Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Why The Super Bowl Favorites Are Not As Safe You Think | Championship Sunday Preview

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: The Athletic (James Palmer with Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel, and The Athletic reporters: Nick Kosmider, Chad Graff, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Nate Atkins)

Episode Overview

This championship edition of Scoop City dives deep into the key stories and matchups ahead of AFC and NFC Championship Sunday. Host James Palmer is joined by a rotating cast of beat reporters and insiders to discuss why preseason Super Bowl favorites are looking vulnerable, with a special focus on both the Broncos-Patriots and Rams-Seahawks. In-depth analysis, unique player insights, and coaching storylines are explored. The episode wraps with Palmer handing out his picks for the NFL’s biggest end-of-year awards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Broncos’ Underdog Story: Jarrett Stidham Gets His Shot

Segment Start: 02:36

• Guest: Nick Kosmider (Broncos beat reporter), James Palmer (Host)
• Focus: Denver’s surprising run; Jarrett Stidham’s journey from perennial backup to AFC Championship starter
• Backstory: Stidham’s career as a backup to star QBs, his patience, and the rare opportunity he now faces. His unique route—from scout team in Texas high schools (post-Baylor) to this moment.
• Locker Room Vibes: Stidham is known for his positivity—taking “Mr. Turtle” (a Bluetooth speaker) everywhere. He and Palmer bond over being “vibes guys.”
• Quotes:
  • “He’s been working for this behind the scenes for years, and there’s a lot of confidence there. It’s just that nobody’s seen it yet.” —Nick Kosmider [05:12]
  • “We’re playing in the AFC Championship. We’re one of the last four teams playing. What’s not fun about this?” —Jarrett Stidham [04:05]

J.K. Dobbins’ Return and the Offense’s Prospects

Insight:

• The running game hasn’t been the same since Dobbins’ injury in Week 10. His return is a wildcard; conditioning is a question due to the nature of his injury (foot).
• Sean Payton has used advanced sports science and a top-tier health/nutrition team to help speed Dobbins’ recovery.

The Sean Payton Factor

Analysis:

• Payton’s best coaching comes with “his back against the wall.” Earlier key win against Chiefs without Pat Surtain or JK Dobbins, and with other injuries, proving his ability to rally undermanned squads.
• Quote:
  • “Sean’s at his best when his back is against the wall, when he’s doubted, and possibly when he has a backup quarterback and wants to prove something to everybody.” —James Palmer reporting from a Broncos exec [10:38]
• Offensively, expect Payton to lay out a specific path to victory, preying on Patriots’ weaknesses. Preparation to attack reserve Buffalo DBs in the divisional round led to explosive touchdowns.

Broncos' Defensive Approach to Drake May

• Expect “cage rush” principles to contain May’s mobility and focus on pushing the interior of the Patriots’ O-line, which is vulnerable.

Patriots: Pressure Turns and “Don’t Change the Recipe”

Segment Start: 16:04

• Guest: Chad Graff (Patriots reporter)
• Storyline: New England is suddenly a heavy favorite facing a backup QB. All season long, they’ve overachieved with house money, but now pressure is on.
• Coach Mike Vrabel’s Message: “Don’t change the recipe”—keep preparation and approach consistent, not letting the moment alter their process.
  • “The mac and cheese that we’ve been working on all year, let's bring that to the holiday.” —Chad Graff on Vrabel’s metaphor [17:52]

The Josh McDaniels X-Factor

• With McDaniels in-house (Stidham’s old coordinator), Patriots know Stidham’s strengths and flaws intimately. Potential “insider trading” of information on Denver's schemes and Stidham’s processing.

Drake May’s Postseason Struggles

• May is an MVP finalist but has had two mediocre playoff games (58% completion, several fumbles, sacked 10 times in two games).
• The offensive line's left side is struggling, especially rookie LT Will Campbell, against top pass rushers—edge pressure could dictate the game outcome.
• Quote:
  • “Drake May has been sacked 10 times...and more crucially, he’s fumbled six times, six strip sacks on those plays." —Chad Graff [20:07]

Patriots’ Offensive Adjustments

• Might use more 12 personnel (double tight end sets), making up for missing big-bodied WRs.

Defensive Gameplan: Turn Up the Heat

• Patriots have blitzed more in the playoffs (40.6% of dropbacks), using exotic looks—expect them to pressure Stidham early and often.
• Quote:
  • “With these quarterbacks who are more inexperienced, a little bit younger, a coach like Mike Vrabel will want to get some pressure on them.” —Chad Graff [27:18]

Final Score Prediction

• “I don't have this particularly close...Patriots 24, Broncos 10.” —Chad Graff [28:54]

NFC Championship Preview: Seahawks vs. Rams

Segment Start: 31:21

Seattle: McDonald’s “Violent Genius” and a Team Built for January

Guest: Michael-Shawn Dugar (Seahawks reporter)

• Stadium Vibes: Home playoff win last week felt inevitable after the Rashid Shaheed opening return TD—“electric” atmosphere [31:52].
• McDonald’s Mantra: “Do what you did to get us here. Don’t make anything up. Don’t do anything new.” Preaches brotherhood, focus, truth, work, and violence.
  • “If you were taking them back to the house in regular season, take them back to the house in the playoffs.” —Michael-Shawn Dugar [33:40]

Defensive Battle of Schemes

• Mike Macdonald’s defense is elite at limiting explosives, using two-high safety looks but maintaining stoutness against the run.
• Sean McVay, however, has found ways to exploit it—Stafford threw for 457 yds in Week 16.
• Seattle's D historically struggles to sack Stafford—no sacks in two games this year.

