Jason McIntyre (4:16)

Gave you a hall pass for tonight.

Colin Cowherd (4:19)

I'm going to see and Thursday through Sunday night. So I'm going to It's Anne weekend.

Jason McIntyre (4:24)

You know what? Have you seen the movie Halt Pass? No, you got to see that. Owen. Owen Wilson. Yeah, and a couple other guys. It's. It's a great movie. You will laugh out loud some really dirty inappropriate.

Colin Cowherd (4:37)

You're going to consider maybe going out tonight?

Jason McIntyre (4:39)

That or hall pass. I'll watch the movie for the Uber.

Colin Cowherd (4:42)

Be safe. Okay. All right. Here we do it every week at this time. The Herd hire hierarchy. Let's go. Heard Hierarchy. Hierarchy time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams according to college. Well, number 10, if they beat the Saints, they can clinch their four straight division title. I've said it. I like their personnel. Baker Mayfield leads the NFL in touchdown passes over the last two years since he joined the Bucks. They're a big play offense with excellent running backs. Jason Light's a Great gm. They've always got talent. When they've had good quarterback play like Brady and Bateman, they can. They can play with anybody. 5 and 1 over their last six games blew the Chargers out. That was a real eye opener. I don't think they can hoist a trophy, but they could certainly host a playoff game and knock off an injury riddled Detroit if possible. Bucks at 10. Number 9. I'm gonna go Rams. Their offensive sluggishness in the first half is hard to explain, but their defense is really good and young and it's getting better. They've held opponents under 20 points in three straigh games. Matthew Stafford's having a very good year over his last seven games. A passer rating of 105. They're a little puka nukua dependent so I don't think they're a trophy team but I have them at nine. Number eight. I would put the Chargers at eight because their quarterbacks younger and can run. And I think that mobility is the difference between the two teams. Justin Herbert, 99 passer rating, hyper efficient, never reckless, big with mobility. That gives them a slight edge in my opinion over the Rams also. Five of their six losses have come to good teams. The Chiefs a couple of times. Ravens, Buccaneers. They're losing to the right teams. I have them in eight. Number seven, the Packers. I thought the packers could hoist A trophy, but they're 05 against the Lions, the Vikings and the Eagles. They're 11 and oh against everybody else. So they're a bully against average to pretty good teams. They're not gonna. You're not gonna. They're not gonna beat your Ravens, they're not gonna beat your Chiefs. Bills. That's not who they are. Six straight games without a giveaway though. And I think that's coaching. And Matt Lafleur. They have taken some attempts away from Jordan Love. They don't turn it over. They're kind of a power run team. I have the packers at seven, number six, but you know, Lamar Jackson's better than Jordan Love in my opinion. So I have them at 6. Second largest rushing differential in a season in league history. They remain a run team. Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews allows them to pass as well. But number one scoring defense. Number one total defense since week 11. You know, I love this organization. Kind of holding your breath on what they look like in the January playoffs. But the Ravens at six, number five. I thought Sam Darnold was amazing. I've got him at 5. They're tied for the most giveaway takeaways in the league this year at 31. That is the Brian Flores factor. The, the fact that Brian Flores isn't front and center for everybody from the Bears job to the Saints job. This defense does not have elite personnel, but they're putting up elite takeaway stats. That's a Brian Flores factor. By the way, Sam Darnold's the first quarterback in league history to win 14 games in his first season with a new team. Even Tom Brady did not do that. Maybe Darnold is better than Brady when you think about it. Number four. Number four, Detroit. Stacked roster offensively, falling apart defensively. But I mean they have five games this year with 40 or more points and no turnovers. I mean it pretty easy for them. They're clever, they can play power run. They're getting Montgomery back four straight games for three plus touchdown passes. I think we all know the story on them. If they were healthy, they could win the super bowl, but we don't trust their defense going forward. Number three, Philadelphia. They're 11 and oh, and Jalen Hurts and A.J. brown play the number one total defense. They allow 4.8 yards of play, so that's pretty good in the NFL in this day and age. 4.8 yards of play. Their O line and D line combination is the best in the NFL. They got a great GM and they got a roster to show for it. Do I worry about the concussion? I would worry about it if it was in two weeks. I don't worry about it now. I have them at number three. Number two, the Bills. The Bills have cut down on giving the football away. They only have eight giveaways and they've only allowed 14 sacks. So we always liked Buffalo, but we thought, yeah, they'll beat themselves. Well, they don't beat themselves this year. They don't turn it over, they don't give you sacks, don't have a lot of negative plays, and they do it without a single thousand yard rusher or thousand yard receiver. So they are still somewhat too reliant on Josh Allen. But you know what? I like James Cook, I like Kincaid, Dawson, Knox. I like their receiving core. Coleman's getting better. I got at two. Number one. Same old Chiefs. Best coach, best defensive coordinator, best quarterback and arguably the best defensive lineman, Chris Jones. Let's just say this, it's the same team we've seen, except I think it's a better offensive version. It always, since Tyreek Hill left, it's a lot of patchwork at receiver. That's what they've been for three years now and then now they got Hollywood Brown back. They wish they had Rasheed Rice, but that'll do. And Worthy's become a real player. And Travis Kelsey, this is what they do because they play Mahomes what they pay him. And they lost Tyreek Hill. This is the one unit they've tried to kind of figure out and bring in a guy for a year and move this guy over there. But you know what? Third team in NFL history to go six straight games without a, without a turnover. So that's very rare. So you get all the upside and not a lot of the downside. Best situational team in football and that's, that's not even arguable. Although I will say Detroit on third down and fourth down with Ben Johnson. You know a coach, you know a team is rolling when they go to the red zone in a congested area. Remember Andy Reid a couple years ago in the super bowl they in the congested area. Sky Moore is wide open. Like you know you have a good offensive scheme and this is what Shanahan does. Anybody guard George Kittle or is he just open by 20 yards on every play? So let's bring in Nick Wright, co host. First things first, he is now joining us live. You know, last week you almost complimented me on the, on the top 10. Anything bother you this week?

