NFL Best Bets: HOF Game Tonight - Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans
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00:00Today is the first day of a new month. It is August 1st
00:042024 college football will be played this month
00:09And a National Football League game will be played tonight the Hall of Fame game in Kenton, Ohio
00:16Between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans. Oh, it's preseason. It's an exhibition game
00:22It doesn't even matter Chicago has three more games after so do the Houston Texans CJ Strauss
00:29Caleb Williams isn't playing. It does not matter. It is football and it is back Donnie
00:36You take the floor
00:37All right, you want to do you want a story now?
00:39You want a good story about what happened to your boy DRS this morning?
00:41How excited I'm and I've been telling you for a while been like I've always been a died, you know
00:45Died in college football guy love college football play college football, you know what I mean?
00:49So I got to like college football
00:51Over the past couple years, you know
00:53Sometimes you have to shift the focus family matters kids on soccer fields on Saturday
00:58They take precedent because really Saturday is my only day off during the football season
01:02But I said, you know what?
01:03I can't wait for this year because I truly believe this honestly is going to be the best college football season
01:08We have ever seen because it's gonna be an NFL style. Hey if my team lost early
01:13We still got a legitimate chance of this thing
01:15And yes, the teams that are hot at the end of the season sneaking into that top 12
01:19Maybe can make a run
01:20But I went and said, you know what first time in a couple years Ben
01:24I need to go out and get a couple magazines here. I need to like prep college football
01:28I want to take a look at a couple things. I mean you head down the shore for the beach
01:31I want that beach reading to get excited. What are my Hurricanes doing here?
01:35You know the shifting of all of the conferences, but I just want it like and I'm not the guy that's like
01:38Let me download it on my computer on my laptop here or something like that read it
01:42I need the physical, you know magazine in my hand. So I ordered I'm excited. I get the email back
01:47It's gonna be on its way. They sent it to my old address. So there you go
01:50So strike one to get your booty on rest and maybe have to do another order here and run out
01:55But that just tells you like for me to actually go and order magazines for college football tells you how sincere
02:01I think this college football scene is gonna be and I want to be ready for it here before game number one only to see
02:07It going to another address kind of kind of hit the damper button this one. I
02:11Mean you just had me so fired up that my good friend DRS Donnie, right?
02:15So I had ordered preseason college football magazine reading which is one of my favorite things to do Phil Steele's
02:24Magazine to get you ready for a new college football season is my Bible
02:28It is sacred to me pick six previews
02:32Just sent me their preview for
02:342024 to dive into the numbers to look at returning roster
02:38Production to see the schedules and how everything shakes out
02:41It is what I love to do come August in the final three weeks before a college football season
02:46You had me going and then you tampered expectation a little bit
02:50Can I ask was it your mistake or was it the shipping process to blame?
02:55Well because the magazines that I ordered here when I used to get them they pre-fill in so, you know your credit card
03:03You just say okay bang. It's in you see the billing address
03:06But I didn't scroll down to see them like I it's it's been a while like I've been in my new place for what two
03:10And a half years at this point, so I didn't even think right to check that
03:13So when I sent the email and also send email response as soon as I was like, oh no, I saw come back
03:17Hey, can you please change this and then only get an email like five minutes later, which again is an auto response in the morning
03:22Can you guys make this change?
03:24Congratulations, it's shipping. Oh, yeah
03:26Congratulations, whoever lived in my previous house. They're gonna love college football this year
03:30Maybe they're getting fired up for college football too
03:33And you are doing yeoman's work by getting more people excited. Well CFP Donnie, right side a
03:40Good guy. All right Hall of Fame game tonight in Canton, Ohio
03:44We get it. It is the first preseason game of the year. It is going to be sloppy
03:48You are not going to see any of the stars or even the starters that you know on either side
03:54It will not be Stefan Diggs his debut in a Texans uniform
03:58We are not going to see the reigning offensive rookie of the year in CJ Stroud or the number one overall pick this past April
04:05In Caleb Williams for the Bears, but that's okay the guys on the field
04:10This game matters more than anything for the organizations and the teams as a whole
04:15It is your first practice run to make sure that you are ready for a season to the coaching staffs
04:22D'Amico Ryan's Matt Eber flus back for year three in the Windy City. They are going to take this game. Very very
04:30Seriously, the Texans a short one and a half point favorite minus one thirty on the money line Chicago on the other side
04:37Plus one ten a measly total as you might expect in the Hall of Fame game the over-under
04:4331 and a half Donnie I get a little nervous to ask you this question
04:48Where does your handicap start for the Hall of Fame game because I feel like you might reply
04:53I'm not going to handicap the Hall of Fame game
04:56Yeah, there's no handicap really in the preseason for me
04:59And you know, my stance has basically softened over the past couple years, but you know in my other life
05:06I was one of those guys that would get on Twitter and say you idiot if you're betting this because and honestly, it's true
05:12Now there are trends you can go off of that people use and some people really enjoy betting preseason
05:16I get that and that's all fine and good if that's what you like
05:19But if it's like major a Major League Baseball game, you know
05:22You got to put in the time and the work and get those numbers to work
05:24How about if we came on this program and you said Donnie take a look at the game tonight Phillies and Yankees
05:30What do you think I go Ben? I love this game. It's gonna work out and you say well, okay
05:34What's the pitching matchups Ben? I don't know what the pitching matchups are. All right, Donnie
05:37What's the one through nine like who can you expect in RBI then?
