The Pat McAfee Show - PMS 2.0 1418: "FIRST 15: NFL Week 4 Recap"

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee, featuring AJ Hawk, Tone Digs, the Toxic Table, and Adam Schefter
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Main Theme / Purpose

A raucous, insightful, and heavily opinionated breakdown of NFL Week 4’s key storylines. The crew dives into dramatic finishes, controversial rules (like ties), emerging stars, international NFL expansion, and crucial injuries—mingling humor, stats, and ex-player perspective. The focus is on big narratives: the Packers-Cowboys tie, the NFL's debut in Ireland, high-flying offenses, breakout performances, and pressing injury concerns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers–Cowboys 40-40 Tie: The Problem with NFL Draws

• [00:00–06:58]
  • The Big Question: Why does the NFL allow games to end in ties—echoing a widely shared frustration voiced by McAfee and crew.
  • Quote:
    • “Golf doesn’t even do ties. Why are we doing ties? There’s been 17 of them in the last—17 too many.” — Pat McAfee [01:44]
  • Jerry Jones on trading Micah Parsons & the tie:
    • Jerry justifies trading star defender Micah for depth, quoted as saying, “for the good of the team,” but Pat mocks the lack of clarity.
    • “They got Micah and we got what? We got a tie.” — Jerry Jones via Pat McAfee [01:43]
  • Pat’s Golden Boot Overtime Proposal:
    • Suggests a dramatic soccer-style field goal shootout to resolve ties. Kickers trade long-distance attempts, moving back with each round.
    • “Snap, hold, kick, he hits from 70. Think about that place going absolutely apeshit.” — Pat McAfee [03:40]
  • AJ Hawk & Cast on the Golden Boot Idea:
    • Concerns about blocked kicks and whether it should involve full special teams units.
    • “With all the field goal blocks this year — gotta put the full unit out there.” — D (AJ) [05:05]

2. Fan Reactions: Packers & Cowboys

• [06:18–08:03]
  • Cowboys fans are hyped, Packers fans despondent.
    • “As a Packers fan, I’m pissed...you can’t go from the penthouse to the outhouse that quickly.” — C [06:18]
  • Breakout performances: Dak Prescott flourishes without CeeDee Lamb, Jordan Love posts big numbers but can’t clinch win.

3. NFL in Ireland: Steelers vs. Vikings in Dublin

• [08:03–13:56]
  • Major success for the league’s Emerald Isle debut—huge crowd, vibrant energy, nostalgic for Steelers heritage in Ireland.
  • Game Summary:
    • Steelers dominate early behind Aaron Rodgers (now a Steeler), DK Metcalf with an 80-yard TD (longest in UK/Ireland games).
    • Carson Wentz (Vikings) encapsulates his high-variance style: flashes of brilliance, turnovers, a near comeback.
    • “Carson Wentz is the best quarterback on a field, any field, when he’s playing good… this is the Carson Wentz Experience.” — Pat McAfee [09:12]
    • Mike Tomlin debuts a new sideline look — no hat.
  • Atmosphere & Records:
    • “74,000 fans in attendance — largest movement of people from the US to Europe since the war times.” — C [11:59]
    • TJ Watt’s soccer-style interception celebration is a nod to Gaelic football.
    • Diverse NFL fandom with 22 teams’ jerseys seen in the stands.
  • Notable moments: Steelers defensive dominance, field/grass widely praised.
    • “Best international grass… by far, that I have seen.” — E [11:26]
  • Off-the-field: Skylar Thompson (Dolphins backup) reportedly jumped and robbed, but “didn’t lose the fight.” [13:41]

4. Good Teams Lose Tough Games

• [14:01–18:48]
  • Games where both teams played well but someone had to lose:
    • Eagles at Bucs:
      • Tight finish, Eagles’ defense closes strong, but special teams woes linger (blocked field goals, near blocked punt).
      • “Their red zone right now is 11 for 11… greatest of all time.” — Hembo via A [18:17]
      • A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith under-targeted; speculation if Brown might stir locker-room drama.
    • Colts vs. Rams:
      • Matthew Stafford "spinning it" and Rams get win after Colts’ errors.
      • A.D. Mitchell makes highlight play but loses control near the end zone, then is flagged for holding.
      • “We don’t need to cut him. Maybe just get him off the field if he’s close to the end zone—and never have him throw again.” — Pat [16:04]
      • Teamwide struggles: Only 10 defenders on field for key Rams TD, echoing a theme of "shooting themselves in the foot."

5. Giants New Era: The DayBall & Dart Show

• [18:48–22:48]
  • Positive energy after years of frustration: Rookie QB Jackson Dart and Brain Daboll show fire, possibly saving the coach’s job.
  • “You saw the excitement after the game. That looked like: ‘Hey boy, you might’ve just saved my job, gave you some more runway.’” — D [21:00]
  • Backup RB Cam “Scatterboo” and LB Abdul Carter bring “moxie”—the cast sees hope for future, especially given ownership group presence at game.

