Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Micah Parsons Returns to Dallas, Lamar and Harbaugh Battle The Chiefs, a List Off with JuJu Gotti, and the Five Most Interesting Games of The Week with Matt Verderame
Original Air Date: September 26, 2025
Location: The Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Company (Bradley, The Fuentes Brothers), Guest: JuJu Gotti, Matt Verderame
Episode Overview
This episode blends the Le Batard crew's unique, irreverent sports analysis with in-depth football talk, hit lists, and debate. Highlights include discussion of coaching/QB pairings, a celebratory “number 11s in NFL history” list, a quick-fire "worst NFL jerseys" list from JuJu Gotti, and Matt Verderame's breakdown of the week’s five most interesting NFL games—including a deep-dive into Ravens-Chiefs and the Super Bowl outlook for several franchises.
Key Discussion Points & Timestamps
1. The Lamar Jackson/John Harbaugh “Peanut Butter Cup” Pairing (00:00–05:28)
- Monologue on Football Serendipity: The Jags’ 2018 draft blunder (choosing Taven Bryan over Lamar Jackson) and the wild career spiderweb that led Bryan back to Baltimore.
- Coach-QB Chemistry: “It’s kind of like that with good football coaches and great QBs. Both work on their own, but together they can provide an even better outcome.” [A, 01:43]
- Harbaugh’s Career Fork: Nearly fired before Lamar’s breakout saved the franchise, but the “peanut butter cup” (Super Bowl trip) has yet to be realized in the Lamar era.
- Ravens’ Looming Crossroads: With postseason struggles and an underwhelming defense, is Harbaugh headed for the hot seat?
2. Celebrating NFL ‘Number Elevens’ (05:28–06:13)
A classic Le Batard roundtable to kick off Episode 11:
- Top #11s: Larry Fitzgerald claims the #1 spot. Other names: Danny White, Drew Bledsoe, Dante Culpepper, Sebastian Janikowski, Julian Edelman, Julio Jones.
- Edelman Hall of Fame Debate: “How many big moments do you need to deliver in the postseason, AKA the whole point of the entire NFL season, to then still be left out of the Hall of Fame?” [A, 04:31]
- Larry Fitzgerald Stat: He has more tackles than dropped passes—“one of the great sports stats out there.” [D, 05:22]
3. Super Bowl Predictions Update & Pick Six Segment (06:13–09:49)
- Dan’s New Pick: Switches Super Bowl 60 pick from Bills-Niners to Bills-Packers. “It is the Buffalo Bills versus the Green Bay Packers. …That’s now my pick.” [A, 05:52]
- Football American Pick Six (DraftKings): Collaborative fantasy bets, including Quinton Johnson TD, Jordan Mason rush yards, Mahomes rushing yards, and Jalen Warren receiving yards.
- Notable banter: “He is their Jenga piece. He’s been removed. Now the Niners are going to collapse.” [A, 06:19]
- Jalen Warren and Mahomes props discussed as “safe plays” given recent performances.
4. The State of the States: Best Places to Be a Football Fan (11:56–22:10)
- Dan’s List: Ranks top states to be a football fan right now.
- Indiana tops the list for the rise of the Hoosiers and Colts.
- Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, and California discussed.
- Philosophical digression: Should fans root for more than one in-state team? JuJu: “We shouldn’t be so strict on fandom anymore. Root for who you want to root for. Don’t quote me.” [E, 18:36]
- Notable Quote: “If you are a Florida football fan, you’re not rooting for all of Florida. And if you are, you’re a disgrace.” [A, 18:01]
5. JuJu Gotti’s Top 8 Worst NFL Jerseys List (22:10–29:15)
An all-time aesthetics rant, curated for speed:
- #8: Miami Dolphins Orange top/White pants (“Fanfare, get them out of here.”)
- #7: Bears 1925 (“Dumpster set on fire, made into shirts.”)
- #6: Seahawks neon green (“Visual atrocity.”)
- #5: Bills “Takeo Spikes” era (“Two blues + red + gray + cherry red helmet = mess.”)
- #4: Eagles blue/yellow throwback (“Senseless.”)
- #3: Broncos 1980 yellow/brown (“What are we doing?”)
- #2: Steelers 1933 Blue (“Looks like a baby carrier, you know those Bjorns?”)
- #1: Packers navy/khaki with faux leather helmet (“Get out of here.”)
- Fun banter: Suggested curse on NFC/AFC South due to “bad omens” at creation. [E, 30:24]
6. The Five Most Interesting NFL Games of the Week: With Matt Verderame (32:00–50:38)
Game 5: Packers at Cowboys (34:34)
- Key Angle: Micah Parsons traded to longtime rival Green Bay—a shock move.
