Overview of PMS 2.0 — “PMS 2.0 1491”
Pat McAfee’s show (Watt Wednesday — Jan 21, 2026) covers Championship Weekend prep, current NFL coaching/hiring drama, the defensive identity of 2025–26 football, line play evaluations, college football championship reaction, weather threats for the weekend, and interviews with JJ Watt, A.Q. Shipley, Darius Butler, Aiden Fisher (Indiana LB), and meteorologist Adam Feick. The episode mixes analysis, locker-room/league culture talk, and pop-culture tangents (WWE, golf, etc.).
Guests & segments (who said what)
- JJ Watt — guest interview: state of football, defenses resurging, coaches & coordinator hires, 18‑game season/CBA perspective.
- A.Q. Shipley — “In the Trenches”: ranked the four remaining championship-weekend offensive lines and broke down run/pass blocking tape.
- Darius “D‑Butt” Butler — “Everything DB”: defensive takeaways from the divisional round, film breakdowns of game-changing turnovers.
- Aiden Fisher (Indiana linebacker) — interview: Indiana’s culture, national championship win, coach “Sig”’s style, and his NFL plans.
- Adam Feick (Indianapolis meteorologist) — weather briefing: major arctic/clipper systems and safety considerations for the coming weekend.
- Additional contributors: AJ Hawk, Pat’s on‑air crew (Connor, Ty, etc.), plus ad spots and pop-culture riffs.
Core topics and key takeaways
Championship Weekend preview
- Matchups discussed: Patriots vs. Broncos (AFC) and Rams vs. Seahawks (NFC). Hosts unpacked storylines, match‑up questions, and the pressure of conference championship games (the primetime/brand benefit of reaching the Super Bowl).
- QB/health notes & narrative: conversation about backup starters, injuries and how small events (e.g., late-season injuries) can swing outcomes. Emphasis that playoff football is often “a game of attrition.”
Defense as the season’s theme
- Consensus view from guests (Watt, Butler, Shipley): 2025–26 marked a defensive resurgence — more teams with elite fronts and playmaking secondaries; games in the playoffs skewed low-scoring relative to recent years.
- Impact: Teams leveraging strong defensive fronts (rush-up-the-middle, four-man pass rush success) can hide quarterback/position shortcomings and win playoff games.
Coaching carousel, GM/coach dynamics & recent hires
- Discussion of notable coaching moves (referenced hires: Harbaugh to the Giants, Stefanski, others) and the power dynamics when a coach reports to a GM or owner.
- Bills presser/owner Terry Pegula moment: the panel discussed the messy press conference and what it signals to prospective head coaches about organizational clarity and control.
- JJ Watt and panel emphasized coaches want “alignment” with GMs/owners; candidates weigh staff, resources, and who has final say.
18‑game season & CBA implications
- Strong opinion that if the league moves to 18 regular-season games, players must receive fair, clearly quantified compensation and protections (extra bye(s), medical/financial adjustments).
- Concern expressed: the additional game is much more than replacing a preseason contest — it increases injury risk and must be negotiated as such.
Mike McDaniel to Chargers & OC/hiring fit points
- McDaniel’s fit with Justin Herbert and the Chargers evaluated as an exciting offensive pairing — high potential for offensive growth if line/health issues are solved.
- Fit, culture and optics (e.g., Harbaugh & McDaniel in L.A.) were discussed as part of the new‑hire dynamic.
Film/tactical segments
In the Trenches (A.Q. Shipley) — Offensive line rankings for Championship Weekend
Shipley’s ranking (from best to lowest among the remaining four):
- Seattle Seahawks — praised run-blocking combos, fullback usage, OL movement.
- Los Angeles Rams — creative use of versatile skill players in the box (motion as an extra blocker) and strong inside/outside blocking combinations.
- Denver Broncos — good attacking concepts/RPO looks but personnel issues noted (and game plan adjustments).
- New England Patriots — solid, but Shipley viewed them as the weakest of the four for this weekend (still a high-level line in context of the season).
Key teaching points: use of motion/13-personnel, fullback as leverage creator, bull‑hop technique for tackles to handle bull rushes, and how matchups and schemed runs expose weaknesses.
Everything DB (Darius Butler) — Big defensive plays and turnovers
- Film breakdowns of critical turnover plays (e.g., how pocket pressure and linebackers/safeties undercut routes, slot DB vision, and smart zone drops turn into game-changing interceptions/TDs).
- Pointed out the Patriots’ defensive playoff numbers: multiple sacks, forced turnovers, and limiting opponent yardage — an illustration of “defense deciding playoff games.”
College football / Indiana national champion: Aiden Fisher interview
- Fisher (IND, transfer from JMU) described Indiana’s culture: emphasis on fundamentals, efficiency, “do the little things right,” and coach “Sig”’s demanding but player-centered style.
- Fisher’s role, leadership, and upcoming draft/training plans: heading to Florida to prepare for pro evaluations, excited but realistic about the combine.
- Team identity: physical, discipline-focused defense that trusted situational execution to win the title.
Weather & logistics: Adam Feick (meteorologist)
- Two-system pattern: clipper systems bringing sharp shots of arctic air + a southern low bringing precipitation to parts of the Plains, Mississippi Valley and Northeast.
- Practical points for listeners:
- Weekend: rapid temp drops, sub-zero potential in the northern Plains/Upper Midwest in places (forecast volatility).
- “Exploding trees” explanation — tied to rapid freeze of sap/wood moisture and extreme temperature swings (rare but plausible in certain conditions); cautionary note for extreme cold events.
- Safety: prepare for cold, travel impacts and potential snow/ice across a wide swath — follow local forecasts.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- “The value of the 17th game was never given back to the players… don’t give this 18th game up for less than it’s worth.” — on changing season length (player-compensation/CBA).
- JJ Watt: defenses are getting real shine this season; he’s happy to see defensive players getting recognition.
- On coaching hires: “Coaches want alignment at the top. If that’s not clear, it’s an uphill job.”
- Aiden Fisher on coach “Sig”: “He’ll get on you quick... but it’s out of love — he wants you to be your best.”
Quick takeaways for fans (what to watch/listen for)
- Championship Weekend is tactical — expect low-scoring, defense-influenced games where turnovers and line play decide results.
- Watch the front sevens: which teams get pressure with four and sustain run fits? That will be decisive.
- Coaching hires/wrangling will shape the offseason headlines — pay attention to coordinators and GM/coach reporting structures.
- If the league moves to 18 games, watch the CBA negotiations: player protections and financial guarantees will be the battle lines.
- If traveling to watch weekend games, monitor local weather forecasts (clips + Arctic shots) and be ready for rapid changes.
Action items / recommended next steps for listeners
- If you’re attending or traveling this weekend: check local forecasts and be prepared for cold/precip/flight delays.
- Watch Championship Sunday with a focus on line matchups and third-down/short-yardage defensive calls — that’s where these games will be won.
- Follow the coaching hires & front-office moves: alignment issues (who coaches report to) often predict a team’s trajectory faster than names alone.
- For NFL fans tracking the 18-game debate: follow NFLPA updates and expect negotiation headlines — it will influence schedule, byes, and player safety discussions.
Final note
The episode blends X‑level analysis of playoff football (tactical breakdowns, line play, defense) with culture/industry context (coaching power dynamics, player compensation concerns) and lighter pop-culture/football-weekend content. If you want the football film details, prioritize the A.Q. Shipley (OL) and Darius Butler (DB) breakdowns; for organizational context, listen to the JJ Watt and coaching-carousal discussion.