Don, Hahn & Rosenberg | Hour 2: The NFL Binge

ESPN New York | November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the chaotic parity of the current NFL season, featuring host banter, deep dives into the pressures and volatility faced by NFL kickers, signature segments like the "NFL Binge" roundup of wild finishes, coaching philosophies, and who the hosts trust as the league’s “cream of the crop.” Listener calls and playful, irreverent exchanges punctuate this episode as the trio breaks down close games, league trends, and playoff outlooks with characteristic humor and insider knowledge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Brutal Life of NFL Kickers

[00:13-04:04]

• Disposable Heroes:
  Explores how kickers in the NFL are uniquely vulnerable—one bad game and they're out, unlike other positions where mistakes are often more forgivable or at least explainable.

  • Rosenberg:
    "There are very few jobs where you could have like one really bad day and they're just like, thanks, it's been real, buddy." (00:25)

  • La Greca:
    "There is no other position that is as unique as the kicker there. Because he's really not a football player like everybody else." (02:07)

  • Hahn:
    "If you're a kicker, you know, you got a lease, you got a short term lease... You're hoping you can renew that lease in three months." (03:53)

• Comparison to Closers in Baseball:
  The guys liken kickers’ sudden loss of form to relief pitchers, noting how quickly and inexplicably “it just goes away." (03:09)

Coaching Decisions & NFL Trends

[04:04-07:49]

• Rise of Fourth Down Aggressiveness:
  Rosenberg expresses exasperation with the trend of coaches bypassing field goals for fourth-down attempts, even in low-scoring games:

  • Rosenberg:
    "In a game where neither offense was great...the final score...was 16-13. This wasn’t some huge offensive output. So why can't a coach...just say, oh, we're going to kick a field goal here?" (07:49)

• Stats & Close Games:
  Despite the analytics-driven aggression, Hahn forces the counterpoint: five games that week ended on walk-off field goals. (05:47-06:24)

• Field Logistics:
  Vivid discussion about Real Madrid’s stadium tech as it hosted an NFL game. (06:41-07:24)

Who's the NFL's "Cream of the Crop"?

[07:49-16:56]

• Parity and Uncertainty:
  Rosenberg sets the stage—Chiefs at 5-5 and outside the playoffs, the NFC in flux, and the lack of a clear-cut favorite.

  • Rosenberg:
    "It is much more open this year...Someone's got to come get it. To me, [the Eagles] are the cream of the crop in the NFL." (08:47)

• Alan Hahn's Contrarian Take:
  Hahn backs the LA Rams based on performance, coaching, and buy-in—labeling head coach Sean McVay a psycho-strategist and giving him high marks for system and culture.

  • Hahn:
    "I'm going to tell you...the team that I feel like I have the most confidence in is the LA football Rams." (09:57) "McVay is...what Jon Gruden was supposed to become." (11:25)

• Don La Greca’s Perspective:
  La Greca expresses support for the Rams, points out Seattle’s inconsistencies, and underscores pedigree, coaching, and postseason experience as the late-season tiebreakers.

  • La Greca:
    "That's why I love your pick of the Rams, because there's pedigree there." (14:38)

Listener Calls & Debate

[18:17-22:31]

• Griffin from Connecticut calls in to echo the Rams love, citing turnover margins and Stafford’s hot streak:

  • "22 touchdowns, no interceptions in his last seven games...Video game numbers." (18:56, Griffin)

• Playful Banter:
  The hosts and Griffin have a running joke about tone and aggression, showing the mix of camaraderie and sharp wit that defines the show. (19:33-20:44)

NFL Binge: Week’s Wildest Finishes

[25:32-36:43]

• Five Walk-Off Field Goals:
  Recap of a historic Sunday with five game-winners as time expired—tying an NFL record.

  • Dolphins vs. Commanders in Madrid:
    Critique of uninspired radio call, with Rosenberg quipping: "I was on my iPad, sitting on the can, and guess what? Turned it off and said, I'd rather finish my business than watch this." (28:07)

  • Bears over Vikings:

    • "Santos knocks in the 48 yarder...Bears win 19-17...But Bears head coach Ben Johnson says there is more work to do." (30:12-30:25)
    • Hahn highlights Ben Johnson’s clutch drive scripting: "They've done it five times, so five of the seven wins had to come from behind." (31:26)

  • Broncos over Chiefs:
    Steve Levy’s “Lutz at the gun” call gets praised; Nance not so much. (31:55 - 32:13)

  • Seahawks’ 61-yard miss vs. Rams:
    "It's fading, right? It's bleeding, right? It's...No, that's a call. The Rams are in first place in the NFC West." (32:40)

Breaking News & Locker Room Drama

[32:53-35:30]

• Jamar Chase Suspension:
  Breaking news mid-show: Bengals WR Jamar Chase suspended for allegedly spitting at Jalen Ramsey.