- Verderame’s Take: Packers to win/cover. “If Green Bay with that pass rush knows you gotta sit back there and throw the ball to a CeeDee Lamb-less offensive team—Not good.” [C, 34:16]
- Notable stat: Dak Prescott: 126 pass attempts (most in NFL).
Game 4: Vikings vs. Steelers (in Dublin) (36:48)
- Verderame: Likes Vikings; exposes Steelers’ offensive flaws (yet to reach 300 yards in a game).
- Dan: “I think this is the game where [Aaron Rodgers’] age and instincts to avoid hits get exposed.” [A, 37:51]
- Key Stat: Vikings get Jordan Addison back; Pittsburgh’s O is the NFL’s least productive.
Game 3: Colts at Rams (40:12)
- Verderame: Rams to win at home; worries about severity of Matthew Stafford’s injuries.
- Matchup: Rams’ defense (tied for most sacks in NFL) vs Colts’ O-line (best sack rate allowed).
- Dan: Rams’ front seven is “for real.” [A, 42:34]
Game 2: Eagles at Buccaneers (43:16)
- Verderame: “Eagles haven’t run well at all…if they’re going to beat Tampa, they have to throw.”
- Tampa’s D: Top-5 against the run despite injuries.
- Dan: “Baker Mayfield deserves to be talked about for MVP.” [A, 45:04]
- Verdict: “I like Tampa. …The Bucs are playing better football right now.” [C, 45:57]
Game 1: Chiefs vs. Ravens (47:36)
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Verderame: Cites injuries on Baltimore’s side as key; expects KC to win at Arrowhead. “The Chiefs have played the Ravens six times with Mahomes & Jackson; they’re 5–1.” [C, 48:07]
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Dan pushes back: Sees Ravens as better right now, takes Baltimore to win. [A, 49:50]
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Running Joke: Dan Orlovsky’s claim that KC could “miss the playoffs” gets lampooned.
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Bonus Pick: Bills -16.5 vs Saints—Verderame expects big blowout, Dan is skeptical on the spread.
Memorable Quotes & Segment Highlights
- “How many big moments do you need to deliver in the postseason…to still be left out of the Hall of Fame?” – Dan [04:31]
- “More tackles than drop passes for Larry Fitzgerald. Sheesh.” – D [05:28]
- “He is their Jenga piece. He’s been removed. Now the Niners are going to collapse.” – Dan [06:19]
- “Dumpster set on fire, made into shirts.” – JuJu Gotti, on Bears’ 1925 jerseys [23:38]
- “If you are a Florida football fan, you’re not rooting for all of Florida. And if you are, you’re a disgrace.” – Dan [18:01]
- “Root for who you want to root for. Don’t quote me.” – JuJu Gotti [18:36]
- “Looks like a baby carrier. You know those Bjorns?” – Dan, on Steelers’ 1933 jersey [27:09]
- “The Chiefs have dominated Baltimore over the years, part of the reason is …they’re going to spy Jackson and say: Beat us.” – Matt Verderame [48:07]
- “I think Baker Mayfield at this point is easily one of the top 10 quarterbacks in football.” – Matt Verderame [45:17]
- “More tackles than drop passes for Larry Fitzgerald. Sheesh.” – D [05:28]
Overall Tone & Style
Casually competitive and sharp; this episode balances serious game analysis with characteristically playful banter and sports nerd nostalgia. Regular callbacks (jerseys, fan allegiances, classic stats) and tongue-in-cheek asides (“Metro Mercury was in retrograde…bad omen” [E, 30:24]) keep the energy fun and accessible for both diehards and casual fans alike. Guests like JuJu Gotti and Matt Verderame match the tone, mixing insight with comedic edge.
Table of Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|----------------| | Opening Monologue / Lamar & Harbaugh | 00:00–05:28 | | #11s in NFL History | 05:28–06:13 | | Super Bowl Picks Update + Pick Six | 06:13–09:49 | | JuJu Gotti States List/Football Fandom | 11:56–22:10 | | JuJu’s 8 Worst NFL Jerseys | 22:10–29:15 | | AFC/NFC South Curses & Divisions | 29:15–31:13 | | Matt Verderame Five Games: | | | — Packers at Cowboys | 34:34–35:40 | | — Vikings vs Steelers (Dublin) | 36:48–38:18 | | — Colts at Rams | 40:12–42:36 | | — Eagles at Bucs | 43:16–46:11 | | — Chiefs vs Ravens | 47:36–49:50 | | Bonus: Bills-Saints Pick | 50:18–50:39 |
For the Listener
If you missed the episode, this summary walks you through all the banter, key insights, stats, debates, and characteristically offbeat Le Batard moments—punctuated by standout quotes and segment timestamps for context.
