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Colin Cowherd
All right, let's talk about Amazon Prime. It's not just one thing. It's a collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. Whether it's a hobby, sport, or getting things done fast. Prime's got you covered. Like my hobby for all things sports. You can order sports supplies, listen to content like this podcast on Amazon Music or watch content. You can do it all with Prime. Everybody loves the fast free same day shipping, especially as we kick off the year. But what about all the content you can listen to on Amazon Music Music to podcast, fast shipping. What is not to love about this membership I'm in? Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.comprime now you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off. I up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months. Look around. Every car you see is probably on Autotrader. Like that sleek convertible that turned heads when it picked you up from the airport. Or the custom ride from your favorite van. Life couple on social media. Even that vintage sports car that's tailing you a little too closely. New cars, used cars, electric cars, even flying cars. Okay, no flying cars yet, but as soon as those get invented, they'll be on Autotrader. If you see a car you like, it's probably on Auto Trader. That's kind of their thing. Auto Trader with Amex Platinum. Welcome to the Centurion Lounge. You get access to the Centurion Lounge so the sounds of vacation start before you get there.
J. Mac
That's the powerful backing of American Express.
Colin Cowherd
Terms apply. Learn more@americanexpress.com With Amex, Jon Stewart is.
Jon Stewart
Back at the Daily show, and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the beginning biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondence and contributors. And with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed? Listen on the Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Colin Cowherd
Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Ah, we are ready to roll. We got the playoffs in hand live in Los Angele. Heard. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Matt Hasselbeck's going to be joining us here, which I can't wait for. Reschedule your day when we get Matt Hasselbeck in studio. It's money calling right, calling wrong. One hour from now. So listen, the playoffs are set. We're going to break all that stuff down. J Mack and I are already disagreeing on the Rams and the Vikings, which is a fantastic opening game. Like that is Stafford against Aaron Donald in Los Angeles. May have to get a Duke it for that wild card slate. I love it.
J. Mac
I already bet four games.
Colin Cowherd
Love it. It is great. So let's start with this. The Lions now have clinched the number one seed in the nfc. There is no denying for this city, for this roster, for this locker room and for this time, Dan Campbell's the perfect coach. A team with 12 defensive players alone on the IR could have only pulled through this and clinched the number one seed with a head coach who's unapologetically alpha, a motivator that preaches grit and biting kneecaps. Sometimes the NFL messaging from coaches can seem a little cringy or cheesy. Not to the players. There is a brotherhood and a masculinity that I'll be honest, I like. People have been paralyzed playing this sport. Sometimes you just have to play through pain. You gotta play hurt. And one guy in a locker room second guessing. The message can unravel the whole thing. In a way it's like the anti NBA league. You have to be selfless and you have to play hurt every week. The Lions clinched a playoff spot on December 5th with all those injuries to seemingly the entire defensive roster. They could have packed it in. Let's get healthy. And nope, not with this team. Not with this coach. They fought tooth and nail last week. Everybody said that Niner game didn't mean anything. I totally disagreed. It was a chance to get backups reps against Sam Darnold and the Vikings. The Detroit Lions are a symbol of so many things that are great about the NFL. Every game matters. Grit and toughness, which our society can always use, is really paramount. And again, unapologetically alpha. I mean, New England had the number one pick going into the weekend. They played themselves out of it. There is no tanking. Nobody will even consider it. And it's why the NFL remains king and separates from the rest of our professional sports. Dan Campbell, on a weekly bas after winning, is almost in tears, preaching the message and his devotion to the city of Detroit and the Lions. This coach for this team in this time and this roster and this wacky season with currently 12 players on the IR defensively, needed a completely unapologetic alpha. And the message to guys like me at the kneecaps, at the podium, and I'm rolling my eyes, the players aren't. They totally bought into it. The number one seed, this is the Chicago Cubs in shoulder pads. That's what it feels like. The easiest dominant team. And go back to September, October, early November, it was like college. They were rolling people. But it is the easiest, most dominant physical team to root for I can remember. And here's the one guy, the one perfect fit after the win. You guys look like you remember who the you are.
Jon Stewart
That was awesome.
Colin Cowherd
That's a hell of a win, guys. All I can think about is, man, we've been forged in this stuff. Now, this has been three years in.
J. Mac
The making, some of it four.
Colin Cowherd
Like, that just doesn't happen. You gotta work through it and grind through it and go through the downs.
J. Mac
To get to the ups of where we're at.
Jon Stewart
That was unbelievable, man.
