Hour 1: NFL Playoff Picture

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — "NFL Playoff Picture" (Hour 1, Dec 30, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into the evolving NFL Playoff picture as the regular season winds down. Hosts Alan Hahn and Alex Monaco (filling in for the usual cast) unpack the major stories around NFC and AFC playoff races, quarterback scrutiny, and coach evaluations—with spirited debate, sharp wit, and enthusiastic listener interaction. The episode also weaves in classic New York sports banter, some Knicks talk, and even a sidebar about accidental shin injuries.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Playoff Race — NFC Focus

Philadelphia Eagles' Respect and NFC Hierarchy

• Hahn and Monaco push back against the idea that the NFC is "wide open," arguing that it's disrespectful to the reigning champion Eagles to overlook them despite offensive struggles late in the season.
• “They’re the reigning defending champions. … That’s the team to beat.”
  — Alan Hahn (06:02)
• They debate whether San Francisco or Seattle locking up the #1 seed would swing the competitive balance, with consensus that the 49ers are far more intimidating as favorites.
• “All of that just feels too much to overcome for any team. So root for Seattle, get the one seed…”
  — Alan Hahn (40:20)

NFC East Media Drama

• The hosts joke about the constant nitpicking and drama in NFC East media coverage, likening it to the "E Channel for football" (07:29).

2. AFC Playoff Landscape — Quarterback vs. Coach

Wide-Open AFC & Contenders Analysis

• Sharp breakdown of why the AFC field feels unpredictable: the absence of Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow opens a lane; multiple teams have question marks.
• “If we can argue four teams have a case they have the best head coach, what it then comes down to is who has the best quarterback.”
  — Alan Hahn (19:41)

Josh Allen & Bills Deep-Dive

• Repeated discussion about national reluctance to criticize Josh Allen, Bill's coaching, and the play-calling:
  • “Why can’t we criticize him? Why are we so allergic to criticizing this?"
    — Alan Hahn (16:56)
  • They read a Bills fan’s call (Caitlin, 22:13) who expresses frustration at both local media’s unwillingness to question the coaching staff and the offense’s play-calling.
  • "There is definitely a coaching problem, especially if we don't get far this year."
    — Caitlin (23:32)
• The hosts agree: after years of a “bad division,” the Bills’ lack of Super Bowl appearances should put real heat on coach McDermott.

Coach vs. Quarterback: Who Matters Most?

• The hosts rank top AFC coaches (Payton, Tomlin, Vrabel) and quarterbacks (Allen, Herbert).
• “Isn’t that make it a very interesting layout? Anybody can beat anybody."
  — Monaco (19:36)

Steelers Dark-Horse Argument

• Monaco makes a case for the under-the-radar Steelers, highlighting their resilience and “complimentary football” approach as a possible surprise AFC playoff run.

3. Quarterback Narratives and Listener Calls

Chargers Franchise Angst; Herbert Debate

• Multiple callers express either eternal Chargers heartbreak (“I’ve been charging for 25 years...I’m always disappointed. The loss against the Patriots, the Jets, it’s tough.” — Glenn, 30:32) or cautious optimism for Herbert under Harbaugh.
• The hosts commiserate about infamous Chargers collapses and address the hope vs. trust issues (“That's classic Chargers, my friend. That's trust issues. That's a team outside of the circle.”— Monaco, 32:14).

Kirk Cousins as the Jets' Solution?

• Monaco pitches Kirk Cousins as the archetypal “adult in the room,” arguing the Jets need stability and mentorship at QB:
  • “You roll out Kirk in September and October. If he flops, he flops. I could see him being a little over 500. 500. Still a step in the right direction.”
    — Monaco (45:52)
• Hahn is skeptical: “You're crazy...They're playing one of the toughest schedules next year...” (48:24)
• The segment demonstrates classic sports radio: bold takes, quick statistical recall, and playful skepticism.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Shin Injury Sidetrack (02:05–08:06)

• Hahn’s morning mishap (“I wake up, first thing that happens...Bang my shin on the bed frame. Blood gushing.” — Hahn, 02:05) turns into a running gag, with listeners (including “Dr. Bob in Arizona”) calling in to diagnose his pain and nausea:
  • “Your body is balanced like a yin yang...There’s a thing called the parasympathetic limb...The medical term is called vagal response.”
    — "Dr. Bob," Listener (10:02)
• Hahn: “I can’t go into a new year with a hairline fracture.” (09:32)

Eagles Playoff Respect (06:55)

• “They’re the reigning defending champions. It’s not—they’re the team to beat until we see otherwise.”
  — Alan Hahn

Josh Allen Discourse (16:02–17:18)

• Hahn: "The day after he misfires on a throw, we’re asking, ‘does he have enough?’ Why can’t we criticize him?”
• Monaco: “He’s a likable lad… but that shouldn’t interfere with you giving objective analysis.”

AFC Process of Elimination (18:06)

• “Maybe you and I can put our noggins together. The AFC is a good way to look at it—process of elimination…”
  — Monaco

Steelers Playoff Faith (20:09–21:41)

• “If they get past the Ravens...look out. I don’t know why they couldn’t run the table.”
  — Monaco

Kirk Cousins Proposal for Jets (43:45–47:49)

• “I just think he'd be the perfect bridge...I'm not saying his future. I'm not saying...”
  — Monaco
• “Let's run through that. It's like, alright, we want to bring in Kirk Cousins. Why? Well, because he looked great on Netflix?”
  — Hahn

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:02] — NFC Playoff Picture; Eagles Debate
• [14:25] — AFC Playoff Landscape & Quarterback/Coach Conversation
• [16:02] — Josh Allen Critique & National Media
• [18:06] — AFC: Process of Elimination
• [20:09] — Steelers as a Dark Horse
• [22:13] — Caitlin, Bills Fan, on McDermott and Allen
• [30:32] — Glenn, Chargers Fan, and Franchise Heartbreak
• [33:59] — “He’s on a mission” QB Discourse
• [40:20] — Rooting for Seahawks to get #1 seed over 49ers
• [43:45] — Kirk Cousins for the Jets Presentation
• [45:52] — Cousins as a Bridge, Plus-Money Over/Under Arguments

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Tone and Style

• Energetic, irreverent, and fast-paced: Mixing in playful ribbing and inside jokes, but underpinning every debate with stats, stats, and informed analysis.
• Listener-driven: Multiple opinionated and knowledgeable callers spark lively, unscripted football debates.
• Classic New York edge: No sacred cows—every team, fan, and player gets scrutinized.

