Former Broncos kicker Brandon McManus joins Football Fridays to break down the differences between kicking at Mile High and Lambeau Field, evaluate the Broncos’ late-season surge, and explain what separates playoff-ready teams from pretenders. Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal also dive into Bo Nix’s accelerated development, Denver’s defensive edge, special teams impact, and why this matchup against Green Bay feels like a statement game with the postseason approaching.
Former Super Bowl champion kicker Brandon McManus joins Football Fridays for an in-depth conversation on the realities of NFL kicking and how drastically conditions can change from Denver to Lambeau Field and beyond. Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal examine why the Broncos are starting to earn more respect around the league, how Bo Nix continues to grow faster than expected, and why complementary football has fueled Denver’s momentum. The discussion also breaks down defensive communication, special teams’ influence on field position, and the importance of winning close games as the playoffs near, before previewing what it will take for the Broncos to keep rolling against Green Bay.
00;00;00;19 - 00;00;18;23
Brandon Krisztal
Guess what? We've got an even more special show than we normally have. A couple weeks ago, we had one of two members of the Super Bowl 50 team still in the NFL playing games. And you probably guessed who. Our special guest is going to join us right now because Chris Harris junior and I bring you football Fridays.
00;00;18;25 - 00;00;24;27
Brandon Krisztal
Here we go.
00;00;25;00 - 00;00;45;05
Brandon Krisztal
We teased it. And there he is. 13 years in the NFL and still kicking the crap out of the football. Most of the time through the upright. Better than any of us could do. Randy McMahon is Super Bowl 50 champion. One of the two teammates, Chris, that missed you at the reunion and the celebration weekend as he went in the Ring of Fame.
00;00;45;10 - 00;00;53;00
Brandon Krisztal
So I'll let y'all catch up and be back. I guess you can start with what was the thing you missed the most about not being there?
00;00;53;02 - 00;01;18;02
Brandon McManus
Yeah, I missed the chance to catch up with the guys. The camaraderie. That was such a special team. You know, the relationships that we had off the field, you know, getting together during the week. Just the plane rides home were a blast. And, it was such a tight knit group with with how we won games that season, you know, with the defense, special teams, and, and it took all three phases to win.
00;01;18;02 - 00;01;32;08
Brandon McManus
And so, you know, well, it would have been great to be there. It's also cool to still be playing football. You know, this this late in my career and but, you know, at one point, again, I look to celebrate with these guys, at the next one.
00;01;32;10 - 00;01;38;23
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. I don't know when when the next celebration is in 20 years or we can't wait that long, you know.
00;01;38;25 - 00;01;40;16
Brandon McManus
Of course, for us to get together. I agree.
00;01;40;24 - 00;02;09;18
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. I miss you, Doug. But, you know, like B-max said, it's definitely a tight knit group. Everybody all hung back was pretty much an honorary member of the defense of the no fly. So we pretty much add to the to the team. But, how do you feel like your at this time in the season? You know, y'all having to having a up and I would say up and down, you know not not playing in the the best football that y'all are capable of with the talent that y'all have.
00;02;09;18 - 00;02;13;04
Chris Harris Jr.
How do you feel y'all are at the season B, man?
00;02;13;07 - 00;02;30;25
Brandon McManus
Yeah, I'd say this season across the NFL has been, has been more unpredictable than usual. And I don't know whether it's, you know, there's not superstar teams that are like they used to be in the league that are more dominant than the other. So I think the league has kind of been a little more spread out.
00;02;30;25 - 00;02;59;29
Brandon McManus
And, you know, we had tough losses at Cleveland and at home against Carolina. And you know, Carolina has, has, has done some good things now since. But yeah, that's the key thing. Like I was just saying about how special that team was, is that we were very complimentary of each other. You know, the times when, you know, our defense has played well, you know, we haven't, you know, again, the ball in the end zone or getting opportunities to score, and vice versa, you know, similar you know, we had that shootout in Dallas which ended up being an a tie.
00;03;00;03 - 00;03;16;09
Brandon McManus
You know, most of the season the defense has played phenomenally. But that was a time where, you know, the complimentary just didn't didn't didn't didn't flow necessarily the way we wanted to. So yeah, we are we are where we are right now. And nine, three and one. Definitely on a on the good side of it. Right now.
00;03;16;09 - 00;03;20;01
Brandon McManus
But sense of continuing to play our best ball as you go down the stretch here.
00;03;20;04 - 00;03;37;12
Brandon Krisztal
Well and Chris you know you brought up how talented their roster is or what they can be. The two players I want to ask you about are the two that probably get talked about the most. And that's of course, your quarterback Jordan Love. You played with some good young quarterbacks, Trevor Lawrence, by being at the top of the list in terms of early in his career.
00;03;37;20 - 00;03;53;03
Brandon Krisztal
And then to make that trade for Micah Parsons. I know you guys loved Kenny Clark, but to get a game changer like that, a closure that you know will be so important having won a Super Bowl with Vaughn and where. But a guy on third and eight is going to go get it. And we saw that in the Arizona game where he basically single handedly won it.
00;03;53;04 - 00;03;59;17
Brandon Krisztal
What's like playing with both those guys, knowing you've got a quarterback playing the way Jordan's playing and obviously what Mike is capable of?
00;03;59;20 - 00;04;17;08
Brandon McManus
Yeah. Obviously both you know, young superstars in this league. And you know, I had a chance to play with some older superstars, too, on the back part of the career then, now, now the, the younger guys and, you know, the cool thing about Micah just, you know, the effort that he plays with, you know, he wants to be on the field at all times.
00;04;17;08 - 00;04;36;20
Brandon McManus
What's what's what's his, you know, compliment to him and his conditioning and just his effort that he goes out there and plays with, and then Jordan, just the command that he has of the offense. And I guess the reliability that that, you know, that Matt LaFleur has in him that we, you know, went for it on fourth down a bunch against the Lions on that Thanksgiving Day game.
00;04;36;22 - 00;04;52;24
Brandon McManus
I had a chance. You know, I think all the fourth down plays more touchdowns and that a lot of them were or D passes. So, just just the faith that we have in him, and the way that he could throw the ball over the field, and then obviously with Mike, this what he's able to bring to the defense.
00;04;52;27 - 00;04;57;04
Brandon McManus
You know, he he faces a lot of double and triple teams, which helps the other guys.
00;04;57;07 - 00;04;58;19
Brandon Krisztal
We lost your audio there. B.
00;04;58;21 - 00;04;59;27
Brandon Krisztal
He's fixing it now.
00;05;00;02 - 00;05;01;04
Chris Harris Jr.
I was going to ask him,
00;05;01;09 - 00;05;06;26
Chris Harris Jr.
what's the difference in, you know, the kicking. Kicking in? You know, Lambeau Field compared to the mile high.
00;05;06;28 - 00;05;21;18
Brandon Krisztal
Especially as cold as it is, you know, and you go down to Florida where it's obviously it can be a little wet and dense, but, you know, the air but you're at sea level. So he wants to know, Christie, you can ask him the question here real quick. And then I got it kind of right here.
00;05;21;18 - 00;05;24;03
Brandon Krisztal
Maybe I'm not done back home yet.
00;05;24;05 - 00;05;36;04
Chris Harris Jr.
I was going to ask you, what's the difference in the climates in, like, the, stadiums and kicking? Is there a big difference? And kicking in Lambeau Field then kicking in the mile high or in Jacksonville?
00;05;36;06 - 00;05;52;10
Brandon McManus
Yeah. Of course. You know, when it's when it's freezing cold out there, that leather and the ball, you know, deflates and you know it doesn't go near as far. So that's but it has a lot to do with temperature. You know, people always said about the altitude. You know, it's a great obviously to kick up there.
00;05;52;12 - 00;06;05;22
Brandon McManus
But I've always said you still have to kick it straight between the yellow posts. You know, that's the only thing that matters. You know, doesn't matter how high of the net you hit it or just over the bar. The other three points is what the team is counting on. So that was always been my my argument is that.
00;06;05;22 - 00;06;23;00
Brandon McManus
Yeah. And I was always considered a big like guy. So I didn't necessarily need the altitude to help with that. But yeah, wet weather definitely has a big, big factor in kicking. I'd say the most compared to altitude. Just if it's windy, if it's cold, you know, I'm getting a little. I'm already here about the science so.
00;06;23;01 - 00;06;38;09
Brandon McManus
And pressure you know, when they. When it's hot out the air molecules bounce around faster in physics. If it's if it's cold, the air molecules are slow. So, they don't have a chance to, you know, you know, jump as far off your foot that you want to fly.
00;06;38;14 - 00;06;58;23
Brandon Krisztal
All right, final thing, because we know you got to go. Yeah. Get in the hot tub and get to practice. And we did give our predictions, with von. So you can predict, who's going to win the game, but just what's it going to mean for you to come back to Empower Field at Mile High and be on the other sideline and and know the reception you'll get when, when your name is called, if and when your name is called, are they point to point you out there on the scoreboard?
00;06;58;25 - 00;07;18;04
Brandon McManus
Yeah. No. Yeah. I had incredible nine years there. I think the fan base and, is one of the best in the league. It's to me, one of the greatest stadiums in the league. Now I play Lambeau, which is like it's the penultimate, but I'd say Empower Field is number two. And I'm excited to see what, the Wall and Pioneer Group does with the new stadium.
00;07;18;04 - 00;07;33;23
Brandon McManus
Yeah, with with highlighting the mountains that you'll be able to see and stuff. But, you know, the way that the Broncos are playing really well right now, that the crowd has really gotten involved more. I think they've done a great job with creating a home field advantage that we had back at, back to, you know, ten years ago.
00;07;33;25 - 00;07;46;23
Brandon McManus
And, as I've said, looking forward to going out there and seeing a lot of support staff who helped helped me get to me where I was. And it was a great support time when I was there. And, so and you're looking forward to a great game.
00;07;46;26 - 00;07;50;05
Brandon Krisztal
All right, buddy, we'll let you get to practice. Chris. You want to send him off?
00;07;50;07 - 00;07;57;19
Chris Harris Jr.
Nah, man. Thank you bro. Good luck man. Keep keep kicking bro. Keep balling and try to get 20 years bro. Trying to go break the record man.
00;07;57;22 - 00;08;15;07
Brandon McManus
I appreciate it. Brandon one quick thing. One of my favorite things was, is after the games when we would fly home, I was sitting right next to Chris in a cave. And the way that they would break the game down, I don't know if there's two smarter players in the league just breaking defenses all fences down. It was incredible to listen to them, and I learned a lot from them.
