The Harrises break down the Broncos’ late-season loss to Jacksonville and why it may be the wake-up call Denver needed heading into the playoffs. Shelby Harris, Chris Harris Jr., and Ryan Harris analyze defensive breakdowns, the importance of re-establishing the run game without J.K. Dobbins, and what still gives the Broncos confidence down the stretch. The crew also dives into the AFC hierarchy, debating whether the Bills, Patriots, or Broncos should truly be considered the team to beat, before shifting to the NFC to debate the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, and the emergence of Caleb Williams. The episode wraps with a candid look at the Cowboys’ offseason needs and what must change for Dallas to return to contender status.
Denver’s loss snaps a long winning streak but sparks a deeper conversation about playoff readiness, physicality, and attention to detail. Shelby explains why contain defense and tackling discipline matter most against elite quarterbacks, while Ryan emphasizes the urgency of committing to the run game in January football. Chris weighs in on why Buffalo looks dangerous at the right time and how Josh Allen and James Cook change postseason matchups. The conversation expands to the NFC, where strong opinions emerge on the Rams’ offensive balance, Seattle’s defensive dominance, San Francisco’s momentum, and Caleb Williams’ rapid development. The episode closes with a no-nonsense evaluation of the Cowboys’ roster construction, defensive shortcomings, and looming front-office decisions.
00:00:02:22 - 00:00:22:10
Ryan Harris
Welcome to where the Harrises. We got current NFL player Shelby Harris. We got perennial Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Chris Harris Jr and myself, Super Bowl champion Ryan Harris. Well, fellas, the Broncos got dealt a devastating loss at home against the Jaguars. What did you make of the Broncos loss late in December.
00:00:22:12 - 00:00:41:25
Chris Harris Jr
It's kind of lost that you do. Except at the end of the year, especially when you have a 11 game winning streak. It's it's tough to win that many games in a row, especially in the NFL. But, you know, the Broncos have been a little leaky, especially on the defensive side of the ball. On the last couple of weeks, bad tackling.
00:00:41:28 - 00:01:02:12
Chris Harris Jr
I think Riley missed a couple tackles that, you know, turned to major gains and which a Jaguars offense. You know they're you know they'll definitely need that and take those big plays right off our mistakes. And you know the Broncos have tightened up the secondary to finish strong and tighten up the run game. Like McLaughlin getting in the game.
00:01:02:12 - 00:01:21:28
Chris Harris Jr
He's adding a little bit more juice in the holes. Big play threat from the running back situation. But, you know, it's, you know, like losing that bad. You want to lose, like, a little tight game, three point game. But to get dominated kind of like that at home. You don't want to get beat like that, but you can't accept it knowing that you won.
00:01:22:00 - 00:01:25:05
Chris Harris Jr
You know, 12 games in a row. Did they win 11 games in a row?
00:01:25:07 - 00:01:28:15
Ryan Harris
I think it was 11, 11 games.
00:01:28:18 - 00:01:51:19
Shelby Harris
Now I'm. I'm okay if I'm the Broncos because I'd rather get that win streak over with now before we even hit the playoffs. I don't even want to have any talk of 14, 15, 16 straight because we all know at the end of the season, the hot hand injury wins. And so we need we need the Broncos, you know, really write it in and and get it together.
00:01:51:26 - 00:02:10:07
Shelby Harris
But you know we talk about that defense I think that is the biggest issue on the on the defense that we've been seeing is they lose contain all the time on passing and especially on a quarterback like Trevor Lawrence. He's going to make big plays if he gets off the pocket. And you know, obviously that we've we've given that pass so much credit over the years.
00:02:10:07 - 00:02:30:02
Shelby Harris
But we always know a big part of that pass rush is keeping the quarterback in the pocket. And and so this this it has been an issue for the Broncos. And they kind of didn't get it together. But this team is is perfectly fine. You're right where you needed to be. You know obviously this is kind of a this is a lost where it brings you back to reality.
