Diana Rossini (3:10)

You know, I'm having a little identity crisis right now. It's like, explain. You know, I was just gonna do the hood, but I wanted to be a professional because you're a pro. So I was like, I'll throw the blazer over it. And so now it's just a mishmash. So.

James Palmer (3:22)

No, I like the hood. It's very Andrew Whitworth of you.

Diana Rossini (3:26)

It is very Andrew. What up?

James Palmer (3:28)

It's very wit. It's very big wit, you know, Very big wit out there. That's his look on Thursday nights. Okay, speaking of Thursday nights, there's a game Thursday tomorrow. But we're going to get going. Throughout the course of this entire Week 12 slate, here is what we are hearing. News broke this morning, Diana, of something that we were pretty certain of. But the Falcons come out and say it. A partially torn ACL for their quarterback Michael Penix. He is going to need reconstructive surgery. Where are we with Michael Penix because his season now is officially over.

Diana Rossini (3:58)

Well, aren't you just a humble little Scoop City host. You actually were the one that was all over this story on the last episode of Scoop City. You, you were dropping all the nuggets on this and of course it was right. And look, I think, I think they had to get some opinions from doctors on how serious this injury would be, how long the recovery would be. And then they of course decided let's just get this surgery now so he can get back out on the field, you know, as soon as possible, depending on how it works. Right. We've seen a lot of these ACL injuries. Stefan Diggs comes to mind. It is not like 10 years ago, right, where it's like, oh, they're missing a year and a half. It's a pretty quick recovery now. You certainly don't want that injury. But, but, but I guess good news, he's getting it dealt with. Bad news for the Falcons.

James Palmer (4:44)

Yeah, certainly. Well, he's been through it before. He's had two ACLs on the other knee. So this will be really his third ACL reconstruction in eight years. Going back to college. Five of have ended with a season ending injury. Three knees and two shoulder injuries in college. Kind of up and down year for him. There's some things I know they really, really like talking to people down there, Diana. There's some things that they wish would have gone better, a little bit tighter. They had really high hopes at the start of the season. So those are going to kind of pushed off a little bit. It's now Kirk Cousins. And speaking of older quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins, how about Aaron Rodgers, another quarterback sustaining an injury. But Aaron's season isn't over. He, he may even try to play here in week 12.

Diana Rossini (5:23)

Diane, because it's the Bears. That's why he's trying to play. Right. He only supports him. He's like a different human look. If you're Chicago, though, would you rather Aaron Rodgers, who's owned you dealing with this wrist injury, or would you rather Mason Rudolph, who obviously hasn't played that much this season but can do the job at, at a fine level at times, above average. Right. We've seen him play well, better backup. I don't know if I'm the Bears. I'm like, give me a rod. We're, we're new, you know what I mean? Like, we're like a different. We're different. We're not.

James Palmer (5:58)

Yeah. So we're, we're, we're a new regime here. We're Ben Johnson in the Bears now. You know what I mean? We're a different.

Diana Rossini (6:03)

Just think about this. We are almost a year. Black Friday will be a year from when Eber Fl was fired. Right. So they lost on Thanksgiving in just horrid fashion. And on Friday, remember, he addressed the media over zoom and then they fired him. It was like the weirdest story because traditionally you don't allow a coach you're going to fire to even talk to the media if you know you're going to fire him after the game. But they still did it. So he did a zoom with us at nine and he was fired at noon. But look how far this team has come in just one year. And it just goes to tell you, having a good head coach, having a good quarterback, get the tandem, get the duo and you can turn it quick.

James Palmer (6:47)

Yeah, let's talk about that real quick. I will say on a rod, I think by Friday from listening to Mike Tomlin, Diana, that's essentially going to be the decision. No practice Wednesday, probably no practice Thursday. They want to see with a brace if he can go under center, all that stuff. This is a later in the week thing if a rod is going to go. But we'll see. This is more about the Bears, honestly. But I did want to touch on one question about the Steelers before we move kind of into Chicago because they are one of the teams we have our eye on right now. Yeah, get comfortable, Diana. They have the Steelers and the Bears. Of the teams leading the divisions, the two worst probabilities of making the postseason of all the divisional leaders, both Pittsburgh and Chicago. So with Pittsburgh, will this be in your mind? They are six and four. The 19th straight season, we are at.500 or better. Do you want me to give you the remaining schedule before you answer?

Diana Rossini (7:38)

I know it, but I wouldn't mind refreshing my brain.

James Palmer (7:41)

Refreshing. Course. Okay, so just.

Diana Rossini (7:44)

Do I already know my answer? You could tell me you're playing the Rams every week, and I would probably still pick this, but go ahead.

James Palmer (7:51)

Okay. It's at Chicago, then the Bills at the Ravens, Dolphins at the Lions at Browns, Ravens.

Diana Rossini (8:01)

It's like, ew, ew, ew, ew. It's okay. It's doable. So based on that, and I was gonna say, even before you said it, they will go above.500 again. They will find ways to win. They will figure this out. They. How could you possibly bet against them at this point? How many times have we been proven wrong? Every year I'm like, yeah, they're not gonna do it. And they do it. They slide in. So, look, it's still a tough matchup, but as you're going through these teams, and I think this is what's made this year so fascinating and fun, a lot of these teams are still trying to sort themselves out as well. Look, I know, and we talked about this last show. Josh Allen did some remarkable things in the last game, but he also did some bad things. Right? Like, they still have a lot to iron out in Buffalo in order for us to be like all the Bills. Right? Like everyone. The Steelers have a chance to win every single one of those games. None of the teams that you just listed off, in my opinion, are just sold solid. That's an L. No, not even.

James Palmer (8:59)

Not even the Lions on there. After what you saw last week, I guess maybe skew.

Diana Rossini (9:04)

Is it at home or away?

James Palmer (9:05)

It's at the Lions. It's in Detroit.

Diana Rossini (9:07)

All right, that helps the Lions. There's your L. I'll give them one L for the Steelers, you know, because Jared Goff, obviously, indoors, is.