Colin Cowherd
Division winners, back to back seasons, and the number one season. If you're not from Detroit, you may not get it. You think it's a little cheesy? Oh, give me a break. But if you're from Detroit, you're a Lions fan, you're part of the culture and you watch teams around this league. If you think this stuff's over the top, the Bears need that. The Titans need that. The Jaguars need that. The Chargers needed it and hired it. This is not a marketing campaign. This is completely, absolutely, authentically, Dan Campbell the perfect fit for this city and this team. All right, let's talk Sam Darnold. Oh, I know. Let me, let me guess. You're all bailing on Sammy. Okay, so first of all, that was the biggest game in Detroit in probably 50 years. And this, there's an argument that the two best coordinators in the entire league both play for Detroit. Ben Johnson, Aaron, Glenn. And Detroit's got a better roster and they got one of their defensive starters back. And this is a baby step league. And Sam Darnold looked juiced. He looked a little overwhelmed. He probably couldn't hear. He was inaccurate and high in all his passes. But across the field, Jared Goff's first big playoff game. And this did feel like a playoff game. I mean, it was the biggest game in Detroit in five decades. It felt like a playoff game. Mike Tirico was coming out of his suit. Jared Goff's first playoff game at home. 78 passer rating. Peyton Manning's first playoff game completed 45% of his throws. This has always been kind of a baby steps league. Last year at this time, Sam Darnold, who was viewed as a bust, was starting a meaningless game as a backup for the 49ers. And then there's yesterday in the biggest game against arguably the best roster in the loudest field. You weren't winning that game. Minnesota was not winning that game. That just one of those games. I looked at the playoffs this weekend. I looked at Denver, at Buffalo. I love Sean Payton. That is a tough draw. There are games, a handful every year where even a good team goes on the road and you're like, yeah, yeah, they're not going to win that game. That's a standalone game. This was the only NFL game that everybody was watching. Sam Darnold is just 27 years old. Now they go to Los Angeles. Their receiving core is a great matchup against the Rams young secondary. Don't be shocked if the Rams draft a cornerback with their number one pick. They don't have a corner, they don't have a shutdown corner. And this is the deepest receiving core in the league. And it'll be 50% Viking fans. And my gut feeling is Minnesota is the play here. J Mac disagrees, but it felt like a playoff game to me. It had that kind of feel. It was one of those, you know, you don't get. The NFL is always entertaining. But there are a handful of games late in the season and you're like, you know when the NFL schedules like Burrow and Mahomes in week 17 and you're like, oh, that feels. I'll give you an example. The Steelers Bengals on Saturday night felt like a playoff game. That's a Saturday playoff game before a playoff game. And there's a reason restaurants have soft opens, right? Like you're not quite ready for the moment. I just don't think Sam and the Vikings, this young, fun Team were ready for the moment. And here's the coach after, you know, we didn't do a lot of the things that we've consistently done, you know, all season long. And this game came down to, you know, finishing in the red zone, weighty downs, third downs, you know, pitching and catching and gotta, you know, find different ways to help guys get open and when there are guys to potentially, you know, throw and catch, we've got to be able to do that. We've done it at a very high level this year and just didn't really show up on the weighty downs. Yep. Sam Darnold twice was high on Justin Jefferson throws. Absolutely no question about it. You see this sometimes. First big games for quarterbacks, they look tight. I mean that was the knock on Peyton Manning for years in the NFL that he was a teeth clencher, that he was great and productive. He'd get into big games and he was too tight. And I thought Sam looked tight. But again, this was a guy that was a bust a year ago, that was starting for the niners in Week 18 a year ago to the biggest game in Detroit in 50 years. It wasn't going to be as night. I said last week, I like the Lions. They have the better roster. It's a bigger game, it means more. I know it's 214 win teams playing for a number one seed. It just felt like, it felt like Detroit's night. That's what it felt like to me. And you're saying, well, Colin, it's not a playoff game. It's looked like it and felt like it to me. I'm watching Collinsworth and Mike Tirico and those guys were bursting through the suits. That thing felt like the biggest game in a long time. So there you go. J. Mac, we have so many things to talk about today. For the first time in my adult life, I believe something's true in the NFL. Get to that in a second. You and I will talk about the wild card schedule. Denver at Buffalo. Talk about a tough draw.
J. Mac
Do you see that? It's not even a double digit spread in that game.
Colin Cowherd
It's I, I, I'm stunned. Denver plus eight and a half.
J. Mac
You're not doing that, are you?
Colin Cowherd
Oh my, no, no. I'm just, I'm just saying that's a lot of points for a very good coach and a very good defense. There are games that you look at and go, yeah, this is a tough draw for Denver. Right. Like again, baby steps league. We don't expect Denver to go in there with the Dead Cap Money and Bo Nicks and win that game. That's, that's not like a winnable game. If, if it ended up being 30, 20 and Denver played well, you, you'd fly home thinking, I can't wait for next year like that. There are certain games that just feel like, yeah, it's going to go a certain way. The game that's fascinating this weekend and I don't know quite Tampa Washington.
J. Mac
Oh, okay.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, that, that is a, I, I, I, that's a question mark game for me. I could see several outcomes in that game.
J. Mac
So sometimes like the Raven Steelers, they just played like a few weeks ago. You can take something out of that game. I don't think you could take anything out of the Tampa Washington season opener. It was Jayden Daniels first career start. Yeah, they're a different team now. That's, that's going to be an. And Tampa's kind of beat up in the secondary.
Colin Cowherd
I don't remember a first round and I'm serious. You know, Houston always plays the Saturday 3:30 game, but this year they get Harbaugh and Herbert. I do not remember a first round matchup with all games being this good with this many star quarterbacks. I get Stafford against Darnold, Herbert, C.J. stroud, Bo Nix, who by the way, go look at his stats like week 8 on the guy was incredible. Jaden Daniels, Baker, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts. Dude, there's some, there are some matchups.
J. Mac
Matchups.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. Okay.
J. Mac
Sounds like you're going to talk yourself out of some underdogs here, huh?
Colin Cowherd
Be careful.
J. Mac
Favorites have dominated the league.
Colin Cowherd
That really worked for me well this year. No, I mean you start looking at these games, this is as good as it gets. We have one game where we look at and go, yeah, Buffalo's going to win. But I get Sean Payton in the game. I get a, arguably a better defense in the game. And here's the other thing. What if it's snowing sideways that hurts the star quarterback, not the better defense.
J. Mac
They did luck out. There is going to be snow in Buffalo city Saturday. There's only a little snow calling for Sunday and we're six days out. A lot can happen. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Packers, Eagles. That's the one game that is the best game of the weekend. And I don't know what the deal is with AKA A Jordan Love and B Jalen Hurts. I mean, Jalen Hurts was still in concussion protocol I think last week.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, with Jordan Love will play.
J. Mac
Okay. No Christian Watson looks like and even.
Colin Cowherd
The second tier games, Chargers, Texans. It's going to be fantastic. Hardball's first year of playoff wins.
J. Mac
Celebrate Justin Herbert's first playoff win.
Colin Cowherd
Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio Apple. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich. All right, let's talk about Amazon prime for a minute. I've got mine. Do you have yours? Not just about one thing. It's a whole collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. If you passionate about a hobby, a sport, or all sports in my case, or you just need to get things done fast. Prime. Amazon Prime's got your back. You can watch content, order supplies, listen on Amazon Music. It's all included under one prime membership. Of course, we can all agree one of the best things about prime is the fast, free delivery. With prime, you can have what you need delivered the same day. But it's more than that. Prime is a collection of excellent services. I love it. Amazon Music, listen to the tunes that keep you in the zone. Or this podcast. Whatever you're doing, working out on the road, prime doesn't just help you get closer to the things you care about. It helps you discover new things too. Prime's always there to fuel your passion. Make it just a little bit easier, so whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.comprime now you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities big to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months. If you love iPhone, you'll love Apple Card. It comes with the privacy and security you expect from Apple. Plus you earn up to 3% daily cash back on every purchase, which can automatically earn interest when you open a High Yield Savings account through Apple Card. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app subject to credit approval. Savings is available to Apple Card owners subject to eligibility. Apple Card and Savings by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch Member FDIC terms and more@applecard.com Jon Stewart is.
Jon Stewart
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. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Colin Cowherd
I do think the Bears have the distinction, finishing 5 and 12 of being the most fascinating, awful NFL team and franchise in the league. And I, I there's, there's hope, there's talent, and I don't think there's any answers. And nobody trusts the team to get it right. Caleb Williams is the centerpiece. He can be dynamic, but his accuracy. He holds onto the ball too long. Sometimes he looks like he's just fishing for the big play. Those are all the criticisms of Caleb Williams. At usc, pro scouts nailed Caleb Williams. They loved his talent, but they questioned his accuracy. Trying too often to make the big play. But yet the organization is even a bigger problem than Caleb Williams, who really isn't a problem. He's the solution. If you could get the right coach. I mean, Caleb had his offensive play caller fired and then his head coach fired and they use more offensive line combinations than any other team and they played the second toughest schedule and they're in a division in my opinion, which is the best division in the NFC and the best coached division in the nfc. So even though I have Caleb's talent, and by the way, since week 12, he had the same number of touchdown passes as Patrick Mahomes and more than Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. So you can see the talent, you can see the flaws, you can see hope and optimism and reason for improvement. But does anybody on the planet trust the Chicago Bears to get it right? I'm just hearing about their interview process and some of the people coming in and I honestly, it is everything I was told before the draft that Caleb Williams and his family were concerned about. Can they get it right? It's hard enough for rookie quarterbacks. You can see what a value Sean Payton is for Bo Nix or what Cliff Kingsbury is for Jaden Daniels. We all know as good as a quarterback is Mahomes. Andy Reid makes him better. We know that when Brian Dable and Brady are with Josh Allen, it was better than the alternatives. I don't know if they can get it right. I mean, the Bears have become like reality television. You can't take your eyes off it, but you feel sort of guilty for watching it. I'm watching them. I'm fascinated. I kind of thought the wind was cool. I think Caleb's going to be better. But this is, you know, John Elway and Eli Manning said we're not going to our franchises. Caleb Williams, deep down, I think he wanted to. This is not sourced. I think he, I think he was concerned about Chicago. I know there were family members who were. But he didn't want to make an issue out of it. And so he's put his head down after the game. He once again says the right thing for a tire fire of a franchise. Being able to actually be here and come out with the win. Being able to be here and play on this field. Being able to be here and, you know, see the history between the Bears and Green Bay and come out with the win the way that we did. It was great. It was awesome. Great moment and can't wait to keep growing and keep having more of those moments. Here's the positives. He is the first Bears quarterback ever that had 3,000 passing yards, 20 plus touchdown passes and fewer than 10 picks. And that's with his play caller being fired, the head coach being fired, massive offensive line combinations, second toughest schedule in the NFL and the best division in the nfc. So you can see it. And this is why I was so adamant about the Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh. When you get these generational talents, you gotta spend 15 million a year to get the right coach. You can't mess around. And I think they have so mangled this franchise, I don't think the best candidate, Mike Vrabel, I don't know. New England now has an opening. Wouldn't you go to Robert Kraft and Drake May? If I was Mike Vrabel, I'd take the New England job. I get the dysfunctional Dolphins and Jets in division and I don't have to face Kevin O'Connell. I don't have to face Matt LaFleur. I don't have to face Dan Campbell in that Lions roster. I just don't know how attractive. It's hard for me to say. I was in Chicago for the weekend. It's one of my favorite cities in the world. I don't know how attractive it is. So you got. I see all. It's reality television. I see the gem, I see the talent. You guys trust him to hire the right coach. I don't. And I'm watching the candidates parade in. Not good. J. Mac with a noose.
Jon Stewart
No, no, no, no.
Colin Cowherd
Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.
J. Mac
All right, birthday boy. Let's start with the Dallas Cowboys who ended their season with a last second loss of the Commanders. They ended up going 7 and 10. Jerry Jones has been non committal regarding Mike McCarthy's future with the team and that continued in yesterday's post game.
Colin Cowherd
Mike's one of the best coaches that I think there is. He was made to coach here because I thought that. And he's done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach. And I am really impressed with the way the players.
J. Mac
Identify.