05:39I have no idea who's gonna be in the lineup
05:41But you know what Phillies at a minus 116 price and go over the seven and a half
05:44That's what I like tonight despite not knowing a single damn thing about what's gonna take place in the game
05:49That's preseason football in a nutshell
05:52Now the only thing I can't counter that with Ben is when the Baltimore Ravens play it buys will be the Super Bowl
05:57preseason regular season postseason
05:59Whenever Street football that team takes it seriously when there's a clock and a score they want to win at all costs
06:05But I don't have any theories here in preseason other than this coach takes preseason serious outside of that
06:12How do you handicap the game? We have no idea who's playing in that football game. It's hard to do
06:17And when the preseason fully gets underway, we'll let you know about the flocks 24-game preseason win streak dating back to
06:262016 so what we can expect is to see a lot of those reserves tonight in Canton that are battling for a roster spot
06:33And this is their extra opportunity on top of the three preseason games to follow
06:38Where we will see CJ Stroud for Houston and probably Steph Diggs and some of the other
06:44Acquisitions the Texans have made this year and we will see Caleb Williams be under center and take snaps for the Bears this
06:52Preseason just not tonight Tyson pageant probably going to start at quarterback for Chicago the long-necked man himself
06:59Davis Mills on the other side for Houston
07:02There is some talent when you look up this roster juice Herbert Khalil Herbert probably going to play tonight for Chicago
07:08Roshan Johnson probably going to get some runs the big back for the Bears as well
07:13Never forget two years ago in the Hall of Fame game
07:16We're entering the final year of his contract
07:20Josh Jacobs was out there for most of the opening half in Las Vegas and Josh McDaniels was making him run up the gut
07:271015 times in the opening half. That's a coach that is supremely
07:32Motivated a couple of trends to know at least when you see that total of 31 and a half
07:38It makes me very happy to see of course as a fan of Big Ten football in the last decade of Hall of Fame games
07:45The last ten Hall of Fame games five times
07:48We've been over this number five times under the last two years though
07:52We've seen an uptick in scoring 38 points and 37 points the last time that both teams reached the 20-point benchmark
08:01That was 2013. It's just a point and a half
08:04It's not the starters but just to share Houston not great as a favorite last year
08:09Just three and five against the number the Bears six one and one against the spread booked as an underdog in
08:1513 of 17 games
08:17By the way, am I wrong to think tonight?
08:19We might have a little bit of mayhem in special teams
08:22Am I wrong to fall tonight that we might have a kick six tonight a return?
08:27Maybe multiple big returns because you have to keep in mind these guys are practicing it technically in training camps right now
08:35But this is the first real dress rehearsal that these two teams are gonna go look at what the special team looks like and quite
08:40Frankly, they're not kicking the ball into the end zone. So if we get at least a couple scoring drives
08:45We're gonna get maybe six to seven kickoffs tonight
08:48I think one might go to the house and I've been how about that
08:51The new kickoff rules. That's probably the main thing that everybody is focused on
08:57Tonight from the opening kick and hopefully the many more that we will see will also talk three season
09:03Expectations for both the Texans and the Bears. All right, so the Hall of Fame game tonight in Canton, Ohio
09:08No, we're not gonna see CJ Stroud for Houston or Caleb Williams for Chicago
09:13But the guys will be there later in the preseason and of course to start
09:182024 let's talk about
09:20Expectations for both of the teams that face off tonight at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
09:25Houston, of course is the optimistic team to pay attention to in the AFC a double-digit win season a
09:32Divisional championship in the rookie campaign of both their head coach Tomiko Ryan's and their quarterback CJ Stroud
09:39He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and now the Texans after making some
09:44acquisitions and some beneficial maneuvers this offseason are the team to beat in the AFC South the favorites at
09:51Plus-105 a win total of nine in a hook the over has the hefty juice at minus
09:57150 favorite equator than a $2 price to be a post season team
10:02Let's start with Houston, then we'll get to Chicago Donnie. The question is not are you optimistic about the Texans?
