The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 1 – Bengals upset the Steelers, Mike Tomlin's defense is an issue, Dodgers are close to going back to the World Series
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

Colin Cowherd dives into a packed Friday of sports talk, focusing on three major topics:

• The Cincinnati Bengals’ shocking upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the exposure of Mike Tomlin’s defensive issues
• The Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominance and near-clinched return to the World Series
• Updates and insights on top NFL and MLB storylines, including quarterback play, player movement rumors, and coaching carousel intrigue

Through honest analysis and signature wit, Colin breaks down why things are trending the way they are for football and baseball’s biggest teams and personalities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bengals’ Upset: Steelers’ Issues Exposed (00:45–11:50)

• Shocking Result: Colin expected “a boring, ugly Steeler win,” but instead, Cincinnati’s offense exploded against the NFL’s highest paid defense, exposing serious flaws in the Pittsburgh Steelers' scheme and effort.

• Joe Flacco’s Impact: Flacco, “old, barely can move, but he can spin it,” threw for 555 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in two games with the Bengals, making Pittsburgh’s D look lost.

• Steelers’ Defensive Failure:

  • Despite a $-laden defense, the Steelers haven’t ranked top-10 defensively in four straight years.
  • “Chase Brown. Who knew he was Jim Brown?”—Bengals RB averaged an astounding 9.8 yards per carry.
  • Bengals scored on six consecutive possessions, even with the league’s 30th ranked O-line.
  • “That was like death by 100 slant patterns. They just did whatever they want.” (Colin, 03:45)

• AFC North Dynamics: The Steelers’ playoff hopes look bleak with a brutal schedule coming up (Green Bay, Colts, Chargers, Buffalo, Detroit, Ravens).
  “Watching the Bengals gash the Steelers for nearly 500 yards…with that O-line and Joe Flacco? That was a really, really bad loss.” (Colin, 05:44)

• Steelers’ Opening Struggles: Despite going up 10-0, Pittsburgh has now had 56 straight games with 7 or fewer points in the 1st quarter—a record for any coach.

Notable Quotes

• Jamar Chase on the Bengals’ game plan:
  “They did exactly what we was expecting and hoping they’d do…We was gonna take advantage of those opportunities.” (07:22)

• Mike Tomlin on what went wrong:
  “…the first half, we allowed them to run the ball too much…set a negative trajectory, and we're fighting uphill the rest of the way…we got to be cleaner. We got to be better.” (08:09)

2. Focus on Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, and More (11:51–24:10)

• Aaron Rodgers’ Performance:
  Not to blame—“Aaron’s been terrific…All four of his touchdowns last night were to tight ends. When he throws to tight ends this year: 73% completion, 118 passer rating.” (Colin, 17:50)

• Steelers’ best offensive showing in years, with Aaron “making the offense smarter, more reliable,” maximizing the team’s unique size advantage at TE/WR.

• Rodgers postgame:
  “We want to win every game. There needs to be an expectation of winning…we had a chance to really open up some space, but we're four and two, still first in the division. I'm not going to ride the roller coaster.” (22:01)

• Flacco: Offense Unleashed:
  “Flacco was unstoppable.” (J. Mac, 14:10)

  • J. Mac: The offensive explosion “was obvious last night…huge, huge holes inside the box.”

• Steelers’ Fan Reality Check:
  Given the next three games, J. Mac projects—“They’re probably going to lose their next three and…be four and five. I think there’s some trouble ahead for the Pittsburgh Steelers.” (15:50)

3. The Dodgers’ World Series Push (11:51–18:40; 24:11–27:09)

• Complete Team: Dodgers’ bullpen, once considered a flaw, is now opening the door to a World Series appearance.

  • “They have no flaw…If the Dodgers can win playoff games with five hits, it’s over.” (Colin, 12:40)
  • Only nine hits allowed in three games by Brewers—ties history’s record for fewest through three games.

• Depth and Versatility: “Much like a Cheesecake Factory menu. Turn the page. Limitless combinations.” (Colin, 13:22)

  • Bullpen, defense, role-players (Edmond, Muncie) all contributed, not just stars Ohtani or Freeman.

• Manager Dave Roberts postgame:
  “Our guys are battle tested…they’re delivering, which is huge…we’re doing a great job of preventing runs, and the bullpen deserves a lot of credit.” (16:50)

• Dynasty Vibe: Colin compares the Dodgers' dominance to “the Durant Warriors” and “the Alabama run” in college football—just on another level compared to the competition.

