The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1

Episode: Lions Bounce Back, Cowboys Have a Problem with George Pickens, Why You Don’t Want Athletes Trending
Date: December 5, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd delivers his signature blend of sports analysis and strong opinion, diving into:

• The Detroit Lions’ wild shootout win and what it tells us about their offense and window for success
• The Dallas Cowboys’ exposure in loss, centering on offensive line issues and the troubling behavior of George Pickens
• Why trending athletes are often trending for the wrong reasons and why it's a red flag for NFL quarterbacks
• Key news and notes around the NFL and college football, including the current state of the Eagles, Bo Nix and the Broncos, Matt Campbell’s coaching prospects, and trending topics from the week in sports

Detroit Lions Bounce Back in Signature Offensive Performance

[04:11–08:45]

• Colin breaks down the Lions’ 37–30 win, emphasizing their offensive talent and roster construction.
  • Ben Johnson’s influence as O.C. is reemerging, as Detroit racked up 7.2 yards/play.
  • “They have crazy offensive talent. Two running backs I like, two wide receivers that are stars… They can be physical or finesse.” – Colin [04:32]
• Offensive versatility highlighted:
  • Long scoring marches and quick strikes, with both Montgomery (the bruiser) and Gibbs (the home-run hitter).
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown as the “volume receiver”, Jameson Williams as the “acceleration guy”.
• On Dan Campbell stepping into play-calling:
  • “Since he’s taken over the play-calling though, he’s a little better scheme guy than we give him credit for.” – Colin [05:35]
  • Last 7 drives: no punts.
• Lions’ “must-win” and urgency:
  • Window closing with core players aging or injured; this year is critical.
  • “These windows, we all know this, windows close very quickly in the NFL.” – Colin [07:34]
• Guest quote (Dan Campbell):
  • “They don’t get panicked. They don’t make something out of it that it’s not... Just do your job.” [08:14]
• Key takeaway:
  • Detroit, when right, is a true playoff-caliber offense; high ceiling if this version shows up through January.

Dallas Cowboys’ O-Line Problem and George Pickens Drama

[08:45–13:58]

Cowboys’ Offensive Line Exposed

• Dallas’ O-line much better run-blocking than pass-blocking—fully exposed vs. Lions’ pass rush.
  • Left tackle Tyler Guyton’s absence was “bad because the right tackle is not good.”
  • “Dak Prescott was getting whacked. He got hit, sacked, knocked down 11 times.” – Colin [09:15]
  • Dak is the 3rd-most pressured QB in the league; sacked 14 times in 6 losses, only 6 in wins.
• “When you’re facing that kind of pass rush and have to speed it up, you make more mistakes. I don’t care if you’re a typist, a pianist or a quarterback…” – Colin [10:25]
• Urges Dallas to use first-round picks on O-line and edge rusher help.

The George Pickens Dilemma

• “George Pickens became the Steelers. George Pickens uninterested, uninspired, immature…every cowboy fan…we all saw.” – Colin [11:25]
  • Major drop-off: first 11 games, Dak to Pickens, 135 passer rating; last two games, just 29.
• Reminds that Jerry Jones moves on from “circumstance superstars” (Dez Bryant, Zeke).
  • “Jerry wants you committed. Jerry wants you grinding. He’s been all-in on Dak. Dak’s mature. Dak’s committed…George Pickens, this is what we all feared.” – Colin [12:52]
• Guest analyst (Richard Sherman):
  • “George Pickens, throughout the game, especially late in the game, just looked uninterested, uninterested in playing football…If you want to be the best receiver...you can never be disengaged…if you’re Dallas…and looking to pay him big time receiver money, $40 million…is this a guy we can trust?” [12:11]
• “You don’t get the bag, you get the boot. In Dallas, if you’re a circumstances superstar, boot over the bag.” – Colin [14:47]

Sports News Rundown & Analysis

LeBron’s Streak Ends, Defining His Legacy

[20:19–24:57]

• LeBron’s 1,297 straight double-digit scoring games ends after Rui Hachimura hits a clutch 3 off his assist.
  • “He always makes the right basketball play…he’s always been more Magic than Michael.” – Colin [20:36, 21:05]
  • “If you do 10 pieces of video to describe LeBron’s career…that should be on the reel. He broke his own streak to win a game.” – Colin [24:27]
• Born leader, elevates teammates, “Swiss army knife-plus-the-tent-plus-the-canteen.”

