The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Top Five NFL Games to Watch in Week 6, Why the Jaguars will Fall to Earth with Ben Axelrod, And Steve Smith Sr. on his Hall of Fame Snub
Date: October 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their crew, alongside special guests Steve Smith Sr. and Ben Axelrod (Awful Announcing), cover:

• The best NFL games to watch in Week 6
• Betting picks and player props for the weekend
• A candid conversation with Steve Smith Sr. on his Hall of Fame snub and personal reflections
• Ben Axelrod's insights on NFL storylines and why he believes the Jaguars might “come back to earth”
• Pop culture tangents, including the cultural impact of Bad Bunny performing at the upcoming Super Bowl

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Colorful History & Culture of the AFC North

[00:01–02:43]

• The show opens with a humorous walk through AFC North history, noting quarterback Joe Flacco’s continued presence in the division.
  • Dan weaves through the “incestuous” relationships of teams and QBs in the North, referencing Paul Brown, Art Modell, the Browns' move to Baltimore, and how it shapes today’s rivalries.
  • Notable dig: “The Browns could have taken Roethlisberger, but they went with Kellen Winslow Jr. instead.”
• Banter sets the energetic, irreverent tone for the episode.

2. Who’s the Greatest NFL #15?

[02:43–03:15]

• Quick roundtable on the best player to wear #15:
  • “I’m gonna go Pat Mahomes. Maybe I’m a prisoner of my own time here...” (Gino, 02:43)
  • Shout-outs to Bart Starr, Steve Van Buren, and Brandon Marshall.

3. DraftKings ‘Pick Six’ Segment: NFL Week 6 Betting Props

[03:15–08:00]

• Dan, Gino, and Mike Fuentes run through touchdown prop bets and overs:
  • Dan’s picks: Josh Jacobs (TD), George Pickens (TD), Javonte Williams (TD), J.K. Dobbins (TD), Bo Nix (TDs), Zach Charbonnet (TD).
  • Gino suggests Bryce Young’s passing yards over 220.5 due to Dallas' weak secondary.
  • Mike swaps Pickens for rookie Ted McMillan for a TD, plus commentary on the inherent randomness of TD predictions.
  • Fun meta-commentary on gambling logic: “Touchdowns tend to be a little random.” (Mike, 05:31)
  • Segment is packed with whimsical in-studio banter.

4. Featured Interview: Steve Smith Sr. on Football, Family, and Hall of Fame Frustration

[08:00–34:02]

Hall of Fame Snub & Emotional Honesty

[08:00–12:55]

• Steve Smith Sr. is asked how vexed he is about not being in the Hall of Fame:
  • “Scale of 1 to 10, what would you like first? The lie or the truth?... Over the years, [my frustration] has reduced itself to one or zero. Here’s why...” (Steve Smith, 09:29)
  • Smith credits faith and family for his perspective, noting the personal challenges he’s facing, making Hall of Fame frustrations secondary.
  • “I wouldn’t be a grateful Hall of Famer at this point because I’d be so emotionally overwhelmed...”

Football’s Value as Distraction

[12:55–14:49]

• Dan and Steve discuss how pro football serves as a societal distraction and comfort, relating it to personal hardships and family.

The Importance of Family

[14:49–16:32]

• Steve talks about spending time golfing with his kids, pride in their accomplishments, and the joys and humility of parenting.

Panthers vs. Ravens Loyalty (Split Allegiances)

[17:19–22:01]

• Dan presses Steve on who he’d root for if the Ravens met the Panthers in the Super Bowl:
  • “That is a really tough question... I have a love for both organizations... I love them equally, but... there are some things I’ve experienced in Baltimore that I didn’t experience in Carolina...”
  • Ultimately, Steve jokes he’d pick sides based on whichever organization has the better hotel for alumni guests:
    “I’m 46. There’s luxury that I’m used to.” (21:17)

Trash Talk & NFL Memories

[22:31–25:04]

• Reminisces about his Steelers rivalry, mutual respect with Ike Taylor, and a notorious BountyGate anecdote involving Darren Sharper:
  • “First thing he said [after going after my ankle]: I was told to. I’ll get five.” (Steve Smith, 23:59)

The McDaniel or McConaughey Game

[25:04–26:30]

• Dan quizzes Steve on quotes by Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel vs. actor Matthew McConaughey.

Bad Bunny & the Super Bowl Halftime Show

[26:47–32:55]

• Steve isn’t “concerned” about Bad Bunny performing, welcomes the cultural shift:
  • “Bad Bunny brings a different culture to American football that may be missing... at the end of the day, the powers that be... didn’t ask you.” (Steve Smith, 27:06)
  • Illustrative story about opinions: “When that dude bought that 300, $400,000 car, he didn’t ask your ass if you liked it...” (28:46)
• Reflects on halftime shows as a player — admits to not knowing about the Janet Jackson incident while in the locker room.

