Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Will Josh Allen & the Bills halt Drake Maye’s MVP run?

Release Date: December 11, 2025

Hosts: James Palmer (The Athletic), with guests Joe Buscaglia, Nick Kosmider, Nate Atkins, Jake Seeley

Episode Overview

This episode of Scoop City takes listeners on a “Thursday road trip” around the NFL, delivering insider insight on Week 15’s pivotal matchups and broader league trends. Senior NFL Insider James Palmer is joined by beat writers Joe Buscaglia (Bills), Nick Kosmider (Broncos), and Nate Atkins (Rams), plus fantasy analyst Jake Seeley. The conversation explores whether the Bills can derail Drake Maye’s MVP campaign, the evolution of the Bills’ and Rams’ offenses, Denver’s efficiency, fantasy football saboteurs, and the surprising struggles inside the Kansas City Chiefs' facility.

Key Segments and Highlights

1. Buffalo Bills: Identity, Defense, and Halt Drake Maye?

[04:15–15:17] Guest: Joe Buscaglia (The Athletic, Bills beat)

Discussion Points

• Bills’ Season of Inconsistency:
  • Joe Buscaglia describes Buffalo’s “consistency is inconsistency” (05:22), alternating big wins with surprising clunkers.
• Defensive Revamp & Returning Players:
  • The Bills’ defense was overhauled due to injuries and personnel shifts. Buscaglia notes, “the defense is actually the reason why I think the Bills’ ceiling is a little bit higher.” (07:01)
• Josh Allen’s Playoff Mode:
  • Allen needs to channel his “superhero mode" in the postseason. Buscaglia: “They're going to need him to do that because once the playoffs roll around ... eventually it's going to happen to go to Josh.” (09:17)
• Receiver Room Evolution:
  • The Bills have “found themselves a little bit into a group that they like” at receiver, though still not elite talent-wise. (08:41)
• James Cook’s Fumbling Woes:
  • Cook’s recent fumbles are discussed. Buscaglia: “It was very telling that as soon as that happened [Cook’s fumble], they immediately went back to him... They know he knows better.” (11:47)
  • The Bills must secure the ball: “We learned about the Patriots, that you can’t turn it over against them.” (12:47)

Notable Quotes

• Joe Buscaglia: “Their consistency is inconsistency.” (05:22)
• James Palmer: “This might be the game to where Drake May stays in the MVP conversation or the Bills have the opportunity to maybe knock him out.” (07:38)

Predictions

• Buscaglia leans Buffalo, citing their mentality: “The Bills know what's at stake ... There's going to be something there inside the building where they're going, ‘Yeah, that's not happening on our watch.’” (13:42)

2. Denver Broncos: Running Game and Efficient Bonix?

[15:19–25:14] Guest: Nick Kosmider (The Athletic, Broncos beat)

Discussion Points

• RJ Harvey and the Run Game:
  • Improvements noted after Dobbins' injury: “RJ Harvey ... was just a lot more decisive ... He’s starting to get a little bit more comfortable.” (15:42)
• Offensive Efficiency:
  • Fewer penalties, more manageable 3rd downs; Bonix is now less reckless with deep shots: “They've really trimmed down the number of deep shots ... only 10 combined deep throws [last three games].” (18:01)
• Green Bay Matchup:
  • Broncos’ defense vs. Green Bay’s deep threats; Denver has “the number one defense in terms of limiting opponent explosive plays.” (20:44)
• Secondary Depth:
  • Pat Surtain’s injury opened opportunity: “We might be a better secondary for this handful of games that Pat missed.” (22:27)
• Playoff Outlook:
  • With the AFC West tightening, these two games (vs. Packers and Jaguars) are critical: “The margin for error ... tightened up after that game.” (23:10)
• Micah Parsons’ Usage:
  • Where will Parsons line up? Kosmider: “Everywhere. Just about everywhere.” (24:31)

Notable Quotes

• Nick Kosmider on rookie Harvey: “You’re not really a rookie anymore.” (16:10)
• On Bonix’s change: “There wasn’t the intentionality there of really when they were firing up these deep shots.” (18:01)

3. Los Angeles Rams: 13 Personnel Revolution & Playoff Push

[25:19–36:59] Guest: Nate Atkins (The Athletic, Rams beat)

