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Sam Robinson
4:01
Hey guys, championship Sunday -- with a rubber match and a rather unusual opener. Let's get started
Mile High Mark
4:08
Even if the Broncos play great on defense, do they realistically have a chance at winning on Sunday (or in the Super Bowl if they make it)?
Sam Robinson
4:08
Mile High Mark, yes, I believe there is. It will, of course, depend on the gap between Nix and Stidham not being too wide. If Stidham can avoid turnovers, the game should be close.

The Broncos have some advantages that should make this interesting. Pro Football Focus tabbed their O-line first overall. ESPN ranks the group in the top eight in pass and run blocking. With Wattenberg returning at C, Stidham should be protected. The Pats' pass rush has feasted on two bad O-lines in the playoffs.

Denver's D-line also faces a better matchup than with Buffalo. The Pats have struggled to protect Maye, who took the fourth-most sacks this season. Denver has a deeper pass rush than even Houston, though its defense has underachieved as of late. That can't happen Sunday.

It would help if the Broncos could run, but a Dobbins return seems iffy. Both lines winning, however, would give the home team a path to an unusual Super Bowl berth.
Michael
4:14
Do you think if McDermit became available before Harbaugh that Schoen would went with his Buffalo roots and hired McDermit?
Sam Robinson
4:14
Michael, this is an interesting point. I do think there would have been more of a conversation as opposed to how the Giants ultimately approached this -- with Harbaugh the unquestioned favorite. McDermott and Schoen worked together for nearly five years.

That said, I think Schoen would have been hesitant to bring in a second Bills hire after Daboll struggled over his final three years. With Schoen's job on the line (that should be the case, at least) and with Harbaugh showing immediate interest, I think he still would have been the preferred hire.

Harbaugh may have won his Super Bowl 13 years ago, but that still carries plenty of weight with the Giants. His reputation as a leader appealed to a team that has whiffed on four HCs post-Coughlin. But you're right. I would have been interested to see if McDermott would have been a live underdog in that hypothetical HC race.
TD-Machine
4:23
Who do you see as a good fit for Aiyuk? He should take a one year deal to get back on track, and he probably won't get any huge offers this spring anyway.
Sam Robinson
4:23
TD-Machine, I think the Commanders should be considered an early frontrunner. Although they did not aggressively pursue Aiyuk in 2024, he would have been OK going there to reunite with one-year college teammate Jayden Daniels. With Deebo a free agent-to-be, Aiyuk could step in opposite McLaurin. But I would maybe be leery of his 1 1/2-year injury after McLaurin missed much of this season. But Daniels will be on his rookie deal in 2026, leaving a door open. And he thrived with a freshman-year Daniels targeting him at Arizona State.

Rashee Rice's latest situation could open the door for the Chiefs, who may also lose Hollywood Brown soon. That would be an interesting one-year/wait-and-see fit.

The Patriots rolled the dice on Diggs and have benefited. With Maye tied to a rookie deal in 2026, the Pats -- who have the same GM (Eliot Wolf) that pursued Aiyuk in 2024 -- make some sense, especially if a Diggs suspension could be coming. Aiyuk may have  changed his tune on NE after seeing Maye's 2025
Roger
4:34
Sam, pretend the Bills actually hire Rivers. Would that be the most bizarre hire ever by a perennial Super Bowl contender? Can you think of anything that even comes close? Thanks.
Sam Robinson
4:34
Hey Roger, yeah, it would be. I thought of a couple decisions that aged poorly by contenders, but not on this level.

The Giants lost Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick in the same 1991 offseason. They promoted offensive assistant Ray Handley, who was a two-and-done before not coaching again. The Bengals had made three playoff berths from 1970-75. Their decision to promote O-line coach Bill Johnson over eight-year Bengals assistant/burgeoning offensive guru Bill Walsh in 1976 (after Paul Brown's retirement) went rather poorly.

Nothing quite on the level of strangeness a Rivers-Buffalo fit would bring. This would remind of the Texans' Josh McCown interest years ago, but if Davis Webb and David Blough have made it this far despite retiring recently, Rivers may not be that crazy of a choice. But it would obviously help interested teams if he'd coached beyond high school thus far. That would be a big jump and, as you mentioned, at a crucial point for a contending team
Broncos Country?
4:43
Any shot for Denver this week? Their best chance is if they get the best performance out of their defense all season. It’s also gonna be cold and potentially snowy, although the Pats are obviously used to that.
Sam Robinson
4:43
Broncos Country, I do see a path to victory. Bettors obviously do, too, since the spread has dropped from 5.5 to 3.5.

Beyond the OL/DL component I mentioned above, the Broncos should have the edge matching up with Maye's WRs. Surtain would be expected to neutralize Diggs or Boutte, while Riley Moss -- his pass interference trouble notwithstanding -- has played fairly well as a league-most targets have come his way. Ja'Quan McMillian also should hold his own in the slot, creating an issue for the Pats if the Broncos' formidable pass rush can win enough.

Denver also will have Pat Bryant back after a concussion. That would at least give the team one of its regulars to pair with Sutton and Marvin Mims -- in the event Troy Franklin is out. The team ruled out J.K. Dobbins, which is a blow since they have not run nearly as well without him.

Denver's defense has the across-the-board talent to ugly the game up. Whether it can find its early-season form may decide this game.
TEXAS OUTLAW
4:47
Will Stephen Jones be any better than Jerry when Jerry goes away one day.
Sam Robinson
4:47
Texas Outlaw, I would hope Stephen Jones would study how not hiring a true GM under Jerry has backfired. If the younger Jones would simply take the same path his father has as the owner/GM, then no, I don't see the Cowboys' trajectory changing all that much. If he decides to listen to reason and pair the Cowboy brand with an actual football executive, then the possibility for a resurgence to the Super Bowl level certainly would exist.

Jerry Jones' refusal to hire a true GM for 30-plus years remains baffling, especially given how well everything went when he ceded football control to Jimmy Johnson in his early ownership years.
Unclemike1526
4:59
What do you think the Bears odds are of getting a comp pick for Cunningham becoming the Falcons GM? Plus the Bears need to trade #1 back into the second round for more picks because they really can't afford a 1st round pick right? The positions they really need are available rounds 2-5( S, LB, DT, RB). The way I see it they need to cut Edmunds(15), Swift(7) Trade Kmet(11) and renegotiate a few deals and maybe they can afford an Edge in FA. Thoughts? Thanks
Sam Robinson
4:59
Unclemike1526, Cunningham has been up for several jobs over the past few years. I found that interesting since the Bears had not shown much on the field prior to this year. I also am a bit skeptical he would take this Falcons position, with Matt Ryan overseeing the operation. Kevin Stefanski will have plenty of say, too.

Cunningham could be better suited waiting for a true GM position to open, as the Bears' success should give him more chances down the road. They would, however, collect two third-round picks if Cunningham did take the ATL gig.

Swift and Kmet helped the cause this year, though Kmet's 347 yards do not quite align with his contract. Cutting Swift would save more than $7MM, but a trade for a two-time 1,000-yard back (who is 27, tied to barely a $6MM salary and has shaken his early injury issues) would need to be considered. There should be interest. A D.J. Moore trade would save $16.5MM, but the return would not be favorable after a mediocre season
Sam Robinson
4:59
We will call it there for today. Thanks for the questions, guys. Enjoy Championship Sunday!
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