Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Championship Sunday is almost here — but can the Broncos really survive a playoff run with a backup quarterback? What does Jarrett Stidham change (or limit) in Sean Payton’s offense? Plus, what’s the key matchup in Drake Maye vs. Denver’s pressure looks, and can Matthew Stafford keep playing mistake-free football against a Seahawks defense built to hunt turnovers and win the margins? Meanwhile, why did the Bills move on from Sean McDermott after another postseason heartbreak, and what does that mean for Josh Allen and Buffalo’s future?James Palmer welcomes former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel and The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini as Buffalo’s coaching reset becomes the league’s biggest talking point. The conversation starts with the Bills’ fallout — including the tone of Terry Pegula’s press conference, what it signaled about where the organization believes it fell short, and how messy (or necessary) this change could be as the coaching carousel continues to spin.Then it’s time for a film session. Daniel breaks down what Denver’s offense can look like with Jarrett Stidham stepping in, why timing and cadence matter more than ever in a playoff environment, and how Sean Payton’s trust in Stidham goes back to his first days in Denver. Chase turns on the tape of Drake Maye against one of the NFL’s most aggressive pressure teams — and the big chess match of whether Denver sticks with its identity or adjusts for this moment.On the NFC side, we dive into the Rams-Seahawks matchup through Matthew Stafford’s film: Why he’s been so efficient against Seattle, what protection and pocket comfort mean for this offense, and what the Seahawks must do to speed him up.Before we wrap, Chase puts on his evaluator hat for a college-to-pros conversation on Fernando Mendoza — why scouts obsess over “eyes,” processing, and pocket feel, and how the Heisman winner fits into what Tom Brady and the Raiders might be looking for at the top of the draft.Stay with Scoop City for the latest NFL coaching news, playoff breakdowns, and quarterback film rooms all postseason. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your take in the comments.Do you think Jarrett Stidham can join the list of backup QBs to reach a Super Bowl?Take our Audience survey and get a chance to win $100 from Amazonhttp://theathletic.com/survey26

The Divisional Round delivered chaos, statement wins and a final four nobody is taking lightly. But the biggest shock came after the games — why did the Bills fire Sean McDermott, and what does it mean for Buffalo’s future? Plus, did the Seahawks just prove they’re the NFC’s true heavyweight, are the Rams built to survive a division-rival showdown for a trip to the Super Bowl, are the Patriots officially one win away from something special under new head coach Mike Vrabel, and can the Broncos keep their run alive after losing Bo Nix for the remainder of the playoffs?Buffalo stunned the league by moving on from head coach Sean McDermott, and now the pressure shifts directly to Josh Allen and a franchise that’s tired of falling short. The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini breaks down how it unfolded after the Bills’ loss, when McDermott’s job security started to come into question, and what the decision means for the rest of the NFL coaching carousel.The conversation doesn’t stop there. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia joins the show to outline what’s next for the Bills, what Buffalo should prioritize in its head coach search, how quickly the organization can rebuild trust inside the building, and how much influence Josh Allen could have in shaping the next era of Bills football.In the AFC, the Broncos knock off the Bills and keep their postseason run alive, but the next challenge is massive as they host the Patriots without their starting quarterback. Enter Jarrett Stidham — with ties not only to New England, but also to Broncos offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — as Denver tries to survive and advance with a backup under center. Even without QB1, are the Broncos still good enough to push through to the Super Bowl?Stay with Scoop City for the latest NFL news, playoff coverage and coaching carousel updates from around the league. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and drop a comment below.Where does the Bills head coaching job rank among the current openings?

