Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal break down the Broncos’ dramatic overtime win over the Commanders — including Bo Nix’s late-game poise, RJ Harvey's evolution, defensive lapses, and the biggest film-room takeaways. Then they dive into a full Raiders preview with insight from Las Vegas insider Vinny Bonsignore, plus what Max Crosby’s injury means, where the Raiders go next at quarterback, and why offensive-line issues are sinking their season. They wrap with injury updates, predictions, and a look at the biggest college and NFL matchups of the weekend.
In this episode, Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Krisztal revisit the Broncos’ ninth straight win — an overtime thriller in Washington that showcased Bo Nix’s growth, the defense’s ability to close, and the importance of tightening up the run game heading into December. Chris digs deep into the film, highlighting key plays from Riley Moss, Alex Singleton, and Nik Bonitto, along with alignment mistakes in the red zone and why certain catches were simply indefensible. The conversation shifts to Las Vegas as Vinny Bonsignore joins the show to discuss the Raiders’ future at quarterback, the collapse of their offensive line, potential coaching changes, and the status of Max Crosby. Chris and Brandon also break down the latest injury report, the impact of missing D.J. Jones, and how Denver’s depth on the defensive line can hold up. They close with a full slate of college and NFL picks, including conference title games and a look ahead to Broncos-Raiders on Sunday.
00:00:02:12 - 00:00:21:10
Brandon Krisztal
A week ago, I was sitting next to Von Miller in our nation's capital. He predicted the commanders win. He was wrong. The Broncos won their ninth straight. And Chris Harris and I will talk about it. And look ahead to the Raiders game as well. Fridays starts now.
00:00:21:12 - 00:00:42:24
Brandon Krisztal
Chris you got to appreciate okay David who runs the show for us going back and pulling the clip of our predictions were you and I both went out on a limb and picked the Broncos. And then Vonn, who told us, hey, if it goes that way, fine. But I'm competitive and I'm picking the commanders. And I know this is as the game got close and they force overtime, and then in overtime they're driving down like they're going to go for two.
00:00:42:27 - 00:00:48:13
Brandon Krisztal
It's like Von Banner being right and Kristen I'm in it. But egg on their face. What did you think about the big Sunday night game.
00:00:48:16 - 00:01:08:23
Chris Harris Jr.
Man that's how games are. You know, you play Sunday Night Football. The other teams are going to bring their best shot, especially with a team that's streaking right now. And, the Washington they came, they had a great effort. And, you know, it was a great game, man. It was the same game, going to overtime and bonito closing in on the defensive side.
00:01:08:25 - 00:01:23:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Just like they've been winning all season, man. So it was a great game. Von. Almost prudent to prove us wrong, but, you know, I think our prediction was right in that fourth quarter, and that overtime, Bo Nix definitely had an amazing drive to seal the game.
00:01:23:05 - 00:01:45:23
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And before we hear from, we're gonna hear from Sean and hear from Bo and, and, a couple other their teammates and from Vance Joseph as well. I've been asked you know, when I was on Fox 31 and channel two and then talking with, I talked to JT the Brick in Vegas and talk some other folks about why the Broncos need to play well against the Raiders, because we think they're going to win, barring a catastrophe.
00:01:45:26 - 00:02:05:21
Brandon Krisztal
And tell me if you agree with this, but I think it's just because we've seen now back to back Bo Nix his best two games in terms of linking games together. And so I think them playing well is just about the momentum. It's not about oh they need to win 30 to 15 or 30 to 12 to calm people down that are all about the Patriots or other teams or think the Broncos are frauds.
00:02:05:24 - 00:02:15:11
Brandon Krisztal
But where do you come down on the notion that it's not about style points for the sake of style points, but it's about that offense starting or continuing? I guess, to click at least from where both stand. It.
00:02:15:13 - 00:02:35:19
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, I think people underestimate how hard it is to win in the NFL when you, when you come in this league. Every game is hard. Every week is a challenge. Doesn't matter who the opponent is. And sometimes people expect to be all blowouts like it, like it is in college where the talent drop off is noticeable, but it's not really like that in the NFL.
00:02:35:20 - 00:02:54:28
Chris Harris Jr.
Everybody has playmakers. Somebody on that team is getting 100 million. He and he's getting paid to make plays. And so not every game is going to be a blowout. So you just got to you got to learn how to win these tight games. These are the games are going to be in the playoffs. And the Broncos are very accustomed to, closing out games in the fourth quarter.
00:02:54:28 - 00:03:03:02
Chris Harris Jr.
And you're going to have to do that in the playoffs. And especially, you know, December, January, when it gets cold, when the weather changes.
00:03:03:04 - 00:03:20:01
Brandon Krisztal
What's kind of your biggest takeaway from that game? Because, you know, it was also asked about, I guess it was on Monday about the commanders and how they play. And I think that's like your normal three win team. They were in the NFC title game a year ago. They just got McLaurin back. We know Daniels has come in Dan Quinn didn't just become a bad coach.
00:03:20:03 - 00:03:28:06
Brandon Krisztal
And so you're obviously going to get their best shot like you said on Sunday night. But regardless the Broncos pulled it out. So what are kind of your 1 or 2 big takeaways?
00:03:28:08 - 00:03:46:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Of course you know Washington's going to give us their best effort. Mariota he's trying to prove that he deserves to get a chance to start or you know continue to stay as a backup in this league. And he came out and played very solid. You know he gave our defense challenge. Terry McLaurin coming back Debo they got skill players.
00:03:46:27 - 00:04:05:02
Chris Harris Jr.
So they like you said this is a different, team cam you know, a lot of just by not having their quarterback is the reason why they're not in that, playoff race. So they're a good, solid team. And, one thing that stuck out for me was just Bo making plays with his legs, being, being able.
00:04:05:04 - 00:04:24:11
Chris Harris Jr.
I have another game, throwing over 300 yards. We still need some more consistency with Harvey, but I'm thinking I'm, I'm liking the way he's playing, and I like the way the O-line is playing. So offensively, there's things that we can fix if we start hitting a couple of these deep balls. And, you know, catch the ball a little bit better.
00:04:24:13 - 00:04:28:29
Chris Harris Jr.
There's a lot of plays out there that we left.
00:04:29:02 - 00:04:51:25
Brandon Krisztal
And so when you look at it, you still know there's room to grow. And I think that's that's going to be, every week we kind of had this conversation. But the encouraging thing is they still haven't really hit their stride offensively, I guess. Let me ask you this too, before we start listening to a little bit from from Sean and the players, and BJ is when you look at the run game and what it is now, we don't know what Dobbins return will look like.
00:04:51:25 - 00:05:11:17
Brandon Krisztal
Hopefully they end up as the one seed that gives him obviously not even having to worry about a game until the second week of the playoffs. You're talking about January, you know, 1920 somewhere in there where where he would hit the field, if if his foot, recovers in time. But what do you think of kind of the evolution of RJ Harvey who has eight touchdowns, which leads all rookies?
00:05:11:20 - 00:05:29:07
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, we didn't run the ball player very much. What, you know, when you play Watson, they got Bobby Wagner, they got a solid D-line. You're going to have to throw the football against that team. And, but we do when we get down, as, as we get close to the playoffs and things, we do need to establish a run game.
00:05:29:10 - 00:06:00:10
Chris Harris Jr.
We we got a losing. Dobbins is huge. We need the younger guys to step up. Is going to be, you know, it's really. Harvey's gonna have to carry a lot of the load. But, you know, it's that's one that's my major issue on the offense is the having a consistency in the run game. Now, and to be able to, to, you know, help Bo nix out, and, as it gets harder and harder and facing tougher and tougher defenses, he's going to need he's going to need that run, get the run game, as still being a young quarterback.
00:06:00:10 - 00:06:06:02
Chris Harris Jr.
So that that would be my only issue and question mark that we got to get solved going into the playoffs.
00:06:06:04 - 00:06:22:23
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And it does feel like they are trending in the right direction in terms of cleaning up their penalties, which were kind of the other biggest issue. It was putting them behind the sticks on those early downs. And, and you know, I know that it's gone down the last couple of games against the Chiefs and then obviously against the commanders.
