Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Are the Los Angeles Rams & Matthew Stafford the best team in the league?

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: James Palmer (The Athletic), Chase Daniel (ex-quarterback)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 12’s most dramatic NFL moments, with a core focus on the Los Angeles Rams’ dominance and Matthew Stafford’s MVP campaign. Palmer and Daniel dissect the state of the league’s best teams—the Rams, Chiefs, Cowboys, and more—and provide behind-the-scenes details and expert analysis on quarterback evolutions, offensive strategies, coaching impacts, and standout player performances. Key questions surface, such as: Are the Rams now the outright best team in football? Is Stafford playing the best football of his career? Can the Chiefs reinvent themselves in time? The hosts also break down rookie QB debuts and coaching carousel news with their signature candid, analytical banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Season-Saving Win & Mahomes Reset

• Game Recap:
  The Chiefs staged a critical comeback against the Colts, greatly improving their playoff odds (from 36% to 67% with the win).
• Red Zone Woes vs. General Domination:
  Chiefs outgained the Colts in almost every statistical category but were only 1-for-6 in the red zone. (04:05)
  • Chase Daniel: "If they lose this... it just gets a lot more difficult. I do think this is a point... this is absolutely a season-saving win for the Chiefs." (05:24)
• Mahomes’ Self-Reflection and Adjustment:
  Mahomes admitted postgame he slowed down in the pocket and played more methodically, a shift from recent "skittish" habits.
  • James Palmer: “He said... I have to be that guy in order for us to win. And I thought I did a better job of it in this game.” (06:00)
  • Chase Daniel: “He’s not trusting the offensive line at all... he’s hitting his back foot and already at number three in progression because he’s so smart.” (07:05)
• Key Plays & Tactical Breakdown:
  Daniel zooms in on a season-defining 3rd and 7 in OT (Worthy’s route) and a crucial Rashee Rice completion that set up the game-winner. (08:43)
  • Daniel: “You could make a case... this is a season-defining play for them.”

2. New Look for Chiefs: Committing to the Run

• Statistical Shift:
  For the first time this season, Chiefs had a 100-yard rusher and receiver in the same game. (05:24)
• Andy Reid’s Philosophy Flip:
  Instead of passing to set up the run, the Chiefs prioritized running early.
  • Chase Daniel: "Andy Reid has always been a pass to set up the run. This game, it was run to set up the pass. It was a good game plan." (11:06)
• Offensive Line Impact:
  Running early allowed the O-line to settle and contributed to later pass-game success, despite red zone inefficiency.
  • Daniel: "Those big hogs up front... love running the football. It also helps them get settled in early in the game.” (12:51)

3. Dallas Cowboys: Epic Comeback & Coaching Culture

• Comeback vs. Eagles:
  Down 21-0, Dallas scored 24 unanswered. The win was seen as season-saving, thanks to heightened locker-room unity.
  • James Palmer: “This could carry them... with what Brian Schottenheimer has been able to do.” (13:57)
  • Chase Daniel: “He hasn’t lost the locker room, man. And that’s super important.” (14:06)
• Dak Prescott’s MVP-Level Play:
  Faced with adversity, Prescott remained poised. The Cowboys kept the run/pass balance, sticking to their prep even when down big.
  • Palmer: “He goes for 354, completing 64%... He found some soft spots in our zone...” (15:32)
  • Daniel: “When you’re down 21 nothing early, it feels like insurmountable. You can’t get all 21 points back in one play.” (16:44)
• George Pickens Transformation:
  The Cowboys are unlocking Pickens’ full route tree, making him one of the most dangerous WRs in football.
  • Chase Daniel: “They’re really putting on display his full arsenal... If they don’t tag him, like, George Pickens is worth $40 million a year.” (19:34)

4. Los Angeles Rams: Are They NFL’s Best?

• Win Streak & NFC Supremacy:
  Rams’ 6-game streak is Stafford’s longest; five of those wins by >14 points, never trailing in them. (20:58)
• Stafford’s Career Peak:
  At age 37, Stafford’s synergy with McVay and weapons like Devante Adams, Puka Devonte, and Kyren Williams fuels an MVP-caliber run.
  • Chase Daniel: “They are the most well-rounded team offensively, in my opinion... He’s playing like the unquestioned MVP.” (21:14)
  • Palmer: “[He’s] seeing it so quick... he’s the best QB in the NFL against the blitz... in play action... and in the red zone. The only thing missing is game-winning drives—because he hasn’t needed them!” (22:25)
  • Daniel: “What Devante [Adams] is able to do at his age... is still in my opinion one of the best receivers at tight window releases.” (23:38)
• Elite Red Zone Play (Both Sides):
  Rams are top-5 in red zone offense (83% success last 3 weeks) and #2 in red zone defense.
  • Palmer: “Where they are from the 20s and in separates them from the rest of the league.” (24:49)

5. Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson’s Organizational Turnaround

• Culture Shift:
  New head coach Ben Johnson’s message and offensive creativity are energizing the Bears.
  • Chase Daniel: “The power of buy-in is huge... the messaging behind the messenger is Ben Johnson.” (26:01)
  • Daniel: “[They’re] top five in the league in a lot of categories... with a [QB] that’s middling. It looks like an NFL offense now.” (26:01)
• Caleb Williams’ Growth:
  Emphasis on minimizing negative plays and learning from Detroit’s offense is unlocking gradual improvements.
  • Daniel: “No negative plays, no sacks, no turnovers. A punt is not a bad deal.” (28:40)
  • Daniel: “He’s gotten a lot better within the pocket, under center. That’s the biggest thing I’ve seen.” (29:53)

6. QB Debuts & Struggles: Shador Sanders, J.J. McCarthy, and Coaching Moves

Shador Sanders (Browns)

• Debut Analysis:
  Browns limited Sanders’ responsibilities, but he made flashes (notably against cover zero pressure).
  • Daniel: “The grade is incomplete. Solid’s fine... for the most part, the Cleveland Browns didn’t allow him to play quarterback.” (35:38)
  • Palmer: “Inside the building they thought it was a solid day... we set him up to succeed the best we could.” (35:38)
  • Daniel: “He deserves another start. The Browns are in evaluation phase...” (39:32)

Coaching Changes

• Vegas & Around the League:
  Pete Carroll fired OC Chip Kelly after a disastrous week; Mike Kafka (interim) is shaking up the Raiders’ lineup on both sides of the ball.

J.J. McCarthy (Vikings)

• Continuing to Struggle:
  McCarthy is among the worst graded QBs by advanced metrics (EPA per dropback 870th out of 813 since 2005).
  • Daniel: “Everything’s not working. Next question.” (41:11)
  • Palmer: “Are these mechanics fixable?”
    Daniel: “They are, but it’s how fast can they be fixed. And you can only really evaluate that when the game’s live.” (45:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Rams dominance:
  James Palmer: “We might have, for the first time this season, the unquestioned best team in the NFL, I believe, and that’s the Los Angeles Rams.” (24:49)

• On Andy Reid’s adjusted approach:
  Chase Daniel: “Andy Reid has always been a pass to set up the run. This game, it was run to set up the pass.” (11:06)

• On coaching “buy-in” and transformation in Chicago:
  Daniel: “The power of buy-in is huge. Not every single head coach in America can get these old men... grown men to buy into a message.” (26:01)

• On Jameis Winston’s rollercoaster:
  Daniel: “Red-hot Jameis... He’s like top 10, top 8. Just bottle that up.” (50:17)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 03:36 | Chiefs season on the line; breakdown of playoff odds | | 04:50 | Chiefs second half adjustments, Mahomes’ mindset | | 08:43 | Key OT play analysis: Mahomes to Worthy | | 10:41 | Chiefs’ run game & Andy Reid’s philosophy | | 13:57 | Cowboys’ comeback vs. Eagles; locker room impact | | 15:32 | Dak Prescott’s MVP-caliber performance | | 19:34 | George Pickens’ expanded role and “$40M” valuation | | 20:57 | Rams: streak, Stafford’s elite play, red zone stats | | 26:01 | Bears’ culture shift and Ben Johnson’s leadership | | 28:27 | Caleb Williams’ development inside the pocket | | 35:38 | Shador Sanders’ debut for the Browns | | 41:11 | JJ McCarthy’s struggles, ugly stat: EPA per dropback | | 48:18 | Week 12 shout-outs: Jameis Winston, Jahmyr Gibbs |

Week 12 Shout-Outs

• Chase Daniel:
  Jameis Winston, for electrifying ball play, dynamic improvisation, and energy on a struggling team (48:37)

• James Palmer:
  Jahmyr Gibbs, for unparalleled speed and explosiveness—now with the highest yards per carry (>500 attempts) since 1950, surpassing Bo Jackson (50:33)

Takeaways for NFL Fans

• Rams’ dominance is real, built on Stafford’s MVP play and a perfectly-synced offense/defense.
• Chiefs may have turned a corner, embracing a more balanced attack and giving Mahomes room to recalibrate.
• Dak is still elite, and Dallas’ coaching shift deserves real credit for stabilizing the team.
• Chicago is rising on the back of coaching buy-in and gradual QB play improvement.
• QB evaluation season is here for struggling franchises: rookie QBs, like Shador Sanders and J.J. McCarthy, are under the microscope—with coaching and supporting cast playing pivotal roles in their trajectories.
• Every week still brings jaw-dropping individual plays, like those from Jameis Winston and Jahmyr Gibbs.

This episode is an essential listen—or read—for NFL fans tracking the late-season power shifts, the evolution of big-name quarterbacks, and the subtle factors that build (or break) elite teams. The hosts’ blend of humor, player insights, and inside intel delivers both entertainment and education for die-hard fans and casual observers alike.