The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Prime Cuts: In-Depth Summary

Episode Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: John Middlekauff, Guest Analyst (segment), others

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents its signature rapid-fire analysis of NFL trends and storylines, focusing heavily on pivotal matchups and quarterback evaluations. The conversation between Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff explores the Bills’ commanding win over the Chiefs, the Rams’ resurgence, ongoing questions about J.J. McCarthy’s readiness, and Caleb Williams' development in Chicago. Bonus segments include a spirited discussion about the Dodgers’ World Series victory and the evolving NFL quarterback reclamation market.

1. Bills Dominate Chiefs: What Changed?

[04:52–13:01]

Key Discussion Points

• Colin and John dissect Buffalo’s 28-21 win over Kansas City, spotlighting quarterback comfort/discomfort.
• The Bills defensive line’s intensity and effort are credited as game-changers.
• Both agree that while Mahomes felt pressured and unsettled, Josh Allen looked composed—thanks to a supportive O-line and strong running game.
• Questions arise on whether the Bills can translate big regular season wins into postseason success.
• Buffalo’s pass rush, with young stars like Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, is cited as peaking at the right time.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [04:52]:
  “Mahomes was uncomfortable and Josh Allen was really comfortable…when Mahomes doesn’t trust his offensive line, it changes the way he plays, he presses, he takes more risks.”
• John Middlekauff [05:28]:
  “If the Bills can find a way to play like they do against the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season, in the postseason, they will win the Super Bowl.”
• Colin Cowherd [06:47]:
  “So much of defense is effort…when you take that Buffalo defensive front and they play Mahomes, they play differently. The defensive front today for Buffalo knew the red light was on.”

2. The Jury is Still Out: J.J. McCarthy under Review

[14:13–19:38]

Key Discussion Points

• Analysis shifts to the Vikings-Lions game (Minnesota 27, Detroit 24).
• Flores’ defensive scheme for Minnesota flusters Detroit, particularly Jared Goff.
• J.J. McCarthy’s performance: Looks solid in scripted plays, but “gets engulfed” due to lack of physical girth.
• John notes McCarthy’s big plays—3 TDs—are positives, but accuracy and presence remain in question.
• The hosts debate whether McCarthy’s success is artificially buoyed by coaching and strong supporting cast.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [14:13]:
  “I thought he was very good in the scripted stuff early. Overall, he moves well. He looks…a little small to me. It’s so funny, Mahomes is 6’1” and a half, feels huge to me…McCarthy sometimes feels like he gets engulfed.”
• John Middlekauff [15:15]:
  “The number one thing with JJ today: the good plays were touchdowns. So if you’re going to count for three touchdowns, you could have 20 incompletions and have some terrible plays...Flores, if you were going to give one game ball to a coach today, it probably has to go to him.”

3. Rams Quietly Ascendant

[27:16–33:43]

Key Discussion Points

• Colin is emphatic about the Rams’ 34-10 dismantling of the Saints, lauding time of possession dominance and roster depth.
• Matthew Stafford’s resurgence as an elite quarterback and a future Hall of Famer is discussed at length.
• The receiving duo of Puka Nacua and Devonte is highlighted as one of the league’s most dangerous.
• Middlekauff credits the Rams’ coaching and Stafford’s connection with his weapons as catalytic to their resurgence.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [27:16]:
  “The Rams are really good. I mean, we forget they went in London and they blow out Jacksonville like 35 to 7. Rams right now, John, are really, really good.”
• John Middlekauff [29:09]:
  “The scary thing these last couple games is Devonte has five touchdowns…when those two guys [Puka and Devonte] are on the field right now, they’re as good of a 1-2 combo…they’re kind of unstoppable.”
• Colin Cowherd [31:07]:
  “What if Matt Stafford wins another Super Bowl…he’s already a Hall [of Famer]. I think he’s a Hall of Famer now, right? Matt Stafford’s a Hall of Famer right now.”

4. Quarterback Evaluations – The “Second-Chance League”

[49:25–59:07]

Key Discussion Points

• Shift to the Bears and the theory that bad franchises don’t know they’re bad—a key dynamic in the development and reclamation of quarterbacks.
• Caleb Williams’ development: flashes of high-level play amid organizational instability.
• The evolution of cast-aside QBs (Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold) landing in good systems; lessons for front offices about patience and proper coaching fits.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [49:25]:
  “Let’s pivot now to the Bears. Sure they got the coach and the quarterback. The defense stinks. We still don’t like the owner…The front office I doubt. I love the coach. The quarterback. Super talented. There’s a lot they’re not doing right. But like a political party, the Bears now lead the NFL in big plays.”
• Guest Analyst [51:22]:
  “If you told me 25 games into his career [Caleb Williams]…that they would have, by the numbers, a top 10 offense and a winning record in year two, 100% of Bears fans would have signed up for it.”
• Colin Cowherd [57:01]:
  “What do Baker and Sam have in common? Baker went to Cleveland and then Carolina. Poorly run teams. And then McVeigh said, ‘I like him.’ …The smart take from the less skilled and the less smart is that the smartest people in the NFL…figure out who can play and who can’t.”

5. Dodgers Win the World Series: Big Picture Baseball

[33:43–47:42]

Key Discussion Points

• Cowherd and Middlekauff transition to the Dodgers’ World Series victory, praising managerial decisions and Asian player recruitment.
• The team’s cohesion and knack for capitalizing on role players in big moments is cited as a parallel to successful football organizations.
• The hosts touch on the unique intensity of Japanese baseball and how that prepares international stars for MLB pressure.
• Dodgers’ organizational strength is credited as much to their smart spending, player development, and clubhouse culture as their deep pockets.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [33:43]:
  “The Dodgers have so separated financially from everybody else…these Japanese stars…between weather and proximity and how well run the organization is…The Dodgers are smart.”
• John Middlekauff [36:35]:
  “One of my best friends…said that [Japanese baseball] felt like an SEC football game…the intensity in the environment…the bright lights, [players] completely unfazed.”
• Colin Cowherd [43:51]:
  “I think game six and game seven, the final innings are the greatest, most drama filled…You have to go back to the '75 World Series...That had...so much drama.”

6. NFL Coaching Trends: Don’t Give Up on Talented QBs

[58:47–end]

Key Discussion Points

• John and the guest analyst discuss trends in NFL front office thinking: teams are increasingly hesitant to give up on high-talent QBs, given turnaround stories like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
• The lesson for teams: cultivate patience, seek optimal coaching fits, and beware of prematurely discarding talent.
• The segment closes speculating on the future of young quarterbacks in the league who are struggling with unfavorable circumstances.

Notable Quotes

• Guest Analyst [58:47]:
  “Sean McVay can't sign everybody. Kyle Shanahan can't sign everybody...it'll just be interesting to me to see if teams, instead of like, cutting guys loose, be like, we'll just, we'll sit you for a little while.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bills vs. Chiefs Deep Dive: 04:52–13:01
• J.J. McCarthy & QB Eval: 14:13–19:38
• Rams, Stafford and NFC Picture: 27:16–33:43
• Dodgers & World Series Recap: 33:43–47:42
• QB Reclamation Project / Bears & Williams: 49:25–59:07

Memorable Moments

• Colin calls the Rams’ easy win “a practice, just easy peasy.” [27:16]
• John: “The number one thing with JJ today: the good plays were touchdowns.” [15:15]
• Colin on NFL talent: “Smart people figure out who can play and who can't.” [57:01]
• On the Dodgers’ organizational advantage: “They just don’t make a lot of mistakes.” [41:17]
• Colin on World Series drama: “Game six and game seven, the final innings are the greatest, most drama filled…since the '75 World Series.” [43:51]

Tone and Style Notes

• The episode balances analysis with anecdote, stays conversational, and occasionally veers philosophical on the nature of team building in both football and baseball.
• Colin’s tone is wry, a bit self-deprecating, and leans into big, sweeping narratives.
• Middlekauff provides the former scout’s perspective: concrete, detail-oriented, with coaching insights throughout.

This summary captures the episode’s deep dives on football and baseball, the evolution of quarterback scouting and development, the importance of organizational culture, and the unpredictable drama of sports at the highest level.