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For Listeners in a Hurry

• Don’t miss the playful takedown of the Eagles doubters ([06:02]), the Bills accountability segment ([16:02], [22:13]), and the inventive Kirk Cousins-as-Jets-fix argument ([43:45]).
• If you’re a fan of AFC Playoff chaos, jump to [14:25]–[21:41] for the most unpredictable breakdown on sports radio.

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Summary prepared in the original style and spirit of Hahn & Monaco, as heard on Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.

Transcript

[A]

Kids, they grow up so fast. One day they're taking their first steps, and the next, they don't fit into the tiny sneakers they took them in. You blink your eyes and their princess dress is two sizes too small. And their dinosaur backpack isn't cool anymore. But don't cry because they're growing up. Smile because you can profit off of it. For real. There are a bunch of parents on depop looking for the stuff your kid.

[B]

Just grew out of.

[A]

Download depop to start selling con.

[B]

You're a filth bag. You're a sex star. Filth bag. Han, the guy's gonna be 41 flicking it. And Rosenberg, go look at Redfer in that movie right now. You'll want to hook up with him. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York. This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[C]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[B]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[A]

Our number two, Ty Butler Alex Monac going till 6:00 clock tonight. 800-919-3776 at Ty D. Butler at AlexMonaco. That is on Twitter and Instagram. We're having a good time today. So how do you feel? Five hours into the Ty Butler Alex Monaco experience.

[B]

Five hours in and my fifth different coffee. ESPN New York, one of the best coffee machines.

[A]

I don't think that's good. Well, because usually when people say, I.

[B]

Need a coffee, I don't go cream or anything.

[A]

They're describing like a stressful, strenuous. I don't take that as a compliment.

[B]

Well, no. I wake up, I meditate. I don't start with coffee. It slowly works into my day. I could drink coffee at night.

[A]

Do you feel like I'm exhausting to deal with?

[B]

No, I like. I'm kind of like Seinfeld. I like the whole ritual around coffee. It's phenomenal. Going into shops around Manhattan, checking out the different machines. This machine is unbelievable. Very 2025, though.

[A]

John's not listening, so you don't gotta blow smoke up his rear end. It's okay.

[B]

Well, I'll let you know how the Americano.

[A]

So I had an inauspicious begin to my day. I wake up, first thing that happens to me, bang my shin on the bed frame. Blood gushing.

[B]

No way.

[A]

So I'm playing hurt. You should be, you know, impressed. I'm playing hurt.

[B]

Father of two over here.

[A]

Father of two. Thought about hitting my man Pusick with the good old. Yeah, I'mma just, you know, do the work from home thing today.

[B]

Appreciate you coming in.

[A]

Decided I'm going to stick it up. You know why? Because I've got the mamba mentality.

[B]

That's right, baby.

[A]

Mamba mentality.

[B]

No days off.

[A]

No days off. So we're here. That's a. That's a rough one. What's worse, stubbing your toe or banging your shin?

[B]

The shin is up there, man. Because the toe happens more than the shin. So you forget until you hit the shin.

[A]

But the shin. Yeah, you get nauseous.

[B]

You ever had shin splints?

[A]

I've had. Yeah. Because I'm a runner, so that happens to me. You were going to say something, Jacob?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Shin splints. I'm not a fan of it. I think that. I think.

[A]

Do we think that there are fans of shin. Because you say, not a fan of shin splints as if, like, you're on one side. And listen, guys will push through it.

[B]

As soon as I hit physical therapist. Not even fighting it. Nope.

[A]

Wow. Why do I get nauseous? Someone's got to explain that to me. If you're a doctor out there. I bang my shin on the bed frame and it's throbbing pain. But then, like, two minutes later, I'm nauseous. What's that about?

[B]

I think that's. That tells you the. The shin is more painful than the toe.

[A]

But there's got to be some scientific reason.

[B]

What was the maneuver. What was. Give me the play by play of you got out of bed.

[A]

So I, normal fashion, bang the shin. Yeah, I got out of bed and it's dark. So I'm just like maneuvering in darkness, trying to figure out.

[B]

But you know the room. Yeah, I know the room. Yeah.

[A]

So I'm getting shorts and sweatpants and a shirt now.

[B]

Do you have 2020 vision? Because I've been a contacts glasses guy since Harry Potter.

[A]

Vision is not perfect, but it's great. It's probably a touch below perfect.

[B]

You strike me as maybe eagle eye 2020 guy.

[A]

No, I wish.

[B]

But you never needed glass.

[A]

No, I've been cool. So turn around to walk upstairs. Bang. Like Mike Breen. If I had the Mike Breen audio, it would have played right there. Bang. And I thought to myself, like, this can't be the way one envisions starting their day. Like, that's just because you have a moment where you're like, if this is how we're starting, what does it mean for the rest of the day?

[B]

Is that worse than finishing second in fantasy football? Cause Puka didn't catch that ball.

[A]

That's brutal.

[B]

That's How I walk.

[A]

And you know what hurts? The entire broadcast, including the official. Who I'm blanking on his name. Who's, you know, the.

[B]

Oh, the extra help.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Said it was a catch.