James Palmer (9:13)

I like that you're still riding high there with. With Mike. Mike T. And then he says he finds a way. It's what they do, but, you know, they find a way. I had this in front of me because I thought this was fascinating. These are the two lowest also playoff odds of the 14 total teams that are sitting in the playoff contention right now. So this is a one for both of them. So let's move over to Chicago a little bit. And just what has gone on there. They have won five games in 20, 25 when they're trailing in the final two minutes. I mean, that's just, that's just unbelievable the way they've been able to do it. 7 and 3 overall. What do you take of Ben Johnson and what he's been able to do with this group? Is there a part of this team that stands out during this run that they're on more than any other maybe aspect of why they're doing this?

Diana Rossini (9:58)

Yeah, well, first of all, they're. They're just like a walking, breathing heart attack in, in Chicago. Right. Those fans.

James Palmer (10:03)

Imagine those fans and they already got a lot of congestion stuff.

Diana Rossini (10:07)

I mean, exactly. It's just like I'm just thinking the.

James Palmer (10:09)

Guys from Saturday Night Live. Yeah.

Diana Rossini (10:11)

Just struggling. Just knowing that you think you're not in it and then all of a sudden you're in it. And, and look, they've had different guys step up. Like, I know Caleb is the one really shining with the clutch gene in the fourth quarter, but they've had different. Whether it's the kicker, you know, their, their tight end, different people have made big plays to get them over that hump. And to me, that's kind of been the identity of who this Bears team is right now. It's like who's. Who's going to be the stud today. And I think that's okay as they, they're trying to sort themselves out, but without a doubt, like the one. A story in Chicago is that Ben Johnson was the absolute best hire for this team. And any questions we had about whether or not he could manage a team, if he could stand in front of them, if he could get them to buy in. Just watch one clip of his post game celebrations and it just tells you. Right.

James Palmer (10:58)

I was gonna say that, like that was the. That that. I know we talk about them because they're so fun, they're just so great. But like, that was kind of. That video was what I was waiting for in 2025. Like, we didn't know if that Ben Johnson existed. I would assume people in the, in the Lions building knew that that enthusiasm and that type of vibe was there, but we didn't see it a whole lot. This was our opportunity to kind of see it. You're right. You're spot on.

Diana Rossini (11:23)

Yeah. And think about if you're another player too, from a different team and you're seeing that you're like, the Bears got a little something to him. You know, maybe that helps them in free agency as well. But just the fact that Chicago has the right leader and it's developing do. It's not perfect yet. Right. Ben Johnson's got to be a little frustrated with some of the play from Caleb Williams. He's not exactly on time all the time. And this offense isn't what I think Ben Johnson wants it to look like at this point in the season. But look at the growth from where we were week one to where we are now in terms of our belief in Caleb. And that is something people around the league point out. Like, yeah, the Bears are really fun, but Caleb still has a little way to go. You know, like this isn't like, you know, where you're saying Drake Maine or like, oh my goodness. And I'm not, I'm not saying that there's questions about whether Caleb Williams is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears moving forward. Of course he is. Just.

James Palmer (12:17)

They're still curious about that ceiling.

Diana Rossini (12:19)

Exactly. There's still some, some I steps he has to continue to take consistently. But of course the, the off script play, that type of style of play that he has is always remarkable and stands out and it's, it's actually what really makes him special and why they're winning so many games in the fourth quarter.

James Palmer (12:34)

Yeah, it's. It's been unbelievable. I mean there are the little things that you're right that Ben has, has, has adjusted. When I look at, I'm going through the quarterbacks and I'm like 16 sacks. I mean that number 68 from last year is burned into my brain for Caleb Williams and the number of sacks he took. He's thrown four picks this year. Like the run game, that's a Ben Johnson thing. It's helped balance out this group. The offensive line is played better. That's. Both those things have helped out Caleb Williams. But you mentioned that late game stuff and, and Roma Dunes, they kind of said this about Caleb where it's like it kind of slows down for him in the fourth quarter. It's kind of interesting to watch. Like everything just is a little beat slower for him when other guys maybe speed up or panic. And I think that trait, obviously Ben's looking. How do I use that? There's five. I talked to offensive coordinator about this, Diane. It's like there's like four or five plays a game where you're like, holy bleep. Like that play is unbelievable. Like the wow plays are there Then there's probably Ben Johnson going over. I was told with Caleb Williams, 20 plays in their meeting going, holy, come on, man. Like it's right there for you.

Diana Rossini (13:37)

And that's exactly fine. You know it is. Look, we can do a whole show on just the Bears offense because they have been fun and exciting, but it's the defense that's really kept them in a lot of these two. They leave the league in turnovers right now with 22. I think the next best team is at 18, right? So, I mean, just look, think of that Dallas team a couple years ago and Dan Quinn was there, right? How monstrous of a year they had just because how, how those turnovers really helped, you know, in those situations. So just the fact that they're, they're figuring it out. Offense, Dennis Allen's doing a good job of keeping them in these games. Of the defense. Look, I still don't have the Bears James as like a scary team in the nfc. They're going to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday. Right? Which, by the way, I just came across this because my algorithms are just drunk.

James Palmer (14:25)

Oh, let's go.

Diana Rossini (14:26)

By the way, does anyone know how to clear an algorithm? Like, I just, I just need to.

James Palmer (14:29)

Like, I get nervous because I heard and I don't know if this is true. Maybe you know more about Instagram than me, but I thought it, it. I heard it tracks your eyeballs. So if you even look at something in the searching, they're going to start putting those things in there. It's tracking my retinas. I'm in a whole nother level. Then I gotta go like this. If something comes up over there and I don't want it to pop up in my algorith.

Diana Rossini (14:49)

Dealing with tech neck. Do you know what that is? Tech neck is this. It's like, you see how I'm all like crinkly and old looking here? I'm not supposed to look like this at my age because I'm still fairly young. It's because I'm always on my phone and I'm leaning down. So that's. It's tech neck. So that's why when I'm texting, I need to start doing this to keep the neck up.

James Palmer (15:09)

I had a trainer at a training camp this year walk by and tell me that I'm sitting tweeting on my phone. And he goes, he stops. He goes, hold that phone out a little further. I go, you trying to read it? He goes, technic, bro. Like, you got to get up.

