The Pat McAfee Show PMS 2.0 #1470

Date: December 12, 2025
Main Guests: John Cena (LIVE), Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Elko, AJ Hawk
Theme: NFL Week 15 Preview & Picks, Thursday Night Football Recap, John Cena’s Imminent Final WWE Match, College Football Playoff Build-up

Episode Overview

This energetic episode captures the fun, informality, and sports savvy that define The Pat McAfee Show. Pat and the crew break down a wild start to NFL Week 15, preview the upcoming weekend, and welcome John Cena—live on the eve of his legendary final WWE match. They also check in with Texas A&M’s Mike Elko as his team preps for its first College Football Playoff. Throughout, there’s McAfee’s signature blend of humor, detail, and emotion, as the show pivots between breaking down games, spotlighting football culture, and reflecting on larger sporting moments.

1. Thursday Night Football Recap: Falcons Shock the Buccaneers

Timestamps: 00:00 – 13:19

• Game Recap: Atlanta defeats Tampa Bay with a dramatic fourth quarter comeback. Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts (3 TDs), and Bijan Robinson (80+ rushing & receiving) lead the way.
• Key Stats: Falcons win despite 19 penalties for 125 yards.
• Bucs Meltdown: Blown 14-point fourth quarter lead. Coach Todd Bowles' postgame was "profanity-laced," team in crisis mode.
• Atlanta's Pride: Not only a comeback, but possibly a culture-shifting win; Raheem Morris’ high-energy celebration called “a big moment for his future.”
• Division Effects: The NFC South up for grabs, with Carolina now leading and the Bucs in a downward spiral.

“The Atlanta Falcons needed one. They get one. The Bucks need something to change.”
— Pat McAfee [03:35]

2. NFL Week 15 Preview: Key Storylines & Picks

Timestamps: 13:19 – 16:56 and scattered thereafter

• Patriots vs. Bills:

  • Con Man (Connor): “As home dogs off a bye... meaningful football in December—can’t believe we’re here.” [13:19]
  • Patriots focused on Super Bowls, not division banners.

• Packers vs. Broncos:

  • Packers seek home-field advantage; Josh Jacobs’ health a question mark.

• Chargers vs. Chiefs:

  • Travis “Trav” Kelsey’s slump a concern, but show says: “Trav, you need to know we love you.”

• Vikings, Cowboys, Other Key Games:

  • Rapid-fire preview of matchups with betting angles & playoff implications.

• Public Betting Trends:

  • Tone: “65% of bets were on the Buccaneers last night... another loss and another start to a week of potential losing for the public.” [02:19]

3. JOHN CENA LIVE: Final WWE Match Reflections

Timestamps: 18:56 – 40:24 & 52:14 – 59:05

Cena’s Arrival & Aura

• Pat recounts Cena’s humble, larger-than-life presence, his well-known jorts, and the gravity of hosting the GOAT on “Feel Good Friday.”

“Every time you talk to him, you want to tell him, ‘Hey, you’re John Cena.’ And all John Cena says is, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, I’m just lucky to be here.’”
— Pat McAfee [00:00]

Coffee, Travel, Life on the Road

• Cena describes years as a “traveling entertainer,” prioritizing real experiences in each city over just arenas and airports.
• “Arrive early enough to experience something... I like a good cafe because it lets you see people coming in to work.” — John Cena [20:41]

The End of an Era: Retirement Mindset

• Cena is steadfast: this is his final match. Urges fans to “let it all out and understand that that’s it... I’m a man of my word on this one.”
• Reflects on how everyone in wrestling is ultimately replaceable and on the importance of not letting a job define him as a human being.

“This is something I do, but it doesn’t define me as a human being. I’m John Cena, WWE Superstar, until the bell rings at the end of the match tomorrow night.”
— John Cena [23:53]

Character, Reflection, and Putting Over the Future

• Cena keeps the “never give up,” “hustle, loyalty, respect” ethos at the core—his final gear is packed with personal “Easter eggs.”
• He hyped the next generation: “Opportunity for the future of the business... We’re closing this 25-year thing and taking a look at the next ride.” [38:50–39:31]

On Acting and What’s Next

• Cena admits his early movie career was “about selling tickets,” not artistry. With wisdom, he now brings serious passion to new opportunities—and insists he won’t return to wrestling for a payday:

  “Man, I’ve been called a lot of stuff, but very rarely am I called a liar. And I promise you, I’m a man of my word on this one.” [32:53]

Humility, Gratitude, and Legacy

• Cena deflects praise, credits his dance partners (in and out of the ring), crew, and fans.
• Insights into “Stu” the cameraman—Cena’s way of breaking the fourth wall and honoring the unsung heroes.