[A]

They all said, that's definitely a catch.

[B]

Stuck to his hand like glue.

[A]

That's definitely. Is it Terry McCauley? That's definitely a catch. And then they said that for like 45 straight seconds. One more angle shows up and they're like, nope, not a catch. I changed my mind. So you were just horrified by it.

[B]

I lost Rams. I lost fantasy. Rough night of sleep.

[A]

So that play right there lost you the championship.

[B]

Well, again, down less than 10 points. Six seven point catch. I also had pits. Goes to overtime. I'd like to think in a 10 minute overtime where everyone gets a series, I'd get the three points in a PPR league. It's fantasy. I've seen everything, by the way.

[A]

So fresh. The Rams five minutes ago were everyone's super bowl pick.

[B]

I know.

[A]

They now can't stop losing.

[B]

Well, they can't beat Philly. We know that. And they're halfway home to headed to the city of brotherly love for a SoCal outdoor game that's not going to be kind to them.

[A]

Yeah. So if the Bears take care of business on Sunday against the Lions, they lock up the two seed. Philly beats the Commanders. And I don't even think that would be relevant, but. Yeah, because they're going to be better than whoever wins the South. That's going to be the three seed. So we might get a rematch of last year's playoff game. The only team to threaten Philly during that super bowl run were the Rams. And a lot of people feel like if not for the snow, Rams win that game. Yeah. So right out the gate, man, bam. Rematch. NFC playoffs are just until.

[B]

Where are you at in the nfc? It. It's arguably wide open, but I think there's a couple of paths for a couple of teams.

[A]

I think it's disrespectful to say it's wide. Like the AFC being wide open makes sense because why are we saying it's wide open? Kansas City's not in the playoff.

[B]

Well, you just said the Rams were everyone's pick. Now they're not.

[A]

But.

[B]

But, but I don't think anyone has a ton of conviction. Oh, it's definitely the Niners.

[A]

No, I get that. But my point is it's disrespectful to Philly, who we literally just saw win the super bowl and just annihilate a team going for three straight to say that in their conference, it's wide open. Because at some point, I understand their offense had, you know, no passing yards in the second half against Buffalo. Their offense has been a mess pretty much all year long. They're going to end the season 12 and 5. They're the reigning defending champions. It's not. They're the team to beat until we see they've been to two of the last three Super Bowls. That's the team to beat.

[B]

The NFC east is like the E Channel for football. It's. People just nitpick, find anything they can to try to find drama. It's like, all right, I guess I got chirped a little for what they do. They brought in a positivity.

[A]

Oh, they had the positivity Christmas thing going on.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What was it?

[B]

They got. They got chirped for that.

[A]

But Sirianni got obliterated because he was. I mean, the way he was celebrating that Goddard touchdown, you're like, oh, man, you should not do this. You are. You should be able. You act like you've been here before. So people just. And especially here in New York, we.

[B]

Got some doctors on the line here.

[A]

So let's take a pause and we'll get Back to the NFL conversation. 893. 776. Gilberto in the truck. He's got explanation one of why I got nauseous.

[C]

My brother. What's up, big guy? With your host. How you doing? You. I would like for you to get some parlays when you can so we can write these down. Anyway, back to Ty. Ty, that nauseousness that caused you to get a little sick, a little nausea was the impact of the injury. But you could have got a signal to your brain that the injury is more than what you assume. Oh, no, you assume you just cut the outer layer of the skin and maybe it bruised on you. You might have a hairline fracture.

[A]

Wait, so.

[C]

I'm not trying to. I'm not trying to.

[A]

You know.

[C]

And I think you should get. You should get an X ray, brother.

[A]

So you think that I should quit on the show?

[C]

I'm just letting you know, man, you my boy. I don't want you missing any days, man. Like you said, Mamba mentality. But Mamba was also very smart and taking extra.

[A]

Yeah, but he would wait until after the game to do it. So he wouldn't, like, quit during the. During the game.

[C]

I'm not saying that. I know that you're not going to go now.

[B]

This is I know. That's like an actor waiting till after the performance to eat.

[A]

That's scary.

[C]

Oh, absolutely. But you don't want.

[A]

I can't use that. Gilberto. I can't go into a new year with a hairline fracture.

[B]

I think we need a second opinion here.

[C]

Yeah, that's why I said you should get an X ray.

[A]

Yeah. I appreciate the call.

[B]

I took your morning immensely.

[A]

We've got Dr. Bob at Arizona who wants to also weigh in on why I got nauseous. Hopefully you like, this is the second opinion that I hope is better than the first opinion.

[C]

Yeah. Hi. Hi.

[A]

What's up, Dr. Bob? Hey, Dr. Bob.

[C]

Okay, so, yeah, I'm a doc out in Arizona, but basically, your. Your body is balanced like a yin yang balance. There's a thing called a sympathetic parasympathetic system in your body. So you guys have heard of, like, fight or flight system? Like, you. The guy that can lift a car up, he's so pumped up, he wants to save his kids. Get a kid in the car. That's. That's a sympathetic limb of your. What they call the autonomic nervous system.

[A]

You.

[C]

You injure yourself. There's a thing called the parasympathetic limb, and that's when your heart slows down. And it's called. The medical term is called vagal V. A g, A L. Vagal response. I hope I'm not getting too technical with you guys.

[A]

No, I wanted this. I needed some.

[C]

Okay. So this is a normal physiologic response to pain. You see this often when people get their blood drawn. Okay.

[B]

Does he have a hairline fracture, though, Dr. Bob?

[C]

Nah, it's probably unlikely. Was that your toe?

[A]

It was my shin.

[C]

Oh, your shin. Okay.

[A]

Dr. Bob, do you think.

[C]

How long ago did it happen?

[A]

So this happened at about 5:45am this morning.

[B]

Oh, you're up.

[C]

Okay. So there's no swelling.

