Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Best Team in the NFL? (Nov 17, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg sink their teeth into the highly unpredictable state of the NFL, especially the perennial question: Who’s the true best team? The trio also drills down into New York football, with particular focus on the Giants’ recent shakeup, unstable team culture, and quarterback controversy. Toss in some lively banter about food, John Cena’s last MSG appearance, and chaos at a recent UFC event, and you have a jam-packed, energetic hour that covers the joys and frustrations of contemporary sports fandom in New York.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Parity (or Mediocrity?) of Today’s NFL

• The hosts dissect the NFL landscape, agreeing that this year feels unusually “up for grabs.” There’s no dominant juggernaut—every contender is flawed.

  • Don La Greca: “I think it's sloppy. I think it's ugly. I think it's poorly coached. I think in the NFL is a really bad spot.” (05:49)
  • Alan Hahn expands: The era of clear ‘teams to beat’ (e.g., Brady’s Patriots, Mahomes’ Chiefs) feels over. Now? “I think everybody's mediocre. That is that parody. Is that what we want?” (06:14)

• Peter Rosenberg hedges: Despite the chaos, he still believes the Chiefs are the team to beat come playoffs, even as they sit outside the standings at the moment (07:15).

• The hosts agree: Parity is fun for debate but may signal lower overall quality, with even good teams (Eagles, Chiefs, etc.) showing obvious vulnerabilities (06:14–07:15).

New York Giants’ Tumultuous Season & Culture Shift

• Discussion of the Giants’ disappointing record, coaching shakeups (Daboll out, Kafka in as interim), and what should come next.

  • The coaching change is unanimously deemed necessary, as the on-field “vibe” with Dable had grown toxic.
  • Alan Hahn: "This was a toxic culture that desperately needs a strong leader at the very top to get it back under control." (15:13)
  • Don La Greca: “Making the coaching change was obviously the right move to make.” (16:18)

• The hosts dwell on missed opportunities—multiple close, winnable games lost, which set the team’s culture and momentum back.

  • Alan Hahn: “I'm looking at it if I'm an owner. I can't get over that. We had three, at least three winnable games… Instead, look where it has you right now. It has you in a place that you've been in all too often in the last 12 years, and you're on the hamster wheel.” (23:20–24:19)

• Evidence of leadership issues:

  • Lax discipline (rookie Abdul Carter’s repeated infractions allowed under Dable).
  • Vague “business decisions” leading to poor accountability at both player and management level.

• Tanking? Don is vehemently against it, arguing “losing becomes a disease.”

  • “The only way to cure it, guys, is to win and then make that the habit.” (22:45)

Giants QB Carousel: Winston, Wilson, and Management Games

• Jameis Winston is praised for competent play but not lionized (“Let’s not make him out to be Tom Brady. He only threw for, like, 200 yards, and he did throw a pick at the end of the game, although I don't think that was his fault.” — Don, 10:04).
• Why did the Giants ever sign (and play) Russell Wilson? Don and Hahn speculate about possible handshake deals or favors, opining that Wilson got more chances than he earned—perhaps as a reputation-repairing “favor” by someone in the building (47:01–50:32).
• Alan Hahn: “Once you saw him [Wilson] play enough to get to a point where it's like, all right, we got to make a change. I guess it was, don't embarrass him by making him a third quarterback. Don't embarrass him by cutting him.” (48:13)

Who Is the Best Team in the NFL?

• The crew debates which teams, if any, deserve “favorite” status for a deep playoff run.

  • Chiefs? Despite current standings, Don calls them the safest bet: “How do you not say the Chiefs?” (37:50)
  • Ravens? Rosenberg reluctantly takes the Ravens over the Lions, given forced choice (39:47).
  • Lions? Surprise at their mediocrity despite preseason hype; even impressive teams feel vulnerable.
  • Probability stats are mentioned (Ravens 77% chance to make the playoffs, Lions 75%, Chiefs 51%), but as Peter quips: “Religion's not involved. You know what I'm saying? …The Chiefs are with God.” (40:51)

• Alan Hahn: “This year… every team, even the good ones, when you argue them, every one of them, including the Eagles, have flaws… I think everybody's mediocre.” (06:14)

Around New York: Knicks, John Cena, and MSG Mayhem

• John Cena’s “emotional” last WWE appearance at Madison Square Garden is a recurring, bittersweet thread for Rosenberg (01:03).
• Alan and Peter discuss the pre-WWE buzz at MSG, shifting to the aftermath of a wild brawl at UFC on Saturday night (30:14).
  • Rosenberg describes the scene: “I have never at an event, seen it continue on for that long. I could not believe they couldn't get it under control.” (31:40)
  • The melee resulted in fighter Dylan Danis being banned from all UFC events, per Dana White (32:24).
  • “Looking forward to going back to good old safe, family friendly WWE tonight…” (33:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don La Greca on NFL sloppiness:
  • “I think it's sloppy. I think it's ugly. I think it's poorly coached. I think in the NFL is a really bad spot. But nobody will ever say it because everybody is so in love with football…” (05:49)
• Alan Hahn on Giants’ toxic culture:
  • “This was a toxic culture that desperately needs a strong leader at the very top to get it back under control.” (15:13)
• Peter Rosenberg on NFL parity & fate:
  • “The Chiefs aren't about that. The Chiefs are with God.” (41:04)
• Don La Greca on losing as an organizational disease:
  • “That's what the Giants are right now. They're losers. They don't know how to win anymore. They don't have to get off the mat… You don't see that the disease that losing is for an organization.” (21:27)
• Peter Rosenberg describes the UFC brawl:
  • “I have actual nightmares about that. About, like, you're in a big room and it starts losing control, and you're like, oh, my God, what's happening now?” (31:52)

Segment Timestamps

• NFL Parity & Landscape: 05:37–08:37
• Giants Coaching Change, Culture Issues: 13:39–16:51
• Daboll vs. Kafka & Locker Room Issues: 15:13–19:34
• Tanking and Organizational Habits: 21:27–23:13
• Missed Opportunities & Ownership’s Dilemma: 23:20–24:19
• Current NFL Contender Debate: 34:27–41:36
• Giants QB Situation (Wilson, Winston): 46:17–50:32
• John Cena & MSG Atmosphere: 01:03–01:46, 28:40–29:59
• UFC Brawl at MSG: 30:14–33:20

Additional Flavor and Banter

• Thanksgiving food talk (cranberry sauce, dips, Trader Joe’s): Lighthearted opening interplay (02:01–03:23).
• Consistent ribbing and affectionate teasing about each other's picks, record collections, and backstage access at events.
• Shout-out to listener “Stevie Bay” undergoing surgery—adds a personal community touch (29:43–30:02).

Summary Takeaway:
This episode paints a picture of NFL uncertainty—no favorites, only flaws—and connects that chaos to the deeper malaise in New York’s own franchises, especially the Giants. There’s no shortage of strong opinions, locker-room gossip, and realistic frustrations from the hosts, but always wrapped in wit and brotherly warmth. Whether you want insight, emotional catharsis, or simply a sense of fellow suffering, this episode delivers.