The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Bad Football, Greg Cosell

Date: November 7, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Guest: Greg Cosell (NFL Films)

Episode Overview

This episode, guest-hosted by former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker, dives into the fallout from an abysmal Thursday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders, dissected with the signature humor, straight talk, and food tangents that define the show. The crew debates the meaning of “bad wins” in the NFL, unpacks ongoing struggles with the Broncos’ offense despite a strong record, and brings on NFL Films’ legend Greg Cosell for deep analysis of current quarterback play and what the tape says. The show rounds out with a moment of reflection on the tragic news about Marshawn Neyland, a young Dallas Cowboys player.

Main Discussion Themes

• Reacting to a Historically Bad Football Game:
  The hosts and crew debate whether an ugly win is a bad omen or simply a part of football.
• Analyzing the Broncos and NFL Parity:
  Is Denver’s 8-2 record legitimate? And how do close-game wins balance out over time?
• QB Play and NFL Evaluation with Greg Cosell:
  Greg Cosell gives his unfiltered takes on top quarterbacks (including the highly scrutinized young signal-callers) and shares wisdom on how to really watch the position.
• Mental Health in the NFL:
  The hosts discuss the news of Marshawn Neyland’s passing, opening an honest conversation on player wellbeing off the field.
• Classic Dan Patrick Show Banter:
  The episode includes comical debates about mustard types, revealing the Danettes’ classic chemistry and light-hearted approach, even on a “Meat Friday.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broncos-Raiders Game Breakdown

(Begins ~05:00)

• Ross Tucker immediately declares:

  “If you guys missed it, congratulations. I am so happy for you. If you did not watch last night's game… That was bad. That was a bad game and I can appreciate good defense… but… I think it might have been the first game since 1950 where both teams had more penalties than points.”
  — Ross Tucker, 05:40

• The Broncos win 10-7, and are now 8-2, but Ross is skeptical:

  “That was the worst performance by a team getting their record to 8 and 2. In the history [of the] NFL, has a team ever looked worse and played worse in pursuit of an 8 and 2 record?"
  — Ross Tucker, 07:05

• Broncos fan Fritzi’s cathartic rant:

  “They didn't get a first down till the middle of the second quarter... You're right, for a team to be 8 and 2, they're the number one seed in the AFC right now. To look like that offensively, fans were booing, and rightfully so.”
  — Fritzi, 08:10

Notable Quote:

“You can't wait until the fourth quarter to wake up offensively, and the defense is not going to be able to bail them out every week.”
— Fritzi, 09:00

2. Is There Such Thing As a Bad Win in the NFL?

(09:30 – 16:00)

• The table debates if “bad wins” are really a thing in pro football:
  • Paulie tries to be “level-headed” but calls the Broncos a “false 8 and 2.”
  • Ross argues from his player experience:

    “You never have to apologize for a win ... If you win an NFL game even though you played like crap, you're probably pretty good. It's hard to win these games.” — Ross Tucker, 12:08

  • Marv concludes:

    “Not in the NFL. I think in college there could be, but in the NFL, a win is a win… You’ll take the win any way you can get it.”
    — Marv, 15:20

Notable Moment:

• The hosts note the Chiefs’ streak of “barely winning” one-score games last year, and the reversal this season (0-4 in one-score games), reinforcing the unpredictability of close wins and losses.

3. NFL Quarterback Evaluation with Greg Cosell

(Begins ~22:50)

• Mustard Poll Gag:
  The football talk starts with a debate on which mustard is best, setting up Cosell’s entrance:

  “Greg seems to me like a Dijon guy. Like, pardon me, Mr. Cosell, but do you have any Grey Poupon?” — Ross Tucker, 21:40

  Cosell’s answer:

  “I think I'm a golden spicy brown kind of guy, Ross… I'm not a Grey Poupon guy.” — Greg Cosell, 23:20

• Quarterback Deep Dives:

  • Drake May vs Bo Nix:

    “May has just better traits overall... He plays the game effortlessly, easily… His ability to move within the pocket... is something that I really evaluate carefully.”
    — Cosell, 24:20

  • Consistency Issues:

    “Bo Nix has been very, very inconsistent… Sometimes you’re just not certain what you’re going to get with Bo Nix… You want more consistency from one to play 70 and that hasn't been the case with him.”
    — Cosell, 26:05

  • How to Evaluate QB Play:

    “You have to isolate on the traits of the quarterback… That has nothing to do with how a quarterback plays. The position... you have to isolate the quarterback and separate him from the rest of the team.”
    — Cosell, 32:45

  • Daniel Jones & Sam Darnold (Colts & Seahawks):

    • Jones: “He made some big time throws... Most first down passing yardage in the league. When you can stay in that rhythm, they're very good.”
    • Darnold: “Really good in specific ways… he's a play action quarterback… But if they get down big… he may not look as good.”