[A]

No.

[C]

It's probably having a little bit of point tenderness. You touch it, it's a little tender, but you can bare weight on it.

[A]

Yeah, it burns in the flower. One of those things. So, Doctor, you think 20, 26 is in jeopardy for me? Like, I might not make it fine. Okay.

[C]

I think a little bit. If it bothers you, put a little bit of ice on it, and that's about it. You'll be fine.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Within 48 hours, Dr. Bob.

[B]

You keeping Kyler Murray this year in Arizona? You sended them elsewhere?

[C]

Oh, dude, I am a. I'm a giant fan, man, all the way, you know?

[B]

So I Mean, I don't make sense why you're listening to ESPN New York in Zona.

[C]

What's with you guys every day?

[B]

What is it, like, 70 degrees right now?

[C]

Oh, it's nice. It's beautiful here. Hey, can I. I want to ask you a basketball question. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, of course.

[C]

All right. So you know the Knicks, I'm a huge Knick fan. And Tyler Colic, Deuce McBride, there's a little bit of. They're at their highest tradable value right now. So, I mean, one of the things that showed me last night was how much your defense is compromised when they don't have Hart and Mitchell Robinson in there. And I love Jalen Brunson, but his defenses couldn't be better. So how about we package up one of those guys as well as. I mean, you. I mean, I know you pick up some of these other. You pick another body up for just like a defensive front court specialist. Like, you know, I don't know much what's going on with San Antonio, but that guy on San Antonio did a really nice job in SGA last few games.

[A]

Who are you talking about? But San Antonio is buyers right now. Dr. Bob, I didn't appreciate the call. They're not selling, if anything, like, I don't think they should do this right now. Just the way I don't think the Knicks should wait until the off season. Giannis would be the guy that you're saying, all right, we've got all these picks, we've got these young assets. Let's go trade for them.

[B]

Talking about from the spurs perspective.

[A]

Yeah, from the Spurs. I don't think that's what you're doing now, but it is very. It's. I feel good knowing Dr. Bob doesn't think I have a hairline fracture.

[B]

I thought you were going Spurs. There you go right there.

[A]

I was nervous.

[B]

Oh, you're good.

[A]

He hit me with the hairline fracture. I don't know if that. I don't know if going into 20, 26, that that's the correct way to do it.

[B]

Yeah, that's intense.

[A]

Considering today's the 30th. 800-9193776. All right, so we watched that game last night, and as I was talking about, I still think the Eagles, because they earned it, have to be given the benefit of the doubt. They're the team to beat in the nfc. The AFC is interesting because everyone said it was Buffalo. They're now the seventh seed. Now I think they'll get back to six because your Chargers Are going to lose to Denver.

[B]

Yup.

[A]

Buffalo, I hope beats the Jets. We hope, with Mitch Trubisky. So they'll probably get up to six and end up playing Jacksonville. But that afc, who would you say right now is the favorite?

[B]

The afc.

[A]

Because no one wants to believe in Bo Nix and Denver.

[B]

It's really hard to sit here and back Bo or back Drake in this crazy leap. I mean, both these teams last year weren't even in the conversation. One of them wasn't even in the playoffs. I'm hard pressed to go with any of the young guys. Again, kind of back to my cafeteria theory here. From a hierarchy standpoint, you still have to give a glimmer of hope to Josh Allen. You have to. My biggest gripe is McDermott is a situational mess.

[A]

I'm glad you're going here.

[B]

I had to.

[A]

Because for all the people who call me like a Josh Allen hater, what I think that's rooted in. Because it happens sometimes when I talk Knicks, you just get passionate fans who have no objectivity. They're just like locked into you being in love with every aspect of their team to the point where if you say anything remotely critical, they're just going to jump you for it. Which brings us to Josh Allen, and we had this conversation yesterday. I thought Buffalo going for two was fine. He's got to make that throw. But here is where people lose me.

[B]

Talk to me.

[A]

First take. Great show. Incredible show. Bunch of talent on that. On it. You know, Stephen A. Does a tremendous job and he's got the diversity going. Love what they've created at first. Take the day after, the day after, Josh Allen with a chance to win the game, which would have kept their AFC east hope alive, which would have kept the two of the three seed alive. The day after he misfires. The question is, does Allen have enough help for a Super bowl run? Really? So the defense we saw was really good, right? James Cook is going to win the rushing title. That offensive line is top five. The day after he misfires on a throw, we're asking, does he have enough?

[B]

Why can't we.

[A]

But why can't we criticize him? Why are we so allergic to criticizing this?

[B]

He's a likable lad, but that's.

[A]

That shouldn't there are quarterbacks at least.

[B]

People may or may not like he is a likable dude.

[A]

That should not interfere with you giving objective analysis.

[B]

Oh, I completely agree with you. I'm just. I'm.

[A]

Does he have a etiquette? Because that's what's going to be the.

[B]

Well, are they sitting there thinking, is it the lack of run D all year?

[A]

Is it a receiver receiving core, which is what everyone's going to go back to? Their run defense is bad. But hey, man, you're the supposed best quarterback in football. No one's got it perfect. Justin Herbert's got two offensive linemen down right. C.J. stroud. You know that team's not perfect. Jacksonville's got to every team. The reason why we keep saying the AFC is wide open or two reasons why. One is Kansas City is out of the picture. Yeah. And number two is up and down. If Baltimore gets in, they've got some holes. Their quarterback is hurt. Or if it's Pittsburgh, their quarterback's 42 years old and they don't have any weapons.

[B]

Maybe, maybe you and I Ty can put our noggins together. And I think the AFC is a good way to look at it is process of elimination going team by team in the tournament. Jacksonville's dysfunction. Do we really trust cj? CJ Scalp.

[A]

What's Jacksonville's dysfunction?