10:08It's do you think the Texans will match those optimistic expectations?
10:13And we talked about this a little bit previous because when you're looking at the Houston Texans based off what you saw last year
10:19The ship is supposed to continually be going up at this point
10:22And the reason I say that is you had a young rookie quarterback. You're supposed to take your lumps as a rookie
10:26He didn't take his lumps. He was given out lumps last year as the Houston Texans quarterback
10:30This team won double-digit games. This team was winning big games down the stretch to win divisions
10:35This team was going into the playoffs in winning playoff games
10:37So you certainly expect the extension here of this team to say, you know what better that means 11 wins
10:44That means 12 wins
10:45That means of course, we're going to win this division
10:47But that is a lot because the NFL is built on parity when you're a good football team
10:52They give you a less draft pick and also on top of that a tougher schedule and also as I said
10:57Defensive coordinators are a pretty sharp crew
10:59They're gonna see last year and say I have X amount of games and plays to see what CJ Stroud really did
11:04Well, let me spend this entire offseason like the defensive coordinators in that division will do what can we take away?
11:10But I love the fact that Houston didn't rest on their laurels. Hey, look young rookie head coach here. Everything worked out
11:15Well, we're just gonna continue to build for the future not make big changes
11:18You get a great defensive end in there as a high price free agent also on top of that
11:22What do you do you add one of the better wide receivers of the past five years in the NFL to that already?
11:27Talented wide receiving crew you have all the makings of a really good football team
11:31And the thing I like best as well is you don't leave out the running game
11:35You might say that Nixon may have lost a step in all running backs to after a couple years of being the lead dog
11:40But you want to talk about a guy that you can trust in a moment to pick up a blitz who's been there done that
11:44I absolutely love every single move Houston made
11:47So unless I'm just being contrarian and you see that team told it nine and a half. It's like that doesn't make sense
11:53They won ten last year. I expect to be better this year, which equates to more wins
11:57I hear you on that
11:58It is contrarian to go under but you can't get like I'm not gonna be that guy that goes
12:02You know what? Let me just give out a hot take before the season. I think Houston's gonna stink
12:05They're gonna win seven games then when they win 13, nobody remembers it because it's like hey, it's just he's throwing it out there
12:10But at the end, I told you they would be a bad team. I can't sit here and do that
12:14What I'd like to do that. Yes, but I'm not just a hot take artist to put vibes out there
12:17I'm real high on Houston what it's showing you that they shouldn't have a double-digit season this year
12:23Completely agree Donnie the AFC South the last two years has been an intriguing
12:27Division because you had teams expected to dominate and early in the year
12:32Did two years ago the Tennessee Titans were seven and four in command of that divisional race
12:38They lost their final six games the Jags come out of nowhere in year number two over under Trevor Lawrence
12:44They win the division they win the playoff game and that dramatic comeback over the LA Chargers
12:49Jacksonville was the team to beat entering last year eight and three to start through week 12 Trevor Lawrence gets banked up
12:55They dropped five of their final six Houston comes out of nowhere knocking off a good Indianapolis team to take the division
13:03There were three of four teams in this division that had a winning record
13:06Last year the Texans the champs the Colts and the Jaguars despite the season-ending
13:12Struggles this year. I don't expect it to be a team collapsing
13:15I think it's going to be a competitive race down to the wire between Houston Jacksonville
13:19It may be Indianapolis a little bit more uncertainty with Anthony Richardson in his de facto rookie season
13:26But I do think Houston is a double-digit win football team contending for the divisional title beyond that
13:32Can they actually contend with the big boys in the AFC that remains to be seen are the Chicago Bears a
13:41Playoff team eight and a half to win total for Kayla Williams
13:44He's a rookie quarterback
13:45But he's a rookie quarterback surrounded by talent and a strong defense that led the Bears to five wins in their final seven games
13:53Last year, that's the expectation in the Windy City not a rook go out there
13:59Maybe we'll win six seven eight games. Hey rook go out there
14:03We better be 500 with a winning record and we sure should earn an NFC wild-card spot
14:09And here's the funny thing about this
14:11Which is great that they're matching up in this game because there's a lot of parallels between these two
14:15Franchises and I'm not just talking about the players itself on the field. How about just the one position at quarterback?
