PTI Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Who had the BEST Win in NFL Week 4?
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser (B), Michael Wilbon (A)
Episode Overview
This spirited PTI episode, hosted by Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, breaks down the pivotal moments of the sports weekend, centering on which NFL team notched the most impressive Week 4 win. The hosts debate Jackson Dart’s breakout for the Giants, evaluate the shifting fortunes in MLB as playoff spots are settled, dissect Europe's clinch of the Ryder Cup amid fan controversy, and recap the wildest results in college football.
NFL: Who Had the Best Win in Week 4?
Segment starts: [00:56]
Main Points:
- Multiple contenders for the best NFL win: Chiefs, Eagles, Rams, Giants, Bears, Lions, Steelers.
- Wilbon is emphatic: it’s the Giants’ rookie QB Jackson Dart’s debut win.
Wilbon:
“I'm going to go to a guy that wanted home in his very first start as a rookie... Jackson dart. ...he seems like a big, tough, rambunctious, fearless kid.” [01:43]
- Dart replaced a benched Russell Wilson and led the previously winless Giants to defeat the undefeated Chargers (“San Diego superchargers”).
- Tony agrees: the Giants’ win breaks the “juggernaut” Chargers’ streak, and it’s a “big time win.” Both hosts praise the team for putting Dart in and speculate Brian Daboll should have played him earlier.
Runner-up Best Win:
- The Lions, who scored 34 points on the Browns—previously hailed for their top defense.
Tony:
“The Lions have passed them [the Packers]... earlier this season it was the Pack who beat the Lions and then you came out the next day and said they're number one. Number one in the Wilbon ratings. Power ratings. Right?” [03:10]
Worst Loss of the Week:
- The Baltimore Ravens, who fell to 1-3 after a brutal 37-20 loss to the Chiefs and have given up large amounts of points to top-tier foes.
“They're not a playoff team right now.” – Tony [04:12]
Notable Segment:
Malik Nabers, Giants receiver, is out for the season—a “sad note,” raising questions about the team’s future passing game. [04:15]
MLB Playoff Field Set
Segment starts: [04:45]
Key Insights:
- Headlines: Mets are out, despite the highest payroll in baseball ($342 million).
“Here’s the Marlins payroll. $67 million. So I'll get to the matchups in a second, but we can agree on the Mets being out. That's the notable.” – Tony [05:34]
- AL: Tigers, Guardians in; Astros miss playoffs for the first time since 2016.
- The downside of the “bye” for top baseball teams: Both hosts agree they'd rather keep playing to maintain rhythm rather than wait a week (“I don’t want to be in the bye if I’m in baseball.” – Tony [05:43]).
Intriguing Matchups:
- Yankees vs. Red Sox, Padres vs. Cubs.
- Padres lauded for “murderer’s row” lineup, though Tony insists Phillies' batting order is still better.
Fun Moment:
Cubs’ best pitcher Kate Horton is out due to an unusual injury (“He coughed and broke a rib. He cracked a rib. ...That’s so cubbish.” – Wilbon [07:15]).
- PTI hosts have a soft spot for the underdog Cincinnati Reds, but agree they aren’t likely to beat the Dodgers.
Ryder Cup: European Dominance and Controversy
Segment starts: [08:28]
Dramatic Recap:
- Europe led big for two days, barely scraping victory as the US nearly mounted a historic Sunday comeback.
- Both hosts were glued to their screens, switching from football when the golf drama heated up.
Key Moments:
- Cameron Young (birdie on 18, beating Justin Rose) [09:22]
- Justin Thomas (birdie on 18, beat Tommy Fleetwood)
- Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler surged late, but Shane Lowry’s putt sealed Europe’s defense [09:39].
On the Partisan Crowd:
- Both hosts and golf legend Tom Watson criticize the unruly, jingoistic, and sometimes abusive crowd behavior (“Rory McIlroy was treated abysmally... There’s no place in sports to have chants cursing at a player and his family and throwing a beer.” – Tony [10:26])
Quote:
“If you don’t want to listen to us or anybody else, the great Tom Watson went to social media to say, no, no, no, this is wrong.” – Wilbon [10:02]
- They agree: Europeans simply do the “team thing” better than the US [12:24].