[B]

They've been dysfunctional I in years, every year of our history. Yeah. So like Liam Cohen. Yeah. Obviously this year they've been solid. But you still can't forget they blew a very Jacksonville game to a Texans tee. How many points were they up? Three, four touchdowns. So like that, that kind of Jacksonville, will they pop up out of nowhere? I'm looking at again teams that haven't been there before. Vrabel's been there and Peyton's been there.

[A]

But Bo Nix, the Stefan Diggs aspect today we're learning he's got some legal issues to be concerned about. So is that going to throw a wrench into their. Into their plans? Facing a felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of assault. So how does that play into what's going on in New England?

[B]

I. I guess let me ask you this. Who is the best quarterback right now going into the AFC tournament? Who's the best coach?

[A]

Josh Allen is the best quarterback, the best coach.

[B]

And then who would you put your money on?

[A]

It's interesting. You could go with Sean Payton. You can go Mike Tomlin. You can go Brave. I. Who do I think?

[B]

Isn't that make it a very interesting layout? Anybody can beat anybody.

[A]

But to your point, if we can argue four teams could throw Jim Harbaugh in there. Right? Right. If we can argue four teams have a case they have the best head coach, what it then comes down to is who has the Best quarterback.

[B]

Well, let me hit on your Buffalo. Well, let me hit on your fandom. I'm not writing off Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh.

[A]

That's music to my ears. Nothing would make me happy again.

[B]

A plus 11 top 4 turnover differential. Team that has found a way to stay afloat without T.J. watt. And if you look at the splits when he's in the lineup when he's not over the last five years it's a big discrepancy when he's in, when he's out.

[A]

He's supposed to be back soon Tom and spoke today and he's optimistic he's in.

[B]

If they get past the Ravens, which I like to think they will look out. I don't know why they couldn't run the table.

[A]

Yeah, they stayed their offenses like you can't trust it at all because do you trust Rogers?

[B]

See, here's what I try to remind people. The one year he ran the table, he was a 6 seed back in the 6 team non 17 playoffs.

[A]

How long ago was that?

[B]

That was a long time ago. He can go to your place. He can go to Atlanta and beat you in the playoffs. He can go but that's.

[A]

That's a different.

[B]

Different era.

[A]

Yeah. And if the Steelers are relying on their quarterback to win them games, it's just going to be difficult.

[B]

Well, it's got to be a perfect. It's got to be a perfect. It's got to be NBA complimentary ball. You got to play off well.

[A]

And Warren, they've got to run amok on opposing defenses. And then look Darnell Washington, he's out for the season with a broken arm. DK Metcalf will be back if they win this game because he's serving his two game suspension. They added Thielen.

[B]

Just worth mentioning like Rogers dut rarely turns the ball over.

[A]

The only reason why you're doing this right now. It just dawned on me. You put money on the Steelers.

[B]

I genuine because I believe in it.

[A]

He put money on his dealers.

[B]

I believe in it. I'm sorry. I'll tell you who I don't believe.

[A]

I'd love to see it.

[B]

The Chargers. That's who. I do not believe.

[A]

You're just so emotionally invested.

[B]

They're not worth.

[A]

I get it. I get it my whole life. Listen, your boy Justin Herbert's been in the league five years. He's got to win a playoff game at some point.

[B]

You're telling me. Third biggest deficit they blew in the history of NFL.

[A]

800-919-3776 Full bank of cause. Let's go to Caitlin in Avalon. What's up, Caitlin?

[C]

Hey, Ty. Just was gonna. How are you guys doing first off?

[A]

We're doing great. How are you?

[C]

Good, good. So I just wanted to bounce off of your point where there are all these Josh Allen defenders out there. I'm coming as a bill stand. I live on Long island, but I listen to a lot of, like the Western New York radio as well. And it's kind of the opposite narrative in terms of the defense of Sean McDermott and the coaching staff up there. It's like, especially when it comes to McDermott, you're not allowed to even sometimes with some of these analysts up there, bring up, you know, getting rid of him. You know, it's. You know, how could you? He broke the drought. We've been in the playoffs ever since and blah, blah, blah. And I get all that. But there's such thing as a ceiling. And with his situational, you know, awareness and the play calls that he makes or allows the offensive coordinator make in these situations, it's just baffling to me that there isn't more of a conversation about him possibly being on the hot seat as well.

[A]

Oh, so you're saying upstate. Because what I will say is, Caitlin, nationally, that is a big topic of conversation. If the Bills go one and done, if they go to New England or to Jacksonville and get clipped, I think Sean McDermott is getting fired.

[B]

He's 7 and 7 in the playoffs, Ty.

[A]

So, Caitlin, I think. I think that's definitely on the table.

[C]

I hope it is, because as a Bills fan that watches week in and week out, hours of film, I can tell you that there is definitely a coaching problem, especially if we don't get far this year.

[A]

Wait, Caitlyn, can I ask, by far.

[C]

I mean, the Super Bowl.

[A]

A quick question. So you. So who do you blame most for how that game against the Eagles ended?

[C]

I agree with going it for two, going four and two, because our kicker obviously was not great.

[B]

You got to take the one play for overtime. Hurts. Didn't have a completion in the second half.

[C]

Not because you know what? I can't even trust our offense to then go down the field and get a touchdown or even get a field goal range in overtime. Like, that's where I feel like our offensive play calling was terrible. So I'll bring Joe Brady number one because his play calling was horrendous. So many plays that could have been better.

[A]

How about Josh?

[C]

I do blame Josh. I do blame Josh because, I mean, he had a Horrible turnover in the first quarter. He had obviously that missed throw for this two point conversion. All of that sack that took them.

[A]

Out of field goal range, that terrible sack.

[C]

Yep. He can't get rid of the ball. It's like he's got glue on his hand and he can't get rid of the ball until he can make a play. It drives me.

[B]

Great point.

[C]

But then, but then aside from that, you know, there are ways that they shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to play calling. Like you have, you have James Cook. You could use Josh Allen for a design run play. And they just kept abandoning those types of plays that they just kept shooting themselves in the foot. Well, you know, guys are obviously not getting open downfield and I think there were other ways that they could have gotten creative.

[A]

Excellent phone call, Caitlin. We do appreciate you. Happy holidays. The designed runs is probably because of his hurt foot and you know, he did look compromised. But listen, if they don't make any noise in the playoffs, I don't want to hear an excuse.

[B]

Ty, we're one or two more playoffs with Josh Allen away from saying are they because he's a physical quarterback? I'm not saying he's going to fall off, you know, like another physical quarterback of his stature. But you're banging bodies like that and you all of a sudden can't run. You can't just in your early mid-30s be making business all the time. So at some point Bill's mafia has to take a long look in the mirror because the AFC east is completely shooken up. It's almost.

[A]

That's the point.

[B]

Groundhogs day. They frable on the sideline. McDaniels on the side. They're winning. Patriots. Now the playoffs is going through New England. Everybody should be upset.

[A]

That's the to me if you're going to have the Sean Dermick's got to go case to be made. It's our division was bad for a half decade. We got to just beat up on the lowly Jets, Dolphins and the Patriots. And now the Patriots are back. We got zero super bowl appearances to show for it. At some point someone's going to have to answer for that. 800-919-3776. Ty Butler, Alex Monaco talking to you. NFL doing some Knicks as well. So hit us up. I D. Butler. Lexmonaco going till 6 o' clock right here on ESPNY.

[B]

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[A]

Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. You know one of the perks about.

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[A]

That's why you wreck.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don, Han and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe. Subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[A]

I remember during the Pandemic when DMX and Snoop did the verses. As great as it was to see it, you could just Tell something X. It was something off about him. It was cool. He did the prayer and everything. RIP DMX. RIP DMX. 800-919-3776. You've got a Jets take that we have to get to. At some point.

[B]

I need to sell you on it.

[A]

You gotta sell me on it because it's in the face of all the misery that we are trying to, you know, weave ourselves through. This week, Alex has something for us to be optimistic. He's got a plan in place.

[B]

I got a plan.

[A]

Contents of a plan, some may say in place to get us to happier times and greener pastures.

[B]

If you want to really tease it with an above.500 quarterback and a quarterback.

[A]

We saw not too long ago.

[B]

Oh, now you're really.

[A]

Wow. 800-919-3776. Let's go to Glenn in Connecticut. What's up, Glenn?

[C]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking the call.

[A]

Thanks for making it, man. What's going on?

[C]

Not much. Alex, did I hear right that you're a Chargers fan?

[B]

That's correct.

[C]

You have no hope. You have no faith in us whatsoever.

[B]

Recovering San Diego Charger fan. So I'm trying not to get too emotional about it. Yeah, I. I don't. I'm not saying they can't pull a rabbit out of the hat, but the. Where did the term Chargers are going to charge or start and have they ever turned it around?

[C]

I mean, no, but they. I'm a Chargers fan. I've been charging for 25 years from Connecticut. So I've watched on TV and I'm always disappointed. I remember in 2000, 2007, the loss against the Patriots. That was.

[B]

I was in the stadium.

[C]

Yeah, that was my first gut. Like, I was like, all right, but this is a Super bowl team. We're going to make a run. And the Patriots just dismantled us.

[B]

But I was there with Nate Glenn. You've seen it all. You've seen it all. Missed field goals in the playoffs, every.

[A]

Losing to the Jets.

[B]

To the jets twice. Sean.

[C]

Yeah, the jets one was tough. Jets one's tough. But I do think. I think Herbert is on a mission right now. And I think with Harbaugh at the helm and this defense is firing, I think we've got a great DC inventor. I just think that a lot of people are sleeping on us, and I think it's time for Herbert to really kind of shut up the haters. And I think we're going to make a run. I'm pretty optimistic. So what if they don't?

[A]

What's that Run look like you get like AFC championship, Super Bowl.

[C]

You know what? I'm just looking for people to quiet the Herbert haters. So I want at least just one.

[B]

I love Justin Herbert. I'm not saying this.

[A]

He's saying the national audience coming at. Because I mentioned five years in, no playoff wins and the one playoff appearance was a disaster.

[B]

It's correct.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But Glenn, Glenn, how do you, how do you.

[C]

I think we get some momentum. Go ahead.

[B]

No, just you watch Saturday night. As soon as the Chargers give you hope, what do they do? They allow a little bit of an above average quarterback. I'll give him credit. He's been out the gate. Great. But I think he's going to hit a ceiling at some point to go over the top against him. And you're down 14 nothing before you sat in your theater seat. That's classic Chargers, my friend. Then you give up on them and then they, they come out of nowhere and they sleep a team. What is Herbert? 18 and 20 since 20, 23 and 1 score games. Or do I need to double check my astigmatism?

[A]

I think, but that's.

[C]

You do need it. I think he has the most comeback since he's joined the league. He's like no.

[B]

1 score games, though. Not comebacks. 1 score games. It's. It's a step in the right direction. I like Harbaugh. I think they're, they're finally Spano spent the money. If you're San Diego Charger fan, you're from San Diego. You've just seen the movie. I don't want to root against it. I'd love to be wrong on this. The Chargers had a shot to win the west, host a Sofi game, and they're down 14 nothing in nine real life minutes to the Texans. That's problematic, my friend. That's trust issues. That's a team outside of the circle.

[A]

You know what always throws me off. And Glenn, great phone call. I appreciate it. Listen, we heard from Bills.

[B]

I tip my cap to him.

[A]

We've heard from a Bills fan and a Chargers fan. Here's what always like just mystifies me though when we say, man, Justin Herbert, he's on a mission. So is Josh Allen not on a mission. Is Bo Nix. Not like all of these guys are on missions.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

So what does that even mean? It's, it's, it's. It's like he's got that dog in him.

