← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - LeBron>KD, NFL Win Totals, Nuggets Need To Make A Move
00:33:13
Loading summary
Transcript80 lines
- [00:00]
Podcast Host
This is an iHeart podcast, guaranteed human
- [00:04]
Colin Cowherd
today's podcast brought to you by Ferguson Home where it all comes together Whether you're a homeowner working on a remodel or a pro managing multiple projects, Ferguson Home is where great ideas become stunning spaces. Ferguson Home is designed for the way you want to shop. Experience today's top products by top brands like LG firsthand by visiting a Ferguson Home showroom, where you'll explore stunning displays featuring today's latest products and innovations, or browse their extended selection of products online@FergusonHome.com
- [00:37]
Sponsor Voice
support for the show comes from public if you look at your investing app, what do you see? An Interface stuck in 1997 or something that looks modern but feels more like a casino than a place to build wealth. Public is different. It's the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build your portfolio for the long haul. Stocks, options, bonds, crypto. It's all there. What really makes Public different is the technology behind it. Imagine starting your day with an AI summarized market briefing, getting clear summaries of earnings calls the moment they end, or turning any idea into an investable index just by typing a prompt. This is what investing looks like when the tools finally catch up. Go to public.com and earn a 1% uncapped match when you transfer your portfolio. Public Investing for those who take it seriously Ad paid for by Public Holdings Brokerage services by Public Investing member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors SEC Registered Advisor crypto services by ZeroHash all investing involves risk of loss. See complete disclosures@public.com disclosures everyone deserves to be connected.
- [01:45]
T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Our networks are coming together, bringing more T Mobile coverage all over the country. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com Switch and now T Mobile is available in the US Cellular Store in Pasco. Bigger network the combination of T Mobiles and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage savings versus comparable Verizon plans plus the costs of options, benefits, plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third free line free via monthly bill credits credit Stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.
- [02:13]
Daniel Cormier
This is Daniel Cormier from the Daniel Cormier Show. This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. Power doesn't wait in the octagon or outside of it, you either make the move or you miss the moment. That's why you need a network that's just as powerful as you are. With Total Wireless, you get unlimited 5G data keeping you in the action from the walkouts to the knockouts. Now that's a total power move. Make your total power move today. Visit total wireless.com or stop by your neighborhood Total Wireless store. Additional terms apply. See total wireless.com for details.
- [02:50]
Sponsor Voice
The volume
- [02:53]
Colin Cowherd
Let me tell you if there's a sure fire way to wake up feeling fresh after drinks with friends. It's with pre Alcohol zbiotics Pre Alcohol Probiotic drink. The world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by a PhD several to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Here's how it works. When you drink, alcohol gets converted into a toxic byproduct in the gut. It's a buildup of this byproduct, not dehydration, that's to blame for rough mornings after drinking. Pre alcohol produces an enzyme to break this byproduct down. Just remember, you make pre alcohol your first drink of the night. From the fairways in Augusta to the first pitch of the baseball season and the start of the festival circuits, April is a sprint of outdoor celebrations. Don't let a rough next day keep you on the sidelines. Drink Pre alcohol. Go to ZBiotics.com theherd ZBiotics.com theherde 15% off your first order. When you use the herd at checkout. ZBiotics backed 100% money back guarantee, unsatisfied refund. Remember to head to ZBiotics.com theHerd and use that code at checkout. 15% off. All right, we go to the west. I mean, Lakers, OKC, J.J. redick said it. He said, like, this is one of the great defenses ever. He goes, they're top five and everything and they don't foul. He said, you know, they're so fast, they're so quick. It's a rough matchup again. Austin Reeves now has a few extra days, you know, to get in shape and kind of get in rhythm. Cross your fingers. I mean, if Luca played, it would be the classic offensive team versus defensive team. I think it would be a really fun matchup. I don't know how good it is. Then Minnesota, San Antonio. There's also, you know, let's just go back to LeBron. It was interesting watching that series. And there was a time years ago, and I think it was when KD was for the warriors and there was this narrative because he was winning championships. KD's better than LeBron. And I always think the truth comes out over the course of time in any profession, you know, the truth comes out. And I think the Houston Lakers series was the definitive exclamation point, that LeBron's not only better, but the gap is much bigger than people realize, is that, you know, Ryan, on my show, my producer had a funny line. He said, KD is like buying a boat. You know, the first day you have it and the first day you sell it are the two happiest days. Like, it comes in, you know, it's amazing. You do have great times, but there's maintenance. You're left disappointed, then you get rid of it, and you're like, yeah, that was a lot. It really didn't. You know, it was fun a couple times a year. And it's like the gap between the two is that LeBron's ability, and it's really something. There's never been anything like it. Magic was kind of close, but not nearly as athletic. His ability. LeBron is so smart, and his ability to just squeeze the juice out of every part of the game. I just. I watched that series, and it was like, you guys just. You count out LeBron, and I'm not surprised. You know, I say to people all the time, when Brady retired from Tampa, he was still a top three quarterback. He'd go back today and be top six. He's in as good a shape now. It's like LeBron's going to retire because he gets tired of the travel, he gets tired of practice. It's like, who are we kidding here? I mean, six minutes to go in these games. You need him on the floor. I mean, just. I mean, I just watched that series, and I'm like, boy, the gap with KD and LeBron, for anybody that was still clinging to that, like, stop. I mean, that was one of my takeaways the entire series.
