PTI Podcast Summary — "Are the Patriots the Real Deal?"

Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon

Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon dive into the New England Patriots’ stunning turnaround, analyze the legitimacy of quarterback Drake May and coach Mike Vrabel, discuss the MVP races in baseball—highlighting Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani—and preview high-stakes NFL and college football matchups. The show is lively, humorous, and rooted in deep sports knowledge and banter between two seasoned broadcasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are the Patriots the Real Deal?

[00:50 – 04:06]

• Patriots' Hot Streak: New England secures its eighth straight win, improving to a league-best 9-2 after defeating the Jets 27-14.
• Drake May’s Emergence:
  • Completed first 11 passes, finished 25-of-34 for 281 yards, 1 TD, no interceptions.
  • Wilbon: "Highly, Tony. Highly. I'm not at the top. ... I have them trending upward, but not at the top." [01:38]
  • Kornheiser impressed: “He was very calm in the pocket. He didn’t throw the ball 100 miles an hour. He seemed to float it most of the time, but it always reached the receiver, and the receiver was always open.” [02:44]
• Vrabel’s Impact:
  • From 8-26 over the last two years to 9-2 now.
  • "That’s Mike Vrabel. They’re going to make the playoffs. They're likely going to win their division, right?" [02:44]
• Skepticism Remains:
  • Wilbon points to a weaker schedule, but credits wins over Tampa and Buffalo.
  • Wants to see the Patriots against tougher remaining opponents: Buffalo and Baltimore.

Notable Quote

“Mike, it’s a stunning turnaround because it’s unexpected…” –Tony Kornheiser [03:35]

2. MVP Awards Go to Judge and Ohtani

[05:08 – 08:20]

• Aaron Judge wins AL MVP, Ohtani takes NL MVP (unanimously for the 4th time).
• Voter Preferences & Criteria:
  • Judge’s victory over Cal Raleigh reflects voters' focus on advanced stats like OPS, even though Raleigh led in HRs and RBIs.
  • “The voters here, the baseball people are not romantic English literature majors like I was. ... They looked at these numbers hard and they saw Judge’s OPS and they said we don't see stuff like this all the time. So we're voting for him.” –Tony [05:39]
  • Ohtani’s two-way dominance never seen before—unquestionable all-time status.
• Position Importance:
  • Wilbon: “Catcher trumps all those other things that Judge did better. Not only do I not have any problem with anybody voting for Judge, I understand it… One guy catches, that's tremendously harder than anything else…” [06:58]
• Historical Context:
  • Ohtani compared to Babe Ruth, with more time both pitching and hitting in a season.

Notable Quote

“Ohtani has put in more time pitching and hitting in the same year than Ruth ever did.” –Tony Kornheiser [06:28]

3. Chiefs-Broncos: A Must Win for KC?

[08:20 – 11:11]

• Playoff Implications: Booger McFarland called it a "must win" for Kansas City.
• Wilbon:
  • Shifting towards agreeing: “It’s not an absolute must, it’s damn near.” [09:35]
  • Emphasizes the crowded AFC playoff race: Steelers, Chargers, Bills, Patriots.
• Kornheiser:
  • Stresses that KC doesn’t need to win the division but must secure a playoff spot—10 wins is likely necessary.
  • “They are an experienced, veteran team. It’s not curtains for them if they go on the road in the playoffs…” [09:35]
• Favorable Schedule: Both agree KC will be favored in many remaining games, but a win over Denver eases their path.

Notable Quote

“It would be an easier path if they win this game against Denver. But it’s so hard to win.” – Michael Wilbon [10:36]
“Andy Reid’s lifetime record coming off a bye is 22 and 4 and 6 and 1 with Mahomes. So I do think they're going to win this game at Denver, but I don’t think it’s a must.” – Tony Kornheiser [10:57]

4. Toss Up: More Intriguing NFL Matchup—Seahawks-Rams or Lions-Eagles?

[13:09 – 15:20]

• Tony: Picks Lions-Eagles for storylines: “Philadelphia is the defending super bowl champion. ... the team that wins this game would ascend to number one in the NFC.” [13:16]
• Wilbon: Surprises with preference for Seahawks-Rams due to quarterback play: “Sam Darnold is putting it down there like Terry Bradshaw. ... I’m excited to see that game because it’s sort of a throwback.” [14:12]

Notable Quote

“It’s more of a throwback to the old AFL than it is to the NFL.” – Tony Kornheiser [15:20]

5. SEC Showdowns: Most Likely Upset?

[15:27 – 17:17]

• Alabama (vs. Oklahoma) or Georgia (vs. Texas): Who's more likely to lose?
• Tony: Leans Georgia, “because I think that Texas is better than Oklahoma this year.” [15:34]
• Wilbon: Picks Alabama to be more threatened but notes both Texas and Oklahoma are “punching up in their weight class.”

Notable Quote

“These are the exact games we wanted when... the SEC stole Texas and Oklahoma... This is it. Georgia and Alabama have won five of the last ten national championships. So this is referendum weekend. Buckle up everybody.” – Tony Kornheiser [16:27]

Additional Notable Moments & Quotes

On Michael Lewis (the football player)

[20:26 – 21:38]

• “He played flag football, indoor football, Arena League... the Saints signed him and now he’s in their Hall of Fame. But he didn’t write Moneyball. The other Michael Lewis did.” – Tony Kornheiser [21:05]

Dick Butkus's Unforgettable Extra Point

[21:38 – 22:44]

• Wilbon on NFL films’ description:
  “He authored the most sustained work of devastation ever committed on any field of sport anywhere, anytime.” [22:16]

Engaging Banter & Tone

• The banter is witty, fast-paced, and packed with references both contemporary and historical.
• Both hosts relish poking fun at each other's allegiances—Bears, Northwestern, old-school baseball stats, and more.
• “You never touch guac.” – Michael Wilbon, after Tony jokes about spicy guacamole and OnlyFans (opening) [00:46]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Patriots/Drake May Segment: [00:50 – 04:06]
• Judge/Ohtani MVP Segment: [05:08 – 08:20]
• Chiefs-Broncos Must Win? [08:20 – 11:11]
• NFL Toss-Up (Seahawks/Rams, Lions/Eagles): [13:09 – 15:20]
• SEC College Football Showdowns: [15:27 – 17:17]
• Quick Hits/Happy Time: [20:26 – 22:44]

Summary for Listeners

• The Patriots’ dramatic ascent is real—though their strength of schedule will determine whether they are a true Super Bowl contender.
• Drake May looks poised and effective under Mike Vrabel’s regime. The upcoming games against better teams will be the real test.
• Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani’s MVPs reflect both traditional and modern analytics reasoning among voters. Ohtani is now in a league of his own historically.
• This NFL weekend is loaded: Watch both the NFC showdowns and see if Kansas City can right its campaign in a challenging AFC.
• In college football, Texas and Oklahoma's entrance into the SEC makes for the exact matchups fans craved in 2023 conference realignment.
• The hosts blend sharp analysis with nostalgia, humor, and the unique candor that defines PTI.

Recommended if You Like:
Savvy, heartfelt debates about current sports (especially NFL and MLB), sharp historical context, and the iconic Wilbon-Kornheiser dynamic.