[B]

Like I was so confident. Go back in the weeds on my page that the dart first start in Metlife they were going to sleep the Charger. It was the perfect sell high buy low spot. And I was spot on because I know the team. I did not give out Chargers on my Twitter. I gave out first half under very lucky to cash it. Why? Because I got trust issues.

[A]

800-919-3776 let's go to Vinnie in Staten Island. He checks in on thr. What's up, Vinnie?

[C]

What's going on, guys? Guys, Sean Payton by far is the best coach with all the playoff teams right now. This guy has turned this team around in two years. Playoffs last year, 13, three this year with pretty much an average quarterback. I mean, you could all say I'm crazy, but he made Drew Brees. The guy just knows more than anybody else, he's smarter than everybody. He's smarter than everybody else. And when the jets had a chance to get him, they should have got him. Because what the jets are going through right now, this is possibly. Aaron Glenn might possibly be the worst coach in NFL history. There's nothing to say. I mean, he makes Robert. He makes Robert Salah look like Chuck Nolan Mitchell. He is abs. He is absolutely pathetic.

[B]

Vinny, would you take the Broncos over The Chargers like 8 out of 10 times in a one game playoff?

[C]

Absolutely. Hands down with that defense, Without a doubt.

[B]

We need to connect him with Glenn so that we can all figure this out.

[A]

Vinny's got issues because Anthony tells him turn the radio down so he can't even follow instructions. And then he's got the take of Sean Payton. Made Drew Brees, which. Come on, man. He made Drew Brees.

[B]

That's.

[A]

Drew Brees was going to be a bum if not for Sean. Did he elevate him? Sure.

[B]

Yeah. He elevated him.

[A]

Of course he did. Yeah.

[B]

Because Sean Payton, that's a sensitive conversation for Charger fans because he hurt his shoulder. Should have went with Saban to Miami. I mean, that was an injury that changed football history.

[A]

Not to get made him is insane.

[B]

The GM move though, of getting rid of the Russell Wilson dead cap that.

[A]

Oh, the way he's the last.

[B]

But let's give. I mean, Sean Payne's just as good though at building assets, building up assets, getting the most out of players, but also advanced Joseph. I mean, we're going to sit here again. He should be in the conversation for another head coaching job because that's what he does. He goes out and he gets a real adult in the room. Jets pay attention on the defensive side so he can focus on the offense and getting every single drop out of a Van Wilder quarterback that can rent a car two years in they can win the afc.

[A]

I know people have.

[B]

I would have more trust in Denver.

[A]

Than about Bo Nicks because first three quarters he's just like a mad quarterback then turns it on in the fourth which that's not a recipe to win your conference and win a Super bowl which is what they are in the business of doing before the season. Sean Payton, you know you'll say every coach should and would say this Sean Payton was talking super bowl and that's coming off of a year where they made the playoffs but got blasted by Buffalo in round one. And here they are with the number one seed.

[B]

If it's a coach off and it is Mae vs Knicks and it is Rabel Verse Peyton and because of what happened it's going to Denver. Denver's hosting. Are you taking Denver again? We're staring down the Bear quarterback. I would agree with that.

[A]

That's not even a conversation. But it's still.

[B]

This is offensive specialist, defensive specialist. I don't know where the outsider sitting here.

[A]

It's. It's still the playoff debut for May but if May's in the AFC championship game it means he's already won two playoff games.

[B]

So I but the Bo Knicks playing with his food first 45 minutes.

[A]

It's not going to work.

[B]

Doesn't work. But it's like why in the playoffs.

[A]

It'S why I'm concerned about Chicago.

[B]

I'm with that as well in the.

[A]

NFL in the last two minutes of games but that's just not going to fly in the playoffs.

[B]

This is why I go back to this May end up being the battle of Pennsylvania in Santa Clara. You think so again, I don't expect anyone to believe my Steelers run the table take but I did take it before the season and now Mahomes not in the tournament, Burrow's not in the tournament. Lamar likely won't be in the tournament and Allen has a team with no run D. So all of a sudden it kind of looks like there's a lane there.

[A]

There's a lane. It's still tough.

[B]

I see your. I see your Rogers fandom perculate. You're like no way. No jets fans rooting for him. You gotta love it.

[A]

No Jeff fans. Well or you're saying I'm in the minority as a Jeff fan.

[B]

I think so. Right. I mean some people wouldn't want to see him go get.

[A]

Yeah of course some people are happy.

[B]

For Salah too on the other side.

[A]

But so can I Give you my NFC take. Yeah.

[B]

Sock it out.

[A]

You would agree that obviously, if I had to give you one of these teams as the number one seed, San Francisco or Seattle. San Francisco is far more dangerous, just like optically, like, because they have the experience and Shanahan and Purdy's been a Super Bowl.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

They're far more, like, scarier as the 1 seed than Seattle. Right. You would agree with that.

[B]

I have to agree with that.

[A]

Which means if you're a fan of any of the teams in the nfc, don't you have to root for the Seahawks to win this Saturday night to debunk it? Going through San Francisco, San Francisco as a lower seed as opposed to home field throughout into the super bowl by. For Shanahan, like, all of that just feels too much to overcome for any team. So root for Seattle, get the one seed, and then we see if Sam Darnold of last year shows up or if there's this, you know, if he's found himself as far as actually being a guy who can deliver in big spots.

[B]

Laid it out brilliantly. I think, as a fan, if you're rooting for parody or anything could happen. Yeah, you root for Seattle. If you're somebody that's like, I. I kind of feel bad for San Fran. They lost them at home twice. Purdy gets hurt in the NFC ship the other. You got McCaffrey as an emergency quarterback in Philly. Like, they've earned it. If you. If you're one of those guys, one of those people.

