The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Top Five NFL Games To Watch in Week 7, Falcons Soar with Bijan Robinson, Dan Campbell Wants Detroit Rocking Again, Plus USC Legend Matt Leinart Shares What's Great About South Bend, Indiana
Date: October 17, 2025
Main Guests: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Chris Cody, Matt Leinart

Overview

This episode broadcasts from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, bringing the signature blend of in-depth NFL analysis, pop culture discussion, and irreverent banter the show is famous for. The crew breaks down the best NFL games to watch in Week 7, discusses the complexity of football rivalries, and welcomes Heisman-winning QB Matt Leinart for a candid conversation about the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, college quarterback development, and the mystique (or lack thereof) of South Bend, Indiana.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Football Rivalries: A Top Six List

• [01:52–10:09] Dan opens with an entertaining monologue ranking top non-regional football rivalries, blending historical context and sharp humor.
• Rankings include:
  • #6: USC vs Notre Dame (“Extreme lifestyle differences… not just the Golden Domers’ aversion to using Trojans.” – Dan)
  • Notable mentions: Dallas Cowboys rivalries, Army vs Navy at #1, and pop culture analogies (e.g., Homer Simpson v. Ned Flanders).

Quote:
“Sometimes it’s about two teams peaking in different time zones but in the same window of time leading to showdowns that play as cultural reckonings and live on past just one generation…” – Dan Le Batard [03:01]

2. Jersey Number 17 — The Conversation

• [05:27–08:56] In their weekly tradition, the guys debate the best NFL player to wear #17.
  • Consensus leans toward Josh Allen, but Chris Cody staunchly defends Philip Rivers.
  • Playoff win critique: “Josh Allen win a road playoff game. OK, then you’ll impress me.” – Chris Cody [05:53]
  • The conversation takes a turn into relationships and football, riffing on the baked-in excuses athletes (and podcasters) use.

Memorable banter:
Chris Cody: “I want to use my wife as an excuse if I have a bad show. That’s what I want to do.” [07:07]
Dan: “Works great until you get home… then you have to answer for your sins.” [07:19]

3. Rivalries, Scandals, and NFL Fandom

• [08:56–10:44] Further riffing on rivalries, with shoutouts to basketball (Heat vs. Knicks, LeBron against the West) and a nod to the evolving nature of sports animus.
• The guys reference the Josh Allen–Hailee Steinfeld non-scandal, poking fun at fans' need for blame when a beloved QB struggles.

4. Interview: Matt Leinart on USC-Notre Dame & More

• [13:34–27:23]
• Blood Drive Cause: Leinart opens discussing his involvement in the Big Ten/Abbott Labs blood drive competition, emphasizing school pride and community impact. “One donation can save three lives... over 110,000 lives already this year.” – Matt Leinart [14:10]
• QB Draft Analysis: Leinart discusses the challenges of evaluating QBs for the NFL, system fit, and how talent doesn't always translate. He touts Jama Tia as a likely 2026 #1 pick, but notes, “It’s really about fit and system… at this level, it’s challenging.” [16:56]
• NFL Systems: Praises Kyle Shanahan’s and Sean McVay’s schemes, relating them to his own comfort as a former pro. “I look at Brock Purdy… that would’ve been best for my skill set.” [19:51]
• South Bend vs. LA: Leinart on Notre Dame road games: “I can’t tell you one thing better [about South Bend vs. LA]... the weather stinks, there’s nothing to do... You want to get in, you want to get the hell out.” [21:50–23:04]
• Rivalry Memories: Detailed memories of the infamous 2005 USC-Notre Dame “Bush Push” game. “They were nasty... more than a thousand kids shaking the bus. Not typical Notre Dame behavior.” [23:46–24:52]
• USC Rival Hates: “Definitely don’t like Notre Dame. UCLA is fine, little brother.” [25:27]

5. NFL Week 7 Top Five Games – Picks & Analysis

• [34:25–48:52]
  The crew — Dan, Chris Cody, and the Fuentes brothers (with a comedic assist from “Henry Rollins” impersonator) — preview their top matchups, picking winners and highlighting trends.
• Packers at Cardinals:
  • Cody: “If Murray plays, I like Green Bay. If Brissette plays, I like Arizona to cover.” [34:31]
• Rams at Jaguars:
  • Cody: “There’s just something about these Jags, I think they should be good, but they’re not… McVay one of the best – Rams -3.” [36:05]
  • Dan: Without Nakua, Rams lose an edge.
• Falcons at 49ers:
  • Cody: “The Falcons are the most confusing team… I just start fading myself.” [37:56]
  • Dan: Falcons “about to take off” in the NFC South.
• Eagles at Vikings:
  • Cody: “I love betting a good team after they lose… Eagles -2.5 is as good as you’ll get all year.” [40:19]
  • Dan: Still believes in play-caller Kevin O’Connell, picks surprise Vikings win.
• Colts at Chargers:
  • Cody: “There’s just something wrong with these Chargers. Give me Colts +1.5.” [42:05]
  • Injuries cited as major issue for Chargers’ offensive line.
• Buccaneers at Lions:
  • Cody: "I love this game. I want to show somebody what football is… I’m taking the points, Bucs +5.5, and I just want to be alone with this game." [45:14]
  • Dan: "The Lions will rise up and depose the Bucs by a touchdown or more."
• Texans at Seahawks:
  • Cody: "I've been on [Seattle] all year. That defense, top two… I will take Seattle -3 at home." [47:41]

6. Classic Le Batard Show Banter

• [27:44–34:25; 48:52–52:32]
  Interludes of trademark humor:
• Chris Cody laments feeling pressure to “bring the funny” post-Billy Gill.
• Cody and crew debate the best cookie (Oreo vs. chocolate chip vs. butterscotch). “If I could have one cookie for the rest of my life, give me an Oreo.” – Chris Cody [30:47]
• Air fryer vs. microwave: “Microwave ovens are the most overrated technological advancement... Air fryer has the microwave beat six ways to Sunday.” – Dan [32:21]
• Theoretical math about microwaving cookies: “I say 11 to 17 seconds is the sweet spot.” [31:14]
• More food analogies and bellyaches, keeping the banter light.

7. Pick Six Player Props

• [48:52–53:10]
  The group debates strategy and offers prop picks for DraftKings' Pick Six:
  • Dan predicts Justin Herbert and Matthew Stafford will each throw an INT.
  • Jalen Hurts “Tush Push” rushing TD, Ladd McConkey TD, Travis Kelce TD.
  • Chris Cody suggests Travis Hunter under 39 receiving yards, calls out Dan: “If you take the over on an interception, that’s like taking an under.” [51:32]
  • Mike Fuentes and Gino argue over classic props, beef Wellington, and the positivity of betting “overs.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On NFL fandom and blame:
  “They can’t blame the football. So they blame the girlfriend. They’re just reaching for answers.” – Show Panel [06:33]

• On QB evaluation woes:
  “Sometimes you get caught up in you can run fast, you can throw the ball 80 yards…but when it comes down to it, it comes down to mental. It comes down to system and the way you’re being taught.” – Matt Leinart [19:07]

• On South Bend:
  “The weather stinks. There’s nothing to do in South Bend…You want to get in, you want to get the hell out right away.” – Matt Leinart [21:53/23:04]

• Classic football wisdom:
  “There are now more Super Bowl viable teams in the NFC than there are in the AFC.” – Dan Le Batard [34:56]

• Chris Cody on food & football:
  “I want to be alone with this game. I don’t want anyone to see me when I’m watching this game.” [45:41]

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• 01:52 – Dan’s Top 6 Rivalries Monologue
• 05:27 – Jersey #17 Debate: “Phil Rivers vs. Josh Allen”
• 13:34 – Matt Leinart Interview Begins (Blood Drive, QB Draft, South Bend, Rivalries)
• 34:25 – NFL Week 7 Games Countdown & Picks
• 48:52 – “Pick Six” Prop Section
• 30:13, 31:14, 32:21 – Comedy breaks, cookie and air fryer debates
• 45:14 – “Bucs vs. Lions”: Cody’s Love Letter

Tone and Style

Staying true to the original, the episode bounces between sharp sports analysis, nostalgic football reminiscence, and quick-fire, playful humor among friends. The in-jokes, sidebars on food, and meta-commentary on the nature of fandom and sports podcasting give every segment a sense of accessibility and relatability for diehard listeners and casual fans alike.

For anyone who missed the show:
You’ll come away understanding Week 7’s juiciest NFL matchups, why USC-Notre Dame is pure college football theater, and why an Oreo and a well-timed air fryer can make gameday that much sweeter.