The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Cowboys STUN Eagles, Chiefs Stay Alive, Bears Stay Hot, JJ McCarthy Is NOT An NFL Quarterback, Shedeur Earned Another Start
Aired: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Colin Cowherd, John Middlekauff

Overview

This episode breaks down an action-packed NFL weekend, focusing on the Cowboys' shocking comeback over the Eagles, the Chiefs' dramatic win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Bears' continued surge with a young quarterback, and JJ McCarthy's struggles in Minnesota. Colin and John provide sharp analysis on team leadership, coaching, quarterback development, and what the weekend's results mean for playoff races, while also touching on USC's football trajectory and college coaching drama.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys vs. Eagles — A Shocking Collapse and a Statement Win

Timestamp: 01:26–17:36

• First Half Dominance, Second Half Meltdown for Eagles:

  • Philly jumped to a 21-0 lead, looking "relaxed" and almost collegiate (04:53).
  • Second half: "punt, punt, punt, punt, missed field goal, fumble, punt return, fumble, punt" — not a Jalen Hurts problem alone. Eagles could not run at all.
  • Quote (John Middlekauff, 05:21):
    “That one’s tough, Colin. That’s a devastating meltdown for the Eagles. I mean, devastating.”

• Cowboys’ Resilience & Leadership:

  • Dak's historical confidence vs. Philly showed, even amidst adversity (06:16).
  • George Pickens continues his breakout, with four games of 130+ yards (06:47, 08:16). Jerry Jones gets credit for bold personnel and cap moves.
  • The trade for Quinnen Williams transformed the Dallas defense, giving more room for linebackers and showing immediate improvement (08:50).
  • Dallas scored 24 unanswered – a signature of leadership, not just talent (12:04).
  • Quote (Colin Cowherd, 12:04):
    “24 unanswered points, that says leadership. To me, you trail 21-0… there are teams that quit in this league. We’ve seen it.”

• Dak Prescott’s Maturation & Intangibles:

  • Praised for overachieving amidst coaching changes and controversy:
    “His intangibles are better than the tangibles. He’s okay in terms of just a pure passer, but his leadership, his toughness…” (Colin, 12:04)
  • Adapted to difficult environments, shown growth as a locker room leader.

• Eagles' Identity Crisis:

  • A.J. Brown/Jalen Hurts dynamic – lack of vocal leadership compared to other elite QBs (13:40).
  • Offense is full of talent (Smith, Goddard, Barkley), but lacks consistency; have had multiple worst-in-league halves offensively (15:15, 15:23).

• Cowboys’ Defensive Turnaround:

  • Pulling off a comeback like this without Micah Parsons shows depth and smart drafting (08:16).
  • Dallas’ run-blocking o-line, two elite WRs, and strong run game make them dangerous in shootouts (16:14).

2. Shedeur Sanders’ Debut and the Raiders’ Collapse

Timestamp: 26:35–31:34

• Browns 24, Raiders 10:

  • Shedeur starts for Cleveland, delivers “a Tebow effect” and adds explosiveness not seen with Dylan Gabriel (28:10).
  • Smart gameplan by Stefanski: moved the pocket, used wildcat at the goal, minimized mistakes.
  • Raiders described as “hapless, lifeless” (28:50), with Pete Carroll failing to modernize or motivate.
  • Quote (John Middlekauff, 29:59):
    “You remove Max Crosby… their offensive line, I mean, every play Miles Garrett could have broke the single sack record…”

• Shedeur’s Future Prospects:

  • Noted he earned at least another start, moves better than several established QBs (31:34).
  • Organization seems more invested in Gabriel, but Shedeur showed enough.

3. Chiefs Survive – Mahomes Outduels Colts’ Daniel Jones

Timestamp: 31:34–39:39

• Chiefs 23, Colts 20 (OT):

  • Mahomes starts slow, then explodes in crunch time: 13 first downs in 4th quarter/OT, Colts had zero (34:44).
  • Daniel Jones, despite strong supporting cast, had “four consecutive three-and-outs,” 18 total yards in the 4th/OT.
  • Quote (Colin Cowherd, 34:44):
    “Daniel Jones did not have a single attempt over 20 yards… I think what they said, what Kansas City said with that gameplan, is don’t give him anything cheap over the top. Make him beat us.”

• Colts’ Ceiling With Daniel Jones:

  • Lacks deep ball, confidence, and playmaking in big moments.
  • Chiefs’ win was season-saving; upcoming home games look favorable (38:50).

• AFC Landscape:

  • Ravens, Steelers are fading due to injuries and regression.
  • Mahomes/Chiefs remain a playoff and possible Super Bowl threat.

4. Bears Stay Hot, Caleb Williams Progresses

Timestamp: 40:04–47:50

• Bears 31, Steelers 28:

  • Chicago wins despite missing five defensive starters.
  • Caleb throws 3 TDs, no picks; solid third down play and a blossoming connection with rookie TE Colston Loveland.
  • Not always accurate (“he’s a streaky NBA shooter,” 44:06) but resilient and coachable.
  • Quote (John Middlekauff, 42:25):
    “He was awesome in the second half. To me, the mental toughness after that play [strip-sack]: that was a disastrous play… If anything, he went the opposite way.”

• Coaching Impact & Team Growth:

  • Ben Johnson’s offense putting up points, limiting sacks, and developing young talent (46:06).
  • Bears look well-coached and ascending; are playing with “house money” in the NFC playoff race (73:07).

5. Vikings’ QB Disaster: J.J. McCarthy Fails Test

Timestamp: 53:52–60:41

• Packers 23, Vikings 6:

  • McCarthy’s day: 5 sacks, 2 picks, 145 total yards; “Minnesota had four yards and three turnovers in the second half” (53:52).
  • Hosts call experiment a disaster: Trying to “fix mechanics on the fly with real games” is impossible (55:34).
  • Vikings likely to seek a veteran QB; this “bold move…backfired in their face.”

• Contrast Across the League:

  • Davis Mills, Mac Jones, Shedeur Sanders are “functional”; J.J. McCarthy is not (57:10).
  • Quote (John Middlekauff, 57:19):
    “He would be one of the worst backups…JJ McCarthy can’t function, Colin. They can’t function.”

6. Seahawks & JSN Emerge, Lions’ Woes Continue

Timestamp: 60:41–74:06

Seattle 30, Tennessee 24

• Jackson Smith-Njigba (“JSN”) on fire: Breaks Seattle’s receiving record, pacing for a 2,000-yard season (62:42).
• Darnold plays clean, shows mobility and poise; John Schneider praised for bold offseason moves dumping Geno Smith and DK Metcalf for JSN and Darnold.

Detroit 34, New York Giants 27 (OT)

• Detroit survives, but concerns mount:

  • “Bad win”: Surrendered 520 yards, nine penalties, needed Jameer Gibbs’ heroics (66:28).
  • Dan Campbell’s lack of schematic acumen a concern without Ben Johnson; team feels “hittable,” defense regressing.
  • Quote (Colin Cowherd, 66:28):
    “The Lions do not feel as sharp to me. They just don’t. They had to be saved by Jameer Gibbs.”

• NFC North Race Wide Open:

  • Bears (8-3), Packers (7-3), Lions (7-4), all alive for division; Detroit under pressure to deliver with expensive, talented roster (73:07).

7. College Football: USC’s Lack of Progress & Lane Kiffin’s Next Move

Timestamp: 79:56–95:41

• USC’s Defensive Fiasco:

  • Repeated breakdowns in big games (Illinois, Notre Dame, Oregon); Lincoln Riley called out for lack of physicality and honest self-assessment.
  • Quote (Colin Cowherd, 79:56):
    “Four years in, I know Lincoln’s smart…But I’m watching another big game with USC and they’re not close defensively. They’re not close.”
  • Oklahoma and Brent Venables praised for building identity and toughness much faster.

• Big Ten Transition Looms:

  • 2026 & 2027 look brutal for USC’s schedule; fears that program culture and recruiting lag behind the Big Ten’s best.

• Lane Kiffin Drama:

  • Lane Kiffin to LSU seems likely; recognized for thrilling but inconsistent teams, reliance on NIL, and volatile program exits.
  • College football’s lack of professionalism and coach poaching discussed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dallas’ Leadership:
  Colin Cowherd (12:04):
  “24 unanswered points, that says leadership… I’ve always felt this about Dak, his intangibles are better than the tangibles.”

• On J.J. McCarthy’s Struggles:
  John Middlekauff (57:19):
  “He would be one of the worst backups... JJ McCarthy can’t function. They can’t function.”

• On the AFC Wild Card:
  Colin Cowherd (38:50):
  “Kansas City at 6 and 5—my money, they make the playoffs and win games.”

• On the Bears’ Progress:
  John Middlekauff (42:25):
  “He was awesome in the second half... the mental toughness after that [strip-sack]... That was a disastrous play. If anything, he went the opposite way.”

• On USC Football:
  Colin Cowherd (79:56):
  “I know Lincoln’s smart. I know he’s a good offensive coach... But in another big game with USC: they’re not close defensively. They’re not close.”

Important Timestamps and Segments

• Start of Main Content / Cowboys-Eagles Deep Dive: 01:26
• Shedeur Sanders Browns Debut: 26:35
• Chiefs-Colts Analysis & AFC Picture: 31:34
• Bears-Steelers, Caleb Williams Progress: 40:04
• Vikings-QB Meltdown (JJ McCarthy): 53:52
• Seahawks’ Surge, Darnold & JSN, DK Metcalf Trade: 60:41
• Detroit's Shaky Win, NFC North Race: 66:28 / 73:07
• USC/College Football Segment: 79:56
• Lane Kiffin & Coaching Carousel: 90:38

Tone & Style

Mix of opinionated analysis, candid critique, and behind-the-scenes NFL/college football insight. Cowherd leans into big-picture team building and culture, Middlekauff provides ex-scout perspective and detailed player/coaching evaluation. Both carry a conversational, sometimes wry, tone.

For New Listeners:

This episode offers a comprehensive recap and sharp analysis of the biggest football stories of the weekend, with honest breakdowns of player development, coaching decisions, and team trajectories—essential listening for staying ahead in the NFL and college football conversation.