The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 (Episode 1408): NFL Week 2 Recap
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee (with AJ Hawk, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Conor McGovern, Tyler Lockett, Adam Schefter, The Toxic Table, and Tone Digs)
Episode Overview
This lively episode breaks down all the biggest storylines from NFL Week 2, blending insider perspective with the comedic camaraderie that makes The Pat McAfee Show unique. The roundtable tackles dominant performances, major quarterback injuries, and unusual special teams feats, adding in memorable banter and fan-favorite rants. The crew discusses shocking blowouts, crushing injuries (especially to Joe Burrow), the Ravens’ offensive explosion, the surging Colts, and the ever-controversial “Tush Push" play.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ravens Statement Win & Lamar Jackson’s Ascendancy
[00:04]
- Pat McAfee hypes the Ravens’ 41–17 demolition of the Browns, crowning Lamar Jackson “the greatest passing quarterback in the history of the NFL” with the highest career passer rating.
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson credits the Ravens for letting their play do the talking after a week of "chirping," highlights Lamar as both all-time passing leader and rushing leader at QB.
- [00:48] Ferguson notes the Browns managed Derrick Henry, but were overwhelmed by the Ravens’ multidimensional attack.
“He’s also got an entire team around him filled with absolute dogs.”
— Pat McAfee, [00:30]
2. The Resurgent (or Not?) Detroit Lions
[01:14]
- McAfee and crew analyze the Lions’ bounce-back in a 52–21 rout of the Bears despite a shaky start (14-0 down).
- McAfee recounts concerns about defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard and the “same old Lions” before their offense exploded.
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson is “all the way back” on believing the hype, citing the Lions' record-setting trio (Gibbs, Montgomery, St. Brown each with 9 combined scores).
- [03:25] Pat celebrates the “brand new Lions” and their Super Bowl buzz.
“Same old Lions for a while. Then the brand new Lions showed up…and they ran that shit down their throat.”
— Pat McAfee, [01:46]
3. Buffalo Bills Lay Down a Marker
[04:18]
- The Bills smother the Jets, 30–10, in a divisional beatdown.
- D’Brickashaw highlights how divisional wins send a message, especially when newly paid players like James Cook “show up and show out early and often.”
- McAfee, Tone Digs, and others riff on the comic miseries and toughness of Josh Allen’s facial injury.
- The Bills’ all-around “dominant performance” renews their AFC East bona fides.
"That was James Cook yesterday. Wasn't pretty...but he did his thing, took care of the ball."
— D'Brickashaw Ferguson, [04:53]
4. Joe Burrow’s Injury Rocks the Bengals
[05:39] – [09:54]
- McAfee breaks the major news: Joe Burrow breaks his toe (turf toe), out for at least three months, derailing Cincinnati’s promising start.
- The group laments Cincinnati “can’t buy a break,” with the organization doing everything right—paying players, improving the stadium, etc.—only to be snakebit.
- Adam Schefter: Draws an ominous Andrew Luck–Joe Burrow comparison. Concern over Burrow’s long-term durability and repeated hits due to offensive line issues.
- Pat recalls Burrow’s “toughness”—a quality no one’s eager to see tested this often.
- Conor McGovern finds brief optimism in backup Jake Browning’s experience, joking that at least “Burrow’s house not getting robbed anymore because he’s going to be home a lot.”
“He’s great for the league, and this sucks for Cincinnati, and hopefully Browning, you know, can lead them to the promised land as well.”
— Adam Schefter, [08:17]
5. Special Teams Spotlight: Brandon Aubrey and Dallas’ Unlikely Hero
[09:54] – [13:02]
- McAfee interviews star kicker Brandon Aubrey, fresh off a 64-yard bomb. Aubrey walks through his “power fade” mechanics and talks about being “more of a feel kicker.”
- The crew marvels at Aubrey’s success (82-of-91, ~90%) so early in his football career after starting as a soccer player.
- Conor McGovern warns Cowboys fans not to take such reliability for granted, referencing recent kicking woes in New England.
- Aubrey’s transition from soccer, his approach to pressure, and his record-setting walk-off field goals are all celebrated.
“Are you not entertained? This man is like a gladiator in there doing things that nobody thought was possible.”
— Pat McAfee, [09:54]
6. Chiefs & Eagles: A Clash of Contenders (and Controversy Over “Tush Push”)
[13:03] – [15:52]
- Despite Eagles’ big win over the Chiefs, both teams still look like Super Bowl-caliber squads.
- Tyler Lockett raises concerns: first three-game losing streak of Mahomes’ career, Chiefs starting 0-2 for the first time since 2014.
- The infamous Philly “Tush Push”/“Brotherly Shove” draws renewed scrutiny; McAfee notes growing complaints from around the league.
"It's kind of like Kelsey doing things that just…He never does. Mahomes is their leading rusher again. Like, he's kind of got to put everything on his shoulders right now."
— Tyler Lockett, [15:15]
7. Colts Dazzle, Daniel Jones (“Danny Dimes”) Reborn
[15:52] – [23:03]
- McAfee and squad celebrate the Colts’ dramatic win over the Denver Broncos, crediting new offensive dynamism under Shane Steichen and the “Dimes Dive” play.
- Danny Dimes’ (Daniel Jones) career renaissance is a running theme—Colts fans embrace his old-school style and leadership.
- Special teams excellence (Spencer Schrader's 5/5 FG) and leveraged penalties factor in; McAfee decries excessive flags but is euphoric about the Colts' energy.
“That’s the Dimes dive and it is beautiful…a touchdown creator. And I don’t think we’ve even come close to perfecting it.”
— Pat McAfee, [16:24]
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson chips in that this is “the best two-game span for a home team to start a season of all time,” while Conor McGovern highlights the “different vibe” of this year’s squad.
- Adam Schefter delivers astonishing stats: the Colts have become the first Super Bowl-era team not to punt in the first two games, scoring on their first ten possessions.
8. Insider Injury Updates (with Adam Schefter)
[23:43] – [27:12]
- Joe Burrow’s turf toe surgery: at least 3 months out, Jake Browning steps in, Bengals already seeking QB depth.
- Justin Fields (Jets) in concussion protocol; Tyrod Taylor replaced him after a rough day vs. Buffalo.
- Jaden Daniels (Packers) is being monitored after an injury; Dan Quinn will address his status soon.
“The fact of the matter is Jake Browning will be the guy…And Joe Burrow has taken so much punishment there in Cincinnati from the time that he arrived there in 2020.”
— Adam Schefter, [24:50]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Pat McAfee on Lions: “Same old Lions for a while. Then the brand new Lions showed up and I'll tell you, they just kept on going. Yeah, they did. And they ran that shit down their throat.” [01:46]
- Adam Schefter’s grave comparison: “I saw this edit last night…and it was Joe Burrow, and it flashed Andrew Luck, and then it was Joe Burrow, and then it flashed Andrew Luck, Joe Burrow…I was like, oh, no.” [07:50]
- Brandon Aubrey (on his mindset): “I'm more of a field kicker. I don't watch a whole lot of film of myself. If you pay attention closely, not any single kick is exactly the same for me as the last one.” [10:35]
- On the Colts' hot start: “They are the first team in the Super Bowl era not to punt in the first two games of the season. Whoever would have thought…”
— Adam Schefter, [23:43] - Pat on Colts fans: “It is a good time to be a Colts fan. It is a fun time to be a Colts fan.” [17:58]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Ravens domination & Lamar Jackson: [00:04]–[01:14]
- Detroit Lions reclamation: [01:14]–[03:25]
- Buffalo Bills big win over Jets: [03:25]–[04:49]
- Joe Burrow’s injury analysis: [05:39]–[09:54], with Schefter additions [23:43]
- Brandon Aubrey kicker interview: [09:54]–[13:02]
- Chiefs v. Eagles ("Tush Push"): [13:03]–[15:52]
- Colts drama/Danny Dimes spotlight: [15:52]–[23:03]
- NFL Insider news and injuries: [23:43]–[27:12]
Comprehensive Takeaways
- Ravens and Lions powerfully rebound, setting themselves up as legit conference threats.
- Joe Burrow’s injury is a season-altering disaster for the Bengals, raising questions about his long-term health and team-building in Cincy.
- Special teams are making the difference, notably with Brandon Aubrey’s historic start for Dallas.
- The “Tush Push” remains a divisive tactic, with calls for rule changes growing louder.
- The Colts are the NFL’s most surprising, fun-to-watch team through two weeks—flawless in possession, totally revitalized under Daniel Jones.
This episode captures everything essential, blending breaking news, stats, in-depth analysis, and trademark Pat McAfee Show humor. If you missed the NFL’s second week, this recap gets you ready for everything heading into Week 3.