Robert Mays (15:25)

And I was like, oh, No, I know it's.

Diana Rossini (15:26)

It is a real. It does not make me happy. But I came across this on my phone because again, my algorithm. I wish my phone had one of those things. Like my boys have a. They have this fun little drawing game where it's. It's black and has a little pen on it and you write on it and then you hit the button on the bottom and it clears it.

James Palmer (15:42)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (15:42)

Like, I wish my phone had that. And I could just clear whatever the heck I was looking at the night before because I wake up and it's like, oh, what is this? So apparently not. Apparently we know this. The Eagles have beat every NFC north team but the Bears and the Eagles the other way. And the Bears have beat every NFC east team except the Eagles. There we go. So Friday is going to be the showdown of the conference champs, I guess, but our division terms. So we'll. We'll see how that plays out. But I just like the fan. The fans were friends, I guess, this season and now they're going to hate each other on Friday.

James Palmer (16:18)

Okay, listen, they measure the defense. I mentioned how they run the ball. That's still a recipe to be competitive in every game, whether you're going to pull them out at the end of these ones or not. Speaking of being competitive and wanting more out of your quarterback, let's move on to J.J. mcCarthy and the Vikings. I think this has been obviously a story we're looking at from one lens. Most of our discussion this season it's been, okay, Kevin o' Connell put all of his purple colored eggs in this basket of JJ McCarthy. This is what we're doing with this team that is talented enough and they made moves in the offseason, Diana, to be on a playoff type of run. If they get in, getting in might be an issue. Where they're playing because of their quarterback might be an issue to lay it out there. And I. And you have a nugget here that I want to get to for sure. But I do want to mention before we get going, you will be doing the sideline for the Vikings. So you will have the up close, you know, up close information from the Netflix Christmas game where it will be. What?

Diana Rossini (17:20)

Lions, vikings, lions, Vikings. 4:30 Eastern Christmas Day on Netflix. Yeah, I'm gonna be roaming. I'm indoors, which I'm really pumped about, obviously, because it's gonna be in Minnesota, so cold outside. So apparently you don't even need to wear a jacket in there because it' cozy and warm. Okay. I haven't covered games that Late in the year. Last time I was in Minnesota when it was cold. It was you and me at the super bowl, baby.

James Palmer (17:45)

It was.

Diana Rossini (17:45)

And that was hell on earth. But yeah, no, this should be really fun. I. I'm okay. Here's what I want to watch. And look, so much is going to happen between now and Christmas. So we'll see.

James Palmer (17:57)

But I want to hear it.

Diana Rossini (17:58)

I. My eyes going to be all over Justin Jefferson. I want to see what he's like coming off the field in terms of frustrations, who he's talking to. Fans know this already and those that follow Scoop City know. And Justin Jefferson's been on the show a few times. He, he's. He's kind of the. The role model for how you want to be. Like he is. He's not the typical WR1 crazy diva that we've seen and we've dealt with and we're cool with because that's just their personalities.

James Palmer (18:26)

He has nature of the position.

Diana Rossini (18:27)

It's nature of the position has a little bit of like juice to him for sure, a lot. But he's really kind, kind of soft at times and spirited. Meaning like. Like he's just a little different than most wide receivers. That, that can be. That can be loud. And we're seeing loud wide receivers specifically in Philly. Right. We just saw it last week with AJ And I have Justin out there. And did you see that one camera shot of him? Do you see that on your. On your algorithm?

James Palmer (18:56)

It's pretty vague. Maybe get a little more specific for me.

Diana Rossini (18:59)

There. There was something floating around. Someone just clip the shot of him looking frustrated right in. And who knows? It's probably the offense. It's probably a little bit of J.J. mcCarthy. It's just the fact that Justin Jefferson wants the ball and this can't be good because his numbers this year compared to what we've seen, especially the production he had with Sam Darnold last year, it's a significant drop off for him. And I just give him a lot of credit though, outside that one little clip. And by the way, there was nothing wrong with it. It was like just human nature. Just like, oh man, I want the ball. He's doing a really good job from a leadership standpoint, you know, of just.

James Palmer (19:34)

He's open, Diane. Like I'd be frustrated.

Diana Rossini (19:37)

He's.

James Palmer (19:37)

He's open. This offense and this offensive play caller and Kevin O'Connor schemes people open as good as anybody in football. So he, he's open. He has a right to be frustrated. I have been pro wide Receiver. All this year, by the way, I've been, like, kind of, like, joining the group.

Diana Rossini (19:53)

You're joining their group? You're like. You're like the wide receiver, right?

James Palmer (19:56)

Yeah. Due to, like, running scout team, wide receiver in high school. I feel like I'm kind of a kinship to all these guys.

Diana Rossini (20:00)

Definitely.

James Palmer (20:00)

Yeah. We're so close in talent, too. It's just like. I get it, like, especially with everything that goes right, and we know how hard Justin Jefferson works, and we know what he does during the week, and it's like, oh, this is the defense. This is exactly what Kevin said we'd run against this defense. We're in the right play call where I guess I'm about to eat do. I'm running back to the huddle. No ball.

Diana Rossini (20:22)

Yeah. And so look, I get it. That's why on Christmas, I want to see it up close. Because usually when we cover games, we're up in the press box, so we're so far and we have our little binoculars.

James Palmer (20:33)

I think you get behind the bench there, though. I'm a big binocular guy.

Diana Rossini (20:36)

I used to snag when we used to sit next to each other, I used to borrow them, take them, and I'm so annoying. I already have that eyesight. But then I'm just taking your stuff.

James Palmer (20:43)

Especially when they're around my neck and you.

Diana Rossini (20:48)

But that being said. Yeah, let's. Let's see where it's at come Christmas. And. Yeah, no, I'm looking forward to watching this. And look, the Vikings definitely have to address what is this gonna look like next year? Right. Because we kind of. We know he needs more reps. Like, that's okay. Like, they. He needs more time. We knew he was gonna need more time. I don't know if they knew he would need this much time. Kevin o' Connell, recently, in an interview, just said he's waiting for the cement to dry. Oh, cement doesn't. Cement doesn't take that long to dry.

