Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: "Can Dak and the Cowboys Keep their Season Alive?"

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: The Athletic (James Palmer, Dianna Russini, et al.)
Featured Guests: James Boyd, John Machada, Kevin Fishbane, Matt Schneidman, Jake Seeley

Episode Overview

This episode of Scoop City dives into Week 12's pivotal NFL matchups, focusing on whether Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys can keep their playoff hopes alive during a brutal three-game stretch. The Athletic's NFL insiders take a sweeping trip around the league, delivering in-depth analysis on the Colts-Chiefs showdown, Dallas's resilience and roster decisions under pressure, the surging (but scrutinized) 7-3 Chicago Bears, and the evolving Green Bay Packers. There's also sharp fantasy football advice, plus a touch of offbeat fun with a discussion on the nation’s best roller coasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Colts vs. Chiefs: High Stakes at Arrowhead

Featuring: James Palmer & James Boyd

• Chiefs Desperation:
  • The Chiefs are reeling, fighting to avoid a three-game losing streak for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
  • "The sky is falling over there in Kansas City." – James Boyd (03:56)
• Colts’ Pressure and Opportunity:
  • For Indy, it’s a chance to prove their new regime is for real. Winning a game like this, against Mahomes at Arrowhead, could be a turning point.
  • "This is what you do it for, to beat teams like this." – James Boyd (03:57)
• Defensive Chess Match:
  • New DC Lou Anarumo (ex-Bengals) has a history of giving Mahomes trouble, chiefly by disguising coverages and blitz timings.
  • Against man coverage, Mahomes has struggled by his standards; the Colts may leverage their upgraded secondary.
• Injury Impact:
  • Star DT DeForest Buckner is on IR with a neck injury, shifting Indy’s defensive strategy to rely more on aggressive blitzing if CBs (especially Traverius Ward) return healthy.
  • "If we bring more pressure because we're lacking the presence of DeForest Buckner, maybe we can just offset that a little bit." – James Boyd (08:23)
• Indy’s Offense vs. Spagnuolo’s Tricks:
  • Daniel Jones needs to protect the ball better after a recent spike in turnovers.
  • The bye week gave the staff time to scheme around KC’s pressure.
  • "If you blink and make a mistake, [the Chiefs] typically make you pay." – James Boyd (10:17)

2. Cowboys: Testing Culture and Playoff Viability

Featuring: James Palmer & John Machada

• Tragedy and Team Resilience:
  • The Cowboys’ organization is still reeling from the tragic loss of Marshawn Nealon. Leadership from Brian Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott has helped the locker room.
  • "I don't know that you can have somebody better in this situation than Dak Prescott or Solomon Thomas..." – John Machada (13:48)
• Jerry Jones’s Roster Construction:
  • After years of neglect, the Cowboys have invested heavily in the defensive tackle position.
  • "There was not a team that had less resources at defensive tackle than the Cowboys." – John Machada (16:31)
  • Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa anchor a retooled interior; DL coach Aaron Whitecotton’s connections help ease the transition.
• The 12-Day Gauntlet:
  • Dallas faces Philly, Kansas City, then Detroit—three top teams in just 12 days.
  • "That's three... of the top six Super Bowl favorites. They get to play them in 12 days." – John Machada (19:40)
  • Machada is realistic: “I don't think they're making the playoffs this season. Let me be clear about that. But... this could be a good defense next year.” (16:31)
• WR Situation:
  • The tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens is one of the league's most productive.
  • Pickens' future is a big question due to contract and agent dynamics, but Machada is confident: "I find it very hard to believe that George Pickens won't still be with the Dallas Cowboys next year..." (22:14)
  • "Their window is the Dak Prescott window. And that window is right now." – John Machada (23:23)

3. Bears: Ascending, But How High?

Featuring: James Palmer & Kevin Fishbane

• The Ben Johnson Effect:
  • First-year head coach Ben Johnson brings more Dan Campbell-like intensity than “whiz kid” vibes.
  • "He's more like Dan Campbell than people maybe gave credit for." – Kevin Fishbane (27:14)
  • Emphasizes a run-first, physical style, blending old-school and modern schemes.
• Run Game Renaissance:
  • Since making adjustments at the bye (and inserting LT Theo Benedict), the Bears have run wild, with several massive rushing performances.
  • Collaborative offensive staff brings together ideas from Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and more.
• QB Caleb Williams’ Progress:
  • Despite accuracy and off-schedule-play struggles, there is belief in his upside, especially as he adapts to under-center/play-action calls he rarely ran in college.
  • “I think... if those could get back to what he's capable of, you see where this is going.” – Kevin Fishbane (32:28)
  • Bears are 7-3 without playing a complete game; the locker room has belief, but tough matchups loom.
• Potential Pitfalls:
  • Defense relies heavily on takeaways, not efficient pass rush.
  • Special teams inconsistency.
• Promising Foundation:
  • The best may still be ahead. “They haven't hit their potential and they're seven and three.” – Kevin Fishbane (37:43)

