Loading summary
A
Todd, cross your legs, honey, let's get out of this in it.
B
Han, I didn't know you were a screamer.
A
And Rosenberg, happy New Jewish New Year. Not newest Jew Year. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.
B
This is Don, Han, and Rosenberg.
A
The best threesome I've ever heard on.
B
ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. So how's everybody's back right now? Those of us that had to grab a shovel. How many times did you have to clear out the driveway? How many times you go out and go again? I just did it. This. This. This was some way. This was some storm, man. Like this, Peter, it first lets everybody, let everybody know, first and foremost, Don didn't make it back.
A
Don't make it back. As Michael K. Once said, Don's dead because what did he try to do anyways? Hopefully that's not the case when he gets back and has to shovel. But, no, Don't. Don, of course, was stuck in Seattle. He's making his way back.
B
He's working on it. He's halfway back.
A
He's efforting.
B
He goes where everybody goes, and they need to go somewhere warm just to get away from the cold.
A
Yeah. Detroit, Don's dead because he was changing a tire and his heart exploded. That's the concern.
B
We don't want that to happen.
A
No, we don't want that to happen. But yeah. So Don's going to make his way back here. Obviously, my experience different than yours being in the burbs. You're. You're out there on the island, I'm in the city. I have. My problems haven't started yet. My problem is when I try to get to the car.
B
Yeah.
A
I don't know when that's happening.
B
Yeah, you're. Well, when you consider not only the. The amount of snow, which, by the way, I saw Central park at some point Yesterday was at 10 inches. It had to have gone more than on the island. We're between like 12 to 14 accumulations in different places because we had the bulk of it, which was about an inch an hour. And then last night, like, it calmed down, and a lot of people thought, okay, it's safe to clear out. And it was very powdery, you know, like, it wasn't a real heavy, wet snow.
A
No.
B
But then during the night and in the morning, another layer went down a couple more inches, but it was like ice and snow that sucked this morning. So that was one that was right. Anybody had to get up early, go to work, and thought, all right, roads are cleared. I got My driveway done. Then you went out and saw that and then had to. Then you put a shovel into it and thought, oh, hell no. Like, I froze right away. Having to do that before.
A
So here's what happened. So. So first of all, it's definitely. I know what a foot is. It's definitely at least a foot here in the city. That's. That's definitely what we're sure. Yeah, maybe 14, something like that. It's a lot. But, like. So we took out Maya for five minutes. And here's the thing you have to note about this snow. This is all. This tells the story. You could look out your window. It was not a beautiful snowfall. It was not beautiful big flakes. It was. Sometimes you couldn't even quite tell, like, it's snowing, but it's kind of just.
B
Looks like freezing rain.
A
Freezing rain. Precipitation.
B
Yep.
A
It accumulated well. But yet to your point, Don, it's all just freezing up. This is not powdery snow. It was not pretty. It's just. This is the city is. Whatever gross ideas you have in your mind about New York City after a blizzard, this is what it's like. I just went to get a haircut. Every single intersection, you have to figure out your path because there's gigantic frozen pool in the street. It is going to be a bad week. A week from Wednesday is as far out as the weather app gets on the iPhone. And the high on that day. A week from Wednesday is 34.
B
With. With more snow coming.
A
With more snow coming supposedly between now and then.
B
So, yeah, 20.
A
It's not going anywhere.
B
No, it's. And that's why for you. And by the way, I'm Alan, not Don. Don is.
A
What did I say?
B
Yeah, you said Don. That's. All right. I understand. It's tough. Later, you'll call me Michael. But the. The. The issue you're going to have is getting your car out of whatever it is, because once plows go through and it all piles up and now it's frozen over, forget it.
A
What do you.
B
Do you just take mass transit?
A
When are they. When are they going to have. When are they going to have alternate side parking rules back in effect? Because this is all going to be frozen. Cars aren't moving this week.
B
No, no. They're already not in effect on Tuesday. So I can keep my car where it is? Yeah. No, no, they announced.
A
They announced Tuesday. But, but, but Anthony. I'm going to get everyone's name right, but Anthony World, Andrew. In what world? If the street, like my street hasn't been plowed yet. Right. Once it. But the snow is still already frozen on and around the car, then they're gonna plow the street and block everyone in. So it's basically frozen ice around every car.
B
Oh, yeah.
A
I don't see how you could, hope to, quote, clean the streets before next week.
B
I'm gonna send you a nice little Twitter account to keep an eye on there, Peter. Yeah, thank you.
A
I appreciate that.
B
And then maybe, I don't know, blowtorch.
A
Honestly, I was like. I was like, what if I brought, like, a boiling. A pot of boiling water? But that wouldn't go very far.
B
No, go for that. A lot of trips up and down the stairs.
A
A lot of trips up and down and reboiling water and then going back to. Yeah, I'll eventually do it.
B
Speaking of which, lastly, on the whole storm thing, Cali had me out yesterday on the rink. And I know people actually got to see a little bit of the rink yesterday, Friday, whatever day it was that was shared. She had me out there, and it was still snowing. And you're right. Last week was a pretty, like, thick, flake snow. Right? It was very, very pretty. This. You're right. This. This was not a pretty snowfall. In the end, though, it's glistening and all that stuff. That's nice. But. So she's like, I want to go skate. So Stephanie clears off the ice, and it's. I mean, you're talking about the perfect ice to skate on. Nice, hard surface. Your skates are not digging in. And we're out there. I can't feel my toes. I can't feel my fingertips. Won't go in. Just won't go in. It was. It was. It was fun. But, you know, you'll get to this point with Maya, but any parent can understand what I'm saying. When the kids are young and they're enthusiastic and they want to play, and you're like, yeah, let's go. Let's play. And you reach that point where you're like, I'm kind of done. You know, Like, I'm tired.