James Palmer (21:17)

No, it doesn't. It's called quick creep a lot of times.

Diana Rossini (21:20)

What takes the longest to dry. That. That. When he said it, I was thinking, I'm like, maybe you should have used a different example.

James Palmer (21:26)

Yeah, like some sort of epoxy or glue. That nail polish takes forever.

Diana Rossini (21:30)

I always mess it up because I'm sitting there.

James Palmer (21:32)

I would love if Kevin o' Connell went out there and said, I'm just waiting for the nail polish to dry on J.J. mcCarthy.

Diana Rossini (21:41)

Because right now, let's suggest that next time, Coach, in my post game, I'll do it, coach.

James Palmer (21:47)

This gives the idea of nail polish. Follow me here. That's what you got to say?

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Diana Rossini (21:52)

He's gonna be like, please, you're very annoying.

James Palmer (21:55)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (21:55)

So, yeah, so we'll keep an eye on that. We'll see what happens. And then, you know, this offseason I think could be really interesting, you know, is J.J. mcCarthy gonna be a Viking? Right. Like I say, yeah, because they're gonna probably keep working with him because he does need more time and anything. Everything I've heard out of that building about his work ethic and his commitment is through the roof. But it just, you know, it just stinks for them. I know that's such a basic thing to say, but yeah, the roster's so good. They should be better. They should be better. And they're just not.

James Palmer (22:27)

They're just not. Before I move on, I'll just say this. Right now, JJ McCarthy is lasting completion percentage, passing yards per game, touchdowns to interception ratio and passer rating. And right now he is the lowest third down passer rating since the year 2000, and he has the second lowest third down completion percentage since the year 2000. I sound like Conan O'. Brien. Since the year 2000.

Diana Rossini (22:49)

Sounds like mean tweets more like it.

James Palmer (22:51)

Those are. Yeah, those are brutal. Just had to throw them out there. This is the game of the weekend in a lot of people's minds saying everybody in that Kansas City area, as well as I think all eyes across the AFC with the Chiefs and their playoff hopes with the Indianapolis Colts, this one is. It's kind of the turning point. We kind of thought last week was Denver was maybe a big week, but they lose that one. And now it's fascinating. I always sit on that playoff simulator that we have. We talk about it all the time on the Athletic. I just manipulate things because I don't have any friends. And I go back and forth with all these different, different things and I just have to tell you right now, chiefs, 56% chance to make the playoffs right now. They lose this game to the Colts, they drop to a 36% chance to make the postseason. Like, how did we. Here's the number one question, Dinah. How did we get here?

Diana Rossini (23:43)

Well, what's interesting is statistically, when you look at what Kansas City has done, specifically on offense, Mike Sando wrote about this recently. Their numbers were actually higher. Like they're bet their units are better this year. It's the way in which they're winning. It's almost like they're out of luck. The bet, the the bad side of the luck or their bad luck is this season. Whereas last season, you know, they were able to win those one score games. I think they're 10 and oh in one score game. So look, to me, it just, I, I think they're going to swing back into the luck space and I don't really have concerns that. I think even if Kansas City loses to Indy, they'll still make the playoffs, they'll still find a way. But I think for Indy to. I'm more excited to see what they're going to do. I think this is the biggest test of the season for Daniel Jones. This is the one in Arrowhead against, you know, a team that has tons of experience in the big games and, and of course against a defensive coordinator that, that knows a thing or two about slowing down quarterbacks. So. Yeah, well, we'll see how this, how this shakes out. But to me, my, my nervous energy is really more for Indy than it is for, for the Chiefs in terms of what they need to do out there.

James Palmer (24:55)

I understand that because you're looking at this and tell me if I'm wrong here, but I can jump inside your head and go, Indianapolis is trying to do something that they don't normally do and this is new. And for Kansas City it's like, no, no, no, we can still find a way. We play in big games. We know how to find a way. And I get what you're saying, like this is a test for the Colts to say we are now part of this elite group. We're entering it in our first year with the group we have. And you mentioned you touched on the guy that I have my eyes on and we both know him well. And Lou Annari now running that defense in Indianapolis, he of anybody in that building. Diana knows what it takes to beat the Chiefs. He's had two weeks to tell everybody what it takes.

Diana Rossini (25:37)

The Kansas City Chiefs hate facing Lou Annorumo when he, especially when he was with Cincinnati. But his scheme, the mad scientist, they.

James Palmer (25:46)

Said back then, remember?

Diana Rossini (25:48)

Yes, I do remember that. There's a headline too, I think in the paper. And then which by the way, I saw a shot of Jalen. This is so random. I saw a shot of Jalen hurts talking by his locker. He had a newspaper like by his seat.

James Palmer (26:03)

And I was like, he likes, he's a tangible guy. He likes the feeling of his own.

Diana Rossini (26:07)

The same way. Let's go the same way. I love a paper back work it. But yeah, the Patrick Mahomes hates facing Lou and Arumo and he hates. He used to hate face of the Titans, or now, I guess it would be the Patriots way of doing it. Those are the two that he'd always shared. Like, they don't want. They don't want to deal with that. Now, that being said, Lou likes to make these kind of statements and. And this is a kind of game where you. The cameras are just going to be stuck tight on that Staten Island Italian face of his as he's scheming up something to confuse Patrick. This is gonna be one of those. You're just gonna. It's gonna be like, Andy Lou, Andy Lou. Just like it was back the super bowl, remember, against the Rams, it was like Sean McVay. And then Lou at the time was with the Bengals. And that's all the cameras kept showing was like both their faces up against each other all game long. So I'm expecting the same kind of thing. But, yeah, my concern is not so much for the Chiefs here.

James Palmer (27:03)

Okay, I dig it. I understand. I remember staying on that silent for that AFC Championship game where Cincinnati wins in Arrowhead. And it's Lou, what he does post snap to make it look entirely different than what it looked like pre snap for Patrick. And he has the formula. He kind of talked about it in Indianapolis this weekend. What you have to do, you have to outplay them in terms of complimentary football. You have to make sure they get field goals instead of touchdowns. Obviously, all these things are. Are common in each and every week. They're just exaggerated when you play the Chiefs.