00:06:22:23 - 00:06:47:11
Brandon Krisztal
So fingers crossed. I guess that that becomes what you expect because the Broncos aren't usually unlike the Raiders, an often penalized team. Certainly historically none of the teams you played on really were. And so and neither really are Sean Payton teams. That's what made this kind of uncharacteristic. But speaking of Sean Payton, it's kind of set off a topic around around Denver because you said something we've heard lots of people say, I think Peyton Manning might have said this.
00:06:47:11 - 00:06:57:06
Brandon Krisztal
We I think we know Michael Jordan said this, if I'm not mistaken, but this is Sean Payton. And we kind of paraphrase with what he's saying, but talking about winning and losing.
00:06:57:09 - 00:06:58:23
Chris Harris Jr.
I think I don't.
00:06:58:23 - 00:07:02:21
Speaker 3
Know, I just think,
00:07:02:23 - 00:07:21:08
Speaker 3
I hate losing more than anything, like in the world. And so I think fear of failure is a very significant, motivating factor. And so.
00:07:21:10 - 00:07:57:28
Speaker 3
I think from a detail standpoint and, and, you know, there's, there's nothing that's too small, that's, that's not significant. That has to exist outside the, the lines as well. You know, the, entryway, the locker room, the signage, post game and everything we do, there's been thought given to, like, all of it. And so almost maniacal with the details and.
00:07:58:00 - 00:08:02:03
Speaker 3
And I just think that,
00:08:02:05 - 00:08:11:09
Speaker 3
I think eventually the feeling of the players feeling like they've thought of everything.
00:08:11:12 - 00:08:17:23
Brandon Krisztal
So let me let me ask you, because you played for Sean in your final season, you played for Brandon Staley both years. You were in LA. Is that right?
00:08:17:25 - 00:08:20:05
Chris Harris Jr.
One coach Anthony Lamb. And,
00:08:20:07 - 00:08:21:29
Brandon Krisztal
Christian Allen that we.
00:08:21:29 - 00:08:26:05
Chris Harris Jr.
Had. No, I had Miss Sean for a year. I had De Dennis Allen.
00:08:26:05 - 00:08:37:00
Brandon Krisztal
Oh yeah. Okay. Yeah. But I got I think his fingerprints were still around. I was going to say. Yeah. And then you had Coombes and Foxy, obviously.
00:08:37:02 - 00:08:39:29
Chris Harris Jr.
And and vinegar and Vick.
00:08:40:06 - 00:08:40:29
Brandon Krisztal
Okay. Sorry. Yeah.
00:08:41:00 - 00:08:44:10
Chris Harris Jr.
Thank you.
00:08:44:12 - 00:08:57:00
Brandon Krisztal
You don't have to break down who was the most, you know, detail oriented, but how different was it when you would go building to building or have coaches come in? You know, you were here longer than than they were. And, and even you know, from Fox, you got you the Super Bowl and then the Super Bowl before.
00:08:57:02 - 00:09:12:02
Brandon Krisztal
And Coombs had won a Super Bowl here with, with Mike. But just in general, the difference with the head coaches and the attention to detail how noticeable was that as a player and how long did it take until it became where they didn't have to talk to you about it? You just you were already good on the details.
00:09:12:03 - 00:09:15:18
Brandon Krisztal
And I said, you, I mean, the group of players, not you specifically.
00:09:15:18 - 00:09:42:00
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. I would say they were all special, had their own way. Right. Foxy and his system with VA, were very detailed. But he was definitely a player's coach. You know, then moving on to Kubiak. Kubiak was even more detail, you know, when it comes, bringing the defensive coaches, Wade Phillips, Joe Woods that we at all my coaches, that was the best group by far.
00:09:42:02 - 00:10:04:12
Chris Harris Jr.
When it comes to, getting us prepared and breaking down on defense and, just getting us knowing everything that was going to happen in the day. Fangio. Now, he was probably one of the greatest coaches, the D-line that I ever learned. Just line in front, learning, run gaps, learning how to, you know, different fronts and schemes.
00:10:04:15 - 00:10:31:20
Chris Harris Jr.
I learned a lot from Fangio, you know, in that one year, you know, in his system because Staley pretty much try to copy his system pretty much, pretty much using his system. So, playing for him was pretty easy, but I would say Fangio and Wade, just learning their defense to the details. There's such great coaches, especially Fangio, when it comes to that D-line.
00:10:31:23 - 00:10:49:24
Chris Harris Jr.
The details matter, man, and that's what makes you, that's what makes you, you know, separate. That's why he's still in the league. That's why he's been a deacon for so long. He might not have been the best head coach, you know. But when it comes to defense, man, that guy knows everything, especially in that front.
00:10:49:26 - 00:11:18:11
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And it'll be interesting to see if Vance Joseph ends up getting a head coaching job, how much he has picked up from being around Sean Payton, who we know learned the most of what he learned from maybe the master of all details, and Bill Parcells and Parcells, obviously, with that trickle down to Belichick as well, Sean was asked about Belichick being a Hall of Fame finalist and said that he was lucky that when, you know, he got to the league and obviously they had the Parcells tie, but as a head coach, they were at the Pro Bowl together in oh six.
00:11:18:11 - 00:11:39:06
Brandon Krisztal
And so you think about guys when you think about details, you certainly think about in detail oriented guys. You know, Sean cut from that same cloth isn't going to leave any stone unturned. And you mentioned Coombes and Wade. They obviously have been around Mike. You know, and and I don't think Mike Shanahan or Kyle Shanahan, you know, we see that from his dad leave a lot to be, uncovered.
00:11:39:09 - 00:11:55:17
Brandon Krisztal
That isn't dealt with or, you know, addressed. But let me, let me ask you, because he kind of started with about how much he hates losing them. Bo nix in court. And these guys were asked, do you hate losing more than you like winning? So I'm just going to ask you, how are you wired? Were you wired to hate losing more than you liked winning?
00:11:55:19 - 00:12:20:04
Chris Harris Jr.
That's how I made it, you know, that's how in the NFL this long, you know, is that my competitive nature? Hate to lose, willing to fight you every down to win. And I just had a bigger, will to win then a lot of other guys, being my size, being 510, 190, you know, not having the same athletic ability as everybody else, but having that dog to to not want to lose.
00:12:20:06 - 00:12:40:03
Chris Harris Jr.
And, that what that when you got, coach, a coach that's all used to winning, right? Sean Payton is a winner. So he's going to do whatever it takes to be able to get that every week. And and now he's embraced that same mentality to this team. And now they know how. Now they know how to win these tight game.
00:12:40:03 - 00:12:50:16
Chris Harris Jr.
They know how to win now. So they flip that switch and the organization. And that's just because of Sean Payton. He's a winner. He has that winning mentality and he's going to do whatever it takes to win.
00:12:50:19 - 00:13:05:10
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And that's where both said he and Sean are kind of kindred spirits. He that every coach that you've had has been very detail oriented. Probably going back to his dad in high school. Obviously he's won a lot of state championships down there in Alabama and then through college, and getting to play, especially with Dan Lanning at Oregon.
00:13:05:10 - 00:13:34:00
Brandon Krisztal
You see how well the ducks have played since he's arrived in Eugene. And now obviously being around Sean Payton, the only NFL coach he he knows and and so the details and then also the hating to hating to lose more than necessarily wanting to win but the feeling of losing. But so then I asked Bo because he told us a couple weeks ago that he has stopped looking at his social media during the season, or stop posting, there's a random like, partnership poster or something.
00:13:34:00 - 00:13:53:24
Brandon Krisztal
I'm like, we're guys on social media. You just had an Instagram with a bunch of posts, but okay, people have teams that work for them. But I asked, how much is he paying attention to the standings in the conversation about who's in first place here? Was here. Was that although you referenced the run about to go on, how much during this are you guys are doing?
00:13:53:24 - 00:13:54:18
Brandon Krisztal
Pay attention to what's.
00:13:54:18 - 00:14:13:06
Speaker 4
Going on around the league, other teams records where you're seeing, and only what time I pay attention is when other people tell me or, you know, we talk about it amongst the team or if I hear it from one of you guys, but, I'm not. It honestly doesn't really matter because we're in a great spot ourselves.
