The Dallas Cowboys’ hype is HEATING UP 🔥 Jeff Saturday LEANS INTO being a WET BLANKET 🙄 | Get Up

The Dallas Cowboys’ hype is HEATING UP 🔥 Jeff Saturday LEANS INTO being a WET BLANKET 🙄 | Get Up

12 kicks off tomorrow. Let’s get some first impressions. Lewis, what are you going to tell me about Patrick Mahal? Well, Patrick has to play the best game of his career. Period. Okay. Against the Colts, best game of your career. Okay, look. Look, he is 26th right now in CPOE. Completion percentage above expected. That’s just not where he he belongs. He has got to hit some of these big shots that they’re calling early on. He admitted it himself. He missed a couple throws that he makes in his sleep. He has to make sure he hits those against a Colts defense right now that is six best sixth best in the NFL in terms of QBR allowed to opposing quarterbacks and has 10 interceptions on the season. Patrick, best game of your career. Obviously NFL said it takes one more week. Take one more week to get one more. Give me one. Give me another one. Sneaky big game for the years. All season we’ve been like, well the Bucks are going to win the NFC South. They’re good and Mayfield’s going to be a MVP candidate. Guess what? The Panthers are coming. Panthers have won a couple games in a row both against the and the Falcons. Bryce Young careerhigh. Yes, Rams are not an easy opponent, but this needs to be a must-win for the Buccaneers if they want to win that NFC South. I love it. And then Dominique, how about the biggest game of the weekend on Sunday? There’s there’s football and then there’s playoff football. And we are entering the playoffs. The Cowboys say they can’t lose. And I know that the Eagles are better. I’m not going to argue that they aren’t, but the divisional familiarity, I think, makes this game close. They only beat him by four last time without George Pickicket. So, we got us a game in without Quinnon Williams, without this new defense. Hey, hey, Jeff, don’t look at me like that. We got us a game and them boys is back in town. Tell them greedy. How about them Cowboys? Speaking of the Cowboys, as you may have seen, Stephen A. Oh, yeah. Stephen A. Smith. I’m going to tell you exactly what happened. The our show ends. We have a delightful day. I’m feeling good about everything. I’m in there taking my makeup off and Pete Mcconville comes running in and says, “Stephen A is crushing you right now on first take. You got to go in there.” So, I go running in there on first take and this is what happened. I just want to thank all my colleagues at ESPN this morning for making me laugh. Mike Greenberg made me so proud this morning. I watched him sit up there and he was making such a big deal of the Cowboys and I looked at Greedy and I said, “Is this get up or is this entertainment tonight?” You would have thought the Cowboys played somebody. They’re playing the Raiders. You You’re very good. You You are very good. You Oh my lord. You perfection. Perfection this morning. Will you all just say with me? How about them cowboys? You were on national television. Yes. Talking to America at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Did you see the cowboy? I would encourage everybody in Dallas to watch Get Up. Watch. Find today’s Get Up. Go watch Get Up. There is no one, no one better than you. I just want to say that Greenies got us all thinking, well, if they win no speed, what if they do? Well, they see plan on double duty. You’re going to be right here Monday. What the hell have I done here? That was what happened. And Jeff, you were there. And so, speak of beauty. No lies were told either. No lies were told. Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to ride this. And I’ll tell you why. And my gut feelings, as anyone who has been watching or listening to me for all these decades knows, my gut feelings are almost always wrong. But I have a feeling the Cowboys are going to win this game Sunday against the Eagles. And if they do, and who was it that was sitting right here yesterday who said it? I think it was Dan Graciano who said, “Don’t let them beat the Eagles cuz then you just never know.” And I think I have found friend. I have found a likeminded companion in Lewis Riddick. Look, all right, this let’s just be objective about this. I understand that the that the Raiders offensive line, look, it’s not good. We saw that on Monday night, but when you Okay, it’s not good. But you have to look, I think we’ve all said in the months of November and December, the problems with the Cowboys have been up front, especially inside, right down the middle of their defense. Did you see how Quinnon Williams looked the other night? Did you see those one and a half sacks? Did you see those five quarterbacks hits? Those multiple pressures? Did you see how