00;08;15;09 - 00;08;40;27
Brandon Krisztal
We'll be back. You know, I love seeing you at league events or whatever it may be. And I'll try to find you before or after the game, because you were such a big part of what went on around here. And, and we're going to talk about a little more because you got to run. But how you, you were not treated the way other kickers are often treated in terms of your inclusion with the team, whether it was the defense and getting the hang it club 58 or the stuff you have to do with Peyton and all that, it was, it was really fun to fun to see and get kind of a front
00;08;40;27 - 00;08;44;27
Brandon Krisztal
row seat. So have fun in practice and we'll see you Sunday. Safe travels over here.
00;08;44;29 - 00;08;46;23
Brandon McManus
Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.
00;08;46;26 - 00;08;48;10
Chris Harris Jr.
Let it go.
00;08;48;12 - 00;09;05;09
Brandon Krisztal
Hey. So Chris, check this out. We were just so short on time with Bmcc, but we've got something that we're doing here leading up to the holidays. So, you know, there's the store sports fan. There's the one right by right by the stadium. Obviously they've got two on the 16th Street Mall, one at Park Meadow. So sports Fan has this great holiday sale going.
00;09;05;12 - 00;09;25;15
Brandon Krisztal
And so jerseys for 100 bucks. Broncos excluded as the nuggets excluded. No surprise there. And up to 80% on a number of items. But check this out because they always have these cool exclusives. And next week I'll see if I can get. They've got a couple different Christmas hats that only sports fan makes. So red and green Broncos hat with the old the and a Santa hat.
00;09;25;18 - 00;09;30;19
Brandon Krisztal
Then they also have it white. But check this out. So it comes in a collector's box.
00;09;30;21 - 00;09;31;07
Chris Harris Jr.
That's nice.
00;09;31;10 - 00;09;49;21
Brandon Krisztal
And you'll appreciate this limited edition Super Bowl 50 hat that only sports fan makes. So for the ten year anniversary, they've got both a fitted hat and there's only 150 of those that were made. And then the snap back, they obviously have a few more of those.
00;09;49;21 - 00;09;52;15
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh snap back in the back. Does that goes into that.
00;09;52;18 - 00;10;15;26
Brandon Krisztal
It's got well it's got gold around and then gold underneath on the inside of the hat. But yeah. And then gold on the NFL logo. And so it comes in the cool commemorative box as well as a commemorative pin for Super Bowl 50 and the ten year anniversary. So piggybacking on what what we started with. So I'll make sure that this one either finds its way to you or we get 1 or 2 more.
00;10;15;29 - 00;10;33;06
Brandon Krisztal
Because I'm sure once Ryan sees it, he's going, I, I think once your team sees it, they're going to want it. But the only place you can get it is that sports fan. So hit either of their locations on the 16th Street mall. Or of course, you can go right to the one, federal behind Empower Field at Mile High or Park Meadows.
00;10;33;06 - 00;10;55;25
Brandon Krisztal
Always easy to get to. Just don't waste too much time because one that's a limited edition and two, you know, this is going to get crazier the closer that we get to Christmas. But they've got all these fun exclusive, not only the Chris, the Christmas hats, but other ones that are specific to sports fan. And so, you know, I've been, a friend of Derek who owns it for a long time, but I've been shopping there since, well before I knew Derek.
00;10;55;25 - 00;11;14;22
Brandon Krisztal
And I know that when you live here, you grab stuff at Sports Fan every now and then for your silly Lakers fan ship. Whether it's, something Kobe related or they carry some Jayhawk stuff for me and you and obviously cover all the teams in in the region and so much more. It's cool mini helmets as well. But, these limited edition hats are going to be awesome.
00;11;14;22 - 00;11;22;02
Brandon Krisztal
I should just I can't really keep it on the, on the screen. I guess I could keep it here next to me. We'll see if it stays there.
00;11;22;02 - 00;11;23;13
Chris Harris Jr.
For a while.
00;11;23;16 - 00;11;43;27
Brandon Krisztal
Let's see. Yeah, it's with the gold especially. Let's see. Well, you think it'll stay? I guess we'll find out. All right. Maybe it stays the whole show. So, shout out to sports van for, hopping on and, giving us this hat, and and it's going to be cool. A great a great holiday gift. If you can get this or some of the other stuff there.
00;11;43;29 - 00;12;01;09
Brandon Krisztal
All right, let's do this. Let's look backwards before we go forward. Obviously, we jumped in, did our behind enemy lines first. Not always the way we're going to start a show unless we are sitting next to a player. That's a different thing. Like with bond. But we like to switch it up on you. But it's funny because I've seen people point out on power rankings.
00;12;01;11 - 00;12;21;22
Brandon Krisztal
The Broncos win 2417. I wanna get your thoughts on the game. But one of the power rankings like, oh, Broncos just barely get by the Raiders or play you. I said play a close game with the Raiders. Look, obviously I was there. That was anything but a close game. I don't care the score said, the Broncos. There was never any fear they were going to lose that game.
00;12;21;22 - 00;12;25;12
Brandon Krisztal
But what do you think as you saw the game and then a broken it down said, yeah.
00;12;25;14 - 00;12;45;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Well I mean it's a rivalry game and anytime you play in division games anything can happen. And they're usually all one score, you know, tight games and rivalry game. So I wasn't surprised by the score. Broncos did what they needed to do. And I never thought or felt that they, you know, that the Raiders had a chance to beat them either.
00;12;45;05 - 00;13;03;05
Chris Harris Jr.
But one thing I do want to do, I do want to see us improve on our run game, get that more consistent, bow at the Hampton 38 times, you know, 30, 30. I think he was 31 for 38. You know, he had a solid game. He did what he supposed to do. Mam's coming back. He always turns it up at the end.
00;13;03;07 - 00;13;17;28
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. Bring his returning ability. I seen him at the oh, you game were laughing because, I was like, man, you always break, but you never get in the endzone, man. You got to get in the end zone. He he got in there. So, being able to get him back healthy is huge for the offense.
00;13;17;28 - 00;13;25;12
Chris Harris Jr.
So I just need the offense. The running game to get rolling a little bit better as we go into the playoffs.
00;13;25;15 - 00;13;55;03
Brandon Krisztal
Well, and you have to think that RJ Harvey's comfort level just grows every week, you remember, was like when you were a rookie, you been around so many rookies, especially ones that were thrust into more action than than they maybe were expected to. And I don't say when you take a guy in the second round, on especially in that position where we know running back, it's often said and I guess you could disagree with this is the easiest position to play, at least the running back part of it, the step out of the backfield and certainly pass protection is a different deal.
00;13;55;08 - 00;14;07;15
Brandon Krisztal
But doing what you've done your whole life and I get he was a quarterback, but he had the ball in his hand plenty. Do you but do you agree with that. And and then have you seen growth like an accelerated growth after the Dobbins injury.
00;14;07;17 - 00;14;25;25
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean, he, he still, you know, still trying to find his way in the league, you know, he's still trying to understand, the holes and how to manipulate the linebackers. He's been better out of the backfield and routes. But I think he's still averaging, like, four yards, 3 to 4 yards per carry. So, we got to get that up.
00;14;25;25 - 00;14;47;03
Chris Harris Jr.
It was a lot more when Dobbins was there. So we can definitely feel that missing him. But, you know, as, as, as, you know, be it's a long season for a running back, especially for a rookie. And he we have leaned on him throughout the season. So hopefully he can be able to push through, finish strong and hopefully, you know, we're going to probably have to use with McLaughlin.
00;14;47;06 - 00;14;50;28
Chris Harris Jr.
Start using those guys a little bit more as the season ends.
00;14;51;01 - 00;15;14;07
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. I'm there with you. I like to I'd like to see a little more, of 38. Only because of his unique skill set. He's not the fastest guy in the world, I get that, but he still there's a there's a elusiveness. The one thing with Harvey, though, and you know, I didn't chart every run. It does feel like he was sticking to the script a little bit more, that it wasn't just a look to bounce things out.
00;15;14;10 - 00;15;30;25
Brandon Krisztal
What I really like to see is one of they're going to let him throw it because again, it's a guy who threw 43 touchdowns in high school, his senior year and went to Virginia to be a quarterback. Don't run out of shotgun and don't run it when you haven't run to sweep, at all.
00;15;30;28 - 00;15;32;02
Chris Harris Jr.
Under the ground.
00;15;32;05 - 00;15;52;24
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Right. Right. Run it under center. Run, sweep a couple times to set it up for then the throw. Because I don't think anyone was fooled, including those Chiefs defenders. And so it's it's clearly an emphasis on the run game. But going back to the Raiders game before before we move on, although we're going to get into the film room.
00;15;52;27 - 00;16;10;07
Brandon Krisztal
What I said going into it and I think that they accomplish this. And you brought up both numbers as we had seen him play two games pretty well, like two good games in a row. And so I didn't care what the final score was like 10 to 9. I can excite anyone. You just wanted to see him have another good game and I think he did.
00;16;10;07 - 00;16;25;11
Brandon Krisztal
I get he didn't like the world on fire, but he didn't do anything to hurt you. He wasn't taking too many shots. You're like, oh, it's off the mark, whatever it may be. You just kind of took what the defense gave you. And you know the Raiders are going to play it tough. You know Max Crosby fighting through whatever injury he's going to be in your face.
00;16;25;13 - 00;16;45;03
Brandon Krisztal
And so I think they did exactly what they needed to do the score notwithstanding or the margin or whatever. The best kind of towards the end they took care of business. And Beau now has three weeks of momentum. I asked Sean Payton about it. He just said he needs to continue to play more football. But both said, yeah, it things are kind of coming together, if you will.
00;16;45;03 - 00;17;02;27
Brandon Krisztal
He was going to say that he was uncomfortable before, but that he's finding a bit of a rhythm. And as we know especially this time of year, it really does all start with the run game. But did you do you see that from Bo, and did you think that was as important as I did? Just a consistency with the offense, even if it wasn't high flying 35 points or whatever?
00;17;02;29 - 00;17;26;17
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I mean, much improvement on third down, you know, they're good with his legs. They're good, finding guys in those holes, like you said, taking the shots when he needed to, but ultimately just being able to move the chains, being able to keep the offense on the field, Bo was able to do that as a as a commander back there and, you know, and that's what's going to take many of us down the field being able to give your defense some rest.
00;17;26;20 - 00;17;45;21
Chris Harris Jr.
And as long as Bo can do that this week, you know, with a, you know, pretty tight defense with the Packers, he's going to have to make some make some plays with his legs. Way more than what he did last week. But, you know, with the offensive line that we have protecting him, I think he is getting comfortable, even more comfortable.
00;17;45;23 - 00;18;06;25
Chris Harris Jr.