Diana Rossini (27:29)

Yeah, they're common. And. And when you're asking these questions, you're so bored by it. Because, like, I've interviewed him 9 million times about big games, especially, like in the playoffs. I'm going through, usually on camera, too, about, like, hey, like, what. What's the key here? And. And everything you just listed is usually what he says. And you're like, oh, wow, Kick field goals. That. That's real rocket science. But. But that's the difference, actually.

James Palmer (27:51)

He is telling you how he calls it. Like, you're right. Exactly right. And he's like, third down is. Is everything. And, you know, red zone is everything. And he's going to have these things dialed up. We'll see with Sauce being there a little bit longer. And Kenny Moore, he's got some bodies in the secondary. I know their focus for masking around is on Rashi Rice and the way he gets the ball. Yeah, I'm very excited.

Diana Rossini (28:11)

This is the game.

James Palmer (28:11)

I'm very excited for this one. This is the one you know what you should really be excited about. We are entering with week 12 and so when we come back, I have 12 surprises that have happened in the 2025 NFL season that I'm going to ask you and you tell me how surprised each one of these 12 make you. Okay, let's do that.

Diana Rossini (28:30)

Coming up next.

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James Palmer (30:23)

Oh, welcome back to Scoop City on a Wednesday. James Palmer, Diane Orsini with you. We are in week 12 as I just said to you, Diana before the break. So I'm going to give you just because it's the holiday season and you and I love Christmas and love the holidays. The 12 days of Christmas. Well, it's week 12. I'm going to give you 12 surprises that have happened this year and we're going to roll right through these, but I just want your natural reaction. Again, Diana has not seen these or heard these. This is like a blind surprise.

Diana Rossini (30:52)

It's a Blind test. It's a blind.

James Palmer (30:53)

Yeah. Mask. Stinger situation going on here. Maybe not that, but Joe stinks. Here we go. Here are my 12 biggest surprises. Number one, the Broncos control the AFC. Not only the AFC west, but the entire AFC. They have not won the division since 2015. Patrick Mahomes was 13 and one against the Broncos heading into last week. He now loses that game. And the Broncos. I know, Sean told us, but did you even think that at week 12 you'd be looking at the AFC with as good as the Ravens were and as good as we thought the Bills were and the Chiefs, that the Broncos would be a top?

Diana Rossini (31:34)

Those sentences no one expected to be saying in mid November. No shot. No shot. Competitive. Yes.

James Palmer (31:43)

Great point.

Diana Rossini (31:44)

Annoying. Absolutely. As a team. Right. Just finding. In the mix. In the mix. But to be this out in front and to be in the number one seed, that, to me, is very surprising.

James Palmer (31:57)

Very surprising. 76% chance of winning the AFC west right now. Fascinating. And we just talked about them a little bit earlier, and you have your eye on them this weekend. But for the Colts to have the number one offense, like, yeah, that might be a bigger shock than the first one.

Diana Rossini (32:14)

He's cooking. He's cooking. He's cooking. No, the surprise is a little bit on us for being so poorly educated on what it could be based on what the roster is. Right. Because I don't think the reason why we're surprised by this is we had no belief in Daniel Jones. We were like, we'll see. But when you take a look at this roster, top to bottom now, on both sides of the ball, you're like, oh, that actually makes a lot of sense. They've got a great offensive line. They've got a strong run game. Right. And. And just the fact that Daniel Jones has played this well with a quarter play called or, that's really getting the best out of them. Yes, you're right. I am surprised. But we shouldn't be.

James Palmer (32:53)

That's a good point. Okay, you kind of knocked that one backwards. That's okay. And I get it. Because they won eight games last year with no quarterback and a defense that couldn't stop anybody. You're kind of like, oh, man, we kind of maybe should have seen it a little bit. But to be this good and Daniel Jones running the show, it's been great for Shane Steichen and company and he's made Jonathan Taylor better. How about this? You got to remember, put it like, when I say this to you, you got to, like, put yourself into, like, July you're in sea aisle in July.

Diana Rossini (33:17)

Oh, my God, you're right.

James Palmer (33:18)

Okay. And you're going. I'm telling you this while you're. While we're sitting on the beach.

Diana Rossini (33:21)

Okay, I'm tanning.

James Palmer (33:23)

Yep. And I just go, hey, Diana, guess what?

Diana Rossini (33:25)

Okay.

James Palmer (33:25)

I'm going to tell you right now that Matthew Stafford is the front runner for the mvp, even though he wasn't even sure he wanted to come back and play. And other teams are curious, you know, what his intentions were. You know, Matthew Stafford is going to lead the league with 27 touchdown passes, six more than anybody else in football. And he's the front runner for the mvp.

Diana Rossini (33:42)

I'm getting sunburned right now. Yeah, I, I actually am not that surprised because it's Matthew Stafford. But also I feel like we're in a chapter of the NFL right now in this time period where it belongs to these vets. Like, the veterans are playing well at a high level. And Matthew has never really shown that he's regressing. Like injury is always part of it in health. And we know he's got the back situation. I feel like he's got all these situations, but he, he finds a way because he's so damn tough. And you know, him being paired with Sean McVay, that does. I wouldn't say I'm extremely surprised.

James Palmer (34:17)

The highest he's ever finished in MVP voting is eighth in 2023.

Diana Rossini (34:23)

That so. You're right. Then I should be more surprised. I'm just not. Because he's a great player. He's a great player and he's always consistently really good and he has one of the best play callers in football.

James Palmer (34:34)

That's a great point. Great point. Career high and winning percentage right now. Career high and passer rating right now. And he's on a streak of 273 attempts without an interception, which is. He is rolling right now. How about this one? Go back to sea aisle. Jackson, Smith and Jigba is the best receiver in the NFL.

Diana Rossini (34:53)

Look, I think the breakout was coming, but this, this is shocking to me that he's this good. I could barely pronounce his name a few seasons ago. You know what I mean? So the fact that he's able, that he's on everyone's radar and he's getting all this attention because he's so good. And I didn't factor in Sam Darnold. Like, I didn't think Sam would leave Minnesota and actually be better. So that one is very surprising to me.

James Palmer (35:18)

That one's very Surprising. It's nothing against his game. It's just the league is chock full of great wide receivers. We just had Jamar Chase win the triple crown last year and it's like. But no, JSN's the best receiver in football right now. Okay.

Diana Rossini (35:32)

Crazy.

James Palmer (35:32)

Sticking with the receiver spot. This one's a bum bum. Okay. It's kind of a bum, bum, bum, bum. Mike Evans streak will come to a close of 11 straight thousand yard seasons. You seem to do it every year. You're just. You thought it would go on forever.

Diana Rossini (35:47)

I know. I tend to stick with history too, usually. But I guess I'm not a surprise. He's getting older. You kind of. It was going to end eventually. So. No, I'm sad because I love him. But it is what it is.

James Palmer (35:59)

It's a bummer. He ties the goat. Jerry Rice for most consecutive seasons. But it is the most consecutive season to start a career. Drake May will be leading the NFL not just in passing yards. Diana. But also completion percentage. And to put this in perspective, he leads the NFL with 2,836 passing yards. He has a 71.9 completion percentage. This would be the highest completion percentage for a player to lead in passing yards in NFL history.

Diana Rossini (36:33)

I am shocked.

James Palmer (36:34)

Shocked.

Diana Rossini (36:34)

He looks like he's been doing this for 10 years.

James Palmer (36:37)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (36:37)

Like there's just no blip. There's no learning curve. He has a new offensive coordinator. He has a whole new coaching staff. Everything is new and it's just like nothing. He makes it look so easy. And when we talked about this New England team at the start of the season, we both agreed they'd be competitive because that's the type of culture that was already being instilled in them. And we had belief in this coaching staff. But the fact that Josh McDaniels has been able to get this much out of Drake May, and Drake Mays obviously very talented. Yeah. This is, this is surprising to be this good so soon.

James Palmer (37:13)

Yeah. And everything you heard in training camp, you didn't hear anything like he was blowing the doors off of training camp?

Diana Rossini (37:18)

I, I heard the opposite.

James Palmer (37:20)

Exactly.

Diana Rossini (37:21)

I don't say terrible, but it was.

James Palmer (37:22)

Like, yeah, this is kind of up and down.

Diana Rossini (37:24)

You know, I saw him at practice in Minnesota, remember? I was like, J.J. mcCarthy is unbelievable. Drake is okay.

James Palmer (37:30)

And here we are. Okay.

Diana Rossini (37:32)

Summer lies.

James Palmer (37:33)

That's it. Number seven is very close to sea aisle. Saquon Barkley is 38th in yards per carry this season at 3.8. He's not in the top 10, obviously. He's 14th in yards, 15th in yards per game, which is roughly half of what he was having a season ago.

Diana Rossini (37:53)

Yeah, I'm medium shocked. I knew it wasn't going to be the scene.

James Palmer (37:57)

And health has nothing to do with it.

Diana Rossini (37:59)

It's not health, it's usage. Right. I think that's part of it here. It's blocking, so I'd say I'm semi surprised. It's not talent. Saquon Barkley still so good. It's not that there's no drop off in what he's doing, which he. He posted a picture yesterday on his Instagram account of just his legs.

James Palmer (38:20)

Oh.

Diana Rossini (38:21)

And I'm like, it was very thirst trappy. It was like, look how big my legs are, in case you forgot.

James Palmer (38:26)

I'm gonna have to bookmark that or do it myself.

Diana Rossini (38:28)

Scared me. If I'm Dallas, I'm.

James Palmer (38:29)

I got skinny. I have thin legs. Like my grandfather used to say, I take two steps and then my shorts move. Okay, here we go. Moving on to the next one. Number eight. If the playoffs started today, the Ravens, Chiefs and Lions would all be out of the postseason. If I said that to you on a beach in Seattle, what would you say?

Diana Rossini (38:51)

Holy cow, the NFL is drunk like me right now on the beach. That's what I would probably say.

James Palmer (38:56)

Like snuck this in a Stanley and I'm on the beach.

Diana Rossini (38:59)

Yes. Lifeguards look the other way. Yeah. Like these are teams that I thought had good drafts, decent free agencies. They have good programs. They should be playing in the playoffs. Like that, that, that is. What if they miss it? That is a big miss. And people are going to probably lose jobs. So free. But you know, obviously we're playing pretend right now, so. Yes, that, that, that, to me, that's a shock. But these teams specifically surprised me. The idea of good teams. I'm making the playoffs don't surprise me because it's the NFL.

James Palmer (39:35)

Yeah. But these specific ones, when you have a MVP candidate at quarterback, it's always a little bit different. Or a team as good as exactly all of them. Okay. If I was going to say, hey, Diana, guess what? We're going to have a record breaking field goal this year. 68 yards. It's going to be an absolute bomb. And then you're going to go, who kicked it? Brandon Aubrey. And I'm going to go, no, it wasn't Brandon Aubrey. Would you be more shocked if I said that and it was Campbell?

Diana Rossini (39:59)

Yes, I'm shocked by that. He's automatic to me. Yeah, he's probably what's the one you.

James Palmer (40:05)

Pick if somebody broke the record.

Diana Rossini (40:08)

Yes. I had the most confidence in him. So who is it?

James Palmer (40:11)

It's Cam Little. Little went big.

Diana Rossini (40:15)

A Little went big and he went.

James Palmer (40:16)

Out there and blast him up. Okay. Number 10, Christian McCaffrey is ninth in receiving in the NFL and 13th in rushing. But I'll go a step further. If I just said to you he'd have 54 more targets than any other player on the 49ers and 43 more catches than any other player on the 49. Most of those because they're littered with injuries. He's the healthy one.

Diana Rossini (40:44)

I am very surprised. He is the most reliable player right now on the most unreliable like injury report. Yeah, right.

James Palmer (40:52)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (40:53)

And Monday night, do you know this is. I didn't realize this and I read it right before we hopped on the show. This is the first time Christian McCaffrey is going to face the Carolina Panthers since they traded him on Monday Night Football.

James Palmer (41:04)

I didn't know that, that I thought.

