Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: NFL Binge & Dan Hurley (Dec 8, 2025)
Main Theme
This lively episode covers a dramatic NFL weekend through the humorous, passionate analysis of Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and (eventually) Don La Greca. The hosts break down wild playoff races, officiating controversies, and the uncertain fate of dynasties like the Kansas City Chiefs. The second half features an engaging interview with UConn head coach Dan Hurley ahead of his team’s marquee MSG matchup, with broader discussion about college basketball’s shifting landscape.
NFL Binge: Wild Finishes, Officiating Controversies, and “Dynasty Deaths”
(00:14–15:26)
Key Discussion Points
- Buffalo Bills’ Comeback Over Bengals
- Bills rally back with 21 points in the fourth quarter.
- Josh Allen and supporting cast praised for delivering in crunch time.
- Debated if Buffalo is a legit or “fugazi” contender.
“Are they a fugazi contender? ... They started the year out as a legit contender to win it all. ... Not right now.” (01:39–01:51, Alan Hahn)
- Steelers-Ravens: Controversial Overturned TD
- Pittsburgh beats Baltimore 27–22 after a fourth-quarter Ravens TD is overturned for incomplete catch despite two steps in endzone.
- Heated discussion on what constitutes a ‘football move’ and the standard for overturning calls.
“You need to have irrefutable evidence to overturn the call on the field. That’s not irrefutable evidence." (05:09–05:25, Peter Rosenberg)
- Packers Extend Dominance Over Bears
- Green Bay wins, continues near-perfect record over Chicago under coach Matt LaFleur.
- LaFleur’s postgame intensity ("Means nothing right now.") becomes a running joke.
- Discussion: Could the Packers’ tie become decisive for playoff math?
- Chiefs Upset/Loss and Dynastic Doubts
- Chiefs lose to Texans, drop to 6–7, sparking speculation on the end of their run.
- Hosts use a horror movie analogy:
“At the end of any Halloween movie...until I see that dead carcass, I feel there’s a chance...They are Michael Myers.” (11:18–11:44, Peter Rosenberg)
- Tiebreaker math, schedules, and playoff probabilities are dissected in detail, including ESPN’s FPI metrics.
- Official “time of death” is declared:
“It’s 4:15 on December 8, 2025. The current run of the Kansas City Chiefs is dead and over.” (13:33–13:45, Peter Rosenberg)
- NFC South: Saints Derail Bucs
- New Orleans stuns Tampa.
- Hosts reference the recurring post-Brady Bucs mediocrity and Baker Mayfield’s up-and-down season.
- Receivers Out of Place
- Amusing asides about where former NY Giants wideouts have ended up, e.g. Sterling Shepard with the Bucs.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- [03:11] John Harbaugh on the officiating:
“We don’t make any excuses. We don’t point fingers. That’s not what we do here...We believe we can get it done.”
- [11:41] Peter Rosenberg ("Chiefs = Michael Myers"):
"At the end of any Halloween movie, even after you see that Michael Myers has been buried in rubble, where's the body?"
- [13:33] Time of death on Chiefs’ dynasty (Peter):
“It’s 4:15 on December 8, 2025. The current run of the Kansas City Chiefs is dead and over.”
Listeners’ Calls: Giants’ Future, Draft Debates & Coaching Carousel
(15:27–24:59)
Key Points
- Giants Draft & Coaching Debate
- Calls about Giants’ improved draft position; wild suggestions to trade a top pick for DK Metcalf and Mike Tomlin.
- Skepticism about radical trades:
“So you’re talking about, like, just trading franchises almost?” (16:19, Alan Hahn)
- Quarterback Club: "Who has a Super Bowl runway?"
- Which QBs remain among the “elites” with open roads to the Super Bowl? Hosts: only Josh Allen is clearly left.
- Hints at a possible breakout for Jordan Love this postseason.
- Draft QB Arguments:
- Callers debate Giants’ past/future QB choices, including Jackson Dart vs. Shador Sanders.
- Criticism of Giants’ coaching and front office, particularly over rookie handling.
- Speculation on whether the Giants would (or should) trade up for the top draft pick.
- AFC Playoff Math
- More breakdowns of Chargers/Chiefs schedules and the possibility of late playoff runs.
Notable Quotes
- [18:38]
“Who else of that group that has kind of dominated...Justin Herbert? He’s hurt.” (Peter Rosenberg)
- [19:07]
“How the Cowboys lost an unbelievable opportunity to have an amazing story.” (Alan Hahn)
Coaching Carousel, Draft, & College Basketball Parallels
(24:59–29:25)
- AFC playoff scenarios are compared to college basketball underdogs and the “fairy dust” effect (e.g. Steph at Davidson).