[A]

Like a Niners fan, I would imagine.

[B]

And.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then you're like, oh, not a science guy, but not. Not a science guy. It's all laid out for a week. We don't even have to pack a suitcase for six weeks. That's.

[A]

We can have this for the. This would be, what, the third time in the last six years where a team hosted the Super Bowl. Bucks did it. The Rams did it.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And now the Niners could do it.

[B]

This would be the third.

[A]

So it had never happened before. I got that right. I'm not making this up. It had never happened before. Pre 2020.

[B]

I don't think it happened.

[A]

And now it. There's a chance it could happen for the third time in surreal. And.

[B]

And that's not nothing.

[A]

Don Lagreca would say that there's a.

[B]

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[A]

I was going to say. Is this Blink 182? This is growing up.

[B]

Feel good. I mean, feel like I'm back in California burrito land.

[A]

Is that like an espresso shot?

[B]

The land of Ron Burgundy, my friend.

[A]

Right to the mouth. No Diddy.

[B]

Where you go?

[A]

He went to 9193776. Yo, we got some people on the phone lines who disagree with your Steelers take. We've got some charges, conspiracy theories. But before we get to that, quickly, because I've been waiting to hear this. You watched Monday Night Football between the Falcons and the Rams and immediately thought of the New York Jets. Why is that?

[B]

Because we talked about it yesterday and the jets are obviously dysfunctional. They need an adult in the room. I'm sorry but as a non father talking to an excellent father of two, you would know more than I do. You need an adult in the house, an adult in the room. You go around the league. Vrabel adult. Peyton adult. Harbaugh, voluntary tucked in khaki pants adult. I only smile when I win. You look at the jets, they're getting trolled. They're getting dog walked.

[A]

Is Nick Sirianni an adult?

[B]

See, that's a tough one. He's a great orator in certain spots, but he's been carried by his coordinator two championship runs. I digress on that.

[A]

My bad.

[B]

I sat there watching last night and it's not glamorous. This is not a Hollywood top tier. Action packed. This is going to fire you up, Ty. But what the jets need right now is a little bit of an adult in the room. And I go back to the Netflix document and I remind myself a man who was hand picked after a franchise quarterback was allegedly drafted in Washington almost seems like a lifetime ago. And this guy who again the Shanahans, because Mike was involved, don't miss very often on a Trey Lance at quarterback. They don't they hit more than they missed? You found Brock Purdy win so I'm sitting there watching last night on what was a six and a half seven point line. Not a soul in the land thought the 30 birds were going to win that game. And you can make a case Kirk Cousins showed you in a league where Philip Rivers the father of 10 Ty unretired in his Tom Brady 40s that he has a little bit left. And if you sit here and you look at the quarterback options for the jets in the top five picks and it's not going to be Mendoza, I don't feel that great about the other options so riddle me this. Dead caps apparent, all that find a way to work out a deal with Atlanta. You take Kirk next year you let Aaron Glenn go all in on the defense. Kirk is such an adult in the room he can handle. He's a coach, quarterback, he's a two for one he can run an offense like for Philip Rivers. You could do the same thing in seven years that Philip Rivers did with Steichen. You could plug him in and play him because his IQ is so high. It's just the athleticism that we're dealing with. Well Jake has said it earlier in the morning this is not a abysmal offensive line so we're talking above average offensive line. Breeze, Hall, Garrett, Wilson, Mason, Taylor, a.

[A]

Couple other wants to come back but she wants to come back.

[B]

Is it not at least a step in the right direction to bring in Kirk draft the future sort of a la Pennix. Except you're doing it right this time cuz it's the correct order. You roll out Kirk in September and October. If he flops, he flops. I could see him being a little over 500. 500. Still a step in the right direction. Wal you're prepping the future of the organization. Who's watching by osmosis? Last time I'll say the word, a real adult. Your thoughts?

[A]

My first question is this. So this was like sprung on to you last night watching Kirk Cousins throw for 126 yards because Bijan was the best player on the field last night.

[B]

No, that's a very funny rebuttal but I'm not sitting here telling you he's going to come in and blow up the stat sheet. The jets need direction the first time.

[A]

The jets try to go after Kirk Cousins.

[B]

Well I understand that I could understand. We'd love. We'd welcome any callers, we'd welcome anyone.

[A]

It feels like someone who's petty and doesn't forget.

[B]

I get that.

[A]

No, we have no interest where Kirk.

[B]

Cousins looks like a nice guy on Netflix, has a lot of dog. This guy was dragged by his own pops on the high school field back in the day. I just think he'd be the perfect bridge. I'm not saying his future. I'm not saying.

[A]

Let's run through that. It's like, all right, we want to bring in Kirk Cousins.

[B]

Why?

[A]

Well, because he looked great on Netflix.

[B]

He showed you how serious he is about his prep, about his work ethic, about his ball and about his journey. Dude, this guy is up there with Bradley Beal as one of the most overpaid under delivering athletes in the history of all that.

[A]

Check.

[B]

I'm not saying this guy's going to meet what is contra. This is a team that can't buy a win unless they're trying to lose. Like week 18, which you've called out. Very fair. It it's almost like we talked a little bit about yesterday. If I were to sit here and tell you you have a franchise quarterback backing up Cousins and you win anywhere from seven to 10 games next year, would you take it?

[A]

You think the jets are winning 7.

[B]

10 games with Kirk Cousins app? So loot.

[A]

You're crazy.

[B]

Give me the plus money on over eight and a half right now.

[A]

Yo, they're playing. They're going to be playing one of the toughest schedules next year in a division with Drake May and Josh Allen. They will also play the AFC west and the NFC North. And a team I just watch win three games this year, all of a sudden gonna turn around around and win somewhere between 7 and 10. I find that hard to believe.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know.

[A]

It's good.

[B]

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.