The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 1) – NFL Week 1 Reactions: Cowboys’ Encouraging Loss, Eagles’ Drama, and Early-Season Takeaways

Date: September 5, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hosts: Colin Cowherd & Jason McIntyre

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off the NFL season with an in-depth dissection of the Thursday night Cowboys-Eagles game, focusing on Dallas’s “good loss”, Philadelphia’s recurring discipline issues, and what these performances reveal about both teams. Colin and Jason also riff on issues ranging from wide receiver drama (A.J. Brown) to the value of quarterback “maturity” (Dak Prescott), with preview snippets on the rest of the weekend’s slate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dallas Cowboys: An Encouraging Loss

• Unexpected Positives: Despite the loss, Colin found the Cowboys highly impressive—a sharp contrast to last year’s lopsided defeats by Philadelphia.
  • “I thought that was about as encouraging a loss... Philadelphia boat raced the Cowboys twice last year and Dallas had that game.” (03:58)
  • Dallas led in first downs, third down conversions, committed fewer penalties, and gained more total offense.
  • Credit to Dak Prescott for composure and execution, even after significant injury recovery.
• CD Lamb’s Impact: A dropped deep ball by Lamb could have shifted the game outcome.
  • “If CD Lamb catches that deep ball... I think Dallas wins the game.” (04:22)
• Offensive Line & Adjustments: The O-line’s resilience, particularly without Jalen Carter opposing them, and Schottenheimer’s halftime adjustments drew praise.
• Dak’s Leadership: Dak’s calm, professional response to both on-field pressure and post-game controversy highlighted his maturity.

2. Philadelphia Eagles: Talent Overshadowed by Discipline Problems

• Immaturity and Penalties: The Eagles racked up more first-half penalty yards than any other team last season, with emotional fouls and a costly Jalen Carter ejection.
  • “They had more penalty yards in the first half than any team in the NFL last season had in the first half... They were emotionally out of control.” (07:33)
• Jalen Hurts – The Stabilizer: Amid the chaos, Hurts’ stoic presence and leadership emerged as the primary steadying influence.
  • “I almost think Jalen Hurts is an impressive human being. The quarterback is second.” (09:30)
• Defensive Woes and Vic Fangio’s Adjustments: The defense struggled to adapt without Carter, requiring second-half scheme changes to stabilize.
• A.J. Brown’s Marginalization: Raising eyebrows, Brown was targeted just once (late in the game), fueling speculation about internal drama.
  • “A.J. Brown was targeted, what, once last night? ... That is not coincidental.” (11:51)

3. Wide Receiver Drama: The A.J. Brown Quandary

• Luxury, Not Necessity: Colin compared star receivers to luxury cars—nice to have, but not required for team success.
  • “Don’t confuse luxury with necessity when you’re doing your budget at home... The second pair of golf clubs is luxury.” (21:08)
• Trade Speculation: Suggests Eagles would be wise not to hesitate trading Brown if drama escalates, citing the emotional volatility of the position.
• Historical Context: Links to other high-profile receiver situations that ended with abrupt exits.

4. Cowboys & Eagles: Evenly Matched?

• Both hosts agree that for the first time in years, Dallas and Philadelphia looked evenly matched on the field.
  • “If you didn’t know anything about Philly or Dallas and you were dropped spaceship in front of a TV and you watched the game, your takeaway would be... they’re pretty close even.” (16:10)

5. Value of QB Maturity: Dak Prescott Example

• Dak’s Response to Adversity: His handling of the Jalen Carter spitting incident and consistent support of team despite adversity is lauded.
  • “Life is not about just action. It’s reaction.” (30:53)
• Stoicism Over Flash: Contrasts Dak’s stability with trendier, more volatile QBs.
  • “His maturity, his EQ were totally on display.” (37:11)

6. NFL Weekend Preview & Rapid Fire Topics

• Micah Parsons’ Trash Talk in Green Bay: Already stirring rivalry with the Lions before even playing a snap.
• Jaden Daniels (Giants/Commanders) & Future Stars: Early season expectations for rookies and sophomore QBs.
• Aaron Rodgers/Jets Fallout: Brief notes on post-departure silence from Garrett Wilson and old connections fraying.
  • “I ain’t talked to Aaron since he left.” (28:32)

7. Broader NFL Themes

• Dynastic Advantages Drying Up: Chiefs no longer have AFC West in a chokehold; depth in division means more road playoff games.
• Lamar Jackson – Soul of the Franchise: High praise for Lamar’s consistency and unique impact in Baltimore.
  • “There may not be another player in the league that feels more like the soul of their team at quarterback than Lamar Jackson.” (46:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cowboys’ loss:
  • “That was about as encouraging a loss... Philadelphia boat raced the Cowboys twice last year and Dallas had that game.” – Colin (03:58)
• On Eagles’ drama:
  • “Last night’s first half, there was nothing but drama in Philadelphia.” – Colin (08:57)
• On Dak’s EQ:
  • “He is the dependable local meteorologist standing in the middle of a storm... the grown up in the room.” – Colin (36:45)
• On A.J. Brown’s lack of targets:
  • “It was the first time in six years, A.J. Brown no targets first half... something’s up.” – Colin (23:13)
• On quarterback maturity:
  • “I call it quarterback heel. Like presidential quarterback heel. And I think last night was a great example.” – Colin (30:37)

Key Timestamps

• 03:58 – Colin on Dallas’s “encouraging loss”
• 04:22 – Impact of CD Lamb’s drop; Dallas’s superior stats despite loss
• 07:33 – Philadelphia’s penalties & breakdown
• 09:30 – Jalen Hurts’ steady leadership amid Eagles’ circus
• 11:51 – The A.J. Brown single target and what it signals
• 16:10 – “Evenly matched” Dallas and Philadelphia
• 21:08 – Star receivers as luxury, not necessity
• 30:37-36:45 – Quarterback maturity and Dak Prescott’s reaction to adversity
• 46:38 – Lamar Jackson as face of franchise, regular season narrative

Tone and Style

The conversation maintains Colin’s signature blend of stats-driven insights, pop culture analogies, and pointed opinion. Jason McIntyre matches with counterpoints and statistical context, engaging in brisk back-and-forth and playful jabs.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a sharp, narrative-driven analysis of the NFL’s opening clash and the issues simmering beneath the surface for two NFC powerhouses. It offers listener takeaways on player maturity, how to judge a team’s “good loss”, and the pitfalls of wide receiver dependence—essential context for the season ahead.