The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Episode: Seahawks Win but Rams Still Favorites, College Football Playoff Changes Coming
Date: December 19, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Host: Dan Patrick

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with a breakdown of the thrilling Seahawks vs. Rams Thursday Night Football game, analyzes its playoff implications, and debates whether the Rams are still Super Bowl favorites despite the overtime loss. The conversation then shifts to major changes coming in the College Football Playoff format, with Dan providing insider details. The crew reflects on college football’s underdog stories, the influence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money, and debates about upsets versus chalk. There’s also side discussion on Dan’s show traditions (such as office awards and food), MVP voting in the NFL, and lighthearted banter about the show’s infamous pie-to-the-face bets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seahawks vs. Rams: Overtime Thriller (04:13–11:55)

• Seattle wins in OT, 38–37: Dan lauds the wild, back-and-forth game and its dramatic finish, noting how either team “could have claimed the narrative” depending on the result.
• Game Analysis:
  • Seahawks had three turnovers but still won.
  • “Matthew Stafford threw for 450 yards. Puka Nakua had 12 catches, 225 yards… and Seattle's still going to win this game.” (Dan, 05:39)
  • Rams had no turnovers yet lost, raising questions about what went wrong.
  • “Do I still have questions about Sam Darnold? I do. I think they won maybe in spite of him.” (Dan, 08:14)
• Coaching Decision:
  • Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald described the decision to go for two in OT:
    • “I just felt great about our play and I… trusted our guys… once we got that drive going, it was pretty clear on what we were going to do. I loved it, but I don’t have to answer to the media, but I did love it.” (Mike Macdonald via clip, 06:31)
• Playoff Implications:
  • Seattle is now 12–3, LA 11–4.
  • “Who do you think is the favorite right now? According to DraftKings, the Rams are still the team to beat in the NFC, in the NFL. Then it’s the Seahawks, then Broncos, Bills, Eagles, Texans.” (Dan, 07:35)

2. College Football Playoff: Underdogs, Upsets & New Structure (11:56–32:00)

• David vs. Goliath in CFB
  • Dan draws parallels between college football and March Madness, questioning why underdog wins are cherished in basketball but not football:
    • “We don’t want upsets in football, but, man, do we crave upsets with March Madness.” (Dan, 10:41)
  • Nick Saban's remarks criticized:
    • “I was surprised and disappointed that Nick [Saban] said that… you're supposed to be kind of a steward of the game… James Madison and Tulane shouldn't be punished for something that college football and their committee came up with. They earned it.” (Dan, 11:37, 13:12)
• Poll Question: WR You Trust With Your Life
  • Paulie: “If your life depended on it, one catch—you taking Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Jackson Smith-Njigba or Puka Nakua?” (14:32)
  • The crew gives props to Puka Nakua for his recent performances.
• Puka Nakua’s Controversial Comments
  • Head Coach Sean McVay responds after Puka criticized referees:
    • “He was very apologetic… he's a young guy that’s a great kid that’s continuing to learn about… just the platform that… he has. I love him. We're going to continue to… help him learn and grow.” (Sean McVay, 15:09)
• CFP Format News Teased
  • Dan promises inside info ("after the break") on agreed changes to the playoff system, expanding to either 14 or 16 teams, with conference champions and top teams guaranteed spots. (12:30, revisited at 25:43)

3. Inside Scoop: New College Football Playoff Format (25:43–29:25)

• Breakdown of Proposed Structure:
  • Each of Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12 guarantees their champion a playoff berth.
  • Highest-ranked remaining conference champ gets a slot.
  • Notre Dame is guaranteed a berth if in the top 12.
  • “Big Ten and SEC basically told the other conferences—‘Here’s the deal, take it or we’ll have our own playoff and keep all the proceeds.’” (Dan, 26:54)
  • Possible future expansion to 16 or 24 teams, but the immediate plan is for 14.
  • Dan and Paulie discuss “expectations management,” suggesting the NCAA leaked rumors of 24 teams to make 16 seem reasonable.

