Overview of PMS 2.0 1620
This episode is the official NFL season kickoff show, centered on the Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Pat McAfee and the crew preview the game, discuss betting angles, break down key matchups with guests like J.J. Watt, Darius Butler, Richard Sherman, Mike Tirico, and Drew Rosenhaus, and branch into the biggest storylines across college football, roster movement, and the wider sports world.
Patriots vs. Seahawks: Season Opener Preview
What the show focused on
- The NFL is back, and the opener is a Super Bowl rematch from just 213 days earlier.
- The main question: How will both teams look in Week 1 after major offseason changes?
- There was a lot of discussion about:
- Drake Maye and the Patriots’ new-look offense
- Sam Darnold and Seattle’s continuity under Mike McDonald
- The impact of coaching, trenches, and health early in the season
Betting and spread talk
- The crew discussed historical trends on defending Super Bowl champs in Week 1.
- Early consensus on the show leaned toward:
- Seattle Seahawks -3
- But Pat ultimately changed his own pick late and leaned Patriots +3
- The featured DraftKings boost was:
- A.J. Brown or Jaxon Smith-Njigba to score a touchdown at +100
- The crew heavily promoted this as the main “team ride” bet
Major Guest Takeaways
J.J. Watt
- Said Week 1 is all about calming nerves, getting locked in, and trusting veteran experience.
- Believed Seattle would start a bit cagey, then settle in.
- Thought the matchup could hinge on:
- Seattle’s defensive front
- Patriots pass protection
- How quickly Drake Maye can handle pressure
- He gave the edge in the trenches to Seattle’s defensive line group.
Darius Butler
- Felt the game would be highly dependent on the wide receiver matchups:
- A.J. Brown as a focal point for New England
- JSN as a dynamic weapon for Seattle
- Emphasized that both teams have corners and schemes capable of making things difficult.
- Was especially interested in how Seattle would use JSN and how the Patriots would try to defend him.
Richard Sherman
- Gave a strong defense of the Seattle Seahawks as a well-built, high-character team.
- Credited Mike McDonald as a huge reason why Seattle could repeat success.
- Said the Seahawks’ confidence and continuity make them dangerous.
- Believed Sam Darnold is the key difference-maker:
- more settled
- more confident
- in a much better situation than earlier in his career
- Also discussed his Hall of Fame case, noting his elite interception numbers, low touchdowns allowed, and postseason success.
Mike Tirico
- Spoke about how loud and emotional Seattle’s stadium can be.
- Recalled the history of the venue and the energy of a big kickoff game.
- Said both teams know each other well and that the game could start fast despite Week 1 uncertainty.
- Highlighted that:
- Seattle returns 20 of 22 starters
- the Patriots are heavily retooled
- pass protection for Drake Maye could decide the tone of the game
- Also previewed the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Cowboys and Giants.
Drew Rosenhaus
- Explained the confusing legal and roster situation involving Daquan Wright and the LSU/SEC issue.
- Said Wright is stuck in limbo after:
- leaving the Browns
- trying to go to LSU
- now potentially being blocked from both college and pro options
- Also updated Tyreek Hill’s recovery, saying:
- he looks good physically
- the plan is to be patient and target a possible return in October
- Discussed how much of his schedule is spent traveling between college and NFL games.
College Football and Roster Drama
LSU / SEC / Daquan Wright situation
- A major side topic was the legal and eligibility mess around Daquan Wright.
- The issue:
- Wright left the Browns
- attempted to play at LSU
- SEC pressure forced LSU to back off
- now the NFL may not be sure how to handle his status either
- Drew Rosenhaus said the situation is still unresolved and could lead to further legal action.
Western Michigan and the MAC
- The MAC publicly pushed back on the controversial finish in the Michigan vs. Western Michigan game.
- The conference said it now believes the result was mishandled and should be considered in the broader discussion.
- The crew largely agreed:
- the call was bad
- but the result probably won’t be changed
- and the story will likely fade unless Western Michigan keeps winning
Memphis vs. Boise State
- The show also touched on the Memphis-Boise State matchup.
- A clip of Moneybagg Yo speaking to Memphis added energy to the discussion.
- Boise was treated as a serious threat, especially after its performance against Oregon.
Other Sports Headlines Mentioned
Ben Shelton at the U.S. Open
- The crew was very high on Ben Shelton’s upset over Carlos Alcaraz.
- They called it a huge breakthrough win and praised Shelton’s athleticism and confidence.
- They also highlighted his relationship with Trinity Rodman, framing them as a rising sports power couple.
Baker Mayfield contract extension
- The Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield reportedly agreed to a big new deal:
- 3 years, $165 million
- $110 million in new guarantees
- The crew viewed it as a strong move for both sides and a sign that Tampa Bay believes in Baker long term.
Best Soundbites and Themes
Repeated themes
- Football is back
- Week 1 matters, but doesn’t define the season
- Trenches and pass protection will decide games
- Confidence and continuity matter
- The Seahawks earned a lot of belief after Hard Knocks
- The NFL season feels wide open
Notable ideas
- Winning a Super Bowl doesn’t guarantee anything, but it often starts with a hot beginning.
- The Seahawks were praised for their structure, discipline, and low-drama identity.
- Sam Darnold was repeatedly framed as a quarterback who finally looks settled and empowered.
- The show emphasized that the NFL season is a long road, and tonight is just the opening step.
Bottom Line
This episode served as a big, hype-filled NFL opening-day special with a heavy Seahawks-Patriots focus. The crew broke down the matchup from every angle — betting, coaching, trenches, quarterback play, and locker-room culture — while also touching on major college football controversy, contract news, and standout sports moments from tennis and beyond.
The overarching message: football is back, the season feels huge, and nobody really knows what’s about to happen — which is exactly why it’s fun.