The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1403 – "FIRST 15: NFL Week 1 Recap"
September 8, 2025
Overview
Pat McAfee, AJ Hawk, and the crew break down the top five storylines from NFL Week 1 in their new "First 15" segment, a rapid-fire Monday overreaction format. The episode is filled with insider perspectives, bold predictions, and the infectious energy characteristic of the show. They dive into remarkable debuts, dramatic finishes, big trades, major player returns, and wild upsets, all with their signature blend of locker-room banter and sharp analysis.
Top Storylines and Discussion Points
1. Steelers’ New Era: Aaron Rodgers’ Triumphant Debut
[00:00-05:14]
- Aaron Rodgers shines as the new Steelers QB, tossing four touchdowns and orchestrating a dramatic game-winning drive in his Pittsburgh debut.
- Pat recounts Rodgers’ emotional journey from off-season doubt, potential retirement, and being pushed out by the Jets, to finding new life with the Steelers.
- Tone Digs, a lifelong Steelers fan, describes the surreal moment of seeing Rodgers lead the offense:
"Once the Steelers got their first kickoff and you saw Aaron run out on the field like it was a surreal like holy shit, Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback." – Tone Digs [02:13]
- DK Metcalf with impactful plays but an early drop, proving he’s "worth the money."
- Chris Boswell’s “serial killer” moment:
- Nails a 60-yard, clutch kick after a contract hold-in, sealing the win.
- Coach Mike Tomlin on Boswell:
"Our kicker is a serial killer, man. He got a low pulse rate. He can't wait to deliver." – Tomlin (audio clip) [04:36]
- New addition Jalen Ramsey instantly embracing the Steelers’ culture, delivering big hits and leadership.
2. Packers’ Splash: Micah Parsons’ Impact and Jordan Love’s Leap
[05:14-09:32]
- Micah Parsons’ electrifying Packers debut: One sack, three pivotal pressures, and a transformative presence elevating the entire Green Bay defense.
- Becomes highest-paid non-QB in the league ($47M/year).
- Crowd at Lambeau "the loudest pop they've ever heard" for a new player.
"I think Micah loves his time at the Packers…he's ecstatic to be a Packer." – [08:09]
- Jordan Love stirs MVP buzz after a dominant, efficient performance:
- Started 10 of 14, two TDs, early 17–3 lead over the Lions.
- Despite questions about WR injuries, offense looked sharp.
- Detroit’s early unraveling:
- Lions’ O-line exposed without Ragnall, new coordinators struggling, Dan Campbell’s "Applebee's commercial" mentioned as an omen of declined fortunes.
- Foxy laments:
"Detroit is burning to the ground right now." – [08:51]
- Pat reassures:
"I believe in Dan Campbell. ... They’re going to have to get much better for Lions fans not to lose their mind." – [09:32]
3. Chargers & Herbert: “Blueprint QB” Ascendant
[09:32-13:04]
- Justin Herbert delivers the performance he was “built for” in Jim Harbaugh’s second year.
- *318 passing yards, 25/34 completions.
- “Movie quarterback” composure: Never says the wrong thing to the media, always focused on “stacking days.”
- Known as “the Blueprint”: tall, athletic, can run, throw, and lead.*
"He's been called the blueprint... What everybody's looking for." – Pat McAfee [11:39]
-
D-Bud (co-host) as a "Herbert truther":
"You've been on the Herbert train, I would say, since the beginning. ... Justin Herbert and the Chargers look like they might be the real deal this year." – Pat McAfee [11:39]/D-Bud [13:04]
- Pass-heavy attack surprises from Greg Roman/Harbaugh offense; Keenan Allen and Quinton Johnston shine.
- Herbert seals the game with a crucial late scramble, sliding to in-bounds to run out the clock.
4. Bills’ Miraculous Comeback vs. Ravens
[13:38-16:40]
- Game recap:
- Most fans (and Pat) fell asleep with Ravens up 15 in the 4th; missed historic comeback.
- Bills rally with TD (Keon Coleman), fumble recovery (forced by Ed Oliver), and a walk-off field goal by 41-year-old Matt.
"Record breaking final four minutes where a team is down by 15 with under four minutes." – Pat McAfee [13:38]
- Key: Old-school “Bills chaos,” Josh Allen delivers when it matters despite earlier miscues by Ravens and Derrick Henry's otherwise dominant game.
5. Colts Mania: “The Big Three” and Danny Dimes’ Renaissance
[16:40-20:31]
- Pat declares:
"The Colts go in the Super Bowl to win the Super Bowl. And that is no question. And that's because the big three." – Pat McAfee [16:40]
- Danny Dimes (Daniel Jones) as “the guy” in Indianapolis:
- Hits all receivers; O-line and Jonathan Taylor both dominant.
- Defense, coached by “Lou Anne Rumo,” almost holds opponent scoreless.
- Massive optimism after years of disappointment.
- Tyler Warren’s debut: Referred to as “Sasquatch actor” with “a super thick, massive, massive head.”
- Survives a hellacious hit, “the most violent thing I’ve ever seen in person” [20:02], goes right back in.
- The “Big Three,” coined by Edgerrin James, are credited for locker room accountability.
- Pat:
"We got a team." [17:31]
- Crew agrees this dominance finally justifies Colts fans’ hope:
"Thank goodness what we've been seeing and talking about isn't just us." [20:17]
Other Notable Moments & Quick Hits
Rams’ and Falcons’ Grit
[20:31-23:47]
- Rams: Puka Nakua takes a brutal hit, returns to help team win.
- Defensive heroics: Landman punch-out, Durant sideline interception.
- Pat:
“Landman. Boom. Landman, Landman, Landman.” [21:58]
- Falcons & Michael Penix Jr.:
- Penix shows why he was the right pick: athleticism (two key 4th down runs).
- WR Ibuka establishes himself as an emerging WR1, dependable, durable, compared to Terry McLaurin.
- Buc’s rookie WR Ibuka hailed:
"You will not be able to deny him. He'll get open, he'll make big time plays week in and week out." – D-Bud [23:20]
Rapid-Fire: Key News and Developments
[24:06-27:00]
- Giants’ Russell Wilson era on borrowed time; rookie Jackson Dart’s debut looming.
- Spate of TE injuries: Brock Bowers (knee), George Kittle (hamstring), Evan Ingram (calf).
- NFL decision pending on Jalen Carter’s spitting incident.
- Monday Night Football: JJ McCarthy (Vikings) makes first NFL start vs Bears, in storybook homecoming.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Aaron Rodgers’ debut:
"It was surreal, like holy shit, Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback." – Tone Digs [02:13]
"Our kicker is a serial killer, man. He got a low pulse rate. He can't wait to deliver." – Mike Tomlin (audio) [04:36] -
On Micah Parsons’ impact:
"He makes all the guys around him so much better... This is a different guy than we saw in Dallas." – Crew on Parsons [08:09]
-
On Justin Herbert:
"He's been called the blueprint... What everybody's looking for." – Pat McAfee [11:39]
-
On the Colts:
"The Colts go in the Super Bowl to win the Super Bowl. And that is no question." – Pat McAfee [16:40]
“We got a team." – Pat McAfee [17:31] -
On Ibuka’s quiet excellence:
"He's durable, reliable. He's like Terry McLaurin." – Pat McAfee [23:47]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – Start of “First 15”; Rodgers’ journey to the Steelers
- 02:13 – Steelers fan reacts to Rodgers’ debut
- 04:36 – Tomlin’s “serial killer” kicker quote
- 05:14 – Micah Parsons in Green Bay, Jordan Love MVP buzz
- 08:51 – Lions’ struggles and Detroit panic
- 11:39 – Herbert as the “movie quarterback” blueprint
- 13:38 – Bills’ improbable comeback over Ravens
- 16:40 – Colts win, “Big Three” and Danny Dimes
- 20:31 – Rams’ grit, Falcons’ rookie stars
- 24:06 – Rapid-fire on Giants, TE injuries, MNF storylines
- 27:00 – MNF preview, JJ McCarthy’s Chicago homecoming
Summary
This lively First 15 recap is a brisk, bold, and banter-heavy breakdown of all the need-to-know action from NFL Week 1. Fans get a digest of blockbuster debuts (Rodgers in Pittsburgh, Micah Parsons in Green Bay), wild game-winners (Boswell’s 60-yarder, Bills’ comeback), QB ascensions (Herbert, Jordan Love, Danny Dimes), resilient rookies, and the ever-present spectacle and hope that marks the NFL’s opening weekend. For anyone who missed the games, this episode is a can’t-miss fast pass to everything important, all delivered with the authentic energy and sharp wit of Pat McAfee and crew.