Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Chiefs Beat Texans, Headed To 7th Straight AFC Championship! Mahomes+Kelce > Brady+Gronk

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Chiefs Beat Texans, Headed To 7th Straight AFC Championship! Mahomes+Kelce > Brady+Gronk Release Date: January 19, 2025

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1. Game Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd delivers an immediate and in-depth reaction to the Kansas City Chiefs' decisive victory over the Houston Texans, securing their seventh consecutive AFC Championship appearance. He emphasizes the Chiefs' dominance and strategic prowess that led to their sustained success in the league.

"Kansas City prevails. They will now go to their seventh straight AFC championship game." [23:14]

2. Standout Performances

Cowherd highlights the exceptional performances of Chiefs' stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, drawing comparisons to legendary duos like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. He delves into Kelce's remarkable achievements during the playoffs, underscoring his critical role in the team's offensive strategy.

"Mahomes to Kelce > Brady+Gronk... Kelce today had the most yards he's had all season. Defrosted for the playoffs." [23:14]

He notes Kelce's record-breaking streak of 70+ receiving yards in 14 straight playoff games, praising his ability to perform under pressure and elevate the Chiefs' offensive game.

3. Officiating Controversies

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around controversial officiating decisions that impacted the game's outcome. Cowherd expresses frustration over missed calls and perceived biases against high-profile quarterbacks like Mahomes.

"I'm overly protective of Mahomes. Yes, but this is sort of the NFL now. The calls that drive us nuts are almost always a hit on a quarterback shouldn't be called." [23:14]

He criticizes the trend of penalizing quarterbacks for hits that should go uncalled, suggesting that such decisions are detrimental to the flow and fairness of the game.

4. Team Strategies and Strengths

Cowherd analyzes the Chiefs' strategic execution, highlighting Andy Reid's coaching acumen and the team's adaptability during critical moments. He contrasts the Chiefs' offensive efficiency with their defensive performance, noting improvements and areas needing attention.

"Kansas City's offense is good. Situationally. This Kansas City defense is so good on big downs. They can smell it, they can read it, they can taste it." [23:14]

He commends the Chiefs' ability to capitalize on turnovers and effectively manage critical plays, which he attributes to their seasoned defense and intelligent play-calling.

5. AFC Championship Implications

Looking ahead, Cowherd discusses the implications of the Chiefs' victory for the AFC Championship landscape. He assesses the strengths and weaknesses of other top AFC contenders, positioning Kansas City as a formidable force poised for another title run.

"All year long, I had Kansas City number one in the Herd hierarchy. I now have them two behind Buffalo, and I think that's what the AFC championship's going to look like." [23:14]

He anticipates a fierce competition, particularly highlighting the Buffalo Bills and other emerging teams, while maintaining confidence in the Chiefs' ability to navigate the postseason successfully.

6. Future Prospects for AFC Teams

Cowherd expands his analysis to the broader AFC, evaluating the potential of teams like the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and others. He speculates on the necessary moves and developments each team must undertake to challenge the Chiefs' dominance.

"I think Buffalo's a better team. I think Kansas City is a better situational team... Denver, Rams, Chargers, Houston Texans. They all need another draft to catch up to Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit talent." [23:14]

He underscores the importance of strategic drafting and player development in determining which teams can emerge as serious contenders in the evolving AFC landscape.

Conclusion

Cowherd wraps up his instant reaction by reaffirming the Chiefs' sustained excellence and their strategic advantage in the AFC. He praises the team's offensive resilience and defensive preparedness, setting the stage for an exciting AFC Championship race.

"There's a bunch of great quarterbacks in the league and they don't get punished for them. And that's just the way football works." [23:14]

He concludes with a nod to the Chiefs' consistent performance and strategic depth, positioning them as perennial favorites in the AFC Championship discussions.

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This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Chiefs' latest victory, combining statistical insights with strategic evaluations. Colin Cowherd offers listeners a nuanced perspective on the team's performance, officiating challenges, and the broader implications for the AFC playoffs.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else you can find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

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I'm looking at this. Think about this. Kelsey today had the most yards he's had all season. Defrosted for the playoffs. He has the most 100 receiving yard games in playoff history. 70 plus receiving yards in 14 straight playoff games. Second longest streak is seven. So I never thought I'd see anything better than Winslow. And Shannon Sharp was damn good. So was Tony Gonzalez. Then there was Brady and Gronk. This is better. And this is just the classic example of these seasons as the NFL keeps extending the season and asking more of their players. The great players know when to pick their spots. So much is done. Like Texan fans are complaining about the refs. The difference is when you go on the road in the playoffs you always get host, win more regular season games and get home field playoff advantage. The Texans were in a worse division. Win more games. I mean the Chiefs were in a better division. Chargers made the playoffs, Broncos made the playoffs. I mean in the Texans division the Jags were at tire fire, Colts were a mess. So you know, win more games in your division. Tennessee was a mess. So that's the advantage of playing at home in my entire life, you know it could be any sport. You'll get a call at home or two. But Andy Reid now was 11 and oh when he leads at half. And even though the Texans had a great final drive at the end of the first half and got the kickoff in the second half, the big takeaway for me today in this game was the Texans had no real answer when Spags blitz and when the Texans put pressure with an extra man on Mahomes, they seem to always have an answer and that is the difference. Fans are going to complain about officials and there were two lousy calls against Houston. I overly protective of Mahomes. Yes, but this is sort of the, this is sort of the NFL now. The calls that drive us nuts are almost Always a hit on a quarterback shouldn't be called. And it is like that's, it's. I'm kind of used about one a game. You'd hope with the best officiating crews, you wouldn't get any in the playoff games. It may be the opposite because you're dealing with bigger star quarterbacks and they don't want them hurt. So I've just, I'm baking that in. Even though I thought both calls were weak, I'm just baking that in. Once a game, twice a game. You're going to see one of the quarterbacks both get get that call. You are. You're going to get that call. I don't like it. But I think the big difference is it's easy to complain about officiating, but so much is done in the NFL. Andy Reid with extra time. Shocking. He won Kansas City. I've been calling them the packers of the AFC. They feel a year away. 6, 7. More players add more depth. Could they have won if they had Tank Dell and Stefan Diggs certainly would have helped. Although Nico Collins is amazing and Joe Mixon, I've thought is one of the more underrated backs in the league in the last five, six years. I just, I think when you look at it, Kansas City keeps winning these games and it's not a coincidence. That's why people always talk about luck. Kansas City is the Patriots. They're just more of an offensive version. And it always felt like New England was more of a defensive version. When New England had their best offense with Randy Moss, they didn't win titles. But I think what's also happening, once you started paying Brady a little more, you're not going to have as dynamic an offense. And once you start paying Mahomes more, the Chiefs offense isn't dynamic, but it's efficient. Anytime they get an official break or a fumble or they get just something goes their way, a kicker misses a kick, they tend to go back and punish you. The great quarterbacks punish you for their mistakes. Kansas City doesn't play perfect football, but there's about five great quarterbacks in the league and they don't get punished for them. And that's just the way football works. So, you know, I look at, I'm thinking about this Mahomes Kelsey. So it was funny in the first half, Mahomes had a passer rating of 110 going to Kelsey and a passer rating of 61 going to everybody else. Just it's so classic and it's very much Brady Gronk I've got all sorts of notes here. I thought the Texans had a really good game plan early. I love that 15 play drive. But just ask yourself this if you're a Texans fan, if I would have said to you before the game, you know you're going to play pretty well, but your special teams are going to be awful. Does that sound like you would have beaten the two time defending champs and the greatest quarterback arguably of all time? Be totally honest. You're going to go on the road, you're going to play pretty well. But God, our special teams had their worst day of the year. You're not winning that game. You're not winning that game. Those officiating calls, I would buy much more if you didn't miss a pat, if you didn't get a field goal blocked, if you're not missing kicks, if you didn't give up a huge kickoff return to open the game. So, you know, I just, I understand fan is short for fanatic and they're going to rail on those two calls. But in the end, it's Kansas City doing what Kansas City does and Andy Reid doesn't lose off a buy and Andy Reid doesn't lose when he's leading at half. He's now 12 and oh, when leading at half. Something else I want to give credit for. I thought not only did you know, Mahomes and Kelsey rise to the moment, I thought Joe Buck and Anikman were great today, you know, and I agreed with Aikman that Dalton Schultz play, I don't know what a catch is either. I thought the minute he secured it, left foot down, right foot out, I agreed with Aikman, but I think what Troy is willing to say, and it's really important because we're all sitting there saying the same thing, is he went after the officials today and I appreciate that and I know a lot of announcers are uncomfortable with that. But