The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1 (Nov 24, 2025)

Main Theme

Colin Cowherd reacts to a dramatic NFL Sunday, focusing on how the Dallas Cowboys' resurgence requires a reappraisal of Jerry Jones and his decisions, the Eagles’ season-long tendency to “tempt fate,” notable quarterback developments including Caleb Williams’ and Shedeur Sanders’ performances, and broader takeaways on coaching, team resilience, and NFL playoff implications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys’ Comeback and Jerry Jones' Redemption

• Game Context: Dallas rallied from a 21-0 deficit to take down the Eagles.
• Recent Trades & Roster Construction:
  • Trades for Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams strengthened the run defense.
  • Trading Micah Parsons did not reduce their pass rush; Dallas remains top-3 in QB pressures.
  • Acquisition of George Pickens is called "one of the heists"—his presence opens up both the passing and running games.
• Offensive Success:
  • Dallas is now #1 in total offense and passing, #4 in scoring.
  • The offense is working seamlessly, attributed to Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, and better O-line run blocking.
• Credit to Jerry Jones:
  • Stood by Dak Prescott when others doubted.
  • "He has always been 100% committed to Dak. He has said he’s the best leader I’ve ever had. … A lot of that win was Dakota, and Jerry said Dak was indispensable." (Colin, 05:59)
• On the Culture Change:
  • Dallas showed resilience and leadership under adversity.
  • "When teams play hard and don’t quit, it’s something." (Colin, 07:38)
• Notable Quotes:
  • Dak on comeback: “Brotherhood. One another. … We talked about it. We’ve only been hurting ourselves. We know what we’re capable of doing. … Nobody blinked.” (Dak Prescott, 11:14)
  • Jerry Jones: “George [Pickens] has been such an integral part of our story … that’s our story. … He certainly has absolutely been the difference as we played over the last two weeks.” (Jerry Jones, 12:08)

2. Eagles’ Issues – Tempting Fate and Offensive Concerns

• Season-long Pattern: Eagles relied on late heroics and have been "tempting fate" for weeks.
• Turnaround by Dallas: 24 unanswered points against a usually stout Philly D.
• Offensive Underperformance:
  • "They’ve got two elite wide receivers, a top three O-line, a superstar running back, and they lead the NFL in three-and-outs. Stop telling me everything’s okay." (Colin, 46:15)
• Coaching & Locker Room Dynamic:
  • Nick Sirianni criticized for more "babysitter" than offensive architect.
  • Doubts about true team leadership and problem-solving.
• Jalen Hurts:
  • No longer solely to blame; systemic offensive problems are at play.
  • "We played a hell of a first half and then … not even close to our standard in the second half." (Jalen Hurts, 48:36)
• Saquon Barkley:
  • Significant decline in production questioned.

3. Chicago Bears’ Offensive Transformation Under Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson

• Caleb Williams:
  • Played “his best game as a pro,” despite missing some throws and a notable strip-sack.
  • Huge reduction in negative plays and sacks—evidence of coachability.
  • Williams is giving Chicago an explosive offense: "#1 big play offense in the NFL."
  • "If you provide him with a decent structure to play within and a foundational running game, then those big plays are easier." (Colin, 14:54)
• Ben Johnson:
  • Creative play-calling, focused on minimizing negative plays, and building around Caleb’s strengths.
• Outlook:
  • Bears have shifted from walkover to dangerous, despite injuries on defense.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ben Johnson: “It takes a village. … Our depth is being tested. … Credit to you guys. That’s number eight!” (Ben Johnson postgame, 16:08)
• Stat: Caleb Williams has been sacked 75% less than the same time last year.

4. Kansas City Chiefs: Dynasty Resilience

• Comparison to George Foreman:
  • Older, less flashy, but still “carries a punch”—KC survives on grit, not dominance.
• Comeback Win over Colts:
  • 236 yds in 4th quarter and OT; Colts 0 yds.
  • Mahomes: “This is exactly what we needed to win against a really good football team. … We needed a win like this and now let’s just try to build off it.” (Mahomes, 25:12)
• Theme:
  • Dynasties don’t die abruptly—they fight, claw, and remain relevant even when “imperfect and ugly.”

5. Coaches on the Hot Seat & NFL Turmoil

• Coordinator Firings: Giants fire DC, Raiders (via Pete Carroll) fire OC Chip Kelly.
• Cleveland Browns Perspective:
  • Stefanski (coach) and Andrew Berry (GM) lauded for creating a roster with real upside.
  • “Cleveland may not have the quarterback they ideally want … but the Browns have talent. And I’ll die on that hill all day.” (Colin, 27:54)
• Raiders in Disarray:
  • Debates on Pete Carroll’s future and Geno Smith’s viability.

6. Rams Surge; Eagles' #1 Seed at Risk

• Rams Dominate Bucs:
  • Matt Stafford’s resurgence, complimented by having two #1 receivers.
  • Efficient, penalty-free, turnover-free football.
• Eagles’ Loss:
  • Damages their shot at the #1 seed, with implications if they have to play at SoFi, which offers a weather advantage.

7. Lane Kiffin Coaching Rumors (College Football)

• Weighing Options: Whether Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU, Florida, or stays.
• Colin’s View: Stay at Ole Miss for stability or jump to NFL—moving within the SEC seems less logical.

8. Shedeur Sanders’ First Win as a Brown

• Quick Rise: From 5th-round pick, scout team, to first NFL win.
• Cowherd’s Assessment:
  • Talented and unflappable, but questions about long-term maturity and high-end traits.
  • “His confidence doesn’t ebb and flow. … he lacks maturity and self-awareness, but there’s a looseness and a bring it on attitude.” (Colin, 36:42)
  • Suggests Shedeur is a “holiday fling, not a marriage” for Cleveland’s QB future.
• Shedeur’s Mentality: “You got to go out there and perform like there’s no choices. … lot of people wanted to see me fail and it ain’t gonna happen.” (Shedeur Sanders postgame, 41:18)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On New Hope for Cowboys:
  “From hopeless to hopeful this morning. … How about them Cowboys?” (Colin, 13:57)
• Cowherd on the NFL’s “League of Hope”:
  “That is what is great. If you have a reasonable quarterback. And Dak is more than reasonable.” (Colin, 12:36)
• On Dynasty Survival:
  “Dynasties don’t end abruptly … they fight, scratch, and claw.” (Colin, 24:10)
• On Quarterback Sacks and Coachability:
  “If you’re sacked 68 times and it’s down to 11, you are coachable. And a lot of great athletes in all sports aren’t. And Caleb is.” (Colin, 15:49)
• On Schottenheimer and Coaching Evolution:
  “I didn’t think Schottenheimer … was empowering him. … You have to admit the offense, the passing game right now, it’s extraordinary.” (Colin, 53:46)
• On Shedeur Sanders:
  “He went from fifth round to fourth string to a first win. … There’s nothing wrong with a holiday flame.” (Colin, 39:10)

Notable Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cowboys/Eagles Breakdown and Jerry Jones Defense: 02:41 – 15:00
• Dak and Jerry Postgame Quotes: 11:14 & 12:08
• Bears/Caleb Williams Segment: 14:25 – 16:30
• Ben Johnson Postgame Quote: 16:08
• Chiefs Comeback & Mahomes Audio: 21:38 – 25:27
• Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders Discussion: 27:31 – 41:47
• Shedeur Sanders’ Postgame Quote: 41:18
• Eagles Concerns & Jalen Hurts Audio: 46:04 – 49:15
• Rams, Stafford, and League-wide Implications: 29:20 – 32:09

Tone and Style

• Colin Cowherd’s voice: Sharp, opinionated, and often self-aware about his past takes.
• Humor & candor: Admits mistakes, owns his “right and wrong” stances, uses colorful analogies (e.g., George Foreman, “holiday flings” for QBs).
• Analytical but conversational: Breaks down strategy, play-calling, and team building, mixed with banter from co-host Jason McIntyre.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This was a can’t-miss hour for NFL fans who enjoy analysis beyond scores—Cowherd dug into team cultures, coaching philosophy, how rosters are rebuilt, and the thin lines between NFL rich and poor. With signature takes and willingness to revisit his own opinions, Colin set the stakes for the NFL playoff race, highlighted the complexity of QB development, and put Jerry Jones’ bold bets in a new light. The episode also offered a strong primer on current coaching storylines, from Schottenheimer’s comeback to Lane Kiffin’s next move, finishing with insight into what makes this NFL season so turbulent and unpredictable.