The Rich Eisen Show

The hour kicks off with Rich doing a deep dive into TJ Jefferson’s resume and its many bullet points under the “Skills” category.    Rich and the guys debate who’s the frontrunner in the NFL MVP race among Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and others.   Packers All-Pro WR Davante Adams tells Rich why he was rooting for the Rams to beat the Cardinals on Monday Night Football, why Green Bay is clicking on all cylinders right now, if Matt LaFleur is a bit more chesty on the sidelines in his 3rd year as head coach, and if his future with the Packers depends on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Packers.    Rich reacts to Jerry Jones addressing whether or not Dak Prescott is in a “slump,” and makes the case for Cowboys rookie LB Micah Parsons as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich recaps the Rams’ pivotal win on Monday Night football to pull within a game of the NFC West-leading Cardinals and explains why backup RB Sony Michel was the key Matthew Stafford and L.A.’s passing attack, and says what dropping from the #1 seed in the NFC to the #3 seed means for Kyler Murray and Arizona.   NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero and Rich discuss his story on growing discontent in Jacksonville between Urban Meyer and his coaching staff and players, and Meyer’s refuting the report, how long his tenure in Jacksonville will last, the overall impact on the development of #1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence, and if the NFL is prepared to delay the Super Bowl if the Covid-19 infection rate continues to rise.   Rich reacts to the latest Urban Meyer-Jaguars drama and says there’s one surefire way to make all the problems go away.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN’s Chris Fowler tells Rich if Bryce Young deserved to win the Heisman Trophy over the weekend, why we should expect a low-score affair in the Michigan vs Georgia College Football Playoff semifinal, why Luke Fickell’s Cincinnati Bearcats better come out swinging against Nick Saban and Alabama in the other CFP semi, why he was not a fan of Brian Kelly bolting Notre Dame for LSU and Lincoln Riley jilting Oklahoma for USC, and why Urban Meyer has struggled in the NFL after a stellar career as a college head coach.      Rich reveals some whisperings he’s hearing in NFL circles about Pitt QB Kenny Pickett and discusses the difference between head coaches who speak their mind and those who engage in coach speak.    Rich and the guys preview the pivotal Monday Night Football showdown between the Cardinals and Rams and what’s at stake for the NFC West playoff picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and Rich discuss the latest drama surrounding Urban Meyer in Jacksonville following reports of growing tension between him and Jaguars players and assistant coaches and if Jags’ owner Shad Khan would cut bait on Meyer after just one season, how hot the hot seat is under Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy and if Ohio State’s Ryan Day could be a replacement in Chicago or if the stink of college football coaches’ recent NFL struggles (Meyer, Matt Rhule, etc) could put a damper on his pro prospects, why the Vikings are likely to move on from Mike Zimmer unless Minnesota makes a deep playoff run, how the injuries to Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen could impact the AFC playoff picture, why the Browns haven’t inked Baker Mayfield to a long-term deal yet (of if they ever will), who the next Las Vegas Raiders head coach could be and the latest in the Jon Gruden vs NFL lawsuit.     In his weekly ‘Overreaction Monday’ segment Rich weighs in on hot takes including if the Bills will miss the playoffs,

Rich recaps the Buccaneers’ thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Bills and marvels at Tom Brady’s “unparalleled” GOAT-ness at age 44, and says why Bills Mafia shouldn’t press the panic button on their season just yet.   Rich recaps the Packers’ latest win over their NFC North rival Bears and reads between the lines of Aaron Rodgers’ postgame comments when asked about his future in Green Bay, and ponders the question: are the Dallas Cowboys legitimate Super Bowl contenders or just the Minnesota Vikings of Texas (a talented team that can’t finish games) while comparing ‘Boys rookie LB Micah Parsons to Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.    Rich reacts to rumors of brewing discord in Jacksonville where Urban Meyer is reportedly at odds with respected locker room leaders and called out his assistant coaches for making him look bad, and wonders if those reports combined with a lack of production and development from #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence could mean a one-and-done season in the NFL for him. Learn more about

Vikings Pro Bowl Running Back Dalvin Cook tells Rich what it was like to tear up the Steelers’ defense on Monday Night Football for 205 yards despite playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder, why Minnesota has had big problems closing out games this season, and why he thinks the Vikes can still make the playoffs.   Actor Clancy Brown joins the show in-studio and tells Rich congratulations on his Michigan win over Ohio State (even though it actually sounds pretty condescending), what his favorite scene from ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ was, sings happy birthday to his 92-year-old mom, talks Showtime’s ‘Dexter: New Blood’ and ‘Billions,’ and separates fact from fiction about his roles in ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ ‘Bad Boys’ with Sean Penn, ‘Highlander’ and his discus throwing career at Northwestern in a round of ‘Celebrity True or False.’   Chris Brockman offers up his ‘Sneaky Good Games’ for NFL Week 14 for your wagering pleasure involving the Bengals vs 49ers, Cowboys vs WFT, and Lions vs Broncos. Learn more a