  • Ramsey: "He spit at me, so I wasn't gonna play football after that, respectfully." (33:45)
  • Chase (denial): "I ain't never opened my mouth to that guy." (33:51)

  The trio jokes about the absurdity, speculating on lisps and downplaying the incident.

• Tush-Push & Officiating:
  Playoff impact of the Eagles’ “tush push” play and whether officiating might target it as a point of emphasis.

  • La Greca: "Could that end up being something that works against the Eagles?...Now all of a sudden, their weapon is taken from them." (22:01-22:39)

Super Bowl Odds & Playoff Outlook

[35:32-41:48]

• Odds On Favorites:
  ESPN BET’s latest odds have the Eagles (+500) atop, closely followed by the Rams (+550), then the Chiefs (+800).

  • Rosenberg: "You get to bet the Chiefs at plus 800...That’s a great bet." (37:59-38:04)
  • La Greca: "If [the Broncos] can get home field and a bye...that building, that defense..." (38:54)

• Playoff Possibilities:
  Projecting win totals and how the playoff picture might shake out: Chiefs likely a wildcard, Broncos and possibly Colts and Patriots in the mix.

  • Rosenberg: "They'll get to 10 and 7 or so and they'll get into wild card." (41:28-41:32)

Jets Drama: Chris Boyd Shooting

[50:36-53:09]

• Serious Note:
  Brief coverage of Jets' Chris Boyd being shot outside a Manhattan restaurant, details on his condition and speculation about circumstances.

  • Rosenberg: "A player was shot and hospitalized over the weekend and we didn't have any mention... He's now in critical but stable condition... we send Chris Boyd the best." (51:08-53:09)

Other Notable Moments & Quotes

• On coaching as a playoff tiebreaker:
  "Give me the coaching. Coaching is the tiebreaker in even games, in my opinion." (16:56, Hahn)

• Therapy and tongue-in-cheek ad segues:
  Rosenberg transitions from NFL tension to quips about therapy as a 'tiebreaker in his life.' (17:01)

• On the state of the NFL:
  "It's the only league like this...where like, everyone's got to say, everyone's got a different pick. And somehow the team that you think always wins...is on the outside looking in." (43:31, Rosenberg)

Host Personalities & Show Tone

• Alan Hahn:
  Analytical, slightly contrarian, lauds coaching and systems.
• Peter Rosenberg:
  Humorous, brash, candid about both football and life, injects irreverent banter and New York flavor.
• Don La Greca:
  Emphasizes historical context, practical analysis, and a touch of old-school perspective.

Playful, fast-paced exchanges—ribbing each other and listeners—are peppered throughout, keeping the tone lively despite deep analysis.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kickers’ Job Security & NFL Volatility: 00:13–04:04
• 4th Down Trends & Field Goal Discussion: 04:04–07:49
• Who is the NFL’s Best Team? 07:49–16:56
• Griffin’s Call & Rams Debate: 18:17–22:31
• NFL Binge (Weekly Recap of Wild Finishes): 25:32–36:43
• Jamar Chase Suspension Discussion: 32:53–35:30
• Super Bowl Odds & Favorites: 35:32–41:48
• Chris Boyd Shooting News: 50:36–53:09

Notable Quotes

• Rosenberg on kickers:
  "There are very few jobs where you could have like one really bad day and they're just like, thanks, it's been real, buddy." (00:25)

• Hahn on Rams and coaching:
  "Confidence comes from demonstrated performance... It's a head coach that certainly can out coach most of the guys that he goes up against with his strategy because he's a psycho." (09:57)

• Griffin (caller) on Rams:
  "Matthew Stafford right now is playing video game numbers. 22 touchdowns, no interceptions in his last seven games. That's historic." (18:56)

• La Greca on playoff pedigree:
  "You gotta be looking at the teams that have won recently that are going to know how to do it. When it comes time in that big spot. I'm probably going to bet the Rams." (15:01–15:43)

• On the NFL's unpredictability:
  "Somehow the team that you think always wins right now is on the outside looking in." (43:31, Rosenberg)

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the essence of today’s NFL—chaotic, hyper-competitive, and unpredictable. The hosts blend detailed analysis with storytelling and banter, touching on everything from kicker anxiety and playoff hierarchies, to the quirks of announcer calls and the personal hazards faced by players off the field. If you missed the game or want rapid-fire commentary nearing the crossing of sports talk and comedy, this installment of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg delivers.