The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) – “Who Deserves the Bo Nix Treatment?”

Date: November 8, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino, Rich Davis, Danny G, Dan Byer
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of Covino & Rich focuses on the fallout from a dull Thursday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, analyzing the home crowd's booing of Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix and what it reveals about sports fans, expectations, and criticism. The crew explores who really deserves to be booed, both in sports and everyday life, blending fan frustration with their trademark humor and interactive banter. Additional discussions touch on broader NFL narratives, fan behavior, “placeholder” players, and upcoming schedule analysis.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Dissecting the "Bo Nix Treatment": Is the criticism of Denver's young quarterback justified, and what does it say about fan loyalty and expectations?
• Fan Booing Culture: Who truly deserves to be booed – athletes, coaches, or others in sports (and beyond)?
• Thursday Night Football Reaction: A breakdown of the game’s lackluster quality, reasons behind it, and its implications for both teams.
• Broader reflection: Understanding the “placeholder” role in sports and life, and managing expectations for underperforming teams or individuals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Football – Broncos vs. Raiders Recap

• A consensus emerges that the Broncos’ 10-7 victory was a “snoozefest” and generally poor quality ("Was it on Sean Payton, or Bo Nix playing like cheeks?" – Steve Covino, [05:18]).
• Discussion of pointless penalties, the refs’ over-involvement, and a lack of offensive execution:
  • “More penalties than first downs or points.” (Big Mike, via Covino, [06:41])
  • “Wasn’t a defensive battle. It was just a boring, badly played game.” (Steve Covino, [07:04])

2. Bo Nix’s Performance & Fan Booing

• Home fans booed Nix despite the Broncos’ strong record:

  “Well, I've been booed before and I'll be booed again... Not gonna be the last time” — Bo Nix, postgame presser ([08:17])

• Covino commends Nix’s composure:
  • “He handled it well. It can’t feel good, so I give him props for at least dealing with it.” ([09:46])
• Rich Davis challenges the concept:
  • “You boo a team, that’s terrible. If you’re booing an 8-2 team, it’s an interesting thought.” ([08:31])
• Criticism centers on Nix’s lack of progress despite ample protection:
  • “The Broncos have a stellar offensive line… he’s not making any plays.” (Covino, [08:43])
• Danny G and Dan Byer dissect whether criticism is warranted considering defenses/games played and whether his plateau is an actual concern.

3. When Is Criticism, Especially Booing, Productive?

• Covino and Rich reflect on the effect of booing:
  • “Is there anything good that comes out of it? Does it light a fire or just make him feel bad?” (Covino, [15:55])
  • Segment explores sarcastic applause, home vs. away booing, and whether “tough love” motivates or demoralizes.
• Relatable moment:
  • “I’m not good with criticism… I wanted to tell the dude to kiss my ass.” (Covino, [09:16])

4. Who REALLY Deserves the Boo Treatment? (Sports & Life)

• Expanding on the topic, the team humorously questions if booing should be more common outside sports:
  • “We should start just booing people for other things.” (Rich Davis, [16:00])
• Examples: Slow cashiers, bad drivers, empty donut boxes at work, people who leave shopping carts in elevators, baristas who mess up orders, etc.
• Notable quote:
  • “Anyone that’s holding up your day deserves to be booed—Bo Nix style.” (Rich Davis, [35:06])

5. Fan/Crowd Interactions and Psychology

• Discussion points:
  • Is booing a form of holding athletes (or anyone) accountable?
  • Is it fair to boo a player/team performing above expectations despite one bad game?
  • “Imagine going to see your favorite comic… and you’re like yeah, I’m not really feeling this set. Booo.” (Rich Davis, [19:43])

6. Broncos and Raiders: Team Analysis

• Analysis of the Broncos plateau: Are Nix’s struggles short-term or an indicator that Denver should look for another QB?
• Raiders’ problems: Geno Smith’s struggles, O-line injuries, lack of offensive cohesion, and firing of special teams coordinator after repeated failures ([14:54]).
• The impact of recent tough games and short rest on both teams’ Thursday performances ([21:27]).

7. Schedule Watching & Looking Ahead

• Rich looks ahead to Broncos’ schedule, emphasizing the looming matchup with the Chiefs (who will be rested post-bye week) as a “real big test for Bo Nix, Sean Payton, and the Broncos” ([24:27]).
• Possible opportunity for Denver to quiet critics and establish division dominance.

8. The Placeholder Theory: Are Some Players Just ‘Filling Time’?

• Rich explores the idea of “placeholders” in sports and life—players/coaches filling a role with no ultimate shot at glory, yet collecting their paycheck or providing stability.
  • “Are you okay being the placeholder? If you’re Geno Smith… I know I’m not going to win a Super Bowl for the Raiders.” (Rich Davis, [49:09])
• Applies to careers, relationships, various real life situations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bo Nix and Criticism:

  • “Is Bo Nix cheeks?” (Covino, [05:18])
  • “He’s not moving the ball the way they thought he was.” (Covino, [12:20])
  • “You don't want your own fans booing you, but you know, it's part of it.” —Bo Nix ([08:20])

• On Booing in Sports & Life:

  • “We should boo people more often, you’re right.” (Covino, [16:24])
  • “Imagine you’re at the store, there’s one register open, 15 people in line and they’re not opening a second… Boo!” (Rich, [16:19])
  • “The person that doesn’t put their shopping cart back.” (Covino on boo-worthy behavior, [18:46])

• On Game Quality & Fan Reactions:

  • “If you’re getting booed at home, where’s the home field advantage?” (Covino [15:50])
  • “You're going to get booed when you're away, right?… you don't want to get booed at home.” (Covino, [17:10])

• On Placeholders:

  • “Are you okay being the placeholder? …I got paid.” (Rich, [49:09])

• On Thursday Night Football Quality:

  • “It was just background noise. It was there, and that's what it was for me.” (Covino, [47:56])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bo Nix Booed & Handling Criticism: [08:07]–[09:52]
• “Who Deserves Booing” Bit (Sports & Life): [16:00]–[19:59], callback at [31:26]–[34:53]
• Fan Calls—Who to Boo: [32:24]–[36:51]
• Discussion of Team Plateau & Placeholders in Sports: [49:01]–[50:49]
• Broncos Uniforms & Schedule Talk: [23:47]–[25:30]
• Special Teams Coordinator Firing: [14:54], with follow-up in Dan Byer’s update [40:45]
• Game Recap & Analysis: [04:15]–[08:07], [10:01]–[14:53]
• Upcoming Games & Implications: [23:16]–[25:30]

Style & Tone

• Conversational, irreverent, and humorous: The crew frequently riffs on mundane annoyances, exaggerates for comedic effect, and invites listener participation.
• Relatable and fan-oriented: The hosts’ banter reflects what many sports fans are thinking but might not say aloud, making the show engaging for both diehards and casual listeners.

Summary Takeaway

This episode uses Bo Nix’s rough night and the Denver crowd’s boos as a springboard for a lively debate about fan expectations, acceptable criticism, and society’s inclination to “boo.” While anchored in a specific (and notably dull) NFL contest, the conversation ranges from NFL Xs and Os to playful venting about everyday societal frustrations, offering both hard sports talk and comic relief. The “Bo Nix treatment” becomes shorthand for how we respond when expectations—fair or otherwise—aren’t met, both on the field and off.