The Dan Patrick Show — C&R: Massive NFL Games & Babies in the NBA

Date: December 5, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich takeover)
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This energetic episode, hosted by Covino & Rich with their regulars (Danny G, Iowa Sam, Spot, and Dan Beyer), dives head-first into NFL Week 14, the evolving NBA season, and the hot topic of work-life balance as seen through recent NBA player absences for the birth of children. The hosts blend strong sports analysis with pop-culture banter, listener engagement, humor, and a nostalgic "old school" segment inspired by Jay-Z's birthday.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Week 14 NFL Matchups: "Playoff Caliber"

[03:41–15:58]

• Playoff Magnitude:
  Rich highlights that six games this week are "of playoff magnitude," with enormous playoff implications starting with that night’s Lions vs. Cowboys game.
  • Rich: “...there’s six games that are of playoff caliber... it starts tonight with the Lions hosting the Cowboys.” [06:25]
• Thanksgiving Ratings Impact:
  Both hosts are incredulous at the record viewership numbers for recent Cowboys games (nearly 60 million viewers).
  • Covino: “...the fact that that many people were tuned in, that says a lot, man.” [07:11]
• Cowboys Momentum & Jerry Jones:
  Discussion of the Cowboys’ turnaround, crediting both management moves (notably the Quinnen Williams trade) and the improved defense.
  • Danny G points out:
    • Pre-trade: Cowboys allowed 143 rushing yds/game (28th in the league).
    • Post-trade: Only 45 yds/game (1st in NFL).
    • Danny G: “Post Quinn and Williams trade—45 yards a game, first in the NFL.” [10:05]
  • A humorous suggestion that “Jerry Jones was right” T-shirts are needed, poking fun at previous skepticism.
• Playoff Odds:
  Rich notes the Cowboys’ playoff chances swing dramatically based on the game outcome:
  • Win: 35%
  • Lose: Only 8%
• The Lions’ Narrow Window:
  The hosts discuss the concept of "windows" in team-building, questioning if the Lions—after recent losses—have missed theirs if they lose again.
  • Rich: “The Lions are number one on the list of suspects as far as did their window close?” [11:47]
• Bipolar Season & Bet Talk:
  The hosts agree this NFL season is “bipolar” and unpredictable, making this week particularly compelling for both fans and sports bettors.
  • Covino: “...this season, more than ever before. ...it’s anyone’s season, dude. And we’ll see tonight who’s got it.” [15:04]
  • Picking the Lions as slight home favorites, but acknowledge the tight odds.

2. Deep NFL Contender Analysis & Parity

[17:27–21:36]

• Wider Playoff Landscape:
  • Rich shares barroom debates over games like Bears-Packers, noting that it’s tough to find consensus, reflecting an especially unpredictable season.
    • Rich: “It was split down the middle like a pair of cheeks.” [18:25]
  • Dan Beyer and Danny G concur: This season features unusually many "50-50 type games" late in the year.
• Bengals’ Sneaky Opportunity:
  • Discussion of the Bengals’ easy schedule and their chance to sneak into the division lead if they win against the Bills and things break right, given rivals’ struggles.
    • Rich: “If they somehow beat the Bills, there are people that think they could... win that division at 9-8.” [19:29]

3. Work/Life Balance in Sports: New Babies & Paternity Leave

[29:48–42:30]