- [06:47]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
It's the versatility. It's the way that he can impact winning in so many different ways, where in each specific circumstance that the Lakers have found themselves in this year, he's found a way to be a positive impact. And, like, to your point about him being kind of mentally fatigued from the NBA grind, like, that's the thing is, like, you will find these stretches in the regular season where he looks flat out bad. And, like, even. Even in the playoffs, like, in game four, you could tell LeBron was like, I don't have it tonight. These young kids are going to beat us. And he goes for, like, 10 points, and he just looks like he's lost most of the night, but in every like, pivotal moment of the series, like between games one and two, when he was pulling the team away originally clutch time of Game 3, when that game was gettable late, when all of a sudden he's like, all right, we got one bucket, one stop. We're going to win this thing. Game six, when everything was hanging like, when all, all everything was up, up in the air, he had his best game of the series. I thought he came out in that series or in game six and like brought like an intensity that like literally shrunk the rockets. Like, LeBron was like a force of competitive will on the floor that wilted the young Rockets team. They looked scared of the moment as LeBron and like, he took like these shots in that game. Like he had a couple of threes in the second quarter of that game that were like, I'm gonna SAP your guys of your, you guys if your confidence. Types of threes where like, it's like pull up, transition three. It's not even a good shot, but it's like he's doing it specifically to, to win the mental battle on the floor, to, you know, kind of control things. And he just posted up non stop in that series and, and brought the physical force when needed. And frankly, Colin, I'm so glad you called it an exclamation point, because it was literally one of my favorite moments being a fan of his. One of my favorite moments of his career was just old man LeBron, go get a playoff series. And it was, it was the 13th largest upset in the IS since 1988 by Moneyline. It was a very impressive upset.
- [08:43]
Colin Cowherd
And I, and I know that Katie didn't play much in this. What did he play one game in the series?
- [08:47]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Yeah, one game.
- [08:48]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. But the difference is if you looked at the net rating, and this was kind of my point, Kevin Durant, the Rockets were better when he was off the floor. There was never a moment that the Lakers were better in this series when 41 year old LeBron was off the floor. And that is the secret gift where like when, when Brett Favre got old, he didn't relate to younger teammates. Brady got old and the young guys loved him. And it's like I've said, that's where LeBron's aged well as a human and as a basketball player. Like he's current, like he's just a very current player. Whereas KD's game, which is sort of, this is my game, I'm going to play kind of in A silo. Then there's the Burner account, allegedly. And you saw the gap in the two. Whereas there appeared to be the Rockets with KD and without him, and they were better without him. Like, there's two different teams, and that tells you the disconnect between an old star and young team, teammates. And yet. And you know, LeBron activated this during the series. Deandre Ayton was tremendous. I mean, Deandre Ayton and I kept saying this on FS1. Deandre's always been moody, and when he feels like he's the third or the fourth offensive option, he. He kind of closes down. Well, you could tell in this series, like, LeBron was feeding him the ball. They were making him feel. And that Phoenix, Portland, the rep was always the same thing. If he doesn't feel like he's at least the second option, he can just quit playing defense. I thought Ayton played spectacularly well, and now some of that is because Luka didn't play, and he gets more touches. But the ability for LeBron to squeeze more out of Deandre Ayton, who has always been an emotional, a little bit of a temperamental. You're not quite sure emotionally what you're getting. I don't think that's unfair. I think that's fairly well documented, and I thought he had a tremendous series. So I just. That's LeBron's ability to just. There's a psychology to these playoff series, and LeBron just plays his cards very smartly.