A
I'm cold.
B
I just want to go inside and sit in front of the fire and put on some football. And she just, no, no. More, more. And thrown a fit.
A
And you want to go in.
B
You don't want to end the moment because it was a snow globe kind of memory moment and stuff. And she's just so happy. But, man, I don't know if you've ever felt where I can't feel my feet. I couldn't Feel anything. Extremities freaking me out. But you do what you do as a dad, right?
A
Dude, this is every moment practically where I feel like when Maya wants more, to do more, and you're like, but I gotta go to bed. Like, I know. I feel. It's like, it's. I know one day I'm gonna be in Alan's shoes, where I'll go. I would do anything for one more night of you being a baby. Anything.
B
Right.
A
But at this moment. But you're living in the now, and I have to end it, you know?
B
Yeah.
A
So I feel you're. You're a good dad. You put in the time. You did the best you could.
B
Good. Got to. Got to. Because of how busy we all are. But we got the football in yesterday, didn't we? And they played it. Didn't. Didn't we get kind of the best of both in both games? The NFC Championship Game was a classic, fun game that had a lot of, like, how did that happen? Answers, mistakes that were suddenly. You paid for them immediately. There was a lot of the drama in that game. Fantastic coaching on both sides, Quarterback play, you know, through the roof, all of it that you would want in a good, quality football game. And then the AFC Championship Game was the weather disaster kind of game that you knew. One fatal decision or one missed play with the weather just getting worse and worse, it was so compelling to watch that stadium. And anybody who's been to Denver, I know you have, I've been there many times. You have to understand, in Denver, the weather turns on a dime. Like, it just. It could be 50 degrees, 60 degrees, and comfortable and dry, and then within an hour or two snowfall, it just. That's the way it is there. And so the fact that that game turned the way it turned, it was so compelling, yet it was an ugly game, of course. But, man, it goes back to. Once again, this is Don McGregor, and we all heard his voice echo. In fact, he's calling the devil's cracking game. And during the first intermission, he goes to our group chat because he sees what we're saying and he's like, let me guess. Somebody wanted to be Billy. You know what? Billy Big. You know what?
A
It's not going to get any bigger.
B
And go for it instead of just take the damn points. And that. Could that have really been it? Is that with a first half not going for the field goal? Is that why the New England Patriots are in the AFC Championship? I mean, I'm sorry, the Super Bowl? Are they AFC champions again?
A
I Have. No, I can't for the life of me understand what the logic was in that moment. You know, listen, maybe Sean Payton is feeling high because Stitty and that offense had one drive where in like two plays they moved the ball 75 yards, they punched it in and he's feeling, you know what if I get to 14 nothing with the defense we have.
B
That's what he was thinking.
A
Momentum, we can end this thing. We get up 14 nothing, I will take their heart. And then of course, you don't get it. And you remember why since the dawn of time, people take three because of how deflating it is to go for it and come away with nothing. They had all the momentum, Allen, till that missed field goal and, and immediately the series of events that followed. Before you blink, it's tied. And they never got momentum back.
B
Sean Payton talked about it and I'm glad he did. He'd openly about it. Wasn't defiant. Right. You know, some coaches, they just, they put up this thing, this tough guy act about their decision making. I'll do it again. But even he, you could hear it in his voice, how he knew that was a fateful moment. Here's, here's Peyton talking about the decision to go for it on fourth down.
A
Go ahead, talk to us.
B
Come on, Sean, don't be shy. Talk.
A
Just say how you feel.
B
Just let it out, man. Man, we had momentum get up 14. It felt like we had a good call. I think the feeling was, man, let's, let's be aggressive to get up 14. The turnover on our end resulting in a touchdown. Outside of that, man, I thought we did a good job in containing. Containing them. There'll be a number of things when we watch the tape. I'll look at. At like that. That's. You could hear we'd have momentum 14 nothing in a game like this could have been dramatic. And in fact, in the end, as you see that with that defense, it would have been. Now is there regret? Sean Payton, did you. There's always regrets. Yeah. I mean, felt like, you know, here we are, 4th and 1. We felt close enough that. And it's. And it's also a call you make based on team you're playing and watching on the other side of the ball. So, yeah, they'll always be second thoughts. Now you would think you're the home team Denver, wouldn't you have a pretty good idea of the weather in this game? Wouldn't you know what's coming in a way at least? Yes. Denver weather is unpredictable at times, but you have an idea in advance and isn't there someone that would have said, hey, listen, this could get ugly in the second half, so we got to get points while we can? Was he thinking 14, nothing with weather coming, we might lock this thing up? Or did he not know and stayed aggressive rather than saying, I need, I need to get points no matter what, I got to take these points while I can. We don't know that part.