00:14:13:06 - 00:14:18:04
Speaker 4
So if we just keep winning football games, we're going to be just fine.
00:14:18:07 - 00:14:45:04
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah, and that's the thing, Chris. If if they beat the Raiders, they will then be ahead of the Patriots no matter what in common opponents. And it goes all the way back to week one when the Raiders I think, went to New England and stole that first win. Only one of two that the Raiders have. So if the Broncos and and the bills Rams are and the Pats finish I know they still play the bills finished with the same record whether that's you know, 15 and 2 or 14 and three or whatever it is.
00:14:45:07 - 00:14:48:27
Brandon Krisztal
The Broncos have that tiebreaker if they beat the Raiders.
00:14:48:29 - 00:15:09:09
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. And that's big. So that all the Broncos have to do is just do their job, close out the season stall. You want to you want to fix have some things, fixed before you get into the playoffs. And, now is just handling business like like Bo Nix said, we don't need to pay attention to the standings because we know where we're at.
00:15:09:09 - 00:15:20:13
Chris Harris Jr.
So now, being in the, the driver's seat now we just need to handle our business every week. Keep stacking wins and make sure that we're healthy and ready to go for for the playoffs.
00:15:20:15 - 00:15:37:24
Brandon Krisztal
Well, and I even referenced you on TV today. And Shelby, guys who I thought, you know, would certainly succeed in this side of the business. And you're always great on, on camera and on the microphone, in an interview setting throughout your career, which is why you won the Derek Williams Good Guy Award so many times. But you guys are sports fans.
00:15:37:24 - 00:15:59:09
Brandon Krisztal
You can tell by the way you enter, by the way you do interact on Twitter during the season, all year long, Shelby, who's still a player, is still reacting to whatever's going on. But I'm curious, when you were a player, especially, 2011 was its own thing with the run with Tebow. But once Peyton got here, especially, how much were you watching the standings in the final month of the season and looking, okay, this is probably who we're going to play or we need to finish here.
00:15:59:11 - 00:16:01:22
Brandon Krisztal
We want home field or this and that.
00:16:01:24 - 00:16:26:12
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, I mean, I'm watching standings, stats, everything all year long, you know, with me. So, I'm just trying to figure out, you know, who we would play. And looking up at looking ahead. Yeah, I was guilty of that for sure. I definitely did that. So, I look, I wanted to see who I would play, but, you know, the receivers that I could be possibly matching up with, you know, preparing, knowing that we're probably glad to see Tom Brady.
00:16:26:14 - 00:16:39:28
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. But when when are we going to see him? You know, so, the I was definitely guilty of that. So as a quarterback, you know, as a young guy as Bo Nix, he needs to take small steps like he's doing. And I think that's the right approach.
00:16:40:00 - 00:16:58:07
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And also when you're a quarterback specifically you're going to play whoever you're going to play. But it's not like, oh, I'm going to be guarding this guy or you know, so it's not gonna be a one on one matchup. So they'll just stick with getting his game plan dialed in. So, on the other side of the ball, B.J. was asked because of the development of these corners.
00:16:58:07 - 00:17:13:26
Brandon Krisztal
So obviously we know who is. But Riley, a third rounder, Jaquan obviously undrafted. And then Chris Abrams ran, I believe a fifth rounder. This is V.J. talking about cornerbacks and how important it is obviously to have a stable of them.
00:17:13:28 - 00:17:30:13
Speaker 3
I think you're drafting two different type of players like you drafting outside corners, you know, Riley Moss and Abrams Green. You want a certain height and length and long speed movement traits. Absolutely. You know ball skills, those things you know with which I do a and.
00:17:30:13 - 00:17:31:01
Brandon Krisztal
And
00:17:31:04 - 00:17:51:25
Speaker 3
J Maxx, you know, nickel type of guys, you know, smart guys with great, great foot quickness, ball skills, tough toughness. You know, high football IQ. So I think when you have the defensive backs it's it's totally separate from corners to nickel to safeties. You know and we've wrapped it well. And over the last two years with corners and and they're all grown now playing well for us.
00:17:51:25 - 00:18:06:12
Speaker 3
But it's a premium to have corners and rushers. You know with our defense and how we play it. We can't rush and coverage. We can't play this defense. So drafting one every year. You know for me it's always premium.
00:18:06:15 - 00:18:24:29
Brandon Krisztal
That's something Vic Fangio would talk about too. He's like that. You need at least three good corners. Aren't 96 good corners in the league? The Broncos have 4 or 5 maybe. When you look at Abrams game. Plus JD is a first rounder. But if you're running a team or you're a defensive coordinator defensive coach, are you banging the table for a corner every year in the draft?
00:18:24:29 - 00:18:30:19
Brandon Krisztal
If there's one that that obviously fits on your draft board and in that range of, you know, whichever round it is.
00:18:30:21 - 00:18:50:15
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, especially if we're going to, you know, play this type of man scheme, blitz, be aggressive style like Vance Joseph is especially in this system. Luckily I don't think they have the draft for next year. I think all their guys should be coming back, you know, unless they don't want any one of those guys. But, I think they're pretty happy with all the guys in the building.
00:18:50:18 - 00:19:13:01
Chris Harris Jr.
So, next year you might not have to do it, but it is a premium. And like you said, they're are different defensive backs, like, you know, with me and to leave for different type of corners. But you know, they would label me as just a nickel. But I could play outside also. So you're going to have some nickel backs that could play outside and inside, and you're going to have just some corners that can just play outside.
00:19:13:01 - 00:19:32:15
Chris Harris Jr.
So like you said, is find that skill set to fit around your defense. You need guys all over the field that can be multi positional. And that's what you have when you got a J. Mack. You got a guy that a band. Those are multiple ball type positional players and which that makes your defense more versatile.
00:19:32:18 - 00:19:49:13
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And we've heard them tell us that if they could see Riley Moss inside Sean said it on the record that if they needed to or if they decide to go that way, you know, let's say Jay Mack goes down and maybe even Baron's on a you're playing Abrams ran outside, you're putting Riley inside if you need to, you know, you hope you don't.
00:19:49:14 - 00:20:08:02
Brandon Krisztal
You need to be got that versatility. And, Pat, we know I mean, he could play wherever he wants. And he'll follow guys and he can line up inside. But yeah, you you know that you can't have enough corners. Be interesting to see if BJ gets a head job. If he tries to to give Jay Mack some sort of deal, to bring him over or make a trade for Chris Abrams, and potentially you know, it'll just be something to keep an eye on.
00:20:08:05 - 00:20:31:10
Brandon Krisztal
Final thing from from the podium, and this is one that, I know that you appreciate as somebody who had your own foundation, and a former teammate of yours who he mentioned you yesterday by name. But for the second time in three years, the Broncos have named Garrett Bulls as their Walter Payton Man of the year. And obviously, now each of the 32 teams sends that guy to to the side of the Super Bowl, and then they always pick a winner.
00:20:31:17 - 00:20:52:24
Brandon Krisztal
I don't think it's going to win because and that was kind of one of the things I asked. We don't really know what the criteria is, but just how prestigious is it to see that anyone get it? And when you would see your teammates that were nominated? But then also now to see a guy that you obviously were close with and he would show up at your events and, and, and took a page from your book with the way he's handling his charitable work.
00:20:52:26 - 00:20:53:12
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah.
00:20:53:14 - 00:21:03:15
Brandon Krisztal
Just about last time we get to go a couple of years ago. And you learned about the award. Thank you. That's the process with which they select to be the, you know, the overall winner.
00:21:03:18 - 00:21:26:17
Speaker 3
I mean, obviously, I have no, pull into who wins or who's that? You know, I think everyone is deserving of what it is. But, you know, obviously being there, being at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and getting to do all the amazing things, all the different community works that they have, all the different, you know, gigs that you do throughout the week, and then obviously going to the NFL honors and walking the red carpet with my wife and being there to represent the Broncos organization was amazing.
