The Dan Patrick Show – Episode Summary

Hour 2 – NFL Week 11 Full Recap, Paul Skenes
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 2) centers on a comprehensive NFL Week 11 recap, captivating discussions about scoring droughts, coaching carousel rumors (especially with Lane Kiffin), and an in-depth interview with unanimous NL Cy Young winner and MLB Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. The show balances insider sports analysis, audience call-ins, and its trademark banter, culminating in honest takes on athlete loyalty and team-building in today’s sports climate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL Week 11 Recap & Scoring Droughts (02:35–06:39)

• Cowboys vs Raiders Recap

  • Dan breaks down Dallas’s 33–16 win over Las Vegas, commenting on the Cowboys' playoff chances and noting the "home game" feel for Dallas fans in Vegas.
  • The Raiders' offensive struggles are highlighted—averaging just 15.5 points per game and ranking 31st in the NFL.

• Titan’s Historic Low Scoring

  • Paulie: “Titans... have six passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns on the season, lowest in the NFL.” (05:09)
  • Dan wonders if the Titans could set a new low mark for touchdowns over the past two decades.
  • Paulie cites the 2000 Browns (16 total TDs) and 2006 Raiders (12 total TDs) as basement-dwellers, with the current Titans possibly challenging the record.

2. College Football Coaching Carousel: Lane Kiffin Rumors (06:39–14:02)

• Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Future

  • Reports indicate Lane Kiffin’s family visiting LSU and Florida, possibly as leverage for contract negotiations.
  • Dan: “It’s weird when you go, hey, we want you here. We’re going to give you a bigger offer, but you’re going to go and talk to these other schools... I’d love for an athletic director to say, are you looking at other jobs? Does that violate your contract?” (08:43)
  • Paulie details Ole Miss giving Kiffin a deadline prior to the Egg Bowl for his decision.

• The Loyalty Dilemma

  • Todd compares coaching job-hunting to relationship “flirting.”
  • Dan’s stance: “If you want to go and talk to them, I would just say, then go... If you’re thinking about [retirement], then do it, because it’s already in your mind.” (12:26)
  • The group discusses how coaching loyalty is increasingly rare, with contracts seldom fulfilled.

3. Audience Call-In Highlights

• Iowa's Coaching Succession (15:00–16:25)

  • Caller Paul from Iowa asks about Kirk Ferencz’s tenure and the Hawkeyes’ future.
  • Dan: “I’m going to give credit to both sides for being loyal... Can you be better than this?”

• Cowboys Consistency (16:26–17:37)

  • Scotty from Vegas wants to know why Dallas can’t play consistently well; Dan points out the unpredictability of NFL teams, citing parity across the league.

• Pitbull Concert & Team Banter (18:01–19:19)

  • Entertaining side conversation about attending concerts like Pitbull and Post Malone as a group, showcasing the camaraderie of the Dan Patrick Show crew.

4. Feature Interview: Paul Skenes (24:18–37:39)

Cy Young Season and Awards (25:34–26:52)

• Skenes confirms he hasn’t received his Cy Young trophy yet, will display it “somewhere... nice and high, so you can see it in zooms like this.” (25:41)
• On being unanimous: “Winning the Cy Young is one thing. On unanimous is another... the unanimous was a nice touch.” (26:05)

Hitting and Two-way Play (27:05–27:42)

• Dan floats the “Ohtani question”—does Skenes envision DH or hitting?
• Skenes: “The portion I could do is stand in the box... I haven’t picked up a bat in two years... I’m good with what I’m doing.” (27:05)

Backup Catcher Possibility (27:42–28:01)

• Skenes: “I really believe [I could be backup catcher]... I don't think they would ever put me back there.”

Fastball and Pitching Science (28:26–29:50)

• His fastest pitch: “I think 102 [mph].” (28:30)
• On velocity focus: “Sitting 100 for me is better than hitting 102, but sitting 97, if that makes sense.” (28:41)
• Offseason plans: open to adding new pitches but no set plan yet.

Military Background and “Top Gun” Jokes (29:50–31:40)

• Skenes’ Air Force roots, “barely fit” cockpit, and missing the camaraderie: “The longer I’ve been away... it’s like, dang, I miss it."

On Losing with the Pirates & Trade Rumors (31:40–34:29)

• Adapting from LSU championship to Pirates struggles: “It’s tough... The Air Force is the winningest organization in the world... I haven’t had two great years team-wise in Pittsburgh.” (31:55)
• Regarding Yankees trade rumors: “It’s not true... Leaving before [winning in Pittsburgh] would leave a bad taste in my mouth.” (33:09)

Loyalty in Modern Sports (34:10–36:24)

• Skenes frames criticism of market dynamics: “There’ll be somebody that comes after you... It all comes down to how you look at it... fight to... raise the bar, you know, for us in Pittsburgh, but for the next player, wherever.” (34:29)
• Military discipline: “Still got to make the bed... Habits that are built inside you.” (35:28)

Notable Quotes

• “[Livvy] can kind of show my emotions for me. So it’s worked two years in a row.” (26:39)
• On loyalty: “...there’s something to be said for, they took a chance on you, you came in, you delivered, everybody wins. And if you want to go, you’re going to have your family on private planes going to Florida and lsu. Then you know what, why don’t you go?” —Dan Patrick (13:17)

Memorable Moments

• Skenes on most famous person he’s met: “Probably... Shane Gillis... down to earth, great dude, hilarious.” (36:30–37:12)
• Skenes on Air Force bed-making: “They don’t do [the quarter bounce] anymore... but some duct tape their beds to keep them tight.” (35:47)

5. Segment: Super Bowl “Stick or Pick” (43:51–46:56)

• The crew revisits pre-season Super Bowl picks and debates whether to “stick” with their original or pick new matchups midseason.
• Example:
  • Todd switching to “Rams over Bills” (44:23)
  • Dan proudly “sticking” with “Lions beat Chiefs” (45:02)

6. Quarterback Reps and the Shador Sanders Debate (47:21–51:34)

• Dan discusses the uproar over backup QB Shedor Sanders not getting first-team practice reps with the Browns.
• Calls out “click-based” media coverage: “You’re creating this story because Shador Sanders gets clicks, Dion gets clicks. Like, that’s it. And I just go, be fair to the story, be fair to the coach, be fair to the starting quarterback, be fair to the role of the backup quarterback. That’s all.” (50:51)
• Paulie references Peyton Manning: “...they gave Peyton Manning every first team rep unless Peyton wanted to get a sip of water or something because they would never plan on the backup being in... it’s [just] never happens.”

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• On Lane Kiffin’s Coaching Rumors and Loyalty
  • “I would tell you to go. If you want to go and talk to them, I would just say, then go.” —Dan Patrick (12:26)
  • “If you’re thinking about [retirement], then do it, because it’s already in your mind.” —Dan Patrick (12:26)
• On Small-Market MLB Team Realities
  • “I mean, I’m not the first person... been through this... It all comes down to how you look at it, right?... For us in Pittsburgh, but for the next player, wherever.” —Paul Skenes (34:29)
• Peak Skenes: On Winning and Staying Hungry
  • “I think it just comes down to being a professional. I've learned more and more how to do that and just be the, you know, be the same person every day.” —Paul Skenes (32:16)
• Media and Clicks: The Shador Sanders Rep Debate
  • “You’re creating this story because Shador Sanders gets clicks, Dion gets clicks. Like, that’s it.” —Dan Patrick (50:51)

Segment Timestamps

• NFL Week 11 recap & Titans historic lows: 02:35–06:39
• Lane Kiffin rumors/coaching loyalty: 06:39–14:02
• Audience call-ins & banter: 15:00–19:19
• Paul Skenes full interview: 24:18–37:39
• Super Bowl Stick or Pick segment: 43:51–46:56
• Shador Sanders QB rep debate: 47:21–51:34

Overall Tone

The episode is lively, irreverent, and candid—mixing sharp sports analysis with relatable, sometimes comedic banter. Dan’s tone is one of seasoned authority, both empathetic and unsparing, especially in calling out media narratives and sports loyalty myths.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode spotlights everything the Dan Patrick Show does best: sharp recaps, honest debates on loyalty in sports, and an insightful interview with a rising MLB star navigating professional adversity. You’ll come away with fresh perspectives on the NFL landscape, college coaching dynamics, and the personal side of an athlete’s journey—all with the show’s signature authenticity and wit.