Just Wondering... with Norm Hitzges

It’s the day after Christmas, and while the wrapping paper is still on the floor, Norm is already wondering about the one gift Cowboys fans didn’t ask for: finishing the season 8-8-1.After questioning why the NFL insists on hijacking Christmas Day (nothing says “holiday spirit” like wall-to-wall broadcasts), Norm dives into a Cowboys win that somehow felt like every other Cowboys game. A fast start, long scoring droughts, penalty problems, defensive issues, and just enough competence to keep everyone arguing about whether this team is “close.”Dallas beats a battered Washington team, but not convincingly enough to feel good about it. Dak shines. The running game shows promise. Penalties pile up. The defense remains allergic to takeaways. And the big question lingers: if the offense is elite and the defense is awful… isn’t .500 exactly where you’d expect to land?Norm breaks it all down with stats, context, and his usual brand of dry realism—then wraps things up with the truth Cowboys fans may not want to hear, but probably already know.Chapters00:00:00 - Merry Christmas… Now About That 8-8-1 Record00:01:24 - Can the NFL Leave Christmas Alone for One Day?00:01:57 - A Familiar Cowboys Script (This Time With a Win)00:02:32 - Fast Start, Then the Scoring Vanishes Again00:03:47 - Dallas Finally Bows Its Neck Late00:04:22 - Dominating the Stats, Confusing the Result00:05:04 - Six Sacks, Eleven Penalties, and Self-Inflicted Wounds00:06:27 - Takeaways? Still Missing in Action00:07:08 - Dak Prescott Continues His Excellent Season00:07:40 - Malik Davis Steps Up in the Run Game00:08:11 - Young Defenders Show Flashes00:08:36 - Free Agents, Futures, and Tough Decisions00:09:15 - George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, and Offensive Reality00:09:45 - Are the Cowboys Underachievers… or Exactly What They Are?00:10:26 - A Quick Word From Our Sponsors00:12:02 - Final Thoughts on a Perfectly Average Season Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

t’s Wednesday, December 24th, and Norm Hitzges is in a festive mood—by which he means grateful, reflective, mildly alarmed, and just a little concerned about the future of local sports.Norm opens with an invitation to one of the most meaningful traditions in DFW radio history: the 25th annual Normathon, raising money for Austin Street Center for the Homeless. Twenty-five years, more than $10 million raised, and a full day of broadcasting fueled by generosity, great guests, and some truly ridiculous auction items (yes, including a racehorse stake and a Pat Green house concert).After that, Norm pivots—because of course he does—to three quick sports hits:• a gut-punch playoff loss for Texas A&M• the end (hopefully) of Jake Paul’s cosplay boxing career• and a Rangers bullpen decision that has Norm quietly clutching the armrestsIt’s Christmas Eve. There’s goodwill. There’s charity. There’s also concern. Welcome to Just Wondering.CHAPTERS00:01:31 – The Normathon Returns: Year 25 at The Ticket00:02:13 – Why Austin Street Matters (And Why We Keep Doing This)00:02:59 – 25 Years, $10+ Million Raised, and Counting00:03:51 – The Auction Lineup: Trips, Racehorses, and Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences00:05:23 – Pat Green at Your House, Lone Star Park Suite, and Lunch With the Musers00:06:46 – The Crown Jewel: Signed Cowboys Legends Lithograph Set00:07:26 – How to Join In: On Air, In Person, or In Spirit00:08:08 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House Sponsor Read00:08:37 – Full Moon Healing Balm Sponsor Read00:09:54 – Sports Hit #1: Texas A&M’s Playoff Heartbreak00:11:24 – From No. 3 in the Nation to “Did That Really Happen?”00:12:03 – Sports Hit #2: Jake Paul Finally Fights the Wrong Guy00:13:08 – Anthony Joshua Ends the Gimmick (For $96 Million)00:14:16 – Sports Hit #3: Why Norm Is Alarmed About the Rangers00:15:00 – Sean Armstrong Leaves for Cleveland… For Cheap00:15:38 – If You Can’t Pay $5.5M for Your Best Reliever, That’s a Problem00:16:21 – Sponsor Close: Fluent Financial & Bob’s00:16:43 – Wrap-Up: Follow, Share, and Merry Christmas00:17:24 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm tips the cap to Cooper Flagg turning 19 and casually dropping 40 in the NBA—then immediately pivots to something far less impressive: the Dallas Cowboys doing the exact same thing again.If this season feels familiar, that’s because it is. Early points, a brief lead, then the defense opens the floodgates while the offense stalls out like it hit an invisible wall. Norm walks through the Chargers loss, the Vikings loss, the Lions loss—pick a week, it’s the same movie with a different jersey color.The numbers are brutal: 112 points allowed in three weeks, one sack, five punts forced, and a defense threatening to challenge 1960 for the worst in franchise history. Yet the reflex response still seems to be “fire the coordinator and move on,” rather than confronting the uncomfortable truth that a lot of these players simply aren’t good enough.Norm asks the question no one in the front office seems eager to answer: does Jerry Jones actually understand how mediocre this team is—or are we about to spin the coordinator wheel one more time and hope for a miracle?CHAPTERS00:00:00 – Happy Birthday, Cooper Flagg (And Welcome Back to Cowboys Reality)00:00:41 – Fluent Financial Sponsor Read00:01:45 – Cowboys Groundhog Day: Same Game, Same Ending00:02:36 – 6–8–1 and Stuck in the Middle of the Draft Again00:03:18 – “It’s the Scheme” vs. “It Might Be the Players”00:03:56 – McCarthy Gone, Zimmer Gone, Schottenheimer Here… Same Results00:04:39 – Chargers Game Recap: Fast Start, Zero Finish00:05:33 – Three-Week Stretch of Defensive Horror00:06:29 – One Sack, Five Punts, and 20 Opponent Scores00:07:11 – No Pressure on Goff, McCarthy, or Herbert00:08:03 – Diggs Back, Revel Struggling, and No Answers00:09:01 – Chargers’ Backup Offensive Line Still Runs Wild00:09:57 – Defensive Box Score: Who Showed Up… and Who Didn’t00:10:37 – How Many New Starters Does This Defense Need?00:11:01 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House Sponsor Read00:12:01 – Full Moon Healing Balm Sponsor Read00:12:57 – Sponsor Close00:13:19 – Follow, Share, and Keep Wondering00:14:00 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

It’s Friday, December 19th, and Norm is doing that thing where he calmly lays out the facts… while quietly setting the building on fire.After dumping Mike McCarthy for a 7–10 season (even with Dak missing half the year), the Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer and sold everyone the “new coach, new culture, new results” dream. Fast-forward to now: 6–7–1, which is basically the same meal served on a newer plate.Norm runs through the offseason shopping spree and the draft picks that actually look like real football players… then asks the obvious question: how are they still mediocre? Spoiler: it’s hard to look at a defense giving up 30 points per game and not start writing farewell cards.Then we get to the main event: Matt Eberflus’ countdown clock. Jerry Jones loves the offense (who wouldn’t?) but hates the defense with the intensity of a man who knows the actuarial tables and is very aware the last NFC Championship appearance was… 30 years ago. After the Vikings game where J.J. McCarthy looked like Tom Brady (no sacks, career-best passer rating), Jerry goes public: he’s “fine with the players,” but the system isn’t working. Which is convenient, because if it’s not the system… well… then it’s the roster. And if it’s the roster… who built it?Exactly. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Premise: Why Are the Cowboys Still the Cowboys?00:23 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial01:27 – McCarthy Got Fired at 7–10… So How Is 6–7–1 “Progress”?02:16 – The Offseason Reinforcements: They Actually Tried This Time03:10 – Injuries, Diggs, and the “It’s One Player’s Fault” Debate03:51 – The New Toys: Pickens, Kenny Clark, Quinn Williams, and More04:35 – Draft Class Check-In: Booker, Aziraku, Revel, and Overshown’s Return05:11 – The Real Question: With All That… Why Are They Still 6–7–1?05:58 – Jerry’s Frustration Sets In (Again)06:49 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House07:19 – Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm08:33 – The “Almost Certain” Firing: Eberflus’ Days Are Numbered09:16 – 30 Years Since the NFC Title Game: The Loudest Clock in Dallas10:11 – Offense = Elite, Defense = Big 12 Level (Allegedly)10:11 – Defensive Rankings: 31st in Scoring, 29th in Yards, Can’t Cover Anybody11:49 – The Vikings Game: J.J. McCarthy’s 8th Start Turns Into a Highlight Reel12:27 – Jerry Goes Public: It’s the System, Not the Players (Sure, Jan)13:24 – The Real Subtext: If It’s Not the Coach… Then It’s the Guy Picking the Players14:08 – Sponsor Wrap + Subscribe/Follow15:11 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off

It’s Wednesday, December 17th, and Norm Hitzges is already treating the Cowboys like it’s January—because let’s be honest, they’ve been playing for “next year” for a while now.Norm lays out the real offseason problem: this team can score like a contender (historically so), yet they’re wandering toward mediocrity because the defense couldn’t stop a parade—much less an NFL offense. And now comes the big-money question: do you spend $30M a year to keep George Pickens… or do you use that money (and maybe even the Trayvon Diggs cap savings) to build a defense that doesn’t actively ruin your weekend?Then we pivot to college football, where head coaches are getting fired like it’s a Black Friday sale—because one man (Kurt Cignetti) showed the entire sport what a fast turnaround looks like. And now every “big program” is staring at Indiana like: Wait… y’all did WHAT?Sarcasm? Yes. Numbers? Also yes. Existential dread? Of course. Welcome back to Just Wondering.CHAPTERS00:00:00 – Cowboys Offseason Decisions + Why College Coaches Are Getting Fired00:00:29 – Fluent Financial Sponsor Read00:01:29 – The Cowboys Offseason Has Already Begun (Yes, Really)00:02:18 – Play the Kids: Who Needs Reps Over the Final Games00:03:03 – Tyler Guyton, Flournoy, Mingo & The “What Do We Actually Have?” Tour00:03:45 – Protect Javonte Williams: Reduce the Workload Before You Break Him00:04:33 – The Cowboys Can Score… So Why Are They Still Mid?00:04:56 – The Defense Can’t Stop Anything (Norm’s Example Is… Vivid)00:05:17 – Pinball Football Returns: Ding Ding Ding, Everyone Scores00:06:02 – 14 Opponent Scores in Two Games + Only Four Punts Forced00:06:38 – Takeaways: The Cowboys Are Down There With the Truly Miserable Teams00:06:56 – Defense Wins Titles… So This Is a Problem00:07:45 – Is It Eberflus… Or Is It the Players? (The Harder Answer)00:08:31 – The Diggs Decision: Cap Space vs Creating Another Hole00:09:17 – Defensive Shopping List: Safeties, Corners, Linebackers, Ends… All of It00:10:12 – The Pickens Question: Jerry Wants Him Back—But At $30M?00:11:00 – Would Pickens Money Be Better Spent Fixing the Defense?00:11:37 – The Bottom Line: Cowboys Don’t Need More Offense—They Need a Defense00:12:27 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House Sponsor Read00:13:13 – Full Moon Healing Balm Sponsor Read00:13:49 – College Football Coach Firings: This Is Not Normal00:14:56 – The Alleged Culprit: Kurt Cignetti and the Turnaround Blueprint00:15:52 – Stop #1: Indiana (PA) — Instant Winner00:16:52 – Stop #2: Elon — Another Flip00:17:52 – Stop #3: James Madison — Monster Built00:18:57 – Indiana’s “Before” Stats: Historically Bad, Truly Grim00:19:48 – Indiana’s “After” Stats: Wins, Big Ten Title, Heisman, Playoff Bye00:20:31 – Why Everyone’s Firing Coaches: They’re Hunting the Next Cignetti00:21:14 – Sponsor Close: Fluent Financial + Bob’s00:21:36 – Wrap-Up: Follow, Share, and Keep Wondering  Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

The Cowboys just played another game that looked competitive if you squinted… and Norm Hitzges is once again left just wondering what exactly the offseason plan is supposed to be — because whatever this is, it ain’t it.After watching Dallas turn Sunday night into a live-action pinball machine (points flying everywhere, very little resistance), Norm breaks down how a team that can score nearly 30 a game somehow still looks miles away from relevance. From a defense that politely escorts opponents down the field, to penalties that actively sabotage momentum, to JJ McCarthy having the best night of his young career thanks to zero pressure — it’s all on the table.Yes, there were early points. Yes, CeeDee Lamb was great. And yes, Brandon Aubrey missed two field goals, which should legally require a congressional hearing. But the larger question remains: how does a team this talented end up flirting with historically bad defense?Norm connects the dots, looks ahead to the Chargers (spoiler: they’re better), and explains why this offseason must be about defense — unless the Cowboys are aiming to redefine “bend but don’t break” as “collapse entirely.”Pull up a chair. Try not to scream. Norm’s wondering so you don’t have to.CHAPTERS00:00:00 – Just Wondering What the Cowboys’ Offseason Plan Even Is00:00:15 – Fluent Financial: Because Retirement Planning Is Calmer Than Cowboys Football00:01:18 – Late Night Thoughts After Watching Pinball Football00:01:44 – Cowboys Playoff Math That Requires Science Fiction00:02:49 – A Fast Start, a Fake Field Goal, and Then… Nothing00:03:41 – Brandon Aubrey Misses Two (Yes, Two) Field Goals00:04:52 – A Defense That Simply Does Not Stop Anyone00:05:51 – The Numbers That Make This Defense Hard to Defend00:06:38 – Penalties: Creative Ways to Lose Field Position00:07:25 – The Kevonte Turpin Return That Never Got to Count00:08:55 – JJ McCarthy vs. Dak… and Only One Was Pressured00:10:01 – The Best Game of McCarthy’s Career, Courtesy of Dallas00:11:03 – George Pickens Goes Missing (Again)00:11:46 – CeeDee Lamb Reminds Everyone Who WR1 Actually Is00:12:49 – Chargers Up Next: Reality Sets In00:13:42 – The Defensive Shopping List Gets Longer00:14:19 – Scoring Isn’t the Problem. Defense Is. Always Defense.00:14:48 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House: Consistency You Can Trust00:15:25 – Full Moon Healing: Because Cowboys Fans Age Faster00:16:40 – Sponsors, Thanks, and Wondering Never StopsCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

It’s Friday, December 12th, and Norm is just wondering how in the world the Minnesota Vikings went from a 14–3 wagon to a five-alarm grease fire with a -12 turnover margin. Spoiler: it involves letting Sam Darnold walk, trusting a rookie made of wet cardboard, and a quarterback room that’s coughing up interceptions like they’re holiday gifts.Norm breaks down how one front-office decision nuked an entire season, why the Cowboys need to make Sunday night all about Dak vs. JJ McCarthy, and why—despite everything—the Vikings are still weirdly dangerous.Then it’s a rapid-fire parade of sports takes: the Stars are sizzling, the Mavericks are held together with hope and medical tape, and Norm gives the NBA Cup a firm “Who asked for this?”Plus: Full Moon Healing Balm (the cream that started with Norm’s arms), Bob’s Steak & Chop House (the place you go when life is good), and Fluent Financial (the folks who want you to retire before the rest of us).Conversational, sarcastic, a little exasperated—classic Just Wondering. 00:00:00 – What Happened to the Minnesota Vikings?00:00:22 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial00:01:26 – Can One Decision Sink an NFL Team?00:02:24 – The Sam Darnold Surprise Season00:03:57 – Dak’s Rise & Minnesota’s QB Collapse00:04:47 – Vikings Offense: A Statistical Faceplant00:05:44 – Don’t Be Fooled: Minnesota’s Losses Came to Good Teams00:07:20 – How Dallas Should Frame Sunday Night: Dak vs. McCarthy00:08:08 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House00:09:06 – Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm00:10:26 – The Stars Are Quietly Dominating the NHL00:12:02 – Mavericks Injury Woes Continue00:14:19 – The NBA Cup: Norm Asks… Why?00:16:14 – Closing Credits & Sponsors00:17:17 – Stolen Water Media Production 

The Rangers are Christmas shopping like the rest of us: broke, stressed, and pretending everything’s fine. Norm breaks down how Texas tries to rebuild a contender on a budget that shrank faster than your paycheck after holiday gifts… and spoiler: it’s not pretty.Then we pivot into college football, where 61% of teams get bowl bids now—because apparently eligibility is just a cute suggestion. Coaches are fleeing, players are portal-hopping for NIL checks, bowl games are being declined like a bad Tinder date, and conferences are fining their own teams for saying “nah, we’re good.”It’s festive chaos. And Norm is wondering—loudly—if the “good old days” are starting to look a lot better in the rearview mirror. CHAPTERS0:00 – Norm Wonders About Rangers Christmas Shopping & CFB Chaos0:22 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial1:26 – The Rangers’ Annual Holiday Tradition: Not Enough Money2:01 – A Team Full of Holes & a Wallet Full of Nothing2:22 – Budget Reality Check (Except for the Dodgers, of course)3:25 – Attendance Drop = Big Ouch for Ray Davis4:08 – $25 Million Gone… Like Hot Dogs at a Doubleheader4:20 – The TV Revenue Problem That Keeps Revenuing Nothing5:06 – The Rangers’ Budget Math: It’s Giving ‘Spreadsheet Panic’5:54 – Shopping for a Catcher: Please Be Cheap6:30 – Searching for a Quality Starter on a Clearance Rack7:01 – Evan Carter’s Back & The Outfield Problem7:47 – The Bullpen Needs… More of Everything8:59 – Closers Cost HOW MUCH?!?9:27 – Can You Cobble Together a Bullpen Twice?9:51 – Rangers’ Christmas Shopping Deadline: Yesterday10:32 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House10:54 – Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm11:47 – College Football: 84 Teams in Bowl Games (Yes… 84)12:16 – 61% of Teams Make Bowls… Participation Trophy Season12:51 – Some Bowl Games Are Absolutely Junk13:00 – Five-Win Teams Are Bowl Teams Now. Sure. Why Not.13:21 – Kansas State & Iowa State Say “No Thanks” to Bowls13:39 – Why Coaches Leaving = Bowl Game Bailouts14:11 – Transfer Portal Chaos & NIL Checks Everywhere15:10 – Players Skipping Bowls: Protect the Bag15:38 – Big 12 Fines Two Teams $500K for Saying No16:25 – College Football’s Dysfunction in Full Holiday Bloom17:38 – Notre Dame vs ACC Drama (Because Why Not?)18:21 – Longing for the ‘Good Ol’ Days’ (Yes, Even the Cheating)18:56 – Final Sponsor Message19:18 – Norm’s Closing Thoughts19:49 – Mary Signs Off19:59 – Stolen Water Media Production

Norm wakes up on a Monday and immediately chooses violence… toward the College Football Playoff Committee. In today’s episode, he tries to make sense of a ranking system that apparently pulls names out of a decorative bowl, rewards three-loss teams, and somehow decided James Madison is the belle of the postseason ball while Notre Dame and BYU get left standing outside holding the corsage.If you thought the BCS was bad, congratulations — we’ve upgraded to BCS: Reloaded, now with bonus nonsense. Norm breaks down the committee’s “logic,” why head-to-head apparently matters only when it's convenient, and how a game played in AUGUST somehow shaped December rankings.Spoiler: Norm is unimpressed. Mary is unimpressed. You will be unimpressed.Grab your coffee. Or a helmet.⭐ CHAPTERS 0:00 — What Was the Committee Thinking?0:23 — Sponsor Message1:28 — ESPN and the Praise Parade2:10 — Remembering the BCS2:37 — How the Playoff Is Supposed to Work3:14 — Notre Dame, BYU, Utah, Vandy, Texas… OUT4:06 — James Madison… IN5:36 — The Clause That Broke the System6:16 — Reviewing the Rankings6:29 — Miami Jumps Notre Dame7:53 — Early-Season Wins Suddenly Matter8:36 — Body of Work Ignored9:29 — BYU Gets Snubbed10:14 — Alabama the Three-Loss Darling11:08 — Comparing ‘Bama and Texas12:11 — Playoff Matchups Begin12:30 — Ducks vs. James Madison13:37 — Sponsor Message14:52 — Full Moon Healing Balm Plug15:14 — Closing ThoughtsCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm tries to make sense of the Cowboys’ Thursday night meltdown — a performance so bad it should come with a warning label. Between the defense taking the night off, the offensive line playing like they were on strike, Pickens running routes like he’s jogging a 5K, and penalties that felt like performance art, Dallas somehow turned a winnable game into a flaming 44–30 disaster. Playoff chances? Yeah… those packed up and moved out.But don’t worry — Brandon Aubrey kicked really far, so everything’s fine. Totally fine.CHAPTERS:0:00 – Cowboys Faceplant Against the Lions0:22 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial1:24 – Aubrey Kicks While Everyone Else Crumbles1:50 – Calling the Performance “Junk” Is Generous2:07 – Defense? Nowhere to Be Found3:01 – Secondary Gets Cooked3:36 – Coverage Assignments From the Twilight Zone4:03 – Detroit Runs Wild4:32 – Offense Settles for Field Goals… Repeatedly4:59 – Offensive Line Disaster Class5:22 – Run Game Goes Missing5:43 – Pickens Has a Night to Forget5:58 – Penalties: The Gift That Keeps Ruining Everything6:16 – Turnovers for Dallas, None for Detroit6:42 – Playoff Picture? Crushed.6:55 – Must-Win Scenario Fantasy Land7:47 – The NFC East Dream Dies Again8:07 – Fans Suffering, Players Should Be Too8:27 – The Tape They’ll Watch Through Their Fingers8:48 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House9:29 – Full Moon Healing Balm Ad10:43 – Sponsor Wrap-Up11:05 – Follow the Show11:36 – Norm & Mary Sign Off Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

It’s Wednesday, December 3rd, and Norm is just wondering why the NFL insists on giving us a Thursday night matchup between two teams clinging to the playoff picture like a wet paper towel on a ceiling fan. Cowboys vs. Lions: one has momentum, the other has medical bills. One’s getting healthier, the other’s putting half their offense on IR. And yes—both somehow still have a shot at the postseason.Norm breaks down just how desperate this “Survival Bowl” really is, why Detroit looks like a MASH unit, and why Dallas might accidentally stumble into relevance again. Then he pivots to the SEC, where Lane Kiffin is doing what Lane Kiffin always does: saying his “heart” is in Oxford while packing his bags for Baton Rouge and taking half the campus with him. Prayer? Please. Kiffin made his mind up before the postgame Gatorade dried.It’s snark, it’s football, it’s Norm not buying a single ounce of coach-speak. Enjoy. Chapters00:00 - Norm Sets the Table for the “Survival Bowl”01:24 - Cowboys & Lions: The Playoff Picture No One Wants02:09 - Win and You’re Alive, Lose and You’re Compost02:48 - Momentum: Dallas Is Hot, Detroit Is… Whatever the Opposite Of That Is03:30 - Lions Go From “Contenders” to “Yikes” in Record Time04:15 - Detroit’s Injury Report Looks Like a Hospital Directory04:59 - Cowboys’ Injury Report: Basically No One Important05:44 - Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Because Football Stress Requires Meat)06:29 - Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm (Norm’s Battle with Blotches)07:50 - Lane Kiffin: “My Heart Is at Ole Miss… Unless LSU Pays Me More”08:35 - Why Kiffin Totally Lied About “Praying on It”09:13 - Assistants Leaving Faster Than Fans After a Blowout10:04 - The $12M Wink-Wink Nudge-Nudge Decision10:47 - Norm Calls Kiffin’s Drama Exactly What It Is: Poppycock11:19 - Sponsor Break #211:41 - Norm’s Sign-Off: Follow, Share, and Join Him for More Wondering Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Welcome back to Just Wondering with Norm Hitzges, where reality, logic, and actual numbers take a back seat to Cowboys optimism and ESPN’s interpretive math.In today's episode, Norm dives head-first into the financial fever dream that is the Dallas Cowboys' upcoming offseason—specifically how they plan to keep newly beloved star wide receiver George Pickens, who has played so well that Jerry Jones is already drooling enough to short-circuit a microphone.But wait—there’s more:➡️ ESPN claims you can be both the underdog and the favorite in the same football game.➡️ A college playoff graphic boasts 108% probability, suggesting someone at ESPN is using wishful thinking instead of a calculator.➡️ Meanwhile, the Cowboys salary cap situation looks like someone tried to pay their rent, car payment, and a yacht out of a checking account with $47 in it. If you love football, chaos, questionable math, or just enjoy watching reality slowly unravel—this episode is for you. Chapters:0:00 Good Morning, It’s Time to Panic About the Salary Cap0:30 Mary Reads the Ad That Pays the Bills Jerry Jones Can’t1:34 Meet George Pickens: Talented, Difficult, Worth the Drama2:19 The Steelers Said ‘Good Luck’ and Dallas Said ‘We’ll Fix Him’3:13 Pickens vs. Lamb? Yes. Yes He Is.4:13 So… How Do We Pay Him? Asking for a Friend Named Jerry.5:12 Salary Cap: Also Known as Fantasy Land Accounting6:04 The Franchise Tag: AKA The Fastest Way to Make Pickens Furious7:26 What Does a Happy Pickens Cost? (Hint: A Kidney)8:21 Meanwhile: Dak, Lamb, and the Entire Roster Already Cost a Fortune9:15 Add It Up: Ten Players. 272 Million. No, That’s Not a Typo.10:58 Free Agents? Oh… Right. Them.13:57 College Football and the ESPN Math Olympics14:49 Wait—How Is a Team Both a Favorite AND the Underdog?15:55 108% Chances… Because Apparently Numbers Are Feelings16:53 Sponsors, Sanity, and Signing Off17:45 Follow, Share, and Wonder With Us (Preferably With Correct Math) Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

