The NFL Report: Disaster for Dallas on TNF + Legendary Bears Coach Mike Ditka Passes Away

Oh, the Ravens two-time MVP is grounded. The latest on Lamar Jackson's ankle and what it means for their game in Atlanta against a surging Falcons team. A disaster in Dallas is an understatement. We'll take you through some rough moments and hear from Jerry Jones, who called the TNF loss, quote, not a good experience. And it's only October, but that hasn't stopped us from thinking about February Super Bowl. Our expert previews the Bills and Rams.

Hi, I'm Mike Gammon.

Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Reports. Our buddy Nick Shook is going to be joining me in just.

A few minutes.

We'll get some game previews for the upcoming week, not to mention some crucial injury updates. But we start the show with our latest headlines and unfortunately some sad news to give our entire NFL family. Legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka passed away today at the age of 86. Ditka rose to prominence, leaving the 85 Bears, a team that boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history. to the franchise's only Super Bowl title. Here's the current head coach of the Bears, Ben Johnson.

Sad news here this morning, obviously. As far as I'm concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place. I mean, he's a legend around here as a player, as a coach. His impact is still being felt to this day. And as the head coach of the Bears, I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in. And, you know, it's a sad day just hearing he's passing on.

It definitely is.

And Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, putting out this statement, Mike Ditka, epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did. As a Hall of Fame player, Super Bowl winning coach with his beloved and iconic Bears, and as a broadcaster, Mike served as an ambassador for the game and inspired generations of fans. Through his work with the Gridiron Greats Assistant Fund, Mike was a champion for taking care of those who helped build our game. We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the Ditka family. More on Coach Ditka's legacy a little bit later here on NFL Reports. Some other football news to get to. Won't

see Lamar Jackson out on the field against the Falcons on Sunday. The Ravens quarterback dealing with that ankle injury he suffered in the first half against the Titans on Sunday. Tyler Huntley gets a start. He was 2-0 last season, filling in for the two-time MVP.

I guess you could say, you know, we had a lot of tough games back in the COVID years and stuff. You know, just... just priming me up you know get ready to play for primetime you know it's just like riding a bike you know you just ride a bike one day you know you're not gonna feel too comfortable if you come back Wednesday and try to drive but you know you you do it every day you feel more comfortable every time you get out there so the training wheels are off yeah you.

Definitely yeah Stu Pumley definitely has some experience though as a backup quarterback getting some starts now after missing The last two weeks with a dislocated elbow, the commander saying Jaden Daniels will get the go ahead to start against the Giants. Daniels will not have those Stefan Diggs, who is out with a hamstring injury. Everyone right now in the NFC East still looking up at the New York Giants. Cincinnati, they've dropped two straight game. They head to Miami to take on the Dolphins. They'll be a little undermanned here.

Jamar Chase still in concussion protocol. Tee Higgins questionable dealing with the groin injury. Some other wide receiver news to get to. Minnesota's worked through a lot of injuries this season, and it looks like that theme will continue on. The Vikings have listed both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as questionable for the game against the Saints. Jefferson's got the ankle, Addison the hamstring injury. Now Jefferson, by the way, optimistic he can play in an important game for him personally in New Orleans.

Hopefully so. That's definitely the plan. Being back at home, being, you know, in Louisiana is definitely something that I want to do. So the plan is for me to play, but, you know, who knows? We're going to take it day by day at a time.

Just playing there, it's been.

Like six years since you got to, I mean, it's been your rookie year since you got to play, or how much have.

You been wanting?

Oh, I've been, I've definitely been fiending for it, for sure. You know, being able to, you know, play the Saints in London, playing, I didn't get to be able to chance to play you know, here when they came here. So it's definitely been a long time coming. Definitely being back at home, you know, with my friends and family, being able to watch, you know, LSU fans and just, you know, the fans that have been, you know, watching me for a long period of time. So definitely got a lot of people tuning into that game. And, you know, hopefully I'll play and being able to give them a show.

For what it's worth, we did tell you on NFL Report this week, OBJ did sign with Minnesota. It's on that practice squad. Rough couple weeks here for the Eagles. Lost two straight games. Watch Lane Johnson retire. Cam Juergens gets traded to Baltimore. Now they're playing in London without Saquon Barkley and Devontae Smith. Barkley did not practice this week with the hamstring injury. Smith missing his second straight game with that same issue. Hamstring's definitely a problem. By the way, just from a fantasy perspective, Will Shipley, one of those guys you want to consider, with Saquon Barkley being out with that hamstring injury. The Chicago Bears also dealing with the absence of Kyle Menungai. So got to

imagine right now, still leaning on that running attack, DeAndre Swift, one of those players that you want to make sure you have in that lineup. So we'll sprinkle in a little bit of fantasy besides just Wednesday. All right, Tampa Bay, Dallas, TNF, this the type of game that I don't know many people would have anticipated playing out the way that it did.