00:02:30:04 - 00:02:48:11
Shelby Harris
This is something that definitely you I feel like they needed it. It's something to humble you because it was a lot of mistakes that were made that were self-inflicted. So you know Chris talked about tackling you know you talked about certain even just you know certain alignments. It's it's self-inflicted wounds where, you know, obviously you're winning.
00:02:48:11 - 00:03:02:22
Shelby Harris
So you don't even necessarily think about it, but now it cost you a game. So now we gotta get back into the into the lab. We gotta get back working again. And and so I believe the Broncos will be fine. I think this will be more of a reality check for them, but I think it's nothing to worry about.
00:03:02:22 - 00:03:04:26
Shelby Harris
Broncos center I think everything will be okay.
00:03:04:28 - 00:03:20:21
Ryan Harris
Well, and you got dealt a loss by a team who treated you like a championship caliber team. I mean, the Jaguars came ready to play. You know, the first thing it starts with with Coach Peyton, and he probably be the first one to tell you you got to run the ball more than 13 times in a game. In a big game, especially heading into the playoffs.
00:03:20:21 - 00:03:40:03
Ryan Harris
So you have to run the football in in the playoffs to win games. And that starts with calling the run. A second of all, you had a team who made, as you mentioned, Shelby, you when you got when you had mistakes against good teams, they're going to make you pay. And the Jaguars made them pay. But it was a penalty that kept the Jaguars on the field or a, a fumble on a mesh.
00:03:40:03 - 00:03:58:08
Ryan Harris
I mean, you the three of us know that's day one football. That mesh is either in there or it's out. Well, you got to make that decision. So they were just a little too fuzzy on the details. And for us as pros we get it. But I think a lot of people saw when you don't pay attention to the details and the other team does and they're good enough, they're going to beat you by a wider margin.
00:03:58:08 - 00:04:07:29
Ryan Harris
That's comfortable. And it to me, at the end of the day just gets away. It gets down to the Broncos not running the football early and often in that football game.
00:04:08:02 - 00:04:36:04
Shelby Harris
And that's really I think, a bigger deal than what's being let on because I've mentioned it before though. But the loss of Jake Dobbins is is a huge deal because Jake Dobbins to this Broncos team that that way that offense work. That's playoff football. You know that's playoff football and that's how it's supposed to be. And even though, you know Bo Nix necessarily wasn't on fire early in the season when J.K. Dobbins was around, that's a that's a combo that can lead you to success.
00:04:36:11 - 00:04:53:16
Shelby Harris
And so the Broncos do need to find their identity in the run game without Jake Dobbins. You obviously you know you have McLaughlin and you have Harvey. You you got to go out there and switch some things up. You got to switch things up and you got to just run the ball. You can't give up one. And right away.
00:04:53:19 - 00:05:12:15
Chris Harris Jr
Yeah. And the Broncos there and like Shelby said they're in a great situation right now. They still hold their own destiny. All they got to do is finish on when these next two games. I'm looking forward to the last game now. That's going to be an interesting game right Justin Herbert coming in there. Chargers are playing solid football.
00:05:12:15 - 00:05:23:14
Chris Harris Jr
They're taking the ball away. The running back Hampton is playing solid right now. Johnson is making one handed catches. You guys from a guy that couldn't catch anything to now he's making some nice catch.
00:05:23:14 - 00:05:24:07
Ryan Harris
Wait, what is this?
00:05:24:07 - 00:05:29:18
Shelby Harris
I hear? We overlooking the chiefs. We overlook. We always. I can't wait to the day they done.
00:05:29:18 - 00:05:30:27
Chris Harris Jr
You see that?
00:05:30:29 - 00:05:32:18
Shelby Harris
There's no no, no boys.
00:05:32:23 - 00:05:44:17
Ryan Harris
Game that needs to be a 40 rushing attempt game that needs to get that. You need to get Coach Payton. And that offensive line used to call the run early. You know that needs to be 40 rushes, 20 passing attempts.
00:05:44:20 - 00:06:00:18
Chris Harris Jr
Yeah. It's going to be a you know, they got to go handle business. Of course they're going to be pissed losing his game. You know, they're going to practice hard. And it's still the Chiefs. Right. But the backup I think y'all got hurt too. So they're on their third string I believe they're they're going to be struggling.
