Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: What’s at stake for Aaron Rodgers and Brock Purdy as the NFL Playoffs Begin?

Date: January 8, 2026
Host: James Palmer (The Athletic), with guests Matt Schneidman, Dan Popper, Zach Berman, Joe Buscalia, Mike DeFabo

Episode Overview

This playoff-focused episode of Scoop City takes listeners inside NFL team facilities for a detailed look at the upcoming Wild Card weekend. With a slew of notable teams and quarterbacks—Aaron Rodgers and Brock Purdy among them—on the playoff stage, the hosts and guests analyze what's truly at stake and break down the biggest matchups. Each segment includes insight from an on-site reporter or team insider, sharing expert analysis, behind-the-scenes context, X’s and O’s, and what to watch for in these pivotal contests.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers vs. Bears Preview (01:42-23:15)

Packers’ Familiar Edge & Key Player Health

• Familiarity Factor: Packers and Bears meeting for third time in weeks, which means both sides know each other’s playbooks inside and out.
• Matt Schneidman:
  “The packers have outplayed the bears for about 118 of 125 minutes this year.” (05:25)
• Jordan Love’s Return: Coming back from concussion; team believes rust isn’t a major concern as “they’ve been ratcheting up intensity in practice.” (07:30)
• Josh Jacobs’ Health: At his best in six weeks; critical for Packers’ run game and to open up play-action.
• Wide Receiver Depth: Full group healthy, including Christian Watson—a key slot mismatch weapon. (10:00-11:51)
• Defensive Concerns: Secondary is a weak spot, especially with Micah Parsons out. Trayvon Diggs’ recent addition gives more options, though expectations should be managed. (12:23-14:58)
• Run Defense Watch: Without Parsons & Devonte Wyatt, Packers have been gashed at times; Rashan Gary’s lack of sacks since Week 8 is concerning. (16:01-17:55)

  “Rashan Gary had seven and a half sacks in the first seven games and none since.” — Matt Schneidman (17:30)

Matt LaFleur’s Future

• Contract in Limbo: Decision likely after playoffs, not on a whim, but team president Ed Policy wants to avoid LaFleur reaching a contract year without new terms.
• Possible Succession? Packers DC Jeff Hafley is highly regarded as a future head coach. (21:37-22:39)

  “Could their affinity for Jeff Halfley and the desire to keep him in the building influence their decision about LaFleur?” (21:54)

2. Chargers vs. Patriots (Dan Popper) (23:15-40:22)

Matchup Dynamics

• Chargers’ Offensive Line Injuries: Major concern, but Patriots’ pass rush less intimidating compared to other AFC foes.
• Run Game Focus: Both teams may try to establish the run, Chargers likely to lean on Kamani Vidal if star back Amaran Hampton isn’t healthy. (25:32-26:54)

  “He’s working through a real injury... But the blocking up front and going up against this front... Kamani Vidal will have a chance.” — Dan Popper (26:54)

• Justin Herbert’s Toughness:

  “[Herbert is] the most insanely mentally tough dude of all time.” — Khalil Mack, relayed by Dan Popper (28:09) Story of Herbert running zone-read just seven days after hand surgery exemplifies his leadership and physicality.

Patriots Red Zone Offense vs. Chargers Defense

• Josh McDaniels’ Schemes: Expect innovative short-yardage and red zone packages that will test the now more aggressive Chargers’ man coverage and blitz tendencies. (30:59-34:22)
• Key Defensive Adjustment: Chargers play more man and zero coverage since the bye; can create “trap coverages” and bait Drake May into mistakes.
• Underrated Player to Watch:

  “For me, it’s a big game for DeShawn Hand. Some of these light boxes, can he be stout, take on double teams, knock down some of these runs in the interior...” — Dan Popper (34:47)

Jesse Minter: Future Head Coach?

• Leadership & Delegation: Popper highlights Minter’s “temperament, communication, ability to delegate, and create a close-knit coaching staff” as rare leadership assets. (37:26-39:28)

  “If I was running a football team, he would be very, very high on my list of head coaching candidates if I had an opening.” — Dan Popper (39:28)

3. 49ers at Eagles (Zach Berman) (42:11-56:04)

Jalen Hurts, Saquon, and Offensive Line

• Hurts’ Running Impact: Eagles are statistically much more successful when Hurts tops 30 rushing yards; it’s a crucial piece for playoff success.

  “For this offense to be what it can be...Jalen’s legs need to be a major element.” — Zach Berman (43:27)

• Postseason Health: Lane Johnson’s return is “enormous”; Eagles’ O-line finally healthy and fresh after Week 18 rest. (46:14)
• Running vs. 49ers:

  “You can run it on [the 49ers]... Attack those edges, make the corners tackle...” — James Palmer (45:01)

Coordinator Chess Match: Fangio vs. Shanahan

• Personnel Groupings: SF’s two-back sets force unique defensive responses—Eagles may deploy more nickel with Cooper DeJean closer to the ball, which could be an advantage. (48:46)
• Strength Up the Middle: Eagles’ LBs and DBs—Zach Bond, Nakobe Dean, Cooper DeJean, and safety Reed Blankenship—give them a chance to limit McCaffrey and Kittle in the middle of the field.
• Reed Blankenship Underrated: As defensive captain, his presence is crucial given depth issues at safety. (51:08-52:25)

What if the Eagles’ Offense Sputters?

• Coordinator in the Spotlight: New OC Kevin Petullo would bear the brunt of scrutiny if the offense falters. Last time Eagles went one-and-done, they changed play-callers. (54:34-55:33)

4. Bills at Jaguars (Joe Buscalia) (56:04-72:42)

Josh Allen—MVP Mode?

• Allen Looks Healthy: No limp, two weeks of rest, and a history of toughness; expect full usage off structure and in the run game. (57:16)
• Jags Defense:

  "They do everything right... really well coached, fundamentals are great.” — relayed from Justin Stroud (58:17)

  • Not many stars, but “the sum of the whole” makes them formidable; primarily zone, opportunistic with turnovers—room for Bills’ passing attack if wideouts step up.

Bills' Run Defense & Under-the-Radar Performers

• Bills Defense Improved: Quietly much better the past two months; rookies and young players emerging on the line, plus safety Cole Bishop, a key difference-maker. (62:20-64:22)

  “Cole Bishop... he’s instinctive, sniffs out plays, plays hunches, not afraid to make a big hit... he’s become an all-around safety for them.” — Joe Buscalia (65:15)

Jaguars’ Attack, Trevor Lawrence Growth

• Middle of the Field: Jacoby Myers opens up the offense for Trevor. Brian Thomas Jr. for big-play shots; Parker Washington offers a “secret weapon” underneath. (66:43-68:13)
• Bills’ Defensive Strategy: Likely won’t drastically change principles for Lawrence, but will try to pressure and contain; less fear than, say, facing Mahomes or Lamar. (68:13-69:48)

Coach McDermott's Future?

• **Job security is solid: Ownership highly values McDermott and trends toward patience—even if disappointed, not likely to pull the trigger quickly. (70:24-71:37)

5. Steelers vs Texans (Mike DeFabo) (74:35-88:38)

Texans’ Pass Rush Looms

• Key Concern: Steelers’ pass protection against Houston’s dual-threat edge rushers is priority one; absence of big TE Darnell Washington another issue. (75:33-76:40)

DK Metcalf’s Return is Critical

• Game Changer: Without Metcalf, offense lost; with him, opens up everything due to his target share and the way he draws coverage. (77:38-78:55)

  “[Metcalf] is such a huge part of what they’re going to do, even if he’s not getting the football a lot.” — Mike DeFabo (78:55)

X-Factor Players

• Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. at corner—ascended into a shutdown role, will be tasked with slowing Nico Collins, who torched PIT in 2023 when Porter barely played. (79:49-81:20)
• Texans: Rookie WR Jaden Higgins, “faster in pads than his 40,” could be the surprise weapon if Stroud must look elsewhere under pressure. (81:22-82:47)

Steelers’ Pass Rush Must Deliver

• Highsmith & Herbig: Healthier units now, and Herbig shines in special third-down packages; this trio must dominate, “old NASCAR package style,” to give Steelers a shot. (82:47-84:13)

Tomlin’s Job Security

• Not Getting Fired: As always, any change would almost certainly have to be his call; organizationally, Pittsburgh values continuity and stability, but a win would be huge for his legacy (Mike Tomlin tied Chuck Noll for wins but hasn’t won a playoff game since 2017). (85:06-87:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rashan Gary’s Disappearing Sack Production:
  “Rashan Gary had seven and a half sacks in the first seven games and none since.” (17:30, Matt Schneidman)
• On Justin Herbert’s Toughness:
  “He’s the most insanely mentally tough dude of all time.” — Khalil Mack via Dan Popper (28:09)
• On Jalen Hurts' Running Impact:
  “The Eagles win at about a 72% clip in Jalen’s career when he rushes for 30 or more yards.” (43:27, Zach Berman)
• On Jesse Minter’s Head Coaching Potential:
  “He would be very, very high on my list of head coaching candidates.” (39:28, Dan Popper)
• On Buffalo’s Defensive Improvement:
  “This Bill’s defense... the last two months... has gotten so much better and I think part of that has been the introduction of Shaq Thompson.” (62:24, Joe Buscalia)
• On Tomlin’s Legacy Pressure:
  “It’s important for him to finally crack through in the postseason... ultimately in Pittsburgh coaches, teams, players are judged by what they do in January and February.” (86:18, Mike DeFabo)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Packers-Bears (Matt Schneidman): 01:42-23:15
• Chargers-Patriots (Dan Popper): 23:15-40:22
• 49ers-Eagles (Zach Berman): 42:11-56:04
• Bills-Jaguars (Joe Buscalia): 56:04-72:42
• Steelers-Texans (Mike DeFabo): 74:35-88:38

Tone & Closing

Throughout, the tone is conversational and insightful—mixing locker-room level detail (“buzz cut TJ Watt... his alter ego,” “I’ll never count out Aaron Rodgers”) with sharp tactical breakdowns and personnel intel. The show closes with reminders of how pivotal the playoffs are not just for teams and players, but for franchises and coaching legacies across the NFL.

Bottom Line

This jam-packed playoff preview delivers:

• Key injury and health updates for pivotal players (Love, Hurts, Allen, Hampton, Lane Johnson)
• Strategic matchups and schematic trends (run games, red zone, blitz rates)
• Critical pressure points for both players (e.g., Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Aaron Rodgers) and coaches (LaFleur, Tomlin, McDermott)
• Spotlights on under-the-radar players who could swing games
• Sense of urgency around coaching futures and legacies with big names possibly on the hot seat.

A must-listen (or read) for any NFL fan gearing up for playoff football, full of nuggets that go well beyond the surface.