Sam Darnold’s Oblique, Turnover Troubles, and Game Readiness

• Darnold’s oblique “looked fine” last week, making key throws rolling left. Seahawks’ culture is next-man-up; “Drew Lock would’ve been thrown out there if needed.”
• Most of Darnold’s turnovers come under pressure—Seattle’s defensive line must get home.

Kenneth Walker and the RB Room

• Heavy dose expected for Walker with Zach Charbonnet out. Walker’s red-zone usage will increase.

Quiet Rivalries and “Bad Blood”

• Revenge themes (Cam Akers' revenge game, Ernest Jones' LA grudge), but Seahawks keep talk in-house—“very subdued...then just very, very, very loud if they go handle business” [48:34].

Rams: McVay’s Self-Reflection and Offensive Flexibility

Guest: Nate Atkins (Rams reporter)

• McVay is brutally honest about mistakes; after the Divisional win, he said, “I was a bad play-caller today,” explicitly noting specific calls and situations [50:59].
• McVay's willingness to change, even during winning streaks (e.g., switching kickers mid-year), is a key to the Rams’ sustained success.

Formation Choices and Key Personnel

• Rams’ 13 personnel (heavy three tight end looks) not used as much in the last playoff game, but likely to return given struggles against the blitz and Seattle’s defensive strengths.

The Stafford vs. Darnold Chess Match

• Chris Shula (Rams DC) has disguised coverages effectively against Darnold, resulting in 6 INTs across two meetings this season. Quinton Lake’s return as a versatile safety boosts this effort.

Offensive X-Factor

• RG Kevin Dotson, a mauler in the run game, returns from injury—Atkins notes the offense got less aggressive after his exit vs. Seattle last time. “He wants his get back” after a previous injury from Derek Hall. [61:07]

Rapid Fire: Palmer’s Picks for NFL Awards

Segment Start: 64:08

James Palmer’s Official Award Predictions:

• Assistant Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels (for development of Drake May in New England)
  • “Never overloading him, but also giving him a ton of information, seeing him grow and adding as the entire year went on...” [64:19]
• Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (overcame injuries, resurgence as Niners' bell-cow)
• Coach of the Year: Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks—turning a solid team into the league’s best)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett (“Superhero” dominance per Nick Bonito)
• Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (versatile, productive, carried 49ers offense)
• Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers—pivotal in young offense)
• Defensive Rookie of the Year: Nick Emmanwori (Seahawks—chess piece defender changing defensive norms)
• NFL MVP: Matthew Stafford (Rams—mental mastery, led league in yards, 12 more TDs than anyone else)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Nick Kosmider on Stidham’s underdog journey:
  • “He shows up the first day...he starts throwing the ball and the coach says all my quarterbacks on the team looked at me and said, I'm never going to get to play.” [05:12]
• James Palmer on Broncos’ approach:
  • “Sean’s at his best when his back is against the wall, when he’s doubted…” [10:38]
• Chad Graff on Patriots’ pressure:
  • “After they got…only their eighth win, it was…if they lose, you know, still an unbelievable season. Now…are you going to screw this up? Are you going to lose to a guy who hasn't thrown a pass in two years?” [16:48]
• Michael-Shawn Dugar on McDonald/Seahawks team culture:
  • “Do what you did to get us here. Don’t make anything up. Don’t do anything new.” [33:40]
• Nate Atkins on Rams’ resilience:
  • “When they got to overtime after Caleb Williams made one of the greatest throws…He pulled the group together and…in all of his passion, says, we will win this game.” [51:21]
• James Palmer on Stafford as MVP:
  • “When you can play it at a level so much head and shoulders between the ears better than everybody else in football, I think that matters...the mental standpoint above the rest of the quarterbacks in the league.” [69:14]

Key Timestamps

• Broncos preview / Stidham’s backstory: 02:36 – 16:04
• Patriots analysis / Drake May struggles: 16:04 – 29:11
• NFC Championship: Seahawks perspective: 31:21 – 50:11
• NFC Championship: Rams perspective: 50:11 – 62:08
• Palmer’s NFL Award Picks: 64:08 – 71:34

Tone & Takeaways

This episode is an engaging, insider-heavy look at how the usual NFL playoff hierarchies have been shaken up. The tone is equal parts analytical and conversational, with plenty of behind-the-scenes color. The panel’s familiarity and banter keep the show fast-paced, offering both big-picture narratives and granular Xs and Os for diehard fans.

For anyone who missed it:

• You’ve got deep dives into why neither the Broncos nor Patriots are “safe” favorites, a full breakdown of the coaching and player storylines in the NFC, sharp analysis on key injuries, potential X-factors, and a lively closing segment with James Palmer’s official end-of-season awards.