The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "Best of the Week" – September 6, 2025

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Episode: Best of the Week on The Herd
Date: September 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Colin Cowherd’s signature takes on current NFL storylines and predictions as the regular season is about to start. Colin unveils his final “Herd Hierarchy” power rankings, division-by-division predictions, and his “Blazin' Five” picks for the opening week, alongside key input from Fox Sports contributor Nick Wright. The tone is classic Cowherd: opinionated, insightful, and unafraid to drop bold hot takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Final Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams (02:49–10:17)

Colin presents his pre-season top 10 NFL teams, weighing in on offseason moves, roster strengths, and key concerns.

• #10: Detroit Lions

  • Doubts about the team due to losing two offensive linemen and both coordinators.
  • “This team last year… you’re talking 14, 15 wins. I think it’s major pullback.” (03:56)

• #9: LA Rams

  • Big worries about a difficult opening matchup with Houston and question marks at left tackle and quarterback health.
  • Praises coaching and organizational discipline: “Least penalized team, played more rookies than anybody…” (04:28)

• #8: Green Bay Packers

  • Confidence in the culture, but uncertainty about Jordan Love’s consistency.
  • “Is Jordan Love good? I don’t know, but I like the culture.” (04:54)

• #7: Washington Commanders

  • Oldest team in the league with lots of prime time games, which could be disruptive.
  • “Older players do not like prime time games...” (05:40)

• #6: Seattle Seahawks

  • High on Seattle due to improved coaching, a strong draft, and a renewed focus on the ground game.
  • “I don’t think there’s a better personnel guy in the league than John Schneider.” (06:18)

• #5: Kansas City Chiefs

  • Points out concerns about the loss of Rashee Rice and overreliance on Travis Kelce as he ages.
  • “I feel like they’ve been bailing water at wide receiver for three years and it’s worked...” (07:15)

• #4: Denver Broncos

  • Praises Bo Nix as a breakout quarterback and emphasizes new additions at safety, linebacker, and tight end.
  • “They didn’t just go to the transfer portal and get rotational guys, they went and got productive stars.” (07:53)

• #3: Baltimore Ravens

  • Trusts organizational structure and Lamar Jackson, despite playoff frustrations.
  • “Structurally like Kansas City. I don’t see holes in the organization.” (08:35)

• #2: Buffalo Bills

  • High regard for Josh Allen's physical talent and likes offseason focus on defense.
  • “I think Josh Allen is the most talented football player in the world. Size, strength, movement.” (09:04)

• #1: (Unnamed, but context indicates 49ers)

  • Praises overall roster quality but not head coach’s personality.
  • “Best overall roster composition in the league. I can’t find a hole on the team outside of… the head coach.” (10:08)

2. Colin’s 2025 NFL Division and Playoff Predictions (14:28–19:39)

Colin gives a detailed rundown of every division, picking winners, identifying Wild Cards, and flagging under/over-valued teams.

AFC

• East: Bills to win; Patriots as most improved and Wild Card.
• North: Ravens to win; Bengals as Wild Card.
• South: Texans win, Jaguars second; “CJ Stroud’s a gamer… rebuilding the O-line worries me.” (15:56)
• West: Broncos win division, Chiefs only wild card; “Broncos have the best roster… Chiefs, really thin at wide receiver.” (16:57)

Wild Cards:

• Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs

NFC

• East: Eagles to win; Giants could surprise if QB play improves.
• North: Packers over Lions, Detroit’s new coordinators a concern for Colin.
• South: Bucs predicted as division winners with Colin’s trust in Baker Mayfield.
• West: Rams win division, Seahawks as wild card; “Rams… the last month of the season, second best scoring defense in NFL with all those rookies.” (17:43)

Trends:

• Only three new playoff teams this year vs. the historical average of five. Colin claims the league is stabilizing due to quarterback-centric trends.

3. Blazin’ Five Picks – Week 1 NFL (23:27–29:09)

Colin’s traditional rapid-fire betting segment, with rationale for each pick and some color commentary from Nick Wright.

1. Giants at Commanders (+6.5 on Giants)

• Sees Giants D-line dominating, expects a close game: “This is a top two or three defensive line.” (23:52)
• Giants cover, Commanders win close: 27–23

2. Steelers vs. Jets (+3 on Jets)

• Likes the Jets’ young QB and strong defense: “Jets roster is good and I’ve got a young quarterback who played in Pittsburgh and knows their personnel.” (25:25)
• Jets to win outright: 24–20

3. 49ers at Seahawks (+points for Seahawks)

• Backs Seattle’s home advantage and recent upgrades: “Since Lumen Field opened, Seattle’s got the best home winning percentage.” (25:57)
• Seahawks win: 24–23

4. Lions at Packers (likes Packers)

• Trusts Jordan Love’s growth, notes Lions’ coaching turnover.
• “Green Bay… only team in league, top five offense and total defense.” (27:07)
• Packers win: 28–24

5. Texans at Rams (under 43.5 points)

• Predicts a defensive battle due to O-line issues and strong D-lines on both sides.
• “Rams defensive front is filthy and getting better.” (28:18)
• Score prediction: Rams win 20–17 or 21–17

Nick Wright chimes in:

• “Love, love, love the Jets pick… But that 49ers one, you didn’t really mention Christian McCaffrey missing practice.” (28:49–29:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin: “I don’t talk about sets much… but our design and graphics, you’ll see some flares out there and some cool stuff. The host gets older, you need help. I need support.” (02:49)
• Nick Wright: “My back’s hurting from carrying the show the last 10 days.” (03:21)
• On Seattle personnel:
  • “I don’t think there’s a better personnel guy in the league than John Schneider. Their last three drafts, not a lot of misses.” (06:18)
• Colin on the Bills: “Josh Allen is the most talented football player in the world. Size, strength, movement. I don’t think there’s anything quite like it.” (09:04)
• Colin on playoff trends: “As the quarterback becomes more important… the league is getting, at least on a macro level, a little easier to predict.” (19:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------- |------------| | Herd Hierarchy – Top 10 | 02:49–10:17| | Division & Playoff Predictions | 14:28–19:39| | Blazin’ Five Picks | 23:27–29:09| | Nick Wright Discussion/Quips | 03:21, 28:49–29:13|

Tone & Takeaway

The episode delivers classic Colin Cowherd: confident, fast-paced analysis, layered with humor and a willingness to go against the consensus. His power rankings and predictions offer sharper insights and some surprises, while his banter with Nick Wright provides levity. For any NFL fan entering the 2025 season, this episode acts as both primer and hot take central.