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- [00:00]
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.com prime now. Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capital1.com Bank Capital One NA Member FDIC whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, UberEats has the best deals for me on game day food no matter what I'm craving from two for one pizza. To buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats. We'll be dropping new deals each week all season long. I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Hi, it's the Herd. NFL Playoffs. We're talking about NFL playoffs. You bet we are. Get in on the action in DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. Score big during the NFL playoffs with DraftKings Sportsbook. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now. Use the code HERDHERD. New customers can bet 5 bucks. Get 200 instantly in bonus bets only on DraftKings Sportsbook with code HERD H E R D. The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York.
- [02:12]
Nick Wright
Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut.
- [02:20]
Colin Cowherd
Help is available for problem gambling.
- [02:22]
Nick Wright
Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play.
- [02:29]
Colin Cowherd
Responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill casino and resort Kansas 21. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction.
- [02:36]
Nick Wright
Void in Ontario, new customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance.
- [02:41]
Colin Cowherd
For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng Co. Audio jlab Audio is changing the audio game for good, producing some of the best earbuds and headphones designed for everyday life without breaking the bank. For those looking to conquer their fitness goals in 2025, JLab recommends the JBuds Sport ANC4, offering a secure fit, super long battery life. Discover your perfect pair of headphones and upgrade your audio game Today. I did look for the JLAB Blue Box at retailers everywhere or visit jlab.com thanks for listening to the Heard 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. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Great first hour. Flew by live in Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Michael Irvin Last hour. Zach Ert stopping by as well. I'm interested in Nick Wright today because I'm interested in his take. He is the arch nemesis of Bill's fans and to some degree Ravens fans where I am sort of a beacon of American honesty and I have no favorites, play no favorites ever. I have a little lean toward usc but whatever. But interested to get Nick Wright on today. J. Mac so when I do herd hierarchy, one of the things I tell people it's not standings. You can go to the newspaper and get standings. How's that industry working out? We're doing tv, we're doing digital, we're doing tick tock baby. We are the. We are the future and the present. So I'm going to do my herd hierarchy. I think you may be surprised by a team in there.
- [04:42]
J. Mac
Yeah. How's Nick feeling about the Chiefs this weekend?
- [04:45]
Colin Cowherd
They are nervous?
- [04:46]
Nick Wright
No.
- [04:46]
Colin Cowherd
They're going to blow Houston out.
- [04:48]
J. Mac
They get so lucky every year so they get to face the pathetic Texans and then the Ravens and Bills beat each other up and they get whoever's left.
- [04:55]
Colin Cowherd
Well, they did earn the buy. You do earn those. It's not like it's not like a ping pong lottery like the NBA draft. You do earn home field.
- [05:05]
J. Mac
Who do you think has a better chance to beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead, Buffalo. Buffalo or Baltimore?
- [05:11]
Colin Cowherd
Buffalo. Baltimore has become incredibly reliant on two guys. Buffalo has three receivers. I like two tight ends. I like a back. I like second best left tackle in football. Buffalo is the most. Let's just get to our herd hierarchy. No. Yeah. Okay, here we go. Number 10. Herd hierarchy. Time is now.
- [05:33]
Nick Wright
Let's go.
- [05:34]
Colin Cowherd
The top 10 NFL teams according to college. Number 10, Cincinnati Bengals. Sorry. They beat the Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. That made the playoffs and they beat the brakes off of Green Bay right now. They're a good football team. Joe Burrow is on fire. Five game winning streak. He completed 77% of his throws, 13 TDs, four picks and a 111 passer rating. That's just sometimes the way it works. You get hot too late. Cincinnati is a top 10 team in the league. Let me tell you who Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore didn't want to make the playoffs. Cincinnati, they were fine with Bo Nicks. They were fine with Justin Herbert. C.J. stroud. They didn't want Bo Nicks anywhere near the playoffs. Cincinnati at 10. Number nine, Minnesota. Yeah, they listen. They're like a really good student who got a D in their last couple of test scores. Doesn't make him a bad student. Top 10 scoring offense, top five defense. They got out coached last night and they're not as good as Detroit. And frankly the Rams young defense is a sight to behold. But I have the Vikings at nine. Number eight, the inconsistent Houston Texans. Now they're only two and five against playoff teams and they're going to go to Kansas City. It's going to be cold and they're going to probably get smoked. They're nine and oh. When holding opponents to 20 points or fewer in. Kansas City is getting better on offense. So that's not going to happen. I think they're still a year away. I think Denver's a year away. I think Green Bay is a year away. I do think C.J. stroud's a different quarterback on the road than at home. We told you that going into the Chargers game. CJ Stroud, cold weather on the road. Their season will end. Number seven, Commanders. No punts or turnovers against the Bucks. I don't know if I like the team or I'm in love with Jaden Daniels. I mean the kids just honest to God, there's about 60% Mahomes, 60% Lamar Jackson. I. It's the best rookie I've ever seen next to Andrew Locke. Six game winning streak. Each of their last five games have Been decided on the last play from scrimmage. You can't do that forever. Those. That's just too emotional, too wild. They. I think they'll lose, but they deserve a ton of respect. How would you like