The NFL Report: Ohio State Reunion in Houston + Gregg Rosenthal Joins the Show

Oh, Chicago, here we go.

They suffered a brutal loss to a divisional rival in Green Bay in Week 5, but there's reason to smile if you're a Bears fan. The Iceman, he's on the mend. We got the latest on Caleb Williams' potential return.

Watch the Falcons lose in overtime without Michael Penix, who couldn't finish the game with a rib injury. Will he play against the Bears?

We hear the answer directly from the quarterback.

And the old adage is, you are what your record says you are. It is true, but we'll sprinkle in some emotion and common sense and make the case for some teams who we think are better than what the record says. And welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Report. Mike, I'm with you.

Our good friend Greg Rosenthal is going to be in studio with me in just a couple minutes. We'll get his take on some sneaky good matchups in week number six.

Not to mention, we've got some injury news. A.J. Brown, Lamar Jackson. But we start the show, as always, with our top story headlines. Here we go.

And it does center around Caleb Williams. The Bears quarterback got a little bit of good news, at least their fans did. Full participant in today's walkthrough ahead of the Falcons game on Sunday. Now, it's the best sign yet that Williams will return after missing the past three weeks.

Here's his head coach.

In regards to the quarterback situation, a lot of things have gone through our minds. First and foremost, health is the number one priority for all three guys today. I don't know that any of them are exactly 100% at this point of the season. And so that's something that we certainly look at. And we want whoever's out there to have a good rapport with the offensive line, with the operation, with our pass catchers. And so we want to make sure that we can get in a rhythm, which we weren't able to do last week.

As an offense.

Are you preparing and planning for him to be quarterback on Sunday, or is it truly fluid right now?

Yeah, it's still fluid, but I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this point.

Do you expect him to be a full participant in your projected injury report today?

That will come out shortly, won't it? He'll be full today.

He'll be full. Is it safe to presume that so long as he is full in practice throughout the week that that means that he's good enough to play on Sunday? Or is that then a different conversation?

We're going to figure out what's best for this football team to win this game on who plays on Sunday.

You've got to love the Chicago media. Ask them like 10 different ways. Is the dude playing or not? We'll find out soon enough. Also, speaking of the Bears-Falcons game, Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix said, unable to finish that overtime.

Loss against the Ravens because of a rib injury. He is on track to start.

Kevin Stefanski told reporters as long as there aren't any setbacks, he'll be out there.

Here's Penix.

They're good. They're getting better every day. I felt good today at practice. And, you know, I know I'm going to continue to feel good. I just got to stay on top of my rehab and just make sure I'm doing all the right things.

Is it a.

Bruised rib or what exactly is it?

Yeah, I'm not going to get too much in detail on it, but... I will say, like, MRI and all the scanning and stuff like that was positive, so we're good, and I feel good to go this week, so that's the plan.

Do you have any, like, pain when you're out there? Any pain?

It's not always comfortable, but I made every throw today, so you take with that what you want.

I think everyone's a little banged up at this point, including this guy, Lamar Jackson, miss Baltimore's week five win over those Falcons because of that sprained left ankle. The good news is tracking in a positive direction for the two time MVP.

Jesse Minter asked for an update on his quarterback status.

It's definitely day to day. Um, You know, I think a lot of times those things, right when they happen, you're not sure. And as you gather information, you look at stuff. But again, like to Lamar's credit, he's working his butt off. He's doing everything he can to be out here. And when he's able to be, then he will.

Could he go the week without practicing two straight weeks and still play Sunday?

You know, again, there is a level of player that is able to do that, and he certainly falls into that category.

I would agree with that assessment. We know how talented he is. Meanwhile, some good news for the Patriots. Their head coach Mike Vrabel said A.J. Brown's 21-day practice window opening today. So, yeah, he's out on that football field. Brown surfing that ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Seahawks. He was placed on injury reserve, missing the last four games. Patriots have won two straight. Drake Mays got eight total touchdowns in the last two. And there's more potential reinforcements. Mike Reese putting this out on social.

Christian Gonzalez expected to return to practice today.

That's a positive, though. Doesn't expect Carlton Davis, though, to be back at practice. All right, with certainly huge news, C.J. Stroud getting to play with his college quarterback, or excuse me, Marvin Harrison getting to play with his quarterback, C.J.

Stroud there.

D'Amico Ryan said Marvin Harrison will play Sunday against the Jags in London.

Here's Harrison on his new digs.

I think it's just a combination of everything, really. I don't think it's, can't pinpoint one thing. I think the team as a whole, you know, it's great for me, great situation for me. Being with C.J., obviously, being with a quarterback that you have rapport with, and had success with in the past is always great too. So just obviously, like you said, being around Nika, being around a bunch of other guys. So I think just everything in totality is going to make the best situation for me.

It's going to be awesome to see him live up to that hype of the fourth overall selection. Dallas, their defense, it was an issue last year. It's a problem this season as well. The unit 26th in the league in points allowed, 25th in passing touchdowns. Brian Schottenheimer hired Mike Pettin as a defensive assistant, but shortly Excuse me shoddy actually made it clear that Christian Parker is still running the show.

I Bet this year came in yesterday. How's that done?

They're gonna work this CP still gonna have the final say or work together?

Parker's our defensive coordinator and everything all decisions will run through him. We're supporting him. I support him.

I believe.

So strongly in the guy I do I think the guys an incredible football coach and We have to coach better.

We've got to play better.

I think our players will be the first ones to say, there's things that they need to do better. There's things I need to do better. And so no one is sitting here pointing the fingers at Christian Parker. But as the head coach, you have to make decisions that you think helps you win games. And that's in all three phases.

And that's not just adding a Mike Patton. It's some of the personnel adjustments that I know you guys are dying to know about that are being worked on behind the scenes and communicated to the players. But again, we're through the first quarter of the season and we're two and three, like a lot of other teams and getting ready to go play a very important game against a good opponent on Sunday night in Green Bay.

Definitely looking forward to that matchup.

Meanwhile, Sam Darnold has thrown five interceptions in three games this season, two of them coming Sunday against the Niners. San Francisco turned those into touchdowns. Darnold knows things need to tighten up fast with the Broncos' defense looming.

There's a sense of urgency. I think that term, you know, that phrase, like sense of urgency, it's been... throwing around a lot the last couple days and it's true you know there needs to be a sense of urgency to get better and have ball security for me personally like I'm just I'm going to continue to try to be as decisive as I can be and and go through my reads and trust what I see trust my feet all those things but yeah can't have turnovers you know it's you got to protect the football in this league and if you don't you'll pay.

What's Brian's demeanor been like this week and what's the gist of his message to you guys offensively.

Yeah he's been great you know He's been the same.

Nothing's changed.

You know, for us, it's just, again, it's just about turning the page and understanding that we have a really good defense we're going up against Thursday night and getting as prepared as we can be to face them.

Well, regardless of how this game plays out, both teams are going to look good.

Take a closer look at those throwback unis.

Now, considering how the season's gone, an important game for both Seattle and Denver as they kick off our coverage this week of week number six on TNF. And speaking of the Seahawks, how about the Super Bowl champs right now? According to FanDuel Sportsbook, plus 1,200 to repeat as your Super Bowl winner. San Francisco, man, off to an awesome start right now. The odds-on favorite to go and win that Super.

Bowl, the Super Team.

I have air quotes up in the air, which you can't see because you're looking at the Los Angeles.

Rams at plus 750 for a little bit more.

Greg Rosenthal, I appreciate you staying a little overtime, man. NFL Daily, you can catch it Monday through Friday. 6 Eastern time. Sorry, we're West Coast, so sometimes doing the math, minus plus 3, the whole thing is an issue for me.

But when I started thinking about some of these teams that are out there that really might be better than their record, Seattle to me seems like one of those squads.

They absolutely are. That was a disrespectful graphic, frankly.

If I'm a Seahawks fan, you think this Rams team with their problems are way ahead of us? They are better than their 3-2 record because of the defense. You can take the Vikings as the best defense in the league. The rest of the season, I still think it's Seattle. They are everything that we expected them to be on defense this season. Byron Murphy, Leonard Williams, wrecking shop. Nicky Manwari is back, and he changes their back end. I love the way Witherspoon is playing. We're watching the reason why they're 3-2. The offense has been inconsistent, to put it nicely. Sam Darnold's a turnover-a-game guy as a pro.

And in this season, he's been more than that. And I do think that will regress to the positive mean. For the most part, they are still getting chunk plays on play action passes. The running game, they miss Anthony Bradford in terms of their blocking. He'll be back soon. They'll get Zach Charbonnet back. They'll get Jadarian Price back.

It's not going to be a great offense, but it's a very good offense. I do think the best three teams right now in the NFC are still in the NFC West.

Okay, yeah, look, absolute studs across the board. I mean, and we might be talking about a different result.

I mean, if JSN, who never drops a football drop, you know, is able to reel in that catch on a third down, maybe it's a different.

conversation. Cooper Cup, real time, I felt like that was actually.

