The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 1

October 21, 2025 | MNF Double-Header Recap, Blue Jays Are World Series Bound

Main Theme:

This episode focuses on recapping a packed sports slate from the previous night, including a Monday Night Football (MNF) double-header, analysis of NFL contenders, an in-depth look at the Toronto Blue Jays' dramatic playoff run (now World Series-bound), and reflections on player legacies, coaching culture, and more. Dan and the crew mix insights and humor throughout, highlighting the high-energy week in sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Recap — Monday Night Football Double-Header

Segment Starts: ~06:00

• Lions 24, Buccaneers 9:
  The Lions "did what they were supposed to do," says Dan, emphasizing Detroit's necessity to win at home given their momentum and injuries on both sides.

  • Mike Evans (Bucs) leaves with a broken collarbone and possible concussion. "Devastating — you're losing a Hall of Fame receiver before his season really even started." (17:45)
  • Bucs, riddled with injuries, are questioned as legitimate contenders after this loss.

• Stat of the Day:
  Detroit’s streak: "51 consecutive games without losing back-to-back games — that's the longest in the NFL right now." (08:45)

• Jameer Gibbs Breakout:
  Big night, including a 78-yard TD run. Dan highlights Gibbs’ elite company: "Averaging over 5 yards per carry, that’s some lofty territory… Jamal Charles, Bo Jackson, now Jameer Gibbs." (21:10)

• Quarterbacks & Offensive Lines:
  Dan reiterates: "Not having an offensive line will make every quarterback mortal. Everyone." (16:55)
  Mahomes in the Super Bowl is cited as an example.

• Baker Mayfield’s Frustration:
  "Still pretty damn confused about the double review… When things... don’t seem fair, I’m going to let somebody know." (23:10)
  Context: Mayfield vents post-game after questionable officiating and a rough night.

2. Blue Jays’ Comeback: Toronto to the World Series

Segment Starts: ~11:15, 45:00 (deep dive)

• Game Recap: Toronto comes back to beat the Seattle Mariners, sending the Blue Jays to the World Series and prolonging Seattle’s streak as MLB’s only franchise never to appear in a WS.

  • "We kept waiting for something to happen… and it didn’t. The excitement was the Blue Jays’ comeback to beat the Mariners." (10:30)
  • Key home run:
    • Dan: "Springer Dinger! George Springer goes deep… four-three Blue Jays in the bottom of the seventh."
    • [Play Clip at 01:18:45]

• George Springer’s Postseason Legacy:

  • Dan: "He's not a Hall of Famer. But he's the Hall of 'I want that guy on my team,' especially in the postseason. 78 playoff games, 23 home runs. Third all-time. That’s money." (47:15)
  • Springer played banged up; debate on whether he should've even been pitched to late in the game:
    • "I didn’t think he was taking healthy swings... that pitch was right down the middle and he was waiting for it." (49:48)

• Blue Jays as Underdogs:

  • "They go into the World Series big underdogs against the Dodgers. We’ll talk a little more about that coming up." (12:05)
  • Poll question raised: "Who are you rooting for — Blue Jays or Dodgers? I expect heavy Dodgers, but maybe I’m underrating Dodger fatigue." (58:00)

• Polling & Player Comparisons:

  • Would you rather have the career of George Springer (winning + cheating stigma) or Mike Trout (generational talent, no postseason)?
    • Dan: "I’d rather have Mike Trout’s career. One of the great players of all time." (53:15)
    • Crew notes fans are "underrating winning" these days.

3. Quarterback Journeys & Team Identity

Segment: 18:00 onward

• Flacco on the Move:

  • Confusion and humor over Joe Flacco’s latest team switch.
    • "It's so hard to separate... he's on the Bengals now. Same state, same colors, same everything." (13:45)
  • Browns trading Flacco to the Bengals for a pick swap is "still so nuts"—helping a division rival.

• Quarterback Reclamation:

  • Examples: Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield — all play better after being written off elsewhere.
  • Dan: "When it goes bad in New York, it goes worse than any other city in America, especially if you’re a quarterback." (33:00)
  • Reclamation is possible with the right situation, especially with a good offensive line.

4. NFL “For Real” Polls & Playoff Prognostication

Segment: 38:30, 01:00:30

• MF’er Poll (More For Real): Who is the most legitimate among 5–2 teams?
  • NFC: 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Buccaneers.
    • Dan likes the Rams but worried about Stafford’s health. Gives nod to the Niners despite injuries.
  • AFC variant with Colts, Patriots, Steelers, Broncos.
    • Dan stays bullish on the Colts: "Didn’t expect them to be this good and dominant." (1:03:30)

5. NFL Scheduling: Double-Headers, International Games, and Fan Fatigue

Segment: 01:02:15

• Debate on whether fans are being overloaded ("Can we give you too much NFL?").
  • Overseas games: "Never feels real. It’s always like a preseason game… usually not very good." (01:04:00)
  • MNF double-headers: Consensus is one game is preferable.

6. Draft Strategy and Team Building: Detroit Lions’ Transformation

Segment: 01:09:00

• Details on how the Lions’ trade of Stafford for Jared Goff and multiple picks changed their franchise.
  • Resulted in acquiring key contributors: Jameson Williams, Jameer Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell.
  • Dan: "It's a case of both teams winning… if Detroit wins the Super Bowl, one of those all-time trades." (1:12:00)
• Dan Campbell’s culture change:
  • "Your coach is the overseer… there’s a sense now the Lions know who they are, and we know who they are." (1:16:45)

7. Player/Coach Career Value

Segment: 01:18:30

• Discussion: are often-overlooked, non-star players better coaches?
  • Dan: "That’s the mentality of a role player or a guy who's been cut. Great players don’t always make great managers or coaches — you gotta be hungry."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Quarterback Success and Protection:

  • "Not having an offensive line will make every quarterback mortal. Everyone." – Dan Patrick (16:55)

• On George Springer’s Postseason Clutchness:

  • "He’s not a Hall of Famer, but he’s the hall of ‘I want that guy on my team.’" – Dan Patrick (47:30)

• On Winning vs. Legacy:

  • "For some reason, it feels weird to say this, but winning is being underrated right now. Winning is pretty great." – Crew Discussion (55:00)

• On Schedule Bloating:

  • "There’s only so much room in the NFL window… they really are going to test the boundaries of, can we give you too much NFL?" – Dan Patrick (1:03:15)

• On Coaching and Team Culture:

  • "You realize [Dan Campbell’s] a really good coach. Your coach is the overseer, he’s the CEO — responsible for your culture." – Dan Patrick (1:17:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Time | |------------------------------------------------|------------| | NFL MNF Recap, Lions/Buccaneers injuries | 06:00–21:30| | Blue Jays–Mariners & George Springer Home Run | 11:15, 45:00, 1:18:45| | Quarterbacks, O-Line, and Team Identity | 16:55–35:10| | Poll Question — Springer vs. Trout; Cheating vs. Greatness | 52:30–57:45| | NFL "More For Real" (MF’er) Poll Discussion | 38:30, 1:00:45| | NFL Schedule Overload – Intl. & MNF DH | 1:02:00–1:05:00| | Lions’ Draft & Franchise Rebuild | 1:09:00–1:16:00| | Coaching as Role Player: Hunger vs. Star Power | 1:18:30–1:23:00|

Flow & Tone

Dan leads a fast-paced, conversational review filled with banter, stats, and classic Dan Patrick humor. The crew jumps in with side comments, poll ideas, and alternative perspectives, keeping the discussion lively and accessible for both diehard and casual sports fans.

For New Listeners:

If you missed the show, expect sharp NFL and MLB breakdowns, philosophical takes on winning and player legacy, and pure fan energy. You’ll come away knowing why this was a milestone night for the Blue Jays, with debates about what really matters in a sports legacy — rings, stats, or the story along the way.