The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 – Giving Sam Darnold the Proper Credit, Defending Drake Maye
Date: February 10, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd provides strong opinions and analysis on recent Super Bowl performances—specifically defending Sam Darnold's understated, efficient play and contextualizing Drake Maye’s difficulties. The show also touches on the ongoing debate around analytics versus traditional football decision-making, the value of defense in football and basketball, and NBA and NFL roster-building strategies. Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre pepper their conversation with insights, stats, and broad sports culture commentary, reinforcing their belief in nuanced evaluation over “Internet arguments.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl Performance: The Value of Not Making Mistakes

• Colin opens the show challenging criticism of Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl effort:

  • Many online voices claim Darnold “didn’t do anything,” but Cowherd asserts that mistake-free, steady quarterbacking is exactly what wins championships when coupled with a great roster.
  • Statistics: In the playoffs, Darnold had 700 yards, 5 TDs, no interceptions, and avoided sacks—“exceptional quarterback play” ([03:39]).
  • Comparison with Tom Brady: "Do you know the two Super Bowls where Brady threw for the most yards? He lost one and fell behind 28-3 in the other..." ([04:32])

• Quote:

  "You're right. He didn’t do anything. No fumbles, not multiple sacks, never rattled, no interceptions. Drake Maye did all of them."
  — Colin Cowherd ([05:05])

• Cowherd points out:

  • Men are proud and don’t like admitting they were wrong about Darnold being a “bust.”
  • Efficient game management can be more vital than flashy stats, especially with an elite team and defense.

2. Football Is Closer to UFC Than Math Class: Questioning Analytics

• Cowherd critiques blind devotion to analytics:

  • Football involves momentum, intimidation, and psychological factors not captured in data.
  • Great teams (Seattle, Denver, Houston) were conservative on fourth downs—contrary to analytics, but correct by context.
  • Memorable moment:

    "Football is much closer to UFC than it is a math class. It has a regulated level of violence and sometimes tough wins, tougher wins, intimidation wins. Analytics don’t prove any of it."
    — Colin Cowherd ([06:40])

• Example from the Super Bowl:

  • Seattle’s decision to punt on 4th-and-5 in the second quarter was the right call, despite analytics saying it was a “go either way” situation.
  • Cowherd notes: “That’s 100% punt because New England couldn’t move the ball. Why would you give them a field position break?” ([07:35])

3. Defending Drake Maye After Super Bowl Loss

• Cowherd and McIntyre defend Maye:

  • Seattle and Houston’s defenses are the two best in the NFL—rookie struggles against them are expected.

  • Cites Sam Darnold’s own past playoff failures before his growth.

  • Personnel upgrades, especially on the offensive line (e.g., moving Will Campbell), will help Maye in the future.

  • Quote:

    "So just defending Drake Maye... One year ago Sam Darnold faced the Rams in the playoffs. Horrible protection. Darnold was sacked 9 times, two turnovers, and a passer rating in the 70s. A year later Sam Darnold is great."
    — Colin Cowherd ([33:41])

  • Support for Maye returning to the Super Bowl:

    “If I gave over-under half another Super Bowl appearance, will Drake Maye get back? I think he'll get back… the AFC was weird. Kansas City had a rare down year…”
    — Jason McIntyre ([25:25])

4. Defense Wins in Football and Basketball

• Cowherd breaks down both Seahawks (NFL) and Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA):
  • Great defense leads to winning; analytics or focus on offense can camouflage deficiencies.
  • Lakers and Mavericks are criticized for their lack of defense and athleticism—contrast with OKC, San Antonio, and Detroit.
  • Lakers’ regular season “success” is fool's gold due to the league’s general lack of regular season defensive effort.
  • Quote:

    "So the three best teams in this league are the three best defensive teams in this league. Okc, San Antonio and Detroit. So defense matters."
    — Colin Cowherd ([21:51])

5. Seattle’s Defensive Superiority: Exploiting “Tells”

• Jason McIntyre:
  • Seahawks DB Devin Witherspoon described exploiting an offensive “tell” in the Super Bowl ([23:33]).
  • The Seahawks anticipated New England’s plays due to predictable protection schemes, which led to six sacks and three turnovers.
  • Patriots’ left tackle Will Campbell drew harsh criticism online—questions about his ability and future position.

6. NBA Front-Office Moves & Young Talent

• Discussion of Mavericks ownership instability and Cooper Flagg’s potential:

  • Dismay over Dallas struggles since Mark Cuban’s sale, with calls for his return to give top prospect Flagg the developmental environment he needs.
  • Quote:

    “He is the future of this league. He needs good ownership… I have never seen a 19 year old as complete as Cooper Flagg.”
    — Jason McIntyre ([29:31])

• Trading in NBA vs. NFL:

  • NBA’s rigid trading rules hinder fast reversals in team fortunes; in the NFL, you can rebuild overnight.

7. NBA Draft Philosophy: Take The Talent, Even If There’s Drama

• On BYU, Duke, and Kansas prospects (esp. Darren Peterson):

  • Cowherd advocates drafting the most talented player (Peterson), despite injury concerns or missed games.
  • Quote:

    “If you can get a Kobe Bryant level athlete, you draft him… If you live in Arizona, you have to have a pool. And if you're in the NBA, you gotta have this kid…”
    — Colin Cowherd ([38:55])

• Player Attitude/Love for Basketball Debate:

  • Anthony Edwards and Trevor Lawrence cited as examples of players dinged for supposed lack of “passion,” but whose talent prevailed.

• Quote on the risk of passing on a generational prospect:

  “Trading Luka to the Lakers ruined Nico Harrison’s career. This kid, his highlight package... You have to draft him. Either one or two. I would take him one.”
  — Colin Cowherd ([47:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Darnold’s Super Bowl play:

  "You're right, I'm wrong. He didn't do anything. For the record, the last eight Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, only one threw for over 300 yards."
  — Colin Cowherd ([03:08])

• On analytics vs. football instincts:

  “Football's much closer to UFC than it is a math class. Sometimes intimidation, tough, getting into the psyche or the head of your opponents… that doesn't show up in analytics.”
  — Colin Cowherd ([10:47])

• On defending rookie QBs facing elite defenses:

  "Outside of Matt Stafford, the Seahawks defense made a lot of good quarterbacks look totally inept."
  — Colin Cowherd ([34:28])

• On NBA defense and regular-season illusions:

  "So the Lakers are fool's gold in the regular season. Nobody plays defense. They're terrible at it, but you don't really notice because nobody ratchets it up."
  — Colin Cowherd ([18:00])

• On the urgency in NBA drafting:

  "You have to draft him. Either one or two. I would take him one… Sometimes you do things to save your own bacon. You pass on this kid and he goes to a really good roster and is doing 24 and 6 and playoff basketball. You're losing your job as a GM."
  — Colin Cowherd ([47:32])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:08] – Defending Sam Darnold’s “didn’t do anything” criticism
• [06:40] – Football instincts vs. analytics; why conservative calls work
• [23:33] – Seahawks' Devin Witherspoon on defensive “tell” in Super Bowl
• [25:25] – Will Drake Maye get back to another Super Bowl?
• [29:31] – Analysis of Cooper Flagg and NBA ownership’s impact on prospects
• [33:41] – Defending Drake Maye, QB improvement from year-to-year
• [38:55] – NBA draft philosophy: take the talent, even with red flags
• [47:32] – The career consequence of passing on a blue-chip NBA prospect

Conclusion

Colin Cowherd’s hour is a primer in valuing context, leadership, and defense over surface-level stat hunting or social media hot takes. He reminds listeners that mistake-free football, psychological advantage, and team construction—whether in the NFL or NBA—win over analytics alone, and that raw talent (and the courage to take it) is always riper for reward than risk-averse conventionalism.

This episode will resonate with fans who value depth over debate and are curious about the nuances behind high-stakes coaching, drafting, and roster building in America’s two most popular sports.