The commander's loss was fluky where they outgained him by about 150.

Yeah, the whole thing is just weird.

But the jury's obviously still out on this Seattle squad in terms of that record. The Texans sending out one and four. There were some people on NFL.com before the season started like, yo, Super Bowl team.

Yeah, that was me, unfortunately. And I'm not giving up on this team at one and four. We got C.J.

Stroud playing the best ball that maybe he's played as a pro.

And you're like, oh, yeah, you're talking up C.J.

Stroud.

They didn't have a win before the last game. Just watch the team. You know who's watching? It's their GM.

Who went and added another piece and said, let's just quit on even trying to be a running team, and let's go spread, let's go shred, and our defense is still awesome. This is a team right now in DVOA, which measures overall efficiency, 11th in the NFL overall. Three one-score wins. losses, and I still think the defense can dominate.

They're basically even on the year in terms of point differential. So you have a really good coach, you have a quarterback playing at a high level, and you've got defensive talent that can make all pro teams at multiple levels. So I do think if they can win this game against Jacksonville and you look at their schedule, they could go on a run And the people like me who had them in the Super Bowl will be feeling a little better, even by mid-season.

To be fair, Greg, I knew some people, legitimately knew some people had them on NFL.com.

I didn't know it was you. I got to wear it. I would have positioned that a little bit differently. Patriots, by the way, they were in the Super Bowl.

Last two weeks, I mean, Drake Mays got eight touchdowns in the last two weeks, and they're winning games.

Two nice wins for him. I feel like it's turning around.

They were really tested.

And to go to Buffalo and win that game when they were down at one point, and then to blow out the Raiders, that's great in terms of the offense. I bought up all the Drake May stock when it was going poorly. We've seen the kind of talent that he has. He's still one of the youngest quarterbacks. in the entire NFL. He's running the ball great. And in addition to passing, the reason why they're better than this record is this defense is so well coached and it's guys you haven't heard of. Gabe Ackes, who's a rookie playing great. Elijah Ponder is a potential pro bowler. And then you have Milton Williams on the inside. I think Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez are the best cornerback duo in the NFL right now.

And they didn't even play last week against the Raiders.

And so When you watch what they're doing on a week-to-week basis, to me they are one of the best coach defenses.

So you got that and a young quarterback, I think they'll be fine.

Yeah, and by the way, just knocking on the door, A.J. Brown could be back relatively soon. That would definitely be a positive. Of course, he's been sitting on injured reserve since week number one. More from Greg coming up in just a bit. In fact, we'll take a closer look at some of those week six matchups. Yeah, and speaking of some of those Week 6 matchups, there's a ton of good ones out on the table. In fact, anyone can tell you about the ones that are obviously great, but we're asking Greg to dig a little bit deeper.

The sneaky ones.

That's got his attention, that's still to come. Back here on NFL Report, Mike Yam with you and the Chiefs. They're undefeated, and the offense has looked terrific. KC ranking fifth in points per game, second in total yards. As they get set to host the Chargers, Patrick.

Mahomes thinks things can actually get better.

We've had to be consistent throughout the entire game. Obviously, we've had the explosive plays, which are awesome, and you want to keep those going. But I've got to be more consistent getting the ball out of my hand. I've got to be more consistent going through my reads and getting to the right progressions. But the guys are getting open, and I think that's the most important thing. And as I get more and more comfortable getting back at it and I can start getting through those progressions, we'll hit those guys. And if we can take that consistency to another level, I think the offense will even.

Take another step. Two words for that. Kenneth Walker. How about this?

Todd Ball saying Baker Mayfield's going to try to throw and test his injured thumb this afternoon, but any return is hypothetical until he clears that first step. Remember, Baker dealing with the dislocated finger did have some surgery on that, but boy, oh boy, a 1-4 start for Tampa Bay. Things need to improve pretty quickly here. I know they got that win the other day, but not what we anticipated.

Three straight losses, two of them not exactly close.

Saints off to a 1-4 start, second year in a row The owner, Gail Benson, said this about the start. I will not make excuses and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard. Head coach Kellen Moore responded today.

Mrs.

B is great.

And, you know, she she like all of us, we all want better results. And that's that's how this business is. And so, you know, we got we got great guys in this building that are doing everything they can to find the formula. And, you know, all we can control is moving forward as far as, you know, playing better, coaching better, giving ourselves the opportunities moving forward. And so, you know, I think our guys have the right mindset against the NFL. There's ups and there's downs. And, you know, it's about navigating those and getting better moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Jets, their wide receiver Garrett Wilson, averaging career highs in receptions per game, receiving yards per game, and touchdowns per game. Yeah, the trend is going to have to.