4. Packers: Gritty, Flawed, and Under the Microscope

Featuring: James Palmer & Matt Schneidman

• Josh Jacobs’ Iron Man Mentality:
  • Jacobs battles through sickness and injury, remaining the team’s "heart and soul" and a captain.
  • "He's just a workhorse, a true feature back who can put it all on his shoulders..." – Matt Schneidman (42:39)
• Life Without Tucker Kraft:
  • Tight end injuries have hurt yards-after-catch capability. YAC threat is mostly gone without Kraft; this has clogged the offense against Cover-2 defenses.
• Jordan Love’s Polarizing Progress:
  • “A top 10 quarterback in the NFL” when healthy, per Schneidman. He has arm talent and mobility but faces protection issues.
  • The big question: can he carry the team if Jacobs and Kraft aren't 100%?
• Coaching Future Cloudy:
  • Matt LaFleur may be on the hot seat, especially if Green Bay misses the playoffs.
  • "If they miss the playoffs, I think there's a very good chance he's fired." – Matt Schneidman (48:12)
  • Team president Ed Policy wasn't fully sold on an extension at season’s outset.

5. Fantasy Football – And Breaking Down Bears/Steelers WRs

Featuring: James Palmer & Jake Seeley

• Roma Dunes (Bears WR):
  • Dominant vs. man coverage, but Bears’ brutal upcoming schedule means he’s a sell-high if he pops in Week 12.
• DK Metcalf (Steelers WR):
  • Higher upside risk if Mason Rudolph starts; more stable floor with Aaron Rodgers—who still may or may not play.
• Other Notes:
  • Michael Wilson (Cardinals WR) benefits from Jacoby Brissett at QB, more volume, but some risk.
  • Emmanuel Wilson (Packers RB): a safe RB2, but passing-down back Chris Brooks could siphon snaps.
• Josh Jacobs Outlook:
  • He rarely sits out, even when not 100%, so consider him a set-it-and-forget-it RB1.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arrowhead:
  “Get there early, man. Get there early. It's the best smelling parking lot in the NFL.”
  – James Palmer (01:31, 12:08)

• On the Cowboys’ Defensive Investment:
  "There was not a team that had less resources at defensive tackle than the Cowboys."
  – John Machada (16:31)

• Cowboys’ Playoff Stretch:
  "That's three... of the top six Super Bowl favorites. They get to play them in 12 days."
  – John Machada (19:40)

• Bears’ Football Identity:
  "He's more like Dan Campbell than people maybe gave credit for."
  – Kevin Fishbane (27:14)

• On Bears' Locker Room Confidence:
  "...when they're playing... in a one-score game in Philadelphia, if they're in a one-score game in San Francisco, like they believe that they can win those games..."
  – Kevin Fishbane (38:18)

• Packers’ Josh Jacobs:
  "He has a C on his chest for a reason... He's the heart and soul of this packers team this year."
  – Matt Schneidman (41:15)

• Matt LaFleur’s Job Security:
  "If they miss the playoffs, I think there's a very good chance he's fired."
  – Matt Schneidman (48:12)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chiefs-Colts Talk: 03:44–12:08
• Cowboys Check-In & Culture: 12:42–23:34
• Bears Discussion: 26:05–39:47
• Packers Deep Dive: 39:49–51:22
• Fantasy Football Segment: 53:06–62:32

Tone & Takeaways

The episode captures the tense, analytical but upbeat tone of midseason NFL coverage. Hosts and guests balance behind-the-scenes reporting with honest takes—acknowledging not just wins and challenges on the field, but also real-life adversity (as with the Cowboys’ response to tragedy). The fundamental question—can Dallas survive this gauntlet?—is approached with skepticism but not cynicism; growth is possible, but only if the front office’s recent moves gel and the schedule doesn’t sink them. The Bears are riding high on potential, not perfection. The Packers are at a crossroads—on the field and the sideline.

Final Thoughts

For listeners who want the NFL’s juiciest inside scoops, nuanced breakdowns, and a pulse on everything from locker room spirit to shifting offensive schemes, this episode delivers. Whether you’re a fan of Dallas, Chicago, Indy, or Green Bay, or a fantasy player hunting for your next edge, “Can Dak and the Cowboys Keep their Season Alive?” is a must-listen snapshot of the NFL’s Week 12 crossroads.