The Dan Patrick Show: Covino & Rich — "Vikings/Bears Emotional Coaster"

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino and Rich Davis (with Danny G, Iowa Sam, Dan Byer)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of the Covino & Rich takeover on The Dan Patrick Show dives into the emotional roller coaster surrounding the recent Vikings vs. Bears Monday Night Football game. Covino and Rich break down the ups and downs of quarterback performances—especially J.J. McCarthy’s—and explore how quick NFL fans and pundits are to overreact based on just a half of football. They also take live calls from fans, discuss week one overreactions and NFL traditions, and look ahead to potential season-defining moments after only one week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Social Media-Fueled Emotional Roller Coaster (04:39–09:43)

• Fickle Reactions: The hosts address how fans and media reacted in real time during the Vikings-Bears game. In the first half, social media began writing off JJ McCarthy (“he might be ass”) while crowning Bears’ Caleb Williams a future MVP.
• Covino: “Everybody was quick to write off JJ McCarthy, and Caleb Williams was the guy. The storylines changed throughout the game... We have to go over it.” (05:41)
• Overreactions Are the Norm: Rich describes the night as a “tale of two halves," noting that instant hot takes are part of fandom. Danny G and callers add how even professional analysts fell for these swings.

2. The Vikings' New Hope: J.J. McCarthy’s Leadership (06:05–07:52)

• Locker Room Impact: J.J. McCarthy, despite a rough start and a visible "deer in the headlights" moment, rejuvenated the Vikings with leadership and energy.
• Rich: “He seems like such a young, fun kid... Got the locker room fired up. Everything about the kid seems like I was sitting up some of our Viking fan friends saying, I think it’s safe to say you could buy that jersey for your kids.” (06:05)
• Covino: “That energy is contagious, too, and it was noticeable after the game. So, hey, Vikings, you got your guy.” (19:48)

3. NFL Week 1 Overreactions & Early Panic (09:43–14:36)

• Changing Expectations: Lions, Dolphins, Panthers, Giants fans all have big takeaways (or concerns) after just one game. Rich lists the surprisingly wide range of emotions different fan bases are experiencing after Week 1.
• Rich: “The only fan bases that should be really discouraged in my mind… [are] Dolphins… Maybe the Carolina Panthers... Anyone else, too. Giants gotta be way discouraged.” (11:01)
• Sample Size & Serial Overreactors: Covino admits dissecting Week 1 is all fans have to go on, but cautions: “It’s almost like a court case. You’re only dealing with the evidence you have, right?” (13:27)

4. The Perils of Starting 0-2 (14:54–18:05)

• Rich runs through teams that could be 0-2 after week two: Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, Giants, Cowboys, Falcons, Seahawks. Danny G and other producers chime in about the psychological impact of slow starts.
• Danny G: “Nobody wants to start 0-2. Just like in fantasy football.” (18:05)

5. Fan Reactions – Call-Ins from Minnesota and Chicago (18:08–22:36)

• Trey from Minnesota (Vikings fan): Shares how the Vikings’ emotional swings have made their rare successful moments “generational” family events, never having seen a Super Bowl win (18:08–19:04).
• Tony from Oregon (Bears fan): Laments Chicago’s “brutal” performance and concerns about Caleb Williams running too much. Rich suggests more time is needed for Ben Johnson and Williams to gel as coach–QB. (20:55–21:52)

6. The Social Impact of NFL Hot Takes (23:33–24:56)

• Social Media Apologies: Even personalities like Colin Cowherd were caught switching opinions live, from “JJ might be ass” to wondering if McCarthy could be Comeback Player of the Week.
• Covino: “Even the announcers last night were going through the whole roller coaster of emotions.” (37:13)
• “Look how great he is... it was a lot of joking apologies like, yo, my bad, because everyone at one point deemed him ass.” —Rich (23:33)

7. Football Traditions: The Enduring Power of Ritual (38:04–52:00)

• British Pint Tradition: Covino highlights a story about a group of friends who’ve met every Thursday for a pint since 1968—over 56 years. (38:04)
• NFL Traditions: The hosts compare this commitment to their own faltering NFL kickoff rituals and reflect on the challenge of keeping sports traditions alive.
• Rich: “We get together with a group of buds and pick a different football stadium… we make it a guy’s weekend.” (51:39)
• Discussion about changing Super Bowl attendee demographics as original fans age out.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hot takes:
  “We’re all prisoners of the moment, as Danny G likes to say.” – Covino (05:41)
• The Vikings’ new QB:
  “He seems like such a young, fun kid… everything about the kid seems like I was sitting up some Viking fan friends saying, I think it’s safe to say you could buy that jersey for your kids.” – Rich (06:05)
• Fan generational trauma:
  “Best thing is when they win the super bowl, it’s going to be my first time seeing it. I’m 32, my dad’s first time seeing it, my grandpa, my great grandpa, my son in law, my grandson, all of us.” – Trey in Minnesota (18:47)
• Media humility:
  “Look how great he is… when you clicked on it at the end of that game, it was a lot of joking apologies like, yo, my bad, because everyone at one point deemed him ass.” – Rich (23:33)
• On football traditions:
  “That takes a legitimate commitment to say… let’s try to do this every year.” – Covino (52:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• The fan and media social media overreactions: 05:00–08:46
• Insight on J.J. McCarthy as Vikings’ leader: 06:39–07:52
• NFL Week 1 emotional rollercoaster: 09:03–14:36
• Impact of 0-2 starts / calls about Vikings and Bears: 14:54–22:36
• Memes, apologies, social media takes: 23:33–24:56
• Football traditions and British pub story: 38:04–52:00

Tone & Takeaways

Covino & Rich maintain their signature blend of high energy, irreverent humor, and authentic fan perspective throughout, creating a conversational and relatable vibe. They embrace fans’ right to “overreact” and the fun of mid-season speculation, while also highlighting the importance of patience, tradition, and perspective in football fandom. Insights about locker room culture, leadership, and the social impact of sports round out the episode, making it a must-listen for die-hard and casual fans alike.

In Summary:
This episode is a relatable, fast-paced exploration of how NFL emotions run high in a social-media era, how easily hot takes can flip, and why traditions (fan, team, or otherwise) matter, all set against the backdrop of the Vikings’ and Bears’ dramatic Monday night. J.J. McCarthy emerges as a symbol of youthful rebirth in Minnesota, while fans and hosts alike reflect on how quickly fortunes—and opinions—change in the NFL.