Hour 3: NFL Playoff Preview

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — NFL Playoff Preview (Hour 3)

Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca (Don), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: In their signature witty and passionate style, Don, Alan, and Peter dive deep into the 2026 NFL playoff picture—debating storylines, team turnarounds, the pitfalls of drafting quarterbacks, and making their spirited Wild Card weekend picks. The hour toggles between analysis, nostalgia, and playful banter, making it a lively must-listen for New York sports fans.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on previewing the 2026 NFL playoffs, especially Wild Card weekend. The hosts break down the matchups, reflect on surprising team turnarounds, ponder the perils of NFL draft philosophy, and put their records on the line with game picks. The show is loaded with personal anecdotes, statistical nuggets, friendly jabs, and the kind of passionate sports talk only New York can offer.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wild Card Weekend Breakdown

• Game Schedule Insights

  • The hosts run through the kickoff times and structure of Wild Card weekend, riffing on the oddity of early games and "Thursday-like" vibes.
  • "There's not really a pure Thursday this time around." — Peter (01:24)

• Carolina Panthers vs. LA Rams

  • The panel debates the heavily favored Rams vs. the maligned Panthers, comparing Carolina to past under-.500 playoff teams (like the 2010 Marshawn Lynch Seahawks).
  • Alan offers historical context for underdog success and gives analytical reasons why Carolina could keep it close.
  • "I love the Panthers not to win the game, but I love to keep it competitive. Everybody thinks it's a walkover." — Alan (02:11)
  • Anthony jokes about “fading the boys” and the logic behind betting the opposite of the show's picks (04:02).

• Reflection on Turnaround Teams

  • Don highlights that four playoff teams (Bears, Patriots, Jaguars, Panthers) had sub-.300 winning percentages last year—a credit to how quickly fortunes can flip in the NFL with the right leadership.
  • "If you're a Giants fan, it'd make you feel good, right? It shows you it can turn around in one season." — Don (05:24)
  • The group emphasizes how coaching stability and young QB play are key catalysts for surprise playoff runs.

2. Quarterback Trivia & Philosophy (09:25–13:48)

• Four No. 1 Overall QBs in These Playoffs

  • Don quizzes the group: Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young.
  • "It's the most. And it's only happened 1, 2, 3 other times..." — Don (09:54)

• Does Draft Position Matter?

  • The panel wonders: Is picking a QB No. 1 a recipe for success? What about the risk of forcing a selection for PR or owner reasons?
  • Alan points to historical busts and the need for conviction, "You can't force a square peg into a round hole." (13:48)
  • Don contrasts—teams often force these picks due to fear of public backlash or missing out on the next great.

3. The GM's Dilemma: Conviction vs. Owner Influence (17:17–22:51)

• Ownership Interference Dilemma
  • Alan passionately argues GMs should stick to their board, even resign rather than take an owner-forced pick they disagree with.
  • "If my owner tells me I have to take somebody I don't want to take, I resign because I'm gonna lose my job anyway." — Alan (18:15)
  • Don muses on how walking away could damage reputation, but Alan insists transparency and integrity matter more: "I'm willing to screw up...on my terms, not on somebody else's terms." (21:56)

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Wild Card Picks & Standings (25:40–42:41)

Current Standings

• Don: 29–25 (60 pts)
• Alan: 23–31 (43 pts)
• Peter: 17–37 (33 pts)

Format: Each host ranks their Wild Card picks from 1–6 points (1 = least confidence, 6 = most)

Peter's Picks:

• Panthers +10.5 vs. Rams: 1 point (reluctantly siding with the dog)
• 49ers +6 vs. Eagles: 2 points ("Winning pedigree" trumps recent slumps)
• Bears +1.5 vs. Packers: 3 points ("Believe in the mojo of the Bears"; rooting against himself as a Packers fan)
• Jaguars +1.5 vs. Bills: 4 points ("Just seems harder than it should for the Bills")
• Patriots -3.5 vs. Chargers: 5 points ("Pats are the real deal, Chargers trending down")
• Texans -3 vs. Steelers: 6 points ("Steelers offense stagnates, Texans win by 10+")

Don's Picks:

• Steelers +3 vs. Texans: 1 point ("Pittsburgh never loses Monday nights; gut play")
• Rams -10.5 vs. Panthers: 2 points (cautious but sees a blowout coming)
• Jaguars +1.5 vs. Bills: 3 points (Bills cold on the road—"Josh Allen 0–4 on the road in playoffs")
• 49ers +6 vs. Eagles: 4 points ("Daring you to take the Eagles"; expects a tight game)
• Patriots -3.5 vs. Chargers: 5 points ("Scares me, but have to go New England")
• Bears +1.5 vs. Packers: 6 points ("Best game of the weekend"; trust in Chicago and Caleb Williams's clutch play)

Alan's Picks:

• Panthers +10.5 vs. Rams: 1 point (sees a competitive contest)
• 49ers +6 vs. Eagles: 2 points (too many points for the home favorite)
• Patriots -3.5 vs. Chargers: 3 points (New England's second-half performance sways him)
• Bills -1.5 vs. Jaguars: 4 points (trusts Buffalo's playoff experience; notes many Bills fans in Jacksonville)
• Bears +1.5 vs. Packers: 5 points ("Bears are just flat out better"; dismisses Packers' late season)
• Texans -3 vs. Steelers: 6 points (Steelers can't stop the run; Texans to cover and perhaps end Tomlin's reign)

Notable Exchange on Standings

• "My strategy now is not to catch Don. I am just making sure you can't pass me." — Alan (41:17)

Banter Highlights:

• Playful trash talk as Peter notes he's consistently lost and clamors for first pick.
• Anthony, the show producer/statistician, chimes in with live betting lines and reactions.
• Hosts tease defensive pick strategies and try to "reverse jinx" each other's high point plays on the Bears-Packers.

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Draft, QB, and Ownership Nexus (13:48–22:51)

• Making the Right Pick vs. the Popular One
  • Hosts recount infamous draft mistakes (Ryan Leaf over Peyton, Jets with Zach Wilson) and buzz over whether GMs, like the Jets’ Joe Douglas, were overruled by owners.
  • Alan's strong stance: "You got to be able to stick to your guns. As much as I hated the job that Gettleman did, I respected the Daniel Jones pick." (17:17)
  • Don: "If you're a competent GM, your owner knows to lay the hell out. Right?" (19:39)
  • The panel debates whether resigning is career suicide or honorable under owner interference.

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Playoff Parity, Comeback Storylines (05:24–09:25)

• The panel stresses that this year, more than ever, showcases fast turnaround potential (Bears, Pats, Jags, Panthers).
  • "Teams that turned it around either changed the quarterback or the coach." — Alan (09:03)
• Cautions Jets fans: don’t expect a quick fix without a new QB/head coach.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Upset Potential:
  • "Seattle had a tremendous home field advantage, but Carolina's home. They beat the Rams already...I totally see it." — Alan (02:11)
• On Draft Conviction:
  • "You can't force a square peg into a round hole..." — Alan (13:48)
• On Owner Interference:
  • "If my owner tells me I have to take somebody I don't want...I resign because I'm gonna lose my job anyway." — Alan (18:15)
• On Jukebox Mishap (Off-Topic Banter):
  • "There's a weird smell and I see smoke coming from the jukebox." — Peter (46:32)
  • Prince song debate: "Are you...Raspberry Beret is bad?" — Peter, shocked (51:08)
• Show’s Tone:
  • High-energy, sharp, sometimes irreverent, always rooted in lived-in fandom and playful rivalry.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wild Card Weekend Overview: 00:43–03:44
• Disrespected Carolina & Upset Odds: 01:28–03:40
• NFL Team Turnarounds: 05:22–09:03
• No. 1 Overall QB Playoff Trivia: 09:25–13:17
• Drafting QB Dilemmas & Ownership: 13:48–22:51
• Picks Segment & Standings: 25:40–42:41
• Jukebox/Prince Discussion: 46:00–52:00

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Conclusion

This hour captures what makes Don, Hahn & Rosenberg a favorite for tri-state sports fans: sharp, informed debate; humor; nostalgia; and a uniquely New York sports sensibility. Listeners get both granular breakdowns of each playoff matchup and big-picture musings about what it takes to build a winner—plus the all-important showdown picks that seal their reputations.

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"This is where the rubber meets the road, fellas." — Don (25:40)
"I'm willing to screw up...on my terms, not on somebody else's terms." — Alan (21:56)
"Who defines that more than the San Francisco 49ers and ice veins Brock Purdy?" — Peter (28:27)

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For diehards, casual fans, or anyone who loves the drama of playoff football, this episode is your blue-collar, Big Apple companion for Wild Card weekend.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Don Rosenberg]

503 in the big city. The big 5 o' clock hour on a football Friday, one of the last remaining football Fridays, boys. I mean, we're right into it now. Wild card weekend beginning tomorrow. We got a slate of games. Where we start tomorrow. Is it four that the first game is.

[Peter]

Is.

[Don Rosenberg]

Is a four, right? We have two tomorrow.

[Peter]

No, don't we have it.

[Alan]

We have an early.

[Peter]

Don't we?

[Alan]

No, yeah, we.

[Peter]

It's 4 3, 2 1.

[Alan]

4 3.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Peter]

4 38. And then there's an early Sunday.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, Sunday's what we got a one. Yeah. One o', clock. 4:30.

[Peter]

Like. Like it's supposed to be.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, It's a typical 3:1, but we have the 430, which is the. It's the one that. Peter, you always like to sniff the mic and say that it smells like a Thursday.

[Peter]

Yeah. But there's not really a pure Thursday this time around. No, but there's not a pure Thursday.

[Don Rosenberg]

Can I argue an 800-919-3776 for everybody who wants to join the conversation? Can I argue that as much as that feels like one of those just, you know, bring the barf bag game, there's a weird interest in it, isn't there? Because it's such a big spread that you're almost like, I kind of want to see if Carolina can even just stay in it. Right.

[Peter]

Yeah.

[Alan]

I think people are disrespecting Carolina.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Because of their. Unfortunately.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, of course. They've earned it.

[Alan]

I remember that. I believe it was the last time an under.500 team won their division, made the playoffs. Was Seattle Marshawn Lynch. I think it was 2010. And New Orleans came to Seattle and the Seahawks beat him. Now, Seattle had a tremendous home field advantage, but Carolina's home. They beat the Rams already. And over the last eight weeks, only three times in that eight week span. That's two months of Football did the Rams beat a team by more than 10 points. And the two times they did it was against Arizona. The other time was against Tampa. Otherwise they've been in close games, including losing to Atlanta when they needed that game on Monday Night Football a couple of weeks ago. Remember? Because they wanted to get the five seed to get this gift of the winner of the NFC South. And they ended up losing to Atlanta. Came back, but they. Because they got a turnover. But they ended up losing the game in the last second field goal. And then the Rams took care of business against Arizona at the end of the season. But I got. I really, I love the Panthers not to win the game, but I love to keep it competitive. Everybody thinks it's a walkover. We had Damian Woody yesterday. Like who, who are the Panthers playing like? They're completely done. Disrespected. They beat Dallas when the Cowboys were still very competitive. I don't think they can. They're the one team I don't think is capable of a run. But hanging in this game. I totally see it.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah. The Panthers would be the second double digit home underdog in a playoff game in the super bowl era. The 2010 Seahawks were -10 versus the Saints.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

And they beat him in the wild here. They won 41 to 36. That was the Beast Quake game with Marshawn Lynch.

[Alan]

Right.

[Don Rosenberg]

So you know, so you have that.

[Peter]

I gotta ask you a question, Anthony.

[Anthony]

Hello, Peter.

[Peter]

You've been very wisely going against this team whenever you can. I mean, and when I say team, I mean us. The three of us.

[Anthony]

Yes.

[Don Rosenberg]

People should know this, that he's just using our picks and then saying when. Whatever they agree on. I'm betting the opposite.

[Anthony]

If all three of you do it on a three point play. Come on.

[Don Rosenberg]

Fading the boys though. That's not right.

[Peter]

It's a very good reason. Now you, I know have been interested in the fun of betting on Carolina on the money line to get like a plus 340 payout. Whatever it is.

[Anthony]

It's like plus 460.

[Peter]

When you hear the way Don and Allen just love Carolina to cover. Doesn't this push you towards the rams winning by 35 points?

[Anthony]

Well, it's an excellent question, Peter.

[Don Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Anthony]

It's an excellent question. And Damien Woody scared me off of it yesterday too because he said. And yes, the Rams are getting healthier and they're not going to come over to Carolina in a mid middle of the year game going it's one o'. Clock. We have to. That's not what's happening here. They're going to be prepared. They know they had to do this. They're not going to get the west coast malaise. So am I concerned? Yes. But I can't overlook the fact that this team, regardless of who they had or didn't actually beat the Rams in their home just a month ago. And if you want to sprinkle on the money line just for the fun of it, if you're wrong, you had a 10 point dog that didn't win. If you're right, you look like a genius.

[Peter]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's why you.

[Peter]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

And that's why you asked the question this year. By the way, you guys love. You know that there's no favorite. That there's no.

[Peter]

I do. I think it's dead sexy.

[Don Rosenberg]

Love this wide open race. So the playoffs this year we have four teams that had a winning percentage last year of 300 or worse. The Bears were 5 and 12, the Patriots is 4 and 13, the Jaguars are 4 and 13 and your aforementioned Panthers were 5 and 12. If you're a Giants fan, it'd make you feel good, right? It shows you it can turn around in one season.

[Peter]

You think so?

[Don Rosenberg]

With the right coach like you see in, in, in Jacksonville and New England and Chicago, that to me stands out. If I'm looking at like the ability to turn around in the NFL, there's no, nothing more emblematic than what we see this year in the playoffs. The ability to turn, to take a team that just had a. Just an awful season. You hate your team that a year later, like right now, next year, as a Giants fan, you could, you could love your team all of a sudden.

[Peter]

Or if you're me, it could be the exact reverse.

[Don Rosenberg]

That does happen too.

[Anthony]

I have news with breaking news. It's not necessarily breaking news. There's only six games here and I know we lock in our lines, but I'd like the people to be as informed as possible.

[Don Rosenberg]

Do we have movement?

[Anthony]

We have movement. Which I might have to turn into a drop in some season.

[Don Rosenberg]

We need a drop. Yeah.

[Anthony]

So the Eagles Niners line and we were talking about this off the air so I imagine that this is only going to further. What you guys are talking about has shifted from Eagles -6 and a half to E.T. 5 and a half to Eagles -6.

[Alan]

Whoa, whoa.

[Peter]

I get the sense also, just accordingly, Anthony, this should probably impact you also. I get. I, I have a feeling this whole group's going to like San Francisco also.

[Anthony]

Well, another question that I have Just for my own personal edification, what's Ballard on this weekend?

[Don Rosenberg]

Great.

[Peter]

You know what, It's a great question. You can be sure he's on the pack.

[Anthony]

All right, well then Bears plus one.

[Alan]

You got to like the.

[Peter]

You got to like the Bears.

[Don Rosenberg]

Bears.

[Alan]

I mean, I am liking a few dogs.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, there's. I know. There's no question. There's no question. We're going to do our picks though, at 5:30, so we don't reveal too much here, but. Yeah, but I'm just, I'm looking at the playoffs right now as we start this conversation as a whole. I'm going aerial view. The first one was the revelation to all New York fans because we're not part of this. The connection is, hey, you can turn it around from a miserable 4 and 13 debacle. You can because we have two teams that did it and one of them is, let me think about. The Patriots are top seed.

[Peter]

So they're the Patriots, but they're the Patriots.

[Don Rosenberg]

No, come on, you get it. The right coach and everything gets right.

[Alan]

That's it.

[Don Rosenberg]

You got to admit. Young quarterback.

[Peter]

I don't, I don't like that you're lying.

[Don Rosenberg]

Wait, do you see the math? Young quarterback, who you felt like was it, but you need to see more. And then a coach who has won before comes in. I mean, don't you think the Giants could have that next year?

[Peter]

Oh, the Giants. The Giants could. Yeah, sure, the Giants could. I bet you meant the other team too.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay, the Giants. Now why would I ever do that?

[Alan]

Well, that's why I was curious when the jets said, oh, yeah, we can, you know, we could turn around, be competitive right away. Well, you're not changing. You don't know who the quarterback is going to be. And right now you're head coach is serious question.

[Don Rosenberg]

I think the Panthers are the bigger surprise here because it's Bryce Young, who I thought they gave up on last year. Right. Remember, like he had lost his job twice.

[Alan]

Yeah, he was done.

[Don Rosenberg]

And yet this year he has been the guy throughout the whole year and they have, they have figured it out there. But, you know, like, it's still 5 and 12 is a lot different than, you know, what we saw out of the Jets. So I don't want to bring them into this, but I do think from a Giant fan perspective, you can look at this year's playoffs and, and have that feeling of, you know what? There are teams that have done this. They have turned it around.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

And that quickly.

[Alan]

And the teams that turned it around either changed the quarterback or the coach.

[Don Rosenberg]

Correct.

[Alan]

All right. The Patriots changed the coach.

[Don Rosenberg]

The Jaguars changed the coach. You know, the Bears changed the coach.

[Alan]

Right. And the Commanders, let's not forget about them the year before.

[Peter]

Both.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan]

You know, you get the head coach and the quarterback, right? You're going to win. You may not win the championship, but you're better.

[Don Rosenberg]

But that's. Isn't that. Look, first of all, here, things can only get better, right? That's what you're looking for. So anyway, that's the one factor that stood out. The other one is this. A little trivia, boys. We have four former number one overall starting quarterbacks in the playoffs. Can you name. Okay. By the way, it's the most. And it's only happened 1, 2, 3 other times in the common draft era. Only three other times have we had four number one overall starting quarterbacks in the playoffs at the same time at hostel.

[Peter]

Stafford.

[Don Rosenberg]

Stafford is one.

[Peter]

Okay. Is. Is. No, no, no, no.

[Alan]

I'm just.

[Don Rosenberg]

There's another obvious one. Well, actually, there's two obvious ones.

[Peter]

There's got to be a bunch.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, this I gave you. There's four number one overall picks at quarterback playing. Stafford is obviously one.

[Peter]

Yes.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Peter]

I'm just thinking of the order of the games.

[Alan]

Yes.

[Peter]

Josh Allen's not a one.

[Don Rosenberg]

Nope.

[Alan]

Trevor Lawrence.

[Don Rosenberg]

Trevor Lawrence.

[Peter]

Okay, there we go.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's two.

[Peter]

What's the night game tomorrow?

[Don Rosenberg]

That'd be Green Bay in Chicago.

[Peter]

Green Bay in Chicago. It's not. Oh, Caleb Williams.

[Don Rosenberg]

Caleb Williams. Yep. One more and one more. This is the hard one.

[Peter]

Sunday we have. What's the order on Sunday?

[Don Rosenberg]

Buffalo, Jacksonville. You already said that one. San Francisco. Philly.

[Peter]

No, it's not Brock Purdy.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm confident it's the opposite party was the Chargers, Patriots. And then you, of course, on Monday night have Houston and Pittsburgh.

[Peter]

Is C.J.

[Don Rosenberg]

Stroud.

[Peter]

No, no, no.

[Don Rosenberg]

This would probably be the hard one for most.

[Peter]

Tom, what are we. What are we messing up here? It was Herbert.

[Don Rosenberg]

Nope.

[Alan]

No, Herbert wasn't. Well, Richardson was 4. Josh Allen was not.

[Don Rosenberg]

I will give you this one hint. I will give you this one hint. Two of these quarterbacks are facing each other.

[Peter]

Oh, two of these Quarterback Jordan loves not.

[Don Rosenberg]

You mentioned one of them.

[Peter]

Yes, I already mentioned one.

[Don Rosenberg]

He's facing the other of the four.

[Anthony]

Oh, it's why C.J. stroud wasn't.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Peter]

Bryce Young.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Peter]

Oh, yeah. Bryce Young right there.

[Don Rosenberg]

The owner wanted him.

[Peter]

Yep, yep. That's when you don't think it's so funny. He just happened Right. Even though it just happened. You don't think of him quite of that ilk.

[Alan]

That's what I said. That's. I had Bryce Young and for some reason I said Richardson.

[Peter]

Well, I, I just, I feel bad. I'm gonna admit this. I texted Anthony just now. Anthony, what did my last text you just said that I just sent you.

[Don Rosenberg]

Who is Richard?

[Alan]

I actually just. I don't know why. I don't know why. Why I confused Indianapolis with Carolina.

[Don Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Alan]

So I had just for some reason.

[Peter]

Number game and a quarterback who's not playing, he would be backing up.

[Alan]

Reason. I just had. I just, I. I just vegged in this. And for whatever reason.

[Peter]

No, I, I understand. Guess what? Because there's two teams that no one cares about respectfully.

[Anthony]

And wasn't number one overall either, so at all wasn't going well.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's. It's still, that's, you know, it does still lend, though, to the fact that, you know, taking that quarterback high generally, you know, should work out for you. Right? But I mean, four, it's the most. Four. Think about that, though. And it ties for the most. And the other years were recent. 2013, 2014, 2015. And that's it. Now, we all know that quarterbacks weren't always taking them one overall, like early in the draft era. Right. But once we got to the 2000s, it just seems to be everybody was doing it. But does it tell you, yeah, you really got to get your quarterback at number one, or does it tell you that, you know what, taking the guy at number one doesn't always pay off.

[Anthony]

Most are first rounders, though.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, but number one, though, where you're. Where you're climbing over people to get to that number one pick. And Baker Mayfield could have been in this conversation instead of, you know, Bryce Young. So one of the other. It could have happened. But it's still like, I still fight that idea that you have to. When you have the number one pick and you need a quarterback, like, that's what you got to take the first pick. You have to the. Even if it's not a year where the quarterback is the obvious pick.

[Alan]

Now, see that you got to believe, man, you can't force something. You can't force a square peg into a round hole. I need a quarterback. There's a quarterback at one. I don't like him, but I've got to take him because I'm going to get a PR hit that I didn't take a quarterback when they needed one. You got to still like them, right? What if Ryan Leaf was the only quarterback Peyton Manning ended up leaving the year before and got drafted by the Jets? All right. And Leaf is the best quarterback.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Are you? And you're like, this guy's a clown. Like, one of the things, I don't know if you ever heard this story that there was like there was a gathering of first round picks before the draft and talk to the media and listen, it's not a steadfast rule, but a lot of people were not surprised by the order because there was talk going into the draft like, who was going to go number one.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Alan]

It's laughable now because of what happened with Ryan Leaf.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan]

So they had like a buffet and Peyton shows up, suit and tie, very respectful, and Ryan Leaf comes in with like flip flop shorts, T shirt. And it's like this kid doesn't take it seriously. Now listen, it could have been the exact opposite and. And it wouldn't have mattered, but it mattered here. So if you had Ryan Leaf at the number one pick and you thought, this guy's a clown, but I need a quarterback, I don't think you could take that chance, Alan. I don't think you can. And you got to suffer and say. And everybody ripping you for not taking them, and then you sit back and laugh when he turns out to be nothing. Yeah. You say you've got to take him.

[Don Rosenberg]

But that's what it has been, though.

[Alan]

Don't. Why do you think there's so many failures at the top spot and then.

[Don Rosenberg]

They force him into play? Like, yeah, that's is. You know, the Zach Wilson thing is the most recent one. Right. Where you just force him to play and he's not ready, but because you don't know what you're doing, you just think, well, he took him at number two. That means you think he's good. You might as well start the clock now. Like, you know all those things. It was also like even. Even as far as Dart this past year, you know, like, you just feel like you got to force these guys in. And that's why if. If the. If again, if Muji has any stones and he's got the 2 pick and if Mendoza goes 1 and now you're left with a lot of guys that either have very little experience and only potential, or they're older players who have been in and they two is too high for them, do you have the stones to find another team that's just desperate for a Kobe willing to do anything and say, I'll trade out of this because what you're afraid of doing is passing on Dan Marino. That's what you're afraid of doing. You're afraid of passing on Aaron Rodgers because that has happened in history as well. You're afraid of that. Well, but that's. That. That to me, are you in a position to draft somebody, whether it's Dante Moore, whether it's Ty Sims, or whether it's any of these guys that you know are not going to be ready right away? And do you have the infrastructure to bring in a quarterback who needs to be developed and, and have him develop into, like, where you look back and go, boy, that number two pick that changed our whole franchise around. But instead you get a bunch of picks and you just keep filling out your roster and you go with a veteran instead to get you there until you get to a position where you know for sure, no, this quarter, this is my guy. I want that guy. I just don't think these. I think you get put in a situation where you're afraid to be the one that takes. Makes that bold move.

[Alan]

Well, I just think that if you're. If you're. If you're drafting, making decisions based on what other people think, what people have done in the past, what your owner is, then. Then. Then you're going to make the wrong pick. You've got to be able to stick to your guns. As much as I hated the job that Gettleman did here, I respected the Daniel Jones pick. It was his neck on the line. He said, I like this kid, and he took him at 6. He ended up being wrong.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, was he, though?

[Rich Eisen]

He.

[Don Rosenberg]

He was a good quarterback. And the Colts now think he's the quarterback of the future.

[Alan]

For them, we'll see. But he's also been injury prone. That might end up being what derails him. Yeah, you're right. I mean, the. Guess the jury's still out, but Gettleman doesn't have a job anymore. But I respected it because he said, this is the guy I think is gonna do it. It's my job. It's my neck on the line. You know, the thing that's frustrating about the jets is I don't know until the book comes out whether Joe Douglas really loved Zach Wilson or he was forced to pick him by the owner.

[Don Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan]

And I said it at the time, and, I mean, Michael laughed at me and said I would never do it, and maybe I wouldn't. Maybe I would be gutless. But if I'm the general manager, an NFL team, and my reputation on this pick is on the line, and my owner tells me I have to take somebody I don't want to take. I resign because I'm gonna lose my job anyway. I might as well have some class and dignity and walk away and then tell the world the reason I did it was because my yo yo owner forced me. Other than. Rather than take it, own the pic, be ridiculed, and. And then lose your job anyway.

[Don Rosenberg]

Wouldn't that be epic, though?

[Alan]

But wouldn't you do that?

[Don Rosenberg]

Think about it.

[Alan]

Honestly, Peter, do.

[Don Rosenberg]

You're just. What Don's saying. And. And like, he's giving me a visual of lighting the match and flipping it over your shoulder as it, you know, as the Mercedes just goes on fire, and you just walk away like, this guy is a. And he's telling me to draft. He doesn't trust me. I'm out of here. I'm not working for this. Could you imagine? Does that damage you or does it damage the franchise?

[Peter]

Can it be both?

[Alan]

It can be both.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, I don't know if you were a competent GM who at the time was doing a decent job up until this moment. And now it's like, well, we've got it. He's telling me to draft this car. I'm telling him it's not ready, and he. He won't listen to me. Which by then, you would think if you were a competent gm, your. Your owner knows to lay the hell out. Right?

[Alan]

He would think.

[Don Rosenberg]

But in that situation, Joe Douglas had been doing a pretty good job, wasn't he?

[Alan]

Very good.

[Don Rosenberg]

And then at that point, he's told, we think again. This is our. We're writing the fiction part. We're hoping we're going to see if this is, you know, nonfiction. But right now, fiction is that Joe Douglas knew he had to take a quarterback at 2, didn't like any of the options in that draft. And as you look now, there weren't really good options in that draft after the number one pick. And you decide. And then the owner's just like, take this kid. Because of this relationship I have, which has been speculated. And Douglas is like, all right, this is what he wants me to do. But I would. I would have. I'd make sure you talk about leaky. A leaky franchise. I'd make sure somebody knew about that.

