The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1461: Overreaction Monday - NFL Week 13 Recap, MNF Preview, Lane Kiffin Situation & More

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee
Co-hosts: AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, Conman, Ty Schmidt, Tone Digs
Guests: Adam Schefter, Marty Smith, Kirk Herbstreit, CJ Stroud

Episode Overview

This special "Overreaction Monday" episode, fresh off NFL Week 13 and an explosive college football championship weekend, is packed with signature McAfee energy and humor. The crew breaks down the biggest NFL headlines, recaps crazy college football developments—especially the Lane Kiffin situation—shares personal stories, and welcomes top-tier guests with authentic insider takes. Raucous, candid, and immersive, this episode is a must for anyone looking to catch up on both the gridiron and the world surrounding it.

Main Themes & Purpose

• NFL Week 13 Recap: Dissection of the Sunday games, key storylines, playoff races, and team drama.
• Monday Night Football Preview: Giants vs. Patriots, with a special focus on Drake May’s primetime showcase.
• College Football Turmoil: Recap of championship weekend, close look at Lane Kiffin's dramatic move, playoff implications, and the emotional impact on fanbases.
• Steelers Meltdown: In-depth analysis of Pittsburgh fans turning on Mike Tomlin, symbolized by fans booing "Renegade."
• Guest Insights: Reporter Marty Smith on the ground during the Lane Kiffin saga, Schefter with breaking NFL injury updates, Kirk Herbstreit with playoff breakdowns, and CJ Stroud on the Texans’ season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Football Championship Weekend Hype & Local Vibes

• Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis:
  • Indiana's first championship appearance since 1967; huge excitement in the city; IU fans dominate the area.
  • “Indianapolis in the Big Ten championship will be outrageous. It feels like the vibe will be immaculate.” – Pat [01:39]
• SEC Title Game:
  • Alabama vs. Georgia showdown. If Alabama loses, will it hurt their playoff hopes?
  • Georgia rebounded after their loss to Alabama ended a legendary home win streak.

2. NFL Overreaction Monday: The "First 15" Storylines

#5 – Steelers Crisis: Booing "Renegade", Fans Turn on Tomlin

• Pittsburgh fans booed team tradition "Renegade" for the first time, underscoring deep frustration.
• Calls to move on from Mike Tomlin after 9 years without a playoff win, despite his legendary status.
• “Steelers fans, for the third time this season, playing good teams, are now losing by double digits—and they had the lead at halftime of all of them... The Yinzers are fed up. This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers.” – Pat [08:13]
• Tone Digs: “Everyone is now on the same page. Nine years without a playoff win is absurd. Three in the last 13 years is absurd. The fans are done.” [12:10]
• Darius Butler: “Sitting here, that fanbase... you gotta be embarrassed. Highest paid defense on the field, Hall of Fame names, and getting run over. That’s tough.” [15:34]

#4 – AFC Dominance with 10-win Teams

• Broncos and Patriots both hit double-digit wins, both in the AFC.
• Young QBs (Bo Nix, Drake May, Caleb Williams) lighting it up since being drafted; combined 26-1 record over last nine weeks.
• “Their defense is good enough to win a Super Bowl... O-line is so solid, they can beat you running or passing.” – Conman on Broncos [22:45]

#3 – Big Individual Performances in Losing Efforts

• Multiple players made highlight-reel plays/catches, but their teams still lost.
• “If you get a pick and dance but your team loses, we don’t care. You can’t even post it.” – Darius Butler [25:47]
• Chiefs and Colts called out for inconsistency; Cowboys and Bears received praise.
• Alec Pierce, Brock Bowers, Puka Nacua recognized for spectacular grabs.

#2 – Underdogs Barking: A Parity-Filled NFL Week

• 7 underdogs win outright, 9-2 against the spread on Thanksgiving/Black Friday.
• “Any given Sunday, this league has real parody.” – Darius Butler [29:43]
• Noted Carolina’s emergence, Bears’ statement win vs. Eagles, and the resurgence of the Panthers’ defense.

