The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 Episode 1413 – FIRST 15: NFL Week 3 Recap

Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee (plus AJ Hawk, Steve Smith Sr., Michael Irvin, Ryan Clark, Louis Riddick, Adam Schefter, and the Toxic Table)

Overview

In this “First 15” segment, Pat McAfee and his panel break down the five biggest NFL storylines of Week 3, focusing on the often-overlooked impact of special teams, late-game heroics, breakout performances from backup quarterbacks, and the dramatic rise of the Indianapolis Colts under new leadership. Interwoven with banter and signature humor, the group provides both insider perspectives and “relatable ridiculousness.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Special Teams Take Center Stage

(00:00 - 10:00)

• Pat McAfee spotlights special teams, stressing how this phase can sway outcomes but goes undiscussed despite its game-changing plays.
  • “Nobody’s talking about the third phase. …Any play could win the game. Any play could sway playoff hopes. Super Bowl dreams. That’s what special teams is.” (00:25 Pat McAfee)
• Highlight plays:
  • Jalen Lane (Commanders) – 90-yard return vs. Raiders.
  • Torrey Horton (Seahawks) – 95-yard punt return, plus a blocked punt scooped and scored.
    • “Seattle Seahawks…not only return a punt, but also block a punt…beat the living dog sh** out of the Saints.” (01:13 Pat McAfee)
  • Cameron Dicker (Chargers) – remains flawless, hits a game-winner with five seconds left.
    • “Cameron Dicker might be the best kicker in the history of football.” (01:49 Pat McAfee)
  • Chase McLaughlin (Bucs) – seals win after a Jets blocked kick-turned-TD.
    • “All Baker does is have comebacks. Chase McLaughlin would then nail this 36 yarder, 29-27.” (03:12 Pat McAfee)
  • Browns vs. Packers: Cleveland blocks a late kick to set up Andre Smith’s (rookie) 55-yard winner.
    • “That’s called stealing that shit from the Green Bay Packers.” (05:01 Pat McAfee)
• Athlete Moment:
  • Jordan Davis (Eagles), 330+ lbs, runs a scoop-and-score at record speed for his size.
  • Jalen Carter & Jordan Davis block kicks, becoming a special teams nightmare.
  • “This man, Jordan Davis, should not be able to do what he did as easily and as smoothly as he did it.” (06:59 Pat McAfee)

2. Home Field Trends and Notable Wins

(10:17 - 12:40)

• 12-3 record for home teams:
  • Discussion about whether home field is a real advantage or simply a function of matchups.
    • “I don’t think home field advantage is that big of an issue especially at this point in the season.” (11:02 Steve Smith Sr.)
  • Notable surprising results: Browns top the Packers, Panthers win 30-0.
• Road Warriors:
  • Only three road teams win (Chiefs, Steelers, Colts). Louis Riddick points out only dynastic-level teams seem to win on the road right now.
    • “Only the dynastic teams…are able to win on a road right now in the NFL. The Chiefs, the Steelers, and the Indianapolis.” (12:32 Pat McAfee/Louis Riddick)

3. Baker Mayfield – Late-Game Magic

(12:40 - 14:28)

• Baker Mayfield leads his third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback, a feat matched only once since 1950.
  • “Baker, comeback maker becomes the second guy since 1950…to lead three fourth quarter comebacks for the first three games of the season.” (13:25 Pat McAfee)
  • Tampa Bay celebrates both franchise history and winning culture on a legacy day.
    • “Three weeks in a row. This is the first time they’ve been 3-0 since 2005.” (13:31 Steve Smith Sr.)

