The Colin Cowherd Podcast – Shorthanded 49ers STUN Eagles, Josh Allen Is ALL-TIME Great, Caleb Looks Like Elway, SEC Dominance Is OVER

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host(s): Colin Cowherd, John Middlekoff
Release Date: January 12, 2026

Overview

This episode is a deep-dive NFL and college football playoff recap, combining razor-sharp analysis and trademark candor as Colin Cowherd and guest John Middlekoff (former NFL scout) break down a wild playoff weekend. Highlights include the shorthanded San Francisco 49ers' stunner over the Eagles, Josh Allen’s all-time playoff greatness, the rise of Caleb Williams (and his Elway-like traits) in Chicago, the uncertain future of Nick Sirianni and the Eagles, and a sweeping discussion on the changing landscape of college football—particularly the decline of SEC dominance in the NIL era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 49ers Overcome the Odds to Stun the Eagles

(02:36–18:34)

• 49ers’ Resilience & Coaching Advantage:

  • Despite multiple injuries (loss of George Kittle, no Bosa, no Warner, missing Aiyuk), San Francisco outlasted Philadelphia 23-19 on the road.
  • Colin underscores Kyle Shanahan’s superior coaching, particularly compared to Nick Sirianni.

    "The gap between Shanahan and Sirianni. I still contend Sirianni's a coordinator, but you know what I mean. Doug Peterson won a Super Bowl with Nick Foles. Shit happens. I thought it was such an indictment on the Philadelphia offensive staff." (Colin, 03:36)

  • 49ers stayed mentally tough, even after Purdy’s two interceptions.
  • The trick play to Jennings on the opening drive is praised as a “devastatingly brilliant” coaching move (Colin, 06:14).

• Philadelphia’s Offensive Struggles:

  • Eagles managed only 3 points off two Purdy interceptions, continually failed to sustain drives.
  • John: "That's one of the worst playoff losses you'll ever see... Sirianni doesn't do anything to impact the game... It's Kevin Patola and Vic Fangio versus Kyle and Robert Saleh, which is a massive advantage." (John, 04:37)
  • A.J. Brown underperformed and had visible on-field friction with Sirianni.

• Mental Toughness of Purdy:

  • Despite turnovers, Purdy led another game-winning drive (four out of his five playoff wins have come via game-winning drives).
  • "Purdy had two today. He still outplayed Jalen Hurts... Here’s the thing about Purdy: It doesn’t affect him. He’s not affected by interceptions because he has so much confidence." (Colin, 06:14)
  • "Mental toughness right there, Colin. And great coach." (John, 06:14)

2. Eagles Dysfunction and Sirianni's Future

(10:23–19:23)

• AJ Brown & Locker Room Fractures:

  • Noted discord between A.J. Brown and Sirianni, with effort and team buy-in questioned.
  • Colin: "What bothered me was the effort... we threw you a ball twice, you went over two. And those are catchable balls." (Colin, 15:38)

• Sirianni’s Job Security & Offensive Identity:

  • Heavy criticism that Sirianni is “coordinator dependent” and lacks a personal offensive philosophy.
  • Coaches like McVay, Shanahan, Andy Reid, and Harbaugh are compared as not coordinator dependent.
  • Possible replacements are discussed—e.g., "Would you be interested in John Harbaugh?... He’s just a way better Sirianni." (John, 18:34)

3. Playoff Picture & Matchup Analysis

(19:39–24:22, 44:54–60:11)

• Odds & Injury Impacts:

  • 49ers head to Seattle as underdogs (Seattle -6.5). Kittle’s injury is a major blow.
  • Bears (after their wild win) are 4.5 point underdogs at home vs the Rams.
  • “Soldier Field… at the end of that, that place was wild… really cold and crappy weather.” (Colin, 19:57)

• Chicago Bears’ Emotional Momentum:

  • Both the Bears and 49ers are “playing with house money.”
  • “The thing you would say with Chicago, they just still have more firepower… It does feel like the 49ers, it’s going to be hard to not be out of gas after losing George Kittle…” (John, 20:31)
  • Bears’ home crowd and playoff energy are compared to “LSU at night.” (John, 45:25)

4. Josh Allen: "God Among Gods" in Buffalo's Win

(27:09–36:26)

• All-Time Great Performance:

  • Josh Allen delivers 306 yards, three touchdowns (Player of the Week), nearly 90% of Bills’ total yards.
  • Described as "LeBron-esque" and on a level above Elway, Marino, even Mahomes in raw ability.

    "He's an as good a football player in the history of the game. I put him… better than Elway. I think he's more talented than Mahomes. Forget a superhero. He's like Zeus. He's like a God among gods." (Colin, 27:09)

  • John: "Jags are really good... Josh dominated the game. His stats don't even do him justice." (John, 28:22).

• Jags' Missed Opportunity:

  • Trevor Lawrence shaky, some poor decisions, failed to lean on the run game when QB struggled.