Nick Wright (11:12)

Lions too high. Lions are going to lose to the Vikings on Sunday and after they could lose their first playoff game. Defense is just too, it's past the point of no return. And I think I like a ton of what Dan Campbell has done and has brought to that organization. He's obviously a very good head coach, not taking anything away from him. However, his decision to play his guys last night was objectively a mistake. You are now in one of the highest leverage regular season games ever. As far as its impact on who can win The Super bowl, one seed or five seed will be determined Sunday night in game 272. And you had a choice. Have my banged up and most important players have a bye week or have my entire team on short rest having played Monday night. And he chose the latter rather than the former. And I think it's a mistake and so I love who they are. Offensively, Goff has been sensational. The running game hasn't really been hurt by Montgomery being out because Gibbs is so good. I give them full credit. But that Niners team has struggled to look like that offensively all year. And until Purdy gave the game away, the Niners team was moving the ball up and down the field that I think Sam Darnold's going to do the same thing. And then in round one, they'll either be facing the Rams or the Bucks, either of whom can move the ball. By the way, the Bucks beat them this year. The Rams took them to overtime this year and that's when the team was whole and healthy. So I think Detroit's had an awesome season that unfortunately is going to end quickly because of all the defensive injuries. And I think Dan playing the players last night was a big mistake.

Colin Cowherd (13:07)

I tend to see myself as an ambassador of goodwill. Glass half full Colin Optimist. Every morning I get labeled as a mean Brock Purdy guy. But to me, first half is script, second half is talent. Brock Purdy is now a bad second half quarterback and I'm supposed to pay him early and 50 million. I don't understand it. What am I seeing that nobody else is? I mean, you and I were both very hesitant on the Dak deal and were right. I mean, I don't think Purdy's as good as Dak. What do you make of this idea that you have to pay him early?

Nick Wright (13:48)

No. At this point it'd be insane, especially with him. And I understand, we hope. And it looks like that injury last night is not a very significant one. But it's a reminder that this is an undersized player who has suffered, you know, one major injury in his career, has been banged up a few other times in a relatively small career sample and all year long. Last year you and I said, listen, you can't deny the production. I do question how much of it is coaching talent and circumstances and what would he look like in a league average situation. And amazingly he got dropped into a league average situation this year and now they're 6 10. He wants it. This is the third straight week Collin. People act like this was season from hell. It didn't start that way. They were 44 going into the bye. After the bye, they beat Tampa. Their best win of the year. They were a game out of first place. And then the last three weeks starting with the playoffs. On the line against the Rams. Down three, fourth quarter infield goal range late throws the game losing pick last week when they'd already been eliminated from the playoffs. But still he's playing down five, two minute warning on the other side of the plus side of the 50 chance to go in the game pick last night leading the game. Throws after playing awesome for the first half, awesome throws a terrible interception and Then once again, fourth quarter down less than 7 chance to win the game or at least go take the lead. Probably too early to win the game.

Colin Cowherd (15:36)

Pick.

Nick Wright (15:37)

He is who we thought he was and I think the Niners know it too. So I don't know that the Niners are going to, you know, offer your guy Sam Darnold a huge deal. I don't know that they're going to spend a ton of money at the quarterback position. Here's what I could see them doing. Telling Brock Purdy yet, listen, you're under contract and you did not have a good year three, so we're not going to pay you after year three. And oh, by the way, as it happens, Kyle Shanahan's long lost love Kirk Cousins is going to come play for a million bucks as well. Don't worry, he's just going to back you up. We'll see. So yeah, I think the idea of Brock Purdy getting the TUA or Trevor deal, even if he has accomplished more than both of those players, went out the window this past month.

Colin Cowherd (16:23)

So I showed this earlier. It's easy to blame Mike McCarthy, but I showed this earlier. We have a graphic. I said if you take the two best rosters in the nfc, I won't even count the afc. I'll just go nfc. And I put the Lions and Eagles best players just offense because it's an offensive league. Even the Chiefs at some point you have to. It's hard to make stops.

Nick Wright (16:47)

Sure.

Colin Cowherd (16:48)

And I put it on the screen there and only two Cowboys would be considered. Zach Martin is now old, injured and very expensive. I'd pass because the two other guards are great and CD Lamb is not Amaran St. Brown as a slot or AJ Brown as an ex receiver. And we're blaming McCarthy. So maybe you could squeeze in CD Lamb.

Nick Wright (17:07)

But my take is CD Lamb in over a Monroe St. Brown. But aside from that, I agree with everything you got there. Go ahead.

Colin Cowherd (17:14)

And that that's an upstairs problem. That's a scout problem, that's a general manager problem. Andy Reid is not beating the Eagles and Lions with that in an offensive league, why not keep Mike McCarthy?

Nick Wright (17:28)

Well, I. I think your points well taken. But the reason I have two significant reasons I wouldn't keep Mike McCarthy. One is I think tangible and one is more kind of intangible. The tangible one is this. You have to make some type of seismic change and it's the only one you can. You just signed the quarterback. There's only. There's really only three major moves a team can make. One is front office change. Well In Dallas, front office is ownership, so that is status quo. Another is quarterback. Well, in Dallas, they just re signed the quarterback to the biggest deal in NFL history this past offseason. Hasn't even kicked in yet. So that can't change. The other is head coach. And I. So Even if Mike McCarthy is not the culprit here, it's the only chance they have at really shaking things up. So I would go try to get Mike Vrabel, who with a quarterback worse than Dak Prescott, made a conference title game. And then after that they went 11, 5, 12, 5 and he was. It was the one seed with Ryan Tannehill. I would go try to do that. The other reason I would move on from McCarthy is it's very weird how we kind of do the coaching math, which is let's say Dak never got hurt. And this Cowboys team was right now a 124 team, you know, that was locked into the wild card.

