The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: NFL Week 4 Recap, Nobody Likes a Tie

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick and the Danettes (Seaton, Todd Fritz, Marvin, Paulie)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode centers on the wild results of NFL Week 4, focusing heavily on the historic 40–40 tie between the Cowboys and Packers. Dan and the Danettes break down Sunday’s biggest surprises, quarterback controversies, playoff implications, and dish on why NFL ties bum everyone out. The show’s signature blend of stats, sharp banter, and locker room humor is front and center, with special attention given to fan engagement (poll questions, callers), rule-change ideas (to eliminate ties), and hot takes on trending NFL and college football stories.

Key Topics & Insights

1. NFL Week 4 Headlines and Surprises

• Major Results Run-down

  • Eagles over Buccaneers, Chiefs over Ravens, Rams over Colts, Steelers beat Vikings – and the historic 40–40 Cowboys/Packers tie
  • “I think that’s the highest scoring tie in the history of the NFL." – Dan Patrick [03:55]

• Historic Tie Clarified:

  • Highest tie in NFL history, only outdone by a 43–43 tie in the old AFL.

2. Bengals’ Quarterback Dilemma and Playoff Outlook

• Dan argues the Bengals shouldn’t “waste another year” waiting for Burrow to heal; considers if they should trade for Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson, since the division is wide open.

• “Maybe if you got a quarterback in there who could be an upgrade, you could steal that division.” – Dan Patrick [05:23]

• Ravens No Longer Super Bowl Contenders?

  • The Danettes critique the Ravens’ “terrible defense.” Lamar Jackson’s injury muddies their future.
  • Steelers: Predict not dominant, but in the mix for the division.

3. Jackson Dart and the Giants’ Future

• Giants (previously 0–3) upset a 3–0 team for the first time since 2008.
• Dan positively assesses rookie QB Jackson Dart’s poise and athleticism: “All of a sudden, maybe Jackson Dart is our future.” – Dan Patrick [07:51]
• Coach Brian Daboll lauds Dart’s “traits [and] toughness” (audio clip shared). [08:30]

4. Cowboys vs. Packers: The 40–40 Tie

• Banter about the letdown feeling of a tie, especially after a shootout game:

  • “It’s like having a great meal and then there’s no dessert.” – Dan Patrick [10:58]
  • “That’s like being handed the bill as well at the restaurant… Not only not getting dessert, you’re paying for everybody.” – Todd Fritz [14:40]

• Cowboys defense panned:

  • “Dallas’s defense is bad, and we knew that.” – Dan Patrick [12:08]
  • “What is worse than bad?” – Paulie, “A sieve.” [12:10]

• Green Bay’s defense supposed to be “great” – wasn’t.

• Key Play & Official Controversy:

  • Last drive, Dak’s “sack” debatable – could affect prop bets (parlay discussion).
  • “That was not a sack on that last play.” – Paulie [14:04]

5. Micah Parsons and Player Mentality

• Parsons Audio Clip:
  • “Making plays is what I’m supposed to do. Taking over games is what I’m supposed to do.” – Micah Parsons [15:01]
  • Dan wishes he’d “made more plays.”
  • The physicality and lack of impact from star defenders is debated.

6. Packers’ Overtime Strategy—Why Not Go for the Win?

• Paulie questions conservative play-calling—why not go for it on fourth down?

• “You gotta come out with something. You can’t come out with a loss… That’s too far to go for fourth down.” – Dan Patrick [16:21]

• Comparisons made to other teams with quarterback issues (Vikings, Bengals).

7. How to Eliminate NFL Ties? Creative Solutions

• Paulie floats a field goal-off concept:

  • Each coach predicts their kicker’s max range before the game. In the event of a tie, that field goal is kicked for the win. [26:58]
  • “No chance of a tie in an NFL game. Your thoughts.” – Paulie
  • Dan: “Now, we’re kinda tired of things coming down to a kicker… But I think you gotta workshop this.” [27:48]

• Alternate ideas:

  • Sudden death two-point conversions.
  • Field goal shootouts, starting at 50–55 yards and moving back.
  • Lighthearted debate over keeping drama for TV vs. maintaining purist elements.