5. Caleb Williams' Heroics and Bears Compared to Peak Elway

(36:26–42:21)

• Williams Delivers Signature Playoff Win:

  • "That 4th and 8 throw with 5:40 left by Caleb Williams is one of the best throws I've ever seen in a football game by a quarterback." (Colin, 36:26)
  • Williams’ traits—arm, mobility, playmaking—draw comparisons to John Elway: “His game was durable, tough, smart, great in the fourth, doesn't get hurt, doesn't throw picks in the big spots. That's kind of Caleb Williams.” (Colin, 38:21)
  • Bears’ offensive talent—Loveland, D.J. Moore, Roma Odunze, DeAndre Swift—are praised.

• Contrast in QB Play:

  • Jordan Love is competent but not special; Caleb’s big-play ability and momentum make Bears dangerous.
  • "Caleb… one of the great arms we've ever seen. He's one of the great playmakers... His momentum with this talent is unstoppable." (John, 39:58)

6. Rams, Lions, and NFC Playoff Forecast

(44:54–53:49 and 53:56–58:41)

• Rams' Wildcard Dilemma:

  • Rams vulnerable—defense inconsistent, pass rush underwhelming, edges on offense via McVay, receivers like Puka and Kupp.
  • “I have a hard time watching the Rams defense and seeing the great coaching. I see the talent… but this defense… should be a little [better].” (Colin, 54:33)

• Bears' Chances Against Rams:

  • Chicago matches up well due to playmaking WRs and Caleb’s improvisation.
  • Weather and Soldier Field’s energy are major advantages for the Bears.

7. Bryce Young's Future in Carolina

(56:57–58:41)

• Young’s performance is improving but physical limitations cap upside.
• Scheme for a team-friendly “bridge QB” contract likely; John: "He's an outlier but… hard ever seeing him getting a massive contract." (John, 58:41)

8. Shifting College Football Power: SEC No Longer “The” Power

(63:38–71:13)

• The Rise of the Big Ten, NIL, and Billionaire Boosters:

  • Colin: "Indiana… is a national power… between their coach and their NIL, is a better football program than anybody in the SEC… easier access to eight-figure capital annually."
  • Big Ten programs (Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, USC, Washington) now have greater NIL/booster firepower than the SEC; donors include billionaires like Larry Ellison and Mark Cuban.
  • John: "Indiana has more alumni… than any school in the country… so you're going to have a higher percentage… that are going to do well." (John, 67:11)
  • SEC losing top talent to Texas and Texas Tech's oil money; Alabama's best booster is a personal injury attorney, compared to the Big Ten's corporate/tech/multi-billionaire backing.
  • "Can you imagine some of these [SEC] programs doing [begging for money]? I don't even blame them, he probably feels desperate." (John, 70:57)

• Implications for Recruiting and Championships:

  • Next year’s top QBs heavily skew Big Ten/B1G; SEC’s run is over.
  • Texas, Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Miami identified as non-SEC loaded powers.

Notable Quotes

• On Shanahan vs. Sirianni:

  "The gap between Shanahan and Sirianni... It's an indictment on the Philadelphia offensive staff." — Colin (03:36)

• On Purdy's Mentality:

  "Mental toughness right there, Colin. And great coach." — John Middlekoff (06:14)

• On Josh Allen's Talent:

  "Forget a superhero. He's like Zeus. He's like a God among gods." — Colin (27:09)

• On Trevor Lawrence Evaluation:

  "I think I've just overvalued Trevor who is a good quarterback, but... not a great talent." — Colin (35:50)

• On Caleb Williams:

  "That 4th and 8 throw with 5:40 left by Caleb Williams is one of the best throws I've ever seen in a football game." — Colin (36:26)

• College Football Realignment:

  "Indiana between their coach and NIL is a better football program than anybody in the SEC... easier access to eight-figure capital annually. That is hard to wrap your brain around." — Colin (63:38)

• On the Big Ten's Money Edge:

  "If Ron Rivera calls... hey, come down to Google and have lunch with me. These schools... have a higher percentage of people that are going to do well." — John Middlekoff (69:13)

Memorable Segments and Timestamps

• [02:36–18:34] — 49ers' improbable win, breakdown, coaching gap, and mental fortitude of Purdy
• [27:09–36:26] — Josh Allen’s all-time great status and Buffalo-Jacksonville analysis
• [36:26–42:21] — Caleb Williams’ Elway comparison and Bears' offensive potential
• [63:38–71:13] — College football’s financial landscape and the decline of SEC dominance

Podcast Tone & Style

• Opinionated, sharp, and at times biting, both hosts do not shy from hot takes nor in-depth schematic analysis.
• The conversation is lively, peppered with candid assessments, humorous analogies, and loaded with both anecdotal and statistical detail.
• Flow is natural and conversational, with clear speaker distinctions and an engaging back-and-forth rhythm.

Summary Takeaways

• The shorthanded 49ers win was as much about coaching as physical talent; Purdy’s resilience is a major asset.
• The Eagles are facing internal fractures and must re-examine coaching, staff, and potentially clubhouse leaders like A.J. Brown.
• Josh Allen is in rare air, displaying historic-level talent and leadership; Jaguars still missing "the guy."
• Caleb Williams has transformed the Bears’ offense and is drawing Elway comparisons for his arm and late-game heroics.
• NFC playoff matchups are full of fascinating contrasts and potential upsets, with environment and weather poised to play big roles.
• The college football power map has shifted: Big Ten and select non-SEC schools now dominate the NIL era, potentially ending traditional SEC dominance.