4. Backups Seize the Stage

(14:28 - 17:10)

• Unexpected starting QBs rise up:
  • Mac Jones (49ers), Marcus Mariota, and Carson Wentz (Vikings) all win.
    • “Backup quarterbacks back that thing up. All over, folks.” (14:28 Pat McAfee)
  • Vikings and Kevin O’Connell barely unleash Wentz as they rout the Bengals.
    • “He really only got through like the first couple pages of the playbook, you know, because they were beating the hell [out of] them.” (16:07 Michael Irvin)
  • Bengals dissected for massive struggles post-Burrow injury and team spending.
    • “They can’t block, they can’t tackle, they can’t punt, they can’t kick, they can’t cover. The only thing they can do is hope Joe Burrow can bail them out.” (15:23 Ryan Clark)
• Ireland Game Preview:
  • Upcoming neutral-site game raises humorous “Carson Wentz as Ireland’s LeBron” scenario.
    • “If they see Carson Wentz too much, they’re not going to turn. Steelers fans are going to hope that he keeps that helmet on.” (17:03 Pat McAfee)

5. Colts Ascend – Daniel Jones‘ MVP Emergence

(17:10 - 23:36)

• Indianapolis Colts stand as NFL’s only unbeaten with a single punt in three games and no turnovers.
  • Daniel Jones revitalized outside of New York, thriving with Shane Steichen and a strong supporting cast.
    • “Danny Dimes…on pace to win an MVP after getting an opportunity that isn’t in the New York Giants uniform or organization.” (18:02 Pat McAfee)
• Pat, Steve Smith Sr., and panel marvel at the transformation, Jones’ talent now unlocked:
  • “Did he need to go through all the shit to get here is the question?” (22:08 Pat McAfee)
  • “Three complete games without turning the ball over, only punting…one time is crazy.” (22:57 Steve Smith Sr.)
  • Jonathan Taylor’s return sparks the team further.
• Insider Perspective:
  • Adam Schefter details how Jones was always respected by some execs and why this fit works:
    • “There were some very smart football people that really liked Daniel Jones…He winds up at Indianapolis.” (24:10 Adam Schefter)

6. Major Injury Updates

(25:52 - 27:54)

• Adam Schefter recaps impactful injuries:
  • Mike Evans (hamstring strain), CeeDee Lamb (high ankle sprain – hopes to play), Colston Loveland (hip, mild)
  • Two big RB injuries:
    • Najee Harris (Steelers), Achilles – likely out for year.
    • James Conner (Cardinals), severe ankle – season-ending.
      • “The crowd, when they replayed the play on the scoreboard yesterday, gasped when they saw his ankle bend. They didn’t even play the replay on tv.” (26:30 Adam Schefter)
  • Nick Bosa (49ers) – getting MRI on knee, initial fears: not an ACL.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Pat McAfee:
  • “Cameron Dicker might be the best kicker in the history of football.” (01:49)
  • “A man who’s over 330 pounds was clocked going the fastest that he…Man 330 pounds has ever been clocked going.” (06:59)
  • “Danny Dimes…on pace to win an MVP after getting an opportunity that isn’t in the New York Giants uniform or organization.” (18:02)
• Steve Smith Sr.:
  • “You got to be an athlete there and scoop and score that though. Got to get seven.” (01:38)
• Ryan Clark:
  • “They can’t block, they can’t tackle, they can’t punt, they can’t kick, they can’t cover…” (15:23)
• Adam Schefter:
  • “There were some very smart football people that really liked Daniel Jones…” (24:10)
  • “The crowd…gasped when they saw [James Conner’s] ankle bend.” (26:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Special Teams Chaos: 00:00 – 10:00
• Home Field Trends: 10:17 – 12:40
• Baker Mayfield’s Comebacks: 12:40 – 14:28
• Backups Stepping Up: 14:28 – 17:10
• Colts, Daniel Jones Renaissance: 17:10 – 23:36
• Injury Roundup with Adam Schefter: 25:52 – 27:54

Conclusion

Fast-paced and wide-ranging, this recap episode blends savvy football analysis with infectious humor, highlighting the unpredictable and spectacular storylines shaping the 2025 NFL season’s Week 3. Special teams’ impact, comeback heroics, the rise of backups, and Indy’s unlikely dominance all take the spotlight, with insider reporting and classic Pat McAfee banter throughout.