The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Seahawks Tempting Fate, Louis Riddick Interview (December 19, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Patrick and the Danettes dive into the aftermath of a high-stakes Seahawks vs. Rams Thursday night game, scrutinize Seattle’s resilience and sustainability, weigh in on standout NFL and college football performances, and welcome Louis Riddick of ESPN for insights on college playoff controversies and the progress of Sam Darnold. The conversation weaves sharp sports analysis, debate, humor, and memorable listener call-ins, making it a rich hour for sports enthusiasts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Seahawks vs. Rams: “Too Big for Thursday Night” (04:05–16:45)

• Game Recap and Coaching Decisions

  • Dan opens with praise for the Seahawks’ comeback win: “It was a game that I said was too big for Thursday night...but it lived up to the hype.” (04:30)
  • Analyzes Sean McVay’s bold approach: “The Rams went for it on fourth down four times in the first quarter...I don't know what the message was with his team. Let's jump on them early, make them one-dimensional.” (05:00)

• Seattle’s Resilience and Limits

  • Comments on Seattle’s comeback: “If I would say one word, they're resilient.” (06:25)
  • Notes the danger of living on the edge: “You can't live and die by one-score games...it's just not sustainable. That's what I'm looking at with Seattle. You won, but it's one of those ‘Yeah, but...’” (07:05)

• Player Highlights

  • Kenneth Walker III stands out: “He runs downhill...he reminds you how good he is when he's got the spotlight.” (06:00)

• Concerns for Both Teams

  • Rams’ inability to close: “Stafford throws for 450, Puka Nakua has over 200 receiving yards, you got turnovers...how did you not win that game?” (08:01)
  • Seattle’s reliance on defense: “Seattle’s defense ended up winning that game with a couple of key stops.” (08:40)

• Analytics & Playoff Implications

  • Super Bowl odds update: “Vegas this morning...Rams +425, Seattle +500, Broncos +750.” (07:45)
  • Worries about Sam Darnold’s turnovers, referencing their close win over the Colts: “I don't think you can get by with a couple interceptions and ask your defense to bail you out...you're going to have one of those games where you get tripped up.” (11:45)

Poll Questions & Wide Receiver Debate (16:50–19:30)

• Poll on Lane Kiffin’s Loyalty

  • Audience weighs in on whether Lane Kiffin would be rooting for Tulane to win; 63% say no.

• “If your life depended on a catch...”

  • Choices: Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Jackson Smith-Njigba, Puka Nakua.
  • Results: “Puka Nakua right now has 43%...next closest is Justin Jefferson at 25%.” (17:52)
  • Dan on Nakua: “Puka Nakua, I don't know how fast he is, I just know he's fast enough.” (18:35)

Listener Call-Ins: Joint Replacement and Anesthesia (19:40–30:40)

• Diane in Corona shares insights before undergoing knee surgery, explaining the “resurfacing” process for total knee replacements.

  • “Think of it as a resurfacing: you keep most of your parts...they put in some titanium joint pieces.” (20:55, Diane)

• Dave in Wisconsin, an anesthesia specialist, explains patients' experiences staying awake during surgeries and the protocols for pain management and awareness.

  • “We actually have probably half of our patients stay awake and watch the procedure on TV screens.” (22:35, Jeff)

• Dan recounts his own surgical experiences with biting humor:

  • “Anesthesia is always the most fun person, they're right next to you and they say ‘count down from ten’–you never get to one.” (25:10)

NBA Talk: Jokic and Hype vs. Development (30:45–35:30)

• Jokic’s All-Time Season

  • Marvels at Nikola Jokic’s dominance: “He leads the NBA in rebounds AND assists...imagine Magic Johnson leading in assists and rebounds and averaging 29 points.” (32:42)
  • Marv: “He’s on scholarship with that championship...he won with the team that drafted him, so he’s all good for the rest of his career.” (33:55)

• American Hype and Young Talent

  • Discussing Cooper Flagg’s hype vs. Victor Wembanyama's, Dan points out the challenge of meeting expectations as a young player: “What Cooper Flagg is doing is incredible...with the hype that’s supposed to be great.” (34:40)

Featured Interview: Louis Riddick (ESPN) on College Playoff & Sam Darnold (Timestamps: 39:30–59:14)

James Madison vs. Oregon and Group of Five Inclusion

• JMU’s Real Chance?

  • Riddick highlights JMU’s defensive talent but admits Oregon’s depth is imposing.
  • “If you're going to have a group of five school go up against a heavyweight like Oregon, you want the matchup to look like this...who knows how long they can keep it close.” (41:15, Louis Riddick)

• On Nick Saban’s Controversial Comments

  • Dan: “Nick Saban basically said JMU and Tulane are like minor league baseball teams, shouldn’t be in the playoffs.”
  • Riddick: “At one time, Nick was coaching at Toledo...he knows what the long, hard road looks like...If you're Texas, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame–then win your damn games. Don't worry about us. How about you just earn your way into it?” (45:45, Riddick)

Seahawks, Sam Darnold, and Thursday Night Reactions

• Turnaround for Darnold?

  • Riddick: “Sam’s been catching a bunch of strays...but in crunch time, big throws to Cooper Kupp and JSN–he doesn’t blink. Everyone else blinked talking about him, but he hasn’t blinked. That kind of game last night could really be a turning point for him.” (48:21)

• Seahawks' Acquisitions

  • On Rashid Shaheed’s impact: “One of the biggest acquisitions this season...you saw it last night–the punt return hit, made a difference.” (49:25)

• Defending Puka Nakua

  • “Free access to wide receivers—you’re asking to get your rear end ripped. If you don’t disrupt the Rams’ timing, Puka and Stafford eat you alive...you wind up giving up 225 yards to a single guy.” (52:18, Riddick)

Chiefs’ Offseason Needs & Travis Kelce's Legacy

• Kansas City’s Rebuild
  • “You’ve got to get Patrick [Mahomes] a bell cow running back, a true No. 1 wide receiver, and what’s the succession plan for Travis Kelce at tight end?” (55:25)
  • On Kelce vs. other great tight ends: “The numbers say he’s [Kelce] the best...Tony Gonzalez was damn near uncoverable, but Travis is right there at the very top.” (56:45)

Other Highlights & Listener Engagement

Fast Facts & Quirky Stats

• Seahawks’ three two-point conversions match a recent high: “Most since the Cowboys had three in 2020; only Rams in St. Louis had more (four in 2000).” (39:00)

College Football Playoff Proposals (62:33–64:15)

• Listener Paul in Iowa floats a playoff plan for Group of Five champs to play for first four slots, Dan voices concerns over too many games for college athletes.

MVPs of the Week Segment (57:20–59:00)

• Danettes' Picks:
  • Todd: Josh Allen and the Bills (“erased a one-point deficit at Foxborough”)
  • Seaton: Trevor Lawrence (“monster game, really needed it”)
  • Marvin: New York Knicks (“they won the cup!”)
  • Paulie: Liam Cohen, Jaguars’ coach (“was goofed on at first, but quietly made playoffs”)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan on the Seahawks:
  “You can’t live and die by it…I think that’s what I’m looking at with Seattle. You won, but it’s one of those ‘Yeah, but…’” — Dan Patrick (07:05)

• Louis Riddick on Underdog Mentality:
  “If you’re Texas, if you’re Vanderbilt, and if you’re Notre Dame, then win your damn games. Don’t worry about us. Don’t try keeping us out of it. Just earn your way in.” — Louis Riddick (45:56)

• On Darnold’s Growth:
  “Everyone else has blinked talking about him, but he hasn’t blinked. And I love that...I hope last night is a turning point game for him.” — Louis Riddick (48:45)

• Listener Diane, Pre-Surgery:
  “Think of it as a resurfacing that you get to keep most of your parts…they put in some titanium joint pieces.” — Diane (20:55)

• Dan, joking about anesthesia:
  “Count down from ten–I think I’ve gotten to maybe six…then you’re out.” — Dan Patrick (25:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Seahawks-Rams game analysis: 04:05–16:45
• Wide receiver poll & Lane Kiffin: 16:50–19:30
• Listener knee surgery and anesthesia conversation: 19:40–30:40
• Jokic & Cooper Flagg hype: 30:45–35:30
• Louis Riddick interview: 39:30–59:14
• MVPs of the week: 57:20–59:00
• College playoff talk / listener proposals: 62:33–64:15

Tone & Style

The hour maintains Dan Patrick’s signature blend of candid analysis, razor-sharp wit, and sports fan camaraderie. Guests are treated with respect and curiosity, but light ribbing and playful banter flow throughout.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking savvy NFL and college football breakdowns, spirited locker-room debates, and a pulse on the week’s hot sports topics. With strong opinions, data-savvy takes, and a locker-room feel, it’s an engaging and illuminating listen that lives up to Dan Patrick’s sports radio legacy.