Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Blue Jays Advance To World Series, Lions Dominate Bucs On MNF, Dan Campbell Is The “Ripped Ted Lasso”

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Blue Jays Advance To World Series, Lions Dominate Bucs On MNF, Dan Campbell Is The “Ripped Ted Lasso”
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd

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Episode Overview

In this energetic episode, Colin Cowherd delivers his instant reactions to two major sports stories: the Toronto Blue Jays advancing to the World Series after a dramatic Game 7 win over the Mariners, and the Detroit Lions’ dominant 24-9 Monday Night Football win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also discusses Dan Campbell’s leadership style, the evolving value of running backs in the NFL, and the complex dynamics shaping team hierarchies as the season unfolds. Cowherd’s tone is classic—opinionated, candid, and tinged with a sports-fan’s nostalgia and sharp analysis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Blue Jays Advance to the World Series

[02:11 – 07:18]

• Seattle Mariners’ Near-Miss:

  • Colin, a self-professed lifelong Mariners fan, describes the heartbreak as Seattle fell short in Game 7 despite strong performances from Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh.
  • “Julio Rodriguez came up for the final at bat of the season. He and Cal Raleigh. That’s who you would have chosen. They got a homer from Julio Rodriguez. They got a homer from Cal Raleigh. The Mariners led late, late innings on the road...” [02:22]

• Critical Managerial Decision:

  • Cowherd critiques Mariners manager Dan Wilson’s late-game choices—notably pitching to George Springer with a base open.
  • “Dan Wilson... elected to throw to George Springer... I would not have. There was a base open. You could argue they should have gone to Munoz, their top closer.” [03:01]
  • He acknowledges the team’s adherence to its season-long rotation strategy, but questions if it was the right call for the biggest at-bat in franchise history.

• Props to Toronto:

  • Colin gives credit to a “really good” Blue Jays team that thoroughly dominated the Yankees and outlasted the Mariners.
  • “Toronto’s a really good team, and they... thoroughly dominated the Yankees.” [04:12]

• Media and Ratings Perspective:

  • He offers a candid perspective on TV ratings in the U.S., noting networks typically prefer American teams for business reasons.
  • “If you’re any network in this country, our American networks want American teams. It’s better for business.” [05:15]

• World Series Outlook:

  • Dodgers vs Blue Jays: Dodgers are a “huge favorite and should be,” due to a star-studded lineup and “sensational pitching.”
  • Colin reflects on the Mariners’ magical season but concedes, “They got beat by a better team.” [04:46]

Notable Quote:

• “That was probably the biggest at bat the Mariners were facing arguably in their existence... I just would not have pitched to George Springer.” —Colin Cowherd [03:12]

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Monday Night Football: Lions Dominate Bucs

[07:46 – 14:50]

• Dan Campbell’s Impact:

  • Colin dubs Lions coach Dan Campbell “a ripped version of Ted Lasso.” He emphasizes Campbell’s intangible leadership qualities.
  • “Dan Campbell, the coach of the Lions, is like a ripped version of Ted Lasso. I don’t know if he’s adding a ton schematically. But there’s that belief thing.” [07:49]

• Lions’ Defensive Performance:

  • Praise for Detroit’s defense, despite injuries and backups, for holding Baker Mayfield and the Bucs to just nine points.
  • Mayfield was “under duress all night long” and Detroit “winning their matchups all night long.” [08:12]

• Game Flow & Home Field Advantage:

  • Cowherd senses Detroit’s momentum “from early on... should’ve been 24-nothing,” fueled by “the juice in the building.” [08:28]
  • He suggests that if the game had been played in Tampa, the result could easily have flipped.

• League Hierarchy & Parity:

  • Kansas City is “the best team in the league”; Philadelphia has “the best roster”; Detroit is a genuine contender, especially at home.
  • “There’s an argument... Are [the Rams] the third best team in the league? Is it the Colts? I don’t know... I just know when I watch Detroit play, especially at home, that’s a really good football team.” [09:33]

• The Running Back Debate:

  • Discusses the resurgence of first-round running backs (e.g., Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey) as defensive schemes evolve.
  • “It’s to some degree... kind of pivoting to a running back league again, because everybody’s playing these shell defenses. They’re not giving you anything over the top, and so it’s forcing you to run more.” [11:28]

• Jameer Gibbs' Performance & Value:

  • Highlights Gibbs as “just quicker and twitchier and faster than fast NFL players—and he’s strong.” [11:58]

Notable Moments:

• “Congrats to Dan Campbell, Ted Lasso with a bench press. So much of what you do as a coach is getting these guys to believe.” [14:28]
• “So Detroit, when you play at home... this was my second favorite bet after Cleveland over Miami in harsh weather.” [12:09]

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The Importance of Leadership in the NFL

[12:25 – 14:50]

• Explores how coaching styles are shaping the league.
• Contrasts CEO-type leaders (e.g., Sirianni, Campbell) with schematic wizards, arguing that belief and team buy-in matter as much as X’s and O’s.
• “Nick Sirianni is not a schematic whiz. He’s a CEO type. He’s an alpha... You just watch Detroit and Dan Campbell, it works. He has this team absolutely believing in themselves.” [13:05]

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Memorable Quotes

• “That was probably the biggest at bat the Mariners were facing arguably in their existence... I just would not have pitched to George Springer.” — Colin Cowherd [03:12]
• “Dan Campbell, the coach of the Lions, is like a ripped version of Ted Lasso. I don’t know if he’s adding a ton schematically. But there’s that belief thing.” — Colin Cowherd [07:49]
• “It’s kind of pivoting to a running back league again, because everybody’s playing these shell defenses... it’s forcing you to run more.” — Colin Cowherd [11:28]
• “Congrats to Dan Campbell, Ted Lasso with a bench press.” — Colin Cowherd [14:28]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:11 – 07:18: Blue Jays beat Mariners, Game 7 analysis, World Series preview
• 07:46 – 14:50: Lions defeat Bucs on MNF, Dan Campbell’s leadership, NFL team hierarchy & offensive trends
• 12:25 – 14:50: Coaching leadership, belief vs. scheme in the NFL

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Final Thoughts

Colin closes with high praise for Dan Campbell’s culture-building in Detroit, acknowledges the shifting landscape of NFL offenses, and reflects on the devastating-yet-memorable Mariners season. Whether dissecting the nuances of a Game 7 matchup or the understudied art of NFL leadership, Cowherd brings his trademark mix of snappy analysis and straight talk throughout this action-packed episode.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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So the Mariners had a lead.

[Colin Cowherd]

They had George Kirby. You know what? They got beat by a better team. So I thought the Mariners, Dodgers was going to be a really interesting series, a lot of great starting pitching. I thought it was going to be a real situational World Series with, you know, some long balls. The Mariners best two hitters are power hitters and that everybody in the Dodgers seemingly hits for power. Dodgers will be a huge favorite over the Toronto Blue Jays and should be. And, you know, listen, if you're a network, you're never rooting for Canadian teams. Canadian teams don't count. They use a different system for ratings. Their viewer, their consumers don't count for our American TV ratings. So, you know, you're rooting. If you're any network in this country, you know, our American networks want American teams. It's better for business.

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But Toronto was a great team all.

[Colin Cowherd]

Year and they deserved it. I mean, the Dodgers have overwhelmed Cincinnati. Philadelphia completely overwhelmed Milwaukee. They're an all star lineup with sensational pitching. They've apparently solved their bullpen woes all season, so they'll go. Friday in Toronto is Game 1. Dodgers will be a prohibitive favorite and should be. Listen, when you're a Mariner fan, when you grow up a Mariners fan, it was a magical season and they're well run, you know, middle of the road payroll, never been a big free agent hub. They have to draft and develop, but they've got the right manager, a lot of good young arms and that's all she wrote. Four to three Blue Jays headed to the World Series. All right, today's show is brought to you by our new presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. They're a great partner on Hard Rock Bet. You don't have to wait for week eight to kick off to get in on the action. There's always something to bet on. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet yet, there's still time for you to get 150 bucks in bonus bets. If you win, just place a five dollar bet. That's it. Five bucks. If it hits you, not only get your winnings, but you get $150 in extra bonus bets. The NBA is back, which means it's time to shoot your shot on Hard Rock Bet. You're home for all the hoops action all season long. If you need a little help with your first bet, check out the streaks heating up inside the Hard Rock Bet Stats hub. You can find live odds to bet on all of these streaks right in the Hard Rock Bet app. Download the Hard Rock Bet app today and make your first deposit payable in bonus bets.

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[Colin Cowherd]

