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

NFL Week 17 grades from around the league

Here are the grades from the NFL's penultimate regular-season Sunday.

NFL Week 16 grades from around the league

Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott put up big numbers for their squads on a day that saw some movement in the playoff races. Here are the Week 16 grades from around the NFL.

NFL Week 15 grades from around the league

Here are the Week 15 grades from around the NFL.

NFL Week 14 grades from around the league

Here are the Week 14 grades from around the league.

NFL Week 13 grades from around the league

The NFC frontrunners took care of business, while the AFC North continues to fluctuate. The Lions' dramatic first win also dealt a blow to the Vikings' playoff hopes, and the Chiefs kept their defense-powered resurgence going.

The NFL's all-time most dramatic single-season declines

As turnaround success stories spawn, the NFL has certainly seen its share of memorable letdown seasons. Many of which ended successful eras. Here are the most significant decline seasons in league history.

NFL Week 12 grades from around the league

A big Sunday of contender showdowns produced a spree of impact turnovers. The Colts, Titans, and Rams could not overcome theirs, while the Bengals and Broncos rode takeaways to decisive wins.

The most notable late-season rallies in NFL history

With the NFL's stretch run approaching, several teams are looking to rebound after shaky starts to reach the playoffs. Here are the most notable squads to complete in-season turnarounds that ended in postseason berths. 

NFL Week 11 grades from around the league

Running backs led the way Sunday, with Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler powering AFC squads to key victories. The Chiefs notched another high-profile win as well, seeing more defensive improvement, while the NFC wild-card race keeps expanding.

NFL Week 10 grades from around the league

The races for each conference's No. 1 seed saw some shakeups this week, with Carolina, Washington, and Miami dealing upsets to big favorites. The Chiefs also re-emerged from their lengthy slump, injecting additional intrigue to the AFC's playoff pursuit.

The best rookie WR seasons in NFL history

NFL wideouts from many eras have put together impactful rookie seasons. Here are the best first-year receiving performances in league history. 

The most significant non-QB journeymen in NFL history

By starting for a sixth NFL team over the course of their careers, multiple players have joined an exclusive club this season. Not many non-quarterbacks have blazed this trail in modern NFL history.

NFL Week 9 grades from around the league

In easily the most bizarre week of the NFL season, multiple double-digit underdogs won. In addition to the Broncos and Jaguars' upsets, the Cardinals took care of business without Kyler Murray.

The most significant worst-to-first NFL teams

While going from last place in a division to first was once infrequent, the NFL sees it happen nearly every year in the modern era. Here are the most notable worst-to-first seasons -- judged by impact and degree of improvement -- since the modern divisional setup began in 1970.

NFL Week 8 grades from around the league

Backup quarterbacks came through nearly en masse in Week 8, with the Cowboys, Jets, Saints, and Seahawks receiving vital contributions from reserves. The Titans also claimed a key victory but joined the Saints in doing so at a major cost.

NFL Week 7 grades from around the league

During a week of high-point spreads and blowouts, the Bengals and Titans adjusted the AFC picture. The Colts also came through in a key spot, dropping the 49ers well off the scorching NFC West pace.

The biggest in-season trade for every NFL team

NFL teams always try to make moves to improve their rosters at the trade deadline. This practice has transpired for decades, with several future Hall of Famers being moved during the season.

NFL Week 6 grades from around the league

The Cardinals and Ravens offered statement victories, while the Raiders prevailed in their first post-Jon Gruden game. Aaron Rodgers reveled in his Chicago dominance to extend the Packers' win streak as well.

NFL Week 5 grades from around the league

The Bills' counterpunch in Kansas City changed the AFC race, and the Cardinals' first 5-0 start in 47 years has kept their surprise story atop the NFC. Justin Herbert finishing another high-scoring duel on top continues the Chargers' resurgence.

NFL Week 4 grades from around the league

Here is a look at Week 4's top storylines, along with grades from around the league.

The best 'little guys' in NFL history

Here are the top players, among those who play contact positions (non-kickers and punters), who broke through despite their height limitations to make an impact.

NFL Week 3 grades from around the league

NFC showdowns topped the NFL's third weekend. One of them lived up to its pregame billing, while the Rams made a statement in the other. The AFC West standings also look a bit different from recent years, and Justin Tucker added to his Hall of Fame resume in Detroit.

NFL Week 2 grades from around the league

Derrick Henry cost the NFC West an 8-0 start, while Kyler Murray gave Gus Johnson strong material in his Sunday return. And, of course, Patrick Mahomes-Lamar Jackson IV provided a high peak.

NFL Week 1 grades from around the league

The NFL's opening week brought a host of contender hopefuls together, with some of the games producing wildly unexpected results. Quarterback debuts generated considerable intrigue Sunday.

Which defenders will wear the green dot for the 2021 NFL season?

In an effort to level the communication playing field, the NFL allowed for one defender to be outfitted with an in-helmet transmitter. This player, who wears a green dot to signify the communication device, is responsible for transmitting coaches' signals to teammates.