The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 1 – Credit to the Cowboys, Mark Dominik Stops By, Thankful Packers
Date: November 28, 2025
Guest Host: Doug Gottlieb (in for Colin Cowherd)

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Doug Gottlieb filling in for Colin Cowherd, dives into the fallout from Thanksgiving NFL games, with a major focus on the resurgent Dallas Cowboys following big wins over contenders, analysis of the Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles, and an in-depth look at the Green Bay Packers’ evolving offense. The episode features a guest appearance from former NFL GM Mark Dominik for expert breakdowns, plus engaging interludes with show regular Jason Stewart. College football’s rivalry weekend also factors in, with thoughtful tangents on coaching decisions and sports culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys Deserve Real Credit (03:13–14:55)

• Doug opens with candid self-reflection on sports media hot takes, invoking Cowherd’s signature "When Colin was right, when Colin was wrong." He admits most analysts and fans, himself included, underestimated the Cowboys after a shaky start.

• Dallas’ Dramatic Turnaround

  • Early-season disaster (losses to Denver, Arizona, Carolina) seemed to doom their year.
  • Since the bye week, Cowboys beat the Eagles and Chiefs—both assumed playoff/Super Bowl contenders—showing resilience and growth.
  • Doug details how Dak Prescott stepped up, Schottenheimer's offensive continuity supported him, and the controversial Micah Parsons trade—though harshly criticized—allowed Dallas to focus on run defense.

• Cowboys’ Unique Place in NFL Culture

  • Doug highlights how "as a collective group of Cowboys haters, which most of us are," there's a tendency to minimize Dallas success (07:43).
  • Credits Jerry Jones and team management for talent evaluation, even amid their eccentricities.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Maybe this is the classic Cowboys aren’t really good, they’re just not as bad as we thought they would be. The reality is the Cowboys took down the Chiefs."
    —Doug Gottlieb [04:15]

  • "This year is different. Instead of overpaying Micah Parsons, they traded him and were committed to stopping the run. Guess what? It kind of worked."
    —Doug Gottlieb [05:55]

• Team Confidence:

  • Clip from Jerry Jones: “I don’t remember a better two games back-to-back here at home. These guys played inspired.” [09:24]
  • Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys OC) on Dak: “I thought he was incredible…We never panicked. We’re not going to panic on this team.” [09:48]
  • Dak Prescott: “Just showing the resiliency of this unit, of this brotherhood…We’re not going to just sit on this because of that.” [11:17]

2. Expert Analysis with Mark Dominik – Cowboys, Chiefs, Packers & More (24:01–37:59)

• Cowboys’ Inconsistency & Path Forward
  • Mark points out Dallas has been "frustratingly inconsistent, but still have a shot and a path to the postseason." [24:01]
  • Notes how Pickens has been a key playmaker, and Schottenheimer’s offense is peaking.
• Chiefs’ Struggles
  • Offensive line injuries have been devastating: "That offensive line’s in shambles right now…that’s the demise of the Chiefs and why they won’t make the postseason." [25:05]
  • Defense lacks speed, reminiscent of the end of New England’s dynasty.
  • Doug and Mark agree fixes can come from the draft, especially on defense, but time is short for this season.
• Green Bay Packers Improvement
  • Matt LaFleur’s playcalling much more aggressive lately, especially with Jordan Love’s development.
  • LaFleur is letting Love’s confidence dictate game plans: “He’s feeding off of where Jordan Love’s confidence is, and you’re seeing him be more aggressive.” [27:40]
  • Mark gives LaFleur "a ton of credit" for bold decisions in critical moments.
• Detroit Lions Offensive Rhythms
  • Campbell is labeled a "play-caller, not an OC"—lacking smooth design and consistency, which showed against Green Bay.
• Lamar Jackson & Ravens
  • Mark: “He just looked like he was rushing himself and then quickly flicking the ball out…his accuracy is really off almost back to his rookie campaign.” [29:45]
  • Doug asks if the new offense is asking too much of Jackson—Mark thinks it might be.
• Joe Burrow’s Grit
  • Despite a slight playoff hope, Burrow’s effort is lauded as an example of leadership: "He wants to prove that he can be out there with the guys…every year can be magical and special." [33:34]
• Young QB Evaluations: Sanders & McCarthy
  • On Shedeur Sanders: “I still felt like the game was uber fast for him…he doesn’t process it fast enough. That’s why he dropped in the draft.” [34:56–36:03]
  • On J.J. McCarthy: "You have to find out exactly what you have…not be married to him just because you invested two years." [36:46]

3. The News & College Football Weekend (38:14–44:45)

• Egg Bowl & Lane Kiffin
  • Discusses Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss and whether his presence should affect CFP committee consideration.
  • Doug believes if Kiffin leaves and doesn’t coach, committee should weigh that: “You won’t be the same team if Lane Kiffin’s not your coach.”
• Vanderbilt Football’s Rise
  • Clark Lea’s contract extension is praised as a big step for the program and a shift in Vanderbilt’s priorities.
  • Fun banter about SEC culture and stereotypes around Vanderbilt.
• Bengals’ Thanksgiving Food Moment
  • Joe Burrow skips postgame turkey, quips “I don’t know who made it. I’m good.” [44:45]
  • Doug laughs: “Don’t we do that every day? You eat at Chipotle, you don’t know who’s back there!”

4. Packers’ Offensive Evolution (51:16–53:22)

• Packers Beat Lions
  • LaFleur: “This was a playoff type atmosphere and to be able to come in and win on the road is big for us…proud of our guys but we gotta keep building on this.” [52:02]
  • Doug notes LaFleur’s aggressive playcalling post-Eagles game, especially on pivotal fourth downs.
• Jordan Love on 4th Down Success:
  • “That was the difference in that game right there…just going out there executing and those got to have it plays.” [53:22]
• Dallas, Green Bay, and Chicago’s remaining schedules are compared in context of playoff potential.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (By Timestamp)

• Doug Gottlieb:
  • "As a collective group of Cowboys haters, which most of us are, it’s a very— for whatever reason—a very polarizing team." [07:43]
• Jerry Jones:
  • “I don’t remember a better two games back to back here at home. These guys played inspired.” [09:24]
• Brian Schottenheimer:
  • “We never panicked. We’re not going to panic on this team.” [09:57]
• Mark Dominik:
  • "That offensive line’s in shambles right now…that’s the demise of the Chiefs and why they won’t make the postseason." [25:05]
  • “He wants to prove that he can be out there with the guys… every year can be magical and special.” (On Burrow) [33:34]
• Joe Burrow (clip):
  • “I didn’t touch it. I don’t know who made it. I’m good.” (Thanksgiving Turkey) [44:46]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:13 — Doug opens with Cowboys analysis
• 09:24 — Jerry Jones on Dallas’ major wins
• 09:57 — Brian Schottenheimer & Dak on team mentality
• 11:17 — Dak on team’s confidence
• 24:01 — Mark Dominik on Cowboys/Chiefs/Packers
• 27:40 — Packers’ LaFleur, Love’s development
• 29:45 — Lamar Jackson’s struggles
• 33:34 — Joe Burrow’s effort & legacy
• 34:56 — Shedeur Sanders evaluation
• 38:14 — News segment (Egg Bowl, coaching, culture)
• 44:45 — Joe Burrow’s turkey refusal
• 52:02 — Packers/Lions highlights, LaFleur on win
• 53:22 — Jordan Love on key 4th down conversions

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, conversational, and loaded with playful self-awareness. Doug Gottlieb brings a mixture of humility and expertise, openly admitting past misjudgments, poking fun at sports media and fan biases, and blending sharp football analysis with lighter cultural jabs and banter. Guest Mark Dominik provides grounded, detail-oriented insight as a former NFL GM, offering practical team-building advice and context. The interspersed news segment with Jason Stewart incorporates humor and college football culture in a light but informative way.

Summary

This hour of "The Herd" is a nuanced, honest breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys' unexpected resurgence and legitimacy, the Chiefs’ structural issues, and the Packers’ renewed offensive identity. It offers expert analysis, notable soundbites from team leaders, and context for both the NFL landscape and major college football developments. The tone is reflective, informed, and often entertaining—making it a valuable catch-up for those who missed the show.