Summary — PMS 2.0 1425 — Watt Wednesday, In the Trenches with AQ Shipley, Everything DB with Darius Butler, Roman Reigns, Emeka Egbuka, Stanford Steve, & AJ Hawk

Host: Pat McAfee (ESPN)
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Overview

This episode is a wide-ranging sports roundtable touching major recent moments across MLB, NHL and the NFL. The show opens with a deep recap of the Yankees’ dramatic playoff win (Aaron Judge’s huge homer and Jazz Chisholm contributions), then pivots to NHL Opening Night highlights and spends the bulk of the episode on NFL news and analysis — with guests including 12-year NFL veteran/AQ Shipley and contributions from JJ Watt and others. Topics include team trends (Colts, Jaguars, Cardinals, Jets), quarterback moves (Joe Flacco trade), officiating/roughing controversies, and league-wide parity.

Key Points & Main Takeaways

• MLB — Yankees vs Blue Jays

  • Aaron Judge hit a pivotal three-run homer down the left-field line to tie Game 3 (6-6), a momentum-shifting moment that energized New York and kept the Yankees alive in the series.
  • Jazz Chisholm followed with a big homer and the Yankees won 9-6. The win shifts pressure back onto Toronto for later games.
  • Pat and crew emphasize the emotional, “movie-like” quality of the game and urge viewers to watch the remaining elimination playoff games.

• NHL — Opening Night

  • Penguins beat Rangers 3-0; Florida Panthers started strong; Avalanche beat Kings 4-1 amid a notable on-ice fight/knockout that generated buzz.
  • NHL’s opening night delivered physicality and highlight plays, which the show welcomes.

• NFL — Broad themes and specific items

  • JJ Watt segment (Ask JJ/Ask Jage): talk about on-field matchups, coaching, game prep, and recent Texans blowouts (Texans at Titans, vs Ravens).
  • Ravens looked depleted vs Texans; injuries and roster attrition are major problems. The bye will be important for Baltimore.
  • Joe Flacco trade: traded from Browns to Bengals — conversation around inter-division QB trades (rare), his veteran influence, and whether he can help the Bengals hold the fort until Joe Burrow returns.
  • Cardinals collapse: Arizona has lost multiple close games on late plays (fumbles, goal-line snaps), showing a team that is a few plays away from a great record but instead looks chaotic; HC Kliff Kingsbury (?) or staff fined $100k for an on-field sideline slap incident (Gannon referenced — fine noted).
  • Colts surge: Indianapolis has emerged as a surprise top team — Danny Dimes (Daniel Jones) and Shane Steichen praised; Tyler Warren highlighted as a versatile weapon; Colts additions (Pratt, other defenders) credited for quick turnaround.
  • AFC South parity: Colts and Jaguars are impressing; Texans trending up; Titans uncertain.
  • Jets defense: alarming stat — zero takeaways through five games, historically bad for turnovers; concerns about defensive execution and pressure to build culture.
  • Roughing-the-passer controversy: contentious calls on T.J. Watt (and others like Miles Garrett) — hosts expect fines and call for public debate on consistency of enforcement.
  • Browns vs Steelers (upcoming call): JJ Watt excited for the T.J./Miles matchup and praises Browns rookie class and pass rushers.

• Miscellaneous

  • Locker-room/coach-management moments and motivation exemplified by Aaron Boone’s handling of Yankees lineup decisions and in-game management.
  • Light-hearted segments about Pat’s corgi “Chuck,” personal anecdotes, and studio banter.

Notable Quotes / Insights

• On Aaron Judge’s reaction/impact: “I’m the best player to ever walk on this damn earth.” (Judge’s swagger/celebration discussed)
• On the nature of momentum: “Baseball is magic.” (Pat)
• On team belief and momentum: “Confidence is a crazy mistress.” (about Colts/Jags turning things around)
• On the NFL product and parity: The league design (draft, free agency, scheduling) creates continual uncertainty — “I’m pumped about the parity.”

Topics Discussed (short list)

• Yankees-Blue Jays playoff game recap (Judge, Chisholm, Boone)
• MLB postseason elimination-game slate
• NHL Opening Night highlights (Penguins, Panthers, Avalanche)
• Ravens vs Texans recap; Ravens’ injury problems
• Joe Flacco trade to Bengals; inter-division QB trades
• Arizona Cardinals late-game collapse; sideline discipline/fine
• Indianapolis Colts’ sudden rise (Daniel Jones, Tyler Warren, defensive signings)
• AFC South standings and cross-division records
• New York Jets’ defensive turnover drought
• Roughing-the-passer calls and expected fines (T.J. Watt, others)
• Upcoming CBS game calls (Browns at Steelers)
• Locker-room/coach motivational anecdotes

Action Items / Recommendations

• If you like playoff drama: watch the remaining MLB elimination games — the show predicts more cinematic moments.
• NFL watchers:
  • Track Joe Flacco’s performance in Cincinnati and see whether he stabilizes the Bengals until Joe Burrow returns.
  • Monitor the Cardinals’ internal dynamics (discipline, coaching responses) — they’re one fumble/penalty away from being a top team.
  • Keep an eye on the Colts — their roster moves and usage of versatile players (e.g., Tyler Warren) are producing results.
  • Jets fans should be concerned about the zero-takeaways trend; turnovers need to be addressed to change defensive narratives.
  • Watch for upcoming fines/clarifications from the league on roughing-the-passer calls — could affect edge defenders’ play and officiating standards.
• Tune in for the Browns vs Steelers game (noted as a highlight) to see elite pass rush matchups and Browns rookies.

Final Takeaway

This episode blends celebration (Yankees’ dramatic playoff win) with critical NFL analysis — the league remains unpredictable with emergent teams (Colts, Jags) and surprising struggles (Ravens, Jets). Key storylines to follow: Yankees’ momentum, Cardinals’ collapse/discipline fallout, Colts’ rise, Joe Flacco’s Bengals stint, and the officiating debate around roughing-the-passer. The show frames sports as “magical” and emphasizes how a few plays or decisions can rapidly change narratives.