- [10:44]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
You have to breathe confidence into your team. We talked about this last week, like. Like, half the battle there is getting your guys to believe they can go in on the road and win a playoff game like that, even after they got beat tw. And that's the thing that has always been lacking with the Kevin Durant piece of this is like, that He. He's even kind of, like, disregarded the leadership role. He's. He's talked about this in the past. He'll say things like, oh, like, I lead by example. Or like, leadership is. Is. Is kind of this ethereal concept. And it's like, yeah, it is ethereal in the sense that it can take many different shapes, but it's the same thing. It's. It's getting. It's getting a group of guys to believe in a larger goal and to all be swimming in the same direction. And that does require involvement. You can't backseat that sort of thing. You. And, you know, to your point about the difference between KD and LeBron, it's like if you can cultivate a perfect set of circumstances where like, boom, somebody's doing the leadership stuff for him.
- [11:39]
Sponsor Voice
That's right.
- [11:39]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Someone's doing all the, someone's doing all the ball handling for him and he can just function as like a defensive cog and a play finisher slash scorer on offense. It's like the perfect circumstance for him. Which, by the way, like why I, I keep thinking Houston's the best Giannis team because one of the things with Shangun is Sengun to me is a guy that I don't think you can win a championship with, even at his, even in his theoretical ceiling. Because like the one guy who was good enough on offense at that position to be a bad defender and win the title really was Jokic, right? But it's. He was bigger and he was a transcendently great offensive player. Shangun is smaller and he has nowhere near the touch, nowhere near the playmaking talent. So I don't think his ceiling on offense is nearly high enough. So what I would do if I was Houston is. And I actually think they're better off leaning into the present than leaning into the future. So I would call up Milwaukee this summer and I'd be like, here's Shangoon, here's Jabari Smith, here's a first round draft pick or two, whatever it is that they haggle over. Now I've got Giannis, I've got kd, I've got Fred Van Vliet coming back. I've got a man, Thompson, even some of their role players like, you know, Dorian, Finney, Smith is an older guy. You know, you still have some youthful energy in there. Like we'll see if they can retain Tari Eason. They still have Reed Shepherd. That's a team that's like kind of interesting in the west and I think that better off kind of leaning into that. And then what you have in the future is like, okay, it's a two year contending, three year contending window. It breaks apart. You still have a men Thompson, you have some ability to look towards the future. To me, it's punting on the specific youthful foundational asset in Shangun that I don't think is the guy that's going to carry you to the promised land. Certainly not in the West.
- [13:20]
Colin Cowherd
So Minnesota, San Antonio, you know, it's. It's really interesting to me that we've just basically anointed. It's a Spurs, it's a Spurs Thunder Conference and maybe Denver could sneak in. But what Minnesota does and ant is reportedly Might play in game one and, and but Minnesota is this team that would, if you put them in the east, they would just fly through people. There's just so much size and, and Minnesota quietly. And they had another quirky, you know, they had another quirky regular season where you look up and you're like, what are they? I'm watching Minnesota. The reality of that team. To be able to get these 24 point outbursts from players that aren't like offensive players. I think Minnesota, every sport has this. You start looking at the construct of that roster, that GM is up for the Bulls GM job and it's like, I don't know. I mean I look at Minnesota and I'm like coaching staff to the bottom of the roster. Have we just undervalued them for three years?
- [14:30]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
It's been super fascinating to watch Tim Conley and the team that he built in Denver which was a lot more athletic than people remember. If you remember because you had, you had kcp, kcp, Bruce Brown and, and obviously Aaron Gordon at that phase of, of his career.
- [14:49]
Colin Cowherd
Michael Porter.
- [14:50]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Michael Porter. Yeah, exactly. And kind of a belief in size too. Like it was. You would 6, 10, 6, 10, 7ft at, at those three positions. And then he goes to Minnesota and he constructs a team that literally like ends the Denver Nuggets current era. It's a really a remarkable immediately by
- [15:07]
Colin Cowherd
the way, very quickly.