Colin Cowherd (19:02)

All right.

Nick Wright (19:03)

And then they lost their first playoff game. Everyone would say you have to fire McCarthy. And so now that was the standard going into this year was can't fall flat on your face in the playoffs.

Colin Cowherd (19:15)

Yeah.

Nick Wright (19:16)

Because they were so bad. Never even got a chance to see him in the playoffs. So now it's like the McCarthy expectation clock has fully reset to where next year, this year they're sub 500 if he keeps his job next year, if they go 10, 7 and get the 7 the playoff spot, we're like, hey, improvement, definitely keep his job. And we're just back to where we thought we were this year, like in 2026. So I, even if I don't think he's done a terrible job, I have to change something significant. I can't change the front office, I can't change the quarterback. So I might have to change the coach.

Colin Cowherd (19:54)

So you know that when you and I believe in something like you for years believe that the Buffalo Bills would beat themselves and America attacks you, it's hard not to when you're proven right, to just not explode with joy and.

Nick Wright (20:09)

Remind people, especially when you're attacked for relentlessly called a hater, called all these things and then you're just showing proven right. Yeah. So go ahead.

Colin Cowherd (20:16)

For six years, I was mocked, ridiculed, and it was hurtful. And I kept saying, Sam Darnold can play the Panthers and the jets are dysfunctional. And so I'm trying not to have confirmation bias, but he may be having one of the great seasons in the last decade. Now, I'm not denying Kevin O'Connell the receiving crew. But I think about this, Nick. The Vikings have never gotten a ring and it matters. If they were the packers, you could say, hey, we know quarterbacks. We'll let him go. We're going to go with J.J. mcCarthy because they got rings and they've proven they can do that. Vikings don't. Super bowl losers like the Bills. How do you let Sam leave? How do you let the greatest year ever for a Vikings quarterback walk out the door?

Nick Wright (21:08)

So I, at this point, barring a true collapse, and by collapse I mean they lose in Week 18 and then just look awful in the first playoff game. I don't think they'll let him leave now. I don't know that they'll do what I'm sure he would like them to do, which is give him a real contract.

Colin Cowherd (21:30)

Yeah.

Nick Wright (21:30)

And I don't think he would accept the Geno or the Baker contract. Which leaves us with the always unfair to the player but the NFL will never get rid of it. Franchise tag to me we are, we are moving rapidly down that path. Now listen, if they make the super bowl then I think, which by the way, I think they can do, I think they're going to be the one seed and they can make the super bowl then we talk long term contract. But if this, if this playoff run ends the way I think Vegas thinks it will, which is in either the divisional round or the conference championship round, I think Sam Darnold gets franchise tagged one year $42 million and you tell JJ McCarthy hey, it's a good thing we drafted you at 20 years old because you're still be young when you finally get to play. And we figure that out. The part that I, and I saw you do this yesterday, this is what I want to say about Darnold and kind of a media criticism at large. I think NFL media and I'm included in that we do the MVP discussion really poorly, which is we start it so early.

Colin Cowherd (22:44)

Yes.

Nick Wright (22:44)

That by week 10 or 11 it's almost like, hey, here are the three or four eligible parties for MVP of the league. And then it's an argument amongst them. Sam Darnold 2 weeks ago had the play of his life to beat Seattle and stepped up in the pocket past Justin Jefferson. A brilliant game to keep Minnesota live for the one seed. Sam Darnold last week played a nearly perfect game of football, made the one mistake with the pick, responded immediately with a great drive to keep Minnesota alive for the one seed. If you put his numbers up to honestly any quarterback in the league, Lamar Jackson Included. They're not. It's not like it's a 10, 8 round. And other than Lamar, he compares favorably to just about every quarterback that we're discussing for this.

Colin Cowherd (23:39)

Yeah.

Nick Wright (23:39)

If they beat Detroit.

Colin Cowherd (23:42)

Yeah.

Nick Wright (23:42)

And The Vikings are 15, 2. And this guy's numbers are what they are. It is a reasonable take to say Sam Darnold should be league mvp. In the same vein that, hey, I still don't know how it happened, but Rich Gannon was a league mvp. Like, there are some guys that don't have this, like, look at those numbers. And everyone talks about that. You know, Lamar is having one of the greatest seasons ever. And by the way, he is. But those numbers are similar. And obviously his numbers are far superior to Josh's. So I just. I think it's you. If you were to all of a sudden do the. Sam Darnold should be mvp, people will just say, colin, you're a Sam Darnold homer. Which you, by the way, are.

Colin Cowherd (24:29)

Yeah.

Nick Wright (24:30)

However, if it were a fair argument, if The Vikings win 15 games when they were projected to win six, and it's because he has 4,400 yards, 38 touchdowns, and is on a heater at the end of the year, that's got to count for something.

Colin Cowherd (24:46)

Yeah. I think you even have to consider that Baltimore and Buffalo have better rosters than Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold has the better receiving core, but so does. I mean, look, Joe Burrow's got a receiving core that's remarkable. He may not make the playoffs, probably won't. So, yeah, it's one of those things where I just know the Bills not beating Kansas City has been your thing. Darnold, I can't quit him. And I will say this. As I've aged, it does make me happy. I always feel like I've been lucky. I've landed with good bosses. I think it's a shame. I think it's really cool that Baker and Sam, and I, like Baker, have both landed with a great offensive mind. And it just shows that if you keep your head down, you grind, eventually you'll find your kingmaker. That's kind of my take.

Nick Wright (25:34)

Yeah, I think that's very wise words. But you did just there, maybe accidentally put into the universe. And I know you like Baker and I know you two have, you know, you know, come to terms after what was a rocky beginning of your relationship. You did just put out into the sports ether the Nightmare Cow Herd scenario, which is Bucs Vikings, round one and Bake show kicks Darnold right out of the playoffs. That is a 4. 5 that we could see if the Vikings lose on Sunday night. And Baker is planting his flag midfield at Tampa. And Sam is sad you don't want to deal with that. And that is a possibility, my friend.