8. Listener Feedback: Shea-in-Irving’s Rant on the Tie

• Colorful guest appearance from Cowboys superfan Shea:

  • "I feel disgusted, Danny. I feel European. I feel weak. I feel sad…” [31:07]
  • Blames the clock operator for the controversial end.
  • On the positive: “You didn’t lose.” – Dan, “The only positive is the unemployment line should have one more person…” – Shea

• Wagers & Stat Disputes:

  • Debate over prop bets—pending official review of Micah Parsons’ sack.

9. Other Football and Sports Highlights

• Justin Herbert—Is He Still that Guy?

  • Chargers “chargered” and lost to rookie QB in NY; Herbert hit 12 times, struggled.

• College Football Touch-points:

  • Penn State criticism for not beating elite teams under James Franklin (4-21 vs top 10).
  • “Is being good, good enough at Penn State now?” – Dan Patrick [52:40]
  • Various best/worst of weekend: Giants win but lose Malik Nabers, FSU and Penn State overtime losses, SEC shakeups.

10. Ryder Cup, Golf Fans, and On-Course Etiquette

• USA team lost but made score “respectable”
• On European team spirit:
  • “It just means more … this is the moment.” – Dan, on Shane Lowry’s emotional remarks [38:33]
• Ryder Cup in Ireland 2027:
  • Dan and Danettes joke about traveling, writing limericks in Limerick, and “broing out” at Adair Manor. [39:49–40:46]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the tie game feelings
  • “I feel disgusted, Danny. I feel European. I feel weak. I feel sad. I feel embarrassed to be a part of something that allows that.” – Shea-in-Irving [31:07]
• On the Bengals’ window
  • “Do you want to waste another year and Joe Burrow maybe could come back in the playoffs…?” – Dan Patrick [06:56]
• On Cowboys as Packers game
  • “Dallas’s defense is bad, and we knew that.” – Dan Patrick [12:08]
  • “He did a little pirouette… you can’t get away with that.” – Dan on missed opportunity [12:39]
• On NFL ties
  • “Remember, Americans hate ties. It’s the only sport in our country, really, where you could have ties.” – Paulie [30:44]
• On college football and coaching standards
  • “If James Franklin had these numbers at Michigan, he wouldn’t have his job… maybe it’s just, they’re good. But how long is good good enough?” – Dan Patrick [52:40]
• On Ryder Cup & golf fans
  • “I don’t think these are golf fans.” – Dan [36:36]
  • “It just means more. And they showed that… Team, team, Europe. You could feel it.” – Dan [38:33]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL Week 4 Recap, Tie Game Setup: [03:55–09:30]
• Bengals QB Rumors/Division Analysis: [05:23–07:30]
• Giants Rookie QB Jackson Dart Discussion: [07:51–09:30]
• Packers/Cowboys 40–40 Tie, Defense Analysis: [10:58–14:40]
• Micah Parsons Postgame Quote: [15:01–15:37]
• Packers Overtime Decision-Making: [16:04–16:33]
• NFL Ties, Kicker-Off Idea & Debate: [26:58–31:10]
• Shea-in-Irving Tie Rant: [31:07–33:10]
• Ryder Cup, US vs. Europe Mindset: [36:44–39:49]
• Poll Question Discussion, College Football Notes: [41:12–53:52]

Tone & Style

Dan and the Danettes keep the chat buoyant and sometimes irreverent (“I feel European”), blending traditional sports radio analysis with playful inside jokes and live listener calls. The show deftly jumps between granular NFL details, fan engagement, and larger reflections on American sports culture (e.g., hatred of ties, golf etiquette).

Quick Takeaways for Listeners

• NFL Week 4 shocked with its historic 40–40 tie, leading to plenty of handwringing over league overtime rules and fan disappointment with non-decisions.
• Quarterback uncertainty and injuries make the AFC North wide open—Bengals may need a drastic pivot.
• Giants fans may have found their rookie in Jackson Dart after a signature upset win—balance that with key injuries.
• Cowboys remain a “no dessert” team: Points on offense, confusion and letdowns on defense, and now a tie.
• The show is rich in ideas on how to kill the tie—everything from dramatic field goal shootouts to endless two-point conversion attempts.
• Lively listener engagement adds humor and authenticity (Shea’s call is a must-hear).
• The hour also touches on the changing culture of golf fans, college football coach hot seats, and the importance of “team” on the global stage.

For more, catch the full episode or join Dan and the Danettes live for their signature mix of analysis, humor, and sports culture commentary.