00:21:26:17 - 00:21:45:12
Speaker 3
A dream come true. So, just grateful to be a part of it again. Obviously, you know, I got to know, the Peyton family and get to know who they are and the kids and get to speak to them. And then, you know, how amazing and truly blessing they are. And then, you know, all the people nationwide and the love and support that they do to to present this award?
00:21:45:14 - 00:22:04:19
Speaker 3
It's definitely, you know, one of those awards that is amazing. It really is. It just speaks to the volume of what type of person Walter Payton was. And, you know, obviously he was amazing football player, but even amazing person, and all the amazing things he did where he's from, you know, coming from an HBCU college, and then being become one of the best running backs to ever play the game.
00:22:04:19 - 00:22:11:27
Speaker 3
So, to be honored for that and to be a part of that and their family is truly awesome.
00:22:12:00 - 00:22:28:21
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I think it's huge, you know, sad the, balls being able to get that, just shows his impact on the community. One and then also, you know, and in the locker room. So, I don't know, it's always the Denver bias. You know, we seem to never win these national awards.
00:22:28:22 - 00:22:30:01
Brandon Krisztal
Oh, no, I want it.
00:22:30:03 - 00:22:53:17
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, that was like, you know, he's always he's probably the only guy that's probably wanted from Denver, you know? But, just look to all the guys that's probably been nominated, my, my vet guy. Was you learning from what? Those guys, you know, doc champ. But Wesley was definitely a major in the community when I first got there.
00:22:53:17 - 00:22:55:15
Chris Harris Jr.
So, Yeah, I know the winner looking.
00:22:55:15 - 00:23:17:29
Brandon Krisztal
We've seen Denver's own class Campbell win it a couple of years ago, but it's guys that have Pro Bowls. It's big name guys. Like. Yeah. The if I just went through it real quick I mean Eric Armstead last year's pro Bowl guy not a perennial but Cam Heyward probably a Hall of Famer. Dak Andrew Whitworth played forever you know won a Super Bowl Russ as I mentioned Chris Long JJ Watt over $30 million for hurricane right.
00:23:18:01 - 00:23:32:06
Brandon Krisztal
But otherwise how do you decide. Oh Garrett bowls charity is good. But Travis Kelsey's better now I will say this if you want Taylor Swift to show up in NFL honors, you know, make sure Travis Kelsey is the team's nominee, which he is. So I'm sure he's done great work there in the community. All right, let's do this.
00:23:32:06 - 00:23:46:27
Brandon Krisztal
So, because we're going to go behind enemy lines in a few minutes. Let's jump into the film room, though, and look at a couple things. The Broncos did well and didn't do well as every as we do every week, it is the Chris Harris Junior film.
00:23:46:29 - 00:23:58:18
Brandon Krisztal
All right. We got five plays for you this week and we're going to go in chronological order. So first one you know he's been dog planning. We talked about Riley Moss and coverage.
00:23:58:20 - 00:24:15:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. Go ball man that's a great play right there. But you know to make see do his hands play fight to his hands one on one. You can clearly see their man coverage and he's going to have to win on top. And I think he did a great job of, being able to widen the receiver.
00:24:15:27 - 00:24:31:00
Chris Harris Jr.
I wish you could have got better, hands on him on the line. But, you know, he did a great job being able to, prove himself from the week before down the field, being able to get his eyes back and be able to make a play on the ball. So that's a good play by Riley Moss right there.
00:24:31:02 - 00:24:48:04
Brandon Krisztal
It happened a couple times and probably gonna keep happening until it doesn't. But Riley definitely has to look at the refs. And it's almost like you don't want to make eye contact. But he's just looking around to make sure, like, okay, I'm doing things right. Are you going to throw a flag anyway? And he did it a few times, but he wasn't flagged for any pitches the other day.
00:24:48:04 - 00:24:50:27
Brandon Krisztal
So that's, obviously not a good pick.
00:24:50:28 - 00:25:05:16
Chris Harris Jr.
The Moss would be to line up a little bit more shade. To the outside. Outside. Oh, we can widen him a little bit more. And just because he's getting so many fades. Right. Let's make these teams beat you another way.
00:25:05:19 - 00:25:25:04
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Or put it in the very perfect spot where there's nothing you can do. But yeah, you use your sideline more as as your friend Wilson. Speaking of putting the ball in very perfect spot, we know that Odell Beckham has ruined football for so many young kids that once they see one handed catches but clearly trail on Burks was yeah keeping it and how to do that.
00:25:25:04 - 00:25:27:22
Brandon Krisztal
How about this catch. And what do you do differently in coverage.
00:25:27:25 - 00:25:46:18
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean there's nothing he can do that was perfect coverage. You know that's just the guy going up there. He's more athletic going up there to make a play. And that can happen in the NFL. Guys like you can get beat. Some guys are able to make a play. And this probably that got to be the catch of the year so far right.
00:25:46:21 - 00:26:00:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Him being able to snag that and be able to score. That's a huge touchdown. So right there I can you know, it's hard to coach up Riley Moss on that. You know I think he did a solid job. He was in great position to just good throw good catch.
00:26:00:05 - 00:26:16:09
Brandon Krisztal
Kind of like the Keenan Allen touchdown earlier in the year. You're right there. It's your finger by this much. And like they always say these guys get paid to obviously trail on Burks former first rounder hasn't necessarily had the best start to his career. But maybe he gets revitalized there after plays like that. All right. Just a couple more.
00:26:16:12 - 00:26:31:10
Brandon Krisztal
You talk about what you're able to do defensively and have good hands. We saw Riley Moss do that. But hey linebackers can can get in on the mix as well. Let's keep an eye on Alex Singleton.
00:26:31:13 - 00:26:49:07
Chris Harris Jr.
Yes sir was right there. We see there. And I covered two. So Singleton has to run the pipe down the middle. And he does a great job being able to play the ball through his hands. If you're traveling for all my defensive backs, linebackers always try to play those hands. Singleton did a great job of being able to run.
00:26:49:07 - 00:27:08:27
Chris Harris Jr.
He really made his job a little harder. He should have opened up, much earlier. But, you know, he was still able to make that play. I would tell him to open up right now. Right. He opened up a little bit late, but it didn't hurt him. But a better, faster tight end. Better quarterback. That's a completion, right?
00:27:08:27 - 00:27:26:00
Chris Harris Jr.
The receiver and you're safeties are way outside the hash. That's a completion in the NFL with a good fast tight end, a great quarterback. So I would tell Singleton, to open up just a little bit earlier. And because you you got to understand, your safeties are getting very wide in this cover, too.
00:27:26:03 - 00:27:44:21
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. You talk about a better tight end. You I don't think is a better quarterback than Marcus Mariota right now. But, I do think Brock Bowers is a better tight end than Zach Ertz. So if he ends up in that situation this week Brock's probably snatching that and picking up 3040 yards there. All right two more. And they're in the same same part of the game.
00:27:44:21 - 00:27:52:20
Brandon Krisztal
We're in overtime now. Broncos fans a little nervous. Look at two in coverage on the bottom on McLaurin right.
00:27:52:23 - 00:28:15:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Pick route. So what we would do in that formation number one is off. So with number one being off we need to to get up both. Right. And then we need the Indy buzz on the point. So me as a nickel I would get off I would say to Lee burrow, we get up and they would be able to slide right through.
00:28:15:05 - 00:28:36:11
Chris Harris Jr.
So that's just a lineman adjustment that they would have to make. When do you see this type of formation? With the flipped alignment, the receiver number one receiver that he was guarding is off. Still needs to get up so he can get through that pick. And Jay Mack did off. So there's just alignment issues and which I pretty sure PJ will go back in the lab and tell them, what they need to do on that.
00:28:36:11 - 00:28:40:27
Chris Harris Jr.
And they'll be able to clean that up because that is what they'll see every week in the red zone.
00:28:40:29 - 00:28:51:28
Brandon Krisztal
I feel like it feels like, Pat misses your number one rule that you were telling us about Riley Moss a couple weeks ago. When you're down there on the one two yard line, where do you where do you put your feet? If you're the corner?
00:28:52:00 - 00:29:11:01
Chris Harris Jr.