6. Chiefs: Still the Standard

• [22:48–24:48]
  • Patrick Mahomes regains his groove with four touchdowns (first time since Oct. 2023), now the youngest QB to 250 career TDs (just 30 years old).
    • “He just turned 30 a couple weeks ago and he’s already in the GOAT discussion.” — Pat [23:27]
  • Xavier Worthy flashes (“huge piece of the puzzle”), Travis Kelce and Pacheco produce, JuJu Smith-Schuster makes crucial plays.
  • The Ravens defense struggles; Lamar Jackson leaves with hamstring strain down 17 points. Ravens’ identity in flux.

7. Adam Schefter Joins: Injury Updates & Turf Controversy

• [24:48–34:28]
  • Lamar Jackson Injury:
    • Hamstring strain, status in doubt for next week (vs. Houston's "ferocious" defense), hamstring injuries linger and could impact Baltimore's schemes due to LJ's mobility.
      • “If Lamar’s playing, I feel like Lamar is playing. He’s gonna be healthy.” — AJ Hawk [26:42]
  • MetLife Turf Debate:
    • After WR Malik Nabers (Giants) tears ACL, renewed outcry against artificial turf at MetLife.
    • “It shouldn’t be that hard to put in grass. How much of neighbor’s injury is because of the turf? Who knows… the number of players is too long to ignore.” — Adam Schefter [27:52]
    • Odell Beckham Jr. and many players call for grass fields. World Cup will get real grass, but “some of that grass is just stapled on top”—not a true solution.
  • Chargers’ O-Line Woes:
    • Joe Alt (rookie OT) suffered high ankle sprain but avoided worse. Already missing Rashawn Slater. Herbert pressured all night.
  • Giants’ Outlook Post-Nabers Injury:
    • Malik Nabers was a transcendent playmaker, and losing him is a “win the battle, lose the war” moment for NYG fans.
    • “Jackson Dart was great. Cam Scatterboo’s been great. But they just lost this guy… It’s just brutal.” — Schefter [33:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Golf doesn’t even do ties. Why are we doing ties? There’s been 17 of them in the last—17 too many.” — Pat [01:44]
• “Snap, hold, kick, he hits from 70. Think about that place going absolutely apeshit.” — Pat [03:40] (on the Golden Boot tie-breaker proposal)
• “Carson Wentz is the best quarterback on a field, any field, when he’s playing good… This is the Carson Wentz Experience.” — Pat [09:12]
• “74,000 fans in attendance — largest movement of people from the US to Europe since the war times.” — C [11:59]
• “Their red zone right now is 11 for 11… greatest of all time.” — Hembo via A [18:17] (re: Eagles)
• “We don’t need to cut him. Maybe just get him off the field if he’s close to the end zone – and never have him throw again.” — Pat [16:04] (on A.D. Mitchell)
• “If Lamar’s playing, I feel like Lamar is playing. He’s gonna be healthy.” — AJ Hawk [26:42]
• “It shouldn’t be that hard to put in grass… the number of players is too long to ignore.” — Adam Schefter [27:52]
• “He just turned 30 a couple weeks ago and he’s already in the GOAT discussion.” — Pat [23:27] (on Mahomes)

Highlights With Timestamps

• Packers-Cowboys Tie & Golden Boot Rant: 00:00–06:18
• Fan Reaction (Packers/Cowboys): 06:18–08:03
• NFL in Ireland (Steelers–Vikings): 08:03–13:56
• Good Teams, Tough Losses (Eagles/Bucs, Colts/Rams): 14:01–18:48
• Giants’ “Dart Era” Begins: 18:48–22:48
• Chiefs Still Elite & Ravens Fading: 22:48–24:48
• Adam Schefter Injury Updates/Turf Debate: 24:48–34:28

Tone and Style

Insightful, playful, and direct—equal parts analysis and comedic riffing. Ex-players candidly debate with stats, on-field observations, and speculation. Celeb and ownership gossip cross over with hard football talk. “Relatable ridiculousness” throughout, but with real concern for player health and fan experience.

For Those Who Missed It...

This episode is all energy and big opinions—dishing on controversial NFL ties, global expansion in Ireland, emergent stars and mind-numbing mistakes. Pat and the crew take you through the week’s highs and lows, always with a joke, a sideline anecdote, or a new scheme to “fix football.” Adam Schefter caps things with the trusted, sober perspective on injuries and league-wide concerns.

If you want just-the-facts recaps, it’s all here—but you’ll stay for McAfee’s zany ideas and authentic football passion.