The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 Episode 1484: TOP 5 - Super Wildcard Recap
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Pat McAfee, with AJ Hawk, Toxic Table, Tone Digs
Episode Overview
This lively episode dives into the wildest storylines from NFL Super Wildcard Weekend, breaking down five major headlines that defined the round. Pat McAfee and crew blend insider perspective, sharp analysis, and trademark banter as they dissect results, individual heroics, and the feuds and narratives that make football electric. The show especially focuses on comeback wins, coaching rivalries, pivotal performances, and what these mean for the NFL landscape.
1. Chicago Bears' Epic Comeback: "The Chicago Slight"
[00:53–13:06]
Key Points
- The Bears, led by rookie coach Ben Johnson, engineer a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback against the Green Bay Packers after trailing by 11, showcasing the culture change in Chicago.
- Caleb Williams, rookie quarterback, delivers under pressure: late-game heroics, a crucial fourth-and-eight conversion, and a game-winning touchdown to DJ Moore.
- Green Bay's costly special teams blunders (Brandon McManus missed field goals, extra points) haunt them.
- Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur's rivalry intensifies, underscored by a terse, "alpha-dominance" handshake and social media fuel.
- The Bears' social team leans into the rivalry with a fiery postgame message, symbolizing a new era in the storied Bears-Packers feud.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Ben Johnson:
"Kudos to Ben Johnson for dropping his nuts on the table... He is an unbelievable coach and his team believes in him and we saw what happened."
—Host 2, [02:02] -
On Caleb Williams’ clutch play:
"This is going to be his legacy. Jesus—cross body on the run, one leg off ground... fourth and eight pickup, extends the game, keeps it alive and has play a season as he's jumping out of a sack... He certainly can."
—Pat McAfee (Host 1), [02:36] -
On McManus’ struggles:
"This is the shit that drives you insane... He's 3 of 9 on field goals over 40 yards this year... He hasn't been good this year. He just hasn't."
—Host 2, [04:41] -
On the Bears' crowd:
"This fourth quarter, Chicago Bears fans—awesome performance. Incredibly loud, wildly into it, and it felt electric through the television."
—Pat McAfee, [05:50] -
On Bears-Packers rivalry and handshake:
"Certainly an alpha dominance. But it was an answer, I think, to what LaFleur did before... Ben Johnson, immediately upon signing to the Chicago Bears, 'can't wait to beat Matt LaFleur twice.' Literally says that."
—Pat McAfee, [08:32] -
On league-wide impact:
"I like that they're all bought in on keeping a rivalry of hatred. Hatred. Like, I like that. I don't know if LaFleur is doing enough. I don't know if the Packers are hating the Bears enough."
—Pat McAfee, [09:08]
Timestamps
- Big comeback breakdown: [00:53–05:50]
- DJ Moore TD and crowd atmosphere: [05:50–07:01]
- Handshake and rivalry narrative: [07:01–13:06]
2. New England Patriots Back on Top: "A Familiar Feeling in Foxborough"
[17:35–24:51]
Key Points
- Mike Vrabel, after a year away, returns to New England and helps guide the Patriots to a dominant home playoff win over the Chargers.
- The Patriots' defense silences the Chargers, racking up six sacks, constant pressure, and a stifling third-down conversion rate.
- Strategic roster moves, including the signing of Milton Williams (who makes several big plays), pay off for New England.
- The Foxborough crowd delivers the weekend’s best home-field advantage.
- Chargers' red zone decisions are second-guessed as Harbaugh passes on early field goals in favor of touchdowns—a move that looms large.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On the Patriots crowd and defense:
"They were the best home field advantage, home crowd of the entire weekend... There was never really a moment where the Chargers offense looked like, 'OK, here they go.'"
—Analyst 1, [18:53] -
On Mike Vrabel’s return:
"Then him going back to New England after a one year stint for Coach Mayo is just like an absurd series of events that leaves all football fans thinking to themselves, this is the next 20 years... It's such a familiar feeling."
—Pat McAfee, [18:16] -
On Milton Williams' big game:
"He showed up in the biggest moments... This is a great example of a big time free agent signing showing off in the biggest moments."
—Analyst 2, [23:16]
Timestamps
- Patriots defense/home field: [17:35–19:48]
- Red zone decisions/analytics: [19:48–21:45]
- Free agency moves/cap discussion: [21:45–24:51]
3. Philadelphia Eagles Collapse: "Brotherly Brouhaha"
[24:51–33:40]
Key Points
- The defending champion Eagles suffer a shocking playoff loss at home, with Lane Johnson’s absence and ongoing internal drama (A.J. Brown's vocal frustration) fueling underperformance.
- Offensive identity crisis with new coordinator, receiver discontent, and missed opportunities (drops, play-calling woes).
