Overview of The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1664
Pat McAfee and the crew cover the second College Football Playoff rankings, NFL trade deadline moves, a dramatic Connor Hellebuyck return to Winnipeg, and several NFL film breakdowns. Guests Rece Davis, Kevin Hayes, JJ Watt, A.Q. Shipley, Darius Butler, and A.J. Hawk offer analysis, while the show also marks Veterans Day and veers into lighter discussions about soccer, AI, and the Colts.
College Football Playoff Rankings
The committee’s second rankings placed Utah at No. 2, Alabama ahead of UCLA, Notre Dame at No. 5, Miami at No. 7, and Boise State in the projected playoff field. The panel debated the value of strength of schedule, head-to-head results, unbeaten records, and the automatic place reserved for the highest-ranked Group of Six champion.
Rece Davis said the rankings appeared to correct some earlier placements: Notre Dame rose after beating Miami, while Indiana fell despite not playing, amid questions about the strength of its résumé. He said Alabama’s schedule and quality of wins help explain its position above undefeated UCLA, though UCLA could move ahead if it finishes unbeaten. Davis also said Oregon remains in contention if it keeps winning or reaches the Big Ten title game.
The group praised Notre Dame’s win over Miami as a major test for Marcus Freeman’s team, especially with several defensive starters unavailable. Davis highlighted quarterback C.J. Carr’s strong first-half performance and Notre Dame’s depth. He also discussed the disputed end-zone catch late in the game and said Miami could remain a title contender if its injured star returns.
NFL Trade Deadline and Team Outlooks
The crew reviewed a busy deadline and its potential impact on contenders:
- The Colts kept Jonathan Taylor and Grover Stewart, while Josh Downs went to Kansas City and Keenan Allen to San Francisco. McAfee argued that trading Taylor for a second-round pick would have left Indianapolis without enough draft capital; the panel questioned the team’s direction and its modest return for outgoing players.
- The Vikings brought back Kirk Cousins, whom A.Q. Shipley and JJ Watt viewed as a potentially stabilizing quarterback for a defense capable of contending. They said Minnesota needs a functional offense, a lead, and a reliable run game to let Brian Flores’s aggressive defense thrive.
- The Chiefs added Josh Downs, with the panel praising his ability to get open and adapt to Patrick Mahomes’s improvisational style. Watt said the move helps, though Kansas City could still use a downfield receiver who can stretch defenses.
- The Bills acquired safety Amani Hooker, whom Butler described as a playmaking communicator with a knack for interceptions.
- The Broncos added linebacker Daiyan Henley, a move Butler said could strengthen a perceived weakness in their defense.
- The Jaguars made several defensive additions, including Jordan Davis, as the panel described them as pushing to contend now.
- The Raiders brought in Cousins before turning to top draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Watt said the rookie had benefited from learning behind Cousins and was entering a difficult opening stretch.
The panel also discussed how crowded the NFC playoff race could become, particularly in the NFC North, and whether teams with strong passing games can succeed without a dependable run game. Watt said a credible rushing threat makes it harder for defenses to pin their ears back and rush the passer.
CFP Committee Discussion with Rece Davis
Davis explained that committee members compare each team with the entire field rather than settling every debate through one head-to-head result. He said Tennessee’s win over Alabama matters, but the committee also weighs Alabama’s broader résumé. He acknowledged that he would give head-to-head more weight between the two teams.
He described Miami’s drop after its loss as severe, but said the committee may be waiting to see how the team performs without its injured star. Davis also shared his personal AP poll reasoning: he rewarded Utah for its win over BYU, kept Miami from falling too far, and ranked teams based on performance as well as résumé. He said he trusts Freeman and Carr among the coach-quarterback pairings in the field.
Kevin Hayes on Hockey and Hellebuyck’s Return
Former NHL player Kevin Hayes called Hellebuyck’s first return to Winnipeg with New Jersey an unusual and poorly handled situation. The Devils chose not to play Hellebuyck, citing their view that starting him could lower their expected chance of winning. Hayes said that explanation backfired: Winnipeg fans directed chants at Hellebuyck while he remained in the locker room, and the players and goalie acquired in the trade helped New Jersey win.
Hayes said the situation reflects a wider shift in the NHL, where players are more willing to use no-movement and no-trade clauses to influence their destinations. He also praised Connor McDavid’s extraordinary early-season scoring pace, while saying championships still shape how players are compared historically.
NFL Film Breakdowns
A.Q. Shipley’s Top Offensive Lines
Shipley ranked the top offensive lines from the week as:
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos
He praised the 49ers’ blocking and running game, the Chiefs’ screen execution, and the Bengals’ decision to lean more on a gap-running scheme. He also highlighted Denver guard Quinn Meinerz’s punishing block and the Cowboys’ production on the ground.
Darius Butler’s “Good D”
Butler broke down interceptions by Chicago’s Jalen Johnson, Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney, Buffalo’s Cam Lewis, and Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr. He emphasized how disguised coverages, late rotations, quarterback reads, and defensive backs’ anticipation created turnovers. The crew also discussed the Bears’ potential as a contender after adding defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
A.Q. Shipley on Myles Garrett
Shipley examined Garrett’s three-sack performance after returning to action, showing how he wins from different alignments with speed, power, and unusual agility for his size. The panel said his return could raise the Rams’ ceiling, especially if he can keep affecting games alongside Aaron Donald.
Veterans Day and Lighter Conversations
The show repeatedly thanked military veterans and reflected on the sacrifices service members make, including McAfee’s experience visiting Parris Island while preparing The Mosquito Bowl. The hosts encouraged viewers to show veterans appreciation throughout the year.
Other segments included a debate about whether AI will displace jobs and whether younger people should be taught to work with it, plus a comedic discussion of U.S. soccer, manager Mauricio Pochettino, and speculation about Pep Guardiola. The episode closed with the crew joking about the Colts’ difficult outlook and trying—and failing—to sink a football shot for a charity-style challenge.