14:20We were always led to believe that you have a bad football team
14:23Which is why you get that number one overall pick the Bears not necessarily were a great football team
14:27But they weren't the worst team in the league
14:29They made a shrewd trade the year before which allowed them to get that number one overall pick which means they're the semblance of some
14:35Decent players and won some football games last year and it's not a complete regime change
14:39But I think we were spoiled last year with CJ Stroud of how well he performed as basically a top three top two draft pick
14:45In the NFL last year, which the expectations now Caleb Williams are oh, I just watched CJ Stroud do this
14:50Of course, we should see an MVP like chance here for Caleb Williams this year
14:55But also I love this as well
14:56You're heading into a football season and teams that Houston Texans did it
15:00Obviously the Philadelphia Eagles are doing it here and you take a look at the Chicago Bears
15:04Why would you say to yourself?
15:05Let me get a young quarterback and let you see if he can grow and then analyze at the end of his first or second
15:10Year, you did that with Justin Fields. It didn't work. But you know what? You're not making that mistake again
15:14I'm gonna surround him with as much talent as I possibly can so he can hit the ground running and they good decisions and get
15:20In the great tendencies right off the bat more Alan Odunza and Swift
15:25That's the skill positions around this quarterback who coming into it. We saw years away tank for this kid
15:31He is gonna be a dominant professional athlete
15:33So the Chicago Bears and their fans they should be sky-high right now because their organization did their young quarterback, right by saying
15:40I just want you to go out there and win it by yourself. We'll see in a couple years
15:43Let's go out and get you that talent so you can win right away
15:46So it's a great matchup play and intriguing because great quarterback last year as a rookie
15:50We're expecting greatness the same thing out of Caleb Williams this year as a rookie
15:564108 passing yards for CJ Stroud last year his prop this year
16:00Not much higher than that with more offensive pieces. Here is my favorite stat for Caleb Williams that season-long passing yards prop
16:07Continues to rise now at 3,500 and a hook if he goes over that number
16:13It will be the fifth most passing yards in a single season in
16:18Chicago
16:19franchise
16:20history high
16:22Expectations from the very start more news around the NFL that on this first day of August where we have our first
16:29Preseason game of the year in the NFL some news and notes around training camp at the contract extensions
16:37continue to come in
16:39Tampa Tristan Werf's after four years in the National Football League with the Buccaneers is now the highest paid
16:46Offensive lineman in the history of the NFL signing a five-year
16:51140 point six three million dollar contract extension on this Thursday morning that includes more than
16:5888 million dollars
17:00Guaranteed a hundred and forty million plus for the left tackle in the blindside blocker for the Bucs
17:07He has been illustrious in his four-year NFL career to start the Bucs are banking on that for many more years to come
17:13That's what you got to do man
17:15Protect the guys that protect your most important product and that is your quarterback here
17:19I think Baker Mayfield's cheering on this extension where Tristan worse is now happy
17:23He got that major extension. Of course, he is and also shout out the people of like massive overpay at this point
17:29He's not even the best tackle
17:30No
17:31He's the next tackle that's eligible for an extension that you're gonna
17:34Kick down the can and cost yourself more money now as we look at deals like this and say that's great for the Buccaneers
17:40They got their guy lined up for a long time
17:42You know right now probably if they don't smoke went out to the store got a pack of Marlboro lights right now
17:47That's John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers who actually has the best
17:51Football going I wanted a contract then he sees this probably resets that market
17:57That's a tough scene which again word to the wise the minute your star player says I need an extension
18:03Just give it to him here because if you wait even days it's gonna cost you that much more money tough scene out there for
18:10the 49ers
18:11John Lynch does not strike me as a Marlboro red guy
18:14But who knows exactly what he's going to be doing worse
18:18If not the best offensive tackle in the National Football League is
18:23Becoming that started his first three years in Tampa on the right side slip switch to the left side last year
18:30He's made it to three consecutive Pro Bowls. He was a first-team all-pro in his second year in the NFL in
18:372021 is
18:39It time to say goodbye to the chain gang in the National Football League NFL announcing yesterday
18:46They will test Sony's Hawkeye
18:49Technology for measuring first downs during some preseason games this year Donnie a loud groan
18:56What is your assessment? Are you going to be nostalgic for the chain gang? Or are you happy?
