Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 - Niners win ugly, Brock Purdy is not that guy, Browns are sticking with Shedeur Sanders, Lane Kiffin has always been this way
Air Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with Jason McIntyre)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into some of the NFL's most debated storylines from the week, with a focus on the San Francisco 49ers' ugly win and Brock Purdy's underwhelming performance, the Cleveland Browns’ decision to stick with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Lane Kiffin’s reputation and future in college football. Colin and Jason also touch on the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive struggles, the state of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and end with talk about coach job security and college football's biggest rivalry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

49ers’ Ugly Win & Brock Purdy Under Scrutiny

Timestamps: 03:03 – 13:55, 14:57 – 16:13, 30:00 – 30:59, 49:13 – 53:12

• Colin’s Take on Purdy:
  • Purdy struggled with turnovers and weak throws, especially on Monday Night Football. Colin argues Purdy lacks the elite traits needed for a franchise quarterback.
  • “You’re trying to convince me he’s elite. If you’d stop doing that, I’d stop talking about it.” (06:35)
• Comparison Stats:
  • Matt Stafford (last 20 starts): 43 TDs, 5 INTs.
  • Bryce Young has a 2:1 TD-INT ratio, despite poor roster.
  • Brock Purdy (last 20 starts): 30 TDs, 19 INTs.
• Monday Night Football Stats:
  • "On Monday Night Football... five touchdowns, 11 picks, 75 passer rating." (08:53)
• Concerns Over Purdy’s Arm:
  • Colin notes a lack of zip, alluding to a possible toe injury, though Purdy denied it: “Every one of his interceptions was behind the guy and they kind of hung in the air.” (03:50)
• First Down Interceptions:
  • “Since he entered the NFL, he leads the NFL in interceptions on first down... Easiest, most favorable down to pass on.” (08:13)
• Is Purdy Elite or Overpaid?:
  • “If you make $53 million, you can never ask that question [about benching].” (10:55)
• Kyle Shanahan’s Postgame Comments:
  • Paraphrases Shanahan: “He was seeing it right. They were all really good decisions. Just missed the throw.” (11:25)
• Jason McIntyre Adds:
  • "I think in an island game he was pressing a little bit." (15:39)

Shedeur Sanders as Browns’ Starter

Timestamps: 13:55 – 14:57

• Energy and Confidence:
  • Colin praises Sanders’ confidence, boldness, and positive effect on team energy:
    • "One guy plays it safe and one guy throws it down the field and takes swings. And pro football locker rooms are 55 alphas... Shador Sanders, I don't care about the stats."
    • RG3’s observation: The Browns played with “more energy, more purpose and more excitement than they have all season long because of his ability to make the extended play.”
• Comparison to Dylan Gabriel:
  • Gabriel plays safe (“last in the NFL in yards per attempt”) vs. Sanders' league-leading aggression.
• Locker Room Impact:
  • “I think he has the pulse of the team, the pulse of the city. He is self aware. He believes he is going to be successful.” (13:25)
• Colin’s Preference:
  • Finds Sanders “a little goofy,” preferring focused, intense QBs, but admits Sanders changes the team’s energy: “A little goofy for my taste but he does add something, as RG3 talked about...” (13:55)

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Situation

Timestamps: 16:13 – 26:51

• Colin on Lane Kiffin’s Reputation:
  • Argues Kiffin’s job-hopping and focus on offense is misunderstood:
    • “Lane Kiffin’s reputation is offensive wizard. That’s it... Ole Miss wasn't naive.” (21:30)
• Nature of College Football:
  • “College football, folks, is bitcoin. It’s unregulated. It's the wild, wild west with a lack of corporate structure. Every man for himself.” (21:40)
• On Media's Criticism:
  • “This idea, well, it's going to ruin his reputation... Only time anyone's disappointed with Lane Kiffin is when they don't score 35 points.”
• Traits of Great Coaches:
  • “It's not warm and fuzzy. It's not loyal. It's aggressive, intense, and hyper competitive... Saban, Urban, Dabo, Harbaugh, Lane, Kirby Smart all have the same traits.” (23:17)
• Why Lane Kiffin’s Future Is Always Uncertain:
  • “When Lane wants to give you one [an answer], go ahead, fire him. See if you get somebody that good.” (25:38)

Philadelphia Eagles' Collapse and Offensive Concerns

Timestamps: 26:51 – 29:15

• Blown Lead Against Dallas:
  • Up 21-0, lose the game. Saquon Barkley: “Dallas wanted it more.” (26:51)
• Sirianni’s Response:
  • “...as you look at the tape… effort was really, really high in that game.” (27:12)
• Offensive Predictability:
  • Jason: “The play sequencing is just awful. It’s very predictable. Cowboys defense... stopped everything.” (27:45)
• Colin’s Big Picture View:
  • Defense is now the team's strength; they won’t win by running the ball in the postseason.
  • “They're not going to run the football in the playoffs... They've seen multiple halves with six, three and outs.” (28:07)

Ravens’ Offense and Lamar Jackson's Health

Timestamps: 29:18 – 30:59

• Offensive Struggles:
  • Lamar’s stats fading; career lows in rushing, high sack rate.
• Colin’s Diagnosis:
  • “No, he does not have the juice. He's not 100%.” (30:00)
  • “If you watch Lamar Jackson, he didn't get slow in the last two months. He's not at 100%... Even Tom Brady’s like, nobody's totally healthy late November.” (30:16)
• Comparison to Packers’ Earlier Funk:
  • “I feel like Baltimore's broken offensively and has to reboot.” (30:44)

Steelers and the “No Losing Seasons” Streak

Timestamps: 32:51 – 37:57

• Colin’s Critique:
  • “Is the hot seat heating up?... He hasn't won a playoff game in eight years.” (32:00)
  • Devalues the “no losing seasons” streak:
    • “60 NFL teams with winning records missed the playoffs... It doesn't guarantee anything.” (32:27)
    • Longest current NBA streak? Clippers, a punchline in their own city.
  • Advocates for the Steelers to “bottom out” and get a top QB rather than clinging to arbitrary streaks.

Michigan vs. Ohio State Rivalry Preview

Timestamps: 42:44 – 49:13

• Harbaugh’s Legacy and Talent Gap:
  • “Jim Harbaugh is one of the great coaches in the history of the sport... But make no mistake, Ohio State's the better football program than Michigan.” (42:44)
  • “Ohio State wins with everybody... Michigan is very head coach reliant.”
  • “Columbus is the most northern southern city in America. It’s just different.”
  • “That national championship, if you look at talent composite rankings, Michigan’s was 14th… That was a Harbaugh national championship.”
• Prediction:
  • “As long as Ohio State's wide receivers, one of their two superstars, are healthy, they're going to win the game...” (46:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brock Purdy’s Standalone Game Nerves:
  • “On Monday Night Football... he puts pressure on himself. Not showing off, but he puts pressure on himself. He gets a little more reckless.” (51:03)
• On Lane Kiffin:
  • “Ole Miss don’t marry the rock star and find out he’s cheating on the road. That’s the reality of this sport.” (22:48)
• On Shedeur Sanders:
  • “If you’re Cleveland, you’re not going to get rich in life investing in 401ks; you can get comfortable... Dylan Gabriel’s not even a 401k, he's that savings bond grandma gave you when you were nine. Like there's just no upside.” (13:08)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------| | Brock Purdy/Niners criticism | 03:03–13:55, 49:13–53:12 | | Shedeur Sanders/Browns | 13:55–14:57 | | Lane Kiffin/College football chaos | 16:13–26:51 | | Eagles collapse / Coaching scrutiny | 26:51–29:15 | | Ravens' offense and Lamar Jackson's health | 29:18–30:59 | | Steelers' “no losing seasons” streak | 32:51–37:57 | | Michigan/Ohio State Rivalry | 42:44–49:13 |

Tone & Style

Colin Cowherd’s tone throughout is opinionated, conversational, and energetic, blending stats, anecdotes, and direct audience challenges (“Ask yourself this after the game...”). He oscillates between witty analogies (“College football is bitcoin with a whistle”) and big-picture sports culture critiques.

Summary Takeaways

• Brock Purdy, despite moments of promise, is not showing the elite traits required for long-term franchise QB status, particularly struggling under the brighter lights and pressure.
• The Browns’ commitment to Shedeur Sanders reflects a shift toward valuing risk-taking and attitude over "safe" quarterback play.
• In college football, Lane Kiffin is who Ole Miss signed up for—dynamic, opportunistic, and always on the lookout for the next big challenge.
• Teams clinging to “no losing season” streaks may be shortsighted; sometimes bottoming out is necessary for long-term competitiveness.
• The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry continues to expose the dependence of certain Blue Bloods on coaching genius versus sheer program machine.

This episode provides a candid, numbers-backed, and highly entertaining take on the current state of NFL quarterbacks, coaching politics, and the ever-shifting landscape of college football powerhouses.