The Pat McAfee Show PMS 2.0 Ep. 1471

TOP 5: NFL Week 15 Recap

Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee
Panel: AJ Hawk, the Toxic Table, Tone Digs, rotating analysts

Overview

This episode is a fast-paced and opinionated breakdown of the five biggest storylines to emerge from Week 15 of the NFL. Pat McAfee and his team bring their unique blend of player insight, blunt humor, and fan perspective as they analyze playoff eliminations, injuries, dynasties, and standout team and player performances. The episode captures the agony of injuries, laments the end of dominant runs, and celebrates both aging legends and powerhouse divisions, all while keeping the tone lively and relatable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Playoff Elimination Shake-Up

Timestamps: 00:00–06:53

• Bengals and Vikings Officially Out:
  Teams like the Jets, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Commanders, Giants, Falcons, Saints, and Cardinals had already been eliminated. Week 15 saw the Bengals and Vikings join them.
• Joe Burrow’s Funk:
  Pat questions if Burrow is just in a rough patch or if the state of the team (paying receivers at expense of defense and O-line) is dragging down morale and results.
  • Pat: “But if you don’t win, life is not fun. Is Joey B... not enjoying what he’s doing?” [03:01]
  • Analysts agree Burrow's a human dealing with a tough year, but see his talent outlasting this stretch.
• Minnesota’s QB Play:
  J.J. McCarthy shows flashes with 250 yards in primetime, gets praised for honesty about his need to improve, but Vikings’ games are now “meaningless” post-elimination.
• Dallas Cowboys on the Brink:
  Only a 1% chance remains; the Cowboys need to win out and the Eagles need to lose out.
  • Pat: “Stranger things certainly do happen in the NFL. But the Dallas Cowboys damn near gone from the playoffs...” [05:50]

2. Chiefs’ Dynasty: Delayed or Deleted?

Timestamps: 06:54–10:54

• Miss Playoffs for First Time in 11 Years:
  The Chiefs’ remarkable run ends, prompting debate about their dynasty status.
• Comparisons to Patriots:
  Parallels drawn to the “dynasty gap” in New England’s reign—a 10-year stretch between Super Bowl wins, yet still considered a dynasty.
• Future of Mahomes, Kelce, Reid:
  Concerns about aging roster, salary cap ($35M over), Andy Reid's uncertain future, and whether Mahomes-Reid as a duo have seen their window close.
  • Pat: “Will Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes carry it from one chapter to the next ... Or are they deleted and are they done forever?” [07:46]
  • Analyst Con Man: “As long as Mahomes is there, their dynasty will never be done. But it’s gonna change a little bit.” [08:49]
• Pop Culture Flashbacks:
  A burst of nostalgia for 2014—the start of KC’s run—mentions of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Flappy Bird, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”

3. Injury Plague Hits NFL Stars

Timestamps: 10:54–19:31

• “Injuries Are Dookie” Segment:
  A brutal 2–3 minute stretch saw major injuries to Micah Parsons (Packers), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), and Davante Adams (Rams).
  • Pat: “Injuries are dookie. You’re talking about dookie, man, runny, stinky, absolute crappy Dookie.” [10:54]
• Micah Parsons Injury:
  Green Bay’s defense loses its anchor.
  • Co-host Tone: “Micah Parsons is the best player on their team and one of the best players in the NFL. ... It’s a backbreaker.” [12:54]
• Davante Adams’ Hamstring:
  Rams’ offense shifts to 13 personnel; hope Puka Nacua can carry WR load. Adams’ finesse game may let him return for playoffs.
  • Analyst D. Butch: “Puka can obviously be that one wide receiver ... I think they will still be okay.” [13:57]
• Patrick Mahomes Out:
  The league loses its headliner; concern about both the Chiefs’ future and Mahomes’ recovery.
  • Pat (reading Mahomes’ tweet): “Don’t know why this had to happen. ... I’ll be back stronger than ever.” [15:11]
  • Panel reflects on Mahomes’ career longevity, the challenge of his first major injury, and the tediousness of rehab.
  • Analyst D. Butch: “You want 15 playing ... we don’t know how next season looks ... an unbelievable hit to the National Football League.” [16:24]

