Episode Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of the Week

Release Date: January 25, 2025

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers an engaging and opinionated exploration of the top sports stories each week. In the "Best of the Week" episode released on January 25, 2025, Colin Cowherd delves into critical NFL discussions, provides in-depth team and player analyses, and features an exclusive interview with NFL legend Tom Brady. This summary captures the episode's key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions, making it a useful overview for those who haven't tuned in.

1. NFL Quarterbacks and Team Dynamics (04:04 – 07:00)

Colin Cowherd and co-host J. Mac kick off the episode by evaluating the performance and mobility of current NFL quarterbacks. They focus on notable names such as Jaden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and rookie Riley Leonard.

• J. Mac (04:15): "All mobile quarterbacks."
• Colin Cowherd (04:16): "They’re all mobile."

The discussion emphasizes how mobility impacts quarterbacks' performance and their teams' offensive strategies. The hosts explore how quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen utilize their agility to evade defenses and create scoring opportunities, setting them apart from less mobile counterparts.

2. Team Rivalries and Coaching Impact (07:00 – 15:00)

The conversation shifts to the influence of rivalries and coaching on team performance, particularly highlighting Michigan's recent upset over Ohio State.

• Colin Cowherd (04:26): "I think they have better special teams. The better quarterback, I would say, the better coach."
• J. Mac (04:04): "A little melancholy Monday."

The hosts analyze how intense rivalries can elevate a team's performance, citing Michigan's ability to disrupt Ohio State's offense through strategic coaching and robust defensive play. They also discuss the importance of maintaining composure during high-stakes, extended games, noting that exhaustion and pressure often lead to critical errors.

3. Exclusive Interview with Tom Brady (15:25 – 31:03)

In a standout segment, NFL icon Tom Brady joins The Herd to discuss his transition from a legendary quarterback to a rookie broadcaster and his new role within an ownership group. Brady shares his reflections on his prolific career, his reasons for retiring, and his aspirations for his future endeavors in football management.

• Colin Cowherd (15:06): "You've been leaving, so this is really hard for me."
• Tom Brady (15:25): "Being involved with the Raiders gives me an opportunity to be involved with football for the rest of my life."

Brady delves into his experiences coaching and mentoring younger players, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new roles. He highlights the collaborative nature of his new position and expresses optimism about shaping the future of the Raiders through teamwork and strategic decision-making.

• Tom Brady (20:34): "Great people doing great things, working collaboratively, being humble, learning every year..."

Brady also provides insights into player development, particularly focusing on rising talents like Jaden Daniels and Caleb Williams, emphasizing the balance between physical prowess and mental fortitude.

4. Commanders vs. Eagles and Bills vs. Chiefs Analysis (22:57 – 48:08)

Colin and J. Mac offer a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming NFC Championship game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the AFC Championship showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

Commanders vs. Eagles:

Colin presents his top ten players for the game, highlighting Saquon Barkley, Jalen Carter, and others who have significantly impacted their teams.

• Colin Cowherd (35:00): "Number one player is Saquon Barkley, who's on a short list of the greatest running backs I've ever seen."

J. Mac expresses surprise and mild disagreement with some of Colin's rankings, particularly the omission of Jalen Hurts, leading to a friendly debate on player evaluations.

• J. Mac (39:05): "Jalen Hurts is not one of the 10 best players in the NFC championship."

Bills vs. Chiefs:

The hosts transition to discussing the Bills vs. Chiefs matchup, focusing on Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen's performances, team defenses, and strategic advantages.

• Colin Cowherd (42:12): "Patrick Mahomes is number one. Nobody would dispute that..."
• Tom Brady (28:09): "Offensive players need to protect themselves. If they can’t, the defenders have to create force."

Colin highlights the Bills' balanced offense and strategic superiority, while acknowledging the Chiefs' defensive prowess. The conversation includes predictions on game outcomes, with Colin favoring the Bills for their ability to make decisive plays and maintain turnovers.

• Colin Cowherd (47:32): "I'm going to take the Bills to win a close game outright. You know it's going to be close. Drama filled 28, 27."

5. Player Evaluations and Strategic Insights (31:03 – 48:08)

Continuing from Tom Brady's interview, the episode delves deeper into player performance assessments and strategic team evaluations. The discussion includes the significance of offensive lines, defensive tackles, and specialized roles like tight ends in determining game outcomes.

• J. Mac (46:44): "Chris Jones, highly rated by PFF, Creed Humphrey short."
• Colin Cowherd (48:16): "I believe when you look at these, it's about maximizing physical, mental, and emotional strengths."

The hosts emphasize the importance of versatile and resilient players in key positions, arguing that teams with depth and strategic player placement are better poised for success in high-stakes playoff games.

6. Betting Picks and Predictions (48:08 – 55:09)

In a segment dedicated to betting analysis, Colin shares his picks for the Washington vs. Philadelphia and Bills vs. Chiefs games. He provides detailed reasoning based on player performance metrics, team strategies, and historical data.

• Colin Cowherd (51:36): "I like Philadelphia -6 and the over 47 and a half."
• Colin Cowherd (55:09): "I like the Bills to win a close game outright."

Listeners are given insights into potential game outcomes, with Colin backing the Bills' offensive strategies and the Chiefs' defensive resilience, ultimately endorsing the Bills as likely Super Bowl contenders.

7. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content (55:09 – End)

The episode concludes with further commentary on ongoing sports stories and promotions for upcoming shows and segments. The hosts reinforce their commitment to providing comprehensive sports analysis and engaging discussions for their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Brady (15:30): "I've had the best time at Fox, and I loved every time going into the booth and working with such great people."
• Colin Cowherd (22:57): "When you take out Josh Allen, Mahomes is the best quarterback."
• Tom Brady (28:40): "If quarterbacks become running backs and they're out of the pocket, they should lose their protection."
• J. Mac (39:05): "Jalen Hurts is not one of the 10 best players in the NFC championship."

Conclusion:

This week's "Best of the Week" episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a thorough examination of current NFL dynamics, featuring expert analysis from Colin and his co-hosts, along with invaluable insights from Tom Brady. The episode effectively combines player evaluations, team strategies, and betting predictions, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the NFL's playoff landscape.

For those who missed the live broadcast, this summary encapsulates the episode's essence, ensuring you stay informed on the latest sports discussions and expert opinions.