to be Washington for the next 10 years with Jaden Daniels and Cap Space? Sign me up now. Number six. Number six is. The Rams played a perfect game in the first half last night, but they were not good on third down. And their offense can be really sluggish in the first half. Listen, they're really good. Not great, but they're 15 and 5 when they have Stafford and Puka and cup and Kyron Williams. Kyron Williams got dinged up last night. Cross your fingers and they're 7 and 1 when they score 21 plus. Their offense gets stuck, though. And it happens kind of regularly where their offense gets stuck. But if you give McVeigh or Andy Reid extra time, Good night. And I thought this. This defense is no joke. In the first four weeks of the year, they had eight sacks. They had eight sacks last night. This defense is. Jared Verse is unblockable. This kid right here jumping into the end zone. So the Rams are a young defense that about every three weeks you look up and they're noticeably better. I have the Rams at number six. Number five, Philadelphia. I don't know if. I don't think they can win the super bowl. Yes, they're 13 in one of the last 14 games. They were 2 for 11 on third down. Jalen Hurts went nearly two full quarters without a completion. And I don't love the head coach. I do think they'll beat the Rams because the Rams played perfect and now go outdoors to cold weather. And Philadelphia played poorly and still won. They have the best roster in the NFL, but, I mean, Saquon Barkley is the leader of this team. It's not the quarterback. It's not the coach. This is the one team to me like, you can like Derek Henry, but I get Lamar and John Harbaugh. Saquon Barkley leads this team. That's the guy in the O line that I trust. Number four. Listen, the Ravens are good. Boy, they are really dependent on Derrick Henry and Lamar, and that would concern me. Three drives of 85 plus yards. You know what I feel about Lamar Jackson. Listen, they're one in five against the Chiefs and they beat everybody else. So I don't think this team would beat Kansas City if they had to play him an arrowhead. I just don't think they would because I think Kansas City is better defensively and I think Baltimore is getting better on the defensive side. They held opponents under 20 points in five straight games. So that's what good coaching staffs do and good general managers do. Baltimore had a flaw and they're now better at the flaw. Kansas City wasn't very good on offense early and now Kansas City is better on offense. That's what good organizations do. So they've cleaned up the mess on defense. I have them there at what do I have the Ravens at 4. Number 3 Detroit Lions, second best roster in football off a by hosting the Commanders. They struggle against mobile quarterbacks, which is not a good thing to struggle against in 2025 in the NFL 6 and 2 against playoff teams. Dan Campbell has a culture of relentlessness. Guys play hurt. Jared Goff. For all you Jared Goff critics, this should be a calling. Was really right for the next 10 years. Jared Goff on third and fourth down this year. 18 touchdowns, no picks. Best O line in football. Number two, number one. Number two. Number two, Kansas City. Listen, worst point differential in the history of the league for a team that's as good as them. I know they had a buy and I know they'll be good and I know they'll beat the brakes off of Houston and they are. They are getting stronger late with their musical chairs on the offensive line in Hollywood Brown and they are 72 against current playoff teams and 21 2. But aesthetics matter and data matters. And my number one team in the league, number one is Buffalo. There's never been a team in pro football that had 30 passing touchdowns and over 30 rushing touchdowns. Not only do they win at home, all but one home game was a blowout seven win by 20 points. I think this offense is incredible. Left tackle right now the best remaining in the playoffs. Quarterback most talented remaining the playoffs. James Cook. Top five running back, two good tight ends, three capable receivers. They are not as good as Kansas City defensively, there is no question. And maybe they don't match up with Baltimore defensively, but I this team right now is so good offensively. Left tackle, quarterback, weapons, run game. I have him number one by an inch. I think this is the year. I think this is the best version of Buffalo. Hey, these are tough decisions, folks. J Mac has a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Nick Wright is now going to join us. I might as well just. It's like I might as well just grab the poker.
- [12:27]
Nick Wright
Tough decisions, right, right, right in the room. It's not the one seed. That's the two time defending champ who you've had number one all year. It's not hard to keep them number one. I'm just curious. You weren't impressed by the Chiefs this weekend in their bye week? Oh, wait, maybe it was the week before because the Chiefs backups lost to Denver, but you love Denver and the Bills backups lost to the Patriots backups who didn't want to win. Was it the week before that when the Bills beat the jets, or the week before that when the Bills struggled with the Patriots who are drafting number what are we doing now? Here's the thing. It's obviously farcical and the fact that you, you dared, you, you said, and I quote, I jotted it down, the Bills have, quote, the most talented quarterback left in the playoffs.
- [13:21]
Colin Cowherd
Yes.
- [13:22]
Nick Wright
I didn't know Patrick Mahomes wasn't invited to the playoffs this year. However, I'm not going to be too hard on you because it's a rough day. I know. How are you doing?
- [13:35]
Colin Cowherd
You know, I said this earlier. I'll set you up. I said, Sam probably never deserved a Mahomes Allen Lamar contract, so he'll get a Baker contract. And one of the things about the NFL because of the scarcity of games is every game matters. We've seen coaches that have a job and then lose it. I mean, literally overnight. I mean, if Sean McDermott would have lost to Denver, we would feel different about Sean McDermott today than we feel about beating Denver. And my thing with Darnold was eventually, over the course of a season. That's why I say the Chiefs winning isn't luck. The truth comes out and Darnold now will get a Baker contract. I think he deserves that, do you not?