00:06:00:18 - 00:06:21:10
Chris Harris Jr
So especially with this pass rush come in and have you seen the Chiefs O-line. Not very good right. So it should be if I'm the Broncos I'm trying to break every record this week. This is a stacked game. For me this is how I'm looking at it. But you know, the next couple of weeks, you know, is going to be a telltale going into the season.
00:06:21:12 - 00:06:26:19
Chris Harris Jr
And they need to win that, Chargers game to feel good about themselves going into the playoffs.
00:06:26:21 - 00:06:46:01
Ryan Harris
Well, let's go down to second down fellas. The AFC is now led by not only the Broncos but the Patriots as well. Patriots with a big comeback. We saw some other games in the AFC. We mentioned the Chargers. But what do you make of the AFC leading New England Patriots and the rest of the teams to top of the AFC?
00:06:46:04 - 00:07:11:15
Shelby Harris
I think one thing that was very interesting that we saw between either the Patriots or the Broncos is their opponent strength of schedule. The their strength of schedule is is piss poor at this point. We all know the Patriots necessarily haven't played many quality team like quality teams, and they end up based off a record and the Broncos are right behind them in second place when it comes to that.
00:07:11:18 - 00:07:31:06
Shelby Harris
And my guess, and I guess my thought behind it is what happens in the playoffs when you gotta play guys, you got to play these teams that have guys on and that, that, that, that play ball and go out there and make plays, especially playoff football. And that's what you're going to need during play football. You got to have guys on your team.
00:07:31:08 - 00:07:48:04
Shelby Harris
And so it'd be very interesting to see how this Bronco team kind of does when it's time to go playoff time. You're playing these really good teams. We just saw them play a Jacksonville Jaguars team where you know they obviously struggled against Ben. And that was one of the few teams that they played this year with over 500 record.
00:07:48:07 - 00:08:06:18
Shelby Harris
And then we see the Patriots. And same thing against the Buffalo Bill. They were up 21 zero. And they and they came back and they got beat by the Buffalo Bills. And so these top two teams in AFC there's a lot of question marks that that when it comes to them. But I think they both are very good at doing what they do.
00:08:06:18 - 00:08:17:06
Shelby Harris
And so I don't think anyone is actually downplaying them. But I definitely do think that people believe that they can be beat based off of the players and and the teams that they've played.
00:08:17:08 - 00:08:36:19
Ryan Harris
For me, when it comes to the New England Patriots, I want to see in the playoffs just like you, Shelby. I mean, it looks good, but then the way they've lost, you know, giving up that big lead to the bills but also just and I just think that you have to be tested by a staple team. And to their credit, you know, to the Patriots credit, there's really not that team this year in the AFC.
00:08:36:19 - 00:08:53:24
Ryan Harris
Right. There's not the the the Chiefs like there always has been. The Ravens aren't there like they always have been. So there's not kind of that staple win for them to have and feel good about. But if you're the players on that roster, you're thrilled. You think you can win a championship and you can, but it's going to be all about what happens in the playoffs.
00:08:53:24 - 00:09:02:17
Ryan Harris
But hey Shelby man, you got a great look as the as the Browns took on the bills. You got a great look at Josh Allen man. What do you have to say man.
00:09:02:21 - 00:09:20:10
Shelby Harris
You know obviously I feel like we probably held him to one of his lowest performances, of his career. But you know, obviously, you know, he he can make any throw you any throw in the end you can make and he can run is highly effective. But the idea behind it is you got to stop the run behind you when you're playing them.
00:09:20:12 - 00:09:34:27
Shelby Harris
James Cook was a big focal point of their team, of their offense when they played us, and that's where their offense goes through. It goes through James Cook and and they have the guys like I was saying earlier, they got guys on our team that can make plays and Josh Allen can go out there, make a play for you.