Colin Cowherd
Look, are with him. They're inside with him. Yeah, they got bigger issues than Mike McCarthy. They had some roster moves. I think you and I have talked about this. Sometimes you have to take big swings when you're backed into a corner. And Jaden Daniels is now in that division and Philadelphia is not going anywhere. And Day Bowl Stan, they're going to draft a quarterback. So you start looking at Dallas and you're not going to get out of this. Just being patient. You got to take a swing here. And I think the swing is moving. Micah getting a second first round pick. It's a weak draft. There are very few in my life weak drafts where people say not, not a great draft. It's very good at certain Positions like running back, safety, it's stacked, but it's not your typical great draft. There's some nice offensive tackles. Not great ones, but a lot of good ones. I think you have to take a swing. I think you have to get two number one picks. I think you should put both of them on offense, give Dak a fighting chance. But this, this is a big offseason. Jerry, for as much of a. He was an. What do they call him? A. He was an oil catter or he was a big, you know, he was a guy that was a high risk guy. But it does feel like over the last several years he's a play it safe guy. Like he's got this great organization. It's about his family, but he's playing it safe. And my take is Jerry, we need, we need 41 year old Jerry. We need big swing Jerry because you're not going to solve in this division with Philadelphia, his roster. You're not solving it. Just taking a first round pick and a second round pick and you got to move pieces, take swings. He was a wildcatter. My bad. That's what they're called.
J. Mac
What if McCarthy says, you know, thanks Jerry, I'm going to go take the Chicago Bears job, He goes back to that packers division, he gets a younger, better version of dak cheaper and McCarthy leaves. What does Jerry do? Because Rabel, all signs point we'll get to it later. He's going elsewhere. I don't know what Jerry's backup plan is. I did see a report, I, I don't know if it was someone credible that speculated perhaps Sarkeesian could make the leap from the University of Texas to the Dallas Cowboys? I don't know. Do any thoughts on Sark maybe transitioning if McCarthy isn't the guy?
Colin Cowherd
Is Texas a better job? I think Sark really likes coaching in college football, but the nil and transfer portal is a, is an annoyance to say the least.
J. Mac
A bigger annoyance than Jerry, your owner getting in front the media multiple times.
Colin Cowherd
I think Sark could get a better job. I think Sark could do a Harbaugh where he would cherry pick a perfect job. I mean, if you really look at the Chargers, they had a left tackle and a quarterback. They had a Bosa and Khalil Mack and they had a superstar in the back end of their defense. There was a lot to like about the Chargers. They needed a right tackle, they need another tight end. They had to go get some running backs. But I think Sark is in a position that you take the job where you have a young quarterback, you have a star quarterback or a young quarterback on a rookie contract. Dak is an older B quarterback on an A plus contract. I don't think that's nothing against Dak. I don't think it's a great job.
J. Mac
It's definitely not a great job.
Colin Cowherd
I do not think Dallas a great job. I think the roster is miles below Detroit or Philly.
J. Mac
You and I love chaos. So McCarthy leaving Dallas.
Colin Cowherd
That'll be great.
J. Mac
That would be amazing for content. Next up today, obviously, Black Monday in the NFL, and one of the notable firings so far has been Gerard Mayo in the Patriots. Listen, you and I have speculated this for months. We're not surprised at this. Everybody else is like, how could they do this? Like, people haven't been watching the Patriots. They were a disaster this season. Remember, Mayo got in front the media and was like, we're playing our best quarterback to start the season. And Drake May was on the bench like, he just doesn't get it. And he may be a great Patriot and all that stuff. Robert Kraft is very tore up.
Colin Cowherd
Always felt a little Belichick light. I mean, his only coaching influence of note was Bill Belichick. And to me, when a legend goes, you have to break free from the legend and go in a different direction.
J. Mac
Craft didn't do that.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I think it's, I think it's, I just looked up this morning, I said it in January. It just felt like a different chapter in the same book. Like, go get Ben Johnson. Go get. Go get. I mean, I think Vrabel's a great fit here, but, you know, Vrabel is part of the old kind of regime and feel, you know, maybe Ben Johnson is the fit here. But I, I, I, I think what makes this job attractive and, you know, you don't want to face in radio, you don't want to face when Howard Stern retires. You don't want to replace Howard Stern. Right now that Belichick's gone and his replacement weft now it gets very attractive because I've got my quarterback and I'm not replacing a legend. They have balloons bottomed out as a franchise. This is as low as the Patriots will ever be in terms of record and roster. So for that, to me, if I'm a candidate, there's only one way to go up. So that's, you know, your, your entry point to here is great. That's why the Chargers was so great. Beyond everything else, it was such a mess. And that matters when you take a job, do you have realistic expectations and where are they? You do not want to replace a legend. Yeah, doesn't work. You don't want to replace Jim Harbaugh with a 49ers or Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Those are big lifts.
J. Mac
Yeah, go, go. Look up the post coaches in Miami post. Shula, after he was. He ended it like it gets ugly. Kraft did call it one of the hardest decisions he's ever had to make. Vrabel's name is the one being mentioned everywhere. My guess is that's what happened. Known commodity, right? They like again.
Colin Cowherd
It's part of the Belichick tree. But Vrabel's the best candidate. Easily in the class.
J. Mac
But he can instill a culture and he has a quarterback. I. I think they'll be fine.
Colin Cowherd
I think we both like Drake.
J. Mac
May final story is a bit of a banger here. Colin. The Miami Dolphins season unraveled. Listen, Tua was hurt. They ended up losing to the Jets. Jets, of course, winning a meaningless game. But more interesting is Tyreek Hill. He sat out the fourth quarter, was not injury related. Mike McDaniel had no answer for his absence. There are reports that Tyreek Hill said, I don't want to go in the game now. He was playing with the backup quarterback. And after the game, here's Tyreek Hill talking about his thoughts on Miami and his future.
Colin Cowherd
I just gotta do what's best for me and my family, dog. If that's here, if that's where.
J. Mac
Wherever the case may be, man, I'm.
Colin Cowherd
I'm gonna open that door for myself, dog.
J. Mac
As I'm opening the door, like.
Colin Cowherd
I'm out, bro. At the end of the day, bro, I gotta do what's best for, you.
J. Mac
Know, for my career.
Colin Cowherd
And you know what's best?
J. Mac
Because I'm too much of a competitor.
Colin Cowherd
To be, you know, just. Does that mean you thinking about leaving here? If it is. Hey, if. Yeah, it gets. Yeah. Tiny, fast players. Tiny, fast players have never run the league. He's some icing. You're not building your franchise around Tyreek Hill. He is fun. He is splashy. The media loves him. He sizzle and not the steak. He's a tiny, fast player.
J. Mac
How fun is it? He's like, I'm out, bruh.
Colin Cowherd
I'm out.
J. Mac
He's just like, I'm leaving now. One of the producers just sent me an image of his social media. He updated his Twitter account to a photo of Antonio Brown. Remember when he left the field shirtless, like, that's what you're dealing with. Tyree Kill. So this is where it gets interesting. Colin, what's the market? Take your time on this. What's the market for Tyreek Hill? Should the Dolphins field calls or make calls?
Colin Cowherd
Well, there's a market for him. My question is, do I? Do I? Is it a long term market? Is it. What am I paying him? I just. I'll say this again.
J. Mac
31 in March. By the way, that's his age.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I think he's got two or three more really good years, but what do I have to pay him? How long is the contract? I mean, I think the headache.
J. Mac
Is he in the locker room?
Colin Cowherd
Listen, Odell Beckham went from star to irrelevant real fast. Tiny, fast receivers have never been foundational pieces in this league. Now, if you're a bigger receiver, a Larry Fitzgerald, if you're a bigger receiver, a Calvin Johnson, those are guys I'll build around.
J. Mac
Yeah. They also didn't have massive issues off the field. Tyreek Hill, brush fires every offseason.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, he's. There's just, again, I. There's just too many good receivers in this league for me to be losing sleep worrying about Tyreek Hill.
J. Mac
How funny is it that the Dolphins made him a team captain this season? Like, really? Okay, so I got two teams. Let me spitball at you. Harbaugh and the Chargers. Strong culture. You fall in line playing on turf, you get revenge against the Chiefs. You get a real quarterback who's durable as hell. Can Harbaugh reign in Tyreek Hill and give them again?
Colin Cowherd
Would I, Would I take a one year experiment on Tyreek Hill with the charges?
J. Mac
Well, he's got a fat contract because.
Colin Cowherd
He got that experience, so I don't, I don't want to pay that. Well.
J. Mac
They need a receiver, and the other team is Washington with the young quarterback.
Colin Cowherd
I don't want to disrupt him. I don't need ego in the locker room. Terry McLaurin is so great and so quiet, so classy. No nonsense. Has his personal life in order? I. I just, I don't want to. I think, you know, I understand there is value to Tyreek Hill. He's a talented guy. But this, this. You start looking at loud receivers, how they do, how do they do in this league? I mean, look around. I mean, the one guy that has some drama is A.J. brown, but he just wants the ball more. I get that. But I, you know, I got nothing against. I think Tyreek Hill's super talented. But this idea that when he went to Miami, he was this foundational piece and it's like Timeout. One of the quarterbacks in this league that we acknowledge is not a great deep ball thrower is tua. So there are, there are quarterback like Mahomes was a perfect quarterback for him. Josh Allen would be a great quarterback for him. But remember when you play football in January, Kansas City and Buffalo, and I think this is one of the reasons Brett Veach moved off him. Once you get to January with these AFC powerhouse teams, it's not 70 degrees and sunny. I mean Buffalo and Denver, you could be snowing sideways. You're not throwing deep balls to Tyree Kill. So I think these speed receivers and these gadgets receivers are really valuable in September and October. The colder the weather gets, the less, the less viable they are. By the way, here's another receiver note. Packers receiver Christian Watson. According to Ian Rapaport, believed to have torn his acl, putting the beginning of next year.
J. Mac
That's devastating in peril.
Colin Cowherd
He's a he, he. He's a top.
J. Mac
He's a game changer.
Colin Cowherd
He's a take the top off a defense guy. Now, luckily they have excellent depth of receiver and tight end.
J. Mac
That stinks, man. Damn.
Colin Cowherd
All right, J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd. I always use this analogy when I was talking about like speed receivers. They're the sports car in your garage. You know, you're not going to take your kids to baseball practice. You know, you can't put a lot of groceries in it, but damn, it looks good and you look really cool driving it. But it's seasonal. Like there are, you know, unless you live in the Keys, you know, it's like seasonal. And I think these star vertical receivers down the field, I'll take a puka. I'll take somebody 18 yards and in, you know, like, I'll take somebody that will. I mean, T. Higgins is a number two, but T. Higgins will do dirty work over the middle of the field. That's what I want because that's January football. That's cold outdoor weather football that take the top off the receiver. Never forget, the only Patriots team with Brady that didn't win was the Randy Moss version. And Randy Moss set records. But when you get later in the season, the world changes. You also face in the playoffs the best pass rushers. So quarterbacks don't have four seconds to pat the ball and wait for a guy to run 60 yards down the field. So, you know, it's, it's. This is an SUV league. Look at Detroit last night. Run the ball jameer Gibbs, pound the Rock. The flashy Minnesota Vikings, you know, shut down. It was o line, run the ball, everybody's beat up, everybody's banged up. Let's get physical. Goal shifted into the second gear and it's a power run game. That that to me feels like the NFL more than wow. That double reverse that fly pattern. That stuff is fun. It's Highlights, it's YouTube. It doesn't feel sustainable for championships in my lifetime. It just doesn't. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9:00am Pacific. All right, let's talk about Amazon prime for a minute. I've got mine. Do you have yours? Not just about one thing. It's a whole collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. If you're passionate about a hobby, a sport, or all sports in my case. Or you just need to get things done fast. Prime. Amazon Prime's got your back. You can watch content, order supplies, listen on Amazon Music. It's all included under one prime membership. Of course, we can all agree one of the best things about prime is the fast, free delivery. With prime, you can have what you need deliver the same day. But it's more than that. Prime is a collection of excellent services. I love it. Amazon Music Listen to the tunes that keep you in the zone. Or this podcast. Whatever you're doing working out on the road, prime doesn't just help you get closer to the things you care about, it helps you discover new things, too. Prime's always there to fuel your passion, make it just a little bit easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.com prime now. You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.
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 the Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors the podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
J. Mac
This week on Fox.
Colin Cowherd
College Hoots Friday.
J. Mac
It's a battle in the Big Ten as 15th ranked UCLA takes on Maryland. Catch the action Friday at 8 Eastern on Fox.
Colin Cowherd
Okay, so for the first time I can ever remember this, the best quarterback won all eight divisions. I was wrong. I thought Kirk Cousins was barely the best quarterback in the NFC south and he was and beat the Bucks twice. And then he got mad really quickly and then there was I picked the packers and Jordan Love. I like their ascension. Last year he got banged up early in the season and that didn't work out. But yes. So let's look at the standings here for our TV audience. Josh Allen's the best quarterback by a mile in that division. C.J. stroud is the highest functioning, most reliable quarterback in the AFC South. Joe Burrow had a great year, but Lamar Jackson's going to win the MVP AFC North. I think he's going to win the mvp. In the AFC west, it goes Mahomes is the best quarterback and the second best quarterback is Jim Harbaugh's Justin Herbert, who he inherited. If you go to the NFC east, yes, Jalen Hurts is better than Jaden Daniels in a big game right now. That may not be the truth a year from now, but right now Jalen's the best quarterback NFC South. I've said it before. Baker Mayfield's one of the 20 best quarterbacks in the world and has been even in the years I criticized him. Best quarterback again, Jared Goff. He's great. Let's get over it. You know, we got to get over the Jared Goff criticism. He's been to a Super Bowl. He's really good. And then, I mean, I think Stafford's the best quarterback in that division and I think it's not necessarily close. So what does it mean? It means going in and off into an off season that probably should do or Sanders or Cam Ward are going to get taken number one even though they're B level prospects. It means Sam Darnold, if he went to the market, is going to get the bag. It means J.J. mcCarthy for Minnesota is an excellent trade piece in a weak quarterback class. It means Aaron Rodgers probably shouldn't retire and he'll have a market too. So I mean, a prime example of this is look at the Steelers and the Seahawks. They both have 10 wins. They both have excellent rosters. We don't even consider them close to super bowl teams. Why the quarterback and as the NFL, and this is one of the reasons I don't like the NFL expanding to 18 games as they've expanded to 17 games for a couple years now. Quarterback is more essential because you're going to have more injuries and the more snaps a good quarterback can take against average quarterbacks, it just guarantees the good quarterbacks win their division. So there are fewer and fewer ways to win in the NFL, and I do not think that's good. I think there should be several ways. I think you should be able to be a running team, a team that's limited at quarterback but great on defense. It's just not the case anymore. Best quarterback won every division. There's only four new playoff teams this year. Three out of the four had new quarterbacks. Think about that. The average is has been in most of the last 20 years. Half the playoff teams are brand new. This year, 14 playoff teams, only four new and three got new quarterbacks. So, you know, fans in the media get paralyzed by officiating. We're getting this game. We got robbed. Nathan. You don't have a good enough quarterback. Fans complain about play calling, media complains about play calling. All that matters is quarterback. You got the right quarterback, you'll win. And that's why this morning I saw the news that Brian Dabel in New York is keeping his job. I've been saying he should. He got Daniel Jones to the playoffs. Brian Dabel is not the problem. I saw a story this morning that Jim Ursay is keeping Shane Steichen. He should. And Chris Ballard. They're not the problem. The roster's good. The team's missing a quarterback. So years ago you'd be like, is it the quarterback? Is it the coach? Look around the league. If you don't have a quarterback, that's why the Chargers was such a great job. When you guys are talking about all these jobs that are available right now, New England with Drake may very attractive. Chicago scares me upstairs, but Caleb Williams makes it more attractive. I mean, I even think the jets with Aaron Rodgers. Aaron played very well with one exception the last eight weeks. You win a lot of games with Aaron Rodgers. He's playing good now and he'll