- [14:20]
Nick Wright
Well, here's the thing, and this is what I love about the NFL and why I get so annoyed with folks who try to make excuses. I'm not talking about this conversation for certain players and they're like, oh, small sample size. It's a small sample size sport. Yeah, that's the reality of it. And 12 days ago, not 12 days ago, 14 days ago, Colin. 14 days I sat here with you and I said, not you. I said that if Darnold plays great that Sunday, that coming Sunday night against Detroit, that he has to get legitimate MVP consideration and show up at least on the bottom of people's ballots. And I stand by that. That was 14 days ago. But because it's a small sample size sport, when the sample is the two biggest games of your season and the two biggest games of your career, you instantly go back to seeing ghosts and your team scores nine points, then all of a sudden folks are going to say MVP. Forget that. And actually, we want J.J. mcCarthy as our quarterback. And actually, any contending team is not going to be able to sell their fan base that he is the guy to get us over the hump. So I. I don't think you were crazy two weeks ago when you said if he wins that game against Detroit and they're the 1 seed and have the buy that he's looking at high 40s, low 50s.
- [16:03]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [16:03]
Nick Wright
I also think now he might be looking at another one year prove it deal. Maybe someone gives him the Baker deal, but I don't know. And so I just. It's a. It's one of the beautiful things about professional football. It's also one of the cruel things about professional football. Sam walked into that game against Detroit with the world at his fingertips. If he played great and they won, it's generational wealth and rewriting the story of his career. Instead, he played his worst game of the year until last night, which was even worse. And now for a lot of people, it's same old Sam, and it's a shame, but that's the. That's the sport. That's the life they've chosen, so to speak.
- [16:47]
Colin Cowherd
So I'm going to get to Raven's Bills, but I want to save that to the end because I said this. When Jerry Jones appeared on Landman, a great show, everybody was surprised how good he was. And I'm like, no, no. Jerry's great with attention. Jerry's great with a camera on him. And I think there's an argument to be made that Deion Sanders isn't the best coach available. But the Cowboys are boring, and most of my life they haven't been. And their training camp attendance was the lowest ever. And you watch them play the NERS or Packers or a big brand, and the stadium's 35% full of the other fans. And Dion makes them fascinating. Do you think it'll happen and do you think it would work?
- [17:28]
Nick Wright
I don't think it'll happen. I do think it could work. If it did happen. With your. Like, that's only part. Part one of the plan is higher Dion. Part two of the plan, and I'm glad you brought up Landman, is Stephen Jones goes to Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Landman is like, hey, I will give you $10 million to cast Jerry in a starring role of season two, but just tell him he's got to be on set the who, and you're filming during football season. Just get him out of the building. Yeah, he was. I mean, that two and a half minutes. He was spectacular.
- [18:07]
Colin Cowherd
By the way. By the way, James. When James Dolan of the Knicks built the sphere in Vegas and was out of the building for two years, the Knicks front office suddenly got brilliant.
- [18:17]
Nick Wright
Right? Exactly right. No, this is. This is actually an adjusted take that I've stolen from you, which is if the meddling owner can get distracted with something else, the team can thrive or succeed.
- [18:33]
Colin Cowherd
Right?
- [18:33]
Nick Wright
It's exactly right. And so I don't. I think Jerry, they have managed now on consecutive decisions. Colin, I feel, have two options, neither of which were great, but both were fine. And they went door number three, which was a disaster. So with Dak Prescott, option one would have been pay him top of market right when the offseason begins and build your team accordingly. Option two would have been tell him no, man, we're not paying you. We're letting your contract play out and we'll see. They chose the worst of both worlds. Pay him top of market, last minute, possible tie up our cap. They did the exact same thing with Mike McCarthy. With Mike McCarthy, they could have signed him to an extension the day the season ended or before. Or they could have said, mike, we appreciate you. We're moving on the day the season ended and interview all these guys that everyone else interviewed. Instead, they said, hmm, door number three, let's not bring him back, but let's do it at the last possible moment. So we don't get to interview Ben Johnson, we don't get to interview Spags, we don't get to interview Aaron Glenn when everyone else did. So I think that was a back to back ridiculous choices by Jerry Jones where you took the worst of all options. I do think Deion would be excellent. I don't think that. The reason I don't think it's going to happen is the Cowboys are the one team that looks like they're hiring a coach. I shouldn't say one the one team, but one of the teams where it's least likely he would ever get to Coach Shador. Like, because they gave Dak that contract. He is untradeable in the short term and does have a no trade in the long term. And they're drafting 12th. And so to me, it's just if Deion would want to do it without needing to coach his son. Yeah, I think his personality has enough gravitational pull. It could pull from Jerry's gravitational pull and that would work. But I just don't. I don't know that. I think it's going to happen.
- [20:42]
Colin Cowherd
Okay, I gotta ask you, Bill's Raven. So you're somebody that's seen as the arch nemesis in Buffalo and sometimes in Baltimore. And I, and I, I really like. I think Baltimore is arguably the best run organization top to bottom in football, along with Kansas City. I said this yesterday. I think Buffalo's become Kansas City without the trophies. Owner stays out of the way. Smart, really sharp general manager. Don't miss on a lot of draft picks. Superstar quarterback, always have. I mean, Joe Brady and Spags. You're like, these are really, really sharp guys. They just don't have the trophies. And I said, that's why Phil Mickelson didn't win a lot of majors when Tiger was in his prime. Doesn't mean Phil Mickelson can't play. And I think this is the best version of Buffalo. So I. Vegas clearly says Buffalo won't be able to stop the run game of Baltimore. They're telling you that with a line like Baltimore is going to run over them. I can't go there. We can't forget Lamar's gotten a bit tight in big games because they just dusted off a team in Pittsburgh that can't get offense right. How do you view Bill's Ravens?
- [21:43]
Nick Wright
All right, well, first of all, the Buffalo is Kansas City without the trophies. And I know this is, I'm about to mention one of your favorite actors, but that's a bit like Michael Keaton's just Tom Hanks without the Oscars. I mean, yeah, but that kind of is what makes one guy who he is and the other guy somewhat like really good. But the trophies are what you are playing for, first of all, and I did that intentionally because nobody loves Michael Keaton more than the guy I'm talking to right now.
- [22:09]
Colin Cowherd
I swear to God, Keaton.
- [22:12]
Nick Wright
I know you do. And so you said that. I've been a thorn in the Bills fan side until this year when I thought everyone wrote them off far too early before the year, picking the jets or the Dolphins or ridiculousness to win that division. And I've said all year long, I think Buffalo is the second best team in football to Kansas City. I still think that. I think that Buffalo has right now one weakness. And you saw it actually show up in the Rams and Lions game. Obviously they won one, lost the other. And that weakness is if you have multiple downfield threats in the passing game. I don't trust their back end. Which is why, even though I don't think Zay Flowers is a great player. I think he's a good player. I don't think he's a great player. I think the lack of Zay Flowers if he's not able to go this week is massive for Baltimore because that's the one spot I think you can take advantage of. The Bills defensively is deep downfield passing. And I also think that is a problem for Baltimore because they don't really want to be in a deep downfield passing game. Lamar Saturday played the first start to finish great playoff game of his career and I give him a ton of credit for it. But yes, of course I still have reservations about him in the postseason. I also think that one of the reasons the Bills have been underrated this year is because people just don't care that they have the best offensive line in the entire conference. And James Cook's been really good. So I disagree with Vegas on this. I think it's insulting for Buffalo to be home dogs and Lamar is not TUA, obviously, when it comes to the cold, but Lamar doesn't love the freezing cold. And Buffalo on Sunday is going to be 8 degrees. All those reasons I like the Bills. And Colin, I got to tell you, Chiefs are going to, you know, take care of the Texans by halftime Saturday afternoon and then Ravens, Bills. I hope this thing goes to triple overtime. I hope it's the greatest football game ever played. I hope we. I hope we tell our grandkids about what an unbelievable slug fest this football game was. I'm so excited.
- [24:41]
Colin Cowherd
Like college football. Go 13 overtimes and then somebody stumbles into the end zone. Yeah. As always, buddy. Great seeing you, Nick Wright. First things first.
- [24:50]
Nick Wright
See ya.
- [24:51]
Colin Cowherd
And that's, by the way, that's very. I thought about that as well. Like I said this earlier, the Rams will not play as well as they did last night. They played a perfect game and Philadelphia played like, you know what, and. And one like Phil. I like Philadelphia over the Rams even though I love the Rams this morning. So I just think it does matter. And I think Buffalo and Baltimore is going to be Ali Frazier. It's going to be Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. Well, what do you do in your next fight when it doesn't live up to it? So I do think there's an advantage. Kansas City's rested. You know, they'll take care of that thing at halftime. Rest, guys, hide the playbook and listen. Houston on the road in cold weather. I don't trust them. I already. I'll tell you, my blazing five, right. I like Kansas City, I like Buffalo. I like Philadelphia. I think I like the commanders. And the points.
- [25:37]
J. Mac
Oh, just with the points. Not to win outright.
- [25:39]
Colin Cowherd
No, I like to come. What do they get? Nine and a half. I'm not giving Jaden Daniels nine and a half points on a fast track. No, thanks. I mean, Tampa's not. I mean, I just think indoors, Jaden Daniels running around, he's gonna move the ball rosters.
- [25:54]
J. Mac
Can Washington get stops?
- [25:58]
Colin Cowherd
They got a couple of dudes up front I like. They don't need to get a ton. They need to get a few.
- [26:04]
J. Mac
Yeah. Now you got me thinking about this. Bill's Ravens game. I.
- [26:09]
Colin Cowherd
Where you tell me, you know what's.
- [26:10]
J. Mac
Going to happen on Monday. Whoever loses that quarterback is just going to get destroyed.
- [26:15]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, he can't win the big game. No, no. It's already written.
- [26:18]
J. Mac
That's how the script is going to go.
- [26:19]
Colin Cowherd
If that. If that game is 30, 28. Because I get tired of the. Lamar doesn't play. Take out the Chiefs. I mean, Lamar beats everybody.
- [26:27]
J. Mac
I would have to drill down on non Chiefs playoff games.
- [26:30]
Colin Cowherd
But I will mention, like Sam Darnold.
- [26:32]
J. Mac
How about Monken last year in the AFC Championship game? One of the most bizarre game plans ever. Do you trust him to go into Buffalo and dial up the right side?
- [26:39]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. This is something funny. So one of the things the Internet does that I don't think is healthy is they bury people. The idea that people can't improve. A great example, the Rams defense. It had eight sacks in the first month. It had eight last night. They're all young kids, okay? Like Robert Sala. You're not gonna look at the jets and blame them for some of the nonsense. Like I would hire Saul again as a head coach.
- [27:06]
J. Mac
I'm probably gonna be the defensive coordinator of the Niners.
- [27:08]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. And he'll be great, by the way. So this idea that we bury people, it's just like I'm more of an action than a words guy. I talk for a living, you know, sometimes.
- [27:16]
J. Mac
But that's what people want. They want the but. JJ called it engagement farming.
- [27:20]
Colin Cowherd
But here's what I would say. The really smart people in our society are finding talented people who had a bad day, a bad stretch, a bad sentence, a bet, and they're finding them. Let the Internet and the trolls bury people. I'm not burying Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert. I'm not burying Jordan Love. These people are talented. Kyle Shanahan had an off year. You don't think he can coach? Really? You don't think Kevin O'Connell is a good Coach, he got worked last night, but in the end I'm. Pete Carroll was fired by the jets and the Patriots. Then all of a sudden he goes to USC in Seattle and you're like, are we talking hall of Fame for Pete Carroll? We don't give people second chances. I, I think there's incredible value. It's like sometimes people can be a little bit like a value stock. It's beaten down by the market. People have bailed on it. You know what that company doesn't. People who are really great are inspired by criticism, not defeated by it. The great Kevin O'Connell will be a better coach next year because he's getting crushed today. And I think Sean McDermott, by the way, Sean McDermott three years ago, Sean McDermott today he is a better football coach. Tom Coughlin, early Giants. Tom Coughlin, late Giants, better football coach.
- [28:49]
J. Mac
How's this? Is there a coach this weekend who if he loses this game is most likely to get fired?
- [28:56]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I think Nick, Sarah is well, but I think Nick's actions have been not very redeemable. Arguing fans, coaches, sideline stuff. Yeah, yeah. So I, I don't buy that he's great. I think Kevin O'Connell is really good. I think McVeigh is a legend. But, but great people who are driven and strong and resilient are not beaten by criticism. They're inspired by it. And so I, I don't like everybody always selling stock. You sell your Justin Herbert stock.
- [29:25]
J. Mac
Not, not me. I'm, I'm holding on to mine. I'll take yours though, if you want to sell your.
- [29:29]
Colin Cowherd
No, I'm not selling it. We got good stuff. Michael Irvin, Zach Ertz around the Corner live in LA. It's the herd. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Omaha Steaks is America's original butcher and has been bringing people together with the world's best steak experience for more than 100 years of family owned experience. From handcrafted steaks to hearty roasts, family style sides and quick, convenient comfort meals, Omaha Steaks delivers everything you crave to reset and relax after the holidays. And now during their end of season sale, you can taste the difference and get 50% off site wide@omahasteaks.com plus our listeners get an extra 20 bucks off with the promo code Herd at checkout. Omaha Steaks offers unrivaled quality and variety and every bite is backed by their 100% guarantee. They also carry mouthwatering burgers, chicken, pork, seafood, dessert and easy to prepare comfort food. Bring home the world's best steak experience with omaha steaks. Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site wide during their end of season sale and for an extra 20 bucks off with a promo code HERD at checkout. That's 50% off@omahastakes.com and for an extra $20 off with a promo code heard at checkout. 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 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.com prime now. Hi, it's the Herd. NFL playoffs. We're talking about NFL playoffs. You bet we are. Get in on the action in DraftKings sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. Scoring touchdowns is the key to winning in the NFL playoffs. And the key to you scoring big is betting on them at DraftKings, the number one place to bet touchdowns. Just download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Super easy to do. 90 seconds and use the code herdherd. Here's another reason to watch your favorite players crush it in the playoffs. New customers bet five bucks to get 200 in bonus bets instantly. So score big during the NFL playoffs with DraftKings Sportsbook. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now. Use the code HERDHERD. New customers can bet five bucks. Get 200 instantly in bonus bets only on DraftKings Sportsbook with code HERD H E R D. The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York.
- [32:49]
Nick Wright
Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY 467-369.
- [32:56]
Colin Cowherd
In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit CCPG. Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill casino and resort, KS 21 +. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction.
- [33:13]
Nick Wright
Void in Ontario.
- [33:14]
Colin Cowherd
New customers only.
- [33:15]
Nick Wright
Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance.
- [33:19]
Colin Cowherd
For additional terms and responsible gaming resources.
- [33:21]
Nick Wright
See DKNG Co Audio. If you love iPhone, you'll love Apple Card.
- [33:28]
Colin Cowherd
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 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 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. You know, obviously in Southern California there's a lot of finger crossing here as the winds whip up for the next couple of days and everybody has been affected by these wildfires and it's gotten very political. But I thought Sean McVeigh after the game. A lot of those fires are by the Rams facility and I I J Mack and I said yesterday we liked the Rams going into the game. We didn't know yesterday how they would respond. They they played almost a perfect first half of football and and here was Sean McVay on Overcoming the past several days. I thought they epitomized and they represented the city the right way.
- [35:15]
Nick Wright
You talk about sports offering a platform.
- [35:17]
Colin Cowherd
For people to come together, offer a little bit of temporary relief and I thought the way that our team competed tonight was what it looked like. Yeah, it was. Thanks. Tip of the cap to the Arizona Cardinals, the Bidwell family on that and I think the entire league did a remarkable job on this. I really do. I thought the league was great. The broadcasting people, the buses moving people across the country. We're all so lucky in this business. I am incredibly lucky because of how much you care about sports and about how much the athletes commit and dedicate themselves. A lot of professional athletes have long, rugged journeys and it's resilience and toughness. And I thought there was so many things on display last night beyond football and to the fans who made the trip to the league, who got it right. I just thought it was really impressive in what has been the most daunting week in Southern California, certainly since I've been here. But for many, many years it was, it was a depressing and discouraging and too often a political week. But tip of the cap to not just the Rams but everybody involved in what last, last night was a really first class performance top to bottom by the NFL and everybody involved. J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the Herd line news.
- [36:51]
J. Mac
All right. Lions are coming off a bye week. They will host Washington and Colin here in a bit of a surprise, Detroit. For the first time in Lions history, they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Dan Campbell was asked how his team will handle the expectations.
- [37:10]
Colin Cowherd
We've had attention for four years here. I mean, there's been more stuff that's been made out, that's been built one way. We've been so good, we've been so bad, we're a laughing stock now. We're great. And it's just been this roller coaster of up and downs and it is the next. It's the next week of it.
- [37:30]
J. Mac
You know what I mean?
- [37:31]
Colin Cowherd
And so this is nothing new that we're in right now. This is nothing new for me, for the coaches, for the players. We're in the middle of the circus, man, and it's about time to perform. I love that. You know what? When you ask people the noisier. I used to cover UNLV basketball with Jerry Tarkanian. Rest in peace and. And Jerry Tarkanian's teams were often battling with the ncaa. And I came to the conclusion after watching it and covering it for six or seven years, Jerry's team played better. The more issues they had with outside exterior forces is that Jerry was able to rally the team. It's us against the world. To the point where I think sometimes Jerry would create, he would criticize the team. And I think it was the first time I had watched it where the Rebels played better, often when it was just noisy. And I think it gives coaches, you know, Michael Jordan, after you win three straight, how do you get motivated?
- [38:38]
J. Mac
You make up stuff I mean, when.
- [38:40]
Colin Cowherd
Detroit was literally beating people like Alabama did during Saban's run in September. October. October. And then they had some injuries. And, you know, we've watched the playoffs this past weekend. There is a gap between the really good and the good. Like a big gap. So how do you keep a team motivated when you're a nine and a half point favorite? And I think there's sometimes, you know, all this stuff about Detroit and losing people and Dan Campbell and his weird decisions. They. They are now so resilient because we're always poking holes in Detroit.
- [39:12]
J. Mac
I do wonder how much do you factor in the whole. Everybody's talking to Aaron Glenn, everybody's talking to Ben Johnson. I don't love distracted.
- [39:20]
Colin Cowherd
I don't know.
- [39:20]
J. Mac
I don't think Cliff Kingsbury doing anything.
- [39:23]
Colin Cowherd
Maybe one or two. I don't love.
- [39:24]
J. Mac
I don't even know who the defensive coordinator is.
- [39:26]
Colin Cowherd
By the way, about three or four weeks ago, we were talking about Kevin O'Connell. People would trade a draft pick for him. They never played good after that. Like, I don't like all the coaching stuff that, you know, win over the Packers.
- [39:38]
J. Mac
It was impressive. But I want to go back. Do you remember on our. On this show where Dan Campbell's name got brought up among the best coaches in the league? And I was like, oh, yeah, he's like a bottom ten, bottom five.
- [39:51]
Colin Cowherd
I don't remember you saying that, but it's certainly possible.
- [39:55]
J. Mac
He's really done an amazing job. The last. Is he coach of the year or. Or is it Kevin OConnell?
- [40:01]
Colin Cowherd
Here's where you have to give Dan Campbell credit. Look at the staff he's built. Look at the. This is the best staff in football. This is the thing about.
- [40:12]
J. Mac
He's building as much as the gm like, it's probably a joint effort.
- [40:17]
Colin Cowherd
They do it the G. Listen, their staff is fantastic.
- [40:20]
J. Mac
We saw Belichick struggle. Andy Reid has had not as big of struggles, but with guys poaching from his staff, like there is going to be pullback and some changes. I'm very curious if this is the year for Detroit and then next year.
- [40:33]
Colin Cowherd
You know what the best super bowl is? It's Detroit against Buffalo. Yeah. Detroit and Buffalo will blow away every super bowl ratings record of all time.
- [40:42]
J. Mac
Baltimore would probably be second Lamar in the Super Bowl.
- [40:44]
Colin Cowherd
Right. But there's something about Detroit feels like the Cubs and shoulder pads. There is sort of this. The world's rooting for this lovable loser that's not a loser anymore. And I think. I think Baltimore, Buffalo because of the. You know, you can go back to the Jim Kelly, Marv Levy days. You're like, these guys get a break. Oh, I mean, Buffalo, Detroit. It would shatter any record.
- [41:05]
J. Mac
I will say, I know they didn't look good, but I will lean slightly. I'll whisper it. Eagles, super bowl for me, I think they're going. We thought they were awesome.
- [41:16]
Colin Cowherd
Okay. Nick Ceriani.
- [41:18]
J. Mac
That's. That's the one I wanted.
- [41:20]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. Two hours with no completions. Okay.
