PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Who is Currently the Favorite For the Super Bowl?
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Guest: Steve Young (Hall of Fame QB)

Overview

In this lively episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon debate who stands as the current Super Bowl favorite given recent struggles from last year’s finalists. They examine shifting NFL power structures, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant NBA run, a monumental BYU college hoops comeback, and dive into broader sports topics with guest Steve Young. The episode’s tone blends classic PTI banter, candid opinions, and sharp insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL: Who’s the Super Bowl Favorite Now?

[00:56 – 04:27]

• Wilbon’s Picks:
  • NFC: Seattle Seahawks, noting their strength and upcoming divisional showdown. Trusts Sam Darnold to lead despite being less proven.
    • “I’m going to go with Seattle in the NFC.” — Mike Wilbon [01:40]
  • AFC: Buffalo Bills, a risky pick, banking on Josh Allen returning to MVP form despite roster shortcomings.
    • “I’m taking Buffalo in the AFC, where it’s muddier to me over New England.” — Mike Wilbon [02:01]
• Tony’s Perspective:
  • Agrees there is no dominant team this year; each time they praise a contender, that team loses.
  • Picks: Buffalo (AFC), Los Angeles Rams (NFC), expressing distrust in unproven young QBs.
    • “I will agree with you on Buffalo and I’ll go with the neighboring team in the conference. I will say the Rams.” — Tony Kornheiser [03:35]
• Memorable moment: The hosts bemoan how rapidly teams fall from “contenders” in this unpredictable season:
  • “Every time we say somebody’s good, they lose within the next week...” — Tony Kornheiser [02:49]

2. NBA: Are the Oklahoma City Thunder Set to Repeat?

[04:27 – 06:34]

• Wilbon’s Shift:
  • Previously doubted OKC, but their current dominance and depth forces him to reconsider.
    • “They just look too good, Tony...they’ve got depth, experience, IQ.” — Mike Wilbon [05:17]
  • Maintains skepticism about a repeat given how unpredictable the NBA can be over a long season.
• Tony’s Take:
  • Downplays significance of the NBA Cup, focusing on how good the Thunder have been—particularly their youthful hunger.
    • “They’re not jaded. They don’t want to get off the court and go to dinner. They want to win. So I like them.” — Tony Kornheiser [06:30]

3. College Basketball: BYU’s Dramatic Comeback

[06:35 – 09:29]

• TONY celebrates BYU freshman A.J. Debanza’s second-half heroics, highlighting his 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists after being down 21 at the half, and how the performance “overwhelmed” Clemson.
  • “He outscored Clemson by himself in the second half, 22–21. He shot 7 out of 11. Clemson shot 7 out of 27.” — Tony Kornheiser [07:55]
• Wilbon makes a bold player comp:
  • “You know what he reminds me of? Bernard King.” — Mike Wilbon [08:54]
  • Tony agrees Debanza “has something,” though not as thick or quick as King.

4. NFL Insights with Steve Young – “Five Good Minutes”

[11:04 – 16:49]

Philip Rivers’ Potential Comeback

• Tony asks: Would Steve Young ever entertain an NFL return years after retirement?
• Steve Young: Candidly respects the pull ex-QBs feel, but admits being away and out of football shape is a huge risk:
  • “If Philip says ‘I’ve been staying in shape,’ you’ve been preparing for pickleball or Pilates with your wife. Like, you have not been getting ready for the NFL...” [12:18]
  • Warns of injury risks and “looking like a fool”; acknowledges still feeling the itch himself.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Offensive Woes

• Wilbon: “What’s broken, and how do you fix it?”
• Steve Young: Their run-first offense hid a lack of sophistication in the passing game; now forced to develop innovation they weren’t requiring of Jalen Hurts before.
  • “You don’t just go from first gear to eighth gear... They’re in a tight spot that neither are working from last year.” [14:26]
  • Cites teams like Green Bay, San Francisco for their “innovation.”

The State of Holding Calls

• Tony asks: “More holding now, or always been this way?”
• Steve Young: Always been ubiquitous; today’s officials are trying to be “contextual,” usually favoring offense:
  • “Officials are now trying to get so specific and nuanced… all the rules in the last 10 years have been against the defense.” [16:10]
  • Flags get “held” more now to promote offense.

5. Quick Hits & Happy Time

[20:37 – 25:26]

• Happy 29th Birthday, Joe Burrow

  • Tony lauds Burrow: “I think Burrow is the best quarterback in football, but he gets hurt so regularly.” [20:38]
  • Wilbon pushes back: “He ain’t Patrick Mahomes. I’m not even sure he’s Josh Allen... I am separating passer from quarterback.” [21:25]

• Anniversary – Pippen vs. Jordan

  • Michael Jordan quote after dull matchup:
    • “The most unfortunate thing is we can’t take our game checks and give them to our fans. It was unfortunate they had to pay to see it.” [22:18]

• Happy Trails – Sharon Moore Fired by Michigan

  • Tony notes: “Michigan fired its head coach late this afternoon with cause...” [23:08]
  • Wilbon: “You don’t know what this means going forward... I guess there’ll be more details in the coming days, weeks and months.” [23:40]

• Happy Trails – Pete Alonso Leaves Mets for Orioles

  • Tony: “The Mets have now lost Alonso and Edwin Diaz to free agency.” [24:14]

Memorable Quotes

• Tony Kornheiser:
  • “Every time we say somebody’s good, they lose within the next week.” [02:49]
  • “The NBA Cup — nobody really cares about it...” [05:33]
• Mike Wilbon:
  • “You know what he reminds me of? Bernard King.” (on Debanza) [08:54]
  • “I choose to just not acknowledge [the Pippen vs. Jordan game].” [22:41]
• Steve Young:
  • “If Philip says, ‘I’ve been staying in shape,’ you’ve been preparing for pickleball or Pilates with your wife.” [12:18]
  • “Officials are now trying to get so specific and nuanced… all the rules in the last 10 years have been against the defense.” [16:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:56] Super Bowl favorites debate (AFC/NFC contenders)
• [04:27] Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA run & NBA Cup discussion
• [06:35] BYU college hoops comeback & Debanza’s breakout
• [11:04] Five Good Minutes with Steve Young (Rivers, Eagles, holding calls)
• [20:37] Quick hits: Joe Burrow’s birthday, Pippen vs. Jordan, Michigan coaching change, Pete Alonso leaves Mets

Tone

The hosts maintain their trademark mix of banter, sharp critiques, and deep sports knowledge, seamlessly blending analysis with humor and nostalgia. Steve Young’s appearance adds professional candor and thoughtful perspective, lightening it with self-deprecating wit.

Perfect listen for those who want concise, opinion-driven recaps of top sports stories, with classic PTI back-and-forth and expert NFL insight.