The Dan Patrick Show: C&R – Best NFL Game of the Season?

Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich Edition)
Date: December 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosted by Covino & Rich, centers around a thrilling NFL game that kicked off Week 16 — a dramatic, controversial matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. The crew dives into the electric finish, standout performances (notably Sam Darnold's), playoff ramifications, NFL uniform aesthetics, and debate whether this was the best game (or at least the best ending) of the season. Sprinkled throughout are trademark doses of humor, banter, pop culture references, and fan interaction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seahawks vs. Rams: The Game That Had Everything

[03:21–09:37, 14:48–22:41]

• "Week 16 started with a bang, dude."
  Both hosts gush over the Seahawks' stunning comeback and the game's wild momentum shifts.
• Sam Darnold’s Journey:
  • From "zero to hero" after orchestrating a gutsy win.
  • Discussion on Darnold’s underdog narrative, his path from “Jets castoff” to difference-maker (11:53).
  • Quote [07:12, Covino]: "I think they invented a color last night because I've never seen it before."
• Uniforms as a Highlight
  • The Seahawks' new helmet/uniform color is a subject of fascination.
  • Quote [07:11, Covino]: "That Seahawks color last night was something I don't think we’ve ever seen before."
  • Dan Beyer reveals he collects all the mini helmets, with family buy-in ([08:05–09:00]).
• Controversy: Two-Point Conversion
  • The decisive two-point attempt was both exhilarating and debated (09:37).
  • Rich: "Should you feel any sort of guilt if you’re a Seahawks fan? Or is that the right call and you won and that's it?"

2. Big Questions and Candid Convo

• Is Sam Darnold Elite (Yet)?
  • Covino parallels Darnold’s path to his own radio career “van driver” story, suggesting that starting at the bottom biases how fans see players (11:08).
  • Some skepticism about Darnold’s ceiling and interception issues.
  • Noted that he’s 26–6 as a starter in his last games, yet turnovers remain his "fatal flaw."
  • Dan Beyer [13:51]: "The funny thing with Darnold is...the interceptions have always been there. It’s now you just gotta deal with it."
• Fan Emotions & Luck
  • Accepting luck as part of sports: “Sometimes a little luck is part of the equation.” ([09:46, Rich])
• Playoff Implications
  • With two games left for the Niners and Seahawks, the NFC West is wide open.
  • If both keep winning, Week 18's Niners-Seahawks could decide the #1 seed ([23:45, Rich]).

3. Overtime Strategy & NFL Rules

[17:06–20:37]

• Going for two in OT deemed a necessity given playoff tiebreaker scenarios.
  • "A tie is sort of like an L there." ([17:52, Rich])
• Debated whether 10-minute OT quarters work—consensus: not really.
• Dan Beyer questions if teams with first OT possession should consider going for two, strategically.

4. Memorable Moments & Humor

• The “Color” Conversation ([07:11–07:30]):
  • Covino riffs on Michael Jackson’s quest for new sounds, comparing the Seahawks helmet to inventing a new color.
• Banter about family, mini-helmet collections, and teaching kids NFL teams through collectibles ([08:05–09:00]).
• Quote [15:49, Rich]: "The crowd went from booing to cheering without even taking a breath," after a surprise 17-yard run on third and 16.
• Lighthearted discussion of trolling fans who watch games on different streaming delays ([33:07–34:11]).
• Jokes about “one shoe dirty foot club stumblers” (32:30), and playful ribbing about stats, streaming, and holiday party plans.

5. Fan Interaction & Broader Sports Talk

• Calls and live chat on game delays, bowl games, scheduling, and gameday food traditions ([32:49–36:43, 37:22–38:49]).
• Chat on college football playoffs, opt-out trends, and the meaninglessness of some bowl games.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [03:22, Covino]: "Week 16 started with a bang, dude. And Rich, unfortunately for you, both teams didn't lose."
• [07:11, Covino]: "That Seahawks color last night was something I don't think we've ever seen before. What was it?”
• [09:46, Rich]: "Sometimes a little luck is part of the equation."
• [13:51, Dan Beyer]: "The funny thing with Darnold is...the interceptions have always been there. It’s now you just gotta deal with it."
• [15:49, Rich]: "The crowd immediately started booing when they ran the ball, but then it was a run for 17 yards and a first down. The crowd went from booing to cheering, I think without even taking a breath."
• [17:52, Rich]: "A tie is sort of like an L there, so it's ballsy, but not really..."
• [19:00, Dan Beyer]: "They're going to make the playoffs. There are a 99% chance regardless ... you have to go for that overtime 2-point conversion."
• [21:56, Covino]: "It's really crazy to see how loose and how much fun [the players] really are having because I was kind of nervous watching."
• [23:45, Rich]: "If the Niners ... beat the Bears in the bay in San Francisco, that week 18 matchup — Seahawks-Niners — would be for the 1 seed. Write that script. Come on."
• [31:50, Covino]: "It really was a hell of a game and a great way to start the weekend.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:06–05:18: Opening banter, Seahawks game hype, Sam Darnold praise
• 05:18–07:30: Seahawks uniforms/helmet color debate
• 07:30–09:37: Mini-helmet collections, fan text chains, the two-point conversion controversy
• 11:05–13:14: Is Sam Darnold elite? Path, reputation, and redemption arc
• 13:51–14:58: Darnold's interception woes – "You just gotta deal with it."
• 15:48–16:40: Crowd reactions, memorable plays (17-yard run on 3rd and 16)
• 17:06–20:37: Overtime playoff implications, going for two, NFL OT rules
• 21:26–22:41: Rams sideline mood, Stafford and Nakua standout performances
• 22:41–23:45: Was it the game of the year? Stakes for the NFC West
• 32:49–34:11: Fan feedback: streaming delays, “spoilers” in texts
• 36:14–36:43: College football playoff format and opt-out debate

Listener Engagement

• Fans chimed in via phone and live chat about both the game and larger sports themes, especially their frustrations on streaming-delayed spoilers, playoff scenarios, and even fixing college football bowl season ([32:49–36:43]).
• The show kept an inviting, interactive energy (“Your thoughts on the game last night, 8-7-7-99 on Fox”).

Concluding Thoughts & Tone

Combining deep sports insight, good-natured ribbing, and listener participation, Covino & Rich built a lively breakdown of a season-defining NFL clash. The show was marked by relatable fan energy, equal attention to strategy, humor, and the human element (both on and off the field). Even as the hosts poked fun at each other and their listeners, the enthusiasm for great football and memorable moments was obvious and infectious.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode captured the drama, controversy, and excitement of one of the season's most memorable NFL games, filtered through the hosts' signature mix of sports expertise and pop-cultural wit. Whether reliving the Seahawks’ thrilling win, debating Sam Darnold’s career, nerding out on uniforms, or pondering playoff destiny, it’s packed with the authentic, passionate vibe that defines The Dan Patrick Show.