Best of The Herd

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd"

Release Date: February 7, 2025

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1. Super Bowl Week Kickoff and MVP Debate

Timestamp: 00:00 – 07:36

The episode opens during the excitement of Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Host Colin Cowherd sets the stage for an in-depth discussion about the upcoming Super Bowl clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Special guest Michael Irvin joins Colin to provide expert insights and predictions.

2. Josh Allen’s MVP Selection

Timestamp: 07:37 – 12:03

Colin initiates the conversation by addressing the recent MVP award to Josh Allen, despite Lamar Jackson outperforming him head-to-head during the regular season. Colin states:

“Josh Allen won the MVP last night even though Lamar Jackson beat him head to head... I think back to one of my favorite movies of all time is Goodfellas. It was just time for Josh Allen to win the MVP, his first.”
— Colin Cowherd [07:37]

He argues that Allen’s consistent performance, especially in high-stakes games, and the strategic challenges defenses faced against him justify his MVP status. Colin emphasizes Allen's ability to lead the Buffalo Bills effectively, highlighting his team’s success in crucial moments.

3. Michael Irvin on Team Dynamics and Success

Timestamp: 07:52 – 12:56

Michael Irvin complements Colin’s analysis by praising the collective effort of the Buffalo Bills organization:

“It truly takes everybody to have team success... I'm so fortunate to be a part of a great organization.”
— Michael Irvin [07:52]

Irvin underscores the importance of every team member, from the equipment staff to the training room, in achieving success on the field. He reflects on his experience, noting that the synergy within the team has been pivotal in their journey to the Super Bowl.

4. LeBron James’ Resurgence and NBA Dynamics

Timestamp: 12:56 – 18:00

The discussion shifts to the NBA, where Colin highlights LeBron James’ exceptional performance despite advancing age:

“LeBron had 42 points last night. It's the most points ever for an old guy at 40 in the NBA.”
— Colin Cowherd [12:56]

Colin analyzes how recent trades, particularly the acquisition of Luka Dončić by the Mavericks, have revitalized LeBron’s playstyle. He compares LeBron’s ongoing evolution to legendary figures like Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, emphasizing his ability to adapt and remain a dominant force in basketball.

5. NFL Rule Changes and Their Impact on Gameplay

Timestamp: 18:00 – 30:00

Colin delves into recent NFL rule changes, specifically addressing the controversial "Tush Push" play:

“The NFL is always understood as a television show... they’re going to get rid of it.”
— Colin Cowherd [25:00]

He argues that the league prioritizes television appeal over traditional gameplay elements, leading to the elimination of certain tactics deemed detrimental to the sport’s integrity. Comparing it to past rule changes in the NBA and MLB, Colin asserts that such decisions aim to enhance viewer experience, albeit sometimes at the expense of the game’s essence.

6. Super Bowl 59 Predictions and Strategic Insights

Timestamp: 30:00 – 50:40

The core of the episode centers on predicting the outcome of Super Bowl 59. Colin and Michael engage in a detailed analysis of both teams:

• Kansas City Chiefs: Renowned for their resilience in close games, the Chiefs have a remarkable record, especially when holding the turnover battle. Michael highlights Patrick Mahomes’ adaptability and clutch performance under pressure.

  “The greatness of Patrick Mahomes is his ability to play the exact type of quarterback the team needs.”
  — Colin Cowherd [34:12]

• Philadelphia Eagles: While possessing a strong roster, the Eagles struggle in high-pressure situations, particularly in trailing scenarios. Jalen Hurts’ limited success when behind emphasizes their vulnerabilities.

  “They have two rookie corners... they gotta wear down Travis Kelce every snap.”
  — Michael Irvin [49:31]

7. Michael Irvin’s Super Bowl Experiences and Insights

Michael Irvin shares personal anecdotes from his Super Bowl experiences, emphasizing the psychological aspects of high-stakes games:

“This is the moment you played in your front yard talking about this all your damn life.”
— Michael Irvin [37:29]

He discusses the importance of mental preparation and teamwork, recalling how past Super Bowl appearances shaped his approach to the game. Irvin also touches upon the strategic adjustments made by coaches and players to navigate the intense pressure of the championship.

8. Final Predictions and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: 50:00 – End

Colin and Michael wrap up the episode with their Super Bowl predictions, favoring the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score prediction of 30-27. Michael emphasizes the Chiefs’ ability to perform consistently under pressure and their strategic edge:

“This might be one of the best Super Bowls, not the highest scoring, but fighters out here fighting.”
— Michael Irvin [50:40]

Colin reiterates his belief in Kansas City’s resilience and strategic prowess, while acknowledging Philadelphia’s potential to challenge fiercely.

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Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [07:37]: “Josh Allen won the MVP last night even though Lamar Jackson beat him head to head... it was time for Josh Allen to win the MVP, his first.”

• Michael Irvin [07:52]: “It truly takes everybody to have team success... I'm so fortunate to be a part of a great organization.”

• Colin Cowherd [12:56]: “LeBron had 42 points last night. It's the most points ever for an old guy at 40 in the NBA.”

• Colin Cowherd [25:00]: “The NFL is always understood as a television show... they’re going to get rid of it.”

• Michael Irvin [37:29]: “This is the moment you played in your front yard talking about this all your damn life.”