- [15:08]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Yeah, I think Colin, I know that the, the line is absurd on this one. The line is almost as crazy on this in the, in the Lakers Thunder series. And I think that there's a great value opportunity on the Minnesota side because I think this is going to be a very competitive series. Like I'm, I'm picking San Antonio, but I think it's close and there's a couple of specific things. First of all, Julius Randall. There have been a couple of guys this year that have been able to really give wy problems in one on one defense and Aaron Gordon was one of them. That was a big part of why Denver when they're healthy presented a big problem for San Antonio. But the other one was Julius Randall. Julius Randall's. You need like there. A wing is too small, a center is too slow. But if you've got a big bully ball physical forward that can get up underneath Wemby, he can struggle to get by him and turn into a really difficult three point or like a like, like long distance jump shooter. And so between them putting go bear on Steph Castle and being like go ahead and shoot threes, we're going to park him by the rim and Julius Randle up underneath Wemby and Jaden McDaniels and Athlete Athletic perimeter dudes that are going to get up underneath San Antonio's guards. I think they're going to be able to guard San Antonio well.
- [16:28]
Colin Cowherd
My take on Denver, Giannis isn't going to age brilliantly because he's hyper athletic. So I've said before I would move Giannis. I would have done it three years ago. You got your title. Jokic is going to age better because he's more nuanced. Layered shooting, screening, distribution. I would build everything around him. So I would, I would kind of make several huge moves. Would you move off Gordon and Murray, Colin?
- [16:54]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
This has been the hardest one for me. I spent all day today, well, not all day, but a long time today, just like looking around the league being like, what the hell does Denver do? And to your point, they have to do something pretty drastic. I would start by doing a little bit of research with CJ McCollum's camp and I'd be like, hey, is there any chance we can get you to come take a mid level exception with us? Because if you can get CJ McCollum to agree to come over, I think that makes Jamal Murray expendable. I think you run it into some dangerous territory if you get rid of Jamal and you don't have a dude who can hit a pull up jump shot because that is just an important. I know, I know Jamal came up short this year, but it's a big part of winning in the playoffs. So like if they were able to convince CJ McCollum to come over, I think I like the idea of potentially moving Jamal.
- [17:44]
Colin Cowherd
Also. He's a super veteran, high EQ iq. You can't bring a kid in with Jokic. Like you need a guy that gets the league. I mean, that's a good fit. Honestly, just because CJ's such a bright
- [17:58]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
player, he'd be perfect. Like when I was looking around, I was like, that's the perfect dude. Because you have to, you're going to have to hit a home run on a value somewhere. And to me, getting CJ on an exception is your value play. Everything else is about kind of swapping, right? Because if you get, if you're going to give up an Aaron Gordon, you're going to get back something similar like a player who's on a big contract who probably isn't like an amazing Jaden McDaniels level player. Because otherwise why would you take Aaron Gordon back. Right. Like, you're going to have to be dealing with some flaws. Like Derrick White, for example, just had his worst jump shooting season with the Boston Celtics. So that's why there might be some. Some value there, because it's two kind of flawed veteran players that are making around 30 million. So it makes some sense there. Right. So we talked about the Aaron Gordon for. For Derek White swap. The other team that I'd consider calling with, Jamal Murray, is a team that could use a ball handling guard. So maybe Houston or maybe Orlando. Those are two teams that have a surplus of athletes that have a need for ball handling and jump shooting. Jamal Murray is a guy that you could call in that sort of case. I think the specific dynamic that they're missing that they need is what Aaron Gordon brought when he was young, which was like a big, athletic, like, rim protector behind Jokic on defense. But a vertical space, a lob threat for Jokic to throw lobs to. How many times did he get downhill and throw it to Christian Brown and Christian Brown would just get scared and run back out because he couldn't finish in traffic. Like, they need a vertical spacer under the rim. So I thought about, like, maybe a Dembona out of Philly. That's a guy that I think could play a little bit with Jokic. I thought about one of the Gafford lively duo in Dallas. Like, what if they called Dallas and they were like, Jamal Murray for PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. And so now we've got a forward and a center that we can play alongside Jokic. But again, I don't like the idea of giving up Jamal because his skill set is so unique. I don't like the idea of giving up Jamal unless, you know, you can get CJ on the other side of it. Because I think you just solve one problem and create another.