NFL: Cowboys, Packers, and Micah Parsons
Segment starts: [14:24]
Discussion:
- Cowboys-Packers tie; both teams have glaring flaws.
- Micah Parsons (Cowboys LB) cannot feel proud after the defense gave up 40 points.
“No, you can’t feel great about that... They gave up 40.” – Wilbon [14:32]
Stat Highlight:
- Dallas: number one in offense (404 yards/game), but gives up 420 yards (“It’s bad math.” – Tony [15:41])
- Dak Prescott’s strong play overshadowed by suspect defense.
- Takeaway: Packers may be worse than thought; Cowboys are “fatally flawed.” Jerry Jones is relieved by not losing to Parsons.
College Football: Biggest Weekend Results
Segment starts: [16:34]
Top Stories:
- Multiple big results: Ole Miss beats LSU to go 5-0, Virginia upsets Florida State, and Penn State falls in overtime to Oregon.
- Ultimate “headline”: Alabama marches into Georgia and wins.
“Alabama goes to Georgia, wins that game. You said that would never happen.” – Tony [17:09]
- Kaylen DeBoer (Alabama coach) praised for his remarkable record vs. ranked teams.
Penn State's Woes:
- James Franklin now 4-21 versus Top 10 teams.
“He, they don’t beat anybody.” – Wilbon [18:14]
Notable Banter:
Tony compares Kirby Smart’s troubles with Alabama to Ryan Day’s struggles with Michigan (“Alabama his kryptonite in the way that Michigan is Ryan Day’s kryptonite.” – Tony [17:42])
Additional Headlines & Happy Time
Segment starts: [21:08]
Kevin Durant Turns 37 [21:08]
- Recap of KD’s career, statistical feats, but notes his lack of postseason success since leaving the Warriors.
Quote:
“Durant is a statistical wonder... yet another team he is no longer with.” – Tony [21:48]
Van Brocklin’s Passing Record Anniversary [22:13]
- Still holds the NFL record (554 yards, 5 touchdowns).
Notable Line:
“They gave me a sportswriter’s brain to make sure I got one that hadn’t been used.” – Van Brocklin, quoted by Tony [22:45]
Lynx Eliminated from WNBA Playoffs [22:58]
- Mercury advance after overcoming a 13-point deficit; the Lynx were without key personnel due to injury/suspension.
Quick Hits (Big Finish) [23:59]
- Giants fire Bob Melvin, Twins fire Rocco Baldelli (“Seven seasons is a long time, but the Giants expected to be better this year.” – Wilbon [24:08])
- Brock Purdy’s toe injury could be serious for the 49ers
- Warriors sign Al Horford; drama around Jonathan Kuminga’s absence.
- Jets-Dolphins and Bengals-Broncos: low excitement.
- Big Bunny (Bad Bunny) to headline Super Bowl halftime (“Not a big fan of that.” – Wilbon [24:56])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Jackson Dart’s debut:
“I don't know how you start any other win than that.” – Wilbon [02:27] -
On the Giants’ upset:
“This is a big time win because the Chargers were undefeated and appeared to be a juggernaut and the Giants beat them.” – Tony [02:39] -
On the crowd at the Ryder Cup:
“There’s no place in sports to have chants of cursing at a player and his family and throwing a beer.” – Tony [10:26]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:56] NFL Week 4: Best Win Debate
- [04:45] MLB Playoff Matchups & Discussion
- [08:28] Ryder Cup Recap & Crowd Debate
- [14:24] Mailbag: Micah Parsons & Cowboys-Packers Tie
- [16:34] College Football’s Most Compelling Results
- [21:08] Happy Time – Kevin Durant's Birthday, Van Brocklin, WNBA Update
- [23:59] The Big Finish: MLB Manager Firings, NFL Injuries, Super Bowl Halftime
Wrap-Up
Kornheiser and Wilbon bring trademark banter and sharp insight to the landscape of early fall sports—saluting Jackson Dart’s historic debut, bemoaning the fortunes of big-spending MLB teams, and lamenting fan behavior impacting the Ryder Cup. Their quick wit and willingness to challenge each other make the recap lively for any sports fan tuning in after the fact.
End of Summary