Continue for Gangrene to get a win against a surging Patriots team.

I mean, it's just a new season, you know, at the end of the day.

And, you know, We're five games in, six games in. There's a premium on this one because it is our first one. I don't know how to exactly put it, but it's a big-ass game. We're going to be ready to play. I'm excited for it. I think it's just a new season. We've got new guys, new faces in here. Let's go get a win because that's the opponent.

I think you should put that on a T-shirt. Big game. All right, a weird season it's been for the Eagles. There's some good news today.

Their guard, Flandin Dickerson, on injured reserve, what was described as a bone bruise in his right knee. Well, his 21-day window is open, which means he can start practicing. They certainly could use the boost up front because Philly is trying to get over a heartbreaking loss to the Jags in London. Nick Sirianni owned the loss, but they need to get their minds right. Carolina led by Bryce Young.

The offense is playing as well as any in the league, and Sirianni knows it.

Man, he's playing really good football. He can get the ball out really quick. He's got a great release. I think he really processes the game fast. You can tell that. I got a lot of respect for him. You know, a guy whose career started off, I would say, slow, right, is watching it from afar. And with time, you know, has become a good, solid quarterback. And I got a lot of respect for guys that can do that. And he's playing good football and they're doing a good job as coaches. And so, you know, we got a really solid team coming in here this week and with a really solid quarterback.

And here's a closer look at the week six schedule. Just gave you a couple minutes ago that Baker news. So maybe that's a different type of game mashing up against the Steelers. Earlier here on NFL Report, we talked to Caleb Williams, at least tracking for a return, and Michael Penix also out there as well. And we do expect, according to Kevin Sivansky, no setbacks. He will start that game.

The primetime matchup's here. Greg was just telling us how much he loves the Seattle squad. And we got tested against a very talented Denver team. Maybe Dallas can figure things out. And last time I checked, the San Francisco 49ers absolute monsters. If I said to you, give me a matchup, give me two matchups that are just a little under the radar that you think could really be entertaining.

We don't want the obvious.

We want like a little bit of fun slop and two teams that we don't know what they're doing.

I'm going to go Eagles and Carolina.

When the Panthers offense specifically is on the field in this game, I think it's a fascinating matchup because what Philadelphia showed last week and for most of that game against L.A., was the defense we were expecting. A defense so good, it could still carry this team to the division title.

Jalen Carter just took over that game, and.

The secondary is really starting to communicate like they did A year ago now against Bryce Young, who has been one of the best quarterbacks.

In the league.

You know, bar none getting Jalen Coker back against this defense on the other sides of the ball like they're both the weaker sides. But is this a team that's going to be taken for real all season long in Carolina? I think this is a winnable game if Bryce Young can deliver against one of the best defenses.

I love it.

You mentioned Philadelphia's defense, and you had me rethinking a little bit on the fantasy show, not to go too far ahead, but a little bit later tonight, I actually think Bryce Young could finish his quarterback number one.

That was my bold take. It's spicy.

At the end of the season.

No, no, no, just for this week. That's too spicy for me.

I respect Vic Fangio too much.

Well, sometimes my takes, I get yelled at that they're not spicy enough.

So I was trying to deliver. Give me another matchup here.

Okay, I like this Steelers-Buccaneers game, no matter who is at quarterback for the Buccaneers. Because look, Jalen Daniels was a lot of fun to watch. But this Pittsburgh team, with Aaron Rodgers moving better in the pocket... is someone that I want to see tested against a good defense. And you look at the record for the Buccaneers, they could have fit in that segment better than their record shows.

Overall, they have the fifth best defense in total efficiency.

Todd Bowles loves to run a lot of different games and blitzes up front. So I think that's a great test for what Aaron Rodgers has to do. They're a little banged up in terms of their receiver group.

And I do think with their.

Talent on defense, Pittsburgh ceiling and Tampa ceiling, both a little.

Higher overall, than most people think.

Tampa, I think, can get back into this NFC South race. Pittsburgh can get on a little bit of a roll. And I did have them as a playoff team coming into the season, going over to Paris next week.

I have some self-interest. I'm going there as well.

So I'd like to see them.

On a winning streak.

But I think it's a very tough matchup and kind of a litmus test for where this offense is at.

Can I just tell you the Bucs winning this division, that's a spicy take from you.

I mean, it's the Falcons. Do we really trust them? It's this Panthers defense.