And you know, it takes time. And, I wouldn't say a quarterback is truly fully comfortable until like 3 or 4 where he can really see every everything is just purely slowed down. And he can see everything very easy. So it takes time. And but as we can see, Bo has definitely accelerated his time, his growth. In the NFL.
00;18;06;25 - 00;18;19;07
Chris Harris Jr.
And he's got he's got I mean he's moving at a rapid pace. You know being able to bring his team, to the playoffs his first two years. When the division is second year, you know, he's way ahead of schedule.
00;18;19;09 - 00;18;35;03
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Now we should point out that hasn't officially happened. We expect it to happen there 99.9% to make the playoffs. And I think 93% is win the division. And also what I think we're going to see here in the next couple weeks, we don't know if they're going to win on Sunday. In fact they're underdogs. And we'll get to that.
00;18;35;10 - 00;18;49;06
Brandon Krisztal
Then you play a good Jags team that's leading their division now. I don't know if they'll hold on there. But clearly you know without Travis Hunter I know he wasn't going to be the focal point but was going to be a big part of what they did to see what they've done in year one with Liam Cohen is is impressive.
00;18;49;09 - 00;19;08;12
Brandon Krisztal
And then you'll go to the Chiefs. They may totally be out of it, but they're still going to play your hard on Christmas night. And then that Chargers game still might mean something one way or the other, whether it's for top seed or the division, depending on how the next two weeks ago the Broncos will not only be battle tested based on playing these close games, they're not going to play for top notch teams.
00;19;08;12 - 00;19;32;00
Brandon Krisztal
I don't care what the Chiefs record is, they've got maybe the best talented quarterback we've ever seen, and a really good football team has gone to five of the last six Super Bowls. So I guess how much are you looking forward to kind of when we talk about the style points, potentially silencing the critics if they win 3 or 4 or run the table and are, you know, at that point on a what would that be a 14 game winning streak heading into the playoffs?
00;19;32;00 - 00;19;36;13
Brandon Krisztal
And they'll get the bye at home, which means they only got to win two home games to get to the Super Bowl.
00;19;36;16 - 00;20;01;28
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean, they're streaking right now and I still don't believe it. And everybody's scared of them or gives them credit. Right. I think they do give the defense credit. But by Bo Nix they feel like teams don't really fear the Broncos. And, so that's, that's kind of what it is right now. So this is a statement game for them to win, versus the Packers, a team that does have a little bit more respect around the league.
00;20;02;00 - 00;20;22;13
Chris Harris Jr.
If they can knock off this team, I think guys around the league and, you know, commentator sports analysts will give the Broncos more credit and, because they they feel like the Broncos fight back ups. They play guys when they play them have been injured. They haven't really seemed a really too potent offense or or MVP type quarterback.
00;20;22;16 - 00;20;46;08
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. But you know, the Broncos have beat, the two teams that were in the championship last year. So you can't give them credit with that. They have won some big games this season, but this one will kind of be kind of shut up the critics type game. So, if I'm them, I've on very, you know, focus this week and, you know, making sure we go out there and send a message leading into the playoffs.
00;20;46;11 - 00;21;11;08
Brandon Krisztal
Well, and you talked about them streaking. So let's let's jump to a little bit of sound from the week video, video and sound. Because this actually comes from Sunday where obviously that run you had. Peyton's first year was really remarkable. I think you all want 11 in a row. You're starting to own three. And then I think you might have won ten in a row going, in 2015 as well.
00;21;11;09 - 00;21;31;26
Brandon Krisztal
You had a good little run with with Tebow, but they weren't consecutive. You played a lot of football. Streaks are hard in general, whether it be in high school, college or certainly in the pros. So you can't scoff at a ten game win streak ever. And the fact that both the Broncos and Patriots in this weird year, like, like we mentioned, are able to reel off ten in a row and counting.
00;21;32;02 - 00;21;46;17
Brandon Krisztal
And we'll see, obviously, what the Pats do with the with the bills this week. I just don't think it can be overlooked even if, like we said, it wasn't against all playoff teams. Fine. It's not the way it's going to work in the NFL. But here's Jay FM, who's played a lot of football obviously started with the Rams.
00;21;46;17 - 00;21;59;25
Brandon Krisztal
Couple years with the Jets now a couple of years here. So I asked John Franklin Meyer Sunday about well, you can hear the question, but about, you know, ten straight wins. John. You played a lot of football. How special is the ten games?
00;21;59;27 - 00;22;16;24
Speaker 4
I mean, I ain't never seen I, I've been on a seven game losing streak before. Ben I want to know. Yeah. You know that. I don't want to know a few of them. Yeah. Now. But, you know, ten game winning streak, man. It's a blessing. And I mean, it's a credit to how our guys work. It's a credit to the way guys care about each other.
00;22;17;01 - 00;22;27;17
Speaker 4
And, man, you look next to each other, and we realize that we don't want to fail our brothers, and we don't want to fail ourselves. And, you know, I think that's kind of what business?
00;22;27;19 - 00;22;45;23
Brandon Krisztal
Do you know what he was referencing there? So John Franklin Meyers, he's a Texas boy, which you are obviously honorary. And you lived in Texas a long time. I grew up there. I don't necessarily claim it the way I once did. Perhaps, but he's from Greenville. Did you did you know about his high school record?
00;22;45;25 - 00;22;47;06
Chris Harris Jr.
Nah.
00;22;47;08 - 00;22;54;02
Brandon Krisztal
When he was in high school at Greenville before he went. And he played at Stephen F Austin. So, understandably, you're not going to maybe get the best looks.
00;22;54;03 - 00;22;56;06
Chris Harris Jr.
Whereas Greenville, they got to be good.
00;22;56;09 - 00;23;11;08
Brandon Krisztal
It's a little south of Dallas, I think, between Dallas and Waco. If I'm not mistaken, South and east. But, we can double check. But it's, you know, extended metroplex, his high school record. What is your high school record at Bixby?
00;23;11;10 - 00;23;17;23
Chris Harris Jr.
My junior year, we went to. We lost two games every year, at least to one student.
00;23;17;25 - 00;23;36;11
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, yeah. And I played in the biggest, you know, in class five a in Dallas, a JJ Pierce put out a bunch of pros. We weren't top of the heap by any means, because those Plano schools and Lake Highlands, which just put a bunch of dudes in the NFL. But we were, I think four and six and five and five.
00;23;36;14 - 00;23;53;19
Brandon Krisztal
John Franklin Myers has four years of high school. No surprise that he played as a as a freshman as big that do this. Oh in his freshman year guess what his record was his sophomore year. But oh and then guess what his record was his junior year.
00;23;53;22 - 00;23;55;10
Chris Harris Jr.
Let's give him one game.
00;23;55;13 - 00;24;04;13
Brandon Krisztal
That would be too many. Oh and ten. And as a senior at Greenville High School where they added a game, guess what his record was his senior year.
00;24;04;15 - 00;24;05;21
Chris Harris Jr.
Let's give him one.
00;24;05;23 - 00;24;13;15
Brandon Krisztal
Nope, that's too many. One extra game to play. He was, oh, in 40 or 41. Know if he played in every game, did not win a game in high school.
00;24;13;21 - 00;24;15;16
Chris Harris Jr.
And then he went to the debt.
00;24;15;18 - 00;24;31;23
Brandon Krisztal
And then he well, he goes, it's coming off that one. And Stephen F Austin's like they're dominating him I don't know his college records were. But could you imagine that every Friday night because you know how special that is. This dude he knows about losing streak. So a ten game win streak to him is going to mean, I think more than it will to most.
00;24;31;25 - 00;24;37;29
Brandon Krisztal
Going back to it though, how significant is that though to to reel off ten in a row, especially in the NFL.
00;24;38;02 - 00;25;00;16
Chris Harris Jr.
You got a it's extremely hard. You have to really know how to win those close games. Really be consistent. At, a large group of positions. Your quarterback has to be playing well, and, a lot, a lot goes into it. You got to win some tough games on the road. Avoid those kind of upset games.
00;25;00;16 - 00;25;18;19
Chris Harris Jr.
Losing the teams that you don't expect to lose to at all. And and, it's hard to do. So, this would be a huge game and keep that rolling. And you do want to have those confidence. You do want to have that confidence that you can win those tough games. You can really in a row. Because guess what you got to do in the playoffs.
00;25;18;22 - 00;25;33;01
Chris Harris Jr.
Majority of time you got to go streaking to win a Super Bowl. Right. So it's showing that they're they're capable of being able to catch fire, especially at the right time. And it's very hard to do. It's very hard to do especially in the NFL.
00;25;33;03 - 00;25;47;08
Brandon Krisztal
And you know Bo was asked about it as well. And he's like I don't think I've been a part of too many ten games. Interesting. Oh well, maybe my junior year I don't know if you met junior year of high school or junior year at Oregon. I didn't track the ducks record. But I'm guessing he meant high school.
00;25;47;10 - 00;26;05;05
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Nonetheless, Bo did give us a sound bite of the week, and maybe one of the bigger laughs he's gotten. He's not Peyton Manning level of funny, and no one expects him to be. But there is a sarcasm row with there. Every now and then he'll try something and he goes back to he. He does have that Russell Wilson coach big robot mode.
00;26;05;07 - 00;26;23;10
Brandon Krisztal
But I think sort of like Bill Belichick. He knows he's kind of playing that character on the box. Because there's a little humor there. And I've seen him on some podcasts, with those dudes where he lists top five, this, top five that. But this is Bo when asked about the Broncos at last check and we can double check again.
00;26;23;18 - 00;26;40;05
Brandon Krisztal
We're two and a half point underdogs at home despite the ten game win streak. And so here's Mike Wallace asking Bo about that ball. A lot of us, you guys me and other dogs do. You said it's a battle cry motivation now. And you think that's a sign that you're back in touch.
00;26;40;06 - 00;26;42;11
Chris Harris Jr.
That you I don't.
00;26;42;13 - 00;26;49;24
Brandon Krisztal
Don't really care. My mom thinks will win. So that's all that matters.
00;26;49;26 - 00;27;09;04
Brandon Krisztal
All right. His mom thinks they'll win. Is that good enough? I guess so let me let me ask the question, though. How often would a coach tell you that, hey, nobody believes in us, and obviously there's some controversy around Pete Carroll and the and the Raiders kicking that field goal because it affected the line. There's plenty of coaches.
00;27;09;04 - 00;27;27;22
Brandon Krisztal
And I got to think Sean Payne's at the top of the list that are aware of the point spread or where are you favorites are underdogs. And I'm sure some coaches bring it up and say, look, nobody believes us. We're underdogs in this game. Maybe they don't get into the number because you don't want guys betting on it or whatever, but how often would you have a coach that brought up, hey, we're under two.
00;27;27;23 - 00;27;44;10
Brandon Krisztal
Like, nobody really thinks we're winning. Nobody's picking us. We're underdogs versus just saying it to get you motivated because clearly it's it's true. This time is my Super Bowl 50 hat falls by the wayside here. We'll do this. But how often do you have a coach actually say that? Because Bo clearly was aware of it.
00;27;44;13 - 00;27;53;18
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. You know, especially, I think, I definitely remember us being an underdog. We played the Packers one Super Bowl year right when they came to Denver.
00;27;53;21 - 00;27;55;02
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Aaron Rodgers,
00;27;55;04 - 00;27;56;25
Chris Harris Jr.
Know about us. We knew that.
00;27;56;25 - 00;27;57;23
Brandon Krisztal
Jersey.
00;27;57;26 - 00;28;18;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, we knew we were underdogs when and Rodgers pulled up. So that definitely made us want to make sure he didn't throw over 100 yards. So, when when the coaches bring that out and try to give you that extra motivation and, get teams, you know, wired and ready for the game, you need you need some things like that.
00;28;18;05 - 00;28;29;05
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm pretty sure if I'm Coach Payne, I got it right there on the wall. We're the underdogs. We're not picked to win and we're at home. So I'm using that as extra motivation this week to get my team going.
00;28;29;07 - 00;28;47;16
Brandon Krisztal
That same season. Actually, believe it or not, and I need to just check check it. But it popped into my head. The Patriots on Sunday night Football came to town. An overtime game in the snow C.J Anderson obviously with the game winner Brandon McManus missed a field goal so wide that I caught it on the other side of the play clock.
00;28;47;16 - 00;29;03;12
Brandon Krisztal
Kind of by the tunnel. Where y'all running that. Because I was down there for Western one. It was a little windy that night, but y'all were two and a half to three point underdogs that week. Two. So twice when you got Hall of Fame quarterbacks coming in and they were going against Brock Osweiler. Certainly in that Pats game.
00;29;03;19 - 00;29;17;20
Brandon Krisztal
But I think maybe in the Packers one as well. It's still it's still weird to see. And when you are rolling it's nice when someone will give you motivation without you having to manufacture it. The way Michael Jordan made everything personal, right?
00;29;17;22 - 00;29;40;07
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. I mean you gotta and that goes down to the leaders and to the captains on the defense and the offense. You know, I'm pretty sure Pat is not going to be relaxed. He wants to win. All those guys are pretty hungry. So they got a pretty good group that are gonna be able to keep guys focused, good coaches and Coach Payton, he's going to always keep that intensity high and the details high.
00;29;40;09 - 00;29;48;12
Chris Harris Jr.
And when you have a good coaching staff like that and good leaders like they have there, and Denver right now, you see why they're streaking?
00;29;48;15 - 00;30;05;18
Brandon Krisztal
All right, before we go into the film room, one more, piece of video, I want to throw your way a piece of sound. And this is a shortened version of the answer, but, the question I asked Cortland on Wednesday or. Yeah, was on Wednesday was he's obviously such a big part of what you're doing on special teams.
00;30;05;21 - 00;30;15;27
Brandon Krisztal
Do you want to see more of Marvin Mims on offense? And I guess I did ask, and how big was was that return? And here was caught talking about number 19.
00;30;16;00 - 00;30;35;07
Speaker 4
Is not too many people who are, you know, be willing to go back there and, you know, sit in the, you know, in the face of a fire and, you know, calmly assess the situation and go make a play. And you know, that that play was so crazy because I'm sitting, sitting there obviously waiting to go out in the field and you see him like kind of like scrunched down and you're like, damn, please, dang, please don't hit him.
00;30;35;07 - 00;30;56;19
Speaker 4
Like, don't hit him. And then like, boom, he just pops out of nowhere. And like, you know, Marv has this like real, real like like deceivingly fast speed where it's like from a distance, you be like, he's not running that fast. And then if you like, on the field with him, like he's covering ground like for, for not much of a tall guy.
00;30;56;24 - 00;31;02;21
Speaker 4
He covers a lot of ground with stride.
00;31;02;24 - 00;31;21;03
Brandon Krisztal
Well, what do you think about Mims finally finding the end zone you obviously touched on earlier. And do you want to see more of him on offense, especially because, you know, we'll get to the injury report in a little bit. But Pat Bryant with the hamstring might mean a few more offensive snaps for for Mims this week. And and maybe they're going to get creative with them just to try to fool the Packers.
00;31;21;06 - 00;31;47;23
Chris Harris Jr.
Well I mean Pat bottom shouldn't matter. Mims gets the ball anyways. He should always be in the game plan. When you have explosive guy that can do everything, put him in the backfield, put them in, receiver, special teams. You need his game changing plays, especially down and and, crunch time. You know, Broncos have been up and down all season and getting into those big plays and hitting on those big plays.
00;31;47;26 - 00;31;58;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Mahomes has usually been one of those guys that can make them. So, he's very crucial to the what's going on with the offense going forward.
00;31;58;07 - 00;32;14;19
Brandon Krisztal
All right. So let's do the one thing we do every week that I know people look forward to. And and certainly when we feature, some of these plays, that gets plenty of attention. Let's hop into Chris Harris Jr's film room. Get it?
00;32;14;22 - 00;32;17;06
Chris Harris Jr.
All right. So we got some good plays.
00;32;17;08 - 00;32;24;27
Brandon Krisztal
Let's start with, you know, we'll go we'll mix in bad and good. This is obviously bad.
00;32;24;29 - 00;32;49;00
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. So it looks like we're in cover for up top. So it looks like we're playing on the Raiders. Do a good job of running sale. Scissors. That's hard. The corner. The nickel has to be able to go deep. The short underneath. If you watch Jay Mack he's going deep to short. And then you can either pass this, with the safety or you can, play like they played it.
00;32;49;00 - 00;33;14;20
Chris Harris Jr.
They him or Peyton, who didn't have the proper communication. They locked it and Pat took the post. Hufanga took the corner route. So when that when that happens, you got those are plays that you got to be ready for, especially dealing with cover for. We did. We used to pass that off me. You know, I would take the corner route, TJ or still or any of the safeties to take the, post.
00;33;14;20 - 00;33;20;22
Chris Harris Jr.
So you got to have 24 and, be able to, talk that through before it happens.
00;33;20;24 - 00;33;38;27
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, I think we understand the concept, but but talk us through, you talk about the sail or scissors, but. Yeah. Jay Mack, it's kind of. They were both in no man's land, but that does feel like that's Haiphong over the top, right? Because Jay Mack is down low and just needs to to stay. Was that that ends up out there I think.
00;33;38;27 - 00;33;42;14
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Once he's out there that you just.
00;33;42;16 - 00;34;00;25
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. As the nickel you got to make it deep. The short right. This play is between the corner and the safety. The pattern I'm taking, he's taking the post. So the safety has to be low and be able to fall underneath that corner out. He does need Alex to push with him just a little bit.
00;34;00;28 - 00;34;08;24
Chris Harris Jr.
But if you don't pass this up between the corners. This is a play that, you know, the safety is going to have to make every time.
00;34;08;27 - 00;34;25;01
Brandon Krisztal
Now, I think you agree with me and we'll see where it ends up. But a Fang is almost certainly going to be a Pro Bowler and perhaps an all pro. But if he had a bit of a shortcoming, it's that there at least that we've seen a season. He can get a little kind of crossed up in in coverage here and there.
00;34;25;01 - 00;34;45;08
Brandon Krisztal
Right. We saw him get beat obviously on the long touchdown pass going all the way back to the Giants game. And there's been a few other times. And we know at times he's looking to make a big hit. And that's a separate conversation obviously. But yeah what what do you think that is. Is that just there's such an aggressiveness that, that sometimes, is it kind of the details getting overlooked?
00;34;45;08 - 00;34;58;20
Brandon Krisztal
I don't want to, you know, I'm not picking on a guy. It's going to be an all pro. But what do you think causes their best offensive weapon right now? We know Dante may get there some day to to to sneak free there for that touchdown.
00;34;58;23 - 00;35;18;20
Chris Harris Jr.
We right there is called a scheme. They just came this up right. They were in the perfect play versus perfect coverage. Like I said, you got to be able to communicate through that with Pat. Be able to pass those things. Love. It's not really athleticism. Athleticism right there. It's more about scheme. So he's a very smart player.
00;35;18;20 - 00;35;35;02
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm pretty sure he won't let it happen to him again. But you know often father you know you are going to make mistakes, especially going against Kelso. You're going to get some type of tight ends. You're going against Bowers, they are going to make some plays so it can't happen. But you know, he's been pretty solid all season.
00;35;35;05 - 00;35;42;25
Chris Harris Jr.
And, but that's the play right there. You expect Pat and him being experienced guys they will be able to talk do that.
00;35;42;27 - 00;35;55;24
Brandon Krisztal
I guess I haven't asked you this, but let's look at the next play as your career advanced, how much were you on the field in punt return situations having to deal with Gunners?
00;35;55;27 - 00;36;01;28
Chris Harris Jr.
You know, after my first two years, I was pretty much done with like, every time.
00;36;02;00 - 00;36;17;13
Brandon Krisztal
Okay. But let's let's look at this right here because it was perhaps the biggest play of the day. And we've talked about it and heard caught talking about Mims. And I thought he was down two or was going down.
00;36;17;15 - 00;36;27;16
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. But he's just so explosive he can be able to get out because he kind of, you know, he can kind of run like a running back slash receiver. You know, he has that type of ability.
00;36;27;18 - 00;36;38;18
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. How rare is that. And you I guess. Yeah. The guy you had that was the closest to him in terms of this level of ability had to be Trenton Holladay who's maybe the fastest player you ever played with.
00;36;38;21 - 00;36;59;07
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh yeah. But those two totally different type of body types. Trenton was like one, you know, Mims is a pretty stocky guy. So, his, his returning abilities, and it's been a game changer. I think he's been, you know, now, doing this is possibly going to be Pro Bowl again as a returner. Is it three years in a row?
00;36;59;09 - 00;37;13;04
Brandon Krisztal
Three years in a row, right out of the gate. Rookie year. Last year he was first team all pro, I think as a rookie and second team. Last year vice versa. Yes. It's pretty remarkable and also remarkable the first time he's actually found the end zone on a return.
00;37;13;07 - 00;37;30;19
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. I gotta tell you, man, you always get some good yardage, but you just got to get in the end zone. And that was hell of a block by, 34 right there. I mean, the whole team executed. They they believe if Mims is back there, they got a chance to score, and they're going to need this type of field position.
00;37;30;22 - 00;37;39;00
Chris Harris Jr.
We're going to need easy, you know, start ups for the offense. And that's going to help our bowling and the offense be able to put up more points.
00;37;39;03 - 00;37;54;00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And when you get in the playoffs, because he's such a weapon. Teams may try to avoid him. And we know especially when you talk about bad weather whether they're playing here or other places. And I don't even know if any dome teams will be able to host really maybe the Texans, but the Broncos have a better record than them.
00;37;54;07 - 00;38;15;18
Brandon Krisztal
So point being I guess maybe the Colts too. But we're not going to worry about that. It becomes the avoiding him becomes as much of a weapon. You know he's not the Devin Hester level yet. But we remember when teams would pay if they actually kicked it to Hester and and Mims now, is certainly, I think, firmly in that category at the top of the list in the league.
00;38;15;21 - 00;38;28;16
Chris Harris Jr.
Especially backed up. I would just try to rugby it out, try to kick it away from me if you can, because, if he's lining up close to that 50 and your hands open, he has a high chance of bringing it back.
00;38;28;18 - 00;38;50;18
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, I mean, even with pretty good coverage in terms of bodies being around him, he finds the hole and that's something that's innate. I remember talking to Dante Hall about it years ago. And and great returners really do see the field I think I think differently. All right. Let's look at, two more defensive plays. Both more more good plays from the team's, best, certainly best defensive back.
00;38;50;21 - 00;38;57;09
Brandon Krisztal
This is getting flagged. Do you like this call? I didn't.
00;38;57;11 - 00;39;15;01
Chris Harris Jr.
I don't really like it, but I understand with it. Well, why they would call that? Because they just seen his arms inside his, his chest right there. But, you know, it's a bad throw. Good defense. You know, it's a he kind of get some ticky tag pitches sometimes, you know, they kind of give him some.
00;39;15;01 - 00;39;25;15
Chris Harris Jr.
But technique wise I would say that's pretty solid. It's pretty ticky tacky. Call I think coach my band or the ref might have been trying to help the Raiders right there.
00;39;25;18 - 00;39;45;01
Brandon Krisztal
Speaking of technique, they're picking on our guy Kobe Bryant last night and Thursday Night Football. But did you see where he was with Mike Evans? High point some. And he's got his hand basically on the ball. He's giving up five inches. But it's always interesting to see. Great to have. Can you still see. You still see I mean I in this case a Hall of Fame player make a play.
00;39;45;03 - 00;40;03;26
Chris Harris Jr.
And it happens, man. And that's part of being a corner. You got to have a fast memory, especially in the NFL. There's going to be dogs every week that you got to see. And you just got to go out there and play your game. And if they catch it, come back out there and line up again. And Pat, you know, Riley, they have that mentality.
00;40;03;26 - 00;40;23;25
Chris Harris Jr.
All of Jay Mac, KB you know, so all of them. So, I love the secondary and what we have going into the playoffs. Defensive line is playing well running. We got to still tighten up a little bit on the run defense. But we're close. You we're close to being at where we need to be.
00;40;23;25 - 00;40;28;21
Chris Harris Jr.
But, I, you know, it's hard to complain about our defense the way they played all season.
00;40;28;23 - 00;40;44;18
Brandon Krisztal
And one more play also, final play before we leave the film room. Another look at two. And in this case, just another silly flag, it feels like. But you tell me.
00;40;44;20 - 00;41;08;00
Chris Harris Jr.
Let me see. From the back backside angle. Yeah. He got a little low early. Right. And there you kind of got to kind of move inside with them and kind of just ride them his shoulder. And I think he knew it was coming. He kind of knew the slant was coming and he just over he was just over aggressive.
00;41;08;03 - 00;41;28;18
Chris Harris Jr.
And that's what you get when you have, fast motion, jet motion like that. And you're the only receiver the Chargers used to run the pivot with Keenan Allen or Antonio Gates. They would act like he's running a slant and go back out. But the Raiders they would always run that slant. So they're still running it still to this day chip Kelly staple.
00;41;28;20 - 00;41;34;28
Chris Harris Jr.
And I think Steve Pierce too just knew it was coming. And he just got there too early.
00;41;35;01 - 00;41;45;20
Brandon Krisztal
All right. Well hopefully we've got plenty of great plays to to break down and not too many penalties. That was one other thing about that Thursday night game was 19 penalties and Falcons still found a way to win. I was a really bad loss.
00;41;45;20 - 00;41;50;01
Chris Harris Jr.
I like the All Black though, man. He was playing out there like the all black.
00;41;50;03 - 00;41;59;23
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah no no doubt no doubt about that. All right. That was our weekly trip inside Chris Harris Jr's film room.
00;41;59;25 - 00;42;13;28
Brandon Krisztal
All right. We've got just a few more things to do before we get out of here. Let's start to dive into the Packers a little bit and what they do. Well obviously we talked to B Mack earlier and in fact we've seen two days in a row. No Josh Jacobs he had 20 carries last week 17 the week before.
00;42;13;28 - 00;42;30;27
Brandon Krisztal
He just fighting through anything Matt LaFleur who meets the media before practice and they obviously just hit the practice field ten minutes ago said he's going to be day to day, but he will practice in a limited capacity. He will be out there. So he's out there right now as they're practicing outside in Lambeau. I don't know what the weather is, but it's not as nice as here.
00;42;31;00 - 00;42;35;17
Brandon Krisztal
We're in the 60s for the third straight day and we got about five days, more of it.
00;42;35;20 - 00;42;38;16
Chris Harris Jr.
They got to be outside. I feel bad.
00;42;38;18 - 00;42;51;13
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. No. No kidding. Especially he's you know, he's got to kick the ball on Friday. So he really does have to get in the hot tub. But I ask BJ what does their offense look like with Josh Jacobs and without.
00;42;51;16 - 00;42;56;17
Unknown
There's a difference in their offense. Josh Jacobs was out.
00;42;56;19 - 00;43;13;25
Speaker 4
I mean he's a top notch runner you know. So if he's out there obviously you know to to stop the run game and keep the explosive passes from hurting you. That's that's the challenge. You know and he's a top you know top ten runner you know. So if you're in too much soft coverage you know he can he can burn the clock on you you know and gain yards.
00;43;13;25 - 00;43;31;25
Speaker 4
And if he had too much single he you know he comes to big deep ball. So that's the challenge of kind of you know when it's it's a cat and mouse game between how much coverage you play, how much, you know, loaded boxes to play for the run game. So he is a special player and it's a perfect storm with those receivers, the quarterback and the runner.
00;43;31;27 - 00;43;50;27
Brandon Krisztal
Okay. So let's look at that. So we know what Josh Jacobs is. But how about this. The Broncos still out rush them in terms of rushing yards per game. Not by a lot. But you know when you look at the rankings for yards better the Broncos are four yards better on the ground. That's five spots better. Broncos are 14 and the Packers are 19.
00;43;50;27 - 00;44;02;15
Brandon Krisztal
But there's nobody to be like oh, I'm scared. Especially without Jake of the Broncos rushing attack with RJ Harvey versus the Packers. With or with Josh Jacobs.
00;44;02;17 - 00;44;20;25
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah I mean he's a bell cow. He's going to carry the load. He runs hard. He's perfect for the playoffs. He's perfect for this time of the year. To be able to carry the load. And he has been taking a banging all season. And, you know, if they're smart, they would just probably arrest him. But I highly doubt Jacobs misses this game.
00;44;20;25 - 00;44;39;02
Chris Harris Jr.
I think it's big. Too big of a game. I think they're one game ahead in their division. They need a win to stay ahead of Chicago. So I think he definitely plays. But when you see Jacobs, our defense has to be able to tackle very well. He's going to run hard and gang tackle this guy man.
00;44;39;02 - 00;44;50;14
Chris Harris Jr.
He's he's had a lot of success going against Denver. Right? He always has big games. So we got to be able to make sure we can contain his guy. And don't let him come down and have a big party.
00;44;50;16 - 00;45;13;00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. You talk about their schedule. They have the bears next Saturday. They're they're one of the couple Saturday games. Then they host. That's in Chicago too. Then they host the Ravens. And we know the Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives. That's not going to be easy. And they go to the Vikings who are certainly schizophrenic. But last game of the year Vikings obviously out of it.
00;45;13;00 - 00;45;33;25
Brandon Krisztal
They're trying to build though with JJ McCarthy. And we saw what they did to Vonn. And the commander's a 31. Nothing shutout. So no no easy games for the Packers here. And if they can come steal one on the road, even if they are the favorites, this still be a steal that say something. I know we're going to have some of the rest of the numbers up, but you heard Vance talk about the perfect storm.
00;45;33;27 - 00;45;52;06
Brandon Krisztal
There we go. The perfect storm. When you look at these, he's like with the receivers and Jacobs. They don't have a number one. You know they've got golden, but he's been banged up. Do you look at Watson or Dobbs. It's sometimes that better for the defense or more challenging cause you don't know who they're going to who their go to guy is.
00;45;52;06 - 00;45;55;16
Brandon Krisztal
And love so good at finding the right guy.
00;45;55;19 - 00;46;19;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I mean it. You gotta have a number one guy, a guy that, you know, very comfortable with and, makes you very secure as a quarterback. I think that was a their tight end. I always forget his name. But, yeah, before he got hurt. So they're missing that aspect, but they have a lot of receivers, guys that can't get the job done fast.
00;46;19;05 - 00;46;37;12
Chris Harris Jr.
Athletic guys. Watson can take the top off, so we do have to be aware of his speed. But, you know, they're not. They're all good. You know, there's nobody that this is a great receiver, that pops out, but they're all solid, good receivers. That can beat you. So you got to definitely bring your A-game.
00;46;37;12 - 00;46;38;23
Chris Harris Jr.
You can't take them lightly.
00;46;38;25 - 00;46;56;12
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And when you look at those numbers, you know, as we always talk about, green is good, Red's bad. And obviously if it's blue as the Broncos put it up on this is from the Broncos. Pregame notes packet. It's middle of the pack. So the Broncos have continued to get higher up in the blue and even into the green in some spots.
00;46;56;14 - 00;47;11;27
Brandon Krisztal
But the number when you look at the thing that jumps out the most, to me your strength versus strength is look at the Packers, who are the very best team in the league on third down and staying on the field and moving the sticks. And then they're second in terms of punching it in. And the Broncos are best in the league.
00;47;11;27 - 00;47;24;14
Brandon Krisztal
We know not only in sacks but on third down and certainly in the red zone. So that's going to be the Ben Ben. But don't break the see who, I guess who wins that strength on strength. How do you like that matchup.
00;47;24;17 - 00;47;46;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah you're right. Third down is going to be crucial. And, I think it starts with the run game for able to stop the run, able to keep them guys in third and longs make love throw from you know, not third and fours and fives that Jacobs usually gives them. Then then we're able to try to minimize this and flip that stat.
00;47;46;05 - 00;48;04;04
Chris Harris Jr.
So it's going to be crucial. Third down is going to be crucial. Like you said, their first and third down second in the red zone. Broncos our first red zone and third down. And with the in trouble in that with the sacks. So that's going to be a big difference a big big emphasis in the game.
00;48;04;06 - 00;48;13;15
Chris Harris Jr.
And you know it's the Broncos. In order to win that, they got to be able to stop the run and not let them get ahead of the sticks on third down.
00;48;13;18 - 00;48;37;04
Brandon Krisztal
And so on third down. We know, as I referenced earlier, talking with Bmcc about having that closer. Nick Benito and Micah Parsons both tied at 12.5 sacks. We can spend, you know, a full show on whether or not that trade should have been made. But he is now a green Bay Packer has his New Deal. How do you keep Micah Parsons from being that game wrecker that you had for so many years with Vaughn?
00;48;37;04 - 00;48;55;28
Brandon Krisztal
That Nick Benito has been certainly at times because we saw him, you know, seal that game early in the year, against Arizona at times that he's been taken out. And I even asked Bo, how do you know where he is without overemphasizing. So what's your key, you think the slowing Parsons down, who's on the, and moves around?
00;48;56;00 - 00;49;16;02
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, you just got to try to treat them like Crosby, you know, you see, tough rushes all year long. Most teams have a guy, that you're kind of game planning for him. But, you know, right now we have a, consistent offensive line right now doing a great job being able to keep Bo upright all season, and you just stick to your keys.
00;49;16;02 - 00;49;31;17
Chris Harris Jr.
You know, he's going to be a problem. You gotta know where he's at. But, it's about playing our game, executing our offense and doing our job. So, he's a game wrecker. You got to treat him like Crosby. And that's a good thing, is that you've had to see a Chris Jones. You've had to see some all pro guys.
00;49;31;19 - 00;49;35;18
Chris Harris Jr.
That can get you ready for Micah Parsons.
00;49;35;21 - 00;49;54;08
Brandon Krisztal
Okay, let's, see, you know, we touched on Jacobs. Before we get to our predictions, let's see where things stand. Health wise. As we do every week, we will take a look at the injury report.
00;49;54;11 - 00;50;15;10
Brandon Krisztal
Latest Belen Polic injury report. Broncos trending up again. D.J. Jones, full participant. They give him that extra week to rest. Big man on the ankle. You're going to need him to slow down whatever comes their way in terms of rushing the ball. Nate Atkins back on the field still limited Ben Powers. They opened his window and so I guess one quick thought there.
00;50;15;12 - 00;50;23;19
Brandon Krisztal
Whether or not he plays this week or next, do you automatically just put powers back in because he's been your starter, even though you played pretty darn well?
00;50;23;21 - 00;50;40;04
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, they pay. Power's a lot of money, so I definitely see him going back in, understanding this, a business deal. He was the starter before he got injured, and he's been starting since he's got NFL. So, they feel very comfortable with him, and they probably want their whole offensive line, especially if they pay for him.
00;50;40;04 - 00;50;44;23
Chris Harris Jr.
So, he. Yeah, I see him definitely playing if he's healthy.
00;50;44;26 - 00;50;59;03
Brandon Krisztal
And I mentioned Pat Bryant two days in a row didn't practice. He had to think with the hamstring. They're going to on the side of caution. I think Pat Bryant's obviously emerged as a bigger contributor than he was earlier in the year. And that when you take a guy the third round, that's what you want to see.
00;50;59;06 - 00;51;15;00
Brandon Krisztal
But I don't expect that. We'll see. Pat Bryant I guess it'll be a pleasant surprise if he does go. But with the hamstring, you want to you want to take your time like they just did with obviously Jonah Ellis, who now is back to full strength and played last week. Packers have 15 guys on the injury report Jordan loves non throwing shoulder.
00;51;15;00 - 00;51;30;22
Brandon Krisztal
So his left shoulder something at least be aware of. But he's a full participant. Lots of limited dudes. And then as we mentioned Josh Jacobs. So we expect him to go another. So things happen that are unexpected. So when they do you're going to have to deal with them, whether it's an injury, an accident, whatever it may be.
00;51;30;22 - 00;51;51;01
Brandon Krisztal
Nobody that I trust more than our friends at Bell and Pollock, the champions of the people, they will fight for you. They will come with a winning game plan. So give them a call a day. 303795 5900. Or very simply, champions of the people. Dot com.
00;51;51;04 - 00;52;10;28
Brandon Krisztal
So Chris, every week you know David and I'll talk and you'll throw your thoughts in there too. What game should we look at. And I open up the slate of games. And it's like every game is compelling because of either record or who's playing in it, or all of the above. How does it relate to the Broncos? So we've got a bunch of games to get to.
00;52;11;00 - 00;52;33;14
Brandon Krisztal
And and I'll pull up the lines too as well. But this game certainly matters for the bears. We've heard the announcement schedule is going to be the start of the rest of the year. You obviously talked to Shelby on Tuesday, as you do every week on where the Harris is. It's predicted to be cold and gross there in in Chicago there at Soldier Field.
00;52;33;16 - 00;52;47;11
Brandon Krisztal
I know the bears are favored. Again, do we see any world where Schroeder builds on what he did last week? Against the Titans and a loss against this solid bears team who's I think exceeded expectations at this point?
00;52;47;13 - 00;53;04;16
Chris Harris Jr.
No, I would not. I'm gonna have to go with the bears. I think the bears are playing good football. You know, Keller Williams is much improved. Ben Johnson is much improved. So I have to go with the bears this game. I just don't see, the Browns, they find a way to beat themselves every week.
00;53;04;21 - 00;53;15;20
Chris Harris Jr.
Whether the defense doesn't show up. Offense might not show. Special teams. Just gives the ball away. They just find that they do a good job of being themselves every week.
00;53;15;22 - 00;53;36;12
Brandon Krisztal
All right, let's jump to the next game. By the way, the bears were seven point favorites. I think they brought. I'd like to think they cover, but, you know, crappy weather, good defense. Maybe they win by a field goal. And it's a low scoring closer game because we know Caleb can be inconsistent. So I guess in that one I like the bears to win but not to cover.
00;53;36;15 - 00;53;52;27
Brandon Krisztal
This one obviously huge implications. Bengals I guess are are out of it for the division now I don't know if they I mean I don't know if they have enough tiebreakers. Can they win the division at eight and nine. Maybe it starts here with beating the Ravens. You know, I mentioned the Ravens are playing the Packers.
00;53;52;27 - 00;54;10;04
Brandon Krisztal
We saw them beat the Ravens just a couple weeks ago on Thanksgiving. And then we heard Joe Burrow on his birthday this week saying, this isn't fun. I want it to be fun again. How do you how do you see this one playing out? Where, the line on it. Bengals are two and a half point home dogs.
00;54;10;04 - 00;54;12;12
Brandon Krisztal
As you got to understand.
00;54;12;15 - 00;54;33;03
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Bengals I think their offense is you know with Joe Burrow coming back they're playing much better. The Ravens you know I kind of think the Ravens got gypped last week. You know I think that that's likely was a touch now you know definitely got screwed over. But versus the Steelers but, it'll be, it'll be Joe Burrow.
00;54;33;03 - 00;54;41;05
Chris Harris Jr.
Dyson. Those guys, their defense is still I still don't believe in the Ravens defense. And I think Joe just plays good in December.
00;54;41;08 - 00;54;55;29
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. I'm I'm with you. And I like the Bengals to win the Ravens. There's something going on there. You know, one of the names thrown out for the Michigan job is good John Harbaugh go to Michigan I don't think he wants to do that. And he just signed an extension last year. Didn't mean the Ravens are going to move on just because they have one down year.
00;54;56;06 - 00;55;10;26
Brandon Krisztal
But they're not going to the playoffs. And I know Lamar was banged up in the middle. I'm with you though. I like the I like the Bengals at home. And I think a Bengals win over the Ravens again probably helps Zach Taylor's job security. I don't know where his job security is, but you stack up a couple more wins.
00;55;10;26 - 00;55;29;28
Brandon Krisztal
We've seen what it's done for Mike McDaniel. All right. We're on the same page with the Bengals, especially as home dogs. So Chiefs fighting for their playoff lives hosting the Chargers. When you look at that one in Arrowhead obviously, where the Chiefs I know are slight favorites I thought it was like two maybe. Oh it's four and a half I'm sorry.
00;55;30;00 - 00;55;46;07
Brandon Krisztal
Chiefs are four and a half point favorites. Chargers with that eke out that win against the Eagles on Monday night in LA. The Chargers have gone Oregon to Kansas in one in recent years. But how do you see that one playing out at Arrowhead where the Chiefs have to win?
00;55;46;09 - 00;55;57;25
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Chargers going and going in the Chiefs. They're playing very solid football. You know their offense Herbert. You know he had a I think it was his hand issue.
00;55;57;27 - 00;55;59;23
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Left hand I think you had.
00;55;59;25 - 00;56;14;08
Chris Harris Jr.
Been able to fight through it. And he's played very well in Arrowhead and he's gone there one. So I'm gonna say the Chiefs are done. Their season is over with and the Chargers are going to be able to go ten and four second in division and be able to try to take that wildcard spot.
00;56;14;11 - 00;56;37;27
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. I saw in order for the Chiefs to officially be eliminated, even if they win. But the Texans win, the Jaguars win a couple like all games that you expect to go a certain way. Maybe the bills beat the Patriots. That they're done. Even if they were to beat the Chargers because they have too many tiebreakers losing to the Texans, I think we both kind of got burned on that pick.
00;56;37;27 - 00;56;57;17
Brandon Krisztal
We thought that the Chiefs would would respond after losing to the Broncos. And the Texans go in and and handle business. So I'm going to take the Chiefs just because I think that they, you know, they're hard to kill. It doesn't mean that they won't officially be killed at some point anyway. So I'm going to take the Chiefs, but won't be surprised at all if the Chargers pull it out now.
00;56;57;17 - 00;57;14;03
Brandon Krisztal
You can't turn the ball over the way the Chargers did on Monday night and win this game. I don't think on the road nonetheless. I'm going KC you on Chargers and that should be a fun one to watch leading into the Broncos game. This is a game I just talked about. Another one you need to be at a sports bar or have red zone or have a bunch of TVs.
00;57;14;03 - 00;57;33;29
Brandon Krisztal
Because these early window games I want to watch all of them. And so the bills Patriots I'm I'm ready to see if the Patriots I think this is a are the Patriots for real. If they win this game I know they already beat the bills once in a in in Buffalo. But the four and a half point dog.
00;57;33;29 - 00;57;39;28
Brandon Krisztal
So Vegas is kind of thinking oh this Bill's team is better. And the Patriots are a little bit of smoke and mirrors.
00;57;40;01 - 00;58;00;12
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Patriots. They're playing good. Drake may is much better than I thought. Just seeing his poise in the pocket is very calm back there. You can make all the throws. You can scramble just a little bit. But he's very decisive in his, decision making, so I like the way he's playing.
00;58;00;14 - 00;58;19;24
Chris Harris Jr.
The venerable, variables got the defense playing nice. They play a lot of, man, a lot of different coverages. You know, I kind of about that same system had in Tennessee and, you know, just pretty much implemented it right there with the Patriots. And those guys are playing well in it. So, I chose two pages defense over the bills.
00;58;19;24 - 00;58;21;27
Chris Harris Jr.
So I'm gonna go with the Patriots.
00;58;22;00 - 00;58;35;20
Brandon Krisztal
As it's kind of been the theme I like home dogs, especially good teams. I haven't checked the weather there, but there's a chance it may not be random. It's gonna be I'm not gonna be super warm there in Foxborough, so I like the Pats to cover, but I'm going to take the bills to win because they're still fighting.
00;58;35;20 - 00;58;56;13
Brandon Krisztal
They could sneak up on my division. Yeah. And Josh Allen we know at home out. Good. He's been but but Josh Allen certainly has carried this team. And then you look at the Pats schedule next week. They're at the Ravens. Don't know what the Ravens will be playing for. Although they're still kind of mathematically in it, even if they lose again this week thanks to the Steelers just not running away with it.
00;58;56;15 - 00;59;05;16
Brandon Krisztal
Then the Pats go to New York and we know the Jets playing with pride. And then they host the Dolphins. It'll be called on New Year's weekend. That's a.
00;59;05;19 - 00;59;12;29
Chris Harris Jr.
Pretty game. Know that that game every year even when Brady was there you you always thought the Dolphins had a chance.
00;59;13;02 - 00;59;18;00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah absolutely. And the Dolphins have won what five straight since they fired their GM. So you can't.
00;59;18;00 - 00;59;19;18
Chris Harris Jr.
Just tell me let's go.
00;59;19;21 - 00;59;28;21
Brandon Krisztal
I know champ may end up may end up just getting a conversation with Stephen Ross. Like, hey, how about I just take this interim tag off your name? Done. That's the end of the conversation.
00;59;28;21 - 00;59;47;18
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean, he's been an interim, probably like four times in the NFL, and he's killed it every, every time he goes. And, every time he goes to enter, then their team always gets better. And then they just kind of move on to move on from just keep them there. Like, you know, I was you still in Denver.
00;59;47;18 - 00;59;58;21
Chris Harris Jr.
He was just always great. But finding guys, I mean, he found all of us. You know, he was definitely a guy that was instrumental in being able to, find the undrafted dogs out there.
00;59;58;23 - 01;00;15;26
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Vaughn Von wants to be a GM, but if champ gets that job, then he gets to build out the scouting staff. Maybe both of y'all can end up scouting for him and you get to assistant GM. I know you'd rather be a coach and a GM, but, your hours are a little better as a as a GM than a or a, on that side a little bit.
01;00;15;26 - 01;00;17;08
Chris Harris Jr.
Not a lot better.
01;00;17;10 - 01;00;43;03
Brandon Krisztal
But but certainly better during the season, that's for sure. All right. We got, just a couple more games to get to this one. I mean obviously it's the Jared Goff Bowl Matt Stafford Bowl again. And Sean McVay said now look there's going to be more Lions fans. And then there were Rams fans. He's like but they were so great to Stafford who I think Matt Moore he's like I hope we see that on on Sunday against the Lions towards Goff who took him to the Super Bowl.
01;00;43;05 - 01;01;02;21
Brandon Krisztal
There are enough Rams fans to boo him. So I don't think it's going to be a big deal. But let's just talk about the game. Take the nostalgia out of it. Who wins this game where it's close? Vegas has Rams just as a slight favorite at, just one and a half, there in LA where again, there will be lots of Lions fans.
01;01;02;24 - 01;01;24;02
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Rams Stafford balling. They just got a better defense. D-line is crazy. But the Lions do have a game breaker with their running backs and, you know, Saint Brown playing solid last week. But they did play the Cowboys. So I'm going to stop the breaks right there a little bit. And I'm a rock with the Rams this week man.
01;01;24;02 - 01;01;38;06
Chris Harris Jr.
They've been playing good. Stafford is definitely in the MVP conversation. And I don't even know how many touchdowns. Davante Adams has his 12 plus right ball. And so I'm gonna go with the Rams.
01;01;38;08 - 01;01;54;16
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah I'm in the fantasy playoffs in a couple leagues I'm happy that I have Devonte Adams on a couple of those teams. Because he he certainly finds the end zone some days he has bigger production than real quick though because you mentioned their running game. How special is Damien Gibbs I remember the Lions kind of getting laughed at when they took that dude 12.
01;01;54;18 - 01;02;05;28
Brandon Krisztal
And there's nobody laughing now other than man, they're just laughing out of like how do we not get him like laughing at themselves? How how special is he? And who does he remind you of?
01;02;06;00 - 01;02;26;14
Chris Harris Jr.
He's kind of like a Jamaal. Jamaal Charles. Jamaal Charles. From when I played, that speed, I can hit it, catch it, make plays outside the backfield. He's the that's probably the closest guy I can think of. The Charles. You know, his speed is just different. He and the way they use him all over the field.
01;02;26;17 - 01;02;41;19
Chris Harris Jr.
So Gibbs is a problem. He's probably, you know, Saquon Gibbs, he's in that top five for sure as top running backs in the NFL or definitely in the NFC. So, I would say Jamaal Charles probably be as close is Guy.
01;02;41;22 - 01;02;57;11
Brandon Krisztal
Jamaal Charles with the Chiefs not your teammate with the Broncos. That was a lesser Jamaal Charles that we got that we got here. We're not picking on. But because he had he had a great, great career there in KC. Well so let's do this real fast because again we'll get to a couple more games. But you said top five.
01;02;57;17 - 01;03;15;14
Brandon Krisztal
So Christian's in that I think Derrick Henry who's a free agent by the way would you like to see him in Denver next year? Maybe. But they're they're Henry, Derrick, Henry, Saquon, Jamir Christian is, Jonathan Taylor okay, let's do those five. Yeah. Getting let's say they're going to play all 17 games and be healthy in the season.
01;03;15;14 - 01;03;31;17
Brandon Krisztal
Right now at this point of their career. You can have any of those guys next year to be on the Broncos okay. You're going to you're trading two number ones whatever. But you're going to get the any of those guys and you know for a fact they're healthy all year through the playoffs. Which of those five do you want on your team.
01;03;31;17 - 01;03;36;19
Brandon Krisztal
And in this case the Broncos. But on any team as your featured guy.
01;03;36;22 - 01;03;40;06
Chris Harris Jr.
Actually I said I'm I might want based on Robinson.
01;03;40;08 - 01;03;42;23
Brandon Krisztal
Okay. All right. Yeah he's he's definitely that conversation.
01;03;43;00 - 01;04;01;11
Chris Harris Jr.
Or Christian McCaffrey because McCaffrey is definitely very reliable. He can catch the ball out the backfield. He's still running very hard. So I would probably go yeah. Oh no that's my preference. You know other guys might want take one or mine one Gibbs. But I will go with Christian and I would go with based on Robinson visa level.
01;04;01;16 - 01;04;03;08
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Those guys would be my guys.
01;04;03;10 - 01;04;17;07
Brandon Krisztal
Now, Bijan obviously made some huge plays that surfaced in help one on Thursday Night Football. It would be a fun story. I don't know what it would take to get him here, but the Broncos are going to have because of the moves they made. There's clear about 40 million in cap space. I think there's other needs they address.
01;04;17;07 - 01;04;33;15
Brandon Krisztal
And you just drafted Harvey. But and we all like the Disney story bringing Christian home for the last year or two of his career. Not on what he has left. That would be that would be fun to see, to see the way Sean would use them in getting himself a true joker. With apologies, Devin Ingram. All right, just couple more games.
01;04;33;22 - 01;04;39;08
Brandon Krisztal
Obviously Broncos and Packers is coming but we have Panthers. Saints. Speaking of.
01;04;39;10 - 01;04;40;15
Chris Harris Jr.
You could have skipped this one.
01;04;40;17 - 01;05;01;12
Brandon Krisztal
As well because look the the the Saints pulled the upset last week in a monsoon there I think that surprise some people Tyler shook is showing that he's got a little more than his critics may have thought. And the Panthers can now create a little separation from the Bucs if they win this game. Do the Saints have any kind of hope at home?
01;05;01;15 - 01;05;21;10
Chris Harris Jr.
I got the Panthers being able to, run the football, the receiver, the rookie receivers playing much better. The defense is tight. You know, with Jackson and Horn. They got a big boy up front. Is it I. I keep forgetting his name. He's a problem for a brown. But now you have brown. Yeah.
01;05;21;13 - 01;05;23;13
Brandon Krisztal
And a couple years ago hurt.
01;05;23;15 - 01;05;47;13
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. He's a dog. So I got the Panthers winning this game every year. This NFC North is or NFC South is always been bad. You know teams this game in the playoffs nine and nine records you know and not very good conference. So they're continue to do what they've done the past ten years, you know, and but I got the Panthers winning this.
01;05;47;15 - 01;06;08;08
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. For as good as Bryce Young's played or Baker at times Kirk Cousins looking better. And we know that Saints are a work in progress. This is not Sean Payton and Drew Brees is prime time Saints walking through the door. And and I don't know if that's changing anytime soon. But the Panthers may have something to say about I'm with you that I think the Panthers all.
01;06;08;08 - 01;06;28;06
Brandon Krisztal
I think there's two more. What do we got? Three more. Okay. Good call. Seahawks Philip Rivers. The last you heard, he might play. What do you think about two parts of this Sam Ehlinger, who was with the Colts. They reached out and said we want you to be our starter. And he said no thanks I'm good. Be on the Broncos practice squad.
01;06;28;09 - 01;06;37;07
Brandon Krisztal
Is that that was the location or is that like hey, the Colts are limited. Like it's that has also been smoke and mirrors with what they've done.
01;06;37;10 - 01;06;58;27
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, if I'm on practice squad and I get to be activated for the rest of the year, business wise, you got to go do that. And that says getting your accrued four seasons or your retirement, all that stuff is I don't know what year is that. He might already have that. But, you know, if you have a chance to go start in the NFL, you got to go take the opportunity.
01;06;59;00 - 01;07;23;06
Chris Harris Jr.
So I wouldn't tell anybody, you know, to pass up that situation, but I'm gonna go with the Seattle. I think he plays solid for them. It's over. Seattle defense is tough there D line is is is the real deal. McDonald is a hell of a defensive coordinator. And they got some dogs out through the secondary. So I'm going with Seattle.
01;07;23;08 - 01;07;32;00
Brandon Krisztal
Game open at 13.5. The Philip Rivers announcement no lie. It's up to or I'm sorry it open at three and a half. It's at 13.5. If Philip Rivers plays.
01;07;32;04 - 01;07;33;14
Chris Harris Jr.
20 should be it.
01;07;33;15 - 01;07;42;11
Brandon Krisztal
So had Riley and maybe a minute open before with before Daniel Jones towards Achilles is my guess. It's 13.5 right now across the board. So.
01;07;42;13 - 01;08;00;04
Chris Harris Jr.
And I guess Daniel don't on a one year deal. Yeah that that just crushed it like because now if you're the Colts whereas what happened to the other quarterback. What happened to him. You know I and there the whole reason.
01;08;00;06 - 01;08;11;18
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah I don't think they ever brought him off. I think once they put him on because that's why Riley Leonard's in there. That's why they're signing Philip Rivers. Because Anthony Richardson is is has been too banged up.
01;08;11;18 - 01;08;13;07
Chris Harris Jr.
Red shirt. You like a red shirt.
01;08;13;07 - 01;08;22;06
Brandon Krisztal
You I guess, yeah. Daniel Jones signed a one year, $14 million deal. The Colts are basically paying him to rehab an Achilles, and so I don't even know.
01;08;22;08 - 01;08;37;15
Chris Harris Jr.
So would you pay him? Think about it. He's a guy that this is probably one of his best years. And why? Because we've had a solid O-line and a major run game for him. If I'm a coach, he kind of at square one again. Now you're still looking for another quarterback.
01;08;37;17 - 01;08;51;13
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, because that can't be your plan. And if you say, hey, we're going to give you 10 million bucks to come rehab and we'll put incentives in. If you start, once you start a game, if we win the division, you get a million bucks. We go to the, you know, playoffs, Super Bowl, whatever. So you can make up to 1314 million.
01;08;51;15 - 01;09;07;27
Brandon Krisztal
But yeah I think it's crazy because again they've got a good roster. They just can't you know figure out quarterback. And it's not really their own fault, which is why they're getting a guy that that you know at this point. Did you play. Were you with rivers. You were with Herbert. So you weren't even with rivers money obviously.
01;09;08;00 - 01;09;27;09
Brandon Krisztal
But the fact that at 44, he's coming off to the high school practice field where he's been coaching and he's a Hall of Fame semifinalist, I think if he stays on the practice squad, even if I guess if he doesn't play in the game, that doesn't affect his candidacy. I don't think he's getting in this year anyway. But if he steps on the field, then it's reset.
01;09;27;09 - 01;09;46;23
Brandon Krisztal
So it's five years after now, which might be better because then that gets Eli and Big Ben and those dudes out of the way, I don't know. All right, two more. I think we have the Monday night game. Yeah. Dolphins and Steelers. This game got a lot more interesting because of what it means for this Dolphins. It because the Dolphins could get to ten and seven which is crazy to think.
01;09;46;25 - 01;09;59;09
Brandon Krisztal
But they could get to ten and seven and have some say about the playoffs. Have some tiebreakers. And the Steelers even with the win over the Ravens, they are they're not totally clear. The Bengals could still catch him in. Certainly the Ravens game.
01;09;59;11 - 01;10;27;13
Chris Harris Jr.
I got the Steelers winning this. You know both coaches are fighting for their jobs. But I think Aaron Rodgers is better than two. So I'm gonna go with the better quarterback. To adjust. He just had made me a believer yet you know, he's he's been playing much better as the season has gone on. They are streaky, but I just don't believe him to be able to I'll I'll duel and Rodgers at this time of the season especially played in Miami.
01;10;27;15 - 01;10;42;25
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah it's in Pittsburgh where they're going to be three point favorites. I know Pittsburgh isn't where Chicago is, but I bet if I look now it's not going to be great weather right Monday night. And that's not good for the Dolphins. I'll get them ready for their game at the Patriots. And right look I'm a big Mike McDaniel fan.
01;10;42;25 - 01;10;59;26
Brandon Krisztal
He's a local kid obviously started his career here as an intern with the Broncos. Smoky Hill High grad. I don't want to see him get fired and I think they don't want a firearm. Stephen Ross I heard this week said, or it was reported, from Albert Briere that Stephen Ross is here. Oh, Mike McDaniels gonna be graded as next up.
01;10;59;28 - 01;11;14;28
Brandon Krisztal
And Ross likes his late game an extension. They got to the playoffs his first two years. He's like why do I care about where he is at his next stop. Let's just figure it out here. We've already made the the one change at the GM. We'll see if they keep champ. It'd be hard to find somebody who you're going to like more.
01;11;15;00 - 01;11;18;03
Brandon Krisztal
So, look, I'm playing Alvin. What's that?
01;11;18;10 - 01;11;21;15
Chris Harris Jr.
So you think Mike stays after the season?
01;11;21;17 - 01;11;35;20
Brandon Krisztal
They might get to nine and 8 or 10 and seven. He got fired him at nine and eight. You can fire them at seven and ten, I guess, if it falls off a cliff. But they go in and beat the Steelers in here. I'll tell you their last three games. We know that that Patriots game. But here Dolphins schedule.
01;11;35;23 - 01;11;54;24
Brandon Krisztal
And I was always fun to Google on on TV or on the internet in this case. So here you go. Dolphins are at the Steelers. The next week they host the Bengals. We don't know what you're getting with the Bengals there. Then they host the Bucs. And then they go to the Patriots. So those are tough tougher games.
01;11;54;24 - 01;12;12;06
Brandon Krisztal
And they could be they're not playing the Titans. They're not you know they're not playing the Browns in this part of the year. And so if the Giants with where they are right now or the Jets so they run this table or finish nine and eight. If I'm Stephen Ross I'm saying okay now let's get this more worked out.
01;12;12;06 - 01;12;30;00
Brandon Krisztal
Maybe Mike has more input on the roster with whoever the next GM is. It's more collaborative. He's getting the most out of two, and whatever that is, they're going to move on. You got a thing from Tyreek. But yeah you know just for the sake of the story. And because I'm not a Steelers believer I'm going to take the Dolphins.
01;12;30;02 - 01;12;52;06
Brandon Krisztal
All right final one as you know our longest pick segment ever. But this is how it is this time of year. This is obviously all these games mean something for the most part. Other than that, that bears browns. That means some for the bears. Broncos, as we mentioned, and I'm looking at the updated line, two and a half point dogs here at home.
01;12;52;08 - 01;12;59;03
Brandon Krisztal
I'm going Broncos. I don't think it's surprising anyone. I think you'll probably end up there too, but I guess tell me, why will the Broncos win?
01;12;59;05 - 01;13;23;22
Chris Harris Jr.
I think they'll be able to stop the run. I think would have, bottled up Josh Jacobs. That's going to make it a lot more third and long. Now they can sic the pass rush on Jordan love and be able to match up pretty solid on the outside with these guys. I think that's going to be the key to the game, being able to shut down the run on the defensive side of the ball, offensive side, being able to, you know, protect the football.
01;13;23;24 - 01;13;40;21
Chris Harris Jr.
We need to get the running game going. The Packers, if you give them one week thing on defense, you could say it's probably the run defense. So I would I would that's that's the way the Broncos can win this game. Protecting the football with Bo Nix and then the defense being able to shut down their run.
01;13;40;23 - 01;13;51;29
Chris Harris Jr.
Make this team that's a number one third down conversion team in the league. Convert longer distance. And then that would be a game plan, right. That be able to shut down Jordan love.
01;13;52;01 - 01;14;16;11
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. I'm with you. So, I'll give you my score prediction. I got it close. I've said this on TV this morning, so I'll say it again. 2320, which goes over the total Vegas has at 42.5. I said 2017 won't surprise me either. 22, 1921, 19, 21, 20 but I how do you how do you see the final score, on the scoreboard as the Broncos pull out a win?
01;14;16;13 - 01;14;32;14
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, both teams are pretty stout defensively and pretty solid in the red zone. So I see it like 18 13 tight game I think it's going to be small tight tie game. Non scoring game. Defensive game for sure.
01;14;32;16 - 01;14;55;12
Brandon Krisztal
If you're right about that. And the Packers only score 13 points I don't care what the Broncos scoring. It's 1413. If they hold this Packers team to 13 points then they're definitely winning the game. Now the weather's going to be great as I touch on the Mac. Might have a shot to kick 65 yarder because I know his accuracy hasn't been as dialed in as it was here, but his legs still super big.
01;14;55;14 - 01;14;57;21
Brandon Krisztal
And and so maybe he.
01;14;57;23 - 01;14;59;18
Chris Harris Jr.
The game winning field goal, the Mac. Yeah.
01;14;59;18 - 01;15;16;06
Brandon Krisztal
Somebody has 65 yards to win it. But I just think he might take a big one or. Well, that might have a shot at at a long one. All right. That's going to do it for us. I would remind you again swing by sports fan. Get one of these exclusive Super Bowl 50 commemorative hats. Sports fan, four locations in Denver.
01;15;16;11 - 01;15;19;12
Brandon Krisztal
We're going to make sure we get you one of those crisp to add to your.
01;15;19;14 - 01;15;20;03
Chris Harris Jr.
List a.
01;15;20;05 - 01;15;37;01
Brandon Krisztal
Very special hat collection. Thanks to John. Thanks to Brian McManus for stopping by. And of course, every week, thanks to our great producer, David Levine for helping us get it done. Remind you Sunday Post game, Chad Brown, who's calling the game on radio, and Christian Brown, they will, have postgame. I'll join him from Empower Field at Mile High.
01;15;37;08 - 01;15;48;05
Brandon Krisztal
And then of course, catch Chris with Shelby Harris and Ryan Harris, where they sit every Tuesday. And we will see you again next Friday on where the Harris's rather on our show, Football Fridays.
01;15;48;07 - 01;15;48;16
Chris Harris Jr.
So.