The Dan Patrick Show: C&R - Insane Wild Card Weekend!

Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Covino & Rich, with Isaac Lone Cron, Danny G, Sam
(Episode covering NFL Wild Card Weekend with personal insights, humor, and fan interaction.)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Covino & Rich" on The Dan Patrick Show dives deep into the NFL Wild Card Weekend, recapping the biggest games, surprising comebacks, coaching blunders, players under pressure, and standout performances. The hosts mix sharp sports analysis with lively banter, fan calls, memorable anecdotes, and observations on football culture. Key games focused on include the Patriots-Chargers "snoozer," the 49ers' continued run despite injuries, the Bears' epic comeback, and the continued scrutiny of QBs like Justin Herbert and Caleb Williams.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend Recap & First Impressions

• Covino and Rich set the tone, celebrating a "wild" Wild Card Weekend with a special shout-out to Rich’s 49ers and commiserations for Chargers fans.
• [02:35] Covino: “It was wild. Bills, 49ers, Pats, Bears, Rams sort of weekend... But it was a wild one.”

2. Chargers-Patriots: Coaching Missteps & Herbert’s Struggles

• Focus on real-time game management issues by Chargers' coaching staff, especially ill-timed substitutions killing momentum late in the game.
  • [06:47] Isaac Lone Cron: "It cost the Chargers at a point where they still had a chance to win the game... a total of 40 seconds."
• Ongoing debate about Justin Herbert’s lack of playoff success and his perplexing immunity from harsh criticism compared to other young QBs.
  • [09:02] Covino: “Why is it with [Herbert] that when he does well, everybody praises him, but when he doesn’t come through, he ... avoids the backlash?”

3. Kyle Shanahan & the Gritty 49ers

• Admiration for San Francisco’s persistence despite injuries, particularly the loss of George Kittle.
  • [14:17] Covino (on Shanahan): “He’s playing chess, and Nick Sirianni was playing Candyland. We’re talking about different levels.”
• Conversation around the "game manager" label, historically seen as negative, and how Brock Purdy is reframing it.
  • [16:56] Covino: “Managed the clock, managed the plays... You’re the coach on the field, and you do it with poise and confidence.”
  • [16:27] Rich (quoting Dan Patrick): “The greatest game manager of all time is Tom Brady.”

4. Bears-Packers: Wild Comeback and Caleb Williams’ Arrival

• The Bears’ epic comeback win against Green Bay is celebrated as the best game of the weekend.
  • [17:34] Covino: “That Bears game was probably the game of the weekend. Right? Clearly, hands down.”
• Special attention paid to Caleb Williams’ poise and magic in crunch time.
  • [18:01] Rich: “He’s got composure... He gave dramatic pauses. He was thought out, he was calm.”
  • [18:22] Covino: “What a performance, man. Impressive. Any hate? He shut up all hater...”

5. Josh Allen’s Dominant Weekend & Broader Playoff Themes

• Celebrating Allen’s performance, both on the field (notably his long, powerful QB sneaks) and off it (personal news with his partner at the Golden Globes).
  • [18:59] Rich: “This guy does a QB sneak that felt like it never ended.”
  • [19:12] Covino: “Can anyone say they had a better weekend than Josh Allen?”
• Discussion of “paths to the Super Bowl” and how Allen’s is as clear as ever.
  • [23:10] Covino: “Never did he have a better chance than right now to take it all... It’s now or never for Josh Allen.”

6. 49ers as a New Underdog Story

• Despite history, injuries and roster churn have made the Niners a surprise underdog, giving a new feel to their postseason run.
  • [22:28] Rich: “There is a vibe that the Niners are a pretty cool underdog story right now with all the injuries and Shanahan...”

7. Fan Calls & The Emotional Rollercoaster

• Tony from Oregon calls as a Bears fan, elated by the turnaround and Caleb Williams' generational talent.
  • [34:10] Tony in Oregon: “...just reminds me of the turnaround... the turnaround in Chicago, it’s just, just, just friggin awesome.”
• Packer fans lament the second-half collapse and adjustments by the Bears.
  • [37:21] Sam (Packers fan): "The Bears made adjustments. They couldn't run the ball. Jordan Love was running for his life..."

8. Notable Quotes, Humor & Culture

• Cheesy (pun intended) jokes about cheese graters in stadiums.
  • [04:46] Rich: “That one jabroni in the stands... with a brick of Parmesan.”
• Camaraderie and football superstition at home.
  • [44:00] Covino & Rich: “...everyone, put down your phone... Look here. I need all of you... Stop them. Stop them.”
• Jokes about matching blue hoodies & ‘cult’ vibes on YouTube live stream.
  • [03:16] Rich: “If you are watching on the YouTube channel, we’re not in a cult. We just happen to both be wearing matching sweatshirts today.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps):

• On Chargers’ personnel blunders:
  “It cost them 20 seconds on two occasions. So it cost them a total of 40 seconds because the officials have to stop play while the clock is running...”
  — Isaac Lone Cron [06:47]
• On Herbert’s Teflon reputation:
  “He gets away with a lot of criticism...I don’t know how he does it, but he does.”
  — Covino [09:02]
• On Kyle Shanahan’s coaching:
  “He’s playing chess, and Nick Sirianni was playing, like, Candyland. Like, we’re talking about different levels.”
  — Rich [14:23]
• On Brock Purdy's "game manager" label:
  “He pointed out that the greatest game manager of all time is Tom Brady. And you saw Brock Purdy as a quote, game manager, but not a game manager in the sense...he knew what needed to be done in the key spots.”
  — Rich [16:27]
• On Caleb Williams' demeanor post-win:
  “He was thought out, he was calm...he made a speech about, when you look up at the clock, whoever’s on top wins the game.”
  — Covino & Rich [18:01–18:18]
• On Josh Allen’s moment:
  “It’s now or never for Josh Allen. That’s the way I see it.”
  — Covino [23:19]
• Bears fan emotional call:
  “It reminds me of the turnaround...in Chicago, it’s just, just, just friggin awesome.”
  — Tony from Oregon [34:10]
• On the blue hoodie coincidence:
  “We’re not in a cult. We just happen to both be wearing matching sweatshirts.”
  — Rich [03:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Banter (Matching outfits, YouTube): 02:35–04:36
• Cheese grater fan talk: 04:36–05:13
• Chargers-Patriots analysis: 05:28–09:32
• Justin Herbert vs. Criticism: 09:32–11:13
• 49ers’ run & injuries: 12:02–16:10
• Game manager, Purdy vs. Tom Brady: 16:10–17:08
• Bears’ comeback & Caleb Williams magic: 17:08–18:37
• Josh Allen’s weekend: 18:46–20:09
• Paths to the Super Bowl: 20:21–24:20
• Fan calls – Bears euphoria: 34:03–35:27
• Packers fan pain / coaching critiques: 36:51–37:45

Closing Highlights & Listener Participation

• Covino & Rich continually invite fan calls and chat participation, keeping things lively (“87799 on Fox”).
• Reflecting on football’s sacred, shared rituals with friends and family at home.
• Ongoing humor, ribbing, and pop culture callouts (matching outfits, TikTok memes, etc.).
• Game Ball Awards: Rich gives shout-outs to key players/coaches for grit and contributions (Kyle Juszczyk, Tom Brady, tease for a special female contributor [47:03–48:24]).

Summary

This episode offers a dynamic recap of one of the most thrilling Wild Card Weekends in recent memory, weaving together sharp football insight, relatable fan-nerd talk, and plenty of humor. Listeners are treated to passionate breakdowns of critical plays, coaching decisions, player narratives, and the evolving stories of this year’s NFL postseason—plus the ongoing story of how sports brings people together.

For anyone who missed the episode, this summary delivers all the major narratives, standout player moments, humorous bits, and the energetic banter that makes Covino & Rich must-listen sports radio.