Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 2 - Hard to Not Root for the Lions, Nick Wright
Release Date: January 7, 2025

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (02:12 - 03:33)

The episode kicks off with Colin Cowherd welcoming listeners to the second hour of the day’s show. He shares a personal anecdote about receiving a text from J. Mac, his friend, inviting him to hang out on Thursday night. Colin humorously mentions being distracted on his birthday but ultimately agrees to the meetup, hinting at an exciting time ahead.

2. NFL Herd Hierarchy: Team Rankings and Analysis (03:33 - 09:49)

Colin Cowherd presents the Final Herd Hierarchy of the Regular Season, a ranking system akin to a playoff seedings but for the regular season's best-performing teams. He meticulously breaks down the top ten NFL teams, offering deep insights and statistical analyses for each ranking.

• Number 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  "They have the best third down offense in the NFL. They’re the only team on third down that converts over 50% of the time. That is a big stat for me." (03:57)
  Colin appreciates Tampa Bay’s situational prowess, especially their ability to move the chains effectively.

• Number 9: Green Bay Packers
  Despite Christian Watson’s injury, Colin praises Jordan Love’s performance. "Seven straight games for Jordan Love without a giveaway. That is the longest streak of his career." (04:08)

• Number 8: Los Angeles Chargers
  Colin highlights their strong defense and key players like Khalil Mack and Derwin James but notes a lack of offensive depth. "They are the best version of what they can be right now." (04:33)

• Number 7: Los Angeles Rams
  Emphasizing their health and strong roster, Colin points out issues with their first-half offense. "Matt Stafford’s playing well. I don’t love their first half offense this year." (05:00)

• Number 6: Minnesota Vikings
  Colin discusses their improved defense and offensive capabilities. "Sam Darnold did not have a good game in a big spot. I thought it was the biggest football game in Detroit with a better roster." (05:30)

• Number 5: Baltimore Ravens
  Recognizing their dual-threat offense, Colin states, "They are a passing powerhouse and a running powerhouse and they lead the NFL in yards per carry." (06:00)

• Number 4: Philadelphia Eagles
  Colin expresses concern over Jalen Hurts' concussion protocol but remains optimistic about their roster's strength. "If Hurts and AJ Brown play, they’re 110 and they have the best roster in the league." (06:40)

• Number 3: Detroit Lions
  Praising their defensive improvements under Aaron Glenn, Colin remarks, "I’m more impressed with Aaron Glenn in Detroit than Ben Johnson." (07:00)

• Number 2: Buffalo Bills
  Highlighting their low turnover rate and strong defense, Colin states, "They don’t beat themselves like previous seasons. They don’t give the ball away. They don’t allow sacks." (07:30)

• Number 1: Kansas City Chiefs
  Colin concludes the rankings by placing the Chiefs at the top, citing their dynamic offense and consistent performance. "They have a second tight end, a star quarterback, and their defense may not be as good, but their offense is snazzier." (08:00)

3. Coaching Changes: Chicago Bears and New York Jets (09:49 - 19:25)

The discussion shifts to potential coaching changes within the NFL, specifically focusing on the Chicago Bears and New York Jets.

• Chicago Bears:
  Joy Taylor brings up the Bears' search for a head coach amid contract expiration for Mike McCarthy. Colin suggests, "If I can get a talented quarterback for four years on a rookie contract, despite reservations about the executive suite, that’s very interesting to me." (32:09)

• New York Jets:
  Colin delves into the Jets' fractured franchise status, contemplating the possibility of hiring Rex Ryan. "I don’t think it's crazy because it's a broken franchise and he is a culture changer." (41:48)
  Nick Wright counters by considering Rex Ryan’s suitability, ultimately supporting the idea but acknowledging potential drawbacks. "If Rex Ryan somehow talks his way into this job, it'll be an all-time coup. I don't think it'll be a good decision, but I... [content truncated]." (45:31)

4. Detroit Lions: A Resilient American Story (19:25 - 32:04)

Colin passionately advocates for the Detroit Lions, emphasizing their authentic, homegrown approach to building a team. He contrasts them with teams perceived as "buying" their success, citing the Golden State Warriors' acquisition of Kevin Durant as an example of public resentment towards wealthy team enhancements.

“Detroit is doing it the right way. They are all homegrown. They’ve dusted themselves off. And, you know, it's hard for me not to root for Detroit to get to a Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl.” (20:44)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: Playoff Struggles and Future Prospects (32:09 - 38:19)

The Steelers' postseason woes are dissected, highlighting their recent four-game losing streak and eight seasons without a playoff win. Colin expresses frustration over Mike Tomlin's prolonged tenure without postseason success.

“They’ve lost five straight playoff games. They trailed by 20 or more in each of them.” (38:08)

Joy argues against replacing Tomlin, asserting his integral role within the franchise. “They need someone to coach the team either way.” (37:55)

6. Playoff Matchups and Team Performance (38:19 - 43:41)

The conversation shifts to upcoming playoff matchups, specifically the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Washington Commanders. Colin assesses both teams' strengths and weaknesses, while Nick provides insights into key player performances and coaching strategies.

“Todd Bowles recognizes the differences ahead of the wild card matchup. This is going to be a tough game.” (39:07)

7. Light-Hearted Moments and Personal Interactions (43:41 - 44:53)

Towards the end of the episode, Colin and Nick engage in personal exchanges, including birthday greetings and playful banter about credit card advertisements.

“Happy belated birthday. [...] I'll pay for that bottle of wine you were stunting on Twitter.” (23:41 - 25:04)

8. Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks (44:53 - End)

Colin wraps up the episode by reiterating his support for the Detroit Lions and expressing confidence in their potential to reach the Super Bowl, emphasizing their representation of the American Midwest's resilience and hard work.

“Detroit is giving the country an underdog story. It represents the middle of the country.” (25:04)

Notable Quotes:

• “They have the best third down offense in the NFL. They’re the only team on third down that converts over 50% of the time.” – Colin Cowherd (03:57)
• “Seven straight games for Jordan Love without a giveaway. That is the longest streak of his career.” – Colin Cowherd (04:08)
• “They are a passing powerhouse and a running powerhouse and they lead the NFL in yards per carry.” – Colin Cowherd (06:00)
• “If Hurts and AJ Brown play, they’re 110 and they have the best roster in the league.” – Colin Cowherd (06:40)
• “They don’t beat themselves like previous seasons. They don’t give the ball away. They don’t allow sacks.” – Colin Cowherd (07:30)
• “Detroit is doing it the right way. They are all homegrown. They’ve dusted themselves off.” – Colin Cowherd (20:44)
• “They’ve lost five straight playoff games. They trailed by 20 or more in each of them.” – Colin Cowherd (38:08)
• “Happy belated birthday. [...] I'll pay for that bottle of wine you were stunting on Twitter.” – Nick Wright (23:41 - 25:04)

Conclusion:

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the hosts delve deep into NFL team performances, coaching dynamics, and the underdog narrative embodied by the Detroit Lions. Through detailed analysis and engaging discussions, Colin and Nick provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the league, highlighting both statistical insights and personal perspectives. The episode balances serious sports commentary with light-hearted moments, making it both informative and entertaining for fans seeking a thorough understanding of the NFL landscape.