Boomer Between The Games: Week 14 Preview With Bart Scott
In Week 13 of the NFL season, Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens obliterated the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers won their third straight game. This season, NFL fans will be able to hear even more about their favorite teams in a brand new digital show called Boomer Between the Games. Hosted by NFL on CBS analyst and WFAN radio host Boomer Esiason, the former NFL quarterback gives his thoughts on the week that was in the National Football League and chats with an all-star roster of guests about the upcoming week of games.
This week on Boomer Between the Games, former NFL linebacker and NFL on CBS analyst Bart Scott returned to the program. Scott played 11 seasons in the league with the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. Scott was a Pro Bowler in 2006, recorded over 700 tackles in his career and finished with 25 career sacks.
This week's episode started off with a conversation about Scott's former team the Baltimore Ravens. Esiason was extremely impressed with the way Joe Flacco dismantled the Miami Dolphins defense. The former league MVP believes the Ravens signal caller is getting hot at just the right time. Scott played with Flacco in Baltimore and loves the quiet confidence his former teammate is playing with. The former NFL linebacker highlighted Flacco's ability to take advantage of Miami's soft zone defense. Scott and Esiason both agreed that Ray Lewis's comments fired up Flacco.
Additionally, the two former NFL players discussed Pittsburgh's wire-to-wire win over the New York Giants. Scott called Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell the best runner in football and one of the best pass catchers coming out of the backfield. Scott explained how Bell took advantage of a weak Giants linebacking core and became the first running back to go over 100 yards against New York this season. The host of Boomer Between the Games gushed over Ben Roethlisberger's performance and stated that the Pittsburgh Steelers still have one of the best offenses in football. Both Esiason and Scott agree that the AFC North will be decided when the Steelers and Ravens meet on Christmas Day.
The biggest storyline heading into Week 14 is the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Esiason made sure everyone knows the Pats won't have tight end Rob Gronkowski or receiver Danny Amendola for this tough game. While the Ravens have the number one defense in football, the co-host of Boomer & Carton on WFAN feels as though New England will be able to make big plays against a weak Ravens secondary. Scott has more belief in his former squad and sees Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil setting the tone on defense. The former All-Pro linebacker wouldn't be surprised if Flacco takes advantage of the lack of New England's pass rush and goes off for a big game.
Finally, Boomer and Bart grabbed a fan question from Twitter. The former NFL MVP and former NFL linebacker discussed if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Miami Dolphins. Esiason like Tampa Bay's chances better than Miami's chances. Esiason loves the way Jameis Winston is playing and thinks Tampa Bay could actually still win the NFC South over the Atlanta Falcons. Scott is with Esiason on this one, as he called Tampa Bay the best team in the NFL over the past month. The NFL on CBS analyst is a huge fan of Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans and the Buccaneers offense.
Boomer Between the Games will be available every week here on CBS Local Sports. Throughout the entire season, Boomer will be joined by guests like former NFL linebacker Brian Jones and 5x Pro Bowl WR Mike Quick. Former NFL player Chris Simms stops by next week to look back at Week 14 and look ahead to the great games in Week 15. Join the conversation with Boomer each week by using #BoomerBTG and one of your tweets could be included in next week's show.
DJ Sixsmith is the Editorial Director of Boomer Between The Games and a play-by-play announcer for ESPN 3 and the Big East Digital Network. Follow DJ on Twitter @DJ_Sixsmith.