• Michael Irvin [49:31]: “They have two rookie corners... they gotta wear down Travis Kelce every snap.”

• Michael Irvin [50:40]: “This might be one of the best Super Bowls, not the highest scoring, but fighters out here fighting.”

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Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming Super Bowl, MVP debates, and insights into both the NFL and NBA landscapes. With expert opinions from Michael Irvin and thoughtful commentary from Colin Cowherd, listeners are offered a nuanced perspective on team dynamics, player performances, and the strategic elements that could influence the outcome of Super Bowl 59.

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For those who haven't listened to the episode, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and expert insights, offering a clear understanding of the topics covered and the perspectives shared by the hosts and special guests.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption card. Has no cash access and expires in six months. Virgin Voyages isn't your average cruise. It's a masterclass in luxury all in voyage pricing includes over $1,000 in value, Wi fi, tips, entertainment, even specialty dining. No hidden fees, no surprises. The cabins are next level private terraces, virgin red hammocks, unbeatable sea views. Add in the adult only factor. No kids. That's right, just relaxation. It's no surprise they're award winning. And the destinations? Caribbean this winter, Iceland, North America and the Mediterranean in 2025 and 2026. Virgin Voyages is where luxury meets travel. Book it and see what you've been missing. Learn [e-mail] or contact your travel advisor. All right, let's talk about Amazon Prime. It's not just one thing. It's a collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. Whether it's a hobby, sport or getting things done fast, Prime's got you covered. Like my hobby for all things sports. You can order sports supplies, listen to content like this, podcast on Amazon music or watch content. You can do it all with Prime. Everybody loves the fast, free same day shipping, especially as we kick off the year. But what about all the content you can listen to on Amazon? Music, music to podcast, fast shipping? What is not to love about this membership I'm in Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.com prime now. Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day food no matter what I'm craving from two for one pizza. To buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on FOX Sports radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Here we are. It is super bowl week Friday from the Crescent City, New Orleans, Louisiana. We are live as we were yesterday as we are ready for Philadelphia and Kansas City, which I think is going to be an all timer, an epic Super Bowl. Michael Irvin will join us today, among others. J. Mac Here we are on the Friday before. And so you know, we have a couple of weeks to talk about this game. This is our, this is our last preamble before it gets underway. I think most people think Philadelphia's got the best team roster, Kansas City's got the legendary quarterback and coach. But I do want to start my show talking about a player that can't beat Kansas City, at least when it matters. Josh Allen. So Josh Allen won the MVP last night even though Lamar Jackson beat him head to head in the regular season. Lamar outplayed him on that game. Lamar had better stats, Lamar had a better passer rating and Josh Allen won. And I have absolutely no problem with it because I don't think 20 years from now we'll be saying, man, do you remember the year they gifted Josh Allen the mvp? Listen, there's two reasons why I would have given it to Josh Allen narrowly. Number one is when Derrick Henry arrived in Baltimore, defenses playing the Ravens had to make choices and concessions. And many times it felt like the key to that team was not Lamar Jackson, it was Derrick Henry. And defensive coordinators had to make choices with the number two rushing running back in the NFL. In most years, Derrick Henry would have led the NFL in rushing if not for Saquon Barkley's all time year. As much as Josh Allen got support from James Cook, he was the 16th leading rusher in the league receiving corps. They lost upon Diggs, yet he won 10 of his last 12, one pick after December 1, I think. And again, when you play the Bills, there is one and one mission only, and that is to stop Josh Allen. When you played the Ravens this year, some teams made the choice to concentrate on Derrick Henry. That of course opened things up a bit for Lamar Jackson. And the second thing is not all MVPs look the same. And we all know that awards are subjective. I mean, Aaron Rodgers has four of these puppies. Tom Brady's got three There was a year that Joel Embiid to Philadelphia was gifted an MVP over Jokic because people felt Jokic had won two. He shouldn't win three straight before the Nuggets even have a title. They did later that year and Westbrook got an MVP because it was a good story. He had a bunch of triple doubles. That doesn't mean you win a lot of games, but it does mean something. And KD had dumped him and it felt like, man, this poor guy, he's stranded on the OKC island. So they gave him one. And I think we get to a point. Seven years of Josh Allen since he entered the league. This has mostly been the powerhouse offense. And he has been so great for so long. It was time. I think back to one of my favorite movies of all time is Goodfellas. Martin Scorsese was the director. He did not win an Oscar for it. I think it's his best piece of art, his best piece of work. He didn't get it. And he'd been doing great movies forever. And so he came out with the Departed. Very good movie. I don't think it's an all timer. I like it. Top 30, Goodfellas top three. And they gave him the Oscar for was just too good for too long. And if you really boil it down, and I know you don't want awards to be like that and Lamar's got better stats. They all look different. They come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it's the story plus the stats. But if you look at some numbers, he's the first player ever, five straight seasons of 40 plus touchdowns. And it's just recently that he actually got a really elite weapon. James Cook. That's their elite weapon. And for the record, he was 16th in the NFL in rushing. So in seven years he's got the most wins, he's got the most total touchdowns, he's got the most total yards through any NFL player, including Patrick Mahomes first seven years. It was just time. Time for Josh Allen to win the mvp, his first. And here he was. I know this is an individual award and it says most valuable Player on.