A
No. And I just. That's the part that I find baffling for a guy who we thought the number one advantage Denver had this weekend over everyone. And, and respectfully to Vrabel over variable, I thought was just the head coach that was the big advantage. And you would have thought they were. They weren't playing inside Allen. You would have thought they had an idea. This is going to pick up. We're going to get some weather in the second half. It got bad now. It got bad fast. When they did that, when they showed the time lapse of how quickly the weather changed, it was like, yeah, mind blowing.
B
Yeah.
A
I don't even know that I realized it would have happened that fast.
B
Did you notice it, like, while watching the game from the start of the third quarter, start of the half, you could still see the field.
A
Oh, yeah.
B
By the end of the third quarter, it was like, you know, a dusting. Fourth quarter, forget it. You couldn't see anything. And you know what? I'll say this too. Romo was right. It's different in person than you see on tv because a TV camera, just imagine, like if you've ever done this, it's snowing out and you take video, you see flakes. Like, you see it snowing. You. Your video never shows the flakes the same way that your eyes see it. So think of the same thing. You're watching that game. You don't realize how bad the visibility was on the field until you just see how much was accumulating on the field to where they had to use that. The bizarre graphic of the. Of the yard lines. Did you notice that too, when all.
A
Of a sudden they give you an idea? Yeah. Yeah.
B
And it just started looking like a video game at that point. It was just too much, too much going on, graphic wise. But they had to because you couldn't see it. So it really was. It was impactful. It was different. And in the end, you got to give credit where credit's due. Vrabel and the Patriots did everything they were supposed to do to win that game. Drake May did what he needed to do to Win that game. They won the game. You can talk about the. Leaving the three points on the table.
A
And also, I don't understand the second half. We get to the fourth quarter, we're halfway through the fourth quarter, we're punting back and forth. No one can gain an inch. You're down four. Four points.
B
Even the puns.
A
Brutal. The punts are brutal. Remember, though, leading up to this moment, the Broncos successfully played the field position back and forth, got good field position and were able to then pick up eight yards. I believe on third down, they would have had like a fourth and three after a scramble by Stidham. And they decided in that moment.
B
Yeah.
A
In what looked like a blizzard, to kick a 46 yarder. Now you're gonna. Now you're gonna go for the three.
B
Right? Right.
A
It just. It just was a. I'm sorry, it's 10, 7 at that point and you're.
B
Trying to tie at that point and.
A
But you're trying to tie the game, but you can't do it. You know, you need the time. I already knew Allen, once we got to the fourth quarter, you go, you.
B
Need touchdowns over this game.
A
No, I just know you need a touchdown. You have to find a way to get a touchdown because unless it's an absolute chip shot, I'm not going to feel good. You'd have to get stopped at the goal line for me to feel comfortable. Probably kicking a field goal where you can basically just bash it in. But a kick that requires any sort of actual real kicking skill was out the window.
B
Yeah.
A
So I just. Some weird. Some weird decisions. And now we get the New England Patriots fresh off of beating the LA Chargers 16 to 3. And by the way, I know the Chargers are not a terrible football team. I don't want to diminish the Chargers.
B
But they weren't watching them at the end of the year.
A
Yeah, I watched them like every week the last month, and they were just not. You could tell the Chargers were done. They beat the Texans in one of the uglier playoff games that in recent memory. And then they beat the. Jared Stidham led Broncos in a snowball to make it just to squeak their way and fall into the Super Bowl. I'm not sure this is a really impressive team, man. They went undefeated on the road. Like, you absolutely could take nothing away from a team that is capable of doing that. You beat who's in front of you. That's all you can do. But Alan, I'm sitting there looking, going, not only are the Patriots back, but they're back with like one of the most unimpressive looking football teams. Like, you watch them and you just go. I mean, I saw Stefan Diggs celebrating after the game.
B
I forgot he played crying.
A
I hit five catches for 17 yards. I mean, you're just. No, who's the, who's the jersey? I, I guess it'll be Drake May if Drake May continues his trajectory. That's the only jersey on this team.
B
Yeah, he's, he's, he's the guy. They love him. Now, I've been telling you that since the start of the season, they really were believing in him. But I'd say I don't, I don't disagree with what you're saying because this, this has not been a remarkable run by them. Did they turn it around from four wins? Right. If they win the super bowl, the last team to have five or fewer wins in the season prior and then to go on to win the super bowl, you remember the last team, you know, they were the Patriots, 2001, their first one. Like, so it's, that's, you know, now it's happened where they've got teams have gotten to the super bowl, but to go on and win it, that hasn't happened since there. So there's something very Patriots about all this stuff. But I agree, this has not been a remarkable run by any stretch of the imagination. May has had turnover issues in the playoffs that he didn't really have during the regular season. He has not been as accurate. But I'll say this as anyone in New England will say, all you can do is play who's in front of you. And this is the example that the Buffalo Bills had this season. This is the example you want to stay closer to home. The Knicks have right now is when the door is open, you got to go through it when the road is clear because certain teams aren't there or certain teams aren't as good. The Chiefs are out. They're not there. Lamar Jackson's not there. Joe Burrow's not there. When the road is as clearly paved as it was. Oh, by the way, right. The Broncos top seed, their quarterback gets hurt. When that's open, you got to run through it. It's why they're looking for a new coach in Buffalo, because this was supposed to be the year for the Bills. That's right. And now they could not get it done in a year like this with a road like that still ran into a block. So that's why you can't begrudge the Patriots Mike Vrabel and the job they did because it doesn't matter to them who's in front of them. It matters that they got there when others don't. So this is why it's so important when people say, you know, if there's ever a year to do it, this is the one. Don't trip. This is the one. You'll regret it if you don't. That's exactly what they're regretting in Buffalo while they're watching the New England Patriots after Buffalo has dominated this division for the last, what, eight years, they have to now look and say, here, look, look, the evil empire is back again. And they didn't trip when the. When the door was open, when the road was paved, they went right down that road and they're right back in the Super Bowl. And even if they lose now again, Seattle's. They're early. Three and a half. Seattle is the favorite early. But even if they lose this thing, it's still for Drake May, for Mike Vrabel in his first year. This is that tone setter of, yeah, we're back and you got to deal with us now year after year. Because when the Patriots have the opportunity to win, they rarely give it away.