Here's Bucky Irving, one yard rushing touchdown. Dude ran for 165. It's his first 100 yard rushing game since his rookie year a couple campaigns ago. Dak, We'll see if there's good Dak, at least in this situation there is. This was a George Pickens week. Last week it was CeeDee Lamb. Pickens, nine catches, 130 yards, and that touchdown. Daron Bland, this is a dude a couple years ago had five pick sixes.

That's one that, my God, he's probably still thinking about right now. Drops it in that fourth quarter. That was a problem because there was still an opportunity here for Dallas to win this game. Dak, one of his two picks, tips and overthrows, as our good friend Maurice Jones-Drew would say. You got to go and get those. That's exactly what Tampa Bay and Alex Anzalone was able to do. Here's Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

I've been so disappointed before with losses. But this was disappointing. And I'm disappointed because I see potential growth here. And we need to have good experiences here. on an individual basis, as well as the team. And this was not a good experience out here.

That's a tough one. More on this matchup in just a moment. Meanwhile, this feels like it's got game of the week type vibes. The undefeated Niners head into Seattle to take on the Super Bowl champs in an NFC West showdown. Brock Purdy playing like an MVP right now, but he knows the Seattle defense. It's intense and the rivalry, it's meaningful in terms of the standings.

Both teams are off to a good start and stuff. So, yeah, like I said, everything, every time you go up there, it is a little different, but at the same time, it is a rivalry game where, you know, it's the 49ers versus Seahawks and both teams don't like each other. And, you know, we're going to go on their turf and obviously try to go in and play our style of ball and do what we got to do to win the game. And so I think, you know, that's the situation at hand. And obviously you got to go roll the ball out there and play for four quarters and see what happens.

Guy's been surgical so far this season for a little bit more on this matchup in Seattle.

Nick Shook is with us right now.

All right, you tell me, the edge in this game, does it favor a San Francisco squad or a Seattle team that, quite frankly, hasn't even reached the peak of their powers offensively?

No, they haven't. And the Niners have looked like the most complete team in football so far. But this is their first real road game this season because that game, week one game against the Rams, was not domestically a road game. It was a neutral site. And we know the 12s will show up and bring it. But the weird thing about this matchup over the last two years between these two coaches, the road team has actually won each meeting in the regular season. Each of the last four won by the road team. So maybe you wipe out the home field advantage. But the reason that I lean toward the Seahawks is because most of that defense that was so good and absolutely suffocated the 49ers in their postseason meeting last year is back and has been

successful and effective in creating turnovers. They're second in the NFL in takeaways with eight. They're also first in yards per game allowed, yards per play allowed, and passing yards allowed. What is the Niners bread and butter right now? It's Brock Purdy distributing, so it's going to be a great challenge for him. Their greatest test so far this year.

You know, I watch Power Rankings on Tuesdays here on the NFL channel, and I can't help but look at two teams that you are a big fan of. San Francisco, you had that number one spot. Seattle, if I'm not mistaken, three.

Yep.

So is it fair to assume if Seattle wins, they're going?

Oh, yeah, they would move up.

Yeah, absolutely.

And you know what?

If they were to win, the Niners would move that far down because they're only losing, you know, to number three. But I think it's going to be a great game, one of the best games.

Of the week.

By the way, he takes all of your emails and DMs. You could send him his way. If you have any critiques of.

Power rankings, Nick, he's all ears. You hate me for saying that. All right.

Great news for the Bears. Caleb Williams back and practicing today. First time since he's been able to practice and suffering that injury last in week two, that hammy that he's been dealing with against the Vikings. We do know Tyson Bajent will get the start against the Packers. Kyle Menungai told you this a little bit earlier, out for this game.

It's two straight wins without their QB1.

How do they get it rolling?

Because not for nothing, if you don't have Caleb, the way Green Bay is playing, like, this is probably that matchup. But then I think about the intensity between these two teams.

Yeah, that's the weird thing is when you look at it, at least on paper, so far this season, I've been like, oh, the Bears. are so good. Like they have to win this game. The Packers have been a shell of what we expect them to be. They can't run the football, but it's a rivalry game and you toss out the records and you toss out the previous performances. in a rivalry game. What we've learned about these Bears so far is that Ben Johnson may be quarterback-proof because he's won a game with three different quarterbacks so far. Their defense has played much better than we anticipated this season. They're kind of becoming a no-name defense. And their running game is what it was last year, which is really dependable.

