The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Episode Summary

Episode: Baker Wins EPIC Shootout Over Darnold, Eagles FLOP In 2nd Half, Lose To Broncos, Dak In MVP Contention? Colts A Contender

Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd, with guest Dan (John Middlekauff)
Podcast: The Colin Cowherd Podcast, from iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

This episode centers on a high-scoring NFL Sunday featuring dramatic quarterback redemption stories (notably Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold), the Philadelphia Eagles’ ongoing offensive woes, the Dallas Cowboys’ resurgence behind Dak Prescott, and the under-the-radar strength of the Indianapolis Colts. The conversation also dips into college football upsets and quarterback prospects, with thoughtful commentary on the importance of coaching, front office culture, and the evolving landscape of the sport.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Baker Mayfield vs. Sam Darnold: A Shootout for the Ages

[02:18-11:47]

• Game Recap: Tampa Bay beats Seattle 38-35 in a thrilling, offensive shootout, punctuated by a walk-off field goal.

  • Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold put up near video-game numbers, with Darnold’s late interception sealing the result for Tampa.
  • "It looked like young Brady and Peyton Manning. I don't remember a game like that." – Colin Cowherd (03:19)

• Quarterback Redemption: Both Baker and Darnold are highlighted as examples of failed first stops (Jets, Browns) finding success in the right systems.

  • "Watching these two guys that have clearly resurrected their career now for a couple years, that was awesome." – Dan (04:41)

• Receivers and Team-Building: In-depth praise for rookie WRs like Emeka Egbuka (Tampa) and JSN (Seattle), emphasizing work ethic and schematic fit over "freak" traits.

  • "He is just a great football player... He runs great, he runs 10-year veteran routes. And Seattle's secondary is good... and they torched it today." – Colin (06:27)
  • "Look at the best receivers right now in the league... It's a lot of guys that are talented, but you'd view them as classic overachievers." – Colin (08:08)

• Coaching Impact: Todd Bowles is lauded for defensive playcalling, particularly on the game-winning blitz, as well as for rebuilding his image post-Jets.

  • "Todd's probably one of the great blitz callers in league history... It's a skill. And that call, that won them the game." – Dan (10:17)

• Roster Construction: Both GMs (Tampa Bay’s Jason Licht and Seattle’s John Schneider) receive considerable praise for drafting well and developing balanced teams.

  Memorable Quote:
  “If these two met in the NFC championship, I wouldn't be shocked. I mean, it's an offensive league... I don't think tonight was a mirage. I think those are really good quarterbacks and really good teams full of excellent young players.” – Colin Cowherd (03:40)

2. Philadelphia Eagles Collapse, Broncos Rally

[15:15-27:58]

• Game Flow: Philadelphia led 17-3, but Denver stormed back to win 21-17, with the Eagles’ offense stalling completely in the second half.
  • "They are incapable of playing a full solid game of offense. They're either really impressive or awful. There's no in-between." – Colin (17:44)
• Offensive Coordination Issues: Strong criticism of the Eagles' revolving door at offensive coordinator—Sirianni is described as a "culture builder," not a schemer.
  • "To me, it's got to be a coordinator. It's not personnel... To me there's a coordinator issue." – Colin (17:56)
  • The loss of key OC talent (Steichen/Kellen Moore), untimely injuries, and the emergence of discord between QB Jalen Hurts and WR AJ Brown are flagged.
• Locker Room Dynamics:
  • Discussions suggest Hurts' unemotional leadership style clashes with more “alpha” personalities like AJ Brown.
  • “Jalen’s not the most popular... He’s not one of the guys. He’s very reserved, very mature, very focused, and has a life beyond football. I love guys like that, but... AJ, you know, I get it. When you’ve got a trophy and you got the bag, you’re looking for legacy.” – Colin (25:06)
• Denver's Comeback: Credit given to Broncos offensive rhythm and Bo Nix’s athleticism down the stretch, as well as to coach Sean Payton’s playcalling.

3. Cowboys’ Offensive Resilience & Dak Prescott’s Rise

[33:07-40:40]

• Dallas Dominates Jets: Cowboys defeat the Jets 37-22 in a game that “wasn’t nearly as close as the score,” with Dak putting up one of his best performances.
  • “Dak's having his best year as a pro because he's having to carry a team. This isn't the Zeke top O line... Without CeeDee Lamb, John, I'm not sure they have a definitive number two... Right now, Dak’s worth his contract. He’s worth it. Could be the MVP.” – Colin (34:29-34:50)
• Contrast with Jets’ Dysfunction:
  • Jets’ struggles are deeply organizational; even talented players and coaches seem undermined by the franchise’s culture.
  • "People aren't only leaving the Jets and winning, they're flourishing... That is a bad organization." – Colin (11:47)
• Brian Schottenheimer praised for Dallas’ playcalling: Tight ends and backup receivers excelling in “throwback” fashion.
• Audience Takeaway: The franchise’s stability and leadership—as opposed to New York’s—translates into functional on-field execution.

4. Colts, Daniel Jones, and the Art of Redemption

[40:40-51:59]

• Colts Trample Raiders: Indianapolis wins 40-6, spotlighting a roster Cowherd considers “top six in the league.”
  • “I will die on this hill. I think the Colts have a top six roster in the league. I love their offensive line. I think they have stars…” – Colin (42:59)
• Daniel Jones’ Revival:
  • In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones is excelling, with the coaching staff unlocking his arm talent and mobility.
  • “He has been easily one of the best rookies in the league... his arm actually is better than I thought. Sometimes it takes you with a credible offense to see that arm talent.” – Dan (43:37)
• Coaching and Front Office Synergy:
  • Shane Steichen (HC) and GM Chris Ballard are praised for maximizing roster efficiency and for steadying the franchise after years of turbulence (including the Andrew Luck retirement and Jim Irsay’s personal struggles).
  • “Problems are always upstairs... If you have Ballard upstairs and Shane Steichen scheming... you're going to win the AFC South.” – Colin (49:09)
• Broad Redemption Narrative:
  • Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, and even Carson Wentz credited as symbols of a new era: second and even third chances for talented quarterbacks under the right stewardship.

