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Sam Robinson
2:03
Hi everyone, rather consequential game tonight. Let's get going with our Week 16 chat!
TD-Machine
2:16
Do you like the Jags or the Texans to win their division? Which has a better chance of making a SB run?
Sam Robinson
2:16
TD-Machine, this has become a fun race -- one that could go down the tiebreaker list. I like the Texans to win the South, with their only potential trouble spot appearing to be a Week 17 game at the Chargers. The Jaguars beating the Broncos this week would change that equation, but I lean against that happening.

As for a Super Bowl run, I have to go Houston here as well. For as much as things seem to have clicked for the Jags after the Jakobi Meyers trade, the Texans having what looks like the NFL's best defense provides the better recipe for playoff success.

Neither the Jags nor the Texans have a top-shelf O-line, but I would like Houston's defense complementing C.J. Stroud over Jacksonville's complementing Trevor Lawrence. This is a big step forward for the Jags, obviously, and a better season than I expected from them for sure. But Houston could derail some high-end contenders' playoff hopes with its defense.
Sam Robinson
2:18
Super Bowl hopes*
Guarded Indian
2:26
Do you think Sanders has shown enough to get a shot next year or do the Browns draft a QB?  I'd rather see them draft Tate and then the best O-line available with the next few pics.  Their line is toast.
Sam Robinson
2:26
Guarded Indian, there are plenty of moving parts here. For starters, who will be making decisions in Cleveland next month? Berry surviving the Watson trade for as long as he has -- Haslam's involvement aside -- has surprised me, and Stefanski will be coming off two rough years. Running this setup back would be pretty risky in my view.

Of course, it did not seem like Stefanski and Berry were thrilled to draft Sanders anyway. With the Browns having two firsts as potential ammo to move up the board, I expect them to add a QB. I just doubt this regime or a new one would attach its jobs to Sanders -- without meaningful competition at the very least -- at this stage.

You are right about Cleveland's O-line. It is incredibly rare when all five starters on a line are due for free agency in one offseason. The Browns need to look there in Round 1 (and probably on Day 2 as well). I just don't know if the team can punt on QB and take its chances a player they pretty clearly didn't want will steer the ship in 2026
NOLA Ned
2:30
Has Shough done enough to be the Saints' full-time starter in 2026, or will the team draft another QB in the first two rounds?
Sam Robinson
2:30
NOLA Ned, a month ago I was probably in the same boat as I am on the Browns. But Tyler Shough has impressed to the point a franchise that has not drafted a first-round QB since Archie Manning will have an excuse not to take one next year.

With the Saints where they are in terms of a rebuild -- even their cap situation is not as dire as it usually is; progress! -- Shough having a full offseason to develop as the starter under Kellen Moore suddenly makes sense. Adding talent around him I think is a better way, especially with this QB class not being what most expected (as some talent is being delayed to 2027), to proceed in the 2026 draft.

If Shough turns out not to be what the team hopes next season, the Saints' record won't be very good anyway. That would give the team a chance to dive in on what looks like a much better QB class -- one that could have a rather prominent local product -- come 2027.
Roger
2:42
Sam, what do you think Mac Jones fetches in an off-season trade? Who are the most realistic fits? Thanks, and happy holidays.
Sam Robinson
2:42
Hey Roger, this is a good one due to Mac going through a Darnold-like value restoration under Kyle Shanahan. Given how he played (and with a cast of backups regularly during that period) and being on a two-year, $7MM deal, this is a valuable trade chip.

I can see the 49ers setting at least a third-round asking price on him, but keeping Mac around as one of the NFL's most important backups also makes sense. The 49ers keeping Jones in 2026 to evaluate him as a lower-cost Purdy bailout strategy (the contract is much easier to escape in 2027) would make them set a high trade price -- to the point a third-rounder and a Day 3 pick (or even perhaps a second-rounder outright) could be the ask.

I would like the Vikings as a good option, as they already had success with Shanahan's previous QB2. The Browns, in the event they retain Stefanski, make sense also. But how much longer can Cleveland's current regime wait to make a real post-Watson investment?
Etch
2:52
Thanks for the chat! What would be your dream free agent acquisition for the commanders in the upcoming offseason. In my mind the top needs are pass rushers, wr and safety.
Sam Robinson
2:52
You're welcome, Etch! This has to be the offseason where a big EDGE investment comes. I did not agree with how they proceeded this year. Even though they pursued Joey Bosa and checked on Trey Hendrickson, they became vulnerable at a prime position. Peters/Quinn won't do that again.

A Hendrickson two- or three-year deal would be tempting, especially as it would complement Daniels' rookie deal, but I'll say Jaelan Phillips. Adding a younger piece with a draft pedigree would be the better play given the age issues that consumed this year's roster.

Phillips only has four sacks this season, but he is ninth in pressures. Plus, getting him in 2026 would be betting on his Dolphins upside due to him being nearly two years removed from the second of two big injuries. Phillips' injury past could keep the price tag manageable, but he will be coveted -- especially if he delivers down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Sam Robinson
3:00
We will wrap it there for today. Enjoy Week 16, everyone, and happy holidays!
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