Colin Cowherd (26:17)

I can hear the cough coming, the chest congestion coming. I'm a little sick for that show.

Nick Wright (26:22)

Yeah, absolutely.

Colin Cowherd (26:23)

Nick, first things first. Good seeing you, buddy. That would. You know, I. Baker Mayfield, somebody asked him recently about me, and he said we're frenemies. Is that I offered him a job at my company. I said, I think you'd be a great podcaster. I told you. I think he could be one of the great college football guys of all time. I think he's really, really talented. And I am happy because I feel I've had the good fortune over 30 years of doing this, as I've not always had great bosses, but I've had a couple really good ones. And there's only so much you can do, Justin Herbert. There's only so much you can do on just sheer talent. You eventually need a kingmaker. You eventually need somebody that can get you to a place that you can't get by yourself, because none of us can get there. So it does make me happy that Baker go great GM in Tampa, Mike Evans, really good running game. I mean, they've got like, three running backs I like, and it's like Baker and Sam are both proving keep your head down, grind at it, keep working your butt off. You will eventually get a great boss. You will eventually get one.

Jason McIntyre (27:26)

I mean, that's crazy. So Baker basically had the option to be a podcaster or one of the top three quarterbacks in the nfc, and he decided to be like, a good quarterback. I mean, honestly, you look at the nfc, he's up there.

Colin Cowherd (27:38)

Oh, there's no question.

Jason McIntyre (27:39)

Like, everybody loves Jared Goff. I get it. If we switch Goff and Baker, Baker goes to the Lions and golf goes to the.

Colin Cowherd (27:45)

Well, no, no, they're. They're.

Jason McIntyre (27:48)

I mean, it's. Jalen Hurts in the NFC is Jaden Daniels.

Colin Cowherd (27:51)

I think. I think Goff is less reckless and a better throws a prettier deep ball. But Bake. I. I said this when I was criticizing Baker. Oh, yeah. He's one of the 20 best quarterbacks in the world. I Even at his low point.

Jason McIntyre (28:03)

Well, that's not saying much.

Colin Cowherd (28:04)

I mean. Well, by the way, Aaron Rodgers is about 18th right now, and the jets.

Jason McIntyre (28:08)

Are going to Bring him back 18 Dak.

Colin Cowherd (28:12)

Or.

Jason McIntyre (28:12)

Or Aaron Rodgers next year. Who you got?

Colin Cowherd (28:15)

Well, I have to. I don't have to pay Aaron. So as much so I would take Aaron for.

Jason McIntyre (28:19)

You're paying with the headaches.

Colin Cowherd (28:21)

Yeah, but all the nonsense.

Jason McIntyre (28:22)

There's no nonsense with Dak.

Colin Cowherd (28:25)

He's getting hurt a lot and every time he gets hurt and comes out, he's less of a player. Oh, listen, I. I've come to terms with Aaron. Who you want?

Jason McIntyre (28:34)

Brock Purdy or Aaron Rodgers next year?

Colin Cowherd (28:39)

Well, Brock Purdy's free, so I take Brock. I mean, if you're free.

Jason McIntyre (28:43)

He's not free for long, my man. You know, big year for Brock. He's in a contract year. So are you. So am I.

Colin Cowherd (28:49)

Let's get out.

Jason McIntyre (28:49)

A lot of interesting stuff happening.

Colin Cowherd (28:51)

I'm being franchise tagged. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. He 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 5 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 Kobe no enrich where you get your podcast and of course on social media, that's Cavino and Rich from the Delta Sky Club. Welcome back Ms. Klein to the JetBridge. Delta Air Lines relies on 5G solutions from T Mobile for business to power operations and serve customers faster. Together we're putting 5G into the hands of ground staff so they can better assist on the go travelers with real time information throughout the airport. This is elevating customer experience. This is Delta Air Lines with T Mobile for business. Take your business further@t mobile.com now this podcast is sponsored by PayPal. We've partnered with them to make this holiday season even better. With all the shopping, gifting and holiday prep, my PayPal debit card is my go to for getting more out of my purchases. Here's how it works. I choose my monthly category Gas, restaurants, Apparel, Groceries, Health and beauty, or just for the holiday season, tech. And I earn 5% cash back on up to 1,000 bucks in the purchases in those categories. Yeah, 5% cash back. This month I'm gonna go with tech. It's my category. It's a no brainer, right? Everybody loves the latest tech gifts, so whether it's stuff for the fam or adding new gadgets to my personal collection, that cash back adds up fast. So this holiday season, let the PayPal debit card do the heavy lifting. Sign up for the card when you download the PayPal app, then pay in store and online and get cash back with a PayPal debit card. Don't just pay PayPal terms and limits apply. See paypal.com rewardspow the PayPal Debit MasterCard is issued by the Bancor Bank N.A. pursuant to a license by MasterCard International, Inc. And may be used everywhere MasterCard is accepted. What makes the holiday special are the details from Genesis. And every little detail in a Genesis is another gift to you. Like during winter, you'll be thankful for the available heated steering wheel and the available snow mode to help get you through the snowiest of snow days. And the available all wheel drive is helpful all year round, but especially during the winter. I mean, Genesis has put a lot of thought into the details. And of course, the best gifts are thoughtful ones like the available Nappa leather seating. Oh, speaking of gifts, you'll have plenty of room to haul around everything you've picked up for family and friends, no matter which Genesis you're driving. And with a lineup featuring SUVs, EVs, Sedans, something for everybody, experience the Genesis Signature event. And as one big final gift, Genesis is offering you a $1,000 bonus on select Genesis vehicles. The deal ends January 2nd. See participating Genesis retailers for details. Visit genesis.com to see how Genesis can make your holidays even brighter. Details make the Holidays hey, y'all know the Aflac commercials, right? With the famous duck and the coaches. Great commercials. But did you know that Aflac is a leader in supplemental insurance? That's what the duck is quacking about, helping cover gaps. So like, this is how I think of Aflac. Let's say you have an all pro linebacker anytime there's a gap in the defensive line. You know he's going to fill it no problem because he's an all pro. Aflac does the same thing. If there's a gap in your health insurance, Aflac wants to better protect you by helping close the gap. You're sick, you're injured. Aflac can pay cash to help fill the gaps your health insurance can leave behind. You can use the cash, put it towards whatever you need. Rent, mortgage payments, medical bills. It's completely up to you. Look, life can be tough. Fortunately, Aflac is tougher. I mean, we're talking middle linebacker, tough. To learn more about how Aflac can help fill the gaps health insurance can leave behind, visit aflac.com I'm not a weatherman, but I'll give you my forecast. Snow and ice are coming, and they're going to make driving a challenge. Thankfully, the experts at Tire Rack know a thing or two about conquering winter's worst rain, sleet, slush, whatever winter means to you. Tire Rack has tires that elevate traction and braking and keep you and your family safe all season. Tires, all weather tires. And if you live where it snows a lot, dedicated winter tires. Just go to tirerack.com easy to use shopping tools will guide you to a personalized recommendation. The right tires for how, what and where you drive. Choose from a full line of Kumo tires shipped fast and free and backed by two years of free road hazard protection. Go to TireRack.com Colin to see their Kumo test results and special offers. Tire Rack has thousands of recommended installers and offers the convenience of mobile tire installation. I love that. Great tires, great deals and great people. What more could you ask for? That's TireRack.com Collins the way Tire buying should be. Lot of stuff happening. Urban Meyer, one of the two best college football coaches of my life, along with Nick Saban, is going to be joining us. Last hour we have our big bets. Boise State tonight getting a lot of points. Now. Boise State's not built to play from behind, but they get after the quarterback. They run the football. They don't turn it over. They can consume the clock. Very interesting. Team J Mac with the news.