00:09:34:27 - 00:09:56:27
Shelby Harris
But I'm I was very I came away from that game very impressed with James Cook. The the vision, the speed, the the the speed in and out of cuts and just really efficient with his movement. I, I was I came out very impressed. And so that team and the way that O-line works and, and and moving people side to side, you know obviously we talk about the Patriots and, and we talk about the Broncos.
00:09:56:27 - 00:10:16:14
Shelby Harris
But the bills have to be a team. You're afraid of come playoff time, especially since now there is no Kansas City to take them down. And that's always been their Kryptonite. You could say. So. It's a question of who's going to take down the bills this year. But obviously we got the the Broncos. We have the Patriots.
00:10:16:16 - 00:10:19:18
Shelby Harris
But the bills are coming on hot. And that's the at the perfect time.
00:10:19:21 - 00:10:37:18
Chris Harris Jr
Yeah I mean I think the bills definitely should be the frontrunners right now. When you look at look at the running game that they have Josh Allen been you know weeks before as you know he's been playing at a high level. Their defense has been able to make some up and upper 20s with getting a lot of turnovers.
00:10:37:21 - 00:10:54:03
Chris Harris Jr
The past couple of weeks. Poyer they've added some vets the veteran guys are playing very well. So I like them man I think it's going to be a good matchup versus the Patriots I like the Patriots I think Drake Maye after watching them a couple of weeks I think he is a good player. You know he can make all the throws.
00:10:54:03 - 00:11:11:08
Chris Harris Jr
He's they have a solid run game. With Henderson starting to come along. Diggs is playing being a leader being a dog out there that they need. And so I think the Patriots are for real though. So, it's going to be a good matchup, but I think the better quarterback is Josh Allen the better run game with cook.
00:11:11:11 - 00:11:25:08
Chris Harris Jr
Like Shelby said, this guy is dynamic home run hitter. And he he's breaking every week. So we can't say the one time thing. He's doing it every week. So, definitely, I'm I had the right with the bills, to win their division.
00:11:25:15 - 00:11:49:15
Shelby Harris
Now. Third down, let's jump to the other side to the NFC and talk about the best teams in the NFC. We had the Seahawks beat the Rams and we have the Packers in the crazy game with the bears. With the bears ended up winning in overtime. And it gave me flashbacks back in the day. You know I grew up a huge Packer fan and made me think about that NFC championship game where the Packers and the Seahawks were.
00:11:49:15 - 00:11:59:05
Shelby Harris
The Seahawks get the onside kick and the Packers lost it, and then ended up losing the game. Overall. Man. Guys, what are we thinking about now? Top teams in the NFC.
00:11:59:07 - 00:12:18:02
Chris Harris Jr
This I think it's a tough race. You know it's a tight battle between the bears and the packs. But the bears you know Kayla Williams is playing good ball. You know he's done very accurate balls down deep balls, playing within a system of Ben Johnson. They have a solid run game. Defense is getting turnovers.
00:12:18:04 - 00:12:34:28
Chris Harris Jr
So I like the bears. Come out of there. The the Seattle Bears Rams game was very telling. Can Sam doll wake up and do make plays in the clutch times. And I think he did do that. I don't like the I think they need to get walking the ball a little bit more, get him more involved.
00:12:35:01 - 00:12:56:28
Chris Harris Jr
But, you know, it's hard to stop Purdy and what the 40 Niners are doing right now. It's hard not to notice what him and Christian McCaffrey is doing. Their offense is rolling right now. Defense is playing. Okay. I thought Philip Rivers was dicing them up. Right. But, you know, that is rivers. You know, he can he knows where to at least throw the football.
00:12:57:00 - 00:13:18:19
Chris Harris Jr
Right. So, I might have to go. This is tough, man. I, I I'm, I thrive with the 40 niners. I'm being the best team in that division just because, their offense is rolling. I like purdy, Stafford. Oh, it's hard to go against the Rams. But I'm gonna go with the 40 Niners. I think they play a really good football.
00:13:18:21 - 00:13:28:24
Ryan Harris
Hey, man. Well, we need to have a call this segment Family Feud because I'm all Seahawks man part of this because I call that game. I'll tell you what. That was the craziest game I've ever seen. Now I mean, yeah, even with that run.
