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Chase Daniel
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Paige DeSorbo
Paige desorbo. They are Tommy John. And yes, I'm stocking up because they make the best holiday gifts.
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James Palmer
Everybody said it was a no look into the end zone. The eyes were looking. A face mask.
Paige DeSorbo
Yeah. Yeah.
Chase Daniel
Does he.
James Palmer
What does he do with his head that you love to watch when. Yeah, when he plays.
Chase Daniel
Well, I just think in general, he's. He's the smartest quarterback in the NFL and I was with him for a year and I was with Drew Brees. I was with Alex Smith, which Very, very smart when it comes to recollection and when it comes to remembering certain things and certain plays, I mean, he would just. He's an encyclopedia of football knowledge.
James Palmer
Welcome into Scoop City on a Wednesday. I'm James Palmer. Don't forget to like and subscribe. Please do both. That'd be great. Who cannot afford to slip up in week 17? We'll talk about it as we go through the course of some monster games that start on Christmas and go through the course of the weekend. We'll also talk about a couple of quarterbacks can Drake may really win the mvp? Chase is going to break down what his chances are. How about Trevor Lawrence finding his way into that discussion and Brock Purdy playing out of his mind with we've seen the best maybe we've ever seen of Brock Purdy. Chase Daniel joins me from location undisclosed or do you want to tell us where you're at?
Chase Daniel
Undisclosed location.
James Palmer
Okay, good.
Chase Daniel
Hotel room kids are downstairs eating breakfast. So we're good, man. We're good. Having a cup of coffee.
James Palmer
Love it.
Chase Daniel
Enjoying a Wednesday with you, James.
James Palmer
Yeah, love to. We are spending a Wednesday together. Love to spend this Wednesday morning with you, Jason. Listen, after Monday night, let's just look at this here in terms of the landscape of where we are with the playoff picture. The Jaguars, Chargers and Bills are into the postseason now that the Colts lost that Monday nighter against the 49ers. So if the Texans and Packers win on Saturday, Chase 13 of the 14 spots are essentially clinched. And Week 18, and we were talking about this before the show could mostly just mean seeding, maybe some division titles, some shuffling there, but we have a pretty good idea almost of the, of the teams that we're going to be seeing in the postseason.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I mean, it was interesting to have this so late in the season. Usually there's a lot of teams at clinch and you have division winners at clinch early. But for whatever reason this season a lot of parody, a lot of juggernauts are not in the playoffs. I mean, we're going to talk about a few later in the show, but it's just, you know, week 18 was always where you could play the backups and I got to play a couple times in week eight games, you know what I mean? And a lot of times, you know, after that 17 game in week 18, you know, you're tired, you're, you're playing for a seed. And, and since, you know, the seeding went from where the 1 and 2 seed got bys now to the 1 seed, I mean it, we have no clue who's going to be the one seed and that that's the most important thing. So coming down, I mean, this is what the NFL wanted, right? Like seating and everyone in and going to be a lot of people watching.
James Palmer
Yeah, you're exactly right. Being in that Broncos locker room after the loss of the Jaguars, that's all everybody was Talking to me about we need to still get that one seed. We know how valuable it is when you're the only team that gets that by, they still have a chance to control destiny. Beat the Chiefs, beat the Chargers, the Broncos get that one seed. But there's some other teams, Chase, that are hanging on by a threat. I want to know who you're kind of disappointed in if they don't make the postseason. And if you look at where things stand, the Lions and Vikings play on Christmas. Diana's going to be there. We'll be watching. Clearly, obviously the Ravens and Packers play on Saturday and both Deans need some help to get in. Also remember, the Ravens could be eliminated on Saturday and that means with DK Metcalf suspension, Week 18 may not even matter the second game of that suspension suspension, which is something I wanted to point out. The Lions need the packers to lose out and the Ravens need to win out. To get in with the Lions and the Ravens specifically, if one of those teams doesn't get in, who would you be more disappointed in?
Chase Daniel
Oh, man, that's tough. I mean, it's, it's obviously, you know, both of those teams, but if you look at it at a microscope and you looked at what the preseason was, there was everyone, everyone was talking about the Baltimore Ravens and everyone was talking about Lamar Jackson and everyone was talking about Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers and Harbaugh and all these guys that have made this next step and have really played well for a lot of the season. Obviously Lamar being out some games really hurt them. But even when he was and he was hurt and he was nicked up, he just wasn't the same. I mean, look, I really enjoy watching Lamar Jackson play football, specifically the last two and a half, three years because everyone knew what he could do as a runner and everyone knew what he could do to extend plays. He became a new version these last two and a half, three years of himself and it was, hey, we can win from the pocket. And there was a lot of teams that were making him win from the pocket. He had two MVP type worthy seasons. Obviously Josh Allen winning last year. But the way Lamar had been playing and ascending, even though it feels like he's been playing forever, it was like, hey, if you have a quarterback in this league, you can win. And when your quarterback gets nicked up and you're a line doesn't play well and you're using Derek Henry the right way, all of a sudden that defense isn't as vaunted as, as you would think. It Just, I think because of the expectations that were put on Baltimore, you know, that's probably the most disappointing. And then you look at the Lions side. I mean, it's definitely disappointing because all we've known, really, since Dan Campbell's been there, other than the first year and a half, is like, hey, they just win. They win, they win, they win. And it's really hard to point at a situation this year where they haven't been. And you try to dissect it. And Goff has actually. I mean, did you see Tony Romo on the broadcast? He's like, hey, he's my mvp. I'm like, tony, what are we doing? No, he's not.