[Alan]

The own. But here's the thing. It's his first job as general manager.

[Don Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan]

So his reputation could be sullied by this decision.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, it kills you to have a bad.

[Alan]

Honestly, the only thing you lose. And again, this. I don't know, for all I know, Joe Douglas was on board. But if I'm the general manager, maybe was. I hate the pick, don't want to do it, wouldn't select them. My owner says you have to do it. The only thing I lose by resigning is my contract. Because if. Because that's what that would be. The vile. If I go out there and tell the world, you know, if they fire me because I don't do it, I still get paid. But if I'm gonna walk away from the contract, not gonna get paid anyway, I'll tell the world the reason I resigned is because my owner wanted me to take this pick. Now, if Zach Wilson turns out to be the next Troy Aikman, well, then you look like a fool, and now you're out of a job and you'll never work again. But you've got to stick with your convictions because the worst case scenario ended up happening. You end up taking the quarterback you don't want, lose your job anyway. And I'm sorry, the last I checked, Joe Douglas has not been a general manager again in the NFL anyway. So why don't go out on your own terms. Would you want to really work for an organization anyway, Alan, that's making the picks for you?

[Don Rosenberg]

No, but, you know, it's such a small world that you're afraid that any other owner then would say, I can't hire this guy. This guy's volatile. Look what he did. He walked out on them.

[Alan]

But don't. But at the end of the day, whether it's the book or the press conference, when you tell the world what truly happened, everybody's gonna believe you.

[Don Rosenberg]

Once. Once it's right. Once it's proven right, though, that's tough.

[Alan]

No, no, but now it's speculative, but the end of the day is you end up owning a pick that maybe you didn't want. I'm willing to screw up, Allen on my terms, not on somebody else's terms. I don't want my reputation ruined because of something I was forced to do. That's why these general managers have to have conviction and trust themselves and trust their gut, trust their scouts. Not what the fans want, not what PR is. They just got to make it. And so, you know, Gettleman ended up being wrong, but I respected it. He shocked the world with the pick. But, hey, it was his pick, his job. Let him do what he wants to do. So ultimately, that's where I disagree with you. I don't have to do anything other than honor what I think and who's on my board. I got to honor the board. I scouted them. They're up there. That quarterback is not one worthy. I'm not taking them no matter how much I need them.

[Don Rosenberg]

I love it.

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

Catch the show on demand, man, whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alan]

Show me something, Alan.

[Peter]

Show me something.

[Don Hahn]

Don, Han and Rosenbergs. Pick them all.

[Alan]

Oh, man. Give me the three.

[Don Rosenberg]

All right, this is. This is where the rubber meets the road, fellas.

[Alan]

It is.

[Don Rosenberg]

This could turn everything around on the season. Where are we, though, right now, Anthony, when it comes to.

[Alan]

Yeah, give us the standings there.

[Don Rosenberg]

The standings. So I thought you had them here, but.

[Anthony]

So last week.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

Don, Allen And Peter, all one and two. Alan and Peter got a point. Don got two.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yay.

[Anthony]

The records as of now, Don is 29 and 25 with 60 points. Allen is 23 and 31 with 43 points. Peter is 17 and 37 with 33 points. But a lot of points on the table now for the rest of the playoffs.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Peter]

Now I have to say this, guys. I have not. I've been. I've been in last place all year, so I have not gotten to pick first all year. I think I should pick first today.

[Don Rosenberg]

I was actually going to say we should go from the bottom up.

[Alan]

I like that.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, I think that's.

[Peter]

I think. Think that's what makes sense.

[Don Rosenberg]

Don Rosenberg, take it away.

[Peter]

Don has earned that.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Peter]

Big week, folks. Big, big week. I. I've heard everyone talk about the Rams and the Panthers, and it's a. It's a big old, big old number. I do not feel as passionately about everybody else, about. Excuse me, about it. As everybody else does.

[Anthony]

Emotional.

[Peter]

Very emotional, though. Stafford gets Devonte back. The Panthers are not a great team. They're just not. But the playoffs are weird. It's a road game. Give me the Panthers for one point. I'm not in love with it, but I'm not in love with the Rams -10 and a half either. So that's what you do when you have this much point allocation, is you take the one that you like the least. For one, my two point play in that same vein would be the Niners getting the six points. I don't. I don't love it. I think there is a world where the Eagles show everybody in the playoffs why they are the defending champions. I'm hearing a little bit of sleeping on the Philadelphia Eagles. But listen, the teams, to me, that you desperately want to avoid are the ones that have a winning pedigree. Who defines that more than the San Francisco 49ers and ice veins? Brock Purdy. I'll Take the Niners to cover the six as my 2.0 point play. I've talked about this team all week. It won't make Ballard happy. I just sort of believe in the mojo of the Bears this year and they're at home. It's going to be a frozen tundra. It's going to be crazy. They're getting points. Give me the Bears as my three point play. I'm sorry Ballard. I love you. My heart will be rooting for the packers, but my pick will be rooting for the Bears. My four point play is just going against my like my heart completely and using my brain. I feel like all of us collectively like you just see the Buffalo on paper and you go I want to see the Bills win. They're the team I'd most like to see win the Super Bowl. And yet when I've watched them in big spots this year I'm always like ah, it just seems harder than it should. And Trevor Lawrence has been ballin in Jacksonville Yacksonville short number or no, it's it's Bill's favored by a short number. Give me the Jags as my four point play. I don't like it but it's what my brain is telling me is the right pick. If you've been listening to me all week this won't surprise you.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't.

[Peter]

Maybe I'm just jocking Allen style. I think the Pats are the real deal. I think the Chargers have been going the wrong direction. Beat up on the offensive line. Herbert's hand is hurt. They managed to get past Kansas City and finish them off a few weeks ago but boy it was by up the the hairs on their chinny chin chin. I do not love the Chargers at this moment. I'll take the Patriots as my five point play so and so six pointer. Listen, I said to you guys last week that the I was very into that Steelers Ravens game and I it was the bowl to see who would get their ass kicked in the playoffs and that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They will get their ass kicked on Monday night. I don't know if it's guys is it going to be a 35 point fire Tomlin game? No, but I think the Texans win by 10 points. I do when a good defense deals with Pittsburgh. I watched the end of that Pittsburgh Cleveland game and yes that's Cleveland and you saw it for three quarters last week against Baltimore. Who's not a great defense? Their offense just stagnates. Granted they didn't have decades last week But I just don't love what they have. Give me the Texans as my six point play.

[Alan]

Wow.

[Don Rosenberg]

All right, Good stuff from you on each breakdown and all the reasons for it. Thank you. Going six points on that game. So now I will take from here since I'm in second place. And I'm actually going to start where you finished because I'm going to go on Monday night. It's going to be my one point play because I don't have. This is what's interesting, confidence in it. That's what makes this a very big swing game because I'm going to take the three points and I'm going to take the Steelers at home. No. 1.

