The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1 Summary

Date: November 21, 2025
Episode Theme:
A dynamic run-through of the day’s top sports stories, Colin takes on: the Buffalo Bills’ shortcomings around Josh Allen, a Steelers-Bears preview with focus on Caleb Williams, drama swirling around the Eagles, the emerging AFC playoff race, and how the Lakers’ ownership changes signal a new era. The tone mixes frank criticism, big-picture perspective, and trademark Cowherd analogies.

1. The Buffalo Bills Are Failing Josh Allen

[03:00–17:00]

• Key Topic:
  Colin argues the Bills’ franchise—through front office decisions and roster neglect—is letting down their star QB Josh Allen, who’s forced to do too much without adequate support.

• Main Points:

  • The Bills struggle in several areas: “They become very turnover prone. The O-line got worked. They have no deep threat. Other than that, things are great.” (Colin, 03:42)
  • Houston, despite missing their starting QB, outclassed Buffalo last night: “The Texans have better players... At D line, wide receiver and corner, Houston’s much better. It’s not close.” (Colin, 04:44)
  • Allen is visibly frustrated and pressing; his turnovers are up and he’s taking dangerous hits due to lack of options and protection.
  • Colin emphasizes the window is closing for Allen: “He’s 30 now and he’s gonna be out of this prime in a couple years… It takes years off your prime.” (Colin, 08:11)
  • Blames GM Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott for not surrounding Allen with enough offensive talent, especially at WR and OL. “Brandon Beane, the GM, he doesn’t have enough help offensively. It’s on you.” (Colin, 09:01)

• Notable Quotes:

  • “A lot of times quarterbacks let down a franchise. I feel like the franchise can’t get the plane on time is letting down Josh Allen.” (Colin, 03:22)
  • “You can’t win Super Bowls in this league where every drive is 14 plays. You need a Jameer Gibbs to peel a big one off or Justin Jefferson to go over the top... Buffalo doesn’t have that.” (Colin, 06:20)
  • “You got the quarterback. You can’t be losing to Tua and backups and Michael Penix. Can’t happen.” (Colin, 10:36)

• Player/Coach Sound Bites:

  • Bills Coach: “When they hit their quarterback 12 times... it’s not a healthy way to keep our quarterback healthy through the remainder of the season.” (Coach, 12:43)
  • Josh Allen: “I gotta be better with throwing the ball away... Too many times I was going backwards and I got to be better on that.” (Allen, 13:04)

2. Steelers-Bears Preview: Caleb Williams’ Next Test

[17:05–23:40]

• Key Topic:
  The Sunday Bears-Steelers matchup is a litmus test for rookie phenom Caleb Williams, especially against a turnover-hungry Mike Tomlin squad.

• Main Points:

  • Steelers’ only path to victory is takeaways and defensive TDs—Pittsburgh’s offense remains compromised with Aaron Rodgers not fully healthy and no running game.
  • For Caleb Williams, this is about discipline: “This does not need to be a highlight. Get rid of the ball quickly. Do not tease or challenge TJ Watt. Stay in the pocket. Get rid of it. Play within structure.” (Colin, 19:42)
  • Williams faces a challenge that unraveled top young QBs before him (Drake Maye, Daniel Jones): can he avoid the “rookie mistake” vs. Tomlin’s opportunistic defense?
  • Chicago is favored: “I think Chicago is the better team... Boring will win, because I think Chicago is the better team.” (Colin, 20:23)

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Mike Tomlin is as good an underdog coach and motivator as the league has.” (Colin, 20:41)
  • “If you’re a critic or a doubter of Caleb Williams, you’re sitting there on X, you’re just ready to push send.” (Colin, 22:51)

• Coach Sound Bite:

  • Mike Tomlin: “I can’t say enough about what I’ve seen from Caleb Williams... Really impressed with his physical talents, his ability to throw the football... The creativity associated with his escapability and play extension is really challenging.” (Tomlin, 21:14)

3. League-Wide Parity and Playoff Surprises

[24:00–28:00]

• Key Topic:
  Discussion about how last year’s AFC division leaders are struggling, reinforcing NFL unpredictability.

• Main Points:

  • “Division leaders from last year—Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, and Kansas City. Probably two of those are going to miss the playoffs this year.” (J. Mac, 25:41)
  • Houston’s defense and coaching under DeMeco Ryans gets high praise for stifling the Bills (and Allen’s lack of receivers).
  • The segment underscores that every year, unexpected teams (like Houston) emerge and favorites falter.

4. The Dak Prescott Maturity Divide; Cowboys/Eagles Weekend

[31:00–36:45]

• Key Topic:
  As Dallas preps for a major game against the Eagles, Colin hails Dak Prescott for his stability and leadership vs. past Cowboys QBs.