A
I'm told Seattle is now up to four and a half.
B
It's four and a half.
A
Guess the public pounding Seattle moved pretty quick.
B
That is quick. Yeah. Because that was pretty fast. Within an hour, it went from three and a half to four and a half. Three and a half to four and a second within an hour. Okay, well, we have a whole week. We have two weeks to think about it. Right. We don't have to make a pick till then. You and I both, we all hit. Right. We all, everybody all picked the same things, didn't we?
A
You and I were both two.
B
And oh, because Denver, even though they lost, that was a four and a half.
A
Yeah.
B
So the three is covered easily.
A
You felt. You felt comfortable.
B
Very good about that. Yeah.
A
Yeah.
B
And the only thing the Rams. And we'll get to that game and the Sam Darnold of it all. But like the. That game that was in the bounds, man, there was a lot of times I was wondering, I'm going to watch Stafford come down and win this thing outright.
A
And can you imagine how bad it would have been if they had come back and won the game, given the way the Rams scored the touchdown to cut it down on that when they were given a first down after the unsportsmanlike comment, oh, my God. Then they went right back after him. Immediately after the taunting penalty, right back at him. And Nakua scores. That was one of the worst. It's one of the ways that I really feel bad for a db. Like, of all the players in sports, all the positions across all of sports. Alan, is there any more position where you can look just like the biggest goat on planet Earth? There was different than goalie. It's different than pitcher.
B
You're right.
A
It's its own thing, man.
B
Roasted. You're just. You're roasted and you're. It's. You're on the island. Like, there's no one else to look at. There was something though, Peter, that happened during when that play, like right as it's happening, that I'll never forget it. And it has nothing to do with anybody on the field, but it's one of those moments, like you just remember a play because of something that happened and it tells you a lot about something that someone said and not even said, wasn't even words. It was a reaction. As if I know what's about to happen here. And it tells you a lot about. Was part of the broadcast. It's something I want to talk about when it comes to that.
A
This is after the Woolen, after the.
B
Penalty, right as the ball. Right as Stafford took. Took the ball right steps back. And there's a moment right there where I'm like, oh, my God, that is just savage. And it's. It's part of the broadcast. It's something that we don't need to talk about. And of course we have calls. 800-919-3776. A lot of coaching things going on in the NFL as well, including with the jets, who are literally cleaning house. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? We'll tell you why we think it's a good thing. Your calls. As I mentioned, there's a team that can't get a coaching hire. They can't get anybody to want to take their job. And for once, it's not the Jets. Giants make a move.
A
The Jets.
B
Yeah, the Giants make a move at defensive coordinator. Just a lot to get to an NFL binge coming up at 4:30. But a big part of today, of course, is your calls. We are a 6:30 vehicle today because we have Rangers hockey coming up right after our game. So let's get started on a Monday. Don snowed in. Not really. He's just hanging out in Detroit on his way back to New York where he can get back to work. And he'll be back with us tomorrow. So it's Peter and I with you on ESPN New York.
A
There's also a lot of reasons why people buy it. Their selection is their customer service and it's their savings. Lisa do 2025 Mazda CX 32.5s all wheel drive for 189 for 33 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. You choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Then SM 844681 MSRP $29,075 0 security deposit ends 22 26.
B
As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back.
A
From professional grade products you can count.
B
On to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly.
A
Plus, their technical product specialists are here.
B
To help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
B
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just, just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right, so Peter, as I was talking about, so in the NFC Championship game, as you pointed out like that, that, that was such a back and forth and there was mistakes that were paid for immediately. I mean the, the botch, was that a punt or a kid? It was a punt, right? Like the kid just trips and that was first of all, I felt terrible for him because you just watched the replay and his feet just get stuck, falls down, turns it over and boom. As you should, Sam Donald scored next pass, touchdown. And man, I like that on the sideline, they were in a shambles. But then you get the it's 4th and 3rd and 12 or now it becomes 4th and 12, you get a stop and you start taunting the Ram sideline and you get called for a 15 yard penalty for taunting. And so now Stafford walks back on the field and you had to know what was coming. And I just, it's one of those things that I don't know if anybody heard it, but I know I did and I remember it right away. And I rebounded back because I'm like, no way that happened. I thought Tom Brady had a great game. I thought he called. Like, I know he started out, he's not, not very good as a analyst. I think he's Gotten better and better and better. And I thought he was really good yesterday.
A
And he also brings a lot of energy to the whole game.