Right here. We have the ball on the four yard line. Yeah. So he needs to be on at least a two if he is up. So he's he's he's already, you know picked himself. He's in the end zone. He backs up even puts himself another yard in the end zone. And I'm pretty sure he's going to make that adjustment.
00:29:11:01 - 00:29:16:27
Chris Harris Jr.
And that pick route is as damn near legal because. Yeah, because he doesn't.
00:29:16:29 - 00:29:27:03
Brandon Krisztal
Right. There's not any egregious attempt by Debo to to make contact. I think it's kind of the perfect way to execute it on offense. And you get helped by where Pat lined up.
00:29:27:05 - 00:29:47:29
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. Because, we used to get this play with Philip Rivers Keenan Allen. Right. Try to do that one step boom try to go win. So you know you got to be ready for this. Tyreek Hill when you beat us on this. You got inside of Roby one time. I think that was with Vance Joseph. So this same play I think we lost an overtime versus the Chiefs.
00:29:48:01 - 00:29:59:19
Chris Harris Jr.
This same play. Tyreek Hill got honors. We didn't you know follow our rules on that. But it's something that you're going to see a lot in the red zone especially within the five five yard radius now.
00:29:59:21 - 00:30:07:03
Brandon Krisztal
And then the final play before we go behind enemy lines was the final play. And this is a two point conversion.
00:30:07:06 - 00:30:26:14
Chris Harris Jr.
Attempt. And we showed man because we saw, Singleton matching up with the running back out wide a motion on back in they had us they had a great play, but Benito was able to come unblocked in which this play is I think they usually do let one guy go. So that is the design of the play.
00:30:26:16 - 00:30:45:23
Chris Harris Jr.
Bernardo just did a great job of being able to, time it early. He almost want to jump a little bit early, but he was able to time it perfect, make a play. And that's the touchdown though. That's the touchdown right there. So it's going to be something that they're going to see next week. We know that with Vance Joseph or that's who are trying to get it has to get through the traffic.
00:30:45:26 - 00:30:57:02
Chris Harris Jr.
So we're going to see that you know especially when they play the Chiefs again that's their staple. They run this play all the time. So they'll be they'll have to be. It's something that they'll be ready for next time.
00:30:57:04 - 00:31:10:04
Brandon Krisztal
Two things about this play I'm not 1% sure this pass gets their eyes. It also feels like he doesn't put enough on it. Maybe it would have, because the running back is definitely open. There's no doubt there. But look at this. The ball comes out of his hands. Are we sure that ball's getting there?
00:31:10:06 - 00:31:12:06
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I think you get there. All right.
00:31:12:12 - 00:31:27:25
Brandon Krisztal
And then I ask Sean because they took the time out there because he wanted to get a look. They took the time out, and then he said that they changed up their play a little bit. When I said that. Alex Singleton, the locker room is like, we didn't change anything. I'm like, well, your head coach said. He's like, oh yeah, then we did.
00:31:28:02 - 00:31:47:28
Brandon Krisztal
But when you're free, runner is one of the best pass rushers in the league. I think you'll take that every every time. Now they have a great obviously group of rushers. But if it's that guy you like that matchup I mean you're like poop tube. Like you'll take that all day. All right. That was our trip this week inside the film room.
00:31:48:00 - 00:32:06:16
Brandon Krisztal
And we're not going to waste any time now because we're going to then let's, do like we do every week. Also, we're going to go. It's not the same as having a player next to us like last week. That was pretty unique with von. But let's go behind enemy lines.
00:32:06:18 - 00:32:22:28
Brandon Krisztal
All right. Let's welcome to the show my guy Vinnie Bond. Senor Bonsignore, from the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Raider Nation radio. Nice enough to join us from then at the. I think that's the Raider studio where he is. You can tell that's how much the Raiders pay attention. They're like, this is our studio. It's tables on the wall.
00:32:23:01 - 00:32:40:24
Brandon Krisztal
But I know Vinnie's at the facility there in Vegas, so let's start Vinnie though real quick with a two and ten team and Pete Carroll coming in and Tom Brady more involved and gente and all that. How disappointing is this season for the Raiders is they're back to the drawing board.
00:32:40:26 - 00:32:59:15
Speaker 3
Extremely disappointing. And look if Pete Carroll wasn't brought in here to win championships this year or next year, he was brought in here to basically raise the floor over these next couple of years and then hand it off to somebody else. You know, once, once he left, he's 74 years old. He's got a three year contract.
00:32:59:18 - 00:33:17:12
Speaker 3
This wasn't really a long range thing. It was more of a lift the floor type of a thing. And that just hasn't happened. Geno Smith hasn't helped him off the floor. Pete Carroll hasn't helped lift the floor. There are some overestimate, estimations on the offensive line and some other positions of positional groups that led them to this two and ten record.
00:33:17:12 - 00:33:41:03
Speaker 3
And I don't know about you guys, but, everyone around here is watching Ty Simpson at Alabama and, Fernando Mendoza at Ohio State tomorrow. That's where everybody's focus is and kind of has to be at this point at two and ten, there's nothing really to play for. It's about trying to find the quarterback of the future. And so this next month for the Raiders above and beyond what happened Sunday and next week and the week after that and the week after that?
00:33:41:05 - 00:33:53:05
Speaker 3
It's about who's the next quarterback that might be out there that the Raiders might be able to draft, because it feels like for the first time in a long time, they're going to be in a position to to draft one of the top quarterbacks. In the draft.
00:33:53:07 - 00:33:58:09
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. And we heard oh, sorry. Because I know you got a question. We get it back to quarterbacks Chris jump in.
00:33:58:12 - 00:34:19:15
Chris Harris Jr.
Yes sir. With that oh line I see that's a major issue. On this team jet. He's getting hit in the backfield. You know, before he can even, get a positive run. Do you see that as a major issue, especially coming into this game? But as I would put that right there is equal as a quarterbacks,
00:34:19:17 - 00:34:39:02
Speaker 3
If there's more than 1,000%, and I'm not a very good mathematician, so I don't know, but 1,000%. You're correct. This has been a failure at the offensive line. And, you know, I know Geno Smith gets a lot of, you know, a lot of blame. Quarterbacks always do. It kind of comes with the position. He didn't help himself with what happened with some of the fans.
00:34:39:04 - 00:34:56:14
Speaker 3
You know, coming off the field the other day, you know, giving him the finger, so that's there's there's a lot of, lost faith in him, from the fan base. But when you really drill down to it, he's had no chance behind this offensive line. He just has it, 23 sacks over the last three games.
00:34:56:16 - 00:35:12:20
Speaker 3
You know, guys are in his lap. He can't he can't even set up, basically, you know, a large percentage of the time. So, but he's going to get the blame. He understands that he's the quarterback and he shoulders that. But the real issue has been the offensive line. Ashton Jet is a really good running back.
00:35:12:27 - 00:35:31:24
Speaker 3
You can't get him going because the offensive line isn't opening up holes. Brock Bowers is one of the premier talents, in the NFL. And, he's not able to get going because there's there's not enough time for the quarterback to get him the ball. Quite often. So. So, yes, you're right. It's it's more than anything.
00:35:31:24 - 00:35:37:17
Speaker 3
It's, it's the failures of the offensive line that has really stymied this, this offense. And Geno Smith in particular.
00:35:37:19 - 00:35:43:24
Brandon Krisztal
Well, and and so go to failures I was gonna say about quarterbacks. But we'll worry about that come draft time. Chip Kelly gets fired.
00:35:43:24 - 00:35:44:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh we're.
00:35:44:04 - 00:35:45:17
Speaker 3
Talking about right now.
00:35:45:19 - 00:35:46:18
Brandon Krisztal
I'm sure.
00:35:46:20 - 00:35:48:22
Speaker 3
I feel we're talking right now. But go ahead.
00:35:48:24 - 00:36:03:19
Brandon Krisztal
And the people who cover the team I get it. You're worried about it now. And these championship games matter. And we thought it was going to be a better quarterback class, or maybe just a different quarterback class with what we thought from we'd see for March. Manning, who doesn't look like he's coming out, or, you know, Nuss Meyer at LSU.
