The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich Hour)

Episode: C&R - SB MVP Odds, Nepo Baby Debate
Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode, co-hosted by Covino and Rich (C&R), is live from Las Vegas at CES and focuses on two central themes: the rapidly shifting Super Bowl MVP odds as the NFL playoffs approach, and a lively, nuanced debate about "nepo babies" (nepotism in sports and entertainment). The conversation is sprinkled with trademark banter, listener interaction, and a "Midweek Major" segment reviewing trending sports/pop culture stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Super Bowl MVP Odds & NFL Playoff Talk

(Timestamps: 03:08–11:40)

• The Volatility of Betting Odds:

  • Covino and Rich riff on how quickly Super Bowl MVP favorites change. Brock Purdy was riding high after two great games, but a single bad performance flipped perceptions.
    • “One bad game against Seattle... Oh, they suck. They're going to lose against the Eagles this week. Biggest underdogs besides Carolina playing the Rams.” (Rich, 05:28)
  • The surprise: Sam Darnold leading MVP odds at +600, with Aaron Rodgers at +6000.
    • “Isn't it crazy to just see in print that Sam Darnold is your Super Bowl MVP favorite at plus 600? ...Five years ago, that's not only reversed, it's even more extreme.” (Rich, 06:17)

• Value Bets and Listener Picks:

  • Danny G likes Trevor Lawrence at +1700 and Puka Nacua at +3500 as value picks.
    • “I like Puka's value here, but Sam Darnold at the very top is what stands out. Because if you had started the season with this... no one was even going that route midway through.” (Danny G, 07:06)
    • “Wide receivers have won... but every time I see a wide receiver, I'm like, well, that means a quarterback also has to have a big day..." (Rich, 07:52)
  • The group debates scenarios where unconventional picks could pay off and brings in humor ("dude wipes" ad reads and potty jokes).

2. "Wednesday Words of Wisdom" with Big Mike

(Timestamps: 08:49–11:15)

• Recurring guest "Big Mike" drops the segment's weekly witticism:
  • “Casinos don't need windows. They already know what time it is. Your money o' clock.” (Big Mike, 10:27)
• Listeners compete to repeat the line verbatim and win a prize.
• The crew riff on "bidet" and "civilization" jokes, providing a lighthearted interlude.

3. The Nepo Baby Debate (Nepotism in Sports & Entertainment)

(Timestamps: 11:40–24:32, 29:34–30:15, 43:12–47:19)

• Defining Nepotism & Cultural Examples:

  • Rich admits surprise learning pop star Gracie Abrams is J.J. Abrams' daughter.
    • “That’s his daughter? I thought it was like a relative, but that’s his daughter, J.J. Abrams, the famous movie maker.” (Rich, 11:40)
  • Covino acknowledges Gracie's talent, and both agree nepotism can open doors but doesn’t guarantee success.
    • “You gotta deliver. Especially in sports. That's why I don't believe it in sports... but when it comes to coaching, yeah, maybe it's a little different.” (Covino, 12:22)

• Raiders’ Brennan Carroll as a Nepotism Case Study:

  • The group dissects Pete Carroll allegedly giving his son Brennan the Raiders’ offensive line coach job, resulting in disastrous outcomes (missed practices, disorganized O-line, ignoring merit picks).
    • “Brennan Carroll wasn't even showing up to practices... players felt they had to figure it out together on their own because there was some sort of nepotism.” (Danny G, 13:32)
    • “His dad stuck his neck out for him, took that chance on his son. It's on his son at this point to step up, and that's exactly what didn't happen.” (Covino, 21:15)
  • They expand to all industries: law firms, dental offices, construction—nepotism is everywhere, but in sports it's just more public.

• Philosophical Angle & Justification:

  • Covino: Every parent wants to help their kid, it's natural and understandable. The real issue is not nepotism itself, but when the beneficiary doesn't deliver.
    • “Nepotism has this bad stigma... I find it to be understandable. I really do. I'm a fan, in fact, because we all work hard to make our kids lives easier... It's a parent's job to help open that door. It's the kid's job to kick it down.” (Covino, 22:18)
  • Rich: In any field, if a nepo baby isn't capable, they'll eventually be exposed.
    • “If you’re bad at what you do, it doesn’t matter who your parents are.” (Rich, 20:35)
  • The conversation touches on Billy Madison (the fictional character), Sandler’s kids in movies, and how even famous offspring must prove themselves.