B
His enthusiasm really starts to come out. And I. I always tell athletes this. Don't be afraid to be enthusiastic about your game. You played it. Like, a lot of times they're very. They try to be a little too buttoned up and they're careful because they don't want to sound like they're cheering. But no, no, you can still have enthusiasm for your game, and Brady certainly does. And I really. You hear Brady the minute the ball is snapped and he sees Stafford look towards the direction. What was the guy's name that got the penalty? Yeah. And he go. And you hear him just chuckle. But it was like this. Like he knew it was coming. Like, hell, yeah. I'm going right at you. You were in my face on the sideline taunting, guess who I'm throwing it right at. I'm throwing it at your ass. Watch this touchdown. And he. Oh, my God, he was toast. And it was the way Brady laughed as the ball was like. As he. As Stafford released the ball that tells you all you need to know about the. How petty Tom Brady is. And I love it. He was thinking it, too. I guarantee you. In that moment, Brady was like, oh, hell, I'm going right for this dude. It's in his head now.
A
Sight of a quarterback. It's. That's what's cool about getting to see someone. Because he knows, listen, the guys, the. The. The level of elite club that you have to be in to be an NFL MVP quarterback, there aren't that many. They know. Brady knows how Stafford thinks. He's like, yeah, this is. I know what I do. And, man. And then it helps that Puka Nuku is the best wide receiver in football. Stafford knows him so well. And in the end, Woolen gets the last laugh. It turns out fine.
B
They end up escaping in the end.
A
It does in the. In the moment.
B
Not for him, though. His season.
A
Anthony. Anthony and I argued a little bit in the chat, okay. Because I was like, was that flag really needed in that moment? And Anthony's like, well, don't be stupid. Don't taunt the bench. I watched the replay multiple times. He definitely swings by the bench and has a little quick jawing it it to me in the moment to give a first down, like. Because everyone's like, oh, you call it in the fourth quarter what you do in the first.
B
He stepped on the sideline, Peter. He. First of all, he wasn't on the field. He actually went on to the opponent's sideline.
A
Yeah, he turned towards those dudes by a foot.
B
Well, but he's still. You're not supposed to turn towards them. And he's turning towards him and he's letting them. You don't know what he said. They don't know what he said. And the referee's right there when he pulls the flag out. So he heard everything. He turns towards them with all the energy directed at their bench. You can't. That's a. You cannot do that. You got to be in better control than that. And he's letting him have it.
A
You see Stafford, I agree.
B
Stafford's like, the minute there's all the coaches are yelling, throw the flag. He throws the flag. And Stafford steps out going, oh, I got your ass. Now he starts yelling back at him that you cannot do that. And that's why. And the camera showed it.
A
But how many times some of his.
B
Teammates give him crap on the sideline after that?
A
Well, I have to. And he deserves to get all the crap. I'm not taking any of that away.
B
No, you're throwing that flag every day. No matter.
A
I don't know. I think that happens. I bet that happens all the time.
B
Not at that level, man. You can't flex that.
A
I went back and watch it. It's very quick. It's a second of.
B
It's not. But then it's not the jawing. It's stepping onto the sideline of the other opponent and talking to them. That is where it reaches a level where. Because what happens here, this is why there's a rule. This is why there's a rule. Because you start stepping that way. What if now someone steps in. Now you got a big altercation, a big fight, and then they say, the ref. Oh, the officials lost control of the game.
A
You're right. Listen, everything you're saying is right.
B
Okay?
A
But when I thought, oh, my God, the game, the game's outcome is going to change because someone jacked their jaw for two seconds, I was like, that's tough. But listen, it was the least of the refs issues. Yesterday they called what was a penalty a penalty. If they could just figure out what a catch is, I'd love to know. Because yet again, yesterday, I would love if Don was here. I would love if Don was here to talk about what exactly surviving the ground is. Because yet again, another example of catch.
B
Cooper Cup.
A
Cooper cup turns, hits the ground. The second his knee hits the ground, the ball flies out of his hand. They didn't even really. I mean, it was another quick decision. Nope, that's a catch. Well, hold on.
B
I thought that was a. I thought he was either incomplete or a fumble. It's one or the other.
A
So it could have been a fumble. It couldn't have been a fumble because his knees hit the ground. But how is that surviving the ground then? But then if the second you hit the ground, you lose the ball. I thought I just learned last week that's not surviving the ground.
B
You're right about that. Like that. I've got to concede that one because we all fought about it and we all said the same thing about that play last week where they wrestle to pull the ball away and all that stuff. But I right away I thought that that's not a catch. I don't understand it. And that's why again, all of us who pound the table about some of this, these calls, we clearly don't know the rule book as well as the officials do. Right. We clearly. That's true. But man, like, that, that's one that really surprised me because I thought, oh, okay, that's incomplete. And then how about also again, Stafford's scary and he's going down the field in the final minute. Clock's running out, no timeouts. And Nakua catches the ball and he's trying to get out of bounds. And because his knee touches green grass before it gets to the white grass, the clock keeps running. The game is over.
A
You're talking.
B
I mean, it's. That's unreal.
A
Alan. Alan. I thought we were about to get. I thought we are about to get Matt Stafford with one untimed down to easily chuck this ball 40 yards. Not a problem.
B
Yep.
A
Like Matt Stafford of anyone who could drop back and throw a dart potentially to the end zone from that. And instead to your point, because you got hands on him as he's sliding. Game over. It's crazy games, but both games were really crazy. Completely different ways. I enjoyed the hell out of. I mean, listen, I'm disgusted by the super bowl matchup. I get no movement. Seattle, New England. It's. It's reverse.
