Exciting Mics Ep. 23 Summary

Episode: Eagles WIN vs Raiders, Playoff Picture, Commanders Preview & More
Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Cooper DeJean & Reed Blankenship
Podcast: Exciting Mics

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode captures the exhilarating atmosphere after the Eagles' dominant shutout win against the Raiders. Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship dive into the details of the game, celebrate milestones, discuss playoff scenarios, preview the upcoming matchup against the Commanders, and share personal/fan moments. Their laid-back, candid chemistry and firsthand locker room insights make this episode both insightful and entertaining—especially for passionate Eagles fans eager for playoff success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: Eagles vs. Raiders – A Historic Dominant Win

• The Win: The Eagles beat the Raiders with a shutout, holding them to only 75 total yards—the fewest allowed by the franchise since 1955.
  • Cooper (02:37): “Held him zero points and 75 yards. It’s the fewest amount of yards allowed since 1955 by an Eagles defense.”
• Full-Team Performance: Offense, defense, and special teams all excelled, providing the kind of “complete game” they’ve been working towards.
• Raw Stats:
  • Offense: Scored 31 points with a balanced attack.
  • Defense: Four sacks, only 39 snaps played by the starting unit.
• Cold Weather Challenge: Both note it was possibly the coldest game they’ve played, but agree snow makes it “a little more fun” if you’re winning.

2. Team Mindset & Playoff Picture

• Vibes Returning: The team is energized by the win, especially after dealing with “outside noise” during harder weeks.
• Focus: Emphasizes taking things week-by-week, not looking too far ahead despite the now-pressing playoff race.
• Playoff Math: With the Cowboys' loss to the Vikings, the Eagles need just one more win to clinch the division.
  • Reed (08:18): “With the Cowboys losing to the Vikings, the magic number to clinch the division is one game.”
• No Repeat Champs Since 2004: Motivation to break the NFC East “no repeat champions” streak.

3. Defensive Prowess & Celebrating Standout Performers

• Big Plays:
  • Zach Baun’s interception (start of second half) named “Citizens Play That Mattered Most."
    • Cooper (10:18): “They were kind of driving it on us a little bit, and Zach comes up with a pick and stops them…Big moment.”
• Game Balls:
  • Brandon Graham (BG): Oldest Eagle to record two sacks in a first half. “The old man still got it.”
  • Dallas Goedert: 70 yards, 2 touchdowns, possible club record for consecutive games with certain stats.
  • Jalen Hurts: Three touchdown passes.
  • The defense as a whole: “Hold a team to 75 yards and a shutout…Crazy.” (12:15)

4. Locker Room Fun, Fan Culture & Off-Field Highlights

• Team Banter: Playful ribbing after an on-field post-play scuffle—“Would you just have too much testosterone going in this game or something, bro?” (Cooper, 09:24)
• Notable Fan Moment: Shoutout to the fan who tailgated in a hot tub in the freezing weather. “I’ve never seen a hot tub at a tailgate.” (Cooper, 12:55)
• Say Cheese Segment: Fans send in lookalike photos, with special merch for the best resemblance (Max wins for looking like Cooper). Good-natured jokes about Reed not having a convincing lookalike.

5. Upcoming: Commanders Preview

• Strange Schedule: Back-to-back games against NFC East rivals, playing the Commanders twice in three weeks.
• Commanders’ QB Switch: Jaden Daniels shut down; Marcus Mariota, a former Eagle and experienced vet, will start.
  • Reed (22:35): “They’ll be starting Marcus Mariota, former Heisman Trophy winner and former Philadelphia Eagle. Good dude.”
• Scouting Report: Commanders broke their losing streak, have talented receivers and backs, and always play tough.
• Focus: Preparation—“Nothing different needs to go in this. We need to treat it just like any other game, obviously, regardless of who it is.” (Cooper, 23:36)

6. Personal & Holiday Traditions

• Favorite Christmas Traditions:
  • Cooper: Family gatherings at grandparents’ house, games, presents, “slumber party” with cousins. (29:27)
  • Reed: Christmas Eve brunch with family.
• Best Childhood Gifts: Cooper—trampoline; Reed—received a 4-wheeler, believed for years that a “crack on the fender” was caused by Rudolph. (30:42)
• Favorite Christmas Movies/Songs:
  • Cooper: Home Alone and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey) (32:27, 33:11)
  • Reed: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “Wonderful Christmas”

7. Fan Q&A: Supporting Young Athletes

• Heartfelt Question: Trisha, a single mom who lost her husband, asks how to support her football-playing son as he heads to high school ball.
• Advice:
  • Cooper (38:56): “Just be there and support… It’s always cool to look up in the stands and see her there…brings a sense of calmness.”
  • Reed (39:55): “My mom would always come in and support, and always say, like, I’m here for you…The most important thing is just being there and communicating.”
• Emotional Moment: Trisha shares how Eagles football has helped her son with grief, and appreciates the reassurance that being present is enough.

8. Bonus: “Exciting Fits” Fashion Segment

• Hosts and teammates’ snow-game outfits get critiqued.
• Cooper (26:45): “This might have been my best fit of the season so far.”
• Always a lighthearted ego battle about who brings the “best fit” to game day.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On defensive dominance:

  • "Held him zero points and 75 yards. It’s the fewest amount of yards allowed since 1955 by an Eagles defense." (Cooper, 02:37)

• On team atmosphere post-win:

  • "Feels good to be back in the win column, you know, where we need to be… a lot of outside noise." (Cooper, 04:41)

• On playoff focus:

  • "We just gotta go out there and do our job. Obviously winning the division is one of your first goals." (Reed, 08:45)

• On standout players (BG):

  • "It’s the oldest Eagles player or oldest player to record two sacks in the first half of a game." (Cooper, 11:13)

• On supporting your kids in sports:

  • "Just be there and support is a huge thing.” (Cooper, 38:56)
  • “Even though she hated…seeing me get tackled…she always supported me…Just let them know that you’re there and just talk to them. Communicate’s the biggest thing.” (Reed, 39:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Game Recap, Defensive Dominance | 02:31–09:10 | | Playoff Picture, NFC East Stakes | 06:28–09:14 | | Citizens Play That Mattered: Baun Interception| 10:04–10:41 | | Game Balls & Notable Records | 11:01–12:22 | | Fan Culture: Hot Tub Tailgate | 12:31–13:06 | | "Say Cheese" Fan Lookalikes | 13:20–16:13 | | Commanders Preview | 20:33–24:14 | | Favorite Holiday Traditions & Gifts | 29:21–31:51 | | Fan Q&A: Supporting Football Kids | 38:18–41:37 |

Episode Tone & Energy

• Fun & Relatable: Cooper and Reed’s chemistry is effortless—they needle each other, joke about “too much testosterone” on game day, debate holiday movies/songs, and riff on their game day fits.
• Candid & Supportive: The show balances banter with heart, especially evident in the emotional Q&A with Trisha.
• Insightful for Fans: Listeners get insider perspectives on the grind (recovery, preparation, playoff focus), locker room culture, and the human side of being an NFL athlete.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with:

• A clear sense of how and why the Eagles dominated the Raiders.
• Inside perspective on season momentum and the upcoming playoff race.
• Locker room stories, defensive highlights, and off-field traditions that make this team unique.
• Fan engagement, touching family moments, and a playful, brotherly tone throughout.

Final Word:
A feel-good, hype-filled episode that brings you right into the Eagles’ locker room and the heart of Philly sports culture, with humor, heart, and real-life insight from two of the city’s newest stars.

Go Birds!