The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 #1458 – FIRST 15: NFL Week 12 Recap

Episode Date: November 24, 2025
Main Cast: Pat McAfee, AJ Hawk, the Toxic Table, Tone Digs
Focus: In “The First 15,” the team delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of the top five headlines from NFL Week 12 with insider expertise and signature comedic flair.

Episode Overview

In this "First 15" segment, Pat McAfee and crew dissect Week 12 in the NFL, spotlighting emerging contenders, record-breaking performances, coaching mastermind, and dramatic team arcs. The crew blends sharp analysis—especially on headline-grabbing squads like the Rams, Bears, and Cowboys—with punchy banter and personal anecdotes.

Headline #5: "Whose League? It’s Looking Like Rams League"

[00:00–14:05]

Key Discussion Points

• The Rams' organizational transformation: from their “F—k them picks” Super Bowl era to this new young, dynamic roster.
• Matthew Stafford’s MVP-caliber season, thriving even at this career stage (draft class: 2009).
• The synergy between high-powered offense and shutdown defense—the Rams are giving up only 16.3 points per game, the lowest in the NFL.
• The impact of players like Puka Nacua (“always positive, impossible to tackle”), Devonte Adams (record 1-yard touchdowns), and young defensive standouts.
• Coaching genius of Sean McVay—especially his ability to optimize receiver talent.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Davis on the Rams’ resurgence:
  “It’s starting to feel like we might be talking Rams league. Is that how you’re seeing it, D Butt?” [03:36]
• Devontae Butler on Stafford & Adams:
  “He’s the MVP odds-on favorite. Every time he’s on primetime, he’s doing the shit that he’s doing, especially with Devonte, which D Butt’s gonna get into…” [00:51]
• Devontae Butler on Devonte Adams:
  "Once you get into that area, like his release game... Chad Ochocinco, Stevie Johnson and Devonte Adams... Devonte Adams will be at the top of that list." [03:36]

Memorable Moments

• Jokes about Matthew Stafford’s career longevity and the “amortal” (not “immortal”) wellness chamber [10:08].
• The idea of Aaron Donald returning for a playoff push—“He could play 10 snaps a game with this D line…” [07:48].
• Admiration for the Rams’ ability to pair MVP-level QB play with a championship defense, a rare combination.

Headline #4: "Bear Necessities – The Chicago Bears’ Emergence"

[14:05–24:29]

Key Discussion Points

• The Chicago Bears’ rise to credibility under Ben Johnson and rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• Williams’ rapid adjustment to a pro-style offense and mastery of play-action—despite spending his entire college career running shotgun.
• The defense’s opportunism: turnover margin of +12 in one-score games, turning a 1–6 record in close games last year into 6–1 this season.
• The supporting cast: DJ Moore, Loveland, Burden, and a deepening O-line.
• Projecting long-term success with the Ben Johnson–Caleb Williams pairing, likened to “Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.”
• Defensive improvements led by Dennis Allen and Al Harris (secondary), plus breakout performer Deshaun Wright.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Davis on Bears’ offense:
  "Wide open guys everywhere, the rhythm, the timing, the execution of an offense by Caleb Williams was very much on display." [16:02]
• Devontae Butler on Williams’ growth:
  “He’s handling it great. He has young guys around him as well... Caleb Williams, I couldn’t be more impressed with what he’s doing.” [18:57]
• Mike Harris on Chicago’s depth:
  "They have guys at literally every single position. ...The O line is incredible." [21:56]

Memorable Moments

• Zito is “living the high life”—the studio’s Bears fan is eating steaks on Sundays [20:49].
• Pat drawing direct parallels between the Bears’ offensive evolution and the Lions’ rapid leap under Ben Johnson.
• “Caleb already has the franchise record with fourth-quarter comebacks.” [18:57]

Headline #3: "Special Teams Magic – Kicking and Returning into the Record Books"

[27:30–35:53]

Key Discussion Points

• Evan McPherson’s 63-yarder for the Bengals, Will Reichard’s kicking heroics for the Vikings, and Jake Bates (Detroit Lions, UFL convert) nailing a 59-yarder—signs that "long kicks are now a casual day in the NFL."
• Jamaree DK’s emotional 88-yard return for Tennessee, honoring a friend who passed from cardiac arrest.
• Elijah Clark’s legendary special teams play: chasing down a return from the 1, forcing a fumble, and reminding everyone why special teams matter.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Davis on special teams:
  "Effort like that cannot be taught. That type of effort only comes from the soul of an absolute dog. Elijah Clark is everything that is great with football..." [33:07]
• Devontae Butler (on special teams life):
  "This is how you make teams. This is how you stay in the league. ...I wasn’t cut out for this shit." [34:46]

Memorable Moments

• The staff’s reverent—and comedic—tone praising gunners and special teamers.
• The parallel between declining optimism in the Titans’ brand and Jamaree DK’s moment of brightness.

Headline #2: "Cowboys Comeback Corrals the Eagles"

[36:04–42:33]

Key Discussion Points

• Dallas comes back from down 21–0 to edge defending champ Eagles.
• George Pickens thriving post-trade, instant chemistry with Dak Prescott—9 targets, 9 catches, and multiple key plays.
• Defensive heroics: Osa Odighizuwa’s game-turning sack; Brandon Aubrey nails the game-winning kick.
• Philadelphia’s collapse (egregious goal-line stall, turnover, missed red zone chances).
• Jerry Jones getting overdue credit for reshaping the roster midseason.
• The emotional boost for Dallas after tragedy (Marshawn Nealon’s passing) and the chip-on-shoulder mentality after trading Micah Parsons.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Davis:
  “Cowboys might be for real. And I know that sports media fans don’t love that.” [41:45]
• Devontae Butler on Pickens:
  "He’s just unbelievable. Go-to guy that you can throw the ball anywhere around and 3 is gonna come down with it." [40:26]

Memorable Moments

• Jerry Jones is “at the stage of life where he just calls him George.”
• The “bunker mentality” and how adversity inside and outside Dallas is fueling the team’s unity and edge.

Headline #1: "Chiefs Still the Chiefs – Colts’ Pain, KC’s Clarity"

[42:54–45:32]

Key Discussion Points

• Indianapolis Colts falter despite a double-digit lead; Chiefs rally and win in overtime, securing their AFC elite status.
• Colts defense repeatedly gashed by KC’s crossing routes (“track meet every play,” “that’s all they did the whole time”).
• Patrick Mahomes and his receivers (chiefly Rashee Rice & Xavier Worthy) demonstrate the explosive, inevitable nature of Kansas City in playoff mode.
• Frustration at repeated officiating calls and missed chances permeates the Colts’ postmortem.
• A reporting tone, equal parts pained Colts fandom and football realism: “Chiefs are still the Chiefs.”

Notable Quotes

• Eric Davis on KC’s receivers:
  "These dudes were just running crossing routes. We couldn’t keep up with them. ...They have track stars running across the field." [44:13]
• Eric Davis (sighing):
  “We just kind of knew once they got the ball in overtime… here we go again. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are still the Chiefs.” [45:32]

Episode Highlights & Signature Banter

• On Rams’ dominance:
  “Do you think Sean McVay was like: if I’d had Devonte’s release, I would just flank him out there?” [04:23, Eric Davis]
• On the Bears’ rise:
  "Buying into the offense, being good by Caleb. Second step, starting to understand pre-snap." [16:59]
• On special teams ethos:
  “There’s a lot of guys that only have jobs because of special teams.” [33:29]
• On Cowboys’ sudden danger:
  “You don’t want to play them right now with how their defense is playing. We know what their offense can do and we’ll see what happens on Thursday. That’s a massive game.” [41:42]
• On the Chiefs’ offense:
  “It’s just every time, every time, that’s all. …That’s all they did the whole time.” [45:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00]– Rams’ league? New L.A. dominance, Stafford’s MVP bid, defense locking it down.
• [14:05]– Chicago Bears’ emergence: play-action offense, rookie QB development.
• [27:30]– Special teams glory: record kicks, emotional returns, Elijah Clark’s hustle.
• [36:04]– Cowboys epic comeback over the Eagles; Pickens’ breakout.
• [42:54]– Colts collapse vs. Chiefs: Mahomes magic, Indy’s heartbreak.

Concluding Notes

This high-energy “First 15” captured the pivot points in NFL Week 12 with Pat McAfee’s trademark wit, behind-the-scenes insights, and the camaraderie that defines the show. The segment blends deep football IQ with “relatable ridiculousness” for a compelling listen (or read) for any fan wanting to stay plugged in to the NFL’s shifting power dynamics.