Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (Released December 19, 2024)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, produced by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers a dynamic exploration of the day's top sports stories through opinionated and thought-provoking discussions. In the "Best of The Herd" episode, Colin Cowherd, alongside guests Greg Cosell and Jason McIntyre, delves deep into the NFL landscape, examining team dynamics, quarterback performances, and playoff prospects. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

1. Addressing Social Issues in Sports

Timestamp: [01:53]

Jason McIntyre opens the episode with a poignant message addressing the rising levels of hate in the country. He emphasizes the collective responsibility to curb this negativity, stating:

“We need to take a timeout against hate.”

Colin Cowherd supports this initiative by directing listeners to the Stand Up To All Hate website, encouraging community engagement and positive action.

2. Festive Season Vibes and Team Morale

Timestamp: [03:49] – [10:13]

As the holiday season unfolds, Colin shares his personal festive mood, highlighting the positive atmosphere in the studio:

“I'm seeing all the decorations up put me in a very good mood. J. Mac and our set here is so wonderful. It's a winter wonderland. It's so beautiful.”

Jason McIntyre adds humor and camaraderie to the conversation, noting the heightened energy as Thursday night football playoffs approach.

The discussion transitions to the current state of the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers' tumultuous relationship with the organization. Greg Cosell provides an in-depth analysis:

“Aaron lost himself. The Packers never forgot who they were. This was a great marriage.”

Cosell critiques the Packers' ownership and management, highlighting the stability provided by the Packers compared to the chaotic environment surrounding the New York Jets. He underscores the importance of strong leadership and organizational culture in sustaining team success.

3. Philadelphia Eagles' Playoff Aspirations

Timestamp: [10:13] – [26:20]

The conversation shifts focus to the Philadelphia Eagles, with Greg Cosell praising their roster and quarterback Jalen Hurts:

“They have the best players in the league. Especially now that Detroit's roster is falling apart physically.”

Colin Cowherd draws parallels between playoff football and the holiday season, discussing the heightened emotions and pressures teams face. The hosts analyze potential playoff matchups, considering the Eagles' strengths against teams like the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Greg Cosell expresses confidence in the Eagles' ability to navigate these challenges due to their talented roster and effective coaching strategies.

4. Quarterback Dynamics and Team Strategies

Timestamp: [26:20] – [50:12]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to evaluating quarterbacks and their impact on playoff success. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre engage in a "quarterback draft" to predict which quarterbacks will lead their teams effectively in the postseason.

Key Discussions:

• Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) vs. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs):

  McIntyre selects Josh Allen as the top quarterback, highlighting his stellar performance this season and the Bills' offensive weapons.

  “Josh Allen is the ultimate chess piece. He's the number one pick, hands down.”

  Cowherd counters by choosing Patrick Mahomes, citing his unparalleled playoff record and leadership.

  “I'm going to take the guy who's 15 and 3 and is the greatest quarterback postseason record-wise we've ever seen.”

• Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Matt Stafford (Detroit Lions):

  McIntyre favors Jalen Hurts for his dual-threat capabilities, while Cowherd opts for Matt Stafford, praising his recent performance and experience.

• Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) vs. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):

  Both hosts evaluate emerging quarterback Jordan Love and veteran Baker Mayfield, discussing their strengths and team contexts.

• Others:

  The debate extends to Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), and Bo Nix (Auburn), with each quarterback being assessed for their playoff potential based on current form and team dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Cosell on Josh Allen:

  “Josh Allen is being the best quarterback this season in the league… the ultimate chess piece.”

• Colin Cowherd on Patrick Mahomes:

  “Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback postseason record-wise we've ever seen.”

5. Team-Specific Insights and Predictions

Timestamp: [50:12] – End

The discussion wraps up with final thoughts on the upcoming playoff landscape. Colin emphasizes the importance of team cohesion and leadership, while Jason underscores the unpredictability of the postseason.

Greg Cosell introduces additional perspectives, mentioning the performance of specific players like Ty Johnson and analyzing offensive strategies, illustrated by a specific play:

“This was a schematic play. Second play of the game. You couldn't place this ball any better.”

This segment underscores the intricate planning and execution required in high-stakes games, highlighting how strategic plays can define a team's success in the playoffs.

6. Concluding Remarks and Future Episodes

The episode concludes with a recap of the discussed quarterbacks and their potential impact on the playoffs. Colin and Jason express anticipation for how their predictions will unfold, suggesting a follow-up discussion post-playoffs to evaluate their accuracy.

“What you guys can laugh all you want, but the way Baker's playing right now, I think Tampa is going to be dangerous in the NFC.”

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode offers a comprehensive examination of the NFL's current season, focusing on quarterback performances, team strategies, and playoff prospects. Colin Cowherd, alongside Greg Cosell and Jason McIntyre, provides insightful analyses backed by statistics and personal observations. Notable quotes throughout the episode emphasize the hosts' confidence in their selections and their deep understanding of the game's nuances.

For listeners unfamiliar with the episode, this summary provides a clear and engaging overview of the key discussions, ensuring a thorough grasp of the topics covered without needing to listen to the full podcast.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps:

• Jason McIntyre at [01:53]: “We need to take a timeout against hate.”

• Greg Cosell at [10:13]: “Aaron lost himself. The Packers never forgot who they were. This was a great marriage.”

• Jason McIntyre at [42:12]: “Jason McIntyre selects Josh Allen, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills. Who's been the best quarterback by a mile this season in the league.”

• Colin Cowherd at [42:22]: “I'm going to take Patrick Mahomes in 18 career playoff games, four 36 touchdowns, only nine turnovers.”

• Greg Cosell at [33:46]: “This is a beautiful throw. It's a schemed play. Second play of the game.”

These quotes encapsulate the essence of the discussions, highlighting key arguments and perspectives shared by the hosts and guests.