The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Rams’ Tough Breaks, Resting Stars

Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Covino, Rich Eisen, Danny G, Jason McIntyre
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

The first hour of today’s Dan Patrick Show zeroes in on the Los Angeles Rams’ recent loss and what it reveals about their season, playoff potential, and NFL parity as a whole. The crew debates whether the Rams, plagued by a series of tough breaks and questionable calls, should still be feared entering the playoffs. The conversation also expands to unpredictable NFC South playoff scenarios, the question of resting stars for the postseason, and the overall wide-open nature of the 2025 NFL race, with a lively, humorous, and interactive tone fitting for the holiday “taint” week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rams vs. Falcons: The Anatomy of a Tough Loss

• Rams’ Misfortunes and Late-Game Drama
  • The team recaps the Rams falling behind 21-0 to the Falcons, only to mount a comeback that fell just short due to a trio of critical plays: a misthrow by Stafford, a non-call on pass interference, and a jaw-dropping but ultimately incomplete catch by Puka Nacua.
  • Rich Eisen (04:51): “Three plays in a row, they had an opportunity. Do you not feel the same way?”
  • Covino (05:57): “There was three controversial plays in a row for sure.”
  • The hosts commiserate over the string of bad luck, with multiple quotes highlighting just how slim the margin for error is at the NFL level.
• Bad Breaks or Bad Fortune?
  • Rich Eisen (08:12): “Aren’t there times when you’ll be like, yeah, just give it to him?...There’s a part of you that’s like, oh god, give it to him. I mean, Jesus Christ.”
  • Debate arises over whether championship teams make their own luck or if sometimes the football gods just frown upon you.
• The Rams Still a Threat?
  • Despite the loss, consensus is that the Rams remain dangerous—if these four unlucky games swing the other way, they’d be top seeds and perceived totally differently.
  • Covino (15:20): “Don’t sleep on the Rams because they could have easily pulled away with that game. Even on an off night, they almost won.”

Breakout Players, MVP Races & Playoff Resting

• Matthew Stafford’s Recent Struggles
  • Discussion on Stafford’s drop in MVP candidacy after recent interceptions, noting how quickly narratives shift (“Memes never lie. Right?” – Covino, 16:31).
• Resting Superstars
  • The show teases (to be picked up later) the strategic decisions around resting key players like Davante Adams, questioning the trade-offs between health and rust:
    • Rich Eisen (15:12): “There’s no point now to push Davante Adams because the Rams path…is not changing.”
• Who’s Actually Scary in the NFC?
  • No team, not even the Eagles or Niners, is without major flaws.
  • Discussion runs through top RBs (McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry), QBs, and playoff-bound squads finding form at the right time.

The Wild, Wide-Open Playoff Picture

• NFC South’s Absurdity
  • Rich Eisen (9:44): “If the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, that Panthers-Bucs game is irrelevant and Carolina would be your division champ no matter what.”
  • Division could see a sub-.500 team (8-9) host a playoff game, sparking debate over whether this is fair or just the quirks of NFL structure; Covino calls it “how the game’s played.”
• No Real Villain This Year
  • Caller Kevin (49:13): “This NFL playoff doesn’t have a villain.”
  • Hosts agree—the usual suspects are either rebuilding or unthreatening, making for a uniquely likable and open field.
• “Anyone’s Season” Parity
  • Multiple hosts mention that, for once, any team making a run (including Bears, Seahawks, Rams, Eagles, even Texans in the AFC) wouldn’t truly shock them.
  • Rich Eisen (34:07): “Would you be shocked…if the Bears and Ben Johnson and Caleb make a run?...Wouldn’t be shocked…every storyline…there is no villain.”

The Razor’s Edge: Luck, Experience, and Playoff Mindset

• NFL: Truly a Game of Inches
  • The show goes granular on how entire narratives hinge on a single non-call or one missed catch—reminding listeners that “sometimes the better team doesn’t win” and luck is a huge postseason factor.
  • Guest Analyst (22:58): “If Atwell wasn’t interfered with and caught that long pass…the Rams wind up in the end zone…we’re talking about Stafford as MVP.”
• Does Postseason Experience Matter?
  • Covino and Rich debate the value of prior playoff/Super Bowl experience for QBs and coaches.
  • Covino (25:09): “As a leader…that confidence and poise about you…makes a difference. As a player being on the field, maybe not as much.”

Fun, Tone & Listener Interaction

• Lighthearted Banter & Community
  • The show frequently turns to listener comments and chat:
    • “The YouTube chat is popping…to see our tired faces. A lot of boozing and schmoozing during the taint of the holidays.” (Covino, 13:38)
  • Sidebar debates about commercials, memes, and sports families scheduling life events during playoff weekends show off the show’s signature humor.
• Memorable Quotes
  • Escobar Cheeks (Listener, 21:18): “If my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle”—on the futility of arguing “what ifs” for the Rams.
  • Rich Eisen (41:10): “When someone’s like, yeah, we’re having Tyler’s birthday party…on wild card weekend, guess what? Dad’s not going to be there.”

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the Rams’ missed opportunities:
  • “Three controversial plays in a row for sure.” – Covino (05:57)
• On a no-call for pass interference:
  • “The only reason it was a one handed grab is because his other arm was being held.” – Covino (07:16)
• On playoff experience vs. new blood:
  • “Do those teams with experience just have something like an intangible level of experience…?” – Rich Eisen (25:32)
  • “As a leader…that confidence and poise about you…matters.” – Covino (25:09)
• On division winners with sub-.500 records:
  • “Do you guys have a problem with a team that’s under .500 hosting a playoff game?” – Guest Analyst (12:42)
• On the 2025 NFL landscape:
  • “This might be the most exciting season ever… anyone’s chance.” – Covino & Rich (33:49-33:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rams-Falcons Recap & Misfortunes:
  • 04:11 – 08:49
• Rams Playoff Danger Level:
  • 15:12 – 16:49, 20:02 – 22:46
• NFC South & Parity Discussion:
  • 09:44 – 13:38, 33:49 – 36:29
• Resting Stars, Playoff Strategy:
  • 15:12, 46:18 – 49:04 (setup, to be continued in the next hour)
• Playoff Experience & Team Vulnerability:
  • 25:09 – 26:14
• Listener Calls, NFL Stories:
  • 49:11 – 51:26

Summary Takeaways

• The Rams are better than their record suggests, falling victim to bad luck rather than lack of talent—making them a significant playoff wildcard no NFC contender should overlook.
• The 2025 NFL playoff picture is uniquely wide open, with no dominant juggernaut or clear villain: almost any playoff team making a run would be plausible.
• Debate continues over the wisdom of resting stars before the postseason and whether previous playoff experience trumps youthful momentum.
• The hosts bring signature humor, perspective, and fan engagement, providing both sharp analysis and a fun listen as the NFL regular season barrels toward the playoffs.