• Main Points:

  • Dak is about to become Dallas’s all-time passing yards leader and receives full praise for his “blue chip, five-star leadership.”
  • Contrasts Dak’s stable, mature style against the improvisational, at-times erratic Tony Romo: “Dak feels very prepared, can play out of structure... Dak is a professional quarterback and the Cowboys are third in the league in points since he arrived.” (Colin, 32:40)
  • Emphasizes Dallas’ ability to minimize distractions with Dak at the helm: “He is an unbelievable leader... even with Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas is an elite offense.” (Colin, 33:40)

• Notable Quotes:

  • “He is the best leader that I’ve been around for a team and period... and he just has a natural sense of what the situation calls for.” (Jerry Jones on Dak, 35:21)
  • “A quarterback needs to be a legend. Rooting for Dak to break that record.” (Colin, 36:15)

5. Herd Line News: Eagles Drama, AFC Playoff Races, Seahawks Turnovers

[36:50–52:00]

• Eagles Wideout A.J. Brown’s Locker Room Comments [37:00]:

  • Eagles media drama centers on A.J. Brown’s “smart ass answers” to questions about his production.
    • “Are you also saying that Saquon, because his production down, is not the same player?” (A.J. Brown, 37:44)
    • Debate on whether this is a distraction or just Philly media seeking headlines; Colin says, “He could have easily poured gas on those questions. And he’s like, you’re not going to do it to me.”

• AFC Playoffs & Chiefs Worries [43:40]:

  • Chiefs’ playoff probability and defensive failings get an analytical rundown, especially versus play-action. Coach Andy Reid and OC Matt Nagy praised for “details” and leadership in adversity.

• Seahawks’ Turnover Problem [47:04]:

  • Outrageous stat that Seattle leads the league in turnovers yet is still playoff bound. Sam Darnold addresses his picks: “It’s unacceptable... we have to be better protecting the football.” (Darnold, 48:05)
  • Colin downplays the issue, comparing Darnold to legends with interception issues but big-play abilities: “Are you productive? Are you willing to throw the ball downfield? Do you score touchdowns? He checks all those boxes.” (Colin, 49:35)

6. Lakers Ownership Overhaul: New Era in L.A.

[52:10–56:42]

• Key Topic:
  Colin sees the Lakers move to fire Joey and Jesse Buss and hand off power to the Dodgers’ Mark Walter Group as the end of their “mom and pop” era.

• Main Points:

  • Change is lauded: “It is official, the Lakers are no longer a mom and pop operation. They have entered the 21st century.” (Colin, 52:24)
  • Dodgers owners are credited for their analytical/R&D excellence.
  • Warns the Lakers’ standard must rise to match teams like the Rams, Dodgers; “Players want to play on good teams, stacked rosters, and hoist trophies. That’s what players want.” (Colin, 54:49)
  • Suggests harsh realities coming for stars like LeBron: “LeBron James at 40 should absolutely not be part of their future.”
  • Notes JJ Redick’s “luck” to have smart management, previewing a potential Lakers youth-focused rebuild.

7. Show Closing and Weekend Look-Ahead

[56:45–End of Hour]

• Colin previews his Blazing Five picks (next hour)
• Teases next-hour topics: Shadour Sanders’ NFL debut, Cowboys/Eagles, and the ongoing soap opera of highly scrutinized players and teams.

Key Quotes & Timestamps

• "You can't win Super Bowls in this league where every drive is 14 plays. You need a Jameer Gibbs to peel a big one off or Justin Jefferson to go over the top or Devonte Adams to beat his man. Buffalo doesn't have that."
  — Colin, 06:20

• "He (Dak) is a blue chip five star leader... He just always shows up and wins double digit games."
  — Colin, 33:10

• “It’s official now. The Lakers are no longer a mom and pop operation. They have entered the 21st century.”
  — Colin, 52:24

• “Mike Tomlin is as good an underdog coach and motivator as the league has.”
  — Colin, 20:41

• Bill’s Allen: “I gotta be better with throwing the ball away and living to see another down…”
  — Josh Allen, 13:04

Episode Takeaway

Cowherd delivers a sharp episode blending in-depth X’s and O’s (Bills, Bears/Steelers), character-driven drama (Eagles, AJ Brown), forward-thinking franchise talk (Lakers), and his “root for interesting” philosophy. If you missed it: Buffalo’s flaws run deeper than Josh Allen, Chicago’s rookie faces his big test, and legacy franchises are being forced to act smarter in a new era.

Segment Timings Overview

• 00:00–03:00: Show open, teases upcoming topics
• 03:00–17:00: Bills’ collapse and Allen’s predicament
• 17:05–23:40: Steelers-Bears/Caleb Williams challenge
• 24:00–28:00: AFC parity/Playoff surprises
• 31:00–36:45: Cowboys-Eagles/Dak leadership
• 36:50–52:00: Herd Line News (Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks)
• 52:10–56:42: Lakers’ ownership overhaul
• 56:45–End: Next hour preview and signoff

For sports fans, this episode is an insightful, energetic capsule of the shifting NFL power balance and the NBA’s evolving front office landscape, anchored by Cowherd’s signature wit and perspective.