00:36:03:19 - 00:36:26:25
Brandon Krisztal
But there's some players we think Mendoza probably doesn't go in want or Ty Simpson, but God, you think Chip Kelly gets fired, Tim Kelly gets fired. Special teams coach is fired. The Pete Carroll keep his job. Are we looking at scenario potentially. You talked about raising that floor where al or rather Mark Davis whose team is now worth $707 billion, I'm sorry, the valuation is paying five head coaches next year.
00:36:26:25 - 00:36:33:22
Brandon Krisztal
I assuming they're still paying GRU not enough. They are there at least four head coaches because the new guy plus Pete, plus Josh, plus Pierce.
00:36:33:25 - 00:36:56:13
Speaker 3
Yeah. And that's that's an issue. Obviously. I've talked to Mark Davis about it. He's never afraid to rip off the Band-Aid, and they're in and you might as well say a quadruple million dollars billion dollars because they're just printing money out here in Las Vegas. It's kind of, why they why they, you know, look at this, at this market, in this stadium, as their as their future, they're in great position in terms of all that.
00:36:56:13 - 00:37:13:07
Speaker 3
And they could absorb, another payout to another coach and and. No, there's no guarantee that Pete Carroll, is back in LA. Pete Carroll hasn't forgotten how to coach. It's not about that. I think the bigger issue right now would be the timelines he wants to win right now. You know, or as much as possible right now.
00:37:13:07 - 00:37:31:14
Speaker 3
And this team just really isn't built for that. There's a there's a process that's involved. It's going to take a couple of years. It's going to take a couple of great drafts, great offseasons, great decisions. The development of young players. And I'm not quite sure that that that fits with Pete Carroll, you know, wants to do right now at his age, rightfully so for, for him.
00:37:31:14 - 00:37:58:02
Speaker 3
So I think at the end of the year, there's going to be some cold, hard discussions and talks and, a lot of frank conversations about, are we unified in the vision of what where this organization is, what needs to happen? And is everybody on board with the with the steps that need to be taken? And so I'm not 100% sure, and I'm probably way less than 100% sure that that fits with kind of where Pete Carroll is right now.
00:37:58:02 - 00:38:17:00
Speaker 3
And so for those reasons, I think they're very well could be a parting of the ways. And the Raiders go get a young coach that they can grow with. And this team can grow if if they are in position to drafted Dante Moore, Fernando Mendoza or a Ty Simpson, that'll be a very attractive piece to attract a good young, offensive minded, head coach.
00:38:17:01 - 00:38:26:00
Speaker 3
And they all kind of grow together and the team grows together. So to answer your question, no, there's no guarantee at all, that Pete Carroll is back next year, right?
00:38:26:00 - 00:38:48:05
Chris Harris Jr.
I would definitely go with a younger offensive mind coach, especially if you're thinking about drafting a quarterback. But, you know, to is being in Las Vegas right. It should be a easy pitch and point to be able to bring free agents, right. It has to start with the free agents being able to bring guys that can fit the team, fit this mold and culture that we want to have or that you want to have in Las Vegas.
00:38:48:05 - 00:38:52:22
Chris Harris Jr.
And, what was the league titles name that y'all paid that Justin.
00:38:52:24 - 00:38:54:02
Speaker 3
Wilkins.
00:38:54:04 - 00:39:02:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Buys? And that's an example, right? He was a baller in Miami. But you you gotta you and you bring him over. But it just didn't work out. You play.
00:39:02:03 - 00:39:09:09
Speaker 3
Five games. He played five games before getting hurt. Just writer's block right there. Yeah. Absolutely. No there's no question about it.
00:39:09:11 - 00:39:09:18
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah.
00:39:09:18 - 00:39:11:14
Speaker 3
They utilized by the way huge loss. Yeah.
00:39:11:21 - 00:39:30:06
Chris Harris Jr.
They have to do a great job of being on the pitch that the opportunities that you have in Las Vegas also with you know, with the free agents. So how do you think they're going to try to change the evaluation or how they're going to try to pitch this to bring, you know, more veteran guys over there to speed this process up?
00:39:30:09 - 00:39:49:18
Speaker 3
Yeah. I think, it goes right back to the offensive line. And fortunately for them, at least the way it's sort of shaping up right now, a lot of things can happen between now and March. And, you know, players can get locked up by the teams that they're currently with that are projected to be free agents. But it feels like there's a chance that there's going to be some multiple options along the offensive line.
00:39:49:18 - 00:40:06:28
Speaker 3
And, you know, the debate is always do you drop your quarterback first or you build the offensive line and, you know, and we can always talk about that. But you look at the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears. They drafted their quarterbacks to the future without great offensive lines attack. They were their offensive lines were terrible their rookie year.
00:40:06:28 - 00:40:24:27
Speaker 3
And it kind of held them back. And there were questions about Caleb Williams. There were some questions about Jake May. Well, what happened in the next offseason after they found their quarterback. They went and invested heavily in the draft and free agency, and in some cases trades in both of those locations to to to now build an offensive line to help support their young quarterbacks.
00:40:24:27 - 00:40:41:03
Speaker 3
And lo and behold, the Patriots and the bears are sitting atop, their, their conferences. So, you can do one. You don't have to it doesn't have to be in the perfect order. So for the Raiders, you go draft your quarterback. If they are in a position to do that. But they have to invest heavily in the offensive line.
00:40:41:03 - 00:40:59:21
Speaker 3
And Chris, I would say that it's probably more, conducive for them to do it in a veteran way, go get some established offensive line that can inject immediate help rather than, you know, an offensive lineman, which they have. They've drafted four, four line or four offensive linemen within the first three rounds over the last two drafts.
00:40:59:21 - 00:41:19:27
Speaker 3
And those are prospects that they like. But in each case, there was a developmental, phase. And there's still no guarantee that any of those guys turned out to be a good NFL player. So go into free agency, to get your offensive line to support whoever is the quarterback next year, or moving forward, whether that's, you know, Smith or a rookie or kind of a combination of both.
00:41:19:27 - 00:41:25:18
Speaker 3
But yeah, the free agency is where they need to go, to, to help that offensive line.
00:41:25:20 - 00:41:39:11
Brandon Krisztal
All right, Vinny, on your on your way out the door then. Well I guess one what do we think is going to go on with Max Crosby. Was that just precautionary. Is he trending in the wrong direction. But how do you see it playing out. Because we know when these teams get together, it's always close. We know there'll be a lot of Broncos fans there, like there always are.
00:41:39:12 - 00:41:49:02
Brandon Krisztal
When teams with good fanbases come to Vegas. They just haven't really established that home field advantage like they have when they go to LA. Honestly. So how does it play out Sunday?
00:41:49:05 - 00:42:06:27
Speaker 3
Not a good sign. When, when when your star defensive end, misses practice on a Thursday can't, you know, with the knee injury. So, so we'll see today. They'll get out on the field here in a little bit. And we'll have a better idea, after after practice. But, you know, he's such a I know that you'll have a fight on your hands.
00:42:06:27 - 00:42:27:07
Speaker 3
So if I come in here and strangle me for even talking about not playing, but at this stage of the season and that kind of an injury, you know, or the body part that we're talking about, there's really no sense, in risking him if there's any chance or there's there's there's any lingering issues right now. Put him in bubble wrap, and save him for another day.
00:42:27:07 - 00:42:38:09
Speaker 3
So as of right now, being that it was a Thursday, that he that he doesn't get out there on the field, that's probably a little worrisome if you're a Raider fan. But we'll have a better idea of it later today.
00:42:38:12 - 00:42:50:06
Brandon Krisztal
All right. Benny, thanks for for the time on short notice. Anybody can check Benny out on X, formerly Twitter. Then he might enjoy. Does a great job covering the Raiders there. And I will see you Sunday and I'll buy you lunch in the press box.
00:42:50:08 - 00:42:53:03
Speaker 3
Awesome man. Thank you guys. Have a good trip out here.
00:42:53:05 - 00:42:53:25
Brandon Krisztal
Thanks, Vinny. All.
00:42:53:25 - 00:42:59:23
Chris Harris Jr.
