Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Hour 2: Don Marino (feat. Mina Kimes)
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview

Broadcast live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this episode brings football analyst Mina Kimes into the chaos and sharp-witted banter of Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and crew. Through a mix of insight and hijinks, the episode covers NFL injuries, quarterback controversies and evaluations, playcalling critiques, TV and pop-culture tangents, and more. Mina contributes deep football analysis and comic relief, including her death metal Cookie Monster impression, while the group debates topics ranging from Tua’s trade value to the inner workings of the Carolina Panthers and the complexities of grief as portrayed in the show "Pluribus".

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Death Metal Pageant, Cookie Monster, and TV Hijinks

• [02:16] Dan shows Mina a video of a Chilean beauty pageant contestant performing death metal. This segues into Mina doing her own Cookie Monster/Elmo death metal impression, which sets an irreverent tone.

  • Mina (Cookie Monster voice): "Cookies. Where the cookies? I'm the Cookie Monster. Me want cookie. Who doesn't like that?" (09:41)

• [23:03] The group goes on a tangent about the new show "Pluribus," breaking down its themes of grief, isolation, and viewer empathy. Mina and Dan bond over the show's dark protagonist.

NFL Injury & Quarterback Talk

• [03:00] The team discusses injury reporting and the lack of discourse around concussions, focusing on C.J. Stroud’s absence and Dylan Gabriel’s concussion.

  • Mina: "Whenever you see multiple weeks, you know that means that tests are not being passed. Concerns are had by both, either the team or the player, which I suspect might be both in this case. And that is really scary." (03:33)

• [04:19] Critique of "Shador Sanders Mania" and parallels drawn to Tebowmania, discussing hype vs. reality for late-round celebrities.

  • Mina: "Every now and then, there comes a player along who not only invites an undue level of scrutiny and interest... but also, I think a lot of takes from people who... aren’t immersed in the sport." (04:35)

• [05:43] Mina debunks conspiracies that Kevin Stefanski is sabotaging Shador Sanders:

  • Mina: "It's absolutely batshit." (05:50)

Team Performance Breakdown

• [06:25] Chiefs Postseason Picture:

  • Mina: "Pretty low, man. Even a team like the Bills that's flawed... actually a bad matchup for Kansas City because Kansas City can't run the ball." (06:47)
  • Discusses the Chiefs' inability to run, man coverage struggles, lack of pass rush, and how their “one-score luck” from the previous year is gone.

• [07:44] Chiefs Offense Analogy:

  • Mina: "Constipated is such a great word to describe it... Everything does feel really tight. Everything does feel like you’re just playing for third down." (07:44)
  • Group jokes about which pharmaceutical would help the Chiefs’ offense ("Metamucil" - 08:22).

• [10:06] Seattle Seahawks’ Defense:

  • Mina praises Seattle’s ability to win despite turnover margin, says the defense’s performance versus Matthew Stafford was "the most statistically impressive performance by defense against Matthew Stafford ever in his career.” (10:46)

• [12:27] Sam Darnold vs. Chris Shula (Rams DC)

  • Darnold's consistent struggles against complex pressure designs and how the Rams “drew out the exact types of pressures that give Darnold trouble.” (12:49)

Hot-Seat Watch & Week-to-Week Analysis

• [17:02] Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

  • Mina dissects injuries and schedule context, notes "getting guys back in the offensive line... will help them," but “fortunately, they’re in the NFC South, so things are still very winnable.” (17:56)

• [18:51] Carolina Panthers — Most Confusing Team:

  • Mina: “You could not pay me to bet on the Carolina Panthers... that team more than any other in the NFL, I have no freaking clue. Week to week." (18:53)
  • Group jokes about record depending on coin flips.

• [21:32] Chicago Bears: What’s a “success”?

  • Mina: "My view is just being a playoff team is enough... and then just look like they belong." (21:37)

• [22:26] Side banter on sideline incidents — Packers lineman caught peeing, and Breaking Bad references.

Off-Field—Pop Culture & Streaming

• [23:03 & 25:05] Deep reflection on "Pluribus" and how TV drama reflects the difficulty of grieving while the world moves on.

  • Mina: "It’s like, how are you guys just marching along and excited about pumpkin spice lattes coming out... I think it’s spectacular." (25:27)

• [25:52] “Chair Company” and Tim Robinson—Debating if Tim Robinson’s character is based on Jim Harbaugh, with insider anecdotes from Mina.

Game Previews & QB Analysis

• [36:26] Colts vs. Chiefs Preview:

  • Mina: “I'm going to pick the Colts... I just think the way this Colts offense is built, they can attack Kansas City.” (36:26)

• [40:04] Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel vs. Tua:

  • The crew debates Tua’s trade value and whether McDaniel is the problem as coach.
  • Mina: "I was surprised at how many Dolphins fans were upset about him... pretty obviously I don’t think he’s on the list of problems with the team very high.” (39:34)

• [41:16] The phrase "eat crow" origins and which birds are most appetizing (squab vs. pigeon vs. crow—41:55).

Memorable Quotes & Comic Relief

• Mina Kimes death metal voice:

  • "Oh, wow. I love cookies, but not as much as I love the mini crime show featuring Lenny!" (43:21)

• Minajokes about gronking her throat after Cookie Monster bits:

  • "Oh, my throat is really feeling that Cookie Monster metal impressions, by the way." (17:20)

• On confusing TV recommendations:

  • Dan: “I just kept saying, I think you should leave.” (35:11)

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• "[Concussion discourse about Gabriel] There is zero Dylan Gabriel or concussion discourse. But, yeah, actually answer your question. The CJ Stroud stuff is scary..."
  – Mina Kimes (03:33)

• "Constipated is such a great word to describe it..."
  – Mina Kimes (07:44)

• "Sam Darnold struggles against specific types of interior pressures when he has to sort out the rush. That is how I felt watching him in that last year. That’s how I felt watching him this game..."
  – Mina Kimes (11:38)

• "You could not pay me to bet on the Carolina Panthers.”
  – Mina Kimes (18:53)

• “My view is just being a playoff team is enough. I imagine Bears have higher aspirations than that.”
  – Mina Kimes (21:37)

• “AI could never write a single line of dialogue or scene in a show like this because it only comes from the most demented brains on earth.”
  – Mina Kimes (34:27)

• “I'm going to pick the Colts in this and we're going to break it down in more detail. But... I just think the way this Colts offense is built, they can attack Kansas City..."
  – Mina Kimes (36:26)

• “I was surprised at how many Dolphins fans were upset about him. I guess I understand you’re losing, but pretty obviously I don’t think he’s on the list of problems with the team very high.”
  – Mina Kimes (39:34)

Highlighted Moments by Timestamp

• 02:16 — Mina’s death metal/Cookie Monster impression
• 03:33 — Mina’s serious concussion analysis
• 04:35 — Comparisons of Shador Sanders hype to Tim Tebow
• 07:44 — Chiefs’ offense described as “constipated”
• 10:46 — Seattle defense vs. Stafford praised
• 12:49 — Darnold struggles against Rams DC Chris Shula
• 18:53 — Mina’s take on Carolina Panthers’ unpredictability
• 21:37 — Chicago Bears’ bar for a successful season
• 23:03–25:52 — “Pluribus” discussion: grief, TV, and audience empathy
• 36:26 — Colts vs. Chiefs analysis and prediction
• 39:34 — Miami Dolphins, McDaniel, and Tua talk
• 43:21 — Cookie Monster promo for Mina’s podcast

Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates the Dan Le Batard Show’s unique blend: sharp and entertaining football insight, pop culture sidebars, and the delightful comic relief of Mina Kimes (especially her metal-voiced Cookie Monster). Listeners get real X’s-and-O’s analysis (highlighted by in-depth breakdowns of team flaws and coaching decisions), honest talk about major injuries, and an offbeat look at sports and society—with plenty of laughs along the way.