Hour 1: Vikings’ QB Crossroads, plus NFL Insider Tom Pelissero Previews WK8

Rich previews NFL Week 8’s top matchups including Commanders-Chiefs, Giants-Eagles, Bears-Ravens, Cowboys-Broncos, Steelers-Packers, and 49ers/Texans. Two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon joins Rich in-studio to discuss his upcoming ‘Nuremburg’ and ‘Death by Lightning’ films, his ‘Eric LaRue’ directorial debut, and shares his best memories about playing opposite Bill Murray in ‘Groundhog’s Day,’ making ‘8-Mile,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire, ‘Man of Steel,’ and ‘Knives Out’ in a round of ‘Celebrity True or False.’ Rich and the guys preview the Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo and Rich discuss the NCAA allowing former G League players to play college basketball, how NIL and the influx of money is changing college sports, and more. Rich reacts to the Chargers improving to 5-3 with their Thursday Night Football thrashing of the Minnesota Vikings, and in ‘What’s More Likely’ Rich weighs in on Browns vs Patriots, Bears, Broncos, Falcons, Dolphins, 49ers, Colts, Aaron Rodgers, Victor Wembanyama, the Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich breaks down the Vikings’ getting throttled by the Chargers on Thursday Night Football and what Minnesota’s 37-10 loss means for their Carson Wentz/JJ McCarthy quarterback situation. NFL Insider Tom Pelissero and Rich discuss JJ McCarthy’s possible return to the Vikings’ starting QB job, Aaron Rodgers’ facing the Green Bay Packers for possibly the final time, when 49ers QB Brock Purdy could return from his turf toe injury, if the Philadelphia Eagles would trade disgruntled WR AJ Brown, injury updates on Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Michael Penix Jr and Lamar Jackson, and breaks down why there hasn’t been that much trade activity in the league this year. Rich reacts to former Raiders CEO Amy Trask being a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Contributors category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim and T.J. Jefferson preview the NBA season and discuss who in the Western Conference has the ability to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder.. The guys discuss how the Nuggets replace Michael Porter Jr.'s production in Denver, can the Clippers aging roster contend, how good can the Lakers be without LeBron now that Luka has slimmed down, and what is the true impact of Fred VanVleet's injury for Houston. While in the Eastern Conference, with the loss of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, is it too soon to count Boston and Indiana out?  Could the Cavaliers' window to compete for a Championship closing?  What can we expect from Joel Embiid and the Sixers?  Also, Jim discusses the impact of the developing story of the FBI investigation into illegal sports gambling involving Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat Guard Terry Rozier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich breaks down what’s at stake for the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes in their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos, and offers up some advice for New York Giants fans amid the emergence of rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. The Athletic’s NFL Insider Dianna Russini and Rich discuss Lamar Jackson’s availability for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, WR AJ Brown’s role in the Eagles’ offense and the chances Philadelphia could trade the All-Pro WR, if the Dallas Cowboys will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, and more. In ‘Higher Register’ for NFL Week 8, the guys offer up their less-than-ringing endorsements of the Patriots, Ravens, and Bengals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel and Rich discuss New England’s 5-2 start under 2nd-year QB Drake Maye’s stellar play, returning the franchise’s winning culture, owner Robert Kraft’s Pro Football Hall of Fame worthiness, and more. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst breaks down the shocking FBI arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat G Terry Rozier in gambling cases and how it impacts the league moving forward, and why the NBA should be VERY afraid of San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama this season. Rich reacts to Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa addressing his penchant for throwing interceptions of late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to the stunning FBI arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat G Terry Rozier in separate gambling cases, and the guys marvel at Victor Wembanyama’s dominant 40-point, 15-rebound game in the San Antonio Spurs’ season opener. The guys weigh in on Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers saying this week’s showdown against the Green Bay Packers is not a revenge game, react to Sean Payton’s response to New York Giants QB Russell Wilson’s scathing tweet directed at the Denver Broncos head coach, and comment on New York Jets QB Justin Fields claiming he’s paying no mind to team owner Woody Johnson’s very public criticism of his play this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rams head coach Sean McVay and Rich discuss Los Angeles’ impressive Week 7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Matthew Stafford’s “total command” of L.A.’s offense, the challenge of replacing the injured Puka Nacua in his weekly game plan, the formidable pass rush combo of Jared Verse and Byron Young, why he loves coaching now more than ever, and more. Comedian Tom Papa joins Rich in-studio where he discusses being a long-suffering New York Giants fan, his passion for baking bread, his upcoming comedy tour, and reveals that he has never had a case of protector for his mobile phone. The guys break down Lamar Jackson’s return to the Ravens’ practice field after missing Baltimore’s last two games with a hamstring injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jets fan Rich weighs in on team owner Woody Johnson’s very public criticism of QB Justin Fields in the wake of New York’s 0-7 start, weighs in on the still simmering Sean Payton-Russell Wilson beef that flared up this week with the Denver Broncos head coach’s postgame comments followed by the New York Giants QB clapping back in his weekly media session, and debates TJ if Jaxson Dart has been a “home run” for the G-Men this season. Rich explains why he 100% agrees with Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo’s reaction to a 3-year G-League veteran signing on to play college hoops at Louisville, and reveals a new #1 team in his brand-new NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 8. The guys share Deion Sanders’ awe at seeing what Dodgers two-way star is capable of doing at the plate and on the mound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys weigh in on opening night in the NBA that featured Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors’ easy win over the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers. NFL Network analyst/Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and Rich discuss Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP level for the Rams this season, Drake Maye’s dramatic improvement under New England Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson throwing QB Justin Fields under the bus, what’s ailing Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s confidence, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs regaining their Super Bowl form, Dak Prescott’s mastery of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense this year, and more. Rich reacts to the Washington Commanders announcing Jayden Daniels will miss Week 8 with a hamstring injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices