Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: AFC Playoff Predictions Release Date: March 14, 2025

Overview In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin delves into his predictions for the upcoming AFC playoffs. Drawing from his extensive experience and engaging in-depth analysis, Colin breaks down each division, assesses team strengths and weaknesses, and forecasts potential wildcard contenders. The discussion is further enriched by insights and counterpoints from guest Max Crosby, adding depth and perspective to the predictions.

AFC East: Dominance of the Bills

Colin begins his analysis with the AFC East, confidently predicting the Buffalo Bills’ dominance.

• Buffalo Bills: Colin asserts, “If Josh Allen is in his prime like Brady was, he will win this division going away” (04:30). He highlights the addition of key players like Joey Bosa and Josh Palmer, bolstering their defense and overall team strength.

  • Quote: “They got the star quarterback, the star back, the left tackle. You know they're gonna be fine.” – Colin Cowherd (05:10)

• New England Patriots: Despite skepticism, Colin acknowledges the Patriots as a surprise contender, citing their talented quarterback and recent coaching upgrades.

  • Quote: “They upgraded with Mike Vrabel at coach from Bill Belichick who just didn’t work and they spent a lot of money.” – Colin Cowherd (06:00)

• Miami Dolphins: Positioned third, the Dolphins are noted for their smart coaching and capable quarterback, though without significant roster upgrades.

• New York Jets: Colin considers the Jets as least likely to contend, pointing to a new coach and downgraded quarterback situation.

AFC North: Competitive and Volatile

The AFC North is highlighted as a robust and competitive division with several strong contenders.

• Baltimore Ravens: Colin expresses concern over Ronnie Stanley’s health but maintains optimism about the Ravens’ potential.

• Cincinnati Bengals: Despite being top-heavy, with stars like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, Colin predicts they will secure a wildcard spot.

• Pittsburgh Steelers: Positioned third, Colin praises the coaching staff but remains cautious about the organization’s consistency.

• Cleveland Browns: Colin remains skeptical about the Browns’ ability to reach the playoffs, questioning their long-term strategy.

AFC South: Titans and Texans in the Spotlight

The AFC South is discussed with focus on the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans.

• Tennessee Titans: Colin predicts significant improvement, crediting quarterback Cam Ward’s potential and the Titans’ strategic upgrades.

  • Quote: “Cam Ward comes into some backyard football, but J. Mack likes the Titans as a surprise team.” – Colin Cowherd (07:45)

• Houston Texans: Emphasizing their rebuilding efforts, Colin supports C.J. Stroud as the best quarterback in the division, foreseeing the Texans as playoff contenders.

• Indianapolis Colts: Positioned third, the Colts face uncertainty with quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.

• Jacksonville Jaguars: Colin views the Jaguars as a lower-tier team, primarily due to trading away Trevor Lawrence.

AFC West: Chargers as Division Favorites

In the AFC West, Colin names the Los Angeles Chargers as the division winners.

• Los Angeles Chargers: Highlighting Jim Harbaugh’s coaching and the addition of Max Crosby, Colin believes the Chargers will triumph.

  • Quote: “They got Max Crosby. Raiders could have beaten them twice last year and now the Raiders have like a grown-up quarterback.” – Colin Cowherd (09:15)

• Kansas City Chiefs: Colin forecasts a decline for the Chiefs, attributing it to offensive line issues and inconsistent performances.

• Denver Broncos: Positioned third, Colin notes the Broncos’ improved defense but worries about player health and consistency.

• Las Vegas Raiders: Despite criticisms, Colin remains optimistic about the Raiders’ potential under Harbaugh’s leadership.

Wildcard Contenders and Overall Predictions

Colin outlines his overall playoff predictions, emphasizing five new playoff teams: the Patriots, Bengals, Texans, Chargers, and Ravens.

• Wildcard Teams: The Patriots, Bengals, and Chiefs are highlighted as possible wildcard entrants.

• Division Winners: Colin forecasts the Bills, Ravens, Texans, and Chargers to win their respective divisions.

• Quote: “I think this is the best division going away in football. I mean the coaching is Jim Harbaugh, Andy Reid, Sean Payton and Pete Carroll.” – Colin Cowherd (10:00)

Discussion with Max Crosby: Insight and Debate

Max Crosby joins Colin to provide counterpoints and further analysis, engaging in a lively debate over the predictions.

• Chargers’ Performance: Max challenges Colin’s optimism about the Chargers, questioning their offseason improvements.

  • Quote: “I look at the Chargers offseason, Colin. How have they upgraded Najee Harris? Is that an upgrade? I don't see the improve.” – Max Crosby (10:40)

• Jim Harbaugh’s Impact: Colin defends Harbaugh’s influence on the Chargers, while Max remains skeptical about the actual roster upgrades.

• Health Concerns: Colin raises concerns about the Broncos’ player health, which Max partially concurs with, noting the unpredictability of NFL seasons.

• Trevor Lawrence’s Future: The discussion touches on the Jaguars trading away Trevor Lawrence, with Max defending Lawrence’s value and Colin citing organizational decisions.

• Quote: “You're done. Done.” – Max Crosby (11:56)
  (Referring to Trevor Lawrence’s tenure with the Jaguars)

Personal Insights and Player Focus

The conversation shifts to personal stories and player-focused discussions, particularly highlighting methods of overcoming challenges and player motivations.

• Max Crosby’s Personal Journey: Max shares his struggles with addiction, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and supporting others.

  • Quote: “...to get healthy and put myself first and get the help I needed.” – Max Crosby (15:13)

• Coaching Philosophies: Max discusses Pete Carroll’s coaching style, highlighting his focus on competition and creating a winning culture.

  • Quote: “No matter what we're doing, we're going to compete. We're going to have fun when we do it.” – Max Crosby (16:28)

• Player Contracts and Team Loyalty: Colin defends the Rams’ strategy of moving on from players based on performance data, contrasting it with other teams’ handling of key players.

  • Quote: “They treat you great, but they got a gift bag and a see you later in the next breath.” – Colin Cowherd (33:54)

Final Thoughts and Predictions Reiterated

As the episode concludes, Colin reiterates his playoff predictions, emphasizing the strength of the AFC East and West, and expressing cautious optimism for other divisions.

• Overall Playoff Predictions: Colin stands by his earlier predictions, reinforcing the dominance of the Bills, Ravens, Texans, and Chargers, while maintaining skepticism about the Chiefs’ stability.

• Quote: “I think the AFL is much, much easier to predict.” – Colin Cowherd (03:00)

Conclusion

Colin Cowherd’s The Herd provides a comprehensive analysis of the AFC playoff landscape, blending statistical insights with personal anecdotes and expert opinions. The dynamic interaction with Max Crosby adds a layer of depth, ensuring listeners receive a well-rounded perspective on potential playoff outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

• “If Josh Allen is in his prime like Brady was, he will win this division going away.” – Colin Cowherd (04:30)
• “They're trying to kill him. And they're the ones trying to play quarterback.” – Colin Cowherd (19:43)
• “Sometimes I'm either quiet or trying to get myself going, but I'm always focused on being my best.” – Max Crosby (21:00)

Timestamp Reference:
Note: Timestamps are indicative based on transcript sections and approximate placements.

This summary captures the essence of the AFC playoff predictions discussed in the podcast episode, focusing on team analyses, key player evaluations, and the engaging dialogue between Colin Cowherd and Max Crosby.