19:02They are keeping an eye on the future. I
19:04Got to be true to myself, which again, which was I'm gonna contradict myself, of course
19:09But if we are looking at the chain gang here
19:12There is something sentimental that I am going to miss because we all love this where one side is the chain gang
19:19That's official. The other side is just you eyeball it up
19:22now when the
19:23official chain gang runs out there and it's really close on a fourth down on a fourth and inches or even a third and
19:29One to see if you've got that first down
19:31there's something interesting about saying the chain getting stretched out place down the
19:35Anticipation of the crowd and the players to get all upset and happy at one time
19:40Case in point Steve Sparrow a couple years ago where they really messed up the chain gang in that ball
19:45And he lost his mind like we're gonna miss those type of things. But also I do love technology
19:50I'm a big technology guy and I scream every day at Major League Baseball
19:54Take the umpires out of the game and just go to a robo up
19:57We never have any issues again, and I always just bring up, you know
20:00It's the NBA magic. They have a three-point line and this was up to the refs each night to call a three-point shot
20:05However, they saw fit it's sort of for me. I'm 5050 on this
20:08yes, it speeds it up but there is something about the chain gang and the
20:12Anticipation of a close play where they come back to measure where inches mean you win that game or could possibly lose that game
20:19I don't know if I want to miss that then
20:21the infamous index card to decide if the chain was
20:25Correct the measurements that we have when we zoom in on the ball and you stretch and you pull for as long as you can
20:33Maybe they'll just do that
20:35Even though they already know what it is
20:37To bring the nostalgia back to the National Football League a new rule in the preseason
20:42Of course the new kickoff rule tonight in the National Football League on
20:46Display in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Kent and we'll have more on the new and updated NFL kickoff rule
20:53NFL kickoff rule for dummies to make sure you know everything that you need to know and how it will be on display
21:00This season so we talked about this earlier in the week Aaron Rodgers Garrett Wilson getting into a heated exchange
21:07During training camp this week for the New York Jets Garrett Wilson was on the up and Adam show yesterday on FanDuel TV
21:14And said this quote. I haven't always been able to have conversations like that with my quarterback. So I don't take it for granted
21:20We're both trying to build something and quote all good non-issue
21:24Non-issue
21:26Wide receivers and quarterbacks do this all the time
21:28Every time I was in a huddle and I heard a pass play was supposed to come to me
21:31I stared while the quarterback read the play directly to me literally telling him telepathy telepathy. What is it?
21:38What's the word I'm looking for?
21:40Telepathy
21:42That's what I want
21:44Give me the ball
21:47Yeah
21:49Today is a special day here on sports grid
21:52Not just because it is the first day of a new month in that month means football with the Hall of Fame game in the
21:59First preseason game in the National Football League
22:02Tonight in Canton or that August means college football, but today on August 1st, we can make
22:09Something official and I hope this does not get me in trouble with the sports grid management team
22:15It's Ben. It's Donnie and it's one of our favorite all-time guests here on the sports grid Network
22:21That is no longer a guest. She is our colleague
22:24We welcome on Casey Hudson to the early line on her first official day as an employee at the sports grid
22:33Network Donnie, let's give it up for our colleague and co-worker Casey Hudson here Casey
22:39We are so glad to have you as a part of the Spiz Grizz Network
22:42And of course glad to have you here on this Thursday. Oh
22:46I'm so psyched and apparently this means that I get to deliver merch in person. So the
22:54Ever and ever I was just the deliverer. That's why it took so long. So I'm so psyched
23:01Even more now. I'm not just a guest that you have to put up with it. It's all day every day gentlemen
23:07It's going to be a wonderful wonderful thing, I'll go ahead
23:10Please so I hope you are so good on this network Casey that they don't allow me to show up between 8 to 11 a.m
23:16Every morning. How about that? That's the best compliment I can possibly give. That's how good I hope you are
23:27One thing you'll find out about your new colleague Donnie right side is that any bit of celebration or ceremony?
23:33Yeah, he will try to make sure he can selfishly use to his own game
23:37so if you want to take over on the morning show and he doesn't have to wake up as
23:42Early or go to bed as early. He would be very very pleased
23:53We need the info behind the scenes we need to hear more about what your schedule is going to be what I know right now
23:59Is that you will be involved of course with all of our football coverage throughout the fall?
24:04We'll get into that a little bit more
24:06So with that football coverage comes your football knowledge and it starts tonight inside
24:12Kenton Ohio the NFL's Hall of Fame game to kick off a new preseason. It's the Bears
24:18It's the Texans, of course Casey. We give the caveat and the disclaimer. No, we're not going to see Caleb Williams
24:24No, we're not going to see the reigning offensive rookie of the year in CJ Stroud or any of the starters really on either side
24:31for Houston or Chicago
24:33but it still is football and it's a one-and-a-half point spread in favor of the Texans with an over-under of
24:4031 and Casey, what is your approach to the Hall of Fame game tonight in Kenton? I
24:46Think that with all the momentum going around the reshaping of the Texans roster
24:51Of course, I see why betting lines are leaning towards them tonight
24:55Also because they've got some younger guys that will probably obviously participate in tonight's game that will have larger roles as the season goes through
25:04So the Texans are one of those teams where I think we'll see a little bit more out of even though we're not gonna see
25:08Their starters. We're gonna see some of the depth that's gonna play a key role when it comes to the Bears
25:12Oh, there's a lot to be excited about obviously there was a lot of drama around the quarterback conversation
25:16but we really just need to see if that breath of fresh air with switching out their quarterback taking Caleb Williams has
25:22Generated throughout the locker room and regardless of your starters being on the field
25:25That's something that you'll be able to tell from the energy tonight
25:28And again, you want to see what the depth is gonna hold in these rosters as they go through the season
25:33You got the Bears opening the season not really going against divisional competition
25:37You've got the Texans that probably have a bit more of a weight on their shoulder after they surprised a lot of people last year
25:43So I think it's still gonna be quite a game and obviously one of my favorite players is now being inducted so much to
25:48Look out for tonight
25:50Evolution of the NFL preseason typically changes every couple years
25:54It used to be like that six to seven preseason games down to four now we see three
25:58So it's great to start on I guess the morning of the first preseason game. Let me ask you a question about this Casey
26:04What do you get at a preseason football because even if you go back 20 years, you know
26:08The teams used to play starters week number one week two week three then take off week number four
26:13Do you take anything out of preseason now?
26:15Then maybe just a couple years ago that you used to your advantage during the regular season
26:20Yeah, it's gotten a bit difficult not being able to see the starters and kind of seeing what rosters are actually going to generate
26:26Too but kind of just touching back on that depth situation, you know, we've seen so many
26:31I feel like every year we talk about how many injuries accumulate in the beginning of the season and it seems more dramatic
26:37Season by season with that said though you want to see the guys that are gonna be able to step up you want to see
26:42Their caliber you want to see their adaption of the playbook and that's what you're gonna see in the preseason
26:46So even though you're not getting your starters
26:48You're getting those backup guys that are probably gonna have to have an effective role or be able to step up and help
26:53Next man up has not become just a cliche thing to say
26:56It's become imperative for each roster to have those guys that can step up and step into those situations at any time
27:03So that's what the preseason kind of shows you
27:05We're gonna see a QB battle for the backup for the Bears
27:09They're gonna make sure that they have a quality backup because right now they're trying to prove a point that it was smart to
27:14Go with Caleb Williams that he is gonna be able to translate some of his success from USC to the NFL level
27:20Underneath OC Waldron
27:22so there's a lot that we have to see in terms of the playbook what they're gonna be going with and running with and how
27:28Well, those players are gonna be able to support each other and those supporting roles are just as important
27:32So preseason might not be as classy without the starters
27:34But there's still plenty to look out for in terms of who's gonna make it to the long run
27:39Of course
27:40It was Tyson Bagent last year who started a few games for the Bears became a quick story around the National Football League
27:47Is going to be a star of hard knocks as well. He was asked already during Bears training camp
27:53You know Chicago didn't bring in a veteran backup to compete with you for that backup QB role
27:58How does that make you feel? He's like, this is my job
28:01I'm gonna go out there and earn it like Caleb is trying to earn that starting role in this franchise
28:07so Casey
28:07let's talk beyond this opening preseason game in the Hall of Fame matchup and the season outlook for both Houston and
28:15Chicago we start with the Texans
28:17Maybe the most optimistic team there is right now in the AFC in your estimation Casey as we get ready for
28:252024 what does success look like this season for Houston?
28:29I've got a lot riding on Houston
28:32Like I mentioned they were a massive surprise last year to get all the way the divisional and fall short to the Ravens should speak
28:38Volumes and a lot of those volumes come around, you know, they're rookie QB and CJ Stroud
28:43I mean, he's one of the few rookies to break over 4,000 yards in his opening season his demeanor his composure
28:49He was able to come in command and conduct the team
28:51And so just imagine the build-off from that not to mention is that this was an aggressive offseason for the Texans
28:58You don't get a guy like step on digs to buy into your roster to buy into being a Texan if he doesn't see
29:04Success in the near future and I think that that speaks volumes
29:08Also, you got Joe mixing Texans didn't have much of a consistent run game last year
29:12So there's gonna be a lot on mixing to kind of get that going and be well in that asset
29:17So they found the right keys. They found the right plugs and they shaped their roster beautifully
29:22I mean, this is a team that could really sneak into maybe a Super Bowl conversation
29:26No one bite my head off for that, but it's a great looking roster
29:29their defense showed up tremendously last year and then you get
29:33Hunter and you get these edge rushers that are just gonna add that much more pressure
29:36You've got guys that are gonna protect Stroud that much more and you've got so much versatility in that pass catch
29:41Group that this is gonna be one of the most exciting teams to watch in my personal opinion
29:47If we take a look at that quarterback matchup and also there is a lot of you know talent
29:51No doubt about it. CJ Stroud and Caleb Williams. You saw last year CJ Stroud
29:564,100 yards passing 23 touchdown passes only five interceptions Peyton Manning
30:00I think through close to 30 interceptions his rookie year
30:03Are we gonna have unfair expectations on Caleb Williams compared to what CJ Stroud did last year? And is that fair? I
30:10Think there's already some unfair conversations taking place
30:13But you cannot compare the two CJ Stroud is coming out of a system that prepared him for pro style and more NFL pace
30:20Caleb Williams is gonna have some adjustments
30:22He's not gonna be able to run as high tempo, even though the system's gonna try to compliment him
30:26But I think this is kind of an apple and oranges thing what you want to look for out of Caleb Williams
30:31It's his leadership and his ability to adapt to the playbook and let him take this one game at a time
30:35The buy-in is there veteran veteran players are stuff like backing him loving him supporting him and listen
30:41And so I think that's a big start
30:44Kayla Williams
30:46Expected to lead the Bears to a winning record eight-and-a-half to win total the over has the juice at minus
30:52150 as Casey shared CJ Stroud throwing for more than 4,100 passing yards last year
30:57Only five rookie quarterbacks in a history of the NFL including Stroud have thrown for
31:034,000 yards in NFL history
31:07Casey's preseason prediction of net the newest employee at the SportsGrid Network Casey Hudson is here for a second
31:14Consecutive segment on her debut day as a member of the Spiz Grizz
31:20Casey has often been here talking about the NHL
31:23But now as she's going to take a leading role in our NFL and football coverage throughout the fall
31:29We get her early preseason predictions for this 2024 campaign in the National Football
31:35Casey I can't believe we're already starting with this on the opening night of preseason football in the NFL
31:41But a Super Bowl prediction from one Casey Hudson. Who is it?
31:45Who's the champion of the NFC take it on the champion of the AFC? I?
31:49Know talk about no pressure. I think this is a is this called initiation?
31:54I
31:57Had to lean with
31:5949ers taking on the Ravens, but as I mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised at the Texans sneak in there
32:07I know that the NFC
32:09they've got some Kings to work out and I feel like the 49ers obviously have a bad taste in their mouth after leaving some plays
32:15on the field in the Super Bowl versus the Chiefs
32:17I know a lot of sports books actually have a rematch of the Chiefs in the 49ers
32:22But I'm not understanding the Chiefs roster right now and with some off the field issues taking place with some of their wide receivers
32:28We don't know what's gonna play out with their weapons. So too many question marks around the Chiefs for me right now
32:34Ravens have a lot to prove. There's only one issue on the offensive line
32:38But I think that Lamar Jackson can wiggle through that and I like some of their offseason moves
32:41So that's my that's my early early to early prediction
32:45If we look at that Super Bowl, which again two talented teams no doubt about it. I loved the Ravens last year
32:50I picked them to win the Super Bowl preseason and I was riding all the way through until the playoffs happened
32:56which typically happens Lamar Jackson
32:58Fantastic in the regular season a lot of question marks in the playoffs and also conversely the 49ers
33:03They got some issues. They're dealing with now Brandon. Are you gonna show up and be happy in training camp Trent Williams?
