Hour 3: NFL Power Rankings, plus Gary Cole Talks ‘Office Space,’ ‘Talladega Nights’ and More

Rich voices his concern for New York Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart who vows not to change his reckless style of play despite repeat visits to the NFL’s Concussion Protocol this season. Actor Matthew Lillard joins Rich in-studio to discuss his new ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ horror movie, his die-hard Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle Seahawks fandom, the incredible Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series Game 7, what it was like to be directed by Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, and more.    Rich, Brockman, TJ and Lillard share their less-than-ringing endorsements of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seahawks, and NFL teams on the outside looking in at the current playoffs field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys react to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel saying he benched Tua Tagovailoa because rookie QB Quinn Ewers gives Miami the best chance to win, and weighs in on Joe Burrow’s latest comments that suggest his future with the Bengals is not as crystal clear as fans in Cincinnati would hope. Actor Jason Clarke joins Rich in-studio to discuss his new ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’ Hulu series and what it was like gaining and losing 40 pounds for the role, reveals how he felt when he learned that Lakers legend didn’t like his portrayal in HBO’s ‘Winning Time,’ and reacts to Rich’s boast that he can win a point off of 6-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in a tennis match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich previews the huge NFC West showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football and how it will impact the NFC playoff seedings, and reacts to L.A. WR Puka Nacua’s controversial appearance on a livestream this week where he ripped NFL officiating and promised to do a TD celebration regarded by some as antisemitic. Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey and Rich preview the College Football Playoff’s first-round games between Oregon and James Madison, and Ole Miss vs Tulane, says which CFP teams could surprise people and go on a Cinderella run, if the Denver Broncos can win the Super Bowl this season, and reveals what he learned from Hall of Fame teammates Peyton Manning, Deion Sanders and Darrell Green. Rich and the guys debate if the Rams/Seahawks winner or another team from the NFC will reach the Super Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OJ and TJ pay homage to the "Never Before Seen 17" John Cena and react to his final match against The Ring General. What's next for Gunther now? Also, with so much NXT talent on display during Saturday Night's Main Event, the guys wonder where Oba Femi goes from here? "The Masked Man" is finally revealed, and the guys predict what the return of Austin Theory means for the WWE Men's division, Seth Rollins, and The Vision. Plus, TJ pays homage to Altoona, PA sports legend, Steve Taneyhill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich debates a caller on the legitimacy of Michigan’s 2023 football national championship, and reveals his brand-new NFL Power Rankings after 15 weeks of play. Actor Gary Cole joins Rich in-studio to discuss the latest season of CBS’ ‘NCIS,’ his lifelong Chicago Cubs fandom, reveals the inspiration behind his much-quoted ‘Bill Lumbergh ‘Office Space’ character, reveals how much fun he had making the classic ‘Dodgeball’ and ‘Talladega Nights’ comedies, and what it was like working with Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood on ‘In the Line of Fire.’ Knicks fan Rich weighs in on New York besting the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2025 NBA Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Network analyst/Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and Rich discuss Tua Tagovailoa’s benching by the Miami Dolphins, how Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix has improved as the season has progressed, why he was “extremely impressed” with Philip Rivers in his first NFL game in 5 years, why the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills could be the two most dangerous teams in the AFC playoffs field, how the Jacksonville Jaguars have levelled up Trevor Lawrence this year, and previews what to expect in the Rams-Seahawks pivotal NFC West showdown on Thursday Night Football. The Ringer’s Todd McShay tells Rich why teams would much rather select a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft instead of in 2026, if Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza is worthy of the #1 overall pick next spring, reveals his pick to win the College Football Playoff, and discusses Michigan’s search for a new head coach in the wake of firing Sherrone Moore. Yankees fan Rich reacts to reliever Luke Weaver ditching the Pinstripes to sign with the crosstown Mets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich weighs in on the Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers and breaks down the massive salary cap implications for Miami if they decide to move on and cut ties with their franchise QB. Rich and the guys debate if Jalen Hurts’ mostly stoic demeanor is the main source of Philadelphia Eagles’ fans frustration with the quarterback. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Rich discuss the general state of CFB including the rampant poaching of coaches, players utilizing the Transfer Portal to take more NIL money at other schools, the controversial 12-team College Football Playoff selection process, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich weighs in on Philip Rivers’ remarkable return to the NFL after a 5-year retirement and what it says about the NFL’s ability to develop young QB’s to be ready to step in and start games. In ‘Overreaction Tuesday’ Rich weighs in on Aaron Rodgers’ & Mike Tomlin’s futures with the Pittsburgh Steelers, if the Josh Allen can finally take the Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl now that Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs won’t be standing in their way, if the Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans can reach the AFC Championship Game, if Philip Rivers’ return to the Indianapolis Colts might lure Las Vegas Raiders’ part-owner Tom Brady out of retirement, and if we’ve actually seen the last of John Cena in a WWE wrestling ring. Comedian Charlie Berens joins Rich in-studio to discuss his new ‘Neighborly’ YouTube special, his love for the Green Bay Packers, how he went from doing local TV news to being a stand-up comic. Rich reacts to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel saying benching QB Tua Tagovailoa is not out of the question in the wake of Miami being eliminated from playoff contention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys debate what to expect from the Kansas City Chiefs’ “retooling” in the wake of missing the postseason for the first time in ten years along with Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury. Rich breaks down which NFL teams can punch their tickets to the playoffs in Week 16. Comedian/impressionist Frank Caliendo joins Rich in-studio where he discusses his upcoming tour dates and does his expert impressions of John Madden, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, ESPN stalwarts Mel Kiper Jr, and Adam Schefter among others, including a re-imagining of ‘Step Brothers’ starring John C. Reilly and Stephen A. Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to the Pittsburgh Steelers taking one more step towards winning the AFC North with a Monday Night Football win over Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins to improve to 8-6 on the year. NFL on Fox analyst/’Stinkin’ Truth’ podcast host Mark Schlereth and Rich discuss Kyler Murray’s uncertain future with the Arizona Cardinals, Philip Rivers’ return to the Indianapolis Colts after a 5-year retirement, how Denver Broncos’ QB Bo Nix and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence have improved over the past month, how Micah Parsons’ season-ending ACL injury impacts the Green Bay Packers’ chances to catch the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, if the Detroit Lions miss or make the playoffs, which teams is likely to come out on top in the NFC South, and explains why he agrees with Rich that we’ll all (even KC haters) miss the Chiefs come playoffs time. Rich weighs in on the Dolphins being eliminated from playoff contention and the future of head coach Mike McDaniel in Miami after another disappointing season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices