The Dan Patrick Show (Guest Hosts: Covino & Rich)

Hour 2 - Overrated Athletes, Game of the Week, Holiday Movies
Date: November 27, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this special Thanksgiving edition, Covino & Rich fill in for Dan Patrick, diving into the world of overrated athletes—spurred largely by Jake Paul’s viral list—debating the big NFL games of the holiday weekend, and finally, starting a lively discussion about the best truly family-friendly holiday movies. Sporting sharp banter and plenty of listener interaction, the show is a blend of sports analysis, pop culture commentary, and good-natured ribbing reminiscent of Thanksgiving debates everywhere.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Food: The Overrated Debate

(03:15 – 06:54)

• Turkey: Underrated or Overrated?

  • Rich Davis kicks off the hour challenging the idea that turkey deserves its place as the Thanksgiving centerpiece:

    "The idea of turkey being the central point, I can't disagree... It's no better than getting a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket." (04:31)

  • Culinary tips fly as the guys debate the best ways to cook a turkey (smoking, brining, bacon-wraps), with Steve Covino stressing:

    "Just don't overcook it. You gotta use a meat thermometer. That's the key." (05:11)

  • Consensus lands with sides and appetizers being more memorable than turkey itself.

• Overrated Sides

  • Sides like yams, green bean casserole, and canned cranberry sauce are deemed overrated, but the jiggly canned cranberry earns some nostalgic defense.
  • Danny G, reflecting a brash take from a Campbell's Soup exec:

    "Things in cans are for poor people." (06:42)

2. Jake Paul’s Top 10 Most Overrated Athletes

(06:54 – 24:52)

Jake Paul's List Playback

Jake Paul's viral list is played in full:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Trevor Lawrence
3. Ronaldo
4. Ryan Garcia
5. Conor McGregor
6. Dak Prescott
7. Anthony Edwards
8. Canelo Alvarez
9. Tua Tagovailoa
10. Anthony Joshua (08:02 – 08:49)

Discussion & Breakdown: Reverse Order

• Anthony Joshua (#10)

  • Covino: Suggests “overrated” is more about fight promotion—due to Joshua’s global fame and gold medal pedigree, the label feels off.

    "Overseas he's a superstar...the world's a bigger place than your living room." (10:17)

  • Rich: If he’s not a US household name, how “overrated” can he be?

• Tua Tagovailoa (#9)

  • Both hosts agree: Tua is “overpaid and overrated” relative to his contract and college hype, though expectations play a large role.

    "Great college player, came in with hype... I never understood." (11:47)

• Canelo Alvarez (#8)

  • Covino defends Canelo fiercely:

    "He's a legend, dude. There hasn't been a dominant fighter to his caliber since Julio Cesar Chavez." (12:13)

  • Adds “bonus points” for being a ginger, sparking banter about racial/ethnic stereotypes.

• Anthony Edwards (#7)

  • The crew thinks it's too soon—Edwards’ story is “not written.”
  • Danny G: "No, no. I think he's rated right." (12:51)

• Dak Prescott (#6)

  • Split: Rich feels Dak "doesn't get enough love"—organizational issues cloud his legacy.
  • Covino: "I don't think it all falls on him...I agree with you." (14:06)

• Conor McGregor (#5)

  • Covino points out Paul's PR motivations:

    "Jake Paul throws in there because he sees dollar signs in the future." (14:38)

  • McGregor was “must-watch TV” in his prime, but out-of-Octagon antics color perception now.

• Ryan Garcia (#4)

  • The group agrees Garcia is more a social media and lifestyle celebrity than an elite fighter; label “overrated” is fitting, but he "doesn’t have to be."

    "He has all the tools to be a superstar. He just doesn't commit the way he should." (16:52)

• Ronaldo (#3)

  • Rich questions the on-field legacy compared to Messi, but Covino crunches numbers:

    “668 million on Instagram...he’s the most popular guy on earth. Does his play match the fame?” (17:28–18:09)

• Trevor Lawrence (#2)

  • Both hosts: the “generational” label hasn’t matched his pro record (29-42), though team quality counts.

