Overview of PMS 2.0 1656 - The Halloween Episode
This Halloween edition of PMS 2.0 mixed full-on costume chaos with serious NFL and college football talk. Pat McAfee, AJ Hawk, and the crew opened by recapping the Packers’ Thursday night win over the Panthers, then spent the rest of the show previewing Week 8 in the NFL, reacting to major college football storylines, and welcoming a parade of guests including Nick Saban, Curt Cignetti, Jesse Bates III, and AJ Hawk in full “hero” mode. The episode leaned hard into the spooky theme, but the football analysis stayed sharp.
Thursday Night Football Recap
Packers vs. Panthers
- The Packers beat and covered against Carolina, improving to 5-3.
- The big headline was Christian Watson being taken to the hospital in an ambulance, then returning to the sideline and eventually the field after scans cleared him.
- The crew praised Watson’s toughness and the dramatic broadcast shot of him coming back in the ambulance.
- Jordan Love continues to look like a legit star, with the panel floating MVP-level praise.
- Green Bay’s defense was a major talking point:
- Pressure on Bryce Young
- Six sacks
- Strong overall unit even without Micah Parsons
- The biggest criticism for Green Bay was the kicking game:
- Rookie kicker Trey Smack drew heavy criticism for missed kicks and extra points.
- The Packers also fumbled on a kickoff return, adding to the sloppiness.
Carolina’s concerns
- Carolina’s offense struggled after a recent stretch of stronger play.
- The Panthers’ defense took a hit with the firing of the defensive coordinator after the game.
- The panel still believes Carolina has talent, but the defense and health issues remain concerns.
Week 8 NFL Preview and Picks
General betting/football themes
- The group noted that primetime favorites have started covering more often after a long dog-heavy stretch.
- They emphasized that the season is entering the “who can finish?” phase, where execution and depth matter more than hype.
Notable game picks discussed
- Bills vs. Ravens: Bills at home got support, though there was some caution about rust coming off a bye.
- Vikings vs. Lions: Mixed opinions, but the Vikings’ defense and competitiveness got respect.
- Titans vs. Bengals: Bengals were favored heavily; everyone expected Cincinnati to handle Tennessee’s fire sale.
- Colts vs. Jaguars: The crew leaned Colts despite the chaos around the roster and trade rumors.
- Browns vs. Steelers: Split opinions, with confidence in Pittsburgh but respect for Cleveland’s toughness.
- Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Falcons got love after Jesse Bates’ appearance and the respect for Atlanta’s defense.
- Raiders vs. Jets: Raiders were picked by some as a road upset.
- Cowboys vs. Cardinals: Cowboys got support, though skepticism remained about their consistency.
- Rams vs. Chargers: Rams were the stronger side in the Battle of L.A.
- Patriots vs. Dolphins: Patriots got backing despite Miami being a difficult place to play.
- Chiefs vs. Broncos: The panel split, with one side leaning Denver at home.
- Eagles vs. Commanders: The game was ultimately flexed out of the official picks discussion.
College Football and Nick Saban’s Take
Nick Saban joined to break down the weekend
Saban offered his usual clear, concise football takes on several major college football situations:
-
Indiana
- He praised Indiana’s defense as one of the biggest reasons for their success.
- He noted the importance of recovery, rest, and bye weeks for long stretches without breaks.
- He liked the Hoosiers’ overall structure and believed they’d hit another gear late in the season.
-
Quarterback play and development
- He stressed that teams need efficiency and composure at quarterback, not necessarily hero ball.
- He framed quarterback play as something that must be managed within the larger system.
-
Ohio State at USC
- Saban said Ohio State’s key would be balance and keeping defenses honest.
- He emphasized that the quarterback doesn’t need to win the game alone, just avoid losing it.
-
Arch Manning and Texas
- Saban made it clear that consistency determines how long a leash a QB has.
- He said the bench can be a powerful motivator for a talented player like Arch.
-
Big 12 vs. Big Ten/SEC
- He acknowledged the Big 12 has quality teams, but said finishing games and avoiding cannibalization will decide how many playoff teams they can get.
-
UCLA / Bob Chesney
- He praised Bob Chesney’s success and said programs can turn quickly when the right fit is found.
Curt Cignetti on Indiana’s Run
Cignetti discussed Indiana’s momentum, the expectations around the program, and what it takes to keep building:
- He said the team is its own organism and should be judged on its own path, not just compared to last year’s breakout.
- He credited Indiana’s defense as the foundation:
- TFLs
- Sacks
- Turnovers
- Physicality up front
- He stressed that finishing is the next step offensively.
- He explained that his practice style has always been about efficiency:
- Shorter, focused practices
- Not wasting players’ legs or time
- More is not always better
- He praised the culture shift around Indiana and said the key is to keep it going.
- He also weighed in on how quickly college football landscapes can change and how success can reshape a program’s perception and support.
Jesse Bates III on Defense, Culture, and Leadership
The Falcons safety was one of the best guests of the day.
Key points from Bates
- He talked about becoming a steady force in Atlanta after a lot of coaching turnover.
- He emphasized that defensive backs must prove it every year; past success doesn’t matter.
- He broke down the modern emphasis on the punch-out turnover technique:
- Train for it in practice
- Target the space behind the ball
- It’s now a core part of defensive football
- He credited Von Bell for helping refine that part of his game.
- He praised the Falcons’ leadership structure:
- Raheem Morris
- Matt Ryan in the building
- A clear culture and identity
- He said Michael Penix Jr. has the calm confidence and “dude” factor needed to be the franchise QB.
- He also discussed how Penix’s personality and poise help the team.
AJ Hawk as the Halloween Hero
AJ Hawk showed up in full hunter gear and played the role perfectly:
- He “tracked down” and “killed” the fake monster/gorilla/sasquatch that had been wandering around the Thunderdome.
- The bit turned into one of the funniest running jokes of the episode.
- AJ also helped steer football talk while staying in character as the grizzled outdoorsman.
Halloween Costumes and Studio Chaos
The episode leaned into a big costume spectacle:
- Pat and the crew dressed as a mix of iconic characters and absurd Halloween bits.
- Highlights included:
- Joker makeup
- Heavenly Hulkster
- James Bond
- Batman in a ghillie suit
- Bobby Bananas
- Frodo Baggins
- WWE ref Zito
- A “Dude, Where’s My Car?” duo
- Dajon Love as a football player
- The show closed by showcasing the full Thunderdome costume parade and joking around with every guest in character.
Final Takeaways
- The Packers look real, but the kicking game remains a major concern.
- Christian Watson’s return was one of the night’s wildest moments.
- Jordan Love continues to build an MVP-caliber case.
- Indiana football is now a legitimate national story, and Cignetti is building a culture around defense and efficiency.
- Jesse Bates III remains one of the NFL’s most underrated difference-makers.
- The Halloween episode was chaotic, but it still delivered plenty of football insight beneath the costumes and jokes.