The Dan Patrick Show – “C&R - Make You Go Hmm…Divisional Round!”

Date: January 20, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of Covino & Rich (“C&R”), filling in on The Dan Patrick Show, unpacks the drama from the NFL divisional playoff weekend. The hosts dish out takes on blockbuster coaching moves, wild playoff finishes, and gut-wrenching injuries—all through their trademark blend of sports insight and laid-back banter. If you’ve missed the weekend’s sports chaos or just want a deeper dive on the buzzy moments, this episode’s for you.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Divisional Round Reactions — “Things That Make You Go Hmm…”

00:41 – 04:37

• Rich laments: “In the history of watching football, I don’t think I’ve ever come away from a game feeling so blah and let down. And I’m not even talking about the Niner Seahawks game.” (04:49)
• The guys agree most games were lackluster except for clear blowouts and a couple standout performances. The “ass sandwich” metaphor pops up to express disappointment in the overall schedule, especially in the middle games.
• The Niners’ loss gets a moment of sympathy: “There was nothing your team could do…except for the fact that they can’t stay healthy.” (04:03)

2. Bills’ Heartbreak & McDermott’s Firing

05:56 – 12:31

• Dan Byer reports breaking news: “Sean McDermott was fired as the Bills head coach.” (05:58)
• The crew debates the standards for NFL head coaches and the emotional range for Bills fans after another early exit.
• “He did pretty damn well. But I get it. Couldn’t get over that hump. So you gotta do something to show the fans you care. Right? And you can’t do anything about Josh Allen, so you fire the coach.” – Covino (11:10)
• Extended discussion on the critical no-catch call for Buffalo (James Cook), with several hosts insisting, “I thought it was a catch… Everybody thought it was a catch. How was it not a catch in the moment?” (13:00 – 13:05)
• Danny G points out the importance of player body language and initial officiating: “Half the battle is having to overturn.” (14:47)

3. Coach Carousel & Dolphins’ Surprising Hire

05:56 – 11:14

• The Dolphins name Jeff Hafley (Packers Defensive Coordinator) as their new head coach.
• Reactions range from “not a sexy hire” to “I actually root for stories like this…It’s not always about the headline. It’s about merit.” – Covino (07:20)
• Dan Byer provides background: “He is a well-respected name within the circles, but just not a name that rises to the level of household name or notoriety.” (09:32)

4. Denver Broncos’ Quarterback Woes: Bo Nix Injury & The Nick Foles Effect

16:07 – 22:33

• Bo Nix breaks his ankle late in the game, sparking disbelief. “In the world of AI and Sora and fake news, you really didn’t know what to believe…is this a hoax or not?” – Covino (24:39)
• Discussion about how backup QB Jarrett Stidham must now lead the Broncos, evoking comparisons to Nick Foles (Eagles) and Jeff Hostetler (Giants): “If Stiddy leads them all the way, what does it say? It says that, well, they have a great system, they’re coached really well…Yeah, they won without their star.” – Covino (17:59)
• Rich speculates on Bo Nix’s legacy: “If Denver wins without Bo Nix, there will be that underlying, like…did we ever need him?” (19:47)
• Dan Byer notes, “For 60 minutes, you just need to figure out how you can beat the Patriots. It’s a one-game mission.” (23:24)
• Everyone agrees—now the backup QB underdog storyline is actually compelling TV: “We need to shift it. This might actually be a cool thing for us as fans to watch and to root for.” – Covino (25:53)

5. Shanahan, Injuries, & the 49ers’ “Strange Luck”

30:02 – 34:25

• Fans (and some players) joke about a conspiracy that the 49ers’ practice facility proximity to an electrical substation causes injuries. Rich: “Listen, it could be total BS…but I think in today’s day and age…the 49ers need to legit put out a statement.” (31:24)
• Dan Byer reminds everyone the 49ers have practiced there for decades, but injuries to older players and a thin WR corps pose challenges: “The 49ers are an older team...this stuff happens to players who are older.” (33:00)
• The hosts debate whether lighter practices under Shanahan could be part of the problem.

6. Rams, Stafford’s Look, and the Emergence of Caleb Williams

34:25 – 36:01 & 39:12 – 42:54

• Covino and Rich marvel at Stafford’s “gleaming white teeth” and “gray swirls” in his beard—a bit of classic C&R banter.
• More importantly, they gush over rookie Caleb Williams’ miraculous 4th down TD to Cole Kmet for the Bears. “You can’t teach that type of magic…that was our Tyra play of the day.” – Covino (39:41)
• Discussion about the Bears’ decision not to go for 2, echoing the coaching risk/reward narrative.

7. Listener Calls & Rapid-Fire Observations

27:49 – 43:02

• Several listeners chime in with their own “things that made them go hmm,” including skepticism over the 49ers’ injury luck, more praise for Caleb Williams, and speculation on Denver’s future.
• Rich: “They got the Endy Chavez treatment. One of the greatest catches you ever see…The only problem was the Mets ended up losing the game…That’s what happened with the Bears.” (42:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bills’ heartbreak:
  “I thought it was a catch…You thought it was a catch...Everybody thought it was a catch. How was it not a catch in the moment?”
  — Covino (13:00)

• On the coaching carousel:
  “Are you looking for the headline or are you looking to actually win—for substance, for merit?”
  — Covino (07:20)

• On underdogs & backup QBs:
  “This could be something to rally around. And it’s an underdog story. The backup quarterback gets a chance to show that he was great all along.”
  — Covino (25:52)

• On 49ers’ injury conspiracies:
  “There’s been a viral story…it hasn’t hit the mainstream to my knowledge…I see it all over social media.”
  — Covino (30:36)

• On the Rams-Bears finish:
  “He’s running back 50 yards…throws it perfectly in the end zone…If you hadn’t seen it, you would not believe it.”
  — Kevin Harlan (as replayed by hosts, 40:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Divisional Round Overview & “Ass Sandwich” Games: 01:11 – 05:02
• Bills’ Playoff Heartbreak, McDermott Firing: 05:56 – 13:00
• Dolphins Hire Jeff Hafley / Coaching Carousel Tee-Up: 06:24 – 11:14
• Controversial "No-Catch" & Game-Swinging Calls: 13:00 – 15:36
• Broncos QB Injury, Backup Comparison History: 16:07 – 22:33
• Listener Calls, 49ers Injury Theories: 27:49 – 34:25
• Miraculous Bears Play/Caleb Williams Chat: 39:12 – 42:54

Overall Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, and full of classic sports radio camaraderie. The hosts don’t hold back their fandom (“Sorry about your 49ers!”) or their willingness to poke fun at each other—and at the NFL universe’s most bizarre quirks. Pop culture references and caller contributions keep the episode lively.

Summary

Whether you’re a Bills fan cringing from Sunday, a Broncos supporter learning to love Jarrett Stidham, or just a fan of NFL chaos, this episode offers sharp analysis and plenty of laughs. The crew questions headline-hunting hirings, laments heartbreaking near-misses, and finds new storylines to root for—especially the rise of unlikely heroes and the shock twists of playoff football.

If you missed a wild weekend or want some fresh perspective on NFL drama, this episode of Covino & Rich (The Dan Patrick Show) delivers.