The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of the Week (November 1, 2025)
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode: Best of the Week
Air Date: November 1, 2025
Overview of the Episode
This “Best of the Week” episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd features a curated selection of highlights from the week, delivering Colin’s signature blend of sharp NFL analysis, strong opinions, and entertaining segments. This week’s show focuses on reflections from a Monday “Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong,” the latest NFL Herd Hierarchy power rankings, and playful Halloween-themed quarterback-candy comps. The episode is packed with sports insights, a dose of humor, and bold predictions, offering listeners everything from quick takes on current sports controversies to Colin’s famous “Blazing Five” picks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong
(Begins at around 09:00)
Colin lays out a rapid-fire sequence of takes where he claims vindication—and admits foibles—on key sports stories:
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A.J. Brown & The Eagles’ Locker Room Drama
- Colin asserts that drama surrounding A.J. Brown didn’t affect Jalen Hurts, who “keeps his head down and just grinds.” The Eagles looked like "the team that got to a Super Bowl last year" in Brown's absence.
- Quote: “Maybe it’s coincidental, or maybe the only thing that gets in the way of a great locker room is drama.” (09:56)
-
Underestimating the Buffalo Bills
- Cowherd admits he was wrong to drop the Bills from his rankings.
- Quote: “They look like the real deal, you know? What do you need to say when Josh is feeling it?” (10:38)
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Mike Vrabel and New England’s Rebuild
- Vrabel’s coaching and quarterback Drake Maye are highlighted for exceeding expectations.
- “My ‘double their win total’ pick will come to fruition for the fourth straight year.” (11:17)
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Brian Kelly at LSU – Fit Over Resume
- Acknowledges doubting Kelly’s Southern fit despite his successful coaching history.
- “It just goes to show that fit matters. And this was always… you know, a weird fit.” (12:02)
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Chris Ballard, Colts GM
- Defends Ballard, saying the Colts’ struggles were only due to quarterback play, not roster construction.
- “If you watch the games, they’re bad at quarterback. They're good everywhere else.” (12:44)
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Celtics’ Struggles Without Tatum
- Surprised the Celtics are “dead last” in offense without Tatum, despite previous years weathering his absence.
- “In the short term, they were fine without Jason Tatum. In the long term, it is ugly.” (13:38)
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Colorado & Deion Sanders
- Critiques Sanders: “He’s not an elite football coach. They’re 1-4 in the Big 12. …You have to be 1000% committed to coaching.” (14:06)
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Justin Herbert Top Five
- Defends the Chargers QB as top-tier despite adversity.
- “He’s doing it with most of the offense either gone or not at 100%.” (15:03)
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Quarterbacks with Backwards Hats Exception
- Jokingly makes an exception for Herbert at a Lakers game.
- “I'm a true romantic. Everybody in life has to make one exception.” (16:02)
2. Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams
(Begins roughly at 22:50)
Colin unveils his weekly power rankings, trusting the stats and “eye test” over the hype:
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Kansas City Chiefs
- Even with a “B minus/C plus performance,” they easily pulled off a convincing win.
- “They haven’t had this kind of offensive talent... experience in big games matters.”
-
Philadelphia Eagles
- Chemistry and big-game reps put them above more physically dominant teams.
- “AJ Brown didn’t play, shocker: best performance of the year.” (27:42)
-
Indianapolis Colts
- Physically dominating every opponent. “It’s like …they’re just stepping on people.” (25:57)
-
Green Bay Packers
- Jordan Love is asserted as an arriving “top 5-6 dude.”
- “We gotta get over the ‘Jordan Love is rising’ stuff. He’s great. Period. End of sentence.” (25:21)
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Detroit Lions
- Strong at home, Goff vulnerable under pressure, but easy schedule ahead.
-
Los Angeles Rams
- Elite offense, but Stafford can be a “sitting duck.”
- “Allowing an NFL-low 10 touchdowns through the season.” (24:48)
-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Surviving despite injuries, Baker Mayfield described as capable but streaky.
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Denver Broncos
- Lead the league in pass protection and sacks generated; “that travels.”
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New England Patriots
- Riding Drake Maye; “Exploding young star at quarterback.”
-
Buffalo Bills
- Back in the top 10 for balancing run/pass.
Notable Bubble Teams: Seattle at 11, Chargers at 12.
3. NFL Quarterbacks as Halloween Candy
(Starts around 33:30)
A playful, fan-friendly segment comparing top QBs to candies:
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Patrick Mahomes
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup: “Most popular, best in the game right now.” (34:12)
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Bo Nix
- Dark Chocolate: “An acquired taste. I’m not sure if anybody else even likes it.” (34:34)
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Baker Mayfield
- Warhead: “Very intense, but you learn to love it... a little reckless.” (35:05)
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Aaron Rodgers
- Tootsie Roll Pop: “Got a hardened exterior, but it’s totally different inside. Very complex.” (35:39)
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Jalen Hurts
- Candy Corn: “A lot of people love it. Some think it’s totally overrated... But dependable.” (36:16)
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Matthew Stafford
- Hershey Bar: “Old reliable... You know what you're getting. Never bad.” (36:46)
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Caleb Williams
- Butterfinger: “Sounds good, but is it?… I'm not sure.” (37:17)
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Trevor Lawrence
- Mystery Airhead: “You’re never quite sure what you just experienced.” (37:37)
Conversation highlight: Turns into a debate about candy corn.
- “It’s a little bit like candle wax…” (38:02)
4. Blazing Five Picks
(Begins at 40:30)
Colin delivers his famously red-hot NFL picks, noting his recent record (“4-1” streak):
This week’s theme:
Taking road favorites and some “over” bets, against traditional wisdom.
- “Last week I did something I never do… this week, once again, I'm doing something you shouldn’t do—taking road favorites. Don't love the numbers, but it's working!” (41:30)
Picks Breakdown (with Colin’s comments):
- 49ers at Giants:
“Niners minus 2.5 at the Giants… defense isn’t very good, Giants not playing clean football.” (42:05) - Bears at Bengals:
“Taking the Bears… Bengals last in everything but third-down defense; Bears win and cover.” (43:10) - Chiefs vs. Bills (Over 52.5 points):
“Weather's good, both QBs protected, both teams put up points.” (44:09) - Seahawks at Commanders:
“Commanders plus 3.5 at home… Seahawks getting sloppy, Commanders can get touchdowns in the red zone.” (45:04) - Cowboys at Cardinals:
“Cowboys minus 2.5. Just a very good home team, only one giveaway at home all year.” (46:12)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Drama in the NFL Locker Room (A.J. Brown):
“Maybe the only thing that gets in the way of a great locker room is drama.” (09:56) -
Defending Justin Herbert:
“He’s doing it with most of the offense either gone or not playing at 100%.” (15:03) -
On Coaching Fits:
“It just goes to show that fit matters.” (12:02) -
Candy Corn Discourse:
“It’s a little bit like candle wax. I’m a texture guy. There are certain textures I can't do.” (38:02) -
On Betting Contrarianism:
“This week, once again, I'm doing something you shouldn't do—taking road favorites… but it's been working. I'm gonna do it again.” (41:30)
Important Timestamps
- 09:00 – Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong
- 22:50 – Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams
- 33:30 – NFL QBs as Halloween Candy
- 40:30 – Blazing Five Picks
Tone and Style
Colin’s signature confident, occasionally self-deprecating style shines throughout, with banter (“One more herd!”), quick-witted asides, and digestible, punchy insights. The episode balances hardcore analysis and loose, fan-oriented fun, making it accessible for diehards and casual listeners alike.
*Summary Usefulness
This summary breaks down all core content: Colin’s weekly “right/wrong” takes, NFL team power rankings, a lighthearted holiday segment, and his trusted betting picks—complete with memorable quotes and clear timestamps for efficient listening or reading. A great recap for anyone who missed the episode but wants to be in the know on Colin’s latest sports wisdom and wit.