00:13:28:24 - 00:13:29:24
Shelby Harris
But yeah.
00:13:30:00 - 00:13:46:21
Ryan Harris
We've all been in those games where it's like, hey, we need a kick return for a touchdown just time wise, right? Not even just a point. Boom. It happens. You're like, man, this is a comeback. And like you said Sam Darnold did make the plays. And I think there's a little bit of zip off the ball with Matthew Stafford especially on the far field throws.
00:13:46:26 - 00:14:02:09
Ryan Harris
He's still got it don't get me wrong. But when it comes to the bears man perhaps I was wrong about Caleb Williams. I mean this man sped up his his internal clock. I think all three of us would agree. That's the hardest thing to do in the NFL. The game's moving fast, getting that speed. And he found that speed.
00:14:02:09 - 00:14:17:12
Ryan Harris
That's why he's able to make those plays. Now. I'm still not sold completely. I want to see it in the playoffs. But to me, the Seahawks dominate and reign over the air, over the NFC right now because of their performance, who they beat and how good their defenses.
00:14:17:14 - 00:14:42:06
Shelby Harris
I don't care who won that Seahawks Rams game, I'm sticking with the Rams. The Rams now. Nobody's messing with Matt Stafford right now. Nobody's messing with that Rams offense. Obviously the deal was good. The did the defense needs to get it together. Obviously against the Seahawks they they kind of fell apart towards the end. But man that Rams team has has really been a complete team from run the play action.
00:14:42:09 - 00:15:08:26
Shelby Harris
They're taking deep shots. They're getting Devonte Adams and that that probably is one of the most underrated signings of the offseason. Was. But Devonte Adams going to the Rams. You got a reliable veteran receiver for Matt Stafford to really facilitate the offense through. And it's just I'm telling you, it's been magic watching this Rams team play. So I'm still all in on the Rams I believe that they're going to be the team to beat in this NFC just because of how well they mirrored the run in the past.
00:15:09:01 - 00:15:35:09
Shelby Harris
But do not forget this 49 team is hot. Damn hot. And you I'm always a believer that you got to take the hot team. But man I still just believe in that Rams team. And I have to say Caleb Williams the last couple weeks has made me a believer. There's like you said Ryan, the throws that he's been making under under immense pressure at any time of the game, you know, those are those are big time throws from a big time player.
00:15:35:13 - 00:15:55:20
Shelby Harris
And I don't think he can deny that at all. That the number one overall pick looks like it. And there is no doubt about it that he's every bit of number one overall. But I'm I'm all in on the Rams. I believe that what they do on offense and then the way that even plays I'm I'm a big believer in the and the Los Angeles Rams fourth down man.
00:15:55:20 - 00:16:15:18
Chris Harris Jr
Let's get into the Cowboys man. The Cowboys have officially been eliminated right. What do y'all think needs to happen. Does it need to be changes with the front office which we know they probably won't be? What changes or what pieces do you think that the Cowboys need to be able to take the next step, get them back to the playoffs, or being a contender in the NFC makes.
00:16:15:18 - 00:16:36:05
Ryan Harris
It to me. It starts with that defensive line. You got to get another dog on the defensive line, preferably a deep tackle. Somebody who can get after the quarterback but also stop the run. You need another player in the secondary, maybe in the linebacker position. But that defense, if I'm if I'm the front office of the Cowboys, I'm using half of my picks on defense at least.
00:16:36:05 - 00:16:53:06
Ryan Harris
Right. You got to get some weapons there on defense. You got to get you got to double stack some positions too, because I swear some guys don't understand injuries are a part of the game. Right. You got to have a couple guys at certain positions, and you could tell they were just woefully underprepared to lose Micah Parsons. Tough thing to do in the beginning of the year.
00:16:53:12 - 00:16:56:02
Ryan Harris
But you also have to have a roster that can absorb that.
00:16:56:04 - 00:17:15:02
Shelby Harris
Yeah, I definitely believe that they need to, you know, do something that pass or the deep end is a position. I need Clowney and, James Houston. I've really filled in building nicely, but they need a game record. And I don't know if you do that to the draft. We try to do that through free agency. It's very rare where those type of guys become free and free agency.
