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Sam Robinson
1:13
Ok, happy Week 13, everyone! Let's see if we can get to a few questions ahead of the Black Friday game
Rocket Ismail
1:25
I find it far fetched that Belichick's going to get another NFL job. Do you agree?
Sam Robinson
1:25
Hey, Rocket, loved your work -- Qadry too. As for Belichick, it would be quite surprising to see him back on an NFL sideline in a prominent capacity.

Although the buyout number ($1MM) is not an issue anymore, Belichick would be a 74-year-old HC next year. It is not certain this rocky North Carolina stay will continue, and this 4-7 showing surely has not endeared him to NFL teams -- who largely steered clear of his candidacy previously.

The report late last year of Belichick being over the NFL, basically, came as teams feared he would bring polarizing assistants with him. The circus involving his girlfriend obviously won't help him return to the league. It would surprise if Belichick would push for full personnel control again; he apparently didn't during the Falcons process.

Overall, 2025 has not helped his stock. Pete Carroll's struggles at 74 may be a small part of this equation, too
chiefs or ravens
1:55
After their loses yesterday in your opinion which of the chiefs or ravens has a better chance to make the playoffs?
Sam Robinson
1:55
Great question. I view the Chiefs as the better team, even as O-line injuries are starting to be a factor. I thought the Patrick Mahomes-for-MVP talk was overblown earlier this season; their win streak came against teams with major questions on defense. But their offense ranks second in EPA per play, keeping this operation (barely) afloat. KC relied on its defense from 2023-24, though, and Dallas exposed the 2025 unit further.

Baltimore just has not looked like the same team, even as its five-game win streak provided favorable AFC North odds. The Ravens also have a tough schedule left, with games against the Packers, Patriots and in Cincinnati (now tougher with Burrow, as last night proved).

The Steelers' status as a weak division leader, though, has me leaning Ravens over Chiefs here. The path to a 10-7/9-8 division title just doesn't exist for the Chiefs, whereas there is still time for the Ravens.
Birds flying low
2:01
Whit the eagles loss last week and some of their struggles on offense this season are they still the class of the NFC or can the Rams or packers really challenge them?
Sam Robinson
2:01
Birds, the Eagles remain a dangerous outfit. Vic Fangio's defense, last week aside, is a more well-rounded unit than earlier this season. And Philly still motored to 8-3 with some holes on that defense pre-trade deadline. Saquon Barkley's form following his high-usage 2024 is becoming a big concern, though, as is Lane Johnson's availability.

The Rams look a bit better. Stafford is playing at a career-best level despite exiting training camp with a back injury. Green Bay's defense, a thorn in Aaron Rodgers' side for most of his tenure, is also a key variable here. I'm not throwing out the Seahawks, either. Sam Darnold's big-game issues aside, that menacing defense will keep them in home-field advantage discussions.

I think home field will matter significantly this year. I would have more doubts about the Rams winning in Green Bay or Philly. Even though L.A. is not much of a home-field edge, I'd lean toward the Rams being the favorite if they can play in their comfortable confines come January
MVP
2:08
Therehas been buzz hear in New England of Maye possibly being MVP. How does he compare to Stafford, Prescott or Jones?
Sam Robinson
2:08
Re: MVP, it is starting to look like Stafford is the clear favorite. The books are treating him as such. I've been a skeptic of his Hall of Fame chances for a while, as he has one original-ballot Pro Bowl in 16 years. That will move to two this year, and tacking an MVP season onto a Super Bowl year changes that conversation.

His 30-2 TD-INT ratio is preposterous; he has the McVay offense humming at a level it has rarely reached in this successful era. Plus, MVP is partially narrative-driven. Stafford fighting off a back injury (and his time on the trade market due to an ongoing contract issue) and past on mostly downtrodden Lions teams gives him a good story.

Jonathan Taylor is having a dominant season, but other RBs have fallen short -- Saquon last year -- after similar showings. Dak is interesting, leading the NFL in QBR and piloting a high-flying offense, but it probably would take a major Stafford injury at this point the way it's going to deny him.
AFC turmoil
2:16
With the chiefs loss yesterday which team has the best chance to get to the super bowl in the AFC?
Sam Robinson
2:16
It is still difficult to fully bury the Chiefs. Their 2023 surge after an uneven regular season showed how dangerous they can be after late-season tweaks. But their defense (sixth in scoring but 19th in EPA/play) is showing real cracks for the first time in years. Famous last words, but I wouldn't bet on them this year.

The Patriots have the best home-field path, as the Broncos' schedule is tougher (and the Colts' WAY tougher). But Denver's defense and capable/if inconsistent offense would probably give Sean Payton's team the edge in that matchup. Of the two-loss teams, I'd rank the Broncos as the top threat.

The Bills represent the variable here as the powerhouse with the best shot to make it. But their injury issues and WR trouble have caused a lot of trouble. Buffalo has also surged late in seasons recently, though.

For now, I'll lean Denver or Buffalo in the AFC
NFC South
2:25
Does Carolina have a legit shot of passing Tampa for the south title?
Sam Robinson
2:25
I just have a hard time seeing it based on how inconsistent the Panthers have been, but the Bucs are making it harder on themselves. Injuries have pretty much defined their season, though, and they are getting healthier.

Bucky Irving and Jamel Dean being available this week will help considerably, and while Chris Godwin is more of a wild card at this point (Bucs need to see an uptick soon to reap value on a $22MM-AAV contract), he should boost the cause while Mike Evans recovers.

An Evans December return (the expectation) probably will give Baker enough help to hold on, and it is hard to see the 6-6 Panthers avoiding at least two more losses -- they play the Rams and Seahawks in addition to the two Bucs showdowns.
Sam Robinson
2:26
OK, we'll call it a day on that one. Thanks for the questions, guys. Enjoy Bears-Eagles and the rest of the Week 13 games
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