Aikman, of all the analysts is willing to take swings on stuff and I thought the officials missed a couple of early calls and I agreed with him and I'm glad he does that because we're all saying the same thing at home. And I think when an analyst can say what we're thinking, that's when you're the most effective. You know, it's one thing to have, you know, you're prepared, but when you can say what I'm thinking, that's a good analyst. So tip of the cap there. I also think as great as the NFL regular season is, and Peyton Manning told me this years ago, he said there's preseason speed, there's regular season speed, there's division rival speed, and then there's playoff speed and intensity. And I mean, that thing today for Kelsey to rise from the ashes, it's just so classic Kansas City and classic playoff football. I think Buffalo's a better team. I think Kansas City is a better situational team. And I this, this whole thing about luck. I mean, look at how Kansas City won games this year. They block a kick like a Denver Broncos kick when they're outplayed. I don't think that's luck. I think it's preparation. I think Spags very early in this game figured out they don't have an answer for our blitzes, and they didn't. And Houston was a crazy, inconsistent team all year anyway, like I said, I said going into this game is. I couldn't picture a way Houston could win, you know, if they got off to a good start. They didn't. If everything was pretty buttoned up, it wasn't. I could see them, you know, covering the spread, but you can't have a special teams disaster in Winnip Arrowhead. Not going to happen. Say it out loud. Yeah, we're awful on special teams and we're facing Mahomes and Reid off a buy. The other thing I think about is I do think this is the best version of Buffalo, and I don't think it's the best version of the Lions. I thought they were better last year because they were healthier. I don't think it's the best version necessarily of the Philadelphia Eagles. I think Sirianni this year has been quirky. I thought the super bowl year they had a better staff with Shane Steichen. I don't think it's the best version of Baltimore because Zay Flowers is hurt. I think this is the best version of the Buffalo Bills, and that's why I think they're going to beat Baltimore. But as I look at the AFC in total, I think there's about five teams in this league that are a year away. Denver, Rams, I believe, Chargers, Houston Texans. I think they're all really, really close. But they just need another draft to catch up to Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit talent and to be able to topple the Kansas City's Chiefs. So all year long, I had Kansas City number one in the Herd hierarchy. I now have them two behind Buffalo, and I think that's what the AFC championship's going to look like. But, I mean, you're talking Babe Ruth and Garrig Pippen. And Jordan Mahomes and Kelsey. It's what you tell your grandkids about that. Didn't see it live. Just amazing. Just to put a punctuation on this. Mahomes to kelsey on the day 7 of 8 A perfect passer rating 158.3 Mahomes to the rest of the team A passer rating of 61 completed 9 of 17 old reliable when the Chiefs starters played Starters playing that defense hasn't given up over 20 points since Thanksgiving and Carloftis has really emerged and Kansas City's defense two years ago was really interesting. Good but young. Last year they were really good. This year they're a little older and they probably won't be able to keep all these guys. But when I watch the Chiefs defense this year, it doesn't quite feel quite as good at corner but man, their timing on third and fourth down, their understanding of the scheme and the blitz packages this this Kansas City defense. You know, we, we think Kansas City's offense is good. Situationally. This Kansas City defense is so good on big downs. They can smell it, they can read it, they can taste it. I just feel like we're watching and I've said this all year, they're better offensively than last year. I think they, I really do. I don't love their offensive tackle situation, but they're better offensively. They're more dynamic. Xavier worthy helps. They're maybe not quite as deep defensively, but I think they're that year of age and wisdom. Jesus. They're good on big downs. Defensively, the volume NFL playoffs. We're talking about NFL playoffs. You bet we are. 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[NPR Politics Podcast Host]

Lately on the NPR Politics podcast, we're talking about a big question. How much can one guy change?

[Political Commentator]

They want change.

[NPR Politics Podcast Host]

What will change look like for energy?

[Political Commentator]

Drill baby, Drill schools. Take the Department of Education. Close it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Health care better and less expensive.

[NPR Politics Podcast Host]

Follow coverage of a changing country.

[Political Commentator]

Promises made, promises kept. We're going to keep our promises on.

[NPR Politics Podcast Host]

The NPR Politics podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing With a Star. So where else are you gonna find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Join late night legend Jon Stewart and the best news team for today's biggest headlines, exclusive extended interviews and more. Now, this is a second term we can all get behind. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Katie Couric]

Hey, everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch, right in time for a new season of my podcast. Next question. I'm bringing in some foks friends of Katie's to help me out like Ezra Klein, Jen Psaki, Asted Herndon. But we're also going to have some fun thanks to some of my friends like Samantha Bee and Charlamagne the God. We're going to take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.