The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Prime Cuts (September 27, 2025)

Episode Theme:
Colin Cowherd, along with Jason McIntyre and guest Danny Parkins, breaks down the week’s top NFL stories: Caleb Williams and the Bears’ big win over the Cowboys, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to TV after political controversy, and the Lions’ dominant win over the Ravens. The conversation traverses game analysis, coaching, media culture, team building, and shifting opinions in sports.

1. Caleb Williams & the Bears’ Breakthrough vs. Cowboys

Segment: [02:39] – [11:25]

Main Points & Insights

• “Harmony” on 19-play drive:
  Colin Cowherd highlights a key moment: “I really thought it was the first time out of the first drive that I thought Caleb and Ben, there was a certain harmony, like he wasn’t rushing anything.” (Colin Cowherd, [03:01])

• Bears’ offensive improvement:
  Caleb Williams made several big-time throws, notably a flea-flicker touchdown (“one of the more beautiful throws you will see all season long”—Jason McIntyre, [04:46]).
  The Bears’ offensive personnel is quietly impressive with DJ Moore, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and a solid running game with Swift.

• Bears’ success vs. porous defense:
  Jason McIntyre tempers excitement, noting “Ben Johnson versus Eberfluss... it’s not a fair fight. I think Eberfluss is probably the worst defensive coordinator going.” ([04:34])
  Many touchdowns came against blown coverages; several receivers were wide open.

Quotes:

• “A win’s a win. Cool moment for Ben [Johnson] getting his first win. But I truly believe that some guys in this league get recycled unfairly. Eberfluss is a good example. He has no business being a defensive coordinator.” — Jason McIntyre ([05:11])
• “If they become like the 23rd best scoring team in the league, it’s not going to be on the personnel or Ben. They’ve got good pressure. They have some really, really... even their third string back is a capable player.” — Colin Cowherd ([06:07])

Notable Moments:

• McIntyre: “I just have a hard time extracting much from throwing it to guys that are wide open in the NFL, because we know that’s not the case... in that division.” ([07:25])

2. Coaching Quality & NFL Staff Trends

Segment: [09:13] – [11:25]

Main Points & Insights

• Contrast in coaching:
  Praise for Ben Johnson’s play-calling rhythm; criticism of Matt Eberflus’ defense as “an unserious defensive performance.”

• Staff recycling in the NFL:
  McIntyre describes how mediocre coaches continually find coordinator and position coach jobs, referencing Brandon Staley and Mike McCarthy’s career path.

Quote:

• “When you get good defensive coordinators, it really stands out... When you get bad ones, it really stands out.” — Jason McIntyre ([10:49])

3. Rams vs. Eagles: Defensive Woes & Coaching Chess Match

Segment: [11:25] – [21:14]

Key Discussion Points

• Rams squander lead, Eagles adjust:
  The Rams led 26-7 before falling 33-26. Poor secondary play; allowed A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith to dominate.
  Rams failed to address cornerback and center in the offseason; Eagles’ defensive line overwhelmed late.

• Sirianni’s midgame turnaround:
  “[Sirianni] just started throwing it to [A.J. Brown]... Some of them [passes] are kind of floating in the air. AJ’s attacking it, he's throwing the guy off him. It’s one of the great turnarounds of Sirianni’s career in a one game situation.” — Jason McIntyre ([14:02])

• Game management & Eagles’ depth:
  Eagles’ adaptability after Lane Johnson’s injury praised—depth and “ruthlessness” in making quick personnel changes.

Quote:

• “When you play Philadelphia and you don’t have an elite corner... you’re in big trouble.” — Colin Cowherd ([13:20])

• “Jordan Davis... at one point in time, it was taking like two steps to cover five yards. The movement on this human being....” — Jason McIntyre ([17:19])

4. The Jimmy Kimmel/TV Censorship Debate

Segment: [25:55] – [35:42]

Main Points & Insights

• Kimmel’s return and culture wars:
  Colin floats the idea that Disney and California’s creative culture dictated bringing Jimmy Kimmel back to TV after political controversy: “Don’t take comedians off the air... I think it’s a bad precedent.” ([26:05])

• Widespread support for Kimmel:
  Danny Parkins emphasizes the unanimous support for Kimmel—even across political lines: “This was a pretty clear cut freedom of speech issue... it was an easy one.” ([28:36])

• Hollywood’s cultural dynamics:
  Parkins elaborates on the power of industry alliances in LA and the institutional pressure on leaders like Bob Iger to respond in ways that protect creative freedom and local popularity.

Quotes:

• “Jimmy Kimmel in Hollywood, as I understand it, has pretty universal approval. His approval. Everyone wants to hang with Jimmy Kimmel.” — Danny Parkins ([30:15])
• “Losing out on hosting the Oscars because you wouldn’t apologize for jokes... is not the same as the head of the FCC taking you off the air...” — Danny Parkins ([34:20])

5. Team Building: Packers’ Unique Model & the Ownerless Advantage

Segment: [35:42] – [45:51]

Key Discussion Points

• Green Bay’s advantage in patience:
  Colin: “Green Bay now, I believe, has a huge advantage where they don’t answer to any impulsive owner... they tend to be patient with quarterbacks.” ([38:34]) Danny Parkins points out that Green Bay lucked out with Favre, Rodgers, and possibly Love, though Colin counters with evidence of consistently strong draft results and culture.