have a whole off season, right? He'll have an entire off season to, you know, take the last eight or nine weeks and build on that. So, you know, it's like Hollywood. If you get a big actor and a big Director. It usually works. And if you get a really good quarterback like Justin Herbert, you insert hardball, they're going to make the playoffs. I mean, that's just the way the league's gone. You have to be so bad at ownership defense, o line for Joe Burrow not to make the playoffs. Joe Burrows, the only star quarterback that didn't make the playoffs. And they came down to the final game. I mean, they had a winning record. They, they did their darndest to get in, but Kansas City decided, let's play backups. So I think that's just the reality of what the league is now. That's why I don't like expanding the NFL to more games. It just makes it more quarterback dominant. Now the good news is we have more good quarterbacks than ever. I mean, even though this is not considered a great quarterback draft class, there's a lot of these second, third round guys that my executive buddies, they think are way unheralded. They don't like the top of the quarterback draft class. They like the middle of the draft class much more. Here's the other thing that I'm this wasn't that hard of a prediction that Bo Nix and Sean Payton would be good together. But there is one game in the playoffs this weekend, and if a team lost Denver, you'd understand it. Sean Payton is basically the NFL's Gordon Ramsay. If your kitchen is a mess, he's going to be a little blunt. He's great on television. He's going to clean that crap up, you know, within about a week. And it was very funny when Sean Payton came out and had Russell Wilson. He did not say, we're going to get this right or I'm going to make this ugly contract work. Sean Payton got a lot of pushback because he said, yeah, Russell's not good enough. Yeah, he can't figure out the plays. Yeah, he can't memorize the plays. He misses too many. And he had comments on Nat Hackett and everybody was uncomfortable and everybody's uncomfortable with Gordon Ramsey, too. But he fixes your kitchen. And there's an argument that the if you look at the dead cap money with the Broncos, when Sean took that job, I was disappointed. I didn't think he could fix it. I thought it was that big of a mess. And I knew he and Russell would not get along. One is the eternal optimist. One is brutally blunt. One some could say is a little less than authentic. The other one is completely authentic. So I didn't think it was going to work. But Sean Payton works and he can be caustic and he is blunt and he makes people uncomfortable. But when you have to turn around a mess, being precious and PC, it doesn't work. It doesn't work. That's why so many places in corporate America are so hard to turn around. Because you know, you, you got to make sure you don't offend. Sean Payton offends. Sean Payton's outspoken and it is amazing what he did with his team. I mean, think about this. He's in a division. Just say it out loud. Reed and Mahomes, Harbaugh, Herbert Bonex, and he got to the playoffs. And I like Bonix. Say that out loud and just don't lose sight of this. Whatever happens against Buffalo, the worst dead cat money situation that in my life, a rookie quarterback in a division with Reed, Mahomes, Harbaugh, Herbert. The over under on Raiders wins before the season was six and a half. Broncos were five and a half. That's how Vegas, which is loyal to the outcome. There's no bias in Vegas they want. Their bias is lettuce Green. That's all they care about. The Raiders were projected to win more games. So whatever happens at Buffalo, just say it out loud. Herbert Mahomes, Reed Harbaugh, Bo Nix and. And I'm looking at some of these, I'm looking at some of these Bo Nicks numbers. It is. It is. And remember this, Bo Nix was the sixth quarterback taken. So Sean didn't get the first choice or second or third or fourth or fifth. He took number six and crushed. I mean, it's. I look at that playoff schedule and I'm like, man, that's a, that's a rough draw. But, you know, listen, it is just, first of all, going to Buffalo. If you were Detroit or Philly, you could take the best teams in the whole sport to go to Buffalo. Obviously, Philly and Detroit are in the nfc. Anybody going to Buffalo is rough. Mahomes going to Buffalo would be rough.
J. Mac
You see that Steelers Ravens line, by the way? Nine and a half. It's a divisional matchup. Round three.
Colin Cowherd
I like the Ravens. Yeah, so do I. I like the Ravens to blow them out.
J. Mac
Oh, great. Also a great teaser leg, if you're into teasers. Tease the Ravens down to a field goal. They're winning that game. Steelers are a mess.
Colin Cowherd
Matt Hasselbeck in studio next. All right, let's talk about Amazon Prime. It's not just one thing. It's a collection of services that help you get the most out of whatever you're into. Whether it's a hobby, sport or getting things done fast, Prime's got you covered. Like my hobby for all things sports. You can order sports supplies, listen to content like this podcast on Amazon Music, or watch content. You can do it all with Prime. Everybody loves the fast, free same day shipping, especially as we kick off the year. But what about all the content you can listen to on Amazon music music to podcast fast shipping? What is not to love about this membership I'm in? Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier. So whatever you're into, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.com primenow traveling to see your fave sports team is cool, but traveling with AMEX Platinum for the big game is even better. Right this way. With access to dedicated card member entrances at select events, you can skip the line. And with access to the Centurion Lounge.
J. Mac
He shoots a three, you can catch.
Colin Cowherd
The next game on the way home. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Learn more@american express.com with Amex card member entrance access not limited to Amex Platinum.
Jon Stewart
Card Catch Jon Stewart back in action on the Daily show and in your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. From his hilarious satirical takes on today's politics and entertainment to the unique voices of correspondents and contributors, it's your perfect companion to stay on top of what's happening now. Plus, you'll get special content just for podcast listeners, like in depth interviews and a roundup of the week's top headlines. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Hour 1 - Dan Campbell, Vikings, Bears"
Release Date: January 6, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Colin Cowherd and J. Mac dive deep into the current NFL landscape, analyzing pivotal team performances, coaching strategies, and quarterback impacts as the postseason approaches. The discussion is rich with insights, notable quotes, and contentious debates, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the league's most pressing storylines.
Timestamp: [03:44] – [07:15]
Colin Cowherd commends the Detroit Lions for clinching the number one seed in the NFC, despite facing significant challenges such as having 12 defensive players on injured reserve. He attributes their success to Head Coach Dan Campbell's "unapologetically alpha" leadership style, which emphasizes grit, toughness, and a no-nonsense approach.
Notable Quote:
“Dan Campbell’s the perfect coach... with a head coach who's unapologetically alpha, a motivator that preaches grit and biting kneecaps.”