  • Caleb Williams (Bears) — #1 Pick Rookie:

    “It’s been a work in progress ... There are times there's a bit of an unfocused, frenetic nature to him, to his pocket play. That's his next step... But this guy throws the ball—it's crazy, the way he throws the ball... throws on the move... I don't know if I've seen anybody throw with that kind of velocity.”
    — Cosell, 37:35

4. Mental Health & Player Tragedy: The Marshawn Neyland Story

(19:15 – 21:15)

• Ross, sharing a somber note:

  “Just an incredibly, incredibly sad tragedy... Marshawn Neyland, a second year, second round pick... He was found deceased yesterday. They are ruling it a suicide... You never really know what's going on in someone else's life.”
  — Ross Tucker, 19:20

• The conversation opens up about the importance of checking on teammates, and the evolution (and limits) of mental health support in NFL locker rooms.

5. Mustard, Meat Friday, and Listener Calls

(Begins ~43:40)

• The show’s audience jumps in with strong opinions on types of mustard, revealing the show’s playful side.

• Amusing back-and-forth on how “paprika” is pronounced:

  “Is it paprika or paprika?” — Paulie, 47:31
  “Nobody is selling anything called paprika.” — Ross Tucker, 48:10

• Trivia: The Mustard Hall of Fame is likely in Wisconsin, debated with enthusiasm.

• More food chat:

  “I gotta admit something. Probably shouldn't do this on the radio. I have no idea what's even in mustard. What even is mustard?” — Ross Tucker, 46:50

6. Paulie’s Glass-Half-Empty Take on Caleb Williams

(41:50–43:30)

• “Work in progress is not a compliment... He masters the spectacular. He hasn't mastered the mundane. He'll make a highlight across his body throw that only five people can make in the league. But on a third and four, he doesn't just throw to the guy in the flat who's wide open.” — Paulie, 42:05

• Marv’s preference:

  “Would you rather have a quarterback that masters the mundane but is not capable of doing the spectacular, or...?” “Master the mundane for sure. You win Super Bowls that way.”
  — Marv, 43:00

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ross, on the futility of watching bad games:

  “If you guys missed it, congratulations. I am so happy for you.” (05:40)

• Ross, on NFL wins:

  "You never have to apologize for a win ... If you win an NFL game even though you played like crap, you're probably pretty good." (12:08)

• Greg Cosell (on Drake May):

  “May is just a big, big man, and he plays the game effortlessly, easily.” (24:22)
  “You have to isolate the quarterback ... separate him from the rest of the team.” (32:45)

• Cosell, on Caleb Williams’s prodigious arm talent:

  “When you talk about throwing the ball on the move, I mean, this guy has an absolute power hose when he throws the ball on the move. I don't know if I've seen anybody throw with that kind of velocity. Even Aaron Rodgers in his prime...” (37:55)

• Paulie (on Caleb Williams):

  “He masters the spectacular. He hasn't mastered the mundane...” (42:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:00–10:00 — Reaction and catharsis over Broncos-Raiders (“more penalties than points!”)
• 12:00–16:00 — Is there such thing as a ‘bad win’ in the NFL? Debate & audience views.
• 19:15–21:15 — Marshawn Neyland tragedy, mental health in the NFL.
• 22:50–30:00 — Greg Cosell joins, mustard debate, QB breakdowns begin.
• 30:30–39:00 — Cosell on Colts, Seahawks, and Caleb Williams’s developmental arc.
• 41:50–43:30 — Paulie critiques Caleb Williams; Marv weighs in on ‘mundane vs. spectacular’ QBs.
• 43:45–48:00 — Mustard, paprika, and food banter closes the hour.

Tone and Takeaway

This episode blends sharp football insight with playful banter, making even a brutal NFL game entertaining. The hosts (especially Ross Tucker) bring a player’s perspective to debates on team quality and quarterback play, always with an eye for detail and a readiness to laugh at themselves or each other. The show never shies away from weightier topics, pausing amid the sports talk for genuine, heartfelt reflections on mental health and player tragedy. As always, the Danettes’ chemistry and audience participation (mustard poll!) add fun and informality to the football dialogue.

This is classic sports radio: sharp, funny, occasionally poignant, loaded with honest opinions and just enough off-topic digressions to feel like you’re part of the crew.