    “He hasn't lived up to the expectation...if they miss the playoffs again…” (20:43–21:18)

• Babe Ruth (#1)

  • Hosts dissect generational bias, pointing out Ruth dominated a “limited” era but was far and away his period’s best.

    “You can’t look at his swing now and be like, look at this guy…he was the beacon of awesome.” (22:11)

  • Amusing realization: Ruth’s “tubby” physique (6’2”, 215 lbs) is basically modern average.

    “That’s like Rich, that’s you after Thanksgiving dinner.” (24:23)

3. Big TV Games of the Week (NFL Thanksgiving & Weekend Preview)

(30:10 – 42:44)

• Covino & Rich’s Viewing Rituals

  • Rich describes his “sports bar” living room strategy: multiple TVs, all the action. Covino now a fan of this approach.

• Game-by-game Preview

  • Thanksgiving’s Packers–Lions game is “the one to watch”: "Implications of whoever loses—on the outside looking in." (33:03)
  • Rich calls Texans-Colts the “original Rocky,” the game with the most meaningful playoff implications, while 49ers-Browns is “Rocky IV—maybe not the best, but the most exciting.” (36:23–36:38)
  • Late games: Bills–Steelers is picked as the most relevant “big TV game” of Sunday’s late slate.

    "Bill's got to turn it around and really make a statement here..." (38:25)

• Raiders–Chargers Sidebar

  • Danny G (Raiders fan): Wants to spoil the Chargers’ playoff hopes; team injuries and poor coaching dominate analysis.

    "I would rather Mark Davis sell the team." (40:00)

4. Old School Hits: Family-Friendly Holiday Movies

(42:44 – 53:43)

• Debate: What’s Family-Friendly, Actually?

  • Covino: The “must-have” quality for a family movie is zero offense—no sex scenes, minimal swearing, nothing that “offends mom.”

    "My mom has...five kids. She can't be that much of a prude." (50:05)

  • Danny G recalls childhood Thanksgiving viewings of Bill Cosby standup—a retro option now clouded by controversy.

• Disagreement: "Love Actually"

  • Rich loves it as a post-dinner tradition; Covino objects:

    "Nothing says happy holidays like a porn scene in your Christmas movie. Love Actually should be in the trash." (53:20)

  • Rich: "It's like a little tiny part where there's like...a couple that are porn stand-ins."
  • Covino: "I hope your 8-year-old daughter really loves that part." (53:43)

• Standup Suggestions

  • Listener Becker recommends Nate Bargatze’s comedy as universally family-friendly.

• Open Call to Listeners

  • The show invites feedback for more “guaranteed safe but not sucky” holiday movies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:11] Steve Covino:
  "Just don't overcook it. You gotta use a meat thermometer. That's the key."

• [10:17] Steve Covino:
  "The world's a bigger place than your living room."

• [12:13] Steve Covino:
  "Canelo Alvarez...he's a legend, dude. There hasn't been a dominant fighter to his caliber since Julio Cesar Chavez."

• [22:11] Steve Covino:
  "You can't look at his swing now and be like, look at this guy. Look at this fatso. Because then he was the beacon of awesome."

• [36:23] Steve Covino:
  "49ers-Browns is Rocky IV...not the best, but it might be the most exciting."

• [50:05] Steve Covino:
  "My mom has five kids, so she can't be that much of a prude."

• [53:20] Steve Covino:
  "Love Actually should not be in this conversation. Love Actually should be in the trash. There's a porn scene in that movie."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving Overrated Foods: 03:15 – 06:54
• Jake Paul’s Overrated Athletes List: 06:54 – 24:52
• NFL Games of the Week (including Raiders talk): 30:10 – 42:44
• Family-Friendly Holiday Movie Debate: 42:44 – 53:43

Conclusion

This episode perfectly blends sports fandom, pop culture tangents, and the never-ending debates that epitomize Thanksgiving. From overrated athletes and dishes to the pitfalls of “family” movie night, Covino and Rich bring a signature energy, mixing deep sports knowledge with the kind of relatable banter fit for both long drives and living room hangouts.