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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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