33:09When is he going to show up? So let me ask you this question. I love the talent on these two teams
33:13Are there any question marks that you're worried about between those two teams that you think they might stumble on getting back and or winning a
33:19Super Bowl here. I
33:21think the most important one is what you pointed out Lamar Jackson becomes kind of questionable when it comes to playoffs in those key moments and
33:28My note for this was the fact that teams that kind of left things on the field
33:32We just saw some really we saw the Ravens beat themselves in so many ways when it came to their comparison versus the Chiefs
33:39So that's just something that I can't shake but that's also something that you can't overlook
33:43so if the Ravens get back into this position and beat themselves and they're just kind of one of those taboo teams that you can't
33:49Bet on anymore and you got to let it go. So that's where my biggest concern comes
33:52The inconsistency was showing up in playoffs, but it's really do or die this year
33:57I know that was a conversation last year
33:58But I think this is it for Lamar Jackson to say whether or not he can get his team across the finish line
34:03Those mistakes are fixable that they've made last season
34:06Those play calling are things they can learn from and not make the same mistake
34:10So that would be my most concern. Is that Ravens roster as for the 49ers?
34:15I just think that there's a lot more buy-in over there
34:17I know that I was requesting a trade but there's still other talent there
34:22And of course as you guys probably remember from Super Bowl
34:25I'm still expecting a lot more out of Kittle
34:27He did go through last season banged up and not fully a hundred percent
34:31So I think that speaks to kind of his inconsistency throughout the season
34:35But he's gonna have a point to prove this year. It cannot be the cat the Christian McCaffrey show all over again
34:40So that's where my hesitation lies with the 49ers
34:43Is it gonna be all on Christian McCaffrey to get the job done?
34:45And is George Kittle gonna show up and help be an alleviator for for Brock Ferdie?
34:50We saw such great romance between the guys and we started to see some good magic manifest between them
34:54But that has to come back this season. We didn't see much of it last year a
34:58Couple of tabs to be paid perhaps by the Bay Brandon. I you at practice yesterday
35:03There was some video of him walking around the practice field
35:06Shaking the hand of general manager John Lynch might there be a contract update in San Francisco very soon
35:13And of course the veteran left tackle and the best in the game the only offensive lineman rated a 99 in Madden
35:20That's Trent Williams who wants an update to his contract as well in San Francisco
35:26The 49ers as you saw a co-favorite to win Super Bowl 59 alongside, Kansas City at 6 to 1
35:34How about the team with the fourth best price and the second best number alongside?
35:39Philadelphia in the NFC
35:42that's the Detroit Lions also on Casey's NFL watch list for
35:472024 the Lions who won a divisional crown for the first time in three decades last year the Lions who won an NFL
35:54Playoff game for the first time in 32 years a season ago
35:59Casey what are they going to do for an encore this upcoming campaign? I?
36:02Know when I was submitting these I was like low-key. I can see it aligns
36:07Texans Super Bowl, but I'm team Campbell
36:10I mean again another team that just kind of beat themselves in
36:13Unfortunate ways and that's not to take away from how well their opponents played
36:17But if don't stop believing didn't push the 49ers across the finish line
36:22Then we would have been seeing something completely different this past season
36:26You've got golf who's just I mean
36:28I don't think he gets enough way that he stepped into his role with the Lions
36:31Especially with all the conversations and headlines taking place around him that we thought was going to distract him now
36:36He's a married man. He wants to grab another ring
36:38I see that this team can kind of rally together behind him the weapons are there the roster structure stayed intact and
36:45They the buy-in with Campbell is just tremendous
36:48So this is a team that really kind of marched through and be a commanding presence
36:52They might even have a more flattering roster depending on what happens with certain players on the 49ers then the 49ers
36:59So there's a lot to love about the Lions team here. That's why I have them as a watch
37:03I don't think they were surprised last year
37:05I think they were surprised the year before and I think they're gonna live up to the expectation and the hype
37:10They're staying quiet right now, which is one of the most lethal things you can do
37:14Having the roster that you have and having the head coach that you have to pull through
37:18By the way, we've seen some big offseason moves and typically we talk about players and head coaches
37:23But maybe two of the biggest wins in the offseason
37:25We're Ben Johnson staying with the Detroit Lions as an offensive coordinator and Bobby
37:29Slovic staying with the Houston Texans, which leads us into our next thing here the MVP award
37:35I mean, they're baby Patrick Mahomes
37:37Is it gonna be one of the superstars that we know about or is it maybe one of those young?
37:41Upstarts that had a great rookie season last year Casey
37:45I'm going young
37:47And I gotta go with CJ Stroud here again. They did so well
37:52Manipulating a roster to help him take the next step in his career
37:56I just can't picture that. He's gonna have much of a drop-off. Does that add additional pressure?
38:01absolutely, but now you've got I think he's got four or five different pass catchers to work through and to think of how he
38:09Handled his roster last year not to mention is it as a his third down management and consistency with that
38:15It's just speaks volumes on its own. You don't see many rookies come in and manage third downs veterans still struggle with it. So