Nick Wright (35:00)

No, no, no.

Colin Cowherd (35:02)

Turn on the news. This is the Herd line news.

Jason McIntyre (35:06)

All right, Colin, the 49ers obviously lost last night despite a great offensive performance. They were pretty tremendous outside of the two picks, but it got worse afterward. Brock Purdy suffered an injury they're saying maybe nerve damage. And then the chatter started about Kyle Shanahan and John lynch and I think it was overboard, but team owner Jed York felt the need to chime in. He said they're not going anywhere, nor should they. Yeah, I think it's a little silly.

Colin Cowherd (35:34)

Pearsall, by the way, a lot of injuries I think they've got, they've become a little wide receiver obsessed in my opinion last couple of drafts. But I will say this, that Pearsall looks like he looks good. Yeah, he can play and I mean he was a late first round pick and that's the hardest place to draft in this league is like 25th down because you're after about 18 players. They're all second round guys. So Pearsall looks like he can play. I think I would move. I thought Debo's had the last couple of weeks, he's been pretty something. I think they're going to move one of those receivers, but they got to shore up their O line and D lines outside of Bosa.

Jason McIntyre (36:08)

I don't know where the audience is on like breaking down teams in the offseason, but the Niners are utterly fascinating. Colin. Yeah, so many potential. Debo Samuel probably not going to be in San Fran next year because if Brock Birdie does get paid, as we anticipate, whether it's 30, 40, 50, whatever, they're going to have to make some radical changes on that roster. There's some linebackers who are probably going to get run out.

Colin Cowherd (36:29)

You can't have two expensive linebackers. And and for the record, Fred Warner is the best linebacker in the league and Greenlaw is a top five or six guy.

Jason McIntyre (36:36)

I mean, you know, you have Jennings, Ayush, Duke Pierce, all.

Colin Cowherd (36:40)

They have more than enough receivers.

Jason McIntyre (36:42)

I, I, I would not be surprised if they, they were a lot of moves in San Fran this off season.

Colin Cowherd (36:47)

Right now they paid Debo. I would love to have Debo on my team. You have to have the right coach that understands his chess piece value. You have to have the right coordinator. Coach Debo doesn't work for a lot of teams. He would work with Andy Reid, Kingsbury Washington. Yes, that's the one I talked about. I think he works in Washington. I think Debo in Washington is a fascinating piece and let's.

Jason McIntyre (37:08)

I know Brock P is going to be a huge talking point, but I will just say the Kirk Cousins name is one to watch. We know that everybody from that Shanahan McVeigh tree, they've loved Kirk Cousins there. You can go Google. They've given tons of interviews. Kirk Cousins is their guy because he is amazing with the play action. And that's what the Shanahan system runs on. I would not rule out a Russell Wilson type situation where, remember, Russell got moved off the Broncos and he got on the cheap to Pittsburgh and looked pretty good. Kirk Cousins gonna be paid by Atlanta if he gets moved on San Francisco, you bring him on.

Colin Cowherd (37:43)

Do you.

Jason McIntyre (37:44)

Can you see Kirk Cousins starting for the Niners next year if Brock Purdy comes in, says, I want to reset the market?

Colin Cowherd (37:50)

Well, yeah, yeah, they're not doing that. Yeah, yeah. If you're giving me a one guy for one year, I have no problem with Kirk Cousins for a year.

Jason McIntyre (37:57)

And you draft a quarterback.

Colin Cowherd (37:59)

Yeah. Next year's draft class is much better than this one. No question. Right. This year San Francisco is going to go on offensive line drafting. I've been told they're going to go after the shore up the O line.

Jason McIntyre (38:11)

Sounds about right. Next up, after being fired in Tennessee at the end of last season, Mike Vrabel took on a job consulting with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland just gave permission for Vrabel to leave his position before the end of the season with the expectation Vrabel will be interviewing for head coaching openings around the league. You've linked him to Chicago. New Orleans has an opening.

