Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Did the Giants step back in devastating loss vs. Broncos?
Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: James Palmer (The Athletic), Dianna Russini (The Athletic Senior NFL Insider)
Absent: Chase Daniel

Main Theme & Episode Overview

In this episode, James Palmer and Dianna Russini dissect a dramatic NFL weekend, focusing on the New York Giants’ historic fourth-quarter collapse against the Denver Broncos. They provide insider details from locker rooms, analyze pivotal quarterback injuries, explore the state of the Eagles after their “mini-bye,” debate team statements and MVP races, and wrap up with some relatable seasonal (and suburban) fall shenanigans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Injuries and Updates

Timestamps: 05:00–16:00

• Jaden Daniels (Commanders): Hamstring injury—opposite leg from the one with the knee brace. MRI results pending.
  • “Look, anytime it’s a hamstring … these are the injuries that you see where we report it’s two weeks, and then it’s week eight, and they’re still not out there.” (Dianna, 05:55)
  • Adam Peters concerned about soft tissue after Daniels’ missed time. Commanders’ offense struggle to stay healthy as a whole.
• 49ers Update:
  • Fred Warner: Seen with leg elevated, no new concrete info, but concern is high.
  • Brock Purdy & Ricky Pearsall: Both aiming for a week 8 return, but not guaranteed. Purdy’s turf toe “is very day-to-day…all about pain management.” (Dianna, 07:23)
  • Mac Jones filling in successfully, incentives kick in ($400k bonus for Sunday win, $100k for each further win).
  • Sean Payton and Mac Jones’ personalities fit well together, Mac as solid backup/QB room presence.
• Other QBs:
  • J.J. McCarthy: Ankle sprain prognosis was always 4–6 weeks, not put on IR because team hoped recovery would be 4 and not 6.
    • “They just were hoping he was going to progress faster and he didn’t.” (Dianna, 13:39)
  • Carson Wentz: Playing as expected—solid but imperfect bridge.
  • Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers: All progressing positively in injury recoveries.

2. Miami Dolphins in Crisis Mode

Timestamps: 16:17–21:29

• Head coach Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa, and the Dolphins under scrutiny after a blowout by the Browns and “players-only” meetings as early as week 1.
• Insider info: No coaching changes imminent (“as of 12:26pm Monday”), but everyone in the building feels like “dead men walking.”
  • “The reality is the Miami Dolphins are not good at all. And they’re lacking everything from the top, bottom, top to the bottom.” (Dianna, 16:26)
• Tua’s play and leadership widely questioned; his recent comments led to several days of apologies before last week’s loss.
  • “He hasn’t helped himself with his play. He hasn’t helped himself with his comments. He’s the captain … none of this is reflective of an organization that Mike McDaniel has wanted.” (Dianna, 19:57)
• Possible trade talk: League interest in Dolphins' assets (Bradley Chubb, Jaden Phillips).
• Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could be an interim candidate, but defensive struggles make it complicated.

3. Broncos' Historic Comeback vs. Giants: Inside the Collapse

Timestamps: 22:10–32:28

Setting the Scene

• “33 points in the fourth quarter for the Denver Broncos against the New York Giants to get the win.” (Dianna, 22:13)
• Palmer was on site, capturing raw footage and reactions. Outside the Giants’ locker room, star pass rusher Brian Burns “absolutely livid.”
  • “He is being consoled by multiple players still in his uniform … just not knowing what transpired and why … his position group wasn’t … a deciding factor in the win.” (James, 24:20)

Analysis & Critique

• Giants dominated Denver for three quarters in all phases; key complaints include late-game defensive choices (rushing only three, taking pressure off Bonix).
  • “You essentially take the best unit of your team … out of the equation with the game on the line.” (James, 24:21)
• Loss is devastating for the Giants’ mood and trajectory:
  • “They are a wreck over this … to lose in the fashion that they did … let’s just take one big step back … this is a team that has found a spark with their young rookies … and yet this happens.” (Dianna, 25:32)
• Broncos locker room (post-win): Coach Sean Payton elated, telling players—“You better come and visit me in the nursing home and tell me about this game.” (James, 28:15)
• Giants' season at a “crossroads”—this loss could be the emotional dagger.
• Rookie QB Jackson Dart impresses despite loss: “That was not a rookie running the huddle in the two-minute to end the game.” (James, 30:56)
• Bo Nix criticized for only coming alive in the fourth quarter.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Are They Back?

Timestamps: 35:46–41:17

• “I don’t think the offense is fixed. I didn’t watch the game going the Eagles are back.” (Dianna, 36:27)
• Mini-bye week gave them time to heal; Landon Dickerson and Jalen Carter returned. Depth is an issue compared to last year.
• Brandon Graham possibly returning—“but that wouldn’t be the only move” to address pass rush.” (James, 38:09)
• Team protected Jalen Hurts better; vertical passing game and key explosives returned (A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith). Run game still problematic.
• Jalen Hurts’ post-game: “We ain’t effing losers no more.” (James/Jalen, 40:11) — James jokes about future copyrighting of Hurts’ motivational sayings.
• Players (not just coaches) making critical in-game adjustments (Devonta Smith suggested successful play-action calls).

5. Biggest Team “Statement Wins”—Hosts’ Picks

Timestamps: 43:12–49:40

Dianna: Indianapolis Colts

• Shane Steichen’s offense “humming”—reminds hosts of his Eagles play-calling days.
• Defense led by Lou Anarumo holding strong despite injuries.
• Daniel Jones (ex-Giants QB) thriving: “This version of him is the Daniel Jones the Giants always wanted.”
• Colts could be in the conversation for Coach of the Year (Shane Steichen), Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player, possibly MVP or Comeback for Daniel Jones.
  • “The Colts could sweep the awards.” (James, 46:41)
• Team is 6-1—their best start since 2009 (Peyton Manning’s Super Bowl year).

James: Dallas Cowboys

• Dak Prescott “playing like the MVP of the NFL.”
• Dallas now leads NFL in total offense and is second in points per game.
• CD Lamb’s return and George Pickens (ex-Steelers) both productive—team chemistry holding up despite Pickens’ prior locker room reputation.
• “If the defense can just be okay … are they a contender now?” (James, 49:36)
• Credit given to Jerry Jones and Brian Schottenheimer for managing personalities and leveraging the new offensive weapons.

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Giants' late defensive call:
  • "You essentially take the best unit of your team … out of the equation with the game on the line." (James, 24:21)
• On the Dolphins:
  • "The reality is the Miami Dolphins are not good at all. And they’re lacking everything from the top, bottom, top to the bottom." (Dianna, 16:26)
  • “There’s this feeling of dead men walking … everyone’s just kind of waiting — when is there going to be a change?” (Dianna, 21:11)
• Sean Payton after comeback:
  • "Boys, you better come and visit me in the nursing home and tell me about this game." (James imitating Payton, 28:16)
• On Daniel Jones (now with Colts):
  – “This version of him is the Daniel Jones the Giants always wanted.” (Dianna, 44:50) – “Are we going to be the first show to say that Daniel Jones needs … to enter the MVP race or comeback player of the year?” (Dianna, 46:15)
• Jalen Hurts, after Eagles’ win:
  – "We ain’t effing losers no more." (Jalen Hurts/James, 40:11)

7. Fun Closing Segment: Fall Family Traditions & Suburban Woes

Timestamps: 55:38–63:26

• Hosts riff on the joys and challenges of fall activities—pumpkin carving fails, sticker/Sharpie disasters, "boo bags" (Halloween-themed ding dong ditch with treats), and whether these traditions are worth the stress.
  • “Are these worth a damn, or are they pointless and we’re just falling victim to these traditions?” (James, 55:20)
• Dianna shares her family’s adventure with boo bags—kids confused; parents exasperated by late-night doorbells and resulting chaos.
• James counters with suburban teenager “ding-dong ditch,” now turbocharged by e-bikes.
  • “I would be the guy waiting in the bushes … I don’t think I’m punching him.” (James, 61:45)
• Both reminisce on childhood pranks and consider the evolution of neighborhood high jinks in 2025.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Quarterback Injury Roundup: 05:00–16:00
• Miami Dolphins Meltdown: 16:17–21:29
• Broncos–Giants Collapse Recap: 22:10–32:28
• Philadelphia Eagles Analysis: 35:54–41:17
• Team Statement Picks (Colts & Cowboys): 43:12–49:40
• Memorable Quotes: Throughout (see above)
• Fall Traditions/Families/Neighborhood Life: 55:38–63:26

Conclusion:

This lively episode offered deep insider access, emotional post-game reporting, and sharp, big-picture analysis on the NFL’s evolving storylines—including key injuries, team crises, statement wins, and franchise-defining moments. The hosts’ banter and ground-level insights ensure listeners walk away both informed and entertained—whether they caught the historic Broncos comeback or are just trying to get permanent marker off their kids.