Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: A Giant Upset (October 10, 2025)

Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Don La Greca, Peter Rosenberg
Summary of Hour 1

Overview

This episode revolves around the New York Giants’ stunning and cathartic upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. The hosts, mostly Alan Hahn and Don La Greca for this hour, reflect on the game’s significance for a long-struggling fanbase, spotlight the emergence of rookie quarterback Jackson Dart and rookie running back Cam Skattebo, and discuss the future of head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. They explore the emotional rollercoaster of being a New York sports fan, address controversies from the game (notably Daboll’s interaction with concussion protocol), and look ahead to what this win could mean for the team's future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cathartic Giants’ Victory (00:54–05:00)

• Feeling Like a True Fan Again: The hosts revel in the “rare” feeling of pride about the Giants, describing this win especially as a cathartic chest-thumping moment for the long-suffering fanbase.
  • “There’s not too many times as a Giant fan you actually can be proud of your team and feel good about their performance.” — Alan Hahn [00:54]
• Winning in Prime Time, On National TV: Stresses the bigger stage and how much sweeter it felt to do it against the defending champs, not in some ignored 1pm slot.
  • “This is national television. So the nation is getting a chance to see your team actually look good and be entertaining and win the game and beat the defending Super Bowl champions.” — Alan Hahn [03:48]

2. The Jackson Dart Era: Daboll Has “His Guy” (05:00–07:41)

• Quarterback as Franchise Cornerstone: The discussion fixates on how head coach Brian Daboll finally has “his guy” in Jackson Dart, after years stuck patching up or tolerating others.
  • “It is his quarterback … Daniel Jones was never his quarterback … But you could see … this is not my guy … Give me my quarterback.” — Alan Hahn [04:13]
• Daboll’s Investment in Dart: Highlights how Daboll was excited about Dart in the pre-draft process but kept it quiet strategically.
  • “He absolutely loved him to a point where he was trying to squelch how much he liked him.” — Allen [05:19]
• “Buddy Cop” Leadership: Dart and Skattebo’s youthful bravado and on-field energy have totally changed the team's mood.
  • “This is the best buddy cop movie we've seen in a long time. … Bill and Ted saved New York.” — Allen [06:21]

3. Processing the Turnaround and What-Could-Have-Been (07:41–09:37)

• How Close Have the Giants Been?: The hosts reflect on excruciating near-misses earlier in the season, but caution not to obsess over the “what-ifs” and to focus instead on the progress.
  • “I'm not going to get caught up in what could have happened. I want to get caught up in what is going on to happen.” — Alan Hahn [08:06]
• Growing Pains are Natural: Mistakes and turnovers, especially by young players, become learning moments rather than causes for despair.

4. Was It the Giants or a Broken Eagles Team? (09:37–12:24)

• The Eagles are described as a "broken team" having gone into a tailspin after their 4–0 start. The hosts note the importance of catching good teams at the right (vulnerable) moment but emphasize the Giants’ own improvement, especially on third downs with Dart at QB.

5. Culture Shift & Infectious Energy (12:33–15:05)

• Team Identity & Risky Play: The palpable difference in culture with the new rookies; caution, though, about reckless play (concerns over Dart’s durability and going into the concussion tent so often).
  • “At some point, that's going to have to get throttled because you're going to get yourself killed.” — Alan Hahn [12:40]
  • “There is that little bit of a concern … this kid's crazy and it's fun and this team needed it … but his impact could be long term, if that makes sense.” — Allen [13:37]

6. Breaking Curses & Streaks (15:05–16:47)

• The hosts run through the litany of longstanding losing streaks snapped by this win:
  • 9-game losing streak vs. defending Super Bowl champs
  • 10 straight prime-time losses to Eagles (worst in NFL since 1970 merger)
  • 10-game Thursday night losing streak
  • 8 straight division losses
  • Notable rookie stats (rushing TDs, QB rushing feats).

7. The Saquon Subtext and Satisfaction (17:02–18:29)

• A Win With Extra Spice: The joy of “sticking it” to former Giant Saquon Barkley becomes a theme.
  • “I love Saquon, but it’s like enough already, right? … And it was very satisfying too, because … what's the commercial going to break is a Saquon commercial. Yes.” — Alan Hahn [17:02, 17:40]

8. Daboll & Schoen Job Security Talk (19:57–23:41)

• Debate over whether Daboll and GM Schoen should, or could, survive another tough season.
  • “I'm not sold on him at all. … But if they continue to march this way … they're staying.” — Alan Hahn [19:57]
  • The main factor is the apparent QB-coach connection; owners care more about long-term upside than just wins now.

9. The Concussion Tent Controversy (28:13–36:12)

• Event: Daboll caught poking his head into the medical tent during Dart’s concussion check, which is strictly against NFL protocols.
• Giants Owner’s Statement (John Mara) [29:05]:
  • “While I firmly believe … he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going into the tent is inappropriate. … We need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference.”
• Debate: Sympathy for emotions running high, but all agree this is a bad look and will result in fines.
  • “No, he's going to get fined. He's going to get fined severely and the Giants are going to get fined for it, too.” — Alan Hahn [36:05]
  • “That’s a bad look.” — Allen [35:41]
• Bigger Point: Concerns for Dart's playing style and frequency of concussion checks.

10. Inside New York Sports Psychology (33:02–34:18)

• New York Loves “Toughness”:
  • “New York is looked upon as a very cosmopolitan city, but it's blue collar, man. … We love players that sacrifice their bodies.” — Alan Hahn [33:33]
• Comparison to beloved, physical past New York athletes (Phil Simms, Wayne Chrebet) but also a caution: Don't sacrifice the player to the myth.

11. Temptations of New York & Media Scrutiny (41:07–47:22)

• The hosts explore the double-edged sword of being a rising sports star in NYC: the city’s adulation can quickly turn, especially if off-field temptations are pursued or the media starts connecting parties/clubbing to on-field failure.
  • “It's different in New York, isn't it? … This city just does that. It just magnifies everything.” — Alan Hahn [47:05]
  • “Not only do we need to see your strength and discipline on the field, can you show us that same strength and discipline off it? It might be just as challenging…” — Allen [46:49]
• Cautions about not getting caught up in the fame too quickly; references to infamous NY sports stories (Matt Harvey, Joe Namath, Odell Beckham Jr.).

12. Could the Giants Actually Make a Run? (47:22–50:14)

• Fans and hosts alike speculate on how much this win could change season expectations. If the Giants win in Denver, does the “ceiling” move up? Cautious optimism but no playoffs talk (yet).
  • “If they're three and four and beat Denver in Denver, then I start saying maybe seven wins are on the table. … And then we could start talking about can they get to 9? And then … you start talking about the P word.” — Alan Hahn [48:33]
• Alan resists jumping to playoff talk, but acknowledges that with back-to-back statement wins, the conversation will change.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Daboll finally having "his guy":
  “This is not my guy. … Give me my quarterback.” — Alan Hahn [04:13]

• On the injection of fun and bravado:
  “They injected, no pun intended, fun into that franchise and a bravado that both of them said they recognized when they showed up at camp.” — Allen [06:48]

• On dangers of young QB’s reckless style:
  “At some point, that’s going to have to get throttled because you’re going to get yourself killed.” — Alan Hahn [12:40]

• Saquon Barkley divorce satisfaction:
  “I love Saquon, but it’s like enough already, right?” — Alan Hahn [17:02]
  “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying that. He got to enjoy it at your expense last year.” — Allen [17:44]

• On the media microscope in NYC:
  “If Dart … continues, then there’s going to be commercials, … Kimmel or Fallon, and then the four interception game that comes next week … it’ll be because of all the extra stuff they did, not just because that’s the maturation process of an NFL football player.” — Alan Hahn [44:32]

• On New York’s love for gritty players:
  “New York is looked upon as a very cosmopolitan city, but it’s blue collar, man. … We love players that sacrifice their bodies. We love, love players that are all in all the time.” — Alan Hahn [33:33]

Important Timestamps

• 00:54 — Alan opens with the rare joy of being a proud Giants fan after years of misery.
• 03:48 — On national TV win making the result more meaningful.
• 04:13 — “It is his quarterback … Daniel Jones was never his quarterback.”
• 06:21–06:48 — Describing the Dart and Skattebo “buddy cop” energy and franchise “enema.”
• 07:41 — Beginning of “what could have been” and “growing pains” talk.
• 12:40 — Concerns over Dart’s risk-taking and the need to “throttle it.”
• 15:05 — Running through all the streaks/bad history the Giants broke with this win.
• 17:02–17:44 — Victory over Saquon and the Eagles as “divorce pride.”
• 19:57 — Alan’s skepticism about Dable and Schoen, and what might save their jobs.
• 28:13–36:12 — The Daboll concussion tent controversy: John Mara’s statement, hosts’ reactions.
• 33:33 — Alan on New York’s blue-collar sports values.
• 41:07–47:22 — The “pitfalls” of NYC fame, media scrutiny, and importance of off-field discipline.
• 48:33 — “If they're three and four and beat Denver … maybe seven wins are on the table.”

Final Thoughts

• The episode weaves together excitement for the Giants’ now-bright-seeming future, grounded caution about letting one victory change everything, and a uniquely New York take on the pressures and perils of newfound stardom.
• Both hosts are clearly energized and hopeful, but won’t let go of their hard-earned skepticism quite yet.

If you missed this episode, you missed a wide-ranging group-therapy-style moment for Giants fans, loaded with hard truths, culture insights, and jubilant but guarded optimism.