What's crazy about the Bears right now in comparison to the Packers.

Their.

Rushing total last week alone was greater than the Packers total this entire season. The Packers have no running game. So the Bears can win this game by shortening it. You think, all right, an explosive offense, you don't need to shorten the game, but you can just ground the Packers defense into dust because if the Packers are going to stay in this game, they're going to do it through the air, explosive plays, that sort of thing. So just keep the ball out of their hands and you can do it with a great rushing attack. and get another win in this rivalry.

You think about this weekend and just how important it's going to be for Bears fans to celebrate a win. We gave the news a little bit earlier today, certainly one that shook the entire NFL world, Mike Ditka passing away at the age of 86.

We now pay homage.

And respect to a man that was not only just important for the sport of football, but was a cultural icon.

He grew up in a Pennsylvania steel town, then enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, A bright young boy with sensible aspirations. I tried to get an education and be a dentist.

So I went to Pitt and took pre-dental courses for about four semesters, and then I became a history major because it wasn't very easy.

But instead of filling cavities, Mike Ditka caught passes for the Chicago Bears, and a career bond was formed.

They had a very tough image.

You know, you take no prisoners, you put a chip on your shoulder. You know, all the things I thought football was supposed to be, they portrayed.

I mean, they were... They were some mean guys.

I mean, they were tough and they played tough.

The Steel Town kid fit right in and went on to revolutionize the tight end position in pro football.

Tight ends, when I came into the game, were kind of an extension of the offensive tackle.

They blocked most of the time.

I caught 12 passes my senior year in college.

12.

I caught 58 my first year in pro ball and 12 touchdowns.

He was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1961, and played in five Pro Bowls his first five seasons. In 1963, Ditka helped Tallis' Bears win their first NFL title since 1946. In 1982, and reshaped the Bears in his own image, fierce and focused. The 1985 squad was particularly tough, led by a defense that didn't just knock them down, but out. Ditka's Monsters of the Midway won 18 games, losing only once, en route to a world title.

I was the right guy for that job at the right time, period, because it meant something to me. Mike Ditka gave his all to everything he did. Aliquippa, Pennsylvania may have lost a good dentist, but pro football gained a true Hall of Famer.

Mike Dicke leaves a remarkable legacy. He was 86.

Back here on NFL Report, Bills, Rams should give us some fireworks. We got Buffalo coming off a surprising loss and gets an L.A. team that's hopefully finding its stride for the Rams family.

That's out there.

The last two league MVPs, they're going to entertain. Josh Allen gave us his perspective on this Rams defense.

Their offense and defense, they complement each other very well. They've put a lot of resource into their defense and who they've brought in. Obviously, in the secondary, making trades, McDuffie's a heck of a player. Aaron Donald, he's Aaron Donald.

He's back.

Again, they present a lot of different challenges, a lot of different looks, pressure from kind of all over. It's a tough defense to get a tail on. So, yeah, we're going to have our hands full. We're going to have a good week of practice and try to go out there and execute on Monday night.

You know, it almost feels weird to ask you this question because I know how talented these guys are. And I did make reference to the fact that these are two guys that were MVPs, the last two.

But who do you trust more?

That's a good question right now because they've both been pretty sloppy this season, uncharacteristically sloppy. It's really a question of who do you believe can actually get back on track faster or who has the higher ceiling, which I believe is Josh Allen. And the reason is that he's been strangely loose with the ball. Not that he doesn't have a wild horse game or two every year because he does. And he did against the Chargers and he kind of did against the Patriots last week. But he just presents a greater threat to the opposing defense. Now, if you look at it from a game perspective. All the rankings say that the Rams should win this game.

They're better and they're more complimentary, as Josh Allen said. But when these games tend to happen and you look at the rankings, sometimes in this week-to-week league that feels more week-to-week than ever this season, I like to go in the opposite direction because the logic sometimes doesn't fit.

Josh Allen's going to get back on track against this team. He's going to power them, I think, to a victory, and it's going to be one of those wins that's going to stand strongly in his overall season resume.

Yeah, six interceptions for Stafford right now on the season. He's one of four quarterbacks that's thrown a pick in every single game. so far this year. I feel like maybe winning that turnover battle could be the deciding factor in a game Monday night right across the street at SoFi Stadium.

All right, I got a question.

Who are the Patriots? Tough one to answer right now. Last year, they get to the Super Bowl. This year, we'll be questioning this team, especially with the runner-up in the MVP race in Drake May, who seemed to silence some of the critics with that impressive performance against the Bills. Now they get the Raiders at home. Vegas D.C.