Bo Nix & the Broncos: Context over Criticism

[25:15–27:19]

• Denver is 10–2, but the context matters—close games, some luck.
  • “Bo Nix is still young. Give him a pass, but he’s been really, really uneven.” – Colin [26:23]
  • Growth is acknowledged; expectations for second-year QBs are high but must be tempered.

College Football News: Penn State Eyes Matt Campbell

[28:25–29:31]

• Penn State rumored to be pursuing Matt Campbell from Iowa State; analysts agree it would be a “massive home run.”
  • “He’s a great, great, still very young coach, good recruiter…viable in a program that’s the second-best in Iowa.” – Colin [28:47]
• “Penn State needs to lock this down ASAP.” [29:30]

Eagles, Jalen Hurts, and the Importance of the Run Game

[29:31–31:53]

• Eagles’ offense trending down; Hurts isn’t running as effectively, O-line banged up.
  • “Run game is essential to Jalen Hurts’ success. It’s sputtered.” – Colin [30:32]
  • “Jalen Hurts…is very good throwing when you’re not sure he’s throwing.” – Colin [30:42]
• Analysis: Eagles no longer look like NFC’s best, with both Green Bay and LA feeling superior.

Why You Don't Want Your Quarterback Trending

[32:04–35:52]

• “Trending is the dumbest trend of my life. Sometimes Patrick Mahomes trends when he's winning Super Bowls... This morning, George Pickens is trending. Not for a great catch.” – Colin [32:20]
  • Shadour Sanders was Google’s #1 trending athlete, proving that "trending" in sports is usually for drama/distraction, not quality.
  • “GM’s don’t want this auto accident…they want a guy who can put a baseball hat on in a mall, walk through it, and nobody notices him.”
  • “At this stage Shedeur is more of an interesting trend than he is a franchise quarterback.” – Colin [34:44]
  • Overall: Media and fans love interesting, but GMs and coaches want steady, unremarkable off-field personas in backup (and starting) QBs.

NFL Rivalries, Playoff Picture, and Resiliency

[39:58–47:57]

• Packers-Bears rivalry: One-sided for 20 years; Green Bay stays ahead of dysfunction, Chicago only now making real offensive progress.
  • “So much of life in sports is not turning a bad day into a bad week.” – Colin [41:06]
  • Bears finally modernizing: big jump in offensive numbers, better run game.
• Texans vs. Chiefs preview:
  • Stakes are high; KC loses and likely misses playoffs—a rare Mahomes experience.
  • Comparing Mahomes and Brady:
    • “Brady never got thoroughly blown out in a Super Bowl. Mahomes is already at two and counting…Brady never missed the playoffs in his prime.” – Colin [46:22]

Playoff Race: Teams to Watch

[48:18–50:29]

• AFC: Colts are a sleeper; Texans’ defense a difference-maker, KC’s offensive line a real problem.
• NFC: Detroit may have more emerging talent than the 49ers; Dallas fading after loss.

Notable Quotes

• “The more often we get that Detroit and that offense and that explosion and speed, that feels like a playoff team because their ceiling is very high.” – Colin [08:45]
• “You don’t get the bag, you get the boot. In Dallas, if you’re a circumstances superstar, boot over the bag.” – Colin [14:47]
• “If you’re Dallas…and looking to pay [Pickens] big-time receiver money, $40 million…is this a guy we can trust?” – Richard Sherman [12:11]
• “Trending and attention is not quality…GMs don’t want quarterbacks trending unless it’s like winning playoff games.” – Colin [34:59]
• “So much of life in sports is not turning a bad day into a bad week.” – Colin [41:06]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Lions offensive explosion & analysis: [04:11–08:45]
• Cowboys O-line & George Pickens drama: [08:45–13:58]
• LeBron’s streak ends: [20:19–24:57]
• Broncos, Bo Nix discussion: [25:15–27:19]
• Penn State coaching rumors: [28:25–29:31]
• Eagles and Jalen Hurts’ running game: [29:31–31:53]
• Trending athletes & QBs (Shedeur Sanders/George Pickens): [32:04–35:52]
• Packers-Bears rivalry, playoff impact: [39:58–44:22]
• Texans-Chiefs significance & playoff comparison: [45:28–47:57]

Final Thoughts

• Detroit’s resurgence and window to contend is real but fleeting.
• Cowboys face a crossroads with roster construction and receiver distractions.
• Trending for the wrong reason is a career hazard, especially for QBs.
• The playoff picture in both conferences is tightening, with several teams—like the Colts or Texans—poised for a surprise.
• History favors organizations that move quickly past dysfunction—lesson for Bears and others.