Diana Rossini (41:05)

I was like they've had to play before. Nope.

James Palmer (41:08)

Okay.

Diana Rossini (41:09)

So look, it's not like the juiciest, sexiest story, but I will bet you he will go out there and, and do a really good job. The San Francisco 49ers in general, we have not done a good job here on the show giving them credit because I know we don't truthfully, truthfully believe in their depth. Right. Like, we know this is going to probably come to an end here sooner rather than later. But what Kyle Shannon Hand has done in trying to manage this with I don't even know who on the defensive side of the ball at this point, they've got the Brandon Iuk situation. Why isn't he playing? What's going on there?

James Palmer (41:42)

Even opened his window yet. You're right. I think Kyle belongs in the, in the coach of the year conversation. Okay, how about this? Three youngsters, three second year quarterbacks and I was going to tell you, Diana, guess what? Yes, I got these shorts from Banana Republic. Yes, I have a brand new towel. Yes, Caleb Williams is 7 and 3. Drake May is 9 and 2 and both Knicks is 9 and 2.

Diana Rossini (42:07)

No way.

James Palmer (42:08)

No, no way. That's a big no way. I think. And Ben Johnson and Mike Brable in their first seasons are leading their divisions.

Diana Rossini (42:15)

It doesn't make sense because we haven't seen this in so long. We haven't seen this many quarterbacks so young in their careers have this much success. Right. This is what we always want to see. And fans lose their minds. But Normally, it's not realistic. And coaches are constantly preaching that we need to be patient with them because they need time. But credit to these guys for obviously putting in the work, but having the right leadership, having good support around them as well, and helping them figure this out, because that transition is not easy.

James Palmer (42:44)

Yeah, call me crazy. If you're a young quarterback and you have an experienced play caller. It's a bit of a cheat code. Josh McDaniels, Drake May, Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, Sean Peyton, Bo Nicks. Makes sense to me. Okay, there's our final 12 surprise of week 12. Ready? The packers and the Cowboys both have the same number of sacks. Now, this one was told to you after the Michael Parsons train.

Diana Rossini (43:15)

Can my answer be. That's funny. That's funny. That surprises me.

James Palmer (43:21)

We gotta thank Jeremy for this one. This was his contribution.

Diana Rossini (43:24)

That surprises me. I thought that the packers would have significantly more.

James Palmer (43:28)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (43:29)

Obviously, knowing that Dallas decided to trade him when most people are on the lead, thought that that was a really bad idea. And we've had many conversations about what this Dallas Cowboys team needs, and that's a pass rush. And look, the Green Bay packers defense is really good.

James Palmer (43:48)

Outstanding.

Diana Rossini (43:50)

They have kept this team in games. They're the best part of Green Bay right now. Right. Their offense is the issue. So, yeah, that was funny. But it does surprise me.

James Palmer (44:01)

Yeah, that one's wild. You don't need to comment on this, but we did have a bonus, an honorable mention. In weeks one and week 11, we have had a player spit on another player and get suspended.

Diana Rossini (44:11)

Would that surprise you?

James Palmer (44:11)

No, it's gross.

Diana Rossini (44:14)

Would it surprise you if I told you that I never missed a day of school From K through 12?

James Palmer (44:23)

You seem like that person that loved going to school. So, no, I'm not very surprised. I feel like you'd love it.

Diana Rossini (44:29)

What a dork.

James Palmer (44:30)

I know, but I think you'd love. You'd love the social aspect of it.

Diana Rossini (44:32)

I do. I just want to talk. Just want to see people.

James Palmer (44:34)

You want to be.

Diana Rossini (44:35)

Yeah. I had perfect attendance, K through 12.

James Palmer (44:38)

I think for all that sacrifice, they just give you a little freaking certificate, don't they?

Diana Rossini (44:41)

They give you a. The truth is, I never wanted to miss school, especially in high school, because if you miss practice, you couldn't play in the game. Like, they have really strict rules. So I remember going to school, like, throwing up in the car on the way in, and my mom would be like, get in there if you want to play today. Makes a lot of sense, right?

James Palmer (44:59)

Yeah. And you remember it. My surprise Personally, I did not think my son would be growing a mustache at 13 during this football season. And we got him a Razor for his 13th birthday, which is a big deal because JP couldn't grow no facial hair in high school at all. Okay, we got one more break. One more break and then we got one more block coming up. And we always love when Jacob Robinson asks us our newsletter question. That's going to be next on Scoop City on a Wednesday.

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James Palmer (46:34)

Can't I just let it go?

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James Palmer (47:04)

Oh, welcome back to Scoop City on a Wednesday. We're closing things out. Diana Rossini and myself, we love to hear the newsletter Diana from Jacob Robinson each and every week. So Jacob, what do you got?

Jacob Robinson (47:16)

Diana? James, Good to be back with you guys. James, I know you always have a good eye on my background, so I want to point out the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship bobblehead. Go Raptors. Let's talk about the defending champion Eagles and their tush push this offseason. It almost got banned at 22 out of 24 votes. One of the biggest reasons to ban it was health and we're seeing this year that health doesn't really seem to be an issue. The biggest problem is the officiating. Missed false starts, fumbles that aren't counted, first downs that are given when they probably shouldn't be. There's so many issues from the officiating side that I don't think will really even be fixed by taking away the push because Jalen Hurts can still do a QB sneak there. I want to turn to you guys. What are you hearing around the league about the Tush push and whether or not it sticks around for another year?

James Palmer (48:03)

I don't have a bobble head, but I got a bobble body from the fanatic.

Diana Rossini (48:07)

Oh, I love that little shaky room. He's creepy. He's kind of creepy.

James Palmer (48:12)

It is a little creepy, Diana. Here we are, back to tush and pushes, pushes, Tushes. What's your thought right now?

Diana Rossini (48:19)

Look, I think the competition committee is going to have conversations with it again. And look, it's such a. It's going to be a different narrative this year because of what. What Jacob just pointed out, which. This isn't about safety anymore. This is about the. The. The aesthetics of this play. This is just going to be about officiating. I did have someone point out to me, though, how embarrassing it would be for the league, though, if this did get banned because they can't officiate it. Like, that's not a good look.

James Palmer (48:44)

It's a great sentence. I haven't heard anybody say it, but it's.

HIMS Advertiser (48:46)

It's.

James Palmer (48:47)

It's spot on, actually.

Diana Rossini (48:48)

Right. So we'll see how they shake it out. But I can tell you from talking to teams all season long, everyone is disgusted by the way this thing is officiated. I mean, it's. Everyone has the same response like, they don't know how to do this. When this was brought up last year, this was. This was brought up by a lot of coaches about why it should be banned and the ones that were willing to. I knew some coaches that were like, look, I don't really care either way. Just officiate it well and are you gonna be able to. That was really what they were focused on. And now we see.

James Palmer (49:17)

Okay, let me ask you this. When people bring that topic up to you in these conversations you're having in all these inside rooms and circles, do they say it's. It's. It's the Eagles jumping too quickly, the neutral zone being compromised? Is that the part that is brought up more than any other?

Diana Rossini (49:35)

Okay, it's the neutral zone. Being compromised. And. And look, the broadcast networks have done a good job of capturing it.

James Palmer (49:42)

You see, it's a little tap of the hand.

Diana Rossini (49:45)

Oh. You know, sometimes things happen in games and I'm like, I didn't. Like, I miss it. I, like, I'll be like, show it again. I didn't see, you know, that I. Can. I call it every time.

James Palmer (49:54)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (49:54)

Like, you know. So that being said, this will. This will be a topic. So we'll.

James Palmer (49:59)

I don't know, Diana, though. My curiosity is if that's the reason why I asked the question, if that's the number one officiating issue with the play that has nothing to do with Jalen hurts being pushed or not. If he just runs a quarterback sneak that way with nobody behind him. Dallas Goddard's five yards behind him going like this. I'm not pushing. They're still going to have a trouble officiating it then. So are you going to ban the quarterback sneak?

Diana Rossini (50:24)

Like, exactly.

James Palmer (50:25)

I don't understand.

Diana Rossini (50:27)

Neither do I. And I don't think they do either. That's why they're gonna have to figure out how this. I'm trying to think about who's on the competition committee that's the best at officials and game details like this. Because you got. Sean Payton's not on it anymore, actually. You got Mike Tomlin, you got Stephen Jones.

James Palmer (50:48)

Because I get, like. Don't know if he's down. When did the ball come out of his hands? I totally get that in the scrum. But if the part that you're bringing up is the most talked about aspect of it, that doesn't change if the rule changes.

Diana Rossini (50:59)

It does not exactly.

James Palmer (51:00)

It doesn't make any sense to me. I have a conspiracy theory before we go, and I'll just say this. What if the officials are calling it poorly on purpose to help it get banned?

Diana Rossini (51:12)

That's how I know you're from Philly.

James Palmer (51:15)

I probably read that on Crossing Broad or something like that.

Diana Rossini (51:18)

There's no need of me on Crossing Broad. Be nicer.

James Palmer (51:21)

Oh, okay. I'll tell them that.

Diana Rossini (51:22)

Yeah, tell them.

James Palmer (51:23)

Okay.

Diana Rossini (51:24)

Who's your favorite Philly personality right now.

James Palmer (51:26)

Other than my father?

Diana Rossini (51:28)

Like, who do you follow? Who's just like, God, they're insane or they're entertaining.

James Palmer (51:35)

Well, John Clark's my favorite one. Just because he's always at the airport. Johnny, Airport is like, he knows when everybody's gonna arrive, whether there's a transaction or a trade. He's there at the gate waiting for them at Philadelphia International Airport. And I'm Always, like, where. I feel like I follow John better and he's just an outstanding human being, by the way. But I always feel like I see.

Diana Rossini (51:54)

Him on the beach every year.

James Palmer (51:55)

I feel like he's been cloned. There's two John Clarks running around Philadelphia. There's two of them.

Diana Rossini (51:59)

I know. I have walked by him and he doesn't listen to the show and you.

James Palmer (52:04)

See a thing in the back of his neck because he's like a clone and he's like a copy of a copy.

Diana Rossini (52:08)

Avoid him, though. I'm like, oh, Johnny Airport.

James Palmer (52:11)

Johnny Airport. He's everywhere.

Diana Rossini (52:12)

Great, dude. No, you're right. Have you come across Kyle Pagan? Do you know that is.

James Palmer (52:16)

No.

Diana Rossini (52:17)

He does these amazing men on the streets outside of the Link.

James Palmer (52:21)

Oh, I know.

Pura Advertiser (52:21)

Yeah.

James Palmer (52:21)

I know who he is. I just didn't know his name.

Diana Rossini (52:23)

I've seen him. I love him. He is so funny and he gets. He just. He has a little bit of Billy on the street to him with us with a dose of Philadelphia.

Ulta Beauty Announcer (52:34)

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Diana Rossini (52:36)

Definitely. You should. You should check him out. The Eagles should hire him.

James Palmer (52:40)

Okay, beautiful.

Ulta Beauty Announcer (52:40)

Maybe we will.

James Palmer (52:41)

Maybe we'll hire him for Scoop City. Who knows? We'll be back with a Scoop City on Thursday. Diane and I are going to run get ready for Thursday Night Football. By the way, enjoy it. And enjoy your weekend of football with Chiefs Colts. Do you have a prediction, Diana, or do you not want to give one?

Diana Rossini (52:55)

Oh, no, I'll get a prediction.

James Palmer (52:56)

Yeah.

Diana Rossini (52:57)

The Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Colts. 24, 21.

James Palmer (53:02)

24, 21. You're hearing a. Felt like making a tie game and Harrison Buckner walk off field goal, apparently.

Diana Rossini (53:10)

Whoa.

James Palmer (53:11)

Okay. All right.

Diana Rossini (53:13)

You.

James Palmer (53:14)

I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with a shocker. I'm gonna say the exact same score in reverse. 24, 21.

Diana Rossini (53:24)

Can't wait for Monday.

James Palmer (53:25)

Wow. We'll talk about it Monday. Take it easy, Scooter.

Diana Rossini (53:27)

See you later.

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James Palmer (54:01)

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