• Listener/Producer Pushbacks:

  • Iowa Sam and callers add nuance—cheating the system, as in the Lori Loughlin college admissions scandal, is different from general nepotism; fraud is still fraud.
    • “If you’re paying someone to take the SAT... then you get to college, you are not equipped to handle Ivy League school… Your resume is complete BS.” (Guest/Iowa Sam, 45:38)

• Rich’s Closing Perspective:

  • Ultimately, advantage alone isn’t enough: “People talk about disadvantages when people are giving someone an advantage, and they don't take advantage... that's the issue. That's on them.” (Rich, 23:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the fickleness of sports fandom:
  “You should be ashamed of your wishy washiness.” (Rich, 05:28)

• On opening doors for your kids:
  “I'm a dad, you're a dad, Danny G’s a dad. You would do everything possible to help your kid out along the way. So you understand to some degree.” (Covino, 15:43)

• On the Raiders' chaos:
  “Offensive line was the problem... but because Brendan Carroll is the offensive line coach, nobody wanted to talk about it.” (Covino paraphrasing, 13:12)

• Words of wisdom winner call:
  “Casinos don't need Windows. They already know what time it is. Your money o’ clock.” (Listener Mike, 25:03)

• On nepotism’s stigma:
  “I don’t have the problem with nepotism. I have the problem with the lazy kid who takes it for granted. That’s the truth.” (Covino, 23:22)

Midweek Major Segment

(Timestamps: 31:16–38:48) A rapid-fire rundown of sports and pop-culture stories, rated “mid,” “weak,” or “major” by the hosts.

• Trump’s “Hire Harbaugh” Social Media Post:

  • Covino: “Major...Does it get cooler or bigger than that?” (32:09)
  • Rich: “Mid. He tweets about nonsense and important stuff randomly.”

• LeBron’s Load Management Transparency:

  • Hosts agree it’s "major" that LeBron is honest with fans about sitting out back-to-backs.

• Ex-wife’s Public Comments About Matt Khalil:

  • Covino sees the lawsuit as “weak”—suing your ex draws more attention.

• Travis Kelce on Retirement:

  • Deemed “major”—Big stars struggle with retiring and identity, and fans should let athletes choose their time.

Additional Quick Hits

• Ongoing banter about “bidets vs. toilet paper” as a sign of modern living.
• Jokingly comparing waiting in line (without mobile orders or TSA PreCheck) to being uncivilized.
• Fun jabs at haircuts (Mark Davis, Captain Kangaroo references).

Timestamps for Highlights

• 03:08 – Main segment starts, SB MVP odds discussion
• 05:28 – Fickle sports fans and MVP odds volatility
• 06:17 – Sam Darnold as MVP favorite, Aaron Rodgers odds
• 07:06 – Value betting picks: Trevor Lawrence and Puka Nacua
• 11:15 – Listener challenge: “Wednesday Words of Wisdom”
• 13:12 – Raiders' nepotism problems outlined
• 15:43 – Philosophy of helping your kids (“I’m a dad, you’re a dad...”)
• 22:18 – Covino’s defense of nepotism as natural
• 23:22 – “Lazy nepo children” are the real issue
• 45:38 – Iowa Sam debate on the line between nepotism and fraud

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, good-humored, conversational.
• Casual language, jokes, easy ball-busting among hosts.
• Well-informed, but unafraid to be opinionated or a little irreverent.
• Comfortable referencing pop culture, TV, and personal experiences as context.

For New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll leave with a better understanding of:

• How quickly NFL narratives—and betting lines—can shift leading up to the Super Bowl.
• The hosts' personal, often sympathetic take on nepotism—why it’s everywhere, rarely black-and-white, and ultimately about personal performance.
• A peek behind the curtain in sports media, with offbeat humor, relatable gripes, and sharp pop-culture references.