I like the Panthers, though.

Okay. I do as well.

But to me, the most talented lines in the division. is the Tampa offensive line and defensive line.

All right.

NFL Daily.

Greg was good enough to hang with us after his show. If you're not missing it or if you are missing it, bad job by you. He is the soundtrack of my drives in the car. You can check it out as a podcast. And, of course, here on the NFL channel at 6 Eastern time Monday through Friday, this dude, he just continues to just give us gems. Appreciate you stopping by with us.

Thanks.

And we still got more to come here on the NFL Report. In fact, yesterday, Nick Schuch was in studio with me on the show. Dude's kind of like a glutton for punishment. He does power rankings, and then he's got his quarterback index. It feels like no one's ever happy with him, but there was shakeup in his quarterbacks.

We'll give you those rankings still to come. All right, football fans, I got something for you. It's NFL Plus Premium. You can get NFL Red Zone. Watch every touchdown every Sunday afternoon, including the ones where Justin Jefferson is Triple teams.

We got you covered during the regular season. We got game replays.

We could track advanced analytics powered by next-gen stats with NFL Pro. You could sign up today at plus.nfl.com slash fast.

Terms and conditions apply.

All right.

We got some quick hits for you.

Some newsy items that you need to be aware of, especially from a fantasy perspective, because the fantasy show is coming up. in just a few minutes here on the NFL channel.

But sounds like not yet for Brees Hall.

A.D.

Mitchell had surgery on his finger. So the Jets in that offense, we heard Garrett Wilson call it a big you-know-what game.

Could use a little bit of help and reinforcements.

Houston Texans, Braden Smith activated him off the IR, which is certainly big news from that perspective. Houston, big game for that squad. Marvin Harrison will make his debut. along with C.J. Stroud, his old college quarterback. See, round two, he was able to get that right. Meanwhile, how about the Jags? Just hanging out in London, having a little bit of fun. That's the opponent, that Houston Texans squad.

It is their second game. It's their home away from home. And of course, 9.30 a.m. Eastern Time, NFL Network and streaming on NFL Plus. Now, we told you a little bit about Lamar Jackson. How about Mike Garofalo giving us this gem? Jacoby Lane, that rookie, expected to return to practice four weeks after that wrist surgery. The rookie, yeah, during camp, he was impressive. There was a lot of folks that thought he'd be a big part of this team's offense. Just another potential weapon for either Lamar Jackson, if he plays, or Snoop Huntley, who just figures out ways to get it done on the offensive side. Broncos safety Talano Hufunga left Sunday's game against the Chargers with an ankle injury. Dude's expected to miss multiple weeks. That

is a huge blow for that team's defense. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is reporting he could miss two to three weeks, depending on how he recovers. That could push Hufunga's absence through the Broncos' bye week, which is week 10. Guy was all over the football field. He's been a monster so far this season. Been telling you a lot about this Eagle squad. No practice again today for Saquon Barkley and Devontae Smith. That according to Adam Schefter. And that is not good news for a Philadelphia team still trying to figure things out offensively. I feel like Sean Manning, their offensive coordinator, has been trying to call plays with one hand behind.

His back.

You don't have Barkley, you don't have Devontae Smith yet. Not a lot of great things are going to happen for your squad. Meanwhile, Chiefs, they get the Chargers. If KC wins, Andy Reid continues to add to his accolades.

He'll join George House and Paul Brown as the only coaches to have six 5-0 starts. KC coming off the bye.

Reid, for what it's worth, 22-5 in his career coming off of that bye week. Yeah, the guy is And that on those sidelines, an absolute machine. Jeremiah Love, ankle injury, going to keep him out of practice today. There's a chance he doesn't play against the Rams. That rest will be, for him, will be vital. Well, God, it would be great if he was healthy enough to play.

All right.

I made reference to this. Nick Shook.

We love him here on the NFL channel. If you haven't checked out his QB index, you need to because Josh Allen has risen up four spots in the rankings. Jared Goff actually has risen to keep in mind kind of a cool nug for Jared Goff.

I should have known because he's on my fantasy squad. Don't have a turnover.

Don't have a giveaway just yet. So far this season, no interceptions on the year. But this is a heck of of a list. We always talk about Nick, man, people get into his inbox and playing about his rankings for power rankings. I know this has happened with the QB index, a little bit of a buzzkill, but he is a good sport about it.

We got the fantasy show. It's kicking off in just a couple seconds here on the NFL channel.

The NFL Report: Ohio State Reunion in Houston + Gregg Rosenthal Joins the Show

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