00:17:15:02 - 00:17:30:24
Shelby Harris
So that might be something you have to look through to the draft. But I think you have to add something else in the run game. Devonte Adams was great and I believe he's it's like a fire eye situation that you need a type of speed back to pair with him because he is the low to the ground power back and he's he's breaking tackles.
00:17:30:24 - 00:17:45:27
Shelby Harris
But I think you need a more of a home run threat that he could get on the ground. And I know that's easier said than done. You know where it's easier said because we have guys that Jamir Gibbs, you have guys like Saquon Barkley and James because you have those guys out there. They're just the 1 in 1,000,000.
00:17:45:27 - 00:18:07:18
Shelby Harris
You're not going to get all the you know running backs like that. But I'm a big believer that, you know you need to get you need to have a kind of mix up like that so that the team that the office can run smoothly because and then you make sure the number one thing you gotta extend, George Pickens, I don't know how you going to do it and I don't know how you're going to afford it, but you got to keep that guy in the building because obviously his word is you've seen it work.
00:18:07:24 - 00:18:30:00
Shelby Harris
The city letting him can work very well together. And I think the offense has put up points. I think the issue is more defensively. You gotta figure out one. You gotta get a pass rusher. You gotta be able to stop the run a little better trading for getting Carc and having OSA. And then you know, it's it's it's and then having Quinnen is a very interesting room I I'll see it'd be interesting what they do with that next year.
00:18:30:00 - 00:18:45:06
Shelby Harris
If they're going to keep all three of they're going to try to let one of them go. And what other changes their make on the defense. But, you know, I don't think they're many pieces away from being contending. Is this a couple little small tweaks it's going to take to really get them to the next up?
00:18:45:09 - 00:18:59:01
Chris Harris Jr
I see? You know, I'm definitely getting rid of Kenny Clark trying to get another edge rusher. It's it's hard to put that much money into your D tackles right. Quinnen Williams I don't know what he's going to pay but I know he's getting 20 plus.
00:18:59:05 - 00:19:00:27
Ryan Harris
He's getting more. You know he's going to get more.
00:19:00:28 - 00:19:20:22
Chris Harris Jr
You know. And we know Carter is getting paid right. So you don't pay to be tackles that much money. You know the Broncos have been paying a lot of guys in D line. But other than them, you know, you don't usually see that. So definitely targeting an edge rusher. I would love for them to get to safety at Ohio State Caleb.
00:19:20:22 - 00:19:43:11
Chris Harris Jr
Nows a general guy that that knows the, the back end very well is very versatile. They need somebody like that back there. Right. Because when I look at Seattle they gotta they have six, four safety that can move all over the field. They got Witherspoon. You know they got a whole bunch of guys. We and you know it's just they can't match up with the Eagles secondary.
00:19:43:14 - 00:20:04:06
Chris Harris Jr
You know they're behind. You know they're second. They need some help back there. Diggs is he's done. Bland hadn't played a, good season after he got his 100 million. And they they need some DB help. So along with the edge rushers then getting somebody back there can be a general, getting a running back, probably.
00:20:04:08 - 00:20:26:09
Chris Harris Jr
But every other position is like, then, you know Pickens, he'll get the franchise tag. You know how they work, Shelby. You know how Jerry Jones does it. He'll get that nice tag. That'll be Media Circus all year. So they'll have that to talk about. And, all the new draft picks they bring in. Right. So, that's what Jerry does, is going to be able to create a little narrative and, do that.
00:20:26:09 - 00:20:43:27
Chris Harris Jr
And it'll be a probably sitting around Pickens this year and probably getting some new trades. So but they, you know, they're not going to change who they are and they're going to spend some money, though, especially this offseason and, really get a running back, that can go with the Javonte, will be nice to well.
00:20:43:29 - 00:20:51:21
Ryan Harris
That's this week's episode of where the Harrises. Tune in next week for the best football talk, and make sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends.