Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – NFL Divisional Round Preview (Hour 3)

Episode Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: An in-depth preview and discussion of the NFL Divisional Round, with particular focus on storylines, sustainability of teams, coaching narratives, picks, and trademark banter.

Episode Overview

This hour zeros in on the intrigue and drama of the NFL Divisional Round. The hosts examine the journeys of star and struggling quarterbacks (notably Sam Darnold), debate which teams are building something sustainable, break down coaching storylines, and finally, reveal their picks against the spread for the weekend’s games. Interwoven are their trademark jabs, inside radio-business talk, and New York sports perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Sam Darnold: The Redemption Arc (00:44–06:10)

• Sam Darnold’s Journey:
  Don marvels at Darnold’s career, moving from Jets disappointment to possible playoff hero as Seattle’s starting QB:

  "He goes to Seattle and they're the 1 seed...a 7 point favorite at home against the San Francisco 49ers. It is really a tremendous journey." (Don, 01:29)

• Jets Fan Perspective:
  Alan roots for Darnold, emphasizing there’s no resentment, just long-standing interest:

  "This is not one of those, like, you know, I want to see him fail because he's no longer a Jet..." (Alan, 03:12)

• Injury Worries:
  Darnold is listed questionable; uncertainty about Seattle’s backup (Drew Lock) leads to doubts about their depth and playoff readiness.

The Robert Saleh Discussion (06:31–14:45)

• Coaching Reputation:
  Rosenberg dishes on Saleh as a quintessential Defensive Coordinator (DC), expressing doubt about his head coaching abilities after a rocky Jets tenure, despite personally liking him:

  “He's just a D.C. dude. Like, I don't know why. It's just there, Don. That's what I see for him.” (Peter, 07:25)

• Coaches Failing with the Jets:
  Don and Alan agree that failing as Jets coach isn’t necessarily a personal indictment—“when you fail with the jets, it's the jets fault.” (Don, 07:11)

• Is Saleh Due Another Chance?
  They debate whether Saleh, given the option, should choose a better setup for his second HC opportunity. All concur he’d be more selective and potentially better prepared.

• Inside Jets Drama:
  A nuanced view of how team dynamics (especially post-Aaron Rodgers injury) undermined Saleh’s position.

  "Salah knew I was no longer in control of this team." (Alan, 13:27)

New York Media & Radio Banter (28:54–34:05)

• Beef? Or Bit?
  Peter rails against the media for exaggerating supposed beef with Michael Kay:

  "Are you people really this dumb that you would write a legitimately serious article that Michael K. And I hate each other?... How can they do this over and over again, guys?" (Peter, 28:49)

• Content vs. Journalism:
  The trio discusses how “content” culture erodes real reporting, poking fun at today’s sports media landscape:

  “It’s not art... It’s not media. It’s content. Because it can be nothing.” (Peter, 33:37)

NFL Divisional Round: Sustainability & Future Outlooks (17:40–23:22)

• Which Teams Are Here to Stay?
  Don argues only the Bears and Patriots look sustainable:

  “I look at the Bears and the Patriots as the two teams that are beginning to build something sustainable. I think those are the only two of the eight teams left.” (Don, 17:40/18:45)

• Debate over QBs’ Future:

  • Skepticism about Bo Nix as a long-term solution.
  • Intrigue over Caleb Williams’ development for the Bears:

    “There is a je ne sais qua to Caleb Williams that is developing… some passes from him that the big boys throw in the most clutch moments…” (Peter, 20:00)

• Weather as a Factor:
  Several hosts believe Bears-Rams, taking place in frigid Chicago, could upset expectations, especially for LA.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter on Jets Boring Documentaries:

  “The jets are so dreadful that they even find a way to take, like, what should be salacious and sexy. It'll still be boring... The jets would take the pizza delivery scene, play it out for 35 minutes. They drop the box, they turn it over. All of a sudden there's no women. There you go. The porno ends and nothing ever even happened. That's what the jets could do.” (Peter, 14:59)

• On Saleh After the Jets:

  “He's a perm... He is a, he's Orion. Like, there's a coordinator job for you.” (Peter, 09:27)

• Banter about drinking in Saudi Arabia:

  “I'm actually a little bit, like, happy about it in the sense that give me five days away from wife and child... I’m gonna save myself, like, thousands of calories and headaches from just drinking every night for no reason.” (Peter, 27:47)

• Peter on “content” culture:

  “I’m a content creator. I create content. And that word has fundamentally stripped away sort of legitimacy from what anyone does.” (Peter, 33:55)

Timestamped Breakdown of Important Segments

• 00:44–06:10: Darnold’s comeback story, Seattle–San Francisco preview, Sam’s injury doubts.
• 06:31–14:45: Saleh as head coach/defensive coordinator, Jets as a cursed franchise, inside team politics post-Rodgers.
• 17:40–23:22: Team sustainability debate – which franchises have a future? Bears and Patriots highlighted.
• 28:54–34:05: Radio/media meta-banter: “content” culture, faux feuds, and the Michael Kay gag.
• 39:42–49:41: NFL Divisional Round Pick’em — hosts’ records, rivalry, and pick explanations.

The Divisional Round Pick’em Breakdown (39:42–49:41)

Standings (don, 40:48)

• Don: 78 pts (6-0 Wild Card Weekend)
• Alan: 58 pts (3-3 WC, 15 pts)
• Peter: 50 pts (5-1 WC)

Peter’s Picks

1. 49ers (+7 @ SEA) – “I just can't go against Kyle Shanahan and the Niners getting seven points... rivalry game.” (41:30)
2. Buffalo (at Denver) – “Rolling with Josh and the Bills to make it happen as my two point play.” (42:00)
3. Pats (vs. Texans) – “I’m on the Pats... this Patriots team is the real deal.” (43:00)
4. Bears (+4.5 vs. Rams) – “I like the Bears outright in this game... Bears to cover four and a half. The Bears are my four point play.” (44:10)

Alan’s Picks

1. Denver (vs. Bills) – “Denver's ability to defend, but also their ability to have a run game.” (44:38)
2. 49ers (+7 @ SEA) – “Darnold, the bleak, the solid defense. There's a lot going on there. You have CMC and you have Kyle Shanahan. I'll take the seven.” (45:14)
3. Patriots (vs. Texans) – “C.J. Stroud looked a little shaky last week. Two defenses that are going to just have at it in New England. Cold weather. Win ugly at home.” (45:39)
4. Bears (+4.5 vs. Rams) – “You're a sucker if you believe in the Rams on the road, especially at four and a half. Give me the Bears for four points and I'll take the four and a half points.” (46:14)

Don’s Picks

1. Buffalo (at Denver)
2. 49ers (+7 @ SEA)
3. Patriots (vs. Texans)
4. Bears (+4.5 vs. Rams)

“These picks reek of us and the public getting crushed this weekend.” (Peter, 49:41)

Closing Notes & Tone

• The hour blends NFL X’s and O’s with honest fan anxiety, inside NY sports radio humor, and insider media commentary. Friendly bickering and self-deprecating jokes abound—true to the hosts’ style.
• The analysis ranges from earnest (team futures, coaching critiques) to zany (Jets as boring porn directors), making it informative and fun for NFL fans.
• Good-natured clowning about their Pick’em standings and the consequences for losing (dressing as a clown) underscore the playful competitiveness that runs through the entire episode.

Recommended for:
NFL fans (especially those invested in the Jets, Bears, or Patriots), listeners eager for both sharp sports insight and off-the-cuff media criticism, and lovers of New York sports radio banter.

Notable “Do Not Miss” Segments:

• Darnold’s redemption arc & QB musical chairs (00:44–06:10)
• Deep dive on Saleh and the “Jets effect” on coaching careers (06:31–14:45)
• The sustainability debate: Who’s building a future? (17:40–23:22)
• Hilarious Jets-documentary/generic-porn riff (14:59)
• On-air pick’em battle with friendly (and not-so-friendly) fire (39:42–49:41)