- [19:58]
Colin Cowherd
In that case, yeah, I think Denver's. But I like the idea that Denver kind of looks at Milwaukee and says, listen, we both got our title. Our big is going to age better. Our biggest, just more dexterity offensively. But let's not, you know, you start looking at the league, even Houston, which loses when they get Van Vliet back. Houston's got. They can make multiple moves. They've got really good young players and they got picks. Yep. I mean, to me, Houston's going to have a great off season and Denver can play around. So Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray both have, I think, will have a significant market. I mean, Aaron Gordon is just so athletic. There's a durability issue. But as the league gets younger, I think there's real value in getting like playoff minute guys playoff experience. I mean, look, we're talking as long
- [20:43]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
as you can sit him in the regular season, as long as you can keep his minutes low. I think he makes sense for a variety of teams. You just can't trade for Aaron Gordon if you need him to play 82 games for you.
- [20:53]
Colin Cowherd
Jason Temp Hoops tonight. Good talking, buddy.
- [20:56]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Good to see you, Colin.
- [21:01]
Colin Cowherd
Today's show brought to you by our friends, our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock bet. We've just loved being their partner. Florida Sportsbook. It's NBA playoff time. I watched all of them the last two days. Lights are brighter, pressure's higher. Every possession counts on Hard Rock Bet. Every night's your shot to score a major bucket win or go home energy on the hardwood. So same game parlays are so much fun in the NBA to me. Even more than football. Hard Rock Bet gives you so many ways to stack your picks into a same game parlay built for the playoffs. If you're late to a tip off, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet lets you live bet all game long. First to the final buzzer. So sign up today. Double your winnings in your first 10 bets. Maximum $50. That's right, double your winnings. First 10 bets. So if you win 100, you'd win two. The welcome offer is just the tip. Hard Rock Bet New promos daily. Same game parlays are great. Open up. The app takes 90 seconds. Get signed up. Download the Hard Rock Bet app. It's the best app in industry. Let's get the party started. Payable in bonus bets. Not a cash offer. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC in Alder States. Must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play, terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida? Call-888- admit it in Indiana. If you or somebody you know has a problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. Gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia Today's podcast brought to you by Ferguson Home. Whether you're a homeowner creating your dream space or a pro managing multiple projects, Ferguson Home is where it all comes together. Ferguson Home is designed for the way you want to shop. Experience today's top products by brands like Monogram firsthand by visiting a Ferguson Home showroom where you'll explore stunning displays featuring today's latest products and innovations or browse their extended selection of products online. Ferguson Home understands that every project is made up of countless decisions. And that's why their expert consultants are committed to helping homeowners, builders, contractors and designers bring all the details together. You can count on support from start to finish, from choosing the right products to coordinating deliveries with your project schedule. Book a one on one consultation at your local Ferguson Home showroom or shop online@fergusonhome.com whether you're working on a new kitchen, a new bathroom or a whole home remodel, you'll find the latest designs and technologies from the brands you trust at Ferguson Home.
- [23:37]
Sponsor Voice
Support for the show comes from Public. Lately, the line between investing and gambling has started to blur. But let's be real, you can't build actual wealth on a coin flip. That's why Public takes a different approach. It's the investing platform where you can build a serious long term portfolio. Stocks, options, bonds, crypto, they have it all. But unlike platforms that basically just give you a buy button, Public provides actual context. So when you see volatility in your portfolio, you aren't just staring at a chart, you're reading a helpful explanation about why the stock is up or down. You can even go deeper with the built in AI research assistant. It's all about giving you the information you need to invest with conviction. Be right more often. Go to public.com and earn an uncapped 1% match when you transfer your investments. Public Investing for those who take it seriously Ad paid for by Public Holdings Brokerage Services by Public Investing member finra, SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors SEC Registered Advisor all investing involves risk of loss. See complete disclosures@public.com disclosures we're lost and kickoff's coming up.
- [24:45]
Podcast Host
I don't want to miss the lineup. I'm gonna ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're trying to get to the stadium.
- [24:52]
Sponsor Voice
Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree at this here road. Nah, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.
- [24:58]
Podcast Host
How is there signal out here?
- [25:00]
Sponsor Voice
T Mobile and US Cellular are coming together so the network out here is huge. We get the same great signal as the city. Saving a boatload with benefits. And there's a five year price guarantee too. Okay, here's the turn.
- [25:12]
Podcast Host
Actually, can you pull up the way to a T Mobile store?
- [25:16]
Sponsor Voice
America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available at US Cellular stores in Hermiston. Best Mobile Network Based on analysis by Ooklo spetest intelligence data second half of 2025 bigger network the combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.
- [25:42]
Podcast Host
Most dog food brands don't really want you seeing how their food is made. Just food for dogs is the opposite. They actually invite you in. You can walk into any of their kitchens and see real human grade ingredients like chicken, beef, carrots and peas being prepared right in front of you. It's real food made in real kitchens. Nothing is hidden behind labels and that kind of transparency says a lot. Nothing to hide, everything to love. Go to justfoodfordogs.com and get 50% off your first order.
- [26:12]
Colin's Co-host/Analyst
Foreign.
- [26:17]
Colin Cowherd
Got to a Super bowl for two reasons. Easy schedule and Bo Nicks got hurt. The Niners were 12 and 5 for one reason, the schedule. They couldn't score a touchdown the last two games against Seattle with Kyle Shanahan. So it's like Washington the year before gets has success. Really light schedule. Of course it matters.
- [26:38]
Guest Analyst
Of course it matters. But like what the the critics would say like well we know the opponents right now. What is the order matter? I'm like a it's just fun. Like don't hate on fun and do you a lot of just people, real people, not people like you and me and I are ivory towers of media. They go to like one road trip a year. Like it's fun to know like if like when Vegas is on your team's NFL schedule is like when do we get to go to Vegas to see our team play? When am I going to Lambeau for Bears Packers? Oh my team gets to play at Arrowhead this year. Like it's, it's the sequencing of it in doing the whole snl like week one Lions win like it's it's fun to do the whole thing well and
- [27:24]
Colin Cowherd
the other thing is it does matter. Andy Reid in September.
- [27:27]
Guest Analyst
Yes.
- [27:27]
Colin Cowherd
Denver in the high altitude at home in September. You don't want to play okay Miami until like October 10th. Buffalo, Baltimore, New England. Rather not play a roadie in December. Like folks if you're a dome team or a warm weather team, you don't want to go north after like December 3rd.
- [27:47]
Guest Analyst
Yeah. When, when, when is your buy? Would you. How are you handling your international trip? Is it early? Is it late? You have the buy after your international trip. It's, it's, it's great. It's great.
- [27:57]
Colin Cowherd
Okay, so one of the best bets, I think so the Cowboys last year faced eight teams with winning records and went one in seven. And they more than any team in the league go from last year. I think the third easiest schedule to one of the toughest. They have the biggest pivot, easy to hard. And if you start looking at their schedule, look at the teams Dallas plays. Dude, it's, I mean it's a lot of Jaguars and you know, it's, it's like teams with a good offensive coach now, I do think they've upgraded defensively, but they're at eight and a half and that is the biggest sucker bet ever. Everybody's going to bet the over on this and my take is the Giants are going to be much better. The commanders, Jaden Daniels healthy is going to be much better. And their schedule, folks, look it up. It's just landmine after landmine. That's one of my favorite unders is Dallas under eight and a half.
- [29:00]
Guest Analyst
Yeah. So they get. So they have NFC west and AFC South. AFC south is obviously a pretty good draw.
- [29:08]
Colin Cowherd
Well, but Daniel Jones and the Colts early last year were fantastic.
- [29:12]
Guest Analyst
Yeah. Well, and what I was going to say is, is like you, you want, you also want the tougher teams obviously to be at home for bigger chances of upsets. And they got a pretty bad draw with that. Like they're, they're road their road games in those divisions at Houston, at Indy, at the Rams, at the Seahawks. Yeah, that's brutal. That's very difficult.
- [29:34]
Colin Cowherd
And last year they played Geno and Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Now, they did beat Mahomes, but he had four touchdowns, no picks and a passer rating of 1:30. So he literally ate them alive. I think the best under bet is Dallas eight and a half. All right, so I'm going to give, I'll start with you, Dallas. I'm kind of setting you up here. I think Dallas unders the play there. Your thoughts on Dallas?
- [29:56]
Guest Analyst
Yeah, listen, I, I, I, I agree with you because I have not committed all of the division opponents to memory yet. So you're, I'm going to be kind of doing this on the fly, but what I would say about Dallas is it seems almost impossible that they will get that George Pickens season again. That seems very unlikely. He was second team all pro, so.
- [30:16]
Colin Cowherd
And not in a good mood with a franchise.
- [30:18]
Guest Analyst
And whatever the franchise tag component is going to be there.