[Michael Irvin]

It, but I think it's derived from team success and I love my team.

[Colin Cowherd]

Ddolph.

[Michael Irvin]

Thank you for presenting. I really appreciate it. We got such a great locker room.

[Colin Cowherd]

In Buffalo and it takes everybody from the equipment staff to the training room.

[Michael Irvin]

To the strength staff, to Slick Rick in the mail room to the cafeteria upstairs, like it. It truly takes everybody to have team success.

[Colin Cowherd]

And I'm so fortunate to be a part of a great organization. Nobody is going to feel 20, 30 years from now. This was gifted, like Scorsese. It's time. So I know it's super bowl week, but the NBA does have its trade deadline during super bowl week. I don't think it's the best time to have it. I would have it next week. I'd move it. Just like the NFL has moved free agency teams all the time, alter their calendar. If I was the NBA and wanted more publicity, I'd do it next week. But this week there have been big trades and nobody's benefited more than LeBron James. Last night he had 42 points. It's the most points ever for an old guy at 40 in the NBA. I don't know what it is. I think I do. But he is 40. And LeBron, like Bill Belichick, has a new relationship. And let's just say he's got a bounce in his step. He is three and oh, since the Luca trade. And I think we forget this about the greats. When you're great, things can come easier. Now, I'm not insinuating it's not hard work, but for a Mahomes and an MJ and a LeBron and a Messi, and there's boredom, there's monotony, there's tedium. LeBron's played in over 1500 regular season games. LeBron has played three and a half seasons of just playoff games. This season, even with AD and Austin Reaves and JJ Redick, it kind of honestly felt like a train to nowhere. They weren't athletic enough, they weren't dynamic enough. Anthony Davis didn't really want to play the five. He'd rather play the four. Dalton connects fun, but can't defend. They didn't have enough shooters, they didn't have enough defenders. And then Luka and Mark Williams happened. And the Lakers are younger, they're born dynamic, and they feel like they could win an NBA championship. I'll still favor Boston, but I think they match up pretty well with OKC. And I think LeBron's ride into the sunset in the last three to four days has taken a sharp U turn. And I think he's more engaged, he's always been committed, he's more inspired. And I think when you're an all time great, there's this, there's this work ethic to become legendary and iconic. But I mean, when Michael Jordan's playing the, you know, the new Raptors who just got a new franchise, you think he's as inspired as he is playing The Celtics or the Pistons? The answer is no. And I felt like LeBron, not that he was coasting, not that he's not committed, but it shows you when inspired what LeBron looks like. And, you know, it's. I think a lot of times for LeBron and Brady was like this too. But in football, you get one game a week. In basketball, you're on a road trip to Memphis. You go to Orlando. On the way back, we face Houston. They just all mush together. But LeBron is playing. I mean, this is the best basketball LeBron has played in the last couple of weeks. It's year 22. It feels like year 12. He's not going to do it back to back. He's not going to be as good defensively. He's not going to chase you down and block those shots off the backboard like he did in the first six years in the league. But, dude, last night, he was not only inspired, that was the best Steph has played all year. He's averaging 28 and 9 and shooting the lights out in January and February. And the last three games, capped by last night, have been absolutely special. And here was LeBron after joining MJ as the only two guys 40 plus club. You know, the biggest thing is that.

[Michael Irvin]

We got to win, obviously, you know, but like throughout my journey, anytime I've.

[Colin Cowherd]

Been named or in a category or.

[Michael Irvin]

Whatever the case, cross paths with any of the grace is always humbling. Just to know where I come from. I love the game so much. So it's pretty cool.

[Colin Cowherd]

Again, like Belichick, new relationship got a little bounce. One guy's wearing the red jacket, one guy Laker Gold. But it's different. It feels absolutely different. And J. Mac knows that. I appreciated Lukas talent, but I was always a little bit of a pushback on the conditioning and the defense, which Dallas eventually was as well. But I will say it again, this idea, it's almost like LeBron is showing off for Luka. He's like, hey, bro, you can say you're the best player and you may be the best player, but this is what I can do. This is LeBron. It's Lakers extreme Makeover Edition. That's what it feels like. And I do think even with AD There was a little bit of a train to nowhere feel this year. And you have to admit, it does feel different.

[Michael Irvin]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

By the way, Belichick wore all of his eight super bowl rings, or however many wore them last night when he was with his lady friend. Maybe LeBron needs to flex those trophies that he's got for Luka. Remind him. But it does feel like last night's a little bit of a flex. A little bit of a flex. Michael Irvin's joining us. Diana Rossini as well. I've got my super bowl pick. Top of next hour. Feel strongly about it. J. Mac's got his as well. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the iHeartRadio radio app. All right, let's talk about Amazon prime for a minute. I've got mine. Do you have yours? Not just about one thing. It's a whole collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. If you're passionate about a hobby, a sport, or all sports in my case. Or you just need to get things done fast. Prime. Amazon Prime's got your back. You can watch content, order supplies, listen on Amazon Music. It's all included under one prime membership. Of course, we can all agree one of the best things about prime is the fast, free delivery. With prime, you can have what you need delivered the same day. But it's more than that. Prime is a collection of excellent services. I love it. Amazon Music Listen to the tunes that keep you in the zone or this podcast. Whatever you're doing working out on the road, prime doesn't just help you get closer to the things you care about. It helps you discover new things too. Prime's always there to fuel your passion, make it just a little bit easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.comprime now you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Cart has no cash access and expires in six months. Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day. Food no matter what I'm craving from two for one pizza to buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats. We'll be dropping new deals each week all season long. I'm in Uber Eats the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I. I texted you, and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but, like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it, and the. The heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm gonna be honest. It was a little pink. There was something sentimental when you. When. When you send it, it's like, do I send the heart now? I don't like the color edition. It's extremely pink. Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to New Orleans, home of the Saints, among other things from the nfc. Speaking of the nfc, there is a team in the NFC that has a play called the Tush Push. It's highly effective, boring. They've been rewarded by it. But according to Mike Pereira, he thinks the NFL and the competition committee may get rid of it. Now, people in Philadelphia don't want to hear that, but after that Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles moment in the super bowl, where at one point they considered because the commanders were jumping offsides, they were just going to award a team a touchdown, which I didn't know was a rule until Mike Pereira on the air said it was a rule. So here's the way I look at it. The NFL, to its core, is always understood. It's a television show. Baseball sometimes has to be reminded of it. The NBA, similarly, not the NFL. They changed rules for catches in that Eagles Patriot super bowl, and they don't like automatic plays. They changed the kickoff this year. People thought it looked weird. We got over it. They changed the pat. People thought it was odd. We got used to it in the end, especially if it's aesthetically boring. This is a television show. They're going to get rid of it. Listen, if the Tush Push was Great tv, then rugby in America would be much more popular because that's what it is. And I hear this. Colin, you have got to give Philadelphia credit. They invented it. No, they didn't invent it. They perfected it. So What? Even the IRS gets rid of loopholes that have been used for 30, 40 and 50 years. At some point, if something feels like a cheat code, IRS swoops in. The NBA did it with Hacker Shack. I can remember covering a Lakers series against the Portland Trail Blazers and they employed the Hacker Shack series. It so bothered the Lakers and their fans that Mike Dunleavy, the coach of Portland, had to have security around him. People were enraged by it, but it was the right thing to do. Baseball did it with a defensive shift, bit of a cheat code. A lot of guys like Bryce Harper lining out instead of getting on base. Baseball said, yeah, it works, but it makes our game more boring. We want Bryce Harper on second base, not in the dugout. That's why they did it. Networks came to him and said, you know what? Your game's getting slow. The stars aren't on base. Change it. They did legal for a long time. So was Hackeshack. And in the end, Philadelphia has been rewarded by it and has won with it and has been to a couple Super Bowls with it. They didn't stop it immediately. They didn't put their foot down. They allowed them to use it for years, but it's become very automatic and Automatic and bad TV and 90% of NFL fans watch on television, not in the stands. And for industries that don't adjust, like taxis, newspapers and the Democratic Party recently, you get into trouble, right? You got to adjust. Mark Murphy, smart guy for the Green Bay packers, says he doesn't like it because there's really no skill involved. And that's where I think it does feel a little bit like the pat. Like the pat. Now you get to December and January and it's a little windy. The better kickers, Harrison Butler's fine. Lot of average kickers or not. There is skill in kicking. There wasn't a ton of skill in a professional football kicker. With the old Patty. It was kind of a three foot putt for Tiger Woods. Like, it just isn't challenging PAT now, bad weather on late October, early November. It's challenging even for good kickers. So I like it. And remember, the NBA is seriously considering something right now that people really like, within reason, the three point shot. The NBA is considering Adam Silver. They're considering implementing new limitations and rules on something now that dominates the game. That would be like saying in the NFL we've got too much passing. We've got a curb passing. And I agree with the NBA. There's too many repetitive, monotonous, cookie cutter, too many threes. But this is bad tv. So was the defensive shift. So was the Hacker Shack. I have no problem with the league allowing maybe two of them a game max. Two a game, three pointers, 15 a game, 18 a game max to TV product above everything else. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kovino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. All right, let's talk about Amazon prime for a minute. I've got mine. Do you have yours? Not just about one thing. It's a whole collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. If you passionate about a hobby, a sport, or all sports in my case, or you just need to get things done fast. Prime. Amazon Prime's got your back. You can watch content, order supplies, listen on Amazon music. It's all included under one prime membership. Of course, we can all agree one of the best things about prime is the fast free delivery. With prime, you can have what you need deliver the same day. But it's more than that. Prime is a collection of excellent services. I Love it. Amazon Music Listen to the tunes that keep you in the zone or this podcast. Whatever you're doing working out on the road, prime doesn't just help you get closer to the things you care about, it helps you discover new things too. Prime's always there to fuel your passion, make it just a little bit easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.comprime now you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Cart has no cash access and expires in six months Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day food, no matter what I'm craving, from two for one Pizza. To buy one, get one Wings. Uber Eats. We'll be dropping new deals each week all season long. I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Star. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I texted you and you text me back. Now I don't know if you have the update, but like all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like it's all colored. They changed it and the, the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest, it was a little pink. There was something sentimental when you, when you send it. It was like, do I send the heart now? I don't like the color edition. It's extremely pink. Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts was thinking about this. We were sitting around throwing ideas around this morning and I've been watching the NBA since the early 70s. I've said this before. I remember the Lakers when they had number three Elmore Smith at center. How's that for all time Laker trivia? I watched him in the early 70s. I remember the the Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Wilt wearing a headband. It's one of the first memories. I grew up on 70s NBA and Wilt was a great player. But I never felt Wilt change the NBA. I think there's only been in my lifetime Moses Malone was a great player, George Gervin was a great player, Kevin Durant's a great player. I don't think they changed the NBA. I think there's been six or seven guys that have changed the league. Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Magic and Bird, Shaq, LeBron. Steph Curry feels like it. I thought as great as Kobe was, he was MJ liked. I didn't think he changed the league. And I was thinking about that in football, what the Chiefs had become. Now it's weird in football if you talk about who's changed the league. It is always in my opinion. It always feels like a quarterback with a certain coach. I thought Bradshaw and Chuck Noel changed the league. Bradshaw, super talented quarterback and a defensive minded conservative coach. I thought Bill Walsh and Joe Montana changed the league. The west coast offense, I think you could say you could argue the way Jimmy Johnson aggressively made trades like nobody done before that. Jimmie Johnson and Aikman, the Cowboy team changed the league. I think Belichick and Brady did. I think Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are changing the league. And again, just think how remarkably well built and gifted Buffalo and Baltimore are. And it's shrinking their careers. They've been marginalized. They don't feel special. Though we know in any other era they may be the ones holding the trophies. So if you go Back to that 2021 Kansas City loss to Joe Burrow at Arrowhead Head since that time, Kansas City essentially wins every big game they play and they win many the same way. Really close. And it feels like they've been on a little bit of a Tom Hanks run. I'm sure you guys all remember this. Tom Hanks had like a 10 year run and it started with like Sleepless in Seattle. It was a league of their own. Philadelphia Forrest Gump, he went on a 10 year run that ended with about catch me if you can. There were no misses. Like they were just no misses every year. I mean you almost felt guilty if you're voting for the Oscars, it's like we've given Tom enough. And that's where I think Kansas City is and the NFL. And you can really tell because the NFL fans are so tribal and so passionate. Basically, if you can't beat them, blame the league. That was a real Shaq Kobe thing. That was a Warriors, Michael Jordan thing. Well, the league's changing rules. It's the league. That's when you know you're at a different place. But and I, and I, by the way, I felt Steven Spielberg's a little bit like this. E.T. jaws, Indiana Jones. And then the breadth of his work expands with Schindler's List and Nick Wright and I were talking about this yesterday is that it's one thing for Mahomes when he had Tyreek Hill and he's playing a little bit of Big 12 football with Andy Reid. They're scoring a lot of points. It's 24 point quarters. That's not what Mahomes is now. And Nick Wright talked about the growth and the breadth of what Mahomes now creates. What is remarkable about Patrick singularly is his ability this early in his career to identify the exact type of quarterback that team needs that season or that game and be that quarterback. If when he got there it was, well, we have the 29th defense in football so it better be bombs away at all times. They trade Tyreek Hill and it's like, okay, we still have prime Kelsey, we have good weapons but we can't stretch the field. I'm going to dink and dunk my way to the most yards any players ever had in a season. Broke Drew Brees record that year. Win the MVP the last couple years. Our wide receiver core last year was not good. This year banged up. We were gonna have to be a possession based offense, lean on the defense. He can do that. I've never. It was not. The only other quarterback who I saw could do that was late stage Tom. Tom in that 14 to 18 run and then well I guess further than that, you know with Tampa. Whatever version that team needed, he could be. But Tom was 35 years old when that started. Patrick's 29 and already doing it. Yeah, there's no question his self awareness and his ability to play different ways. Never quite seen anything like it. Diana Rossini's around the corner. Michael Urban ii, my super bowl pick. Live from the Crossing City. It's the hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kovino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich. I like Kansas City and here's why. Presented by DraftKings Chiefs versus Eagles they are 120 in games decided by one score this year. I think it's a one score football game. They are very good in close games. Not a lot of blowouts. I don't foresee a blowout. I think that helps. They've won 37 straight games when winning the turnover battle. But by the way, even when other teams don't turn it over, they're 7 0. So they've beaten perfect teams. They have 12 comebacks this season. I think it's reasonable to assume both teams could trail their offense. One turnover in nine games. I also think Andy Reid, off a bye in my lifetime is the best coach in league history and this constitutes a buy. Philadelphia, meanwhile, not as many close games. They haven't trailed much as a pure pocket passer in his career. When trailing with four minutes or less, Jalen Hurts completion percentage is under 50%. I think it's going to be a clean game. I think it's going to be a close game. I think it's going to be a high scoring game. This is an empty the bag coaching and player game. You let everything go. And I have seen too many close games With Andy Reid and Mahomes leading or trailing. And the one thing Mahomes does is the only Tom Brady truly duplicated. Duplicated. Maybe a little John Elway. I can never tell what the score is. Pressure is not a burden. And I do feel like coach, quarterback. I've got a clear edge. I like Kansas City 30, Philadelphia 27, Super Bowl 59. DraftKings sportsbook new customers bet 5, get 200 in bonus bets instantly download the app, the promo code is heard to sign up like the Chiefs buy a field goal in a high scoring game. Michael Irvin, three Super Bowls in the hall of Fame are joining us. So you went to three Super Bowls in four years. Did you find it because you've always been not only a playmaker on the field, but good time Michael off the field.

[Michael Irvin]

Right.

[Colin Cowherd]

Did you find, when you were in the middle of that dynasty, it was a little harder to focus on that third super bowl in the fourth year?

[Michael Irvin]

You know what, that's a great question. But I did not find it difficult. You know, we had a group after going through those early years, Colin, where we were 3 and 13, 1 in 15. In a few short years later, now we're in Super Bowls. We never got tired of those. We remember getting our butts kicked all the time, you know, and having those team only meetings and then still coming out after that meeting getting your butt kicked. So when you turned it around, no, we never got tired of it. It was always a great thing. To this day, if I'm with Troy and we're out, we still talk about, man, we should have won five, man, we should have won four or five in a row, you know, so you still look back and think on that. So it blows my mind. And no, we didn't not get tired. Let me take these shades off because I don't want everybody to think I was on Bourbon street too long last night. I ain't gonna say I wasn't on Bourbon street, but you know what I mean? Let me give you the real so you know, okay. You know what I'm saying, Colin? Y'all know, go ahead, listen, there's a.

[Colin Cowherd]

Lot of cities to go to bed early in. We're not in one of them.

[Michael Irvin]

We're not in one of them. And you gotta know our super bowl, every day you say, I ain't doing that again tonight. And you do exactly what you say you're not doing because you're running to everybody that you've known, all the people that we're in business with and you know, it's just such a great time.

[Colin Cowherd]

So two weeks to prepare. Take me through Jimmie Johnson's prep. You don't want to bore the players. You want to add. You want to layer the preparation. Did you find Jimmy changed a little bit in these two week offs spaces?

[Michael Irvin]

No, no. Jimmy was. Jimmy had a real good understanding of the men he was leading. Jimmy, and I love him to this day, and I mention it, people think a lot of things, but Jimmy understood we were boys. And he said, you know, we're going to get great work in this first week. Great work. And then we're going to go out to the Super Bowl Sunday. And no wives or no primary girlfriends. None of them comes with us on Sunday. Sunday, Monday, I don't want to see any of them. Tuesday, Wednesday they can come on in. He would tell us, I want you guys to go have a little fun Sunday night. Have a little fun. Get it out. Get it out of your way so we can focus on football. I thought that was brilliant. Because now you don't go the whole week thinking about what's going on out here. You add your Sunday and Monday night. Now you can focus in. I'm talking about by the time Wednesday came around, we had to. I swear to you, we used to have practices. Super bowl, they were the best practices I've ever seen, really. Not a ball hit the ground and we were ready to play football. It was smart. Give them time to go get all that stuff out and then focus back in.

[Colin Cowherd]

So during the Aikman Irvin Emmett days, all your games felt big. You were a big TV product. Super Bowls are different. And Michael, you're big. Your college games at the U were big. But our Super Bowls, even I don't. I don't look at you as a guy that would get nervous.

[Michael Irvin]

None like it.

[Colin Cowherd]

But in a Super bowl, did you ever look up at all the pictures and even you a little bit thinking, I need to get hit, I need to run a route. Was there a little anxiety that's happening?

[Michael Irvin]

And there are guys here, right? You can tell them until their ears fall off, you got to be ready. You're going to be the calm yourself. At the beginning of the game, you're going to hyperventilate. I've never been so tired. As I was warming up the Super Bowls, I'm like, why am I this tired? I start thinking, did I do too much early on in the week? You know, but it's just. You're hyperventilating. You got to think about this. This is the moment you Played in your front yard talking about this all your damn life. And it's about to happen. Emmett and I walked on the field together in Pasadena and. And all week because we were playing Buffalo and they had played in Super Bowls. You know, everybody's talking about experience. We say, it's a game is a game. I run a slant route. I don't care if it's on a football field, super bowl, or in your front damn yard. I'm gonna catch that slant route. I'm just talking all kind of noise. When I got to that game, Emmett and I walked on that field, our knees buckled. I said, oh, my God. Right? I looked at him, he said. I said, hey, man, did you feel that? He said, yeah. I said, don't say anything because if they know we scared, they definitely gonna be scared.

[Colin Cowherd]

Total anxiety.

[Michael Irvin]

But you, you're going to have it. It's impossible not to have. And I'm telling you, everybody's going to have it. Even if you've been here before.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. I can remember one of Brady's first Super Bowls, Belichick. There's an old piece of video where Belichick's like, hey, settle down, Tom. Right, right, right. Step into it, Tom.

[Michael Irvin]

Right, right, right.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know it is.

[Michael Irvin]

You know what I love about Tom, though? I was at the one in. In New Orleans. One here.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Michael Irvin]

Oh, New Orleans was it. I think Green Bay, somebody. They beat a Bill Parcels. One of his team. It beat him here. I remember Tom came over to me right after that and. And I was standing next. I did the game. He came, he said, hey, man, right after the game they had just won, he said, what do I need to do to get back here? How do I win more? How do I do it? I thought that was incredible. You know, Patrick Mahomes last year, right after he won two, he said, I got to get back here and win three in a row. That's what it takes. It's got to be a mono maniacal attitude about it. Even one win is not enough. I want the next win and the next one.

[Colin Cowherd]

So it's. I always think one of the reasons I had Philadelphia winning their division, but they were really noisy. Nick Sirianni is noisy. But I do think there's an advantage because Jalen Hurts and Saquon are not so. They're two stars. Kind of really reserved guys. I always thought the Cowboys worked because Jimmy and Troy let you guys be yourself. Were there times in the game or in moments during your. Because your team was always so big, There was a little Bit of noise did. I could see Jalen hurts. Have to go to A.J. brown. Did Troy ever have to lean on you and say, hey, playmaker, did you, did you ever go or did you have to be chaperoned at all?

[Michael Irvin]

Well, no, the funny part is the funny part here. See. See, Troy was. Troy was this straight guy. He was so focused and, you know, so mature and he was great about. But. But I knew, I knew I couldn't get debate unless me and Roy was right. He's getting the pad ball version. Got to throw it to me.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you had to be right.

[Michael Irvin]

Right? Me and him was always right. He and I was always right. Now I would get in it with defensive linemen, right? Like a Charles man or somebody. I'm yelling at a Reggie White. Hey. And my offensive lineman said, michael, stop making him mad. You're not blocking him. You shut up right now. Troy never had a problem with me, but those offensive linemen, they had a problem with me talking to the defensive lineman since I wasn't going to block them.

[Colin Cowherd]

When you're, when you're a player, so you, you were part of a dynasty, and Mahomes is part of a dynasty. More pressure. Earlier, late. Do you think, can. I mean, when you, when you first come to this thing, you don't know what to expect. Now all of a sudden you're making a second trip, a third trip, a fourth trip. Did it feel different for you in your last super bowl than your first?

[Michael Irvin]

You know what I always tell people? There's nothing like the first. There is nothing like the first because it's that first time that you realize that childhood dream of playing in that front yard. But that second and third one was as great. You gotta understand, there's everybody in your head, in your mind, everybody in the world is focused on his game. That's never, that's never not a great situation for a real guy, real player like me or the guy like Troy or a guy like Patrick Mahomes. They look for that moment. You were talking about something earlier. You were talking about the pressure of playing in these kinds of games. And as you were saying, and I was thinking, you got. The great ones have had an affair with pressure all of their careers. They sleep with it, eat with it, live with it. It's what makes them tick. It's an affair with press. They're looking for pressure. So, so, so they look for these moments. The Tom Brady's, the Patrick Mahomes, the Troy Aikmans, those are the guys you love playing with.

[Colin Cowherd]

So in these Big moments. I mean, a lot of the times Mahomes has made a play in these games that is off script there when he was all banged up and he had a 45 year run. Do you get in pressurized moments? And it doesn't even have to be in a Super bowl. This game's tight. 28 all, fourth quarter, six minutes left. Are there moments that there's a look, there's a wink, there's a. That it's off script? Is every. Because you have so much time to prep, it's the last game of the year. You've never been more prepared. Does that mean that we don't see moments where you go to Troy on the sideline, like, listen, I'm gonna change the route? Or was the game too big to do that?

[Michael Irvin]

No, no, no, no. We. We've done that because you play the game like you play the game. We had Nash in a. For our first NFC championship game, Troy called this play. 896. He called it four times in the game. Four times. Every time I run a band gate, Alvin Harper ran a curl route on the other side. J. No would take down the middle. That's the nine route. Every time he threw that ball, he threw it to the curl route. Dude, game was on the line. We were up by four. We needed this drive to put him.

[Colin Cowherd]

He called it again.

[Michael Irvin]

He called it again. Oh, he said, scat right red right before he got the nine and the six out. I ran the album spot. I'm already gone. I'm changing the play right now. I ain't talking to nobody about this. You throwing this ball to me. Troy was like, what are you doing? I said, win the damn play. I got it over here. And you know, he snaps the ball because I went over there. They brought the double team to me. He throws the back slant. He throws the backside eight route to Alvin.

[Colin Cowherd]

And I'm like, I remember the play.

[Michael Irvin]

He's going with my.

[Colin Cowherd]

Caught it in the fly.

[Michael Irvin]

On the fly. I was like, that would have got me. Oh my God. You know, but I'm happy. I'm happy. And Troy, we talked about a lady. He said, had you not done that, we still may not. We wouldn't have gotten that backside play. It would have been a different play. So thank God it worked out. Now a lot of times Charles Haley, because, you know, Charles Haley was Charles Haley. And Leon let. Charles would tell. Leon let. We're gonna. We're gonna. Hey, we're gonna run the A twist. The twist. Te twist. And. And me and let's say no, man, Coach didn't call that. Charles said, you either run it or I'm gonna run up your ass.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know?

[Michael Irvin]

Right, right. You know, because. And then. Yeah, yeah, he ran it. If Charles get the sack, coach said, great job calling this, calling that play. If Charles don't get the sack and they make a nice play, they said, leon, what the hell were you doing? They never went to Charles. They only stayed. Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

Did Jimmy Johnson give, like, what is a speech before a Super bowl at halftime? You don't have to sell the players on it.

[Michael Irvin]

No.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do you remember the pregame speech?

[Michael Irvin]

Right. Jimmy was great at this. Now, Jimmy was great at this, our third super bowl since so many of us were still there. Jimmy, right before the game, he said, I know a lot of you may be full of these moments, may be satisfied of these moments, but a lot of us have never had these moments. And he made every man that hasn't had a ring stand up. And we had to spend time looking. Don't you think they deserve one, too? It's not just about the ones you have. It's about them, too. And we go, we're going to get them one. I thought that was something great because it really made you. You think about, wait a minute, I got two rings, but these guys do not. And these are my teammates. And. And we play extra hard for that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do you think it's an advantage in a strange way that Kansas City didn't bulldoze people? They struggle with Houston. Do you think it's an Advantage Having played 15 close games this year?

[Michael Irvin]

It's an advantage if you come out on top. Like they have come out on top in most, if not all of them. You know, they're incredible in late games because like anything else, it gives you confidence. And you're going to be back in these situations again and back to that relationship with pressure. All of Kansas City has that affair with pressure. They know about it, eat and sleep with it, because they know Patrick Mahomes is the guy that gets the pass, gets. Get used to football first. And this guy, we always trip on talent. Shoulders down. I'm telling you, what makes Patrick Mahomes the great that he is is his gift. Shoulders up. He knows how to play, just to play each play, and that makes him great. He don't try to do more than he needs to. He needs. He understands the significance of one play, and every time he just beats you. So, yeah, that's a hell of a great opportunity and a hell of a great advantage when you Play that many tight games.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do you lean either way in this game?

[Michael Irvin]

This has been. It's been a tough game for me. I don't think I've ever been had a game more difficult to call than this game. You know, when you look at the things that on our cycles and it's not the skill, you got to try to pull in all the things that make a. Make them have a deeper will. This is the third straight super bowl championship. Patrick Mahomes talked about it right after he won number two, his second straight. And then. And I ran to Travis Kelsey at the basketball game in Dallas. That's all he asked me about. So they've been living with this. This is what they want. So that creates a great will. You think Jalen hurts who have fought his way all the way up to get respect as one of the top quarterbacks in the national football. Once the National Football league wants to go 02 in a Super bowl, lose to the same guy again. So that's going to create a great will. This is going to be a clash of titans and it's going to be a hard fog. I heard you talked about it being a high score game. I think it's going to. I don't think it's going to get up that 38, 35. I think we'll live closer to that 22, that Kansas City average. We may not even get to the 27 points that Philadelphia average right now. This is going to be a defensive game. Even though we're going to be looking at the offense because think about it, Philadelphia don't give up big plays. They're going to make you dink and dunk and Patrick Mahomes don't mind thinking and dunking. And on the other side, they're going to hand the ball off. So we're going to have a lot of time.

[Colin Cowherd]

It could be a fast game.

[Michael Irvin]

Yeah, right.

[Colin Cowherd]

Like. Like seven yards. Like honestly, it'll be a quick game.

[Michael Irvin]

Correct. But boy, I'm going to tell you something, that defense for Philadelphia, they running around and they're flying around the ball. It's going to come down to them. And I'm not talking about on the back end, I'm talking about on the front end. You got to get to Patrick Mahomes and bring him down.

[Colin Cowherd]

By the way, the Eagles, I think this is something. They have two rookie corners. I don't know. But if I'm Mahomes, I know you guys have been great all year. I would go after a rookie corner.

[Michael Irvin]

Yeah. In the Super bowl but remember now the Eagles like to play that to Shell too. So they got two, they got two corners and but they have safeties over the top now. Last time I looked at the last game, what they were doing, they were up on Travis Kelce, but they were giving him a free release. When you go back and look at the game, yeah, they double teamed them. But you give them a free release, you can't give them a free release. I ran to Bobby Teller the other day and we were talking about that old Philadelphia defense they used to put on me when they got Bobby Teller. Bobby was saying my job was not to worry about covering you, it was to beat you up on the line of scrimmage. I got help in the coverage and it wore me down like a boxer because his job was just a bunch punch me every, every play. That's what they got to do to Travis Kelsey. They gotta wear his butt down. You gotta touch him every snap when he's coming off the football.

[Colin Cowherd]

The playmaker, hall of Famer Michael Irvin. Thanks, buddy.

[Michael Irvin]

Man, it's always good to talk with you, buddy. I can't wait to get to get this, get to this game. It's going to be a great one Sunday. I'm telling you, this might be one of the best Super Bowls, not the highest scoring super bowl, but I'm telling you, we gonna have some fighters out here fighting.

[Colin Cowherd]

Agreed. All right, let's talk about Amazon Prime. It's not just one thing. It's a collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. Whether it's a hobby, sport or getting things done fast. Prime's got you covered. Like my hobby for all things sports. You can order sports supplies, listen to content like this podcast on Amazon music or watch content. You can do it all with Prime. Everybody loves the fast free same day shipping, especially as we kick off the year. But what about all the content you can listen to on Amazon music? Music to podcast, fast shipping. What is not to love about this membership I'm in? Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.com primenow whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day. Food no matter what I'm craving. From two for one pizza to buy one get one wings. Uber Eats. We'll be dropping new deals each week. All season long. I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing With a Star. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together.

[Michael Irvin]

Here we go.

[Colin Cowherd]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Michael Irvin]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.