The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Ep. 1456 (Nov 20, 2025)

TNF Preview, Kirk Herbstreit, Mike McCarthy, Dolphins CB Jack Jones, Dan Orlovsky, & AJ Hawk

Episode Overview

Pat McAfee and the crew dive deep into NFL Week 12 with a focus on Thursday Night Football: Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans. The team is joined by Kirk Herbstreit, Mike McCarthy, Dolphins corner Jack Jones, and analyst Dan Orlovsky to break down QB development, game matchups, the college football landscape, and much more. As always, the discussion is energetic, unscripted, and full of expert analysis, light-hearted banter, and real talk about the mindset of players and coaches.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Segments

Thursday Night Football: Bills @ Texans

[00:00-11:30, 39:37-45:51, 59:48-68:22, 72:06-82:17, 107:22-108:18, 165:01-168:43]

• Texans’ “Dougie” Davis Mills gets the start with CJ Stroud in concussion protocol. McAfee emphasizes the importance and difficulty of being a prepared backup QB.
  • "When a backup QB gets dropped into a game, it's a nightmare. The team is not prepared for you, you’ve got no reps. You’ve been sitting. Now it’s your time." – Pat McAfee [00:36]
• Buffalo’s strengths and liabilities: The Bills' pass defense is strong ("secondary seems like pretty damn good"), but their run defense is questionable, as highlighted by recent struggles.
  • “Tackling is a mentality... Buffalo’s defense maybe can get there, but they haven’t shown it.” – Pat McAfee [01:46]
• Stadium atmosphere in Houston: Pat relives playing against JJ Watt, describing NRG Stadium as the loudest he's experienced.
  • “That place was the loudest I have ever heard.” – Pat McAfee [04:53]
• Gambling perspective: Texans 5.5-6 point underdogs, 77% of bets on Buffalo, but McAfee and crew feel Houston is being underrated due to home field and defensive prowess.
• Josh Allen’s struggles at NRG Stadium (stat: 0-3, low QBR).
  • "Josh Allen career at NRG stadium: 0-3. 46.9 QBR. Not good." – Pat McAfee [09:30]
• The panel is almost 'too confident' in Houston covering: “Covering six. I’m almost too confident. I don’t like where I’m at.” – Pat McAfee [07:24]
• Debate over what statistical trends matter: Is Allen’s Thursday record or his NRG Stadium struggles more predictive?

QB DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE: J.J. McCarthy & Beyond

[13:12-22:31, 98:15-106:22, 150:59-154:42]

• J.J. McCarthy’s press conference sparks a big coaching and development discussion (altering drops, injuries stunting growth, new mechanics mid-year).
  • Kirk Herbstreit: “The Josh Allen trajectory is kind of a unicorn... it's premature to declare JJ or others don’t have what it takes after just a handful of starts.” [16:49]
  • Herbstreit’s dinner conversation with Richard Sherman: Some insiders doubt McCarthy and suggest Minnesota could go a different QB route, but Kirk urges patience.
• Coach Mike McCarthy gives a masterclass in QB/training fundamentals:
  • Emphasizes reverse engineering QB prep ("nine of your games will come down to two minutes"), importance of drop-back footwork, pocket passing, and consistent development.
  • “You have to invest a lot of time into the footwork of the quarterback... It’s all about playing within seven concepts you can close your eyes and play.” – Mike McCarthy [98:15]
  • Live coaching: Pat and Mike dissect a proper three/five-step drop on air [102:05].
• Dan Orlovsky’s mechanical breakdown: Fixable but severe mechanical issues for J.J. McCarthy (over-striding, improper weight transfer, shoulder fly-open) explain erratic misses.
  • “He’s got some really fixable, but extreme mechanical things they gotta figure out.” – Dan Orlovsky [153:00]

NFL NEWS & TRENDS

Joe Burrow's Return & Injury Philosophy

[33:12-39:10]

• Burrow returns from turf toe with Bengals at 3-7 ("season’s not over if I get back... we can win out").
• Herbstreit’s take: Elite QBs always want to play if healthy; it’s not about money, it’s competitive drive.
  • “If Joe Burrow can play, he's going to play. That’s why he’s Joey Burrow.” [36:56]
• Panel on franchise interests vs. player mindset: The push-pull of owners, fans, and players regarding injury timelines.

New England Patriots – “Fool's Gold”?

[24:16-32:34]

• Patriots and rookie QB Drake May igniting talk – Cam Newton calls them “fool’s gold”, but the crew dismisses that as hot-take TV.
• The locker room culture and improved chemistry ("mix of old with young having fun" – Kirk Herbstreit [28:44]) could drive a postseason run.
  • Stat: “Last 10 Super Bowl champs each played eight or more teams under .500” – Boston Connor [31:15]

Chiefs’ Playoff Push

[87:52-90:19]

• Chiefs sitting at 5-5, going into a pivotal game with the Colts. Is it a “must-win” for the defending champs?
  • “Sustained success is clearly the hardest thing to accomplish... 'til we get to 10 wins, keep grinding.” – Mike McCarthy [88:28]
• Division and playoff math: 10 wins still the golden mark.

