The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Summary

Episode: Eagles Survive Bills Rally, Steelers Are In BIG Trouble, Don’t Sleep On The Pats, Pete Carroll One & Done?
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: John Middlekauff (Former NFL Scout)

OVERVIEW

This episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast dives into the wild developments of the latest NFL weekend. Colin and John dissect the Eagles’ narrow victory over the Bills, examine the downward spiral of the Steelers, flag the emerging Patriots as dark horses, and question Pete Carroll’s future in coaching. The conversation is laced with fast-paced, informed analysis, hot takes, and plenty of banter as they run through game reactions, playoff implications, player evaluations, and the broader state of NFL franchises.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Eagles Survive Bills: The Battle in Philadelphia

• Gutsy Calls & Momentum Swings:
  • Both Colin and John praise the Bills' decision to go for two at home at the end, especially with Josh Allen's momentum (04:20–05:01).
  • "When you're the home team, you got to go for it. You have Josh Allen, you have momentum, you've dominated the second half." – Colin (02:46)
• Roster Comparison & Game Flow:
  • Eagles have a far superior roster, especially on defense: four Pro Bowl defenders compared to none for Buffalo.
  • The Bills dominated second-half stats but couldn't finish.
  • The Eagles' offense “just dies” after early success—a recurring issue (07:07).
  • Notable moment: Eagles got extremely conservative with the lead, particularly in sidelining A.J. Brown from the passing game (08:24).
  • "With 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Hurts was 0-for-6 ... in the second half, we're doing all this smart short stuff in the first half ... and they just stopped doing it." – Colin (08:24)
• Josh Allen’s Burden:
  • Bills’ offense heavily relies on Allen – weak receiving core, offensive line under constant pressure.
  • John likens Allen to Cam Newton in his prime, noting the physical toll and injury impact (11:44).
  • "They're so dependent on him to be Superman ... it's hard to watch that team and go they got three victories to the Super Bowl with that roster." – John (12:42)
• Playoff Prospects:
  • Both see the Bills as vulnerable to early playoff elimination: “I can see Buffalo being a one and done team.” – Colin (13:39)
  • Teams like Denver and Jacksonville are highlighted as potential threats to the Bills in the postseason.

2. Steelers in Trouble: Offensive Stagnation and Tomlin’s Question Mark

• Pittsburgh’s Collapse vs. Cleveland:
  • Steelers lost a must-win to the (then) 3-12 Browns, scoring only 6 points and failing to capitalize on turnovers (18:35).
  • Offensive struggles linked to DK Metcalf's suspension and injuries, including tight end Darnell Washington (19:34).
  • "They scored six points in a game where if they win it, they win the division." – John (18:35)
  • Steelers overdepend on DK Metcalf, more than other teams do on their WR1.
• Tomlin Discussion:
  • Colin highlights Tomlin's inability to motivate against low-quality opponents despite his reputation for underdog upsets (16:33).
  • Criticizes strategic choices, especially making a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers throw 39 times in poor conditions (21:54).
  • "No playoff wins in eight years ... feels like at the end of the year, there’s more smart offensive coaches." – Colin (21:54)
  • John calls for potential change, suggesting the Tomlin era may have run its course (24:18).
• Injury Uncertainty & Playoff Hopes:
  • DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt’s health status put season’s end in doubt (19:34, 20:52).
  • John projects the Steelers to potentially finish 9-8 and miss playoffs, reversing the prior optimism (20:52).

3. Seattle: Steady, Not Spectacular – But Dangerous

• Win over Carolina:
  • Seattle overcame an ugly first half to handily beat Carolina; talent gap noted as "dramatic" (34:10).
  • Bryce Young’s stats again show struggle as a pro-level QB.
• Seattle’s Profile:
  • “The Seahawks don’t do anything brilliantly, but they do everything up to snuff. They don’t really have a hole.” – Colin (33:45)
  • Praised for an elite mix of youth and experience, strong front office (John credits GM John Schneider).
  • Sam Darnold compared to Andrew Luck for his “short memory” and aggressive style (34:10, 35:49).
  • Emphasis on Seattle controlling its destiny for the top playoff seed thanks to consistent road wins.

4. Patriots: Don’t Sleep on New England

• Blowout of the Jets & Offensive Weapons:
  • New England demolishes Jets 42-10, marking 18 wins in 21 matchups (38:16).
  • Receivers group upgraded – “big play wide receivers” highlighted (Diggs, Williams, Booty).
  • Running back Henderson’s explosiveness mentioned; team speed noted (40:17).
• Coaching & Quarterbacking:
  • Drake May at QB and Josh McDaniels’s coaching lauded: “He’s made Drake May into a legitimate...I mean, Drake was in the MVP conversation.” – John (41:36)
  • Patriots compared favorably to Bills; Colin suggests people are “underselling” New England (39:07).
• Playoff Outlook & Wild Card Competition:
  • Potential postseason matchups discussed: Chargers (Herbert/Harbaugh), Houston, Buffalo—each posing unique challenges for New England as a likely two seed (43:36).

5. Houston Texans: From Laughing Stock to Contender

• Signature Win over Chargers:
  • Dominant defensive performance, nearly 40% pressure rate on Herbert, highlight the transformation of Texans’ identity (49:36).
• Nick Caserio’s Redemption:
  • GM Nick Caserio’s draft success (Tank Dell, Jalen Noel, Jaden Higgins) signals Belichick’s earlier influence in New England may have been limiting (49:36–51:41).
  • D'Amico Ryans lauded as coach—draws comparisons to Vrabel/Harbaugh.
• Playoff Ceiling:
  • “I want to see the matchups. I think [the Texans] are going to end up in the AFC championship.” – Colin (54:26)

6. Broadcasting & Streaming: The Fan Perspective

• NFL Accessibility Challenges:
  • Colin vents about the need for 7+ services to watch all Week 17 games and the challenges it poses for casual fans (61:00).
  • John notes generational viewing shifts, predicting a difficult run for less essential streamers like Peacock (63:06–64:44).

7. Raiders, Draft Order & The Coaching Carousel

• Organizational Dysfunction:
  • Raiders, Giants, Jets, Titans, Arizona: Same franchises, same top of the draft order for years, attributed to poor ownership and systemic issues (71:41).
  • Colin and John question if the Raiders should retain Pete Carroll or blow it up with a fresh offensive identity for new QB Fernando Mendoza (66:53–71:41).
  • “If I’m Max [Crosby], at this point in time, like it’s time…” – John (68:38)

8. College Corner: Michigan Hires Kyle Whittingham

• Whittingham’s Fit at Michigan:
  • Acknowledged as a “no-nonsense” and “grown-up” coach, seen as a strong hire despite age (73:09–74:34).
  • Utah’s sustained physicality discussed—expected to translate to Michigan’s Big Ten aspirations.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On the Eagles' conservatism:
  "With 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Hurts was 0-for-6...and they just stopped doing it. I was like, just go back to the stuff you were doing in the first half."
  — Colin Cowherd, (08:24)
• Josh Allen’s burden:
  "They're so dependent on him to be Superman...hard to watch that team and go they got three victories to the Super Bowl with that roster."
  — John Middlekauff, (12:42)
• Steelers' collapse:
  "They scored six points in a game where if they win it, they win the division."
  — John Middlekauff, (18:35)
• Cultural Shifts in Viewing:
  "You couldn’t meet anyone under 50...that even knows what regular television even means anymore."
  — John Middlekauff, (63:56)
• Raiders dysfunction:
  "It is…the same nonsense, the same owners, the same teams over and over."
  — Colin Cowherd, (71:41)

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• [04:20] — Eagles-Bills Two-Point Call and Game Breakdown
• [07:07] — Eagles' Offense Stalls, A.J. Brown Disappears
• [11:44] — Josh Allen's Burden & Bills' Thin Roster
• [16:33] — Steelers’ Tomlin Problem & Motivation Issues
• [18:35] — Steelers’ Red Zone Ineptitude Against Browns
• [33:45] — Seattle’s Consistency and Roster Assessment
• [38:16] — Patriots Blow Out Jets, Offensive Surprises
• [49:36] — Houston’s Defensive Masterclass vs. Herbert
• [61:00] — NFL Viewing: Streaming Fatigue Discussion
• [66:53] — Raiders’ Head Coaching & QB Future
• [73:09] — Michigan Hires Kyle Whittingham

EPISODE TONE & STYLE

The episode is conversational, incisive, and slightly irreverent. Colin and John bounce between quick-hit takes and deeper breakdowns, often lacing analysis with pointed humor and memorable analogies. They maintain energy, question prevailing NFL narratives, and don’t shy away from calling out coaches, players, teams—or media groupthink.

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

• The Eagles survived but look flawed; coaching and play-calling could cost them a deep run.
• Bills may have peaked early; likely one-and-done despite Allen’s heroics.
• Steelers' dependence on aging stars and coaching status quo could spell playoff doom.
• Seattle is a sneaky powerhouse built for postseason toughness.
• Patriots might be the dark horse team—don’t overlook their versatility and coaching.
• Texans have gone from NFL’s laughing stock to AFC contender, thanks to savvy management and culture change.
• Raiders and other perennial bottom-feeders need radical organizational overhaul, not just cosmetic coaching swaps.
• Broadcasting: NFL’s push to streamers risks alienating mainstream fans, especially as quarterback injuries/absences mount.
• College Football: Michigan’s bet on Whittingham signals a return to maximizing discipline, structure, and Big Ten DNA.