Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Thoughts on Week 15 of the NFL
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a deep dive into the top sports stories of the day with thought-provoking analysis and opinionated discussions.
1. Heisman Trophy Debate: Gentee vs. Travis Hunter [03:15]
Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode by revisiting a contentious debate from the previous week: who deserves the Heisman Trophy, Gentee from Boise State or Travis Hunter from Colorado?
- Colin Cowherd: "In college football, the Big Ten can have four teams in the playoffs and the ACC can have two. Why? Who do you play? The Big Ten is better." [03:15]
Cowherd argues that Travis Hunter's performance against tougher competition gives him the edge. He highlights Hunter's three touchdowns against Oregon, emphasizing the strength of Colorado's schedule compared to Boise State's weaker opponents.
- Colin Cowherd: "He had three touchdowns against Oregon, the best team they played. So he's a first-round running back." [03:30]
Despite recognizing Gentee's impressive stats against Georgia Southern, Cowherd remains firmly in favor of Hunter due to the quality of opposition faced.
2. Lamar Jackson’s Stellar Season and Future with the Ravens [11:00]
Mark Sanchez and Colin Cowherd shift focus to Lamar Jackson's exceptional performance this season.
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Mark Sanchez: "Lamar had five touchdown passes... he's had a better season this year than he did last year." [11:00]
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Colin Cowherd: "Lamar feels like Baltimore. The toughness, the grit, the work ethic." [11:36]
They discuss Jackson's MVP-caliber stats and his symbolic importance to the Ravens franchise. However, concerns loom about his ability to maintain peak performance in the playoff push, especially with ongoing injuries to key players like Derrick Henry and offensive linemen.
3. Impact of NFL Season Expansion and Team Attrition [20:46]
The conversation delves into the implications of the NFL potentially expanding the regular season to 18 games.
- Colin Cowherd: "The NFL season's longer than people think. There is discussions for an 18th game." [20:46]
JMac highlights how teams like Detroit are struggling with increased injuries and depleted rosters, which affects their identity and performance. They discuss the necessity for teams to expand rosters and add depth, particularly at the running back position, to cope with the grueling schedule.
- JMac: "Detroit is going on the downturn... they're losing guys left and right and they're catastrophic injuries." [21:00]
4. Shadou Sanders and NFL Draft Predictions [16:00]
The hosts analyze Shadou Sanders' prospects as the expected number one pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
- Colin Cowherd: "Shedeur Sanders seems like a perfect fit for the Raiders... he's a polished quarterback." [16:00]
Mark Sanchez expresses skepticism about Sanders potentially playing for the Giants, citing the franchise's struggles over the past five years.
- Mark Sanchez: "I would put it out there. I'm going to guess Deion is not going to want Shadour to play for the New York Giants." [18:24]
They debate the Raiders' fit for Sanders, considering his relationship with Deion Sanders and the team's need for a franchise quarterback to rejuvenate their roster.
5. Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s Offensive Strategy [34:03]
Baker Mayfield's role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is scrutinized, focusing on Coach Liam Cohen's aggressive play-calling.
- JMac: "Baker's really coming into his own... he played lights out." [34:03]
They commend the Buccaneers' third-down efficiency and Mayfield's trust in his offensive line and receivers. The discussion highlights how strategic decisions on third downs are pivotal for the team's success.
- Colin Cowherd: "They trust Baker to make the right decision." [35:11]
6. Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow and Team Dynamics [40:54]
Joe Burrow's visible frustration during games is examined, shedding light on the pressures faced by elite quarterbacks.
- JMac: "The dude's nasty. He's like a hired assassin... he just wants to rip your heart out." [41:00]
Colin and JMac discuss Burrow's competitiveness and its impact on team morale and performance. They explore how coaching strategies can help manage such intense emotions to maintain team cohesion.
- Colin Cowherd: "Burrow standards, though, are... I don't care that we're winning, how we're winning." [41:37]
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Defensive Dominance and Offensive Firepower [34:03 - 37:21]
In an extended analysis, Colin and JMac break down the Buccaneers' defensive strategies against opposing offenses, emphasizing their ability to limit possessions and control the game's pace.
- JMac: "They run the ball well. They stop the run well. They can choke you out, essentially." [34:25]
They highlight key players like Vita Vea and the strategic use of blitz packages to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. The discussion also covers how the team's offensive schemes, led by Liam Cohen, complement their defensive strengths.
- JMac: "They get information from the defense... they trust Baker to make the right decision." [36:52]
Notable Quotes:
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Colin Cowherd: "In college football, the Big Ten can have four teams in the playoffs and the ACC can have two. Why? Who do you play? The Big Ten is better." [03:15]
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Colin Cowherd: "Lamar feels like Baltimore. The toughness, the grit, the work ethic." [11:36]
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JMac: "They trust Baker to make the right decision." [35:11]
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Mark Sanchez: "Deion has a relationship with him." [18:38]
Concluding Insights
Colin Cowherd and his co-hosts provide a comprehensive analysis of Week 15's NFL landscape, addressing individual player performances, team strategies, and overarching league developments. Their discussions offer valuable insights for fans seeking a deeper understanding of the game's intricacies and the factors influencing team success as the season progresses toward the playoffs.
Tune In:
Catch The Herd with Colin Cowherd live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio from noon to 3 PM Eastern / 9 AM to noon Pacific. Stream live via the iHeartRadio app by searching "Fox Sports Radio" or FSR.
This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on the main discussions and key points while omitting advertisements and non-content segments.