- [30:22]
Colin Cowherd
However,
- [30:24]
Guest Analyst
their defense can't be worse. They use their highest pick on a defensive player since 2012. They gave out the biggest contract to a defensive player for them since 2012. They four of their first six picks were on the defensive side of the ball including two first round picks Caleb Downs obviously everybody loves we'll see how Malachi Lawrence does like new defensive coordinator which I do think can be like a new there's just a bump in effort so if their defense can be the 17th ranked defense in the league and they get offensive health they definitely can be the best offense in the league with Dak CD and Pickens and they found a bit of a running game last year but those are two huge ifs so I understand why you're going going under. That schedule is brutal.
- [31:17]
Colin Cowherd
Brutal. One of my favorite overs is the Lions 10 and a half which seems like a lot but they have the easiest schedule in the league. Massive upgrade at offensive coordinator and they solve their left tackle issue. So I think a lot of people are I mean listen we love their GM Yep. Really like the coach and the quarterback they have most of the elements but over the last last year they had to address their offensive line Last year in the draft very young interior. Now they're going to have a young left tackle but one of the more talented ones. Go look at the lion schedule. So if I say over 10 and a half it's like folks it's a 17 game schedule so 11 and 6 I and so I'm giving them a lot of like Arizona's on the side.
- [32:05]
Guest Analyst
Yeah they got their road games. They've got easy road easy road game in Arizona, easy road game in Miami. Easy ish road game in Carolina. That's that's a pretty good roads and and you also want to look now since it's an unbalanced schedule like you said do you have more home games or road games and they have, they have more home games than road games so yeah they they do have a very on paper easy schedule Jets.
- [32:30]
Colin Cowherd
Okay so I'm my one of my favorite unders is the Cowboys. One of my favorite over the Lions. So now I'm just going to go and let you okay. Bears nine and a half schedule is tougher. Bears nine and a half.
- [32:43]
Guest Analyst
So listen people will call me a homer. That's fine. I do think this is an over because I don't see why the Lions, packers and Bears don't all have the same over under. I don't think they're in the Lions and The packers are 10 and a half and the Bears are nine and a half. I don't understand like it's a very very very difficult division and the regression for the Bears will have they will not lead the league in takeaways this year. They will not lead the league in fourth quarter comebacks this year. 80% of their offensive line last year played in over 90% of the snaps. Left guard, center, right guard, right tackle were all remarkably healthy. That's already not going to happen because of the Drew Dahlman surprise retirement at center even though they addressed it with the Bradbury trade and the second round pick. However, we see when special quarterbacks are paired in good systems their second year in the system is when they take the lead. It's what happened for Mahomes, it's what happened for Lamar Jackson. Like we've seen it time and time and time again. I believe Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are special and he has unbelievable weapons and all of those young guys get to take that same second year in the system. Leap oduns a burden Loveland so I think the offense will be a top 10 offense, maybe even a top five offense. I know they think they can be the best offense so I think their offense is going to bring them to double digit wins this year.
- [34:20]
Colin Cowherd
Packers at ten and a half so
- [34:24]
Guest Analyst
that one again packers hands. You're just a hater. I think that the packers and I want to pull up the schedule to see who their home road splits are so I'm going to do this with
- [34:34]
Colin Cowherd
you on they're in a really interesting spot where I got it so I you know Gary and Kenny Clark gone. Micah off an injury not good against the run. They plan a division now with some really lively offenses and creative people and I just will they and Jeff Halfley leaves. I have questions about I don't ever question their draft and development. I think they have really nice weapons. I How good is their defense?
- [35:02]
Guest Analyst
Yeah, I think listen when Micah was there it was pretty good and then everything fell off a cliff when when he got hurt. Schedule you know at the Rams is obviously brutal at the Patriots the rest of it's pretty Saints, Jets, Bucks. That's a pretty. That's a pretty tame road schedule actually. If you. If you comparatively I think that the packers. You said it was ten and a half.
- [35:29]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [35:29]
Guest Analyst
Yeah. Again I think so. I'm. I would small disagree with you on Detroit and I just think all of those teams are like in the 910 range so for the bears at 9 and a half they'd be my over and for the Lions and Packers at ten and a half they would, I'd lead under because I just think that they're all basically the same, all have one or two big flaws but then the rest of the, the team is really good and the coaching is really good in that division and I don't know if you have Minnesota on your list but now that they have Kyler Murray it's just such a, like I could see last place in the NFC north being an eight win team. Like I don't think that there's any easy out in that division so I think I will just lean unders on the two teams with the highest win total.