Colin Cowherd (38:35)

Yeah, I think I would. If I was New Orleans, I would hire Brian Flores. If I was Chicago or the jets or New England, I would hire Vrabel. Although I'm well in New England. Well, there's a lot of talk about him in New England. I, I don't think Kraft is going to blow out Gerard Mayo. I don't. But, but again, Robert Kraft, his history, you know, he had Belichick forever. I. And I think Mayo was his choice. So when you have to admit your choice. But there is a story that's interesting. So CBS had a game with the Patriots a couple weeks ago and reportedly the Crafts wanted to be on tv. And when they were, they were criticizing the play calling and the coaching. I heard that that story was on the Interweb, so it must be true. Well, I was just. I, I asked somebody that covers the NFL, a beat reporter, and they said they'd heard the same thing.

Jason McIntyre (39:24)

What about Vrabel going back to the AFC and the Jacksonville job opening?

Colin Cowherd (39:32)

I think he'd be.

Jason McIntyre (39:32)

I think he could crush in that division.

Colin Cowherd (39:34)

I'm gonna throw this out there. It's great. It sounds crazy. Arizona moves off Kyler Murray. Jags move off Trevor Lawrence in a terrible quarterback here. I think those guys would have a market.

Jason McIntyre (39:46)

Wow, you're hitting me with a lot of Stuff here. Kyther Murray.

Colin Cowherd (39:49)

I think Arizona is getting tired of it. I think things catch up to you when you're 1 in 16 against your division.

Jason McIntyre (39:57)

Keep Gannon and move off Murray.

Colin Cowherd (39:59)

Oh yeah, keep Gannon offensive. This team's offensive pieces are too good for what the offense looks like. And Kyler Murray in a bad quarterback draft, he can play.

Jason McIntyre (40:09)

So this would be Kyler. So he had Cliff Kingsbury.

Colin Cowherd (40:11)

Just let me ask you. The Raiders now keep winning so you're not going to get Cam Ward and Chador Sanders and I don't believe these quarterbacks are worth giving up massive draft picks for. So what do they do at quarterback?

Jason McIntyre (40:22)

Does Rabel would Drabo go to the Raiders or are you saying Raiders?

Colin Cowherd (40:26)

No, no, no, no. I'm talking let's get out of coaching. Let's talk quarterback. These quarterbacks should or Sanders and Cam are not good enough to give up picks for. So my take is what do you do if you're the Raiders?

Jason McIntyre (40:36)

You overpay Sam Darnold, he gets franchised.

Colin Cowherd (40:40)

Keep your eye on Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray. I'm just saying I would if I ran the Raiders and I'm not. I'm not giving up first round picks for Shador or Cam. What am I going to do? I guess if Sam gets franchise. What am I going to do if I'm the Raiders?

Jason McIntyre (40:56)

Haven't you said Trevor Lawrence is keeping Jacksonville from moving to London?

Colin Cowherd (41:00)

Well, he did when they signed him. There was a lot of discussions about that in that space. Now they're not. But my take is, I mean they had him going to London funded twice a year.

Jason McIntyre (41:09)

So would you rather have Trevor Lawrence or Cam Ward, Shador Sanders in the draft?

Colin Cowherd (41:16)

I don't if I'm. Trevor now makes a lot of money and he's like a C plus quarterback. So I'd probably have the rookie.

Jason McIntyre (41:22)

He had a C plus season.

Colin Cowherd (41:23)

But let's just get out of this. We're talking Raiders. Just keep it on the radar, okay? They're not going to move up to get Cam and Chadour.

Jason McIntyre (41:31)

I agree.

Colin Cowherd (41:32)

What are they going to do? Ham and egg it again? No, because Antonio Pierce and the GM would get fired. They gotta get. If I'm the gm, I am calling Jacksonville in Arizona and saying let's make.

Jason McIntyre (41:43)

A deal and you swing for Kyler Murray or what are the options?

Colin Cowherd (41:49)

I mean this quarterback draft we just watched is one of the greatest of all time.

Jason McIntyre (41:53)

Aaron Rodgers, I would call on it.

Colin Cowherd (41:56)

I think. I think Aaron's gonna have a market. I really do not a huge market, but a market. Wow.

Jason McIntyre (42:04)

All right, final story. Colin is your Broncos and Bo Knicks, they are a win away from the playoffs. Are huge favorites against the Chiefs third team this week. However, they could have gotten it done against the Bengals. Knicks threw a touchdown pass to pull within a point late in the fourth quarter. I think there was like seven seconds left.

Colin Cowherd (42:21)

Yep.

Jason McIntyre (42:22)

Bo Knicks threw up the two fingers.

Colin Cowherd (42:24)

We're going for two.

Jason McIntyre (42:24)

We're going for two. Sean Payton said. So here's Peyton talking about that decision.

Colin Cowherd (42:30)

Go through it all the time, you know, relative to what the call would have been based on the outcome. You know, you always second guess. You always do that as a head coach. And so I trusted my gut at the moment. But yeah, I think it's normal to do that. You know, there's the old theory that on the road you go for the win. Isn't that the, Isn't that the thing?

Jason McIntyre (42:52)

Also had the whole, if we tie the game, we get to the playoffs.

Colin Cowherd (42:55)

Well, here is my take. Take. I thought about this. I would have kicked the pat. My take was I have the better roster. I'll play extra football. The better roster will have been. Will win over time.

Jason McIntyre (43:06)

You think Denver's got a better roster than Cincinnati?

Colin Cowherd (43:09)

Not even close. Cincinnati's at the worst defense in the league. I mean, first of all, timeout. O line. Denver's top 7D line. Not close. What, outside of Jamar Chase and T. Higgins, what does Cincinnati have?

Jason McIntyre (43:24)

Like we saw with the Washington Atlanta game, If the other team wins a coin toss and they have a great quarterback, you're screwed. They're going to go down and score. That's just how it works. Now, I obviously this one didn't work.