- San Francisco 49ers (and coach Kyle Shanahan) lauded for resilience, navigating injuries, schematic brilliance, and motivating the locker room.
- The Philly sideline drama—public confrontations and viral moments (including “Big Dom” with his headset and “Labubu” toy) become symbols of chaos.
- George Kittle’s injury is lamented, with appreciation for his grit and impact.
- The 49ers are praised as a model of adaptability and culture.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Eagles’ struggles:
"All year it was the wide receivers hate the Philadelphia Eagles... You watch Hard Knocks... Everything seems all good. They got all under control...But then balls start hitting ground, start to watch it unravel."
—Pat McAfee, [26:21] -
On 49ers' organizational culture:
"What Kyle Shanahan has been able to do in San Francisco is unbelievable."
—Analyst 2, [34:18] -
Fun moment—“Labubu” explained:
"Laboboo is a popular, mischievous looking, collectible monster character with pointy ears and sharp teeth... He didn’t even know what he was getting when he bought this."
—Host 1 reads live Google, [29:41] -
On George Kittle:
"The story about a tequila bottle getting taken to the locker room though, that's awesome. George, you continue to be legendary in every situation."
—Pat McAfee, [32:55]
Timestamps
- Eagles in-fighting and offensive woes: [25:07–29:29]
- “Labubu” sideline segment: [29:29–30:39]
- 49ers’ resilience and culture: [31:49–34:18]
4. College Football Playoff: "Instant Classic Incoming?"
[34:18–35:42]
Key Points
- Anticipation for the College Football National Championship: Indiana (the “absolute wagon”) faces Miami for the title in Miami.
- Pat and crew hype up the matchup: Indiana’s Mendoza is on fire (“more touchdowns than incompletions”), and both teams are physical/tough.
- NCAA football’s ratings surge and excitement underscored.
- Personal angle: Mendoza playing in his hometown, his family connections.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Indiana’s dominance:
"This is for real one of the greatest teams ever assembled in college football."
—Analyst 1, [34:54] -
On the stage:
“Best two teams have made it to the national championship. It’s been very obvious.”
—Pat McAfee, [35:42]
Timestamps
- Breakdown and preview: [34:18–35:42]
5. Overarching NFL Playoff Drama: "Super Duper Wild Card Weekend"
[35:42–end]
Key Points
- NFL sets a record for fourth-quarter lead changes in the Super Wildcard round—underscoring how unpredictable and riveting this year’s playoffs have been.
- The hosts praise football’s entertainment value, the human moments, and the league’s dominance in ratings and cultural relevance.
Key Quotes
-
"The record was broke for amount of lead changes in the fourth quarter. Need say anything else? No. Shout out football. Shout out you."
—Pat McAfee, [36:00]
Additional Memorable Segments & Running Jokes
- Handshakes & Alpha Behavior: Extended riffing on “alpha-dominance” handshakes, coaching rivalries, and what’s “good for the league.”
- Broadcast Critique: The crew rails on sports media negativity, ponders what “journalism” really means, and praises positivity in sports coverage.
- Labubu/laboboo Bit: Multi-minute tangent explaining and clowning on a mysterious sideline toy, blending genuine curiosity with humor.
- Pat’s Personal Viewing Habits: Musings on multi-screen football watching, ratings calculation, how much football dominates TV metrics.
- AJ Hawk’s Insights: Drops in as a voice of reason on coaching decisions, defensive schemes.
Final Thoughts
Pat and the team deliver a comprehensive, high-energy recap, balancing tactical football analysis with cultural commentary, coach/player psychology, and ongoing NFL narratives. This episode is jam-packed with rapid fire insights, signature McAfee irreverence, and genuine enthusiasm for the game.
For a quick catch-up:
- The Bears are no longer the doormat—Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson spark a new era, complete with real “hate” for the Packers.
- The Patriots are scary again, powered by smart signings and legendary coaching continuity.
- Philly’s meltdown is more than just injuries—it’s an existential crisis.
- The 49ers are the NFL’s model of adaptability, unity, and grit.
- College football’s championship is set for fireworks.
- Wildcard weekend was, well, wild—don’t miss the highlights.
Top Quotes by Timestamp:
- [02:02] “Kudos to Ben Johnson for dropping his nuts on the table...”
- [05:50] “This fourth quarter, Chicago Bears fans—awesome performance. Incredibly loud, wildly into it, and it felt electric through the television.”
- [18:53] “They were the best home field advantage, home crowd of the entire weekend...”
- [29:41] “Laboboo is a popular, mischievous looking, collectible monster character...”
- [34:54] “This is for real one of the greatest teams ever assembled in college football.”
Recommended for listeners who want:
- High-energy, unfiltered football talk
- Strategic insight blended with humor
- Behind-the-scenes culture and rivalry analysis
- Appreciation for what makes the NFL (and the podcast) unique