The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich) – "Placeholders, C&R's Shared Brain"

Date: November 8, 2025
Host(s): Covino & Rich
Network: Fox Sports Radio / iHeartPodcasts
Episode Focus: The concept of "placeholders" in sports and life, NFL Week 10 previews, and a dose of signature C&R banter with the "Brainwave" game.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the idea of “placeholders”—those people in sports, careers, or relationships who are filling a spot temporarily while others seek an upgrade. Covino and Rich riff on this as it relates to today’s sports culture, top NFL storylines for the weekend, and their own professional lives. Plus, the crew plays the interactive “Brainwave” game with listeners, debates the most impactful franchises and sports curses, and offers quick-hit recommendations for the weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The ‘Placeholder’ Mentality in Sports and Life

Timecode: 03:33–11:57

• Sports Placeholders:

  • The C&R crew discuss how some sports figures—coaches and players—are knowingly filling time until a preferable candidate comes along.
  • Geno Smith (Seahawks), Trent Grisham (Yankees), and various NFL quarterbacks (e.g., Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins) are cited as recent examples.
    • “Maybe Pete Carroll is just a placeholder and Geno Smith... Because everyone’s looking for that next best thing, the upgrade.” – (D, 05:04)
  • They extend the analogy to contract-lengths in sports, highlighting that unless you’re a bona fide star (Soto, Mahomes), you’re likely a placeholder.
  • Relationships & Careers:
    • Rich connects this to dating culture, where everyone is “keeping options open,” and even to jobs: “I call it being an interim pope.” (C, 06:38)
    • Real-life and their own radio careers: both hosts share personal stories of filling in temporarily at radio stations, thinking the interim gig might lead to more.

• Notable Quote:

  • “I’m just saying be okay being the placeholder as long as you’re respected and everyone’s on the same page.” – Rich (C, 08:10)
  • “Isn’t it cool when a placeholder goes on and lives above expectations? Like Kurt Warner or Joe Flacco?” – Rich (C, 09:41)

2. NFL Week 10 Preview & Big TV Game of the Week

Timecode: 12:15–21:01

• Rich unveils his “big TV game of the week” segment—an ongoing gag that’s now a real staple.

  • [12:20] “It’s Rich’s big TV game of the week! … What gets the big TV and the volume, really.” – (C & D)

• Early Sunday Game: Falcons vs. Colts in Germany at 9AM/6AM ET/PT. [13:15]

• Other Matchups:

  • Browns vs. Jets (“You’d have to pay me to watch!” – C, 13:17)
  • Bills vs. Dolphins (Bills to continue rolling; tune-up game)
  • Ravens vs. Vikings: Potential showcase for AFC North
  • Saints vs. Panthers: Can the Panthers continue a surprising run?
  • Main Event: Buccaneers vs. Patriots – “The game of the week, clearly!” (C, 14:40)
    • Bucs (6-2) vs. Patriots (7-2): “Patriots are the real deal. … MVP buzz for Drake May already.” (D, 14:40, 14:59)

• Later Games:

  • Seahawks vs. Cardinals: “Seattle favored by six and a half. It should be 16 and a half.” (C, 16:32)
  • Lions vs. Commanders: Awaiting the Lions to prove themselves as elite.
  • Key Late Match-Up: 49ers vs. Rams – “That’s another clear game of the week. Rams, Niners, lock it in.” (C, 17:46)
  • Sunday Night: Steelers vs. Chargers – Winner firmly in AFC’s top tier
    • “That game has a lot of Monday morning quarterback talk radio implications.” (C, 18:55)

3. Weekend Vibes: Watching Football in Texas

Timecode: 19:43–21:01

• Rich shares personal plans to watch games with his wife’s family in Texas, describing the unique sports-watching culture in the South.