Hey,
00:42:59:25 - 00:43:15:00
Brandon Krisztal
Well, Chris, as we heard him, obviously give us a little bit of an update there on Max Crosby. Why don't we do this real quick? Before we get to predictions, let's get our latest look at the injury report.
00:43:15:02 - 00:43:35:28
Brandon Krisztal
The latest Belen Pollock injury report shows a couple of names that maybe you should be concerned, at least for this week, and maybe not so much. At least some of the digging I did. But D.J. Jones, he's got something nagging, so he's likely not going to play, is the feeling. But Zach Allen, who missed practice yesterday, it was my understanding they're not that concerned.
00:43:36:00 - 00:43:51:24
Brandon Krisztal
I guess we'll see if he ultimately goes or if that was just a precautionary thing. Jonah, his hamstring though, is trending up. So all of those are good things. And then on the other side you're looking at Max Crosby with the knee. But just give me one thought on not having DJ Jones Sunday because we can't expect. Oh then Pat Bryant was on the injury report.
00:43:51:24 - 00:43:59:28
Brandon Krisztal
Wednesday gets nicked up and is limited Thursday. We'll see. I don't think he's the biggest loss in the world but just but no D.J. Jones with that what that does.
00:44:00:00 - 00:44:19:17
Chris Harris Jr.
Well, the Broncos have a premium of D linemen to be able to rotate in. And, even though even losing D.J., you know, he's the anchor in the run game. But that's why you pay Roach, right? Rosas got paid a nice, nice deal. He should be able to be able to step up and be able to, you know, do his job and and the defense, just stay afloat.
00:44:19:17 - 00:44:28:02
Chris Harris Jr.
So, of course you're going to miss guys, but, the Broncos are loaded on the D line to where they can have a nice rotation regardless.
00:44:28:05 - 00:44:48:23
Brandon Krisztal
You know, Max Crosby really, really obviously can limit what we think the Raiders will be. Michael Mayer, the number two tight end who filled in when Bowers was banged up. He didn't practice. Jamal Adams. Who's now a linebacker after being a safety. He didn't practice. So something to keep an eye on there. But I know that sometimes you've got your plan ready and things change.
00:44:48:23 - 00:45:12:19
Brandon Krisztal
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00:45:12:21 - 00:45:31:02
Brandon Krisztal
Chris, we got a few games of note in the NFL, but I think we'd be remiss if we didn't look at some of these college games, with the with the conference title games. Let's start in the big 12, a conference that you and I are obviously partial to. BYU can play upset to Notre Dame, actually. But they're 11.5 point dogs in big D there.
00:45:31:02 - 00:45:34:29
Brandon Krisztal
You're going to go to the game and watch Texas Tech and BYU that you can spend your money now.
00:45:34:29 - 00:45:47:13
Chris Harris Jr.
But I got Texas Tech I got Texas Tech, man. They got a nice big line. You know, nice linebacker. I, I see them winning. You know, they're too tough on defense right now.
00:45:47:15 - 00:46:03:22
Brandon Krisztal
Now let's, and I don't know the order in which David has. He's ready, but hopefully he does. I think the the next game we're looking at, we can do it in chronological order. Georgia Bama is a one and a half point game with Georgia as the favorite. Bama the underdog. They're playing that game in Atlanta of course.
00:46:03:22 - 00:46:22:13
Brandon Krisztal
So it'll be basically a home game for both teams. So no no huge crowd advantage because plenty of folks from Bama make their way a couple hours over to Atlanta. Do you think Georgia is kind of the team everyone's not talking about? Or does Alabama pull off the upset? Because I like Georgia to make a deep run.
00:46:22:15 - 00:46:30:27
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I got Georgia. I think they've just playing better at this time. Branch at the receiver position. He's playing better than Williams. So I'm gonna go with Georgia.
00:46:30:29 - 00:46:48:10
Brandon Krisztal
And then the final, the three games to look at, because I don't really care about Duke and Virginia other than Duke, can upset the playoff stuff. But Indiana, Ohio State, you know, we talk about Alabama. Ty Simpson I think can help his draft cause obviously we've likely got playoff games, especially if they win if he plays well against Georgia.
00:46:48:14 - 00:47:05:06
Brandon Krisztal
Same thing Mendoza might be the number one pick. But if he can beat Ohio State and they may see each other again in the playoff as well. But if you can beat Ohio State in this championship game in Indy, I think that'll that. That'll be a heck of a statement. But state may be better than they were a year ago when they won a title.
00:47:05:08 - 00:47:15:05
Brandon Krisztal
Their five and a half point favorites. Any chance that Mendoza and and the Hoosiers, who will kind of be playing more of a home game an hour from campus, pull off the upset in Indy?
00:47:15:08 - 00:47:35:25
Chris Harris Jr.
No chance. Ohio defense is loaded. No telling how many, first rounders they'll have this year on their defense from the save these corners linebackers. D-line is monsters. And then you got to deal with those big boys, that receiver. So I'm gonna go with Ohio State. They're just to dominate this year. Even the rookie running back Bo Jackson is a playmaker.
00:47:35:25 - 00:47:41:06
Chris Harris Jr.
So yeah I'm gonna go with Ohio State. To remain undefeated.
00:47:41:08 - 00:47:55:06
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah it's hard to it's hard to pick against them. All right. Let's jump to the NFL. We we got what I thought was an entertaining game last night. When I was looking at that I thought the Cowboys would cover. They did not. And now they're on life support. 7% chance to make the playoffs. 54% for the Lions.
00:47:55:06 - 00:48:15:18
Brandon Krisztal
But there's some interesting games, David. I'll just let you throw them up in order, because you're gonna do it chronologically. So this is an early game. Big Ben and the Steelers have been trending in the wrong direction. If they have, they lost five and they've lost five in a row have they. They lost dropped five straight maybe I heard someone say against a Ravens team coming off that Thursday night loss I think the Ravens come out of this division.
00:48:15:18 - 00:48:23:14
Brandon Krisztal
I kind of wanna see the Bengals because I like the story or a Powell Shelby in the Browns. But, I think the Ravens win this. How do you how do you like this playing out in Baltimore.
00:48:23:16 - 00:48:41:22
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah I got I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with the Ravens. I think the Ravens are going to get get going. And, you know, the Steelers are you know they're talking about Fire and Tomlin. I think I'm pretty much done with them. You know they just let my slay go. So I'm gonna go with the Ravens.
00:48:41:24 - 00:48:55:27
Brandon Krisztal
It's the second biggest line of the weekend by the way at eight and a half. The only one bigger is the bucks over the over the Saints. But, yeah, I'm with you. I don't know if the Ravens cover just because it's a, again, a rivalry game. And if anybody can get his team to rally, it's Mike T.
00:48:55:27 - 00:49:12:14
Brandon Krisztal
But if the Steelers and or Ravens both somehow missed the playoffs, even though those two coaches are entrenched and John Harbaugh is in the first year of a new deal, I wouldn't it's not going to blow our mind. Sometimes they're ready to make moves after you've had a guy for a decade, decade and a half, despite their Super Bowl success.
00:49:12:14 - 00:49:34:13
Brandon Krisztal
So, that game, I think is interesting for a lot of ways. All right. What's next David Bengals bills speaking of those Bengals and the bills who certainly look like if they have any chance of trying to catch the Pats they have to win this game. Bengals coming off a huge win. And mathematically they can take care of their own, you know, their own cause a bit in the division if the Ravens keep it close.
00:49:34:13 - 00:49:42:01
Brandon Krisztal
So any chance the Bengals go in with Joe Burrow healthy now and and getting Chase and Higgins out there together. And they steal this steal this win in Buffalo.
00:49:42:03 - 00:50:02:10
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm going with the Bengals I think Tee Higgins today I seen him. He was questionable so but I seen them practice. So I think they're going to be fully loaded. I'm gonna I'm gonna go with the Bengals to be able to, be able to get the upset. I just think that to that too much on on the offensive era, the Ja'Marr Chase Higgins was the running back.
00:50:02:10 - 00:50:07:13
Chris Harris Jr.
Brown chase. Yeah, yeah, he's been a problem too. So I think it's just that one.