5. Quick Hits: Saints, Giants, and Quarterback Market Realities

[55:58-59:27]

• Saints Beat Giants: Saints win, aided by a rash of Giants turnovers, but offense is the bright spot.
  • “Their offense has not been the problem…” – Dan (57:11)
• QB Draft Class Weakness:
  • Discussion around Spencer Rattler’s performance, and a consensus that next year’s draft is not inspiring at quarterback.
  • “If you need an answer at that spot, you’re in some trouble because... most guys are like Tyler Shuck, they get drafted in the second, third round, you never see anything of them.” – Dan (58:16)

6. College Football: Big Ten Cross-Country Blues & The Arch Manning Question

[59:27-74:24]

• Big Ten Struggles with Coast-to-Coast Expansion:
  • UCLA upsets Penn State, with cross-country travel cited as a major equalizer in the new Big Ten setup.
  • “You’re asking these college kids, you’re traveling cross country. You don’t travel nearly as well as the NFL does.” – Colin (62:15)
• Coaching Pressure and Exit Timelines:
  • James Franklin (Penn State) and Billy Napier (Florida) discussed as coaches potentially at their limits, with buyouts as only protection against an impatient system.
  • “If buyouts did not exist, I would say if you told me James Franklin was fired this morning, I would have believed you.” – Dan (67:49)
• Arch Manning’s Struggles at Texas:
  • Both hosts are skeptical of Arch’s future, citing his lack of “it” factor, mechanical play, and the impatience of college football in the NIL and transfer portal age.
  • “I sat there and watched Arch Manning... there were a couple moments where I thought the game was in his head... He looked almost mechanical.” – Colin (70:29)
  • Discussion suggests Manning may not last beyond 2026 as Texas’ starter.

7. Rapid NFL Picks and Analysis

[74:33-77:14]

• Monday Night Football Preview: Kansas City vs. Jacksonville
  • Both hosts favor the Chiefs, citing Jacksonville’s weak home field, the Chiefs’ playoff experience, and Mahomes’ ability to exploit the Jags’ defense.
  • “Jacksonville's probably the weakest home field advantage... I'll take the Chiefs by a touchdown.” – Colin (74:33)
  • “To me, this got like a 20-10 type feel. Kind of ugly. That's how the Chiefs like to play.” – Dan (77:14)

Memorable Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | | --- | ----- | --- | | 03:40 | "If these two met in the NFC championship, I wouldn't be shocked. I mean, it's an offensive league... I don't think tonight was a mirage. I think those are really good quarterbacks and really good teams full of excellent young players." | Colin Cowherd | | 04:41 | "Watching these two guys that have clearly resurrected their career now for a couple years, that was awesome." | Dan | | 08:08 | "Look at the best receivers right now in the league... It's a lot of guys that are talented, but you'd view them as classic overachievers." | Colin Cowherd | | 17:44 | "They are incapable of playing a full solid game of offense. They're either really impressive or awful. There's no in-between." | Colin Cowherd | | 34:29 | "Dak's having his best year as a pro because he's having to carry a team... Without CeeDee Lamb, John, I'm not sure they have a definitive number two... Right now, Dak’s worth his contract. He’s worth it." | Colin Cowherd | | 49:09 | "Problems are always upstairs... If you have Ballard upstairs and Shane Steichen scheming... you're going to win the AFC South." | Colin Cowherd | | 57:11 | "Their offense has not been the problem…" | Dan | | 62:15 | "You’re asking these college kids, you’re traveling cross country. You don’t travel nearly as well as the NFL does." | Colin Cowherd | | 70:29 | "I sat there and watched Arch Manning... there were a couple moments where I thought the game was in his head... He looked almost mechanical." | Colin Cowherd |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Baker vs. Darnold, NFC QB Discussion: 02:18–11:47
• Eagles Collapse, Locker Room Drama: 15:15–27:58
• Cowboys Dominate Jets, Dak MVP Talk: 33:07–40:40
• Colts' Hidden Talent & QB Redemption: 40:40–51:59
• Saints-Giants, Giants' Turnover Woes: 55:58–59:27
• College Football (Big Ten travel, QB worries): 59:27–74:24
• Monday Night Football Preview: 74:33–77:14

Tone & Language

The episode mixes Cowherd’s signature blend of sharp analysis, big-picture comparisons, and “story of the league” narratives, enriched by Dan’s granular roster details, coaching know-how, and personal anecdotes. There’s a sense of seasoned perspective paired with a willingness to credit both “hard work over hype” and “organizational culture over raw talent.”

Takeaways & Flow

• Quarterback Fit and Second Chances: Stories of Baker, Darnold, Daniel Jones, and even Carson Wentz underscore the importance of fit, patience, and coaching — not simply raw draft slot or first-contract failure.
• Coaching and Organizational Health Matter: The success or dysfunction of teams like Tampa, Indy, Philly, Dallas, and the Jets reveals much about NFL leadership at the personnel and sideline levels.
• Complex Locker Room Dynamics: Eagle’s uneasy star pairing (Hurts/Brown) is contextualized as a recurring NFL challenge.
• College Football Parity and Pressure: The new Big Ten landscape is grueling, and blue-blood programs like Penn State and Texas face unprecedented scrutiny and expectations for highly-paid stars.
• Ever-present NFL Parity: The league is packed with both redemption arcs and cautionary tales, with little room for mediocrity—on the field or in the front office.