Rich recaps the Steelers’ Monday Night Football loss to the Vikings and ponders Pittsburgh’s life after Ben Roethlisberger and the possibility of Aaron Rodgers under center for them next season.     TJ Jefferson busts out his ‘Big Ass Grab Bag’ segment and lists the top 5 biopics he wants to see made: Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, KISS, and …Sputnik Monroe???    ‘Brother from Another’ co-host Michael Smith tells Rich why Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s guaranteed win over the Washington Football Team wasn’t all that big of a deal, why the Lakers have pretty much bottomed out and will only get better, if the Portland Trail Blazers should trade or extend Damian Lillard, and why Father Time is no longer undefeated thanks to Tom Brady.     The guys dust off the ‘Higher Register’ segment with kinda-sorta-hot-but-not-so-lukewarm takes on the Bengals, Colts, WFT and Bill Belichick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich recaps Dalvin Cook’s huge game as the Vikings held off the Steelers on Monday Night Football after going up 29-0 and then having the game come down to the final play in their 36-28 win, and rips into Pittsburgh WR Chase Claypool’s time-wasting first down celebration that led to the Steelers’ demise.    ESPN NFL Analyst Ryan Clark discuss MNF and also tears in to Claypool’s selfish behavior and the Steelers’ lack of locker room leadership and misplaced priorities and says how head coach Mike Tomlin can fix the growing problem, says why the Vikings have underachieved this season, why he’s a believer in the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC and why the Chiefs are still the most dangerous team in the AFC, and his fond recollections of former Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas who passed away unexpectedly last night at the age of 33.     Rich comments on Thomas’ death and reflects on his inspiring, improbable life story and the positive impact he left on nearly every person he come in contact with.  Learn more about