• Organization culture vs. luck:
  Parkins: “The Packers are a very well run organization... I think they have gotten lucky twice and it annoys the hell out of me.” ([39:34])
  Colin: “They are arguably the best drafting team, period for 25 years... you do in life what you have to.” ([41:57])

Quotes:

• “If you have to save to retire early, you don’t buy a second car... Green Bay similarly knows we don’t get free agents. We have to draft and develop.” — Colin Cowherd ([42:46])

6. Changing Sports Opinions: Coaches, Game Management & Analytics

Segment: [45:51] – [49:53]

Main Points & Insights

• Parkins on coaching game management:
  Used to want coaches fired for bad clock or 4th down decisions; now realizes the bigger part of coaching is week-to-week gameplan and leadership, not just in-game choices.

• Andy Reid as example:
  “The biggest part of coaching is Monday through Saturday, the game plan... That’s what Andy Reid is the best I’ve ever seen.” — Danny Parkins ([48:11])

• Evolved league-wide decision-making:
  Growth in analytics means teams rarely make the same management blunders as in previous eras.

7. Lions Dominate Ravens: A New NFC Power?

Segment: [57:44] – [70:01]

Main Points & Insights

• Lions’ physical dominance:
  Detroit beats Baltimore 38-30, but the score underrates the Lions’ dominance. “It felt like it was 48 to 20... Detroit really pushed them around.” — Colin Cowherd ([57:44])

• Complete team roster:
  Lions praised for elite tackles, depth, and “dudes all over that offense.”
  Emphasis on front office building a tough, resilient roster; improved after early season struggles.

• Dan Campbell’s leadership:
  “What you want is a leader of men that can build a culture. That’s Vrabel, that’s Dan Campbell...” — Colin Cowherd ([58:58])

• AFC/NFC Power Shift:
  Cowherd observes that as AFC teams pay their QBs, NFC teams (often with cheaper, serviceable QBs) now have deeper rosters and are dominating inter-conference play (NFC is 9-2).
  “That was not just the win. That was physical domination.” ([69:16])

Notable Moments:

• “If you’re a Lions fan... tonight was an exclamation point. That was not just the win. That was physical domination. I mean, that was bully ball.” — Colin Cowherd ([69:16])

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• “I really felt it in this, in that 19 play drive in the third quarter... harmony.” (Colin Cowherd, [03:01])
• “That flea flicker is one of the more beautiful throws you will see all season long.” (Jason McIntyre, [04:46])
• “Ben Johnson for the first time this year had a rhythm in his play calling. It felt like Detroit. But he’s facing Eberfluss.” (Jason McIntyre, [05:26])
• “If you become like the 23rd best scoring team in the league, it’s not going to be on the personnel or Ben... They’ve got good pressure. Even their third string back is a capable player.” (Colin Cowherd, [06:07])
• “A win’s a win. Cool moment for Ben getting his first win. But some guys in this league get recycled unfairly. Eberflus is a good example.” (Jason McIntyre, [05:11])
• “When you get good defensive coordinators, it really stands out... when you get bad ones, it really stands out.” (Jason McIntyre, [10:49])
• “Don’t take comedians off the air... I think it’s a bad precedent.” (Colin Cowherd, [26:05])
• “This was a pretty clear cut freedom of speech issue... it was an easy one.” (Danny Parkins, [28:36])
• “Green Bay now has a huge advantage... they tend to be patient with quarterbacks.” (Colin Cowherd, [38:34])
• “The Packers are a very well run organization... but I think they have gotten lucky twice and it annoys the hell out of me.” (Danny Parkins, [39:34])
• “I used to want to fire coaches for bad game management decisions... but the biggest part of coaching is very clearly not that. It’s the week-to-week game plan.” (Danny Parkins, [47:09])
• “If you’re a Lions fan... tonight was an exclamation point. That was not just the win. That was physical domination. I mean, that was bully ball.” (Colin Cowherd, [69:16])

Key Timestamps Recap

• [02:39] Bears’ win over Cowboys; Caleb Williams’ highlights
• [11:25] Rams blowing lead to Eagles; coaching/managing issues
• [25:55] Jimmy Kimmel TV controversy & culture wars
• [35:42] Packers’ team model, luck vs. structure analysis
• [45:51] Coaches, analytics, and changing opinions
• [57:44] Lions beat Ravens: Detroit’s roster/identity, AFC-NFC shifts

Summary Takeaway

This episode dissected the nuances behind NFL wins and losses, emphasizing how coaching, organizational culture, and roster management often matter more than front-facing narratives or singular performances. It also touched on the influence and complexity of sports figures in media, as well as how open-mindedness and adaptability are crucial, not just in sports, but in sports commentary.
The Lions’ victory over the Ravens, the Packers’ patient model, and the Bears’ offensive hope under Caleb Williams are all framed as evidence that team construction and cool-handed leadership are the new currencies of NFL success.