- [41:25]
J. Mac
Next story is Bo Nix. Now, this is crazy, Colin. So obviously, Bo Nix is out of the playoffs, completing a good season, had a very good rookie year. However, we're just now hearing that he competed in the second half of the season with a fractured bone in his back. What?
- [41:42]
Colin Cowherd
What?
- [41:43]
J. Mac
Nick's talked about it during the exit interview.
- [41:46]
Colin Cowherd
The Vegas week was just, you know, I had a little, you know, transverse process fracture from my back. But that week got treatment and kind of made it through to that week. Monday Night Football, it was a stretch that we were all kind of banged up and, you know, I wasn't gonna miss the first Monday night game, so I got treatment on it. And then we were fortunate to have an off week that next week, and, you know, kind of went away after that. But for that moment, it was, you know, annoying. But we all play with annoying things.
- [42:19]
J. Mac
Interesting that we never heard. I mean, I didn't see any reports about that, but I'm looking. So that Raiders game is when he got the injury. The next game was the Monday game against Cleveland. You know, Bo Nix runs a lot. He did not run at all against the Cleveland Browns, and he was spraying the ball all over 18 of 35. He hit the big 93 yard or whatever. But then they had the bye week, so there was some luck there. But kind of interesting that Sean Payton was just, you know, not revealing a back injury, a procedure, if you will.
- [42:46]
Colin Cowherd
Well, why? Why? I'm not that.
- [42:48]
J. Mac
Come on. We live in a NFL where you. You got to tell us.
- [42:52]
Colin Cowherd
I do not. Injuries. I'm very consistent on this. When I started this business 30 years ago, I probably said it my first five years, and I've said it once a year for 30 years. I do not like injury reports. I don't like you telling me who's vulnerable. I mean, seriously, if you're a defensive lineman and have a bad left knee. I'm an offensive lineman. I'm like. Like, go for the knee.
- [43:12]
J. Mac
Okay, 30 years ago, that's fine. Now we're in a gambling world. It's legal in like what?
- [43:17]
Colin Cowherd
I don't care. We need to know.
- [43:18]
J. Mac
Gamblers need to know.
- [43:19]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, gamblers need this information. Oh, okay.
- [43:23]
J. Mac
You think we should just be able to hide a college football stuff?
- [43:26]
Colin Cowherd
I am pro.
- [43:26]
Nick Wright
He's gonna play.
- [43:27]
Colin Cowherd
I am pro gambling. I love gambling. But I don't think your priority is giving a gambler injury news. I think the priority is protecting young men who are sacrificing their bodies. I can be two things at once. Pro gambling and not telling you that the right tackle has a bad left knee.
- [43:50]
Nick Wright
Well, you don't.
- [43:50]
J. Mac
Okay, so we could have just heard. Bo Nix has a bit of a lower back, limited in practice. That's all you gotta say. And then he's a full practice the next day. Whatever. But at least tell people he's got something going on with his back. You don't think that you need to do that? There's a lot of money in fantasy football and gambling. I know you don't want to hear that, but that's the reality.
- [44:07]
Colin Cowherd
I'm not. I can think two things. I am pro gambling and fantasy football. I am HIPAA laws. I don't want to know who's hurt, where they're vulnerable. I mean, can you imagine? Broken ribs? Gets out for a wide receiver, a tight end. I'm a safety. You know where I'm going for his ribs. I don't want to know it.
- [44:27]
J. Mac
And then the player looks soft if he takes a shot to the ribs and can't come back. Oh, that's not that bad of a hit. He's soft. He's weak.
- [44:33]
Colin Cowherd
I can't wait.
- [44:34]
J. Mac
He had a major rib injury. Come on, a little wiggle room on the injuries?
- [44:39]
Colin Cowherd
No, no, I'm not a wiggle room guy.
- [44:42]
J. Mac
Okay, final story. Bill Belichick building his staff out at North Carolina. He's got $10 million to hire coaches, but he had only made a few hires, like his son as the defensive coordinator and GM Mike Lombardi's son as an offensive assistant. He's also retaining offensive coordinator Freddy Kitchens. Remember that guy? Now, pro football talk. Interestingly. Listen, I know Florio a little bit.
- [45:09]
Colin Cowherd
He.
- [45:09]
J. Mac
He did a big post online about how North Carolina's nervous Belichick may leave because he's not hiring a staff. And then, of course, Lombardi pushed back online, like, settle down. Everything's fine. I think we can officially close the door. Belichick's not going to the NFL.
- [45:24]
Colin Cowherd
No, you cannot. You can close that door. I see a lot of sons on that staff, you know, your sons, everybody. Dads Care about their sons.
- [45:35]
J. Mac
Yeah, that's always a good move. Bring in, bring in our sons and then we're just gonna leave and go. Come on.
- [45:40]
Colin Cowherd
I, I, I've told you before, when you're great at something your entire life and I watch it and, and laud you and, and, and am enamored with you, and then you decide, I don't like that, I like something else. I'm very suspicious. And I just, For a guy that was, didn't even pay attention to Saturday football, was bad at drafting college players, but was brilliant in the NFL. Now I'm supposed to believe he loves the recruiting trail.
- [46:09]
J. Mac
So, you know, it's like, by the.