him and Kenny Clark looked together? Did you see this Marvon over showing how he was coming downhill? Did you see how Logan Wilson was coming downhill? This is not the same defense. Look at Look, I am I am someone who will give it to the Cowboys as well as anyone when they aren’t playing good. But right now, this defense looks different and it looks different up front. They’re playing with a different level of ferocity. They are establishing the line of scrimmage, reestablishing the line of scrimmage. This is a huge test for them against Philadelphia. As much as we have banged on their offensive line, this is a huge test. This is a step up in in level of competition. No question about it. No question. But look, we’ve also been on this show. Hey, Jeff Jeff Saturday when we’ve been talking about the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line not being the same as it was a year ago. Okay, so let’s not act like all of a sudden now like they’ve been you know what I’m saying? It’s not it’s not the same. Look, Dallas looks different. This is a huge game this week. I’m starting to believe a little bit, Granny. Okay, I got one I I got I had Shreger at the game. You’re doing the sidelines Monday Night Football or not sidelines for that game, but you’re there all night in the building. Thoughts? Cowboys have some juice. Have some juice. Cowboys have some juice. I will take it. They’re walking off the bus into Vegas. First of all, all of Vegas was Cowboys fans and people there for the Bravo event. I don’t know what that was, but the the Cowboys fans, they were Bravo Con. They were all there. The Cowboys fans invaded Vegas. It was Bravo. It was Bravo Con and it was Cowboys Con and that was Vegas this weekend. And then there was there was Shaker Con because I was there and Raider Con was not there. That would be a con. That’s an absolute con. Okay, let me explain. The point is they got off that bus and I don’t want to take it to the They’re all wearing the Marshon Nean shirts. They’re all in the same boat and I start talking to Quinnon Williams pregame. I start talking to Dak and I was there two weeks ago when they played Arizona and that was the Nadier of the season. And that was the very low of the season. And I was like, I don’t think they’re going to win tonight. That Brassette is going to And they didn’t. Going into that game, 10 minutes before kickoff, nine minutes before I’m like, the Cowboys would beat the 76 Steelers tonight. That’s how much juice they had. They felt so good about what they had going on. And yes, CD and George Pick missed the first drive. And you’re like, oh, here we go. Same old Cowboys. They get back on the field. They look unstoppable. And then you see Shotty playing like I feel like the Cowboys season turned at the trade deadline. And I think this traumatic event that happened in that locker room might have sparked something where you know what, screw everybody else. This is about us. Let’s go. Let’s rally around each other. They were not losing to anyone on Monday night. I don’t care how bad the Raiders were. Yeah. We’re seeing they emerge from tragedy a much more together team. And beyond that though, on the football field, the defensive additions, just guys coming back from injury, huge. Quinnon Williams. Um, and then getting Logan Wilson. Those are huge additions. But again, division games are always tricky, especially those two. The Cowboys are at home. And credit to Brian Shottenheimer keeping this unit all together as a team. They really, it is a different Cowboys team. I’m not saying that’s guaranteeing a victory because the Eagles are a better are the better team. But Jeffrey, can I can I can I see your skepticism, which I’m already aware of, and match it with A36. A36. Jeff, will you mind reading for me what Cindy is about to put up on the screen? Record at home for Dak Prescott versus the NFC East. What is it? 21 and two. What is it? The last time you lost loss was 2017 and they are 6-1 versus the Eagles at home. Oh wow. So, you’re saying there’s a change? I am saying there’s a change. Okay. Listen, I am not I am not trying to wet blanket this whole thing. I am not. I am not. I I understand the excitement around what the Cowboys I actually love the additions that they made. I said this at the trade deal. I think that will be they will be a much better team. I think they’ll be a much better team at the end of the season. I don’t think they’re going to be good enough to get you where everybody thinks they’re going to go. Do they have a shot against the Eagles? Absolutely. because in division all all those things happen. I think the Eagles are a better team overall and I think ultimately they if the Eagles play well and the Cowboys play well, the Eagles win. That’s but but Lane Johnson injury