The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Episode Summary – Hour 2 - The Herd Hierarchy

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the discussion kicks off with Colin sharing his personal anecdotes before diving into the primary focus of the episode: "The Herd Hierarchy"—a comprehensive ranking of the top 10 NFL teams. Joined by co-host Nick Wright and guest JMac, the trio engages in passionate debates, insightful analyses, and spirited disagreements, providing listeners with a deep dive into the current NFL landscape.

1. Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams

Colin Cowherd introduces his top 10 NFL teams, evaluating each based on performance, roster strength, and potential for postseason success. Here’s a breakdown of his rankings:

• 10. Los Angeles Rams

  • Key Points: Despite significant talent like Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp, Colin expresses skepticism about the Rams' ability to replicate their past efforts, especially against strong opponents.
  • Quote: “Matt Stafford has time to throw, he’s in that Burrow class. It is just different. Rams at 10.” [06:00]

• 9. Seattle Seahawks

  • Key Points: Led by Geno Smith, who ranks second in completions, the Seahawks are on a four-game winning streak. Colin praises their drafts and defensive solidity but questions their quarterback strength.
  • Quote: “The Seahawks are on a four-game winning streak since the bye. I think John Schneider has put together the last couple of years.” [07:15]

• 8. Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Key Points: The Steelers show resilience despite injuries like George Pickens’. Colin highlights their strong performance against winning teams and Russell Wilson’s impact.
  • Quote: “They have a great underdog coach, Mike Tomlin. The Steelers are a contender or pretender in the next three weeks.” [08:45]

• 7. Baltimore Ravens

  • Key Points: While boasting the top offense and strong rushing game, the Ravens’ pass defense leaks too much, hindering their Super Bowl chances.
  • Quote: “Their pass defense is like a baseball team with a bad bullpen. They can outplay but lose.” [10:00]

• 6. Minnesota Vikings

  • Key Points: On a six-game winning streak, the Vikings demonstrate strong performance in close games, drawing comparisons to the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Quote: “Minnesota’s really good. They might not be great, but they’re solid.” [11:00]

• 5. Green Bay Packers

  • Key Points: With a revamped run game led by Josh Jacobs, Green Bay is emerging as a power run team, alleviating some pressure from quarterback Jordan Love.
  • Quote: “They are now a power running team. Green Bay at five.” [12:30]

• 4. Buffalo Bills

  • Key Points: Super talented but prone to self-sabotage in close games. Colin trusts their roster and momentum but doubts their performance in high-stakes scenarios.
  • Quote: “Buffalo’s great, but I don’t trust them in big games.” [14:00]

• 3. Philadelphia Eagles

  • Key Points: Despite a strong roster, internal conflicts between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown raise concerns. Colin doubts coach Nick Sirianni’s ability to resolve these issues.
  • Quote: “Eagles get in their own way again. I don’t trust Sirianni to fix it.” [16:00]

• 2. Kansas City Chiefs

  • Key Points: The Chiefs excel in close games with their strategic gameplay, though their overall explosiveness is limited. Colin admires their consistency and coaching prowess.
  • Quote: “Their brand is their business model. Not luck.” [18:00]

• 1. Detroit Lions

  • Key Points: With an unprecedented 13-game win streak led by Jared Goff, the Lions top the list. Colin praises their offensive line and Goff’s elite performance, even considering Hall of Fame discussions if sustained.
  • Quote: “Detroit has the number one scoring offense and the best offensive line. They’re the team to watch.” [20:00]

2. In-Depth Team Analyses and Debates

Philadelphia Eagles’ Internal Struggles The conversation shifts to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Colin and JMac delve into the fractured relationship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown. JMac emphasizes the detrimental impact of such conflicts on team performance.

• Quote: JMac: “A.J. Brown is out of line. The Eagles are in disarray again.” [15:25]

Kansas City Chiefs’ Strategic Strengths and Weaknesses Nick Wright challenges Colin on the Chiefs' ranking, suggesting that their success in close games is more a result of skill than luck. Colin defends his position by highlighting the Chiefs' strategic depth and coaching excellence.

• Quote: Colin: “Kansas City has the best coach and quarterback. They’re such a complex team.” [19:00]

Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions The discussion compares the Bills and Lions, focusing on the Bills’ potential pitfalls in high-pressure situations versus the Lions’ historic win streak. Colin points out that while the Bills have a strong roster, their recent mistakes could cost them in the playoffs.

• Quote: JMac: “If the Bills lose to the Chiefs, it’s tough to stomach four out of five years being sent home in playoffs.” [21:35]

Chicago Bears’ Management Challenges Colin and Nick examine the Chicago Bears' internal dynamics, particularly GM Ryan Poles' dissatisfaction with the team's power structure. They discuss the potential impact on team performance and future prospects.

• Quote: Nick: “Jim Harbaugh had beef with this guy. Now Ryan Poles has beef with him too.” [37:00]

3. Bill Belichick’s Potential College Coaching Move

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the speculation surrounding NFL legend Bill Belichick considering a coaching position at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Colin and JMac debate the implications of such a move, including the controversial possibility of Belichick hiring his son.

• Quote: Colin: “Belichick is a brilliant football guy, but college coaching is harder than ever.” [24:05]
• Quote: JMac: “If Belichick hires his son, it could lead to long-term issues for UNC.” [49:55]

Concerns and Comparisons The hosts express concerns about Belichick’s fit in the college environment, citing his strict coaching style and the challenges of recruiting. Comparisons are made to other coaches like Mike Krzyzewski and Bobby Knight, highlighting Belichick’s potential inability to adapt.

• Quote: Colin: “College football coaching is a young man’s game. Belichick might not handle recruiting well.” [49:03]
• Quote: JMac: “Belichick’s focus on personnel might clash with UNC's established system.” [19:21]

4. Detroit Lions’ Exceptional Season

The Detroit Lions' remarkable 13-game win streak, powered by quarterback Jared Goff’s stellar performance, receives extensive praise. Colin and Nick discuss Goff’s place among elite quarterbacks and the Lions' potential future successes.

• Quote: Nick: “When Detroit can not win, number 13, he would be the third quarterback to have 13 win seasons with different teams.” [39:35]
• Quote: Colin: “If Goff puts up two or three more seasons like this, he’s Hall of Fame material.” [40:18]

5. Buffalo Bills’ Recent Performance and Challenges

Colin analyzes the Buffalo Bills' recent games, highlighting issues like strategic errors (e.g., nine men on the punt block) that could undermine their strong roster. The discussion emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding mistakes in crucial moments.

• Quote: Colin: “Nine guys on the punt block and a home time out misuse are worrying signs.” [21:35]
• Quote: Nick: “These mistakes can cost them in playoff scenarios.” [22:51]

6. Final Debate and Closing Thoughts

In the concluding segments, Colin and Nick reflect on the episode's discussions, reiterating their support for their respective rankings and team analyses. They emphasize the dynamic nature of the NFL season and the importance of adaptability.

• Quote: Nick: “If this continues to bubble up, there’s another cratering here in the end of December.” [35:53]
• Quote: Colin: “Every coach has holes. It’s personnel for Belichick.” [49:47]

Conclusion

Hour 2 of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" provides a thorough examination of the NFL’s current state, with Colin’s "Herd Hierarchy" serving as a central framework for analysis. The episode showcases intense debates, particularly surrounding team rankings and Belichick’s potential move to college coaching. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the complexities and challenges facing top NFL teams as the season progresses.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd: “Matt Stafford has time to throw, he’s in that Burrow class. It is just different. Rams at 10.” [06:00]
• JMac: “A.J. Brown is out of line. The Eagles are in disarray again.” [15:25]
• Colin Cowherd: “Kansas City has the best coach and quarterback. They’re such a complex team.” [19:00]
• JMac: “If Belichick hires his son, it could lead to long-term issues for UNC.” [49:55]
• Nick Wright: “These mistakes can cost them in playoff scenarios.” [22:51]

Further Engagement

For more in-depth discussions and analyses, tune into "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio from noon to 3 PM Eastern or stream it on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.