Colin Cowherd (43:33)

Out for them, but I definitely, if I have the better roster and a confident quarterback, I'll play another 10 minutes. The more plays a game has, the better team eventually wins. That's my take. If I have an inferior roster and my defense has been on the field and I got lucky and tied the game in a Hail Mary three, I'm going for two.

Jason McIntyre (43:52)

I thought that was kind of a lucky touch.

Colin Cowherd (43:54)

Well, it was, but I. But I thought they played a good competitive game. There were times in that game I thought Denver was going to pull away. I mean, let's be honest.

Jason McIntyre (44:03)

Listen, it's easy to play armchair quarterback and say, oh, you got to go for two.

Colin Cowherd (44:06)

That's right in the moment.

Jason McIntyre (44:08)

Like, you don't have a lot of time. You've got maybe 20 seconds on the sideline to maybe less than that.

Colin Cowherd (44:13)

Right.

Jason McIntyre (44:13)

To decide after the touchdown, what do we do? What's the play? There's a lot happening. That's a tough thing to it's easy for us to just sit up here and bash Peyton or say nice job, but that's really tough in the moment.

Colin Cowherd (44:23)

Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (44:23)

I know you've done a lot of coaching in your life.

Colin Cowherd (44:25)

Yeah, a lot. Yeah. J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The Herd Line news Urban Meyer next hour. We're picking these college football games. He's on a heater next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific from the Delta Sky Club. Welcome back, Ms. Klein, to the Jet Bridge. Delta Air lines relies on 5G solutions from T Mobile for business to power operations and serve customers faster. Together, we're putting 5G into the hands of ground staff so they can better assist on the go travelers with real time information throughout the airport. This is elevating customer experience. This is Delta Air Lines with T Mobile for Business. Take your business further@t mobile.com now. This podcast is sponsored by PayPal. We partnered with them to make this holiday season even better. With all the shopping, gifting and holiday prep, my PayPal debit card is my go to for getting more out of my purchases. Here's how it works. 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MasterCard is accept what makes the holiday special are the details from Genesis and every little detail in a Genesis is another gift to you. Like during winter, you'll be thankful for the available heated steering wheel and the available snow mode to help get you through the snowiest of snow days, and the available all wheel drive is helpful all year round, but especially during the winter. I mean, Genesis has put a lot of thought into the details. And of course, the best gifts are thoughtful ones like the available Nappa leather seating. Oh, speaking of gifts, you'll have plenty of room to haul around everything you've picked up for family and friends, no matter which Genesis you're driving. And with a lineup featuring SUVs, EVs, Sedans, something for everybody. Experience the Genesis Signature event. And as one big final gift, Genesis is offering you a $1,000 bonus on select Genesis vehicles. The deal ends January 2nd. See participating Genesis retailers for details. Visit genesis.com to see how Genesis can make your holidays even brighter. Details make the holidays hey, you all know the Aflac commercials, right? With the famous duck and the coaches. Great commercials. But did you know that Aflac is a leader in supplemental insurance? That's what the duck is quacking about. Helping cover gaps. So, like, this is how I think of Aflac. Let's say you have an All Pro linebacker. Anytime there's a gap in the defensive line, you know he's going to fill it, no problem because he's an All Pro. Aflac does the same thing. If there's a gap in your health insurance, Aflac wants to better protect you by helping close the gap. You're sick, you're injured. Aflac can pay cash to help fill the gaps your health insurance can leave behind. You can use the cash, put it towards whatever you need. Rent, mortgage payments, medical bills. It's completely up to you. Look, life can be tough. Fortunately, Aflac is tougher. I mean, we're talking middle linebacker, tough. To learn more about how Aflac can help fill the gaps health insurance can leave behind, visit aflac.com I'm not a weatherman, but I'll give you my forecast. Snow and ice are coming, and they're going to make driving a challenge. Thankfully, the experts at Tire Rack know a thing or two about conquering winners. Worst rain, sleet, slush, whatever winter means to you. Tire Rack has tires that elevate traction and braking and keep you and your family safe all season tires. All weather tires. And if you live where it snows a lot, dedicated winter tires. Just go to tirerack.com easy to use shopping tools will guide you to a personalized recommendation. The right tires for how, what and where you drive. Choose from a full line of Bridgestone tires, shipped fast and free and backed by two years of free road hazard protection. Go to TireRack.com Colin to see their Bridgestone test results and special offers. Tire Rack has thousands of recommended installers and offers the convenience of mobile tire installation. I love that. Great tires, great deals and great people. What more could you ask for? That's tirerack.com Colin the way tire buying should be. All right, big bets brought to you by DraftKings Sportsbook. The Crown is yours. And here we go. Bowl games starting later today are big bets. It's time for big bets. Colin and JMAC make their favorite Big Ten bets of the week. Okay, I'm gonna take Boise State +11 to keep it close. First of all, they have, you know, some would say after Travis Hunter the lock to be a can't miss prospect. This is a great all time running back. This kid's phenomenal. They have the best sack differential, great defense, great run game. They're not built to come from behind. They don't have much of a passing attack. But again, I think Penn State off a blowout win at home and looking down the road to a Notre Dame and Georgia, I think, I think this Boise State has always been a giant killer. I think they can play their defense has held eight straight opponents under 25 points. And Penn State, by the way against top 10 opponents in these big spots, 3 and 19. They haven't always been great. I think the game is competitive even If Penn State wins. 30, 20. I get the COVID I like it.

