The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Episode Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Dan Patrick & The Danettes (Fritzy, Seaton, Marv, Paulie)
Main Topics: Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy, NFL Week 15 reactions, MVP races, playoff outlooks

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show opens the week with in-depth discussion of college football's biggest headline—Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy—and a fast-paced breakdown of NFL Week 15, including key injuries, playoff implications, and standout quarterback performances. Dan and the Danettes blend insider analysis with their trademark banter, toggling between award season in college football and the playoff race in the NFL.

Heisman Trophy Awarded to Fernando Mendoza

[15:16 - 23:30]

• Mendoza's "Too-Nice" Acceptance Speech

  • Dan highlights Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as the story of the year: “Indiana, number one team… He gave a wonderful speech. Leave it to Fritzy to go, ‘I don’t know, seemed a little too nice in that speech. Not phony, just like, almost eerie nice.’” (Dan, 15:50)
  • Mendoza thanked his parents (partially in Spanish), coaches, and Indiana, which impressed the crew, though Fritzy jokes about the possibility of some hidden skeletons: “There’s got to be an ill-advised tweet from junior high… There's got to be something with this guy.” (Fritzy, 17:10)
  • Mendoza’s humility and background are celebrated, with Dan declaring, “I thought it was a great speech. He gave part of it in Spanish, thanked his parents. I thought it was great.” (Dan, 16:20)

• How Indiana Won the Heisman

  • Listeners call in to discuss Indiana’s program and unique approach: “Indiana spends a lot more time in film sessions and meetings than most big time college football programs… only five to six hours a week on the practice field. Obviously working for them.” (Chris, Syracuse, 53:45)
  • Discussion of the Heisman voting process, emphasizing storylines—Mendoza’s win at Oregon, undefeated Big Ten season, and comparisons to past winners from top teams.
  • Dan emphasizes that while Mendoza didn’t have the best raw numbers, “He was the best player on the team that had the best story. And sometimes that’s how it works.” (Dan, 58:20)
  • Salty runner-up Diego Pavia’s social media comments—“F the voters”—are critiqued: “You didn't come close, you finished second… all the goodwill you undid with a couple social media [posts].” (Dan, 54:30)

NFL Week 15 Breakdown & Quarterback Spotlight

[23:45 - 50:00]

AFC and Key Injuries

• Patrick Mahomes Out — Major Storyline

  • “Patrick Mahomes is out. Have an MRI on that knee… grade three is the worst and that could be a 12-month recovery period.” (Dan, 04:13)
  • The playoff landscape is upended without Mahomes or Joe Burrow, as Dan notes: “I don’t know if we’re going to have Lamar Jackson, but you do have Josh Allen. And Josh Allen is the best quarterback right now in football.” (Dan, 15:10)

• Big Wins and Turning Points

  • Chargers’ victory over the Chiefs: “What’s going to get lost in the Patrick Mahomes injury is the Chargers winning that game. That was a big game—winning it in that climate.” (Dan, 19:00)
  • Jaguars credited for beating teams they “should” beat; Dan gives OC Liam Cohen props: “He’s done a really good job just like he did with Baker Mayfield.” (Dan, 20:20)

• Defining What It Takes

  • “You get to this point in the season and look at your quarterback and say, can you be the difference?” — Dan runs through the Broncos (Bo Nix), Rams (Matthew Stafford), and Packers (injuries and Jordan Love’s potential).

Playoff Picture and Poll Discussion

[30:25 - 36:10]

• Seaton’s Poll: Who Gets In?

  • Teams discussed: Lions, Cowboys, Panthers, Colts, Ravens, Dolphins.
  • Dan reflects on team identity and division battles, seeing the Lions and Ravens as most likely contenders: “There are some teams that jump out just by name value... The Lions to me—obviously they’re going to make it. The Ravens, to me, is still the same thing.” (Dan & Seaton, 31:30)
  • The Panthers, Saints, Bucks get special focus for volatility, and the Seahawks’ near-miss victory becomes a running joke.