– Colin Cowherd [03:46]
Colin highlights the cultural alignment between Campbell's coaching philosophy and the resilient spirit of the Detroit community, suggesting that this synergy has been pivotal in driving the Lions' performance.
Timestamp: [09:00] – [13:20]
The conversation shifts to the Minnesota Vikings, focusing on quarterback Sam Darnold's recent struggles. Colin compares Darnold's in-game performance to that of legends like Peyton Manning, noting instances where quarterbacks appear "tight" or overwhelmed in high-pressure situations.
Notable Quote:
“Sam Darnold looked a little overwhelmed... Jared Goff’s first playoff game felt like a playoff game.”
– Colin Cowherd [07:05]
The hosts debate the Vikings' prospects in the playoffs, with Colin expressing optimism about Minnesota potentially pulling off a significant upset against the Rams, while J. Mac remains skeptical, highlighting differing opinions on playoff predictions.
Timestamp: [15:05] – [19:05]
Colin delves into the Chicago Bears' tumultuous season, centering on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite organizational upheavals, including the firing of both the offensive play caller and head coach, Colin remains cautiously optimistic about Williams' future.
Notable Quote:
“Caleb Williams is the solution. If you could get the right coach... there's hope, there's talent...”
– Colin Cowherd [19:05]
He underscores Williams' impressive statistics, noting that since week 12, Williams has thrown the same number of touchdown passes as Patrick Mahomes and more than Josh Allen and Justin Herbert, positioning him as a beacon of hope for the franchise despite broader organizational issues.
Timestamp: [23:58] – [27:48]
The discussion transitions to the Dallas Cowboys, whose season concluded with a disappointing 7-10 record. Uncertainty surrounds Head Coach Mike McCarthy's future, with owner Jerry Jones remaining non-committal.
Notable Quote:
“Mike’s one of the best coaches... players are with him... they’ve got bigger issues than Mike McCarthy.”
– Colin Cowherd [24:40]
Colin praises McCarthy's coaching prowess but acknowledges that roster challenges and divisional competition necessitate bold moves from management. The hosts speculate on potential successors, mentioning Mike Vrabel as a highly regarded candidate who could infuse the team with a fresh, disciplined culture.
Timestamp: [30:14] – [32:43]
Colin and J. Mac examine the Miami Dolphins' woes, particularly focusing on Tyreek Hill's apparent dissatisfaction and potential exit from the team. Hill's absence in key moments and his candid statements about prioritizing his and his family's best interests signal possible disruptions ahead.
Notable Quote:
“He’s a tiny, fast player... he’s fun and splashy, but the media loves him. He’s sizzle and not the steak.”
– Colin Cowherd [32:43]
The hosts debate Hill's value versus his off-field distractions, contemplating whether the Dolphins should pursue him as a short-term asset or seek more stable, foundational players like Terry McLaurin. They also discuss the challenges of building around a player like Hill in January football, where harsh weather conditions limit his effectiveness.
Timestamp: [39:21] – [48:18]
A significant portion of the episode is devoted to the evolving role of quarterbacks in determining team success. Colin argues that the NFL's structural changes, such as the expansion to 17 games, have amplified the importance of having a stellar quarterback, often overshadowing other strategic elements like defense or running game.
Notable Quote:
“You have to be a great quarterback to win... there's fewer and fewer ways to win in the NFL.”
– Colin Cowherd [39:21]
He critiques the league's current trajectory, expressing concerns that an overemphasis on quarterbacks narrows the diversity of successful team strategies. The hosts also touch upon playoff predictions, the impact of coaching decisions, and how certain teams leverage their quarterback talents to navigate the postseason.
Timestamp: [48:12] – [49:43]
Towards the end of the episode, Colin and J. Mac provide their playoff forecasts, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of various teams based on their quarterback play and coaching. They also discuss Betting Lines, teaser legs, and the potential outcomes of key playoff games, such as the Steelers vs. Ravens matchup.
Notable Quote:
“Madden football vs. reality; you have to be a great quarterback to win.”
– Colin Cowherd [48:22]
The hosts emphasize the unpredictability of the NFL playoffs while reiterating their belief in the paramount importance of quarterback performance in determining playoff success.
Timestamp: [49:31] – End
In his concluding remarks, Colin likens speed receivers like Tyreek Hill to "sports cars," noting their allure and explosive play potential but questioning their long-term viability in championship scenarios. He advocates for more physical, run-heavy strategies as being more aligned with the traditional NFL's toughness and resilience.
Notable Quote:
“I just want somebody that will do dirty work over the middle of the field... that’s what I want because that’s January football.”
– Colin Cowherd [35:08]
The episode wraps up with a final nod to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the NFL, highlighting the intricate balance between player talent, coaching acumen, and organizational stability.
"Dan Campbell’s the perfect coach... with a head coach who's unapologetically alpha, a motivator that preaches grit and biting kneecaps."
– Colin Cowherd [03:46]
"Sam Darnold looked a little overwhelmed... Jared Goff’s first playoff game felt like a playoff game."
– Colin Cowherd [07:05]
"Caleb Williams is the solution. If you could get the right coach... there's hope, there's talent..."
– Colin Cowherd [19:05]
"He’s a tiny, fast player... he’s fun and splashy, but the media loves him. He’s sizzle and not the steak."
– Colin Cowherd [32:43]
"You have to be a great quarterback to win... there's fewer and fewer ways to win in the NFL."
– Colin Cowherd [39:21]
This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a deep dive into the strategic intricacies of current NFL teams, the pivotal role of quarterbacks, and the dynamic interplay between coaching and player performance. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the hosts provide valuable perspectives that illuminate the complexities of American football's most competitive season.