Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Colin Right / Colin Wrong featuring Matt Hasselbeck
Release Date: January 6, 2025
In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host Colin Cowherd teams up with NFL veteran Matt Hasselbeck to dissect the current NFL season's highs and lows, evaluate coaching decisions, and make playoff predictions. This detailed discussion offers listeners an in-depth analysis of team performances, player developments, and strategic moves that could shape the postseason.
Season Recap and Key Performances
Colin Cowherd kicks off the discussion by reflecting on the recent NFL games, highlighting a limited number of consequential matches amidst numerous backup players taking the field. He critiques the NFL's expansion to 18 games, noting, “By the 17th game, it was kind of like you had about two games you had to watch” (03:00).
Matt Hasselbeck complements this by expressing enthusiasm over the variety of games this weekend, including both playoff-bound college football and NFL matchups. He shares his optimistic stance, stating, “I irrationally like many games this weekend” (03:41).
Colin Right: Accurate Predictions and Assessments
In the "Colin Right" segment, Cowherd celebrates his accurate forecasts regarding several NFL teams:
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Bo Nix and the Broncos:
- Colin applauds his prediction about Bo Nix’s performance, remarking, “Bo Nix is a right where Colin was raw” (04:24). Nix’s impressive statistics, including six touchdown passes and being second in rookie touchdown passes, validate Cowherd’s confidence in his potential.
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Gerard Mayo and the Patriots:
- Colin praises the Patriots’ hiring of Gerard Mayo, stating, “it feels like adding a new chapter to the same old book” (04:30). Despite initial skepticism, Mayo’s impact has been positive, reinforcing Cowherd’s earlier assessment.
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Tyreek Hill’s Trade to the Dolphins:
- Colin expresses foresight in predicting the Dolphins could thrive without Tyreek Hill, observing, “I said they'll be fine without him” (12:00). This move, although unexpected, aligns with his belief that the league isn’t centered around small, fast players alone.
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College Football Predictions:
- Colin accurately forecasted Oregon’s victory over Ohio State and their subsequent playoff performance, reinforcing his expertise in both professional and college football realms.
Colin Wrong: Missed Predictions and Team Struggles
In contrast, the "Colin Wrong" segment addresses his missteps in predicting the performance of certain teams:
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Atlanta Falcons:
- Colin admits his incorrect prediction regarding the Falcons, noting, “I've never been right. I had him winning the division” (04:30). The Falcons’ struggles, particularly with Kirk Cousins and defensive shortcomings, showcased the unpredictability of team dynamics.
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Jacksonville Jaguars:
- Despite optimistic views, Colin acknowledges shortcomings in his assessment of the Jaguars’ coaching and organizational strategies, emphasizing ongoing challenges with GM Trent Bulkey and head coach Doug Peterson.
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Pittsburgh Steelers:
- Colin reflects on his inaccurate predictions for the Steelers, stating, “They still can't get offense right” (04:30). The Steelers’ inability to secure a Super Bowl berth highlights the complexities of maintaining consistent performance over a decade.
Coaching Decisions and Strategies
A significant portion of the discussion centers around coaching hires and strategies:
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Pete Carroll for Chicago Bears:
- Colin explores the possibility of hiring Pete Carroll, arguing, “if there's any new head coach coming into Chicago that wants to see Caleb Williams succeed, it's Pete Carroll” (20:45). Carroll’s reputation as a culture builder and experienced coach makes him a viable candidate to revitalize the Bears.
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Aaron Glenn for the Jaguars:
- Emphasizing the need for robust defensive coaching, Matt advocates for Aaron Glenn, stating, “I think Aaron Glenn would be a good fit” (14:36). Glenn’s defensive acumen could address the Jaguars’ ranking at 31st in the league.
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Brian Flores for Chicago Bears:
- Matt suggests Brian Flores as an alternative, highlighting his head coaching experience and ability to foster team culture, “Flores has learned his mistakes” (22:19).
Player Performances and Future Outlook
The conversation delves into individual player performances and potential future trajectories:
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Sam Darnold:
- Colin and Matt discuss Darnold’s unexpected performance against Detroit, with Colin stating, “Now, listen, like, the future is a whole lot of right nows” (11:37). This game showcased Darnold’s potential resurgence under pressure.
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Jalen Hurts and Bryce Young:
- The duo evaluates Bryce Young’s impressive performance and potential as a franchise quarterback, with Colin asserting, “Bryce Young is as gifted a player as he ever had” (41:00). This positions Young as a pivotal figure for the Carolina Panthers.
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Mike Evans:
- Colin highlights Mike Evans’ achievement of his 11th consecutive thousand-yard season, lauding his consistency and team contribution: “He went over a thousand yards” (35:15).
Playoff Predictions and Dark Horse Teams
In their playoff analysis, Colin and Matt identify potential dark horse teams:
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Los Angeles Chargers:
- Colin emerges as a proponent of the Chargers, citing their robust defense and quarterback efficiency: “Herbert now is as efficient as Aaron Rodgers and Brady in their prime” (23:42).
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Baltimore Ravens:
- Matt positions the Ravens as a dark horse, emphasizing Lamar Jackson’s leadership and the team’s resilience: “I think the Ravens are the team” (25:52).
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Washington Commanders:
- Discussing Baker Mayfield’s grit, Matt suggests Washington as a potential upset contender, especially if they can mitigate defensive penalties: “If I had to pick an upset, Washington might be one to pick” (28:15).
Future Coaching Openings and Speculations
Towards the end of the episode, Colin outlines his hypothetical coaching hires for various teams, demonstrating his strategic vision:
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New Orleans Saints:
- Colin proposes hiring Leon Cohen, the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, to bolster the Saints’ offense and weaken division rivals (31:25).
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Buffalo Bills:
- He advocates for Mike Vrabel, praising his coaching credentials and ability to enhance team performance (38:06).
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Chicago Bears and New York Jets:
- Colin considers Brian Flores and Rex Ryan for their respective teams, emphasizing the need for strong leadership and offensive prowess (40:12).
Notable Quotes
- Colin Cowherd: "Bo Nix is a right where Colin was raw." (04:24)
- Matt Hasselbeck: "I irrationally like many games this weekend." (03:41)
- Colin Cowherd: "Prime fuels your passions, makes everything easier." (00:00 – Ad segment)
Conclusion
In this insightful episode, Colin Cowherd and Matt Hasselbeck provide a comprehensive analysis of the NFL season, balancing successful predictions with candid reflections on missed forecasts. Their discussion underscores the intricate interplay between coaching decisions, player performances, and team dynamics, offering listeners valuable perspectives as the league heads into the playoff season.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in for future episodes where Colin continues to explore coaching vacancies, team strategies, and postseason prospects, all while maintaining an engaging and thought-provoking dialogue on the state of professional football.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Colin Cowherd: “Bo Nix is a right where Colin was raw.” (04:24)
- Matt Hasselbeck: “I irrationally like many games this weekend.” (03:41)
- Colin Cowherd: “Tyreek Hill’s trade to the Dolphins, I said, they’ll be fine without him.” (12:00)
- Matt Hasselbeck: “Bryce Young is as gifted a player as he ever had.” (41:00)
- Colin Cowherd: “Herbert now is as efficient as Aaron Rodgers and Brady in their prime.” (23:42)
This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared by Colin Cowherd and Matt Hasselbeck, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the episode’s key points without needing to listen to the full podcast.