Boomer Between The Games: Week 6 Preview With Cris Collinsworth
In Week 5 of the NFL season, Tom Brady reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and the Atlanta Falcons proved they are for real in 2016. 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 Pro Bowl wide receiver Cris Collinsworth joined the program. Collinsworth is an Emmy Award winning analyst and the lead game analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast. Boomer and Cris also played together with the Cincinnati Bengals for five seasons. Collinsworth caught 36 touchdown passes in his NFL career.
This week's episode started off with a conversation about Tom Brady's huge performance against the Cleveland Browns. Brady threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in his first game of the 2016 season. Collinsworth was extremely impressed with Brady's dominance and loved the way the 4x Super Bowl champ incorporated Martellus Bennett into the offense. Meanwhile, Boomer expected Brady to be good, but he didn't think he'd be this good after missing the first four weeks of the season. Both former NFL players believe Bill Belichick and his staff deserve a ton of credit for the way they succeeded without Brady through the first four weeks of the season.
Additionally, the two former teammates took a look back at Pittsburgh's offensive explosion against the New York Jets. Esiason was quick to praise Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley and the development of his on-field relationship with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Collinsworth highlighted the Steelers ability to get guys like tight end Jesse James and second year wide receiver Sammie Coates involved in the offense. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have won back-to-back games since getting blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles in late September.
The biggest storyline heading into Week 6 is the matchup between Philadelphia Eagles rookie Carson Wentz and Washington Redskins Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman. Wentz finally threw the first interception of his career in Philly's loss to Detroit in Week 5. Collinsworth highlighted the difficulty of winning tight games in the National Football League and the importance of the Eagles offensive line against the Redskins. Esiason reminded viewers that starting tackle Lane Johnson will miss the first 10 games because of a suspension. Esiason believes the Eagles coaching staff has done an incredible job with Wentz this season and told a story about how Philly's front office always thought the rookie quarterback was a once in a generation type player.
Finally, Boomer and Cris grabbed a fan question from Twitter. The former NFL MVP and former Pro Bowl wide receiver debated whether the New England Patriots or the Pittsburgh Steelers had a better shot of winning it all this year. While Collinsworth is extremely high on the Steelers offense, the NBC Sports analyst thinks the Steelers have too many holes on the defensive side. Cris doesn't have confidence in Pittsburgh's secondary, but believes there is still time to make adjustments. Boomer went all in on the New England Patriots. Esiason stated it would be poetic if the Patriots won a Super Bowl after Brady's suspension and declared that there's something special brewing in Foxborough.
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 Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Quick and 2x Super Bowl champ Phil Simms. Former NFL LB Bart Scott will stop by next week to look back at Week 6 and look ahead to the great games in Week 7. 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 hosts CBS Sports Radio Roundup from 2-6pm. DJ is also a play-by-play announcer who has called games on Fox Sports, ESPN 3 and the Big East Digital Network. Follow DJ on Twitter @DJ_Sixsmith.