#1 – AFC South is a War Zone

• All teams except the Titans look formidable; Colts, Jags, Texans all in playoff contention.
• Texans, led by CJ Stroud, defeat Colts with help from questionable officiating, further tightening division race.
• “We’re in trouble, with our QB’s fractured fibula and the divisional games all backloaded.” – Pat [41:00]

3. In-Depth: Steelers Breakdown

(Timestamps continue from above discussion)

• Fans & media discussing whether Tomlin's message is stale; growing chorus for change.
• Patriots as recent example of moving on from legendary coach; Bill Belichick analogy.
• “If Tomlin were a coaching free agent... he could have any job he wanted.” – Adam Schefter [54:49]
• Locker room discipline & lack of in-game adjustments highlighted as major issues.
• Defensive struggles and regression from historic standards ("32 consecutive games w/o allowing 100-yard rusher" now reversed) [15:57]

4. Lane Kiffin Saga – On the Ground with Marty Smith

(Full segment: [67:19]–[79:41], continued throughout)

• Marty Smith embedded for the entire decision process; dramatic, chaotic reporting from airports and midnight meetings.
• “It was cold as hell... We bo-duke’d the van through a farm, bottoming out, ditched over the hill to catch Kiffin before his plane. This is the stuff you can’t make up.” – Marty Smith [76:04]
• Kiffin agonized between best-ever Ole Miss season and taking the LSU job.
• Staff negotiations (who he could bring with him) were a huge sticking point.
• “He told me directly, there was never any ultimatum to his staff. That's what Lane said.” – Marty [79:41]
• Pat, Darius, and Marty discuss the broken CFB calendar, complexity of decisions, and impact on playoff and program.
• “He loved Oxford. This is a man who changed his life there, got sober, found clarity... but when Pete Carroll tells you, your Dad would tell you to take this job, it weighs heavy.” – Marty [84:57]
• Kiffin admits: “It may not be the right decision. We’ll find out.” [77:47]

5. NFL Injury & News Updates (Adam Schefter Segment)

(Timestamps for key points: [45:59]–[56:33])

• Daniel Jones (Giants): Hairline fibula fracture, decreased mobility, pain, but plans to play. [45:59]
• Sauce Gardner (Colts): Avoided Achilles tear, but calf injury—out for about a month. [47:20]
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions): Ankle sprain, questionable for TNF, but tough enough to try. [48:49]
• Frank Ragnow (Lions): Doctors won't clear him; hamstring injury upon return attempt. [49:31]
• Justin Herbert (Chargers): Left hand surgery, status for MNF up in the air, depends on grip/ligaments. [52:08]
• Coaching Carousel:
  • Steelers not expected to fire Tomlin mid-season; if change comes, it’s likely mutual. [53:57]
  • Eagles not making offensive coordinator/play-caller changes despite slide. [55:46]

6. CJ Stroud Interview: The Texans Are for Real

[117:35]–[132:22]

• Stroud authentically details concussion protocol, team health, and playoff focus.
• “It’s your brain. No timetable. Don’t mess around with it.” – CJ on missing 3 weeks [118:32]
• Praises Houston defense, rookie standouts Higgins and Woody Marks, and team culture.
• On “Stroud House” viral meme: “I’m not on there [Twitter/X], I asked them to delete it! It’s called the Loud House.” – C.J. Stroud [120:48]
• Reveals rivalry with Colts’ Zaire Franklin helps fuel his play rising to another level in divisional games.
• On supporting backup QB Davis Mills: “That’s my brother. I root him on. I put the team before myself.” [123:17]
• Discusses his call to Ryan Day after Ohio State’s rivalry win: “He’s the best coach in college football; he stamped himself.” [128:24]

7. College Football Playoffs & Chaos with Kirk Herbstreit

[160:03]–[175:03]

• Deep dive on playoff committee process, possible chaos with upsets, and how conference champion auto-bids could create unpredictable scenarios.
• “I haven’t seen a team punished for losing the bonus game (conference championship). Unless it’s a blowout—like Wisconsin in 2014—usually teams move up or stay in.” – Kirk [160:21]
• Real risk ACC champion could be left out if Duke upsets Texas Tech. JMU, Tulane, and others could sneak in due to ranking/rules. [161:34]
• Committee must weigh “availability of key players/coaches,” so Ole Miss with missing staff may be knocked down. [168:21]
• Lane Kiffin could become a college football villain if Ole Miss is excluded after he leaves.
• Herbstreit on Thursday NFL: Praises emerging Bears, old-school running game, and the North division race.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Steelers Crisis:
  “Steelers fans, for the third time this season, playing good teams, are now losing by double digits—and they had the lead at halftime of all of them... The Yinzers are fed up. This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers.” – Pat [08:13]

• Marty Smith's Airport Chase:
  “We bo-duke’d the van through a farm across equipment, van’s bottoming out...” – Marty Smith [76:04]

• Schefter on Tomlin’s Future:
  “If Mike Tomlin were a coaching free agent, he automatically becomes the number one coaching free agent out there.” – Adam Schefter [54:49]

• CJ Stroud on Division Battles:
  “My boy Zaire [Franklin] is always mad at me and talking crazy… maybe that turns me up more.” – CJ Stroud [121:41]

• On Parity Week in NFL:
  “Any given Sunday, this league has real parody.” – Darius Butler [29:43]

• Kirk Herbstreit on the Committee:
  “I haven’t seen a team punished for losing the bonus game… Unless they get worked. I’d be surprised.” – Kirk Herbstreit [160:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | Notable Quote / Event | |------------------------------------|-------------|--------------------------------------| | Cold Open/College Football Hype | 00:00 | “Football. It’s magical.” – Pat | | Steelers Overreaction, Tomlin Out? | 07:34 | “Steelers fans… have had enough.” | | NFL “First 15” Headlines | 07:01 | | | Marty Smith/Lane Kiffin Reporting | 67:19 | “We bo-duke’d… through a farm…” | | Adam Schefter Injury/News | 45:59 | “If Mike Tomlin were a free agent…” | | CJ Stroud Interview | 117:35 | “It’s your brain. No timetable.” | | Kirk Herbstreit Playoff Scenarios | 160:03 | “If Duke wins, chaotic scenarios…” |

Tonal Highlights

• Authentic & Relatable: McAfee’s detailed asides about growing up in Pittsburgh, his sports-fan perspective, and the “friend at the bar” tone pervades every segment.
• Humorous & Candid: Light ribbing between co-hosts, self-deprecating humor, and tongue-in-cheek commentary on everything from stadium naming to “AI memes” and playoff chaos.
• Passionate & Informative: Whether discussing the heartbreak of a fanbase, the pressure on a coaching legend, or the specifics of roster-building, every guest and host lays it out bluntly.

For Those Who Missed The Show – Quick Takeaways

• The Steelers’ locker room and fanbase has truly hit a boiling point; change may be inevitable but not immediate.
• The AFC playoff race is wild—with young QBs shining and underdogs alive—so expect more surprises.
• College football's new playoff structures, transfer portal, and coach poaching have made championship season unpredictable and sometimes destabilizing.
• Lane Kiffin’s exit is an all-timer for drama, and the way it was covered (shoutout to Marty Smith’s midnight van chase) was classic only-in-college-ball theater.
• CJ Stroud and the Texans are legit dark horses in the AFC; Stroud marvels at rivalry games, team camaraderie, and the impact of leadership, all with humility.
• Kirk Herbstreit sees only more chaos coming in college football—watch out for oddities if unexpected teams pull upsets in championship week.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a hardcore Pittsburgh Yinzer, a Lane Kiffin saga junkie, an NFL fan watching the playoff field take shape, or just love the drama and humanity behind the stories, this episode delivers. “The Pat McAfee Show 2.0” blends the locker room, the barstool, and the reporting desk in its best possible form—leaving you up to speed, entertained, and ready to overreact all week long.

For More:

• [Check the full episode on YouTube/ESPN+]
• [Follow Pat and crew on social for further insanity]

“Be a friend, tell a friend, something nice. It might change your life.” – Pat McAfee [202:08]