• Noteworthy Comebacks

  • Stat of the Day: "Six teams… rallied from at least 10 down to win in Week 15… only the second time this season." (Dan, 38:10)

NFL Quarterback Debate: Best of the Weekend

[39:45 - 48:00]

• Poll Question by Seaton: Which QB had the best weekend?

  • Brock Purdy, Josh Allen, CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence nominated; each gets debated for impact, consistency, and public perception.
  • Special mentions: Philip Rivers (“He was 18 for 27, 120 and a touchdown, and he kept them in it… he drove them down just enough.” — Paulie, 43:50) and Bo Nix’s four-TD game (“Should be in the mix.” — Todd, 44:50)
  • Dan on Trevor Lawrence: “If he could just do that every week, he’d be an MVP, he’d be a Hall of Famer.” (Dan, 45:45)

• QB Historical Stats

  • Justin Herbert reaches “3,000 yards and 20 TDs in each of his first six seasons”—only Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson have also done this.

MVP Odds & Playoff Odds Update

[50:05 - 51:10]

• MVP Odds

  • “The MVP odds are certainly leaning toward Matthew Stafford here… minus 300. Then it’s Drake Maye, maybe Josh Allen is creeping in.” (Dan, 50:10)

• Super Bowl Odds

  • Rams, Seahawks, Broncos, Bills lead current odds. Eagles get needed win, Texans “still look good,” Patriots and Packers noted for struggles.

Listeners’ Best and Worst of the Weekend

[51:20 - 1:04:30]

• Fan calls highlight Mendoza’s Heisman speech; Indiana’s unorthodox film-centric approach; the enduring disappointment of the Patriots’ collapse; emotional moments for Philip Rivers’ return; and calls for Fritzy to sing ABBA’s “Fernando” in Mendoza’s honor (“I don't know Todd, are you kidding? Good song by ABBA. Yeah, of course they're all good songs by ABBA.” — Dan & Fritzy, 54:54).

• Discussion of Kansas City’s future: Is Andy Reid headed for a rebuild or retirement? “It feels like rebuild-ish. I don't think this is reload-ish.” (Dan, 1:01:30)

• Travis Kelce’s likely decline and Patrick Mahomes’ injury compared to Tom Brady’s, with critical differences noted.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Fernando Mendoza’s Speech:
  Dan: “He gave part of it in Spanish, thanked his parents. I thought it was great.” (16:20)
• On Heisman Voting Realities:
  Dan: “He was the best player on the team that had the best story. And sometimes that’s how it works.” (58:20)
• On Mahomes’ Importance:
  Dan: “Patrick Mahomes takes way more hits than you think… The difference is Tom Brady doesn’t use his knees other than to stand in the pocket. Mahomes is constantly on the move.” (1:02:50)
• On Josh Allen’s Status:
  Dan: “He’s in that category… we take him for granted. Josh Allen is already a Hall of Famer.” (1:08:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Heisman Reaction / Mendoza Speech: 15:16 – 23:30, 53:30 – 58:45
• NFL Week 15 QB Performances / Key Results: 23:45 – 50:00
• Playoff Poll (by Seaton): 30:25 – 36:10
• Fan Calls – College Football / Heisman: 51:20 – 1:04:30
• Patrick Mahomes’ Injury and Chiefs Outlook: 1:01:00 – 1:04:00

Conclusion & Overall Tone

The episode is both analytical and self-aware, blending statistical nuance and vibrant, sometimes irreverent, camaraderie. The Heisman conversation is both celebratory (Mendoza’s humility, Indiana’s “mental reps” approach) and skeptical (Fritzy’s conspiracy-theory jokes). NFL talk is energy-packed, with quick pivots from quarterback health to playoff probability and MVP odds. The Danettes keep things lively and relatable with running jokes about show bets (“pie to the face”), superfan gear, and nostalgic references.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This hour is a must-listen for fans wanting a comprehensive breakdown of the Heisman aftermath, the gritty reality of late-December football, and a peek into the possible end of the Chiefs’ dynasty era. The Dan Patrick Show remains a place where headline analysis, fan passion, and a little snarky betting all get equal time.