Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Hour 1 - Why Josh Allen Won the MVP"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: Hour 1 - Why Josh Allen Won the MVP
• Release Date: February 7, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

Timestamp: [02:21]

Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode amidst the excitement of Super Bowl week, broadcasting live from New Orleans. He sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion about the impending Super Bowl clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, promising in-depth analysis and predictions. Notably, Colin introduces special guests, including Michael Irvin and J. Mack, who will contribute to the conversation.

2. Josh Allen’s MVP Victory

Timestamp: [06:00]

Colin Cowherd delves into the central theme of the episode: Josh Allen's unexpected MVP win despite a head-to-head loss against Lamar Jackson during the regular season. He articulates his support for Allen's MVP accolade, providing a nuanced analysis of why the award was justified.

• Colin Cowherd: "Josh Allen won the MVP last night even though Lamar Jackson beat him head to head in the regular season. Lamar outplayed him on that game. Lamar had better stats, Lamar had a better passer rating, and Josh Allen won."

Reasons for Allen’s MVP Selection:

1. Defensive Adjustments:

   • Colin explains how the arrival of Derrick Henry in Baltimore forced defenses to make strategic concessions, inadvertently benefiting Josh Allen.
   • Colin Cowherd: "Defensive coordinators had to make choices with the number two running back in the NFL. This often left Lamar Jackson with more opportunities."

2. Support Systems:

   • Despite James Cook being the 16th leading rusher, the overall support Josh received from his team bolstered his performance late in the season.
   • Colin Cowherd: "He won 10 of his last 12 games, one pick after December 1."

3. Subjectivity of MVP Awards:

   • Colin emphasizes that MVP selections are inherently subjective, comparing them to cinematic awards where the body of work sometimes trumps individual achievements.
   • Colin Cowherd: "Awards are subjective. They don't all look the same. Sometimes it's the story plus the stats."

4. Historical Performance:

   • Highlighting Josh Allen’s consistent excellence over seven years, Colin argues that Allen’s long-term impact made him a deserving MVP.
   • Colin Cowherd: "In seven years, he's got the most wins, the most total touchdowns, and the most total yards of any NFL player, including Patrick Mahomes in his first seven years."

3. Comparative Analysis with Lamar Jackson

Timestamp: [07:19]

Josh Allen responds to the MVP honor, attributing his success to team efforts and acknowledging the collective effort of the Buffalo Bills organization.

• Josh Allen: "It takes everybody from the equipment staff to the training room to have team success. I'm so fortunate to be a part of a great organization."

Colin Cowherd further elaborates on the debate between Allen and Jackson, using an analogy to Martin Scorsese’s films to illustrate why Allen’s MVP might be more memorable in the long run.

• Colin Cowherd: "I don't think 20 years from now we'll be saying, 'Do you remember the year they gifted Josh Allen the MVP?' Like Scorsese, they gave him the Oscars for the Departed because it was a good movie."

Michael Irvin shares his voting perspective, explaining his decision to support Lamar Jackson over Josh Allen despite the latter’s MVP win.

• Michael Irvin: "I went with Lamar because Buffalo had a better defense, and Lamar raised the level when the defense let him down."

4. Broader Discussions on MVP and Player Performance

Timestamp: [10:18] to [22:33]

The conversation broadens to discuss LeBron James’ performance in the NBA, drawing parallels between athletic excellence and strategic game management in football.

• Colin Cowherd: "LeBron had 42 points, the most ever for an 'old guy' at 40 in the NBA. It shows when inspired, what LeBron looks like."

J. Mac and Joy Taylor contribute by comparing MVP selections across sports and discussing the subjective nature of such awards.

• J. Mac: "Jalen Hurts is one of five quarterbacks to make two Super Bowls before turning 27 years old."
• Joy Taylor: "Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier."

Colin highlights the importance of MVP representations and their long-term significance in sports history.

5. Russell Wilson and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: [23:21] to [41:51]

The discussion shifts to Russell Wilson’s uncertain future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, influenced by reports from Jay Glazer suggesting the team might move on from him.

• Colin Cowherd: "Russell Wilson’s numbers are impressive, but something about veteran coaches might make him a disruptive influence in the locker room."

Michael Irvin explores potential team fits for Wilson, including mentoring roles or hypothetical moves, while addressing his potential Hall of Fame candidacy despite current challenges.

• Michael Irvin: "I think Justin Fields is going to be one that they keep on this roster. Wilson has had a tough end to his career."

The panel discusses the implications of losing a player like Myles Garrett for the Cleveland Browns and how it affects team dynamics and future prospects.

6. Super Bowl Preview and Predictions

Timestamp: [42:09] to [47:59]

Colin Cowherd previews the Super Bowl matchup, analyzing team performances, player contributions, and strategic strengths.

• Colin Cowherd: "Buffalo and Green Bay are very well run, but they do not attract free agents. The Packers in Buffalo feel like a 'go for it' moment."

Michael Irvin underscores Saquon Barkley's pivotal role for the Eagles, attributing the team's Super Bowl appearance to his performance and the overall talent curated by Howie Roseman.

• Michael Irvin: "Saquon is the reason for that [Super Bowl appearance]. When he joined Philadelphia, he saw a team built to win championships."

The panel reflects on the emotional and strategic investments teams make, using Saquon’s journey with the Eagles as a case study of resilience and team building.

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [48:09] to [51:13]

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd ties together the discussions on MVP awards, player performances, and team dynamics leading into the Super Bowl. The hosts express optimism about the upcoming game while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of sports.

• Colin Cowherd: "It's a tipping point for everything. The NFL is always understood as a television show. If something feels like a cheat code, the league swoops in."

Michael Irvin closes with reflections on team strategy and player adjustments, emphasizing the need for teams to adapt to changing dynamics and maintain their competitive edge.

• Michael Irvin: "Teams are trying to get their business in order before the start of the new league year in March. This thing is going to pick up over the next few weeks."

The episode concludes with a reinforcement of the themes discussed, setting the stage for continued analysis and coverage leading up to the Super Bowl.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [07:19]: "It's time for Josh Allen to win the MVP. His first. And here he was."

• Josh Allen [07:19]: "It takes everybody from the equipment staff to the training room to have team success."

• Colin Cowherd [46:44]: "We've seen Lamar do this before. It's time for Lamar to get. Excuse me. For Josh Allen to get his opportunity."

• Michael Irvin [43:50]: "Teams around the league are calling, they're trying, they're discussing and they want to get their business in order before the start of the new league year."

Key Takeaways:

1. Josh Allen’s MVP Win:

   • Despite a head-to-head loss against Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen’s consistent performance, team support, and strategic advantages in the Bills' gameplay justified his MVP selection.

2. Subjectivity in Awards:

   • MVP awards are subjective and influenced by various factors beyond just statistical performance, including team success and historical impact.

3. Player and Team Dynamics:

   • Russell Wilson’s future remains uncertain with the Steelers, highlighting the complexities of player-team relationships and strategic fits.

4. Super Bowl Insights:

   • The upcoming Super Bowl is shaped by team performance, key player contributions, and strategic adaptations, with Saquon Barkley playing a crucial role for the Eagles.

5. Broader Sports Analysis:

   • Comparisons across different sports underscore the universal themes of performance, strategy, and the subjective nature of recognitions like MVP awards.

This episode offers a deep dive into the intricacies of MVP selections, player performances, and team strategies, providing listeners with insightful analysis and diverse perspectives on current sports narratives.