Respect for NFL Backstage Workers

[31:12–32:55]

• Appreciates behind-the-scenes staff: “There’s people, so many men and women, that are the nuts and bolts of making our great game as good as it is.”

Parting Words

[32:55–34:02]

• Steve Smith signs off with characteristic humor and warmth, plugging his podcast “The 89 Show,” joking, “I don’t want to become a male stripper, you know what I mean?” (33:43)

5. NFL Week 6: Top Five Games to Watch (with Ben Axelrod)

[34:04–49:06]

Quick Warm-Up: “Tomato or Potato”

[34:23–35:23]

• Ben Axelrod chooses potato “all day, any day” over tomato.

Game 5: Cardinals @ Colts (Coordinator Showdown)

[36:02–37:38]

• Ben likes Cardinals +7.5 for the points: “That’s just a lot of points to me... I still think Jonathan Gannon... a really good defensive coach.” (36:38)
• Both hosts debate the emotional angles and impact of Kyler Murray’s health.

Game 4: Seahawks @ Jaguars

[39:19–40:11]

• Ben predicts a Jaguars “comeback to earth” after a big win, likes Seattle:
  • “When you just go... this team won, now they’re going to lose... that’s how I think this is going to play out.” (39:19)
• Dan agrees, noting the “trap” line and randomness of NFL outcomes.

Game 3: Rams @ Ravens

[41:40–43:04]

• Rams favored by 7.5 in Baltimore—a rarity. Ben: “I just don’t want to be on this Ravens side... without Lamar Jackson... The Ravens... got blown out [last week]... could be another blowout.” (42:09)
• Dan takes the Ravens to cover, if not win outright—loyalty vs. logic.

Game 2: Browns @ Steelers (AFC North Slugfest)

[45:14–46:41]

• Ben breaks down Cleveland’s woes:
  • “Browns are the first team to come back from overseas and face a team that’s coming off its bye... that’s not a good spot for the Browns...” (45:14)
• Both agree Steelers should win, but Dan expects a gritty, low-scoring contest: “Finish 19 to 17 will be your final.”

Game 1: Lions @ Chiefs (Prime Time Clash)

[47:38–48:34]

• “Feels like a get-right spot for the Chiefs... empty the tank type of game...” (Ben, 47:38)
• Dan sides with the Lions in a one-point thriller, 34–33, but admits it’s risky to pick against Mahomes at home.

Notable Sidebars

• Ben gets a plug for his sports media podcast at Awful Announcing and some banter about sportswriters' group chats.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Smith, on his Hall of Fame snub:
  “I wouldn’t be a grateful Hall of Famer at this point because I’d be so emotionally overwhelmed...” (09:53)
• On hotel choice trumping loyalty:
  “I have to pick and choose to see which is the home team, which is the away team, because I’m a Marriott guy. But if you’re staying at the Four Seasons... I may just kind of lean over to the Four Seasons.” (Steve Smith, 21:17)
• Regarding public criticism of Super Bowl performances:
  “When that dude bought that $400,000 car, he didn’t ask your ass if you liked it... Nobody gives a damn what you think.” (Steve Smith, 28:46)
• On fans’ emotional relationship to legacy:
  “Of all the people in society who we need to genuflect to, are we sure it’s these guys...?” (Dan, 12:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AFC North History & Opener: 00:01–02:43
• Greatest #15 in NFL History: 02:43–03:15
• DraftKings Pick Six & Betting Banter: 03:15–08:00
• Steve Smith Interview:
  • Hall of Fame Snub: 08:00–12:55
  • Family Focus: 14:49–16:32
  • Panthers vs. Ravens Loyalty: 17:19–22:01
  • Trash Talk & BountyGate: 22:31–25:04
  • McDaniel vs McConaughey game: 25:04–26:30
  • Bad Bunny Super Bowl: 26:47–32:55
• NFL Week 6 Top Games with Ben Axelrod:
  • Tomato or Potato: 34:23–35:23
  • Cardinals @ Colts: 36:02–37:38
  • Seahawks @ Jaguars: 39:19–40:11
  • Rams @ Ravens: 41:40–43:04
  • Browns @ Steelers: 45:14–46:41
  • Lions @ Chiefs: 47:38–48:34

Final Thoughts

This episode balances raucous sports banter with genuine introspection and humor. Steve Smith Sr.'s open-hearted reflections on life after football, family, and the Hall of Fame offer emotional depth, while the crew and Ben Axelrod’s game picks provide sharp, entertaining football analysis. The show’s trademark blend of irreverence, sports geekery, and pop culture commentary is on full display—a must-listen for any fan wanting both laughs and substance ahead of NFL Week 6.

Recommended Listen-For:

• Steve Smith Sr.’s candid take on fame and family (09:10–12:55)
• The hotel-luxury loyalty conundrum (21:13–22:01)
• “Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl” cultural analysis (26:47–32:55)
• Top-five NFL game previews with actionable fan/analyst insights (34:04 onwards)