“Tomorrow isn’t about me stepping down. It’s about sports entertainment closing a chapter and also opening another one at the same time.”
— John Cena [39:01]

Notable Quote:

“My goal in life is anyone that bets on me. If you bet a buck on me, I want to give you back ten, because I know you’ll give me another buck and I get another chance.”
— John Cena [35:20]

4. College Football Playoff: Mike Elko, Texas A&M’s Run

Timestamps: 69:45 – 84:23

• Hosting Miami for Texas A&M’s first ever College Football Playoff; electric atmosphere expected at Kyle Field.
• On team resilience: “Anytime you make it through the SEC season, you are battle tested.” [72:28]
• On being a 7-seed: “We don’t have time for that... Right now, the only focus is the fact that we’re in.” [73:17]
• On fixing college football’s calendar chaos: “It starts with TV... The portal closed is a really good thing.” [81:49]
• Rapid-fire Q&A about coordinators leaving, home field advantage, and the energy of “Midnight Yell.”

5. Injury Updates & Breaking News

Timestamps: 89:28 – 96:10

• TJ Watt: Sudden lung injury post dry-needling; emergency surgery, outcome good but Steelers hampered.

  “Out of nowhere... Dry needling means he was trying to get treatment. Done this hundreds, maybe thousands of times.” — Pat McAfee [92:26]

• Colts: Philip Rivers, at age 44, returns for an improbable start—wide-ranging locker room and betting reactions.
• Other NFL Notes: Impact of DeForest Buckner's injury on Colts D, Kenny Pickett QB news, and more.

6. Sports Culture, Viral Moments & College Football

Timestamps: Various through 118:00

• Army-Navy game preview and its emotional importance: “This is everything that’s good with America.” [119:36]
• Playoff expansion, the power of campus venues, and traditions like “Midnight Yell.”
• Fun social media: Texans’ owner viral “high-five” saga with C.J. Stroud [110:45]

7. Panel Roundtable & Picks

• Pat, AJ, Tone, Ty, and Con Man run through full NFL Week 15 picks, sprinkled with stats, jokes, and banter.
• "Over on Chops" is the chosen prop bet for Cena’s final match.
• Army-Navy, Heisman odds (Fernando Mendoza heavily favored), and Sunday’s most intriguing NFL lines—especially the respect (or lack thereof) for the Colts and Seahawks.

8. Show’s Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

On John Cena’s Legacy:

• “He gives you ten back every time you give him one.” — AJ Hawk [62:38]
• “It’s almost like a Tim Tebow type thing... It’s always John Cena, and he’s special.” — Pat McAfee [61:57]

On Football’s Uncertainty:

• “Perspective—anything you do in the dark will come to the light and things can change very quickly.” — Pat McAfee [114:53]

On The Power of Sports:

• “Good football. That’s all we’re looking for... Play the game. Right. Represent the game. Right. Respect the game.” — Pat McAfee [129:19]

9. Timestamps for Notable Segments

• 00:00 – 13:19: Thursday Night Football & NFL Previews
• 18:56 – 40:24: John Cena Interview (Part 1 – Legacy, Retirement)
• 52:14 – 59:05: John Cena Interview (Part 2 – Acting, Future, Humility)
• 69:45 – 84:23: Mike Elko, Texas A&M Football, Playoff Talk
• 89:28 – 96:10: TJ Watt Health Update, Colts QB News
• 119:36 – 121:10: Army-Navy Game, College Football Riffs

10. Tone and Delivery

Pat and team maintain a fast, humorous, occasionally irreverent tone, punctuated by deep respect for the athletes, coaches, and game. Cena is treated like a humble superhero. McAfee’s storytelling, attention to betting trends, and honest takes on sports-business developments make the episode accessible yet rich with insider flavor.

11. Summary for New Listeners

Even if you missed the show, this episode offers everything: a breakdown of the NFL’s wildest stories, a moving farewell to a sports icon in John Cena, and a glimpse inside college football’s playoff energy. Come for the laughs and betting banter—stay for the honesty, heart, and sports wisdom.

Memorable Quote:

“Tomorrow isn’t about me stepping down. It’s about sports entertainment closing a chapter and also opening another one at the same time.”
— John Cena [39:01]

Must-Watch: Cena’s emotional reflections on legacy and humility [32:53, 39:01], plus AJ Hawk’s distillation of Cena’s “tenfold” attitude [62:38].

Key takeaway:
It’s a big football weekend, but for once, a wrestling send-off unites fans in sports’ shared magic—never give up, never forget your crew, and always, as Cena exemplifies, give back more than you take.