it's like from seventy and someone said no, it's seventy one yards. He's like, yeah, we tried to do it back then, and everyone's like, all the crap.

He wasn't exactly right.

He wasn't exactly right.

Maybe it is his favorite rule, and he finally got one, and again the first time in forty eight years. So I feel like we feel like we covered most of it. They get the first first season sweep against the Broncos since twenty ten, only the fifth time in franchise history they swept the Broncos. Interesting little nugget on the Broncos. They won Super Bowl fifty in twenty fifteen. They have not been back to the playoffs since twenty fifteen. It is the longest drought for a team, playoff drought for a team that won the Super Bowl and now, so we kind of flip it forward a little bit, So let's just kind of think about this. You've got the Broncos that have to go to Cincinnati to take on Joe Burrow t Higgins, Jamar Chase, that high octane offense, and we just saw what the Chargers did, hung thirty four on them, twenty four in the second half alone, So that would then give the Bengals the tie breaker. The Broncos would then depending on what happens here. How is Pat mahomes foot? How are the Chiefs playing? They got back to back division leaders Houston this week in Kansas City Pittsburgh on a short week in Pittsburgh. So is the number one seed going to come into balance? Because that's Denver's Week eighteen game. So let's say that it plays out where Denver finishes the season on a three game losing streak, the Bengals finished the season on a three game win streak. If they're the seven, the Chargers are the six or the five, depending on how the Ravens work this thing out. They still have the Steelers this week, and I know it's not a super easy road for them, but I should probably just look it up. But let's just say that you have the Chargers, the Ravens, and the Bengals as your three wild card teams. Would it surprise you that all three of those wild cards would win their first round. Whether so the Ravens have the Steelers this week, then they go to Houston, and then they get the Browns at home. So could they lose two of those three? Yeah, maybe the Browns.

Maybe it is his favorite rule, and he finally got one, and again the first time in forty eight years. So I feel like we feel like we covered most of it. They get the first first season sweep against the Broncos since twenty ten, only the fifth time in franchise history they swept the Broncos. Interesting little nugget on the Broncos. They won Super Bowl fifty in twenty fifteen. They have not been back to the playoffs since twenty fifteen. It is the longest drought for a team, playoff drought for a team that won the Super Bowl and now, so we kind of flip it forward a little bit, So let's just kind of think about this. You've got the Broncos that have to go to Cincinnati to take on Joe Burrow t Higgins, Jamar Chase, that high octane offense, and we just saw what the Chargers did, hung thirty four on them, twenty four in the second half alone, So that would then give the Bengals the tie breaker. The Broncos would then depending on what happens here. How is Pat mahomes foot? How are the Chiefs playing? They got back to back division leaders Houston this week in Kansas City Pittsburgh on a short week in Pittsburgh. So is the number one seed going to come into balance? Because that's Denver's Week eighteen game. So let's say that it plays out where Denver finishes the season on a three game losing streak, the Bengals finished the season on a three game win streak. If they're the seven, the Chargers are the six or the five, depending on how the Ravens work this thing out. They still have the Steelers this week, and I know it's not a super easy road for them, but I should probably just look it up. But let's just say that you have the Chargers, the Ravens, and the Bengals as your three wild card teams. Would it surprise you that all three of those wild cards would win their first round. Whether so the Ravens have the Steelers this week, then they go to Houston, and then they get the Browns at home. So could they lose two of those three? Yeah, maybe the Browns.

Play them well too, exactly the division game, don't forget that's a division game as well.

Play them well too, exactly the division game, don't forget that's a division game as well.

So if you end up having if you're let's say your top four, you know, and for this to happen, the Chiefs, let's say, are faltering. So let's just say the Bills are the one and they get the buy. Now you have Chiefs, two Steelers Texans. Would you be confident if you're the Chiefs up against the Bengals right now with the state of each of those Like, how comfortable would you be if your Kansas City and Arrowhead and Joe Burrow's coming to town and bur.

So if you end up having if you're let's say your top four, you know, and for this to happen, the Chiefs, let's say, are faltering. So let's just say the Bills are the one and they get the buy. Now you have Chiefs, two Steelers Texans. Would you be confident if you're the Chiefs up against the Bengals right now with the state of each of those Like, how comfortable would you be if your Kansas City and Arrowhead and Joe Burrow's coming to town and bur.

