Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Bills-Chiefs: The Game That Defines Buffalo’s Season
Host: James Palmer (The Athletic)
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Scoop City dives deep into several of the most compelling NFL storylines ahead of Week 9, led by the highly anticipated Bills-Chiefs showdown—a game loaded with season-defining stakes for Buffalo. Host James Palmer, alongside expert guests and The Athletic’s reporting team, covers the precarious state of the Bills’ passing attack, the Chiefs' offensive resurgence, trade deadline strategies across teams, evolving narratives around star players like A.J. Brown, and the mental health journey of Colts tackle Braden Smith.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Buffalo Bills at a Crossroads: Passing Struggles and the Chiefs Test

Guest: Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat reporter
Segment Start: [03:34]

• Bills’ Passing Game Stagnation

  • Yards per target to receivers is below one yard—historically low (04:24).
  • Last week, Allen's receivers amassed 110 yards; only 6 came through the air, the rest after the catch (04:42).
  • Offensive explosion (200+ rushing yards vs Panthers) camouflaged larger issues in the passing game.

• Is it Fixable?

  • Reminiscent of 2024, when the Bills pivoted by adding Amari Cooper (03:34).
  • Uncertainty lingered about whether current personnel could spark needed change (03:53).

• Trade Deadline Scenarios

  • General Manager Brandon Beane’s decision-making may hinge on the Chiefs outcome.
  • “If they come through here and they watch Patrick Mahomes pass it all over the yard on them...that might be a moment where he's like, ‘I have to do something more substantial…’” — Joe Buscaglia (05:41).

• Personnel

  • The offense is “one-dimensional,” relying on three-tight end sets—not sustainable down the stretch (06:55).
  • Bills are “likely to add a receiver before Tuesday’s [trade] deadline,” regardless of the Chiefs result (07:23).

2. Bills Defense vs. Chiefs Weapons—Personnel Updates & Adjustments

Segment Start: [07:54]

• Secondary Shuffling

  • Moving pieces after safety Taylor Rapp’s injury; Jordan Poyer (age 34) now on early downs, open-field rookie Jordan Hancock on passing downs (08:20).
  • Return of CB Maxwell Hairston from injury; more man coverage used after being burned by zone (09:24).

• Challenge Level

  • Facing Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, Worthy, and a suddenly deep KC WR group is “another animal entirely” (09:55).

3. Stakes for Buffalo: Season-Defining Implications

Segment Start: [10:23]

• “This is such a bigger game for Buffalo than it is for the Kansas City Chiefs…we’re going to learn exactly what they are this season.” — Joe Buscaglia (11:00)
• Bills have feasted on poor opponents, lost to “up-and-coming teams,” and have yet to face a real litmus test (11:23).
• The regular season vs. postseason dichotomy: “Bills in the postseason against the Chiefs? Never beat them.” (12:36)

4. Indianapolis Colts—Jonathan Taylor’s MVP Case & Braden Smith’s Mental Health Journey

Guest: James Boyd, Colts beat reporter
Segment Start: [13:09]

• Jonathan Taylor for MVP?

  • First running back with a real shot since Adrian Peterson (2012).
  • Taylor on pace for “30 total touchdowns from scrimmage…last guy who did that was LaDainian Tomlinson, MVP in 2006” (15:38).

• Locker Room Transparency—Braden Smith’s Battle with OCD

  • Colts right tackle missed end of last season, later revealed he was fighting religious-themed OCD (16:27).
  • Supported fully by Colts organization, now in better space—shows power of player vulnerability (18:03).
  • “He was strong enough to say, yes, I play football … but I need to get myself together.” — James Boyd (17:16)

• Trade Deadline Aggression

  • The offense grades among the best of the century (20:00), but defense needs another edge or cornerback.
  • GM Chris Ballard unlikely to splurge on draft picks but “should try to capitalize on a championship window” (19:08).

5. Minnesota Vikings—The Pressure on JJ McCarthy

Guest: Alec Lewis, Vikings reporter
Segment Start: [22:15]

• “This is his time…this is where this team needs to find out what they have.” — Alec Lewis on JJ McCarthy (22:57)

• After playing sparingly since being drafted (10th overall, 2024), McCarthy returns from a high-ankle sprain.

• Expectation baseline: “Can he get through this game healthy?” (23:34)

• Vikings offense is a work-in-progress, with investments in O- and D-line not paying off as hoped.

• “The process is still at the ultimate beginning stage,” despite the season’s length (25:20).

• Regret in QB Planning?

  • Team passed over on experienced options (Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold). If things go south for McCarthy, front office decisions will face scrutiny (28:14).

6. A.J. Brown Deep Dive—The Person Behind the Player

Guest: Brooks Kubena, The Athletic (author of viral A.J. Brown profile)
Segment Start: [33:03]

• Key Insights from A.J. Brown Profile

  • “There are athletes that work and dedicate themselves to the craft and then there’s people like A.J. Brown who justify themselves through that work.” — Brooks Kubena (34:05)
  • Brown’s intensity, training, and film study are unmatched, sometimes setting him up for understandable frustration if not featured in the offense (36:00).
  • The WR position’s unique psychology—so much (scheme/QB/OL/defense/situation) has to go right to even see the ball.

• A.J. Brown, not a “diva”

  • “He’s very resistant to that easy phrase…whenever it seems like they're at the very least understandable for being squeaky wheels” (38:00).

• Story Genesis

  • Sparked by Brown’s IG post after the Super Bowl loss on the pursuit of fulfillment, not just rings (39:24).
  • Built from multi-week, candid conversations; rare openness from a star athlete.

• Would A.J. Brown’s Personality “Travel” to a New Team?

  • “I think those are the things he’s trying to figure out for himself…it’s the same challenge, no matter what building he’s in.” — Brooks Kubena (42:27)

• Eagles Offense—Turning the Corner?

  • Balanced dominance in last two games (big receiving and rushing performances).
  • “Answers are starting to emerge…talent is there,” with hope the bye week augurs a consistent run as in their championship season (46:31).

7. Fantasy Corner & Fun: Halloween Candy Rankings

Guest: Jake Seeley (The Athletic fantasy columnist)
Segment Start: [50:30]

• Hosts appear in costume (Red Power Ranger, Darkwing Duck).
• Debates on best Halloween candy (Jake: “Nerds Gummy Clusters are the best candy on earth.” [52:06]).
• Overrated candies: “Milky Way is just lazy Snickers. No peanuts. Like, what’s the point?” — Jake Seeley (51:46)

Fantasy Buy Low/Sell High Notes [54:24]

• Buy Lows: Baker Mayfield (“tough schedule behind, weapons returning”), Quinshon Judkins (“bellcow role, friendly schedule”), Christian Watson (Packers, emerging as No. 2 option).
• Sell Highs: Bo Nix (Broncos, brutal late-season schedule), Rome Odunze (Chicago, tough playoff stretch).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe Buscaglia, on the Bills’ passing woes [04:42]:
  “Of all the yards that Josh Allen threw to receivers, there were 110 of them total. Six of them were through the air. 104 were after the catch.”

• James Palmer, on the Bills-Chiefs ramifications [11:00]:
  “So many people are telling me and saying around the league right now that this is such a bigger game for Buffalo than it is for the Kansas City Chiefs. Why are people saying that?”

• James Boyd, on Braden Smith’s mental health journey [17:16]:
  “He was strong enough to say, yes, I play football...but I need to get myself together.”

• Brooks Kubena, on A.J. Brown’s mindset [34:05]:
  “There are athletes that, that work and dedicate themselves to the craft and then there’s people like A.J. brown who justify themselves through that work.”

• Jake Seeley, on Halloween candy [51:46]:
  “Milky Way is just lazy Snickers. No peanuts. Like, what’s the point?”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:34] – Bills’ offensive struggles: Is it fixable?
• [07:54] – Bills defense: Injury updates, tactics for Chiefs
• [11:00] – Why the Bills-Chiefs game is “season-defining”
• [13:09] – Colts talk: Jonathan Taylor MVP, Braden Smith’s story
• [19:08] – Colts trade deadline, championship window
• [22:15] – Vikings: The pressure on JJ McCarthy
• [28:14] – Vikings’ front office and QB debate/regret
• [33:03] – Deep dive: A.J. Brown profile, psyche, and fulfillment
• [46:31] – Have Eagles found offensive rhythm post-bye?
• [50:30] – Halloween candy rankings, fantasy football buy/sell

Conclusion

This episode offers insightful analysis on the Bills-Chiefs game and what’s at stake for Buffalo, breaks down the shifting dynamics for several NFL contenders, delivers moving storytelling around player mental health and personal fulfillment, and wraps with timely fantasy advice and Halloween fun. Expert guests draw on deep reporting and locker-room access, bringing fans nuanced context and behind-the-scenes perspective they won’t get anywhere else.

For more in-depth NFL reporting, read The Athletic and tune in to Scoop City Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.