PTI Podcast Summary – “NFL Sunday matchups! Who are you taking?”
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Theme: A spirited rundown of this weekend’s top NFL games, plus crucial updates on MLB playoffs and college football. The hosts bring signature banter to game predictions, playoff teams, and player performances across multiple sports.
Main Theme & Purpose
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon debate the most compelling NFL Sunday matchups, discuss which teams are under the most pressure, and dig into key contests and playoff races in both MLB and college football. The show features their classic back-and-forth, mixing stats, history, and personal anecdotes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. MLB Pennant Races & Final Weekend Storylines
[01:00–04:35]
- Tony highlights late-season baseball drama: Tigers beat the Guardians, tying atop the AL Central; Mets edge out Cubs to cling to their NL wild card position; Dodgers clinch another division title.
- Wilbon is excited by the Detroit/Cleveland race, less so by wild card drama, and most interested in MLB’s home run chases (Judge, Schwarber, “the Big Dumper,” Shohei Ohtani).
- Wilbon [01:43]: "I may surprise you. I'm still interested in Detroit. Cleveland. ...I care about home runs. I want to see Judge, I want to see Schwarber, I want to see the Big Dumper and I want to see Shohei."
- Tony mirrors the home run sentiment, adding that Shohei Ohtani’s scoring feat would be historic.
- Tony [02:52]: "Hoping he scores six runs in three games, Mike, because that would get him to 150. ...Only the second time [since 1949] that's been done."
- They debate the psychology of division rivals "eliminating" each other, referencing past Bears-Packers history.
- Wilbon [04:34]: "You want to kill Cincinnati's chances?...The Bears had a chance to eliminate the Packers one year. ...You don't want to play a team in your division. If you can avoid it, kill them now."
2. NFL: Seahawks vs. Cardinals & Quarterback Evaluations
[04:55–08:06]
- Tony dissects the late-game Seahawks win over the Cardinals (23-20), emphasizing Kyler Murray’s mixed record and Sam Darnold’s resurgence.
- Tony [05:35]: "This Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are exhibits A and B about how terrible it is to be a quarterback at either the Jets or the Giants. ...The jets and the Giants kill quarterbacks."
- Wilbon points out the Cardinals' broader issues beyond QB, such as defense and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr’s struggles catching passes.
- Wilbon [07:23]: "He's not playing defense. ...I was glad to see Marvin Harrison... stop dropping passes that turn into interceptions."
- Both agree Seattle and Arizona are probably 3rd and 4th in their tough division, both possible wild card teams but not as good as the 49ers or Rams.
3. College Football: Previewing the Big Games
[08:07–11:29]
- Spotlight games: LSU at Ole Miss, Oregon at Penn State (whiteout), and Alabama at Georgia ("between the hedges").
- Wilbon picks Oregon-Penn State as the clear game of the weekend, being both a loyal Big Ten watcher and skeptical of Penn State in big spots.
- Wilbon [08:44]: "This is not close to me. Oregon and Penn State, I mean, that's my conference... Penn State, show me. I don't believe you."
- Tony agrees, noting Penn State's dismal record in marquee games under coach James Franklin, and plans to tune in.
- Tony [10:36]: "Against teams ranked in the top 10 [Franklin's] 4 and 20. ...Oregon's really good. So I don't have a lot of confidence that Penn State can win."
- Alabama-Georgia is dismissed as routine this year, given Bama’s down season.
4. NFL Toss Up: Ravens vs. Chiefs – Who Needs a Win More?
[14:15–16:22]
- Both teams enter Sunday’s matchup at 1-2.
- Tony originally leans Ravens, but flips after a closer look at the Chiefs’ tough upcoming schedule and the strength of the AFC West.
- Tony [14:21]: "Kansas City's upcoming schedule ... that's hard. So maybe in fact the Chiefs need it more."
- Wilbon goes all in on the Chiefs needing a win, citing division competitiveness.
- Wilbon [15:21]: "Chiefs need it more. It's not close... The division's too good. I don't think Kansas City's going to win the division anyway. They need to win now."
5. NFL Toss Up: Colts vs. Rams – Who's Favored?
[16:26–18:21]
- Vegas sets the Rams as favorites at home (-3.5).
- Both hosts think the Rams are the clearly stronger team despite the Colts' surprise start and Daniel Jones’ (Colts QB) apparent MVP-caliber play.
- Tony [16:33]: "The Rams should have beaten the Eagles on the road... They go home now with tremendous motivation... I believe the Rams will win this game."
- Wilbon [17:25]: "The Rams are a better team... this is a get back game. They will get this game at home."
- Discussion of the Rams' near-misses against Eagles this year and last.
6. Happy Time – Historic Baseball & NHL Injuries
[20:37–23:43]
- Tony pays tribute to 100-year-old former MVP Bobby Shantz [20:37], discusses classic Orioles pitching staff of 1971, and bemoans the Panthers’ (NHL) chances for a “three peat” given major injuries (Barkov, Tkachuk).
- Tony and Wilbon trade quips about the old-school stature of pitchers and favorite baseball announcers.
7. Quick Hits & Game Predictions
[24:22–25:28]
- Wilbon calls Commanders missing Jaden Daniels and McLaurin “a big deal.”
- No timeline for injured NBA stars Embiid and Paul George.
- Game picks:
- Eagles-Bucs: Wilbon picks Bucs for the upset [24:48].
- Titans-Texans: Both lean Houston [24:59].
- Aces vs. Lynx, Mercury: Wilbon likes the Aces away, Mercury at home [25:10].
Memorable Quotes
- Wilbon [01:43]: "I care about home runs. I want to see Judge, I want to see Schwarber, I want to see the Big Dumper and I want to see Shohei."
- Tony [05:35]: "Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are exhibits A and B about how terrible it is to be a quarterback at either the Jets or the Giants."
- Wilbon [08:44]: "Penn State, show me. I don't believe you."
- Tony [10:36]: "James Franklin against teams ranked in the top 10 is 4 and 20… So, I don't have a lot of confidence that Penn State can win this game."
- Wilbon [15:21]: "The Chiefs need it more. It's not close... The division's too good."
- Tony [16:33]: "It doesn't matter who I favor. It matters who Vegas favors."
- Wilbon [17:25]: "The Rams are a lot better team than the Colts."
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Baseball Playoff Races: 01:00–04:35
- Seahawks-Cardinals Recap & QB Debate: 04:55–08:06
- College Football Big Game Preview: 08:07–11:29
- NFL Toss Up - Ravens vs. Chiefs: 14:15–16:22
- NFL Toss Up - Colts vs. Rams: 16:26–18:21
- Happy Time (Baseball, NHL): 20:37–23:43
- Quick Game Picks & Wrap: 24:22–25:28
Overall Tone & Style
Classic PTI: energetic, competitive, data-driven debates mixed with nostalgia, comic relief, and playful ribbing. Both hosts balance optimism for their favorite teams and pointed skepticism, especially about teams that regularly come up short or face major roadblocks.
Anyone catching up after missing the episode will have a strong sense of not just the weekend’s top games, but why they matter, who’s under pressure, and the flavor of PTI’s sports conversation.