It’s the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Norm is full of turkey, family time, and—for the first time in a while—something that resembles Cowboys optimism. After an electric win over Kansas City, Norm breaks down why Dallas suddenly looks like a postseason threat… if they can claw their way into the playoffs. From third-down brilliance and wide-receiver chaos to a surprisingly clean game from Dak and a breakout performance from late-round and undrafted players, Norm digs into what made this win different. He also highlights the “no-name Cowboys” stepping up in a big way and why personnel man Will McClay deserves a thank-you note and maybe a medal. With the Lions, Seahawks, 49ers and Packers still looming, Dallas needs help—but for now, fans can allow themselves just a little hope. Chapters:00:00 – Wondering if the Cowboys are actually playoff dangerous00:18 – Sponsor Break: Fluent Financial01:21 – Thanksgiving, family, and a wild football game01:58 – Why that win felt different02:36 – Third-down efficiency: the hidden game-winner03:25 – Pickens + Lamb: coverage nightmare04:12 – Penalties, penalties, penalties (looking at you, Kansas City)04:58 – Offensive line dominance & zero sacks on Dak05:58 – Mahomes threw four touchdowns and still lost06:48 – The playoff picture: hope… but math07:36 – Can Dallas close the gap on Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco, and Green Bay?08:00 – Sponsor Break: Bob’s Steak & Chop House08:43 – Full Moon Healing Bombs09:18 – Trade deadline difference makers09:59 – The unsung heroes: overlooked players making real contributions10:46 – Nate Thomas steps up at left tackle11:36 – Ryan Flournoy, Rodney Stewart, and Malik Davis proving their value12:19 – Developing a two-back system13:09 – Special teams standouts & blocking tight ends13:54 – Hidden roster wins and the Will McClay effect14:54 – Sponsor Break15:16 – Subscribe, share, repeat15:30 – Norm (and Mary) sign off—and keep wondering15:57 – Production credit: Stolen Water Media

It’s Thanksgiving week, which means football, family, and pretending you’re not silently judging everyone at the table. On today’s episode of Just Wondering, Norm asks the big seasonal question: What on earth is going on with the Kansas City Chiefs? Are they collapsing? Are the Cowboys suddenly good? Are we all sleep-deprived and delusional? Quite possibly yes on all counts.Norm breaks down playoff math that somehow feels like advanced calculus, compares two teams desperately trying to look competent, and politely implies that both could either make a run or implode gloriously. From Patrick Mahomes’ accuracy crisis to the Cowboys’ “maybe-sort-of-kinda-fixed” defense, we’re sorting through the chaos so you don't have to.Grab a plate and a pie slice big enough to emotionally support you — it’s football season. ⏱️ Chapters00:00:00 – Thanksgiving, Football & Existential Fear  00:01:21 – The Cowboys: Fixed? Or Just Lucky?  00:03:00 – Playoff Math Nobody Asked For  00:04:38 – A Totally Reasonable Plan (Maybe)  00:06:02 – Norm’s Skin Cream Story (Still More Stable Than the NFC)  00:06:38 – So… The Chiefs Might Be a Dumpster Fire  00:08:30 – Stats: The Lies We Tell Ourselves  00:10:45 – Missing Players & Mild Panic  00:11:39 – Did Kansas City Figure It Out? (Uh-oh.)  00:12:22 – The Big Question: Who Implodes First?  00:13:03 – Sponsors, Steak, and Stress  00:13:25 – Subscribe Before the Playoffs Get Worse   Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

It’s Monday, November 24th, and today Norm is just wondering: when was the last time the Dallas Cowboys delivered a win that made fans scream, throw things, swear they were done, and then pretend they believed all along?Because after falling behind 21–0 — complete with a failed fourth-down attempt, a fumbled punt, multiple drops, and enough self-inflicted pain to qualify as performance art — somehow, someway, the Cowboys decided to be a football team again.From there? Dallas chipped, clawed, and lucked its way back into what turned into one of their most meaningful wins in years — a 24–21 comeback over the defending Super Bowl champs, the division rival Eagles, and the team that’s made the NFC East feel like a one-team league. So… what does it mean?A turning point?A false alarm?A setup for heartbreak on Thanksgiving?Well, buckle up — because Norm breaks down the chaos, the odds, and exactly what a path to the playoffs looks like now that this team has decided losing isn’t as fun as we all feared.For now? We savor it.For exactly three days. CHAPTERS00:00 — The Question: Was That the Biggest Cowboys Win in Years?00:00:25 — Sponsored Calm Before the Football Trauma00:01:29 — The First Quarter: A Live Tutorial on How Not to Play Football00:03:05 — 21–0 and Still Pretending Everything’s Fine00:03:55 — The Shift: Philly Trips, Dallas Sort of Wakes Up00:04:38 — Finally, a Touchdown (And Hope… The Dangerous Emotion)00:05:45 — The Second Half: Drops, Chaos, and One Beautiful Explosive Play00:06:39 — Fielding a Punt at the Two: Bold Strategy, Cotton.00:07:37 — Fourth Down, No Field Goal, Because Drama00:08:21 — So… How Big Was That Win?00:09:04 — Steak. Wagyu. Sponsor Time.00:09:41 — Full Moon Healing Balm (Football Stress Not Included)00:10:24 — Beating the Champs, Not Folding, and Actually Looking Alive00:11:12 — Dak in God Mode: 19 Straight NFC East Home Wins00:12:03 — The Playoff Math: Hope, Delusion, Same Thing00:12:21 — Final Thoughts, Thanks, and Deep Breaths Before the Chiefs00:13:13 — Mary Signs Off with Reason and Sanity00:13:24 — Stolen Water Media Production (And Therapy Reminder)

It’s Friday, November 21st, and Norm Hitzges is just wondering if this might actually be the perfect time for the Cowboys to catch the Eagles. With All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson sidelined and the Philly offensive line suddenly mortal, Norm digs into just how much one lineman has meant to a franchise that’s gone 96–41 with him and 12–23 without him. He walks through the Eagles’ strange season: a defense that grew up faster than expected, an offense stuck in the mud, whispers about Jalen Hurts, and yet a ridiculous 51–14 record with Hurts under center since 2022. Then Norm turns his attention back home: the Cowboys sitting at 4-5-1, a brutal three-game gauntlet of Eagles, Chiefs, and Lions on deck, and Vegas setting the over/under for Dallas wins at just 6.5. Is there really a playoff run in there, or is this just another year of “maybe next time”? Along the way, you’ll hear from show partners Fluent Financial, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, and Full Moon Healing Balm, and get the full Norm treatment: perspective, numbers, and just enough optimism to keep you watching on Sunday. Chapters00:00:00 – Can the Cowboys Beat the Eagles?00:00:19 – A Word from Fluent Financial00:01:23 – The Lane Johnson Injury and Why It Matters00:02:10 – Eagles With Lane vs. Without Lane00:03:11 – Eagles’ Record, Schedule, and a Tough Nut to Crack00:04:04 – The Plan vs. Reality: Veteran Offense, Baby Defense00:04:47 – AJ Brown, Jalen Hurts, and Locker Room Whispers00:05:46 – A 51–14 Quarterback and an Offense That Still Struggles00:06:59 – Defense, Turnovers, and Why This Week Favors Dallas00:07:46 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House Spot00:08:28 – Full Moon Healing Balm and Norm’s Battle with Blotches00:09:53 – Cowboys at 4–5–1 and a Brutal Remaining Schedule00:10:41 – Vegas Win Total: Only 6.5 for Dallas00:11:34 – Sponsor Thanks and Closing Thoughts from Norm and Mary00:12:37 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off

Norm is just wondering whether Cowboys fans should actually be excited after that Monday Night Football beatdown — or if we should all calm down because, well… it was the Raiders. Dak looks sensational, the offense is rolling, the defense finally remembered football exists, and suddenly the playoff window isn’t totally boarded shut. Plus, Norm takes a chaotic stroll through the wild world of college football, where preseason favorites have vanished, the Heisman race hit shuffle mode, and quarterbacks are multiplying like TikTok conspiracy theories.One win, one pulse of hope, and one Dumb and Dumber reference later — we’re asking the important question: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?Chapters:00:00:00 – Should Cowboys Fans Calm Down or Celebrate?00:01:23 – Pump the Brakes… But Also Maybe Don’t00:02:06 – Dak, Lamb, Pickens & the Offense That Works00:02:48 – The Defense Finally Wakes Up00:04:14 – Quinn & the New Faces Making Noise00:05:47 – Playoffs? Don’t Laugh. (Okay… Maybe Laugh.)00:06:43 – “So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance?”00:07:32 – Sponsors: Bob’s Steak & Chop House & Full Moon Healing Balm00:08:47 – The College Football Chaos Report00:09:34 – The Heisman Race Makes Zero Sense00:10:21 – Winning = Awards, Losing = Crickets00:11:48 – Final Thoughts & Sign-Off  Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Today on Just Wondering, Norm wakes up and chooses violence — politely — by asking Cowboy fans a simple, soul-shaking question: Do you realize how catastrophically important tonight’s game is?Win, and hope survives. Lose, and we’re talking mock drafts, emotional support queso, and whether tanking is a strategy or a coping mechanism.Norm also wonders how in the name of burnt orange pride we’ve arrived at mid-November with three Texas teams staring at the college football playoffs… and Texas isn’t one of them. Yes, the Longhorn fans may need emotional support brisket, because the math ain't mathing, and penalties, missed throws, dropped passes and shattered expectations are starting to feel like a seasonal allergy.But hey — hope springs eternal. Or irrational. Same thing. ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00:00 — “Tonight Determines Your Mood Until March”00:00:33 — The Always Classy Sponsor Break00:01:38 — Why Beating the Raiders Isn’t Optional00:03:12 — 3–6–1: The Number That Breaks Cowboy Hope00:03:59 — Oh Good, Vegas Isn’t THAT Bad (Which Is Worse)00:05:19 — Geno Smith: Still Throwing Touchdowns, Still Throwing Picks00:06:46 — “Hey Rookie, Block… Please?”00:07:33 — Why This Win Matters More Than Your Blood Pressure Does00:08:20 — Ah Yes, College Football: Where Pain Lives00:09:33 — A Texas Cream for Texas Bruises (Literal Ones)00:10:16 — The Playoff Math No Longhorn Fan Wants to Hear00:11:49 — UNT?? Yep. UNT. Let That Sink In.00:12:33 — Texas: The Team That Keeps Beating… Texas00:13:20 — Solid Defense, Offense Still Loading…00:14:11 — Hope Is Now an If-Statement00:14:24 — Sponsor Break Part II: Steak and Retirement Dreams00:14:46 — How to Never Miss an Episode (And Help a Longhorn Grieve)00:15:41 — Stolen Water Media: Still Wondering With You

Norm Hitzges is just wondering what’s next for the Dallas Mavericks after the Luka and Nico departures—and how colleges keep cutting massive checks to fired football coaches. From rebuilding around Cooper Flagg and Derek Lively to jaw-dropping buyouts like Jimbo Fisher’s $77 million payday, Norm breaks down how sports franchises and universities handle their biggest (and priciest) mistakes. The Mavs may be starting from scratch, but at least no one’s getting $50 million to not show up to work. Chapters:00:00:00 – What’s Next for the Mavericks?00:01:27 – Time to Rebuild: Cooper Flagg and the New Core00:02:14 – Trading Anthony Davis and the Future of Kyrie & Klay00:03:35 – The Mavericks’ Most Tradable Players00:04:56 – The Blueprint for a New Dallas Era00:05:44 – Sponsors: Bob’s Steak & Chop House & Full Moon Healing Balm00:06:56 – The Wild World of College Coaching Buyouts00:08:47 – How Schools Pay Fired Coaches Millions00:09:38 – Taxpayers, Boosters, and Big Checks00:10:40 – Why Nothing Will Change00:11:44 – Closing Thoughts: Just Wondering Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges is just wondering if the Mavericks fan base can finally start to heal now that GM Nico Harrison is gone. From trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers to the injuries that derailed the dream, Norm dives into how one decision turned Dallas upside down. He revisits the highs of Nico’s tenure—the Finals run, savvy trades, and gutsy calls—and the crash that followed. Now, with Luka thriving in Los Angeles and Dallas reeling, Norm asks: was Nico truly the villain… or just the fall guy? Chapters:00:00:01 – The Nico Era Ends00:01:21 – “Fire Nico” and the Fallout00:02:10 – The Doncic Trade Backlash00:03:49 – Injuries, Frustrations, and Fan Fury00:05:15 – Remembering Nico’s Wins00:07:30 – The Trade That Broke Dallas00:08:24 – Where Do the Mavs Go From Here?00:09:17 – Sponsors: Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Full Moon Healing Balm00:11:49 – Closing Thoughts: Just Wondering  Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW