Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – NFL Week 18 Deep Dive

Episode Air Date: January 3, 2026
Summary by ESPN New York – Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Ty Butler, Jake Asman

Overview of the Episode

This episode dives into the crucial moments and forecasts of NFL Week 18, college football shakeups, playoff scenarios, and coaching dynamics. With the familiar wit and energy of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg crew, the discussion moves seamlessly between deep sports analysis and authentic New York sports banter, touching on the changing College Football Playoff structure, NFL playoff implications, and NBA/NHL updates. Key topics included: whether playoff byes help or hurt teams, speculation on Steelers coaching changes, the pros and cons of current Super Bowl contenders, and dramatic changes in college football power rankings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Football Playoff Format: Byes Taking a Toll

[00:14–02:08]

• They highlight that under the expanded playoff, only 1 of 7 teams with a first-round bye have won, raising concerns about fairness and timing.
  • "There hasn't been an advantage for getting a bye." – Ty Butler [00:28]
  • “It’s not your typical bye... I like having 12 potentially in, but I don’t like the long layoff.” – Jake Asman [01:01]
• The effect of multiple weeks off between last regular season game and first playoff action is seen as creating rust, rather than rest, for top seeds.
• Hosts think the scheduling gap should be tightened for a fairer competition.

2. NFL Week 18 – High Stakes and Uncertainties

a. Steelers – Ravens, Tomlin’s Future

[02:08–03:43]

• Steelers are seen as resilient at home, with hosts appreciating Mike Tomlin as an underdog coach, but pondering what comes if they fail.
  • “If the Steelers miss the playoffs... DK Metcalf is going to be a big reason as to why.” – Ty Butler [02:50]
  • “If they lose and we are to believe Tomlin’s gone... how’s [Rodgers’] path to staying with the Steelers?” – Jake Asman [03:21]

b. Head Coaching Successions and Saban Tree

[03:43–04:16]

• Fascination with sustained success of Nick Saban and his former assistants’ dominance in NCAA head coaching roles.
• Alabama going outside the Saban coaching tree with Kaylin DeBoer seen as a calculated gamble.

c. Seahawks–49ers and Sam Darnold’s Redemption

[04:22–04:48]

• Discussion on rooting for Sam Darnold, who finds himself in another high-stakes game, and believing he may finally gain redemption.
  • “For him, it’d be cool to see him play well and get that redemption after he stunk it up... when he was with the Vikings against Detroit last year.” – Ty Butler [04:36]

d. 49ers and Bucs–Panthers Playoff Math

[06:55–07:53]

• Niners are seen as favorites, but the spread seems off due to injury questions.
  • “Brock Purdy is coming off maybe the best game he’s ever played... Shanahan is an excellent coach. I think he’s the coach of the year.” – Jake Asman [07:09]
• The decline of the Bucs after Baker Mayfield’s injury examined.
  • “Not too long ago... Baker Mayfield was in the MVP conversation... ever since [his] shoulder injury he hasn’t been the same.” – Jake Asman [07:21]

3. NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat and Changing Staffs

[09:00–09:24]

• Discussion of frequent OC changes plaguing Tampa (“How many years in a row are they going to get their offensive coordinator plucked to be a head coach?” – Ty Butler [09:00])
• Philly’s struggles after losing key coordinators highlighted, drawing comparisons to other organizations.

4. Super Bowl Projections – Who’s Got the Edge?

[09:29–12:24]

• Free-flowing predictions (subject to change!):

  • “Houston Texans. That defense travels... with C.J. Stroud and company will go Texans in the AFC... Rams vs. Texans. The Super Bowl.” – Ty Butler [09:44]
  • “I’m going to go with Philly in the NFC because people keep trying to sell me on their downfall. Here’s what I know about the Eagles: they’ve been to three of the last Super Bowls, that quarterback-coach combination works.” – Jake Asman [10:27]

• Discussion about pedigree, what it means to “bet on the jersey,” and how playoff seeding swings make predictions hard.

  • “You’re betting on the pedigree.” – Ty Butler [11:33]
  • “If it said Alabama on their jerseys... we’d be like, that’s clearly the best team. You’re just banking on the Eagles turning it up.” – Ty Butler [11:35]

• Jake Asman goes bold: “I’m picking whoever wins Sunday night to win the AFC.” [12:09]

  • “Wow. So Sam Darnold could be a Super Bowl champion.” – Ty Butler [12:13]

5. Callers and Classic Knicks-NHL Banter

[16:09–18:30]

• Listener Richard in Manhattan draws parallels between the current Knicks and D’Antoni-era Knicks: “No defense. When are you going to start playing defense, fellas? They're giving up 150...” [16:13]
• Richard spotlights Mikal Bridges: “Ten games in a row... do you know how many foul shots he's attempted? ...Zero.” [16:43]
• Commentary on Hall of Fame representation from Giants and Knicks teams; praise for Indiana football’s rags-to-riches turnaround with Signetti.
  • “This is the greatest rags to riches story since the New York Mets in 69.” – Richard [17:24]
  • “What’s amazing about [Signetti], he’s been around... the first thing he says is I win. Google me. And to talk that talk and back it up... it’s unbelievable.” – Jake Asman [18:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There hasn't been an advantage for getting a bye.” – Ty Butler [00:28]
• “It's not your typical bye... I don’t like the long layoff... So something's not right with the system.” – Jake Asman [01:01]
• “If the Steelers miss the playoffs and we're going to focus on Tomlin and Rogers, DK Metcalf is going to be a big reason as to why.” – Ty Butler [02:50]
• “There are times where he'll have a punchline on his morning show... I was right there. Rick and I share a brain.” – Jake Asman [15:02]
• “This is the greatest rags to riches story since the New York Mets in 69...” – Richard (caller) [17:24]
• “It’d be cool to see [Sam Darnold] play well and get that redemption after he stunk it up in this battle for the one seed game.” – Ty Butler [04:36]
• “I’m picking whoever wins Sunday night to win the AFC.” – Jake Asman [12:09]

Segment Timestamps for Reference

• [00:14–02:08] College Football Playoff format, byes and scheduling disadvantages
• [02:08–03:43] Steelers-Ravens, Tomlin's Job Security, Rodgers' future
• [03:43–04:16] Saban's Coaching Tree in CFB
• [04:22–04:48] Seahawks-49ers, Sam Darnold's redemption arc
• [06:55–07:53] 49ers/Brock Purdy potential, Bucs decline, Baker Mayfield injury
• [09:00–09:24] Coaches on the hot seat, Philly and Tampa staff turnover
• [09:29–12:24] Super Bowl predictions and playoff seeding debates
• [16:09–18:30] Fan calls: Knicks defense, Mikal Bridges' free throws, Eli Hall of Fame, Indiana football
• [18:14–19:05] Curt Cignetti's turnaround of Indiana football

Episode Tone & Energy

High-energy, passionate sports debate with authentic New York attitude. The tone is lively, humorous, and peppered with sharp insights and playful jabs, making it both informative and entertaining for hard-core fans and casual listeners alike.

For those who missed it:
This episode is packed with sharp NFL and CFB analysis, strong predictions, and lively banter—ideal for fans wanting a read-in on this monumental sports weekend without having to sit through sponsor breaks or the full broadcast.