The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: "Cowboys Effectively Eliminated, LeBron Double-Digit Streak Ends"

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick and the Danettes
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This hour sees Dan and the crew dissecting the Dallas Cowboys’ near-elimination following a damaging loss to the Detroit Lions, debating the shifting NFC playoff landscape, and breaking down LeBron James’ incredible NBA record double-digit scoring streak. Between the sports talk, listeners join with colorful calls and roasts, while the show’s trademark playful banter and deep dives keep things lively and insightful.

Main Themes and Segment Breakdown

1. Cowboys' Playoff Hopes: Hanging by a Thread

(02:40–09:00, 14:54–15:12, 24:30–24:52)

• Cowboys’ Loss to Lions: Dan opens with the aftermath of the Cowboys’ loss to the Lions, noting that Dallas’ playoff probability has dropped to just 7% while the Lions’ chances have surged to 54%.

• Schedule Reality:

  • Cowboys have a favorable remaining schedule (Vikings, Chargers, Commanders, Giants), but likely must win out — and even 10 wins "probably not going to be enough."
  • The earlier-season tie might come back to haunt them.

• Game Analysis:

  • Defense "stopped the run, but didn’t stop the pass," with Jared Goff topping 300 yards and Amon-Ra St. Brown returning for a big emotional boost (05:10).
  • Detroit’s blowout ability noted: “Since the start of last season, [the Lions] have 14 wins by double digits. That's the most in the NFL.” (12:29 stat of the day)

  Notable Quote:

  "I think their chances of making the playoffs are now reduced to 7%... Even 10 wins probably not going to be enough. And you wonder if that tie that they had is going to come back to haunt them."
  — Dan Patrick (03:10)

  Listener Call, Cowboys Perspective:

  • Dallas fan calls out difference at WR: “You see what a number one receiver looks like with Amon-Ra St. Brown on one leg versus what George Merton Hanks Pickens with his ski mask last night and his effort.” (14:54)
  • Cowboys fans’ frustration, with a caller roasting their Super Bowl drought:

    “Cowboys Super Bowl appearances: out of stock since 1995... Prime tracking status: stuck in transit. Delayed, lost, and returned to sender.”
    — David in Ohio (44:15)

2. NFC Playoff Picture & Team Trustworthiness

(06:25–10:40; 26:20-29:52)

• No Dominant Team: Dan and the Danettes discuss the lack of a “great team” in the NFC, mentioning the Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Bears, Packers, Lions, and others as all flawed in some way.

  • “There's a lot of good records there, but not a lot of teams that scare you.” (06:43)
  • The unpredictability and parity make it “hard to handicap” the race.

• Poll Question:

  • Who’s your pick to win the NFC? Acknowledgment that "it keeps shifting a little bit."
  • Seaton: “Rams would make me nervous no matter where they go. I do think they're a really good team.”

3. Wide Receiver vs. Kicker – The Aubrey/X-Factor

(09:48–12:17, 29:52–34:21)

• Would you rather have the best WR or the best kicker?

  • Dan: “There are receivers like George Pickens in the NFL. Brandon Aubrey, to me, that's money from 70 yards in.”
  • Noted Aubrey’s unprecedented range and reliability: “There have been 15 field goals from 63 or more in NFL history... He’s got three of them.” (11:47)
  • “Brandon Aubrey is becoming automatic from 60 plus.” (10:55, Paulie)
  • Poll Results: 71% of listeners still prefer the best wide receiver, but Dan argues for the value of elite kicking in close games. (43:46)

• Kicking and Rule Changes:

  • Calls speculate if NFL should make field goals harder (wider hashes, higher crossbar), but Dan pushes back:

    “I just don’t like penalizing somebody who’s great at what they do.”
    — Dan Patrick (34:21)

  • Comparison to not moving the 3-point line in the NBA "just because of Steph Curry."

4. LeBron’s Double-Digit Scoring Streak Ends

(24:30–28:55, Play of the Day 42:37–44:15)

• LeBron’s 1,297 game streak of double-digit scoring ends.

• Dan and callers discuss his longevity, legacy, and how LeBron might approach his final NBA season.

• Play of the Day (42:40): LeBron’s pass to Rui Hachimura for a corner 3 to win the game against the Raptors; praised for making the right basketball play.