[Peter]

Oh, the three point.

[Don Rosenberg]

Sorry, the three point line. Yeah, the line.

[Rich Eisen]

Okay.

[Don Rosenberg]

Sorry about that. And this is because it's Monday Night Football. Pittsburgh never loses on Monday night. The Texans are on the road. The Texans never literally win a road game. So history's on my side. And that's really all I can do is think. Mike Tomlin, if this is his swan song, it can't be at home, it can't be on that field. The guy like him can't walk off that field a loser with their. With his fans chanting fire Tomlin. It just can't be that way. Can. Can't. That's why I just. I cannot see them losing this game. But if they.

[Peter]

John Harbaugh says, I would like a word.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. That's why it's a one point. I gotta have something.

[Peter]

I get it. I get it.

[Don Rosenberg]

And you're right.

[Peter]

The points you make on Houston are good points too. I just think at some point they got to break wins in a moment.

[Don Rosenberg]

The defense scares the hell out of me. But the playoffs are different and so is Aaron Rodgers. Anyways, we'll go to my two point game and that's going to be the start of the weekend. Rams and Carolina. And this is so tempting, isn't it? It's so tempting because the number is so big at ten and a half and you want to feel like it's the playoffs. There's no way a team's going to get blown out this badly. And you know what I say to that? Of course it can happen. Wild card weekend has bad games, guys. That's the one thing about wild card weekend is you get bad games. This will be one of them. Give me McVeigh, give me the Rams. Give me the whole kitten caboodle. But I'm so confident I'm gonna put two points on it. Three point game. What you said about Jacksonville, Peter, I completely agree. Because think about this. They have won eight straight games. How could they be an underdog eight straight games?

[Peter]

They have won because the public loves them.

[Don Rosenberg]

Bills hot going into the playoffs. They are home. And Josh Allen. Don't give me this Josh Allen magic because I got a stat for you. While he's really good when it's snowing up in Buffalo, do you know what his road record is in the playoffs?

[Peter]

Give it to me.

[Don Rosenberg]

04.

[Alan]

Wow.

[Don Rosenberg]

So I'll take Jack.

[Peter]

I didn't even know that I will.

[Don Rosenberg]

Take the one and a half for my three point play, my four point play. It's also Peter, we're. We're pretty much in locks up in our thinking and I wonder if Don will be doing the same here. But when you look at. It's not the matchup, it's the number, it's the six that Anthony just told us about that this thing just got bumped up a little more. It's almost like they're teasing us. We dare you. We dare you to take the Eagles at home. Because Sirianni doesn't lose at home in the playoffs while Josh Allen sucks at home in the playoffs and the Texans can't win on the road in the playoffs. Nick Sirianni doesn't lose at home in the playoffs. He's five and up. So that's where I think they're tempting you. And I'm not going to take the temptation. I'm not saying the Eagles can't win. I'm just saying by six. This feels like it's going to be one of those down to the wire. It might even end on a field goal type date type deal, make or a miss field goal. So that's my four point play. I'll take the Niners. I'll take the six. Where am I? Five points.

[Peter]

Yeah, you're up to five.

[Don Rosenberg]

All right. This is my guma, my New England Patriots. And I just throw up my mouth. But it's like, you know, it's. It's the one that I'd never want to be with but I'm curious enough to just want to like for a goof. What'd that be like? Now here's the problem. It's a three and a half. I hate the hook in this game. I hate it. But I'm still going to lay the three and a half. I'm going to take New England because.

[Peter]

The same number we got the same pick.

[Don Rosenberg]

The only problem here is that I worry about the past defense putting pressure on Air bear. Because even though he's got the hand issues and all that stuff, he can still sling it. And if he does not under pressure, that could be a difference maker.

[Peter]

But I, I, I agree.

[Don Rosenberg]

Scares me. And last but not least, my six point play. This is my big one. And this is of course Green Bay and Chicago. I think this might be the best game of the weekend. Oh hell yeah. Like this will be, like this is. Sit down, waited.

[Peter]

I took my pants off.

[Don Rosenberg]

Popcorn. You might even have your pants off watching this game. It's that good. My six point play. Now think about this too. Like they lost the, the packers have lost their, their last four games of the season and they still made the playoffs. They are banged up, they had injuries everywhere. Jordan Love is back, but Michael Parsons is not. And I don't know if you guys have watched the Bears much this season.

[Peter]

Oh, I've watched a lot.

[Don Rosenberg]

But while Caleb Williams is still fairly young and does have flaws. My man's clutch. He's really good. Late game. And so is Ben Johnson when it comes to play calling. And Ben Johnson loves to own the Packers. He's a little crazy. He's a little psycho. He loves to call out the floor. I think this is going to be a game in Chicago to remember. I'm taking the Bears and I'll take, I'll take the point and a half for my six six point play.

[Peter]

Now Don, do you realize what that means?

[Alan]

What does it mean?

[Peter]

It means I'm back on to rooting for the Packers.

[Alan]

There you go.

[Peter]

It's, it's Allen's six point play and your, my three point play. Yeah, I had that right. That means I'm out on the Bears.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, you got to do the math. I get it.

[Peter]

All right, Donnie.

[Alan]

I'm going to start with my 111 point play and I am going to go with the Panthers. I, I can't.

[Peter]

We're all locked in here.

[Alan]

But as I gave the stat before the last eight weeks of the season, the only time the Rams blew out a team by more than 10 points was three of those eight and two of them were against Arizona. So they play close. They lost to Atlanta already. The Panthers, they're, they're, they're a good football team. They'll hang. They're not going to win because the Rams are better. But ten and a half. Just too many points. Points at home, but not a ton of confidence. That's my one point play, my two point play. Especially with the number changing four and a half to six. I agree With Alan, I'm going to go with the 49ers here. There's a lot of dysfunction in Philadelphia. They've got too much talent to miss the playoffs and it could go either way. But the Niners are just kind of one of those professional playoff teams that. That's just too many points. I'm sorry. Just too many.

[Anthony]

All right. Eagles in a route.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah. Anthony's already going to put the money.

[Alan]

Line down, but again, not a ton confidence there. Listen, the Chargers, they're. They're just not at the level of the New England Patriots. I know the hook is a little scary at three and a half. Maybe that's why it's only my three point play. But outside of blowing that second half lead against the Buffalo Bills, New England has been absolute money. So that's going to be my three point play, my four point play. Let's not forget where the Jacksonville Jaguars play.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Alan]

And I get. Houston's a good team. Indianapolis was good before Daniel Jones got hurt.

[Peter]

Here we go.

[Alan]

But the stat that I want to dispute with Allen, Josh Allen is.04.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan]

In the playoffs. On the road.

[Don Rosenberg]

On the road.

[Alan]

One of those games in Houston. He was a kid. It's rookie year. The other three were all in Kansas City.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan]

Last I checked, Kansas City is not Jackson.

[Don Rosenberg]

Don't let facts get in the way. All right. Of a good story.

[Alan]

And you know what? There's gonna be a ton of Bills fans there. They're gonna be diving into tables on in the parking lot. It's gonna feel like a home game for them.

[Don Rosenberg]

Do it.

[Alan]

I like the Buffalo Bills. I get it. Point play.

[Don Rosenberg]

Not bad.

[Alan]

Let's not forget you and Peter is high on Jacksonville, but let's stick to our roots here, guys. And what these south teams end up being at the end of the day. And the Bills are still the Bills. And even though they're not what they want were there's still the Bills. And I still think a team that's got a ton of experience in the postseason and will take care of business in Jacksonville, my five point play, for all the reasons that Alan said, the Chicago Bears, they're just flat out better than Green Bay. Green Bay did not close out the season well. Green Bay is back.

[Peter]

Anthony, you know what to do.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

We all have defensive play. I know we don't want to love the Bears because everybody had the the packers or the Lions. Hey, The Vikings won 13 games last year. Who's talking about the Bears? Yep. Well, the Bears are good and they're home and it's epic. The only thing that makes me happily sick about this game, it's on an app. It doesn't deserve an app.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[Anthony]

Prime got a good one.

[Peter]

It's al my got a good one.

[Alan]

But you know what? This. Here we go. This game deserves to be. He's coming back.

[Anthony]

By the way.

[Don Rosenberg]

It should be.

[Alan]

You know, it should be on prime time. This is a gorgeous on over the air TV where anybody could see it with a watch.

[Peter]

It should be on spice.

[Alan]

Should be available watchman.

[Don Rosenberg]

You know what?

[Peter]

Yeah. You should watch this on a black and white.

[Don Rosenberg]

Have an alt cast on Cinemax, right?

[Ethos Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Peter]

I want all of it. Okay.

[Don Rosenberg]

No, this is.

[Peter]

I want McAfee on the Cinemax alt cast.

[Alan]

So.

[Peter]

So again I am fully in on the packers now. Don's five points. Allen six point. Only my three point. And by Anthony, just go to the bank, take out everything in your bank account and go bring it to FanDuel.

[Alan]

A bet on the Packers.

[Anthony]

Oh, listen, we have a three. We have a three team parlay. We've got the packers minus one and a half. We've got the Eagles minus six. And we get the Charger swing game here.

[Alan]

Swing game. Because there's my six. Six is all that's left.

[Peter]

That's it. Here we go, baby.

[Don Rosenberg]

Do it.

[Alan]

I know what I just said about Jackson, but Steelers can't stop the run. How are the Steelers gonna score any points against this Texans team? Oh, no.

[Peter]

Swing point.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, wow.

[Alan]

I'm gonna have the Houston Texans covering the number on the road and beating the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maybe ending the reign of Tomlin in Pittsburgh. I like the Texans.

[Don Rosenberg]

This is so good.

[Alan]

I understand it's the south, but the matchup, this just does not favor.

[Don Rosenberg]

Listen, Allen, this is a monster game for you on both ends. It's my. It's why it's. I'm so safe. It's my one point. I can't really lose here. I can't lose.

[Peter]

It's. But no, no but still think about it.

[Don Rosenberg]

What?

[Peter]

Don and I both have it as our six point. So if you were to blow your six point.

[Don Rosenberg]

I know you.

[Peter]

Don gains five.

[Don Rosenberg]

You're saying if I lose my six. But he understands something. We all see. That's. You know what? Now that I look back, I'm looking. I wrote down everybody's number. So Dom putting five on Chicago with me putting the six on Chicago is right. That ends up being.

[Peter]

That hurts you. So now should this game go Houston?

[Don Rosenberg]

Actually no. This.

[Peter]

I could pull within close striking distance to you and Don can stretch the lead on you. This is a big game for you.

[Don Rosenberg]

You got it. First of all, my strategy at this point now is not to catch Don.

[Alan]

No.

[Peter]

You're playing keeper.

[Don Rosenberg]

I am right now just making sure you can't pass me.

[Alan]

Right. Just avoiding the clown shoes.

[Don Rosenberg]

Like I, honestly, like I am, I am just. I am, you know, in NASCAR where I'm just, I'm defense driving now. I'm not letting you buy me. I am not trying to catch him anymore.

[Peter]

Could someone like Kofi or Jarv, someone smarter than me, tell me the maximum points I can gain on Allen this weekend? That's the interesting thing for us.

[Don Rosenberg]

There's so many messages.

[Alan]

Somebody with a calculator.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan]

But anyway, this is why we do it, really. The regular season, this is like, you know, old NHL. Like the regular season means nothing.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's leading up to this.

[Alan]

It's all about the post.

[Don Rosenberg]

Because we're all on New England.

[Alan]

Right.

[Don Rosenberg]

We're all on San Francisco, at least to cover. Right. We're, we're all on Chicago.

[Alan]

This.

[Don Rosenberg]

You guys love Houston, which again, that's why I was so, I was so hesitant on that game. So the key games for me is my three point play and getting Jacksonville because Don loves Buffalo, but that's his four. That's, that's big for me. Yeah.

[Alan]

You know, but these postseason, very complicated. Peter's like that old Norris Division, you know, Toronto Maple Leaf, 66 point team, but they finished in fourth and now can win the Cup. Right matter, right? It all, it all changed.

[Peter]

I'm here now, baby.

[Alan]

This isn't double jeopardy. This is like quadruple jeopardy.

[Don Rosenberg]

This is great.

[Peter]

Well, and this year has been so bad, I have to imagine it will continue for me in the playoffs. I mean, this happens. But who knows?

[Don Rosenberg]

Anything can happen.

[Rich Eisen]

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[DSW Advertiser]

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[Alan]

So go ahead.

[DSW Advertiser]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

Catch the show on demand with whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay, this is Friday Music.

[Peter]

What song is this? I'm sorry.

[Anthony]

Reasons Earth, Wind and Fire.

[Peter]

This is a re. This is a Earth, Wind and Fire Reasons I don't even know this. I need this. Hold on.

[Don Rosenberg]

You can hear the voice though, man. Come on. This. This is some quiet storm. Now this.

[Peter]

I'm getting this for the jukebox.

[Don Rosenberg]

Hell yeah. Putting this in the. In the old mix.

[Peter]

Although the jukebox did sort of catch on fire last week. So we have a little problem.

[Ethos Advertiser]

What happened?

[Don Rosenberg]

That's a problem.

[Peter]

Well, I wasn't home and Natalie called me. My manager is an idiot and calls me when I'm on the air all the time. My wife never calls me when I'm on the air. And we were in mid segment on Monday or Tuesday, and I see Natalie calling and I don't answer and I text her and I'm just like, hey, are you okay? What's up? And she's like, there's a weird smell and I see smoke coming from the jukebox.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, boy. Unplug.

[Peter]

Yeah. So long story short, it sucks. I gotta now, like, continue to use it, but I can only use it, obviously, when Maya's not around it and keep a close eye on it the whole time so I can try to pinpoint where it's coming from. But, you know, this is an old machine. Essentially, you're dealing with a real mechanic machine from 1961. There's wires, there's all kinds of things in there.

[Don Rosenberg]

Fuse is probably right. Fuses. Yeah.

[Peter]

So a guy I know gave me some thoughts on where he thinks it may be coming from. But it's going to be a little bit of a process. So very frustrating.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, I know why it's smoking. Purple Rain's in there.

[Peter]

Purple Rain's not in there. The print songs that are in there are.

[Alan]

Wait a minute.

[Don Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Alan]

I don't even want to hear the list.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, I'm good.

[Alan]

Purple.

[Peter]

Why the Purple Rain's not in there?

[Alan]

Yeah, Purple Rain. No, I don't.

[Peter]

I don't like to listen to Purple Rain regularly.

[Alan]

What's the matter with you?

[Don Rosenberg]

Hi.

[Alan]

I don't.

[Peter]

I'm not in the mood to listen to Purple Rain. I listen to songs from Purple Rain, but not Purple Rain.

[Alan]

But that's that song on Purple Rain.

[Anthony]

No, it's not.

[Don Rosenberg]

I thought you meant, like, the whole CD is in there, but it's obviously too old to be a cd. No, no, I'm understanding now. This is not Purple Rain. Yes.

[Alan]

And the guitar solo.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, it's tremendous. You like When Doves Cry?

[Peter]

No, I'm not a When Doves Cry either.

[Don Rosenberg]

So what are you playing off?

[Peter]

I mean, I like When Doves Cry, but I don't listen.

[Don Rosenberg]

I have crazy.

[Peter]

I have. This is going to. Maybe this will be surprising. I don't know. It's just a song that I love.

[Alan]

I will die for you.

[Peter]

I would die for you.

[Don Rosenberg]

I like that song. That's very.

[Peter]

And so is Take Me with you.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's very good too.

[Alan]

That's good.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

The whole album is.

[Don Rosenberg]

But yeah, that's a no skip. But it's a no skip.

[Alan]

Purple Rain is epic.

[Don Rosenberg]

Even Computer Blue, you can like live through it. That's a good. That's a no skip album.

[Peter]

It's. It's one of the greatest albums now.

[Alan]

Well, what was the biggest hit on the album?

[Don Rosenberg]

Let's Go Crazy.

[Peter]

No, I don't know.

[Alan]

I will Die.

[Peter]

No, it's When Doves Cry.

[Alan]

You think when does that.

[Don Rosenberg]

When does cry did it go? It charted higher.

[Peter]

I don't know about.

[Don Rosenberg]

I thought it was the first one released. I didn't know if it higher.

[Peter]

It's very possible.

[Don Rosenberg]

Let's go crazy everywhere. That's the problem.

[Alan]

Possible.

[Peter]

Let's Go Crazy could have charted higher at the time, wouldn't that be? I don't think so. But I'll tell you this. But in terms of lasting the test of time, in terms of how often you hear it, I would say it's not even close. When Doves Cry.

[Alan]

And Darling Nikki's on there too.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Peter]

Oh, that's right.

[Alan]

As a. What was it? A 16 year old listening to that song. Yeah, it really gave me visions of the future.

[Don Rosenberg]

Another great cover by Firefighters.

[Peter]

Didn't turn out to be your future, but so much.

[Don Rosenberg]

Just to say it again. Another great cover by Foo Fighters. Yeah, that's a good. That's a good, tremendous cover by them.

[Alan]

Rain Man.

[Don Rosenberg]

Juke not in it.

[Peter]

No.

[Alan]

That's why it's burning.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's crying.

[Peter]

I miss.

[Alan]

I love purple.

[Peter]

I'll give it a run. Sometimes I. I keep my Prince 45s in a little thing like right near the jukebox. I have like all of them together. It's like 35 records.

[Alan]

Like.

[Peter]

All right, next.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm gonna take a risk now. And I know you're. You're either going to like be on my side or you're gonna once again come down on me for just being a hack.

[Peter]

Okay, it's all there.

[Don Rosenberg]

Where do you stand on Money don't matter tonight?

[Peter]

I don't stop. It's not ringing a bell to me.

[Alan]

I don't know that one either.

[Don Rosenberg]

Prince.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Money don't matter to Me. You don't know that song.

[Peter]

Prince and the New Power Generation. This is from it.

[Don Rosenberg]

I. It's one of my favorite Prince songs because it's just, like, soulful. It's really good.

[Peter]

It's from Diamonds and Pearls.

[Alan]

Yes.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't.

[Ethos Advertiser]

Little Later Prince.

[Peter]

I don't know.

[Don Rosenberg]

So you don't know. You don't know that record? Oh, it's a good record.

[Peter]

I'm not like a Prince savant or anything.

[Don Rosenberg]

Doesn't this be. But it's like the story he tells.

[Alan]

It's.

[Don Rosenberg]

He tells three little stories about, like, the chase for money. And it's just such a great song.

[Alan]

Now, where do you come down on the worst Prince song? It's between the Batman theme.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Peter]

Bat Dance.

[Alan]

The Bat Dance. And Raspberry Beret.

[Don Rosenberg]

I kind of like Raspberry Beret. I don't hate that.

[Peter]

Wait, wait, wait. Are you. You have Raspberry Ray is bad.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't. I don't.

[Peter]

Oh, that's top five print songs for me.

[Alan]

Top five.

[Peter]

I love Raz. I love Raspberry.

[Don Rosenberg]

Raspberry Ray is good. I wouldn't go top five.

[Alan]

Five.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm in between both of you. Then on this one. You hate Raspberry Beret Dance is awful. But there are worst Prince songs.

[Alan]

Is the worst.

[Rich Eisen]

But.

[Alan]

But you.

[Peter]

Is that a common thing that people hate Raspberry Beret?

[Alan]

I don't know. I. I don't. I didn't take it. Just tell him.

[Peter]

But, Alan, didn't he say it?

[Rich Eisen]

As if.

[Don Rosenberg]

Of course I did.

[Alan]

I'm a little surprised you guys are that high on.

[Peter]

I love raspberry. It's super corny because the thing just hits.

[Alan]

I just love it.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm being told. I get it.

[Rich Eisen]

You know what?

[Peter]

Let me be a reason. Let me be a reasonable friend for a moment. I get it. It's like Ballard and Billy Joel. I get it. I just happen to love it. I see why it's cheeseball. I just love it. Okay, I'm with you.

[Don Rosenberg]

This one we're talking about.

[Alan]

Dance your ass.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, no, that. That's one where even he's like, what was I doing?

[Alan]

I mean, that would. That was a cash grab, right?

[Peter]

Oh, you said, do you want it? They said, you want to do the theme song to the new Batman. He was like, yeah, it sounds good.

[Alan]

Did I put in as little effort as possible? Does that. That's the. Like the. Why am I from. From the Rat Pack. See, that's. It's. It's late in the day.

[Don Rosenberg]

All right, you hang on that we'll say. Marinate it. We have ENN coming up. That's your ace.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Don Hahn]

Hear more of Don, Alan and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.