4. NFL, MLB Quick Hits & Notable Stories (27:10–46:00)

• Washington Commanders’ Slow Starts:
  Jaden Daniels: “We could score with the best of them…but we just gotta be better with the details and execution, so…we don’t have slow starts…” (28:25)

• “This is not a hot take, but right now, Dallas has the better quarterback…CD Lamb’s back, like I think Dallas…is probably the side here.” (Colin, 33:18)

• Jaylen Waddle Rumors:
  Miami receiver posts from Buffalo’s stadium, sparking trade speculation.
  Colin dismisses the Giants rumors as “dumb,” but could see Buffalo targeting Waddle.

  “Buffalo, you have a superstar quarterback…super bowl window…need a big physical receiver for tough winter games…I got some concerns about Buffalo.” (36:11)

• Blue Jays vs. Mariners:
  Max Scherzer refuses to come out, gets crucial out.
  “Old athletes, we want to give up on them…but in big moments, Flacco and Aaron and Scherzer can deliver.” (41:09)

• Bears Offense Ascending:
  “Last year, they were 4 and 2, but it didn’t look right–the play design’s better, the play calling’s better…they look intentional…It’s the difference between a fake Louis bag and a real Louis bag.” (46:40)

5. College Football Coaching Carousel (47:00–50:00)

• Penn State’s desire to upgrade after James Franklin is not as easy as fans think.
  • Potential targets (Kurt Signetti, Marcus Freeman, Clark Lea, Matt Rhule) all have warts.
  • “Not everybody looks at your job opening with the same affection you do…I love mine, I tolerate yours.” (Colin, 49:06)
  • Penn State “closer to Ole Miss than to Georgia” in terms of job status.

6. Quarterback Comparisons & Bo Nix Deep Dive (50:01–end)

• Bo Nix Under the Microscope:

  • Cowherd debunks silly generational comparisons (Caleb Williams vs. Troy Aikman).
  • Instead, he compares Bo Nix’s first 23 starts to peers: Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, CJ Stroud, Andrew Luck.
  • “He doesn’t get sacked. He’s athletic. Coachable and tough. Does not throw a great deep ball.”
  • Asks if Bo Nix could be a top-12/13 QB: “Absolutely fair.”

• J. Mac: “This season the numbers have been awful…he just has not been great play to play…He’s a middling quarterback we’ve got to see.”

• Bo Nix’s Self-Assessment:
  “I think it’s just…how I grew up…my dad was my coach, so he was tough on me…you know, I give myself some grace, too, and just, you know, move on and go to the next play…”

• Takeaway: Only a handful of QBs (Mahomes, Allen, Lamar, Burrow) transcend circumstances. For the rest, “every franchise quarterback has bad stretches.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Colin on Bengals-Steelers Defensive Disaster:

  "That was like death by 100 slant patterns. They just did whatever they want. Gigantic holes…that can’t be what I see. That was a really, really bad loss.” (03:45)

• Jamar Chase on Steelers’ predictability:

  “They did exactly what we was expecting and hoping they’d do…we was gonna take advantage.” (07:22)

• Aaron Rodgers’ calm after loss:

  "We want to win every game…but we're four and two, still first…I'm not going to ride the roller coaster and I know Mike isn't, and hopefully you guys follow suit.” (22:01)

• Colin on Dodgers’ depth:

  "Much like a Cheesecake Factory menu. Turn the page. Limitless combinations." (13:22)

• Dave Roberts on the Dodgers’ confidence:

  "I think the thing about our guys is they're battle tested…these guys are delivering, which is huge…we’re doing a great job of preventing runs, and the bullpen deserves a lot of credit." (16:50)

• Colin on job openings in college football:

  "Not everybody looks at your job opening with the same affection you do… I've always said this about young kids: I love mine. I tolerate yours.” (49:06)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Show open / Bengals-Steelers Analysis: 00:45–11:50
• Quarterback Analysis (Flacco/Rodgers): 11:51–24:10
• Dodgers’ playoff dominance: 11:51–18:40; 24:11–27:09
• NFL/MLB headlines (Commanders, Waddle, Scherzer, etc): 27:10–46:00
• Bears offense ascent: 46:40–47:40
• Penn State coaching carousel: 47:41–50:00
• Bo Nix and quarterback comparison deep dive: 50:01–end

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd offers a layered look at how quickly fortunes can change—whether it’s NFL teams with defensive woes, MLB juggernauts flexing late-season muscle, or the perpetual churn of quarterback and coaching evaluations. Colin and J. Mac’s lively discussion, loaded with stats, levity, and sharp takes, makes this a must-listen for fans tracking the pulse of NFL and MLB action.