for me is the biggest question mark for me. Let me get So I mean I I’m on the hype train with you guys. However, what does give me a little trepidation is they were not going up against a functional offense on Monday night. You went back and watched it. I I would I wanted to say that the whole Cowboys defense was improved, but we didn’t get a look at the whole Cowboys defense because they could not block. And if you can’t block at all, we don’t get to see whether their coverage is improved. We don’t get to see how they attack the ball in the air deep downfield. Like those things we didn’t get to see. So, I think what gives me hope is how good that offense is. We only got You made this point yesterday. We only got to get this defense to to mediocre. Can we just be honest? Like they ran the ball like 10 times. Oh, they didn’t even try. And they didn’t. And and and they ran it into looks where they were out leveraged. Like literally, they didn’t have enough players on the same side that they were trying to run. So you when you you’re being kind when you say they didn’t get a good look, that is no that is a scout team look. Like that’s literally what that is. They set them up for success at every point. As as as much as that is the case, and you’re right, look, the off Raiders offensive line sometimes looked like like really it looked like there were maybe five practice squads out there, right? Let’s run through these quick today. Would Kmart be shocked? Would you be shocked if Josh Allen and the Bills somehow missed the playoff? Uh, I’d be very shocked if that happened. Listen, Josh Allen, James Cook, and that entire own line deserve to be in the playoffs. If they do not make the playoffs, we have to have a very uncomfortable conversation about Buffalo and how they haven’t taken advantage of a weak AFC East and Lamar and the Ravens and the Bengals all being down at various points. I’m with you. Next one. Would Kmart be shocked if Bo Knicks and the Broncos find themselves in the AFC title game? Greeny, I would not be shocked. Listen, plain and simple, this team has everything it needs. It has all the pieces. The QB, look at how they played defense. I I I love this team. I don’t know if they’ll get there, but I would not be shocked if they do. And then finally, how about the team you just saw this week? Would you be shocked if the Steelers hang on and win that division? I hate to say this because Mike Tomlin, I’d hate to see the look you would give me, but I’d be shocked if they if they did. You know why? Because unlike the Ravens who have won four in a row, the Steelers had control of the division and they’ve just been erratic. They’ve been up and down Jacqueline Hyde. Until they can show that they’re the team that can beat the Colts and the Patriots and not lose to the Bengals and and all these other teams. I I think it’s hard to know exactly what Steelers team we’re seeing. Well, and we also have the situation with Aaron Rogers. Mike Tomlin confirming yesterday that Rogers is not going to need surgery for a fractured left wrist. He’s not yet been ruled out for Sunday against the Bears. If Rogers can’t go, Mason Rudolph would get the start. He looked good. We’ve all seen Mason Rudolph play for years. A solid backup, obviously. So, a good option in the event that Rogers can’t go. Again, you were there. You have a better sense. What What is your sense of Rogers availability? So, we I think my Tom is going to drag this out until Friday just to get a sense of where Rogers is. But I can tell you being at that game, being in that postgame locker room. The sense I got was Rogers would have to like he would tourniquet, he would cast, he would do anything he could to make it so that he could play against the Bears. This is a team that based on his days with the Packers, he has clearly loved going against the Bears. I still own you and all that. Um but but he was he wanted to go back in that game. He was upset that he couldn’t, but it was doctors said, “No, you’re sitting out.” I have a hard time believing that if Aaron Rogers, as the sense I’ve been given is that he will do everything he can to play. I have a hard sense that uh hard sense believing that Mike Tomlin will not play him if What did you say in our meeting this morning? Bro is going to play. Bro is going to play. Like Like I I would I would have the shocked face that we put up for Kmart and dude, don’t play. For all the things about Aaron Rogers, he is a tough cat and he wants to be on the field. He does not want to be known as an injury-prone player. He has a ton of pride in that kind of stuff and and I I think he does whatever it takes to get on the field. Yeah, it sounds like Mike, as Tim is alluding to, is leaving it up to Aaron and he’ll he’ll let it let the week play itself out. Look, Aaron has earned the right to kind of take his time and kind of give you then his self assessment of where he feels at the end of the week. Although I will say this, look, Mason Rudolph is the quintessential definition of what a backup is. He can hold the fort down for a game or two. He obviously is not a long-term answer. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone out and got Aaron Rogers the way they did. We all know that. But I think, you know, when you’re looking at this bigger picture, can Mason lead them to a win this week if he has to start? Absolutely he can. And Mike has full trust in that. Yeah. I mean, I think it’s a lot of expectations from Aaron Rogers. If it’s just pain, he’ll probably play. The problem with Aaron Rogers’s question is we are assuming that if he shows up that this offense is going to be effective. It has not been all that effective all season long whether he’s hurt or not. I think the pain won’t keep him from playing but I think his like aversion to contact and we understand why he has an aversion contact that these things will break a little easier. I think that’s part of it. But the problem is I think we’re are we are have lower expectations for him based on his age and the NFL does not have a senior tour. like we can’t we can’t grade it on a curve. Like I agree and Rogers is incredible for a 41y old quarterback, but he’s not the level of quarterback that they need right now considering where that team is placed. So let’s be clear, it’s not his throwing hand, it’s this hand. And it’s really about receiving the football, being receiving the snap, being able to hold on to it, the pain, the issue. How does he I guess Jeff, my question to you is how that quarterback who where you have an offense that’s not really in sync right now with a quarterback who even you’re worried about receiving the snap. How do you feel about him playing in that game? No, I I I think if he goes, “Hey man, I can do it.” He he’s taken enough snaps like you understand what you’re going to get. And so the way that he receives the snaps, however he has to take his hand to take the pressure off the wrist, like these guys are smart enough to they’ll figure that part out. But I do think for for all for all of our toughness, there is something that pain does to all of us and it can make you make bad decim. That’s where Tomlin is going to have to balance this, right? Because there’s a point where you you’re a detriment to your team if you if you start getting rid of the ball out of out of sequence when you need to be taking a shot and instead you’re not. I I think those are the things Tomlin will have to manage as he gets either in the game or before the game because again if Mason Rudolph can get you through this one give him two weeks that’s what you would that’s what you I think that look I I think Jeff just hit it on the head that’s what you’re worried about the extended plays the second you know the second reaction type throws he’s not going to want to do that I wouldn’t want to fall on the ground I wouldn’t want to be thinking do I need can I put my left hand down and brace myself or not I’d be like yo this ball is out of here it’s going somewhere it ain’t staying with me and I don’t know if you want him in that kind of situation yeah when you put the expectations on a quarterback like that. They’ll probably put a cast or something to protect from the brace. They’ll probably be on some sort of painkillers. To your point, the pain won’t be the problem, but what the pain does to the way that you think about playing the game will impact you. The decisions that he’s going to make in that game already in a situation where he’s getting rid of the ball really quickly, those decisions will be sped up. Let’s say this about the Bears, though. He he he likes the style that the Bears on the defense. And so, that that that also, let me just tell you, that’s tempting for a quarterback, right? To know that you could come out and have, you know, Bears defense has been a lot of turnovers has like driven the success they have. Chargers obviously historically not a turnover. That’s exactly

Kimberley A. Martin, Peter Schrager, Domonique Foxworth, Jeff Saturday and Louis Riddick join Mike Greenberg on Get Up to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ Monday Night Football win over the Las Vegas Raiders along with other big storylines across the league.

0:00 First Impressions
2:02 Stephen A. vs. Greeny
3:20 Greeny stands his ground
5:17 Cowboys fans x BravoCon?
7:36 Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
9:46 Would K-Mart Be Shocked If…?
11:07 Mike Tomlin says Aaron Rodgers does not need surgery
14:20 “Pain can make you make bad decisions”

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