Podcast Summary: Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Is Week 13 a pressure cooker for Cowboys, Steelers and Bears?
Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: James Palmer, Chase Daniel (w/ guest Zach Kiefer of The Athletic)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into a pivotal NFL Week 13, breaking down the mounting pressure on the Cowboys, Steelers, and Bears. The hosts analyze high-stakes matchups, spotlight critical injuries, evaluate offensive and defensive trends for playoff contenders, and preview what the results could mean for the postseason picture and team momentum down the stretch. Later, Zach Kiefer joins for a detailed look at the Eagles, Bears, and Colts, plus a signature closing segment ranking favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers vs. Lions – NFC North Showdown

(04:03–13:27)

• The NFC North is tight: Bears (8-3), Packers (7-3-1), Lions (7-4).
  • Lions can jump to 2nd or 1st with a win and a Bears loss.
• Impact of Familiarity in Late-Season Divisional Games:
  • “You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel 12, 13, 14 weeks into the season... It comes down to coaching and game planning.” – Chase Daniel (05:02)
• Packers Offense Lacking Identity Post-Tucker Kraft:
  • Losing their primary TE has hurt 12 personnel flexibility and play-action attack.
  • “They’re trying to reinvent the wheel every single week... They just need to simplify. I think they need to get freaking Josh Jacobs back.” – Chase Daniel (08:35)
• Lions Offensive Concerns:
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown’s rare drops, no Sam LaPorta, and inconsistent explosive plays.
  • Jameer Gibbs has become the focal point but risks the offense becoming too dependent.
  • “Dan Campbell...tries to feed his stars the football... Jameer Gibbs to me is offensive player of the year right now.” – Chase Daniel (13:14)
• Micah Parsons’ Impact Looms:
  • Lions O-line must scheme for Parsons, the NFL’s most double-teamed pass-rusher.

2. Cowboys vs. Chiefs – Thanksgiving’s Main Event

(13:27–19:52)

• Potential to be the most-watched regular season game ever (“50 million” viewers floated).
  • “It’s going to be electric... probably the two biggest brands right now in football.” – Chase Daniel (14:34)
• Trenches Analysis:
  • Chiefs’ O-line must handle Dallas’ formidable interior (Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, Quinnen Williams).
  • “Cowboys play a lot of zone... forces Mahomes to be more patient. That’s not something he’s been doing as of late.” – Chase Daniel (15:56)
• Keys for Chiefs:
  • Run the ball heavily (expect 30+ carries), maintain possession, and avoid one-dimensional play.
• Chiefs Defense Steps Up in Big Moments:
  • Chris Jones playing at career-high snap totals; KC D-line affects timing even without sacks.

3. Ravens vs. Bengals – Division Tensions & Lamar’s Health

(19:52–24:23)

• Should the Bengals play Joe Burrow?
  • “If Joe Burrow feels healthy enough to go out there and play, you’re playing him... The Bengals are Joe Burrow and Joe Burrow is the Bengals.” – Chase Daniel (19:52)
• Ravens’ Offensive Struggles:
  • Despite added talent, the offense is underperforming; multiple injuries further complicate things.
  • “You’re seeing plays... when Lamar says he’s healthy, but... ankle, knee, toe... He’s not fully healthy.” – James Palmer / Chase Daniel (21:10–22:32)
• Defensive and Red Zone Woes:
  • Baltimore’s red zone efficiency has collapsed (over last three games: 35%, down from 74% last year).

4. Bears vs. Eagles – Black Friday Focus

(27:13–34:08)

• Eagles’ Vulnerability:
  • Loss to the Cowboys exposes Philly; run game has disappeared, injuries piling up.
  • “If you go back to last year... this guy was popping 40, 50, 60 yarders every single week... tough to live up to 2024 version of the Eagles.” – Zach Kiefer (32:18)
  • Tush push (“cheat code”) may be disguising larger issues.
• Bears’ Opportunistic Defense:
  • Winning with takeaways and a “run first” approach, even with “middling” QB play.
  • “You can’t change your schedule. So all these people that are saying, oh, well, theirs is— they finished third or fourth in their division. They’re playing an easy schedule because of that.” – Chase Daniel (29:40)
• Key stat: Bears force 2+ turnovers in each of their 8 wins.