• Dan’s Perspective:

  “If I'm an owner... I get Mike [Jordan] for 13 years or I get LeBron for 21... As a businessman, I'm going to take 21–22 years at a really high level.” (25:30)

  • Debate about best-ever status vs. longevity; acknowledgment that LeBron, though slowing, is in rare territory.
  • Paulie: "I'm kind of glad the streak ended because I didn't know he had that streak. It's not like public knowledge. And I saw that last night, like, oh my God, that's nuts." (24:50)

5. College Football: Penn State Coaching Search & Playoff Debates

(12:30–13:52, 17:11–18:10, 35:46–36:23, 48:13–51:09)

• Penn State’s coaching vacancy addressed; Matt Campbell (Iowa State) likely target. Interim coach Terry Smith being allowed to seek other jobs seen as a clear sign.
  • “That leads me to believe that Penn State is going to zero in and get Matt Campbell, because if not, I would not be telling the interim head coach... feel free, go flirt with whoever you want.” (13:52)
• Callers propose college football playoff reformatting and vent about “everyone crying about their team not making the playoff.”
  • “Everyone’s crying already about their teams not making the College Football Playoff. I mean, it’s terrible. Killing me Smalls, man.” — Buddha in San Francisco (16:06)

6. NBA Side Talk: Oklahoma City's Unstoppable Start

(26:20–29:52)

• The OKC Thunder’s 21–1 start to the season highlighted. Speculation about winning pace, but Dan dissuades chasing records, advocating for playoff focus.

7. Listener Interaction & Humor

(Throughout; esp. 14:54–15:12, 47:21–48:01)

• Callers share love for the show, Cowboys and LeBron thoughts, and holiday humor.
• Hanukkah sports pun names (e.g., "Hanukkah Sorenstam," "Dreidel Bly," and "Manny Chevitz Machado") offered for comedic relief.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the Cowboys' bleak outlook:

  "Even 10 wins probably not going to be enough. And you wonder if that tie... is going to come back to haunt them."
  — Dan Patrick (03:10)

• On Brandon Aubrey’s unique value:

  "Brandon Aubrey, to me, is, you know, that's money from 70 yards in. And plus you get these new kickoffs now... Aubrey's in field goal range."
  — Dan Patrick (10:24)

• On LeBron's streak and legacy:

  "It's not like public knowledge. And I saw that last night, like, oh my God, that's nuts. Not to have one game where you just-- not just off night, but like Hammy in the second half, cramp up, leave. That's really nutty."
  — Paulie (24:50)

• On rule changes for elite kickers:

  “We are trying to penalize the Eagles for being great with the tush push... I just don't like penalizing somebody who's great at what they do.”
  — Dan Patrick (33:09, 34:21)

• On Penn State's coaching search:

  "That leads me to believe that Penn State is going to zero in and get Matt Campbell..."
  — Dan Patrick (13:52)

• Caller jokes about Cowboys:

  “Cowboys Super Bowl appearances out of stock since 1995. Estimated return date currently unavailable. Last one prime tracking status stuck in transit. Delayed, lost and returned to sender.”
  — David in Ohio (44:15)

Key Timestamps

• Dallas Cowboys analysis: 02:40–09:00, 14:54, 44:15
• NFC team debate: 06:25–10:40
• Aubrey/kicker vs. WR debate: 09:48–12:17, 29:52–34:21, Poll Results at 43:46
• LeBron streak & legacy: 24:30–28:55, Play of Day 42:37–44:15
• College football coaching search: 12:30–13:52, 17:11–18:10, 48:13–51:09
• Oklahoma City Thunder streak: 26:20–29:52
• Listener calls/Jokes: Various, e.g., 14:54–15:12 (Cowboys), 44:15 (Cowboys roast)

Conclusion

This hour of The Dan Patrick Show combines in-depth NFL analysis, lively polls, and NBA history with classic DP tongue-in-cheek humor and engaging listener interaction. The Cowboys’ season is effectively pronounced dead, LeBron’s streak is appreciated in historic context, and the importance of kickers is debated with new, data-driven urgency. As always, it’s a relaxed mix of sports insight, stats, and crowd-pleasing chuckles—perfect for fans who need to know what’s happening without needing to have watched the games themselves.