Yardbarker

Sam Robinson

Writer

Sam Robinson is a sportswriter from Kansas City, Missouri. He primarily covers the NFL for Yardbarker. Moving from wildly injury-prone sprinter in the aughts to reporter in the 2010s, Sam set up camp in three time zones covering everything from high school water polo to Division II national championship games. He has since settled in as the husband of a track and field coach, concentrating on the NFL. Boasting an unhealthy interest in the league’s history and fashion trends, Sam is the lead writer for Pro Football Rumors and has written about the sport for Yardbarker since 2018. In addition to working as a writer/editor for a few newspapers – the Cleveland Plain Dealer and St. Joseph (Missouri) News-Press, to name two – in a former life that included some awkward awards-show hosting gigs thankfully inaccessible online, Sam has written about the Olympics for The Athletic.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, track and field, boxing

The best divisions in NFL history

Since the AFL and NFL joined forces, numerous divisions have brought season-long intrigue. Judged on quality and depth, here are the best divisions in that time.

NFL Week 13 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues. 

How 17-game NFL season could benefit players, owners

If the players receive enough in return, a 17-game regular season can be a game-changer for the NFL long term and widen the popularity gap between it and the other major American sports leagues, Yardbarker's Sam Robinson writes. 

The greatest siblings in NFL history

The Bosas have become the latest standout sibling tandem, but there have been many throughout the NFL's history. Here are the sibling duos and trios the Chargers' and 49ers' pass rushers will be measured against throughout their careers.

NFL Week 12 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues. 

Why 2017 NFL running back class holds key to position's future

On the field, the 2017 draft class is on track to push that of 2008 — which produced Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte, Jonathan Stewart and Ray Rice — as the 21st century’s best, Sam Robinson writes.

NFL Week 11 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues.

The 25 biggest NFL stories of the 2010s

The NFL has made major changes this decade, with some of them coming after significant stories affected the league. With less than two months left in the 2010s, here are the biggest NFL stories of the decade:

What's next for Panthers QB Cam Newton?

With backup Kyle Allen playing steady in Cam Newton's stead, rumors are swirling that Carolina will move on from the 2015 NFL MVP, but that may not be the best idea, writes Yardbarker's Sam Robinson.

The 25 best NFL teams from the 2010s

Several non-Patriots teams submitted elite work in the last decade, which again became known for New England dominance. Here are the 25 best NFL teams from the 2010s.

Yardbarker's NFL 2010s All-Decade team

The Patriots are well represented on Yardbarker's team, which also includes coaching staffs and front offices.  

NFL Week 10 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues.

Yardbarker's NFL mid-season All-Pro team

The undefeated Patriots and 49ers are well-represented on our team, which also includes the Packers' Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Week 9 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues.

The last winless team from the past 30 NFL seasons

The Bengals and Dolphins each remain winless, making this season the first with two 0-6 teams in six years. (The Bengals are now 0-7.) But there have certainly been several starts worse than these.

Remarkable Patriots defense may be Bill Belichick's masterwork

The Patriots' defense gives Tom Brady a tremendous safety net, Sam Robinson writes.

The best & worst all-time uniforms for all 32 NFL franchises

We're confining this to the Super Bowl era, when NFL fashion began to take off, but older designs worn by teams as throwbacks are included. The picks are specific, with the home or away uniform pictured being the choice for each franchise.

NFL Week 8 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues. 

Patrick Mahomes' injury comes at worst possible time for Chiefs

Even if Patrick Mahomes misses only three weeks, his injury is a major blow for a snake-bitten, small-market team, Sam Robinson writes.

NFL Week 7 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues.  

NFL MVP race: 22 things to know about emerging superstar Christian McCaffrey

Despite starting 0-2, Carolina is back in the NFC mix thanks to yardage machine Christian McCaffrey, Sam Robinson writes. 

NFL Week 6 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues. 

NFL teams that have made three or more first-round picks in one draft

The Dolphins acquired three first-round picks in 2020's virtual draft. While they follow the Raiders and Giants, who made three first-round selections in 2019, there have been more than 20 instances of franchises holding at least three first-round selections in a single draft over the past 78 years.

Why Chiefs-Patriots Week 14 showdown is already so captivating

Barring significant injuries to Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, the Patriots and Chiefs are set up for a high-stakes duel at New England and an AFC title game rematch, Sam Robinson writes.

NFL Week 5 matchups: An insiders' guide

Yardbarker's Sam Robinson and Michael Nania go deep inside NFL games each week, focusing on key numbers and roster issues.