5. Colts Playoff Hopes and Quarterback Questions

(34:08–39:46)

• Daniel Jones’ Regression?
  • After a hot start, concerns resurface as Colts drop two of three; offense stagnates when Taylor is stuffed.
  • “There’s a conversation in Indianapolis... is water going to find its level?” – Zach Kiefer (35:45)
• Gauntlet Ahead:
  • The schedule gets brutal: Texans (twice), Jags (twice), Seahawks, 49ers.
  • Recent memories of 2021’s epic collapse haunt fans.
  • “If this team’s going to win this division... they’re going to have to do it the hard way.” – Zach Kiefer (38:43)

6. Bills & Steelers – Frustration Mounts in Buffalo

(39:46–43:52)

• Bills Offense Lacks Identity, Josh Allen Must Play Superman:
  • “If Josh Allen plays like Superman, they win... If he’s not Superman, they are eminently beatable. They are the fourth or fifth best team in the AFC.” – Zach Kiefer (41:26)
• Josh Allen's Conundrum:
  • When run game vanishes and receivers can't separate, he presses: “it’s just rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat”—Chase Daniel (42:09)
• Would bringing Brian Daboll back as consultant help?
  • “That would be messy.” – Zach Kiefer (40:47)
• Positive Highlight:
  • Will Anderson’s sportsmanship in safely tackling Allen is praised.

7. Closing: Thanksgiving Dishes Draft

(46:57–52:14)

• Hosts playfully debate their top Thanksgiving foods:
  • Zach: Stuffing (“If I don’t have stuffing, I’m out.” – (47:45))
  • Chase: Honey baked ham over dry turkey, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, unique carrots dish, Texas pecan pie.
  • James: Smoked prime rib, deviled eggs, Mexican meatballs (albondigas), apple pie with vanilla ice cream, memories of moose tacos.
• Good-natured teasing and camaraderie cap a football-filled holiday episode.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel… you’re figuring out little tidbits that get you over the hump. That’s how the great coaches separate from the good coaches.”
  — Chase Daniel re: divisional games, (05:02)

• “Dan Campbell...he tries to feed his stars the football... Jameer Gibbs to me is offensive player of the year right now.”
  — Chase Daniel, (13:14)

• “Cowboys play a lot of zone... forces Mahomes to be a little bit more patient and going through his progressions… that's not something he's been doing as of late.”
  — Chase Daniel, (15:56)

• “If Joe Burrow feels healthy enough to go out there and play, you're playing him. He's the franchise.”
  — Chase Daniel, (19:52)

• “If I don't have stuffing and it's got to be the right kind of stuffing, not dressing, then I'm out.”
  — Zach Kiefer, (47:45)

• “If Josh Allen plays like Superman, they win... If he's not Superman, they are eminently beatable.”
  — Zach Kiefer, (41:26)

• “You can't turn the football over, and they're dead last in turnovers in the NFL. They have six this season.”
  — James Palmer on the Eagles, (30:45)

Important Timestamps

• Packers vs. Lions deep dive: 04:03–13:27
• Cowboys vs. Chiefs preview: 13:27–19:52
• Ravens vs. Bengals analysis: 19:52–24:23
• Bears vs. Eagles preview: 27:13–34:08
• Colts playoff and QB talk: 34:08–39:46
• Bills & Steelers frustrations: 39:46–43:52
• Thanksgiving dishes draft: 46:57–52:14

Tone & Style

The hosts deliver insightful analysis in a relaxed, conversational style punctuated by inside jokes, personal anecdotes (Thanksgiving food, golf games), and genuine camaraderie. Technical football discussion is balanced with plain talk, making the episode engaging for both casual and hardcore fans.

In short:
This episode tackles the layered pressure on several major NFL teams heading into Week 13, blending detailed scheme and personnel analysis with behind-the-scenes insights, and wraps up with holiday flair and friendly banter. Perfect listening for NFL fans gearing up for a football-filled Thanksgiving weekend.