NFL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: JACK JONES, MIAMI DOLPHINS CB

[112:12-129:21]

• Jack Jones joins: Coming off a game-saving INT in Spain, reflects on leadership, film study evolution, and the unique experience of playing (and staying focused) in Miami.
  • “You just gotta find a group of guys who care about football more than partying... I think we got a team this year.” – Jack Jones [117:49]
• Embraces being called a ballhawk, breaks down his mindset on big plays.
• On film study vs. instincts: “At one point, film hurt me because I was guessing. Coaches taught me how to anticipate, not guess.” – Jack Jones [120:49]
• Locker-room love for Mike McDaniel; teammates jokingly demand he bring only his grill (dental jewelry) for good luck.
• Team Mantra: “Be convicted... just keep trusting the coaches, putting one foot in front of another, cause this is a tough league.” – Jack Jones [127:37]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHATTER

[45:33-51:54, 64:17-69:52, 111:03-111:43, 134:06-135:37]

• Oregon vs. USC preview: Both teams need a win for playoff hopes; historical ATS trends, Lincoln Riley’s road woes.
  • “Oregon crowd is undefeated... Eugene is absurd when the show goes out there.” – Kirk Herbstreit [49:26]
• Lane Kiffin and coaching carousel: Ole Miss fan anxiety over looming job changes, playoff committee rules stating they can consider a coach/roster's status for rankings.
  • “There’s a chance Lane is enjoying what he's got at Ole Miss... if the money’s comparable, why leave?” – Pat McAfee [64:52]
• Fun with tradition: Eugene, OR lauded as a special, electric atmosphere for college football.

FUNDAMENTALS, EQUIPMENT & PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY

[82:17-96:18]

• McCarthy expounds on the importance of padded practices into November, scheduling around seven-day cycles for maximum rhythm.
  • “It’s not who you play, but when you play them... efficiency is found in regularity and padded practices.” – Mike McCarthy [82:48]
• Debate over modern practice gear: Guardian caps (padded helmet protection); initial player gripes versus statistical evidence for improved safety.

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “Stats can tell any story. It just depends on your perspective.” – Pat McAfee [11:36]
• “If Joe Burrow can play football, he’s going to play football. That’s who he is.” – Pat McAfee [38:06]
• “You gotta be delusional with this... you have to be sick in the head, like, absolutely gone!” – Jack Jones [125:38, on NFL DB mindset]
• “It’s always, what have you done for me lately?” – Kirk Herbstreit [16:49]
• Live drop-back demo (“punch, reach, crossover, heel toe!”) with McCarthy [103:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• TNF Preview: 00:00-12:30, 39:37-45:51, 59:48-68:22, 72:06-82:17
• Kirk Herbstreit on JJ McCarthy: 16:49-23:12
• Jack Jones Interview: 112:12-129:21
• Mike McCarthy on practice, development: 82:17-96:18; 98:15-106:22
• Orlovsky QB mechanics breakdown: 150:59-154:42
• College Football (Oregon/USC, Kiffin): 45:33-51:54, 64:17-69:52, 111:03-111:43

Notable Banter & Running Jokes

• Loudest NFL stadium memories from Pat's punting days.
• “Dougie (Davis Mills)” legacy with the show – repeat inside joke and explanation.
• Ongoing fashion debates and the crew reacting to each other's on-air gear.
• Extended riffs about Thanksgiving food preferences and “proper” mashed potatoes.
• Vitamin C debate: seasonal voice health secrets from Herbstreit, delivered with patented McAfee ribbing.

Panel’s TNF Lean

• McAfee & most of crew: Texans +6 (“Easiest bet... but nervous about feeling too good about this pick.”)
• AJ Hawk: Bills -5.5 (“I’m a Josh Allen guy. I just think they have too much.”)
• Final answer: Slight consensus for Texans to cover as home dogs, but much respect/praise for Allen’s ceiling and Buffalo’s offensive firepower.

In Summary

This episode is a fast-paced, wide-ranging sports talk showcase, anchored by expert NFL and college football analysis but always spiked with signature humor, authenticity, and camaraderie. The show delivers sharp football education — from granular QB footwork to the psychology of coaching and leadership — while never taking itself too seriously. Whether you’re betting, yearning for locker-room stories, or seeking big-picture sports wisdom, this episode ranks as classic "PMS": insightful, irreverent, and throughly entertaining.