The Divisional Round is here — and Scoop City is taking you around the league with the biggest questions heading into the weekend. The coaching carousel also had the first domino to fall. How does John Harbaugh landing with the New York Giants reshape the rest of the coaching landscape. Plus, can the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks hold onto home-field advantage, and which young QBs are ready for a defining moment?We open with the biggest news of the day: John Harbaugh is set to become the next head coach of the New York Giants. Dianna Russini breaks down how the deal came together so quickly, what it signals about where the Giants are headed, and how this move impacts the rest of the NFL’s coaching carousel.The first stop on the Divisional Round Road Trip is Denver, where Nick Kosmider goes inside the facility with the AFC’s top-seeded Broncos. Can Sean Payton’s vision push this team one step closer to a Super Bowl, and is Denver’s pass rush dominant enough to disrupt even the league’s most dangerous quarterback? The Broncos have been rolling for months — but can Bo Nix keep pace if this turns into a shootout?Then we head to Buffalo with Joe Buscaglia to preview the Bills’ biggest test yet in the altitude at Mile High. What is the “special trait” that makes this group feel ready for anything, and how does Josh Allen respond when the Broncos’ front starts hunting? Buffalo’s been here before — but this time the path runs straight through the AFC’s best defense.In the NFC, Michael-Shawn Dugar breaks down the Seahawks returning to the playoffs as the #1 seed — and finally hosting a true home game in front of their fans again. Seattle’s defense has been elite across the board, but can they turn dominance into a deep postseason run? And after years of waiting for another signature January win, is this the moment the Seahawks finally break through?On the other side of that matchup, Vic Tafur previews the 49ers’ path forward after surviving the Eagles — and dealing with yet another brutal injury. Can San Francisco overcome the losses and steal a divisional rematch in Seattle, especially after falling short in Week 18? Plus, could the team get Fred Warner back for the final weeks of the season? How the linebacker has looked at practice this week. The Niners have lived on the edge all year… and they’re still standing.In Chicago, Kevin Fishbain joins to preview the Bears hosting the Rams with Caleb Williams trending upward at the perfect time. Can the Bears avoid another slow start and keep Williams playing fearless football in the biggest moments? And with Chicago pulling off comebacks nobody else in the league can match, is this becoming their postseason identity?We wrap with Chad Graff on the Patriots hosting the Texans — and the key to Drake Maye surviving another week of playoff punishment. Can New England protect the football, handle Houston’s pressure, and force C.J. Stroud into mistakes the way they did against Justin Herbert? Plus: the latest on Christian Gonzalez and how disruptive this Patriots defense can be when it’s rolling.Don't forget to like, subscribe and comment for all the latest NFL News from around the league.Who’s getting upset this weekend — and who’s making the Super Bowl?

Making sense of the wildest coaching carousel in years — what does Mike Tomlin stepping down actually mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and which franchise is next to feel the ripple effects? Plus, are we watching a true “team of destiny” run from the San Francisco 49ers, and how much heat is rising in Philadelphia with the Eagles after another frustrating finish?James Palmer is joined by The Athletic’s senior NFL writer Michael Silver to break down the atmosphere surrounding Tomlin’s final game and what the Steelers’ future looks like without one of the league’s defining head coaches. Then the conversation turns to another potential “last game” storyline — Aaron Rodgers — and whether the Packers could be staring at the next domino with Matt LaFleur.The 49ers eliminate the Eagles and keep finding a way to survive, pushing their run forward with more magic (and meaning) attached to this postseason. Meanwhile, Philly heads into another offseason full of big decisions — including what’s next for the roster and the long-term outlook around Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown.Meanwhile the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock — both with their draft position and their head coaching search — with Tom Brady’s influence as a minority owner looming large. James and Michael discuss the pressure of getting both positions right for Las Vegas after a tumultuous season.Don't forget to like and subscribe for all the latest NFL News from around the league.Is this the craziest coaching cycle you can remember in one offseason?

The longest tenured head coach in the NFL has stepped down. Mike Tomlin has coached his last game as the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini and NFL insider James Palmer discuss Tomlin’s departure. What’s next for the now former Steelers head coach? And, where will Pittsburgh look to for their next head coach?

Wild Card Weekend was chaos — and it reshaped how we should think about the postseason with one AFC spot still up for grabs.What was the most impressive performance of the weekend — a coach winning a chess match, a QB putting on the cape, or a defense stealing points in the red zone? Which team gained the most belief from a win that felt bigger than the scoreboard? And which winners still left you uneasy even after surviving?The coaching carousel is already heating up. James Palmer and Chase Daniel share their thoughts, including why moving on from Matt LaFleur would be “utterly insane." The guys also share potential best fits for Mike McDaniel — where would his offensive creativity hit fastest, and what kind of situation would actually maximize his strengths?Then the conversation turns to the most impressive performances of Wild Card weekend. Chase points to Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers’ ability to win the schematic battle — even with injuries — and how their plan created answers in the middle of the field when it mattered. James adds his own standouts, including the Patriots flipping a major red-zone weakness into a winning formula, plus the reality of what it looked like watching Justin Herbert under constant pressure.Which team gained the most momentum? James makes the case for Buffalo, why Josh Allen's moment carried historical significance, and how their say-it-with-your-chest style travels in January. Chase counters with Chicago, focusing on the Bears’ late-game identity and what their comeback DNA says about their ceiling when the pressure spikes.Not everyone who advanced convinced. The guys dig into the winners that still raised red flags — what needs to clean up immediately, what could get exposed next, and why surviving isn’t the same as proving you’re built for a deep run.They also look at the teams whose seasons ended and what we actually learned in defeat. Chase breaks down what the Eagles’ loss revealed about their offensive construction and how fragile it becomes if the run element disappears. James points to the Jaguars as a team worth tracking into the offseason — what changed late in the year, what’s real, and why big swings could still be coming.To close, we chat about the thin line between competitive and petty. Ben Johnson’s postgame moment sparks a real debate: how much emotion is too much after a win like that — and who’s actually offended by it? James and Chase then share their own hang-ups - what are you irrationally competitive about that you probably shouldn’t be?Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for the latest NFL news, insider reporting, and in-depth analysis.What was the most impressive performance of Wild Card Weekend — and who made you a believer after the first round?