James Palmer
We'll get to MVPs. Tony, if you're listening, I'm like, what are we doing? But you won't be mentioned.
Chase Daniel
Look, both of them are really disappointing. Both of them are juggernauts, and just people were used to seeing in the playoffs, and there's a real chance that none of them could be in.
James Palmer
Yeah, that's a wild part right now. The Packers, I mentioned them real quickly. We can get to them if you'd like. They have a 97% chance of getting in. They. They have a very good chance of getting in. I think that that would be maybe. I think one of the more disappointing ones for me, if you look at it from the. The aspect of. I'd like to see Jordan Love in the postseason.
Chase Daniel
Yes.
James Palmer
Because I want to see if he can take that step with the Ravens. They have a 7% chance of getting in the way they would get in. So everybody knows that the Ravens beat the packers and then the Steelers, who will not, most likely not have DK Metcalf be upset by the Browns. That would make Week 18 winner take all for the division.
Chase Daniel
Ravens are out.
James Palmer
Dude, Ravens is Pat. Okay. Chase is saying Ravens are out. I agree with you because they were my super bowl pick. And in a season where no Patrick Mahomes in the postseason, obviously the Bills with Josh Allen have certain flaws. Joe Burrow is out. If Lamar played like almost every other season we've seen leading up into this one, you'd go. The Ravens have a wonderful path through the afc, and it's just not the case. The point I wanted to make to you, because I agree with the Lions also, which. The best offense in football. Dan Campbell takes over play calling. They get even better. They have a 3% chance of getting in. So banged up in the secondary has played a big part. Is it wild when I mentioned these three teams dan Campbell, Matt LaFleur and John Harbaugh that Dan Campbell might be the most safe at the end of this season. Isn't that a wild statement? Because these are great coaches.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I mean, they are great coaches. And I just don't look Harbaugh, he hasn't lived up. I mean, when I say he hasn't lived up, I mean, the standard there, when you have Lamar Jackson, you have a lot of of teams that he's had, it's like, hey, super bowl or bus, super bowl or bust. I just don't know if you're going to find someone else better than him. And it's sort of like this situation. It's like, all right, like, who are we going to replace him with? And you look at some of the names and respectfully speaking, like, it's hardball. It's hardball. And I think that there's definitely got to be some things that change. But, you know, you had mentioned about, you know, Lamar Jackson and I thought this is interesting. If you just look at really missing the playoffs and this might be his best year, yada, yada, yada. If you look at the teams that are seated in the playoffs right now and just look at their quarterback, right? Broncos Bo Nicks, second year guy, had one playoff lost to the Buffalo Bills, Patriots. Drake may never been Trevor Lawrence. I mean, I was on that team that they played in, the Chargers for that playoff win that he came back from 35 to three or whatever it.
James Palmer
Was, and then almost beat the Chiefs in Kansas City. Remember that game?
Chase Daniel
Yes. Yeah, that was nuts. That was close. But then you look at Chargers. Justin Herbert never won a playoff game. You look at the Bills, obviously, like Josh Allen, he would be the supreme leader at this point. But then you look at the Steelers, and the Steelers are an interesting one because of Aaron Rodgers in the playoff experience. So that's going to be interesting to watch as we, as we continue to watch the playoff picture. There's a lot of unexperienced guys you look at like Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers. Those are the two guys that are like, hey, we have the most playoff experience that comes into play big time.
James Palmer
Yeah, that's a really good point. And if the Steelers defense can stop the run like they did against the Lions, we'll see if they can kind of put a couple pieces together and run the football successfully. Maybe the Steelers team could be dangerous if they get in. You mentioned all these different quarterbacks. There's two of them that are part of this AFC landscape with C.J. stroud. And Justin Herbert. And you have both, you know, the Chargers and Texans. I'm stoked for this one. Yeah, a couple of reasons. I don't think anybody wants to play Houston. Right. Right now. But when you take a look at this game, what would you get out of it? First, if the Chargers come away with a win, and then if the Texans come away with one, what would you learn about these two teams as they head towards the postseason?
Chase Daniel
I would say the Chargers are for real. And that's, you're like, chase, they have 10, 11, like how are you saying they're just now for real? Look, the schedule hasn't been great. They beat the Broncos ot. I get that. That was a good win for them. But the way the Texans have been playing, there's no hotter team in the NFL right now and they're winning. Yes, C.J. stroud is playing well. Yes. The offensive consistency has been up and down this year and it's starting to trend up. I do think CJ has seen the field a lot better. I think he's played his way through that sophomore slump and I feel like he's, he's, he's trending up. And here's the thing though. The Chargers offensive line is very, very poor. And you're going up against a defensive line who is the best in the game. I mean, it is, it is in my opinion, really not even close in terms Broncos, I'll say close. But what the Texans have been able to do to get pressure on teams this year, they have been harassing quarterbacks. That is easily the worst part of the Chargers. So how do they handle that situation in that pass rush? Like if you go max, protect all game, I'm fine. Just Justin Herbert is banged up, right? His, his hands broken. He's, he's wearing a sleeve on his left. All this stuff, you have to protect them. So it. Show me their. And then the other side is the Texans team. It's like, hey, go on the road, beat a really solid team, a really well coached team. I mean, this is a, this is a huge battle for playoffs, playoff seedings, division winners, all this stuff. There's big time stakes in this game.
James Palmer
Yeah, this one is circled for me just because of the way both teams are playing. I think the Texans are getting a little more attention for the way they're playing as opposed to the Chargers where nobody's paying attention to what Justin Herbert and company are doing. There's two aspects of this game, Chase, that stand out to me. One, obviously you mentioned this pass rush going Against a banged up offensive line. I wanted to put this into perspective. Herbert's been sacked 49 times this season. The Texans have 41 sacks. And remember who Herbert goes against. In Week 18, the Broncos with 63 sacks. That's how he finishes the season. So how does he finish the season, health wise?
Chase Daniel
Yes.
James Palmer
He's been hit so much. If they can protect him, I think these are two of the best fronts to go, hey, look at us guys. We're into the postseason. Look what we did. Protecting our quarterback against two of the best defensive fronts in back to back games. The other part that stands out to me is if CJ Stroud protects the football against this defense, I think that shows me something for Houston. You mentioned the way he's playing and seeing it. They're getting some chunk plays he's been creating on third and you know, long situations. When you talk to people down there, they think he's playing maybe the best he's played all season right now. But the Chargers are the only defense in football that has more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed. And so like when you look at the way they play against the pass. Right. Yeah, they're the best defense against the pass. With the way Jesse Minter has that group playing and you mentioned seeing it Chase. Right. Jesse changes it so late.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, yeah.
James Palmer
The picture for you. So that to me, it's good matchups. Yeah, I like those matchups. Both of those stand out to me. And then the other part is if Houston could become a red zone offense, which they are abysmal, I mean, second to last in the NFL behind the Saints, if they become a good red zone offense. The sky's the limit for Houston right now. I mean, they made a threat at Arrowhead last year with nobody on their roster into the fourth quarter against the Chiefs.
Chase Daniel
And you look at the red zone, it's one of those things where you sort of have to change the way you play mid season. Knowing what you have on defense, like maybe, maybe not knowing what you have on defense. At the start of the year, you're at in an offensive meeting and you're sitting saying, hey, let's. The goal Is to score 28 points. Like if you scored 28 points in an NFL game, there's a really high. I think Sean Payton or Andy Reid did a study on it a while ago. So you score like 28 points a game. There's like a 79 or 80% chance you're winning a game. Like it's just base, pure analytic, like maybe more than that. And that's probably what every team's goal. Everyone I've been on is like, hey, let's score four touchdowns a game. We score four touchdowns. Maybe Mixville goal in there. We're at 31. Like, we're winning the game. It's very difficult to do. First of all, that means you're scoring on 40% of your drives. And then now when. And I've been on a team like this, when you see what your defense is doing, you change that mindset. Hey, I need three touchdowns. I can win if we score 21 points. And sure enough, like the way the Texans defense are playing, the way they're getting these turnovers. And I just think offensively you have to sort of change your identity. Mid season. They have done that. They've been poor in the red zone. I love for them to run the football more now. I'm not saying play keep away, but also like, give your defense a chance to rest. Your defense is good. Like, they're going to have stops now eventually. It's just like with every good defense, you're gonna have to score a lot of points. I don't think this game is. If I was a betting man, I would take the under without an out because both these defenses are really good. Write that down. Check it off. Under. Under will hit. But yeah, it's just one of those things where you sort of got to change your identity knowing the way your team is playing.
James Palmer
That's a really good point. And that's all coaching, right? And how you. How you grow your group. I think this, this, by the way, real quick before I get to the next one. This is like the deepest coach of the year group I've ever seen. You can make an argument for D', Ameco, Ryan. They started 03.
Chase Daniel
No.
James Palmer
It's really, really wild. Okay. You have the Bears and the 49ers on Sunday night. I feel like this when we talk about these quarterbacks. Chase and I love to do it with you. Man, it is sexy to watch Caleb Williams play quarterback. I'm just going to say it.
Chase Daniel
It's.
James Palmer
He's all over the field, throwing on the run. When he rolls to the left and throw. I don't think there's anything more beautiful in the world than the way he throw.
Chase Daniel
Rolling special for sure.
James Palmer
And Brock Purdy is playing at about as high as a level as we've seen him in a very different manner. It might be boring to some people. So let's start with Brock because I want you to break it down for everybody about what he's doing so well because I feel like it almost goes under the radar. Monday night he was unbelievable.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I mean, look, Monday night he was unbelievable. And anytime you can throw five touchdowns in a game and you're up as one of the great greater. They were showing stats all night on the ESPN broadcast. Like, first quarterback ever on Monday Night Football to throw five at San Francis, you know, and you look at the guys who's playing in tensions in a game in college.
James Palmer
Five.
Chase Daniel
Five. I never threw six. Yeah, I never feel good at that. Five. Five is good. Five, a four piece is really good. When you get that fifth one, you're like, hey, you know, it's like one of those nights, especially in the NFL, I mean, throwing five touchdowns. I just think what Brock's doing is he's starting to get more. So obviously he was hurt. He missed a ton of games, eight or nine. I mean, Mike Jones filled in admirably while he was there, but. But he's starting. Brock starting to get back to form on what he was last year in the year before. Meaning he's feeling the pocket better, he's feeling pressure better, he's moving around in the pocket better. I wouldn't say the skittish might be a tough word to say, but if you look at him back from injury and this is what would it be for everyone, you try to say, hey, this is what the pass rush is going to be in practice. You can never do that. It's never the same until you play some, some games. And I think he's just feeling the pocket. He's seeing it really well. Obviously through that interception which was tipped last night, no one throws. I mean, I see no one. There's very few quarterbacks that throw over the middle of the field better than Brock Purdy does. And that's interesting being a small quarterback, because usually the first three guys, the center and guards, you're throwing over rather than through lanes. So he's a small guy, but he's able to get on top of the football. And it just, it's impressive what he's doing. I mean, we've talked about it, but like Kyle Shanahan to me is Troy.
James Palmer
Throw him in the mix.
Chase Daniel
Troy Aikman said it on Monday. He's like, I don't know if I'm a gm, if I'm picking anyone else but Kyle Shanahan to run my franchise. And I see what he's saying by that, because to me, you look at all the injuries and not only just to random people, all the star players that have been hurt for the 49ers, like, it was a lot early at the year. They're finally starting to get healthy. I think it's his best coaching job of the year, and we've said that a lot about him. But when you look at the hurt players and you look how Brock Purdy's playing, man, it's special.
James Palmer
It is. Before we get to Caleb, before we get to the Bears. I've always loved talking to receivers, Jason, around the NFL about just their opinion on a catchable ball. How do they describe it and what a guy throws in terms of a catchable ball? I feel like that's Purdy to a T. What. What do you. How would you describe a catchable ball from a quarterback's perspective? What is your goal? To make that receiver say that about the ball that you throw? Because I feel like that is Purdy in the way. It's a compliment.
Chase Daniel
It's.
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Chase Daniel
It is sort of a backhanded comment because the catchable balls usually means you don't throw a lot of. You don't have a lot of umph on it. So you don't. That means you don't have a lot of arm strength. I feel like it does. It gets there with pace. It's a tight spiral. And when I. When I think of. And. And I've had some people say this. Receivers. Not to me because I, you know, I don't throw a catchable ball, I guess, but. Oh, what I've heard. Well, thank you very much. What I've heard is like, when the ball hits your hands, it just feels nice. Like it just is. Like it doesn't hurt. It does in. It's always in the right position at the right time. There's so many different types of throws as a quarterback, and I think Brock Purdy does a really good job with it. There's a sliding scale, so there's a one ball, a two ball, and a three ball. A one ball is like, hey, short, intermediate, has to get there quickly. It's on a line and it just like it stays at like 7ft off the ground the whole time.
Paige DeSorbo
Time.
Chase Daniel
So Brock Purdy doesn't throw a lot of those. They don't throw a lot of timing routes outside. What he does and what I love is called layered throws. These two balls. So it's over top linebackers in front of safeties. We've talked about it a ton. That's. No, that's nothing new on what he does, but I think he does that Better. These, these like 10 to 20 yard throws over top defenders or in between defenders where they can't jump up and touch it. And then there's a three ball which we don't see a lot of. But these deep post balls where there's an arc on it or these deep out routes where there's arc on it or deep go balls where there's arc on it. And he to me has all three of those throws. So catchable ball is probably what he's talking about.
James Palmer
I love it. Yeah, I think that's outstanding with Caleb. I just want to put things out there for everybody. He's going to need 300 yards this week and next week to be the Bears first 4,000 yard passer. He sits at 3,400. We were trying to predict it at the beginning of the season. Chase, remember that? We were saying like I think he's going to do it but they've run the football so well. Maybe that's a part of why. Why he is maybe coming up short of 4,000 with. With Caleb. And I asked Dinah this on Monday. And now I want the quarterback's perspective. Are we getting to a point to where late in the game, in just his second season we have a lot of trust in Caleb Williams to make a play? I said to Diana, even more so than maybe people have trust and say Sam Darnold or somebody else where they feel like they still have to prove it with the way they've played late. Are you starting to gain a lot of trust that Caleb will make a play when the game's on the line?
Chase Daniel
I mean, yeah, he's made six of them. I mean six come from behind wins. I mean six wins when they're trailing with two minutes in fourth quarter or overtime. I mean that, that to me is spectacular. You look at the early part of games and it's like for me, what I've noticed with Caleb is he's really good on the first drive. Really first two drives. And they. That means they get through their first 15 scripted plays because I'm sure they script just like everyone else. And then there's a little bit of a lull in the game for him. Specifically decision making, trying to do maybe a little bit too much. But then when it gets to the fourth quarter, it's like he's playing his best football and he's. They're calling him Iceman. I mean like everyone and their mom's calling him Iceman. He's got ice in his veins. And it's true. It's it's true. And it's. It's fun to watch because as the Bears and these. These wins continue, you just really start to see the game plan that Ben Johnson has put together and all these games really come alive because it's not like Ben Johnson is. Is putting Caleb Williams in shotgun like he was at USC and saying, hey, do your thing. Run around. There's some of that, but it's very little. These. These, like 13 personnel, one back, three tight end. I mean, 13. The game winning throw, it was 13 personnel. The packers safety after this huge play fake, were at seven yards. James, seven yards. You ran a post behind, and you have to have a perfectly thrown football. It's exactly what it is. But Caleb is just playing on another level right now, man.
James Palmer
Yeah, and it helps. Like I mentioned, that run game, I. When I talk to people around the league, it's, man, the offensive line, obviously, great. The scheme of. It's great in the run game. The tight ends play a really big role in the run game. You mentioned that. 13 personnel, they can show you a lot of different things and. And the way they've done it and the way they forced turnovers. They're a tough team. They limit your possessions. So I'm going to see what, you know, happens with San Francisco. All right, Coming up, we talked a lot of quarterbacks. How about the ones at the tippy? Top of the list, potentially. The two that we believe could potentially win the MVP award. Is it Drake May? Is it Matthew Stafford? We'll find out next on Scoop City. On a Wednesday.
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Yep.
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Chase Daniel
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James Palmer
Welcome back to Scoop City on a Wednesday. James Palmer Chase Daniel with you from the hotel room in an undisclosed location. I won't say where he's at where he's at, but he's still giving us dynamite intel on quarterbacks around the league. We believe Chase this might be a two horse race. It might be more than just two for the MVP. But the emergence of Drake may in year two, the development of Josh McDaniel working with Drake May. When I talk to people up in New England, it's we have been just enamored with the way that Josh has brought him along, the way things have grown in terms of what he's put on his his plate as the season's gone along. That's really impressed Mike Rabel and company and just the way Josh has handled the whole situation. But man, we got to give credit to Drake as well. Does he have a legitimate chance of winning the mvp?
Chase Daniel
Specifically?
James Palmer
Maybe after we saw this bounce back game against a difficult loss to the Bills. They go back and beat the Ravens when they're what, down 11 with 10 to play.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, no, he doesn't have a legitimate chance to win the mvp. However he is second place for without a doubt. And I think that first of all Josh McDaniel should win the assistant coach of the year just purely based on. I mean you could have brable win coach of the year. I think this is like he I think it's in the running and I think McDaniels could win assistant coach of the year and I think Drake May could finish second in new P and it just tells you those three guys right. I think it's the first time since 2021 that the Patriots have made the playoffs and those three guys are the reason. Now look, what Braves has been able to do has been outstanding but you still need a quarterback in this game to to be super successful and to make deep playoff runs. And so for what? To to have what Drake May has put on tape in his second year has it's, it's been special because When I watch him, I. He doesn't feel like a second year guy with very little experience. He feels very calm. He's never rushed, he's never in a hurry. He's always making correct decisions. And when I was breaking him down when he was coming out a couple years ago, the that stood out to me is I wouldn't say athleticism but, but maybe the way he moved around enough at North Carolina and you just don't know if that's going to carry over to the next level. And you watch him this year and his pocket movement, the way he's able to step around in the pocket but keep his eyes down the field, dude really gets sacked, dude really makes mistakes. And for a second year player that just screams coaching to me. Yes, we have to give credit for Drake May because he's taking the coaching and he's doing it on the field, but it's been outstanding to see his growth.
James Palmer
Yeah, I was going to ask you about the sacks part of things. He's got 46 sacks. Yeah, that's fourth in the NFL. What part of that is that? Playing smart is that making sure we don't turn the ball over. I feel like if there's just one thing that, that we're looking to just if we're playing devil's advocate to clean everything up, I would look at that. What have you seen? I know also this was like when we came into the year going, this isn't a murderer's rove an offensive line line here. No, either. I think Forbes and company have done a good job trying to piece that together and get it to some assemblance to protect him. What aspect with that with Drake stands out to you?
Chase Daniel
Well, I think he's on the Aaron Rodgers plan. I mean look at Aaron Rodgers throughout his career. He's like one of the most sacked quarterbacks ever and he'd rather take sacks than put the ball in harm's way. And honestly I'm all for it. Like, and it's. That has to do with coaching. I mean I could be coach like hey, if stuff's not there, there's no reason like obviously you don't want to take sacks because it just puts yourself in your offense in a bad position. But I think the way he's, the way he's taken the sacks, the way he's not really turning the football over a ton and his decision making, it's like hey, it's probably something being coached like hey, yeah, we don't want to take sacks but if you look at the way Aaron Rodgers played his entire career, it was like, hey, I'll take sacks way more than throw those. That two interception year, I think he, like, took like 60 sacks. So the sack, you rather have the sack than the interception. A punt's not bad, and so I think he's on that case. I mean, obviously you want to get rid of the football a little bit more, but it's not a horrible thing.
James Palmer
Okay. Yeah. And especially with they complete the ball downfield, there's been a lot of times where they've gone, you know, in a negative fashion during a drive chase.
Chase Daniel
Second and 20 to first down. Yes.
James Palmer
It doesn't bother them at all with the way that they can put the ball downfield. A lot of teams this year just drives are stalling. You look at Philly, they have a negative play. It's like the drives toast. And so that's an aspect of it as well, that they believe they can still. Still keep these drives alive. Even if he takes a sack for just even a couple of yards, steps up and doesn't put the ball in harm's way, does lead the NFL in completion percentage. Here's our guy. I think we're. I think we're together on this.
Chase Daniel
Yes.
James Palmer
Matthew Stafford is playing when you ask around the league, and I do on just a different level, and he is. And what I hear back and what I obviously love from your. Your perspective is he dictates games. Like, he is making sure he's in control of the way the game goes. He sees everything, and then he just knows. Yeah. You're not going to dictate the game. Defensively, I will control essentially what's happening out here with the way he sees it and the way he can move the football around and maybe move people, as, you know, however he wants. Let's start here. Everybody said it was a no look into the end zone. The eyes were looking. You can't follow the face mask.
Sponsor Voice
Yeah.
James Palmer
What does he do with his head that you love to watch when he plays?
Chase Daniel
Jason? Well, I just think in general, he's. He's the smartest quarterback in the NFL. And I was with him for a year, and I was with Drew Brees, I was with Alex Smith, which Very, very smart when it comes to recollection and when it comes to remembering certain things and certain plays, I mean, he would just. He's an encyclopedia of football knowledge. I mean, he can Remember stuff from 2011 in Detroit and tell you, well, we went here and it's just like, it's really impressive. To see and to just hear. And so what I'm seeing is like, and look, I heard Colin Coward say this and I, you know, I actually agree with, like, he's the best pure pocket passer left in football. And he not only has the arm, talent, strength, everything you want, but it's his smarts that win them football games because he's going to. You can't, like, like, you know, James, there's this. I don't want to get on a soapbox, but there was a huge, There was this huge conversation about Kirk Cousins. Did you see a Kirk Cousins clip about pure progression passing versus coverage based passing? Okay. For people that didn't watch it, it was pretty much Kirk Cousins on a. For four minutes at the podium, he was asked, hey, pure progression passing is for everyone out there to know. It's like you're literally going 1 to 2, to 3, to 4, and you're just forget about the coverage. Forget about everything. You're sweeping left to right, right to left. If one's open, throw it.
James Palmer
Okay, cool.
Chase Daniel
If one's not open, let's get to two. And it's a little bit more intense than that versus coverage based passing, which is, you know, if I get cover two, I'm going to the left side. If I'm getting cover four, I'm going to the right side. If I get cover three, okay, I got to play the middle of the field. And then if I have pressure, I got a hot route or site or whatever it is. I would say, like in today's day and age, pure progression passing is like 90% of these quarterbacks, what they're given because they're just not as prepared coming out of college. And the reason being is defenses are too intense and too next level because they're disguising. And it's hard to say, well, how do you do this? So that's what Kirk Cousins was saying. I say all that because Matthew Stafford, sure, there's some pure progression passing. He is like old school. Cover two, I'm going here. Cover four, I'm going here. And he's a computer. You can't. He's seen everything. I mean, everything. You can't really disguise with him. Like, teams try and you're like, oh, this safety is three yards out of position. I'm throwing a post right over your head. And so that's what I see constantly with him is like, you have to play so straight up defensively where he can dink and dunk you. He can throw it over the like and run the Ball really well. So I say all that. Just saying, like, Matthew Sarb.
James Palmer
Yeah, he is. I. I'm kind of picturing like, you know, you got your call sheet over there and you're. You're running your defense and you're like, oh, we got. And then he picks it. You're like, how did he see we hid that. I thought we worked all week to disguise that. And no, he. He picked it apart. He saw it. I want to mention another quarterback. I don't know if he has a chance to win mvp, but coming off the field, I'm standing in the tunnel at Mile High High and a Jaguars coach comes up to me and grabs my shoulder and just pulls me in and goes. Our quarterback is bleeping dialed in and just went back and then took off for the locker room. The way Trevor Lawrence is playing right now, four games, no, no picks, which has always been, you know, interceptions have been something that have. Maybe some people scratch their heads about Trevor Lawrence and some of the, you know, missing some of the layups of some of these throws that, that have been there over the course of his career. Right now with the way he's playing, playing in those 12 touchdowns over the last four games and the way that they are playing as an offense, it feels when I talk to people in Jacksonville chase that like, this did take a minute. Liam has a lot of motion, he has a lot of movement. He have a lot of things in this offense, but it just. They were like. It took time for Trevor to get all of it. Now he's getting tells. He's seeing things. He has Jacoby Myers, which has changed a lot for this offense. As a veteran presence in the middle of the field. What have you seen from Trevor Lawrence? Because this is the one we were always waiting for. Who's going to unlock this guy?
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I mean, that's great. And. And when. When Liam got hired, I was like, hey, like, I would buy stock in Trevor Lawrence just purely based on his quarterback pedigree and what he's been able to do. And man, it is. It wasn't always there. It took a while for Liam and. And Trevor to get on the same page. But the last five, six games, offensively, it just looks like Trevor's playing in complete control. And the only other time in his career, Career, first of all, he's playing the best ball of his career. It's not even close. And the second. Second thing I was going to say is, like, it looks like he's the most in control other than, remember there was like an eight game stretch in 2023. Yeah.
James Palmer
His first year. His first year with Doug.
Chase Daniel
Yes.
James Palmer
And I remember talking to Doug after the season when he, I hosted the 101 Awards in Kansas City. Right. That the Hunt family puts on. And Doug won AFC coach of the year. And Doug told me, told me he has picked up what we want to do. We're a year ahead of where we wanted to be. He finished the season unbelievable. And so there.
Chase Daniel
But yeah, yeah. And so there was an eight game stretch, really nine game stretch in that season where I was like generational prospect. Trevor Lawrence is here. Like, it is, it is. And then just sort of like down the hill. They limped into the playoffs, beat us at the Chargers, whatever.
James Palmer
You're not bitter.
Chase Daniel
This, this feels, this feels, feels different for a couple reasons. One, the more experience you get, the better you're going to be as a, as a quarterback. Like, I don't care what anyone says. I mean, the experience is the number one factor. You just have to play games, you have to go through situations. You have to have the wherewithal to like, withstand the negativity that comes with it. The, the consequences that come with it. The stress and the pressure. And, and luckily, I say luckily. Luckily for them, they're in a small market and so they maybe don't get.
James Palmer
Careful when you say small market.
Chase Daniel
I'm sure he watches Scoop City and I'm sure he follows along and he's going to. If I'm bulletin board material for you, so be it. Actually, he wants you to say it.
James Palmer
He wants it seriously.
Chase Daniel
But like, so for the growth and the maturation process of Trevor, because they're in a small market, you maybe don't see it as much on national television as you would Jalen hurts. They talk about Jalen hurts or Dak Prescott every day. And so I think that's sort of been good for Trevor not to be in that spotlight. I mean, there was a quote the other day, he's like, I always wanted to be rich. I didn't want to be fam. I don't know if you saw that from Trevor Lawrence, but I think it's, I mean, that's true. And he hasn't had to deal with that. Now. Now you're going to get the microscope. Now you're going to get the pressure. Now everyone's talking about you and it's going to be fun to watch his process go through. And I just think he's playing really good football right now.
James Palmer
Yeah, he really is. They're not even doing it with the guy they traded up for into the number two spot. As I saw Travis Hunter on crutches there at the stadium on Sunday, still coming back from that number. Knee injury, that's another weapon. We'll see how he's used in year two for Trevor Lawrence. But I, I've loved the way he's used his legs. Also. Chase, like, he's, he's been very effective there. He is a, like when you stand next to him on the field, you're like, this is a big dude.
Chase Daniel
He looks a part.
James Palmer
He really does. And I don't know if there's a more liked guy in that locker room. That's the other thing I got from people in the front office is like, they are so excited for his success because of how good of a guy he is. He was FaceTiming with the family. Like his daughter sitting in. They're like FaceTiming after the win, after the biggest win, you know, that they've had all year. He's sitting there checking the family. It was a huge win over the Broncos. Okay, these are all guys that everybody knows. We're talking about MVP candidates, we're talking about quarterbacks. How about, how about some of these guys that make this league go in their team's win that nobody's really talking about? Chase and I are going to tell you a couple under the radar, maybe some stocking stuffers here. The president that you get maybe in the stocking Chase that nobody really talks about, talks about. But it's maybe the best one you got all year. I love them. We're going to talk about those next on Scoop City. On a Wednesday.
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Chase Daniel
Yep.
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Chase Daniel
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James Palmer
All right. Closing things out on a Wednesday on Scoop City. James Palmer. Chase, Daniel with you. These are our stocking stuffers. I hinted at it. I don't know if Chase has a little bit of a Christmas tree behind him. Just a little guy right there in the hotel room, but still. Do you have stockings in there?
Chase Daniel
We do. Boom.
Sponsor Voice
Oh. All right.
James Palmer
I know these players won't fit in there, but if you could just reach in and grab a name, pull it out, somebody that maybe everybody doesn't know that you'd like to say, hey, we need to give this guy a little bit of love here this holiday season.
Chase Daniel
And do you have anybody for me? Yeah, I, you know, I. I was a backup quarterback for most of my career, 14 years. And the backup quarterback does so much more than what people think. And for me, it's Case Keenum, and he is the backup quarterback for the Chicago Bears. We talked about Caleb Williams earlier in the show and just his growth. The first if. I don't know if you remember back, way back in March when free agency was there, Ben Johnson gets a job. One of his was Case Keenum, and that was by no mistake, because case spent last two years in C.J. stroud's ear in Houston. Look how C.J. stroud's playing. And that, that's sort of the part of, of Case's career right now where he is that mentor, he is that second coach on the field. And so, so often than not, the starting quarterback spends more time with a backup quarterback than the quarterback coach than the head coach than anyone else on the team. Then his wife in most seasons. So the backup quarterback, I mean, it's just, it is true. I mean, you're up there and you were grinding in the relationship they have more often than not, you see Caleb come off and Case Keenum's right there in his ear. And I was part of that. I lived that. It's a cool situation. You obviously got to be ready to play, play when your number's called. But I just think that having Case has been that, that sort of comforting force, a little bit of, of getting Caleb Williams to play some of his best football.
James Palmer
Yeah, I love it. He's sitting there in that third spot still in uniform, emergency quarterback, got the thing in his ear, he's ready to roll. And you saw Caleb throws that, that touchdown pass to DJ Moore. Case, one of the first guys out there, just, you know, just. They probably went over that a million times. If we get this, we're going to executed it perfectly. And I think there's a lot of like, a lot of joy in that. Right. Because you are so much part of the process. Yes. Like, and you're probably seen on the sideline. Does this happen? Chase is, you know, sign like, yep, we got the look, hit it. Oh, dude.
Chase Daniel
Thousands of times. And, and very rarely does it like work out like that where you practice it perfect. And practice and you're like, oh my God, it's low quarters, the safety's down. We, it's. There's a touchdown if he throws it. And then sure enough, it's like, yeah, it's cool.
James Palmer
Oh, that's awesome. Well, a quarterback's best friend usually is his blindside protector, his left tackle. I'm going to bring up Garrett Bowles of the Denver Broncos, who nobody talks about it is one of the best left tackles in football over the last maybe two years. And he's had a rough start to his career after a first round pick. Unbelievable athlete out of Utah, lacrosse player, but just such a great athlete at the left tackle span. I remember talking to Mark Schlagen Aerith at training camp repeatedly about him. Just, just going like, you don't understand how this guy moves. If he can ever figure it out, the penalty issues Right early in his career, all this different stuff and then just nobody paid attention. And he's just an absolute steal for the Denver Broncos. Protecting the blind side of Bonix, who's taken like, I don't know, like I could look it up 14 sacks or something like that this year it's been, it's been unbelievable. They've done it and, and, and they're not paying him like a monster left tackle. And some of these guys are high profile at that spot, right? Jason, he is not one of them. I have one more. Do you have another one?
Chase Daniel
I don't.
James Palmer
No.
Chase Daniel
Go ahead though.
James Palmer
I got, I got one more that I just want to say.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, let's do it.
James Palmer
The corner market has skyrocketed. Right. We had Patan get that big deal and now he's like a bargain. The reigning defensive player of the year after J.C. horn and Stingley and Sauce Garner gets a big deal. And all of these guys that are playing out of their minds in Philadelphia, Quinon Mitchell is playing like arguably the best coin football. And I don't think anybody brings his name up. Do you ever hear Quinon Mitchell brought up? I, I mean we just don't. And it's mainly because he, I don't think he has a pick this year. But also nobody completes a ball.
Chase Daniel
No one's throwing to him or they.
James Palmer
Just don't throw to him. And so this is a really great defense in Philadelphia. But if you ask people in that building, he is quiet, he goes about his business, but he also carries himself like a cor. Carries himself with that little bit of swagger to him. Ask anybody in there, say, hey, he's always texting coaches calling him in the middle of the night, going like, hey, what else could I be looking at right now, film wise, you know, help me work a little harder here as he's always trying to grind and he is. And I just wanted to put this out, There he is right now. He's forced heading into Week 16, the lowest catch rate in the NFL. The second highest percentage of tight window throws forced and has the lowest average of separation, only behind Patrick Sortan. So he's playing like the best corner in football.
Chase Daniel
Yeah.
James Palmer
And nobody's paying attention. And he's got a great nickname his rookie year. It might be inappropriate, but I gotta say it. Quinyanamo Bay was his nickname in his rookie season. Yeah. Lock him down. Nobody's really playing well against Quinon Mitchell. Those are my under the radar guys. Chase had a great one. Case Keenum. He's Kind of had this really cool career. How long do you think he does.
Chase Daniel
This, by the way?
James Palmer
Real quick.
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. He. Dude, I told him, and we. We're. We're. We're buddies, and I said, hey, do it as long as you can until the wolves fall off, because this is just such a special thing and special time, and I think he's really enjoying it right now.
James Palmer
Yeah. That's awesome. That's awesome. I remember talking to him in Houston, and he talks to you like he. Like. Like a coach, right? He just sees everything. About cj, about cj.
Chase Daniel
Thousand percent.
James Palmer
Caleb. It's been awesome. Chase, enjoy the holiday. What? Do you have any plans? Family plans? Plans?
Chase Daniel
You know, we're gonna. We're gonna enjoy some time with just the family. Gonna try to unplug a little bit here. I got some games. I got a call coming up for college, but it's. We're gonna watch some football. We're gonna just spend some time with my three little kids and. Yeah, it'll be fun, man.
James Palmer
Love it. Love it. Awesome. Everybody out there listening, watching whoever is, whatever you celebrate, enjoy it with some family. Have a great holiday season. Chase, I'll see you next week, man.
Chase Daniel
All right, buddy.
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Chase Daniel
Yep.
Capital One Narrator
Even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about. In way a good, good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capital1.com bank capital1NA member, FDIC.
Chase Daniel
Ready to order? Yes.
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Chase Daniel
Everything.
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Chase Daniel
Yes, Chef.
Capital One Saver Card User
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Capital One Saver Card User
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Episode: How 49ers’ Injury-Ravaged Season Has Turned into a Title Run
Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: James Palmer & Chase Daniel (plus analysis references to Dianna Russini)
This episode takes a deep dive into the 2025 NFL playoff picture, with a particular focus on the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive turnaround despite a season marred by injuries. James Palmer and Chase Daniel break down the AFC and NFC races, evaluate playoff implications for teams on the bubble, analyze quarterback play (including MVP candidates), and highlight unsung heroes across the league.
[03:11 - 09:12]
AFC/NFC Clinching Scenarios:
Parity and Unusual Dynamics:
Disappointing Contenders:
Coaching Security:
[09:13 - 16:35]
Unproven QBs in the Playoff Hunt:
Chargers vs. Texans Preview:
Offensive Targets in NFL:
[17:07 - 19:49]
Brock Purdy’s Development:
Kyle Shanahan’s Masterclass:
[19:49 - 21:53]
[21:53 - 24:22]
Statistical Milestone Watch:
“Iceman” Cometh:
[26:24 - 38:54]
[42:22 - 48:14]
On Brock Purdy’s passing:
On Garrett Bolles:
On Case Keenum’s role:
On Drake May:
On Matthew Stafford:
On Trevor Lawrence:
The dynamic between James Palmer and Chase Daniel is lively, insightful, and full of friendly banter. Both blend analytical breakdowns with personal stories, insider scoops, and quick-witted football talk, maintaining a passionate, fan-accessible tone throughout.
The episode wraps up with both hosts offering holiday wishes, plugging "stocking stuffer" players, and teasing more quarterback analysis for upcoming episodes.