Discussion Points

• Shift to 13 Personnel:
  • Rams' use of heavy tight end sets is “just out of the norm for Sean McVay’s past ... It is taking this offense to a whole new level.” (26:14)
  • Rams are 5-0 when running 10+ plays of 13 personnel: “It’s turned into their most balanced offense since the Greatest Show on Turf.” (29:33)
• Load Management & Injury Adaptation:
  • “They’re using a little bit of everyone and then saving Puka Nacua and Davante Adams for what they do best.” (29:54)
• Stafford vs. Goff:
  • “In a historical way, they’re always going to be linked ... but I don’t think it’s a thing as much within the players, locker room, the coaching staff.” (30:58)
• Stopping Jameer Gibbs:
  • Rams run defense is strong, but “if you can use one of those running backs leaking out into a receiver situation … that’s probably your best chance” (34:06)
• Two Games in Five Days:
  • Rams using extra rest/practice management to stay fresh for Lions/Seahawks: “It’s really challenged the coaching staff to come up with a plan that’s a little different.” (35:03)

Notable Quotes

• Nate Atkins: “They’ve kind of gotten into a rhythm ... It’s something Sean McVay hadn’t done really ever, and now they’re doing it a lot.” (29:33)

4. Fantasy Football: Playoff Heroes & Saboteurs

[40:46–49:46] Guest: Jake Seeley (The Athletic, fantasy analyst)

Highlights

• James Palmer’s “Top 10 Rivers” List: Light-hearted segment where Palmer ranks his favorite “rivers”, including River Phoenix and A River Runs Through It. (41:07–44:41)
• Playoff Winners:
  • RB Woody Marks (Texans): “21 touches a game ... has the second best schedule down the stretch for running backs.” (45:44)
  • WR Christian Watson (Packers): “He is what you want him to be ... not concerned about him this week, but especially after this week.” (46:31)
• Fantasy Saboteurs:
  • RB Tony Pollard: “I will caution people ... first double-digit score since week five, one of the worst [playoff] schedules for running backs.” (48:17)
  • QB Jackson Dart: “If they’re going to do this to him [limit his rushing], it’s going to be bad for us in fantasy.” (48:41)
• Advice: “Saboteurs ... it’s like that shiny object. You're like, he can do it. But Jake tells you why you might want to go elsewhere.” (49:49)

Memorable Moment

• Jake Seeley on Palmer’s list: “You have a bad defense is what you're telling me.” (41:22)

5. Chiefs Insider: "Hopeful Depression" in Kansas City

[54:14–57:37] Host: James Palmer

Key Points

• Chiefs on the Brink:
  • Chiefs are at a 14% postseason chance, could drop to 1% with a loss to the Chargers.
  • For the first time in the Mahomes era, KC likely won’t win the AFC West.
• Inside the Facility:
  • Quote from a source: “I’m told we have a hopeful depression right now inside the building ... we could be playing better with the talent we have.” (54:36)
• Analogy:
  • Chiefs likened to “a band with many pieces ... not playing within rhythm.”
  • “If we do find a way to start playing in rhythm, they still believe they could win a Super Bowl this year.” (54:55)
• Andy Reid’s Leadership: Hope remains, especially for veteran players who may be facing their last chance.

Notable Quote

• Chiefs staffer (via Palmer): “...a hopeful depression right now inside the building... we know we could be playing better with the talent we have.” (54:36)

Notable Quotes by Segment & Timestamps

• Joe Buscaglia on Bills: “Their consistency is inconsistency.” (05:22)
• James Palmer on Bills-Pats: “This might be the game to where Drake May stays in the MVP conversation or the Bills have the opportunity to maybe knock him out.” (07:38)
• Nick Kosmider on Broncos: “You’re not really a rookie anymore.” (16:10)
• Nate Atkins on Rams O: “It’s something Sean McVay hadn’t done really ever, and now they’re doing it a lot.” (29:33)
• Chiefs facility source (via Palmer): “...a hopeful depression right now inside the building...” (54:36)

Timestamps Map for Key Segments

• Bills segment with Joe Buscaglia: [04:15–15:17]
• Broncos segment with Nick Kosmider: [15:19–25:14]
• Rams segment with Nate Atkins: [25:19–36:59]
• Fantasy Football with Jake Seeley: [40:46–49:46]
• Chiefs Insider Note: [54:14–57:37]

Overall Tone and Style

The episode blends expert NFL analysis with the easy rapport of seasoned insiders and ex-players. The tone is informal but deeply informed: sharp, witty, feisty in places, and always rooted in real locker-room conversations and front-office intel. Playful segments (like Palmer’s “Top 10 Rivers”) provide comic relief alongside dense strategic breakdowns and fantasy football war stories.

Summary

This episode of Scoop City delivers a detailed, city-by-city snapshot of the NFL landscape heading into Week 15. The panel breaks down the Bills’ late surge and Josh Allen’s playoff form, the Broncos’ improved efficiency, the Rams’ tactical innovation, and the playoff fates of several teams—with fantasy football insights and Chiefs intrigue rounding out a rich, entertaining episode. Whether you missed the episode or want a primer on the major headlines and nuances, this recap encapsulates everything NFL diehards and casual fans need to know.