All right, let's talk the Detroit Lions beating Baker Mayfield and the Bucks 24 to 9. You know, Dan Campbell, the coach of the Lions, is like a ripped version of Ted Lasso. I don't know if he's adding A ton, schematically. But there's that belief thing and I mean, they're missing all sorts of. It's backups in the secondary. And yet Baker Mayfield had one of his worst outings of the year. 28 for 50, touchdown, a pick, 228 yards under duress all night long. I mean, the pass rate percentage, rush percentage by Detroit, I mean, it had to be over 50%. They were winning their matchups all night long. So it's just one of those nights where. And you could tell early on in this game, I mean, it should have been 24, nothing. And Detroit golfing a terrible pick and they made mistakes, but you could just tell the juice in the building for the Lions was incredible. You know, I was doing my herd hierarchy for tomorrow. And Kansas City is the best team in the league. I'm not sure who the second best team is. The best roster in the NFL, I think, is Philadelphia. So they're probably the second best team in the league. I mean, they, they just figure out ways to win. They can no longer run the ball, which is bizarre. But. Best roster along with Kansas City in the NFL. But man, there's, There's a lot of. I mean, Detroit and Tampa, if that game's in Tampa, it felt like Detroit got a lot of the calls tonight. I mean, like, go either way stuff. I don't think the officials or the reviews were wrong. It just, they. It's just one of those things at home. You tend to get a break on the road. You don't. It's always felt like that since I've been watching football since I was 8. You know, I just feel like if Detroit and Tampa played again and it was in Tampa, Tampa could win. I think Denver stacked, but they should have been beaten by the New York Giants. There's an argument. I mean, the Rams defense, the last three or four weeks has been insane. There's an argument. The Rams, McVeigh, Stafford and that defense, are they the third best team in the league? Is it the Colts who had the Rams beaten in so far? I don't know. I mean, I just know when I watch Detroit play, especially at home, that's a really good football team. But you don't get to play Super Bowls at home. You generally don't get your conference championship at home. But I felt like it was just a. It was just a buzzsaw tonight and Tampa wasn't up for it. And I mean, they had Mike Evans, but he got hurt. Igbuka is remarkable, but it was just. It was Detroit's night. They were getting big chunk plays. You know Jameer Gibbs, you know Brad Holmes, the executive, the GM upstairs for the Lions who has rebuilt this into a incredibly redeemable roster. He took Jameer Gibbs in the first round and you know people, Jeremiah Love for Notre Dame is going to be a first round pick as a running back. Like first round running backs have done well. I mean Todd Gurley, Zeke Saquon, Barkley, Bijon Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Gibbs, Josh Jacobs. I mean there were some Mrs. Sony, Michelle, New England, I mean he was the second best running back at Georgia. Belichick can't draft offense. Sony Michelle should have been drafted in the second. Nick Chubb went to Cleveland. He should have been drafte drafted in the first. So that's just sort of a Belichick drafting error. He had many but a lot of these first round running backs and I think you're getting, I'll be honest with you, I think it's to some degree it's kind of pivoting to a running back league again because everybody's playing these shell defenses. They're not giving you anything over the top and so it's forcing you to run more. And I think Gibbs is a sensational talent. I mean he's just one of those guys. You don't see this very often in pro sports, but Gibbs is one of those guys, even among pro athletes has a different gear. Like he is just quicker and twitchier and faster than fast NFL players and he's strong. So Detroit, when you play at home, I went 4 and 1 on blazing 5 and this was my second favorite bet after Cleveland over Miami and harsh weather. So my favorite two bets this week were 4 and 1, 4 and 1 back to back weeks. NFL is, is such a hard league to bet. I mean I, I, I, I watched Denver win. Denver shouldn't have won. They trailed 19 nothing. I had Denver - seven. They got their ears boxed for two and a half hours.

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[Colin Cowherd]

But this felt like these Monday Night Football games. Seattle, by the way, is beating Houston as I do this. Seattle's a great Monday Night football team. Detroit's won five straight games on Monday Night Football. I think many of those have been at home. So it was just one of those things. I don't think any less of Baker and the Bucks. There are games, we all watch them and you feel like after like two series you just kind of feel like all the energy is on one side and it felt like it was in Detroit's corner tonight. And again, Dan Campbell with a Patchwork defense. It's so obvious what is happening in New England and Detroit. If you look at the really good teams in this league, Nick Sirianni is not a schematic whiz. He's a, he's a CEO type. He's an alpha. Is that what happens in Miami is There's no leadership. Tua's not a strong voice. Mike McDaniel's more of a coordinator than he is a stand in front of the room and galvanize a bunch of alpha males. You just watch Detroit and Dan Campbell. It just, it works. He has this team absolutely believing in themselves and it feels like that secondary for Detroit has been injury plagued or bad for any ever. So much of Detroit I like, it's just. I feel like they can't get the secondary solved. The minute it's solved, it gets banged up. But they win tonight and I know they lost soundly to Kansas City. They're one of the top three or four teams in the league. To me, when you can run the football like that, when you have that offensive line, when they had that play with Panay Sewell, when Penne Sewell moves outside like on a sweep and he's coming down the pipe and you're a corner or a safety, good. Hell, that's the stuff defensive backs have nightmares over. So listen, congrats to Dan Campbell, Ted Lasso with a bench press. So much of what you do as a coach is getting these guys to believe it's what Brable's done in New England. New England. New England's got some good players. I mean they spent some money but they on the perimeter, you know, they're not, they're not wildly explosive but belief quarterback, they run the ball pretty effectively. Is New England going to make the herd hierarchy? Probably got to find a spot for them. We'll see you tomorrow in FS1.

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[Colin Cowherd]

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Then we'll be talking about our favorite horror and Halloween movies and figuring out why black people always die first.

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[Colin Cowherd]

Now, this is an iHeart podcast.