00:50:07:13 - 00:50:26:20
Brandon Krisztal
Of their tight ends. I think I, Chris has, I think, little kids saying, hey, Bengals are five and a half point favorites in that one. So I like the story, too. I think the Bengals end up going and pulling the upset. So they definitely going to cover the five and a half that they're getting.
00:50:26:21 - 00:50:44:12
Brandon Krisztal
All right David what's next. They're both early game up. Oh good. Hey that's what life. So it's like we do life. Okay. So this game is interesting for the most obvious reasons. And that the Jags can now leapfrog the Colts. Obviously with the win in Jacksonville they play each other twice I think they end the season with each other too.
00:50:44:14 - 00:50:59:00
Brandon Krisztal
You know we talked about that Colts schedule when they didn't help anybody out with the Chiefs last week or two weeks ago. But both teams obviously at eight and for the Jags feel like they try to let teams win games. They certainly did with the with the Cardinals a couple weeks ago. But they are three point favorites.
00:50:59:00 - 00:51:16:12
Brandon Krisztal
They're in Florida. They're running the ball pretty well with with the combo of Etienne and Newton. Do the Colts get back on track after a couple of tough losses? Are they continuing this slide. And if they fall out of the playoffs is Shane Steichen. Does he come in jeopardy of losing his job if they end up eight and nine or even nine and eight and missed the playoffs?
00:51:16:15 - 00:51:32:20
Chris Harris Jr.
No, I don't think that Steichen is going anywhere, especially with the offensive improvements they made. And they made a big jump this year. So I think he's pretty safe this so far. But I got the Colts winning this game. I think they're going to go being able to, run the ball. Taylor is going to get back on the defense.
00:51:32:22 - 00:51:50:04
Chris Harris Jr.
I got to see what was going on with Charles Gardner. You know, he had a, injury last week, so, they were playing pretty solid with him. So, but I'm going to go with the Colts. I'm gonna go with Danny Dimes. I just can never trust Trevor Lawrence. I just I don't know, he hasn't proved it enough to me in the NFL yet.
00:51:50:06 - 00:52:05:16
Brandon Krisztal
The team was the number one seed in the NFL right now in the NFC. Rather the bears go to Lambeau. And obviously if the Packers win they jump ahead and then they're in the driver's seat in the division. I don't know about tiebreakers with the Rams and all that, but I haven't checked the weather report right now though.
00:52:05:19 - 00:52:16:02
Brandon Krisztal
Green Bay coming off that Thanksgiving win in Detroit. They are three and a half point favorites there at Lambeau. I'll look up the weather. You give me your thoughts on the game. But I'm at least I would lean Packers.
00:52:16:05 - 00:52:31:11
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, I'm with you. I'll go with the Packers I think love he played a good game last week. I think he just keeps balling. You know Caleb Williams is doing his job I love Ben Johnson. He's going to have their team prepared. But I'm gonna go with the Packers like you.
00:52:31:14 - 00:52:52:00
Brandon Krisztal
Yeah. Here's my here's your weather report in green Bay on Sunday because it really does matter. There's no fall in the next 12 hours. Not much, but there is some snow. Sunday snow, only 15%. 66% chance of snow today. They'll get that cleared off. Guess what? Your highest Sunday in green Bay.
00:52:52:02 - 00:52:53:12
Chris Harris Jr.
20.
00:52:53:14 - 00:53:09:17
Brandon Krisztal
That's too high, buddy. 18 is the high. So I don't know who the hell Josh Jacobs is banged up. But the way the bears have been running the football, I can't just automatically give it to the home team. And obviously Ben Johnson has taken teams to Lambeau and won with Detroit the last couple of years. So that's the way I'm going with the Packers at home.
00:53:09:17 - 00:53:25:08
Brandon Krisztal
I just a couple more before we get out of here. The Sunday night game which will come after the Broncos game. But we've got three division games that we're looking at here Texans, Chiefs. Obviously the Texans trending up with what they did to the bills and then to go to Indy. They're starting to figure it out C.J. Stroud healthy.
00:53:25:15 - 00:53:36:20
Brandon Krisztal
And the Chiefs are six and a half point favorites. They're this isn't must win. But if the Chiefs lose this I don't see a path to them getting to the playoffs at, ten and seven. But maybe I'm wrong.
00:53:36:22 - 00:53:57:20
Chris Harris Jr.
I got the Chiefs win in this game. I don't think they're going to let this one slide. They gotta win this game, especially in the wildcard race. To be able to have some, you know, to be able to leapfrog their way in it. And, with the AFC North, all those teams playing bad, the AFC South, those, those teams are kind of going in the wrong direction.
00:53:57:22 - 00:54:01:08
Chris Harris Jr.
I think, this is a game the Chiefs have to win.
00:54:01:10 - 00:54:17:07
Brandon Krisztal
All right. So we'll jump now from Sunday night to Monday night I don't know what version of of your boy Justin Herbert we're going to see only because he's banged up. But right now maybe broken in three spots and he's maybe still going to tough it out. And then the Eagles who obviously have had a tough couple of weeks now they dropped two early Broncos giants.
00:54:17:07 - 00:54:34:12
Brandon Krisztal
And they've obviously dropped to the last couple of weeks with the Cowboys and then the bears. The Chargers are two and a half point underdogs at home. But we know it's not really a home field advantage. And anyone from Philly that's on this side of the country, they're going you know, I got one of my really good friends from back East, he's a Philly guy.
00:54:34:12 - 00:54:44:22
Brandon Krisztal
He lives in LA. He'll be there and his family's, like, flying out for it. So, I'm going to pick the Eagles because I just don't think the Chargers can handle what the Eagles have in terms of personnel.
00:54:44:24 - 00:55:03:08
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm gonna go with the Chargers. I'm gonna go with the Chargers winning, being at home. I think Herbert and them know Fangio's system very well. He's always played pretty solid versus game. I think they dissect the Eagles secondary right now. The Eagles secondary is pretty banged up. So I'm gonna go with the Chargers this week.
00:55:03:10 - 00:55:24:12
Brandon Krisztal
And then finally game that I will be in attendance for the Broncos. Just three and a half point favorites. And that's obviously based on their offense and the inconsistency or the fact that they've won three games by a total of four points in the last three weeks. Nonetheless, those are all wins. I like the Broncos not only cover if before I leave town, because I don't want to bet it in Vegas, but I might on one of my apps.
00:55:24:14 - 00:55:30:09
Brandon Krisztal
Bet it up because I think they're touchdown better than the Raiders on Sunday, especially if Max Crosby didn't play well.
00:55:30:12 - 00:55:52:10
Chris Harris Jr.
Bose. We know Bose and McGlinchey are praying that they don't see no Crosby Rice there. They'll be extremely happy if Crosby doesn't play. That's going to make their day way easier. But I'm definitely have to go with the Broncos, to score. I think the Raiders are pretty much it when you when you get around this time period, you know, you're thinking you're getting ready to start setting up your plans.
00:55:52:13 - 00:55:53:26
Brandon Krisztal
123 can't get.
00:55:53:29 - 00:56:02:03
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Can't collapse I think Raiders especially if Crosby doesn't play. They're already like odds. We have no chance. Yeah.
00:56:02:05 - 00:56:19:03
Brandon Krisztal
I'm with you. I think they cover I think that they do win easily. I don't know if they're winning by 20 but a ten point win. We talked two scores. Yeah I think that it's it's in that in that realm I think it probably is something in the you know 2717 range. 2716 that's kind of how I see it shaking out as well.
00:56:19:07 - 00:56:39:11
Brandon Krisztal
Well, that does it though for us this week, next week we'll be able to react to that. And then we got some playoff teams coming in with the Jags. The Packers obviously the Chiefs fighting for their lives is going to be a fun stretch here in December. And we're going to break it down for you. And of course catch Chris every Tuesday on where the Harris's with his former Super Bowl champion teammate Ryan Harris and our pal Shelby Harris still rocking with the Browns.
00:56:39:11 - 00:56:46:14
Brandon Krisztal
So thanks to David, thanks to Mark. Thanks to John from behind the scenes. Thank you for watching. And for Chris Harris Jr I'm Brandon Crystal. This has been Football Fridays.