The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 1 - Pete Carroll Out & Wk 18 'Make You Go Hmm'

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick (with the Covino & Rich crew filling in)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

The crew gathers post-New Year to discuss the dramatic conclusion of the NFL regular season, Week 18. The conversation centers around surprising moments, key games, playoff implications, coaching changes, and the “butterfly effect” of so-called “meaningless” games. The tone is humorous and loose, blending fan perspectives with light insider banter and enthusiastic sports talk.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Analyzing Week 18 Surprises and Storylines: Reflection on unexpected outcomes, especially in playoff races and the impact of last-minute plays and upsets.
• Coaching Carousel & Team Futures: Rapid firings and hirings, with discussion of team direction and speculation for next season.
• Fan Reactions & Cultural Moments: Fan behaviors, viral sports stories (e.g., the holy water in the end zone), and memorable calls.
• NFL Playoffs Preview: Assessing the danger posed by wild card teams and underdogs, and discussing pivotal games coming up.
• Humor and Sports Culture: Balancing insight with jokes, callbacks, and pop culture references.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Raiders’ Offseason Hopes & The “Right Way” to Stink

[03:03]

• Optimism for the Future:
  • Danny G (Raiders fan) feels cautiously hopeful:

    “It's a strange mood because how many coaches have they gone through? Brady has to help get this right once and for all.” [04:21]

  • With Tom Brady leading a new head coaching search, ample cap space, and top draft equity, the Raiders seem poised for a turnaround.
• Learning from Mistakes:
  • Covino points out the Raiders didn’t sabotage their draft position with meaningless wins, unlike past seasons:

    “They learned from their mistakes...they won meaningless games at the very end and then went down the draft board and never were able to get their franchise QB.” [04:42]

• Bright Spots:
  • Building the offensive line as a foundation and potentially landing “Mendoza, Genti Bowers” is seen as the right path.

2. “Holy Water” Field Goal – Divine Intervention

[06:15]

• Ravens vs. Steelers Drama:
  • Rich tells the story of a priest putting holy water in the end zone where the Ravens missed a crucial kick—sparking jokes about “divine intervention,” and whether “Jesus is a Steelers fan.”

    “There was some divine intervention going on there. What a drama game.” [06:21]

• Memorable, Redemption Moments:
  • DK Metcalf and kicker Boswell both experience relief after that chaotic ending; DK especially because of his earlier mistake:

    “I would say Metcalf because... there were so many plays where it was meant to go to him... and he wasn’t there to do it.” [08:01]

3. Fan Reactions & Social Media Bullying

[09:16]

• Harsh Fan Criticism:
  • Tyler Loop, the kicker who missed, is attacked online; the Ravens and Lamar Jackson show more grace than fans.

    “It’s big time loser behavior...the actual team is more gracious than the fans.” [09:20]

  • Social media comments become so toxic, Loop disables his accounts.

    “Tyler Loop, currently being bullied by Ravens fans as we speak.” [10:04]

4. Are the Ravens Worthy Playoff Contenders?

[10:04]

• Questioning the Narrative:
  • Rich and Iowa Sam debate whether the Ravens’ near-miss is worth mourning, since they finished 8–9:

    “No one under .500 could ever make an argument to me that like, man, they were close. You’re a losing team.” [10:57]

• Playoff Ratings and Rodgers Storyline:
  • Despite the AFC drama, Aaron Rodgers’ playoff return is considered “awesome” and “still intriguing.”

    “I think they're going to be contending... I think they're solid with DK Metcalf coming back and I quote, again, excited as hell to be back.” [11:49]

5. Aaron Rodgers’ Postgame Demeanor & Soundbite

[13:03]

• Rodgers Shows Authenticity:
  • Rich observes Rodgers as “comfortable and natural” after his playoff-clinching win, a shift from his previously controversial persona.
• Notable Quote:

  “It’s pretty emotional, honestly. It’s been a great year... excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a few in a long while.” – Aaron Rodgers [13:03]

• On Retirement:

  “Does that mean you’re riding off into the sunset after this?”
  “No, I’m just—it's been a grinding year...It’s been an absolute blessing to be here with these fans and this organization...” – Aaron Rodgers [13:11]

6. Field Goals: Are We Spoiled by the New Norm?

[14:22]

• Field Goal Distance Context:
  • Discussing how 50+ yarders have become routine, which skews fan expectations:

    “50 plus yard field goals, back in the day if a guy hit one a year, it’d be like ‘OMG’...” [14:49]

  • Stats: Now, kickers convert ~80% of 44-yard attempts [16:38]
• Strategy Questions:
  • Danny G questions why the Ravens didn’t try to get a few more yards to make a “chip shot.”

7. The ‘Butterfly Effect’ – How One Game Changes Everything

[18:41]

• Jets vs. Falcons "Meaningless" Game Impact:
  • A forgotten win changes draft order and coaching fates:

    “If that doesn’t happen, the Jets get the number one pick...the Falcons win that game, they make the postseason at 9–8...Raheem Morris probably doesn’t lose his job.” [19:40]

  • Example of how every regular-season outcome can dramatically alter team fates.

8. “Blowing It” vs Respecting the Fight

[20:14]

• Giants’ End-of-Season Wins:
  • Covino and Rich argue over whether teams should “tank” or play to win, even if it costs them “better” draft position.
  • Covino:

    “You gotta respect that they’re there to compete. ...Compeition football—these are the greatest competitors. You can’t expect these dudes...” [21:12]

9. Russell Wilson’s Hamstring Excuse

[23:33]

• Late-Revealed Injury News:
  • Wilson claims he tore his hammy in week two but kept it quiet. The team and social media aren't buying it:

    “It sounds like an excuse. ...if you were going to keep it to yourself, then just keep it to yourself. Saying it after the fact just is going to rub everybody the wrong way.” – Covino [38:18]

10. 49ers’ Struggles and Defensive Battles

[29:03]

• 49ers Offense Stymied:
  • Rich’s 49ers get shut down by Seattle; props given to the Seahawks D:

    “Every yard, they were stingy as eff, the Seahawks defense...” [29:36]

  • Iowa Sam:

    “Kyle Shanahan’s first game with the Niners, held to three points, and had not been held to three or less until that game.” [31:14]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "[DK Metcalf] There was so many plays where, you know, it was meant to go to him... and he wasn't there to do it." – Covino [08:49]
• "Tyler Loop, currently being bullied by Ravens fans as we speak." – Covino [10:04]
• "No one under .500 could ever make an argument to me that like, man, they were close. You're a losing team." – Rich [10:57]
• "It’s pretty emotional, honestly. ...excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a few in a long while." – Aaron Rodgers [13:03]
• "We now assume... 54 yarder, you’re assuming a 54 yarder, he’s got it." – Rich [15:19]
• "That one meaningless Jets-Falcons game changes the trajectory..." – Rich [19:43]
• "You got to respect that they're there to compete." – Covino [21:12]
• "If you were going to keep it to yourself, then just keep it to yourself. Saying it after the fact just is going to rub everybody the wrong way." – Covino [38:18]
• "Every yard, they were stingy as eff, the Seahawks defense." – Rich [29:36]
• "Kyle Shanahan's first game with the Niners... held to three points and had not been held to three or less until that game." – Iowa Sam [31:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Raiders discussion & Tom Brady's future role: [03:03]-[05:34]
• Things That Made You Go 'Hmm', Week 18: [03:45]-[12:17]
• Divine Intervention/Holy Water Game Recap: [06:15]-[07:50]
• Aaron Rodgers' Postgame Soundbite: [13:03]-[13:39]
• NFL Kicking Trends and Fan Expectations: [14:22]-[16:44]
• Jets-Falcons "Butterfly Effect" and Draft Ramifications: [18:41]-[19:43]
• Giants & Tanking Debate: [20:14]-[21:52]
• Russell Wilson 'Excuse' Segment: [23:31]-[24:04]
• 49ers vs. Seahawks Recap & Defensive Masterclass: [29:03]-[31:28]

Tone & Culture

• Light, playful, and deeply entrenched in sports fandom culture.
• Frequent pop culture references (Adam Sandler, Norbit, Diana Ross).
• Willingness to poke fun at each other and at fan overreactions.

Summary Flow & Usefulness

This episode is a lively, detailed breakdown of the end of the NFL regular season, loaded with sharp opinions, side stories, statistical context, and laughter. Perfect for listeners wanting:

• A quick-but-deep recap of Week 18
• Insight into how small events ripple through the NFL
• Honest, engaging streamer/fan perspective
• Memorable moments (like the “holy water” or the rough fan reactions to missed kicks), not just box-score analysis

End of Hour: Noteworthy Listener Takeaways

• Week 18 is never meaningless in the NFL.
• Coaching changes happen swiftly and can be tied to unexpected in-season results.
• Fan culture can be both passionate and toxic—players like Tyler Loop face harsh, public criticism.
• High expectations on field goal kicking are a very recent development.
• Teams face tough choices between competing and improving draft stock—but respect and culture matter.
• The playoff field is full of fresh faces—a “doggy weekend” of wildcards awaits.

This summary provides a detailed roadmap to all the big discussions and memorable quotes, with clear markers for listeners wanting to jump to key moments, and maintains the energetic, irreverent tone of the hosts.