- [46:10]
Colin Cowherd
Way, Belichick hated media his whole life. He goes on ESPN and suddenly he's, he's the wacky funster. He's having a good time telling jokes. Jokes. He is auditioning. He was auditioning for a job to show that he's fun and personable and youthful.
- [46:27]
J. Mac
I would agree. He's also got a new young girlfriend. Young and cool and hip. And he's talking about, you know, whatever young people talk about. But, so I love sports. I love talking about sports.
- [46:38]
Colin Cowherd
Right.
- [46:38]
J. Mac
You know that. What if I told you I'm leaving the show tomorrow and I'm going to join the table tennis global tournament and I'm going to leave, I'm going to stop talking about sports. I'm going to play ping pong for, for the rest of my life.
- [46:50]
Colin Cowherd
I call your wife and say, get him into therapy. He's on something. So I wouldn't believe it, but people change. They have, they don't make, they don't make people who are great at something. If you're in dance, ballet, dance, the arts, and you're great at it and say, you know what? I want to go into construction. It'd be okay if you failed at it, but when you're great at it, people don't walk away from great because great gives you such happiness and joy and a sense of accomplishment. Like Urban Meyer told me before he took the Jags job, I don't watch pro football. He didn't have a love for it, and after about a year, it exhausted him. I just say, belichick for a year. Okay, I'm watching all these recruiting pictures. Give me a break. Hey, Coach Belichick, you want a chicken pot pie? He wants to get in a Gulf Stream and get back to a golf, golf course.
- [47:39]
J. Mac
It can pop.
- [47:40]
Colin Cowherd
Whatever. Wow, J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news, and thanks for stopping by. The Herd live, Michael Urban, Zach Ertz, around the corner live in la. It's the Herd. 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, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from Fox to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. 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 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 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. Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day food no matter what I'm craving from two for one pizza. To buy one get one wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Lately on the NPR Politics podcast, we're talking about a big question. How much can one guy change? They want change.
- [51:08]
J. Mac
What will change look like for energy? Drill baby Drill schools. Take the Department of Education.
- [51:14]
Colin Cowherd
Close it. Health care better and less expensive. Follow coverage of a changing country. Promises made, promises kept. We're going to keep our promises on the NPR Politics podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [51:31]
Nick Wright
Hey, it's Bobby Bones.
- [51:32]
Colin Cowherd
Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say. With Bobby Bones and Matt Castle between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Star.
- [51:48]
J. Mac
So where else are you gonna find a show with that much athletic athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just.
- [51:55]
Colin Cowherd
Your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I, I texted you and you texted me back. Now I don't know if you have the update, but like all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like it's all colored. They changed it and the, the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm gonna be honest, it was a little pink. There was something sentimental when you, like when, when you send it, you're like, do I send the heart now? I don't like the color edition. It's extremely pink. Listen to lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [52:30]
J. Mac
You an incredible rookie season as he leads the Commanders against Jared Goff and the top seated Lions in a divisional playoff matchup Saturday at 7:30 Eastern on Fox.
- [52:43]
Colin Cowherd
All right, let's look at the playoffs. Here we go. A lot of great quarterbacks, a lot of very good coaches. Texans are at the Chiefs. I think both of us feel pretty strongly about Kansas City. Andy Rita for buy in in that first game. J Mac would you, would you nod in approval there or no? What do you think?
- [53:00]
J. Mac
100,000%. That's the only spread bet I have so far.
- [53:04]
Colin Cowherd
Chiefs Lions at home with a much better roster and a buy with a smart, clever offensive coach should beat the Commanders. Nine and a half is tasty but I think the Lions I think the extra rest for and and time to be creative for Ben Johnson and a veteran quarterback and and a great O line I think they're just too much for the Commanders to handle. I think that's the one game I would take the points because of Jaden Daniels. But I mean let's be honest. I mean the Commanders could have easily lost to Tampa so I just don't see them winning the game.
- [53:37]
J. Mac
Yeah, I would go Lions in a blowout or Lions at a close one. There's no the middle ground.
- [53:42]
Colin Cowherd
Okay. Rams are certainly capable of beating the Eagles. I think it's a coaching and quarterback edge to the Rams. They did play nearly perfect. Philadelphia played poorly and still won comfortably. I think I'd take Philadelphia. What say you?
- [53:55]
J. Mac
So I'm looking at the weather here. Lincoln, Lincoln Financial Field. It does not look like it's going to be a warm one. That's a lot of travel for the Rams. I'm leaning Eagles but nothing yet. I I think that's another teaser. Take the Eagles down to just win the game. Take it out of Sirianni's hands. Put it in the hands of Jalen Hurts. Did you see Barkley rush for 250 against the Rams the first time they met?
- [54:19]
Colin Cowherd
By the third quarter early in the third quarter it was a mismatch. Ravens at the Bills. I like Buffalo. The wise guys like the Ravens.
- [54:26]
J. Mac
Yeah, that's going to be another cold one. Teen temperatures in Buffalo for that one I'll go Bills.
- [54:31]
Colin Cowherd
One of us is not deterred by cold weather.
- [54:35]
J. Mac
Which one is that?
- [54:36]
Colin Cowherd
Colin? Maybe that's why I was a very redeemable quarterback. I could play in rain, sleet and snow.
- [54:41]
J. Mac
You're better in the rain than Brock Purdy, huh?
- [54:45]
Colin Cowherd
All right, our Michael Irvin next.