4. Paying Players & NIL Era

(32:36–34:55)

• Paulie suggests NIL has made traditional powerhouses a bit more vulnerable, though Dan points out the separation in roster talent and NFL prospects remains.
• “There’s a big separation. Is Tulane or James Madison gonna have a first-round pick?… It's just a big, big drop-off.” (Dan, 33:18)

5. Fan & Crew Reactions: More Teams, More Money

(36:35–39:53)

• Caller Josh: Points out CFB fans are never quite satisfied ("never happy") as the playoff system keeps evolving.
• Dan's analysis: “It's money. College basketball, college football: more games, more money. March Madness—more games, more money. I've said it many times, follow the money. I don't care. The answer is money; now, what's the question?” (Dan, 34:29)
• Marvin raises concern about player workload and whether the regular season will shrink with expanded playoffs: “Are we going to treat them like professionals now? Eighteen game schedule?” (Dan, 39:02)

6. Show Banter: Most Valuable Danette, Office Awards, and Food

(14:34–18:36)

• The crew jokes about strategies and possible “backstabbing” for office popularity votes.
• “There’s already backstabbing in the backroom, guys... It’s starting to get a little ugly here. And I said, great, that's content.” (Dan, 24:38)
• Office food highlights (“beef and bison chili, wagyu smashed burgers... Who has it better than we do?”)
• Playful pie-to-the-face bet updates; Seton avoids a pie for his Seahawks pick.

7. NFL MVP Discussion & Puka Nakua’s Value

(18:10–18:36, 51:17–52:33)

• Puka Nakua is praised for outperforming his modest salary: “Puka Nakua makes a million dollars this year. A million. And he's gonna make a million next year… for the Rams, he'll be paid less than $5 million.” (Paulie/Dan, 18:10)
• Jerry Rice comparisons for Puka’s football speed: “There’s a Jerry Rice feel to him... I don't care because there's football speed and then there's track speed, and he's got football speed.” (Dan, 18:36)
• Matthew Stafford said to have essentially locked up the MVP, even after the Rams’ loss:
  • “He's winning the MVP. He didn’t have Devonte Adams and he threw for 450... They’re going to be in the playoffs and he's been great from start to finish.” (Dan, 51:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We don’t want upsets in football, but, man, do we crave upsets with March Madness.”
  — Dan Patrick (10:41)
• “Seattle gets the win in overtime... but if Seattle had lost that game, what would we be saying today?”
  — Dan Patrick (05:25)
• “I just felt great about our play and I… trusted our guys… once we got that drive going, it was pretty clear on what we were going to do.”
  — Mike Macdonald, Seahawks HC (06:31)
• “Do I still have questions about Sam Darnold? I do. I think they won maybe in spite of him.”
  — Dan Patrick (08:14)
• “If your life depended on it—one catch—you taking Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Jackson Smith-Njigba or Puka Nakua?”
  — Paulie (14:32)
• “We’re going to continue to put our arm around [Puka] and help him learn and grow. But we never want to do things that ever offend anybody, and I know he feels that same way.”
  — Sean McVay (15:09)
• “It’s money. College basketball, college football: more games, more money. March Madness—more games, more money. I’ve said it many times: follow the money. I don’t care. The answer is money—now what’s the question?”
  — Dan Patrick (34:29)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 04:13–11:55: Detailed Seahawks-Rams game discussion and playoff implications.
• 12:00–13:12: March Madness versus CFB upsets; Saban’s comments.
• 13:12–15:34: Puka Nakua’s comments, McVay’s response, NFL discipline.
• 25:43–29:25: Inside scoop on new College Football Playoff format.
• 32:36–34:55: NIL, upsets, and shifting power in college football.
• 35:33–39:53: Conversation on playoff expansion, player workload, and the impact on the regular season.
• 51:17–52:33: Matthew Stafford’s MVP candidacy.

The Show’s Tone & Style

Dan Patrick leads the conversation with his signature blend of insight, humor, and irreverent banter. The crew (Paulie, Todd, Marvin, Seton) bounce off one another with jokes, mock polling, and friendly rivalry, making stats and hot takes enjoyable. Dan balances fan perspective with that of a seasoned journalist, frequently pointing out industry realities, such as the money-driven nature of NCAA expansions.

For Further Listening

• Second hour preview: Upcoming guests: Lewis Riddick (ESPN analyst), Ryan Leaf (Packers vs. Bears broadcast).
• More on CFB playoff structure and NFL MVP race.
• Update on College Football Title odds.

This summary presents all essential content and lively debate from Hour 1, letting you catch up on the latest NFL and college football news, plus enjoy a sampling of the Dan Patrick Show’s unique spirit.