In this week’s ‘What’s More Likely’ segment Rich weighs in on if Ben Roethlisberger throws multiple TDs vs the Vikings or Kirk Cousins throws multiple INTs in their Week 14 matchup, if the Browns upset the Ravens or the WFT upsets the Cowboys, if the Bills beat the Buccaneers or the 49ers beat the Bengals, and if Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes is more likely to throw for 3 TDs vs the Bears and Raiders.    Alabama QB Bryce Young tells Rich how Nick Saban was able to lure the Southern California native away from USC, what he learned by backing up Mac Jones as a freshman, what winning the Heisman Trophy would mean for him and his family, how Saban expertly uses his “rat poison” motivational tool and the angriest the Crimson Tide head coach ever got at him.      Rich gets some conflicting advice from Matthew Berry, Michael Fabiano, and Cynthia Frelund on his ‘should I start Dalvin Cook’ conundrum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich presents this week’s ‘Gorilla Glue Toughest Player on Planet Earth Award’ to Louisiana RB Emani Bailey and recaps this seasons’ winners of the award.   Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford tells Rich that rumors of a mystery injury are untrue, how impressed he’s been by Odell Beckham Jr. assimilating into the team’s offense, how he and Cooper Kupp have quickly formed one of the more dangerous QB-WR combos in the NFL, what’s in store in their NFC West rematch against the Arizona Cardinals, and what he’s willing to bet when his alma mater, Georgia, faces Rich’s alma mater, Michigan, in the College Football Playoff semifinal.     Rich and the guys debate if fantasy football owners should start Vikings RB Dalvin Cook tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers in spite of being hampered by a serious shoulder injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy all but guaranteeing a win over the Washington Football team this week in the first meeting this season between the NFC East rivals.    Rich previews the “Battle of Disappointments” between the Steelers and Vikings on Thursday Night Football between two middling teams that had great expectations when the season began.     Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter tells Rich why he wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings moved on from head coach Mike Zimmer after this season, why it’s time for Ben Roethlisberger to call it a career, why the physical toll of a long career could be taking a mental toll on Tom Brady, and why he, an Ohio State alum, is willing to let Rich honk up his Michigan Wolverines.   Rich reacts to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers doubling down on his earlier boast to Chicago Bears fans that he owns them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cardinals All-Pro LB Chandler Jones and Rich discuss Arizona’s 10-2 season so far, why it’s never a good idea to talk trash to Aaron Rodgers, possibly facing his old coach Bill Belichick in the Super Bowl, if he thinks he’s having a Hall of Fame career, what it’s like facing Kyler Murray in practice and how the QB earned his locker room cred as a rookie, and reveals that his family actually had a real, full-size wrestling mat in his house as a kid because he and his brothers (UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones and former NFL DE Arthur Jones) were so rambunctious growing up. (timestamp).    Actor Zachary Levi tells Rich what it was like preparing to portray Kurt Warner in the upcoming ‘American Underdog’ movie and how hands-on the meticulous Hall of Fame QB was during filming, and if we’ll see him in future seasons of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’ (timestamp).   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys debate if Arizona Cardinals’ 2-time All-Pro OLB Chandler Jones will be in the Hall of Fame once his storied career is over, and also renew their heated debate on whether ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie and if ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Die Hard’ essentially have the same plot. New Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman tells Rich his choice on the ‘Die Hard’ debate, what the past 11 months have been like that saw him go from Cincinnati Bearcats Defensive Coordinator to head coach of the Fighting Irish, and reveals that he, an Ohio State alum, was indeed rooting for Iowa to beat Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game.  Chris Brockman runs through all the latest news and injury updates in the NFL, reacts to Tiger Woods’ announcement that he’ll be playing again next week with his son Charlie in a tournament, and weighs in (pun intended) on Zion Williamson reportedly tipping the scales at 330 lbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to Tom Brady’s cryptic comments in Sports Illustrated about not enjoying winning as much and wonders just how much longer TB12 will be slinging the football in the NFL.   Rich, Brockman and TJ discuss the Lakers finally putting it all together against the Celtics and debate who’s to blame for L.A.’s mediocre start to the NBA season. Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson tells Rich some hilarious recruiting stories that led him to Purdue instead of Notre Dame, Indiana, or Arizona State, if the Steelers have a chance to make the playoffs, if Mac Jones and the Patriots can replicate their 2001 Super Bowl season with Brady and when he thinks Brady will retire, and weighs in on Michigan’s chances to win the College Football Playoff.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his first ‘4 Downs’ segment in quite a while Rich makes the case for Bill Belichick as the NFL Coach of the Year, why the Jets and Giants will be very busy at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft, why the league needs to review ALL Personal Foul flags, and predicts that the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t lose again during the regular season.   Michigan Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson discuss Rich what changed on the field and off the field that led to so much success for him and the Wolverines this season, what’s in store for UM against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff, breaking his dad’s sacks record at Michigan, and his reaction to becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich breaks down some possible playoff clinching scenarios in the NFC and to celebrate the anniversary of ‘Dumb and Dumber’ introduces a ‘You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance’ segment where he assessed the Vikings, Raiders, Browns, Saints, and Dolphins’ chances to make the playoffs from their current back-in-the-pack positions.   Chargers QB Justin Herbert tells Rich what’s different for him in his 2nd NFL season and why he’s always looking to improve, why the Bolts seem to play better on the road than at home, his reaction to Mario Cristobal ditching the Oregon Ducks for the Miami Hurricanes, and more!   Brockman attempts (in vain) to explain to Rich what the baseball stat WAR means, and the guys break down the latest in the Ben Simmons situation including some potential trade scenarios involving Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich recaps the Patriots’ 14-10 win over the Bills on Monday Night Football and explains why Mac Jones only throwing the ball three times all game was as impressive as any game the rookie has had this season, and says why 7-5 Buffalo should be concerned for their once lofty Super Bowl hopes.   FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt tells Rich why the College Football Playoff selection committee got it right by choosing Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and Cincinnati but still need to expand the field to 12 teams, Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson’s chances to win the Heisman Trophy and go #1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, if Ole Miss’ Matt Corral or Pitt’s Kenny Pickett will be the first QB drafted, if the NCAA should do away with the early signing period to dissuade head coaches leaving programs before bowl games.     On the heels of the dreadfully cold MNF game in Buffalo Rich and the guys debate which is the best setting and best weather for a football game.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich previews the “huge” Monday Night Football matchup between the Bills and Patriots and says why Buffalo needs to step up and prove last year’s AFC East title was no fluke. In his ‘Overreaction Monday’ segment Rich says if the Bills need a Monday Night Football win more than the Patriots, if the Ravens should have gone to Overtime vs the Steelers instead of going for a (failed) two-point conversion against the Steelers, if two 9-8 NFC teams will make the playoffs, if Gardner Minshew can lead the Eagles to the playoffs, if Kyler Murray should be the NFL MVP frontrunner and if the Lions will win more games than they lose to close out the season. Chris Brockman debates Rich on whether or not Alabama is destined to win the College Football Playoff, and voices his yearly pet peeve about the Dr. Pepper college tuition contest where entrants are allowed to use chest passes instead of throwing footballs overhand. ESPN ‘College GameDay’ analyst and Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and fellow alum Ric

NBC Sports’ Peter King tells Rich why the Panthers fired highly-touted Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady after less than two season in Carolina, if Taylor Heinicke is the long-term answer for the Washington Football Team, if Gardner Minshew, not Jalen Hurts, is the Eagles’ answer at QB, why the Seahawks could be in for a coaching change after Pete Carroll’s worst season in Seattle combined with Russell Wilson’s unhappiness with the team’s offense, why the Steelers’ options at QB once Ben Roethlisberger retires could include Aaron Rodgers, and what the Patriots have done right with the development of rookie QB Mac Jones.     New Southern Cal head coach Lincoln Riley tells Rich how tough it was to leave Oklahoma for USC, if the Sooners joining the SEC played a role in his decision, what parting message he has for bitter OU fans, why the NCAA should look into changing the Early Signing date, if the College Football Playoff committee chose the right for teams, and more! Rich and the guys debate if the NCAA should

Rich recaps the Cardinals' drubbing of the Chicago Bears in Week 13 and wonders why people aren’t talking about Arizona as a legitimate Super Bowl contender despite having the NFL’s best record at 10-2.   Rich breaks down the wide-open AFC playoff picture where it’s difficult to determine who’s the best team in the conference week-to-week with fluctuations from the Chiefs, Ravens, Chargers, Bengals and others.  Rich resumes his “Greatest Fall of My Life” gloating tour after his Michigan Wolverines thumped Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices