The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Hour 3 - The Eagles Have the Edge
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, the focus centers on the highly anticipated Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. With Colin Cowherd out due to illness, Jason McIntyre steps in to guide listeners through in-depth analyses, expert opinions, and compelling predictions from esteemed guests Greg Cosell of NFL Films and former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
Super Bowl Preview: Chiefs vs. Eagles
Jason McIntyre opens the discussion by highlighting the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl and introduces Greg Cosell as a special guest. Greg expresses his enthusiasm, stating:
“My excitement for the Super Bowl is always high because, you know, it's funny you say that because people always ask me, you know, what's going to be the deciding factor, what's...”
[02:57] Greg Cosell
Greg emphasizes the unpredictability of the game, noting the multitude of variables that can influence the outcome beyond just star players like Saquon Barkley and Patrick Mahomes.
Analysis of Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs' Offense
The conversation delves into Patrick Mahomes’ performance, particularly his scrambling ability, and how the Eagles' defense might counter it. Greg Cosell references past strategies:
“I actually went back and we did in our matchup room here at NFL Films and we looked at some of the games when he was the head coach at Denver because he played Mahomes six times and they did not spy Mahomes...”
[04:20] Greg Cosell
Greg discusses the Eagles' defensive approach under Vic Fangio, suggesting a controlled rush to keep Mahomes in the pocket while maintaining flexibility against his movement.
He further explores the Chiefs’ offensive schemes, particularly their use of multiple tight ends:
“The Chiefs have kind of evolved over these last two years, J. Mac, into a team that plays a lot out of multiple tight ends. Two and three tight ends, close to 50% of their offensive snaps...”
[06:36] Greg Cosell
Greg explains how this strategy challenges the Eagles' secondary, especially cornerback DeVonta Smith, and speculates on potential adjustments by the Chiefs' coaching staff.
Eagles' Defensive Strategies and Offensive Line Dominance
The discussion shifts to the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive prowess, particularly their offensive line and defensive tackles. Gerald McCoy provides insights on the Eagles' O-line dominance:
“The Philadelphia Eagles are the better team. I don't care how you feel as a Kansas City chief. If you're being honest with yourself, you're going to say top to bottom, talent for talent, number for number. The Philadelphia Eagles are the better team.”
[27:52] Gerald McCoy
Greg and Gerald analyze the Eagles' ability to control the line of scrimmage and the impact of Saquon Barkley on their ground game. Gerald highlights the importance of experience and discipline in the Chiefs' offensive line strategy.
Jalen Hurts and Eagles' Offense
Jalen Hurts' performance is scrutinized, particularly his decision-making and turnover rate. Greg Cosell comments on Hurts' intelligence and adaptability:
“He [Jalen Hurts] does not turn the ball over. And with the defense that they have, that's critical. I know many fans probably get upset when he runs out of the pocket to his right and throws the ball away...”
[15:12] Greg Cosell
The conversation emphasizes Hurts' ability to manage the game effectively, minimizing turnovers, and leveraging the Eagles' diverse offensive strategies, including no-huddle formations to disrupt the Chiefs' defensive timing.
Predictions and Picks
As the episode progresses, Greg Cosell shares his Super Bowl prediction:
“J. Mac, you know, I picked the Eagles. I, you know, I think it's going to be a really close, intense game.”
[19:18] Greg Cosell
Gerald McCoy offers a contrasting view, predicting a close game but ultimately favoring the Chiefs:
“I'm going right now. Without breaking everything down. Blindly picking the Kansas City Chiefs 28, Philadelphia Eagles 21.”
[36:43] Gerald McCoy
Jason McIntyre aligns more with Gerald's pick, highlighting differences in analysis and the strength of both teams’ trenches.
Key Highlights and Strategic Insights
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Mahomes' Scrambling: Greg Cosell discusses how the Eagles might limit Mahomes' mobility to stifle his offensive impact.
“They [Eagles] will play more of a controlled rush, trying to keep him in the pocket.”
[04:20] Greg Cosell -
Chiefs' Tight End Utilization: The Chiefs' frequent use of multiple tight ends challenges the Eagles' defensive schemes, potentially putting DeVonta Smith in complex matchups.
“All of these are the kinds of things that are so hard to predict and speculate...”
[05:45] Greg Cosell -
Eagles' O-Line Dominance: The Philadelphia offensive line is highlighted as a critical factor, providing Saquon Barkley with ample blocking to exploit the Chiefs' run defense.
“This O line has been such a dominant, dominant group all season long.”
[19:55] Greg Cosell -
Jalen Hurts' Intelligence: Hurts' ability to minimize turnovers and execute a layered offense is underscored as a key advantage against the Chiefs.
“J. Mac, he does not turn the ball over... he plays the game really smart.”
[15:12] Greg Cosell -
Chris Jones' Impact: Gerald McCoy emphasizes the influence of Chiefs' defensive tackle Chris Jones, who consistently disrupts both the run and pass plays.
“Chris Jones is the only player in all of football to have 25 pressures inside and outside.”
[31:48] Gerald McCoy
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a spirited debate between Greg Cosell and Gerald McCoy on the likely outcome of the Super Bowl. While Greg supports the Eagles due to their superior offensive and defensive lines, Gerald remains confident in the Chiefs' experience and strategic prowess. Jason McIntyre synthesizes the discussions, emphasizing the strengths and strategies of both teams, leaving listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the impending showdown.
“Philly's gonna do what Philly do. Saquon will touch this ball 25 to 30 times for sure.”
[28:00] Gerald McCoy
As the Super Bowl approaches, The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides listeners with expert analyses, strategic breakdowns, and passionate predictions, making it an essential listen for fans eager to gain deeper insights into the biggest game of the NFL season.
Notable Quotes
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Greg Cosell on Super Bowl Variables:
“...from watching tape, I think there's, you know, 10, 12 variables that could play out in these games that we just don't know.”
[03:34] Greg Cosell -
Gerald McCoy on Eagles' Superior Team Structure:
“The Philadelphia Eagles are the better team. I don't care how you feel as a Kansas City chief... The Philadelphia Eagles are the better team.”
[27:52] Gerald McCoy -
Greg Cosell on Jalen Hurts' Intelligence:
“J. Mac, he does not turn the ball over. And with the defense that they have, that's critical.”
[15:12] Greg Cosell -
Gerald McCoy on Chris Jones' Dominance:
“Chris Jones is the only player in all of football to have 25 pressures inside and outside.”
[31:48] Gerald McCoy
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions, strategic analyses, and expert opinions shared during the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the Super Bowl dynamics between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.