PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Should Joe Burrow Risk Playing in Week 12?
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Guest: Booger McFarland (ESPN NFL & College Football Analyst)

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon face off on the latest NFL controversies and NBA storylines, with a focus on the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback situation, whether the Cincinnati Bengals should risk playing Joe Burrow, and debate around the Dallas Mavericks' handling of Anthony Davis. ESPN’s Booger McFarland joins for “Five Good Minutes” to break down Week 12 in the NFL and the college football playoff landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Philadelphia Eagles' Frustrations with Jalen Hurts

[01:02–04:13]

• News Context: Reports emerged of frustration inside the Eagles organization with Jalen Hurts, specifically criticizing his reluctance to throw into tight windows.
• Wilbon’s Take:
  • Defends Hurts: “Any criticism, because last I checked, he's got a touchdown to turnover ratio of 16 to 1... His team's record is 8 and 2, which is the best in his conference.” [01:46]
  • “Anyone criticizing Hurts is loathsome—shut your mouths. Winning is the bar.” [02:10]
• Kornheiser’s Response:
  • More measured: “This is indeed a head scratcher... His record as a starting quarterback in Philadelphia is, hello, 54 and 22.” [02:58]
  • Argues many other top QBs don’t have Hurts’ winning record. “This guy wins big games. He manages big games.” [03:42]
• Notable Quotes:
  • Wilbon: “They don't even deserve him. I wish he could just walk the hell out on the whole thing.” [02:41]
  • Kornheiser: “Appreciate the fact that he seems like a great leader.” [04:03]

2. Bengals’ Quarterback Conundrum: Should Burrow Play?

[04:14–06:22]

• Situation: Joe Burrow is returning to practice after a turf toe injury; Joe Flacco has been productive but team performance lags.
• Tony’s Analysis:
  • Main issue is not QB play but the defense: “Joe Flacco has played five games. They've scored 148 points… the defense stinks.” [04:45]
  • On “risking” Burrow: “If he's 100% healthy, you put him in the game.” [05:02]
• Wilbon’s Take:
  • No dilemma: “They pay him $55 million a year on average. This is not hard. This is not a dilemma.” [05:43]
  • Franchise QB status and investment mean Burrow should play if healthy.
• Kornheiser adds:
  • “Joe Burrow has the highest completion percentage in the History of the NFL, 68.5.” [06:22]
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kornheiser: “If I were the Bengals and he was healthy, I'm putting him in the game. I'm not thinking twice about it.” [06:22]

3. NBA Spotlight: Should Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis?

[06:23–09:55]

• News Context: Reports swirl about Anthony Davis possibly being traded from Dallas; Mark Cuban denies.
• Wilbon’s Position:
  • Firmly against trading Davis: “I wouldn't trade Anthony Davis if I'm the Mavericks… Keep Anthony Davis. Keep him.” [07:04]
  • Dallas has “all the elements” to contend, especially if Kyrie returns. [07:38]
• Tony’s Counterpoint:
  • Argues dire franchise mismanagement since trading Luka Doncic (“MVP this year… 34.6 points per game”). [08:18]
  • Calls Anthony Davis “street clothes,” unreliable due to injuries and aging. [08:56]
  • Open to trading Davis for a rebuild.
• Front Office Drama:
  • Tony details friction between Cuban and GM Nico Harrison behind these decisions. [09:18]
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kornheiser: “They call him street clothes. He is not available.” [08:56]
  • Wilbon: “If Anthony Davis is as damaged as you say, why the hell would I trade for him?” [09:55]

4. NFL & CFB Preview with Booger McFarland (“Five Good Minutes”)

[11:55–18:54]

a) Bills vs. Texans: Biggest Storyline

• Booger:
  • Focused on Houston’s “best defense in football”—Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley. [12:30]
  • “Too many times, the Buffalo Bills are asking Josh Allen to be Superman… what’s going to happen when he doesn’t get the help?” [13:04]
• Quote: “The reigning MVP against the best defense in football. I’m going to have my popcorn ready.” [13:18]

b) Myles Garrett’s Dominance

• Wilbon asks if Garrett can be compared to Reggie White.
• Booger:
  • “I don’t think it’s too soon to start throwing around the name Reggie White… He’s the best defensive player in our game and I honestly don’t think it’s close.” [14:58]

c) USC vs. Oregon (CFB Playoff implications)

• Booger:
  • Sees Oregon as favorite, but “Finally, Lincoln Riley has a team that's built the right way up front... Offensively, they have a really good quarterback, dual threat in Jordan Mahava, and Makai Lemon, one of the best receivers.” [15:28]
  • USC’s hope is “big plays in the passing game,” but their defense may not slow Oregon.
• Quote: “This is the best team that [Lincoln Riley]’s had since he’s been there.” [16:12]

d) CFB Rankings Complaint

• Booger:
  • Frustrated: “The one thing that keeps kind of just digging at me… Notre Dame being ranked over Miami. I watched Miami beat Notre Dame… If both of these teams win out… it should be decided you should take the team that won the game on the field. I don’t care about strength of record, strength of schedule.” [17:23]
• Wilbon: “Book, I'm with you. Tony's the one who's gonna argue for Notre Dame…” [18:24]
• Kornheiser: “Yesterday on this show, I told you that Miami has a case against Notre Dame… it’s four spots.” [18:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon on Jalen Hurts criticism:
  “Any criticism, because last I checked, he's got a touchdown to turnover ratio of 16 to 1... I'm tired of Eagles fans, or at least those who criticize Jalen Hurts. I'm sick of them. Shut your mouths.” [01:46–02:22]

• Kornheiser on Dallas Mavericks:
  “They call him street clothes. He is not available. When he is available, he's still going to be 32 years old and beginning the process of aging out.” [08:56]

• Booger on Myles Garrett:
  “He’s the best defensive player in our game and I honestly don’t think it’s close.” [14:58]

• Booger on College Football Playoff show:
  “If we end this season and Notre Dame and Miami are battling for one last playoff spot… I may blow a gasket. Because football should be decided on the field.” [17:38]

Important Timestamps

• [01:02] Eagles frustration with Jalen Hurts
• [04:14] Joe Burrow/Flacco Bengals QB debate
• [06:23] Mavericks and Anthony Davis trade rumblings
• [11:55] Booger McFarland joins for “Five Good Minutes”
• [12:30] Preview: Bills at Texans
• [13:54] Myles Garrett/Reggie White comparison
• [15:28] College football: USC vs. Oregon
• [16:50] Booger’s CFP rankings complaint

Episode Flow & Tonal Highlights

• Banter-heavy, classic PTI style with passionate outbursts (Wilbon in defense of Hurts), sharp sarcasm (Kornheiser on “street clothes” Davis), and robust statistical and historical references throughout.
• Booger McFarland brings high energy and deep insight, especially into the trenches of NFL and the playoff controversies in college football.

This summary covers all the major discussions and conveys the lively, opinionated exchange between Kornheiser, Wilbon, and guest Booger McFarland, while referencing key timestamps and preserving the tone and style for new or returning listeners.