- Hosts reflect on the familiar “damned if you do...” dilemmas for New York football franchises.
Interview: Dan Hurley, UConn Head Coach – The Evolving Face of College Hoops
(29:25–45:07)
Main Topics
- MSG/Jimmy V Classic Insight
- Hurley discusses the excitement of facing Florida at MSG – and the unique juice it brings for players, fans, and program.
- Hurley admits he’s more nervous for lower-conference “buy” games than for high-profile matchups:
“These are more of the fun games that you get excited about.” (31:10, Dan Hurley)
- What’s Different About UConn This Year
- Emphasizes defense (from 110th to top-5) and depth as keys to current success.
- Star center’s status ("game time decision") for the Florida matchup.
- NIL & Transfer Portal: Fundamental Shift in Coaching
- Hurley on the drastic change in college coaching:
“The culture, being able to recognize talent and the ability to develop talent...it’s completely been taken out of the equation as a college coach…now you could buy a veteran ready-made team.” (33:35–34:32)
- UConn’s effort to still build “homegrown” players despite the transfer market.
- Hurley on the drastic change in college coaching:
- Age & Experience in College Basketball
- John Calipari quote prompts laughter about “bearded old men” playing college ball for NIL and first-wife alimony.
- Hurley remarks on facing players who transfer three or four times:
“I’m not sure how helpful those situations are going to be...if you’re just running from school to school in a mercenary way.” (36:48–37:26)
- Longevity & Motivation to Coach
- Hurley addresses whether he could do 20+ years or walk away if the culture becomes too “load management” oriented:
“I’ll stop coaching when the players don’t want to be coached anymore the way I coach.” (38:27–39:32)
- Hurley addresses whether he could do 20+ years or walk away if the culture becomes too “load management” oriented:
- NFL Talk: The Joe Burrow Effect
- Hurley, a Bengals fan, reflects on the transformative power of a great QB.
- Hosts riff on NY sports fandom, Hurley’s choice to root against the Giants despite growing up in jersey, and making “honorary Jets fan” jokes.
- NBA Nuggets
- Rapid-fire on the Knicks, Jalen Brunson criticisms, and the refreshing relentlessness of the OKC Thunder.
Notable Quotes
- [33:35] Hurley on NIL/Transfers:
“The whole art of coaching, especially as a college coach ... culture building ... identification of young talent ... develop it ... all completely taken out ... Now, you could just buy a veteran ready-made team.”
- [38:27] Hurley on coaching longevity:
“I’ll stop coaching when the players don’t want to be coached anymore the way that I coach … when players in college become as uncoachable as ... because of the money in the NIL ...”
- [41:25] Hurley, Bengals optimism:
“If we could just get the defense fixed ... I think the Bengals are going to win a Super Bowl in my lifetime.”
Closing NFL Thoughts & Don Rejoins
(48:16–53:32)
- Don La Greca returns, praises Hurley interview.
- More Chiefs/Chargers/AFC playoff discussion.
- Don tempers Rosenberg’s “death” call, reminding:
“They’re like zombies…You don’t declare them dead until they’re officially dead. But they’re dead, you know?” (50:09)
- Hosts agree: Chiefs don’t “look right,” but AFC is wide open and flawed.
- Alan contextualizes Chiefs' last “quality win” and the brutal stretch run.
TIMESTAMPS – Highlighted Segments
- NFL Binge – Quick Hits: 00:14–15:26
- Bills' comeback: 00:34–01:51
- Steelers/Ravens Catch Controversy: 02:25–05:57
- Packers-Bears: 06:00–07:38
- Chiefs Loss & “Time of Death”: 07:58–13:45
- Listeners’ Calls and QB Club Debate: 15:27–24:59
- Dan Hurley Interview: 29:25–45:07
- MSG/Florida Preview: 30:13–31:14
- NIL Changes: 33:35–34:32
- Coaching Philosophy: 38:13–39:32
- Don Returns, Final AFC Playoff Take: 48:16–53:32
Tone & Style
- Energetic, irreverent, New York-flavored sports talk.
- Hosts joke, rib each other, but mix sharp analysis with accessible banter.
- Interviews (Hurley) are casual and wide-ranging—sports, culture, life.
Memorable Moments
- “They are Michael Myers.” — comparing the Chiefs’ resilience to a horror movie villain.
- Alan, on the OkC Thunder:
"They don’t leave. They don’t owe you anything when the night is over.” (44:53)
- Hurley, on NY sports suffering:
“Maybe I like to suffer. … Misery loves company.” (42:15–42:17)
This summary gives non-listeners a thorough account of the episode’s sharpest takes, best laughs, and the unique perspectives of New York sports radio’s favorite trio.