Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 2 – Week 1 Reaction & NFL Binge

Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This episode captures the hosts’ raw reactions and rapid-fire analysis following the opening week of the 2025 NFL season. With passionate fan perspectives, pointed commentary on New York teams, insightful call-ins, and a national whip-around of the NFL’s big storylines, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg deliver an engaging and entertaining football Monday.

Main Discussion Themes

• New York Giants and Jets openers: Frustrations, bright spots, and quarterback debates
• The dynamic nature of NFL fandom, especially when teams struggle
• Quarterback controversies and rookie readiness league-wide
• Week 1 surprises, memorable games, and standout individual performances
• Big-picture assessments: AFC's top contenders and perennial playoff questions

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life as a New York Sports Fan (00:43–04:44)

• The hosts kick things off with a reflection on New York fandom—how the start of football marginalizes baseball, and the generational struggle of raising kids as Giants fans these days.
• Don ponders his son’s wavering Giants loyalty:
  • “At one point during the game, he looks at me: 'Dad, why the Giants?' And I'm sure I asked that to my dad back in '75... The Giants aren't scoring touchdowns. The Mets score more runs than the Giants score points.” (02:15)
  • Message to young fans: Enjoy your team’s eventual rise but be patient; success isn’t guaranteed or immediate.

2. Quarterback Questions & Rookie Readiness (04:44–08:20)

• Callers and hosts debate the merits and risks of starting rookie QB Jackson Dart over veteran Russ.
• Alan Hahn emphasizes caution:
  • "It's too soon… Let's not rush this. Let's not force this kid into it right now. That speaks volumes about what that locker room thinks at this moment." (07:13)
  • Cites veteran Darius Slayton: “You see players get chewed up and spit out all the time by this league, which is something I would never want to have happen to him.” (07:13)

3. Jets vs. Steelers Reaction & Rodgers' Return (08:39–15:42)

• Animated calls and host banter about the Jets’ Week 1 home loss to Pittsburgh and the spectacle of Aaron Rodgers' "revenge."
• Caller Mike in Palm Springs highlights the psychological toll of Rodgers' win:
  • “He had that little S-eating grin on his face… Oh my God, this guy won't go away.” (10:10)
• Hosts argue the franchise must focus on building for the future, not dwelling on ex-players or heartbreaker losses.
  • Don: “Focus on a Bills team, move on… You move on. Organization moved on. Fans got to move on, too.” (11:45)

4. Jets In-Game Experience and Optimism vs. Reality (12:22–15:42)

• Callers share positive experiences at MetLife, yet all agree moral victories only last so long.
• Peter Rosenberg: “If they were being honest, once the annoyance from the loss calms down, they’d admit it's probably among the more fun game experiences they've had in a while. Just seeing their team continue to put up points.” (13:06)
• But the core frustration—"the inability to play clean football"—remains front and center for fans and hosts alike.

5. Kicker Talk: Field Goal Evolution and Wild Theories (18:44–22:49)

• Entertaining asides on kicker technology, field goal range, and a wild “steel toe” conspiracy call.
• Classic banter:
  • Peter: "If 47 [yards] is the tip of your range, you do not have a job in the NFL today." (21:02)
• Hosts compare modern-day kicker standards to NFL days past, marveling at today's 50+ yard field goal consistency.

6. NFL Binge: Whip-Around of Week 1 (25:25–39:17)

• Chargers upset Chiefs in Sao Paulo:
  • Justin Herbert shines; praise from new coach Jim Harbaugh, whose quote says it all:
    • "Justin was phenomenal in every way—pinpoint accuracy… overall toughness… I mean, just complete stalwart." (27:23)
• Colts debut Daniel Jones:
  • Impressive rushing touchdowns, but hosts argue Dolphins’ defensive breakdown played a role.
    • "Was this more about the Dolphins than it was about Daniel Jones, just to be fair?" —Alan (29:46)
• Micah Parsons with Packers:
  • Early dominance with a sack and multiple pressures.
  • Hosts joke about “The Parsons Project” and discuss his immediate impact despite minimal playbook familiarity.
    • “When he fought through two blockers to get the sack, that was pretty damn impressive.” —Alan (35:22)
• Buffalo’s Comeback vs. Ravens:
  • Bills erase 15-point Ravens lead in the final 4 minutes; Matt Prater nails the game-winner. Sets up the next segment’s deep dive on the Ravens’ inability to close out.

7. The Ravens' Perennial Problem: Closing Games (41:55–46:49)

• Alan Hahn:
  • “Lamar Jackson... he always seems... you’re always looking for the player with the signature game or the signature moment... Lamar just never closes games, and they never blame him.” (42:54)
  • Ravens’ rep for toughness is outdated; Derek Henry is now their most physical player.
  • Faith in the Ravens as true Super Bowl contenders is questioned due to late-game collapses.
• Don La Greca:
  • "Aren't you describing everybody but Kansas City? ...Everybody's waiting for somebody to beat Kansas City... Only Cincinnati’s really pulled it off in this run." (45:33)

8. Jets Fans: Hopeful but Cautious (46:49–49:37)

• Caller Christian attempts to make the case for this not being “the same old Jets,” but hosts pump the brakes.
  • “It’s okay to be optimistic, but it’s one game… Just relax… There’s a lot of things to be excited about, but truly knowing you have a quarterback and an offensive coordinator and a head coach is to be able to do what you did on Sunday on a consistent basis.” —Don (48:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Giants’ struggles:
  “The Mets score more runs than the Giants score points. The kid’s all about the entertainment… I just want to enjoy myself. I can’t blame him.” —Don (02:15)
• On rookie QBs:
  “This league is tough. You see players get chewed up and spit out all the time by this league, which is something I would never want to have happen to him.” —Alan (relaying Slayton, 07:13)
• On Aaron Rodgers' revenge:
  “Oh my God, this guy won’t go away… I felt bad.” —Mike in Palm Springs (10:10)
• On kicker distances:
  “If 47 is the tip of your range, you do not have a job in the NFL today.” —Peter (21:02)
• On Ravens’ reputation:
  “I think their reputation is so old now… See that helmet, see that team, the reputation says you’re in for a brawl… They don’t have that team anymore.” —Don (44:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:43: Show opens, New York fandom, Giants’ generational woes
• 04:44: QB controversy: rookie readiness, Darius Slayton’s advice
• 08:39: Jets’ loss reaction, Aaron Rodgers discussion
• 12:22: At MetLife: In-game experience, moral victories
• 18:44: “Steel toe” kicker conspiracy, evolution of field goals
• 25:25: NFL Binge whip-around: Chargers win, Colts’ Jones, Packers/Parsons, Bills comeback
• 41:55: Ravens vs. Bills – the problem with closing games
• 46:49: Jets fans call in: hope, skepticism, and “same old Jets”
• 49:37: Outro and final FanDuel promo

Tone & Style

The hour is filled with passionate debate, biting humor, and quick-witted local color. Don brings generational perspective and classic New York skepticism; Alan anchors the tactical analysis and keeps fandom in check; Peter brings sharp humor and a broad pop culture awareness.

Conclusion

This episode delivered what Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg do best: deep-dish football talk, unvarnished fan therapy, and wry commentary that meets New York sports fans where they live—equal parts hopeful, cynical, and always ready for another round.