Rob Leonard sees this team and this in-season evolution.

We've gotten a lot better. I think it's clear their identity of how physical they are. And while Coach Vrabel and Josh have got them to play, their style of play sticks out. You know, and, you know, that was their first game as a staff last time we played them. And I mean, they went to the Super Bowl last year.

So they're a very connected, fundamentally sound team.

Before the season started, if I told you the Raiders would look as talented as they have and now they're going on the road, you could make a compelling case that Vegas wins this game.

Is that the way that you would lean?

That's the way I'm leaning. It's funny because when you look at the Raiders and the people in the silver and black and they're actually good, you kind of fear them. And I have a lot of respect for them and the way that they've played this year. They are getting the most out of a lot of these players, both the additions in the offseason, like in the Kobe Dean and also Kirk Cousins, who's balling right now, throwing the ball all over the yard. They don't have much of a running game, which concerns me. But against a Patriots team that has been not quite Jekyll and Hyde, but just has only really one strong performance on both sides of the ball this season. That was that last week's win over Buffalo.

I just feel like I have.

More evidence that the Raiders are capable of going and winning this football game. It's going to be a road test. It's going to be, you know, a good measuring stick for this team. But look, Brock Bowers is one of the toughest mismatches in the NFL. And like I said, Kirk Cousins is balling right now. I think he's going to be able to bring it against the Patriots defense that's missing a couple of key contributors.

Yeah.

Meanwhile, by the way, and I know if I mentioned this a little bit earlier here on the show, Ashton Gentry questionable right now heading into this matchup. So maybe he plays or not. Was there not enough from Drake May against the Bills that have you? I mean, these dudes are at home for this game and yet you're still picking Vegas. Apparently that wasn't enough to sort of change.

I hate to say it, but one game, one performance in which he got back on track and made some key plays and made some clutch plays is not enough for me to quite overlook and wash away the ugliness that was the first three weeks of the season. So for now, I'm leaning with one of the hottest teams, I think, even coming off of a loss. in the Las Vegas Raiders.

All right, it's one of the few times we will disagree with some of our picks.

All right.

Generally speaking, we've been lockstep here. I actually like New England at home. The gente factor, once again, we don't know if he's going to play in this game, but that's a little bit of concern. Colts on the road against the Steelers. You like the home team in Pittsburgh. I'm going to roll with Daniel Jones. and the Colts in that matchup. And I can see, you know, Giants, you're coming around.

Yeah, look at that.

I decided to pick the Browns for once, too.

By the way, we do disagree on the Monday night matchup. And then also Ravens and Falcons. Lamar Jackson not playing. Tyler Huntley does have some opportunity here.

I think you regret that pick already.

Yeah, I'm sort of hedging right now on it. Can we redo this board at some point?

Nope, they're final.

All picks are final. We are locked in on that one, which is fine. We'll see how it plays out. In Snoop, I trust. Well, if you're a football fan, and I know you are because you're watching this show, I got something for you. NFL Plus Premium. You can get NFL Red Zone. Watch every touchdown every Sunday afternoon during the regular season.

Catch game replays.

Track advanced analytics powered by NextGenStats.com. with NFL Pro, all stuff that I use regularly.

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You can sign up today at plus.nfl.com slash fast. Terms and conditions apply. All right, as an extension of the Eagles' trip to London this week, owner Jeffrey Lurie actually brought together leading voices from the medical and science community for a symposium around emerging developments in autism research and and the future of autism care. Laurie's donating $ 670, 000 to support London-based autism research with a grant and postdoctoral fellowship. The Eagles, they face the Jags Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Keep in mind, I mentioned it before, just in case you missed it, no Saquon Barkley in that matchup. Devontae Smith also not playing. Here's the Week 5 schedule. By the way, I know we showed the highlights. You worried about Dallas

right now coming off that loss?

Yeah, with a defense that can't stop. anything and misses a ton of tackles. I don't think they're in a great position to win any division. So yeah, tough situation for them right now.

Look, this can be an interesting slate of games like every week, right? Like there's some teams that are on upset alert and we got you covered with that. Three teams that could be going down.

All right, what do you got for me?

All right, first up I hate to say this because their fans have been after me already, but it's the Minnesota Vikings. Look, it's totally fine that your defense is special. It is special and it's won you every game so far. But this offense and its lack of production cannot hold throughout the majority of this season. And I think you're running into a team that, yes, just got buried. by the falcons and their pass rush in prime time but tyler shuck is capable of getting the ball out on time and capitalizing on the opportunities that are available so if you can't score points against them they're going to score some points and this might be the the week in which they finally suffer their first loss.

