Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Hour 4: TNF Picks — September 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode brings together ESPN New York voices Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg for the show's signature blend of sports banter, inside jokes, and bold predictions. The trio addresses upcoming NFL games with their Thursday Night Football (TNF) picks, delves into creative show punishments for failed picks, debates NFC odds, and takes energetic calls from fans. The episode is punctuated with the personalities’ trademark wit, friendly ribbing, and insightful sports commentary—perfect for NY sports enthusiasts and anyone who loves football season energy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Punishments: “Clown Show” Bets (00:54–04:35)

• Listener David calls in to resurrect the “clown show” punishment for last-place pickers, suggesting the loser of NFL picks should dress as a traditional clown—think Bozo, not Joker—and become internet meme fodder.

  • The gang laughs about the idea's viral potential: “Like the videos from the show that day will be you... Full on clown, full clown outfit, man.” (C, 02:00)
  • Social media and real-life implications are debated, with Alan noting, “For a negotiated period of time, your face in clown makeup, your avatar on Twitter for like a month.” (A, 04:04)
  • The crew settles on a week for the Twitter avatar as a fair balance.
  • Alan jokes about being at a different stage in his life, questioning whether he’d go as far as getting another tattoo, only for Don to tease that he was planning to update his show tattoo anyway.

• Purpose: These punishments are supposed to motivate participants to win and give fans something to look forward to, moving beyond soft penalties: “It’s a punishment. It motivates you to win. It gets the fans excited that the loser had to do something.” (A, 04:17)

2. Punishment Debates: “Whopper-gate” and Restaurant Challenges (06:11–09:34)

• Rehashing the infamous incident where Michael K almost threw up eating a Whopper as a “penalty.” The crew questions whether Michael's disgust was real or performative.

  • Peter: “No human could feel that delicious, delicious mayonnaise slathered meat in their mouth...” (C, 06:49)
  • Alan confesses his dislike for mayo, but acknowledges, “On a burger, you take that mayonnaise and ketchup together...” (A, 07:00)

• New Punishment Idea: Producer Anthony suggests the popular “24-hour in a restaurant” punishment, where your time is reduced based on how much you eat.

  • Peter dismisses the idea for health reasons: “I'm going to kickboxing every day with arthritic knees—throw it all away like that?” (A, 08:26)
  • They joke about the grim prospect of such an unhealthy challenge—“All of a sudden just kill... Die two days later.” (D/C, 08:42–08:44)
  • Health update: Peter shares he doesn’t need surgery for his torn meniscus, just optional care. (C, 08:57)

3. Thursday Night Football (TNF) Picks: Cowboys vs. Eagles (11:43–14:43)

• Alan’s Three-Point Play: Alan throws his full weight behind Dallas covering the +8.5 spread against Philadelphia:

  • “My three point play, the Dallas Cowboys cover the eight and a half.” (A, 12:31)
  • Admits it’s risky to pick the opener but feels most confident here.
  • Don supports the logic: “The Eagles have no idea what the Cowboys offense is going to look like... It's a new play caller. It's a new system... They do have a decent running game. Dak is healthy.” (D, 13:04)
  • Emphasizes that the wider world may underestimate the Cowboys due to last season’s injuries, especially since Dak Prescott plays well early in seasons: “It's a business decision... One thing Dak does... you know, plays well against the Eagles and he plays well to start seasons. It’s usually he fades more in the second half.” (A, 13:30–13:41)

• Peter’s Skepticism: Notes how weird and awkward week one divisional games can be, but doesn’t hate Alan’s pick.

  • “These games are always awkward. They play weird games... like a Super Bowl. Like it's an awkward stop and start.” (C, 14:12)

4. NFC Odds and “Disrespect” (15:07–16:14)

• Brief discussion on NFC championship odds seen on TV during the break:
  • Peter realizes his “Commies” (Commanders) are ranking below teams like the 49ers, Packers, Lions, and Eagles.
  • “You really want everybody picking you?” (A, 15:28)
  • The group discusses why odds reflect not just team strength but schedules and divisions, referencing San Francisco’s “cakewalk” schedule compared to Washington’s. (E, 16:18–16:43)

5. More Listener Calls: Odds, Drops, Food Banter, Tennis (16:14–20:35)

• Danny from Long Island offers insight into how betting odds are set, underscoring the impact of divisional competition and schedule difficulty.
• Callback to “drop madness” and Peter’s colorful description of Whopper-gate: “That delicious, delicious mayonnaise slathered meat in their mouth.” (C, 17:09)
• Richard in Manhattan: Asks about the Yankees’ franchise value, then shifts to US Open tennis:
  • Richard highlights Amanda Anisimova's upset over Iga Swiatek, and storylines involving Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic, and the incredible atmosphere and drama of this year’s tournament.
  • “Djokovic versus Alcaraz. Gotta go for 20,000 tomorrow... This is some unbelievable US Open...” (G, 19:12–20:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Punishments:

  • Alan: “You'd have to dress up like a clown for the clown show.” (A, 01:45)
  • Peter: “No, you have to be clown.” (C, 02:15)
  • Don: “Gotta be, like, like Bozo.” (D, 02:16)
  • Alan: “[Michael K’s Whopper moment]... it's a punishment. It motivates you to win. It gets the fans excited that the loser had to do something.” (A, 04:17)

• Food Antics:

  • Peter (on Michael K and the Whopper): “No human could feel that delicious, delicious mayonnaise slathered meat in their mouth.” (C, 06:49)
  • Alan: “I not love it. I hate mayonnaise.” (A, 06:55)

• Football Picks:

  • Alan: “My three point play, the Dallas Cowboys cover the eight and a half.” (A, 12:31)
  • Don: “The Eagles have no idea what the Cowboys offense is going to look like... It's a new play caller. It's a new system... Dak, historically against the Eagles, does well.” (D, 13:04)

• Odds & Disrespect:

  • Peter: “You really want everybody picking you?” (A, 15:28)
  • Alan: “It’s a business decision that I'm making.” (A, 13:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Show Punishment Debate (Clown Show): 00:54–04:35
• Whopper-Gate and Restaurant Challenge Discussions: 06:11–09:34
• Health & Surgery Update (Peter’s Knee): 08:57–09:34
• TNF Three-Point Play (Cowboys +8.5): 11:43–14:43
• NFC Odds and “Disrespect”: 15:07–16:14
• Listener Danny (Betting Odds Logic): 16:14–16:54
• Listener Richard (Yankees Value and US Open Tennis): 18:11–20:35

Tone & Style

The episode lives in the fun, fast-paced, slightly irreverent zone: playful, opinionated, and always teasing the line between fan banter and serious (if never too serious) analysis. The hosts keep things sharp with inside jokes, lively debates, and good-natured ribbing, making it highly entertaining for anyone plugged into New York sports culture.

Bottom Line:
Whether you want NFL picks, locker-room-style punishments, or deep-dives into tennis and fast food, this episode is a whirlwind of New York sports talk—full of memorable moments and classic DHR energy.