- [36:14]
Colin Cowherd
Okay. I want to go as. This is interesting. I think the Raiders are going to be much more competent. I think Denver has the best roster and division and I think Justin Herbert will finally have an offensive line. Kansas City I think is going to make a leap. Ten and a half to me is the under and I, I think I just look at that division now and I'm like if Clint Kubiak is good, the coaching's really good. The personnel like when you, when you let go of Trent McDuffie I wish them the very best on their Rookie but Trent McNuffy was like the second best corner in the league. Chris Jones relative to Chris Jones was not terribly productive. I think their offense will mostly be solved with Kenneth Walker and I do think Josh Simmons they like a lot at left tackle and Mahomes will be healthy but you know Rasheed Rice, do we trust him? Travis Kelsey age. I think Kansas City is going to be good but remember when the Rams everybody thought they win the super bowl next year. Stafford gets hurt, they're bad and then they bounce back. They have a bounce back year and they signed one Kevin Dotson, one acquisition off season and then they had like Puka Young, Kobe Turner. They hit on three draft picks but they weren't Philadelphia. They didn't. They took them another draft and free eight. That's what Kansas City is. So I think they had three great draft picks, Kenneth Walker, but it's hard to find when you look at that defense. You're relying on a couple of rookies to deliver. I think Kansas City will be good but I don't think you can go for from what they were last year to a Super bowl team.
- [38:01]
Guest Analyst
I think that that is all pretty sound. Andy Reid has hit the over in I think all but two years since, since he's been there. It's just stupid. It's a, it's a, it's a remarkable run for that guy he has, if you give him healthy quarterback play, he just represents such a insanely high floor. And obviously with Mahomes it's been a pretty high ceiling. They also as I just man, having Seattle and the Rams on your schedule as road games is just, that is a, that is a really, really, really tough break to not get one of those games at at Arrowhead this year given how good Seattle ended up being. So that that is very tough. I just, I loved the Kenneth Walker edition so much for them. They haven't had one. They haven't had a 1,000 yard running back since 2017. So you give Mahomes the best running back he's ever had because I think Kareem Hunt had a very nice season, but I do think Kenneth Walker is a better player than Kareem Hunt was. So Rashid Rice also at this moment in time it looks like everything's going to be fine. But like who knows because he is get he does get into trouble off the field and there have been issues but like if Rasheed Rice is a number one and when he is healthy, Mahomes treats him like a number one worthy is a guy who got better the year went on and a very fun weapon and the addition of Kenneth Walker, I do think they have the opportunity to be a really damn good offense this year. So I'm not in the business of betting against Andy Reid with Healthy Mahomes.
- [39:42]
Sponsor Voice
The volume
- [39:45]
Podcast Host
Most dog food brands don't really want you seeing how their food is made. Just food for dogs is the opposite. They actually invite you in. You can walk into any of their kitchens and see real human grade ingredients like chicken, beef, carrots and peas being prepared right in front of you. It's real food made in real kitchens. Nothing is hidden behind labels and that kind of transparency says a lot. Nothing to hide. Everything to love. Go to justfoodfordogs.com and get 50% off your first order. At CVS, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night. And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit us@cvs.com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location Paramount plus
- [40:52]
Sponsor Voice
is now the home of all your BET favorites.
- [40:54]
Colin Cowherd
What?
- [40:54]
Podcast Host
Yes.
- [40:55]
Sponsor Voice
With all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce Sisters you've always liked, a little drama, plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2.
- [41:02]
Now I will control an Empire original
- [41:05]
series like the Shy.
- [41:07]
Just make sure we protect each other.
- [41:08]
And live sports like ufc.
- [41:11]
Guest Analyst
Welcome to welcome to the History books.
- [41:13]
Sponsor Voice
New home, same family. Your BET favorites are now on Paramount. Subscribe now.
- [41:21]
Sean Duffy
I'm U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days, from work to driving our kids around. But when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed. A few minutes saved by going faster is never worth the risk. So follow the speed limit, enjoy the drive, maybe bring some snacks for the kids. And know that along the way, you're getting quality time with your family. Paid for by NHTSA.
- [41:50]
Podcast Host
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.