PTI Podcast Summary – December 3, 2025

Episode: Are the Patriots the BEST team in the NFL?

Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Jeff Saturday

Overview

On this episode of Pardon The Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon kick off with the hot topic of whether the New England Patriots are truly the best team in the NFL after their 11th win, a sharp turnaround from last season’s poor record. The discussion also covers the physical toll of football with insights into Giants QB Jackson Dart, MLB trade speculation around Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, and a lively appearance from ESPN's Jeff Saturday who breaks down the NFL’s best offensive lines and the future for Aaron Rodgers. The show wraps with quick reactions to NBA storylines and a few notable sports anniversaries.

Main Discussion Points

Are the Patriots Actually the Best Team in the NFL?

[01:02–04:10]

• Wilbon's Take: He’s not convinced the Patriots are the best team despite their 11-2 record. Instead, he groups them with Denver, Seattle, his own Bears, the LA Rams, and San Francisco, pointing to Denver’s impressive wins and New England’s favorable schedule.

  “There’s a clump, a little cluster of teams… one of the teams I would put right with the Patriots, if not a hair above, is Denver, who I believe have beaten Kansas City and Philadelphia this season. …Strength of schedule puts Denver above New England, if anything.” (Wilbon, 01:41)

• Tony’s View: Sees the Patriots as the most surprising team, not the best. He points out their wins are largely against inferior opposition, with only three victories against teams with a current winning record. But he acknowledges their solid coach and QB as reasons for potential optimism.

  "Their schedule is ranked as the easiest schedule in the NFL so far. They've only beaten three teams that right now have a winning record. ... But they have the two most important positions covered. In New England they got a coach and they got a quarterback. That's what matters." (Tony, 03:07–04:10)

Is Hard-Hitting Football Just “Part of the Game”? Jackson Dart’s Ordeal

[04:10–07:01]

• Context: Giants rookie QB Jackson Dart took a punishing hit after refusing to step out of bounds, following a recent concussion absence.

  Dart postgame: "I played this way my whole entire life. We're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit. It's just part of the game." (04:38)

• Tony: Supports Dart’s warrior mentality but warns that protecting yourself is essential for longevity.

  "A quarterback is more important to his team by playing the entire game than by getting that particular extra yard. ... No great glory in having a three-year NFL career because you don't slide and you don't go out of bounds." (Tony, 05:22)

• Wilbon: Emphasizes that NFL-level violence is drastically different from high school and college, and young players must adapt or risk injury.

  "Just because you did it on Friday and Saturday doesn't mean it works on Sunday. ... The guys you were playing on Sunday ... they'll knock you out of the game. ... He better learn quickly." (Wilbon, 05:55)

MLB Offseason: Should Detroit Listen to Tarik Skubal Trade Offers?

[07:01–10:06]

• Situation: Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal’s contract talks are stalling due to a massive gap ($250M) between his demand and the Tigers' offer. Agent Scott Boras is known for bringing his clients to free agency.

• Wilbon: Detroit has to listen to offers because they risk losing Skubal for nothing—Boras's presence makes a pre-free agency deal unlikely.

  "If you think seriously he’s gonna walk and you can get something for him, you’ve got to listen. ... He's too valuable. He's too good. He could fetch a lot from somebody." (Wilbon, 07:44)

• Tony: Agrees, citing Boras’ track record and Skubal’s injury history as reasons for the Tigers to consider a trade rather than risk him departing with no return.

  “Scott Boras almost always takes his players into free agency. He almost never ... extends a contract. So, yeah, you know what? It stinks for the Tigers, it does. But you have to listen.” (Tony, 09:07)

Key Segment: Interview with Jeff Saturday

[11:52–18:16]

Which NFL Offensive Lines Stand Out?

[11:52–13:30]

• Jeff Saturday: Highlights Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, LA Rams, Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles as top O-line units, but notes this is the most unpredictable NFL season he's seen in years.

  "You really don't know what you're going to get. There's nobody who's just run away with this thing. Everybody seems beatable." (Jeff, 13:00)

Can Aaron Rodgers Still Play at an Elite Level?

[14:04–15:15]

• Jeff: Expresses doubt about Rodgers' ability to continue facing such physical punishment.

  "Not the way he's getting hit. … The blame's got to go on the defense [in Pittsburgh]; when that's where you hang your hat." (Jeff, 14:04)

The Jaguars’ Devon Hamilton as Emergency Long Snapper

[15:15–16:46]

• Jeff: Explains the pressure and precision required to step in as a long snapper mid-game and gives "mad respect" for Hamilton's effort.

  "When you got to step in and you hadn't been snapping, ... I cannot imagine ... mad respect because when you step in and do that, you got some guts about you." (Jeff, 16:30)

Why Are There So Few Offensive Linemen as Head Coaches?

[16:46–18:12]

• Jeff: O-linemen are team-focused, like to avoid the spotlight, and today's schemes favor QBs and offensive coordinators.

  "We don't want the attention. ... We love the game, we love the players. ... I just think we're so focused on team play. ... But listen, there's never a doubt O-line separate winners and losers." (Jeff, 17:13)

Memorable Quotes

• “No, they are not. I don't think of them as the best team in football. I think of them as the most surprising team in football.” — Tony Kornheiser (03:05)
• “Just because you did it on Friday and Saturday doesn’t mean it works on Sunday.” — Wilbon (05:55)
• “Scott Boras has a lot to do with this, who may or may not be the devil.” — Tony (08:40)
• “You really don't know what you're going to get. There's nobody who's just run away with this thing.” — Jeff Saturday (13:00)
• “We don’t want the attention. ... Offensive linemen, we don't do too well in doing that.” — Jeff Saturday (17:13)

Noteworthy Segments with Timestamps

• [01:02] Patriots’ Winning Streak & Best Team Debate
• [04:10] Jackson Dart’s Playing Style and NFL Violence
• [07:01] Tarik Skubal Trade Talk & Scott Boras' Influence
• [11:52] Jeff Saturday on Offensive Lines
• [14:04] Aaron Rodgers Longevity
• [15:15] Devon Hamilton’s Unexpected Long Snapping
• [16:46] O-linemen as Head Coaches

Quick Hits & Other Topics

• [21:01] Mark Kotsay’s birthday; his journey with the Athletics
• [22:06] Archie Griffin’s Heisman legacy and Big Ten greatness
• [23:11] Clippers’ struggles, Lakers’ loss, and Dillon Brooks vs. LeBron
  • "He likes people who bow down. I don't bow down." — Dillon Brooks' postgame quote (23:49)
• [24:07] “Big Finish” rapid-fire: College hoops, Serena Williams comeback rumors, Tiger Woods’ rehab, Thunder’s win streak

Tone & Style

The episode features the trademark PTI back-and-forth—fast, witty, direct with both playful ribbing and serious analysis. Jeff Saturday brings insightful, player-level perspective and keeps the conversation grounded in the realities of the locker room and trenches.

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Key Timestamps | |---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------| | Patriots: Best or Just Surprising? | NFL midseason analysis, skepticism about NE | 01:02–04:10 | | Jackson Dart & NFL Physicality | Player safety/mentality | 04:10–07:01 | | Tarik Skubal Trade Talk | MLB free agency/trade risk | 07:01–10:06 | | Jeff Saturday Interview | O-lines, Rodgers, position coaches | 11:52–18:12 | | Rapid-fire finishing topics | NBA, NCAA, tennis, golf | 21:01–25:15 |

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

This PTI delivers a sharp look at myths vs. substance in the NFL’s best team debate, the unforgiving nature of pro football, baseball’s high-stakes business maneuvering, and NFL insights you won’t get from analytics alone. If you’re looking for honest, unvarnished opinions on sports’ biggest stories—delivered with humor and expertise—this episode is a can’t-miss.