Jason McIntyre (50:34)

I'm with you on that one. I'm gonna get started with a bit of a shocker here. I am going to take Arizona state getting 12 and a half against Texas. Colin, this number came down over the weekend. It was sitting at 14 much of last week. Some big sharp money came in on the Sun Devils. I don't know how much of it has to do with Cam Sco. Cam Scottaboo, the great running back. I'm telling you, this guy's awesome. He's like Mike Alstot but more athletic. If you remember the former Tampa running back. And Colin, there is a lot of chatter around Quinn Ewers over the last 10 days. Okay. I kind of teased it on the show. And Sark started to get upset when they were asking about Quinn. Yeah, being his final game, blah, blah, blah. I'm just telling you there's a lot of Quinn Ewers to Notre Dame transfer talk. I am very curious how he handles this because the NFL reports are coming back and apparently they're not great on Ewers.

Colin Cowherd (51:23)

Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (51:23)

So I don't know how he's going to play. We know Arch Manning is behind him. Archman is a starter next year. I think Arizona keeps this close. Arizona State and gets a cover against Texas.

Colin Cowherd (51:32)

I'm going to take Ohio State with a number one defense in the country to win minus two and cover against Oregon. One of the worst defenses in the playoff. Oregon has struggled against good offenses. Boise State, they struggled against Penn State. They struggled against Ohio State. Both teams have good players. One has a great defense. And say what you want about Will Howard, 36 TDs and nine picks. He had one awful game. One awful game. Ohio State's own four last four years against Michigan. They're 44 and four against everybody else. I'll take the Buckeyes who win in cover.

Jason McIntyre (52:05)

Yeah, I'm with you again. I am starting to get nervous, Colin, because, you know, I like to just talk to other gamblers and see what I haven't heard one person say. They're on Oregon here, everybody's on Ohio State. Oregon is undefeated. Okay. They have the better quarterback in this matchup. Right. I don't know who the better coach is, but I would lean toward Lanning. Would you not Lanning over day?

Colin Cowherd (52:25)

Probably.

Jason McIntyre (52:25)

So you got the better quarterback and the better coach. It's neutral site here. I'm nervous for Ohio State. I just hope they come out slinging it like they did against Tennessee. And I'm on the Buckeyes as well.

Colin Cowherd (52:35)

Okay. I'm going to take Notre Dame plus one to beat Georgia. Georgia's a team that's got a shaky old line. It's not elite. They're on a backup quarterback. They've been outgained. I mean, they have the hundredth ranked rushing offense in football this year. And a lot of it's just a shaky O line and a backup quarterback. I don't like it. They're coming off back to back overtime wins. They strike, struggle to beat Georgia Tech. Notre dame, Riley Leonard, 32 touchdowns, six picks. They can run it. They have an elite defense. Eight straight wins by 10 plus points. They're playing with confidence. Even when Brian Kelly was there, the last two times they played Georgia, they went toe to toe. I think they're going to be the shaky O line and a backup quarterback.

Jason McIntyre (53:14)

Love it. I'm with you. I'm on the Irish here. I spent this week looking into this gunner, Stockton kick kid.

Colin Cowherd (53:20)

Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (53:21)

So he's, this is his third year in the program. Sat behind Stetson Bennett, sat behind Carson Beck. And he's like a coach's son. So he's a gamer he breathes football, sleeps football. So I am a little nervous that he's going to come out with some stuff that Notre Dame's not ready for. I think he's taken like 86 snaps this season. Not a lot of tape on him. But I trust Marcus Freeman coaching in this spot and I, I really think, Remember last year JJ McCarthy had a chance against Alabama through the early bad pick and then rebounded. And Everybody's like, oh, J.J. mcCarthy's in NFL. This guy's a prospect. Riley Leonard is going to be in the same situation. George is going to stack the box, say we dare you to throw the football down the field. Riley Leonard delivers and I think his NFL stock goes up. I'll go Notre Dame with the upset over Georgia, the SEC gets bounced here and you know, you know the reaction will be pretty brutal for the sec.

Colin Cowherd (54:09)

Does Arizona State, in your opinion, have a chance to beat Texas? Texas slim.

Jason McIntyre (54:13)

I'll say Slim, like winning Texas has. I'm doing these mock drafts. Texas might have five or six guys in the first two rounds. Arizona State probably has none. Like Texas has a massive talent advantage. But you know, guys get tight in situations. By the way, what are you hearing on Sark and the Chicago Bears? Anything interesting there?

Colin Cowherd (54:32)

No. Did you hear something?

Jason McIntyre (54:34)

I just, you know, Bears are going to kick the tires on everybody.

Colin Cowherd (54:37)

Well, hey, if Sark loses to Arizona State, there'll be donors that want him out.

Jason McIntyre (54:43)

Yeah, we gotta move on.

Colin Cowherd (54:44)

I mean seriously that and if he.

Jason McIntyre (54:46)

Wins in that he doesn't this like he's a sharp offensive mind. We like Sark.

Colin Cowherd (54:50)

Ryan Day loses to Oregon so he can't beat Michigan and loses twice to Oregon. And Ohio State's got more five star guys. The idea, I mean the pressure remains on Ohio State. They can lose in a natty to somebody, they gonna win. So Oregon, Oregon, despite being the only undefeated team, will probably be the team that's looser and half their roster is California kids. So that's, that's to me the scary part. If you're, if you're a Buckeye fan. Oh yeah. I'm partnering with PayPal. The holiday season is here and I'm gonna save big with cash back offers in the PayPal app. It's easy. I browse deals from my favorite brands, save offers in the app and use PayPal checkout online. Really, really easy. Whether I'm buying gifts for my family or treating myself to something nice, I'm earning cash back and you can too. Don't just pay PayPal check offers in the app. For details and exclusions. Cashback earned is points redeemable for cash and other options, see PayPal rewards terms from the Delta Sky Club. Welcome back Ms. Klein to the Jet Bridge. Delta Air lines relies on 5G solutions from T Mobile for business to power operations and serve customers faster. Together, we're putting 5G into the hands of ground staff so they can better assist on the go travelers with real time information throughout the airport. This is elevating customer experience. This is Delta Air Lines with T Mobile for Business. Take your business further@t mobile.com now. 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. 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.

Jason McIntyre (56:52)

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Colin Cowherd (57:31)

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