PTI Podcast Summary
Episode: What's going on with the Eagles and MLB Playoffs
Date: October 11, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon (ESPN)
Episode Overview
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the fallout from a surprising New York Giants victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, analyze the unraveling of the Phillies in the MLB playoffs, and dive into high-stakes baseball and NFL previews. The episode is rich with both statistical insight and personal storytelling—the signature style of PTI—covering the struggles of last season’s champions, dramatic postseason moments, and the electric energy at Wrigley Field.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Giants Dominate Eagles – What’s Wrong in Philadelphia?
[01:00–04:55]
- The Giants defeat the Eagles 34-17 on Thursday Night Football, with rookies QB Jackson Dart and RB Cam Skattebo starring.
- Wilbon marvels at the youthful energy of the Giants but doubts the sustainability:
“It’ll work every other week, maybe if they’re lucky, for the rest of the season.” — Mike Wilbon [01:49]
- Wilbon marvels at the youthful energy of the Giants but doubts the sustainability:
- Saquon Barkley’s under-utilization and the Eagles’ identity crisis:
- Wilbon condemns Philly’s game plan:
“Somebody needs to bring a coaches-only meeting to say, what the hell are you people thinking?” [02:19]
- Wilbon condemns Philly’s game plan:
- Kornheiser raises major alarms for the Eagles:
- They rank near the bottom offensively in almost all categories, including 30th in overall offense and last in three-and-outs.
- The team’s 4-2 record is deceiving:
"They’re the defending Super Bowl champions...they have been outgained in all six games this year, and they won four of them." — Tony Kornheiser [03:53]
- Both hosts agree that something is fundamentally wrong in Philly, beyond just stats or one-off losses.
2. Giants’ Rookies Impress
[03:53–04:55]
- Jackson Dart’s emergence:
- Kornheiser credits coach Brian Daboll’s job security to Dart:
“If Day Ball keeps his job as Giants coach, it’s going to be because of Jackson Dart.” — Tony Kornheiser [03:56]
- Dart’s dual-threat skills are compared to Jaden Daniels.
- Kornheiser credits coach Brian Daboll’s job security to Dart:
- Cam Skattebo compared to AFL’s Charlie Tolar, “the human bowling ball.”
- Wilbon critiques GM philosophies undervaluing running backs.
3. Phillies’ Agonizing Playoff Exit
[04:57–08:01]
- Phillies lose to Dodgers after reliever Orion Kerkering’s brutal throwing error.
- Wilbon calls it “the agony of defeat,” recalling similar moments like Ernest Byner's fumble:
"This is the definition of the phrase agony of defeat." — Mike Wilbon [07:01]
- Kornheiser finds the post-error scene “poignant and cinematic:”
“…the next shot is poignant and cinematic. The Dodgers are running around the infield. They're literally running around Kerkering…” — Tony Kornheiser [05:30]
- Wilbon calls it “the agony of defeat,” recalling similar moments like Ernest Byner's fumble:
- The hosts commend Phillies players and staff for supporting Kerkering post-error, contrasting the agony of personal collapse with team solidarity.
4. MLB Postseason, Cubs Stay Alive at Wrigley
[08:01–11:32]
- Cubs force a Game 5 by shutting out the Brewers at Wrigley Field.
- Wilbon waxes poetic about the electric Chicago crowd:
“Everybody who was there or watching…if you’re a Chicagoan, we got a lot of losing in Wrigley Field in the postseason…very few…were like last night.” — Mike Wilbon [08:54]
- Both managers reportedly credit the crowd with impacting the result.
- Baseball superstition: Do home/road momentum or “curses” really matter in the next decisive game?
- Wilbon waxes poetic about the electric Chicago crowd:
- Kornheiser highlights Milwaukee’s weak offensive performance away from home and quizzes Wilbon on his fan attire and experience at the park.
5. Preview: Tigers vs. Mariners ALDS Game 5
[14:43–16:34]
- Both hosts lean toward Detroit, trusting ace Tarik Skubal on the mound.
- Kornheiser stats: “He has been good to great in the playoffs…23 strikeouts in 14 innings…probably win the Cy Young again.” [14:48]
- Wilbon:
“Starting pitching means something to people of our vintage…So I don’t want to see a damn bullpen day. I want to see a guy who can go out and go eight innings, plus if he needs to.” [15:53]
- Acknowledgement that current performance may exceed or erase past postseason struggles.
6. NFL Toss-Up: Chiefs vs. Lions Sunday Night
[16:35–18:30]
- Kornheiser leans towards the Lions for their high-powered offense while highlighting a rare moment—Mahomes being a home underdog.
- “I look at Detroit right now, I think they’re playing the best football in the NFL. They have the best scoring offense.” — Tony Kornheiser [16:42]
- Wilbon argues “best team” status has been jinxed all season and actually picks the Chiefs, predicting Detroit’s hype comes back to earth:
- “Every time...we declared somebody was the best team in the league, then they lost…Now it’s Detroit. Detroit’s fine.” [17:23]
- Wilbon predicts the Chiefs will knock the Lions back and Detroit will have a chance to regroup.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On the Eagles' struggles:
"There's something wrong there, Mike...They have been outgained in all six games this year and they won four of them."
— Tony Kornheiser [03:53] -
On team support after an individual’s error:
"The way the Phillies players came to him and hugged him…they're like, no, you gonna take this hug, essentially…"
— Mike Wilbon [07:42] -
On Wrigley Field atmosphere:
"It was sort of the crowd and the scene and all of it was sort of like the nights when Jordan played against the Lakers in the finals..."
— Mike Wilbon [10:49] -
On the 'best team' curse in the NFL:
"Every time this year already we have... declared somebody was the best, then they lost…now it's Detroit."
— Mike Wilbon [17:23]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Intro & Hair Talk: [00:31–01:01]
- Giants Beat Eagles / Eagles Identity Crisis: [01:01–04:55]
- Phillies Playoff Exit / Kerkering’s Error: [04:57–08:01]
- Cubs vs. Brewers, Wrigley Field Energy: [08:01–11:32]
- ALDS Game 5 Preview (Tigers/Mariners): [14:43–16:34]
- Chiefs vs. Lions, ‘Best Team’ NFL Jinx: [16:35–18:30]
Additional Segments & Tone
- Happy Time ([21:00–24:36]): Birthday/anniversary salutes to Andrew McCutchen and Marcus Allen, and a heartfelt tribute to Sister Jean.
- Quick Flashes/Finals: Brief takes on Cody Bellinger’s free agency, college football starter news, the Niners-Bucs game, US Men’s Soccer, and the WNBA Finals sweep potential—all with trademark PTI speed and banter.
Tone & Style
Bantering, knowledgeable, and occasionally sentimental—especially during discussion of Wrigley Field and the Phillies’ locker room. The episode is heavy on direct, stats-backed analysis but dappled with sports nostalgia and the hosts’ personal histories.
Recommended For: Listeners who want sharp insight on the NFL and MLB postseasons, plus fans of Chicago/Wrigley lore. The episode is especially rich for those interested in the psychological and emotional angles of both team and individual sport failures and triumphs.