4. Money, Motivation, and Sacrifice

Timestamps: 19:49–21:23

• Star Players’ Choices & Consequences:
  Discussion about Tyreek Hill and others leaving contenders for contracts elsewhere, acknowledging winning often takes a backseat to securing future.
  • Pat: “You’re leaving a dynasty to go get paid ... probably not going to win as much.” [20:25]
• Athletes as Humans:
  Reminder that their lives are more than football, referencing Joe Burrow’s struggles and Mahomes’ family life.
  • Pat: “It’s like, hey, we got humans here, not just a video game.” [17:18]

5. Legend of Old Man Rivers

Timestamps: 21:23–26:26

• Philip Rivers’ Comeback:
  At 44, Rivers returns to lead the Colts in a stunning QB comeback. Throws a TD, commands the huddle, shows inspiration for “everyone.”
  • Pat: “Phil Dines got back up. He looked agile. Maybe the most agile grandpa in all of football.” [21:24]
  • Rivers postgame quote: “The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or not go for it. And the other one is, shoot, let’s see what happens.” [23:44]
• Blake Grupe’s Record Kick:
  A 60-yarder for the Colts, longest in franchise history.
• Colts Show Heart:
  Despite loss to Seahawks, Colts earn praise for resilience.

6. NFC West: NFL’s Strongest Division

Timestamps: 26:26–27:51

• NFC West Dominance:
  49ers, Rams, Seahawks all look like legitimate contenders; even the Colts struggled against Seattle and have the 49ers next.
  • Pat: “Feels like the NFC west is problematic.” [27:51]
  • Analyst: “2021: the 4, 5, 6 seeds were the Rams, Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers ... the Rams ended up going on that super bowl run and winning.” [27:29]
• 49ers Primed for Super Bowl?
  Even without Warner and Bosa, SF looks potent with Brock Purdy & CMC.
• Conference Rundown:
  Quick-fire commentary on every division, Texans’ defense lauded, questions about Jags and NFC South’s playoff race.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “But if you don’t win, life is not fun. Is Joey B... not enjoying what he’s doing?”
  — Pat McAfee, 03:01

• “Will Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes carry it from one chapter to the next ... Or are they deleted and are they done forever?”
  — Pat McAfee, 07:46

• “As long as Mahomes is there, their dynasty will never be done. But it’s gonna change a little bit.”
  — Analyst Con Man, 08:49

• “Injuries are dookie. You’re talking about dookie, man, runny, stinky, absolute crappy Dookie.”
  — Pat McAfee, 10:54

• “Micah Parsons is the best player on their team and one of the best players in the NFL. ... It’s a backbreaker.”
  — Co-host Tone, 12:54

• (On Philip Rivers’ comeback)
  “Maybe the most agile grandpa in all of football.”
  — Pat McAfee, 21:24

• (Phil Rivers postgame)
  “The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or not go for it. And the other one is, shoot, let’s see what happens.”
  — Philip Rivers, 23:44

• “Feels like the NFC west is problematic.”
  — Pat McAfee, 27:51

Segment Timestamps

• Top Five Stories Kickoff: 00:00
• Joe Burrow & Bengals Downfall: 00:40–04:17
• Vikings and Cowboys Playoff Math: 05:06–05:50
• Chiefs' Dynasty, Mahomes, and Salary Cap: 06:53–10:54
• Injury Plague Discussion: 10:54–19:31
• Money vs. Rings & Player Choices: 19:49–21:23
• Phil Rivers’ Triumphant Return: 21:23–26:26
• NFC West Power & League Overview: 26:26–end

Episode Tone

The show is equal parts raucous, funny, sympathetic, and analytical. There’s plenty of locker-room banter and blunt, hyperbolic analogies, but also honest talk about the human element behind athletes and the grind of NFL life.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This recap gives you the major storylines, unforgettable quips, and emotional beats of Week 15’s NFL aftermath. Whether you want the pulse of the playoff picture, inside locker room takes, or just a good laugh at “agile grandpa” Philip Rivers, this episode delivers classic Pat McAfee Show energy with real football insight.