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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

"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)

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.