Scoop City: Inside Drake Maye’s MVP Bid & Patriots' Thrilling Comeback Win

Podcast: Scoop City: Inside The NFL (The Athletic)
Hosts: James Palmer (Senior NFL Insider, The Athletic), Dianna Russini (Senior Insider, The Athletic)
Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode offers a deep dive into NFL Week 16—the postseason picture, team narratives, standout player performances, playoff scenarios, and “wish lists” for several contending teams. The hosts, James Palmer and Dianna Russini, deliver behind-the-scenes scoops and candid conversations from their wide-ranging sources, with a special focus on Drake Maye’s MVP-level season with the Patriots and New England's extraordinary late-game win. Other prominent topics include the surging Jaguars, the state of the Broncos, shaky fortunes in Baltimore, NFC wild cards, and the Bears’ and Panthers’ unexpected rises.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Week 16 NFL Recap & Playoff Picture

(02:35–05:30)

• Palmer lists playoff scenarios coming out of Week 16: Patriots clinch a playoff spot, Eagles win the NFC East for the first time in consecutive years since 2004, Panthers lead the NFC South, Bears and Niners clinch. Only one NFC wild-card spot remains open.

• Notable reactions to the 49ers' resilience amidst injuries:

  "I can't believe they made the playoffs with the amount of injuries they had... they've been doing this with as many injuries and as banged up as they've been... lots of credit to them."
  —Dianna Rossini (03:54)

• Hosts discuss managing life and work during a packed football weekend.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: From Underdogs to AFC Power

(05:29–14:05)

• Palmer shares first-hand reporting from the Jaguars' locker room after their 34–20 win over the Broncos:

  "Two guys sprinted past me going, 'We tried to tell you. We tried to tell you this is what we are.' ... 'What do we need now for the one seed?'"
  —James Palmer (06:09)

• The Jaguars embrace their small-market underdog status as motivational fuel, especially after Sean Payton’s “small market” comments.

• Russini:

  "I want the Jags to stay that way. Just keep leaning into the fact that nobody cares about them... because it works." (07:00)

• Insider glimpses into leadership and culture: Tony Boselli and GM James Gladstone, plus the critical value of “glue guys” like Jacoby Myers and Tim Patrick:

  "You won't be in our building if you don't love football."
  —Tony Boselli via James Palmer (08:05)

• Discussion of Jacksonville’s Rams-inspired front office style (Gladstone learned under Les Snead/Sean McVay), and the franchise’s hunger for trades and innovation.

3. Broncos: Gut-Check Loss & Playoff Hopes

(14:10–16:40)

• Palmer provides insight into Denver post-loss:

  "They were like, I wish we played another sport... you play again the next day. We got to wait... we're excited we don't have to wait. They play on Christmas against Kansas City." (14:13)

• Key concerns: Defensive breakdowns, tackling issues, and an undisciplined streak of penalties.

• Russini reframes the loss as a possible “good loss”:

  "Sometimes you can have some good losses... you actually really start making better improvements." (15:45)

4. New England Patriots: Drake Maye’s MVP Bid & Clutch Win

(16:40–19:39)

• Russini praises the Patriots’ comeback win against the Ravens and Maye’s ability to bounce back from a tough week:

  "This was a character win for the Patriots... He was accepting the pressure. He wanted to be the clutch guy... I feel like I learned more about Drake Mag [Maye] and subaltern Ravens than I did in any other game..." (17:29)

• Observes that Mike Vrabel sets higher standards—the goal is bigger than beating the Ravens now.

• Palmer puts Maye back into the MVP mix:

  "I think Drake Maye has put himself back into that conversation, possibly for MVP as we kind of eliminated him like we did one week, and then we throw him back into the mix." (19:39)

5. Coach of the Year Race

(20:00–20:53)

• The discussion spotlights Ben Johnson, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Vrabel, Liam Cohen, DeMeco Ryans, Mike Macdonald, and even Sean Payton as Coach of the Year candidates in a wide-open field.

• Russini, referencing her social media follows:

  "...you learn so much about [teams] this way. It's access you can't really get anywhere else..." (19:59)

6. Baltimore Ravens: Injury Woes & Identity Questions

(20:53–22:30)

• Palmer’s postseason “wish list” for Baltimore is simple: “an MVP quarterback”—a healthy Lamar Jackson, whose injury leaves them clinging to playoff hopes.

• Russini notes league-wide whispers about the Ravens:

  "Something feels off about them... they haven’t put together a game that makes you go, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is the Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry that I’ve been scared of.’" (21:48)

• Big-picture uncertainty: All eyes on possible instability if coaches like Harbaugh, Tomlin, or Stefanski become available.

7. Steelers’ Wild Win & Playoff Survival

(22:30–29:47)

• Palmer and Russini analyze the chaotic Steelers-Lions ending—confusion caused by officiating and missed communication to Mike Tomlin about DK Metcalf’s fan altercation.

• Palmer on Derrick Harmon’s impact on run defense:

  "...In the games without [Harmon]... they’re giving up 165.6 yards... with him, 87.9 yards a game on the ground." (28:21)

• Russini says the Lions offense just didn’t execute, especially when it came to their stars.

8. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams’ Heroics & Ben Johnson’s Impact

(34:51–38:40)

• Palmer relays the atmosphere at a Denver bar after the Bears’ thrilling win over the Packers:

  "People were running around after the Caleb Williams touchdown. I mean, they are second in the NFC right now... There’s something. It feels that’s special with this team." (34:51)

• Russini praises Ben Johnson for “quickly turning this thing around”:

  "Ben Johnson’s been the best thing for [Caleb Williams]... which is why he’s up for coach of the year, and he’s got these guys believing." (36:15)

• Palmer and Russini agree Caleb Williams has proven trustworthy in big moments, more than Darnold or Daniel Jones:

  “Right now, absolutely. He’s proven it… There’s something clutch that he likes; he wants to be put under pressure.”
  —Diana Rossini (38:06)

9. Packers’ Collapse & Matt LaFleur’s Job Security

(38:40–42:55)

• Discussion of the Packers’ late-game mistakes and Matt LaFleur’s perceived coaching hot seat.

• Russini recounts league-wide respect for LaFleur:

  "There are a lot of people around the league who have tremendous respect for what Matt LaFleur can do as a coach, as an offensive play caller... I think it could be one of those situations where you almost don’t even realize what you have." (40:44)

• Palmer:

  "There’s always the one shocker." (42:12)

10. NFC South: Panthers in Control, Questions on Bryce Young

(42:55–48:29)

• The Panthers are now on top of the NFC South; debate over Bryce Young’s fifth-year option is heating up.

• Palmer points to the team’s inconsistency and close wins:

  "They’re seven and two in one possession games this season... They got four fourth quarter comebacks." (45:18)

• Russini highlights coaching and front office stability as keys to their surprising turnaround:

  "I give credit to Canales for not giving up on him [Bryce], too, knowing that it was never that good there." (48:00)

• The hosts agree that owner David Tepper’s absence from headlines has helped let football people do their jobs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jaguars embracing underdog role:
  "Lean into the fact that everyone says they're small town, they're a little city, they're a franchise nobody wants... because it works."
  —Diana Rossini (07:00)

• Drake Maye’s character win:
  "He was accepting the pressure. He wanted to be the clutch guy on top of the fact that he just bounced off a really bad game."
  —Diana Rossini (17:29)

• On Matt LaFleur’s future:
  "It could be one of those situations where you almost don’t even realize what you have."
  —Diana Rossini (40:44)

• Caleb Williams’ clutch gene:
  "Right now, absolutely. He’s proven it... There’s something clutch that he likes; he wants to be put under pressure.”
  —Diana Rossini (38:06)

Additional Segments

Holiday Wish Lists for NFL Teams

Throughout the show, Palmer and Russini craft “holiday wish lists”—what teams need to take the next step:

• Jaguars: Keep using “small-market” disrespect as fuel.
• Broncos: Bounce back quickly, fix defensive lapses, and develop “goldfish memory”.
• Patriots: Lean on Drake Maye’s resilience in big spots.
• Ravens: “An MVP quarterback”—Lamar’s health is everything.
• Steelers: Healthy Derrick Harmon—anchor for run defense.
• Lions: A Christmas miracle and help in the playoff hunt.
• Packers: Stability, and to not overthink Matt LaFleur’s role.
• Panthers: Consistency from Bryce Young and leadership.

Christmas Song Debate

(52:25–56:40)

• Russini’s least favorite: “Santa Baby”—calls it “sexual, inappropriate, and weird.”
• Palmer’s least favorite: “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”—“That’s adultery... a creepy song for a little boy to sing.”
• Light-hearted exchange about holiday stress, traffic, and classic SNL skits.

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

• Playoff Picture Recap: 02:35–05:30
• Jaguars Segment: 05:29–14:05
• Broncos Segment: 14:10–16:40
• Patriots Segment (Drake Maye): 16:40–19:39
• Coach of the Year Discussion: 20:00–20:53
• Ravens Uncertainty: 20:53–22:30
• Steelers’ Chaotic Win: 22:30–29:47
• Bears, Caleb Williams: 34:51–38:40
• Packers, Matt LaFleur: 38:40–42:55
• Panthers Resurgence: 42:55–48:29
• Christmas Song Debate/Holiday Banter: 52:25–56:40

Tone & Style

The hosts are conversational, candid, and often humorous, bringing insider context and relatable personal stories. Their exchanges are rich in league gossip, anecdotal evidence, and frank analysis.

Summary

This episode peels back the NFL’s curtain, offering both sharp on-field analysis and quirky off-field stories. Key takeaways revolve around under-appreciated team cultures (notably Jacksonville), Drake Maye’s re-emergence as an MVP candidate, playoff permutations, and the mercurial fortunes of teams like the Steelers, Bears, and Panthers. The holiday framing and lively banter add personality, making it an essential catch-up for insiders and fans alike.