Burroughhead Burrow is Patty Mahomes kryptonite, That's what I mean. I mean, so not really confident. And the way that the Chiefs have continued to win this year, like we talk about it a couple episodes ago with the Chiefs and they've squeaked by right and credit to them winning in the NFL is hard sporting, Right, you win you win. I don't care if it's I don't care if it's bout two. But they're winning and their winners. But with that being said, Patrick Mahomes has had trouble against Joe Burrow and the Bengals, and Burrow has proved that he can be them. So no, they're not going to go into that game feeling like hey, really feeling spunky or feeling real confident. I think it's going to be one of those games where like, look, we need to tighten up these bulls, we need to tighten up our laces, and it's going to be a dogfight.

Burroughhead Burrow is Patty Mahomes kryptonite, That's what I mean. I mean, so not really confident. And the way that the Chiefs have continued to win this year, like we talk about it a couple episodes ago with the Chiefs and they've squeaked by right and credit to them winning in the NFL is hard sporting, Right, you win you win. I don't care if it's I don't care if it's bout two. But they're winning and their winners. But with that being said, Patrick Mahomes has had trouble against Joe Burrow and the Bengals, and Burrow has proved that he can be them. So no, they're not going to go into that game feeling like hey, really feeling spunky or feeling real confident. I think it's going to be one of those games where like, look, we need to tighten up these bulls, we need to tighten up our laces, and it's going to be a dogfight.

I think the big question is if you were I mean, look, best case scenario for the Chiefs considering his ankle is it's probably the well, it's not probably, it's the ability to not have to play that game and the Broncos end up waltzing in because they're playing Chiefs backups, or maybe they're not, or if you're the Chiefs, it's like, we don't want to win this game. We would much rather have the Broncos in as a seven seed than the Bengals in as a seven seed. But it's interesting how and so I don't bring it up just to kind of there is a direct there is something direct with the Chargers, because I do think there is a scenario where the Chargers could be locked into the six, and if that's the case going into Week eighteen, now you can give yourself a buy. You know, if you're locked at the six, you can't be the five. You're not going to be the seven. You know, you could end up resting all your guys. You don't have to bring JK back if he's ready to go and you're fighting to get that higher seat or something along those lines. You punch your ticket for the tournament, and you can get Joey rest, you can get Khalil rest. These guys that you can see have played a lot of especially Khalil, he's played a lot of snaps man, and you can get these guys to rest up a little bit. Obviously, Denzel with the groin just shut him down for the rein of the season, so he was he was it was bothering exactly. So if you can just shut him down to the playoffs, like, that's the way this thing could play out, where maybe Week eighteen and then there's also it's just say that the Raiders are in line for the number one or the number two pick going into Week eighteen on an eleven or twelve game streak, and now you've taken. Now you're taking on the Chargers backups, all backups, and you've got to go out there because, like Antonio Pierce, it doesn't look like it looks like it's going to be hard for him to come back. He probably wants to get a win. He didn't want to end on a thirteen game losing. I don't care about your picks exactly. And then next thing you know, you tumble from number two all the way down to like number seven, and now you're out of the quarterback conversation. There's a heck of a win. And obviously we'll preview the Patriots, and I don't I think probably what you're rooting for this weekend just to kind of definitely want the Bengals to knock off the Browns, want to keep that thing alive. I think you want the Steelers to You want the Steelers to beat the Ravens for sure, because they both have the tiebreaker over the Chargers, so it's going to be hard for the Steelers to lose out. They'd have to lose all three you could get the Ravens to lose two of three, right, and but again, the Texans in Houston next week, that's a tough one and they may not be playing for anything. So you want the Colts to win, which they should that way, the Texans are still playing everybody trying to get those wins to lock up the AFC South. So I think that I think that kind of covers it. But good, no, Yoda Man. Best game of the year, best win of the season, first time they had a comeback victory in the fourth quarter since September of twenty twenty three last year they do it. And hey, what do you know? Another primetime content, not primetime but another flex contest against the Patriots on Saturday, nationally televised on NFL Network. Looking forward to that one. Juli will appreciate you. Happy holidays by the way, everybody, whatever you celebrate, may you celebrate it safely and warmly with your family and loved ones.