Notable Quote:

• “Watching football in Texas just feels better. … They just know how to do it better.” – Rich (C, 19:54)

Touching Moment: Alex Vesia’s Family Loss

Timecode: 27:06–31:25

• Dan Buyer reports the tragic news that Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife lost their newborn daughter during the World Series off days.
  • The crew reacts somberly, reflecting on the impact on Vesia and his team.
  • [27:31] “That is terrible.” – D
  • [28:03] “...for them to do that they must have all had known at the time. Yeah. That stinks.” – D

"Brainwave" – The Interactive Game Segment

Timecode: 31:40–41:30

Premise:
Listeners participate, trying to match the hosts’ answers to fun, subjective trivia across sports, music, and pop culture. Contestant: Jeremy from Dayton, OH.

• Sample Questions & Debates:

  1. Most Formidable Rock Frontman?
     • Choices: Ozzy Osbourne, Freddie Mercury, David Lee Roth
     • Crew: Mostly chose Freddie Mercury (“Freddie Mercury is the answer.” – C, 35:05), but some picked Ozzy.
  2. Most Important Game 7 World Series Moment?
     • Choices: Andy Pahes' catch, Miguel Rojas' HR, Yoshi Yamamoto as closer
     • Majority: Miguel Rojas. “A guy that hadn’t, like, touched the ball in like a month hit a home run in the ninth inning of Game 7.” – C, 37:43
  3. Most Impactful Movie Franchise?
     • Choices: Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel
     • Unanimous: Star Wars (“Star Wars is the answer.” – D, 38:45)

• Bonus (Cursed Franchise):
  - Choices: Jets, Clippers, Browns
  - Most: Cleveland Browns, with some votes for Jets (“…the streak of quarterbacks that just never worked out. …The Browns and the Clippers… NBA doesn’t count as much.” – C, 41:13)

Jeremy wins a C&R Nerf Turbo Football for his efforts.

Weekend Hobnobbin': What to Watch & Recommendations

Timecode: 46:02–51:29

• Must-Watch Sports:
  • Boxing: Virgil Ortiz title bout; “People are sleeping on this dude.” – D, 48:12
  • College Football: Penn State, Texas Tech, LSU/Alabama, Oregon/Iowa get shout-outs.
  • NFL Week 10 big games highlighted again.
• TV/Streaming Picks:
  • “Nobody Wants This” (Netflix) – light comedy featuring Kristen Bell, Adam Brody. Highly recommended for feel-good entertainment (C, 50:15).
  • “Squid Game: The Challenge” reality competition show (Netflix).
  • “Christy” film starring Sydney Sweeney.
  • A-Rod HBO Max documentary (“Iris is most vulnerable… very honest and vulnerable.” – D, 49:24)
  • C&R’s own "Overpromised" bonus podcast (Episode 116)
• YouTube:
  • Crew urges fans to watch and subscribe to their show’s YouTube channel for more content and game segments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You’re just a placeholder till someone better.” – Rich (C, 06:19)
• “I call it being an interim pope.” – Rich (C, 06:38)
• “Isn’t it cool when a placeholder goes on and lives above expectations?” – Rich (C, 09:41)
• “The big TV game is clearly my Niners hosting the Rams.” – Rich (C, 17:29)
• “Pittsburgh at the Chargers, and the two big games, Patriots, Buccaneers and your Rams and 49ers. Can’t wait.” – D, (19:27)
• “Star Wars is the answer.” – Covino (D, 38:45)
• “Sydney Sweeney... they say she could actually fight.” – Covino (D, 48:59)
• “A guy that hadn’t… touched the ball in like a month hit a home run in the ninth inning of Game 7.” – C, 37:43

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• Placeholder Segment: 03:33–12:00
• NFL Week 10 Preview: 12:15–21:01
• Alex Vesia Family Tragedy: 27:06–31:25
• Brainwave Game: 31:40–41:30
• Weekend Hobnobbing/Recommendations: 46:02–51:29

Final Thoughts

Covino and Rich’s episode blends laughs, insight, and camaraderie, making the “placeholder” angle relatable both in and out of sports. Their signature mix of friendly debates, personal anecdotes, and interactive games keeps things fresh—and ensures listeners are set with solid weekend sports/entertainment picks.