The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: AFC and NFC Championships: Time to Cheer for The Team We All Hate
Date: January 23, 2026

Overview

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their rotating crew dive into the anticipation and heartbreak surrounding NFL Championship Sunday. The episode juggles suffering around the end of football season, the pain and hope for fans of various teams, and the ethical dilemma of who to root for as the “teams we all hate” close in on Super Bowl 60. There’s plenty of NFL analysis, nostalgia, quirky trivia, and friendly bickering—plus a lively guest segment with betting expert Nick Kostos and the hilarious recurring “philosopher” quote game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mourning the End of Football Season

• Host Dave Dameshek sets the tone, lamenting the void left once the championships are over.

  • “After this Sunday’s two big games, we’re staring at seven long months and lots and lots of baseball before our beloved pigskin returns.” (00:00)

• The gang jokes about possible coping mechanisms: hibernation, sports distractions like March Madness, and obsessive NFL calendar-watching.

Indiana Hoosiers’ Championship & Fan Pain Comparison

• Recent college football championship: Indiana Hoosiers’ win relived, especially by Dave, who claims empathic pain for Miami Hurricanes fans.

• Mike Ryan and Dan push back, arguing Miami fans’ pain is real, especially given their drought and improbability.

  • “We haven’t been there in 25 years…There are people in that stadium that probably weren’t even alive…this might just be a fluke, you know.” – Dan (06:38)

• Standout moments:

  • The dramatic late-game play of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, praised for toughness:
    • “What a nails performance out of that kid…4th and 5 to go for it in that spot…I appreciate the balls, even though I kind of question the wisdom…” – Dave (07:06)
  • Mendoza’s humility: only active social media is LinkedIn, which he updates regularly (08:48)

Shifting Focus: NFL Championship Games

Who to Root For? The “Team We All Hate” Dilemma

• The hosts confess emotional exhaustion from perennial winners like the Patriots.
• Weighing options: would a Jared Stidham-led Patriots Super Bowl run be satisfying, or just doom viewers to an anticlimactic final?

  • “In the short term, do we want to see the Patriots suffer? …But then…Jared Stidham starting in Super Bowl 60 feels awfully underwhelming.” – Dave (10:17)

  • “I hope Jarrett Stidham finds a way to just absolutely ball out and just find a way to get there. I really don't care if the super bowl ends up being bad because of it, because I don't want the Patriots in there. I don't want them to feel any kind of happiness at all ever.” – Mike (11:48)

Quarterback Chaos & Precedent

• Hosts discuss the rarity of backup QBs leading teams to Super Bowls, referencing Hostetler and Foles as historic precedents, but emphasizing it’s the exception.

  • “…all those guys, because what, they want to get paid. So now, I mean Foles did it, Hostetler did it, Caleb Haney almost did it. It’s not without any precedent but this…” – Dave (13:43)

Coaching Carousel & Dysfunctional Franchises

• The Buffalo Bills’ job is dissected—now seen as less appealing due to owner Terry Pegula’s public criticism of his coach and recent draft pick.
  • “You just unnecessarily put a stink on the Buffalo Bills gig…” – Dave (14:20)
• Exclusive jobs remain: “You really have to be desperate to be a head coach to take the New York Jets job, to take the Browns job…” – Dave (15:49)
• Rumor mill: would someone hire Belichick for Buffalo?

Guest Segment: Nick Kostos (You Better You Bet) (21:00 – 37:40)

Coaching Moves & Harbaugh vs. McDermott

• Nick celebrates John Harbaugh’s new job, but tempers expectations if key coordinators aren’t hired.
  • “If it’s Harbaugh, Monken, Weaver…we’re cooking here. If it’s guys other than that, we can have a conversation then.” – Nick (22:17)
• Both Dave and Nick agree that Sean McDermott deserved to be fired from the Bills. Historical point: No coach-QB pairing (e.g. Harbaugh/Lamar or McDermott/Allen) has lasted this long without reaching the Super Bowl.
  • “In the history of the league, we have never seen a coach, quarterback pairing be together as long…not reach a Super Bowl and get to the Super Bowl…” – Nick (24:12)

AFC Championship Preview: Patriots vs. Broncos

• Line: Broncos +4.5; Total: 42.5

• Both like Broncos to cover and the game to go over.

  • “I think you will get a good Jared Stidham game here. …Broncos plus the points and I like the over…” – Nick Kostos (29:28)

• Rich discussion of underdog QBs reaching the Super Bowl—Hostetler, Foles, etc. Sean Payton’s underdog speech cited.

  • “[Payton] said: ‘If we lose this game, it won’t be because of Jeff Hostetler. It will be because…one of you [expletive] made a stupid mistake.’” – Nick, quoting Bill Parcells (28:48)

NFC Championship Preview: Rams vs. Seahawks

• Line: Seahawks -2.5; Total: 46.5

• Nick sides with the Rams to upset in Seattle: “If the Rams play an A plus game…they’re better than Seattle…I’ll default to that…” (34:55)

• Criticism of Sean McVay’s recent game management:

  • “[McVay] has these brain fart moments in games with game management where he’s like a gambler going on tilt…” – Nick (33:02)

• Two X-factors:

  1. Can Rams’ front seven pressure Darnold?
  2. Are the Rams’ playmakers healthy?
  • “If you get the A plus Rams game, the Rams will win.” – Nick (34:55)

Notable Banter

• “I get a haircut once a week. It’s non-negotiable for me.” – Nick Kostos (37:49)
• “As long as Mike Fuentes likes what I have to say, I’m right as rain. I don’t care what Damoshek has to say.” – Nick Kostos (37:12)

Fuentes Brothers, Picks and Pick Six

(38:15 – 42:30)

• Mike Fuentes likes LA Rams vs. Patriots in Super Bowl 60 (“Matt Flynn Game for Stidham!”)
• Gino Fuentes picks Patriots (in a close one) vs. Seahawks, citing defensive advantage for Seattle (39:25).
• The gang breaks down top prop bets ("Pick Six"):
  • Touchdown scorers: Kenneth Walker, Kyren Williams
  • Rushing yards: Kyron Williams over 55.5
  • Rushing props: Jared Stidham/Sam Darnold low rushing yardage over
  • Patriots kicker Borgales picked for over 7.5 kicking points

“We’ve Played It Before”—Philosopher Quote Game

(42:30 – 49:44)

Hilarious recurring segment: Identify who said it—Mike McDaniel, Matthew McConaughey, or Jim Harbaugh?

• Round 1: “We’re gonna make mistakes, own them, make amends, and move on.” - McConaughey (45:29)
• Round 2: “Good morning or great morning? False choice. Great, because we’re another day closer to death.” – Mike McDaniel to Dolphins press corps (47:26)
• Round 3: “If worms had machine guns, then birds would be scared of them.” – Jim Harbaugh (49:33)

“This sounds like the ramblings of a Vietnam vet, underneath a bridge somewhere.” – Mike Fuentes (49:44)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “After this Sunday’s two big games, we’re staring at seven long months and lots and lots of baseball before our beloved pigskin returns.” – Dave (00:00)
• “I don’t want the Patriots in there. I don’t want them to feel any kind of happiness at all ever.” – Mike (11:48)
• “If the Rams play an A plus game…they’re better than Seattle. I’ll default to that…” – Nick Kostos (34:55)
• “Good morning or great morning? False choice. Great, because we’re another day closer to death.” – Mike McDaniel, quoted by Soup Campbell (47:26)
• “If worms had machine guns then birds would be scared of them.” – Jim Harbaugh, quoted by Soup Campbell (49:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL Offseason Sadness & Football Calendar: 00:00–03:50
• Indiana Championship & Miami Fan Pain: 04:15–08:48
• Rooting Against the Patriots & Backup QB Discourse: 10:17–13:51
• Buffalo Bills Drama & Coaching Carousel: 14:20–16:28
• Nick Kostos Segment (Championship Games Analysis): 21:00–37:40
• Fuentes Brothers Picks/Prop Bets (“Pick Six”): 41:04–42:30
• Philosopher Quote Game (McDaniel/McConaughey/Harbaugh): 42:30–49:44

Final Note

The episode skillfully balances heartfelt, humorous mourning over the coming football drought with razor-sharp analysis of the Conference Championship matchups—plus plenty of jabs at football’s lovable villains. The guest analysis and recurring games add color, making this a must-listen for fans riding the edge of hope, schadenfreude, and despair as the NFL season draws to a close.