• Draymond Green vs. Luka Doncic – Contrasting Choices:
  • Both NBA players just became fathers, but made different choices:
    • Luka Doncic: Missed games to be present for the birth.
    • Draymond Green: Opted to play the Sixers, missing his child’s birth—his fifth.
  • Draymond (clip): “Sucks. Pretty, if I'm honest... But this is my job... but it’s terrible if I’m honest.” [36:10]
• Changing Societal Norms:
  • Rich and Covino discuss generational differences, noting that older generations prioritized work above all, but modern culture (and the law) increasingly values paternity leave and work-life balance.
    • Rich: “...in our lifetime, we've seen a lot of things change... now if you get paternity leave, like why would you not take it?” [30:48]
• Fan Perspective:
  Covino notes that fans selfishly want their stars back ASAP but recognizes the human side.
  • Covino: “As a fan, ...I’m happy you had a baby and all. Be there for the birth but please come back as fast as you could...” [35:01]
• Money vs. Presence Debate:
  • Listeners suggest higher-paid athletes should be held to different standards; hosts argue familial importance is universal and not based on income.
    • Rich: “I don't think how you handle your personal business should be dictated by how much money you make.” [38:23]
  • They ask listeners where "the line" is—would you skip a World Series or Super Bowl for a birth?
• Audience Engagement:
  • The show is flooded with listener feedback on this divisive topic via calls, chats, and social media.

4. Old School When 50 Hits: Sidekicks Who Became Superstars

[47:35–51:09]

• Jay-Z’s Birthday Fuels the Theme:
  Inspired by Jay-Z—who started as Jazz-O's sidekick—Rich, Covino, and Danny G reminisce about notable sidekicks across music, sports, and pop culture who later became the main star.
  • Covino: “He was Jazz's sidekick, but he became the main star. Right. He left jazz in the dust.” [50:33]
• Listener Participation:
  • Listeners are challenged to name favorite sidekicks-turned-stars, with prizes teased for best contributions.
• Humorous Asides:
  • Banter about producers in LA only using the title to impress women, and playful boasting about team members’ skills.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes:
  • Rich [09:11]: “If they lose tonight, 8%. So...the Cowboys lose, then they're too far behind the wild card...safe bet out.”
  • Covino [10:14]: “To have this sort of success, that is pretty remarkable. So you gotta give credit where it’s due.”
• On Lions’ Fading Window:
  • Rich [11:47]: “The Lions are number one on the list of suspects as far as did their window close?”
• On Unpredictability of 2025 Season:
  • Covino [15:04]: “...it’s really any one’s season, more than ever before... But that feeling is in the air. It's anyone’s season, dude.”
• Draymond Green on Missing the Birth for a Game:
  • Draymond (clip) [36:10]: “Sucks. Pretty, if I’m honest...”
• On Work-Life Balance:
  • Covino [33:15]: “There’s gonna be generational differences here on how this is perceived.”
  • Rich [38:23]: “I don't think how you handle your personal business should be dictated by how much money you make.”
• On Jay-Z as Sidekick:
  • Covino [50:33]: “He was Jazz's sidekick, but he became the main star.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:41–15:58 — In-depth preview and implications of Week 14 NFL, especially Cowboys-Lions.
• 17:27–21:36 — Parity in NFL, debates over playoff races, Bengals' dark-horse scenario.
• 29:48–42:30 — Work vs. family in sports: Luka, Draymond, paternity leave, generational shifts, and what’s “acceptable.”
• 47:35–51:09 — “Old School When 50 Hits”: Sidekicks-turned-superstars; Jay-Z tribute segment.

Style and Tone

The show is high-energy, irreverent, and loaded with inside jokes, sound drops, and callback references. The hosts interact with their studio crew and chat, encouraging debate and audience involvement. Their style is playful, sometimes self-deprecating, but always enthusiastic, blending sports analysis with pop culture and everyday relatability.

Summary Takeaway

This C&R installment of The Dan Patrick Show ranks among the season’s most vibrant episodes, successfully blending serious sports insight (NFL playoff race, NBA load management, team “windows,” and injury updates) with engaging debates on modern work-life values—all presented through rich banter and audience engagement. The "sidekicks who became stars" segment closes things out with a nostalgic, interactive twist.

For listeners who skipped this episode:
You’d come away with a sharper sense of how crucial Week 14 is in the NFL, evolving attitudes toward athlete “dad leave,” and a fun pop culture lens on sporting greatness—plus plenty of laughs along the way.