Wild Card Weekend is here in the NFL — and with it comes chaos, pressure, and opportunity. Which teams are built to survive January football? Which quarterbacks can change their postseason narrative in one game? And which contenders have everything to lose as the playoff field opens up with no clear favorite?We start in the NFC with a massive North showdown as the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears host the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers. Can the Bears seize the moment and win their first playoff game in 15 years behind second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, or do the Packers find life after limping into the postseason on a four-game skid? With Jordan Love searching for answers and Chicago entering a new era, this matchup carries weight far beyond one weekend.Next, we head to Foxboro for the AFC’s No. 2 seed matchup as the New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers. Is this the moment Justin Herbert finally breaks through in the postseason after playing all season behind a battered offensive line? And how much can the Chargers rely on a defense that’s quietly been one of the league’s most complete units against a Patriots offense still finding its footing?The defending champions begin their road back to the Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers. With key starters returning on both sides of the ball, are the Eagles finally healthy at the right time — and does that change the ceiling for a repeat run? Or can the 49ers disrupt Philadelphia’s balance and expose cracks that didn’t show up down the stretch?In Jacksonville, the Jaguars’ late-season surge meets the ultimate test as Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills come to town. With the AFC playoff picture wide open, is there added pressure on Allen to deliver on the road? Can Buffalo establish the run against the league’s best run defense, and how dangerous is a Jaguars team that’s been winning with discipline, takeaways, and momentum?We close with Monday Night Football as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans in a physical, high-stakes matchup. How will Aaron Rodgers handle a relentless Texans pass rush? What does the return of DK Metcalf mean for Pittsburgh’s offense? And with postseason expectations looming large, what does this game mean for Mike Tomlin’s future if the Steelers fall short?Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for full Wild Card Weekend coverage, insider reporting, and playoff analysis all January long.Which Wild Card matchup are you watching closest — and which upset feels inevitable?

John Harbaugh’s tenure in Baltimore is over — and the ripple effects are being felt across the entire NFL. Where do the Baltimore Ravens go from here? How does Harbaugh's exit change the coaching landscape? Will there be more coaching changes to come?The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini breaks down how Harbaugh’s firing unfolded behind the scenes, why the timing matters, and how his sudden availability reshapes the NFL coaching carousel for teams searching for their next leader.What’s next for the Ravens after parting ways with their head coach of 18 seasons? The Athletic’s senior Ravens writer, Jeff Zrebiec, joins the show to explain the immediate reaction inside the organization, how the locker room and facility are processing the move and what this decision means for a franchise still chasing a Super Bowl with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. How much will Lamar’s prime — and his future — influence Baltimore’s next head coaching search?The domino effect doesn’t stop there. Dan Duggan, The Athletic’s senior Giants writer, joins to discuss how Harbaugh’s firing impacts the New York Giants’ coaching search. With GM Joe Schoen retained, what traits are the Giants prioritizing in their next head coach? How important is the development of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in this process? And does Harbaugh’s availability change New York’s timeline or approach?Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for the latest NFL news, insider reporting, and in-depth analysis.Who do you think should be the next Ravens head coach?

The NFL regular season is complete, the playoff field is set, and the coaching carousel is already spinning. On today’s episode of Scoop City, we break down everything that mattered from the Week 18 finish — how the final results locked in seeding, shaped the Wild Card Weekend matchups, and revealed which teams are entering the postseason with momentum and which ones raised new concerns.We run through the full playoff picture, including the Seahawks and Broncos securing the No. 1 seeds in the NFC and AFC, the Bears and Patriots locking up the No. 2 seeds, and how the rest of the bracket came together. Which top seed is actually the most dangerous? Which Wild Card team do we trust the most? And which playoff teams should be worried after ending the season in shaky fashion?From there, we turn our focus to the rapidly evolving NFL coaching cycle. With Pete Carroll fired by the Raiders, Kevin Stefanski out in Cleveland, and Raheem Morris dismissed in Atlanta, several high-profile jobs are now open. We discuss the most appealing vacancies, the top head coaching candidates and coordinators generating buzz, and which coaches make the most sense based on roster construction, quarterback situations, and organizational direction. Plus, why some teams — like the Bengals, Colts, and Ravens — are choosing continuity instead of change.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications as the NFL officially shifts from the regular season to playoff football.Which Wild Card team do you trust the most heading into the weekend?