B
Oh, wait a minute. So now this is no, this is the world you wanted parody. Yeah, let's get. Everybody gets a chance to come in and play this.
A
You go. You go to the place everybody gets. You go to the play mediocre football.
B
That's what this is. No greatness. Now, now do you see what I mean about the.
A
The whole your take age exceptionally well of it all.
B
You need someone to hate at least I have the Patriots to hate, and I can't because I respect the hell out of the fact that they don't suck for long. And when they come back and they. You leave the door open for them.
A
They run right through for me to hate. I'm going to hate them just fine, but not enough to enjoy it. I mean, I don't know. I'll be excited to watch Bad Bunny. I'll be excited to have some chips and dip, as I always am. That's about it, though. I'm going to watch the football. But like, dude, another. Would this be seven?
B
Seven what?
A
Seventh ring for the. For the Patriots.
B
Yeah, if they get it.
A
7Th since 2000.
B
Would this be 10th or 11th Super Bowl? No, no, wait, 12th. It's that 12th appearance. 12th. Yeah, 12th. That's right. I always forget about the one where they got smoked by the Bears.
A
You always forget about 85 and then the. And then the 96 and then the parcels.
B
Yeah, getting there. Yeah, but I remember that one. But you always forget. Like, we all remember. We all remember the. The 85 bears, but we tend to. We tend to forget who was right.
A
Oh, no, I remember because that was who I thought of the Patriots as for so long. And these youngsters don't understand. Patriots sucked. Yeah, they were Steve Grogan. They were Andre Tippett. This. This was no. This was no great team. And now they are just what it. And then the Seahawks. The Darnold thing will be fun.
B
Well, that's why a Jets fan has an easy choice in this game. A Jets fan can sit back and easily root for the Seahawks. You have every reason to do this. You would love to see this for Sam Darnold. How would you not? And also let's. Yes. Did the jets make a mistake? In hindsight, of course they did. By letting him go and drafting Zach Wilson. Instead of saying, you know what? We have a guy and we believe in him and we're going to keep developing him. We'll pay him market. We're not going to pay him market value because he hasn't earned that, but we'll give him at least pick up the fifth year or just give him a little extension, whatever it is, he's our guy. We're going to invest in him. We took the number three pick and we got him. He landed in our lap. We're going to develop him. That's what a functioning franchise would do. And then we'll take the 2 pick and maybe we can trade and get multiple picks, but because somebody else is Going to want that pick in a quarterback draft. But we all know that the trend is always to reset and take the. Take the new quarterback. So you don't have to pay him a lot. Sam hasn't shown you enough. And in fairness, he didn't. Then he bounced around Carolina. They didn't like him. San Francisco, maybe he rehabbed there. Then he goes to Minnesota. To me, it's Minnesota that should be ruined the day. They said the same thing. We have J.J. mcCarthy. We don't need to pay Sam. We have a rookie. We believe in him. He. He's our guy. That. That. So they're the ones that probably now look back and think, you know what? We have this guy in our house and we let him go. So I don't think the Jets, a Jets fan, should feel any other way other than he was. He was. He was a good dude when he was here with the jets. And it's a great story to see what he. He's become easy to root for him. And the last thing anybody wants to see is the Patriots getting another championship. Right. So it's an easy one. I don't know how you feel in the nfc, but that's how I feel.
A
No, for me, it's all Sam. You know, I was. I was a big fan of Sam as a person when we had him as a weekly. I was also outspoken from the beginning of. I saw something in him, and I really thought it was the Jets. So I kept enjoying watching him improve.
B
Yeah.
A
So now to get to see him. And he was such a. He was such a gentleman man. Like, you know, when that team was just awful, he'd come on every week, make no excuses, be on time, just. Just to show you the kind of man that he was. So to now see him. And I just enjoy watching him play, too. Like, you know, is he the world's greatest quarterback I've ever seen? Absolutely not. But he is a solid player. He is. He is. He is exactly the kind of guy that you say, if our team is pretty good, this guy can give us a chance. And he did it. Fourteen wins in a row with two different teams, two years in a row. There's a reason for that, man.
B
Pretty impressive.
A
He's a solid, solid player.
B
He's the grandson of the marble man. Would you expect anything less?
A
Great point by you.
B
You know what I mean? That's exactly what he is. All right. 800-919-3776. Let's grab some calls in here. Let's go to Bob in Florida. Bob, hello. What's up? I think this is joint because.
A
All right. Well, I think it's probably for like.
B
The Giants because they give us hope because they were turning around. Yeah, yeah, we lost. No, I understood what he was trying to say. It's a terrible signal. He, he said this is good sign for the Giants because The Patriots were 4 and 13 last year. Right or right, 4 and 13. Yeah. And they turned it around in one year with a veteran coach came in and it all worked out. Drake May rookie quarterback last year, figuring his way, but by the end, you kind of felt like they had him going into this year. They were excited about him. All the math kind of is the same. Right. And so you're hoping you can have that same type of quick turnaround. So I agree. The Patriots are your example, if you're a Giants fan of a reason why you bring in a high level coach who has, has the resume, who cares, wants the job. All those things ended up proving anything. And he gets you organized, gets you ready and you have a decent roster of talent. They got to bring in more talent. Of course, that's the example, Peter. You can turn it around in one year. Now, I don't know if the Giants going all the way to the super bowl, but it tells you that they.
A
Could if everything get right back.
B
I know you don't want to hear it, but look, I'll tell you the same thing. Your team could do the same thing.
A
Healthy quarterback, just get rough. We were just there seconds ago.
B
That's what I mean. So it's to me, that's the example of any team that's really bad. But you feel like your roster is pretty good. You just weren't well coached. You bring in a coach who knows what he's doing, that could turn quickly. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
B
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. I gotta be honest, this is one of those sneaky like, I, I, I don't know if how popular this is, like generally, but I've always liked this song. It's not one that I ever would like think of to put on, but when I hear it, I'm like, oh, I like this.
A
Yeah, I agree with that.
B
You know, it's like you would say, right.
A
I was very into it at the time. It was, it was a, you know, it's the second single off of Eminem's first album, right. Did pretty well. People thought it Was very entertaining. There's the history, hilarious back and forth. And then the beat is just. It's a fun, fun little beat. If Don was here, he'd be yelling at us and saying, why isn't he included? We're trying to do things without him. He's being intentionally left out. You know, I like that he doesn't know. I like this.
B
The voices.
A
So I like the new. I like the new. This new trait from. From Don of complaining when he's not included on the music conversation.
B
But. But then he goes, we can talk about him. He's not here. You know, I get. I. I love him, and I love the fact that on this show, we have really. We dive into music. I wasn't sure if I knew you would, but I wasn't sure how Don would be, because in my previous shows, especially with Bart, we did spend a lot of time talking music because I. I've always seen a connection, a correlation with music and sports. Like, it's always had a connection. Right. And all different types. But I have noticed that as enthusiastic as Don is about music, he likes music he doesn't like or doesn't know. He really just puts up a wall.
A
Well, I thought I had a real mic drop moment last week with Don in terms of his. He gets very loud and angry with the. Oh, do you know who Abraham Lincoln is? You know, if you don't know something from the past that he's interested in, he thinks you're a lunatic. But two things. One, he's not interested in anything new, particularly, I would say, of almost any genre. And number two, like, I don't think he has a blind spot for, like, cultural differences when it comes to, like, music and movies. He sees, like, it's literally the Alan. It's the reason I invented Whitish Wednesday as a segment. It's because of people like Don. Like, he doesn't see. Because in his life, everyone knew something. If you're like, yeah, I grew up. It didn't hit me at all. He thinks there's actually something wrong with you. Yeah, I understand the feeling. Because my mind is also blown when I'm like, oh, well, you remember Goodfellas? And someone goes, no, I never seen Good Fellas. And I go, wow.
B
Yeah.
A
But you have to be able to step back and go, wait a second. Not everyone's raised by the same parents. Not everybody has the same kinds of friends. Not everybody had the same radio stations programmed in the car, you know, and that's what makes you very interesting, because you really do. You may not know, the most hardcore of my hip hop or the most hardcore of his metal, but that middle 80% on both sides, you know, all of it. And that's what makes you really interesting to be here. Because I'm lost when we go to certain places rockwise with Don, and the second we get past basically Ice Cube or Ice T or anyone with the name Ice in their name, he's basically lost in hip hop. Whereas you, you know, cover a lot of ground.
B
Yeah, I think I'm more like the. I'm the connector. Like, I'm. I'm in the middle of both. I'm. I. I don't know the extremes of both of your places, but I can connect the two. And I try to, like. Like with you, I find you to be more receptive to. I don't know, let me hear it. And there are times you've. We've played things for you where you just all of a sudden bob your head. Like, I like that. Because you understand beats, but you play things for Don and he just gives you that stoic, you know, just completely expression. No, I don't like it. I can live without.
A
Very rarely ask, like, what is this? With a sense of curiosity. It's mostly if he asks, he's good.
B
Yeah. And that's fine.
A
And I.
B
And I. I've always been sort of like an amoeba with. With music. I just. Who I'm around. Because for me, it's like, anything good, it's got to have something to it that will. Will connect with you. So I'll always give it a chance. And there's stuff that I'm like, that sucks.
A
Let's just point something out here. Let's just point something out here, though.
B
What.
A
I mean, it was a very telling moment when Donald told us recently that he literally never owned a Michael Jackson album.
B
Yeah, that. That. That's right.
A
Like, that is culturally very interesting. And I want to say this delicately. I know we live in very sensitive times with good reason. I mean, listen, there's white and then there's. I don't even have a Michael Jackson album. I mean, that is like. Do you see the wall behind me, Alan? Not the biggie part. Did you see the other part?
B
That's white. Yeah, I mean, pure white. He's.
A
He's like, what's the one paint color is pure white? Yeah, the one before Thriller. Off the.
B
Off the wall.
A
And so it's like. So what I'm saying. And by the way, there's nothing wrong with that. We all are all who we are. But you got to remember that people are different.
B
Like this behind me. I don't know if you could see that. That's just a smattering of CDs. Right? Right up here.
A
Just reach it.
B
Reach it.
A
Why don't you just reach back and grab? Grab like. Let's play a game. Reach back and grab something. Don't look at it, though. I don't want you to see what you're doing.
B
You can see I'm just. I'm reaching for the first thing.
A
Okay. A stack.
B
But I'm reaching. I'm making sure I grab, like, a. Right. So here's all you need to know. Ready? Like. And I'm. I just grabbed it.
A
All right. Enter the Wu Tang number one.
B
This one didn't mean open just because.
A
I had to get a new one.
B
The other one.
A
Skip Sealed. Illmatic. He hasn't opened yet. Tony Braxton.
B
Wow.
A
Love should have brought you home last night.
B
Am I right, Mary? Okay.
A
Mary J. He doesn't know. He doesn't really know.
B
Mary J. No, wait.
A
My life also.
B
Yeah.
A
Shot a yeah.
B
And then watch. Here we go. Ready? And then it goes to that bang.
A
By the way, these are. These are great CDs.
B
This explains that. Lanon. This doesn't make sense.
A
Take one more stack. I want one more. I want to see. Pick from another area. Now move over.
B
Move over.
A
Yeah, go to a different area. Let's see if he grabs from a different spot.
B
Let me see. Where do I. Yeah, just grab whatever.
A
Don't. Don't plan it. Here we go.
B
Just. All right, all right, all right. Here. Oh. Oh, boy.
A
There we go. Another stack. Okay. Boom. Musiquarium. Stevie Wonder.
B
And I had to keep going.
A
All right. Boom. Another random greatest hits.
B
One that Don likes.
A
Purple Rain. We finally got Don for one.
B
And then I got the two more princes, and then here we go. Ready? Out of the blue, the forest comes out. And even more just. This one's gonna blow your mind. This is completely out of the blue. Ready?
A
All right, here we go. What? Harry Met Sally sound.
B
Harry Connick Jr. Is a favorite of mine. Tremendous.
A
He has the main song on that.
B
Oh, yeah. It had to be you.
A
Oh, he had.
B
He did that. Yeah, all that stuff. But, I mean, we could just keep, like, this goes all the way down, and it just. Again, it's the eclectic Whatever. Well, no.
A
As Cam Newton would say, eclectic and collectic and collecting.
B
Yeah. We do have to pronounce it.
A
You're a very eclectic guy.
B
Very eclectic human. And I like. If I could reach up there. I would hear. You know what? I'm going to do it real quick. Wait till you see this one. Because it's vinyl. Hold on.
A
And this again, shows you he's going for vinyl. And. And he's got the gong behind him. The, the black basketball. Nice. Beatles rubber sole vinyl, like you dream about an original. Look at that. And listen, Don would be there for that.
B
But now what I want to tell you is.
A
What are you looking at?
B
What. What I want to tell you is, is that this is not like some, like Fakti. I found this in some. This, this is original.
A
Is that from your childhood?
B
My mother.
A
Original from all the way from your mom.
B
Mom. Yeah. There you go.
A
Look at that.
B
So it's just. And that's.
A
And I don't want to. I'm not badmouthing, by the way. I'm not badmouthing Don. He has, he does have diverse taste in music. It does not. It's just not all the way diverse. Now, I don't go to metal, but I am interested in almost, almost every.
B
Genre other than Don's diversity is like, he likes Coke, but every now and.
A
Then he likes Diet Coke.
B
Yeah, he'll take a Diet Coke. He's fine with that. Oh, they have Coke Zero.
A
I'll try Coke Zero.
B
But if you say, hey, how about, how about like, I'm the connector? And it allows us to talk music more than you probably have in the past because you guys are so like, on opposite sides on a lot of things. And I love the fact that the connector of all three of us is yacht rock. That doesn't make sense, but it makes sense.
A
It's the connector of the universe, let's be honest.
B
But because it's a little bit of rock and a little bit of soul all put together, and that's. That's. I think that's what this show is all about. All right, well, that was a whole segment. We have tons of calls. We're going to get to those next, I promise. So stay right there. 800-919-3776. No lines are open right now, so we got to get to you guys, but also have to get to the jets off season and how they have cleaned house. And it's interesting what they've done with that coaching staff. What does it say about Aaron Glenn? We'll tell you that and more coming up. Don Han Rosenberg ESPN New York There.
A
Are a lot of reasons why people buy at Ramsey Mazda. It's their selection, is their customer service, and it's their savings. Lisa New 2025 Mazda 652.5 as select with all wheel drive for 179 for 33 months, or buy with 0.9% APR financing for 72 months. Start shopping now at ramseymazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for lease details. Fin SN 379853 MSRP 334250 Security Deposit APR $14.20 per $1,000 finance and 2226.
B
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
A
I don't want to know how the.
B
Sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (Don La Greca absent)
This hour centers on recapping the NFL Conference Championships, dissecting key coaching decisions, and reflecting on the implications for the Super Bowl. The discussion is seasoned with classic New York banter, personal anecdotes about surviving a major snowstorm, and a humorous sidebar about musical tastes.
Timestamps: 00:15–07:14
Timestamps: 07:14–22:41
Timestamps: 31:34–36:31
Timestamps: 38:10–39:03
Timestamps: 39:03–48:19
| Segment | Timestamps | |:-------------------------------------|:--------------| | Snowstorm banter & family moments | 00:15–07:14 | | AFC Championship recap | 07:14–14:51 | | NFC Championship recap/Officiating | 21:56–31:34 | | Super Bowl matchup & Darnold story | 31:34–36:31 | | Coaching turnover & team futures | 38:10–39:03 | | Music sidebar | 39:03–48:19 |
Next up: Listener calls and a deep dive into the Jets’ staff overhaul, in Hour 2!