You know tyler shuck has been spectacular so far in the early goings of the season in terms of the yardage numbers the production is there crystal lobby i've said it multiple times on this show the superstar that doesn't get nearly enough credit How much concern do you have about that Minnesota blitz and making things uncomfortable for Tyler?

Well, yeah, because he's a second year quarterback and you think a young quarterback usually can't process, recognize before the snap and then get the ball on time, get to his hot. But that's what's been most impressive about Shuck since he started playing is that he is good at getting the ball on time. He is good at getting to his hots. He is good at making the right decision.

And that's why I believe that the Vikings could be walking into what we may or may not describe as a trap game.

Yeah, I'm trying to think. Is Tyler like 26 right now?

Yeah, he's an older second-year quarterback. Had a lot of time in college, a few different stops.

He was on the plan that I wish I was at, right? Two victory laps?

Yeah, something along those lines. Oregon, Texas Tech, and then Louisville. Obviously putting up some monster numbers. When he was coming out in the draft, he used to joke with our guys. He's like one step away from collecting Social Security. So he does have plenty of experience. The Browns are another team that you have on upset alert.

And this one's a little weird because the Browns aren't actually considered the favorite according to the odds makers. They're going on the road. They're going to MetLife Stadium, where they've struggled historically, where they lost last year, and where I believe that they're walking into a precarious situation against the New York Jets. Now, the Browns have a great defense.

I really believe that they do. They've played really well for the majority of this season. And Geno Smith is a good quarterback, and this is a very capable offense. No A.D. Mitchell in this game. It's going to be a lot of Garrett Wilson. It's going to be a test of that defense. And it's, again, a road environment in which the Browns lost to the lowly Jets last year.

Different coaching staff, different situation. But for all the success they've enjoyed over the last three weeks, It's got to come down eventually, right? This might be the week it happens.

Yeah, I'm with you. Did you pick the Browns in this game?

I did.

In the official pick?

I did.

It's one of the ones that we differed on. I actually like the Jets. I remember when I was going through the slate of games, I was going back and forth. I feel like, look, the reality is Cleveland's played better than the Jets have so far this season.

And yet, I'm with you.

There's something in the air around this gangrene squad where I feel like this is a game that they feel like they should have.

Last week was not who they are. I just refuse to believe that's who they actually are. I still believe in their potential. I've seen the signs. I just need it to all come together. And unfortunately for Browns fans, this might be the opponent it happens against.

All right, one more team on upset alert.

It is a Lions squad where I think, candidly, we've been concerned for two seasons now about their defense.

Yeah, this defense can't stop anybody much like the Cowboys, and they're facing an offense that can put up a lot of points in the Arizona Cardinals. It's a team that I thought was going to take down the Giants, and for about a quarter last week, looked like they were. They put 14 points on them quickly. They're going to do that against Detroit in their home stadium of State Farm Stadium, and I think it's going to make for a shootout, and I wonder, I just wonder, if the Lions are going to be capable of quite keeping up in what I believe is going to be a back-and-forth affair.

The Cardinals, they've got to cash in eventually first. on these types of performances.

You know, we had an extensive conversation. You do the fantasy show, which, by the way, you can catch on Wednesdays here on the NFL channel. You generally speaking on that show, just like power rankings, you spread the love across the board.

Of course.

We spent so much time on Lions and Cardinals because of all the skill position players who we think are going to have a monster game. I think you described it best. Shootout is more than possible here. I wonder if this is a game where Marvin Harrison finally gets a game.

Yes.

You know, I've been rooting for that for weeks. I was really excited to see him do it early against the Giants.

I thought it might stick.

It didn't really stick beyond that. But against this team with this secondary... Yeah, I think this is a great opportunity for Maserati Marv to cash in.

And the reality is the Detroit Lions need to figure out a way to get a win, stop the bleeding here, because I think a lot of us felt like Detroit would be a playoff team, and right now that defense needs to really improve, and this is potentially the week against the Cardinals. Even if they give up a lot of points, the win is the only thing. that you care about. I made reference to Power Rankings. He's on that show on Tuesdays. Wednesday, you can catch Fantasy.

And on Sunday, to get you set for the games, it's Game Day Preview.

I got a couple SC guys at Cody Kessler and Nelson Aguilar in studio at 1130 AM Eastern.

Thanks for watching.

The NFL Report: Disaster for Dallas on TNF + Legendary Bears Coach Mike Ditka Passes Away

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