THE HERD - Hour 1 - Thoughts on week 18, the Steelers found a way to win, Seahawks defensive was impressive against the 49ers

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — January 5, 2026 Hour 1 Summary

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd reacts to the final events of the NFL regular season, focusing on Week 18’s surprises and the outlook for the NFL playoffs. Key topics include Pittsburgh’s gritty playoff-clinching win under Aaron Rodgers, Seattle’s eye-opening defensive domination of the 49ers, and wide-ranging insight into head coach firings, quarterback performance, and playoff predictions. The conversation is opinionated, fast-paced, and rooted in Cowherd’s trademark blend of skepticism and admiration for the league’s biggest personalities.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pittsburgh’s Playoff Push and Aaron Rodgers’ Renaissance

[02:39–07:40]

• Game Recap: Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot in a scrappy, mistake-laden game.
• Aaron Rodgers’ Impact: Despite no DK Metcalf, a struggling offensive line, and little run game, the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers with a poised, mistake-free second half — not throwing a pick since November.
• Receiving Corps: Pittsburgh’s weapons rated among the worst in the league, but Rodgers’s leadership masked multiple team deficiencies.
• Cowherd’s Take:

  "They didn't do anything consistently well all season long... Yet Aaron Rodgers, in the second half of that game, no DK Metcalf, had his best half of the year. No timeouts. He had to burn two of those because of a wonky headset." (Colin, [03:56])

• Comeback Player of the Year: Cowherd argues Rodgers’s late-season performance, age, and adversity merit this award.

Notable Quote:

"For a 42 year old with this receiving core, this defensive head coach, inconsistent run game…to not throw a pick since November 9th, Aaron Rodgers gets my Comeback Player of the Year."
— Colin Cowherd, [05:39]

Rodgers & Tomlin Soundbites:

• Rodgers:

  "It's been an absolute blessing to be here with these fans in this organization and Mike T and the leadership... We found that little bit, that something special, which is belief tonight." ([06:47])

• Tomlin:

  "That's why you do business with a 41, 42-year-old guy. Been there, done that... he thrives in it. And I think he put that on display tonight." ([07:28])

---

2. Seattle’s Defensive Statement vs. the 49ers

[08:02–11:58]

• Game Recap: Seahawks shut down the potent San Francisco offense, holding Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy in check.
• Cowherd’s Admiration: Lauds GM John Schneider’s drafting (9/9 success in 1st/2nd rounds last four years since taking over), likening the current squad’s unity to the Legion of Boom era, but with more locker room harmony.
• Sam Darnold’s Leadership: Contrasts Darnold’s relatability with Russell Wilson’s former “above-the-team” perception.

  "Everybody in that building loves Sam Darnold... That's Darnold's secret sauce. Yes, he's athletic... But it's that relatability. And in life, look at who vouches for people." ([10:04])

• Seahawks’ Identity: Defensive unity, coach-quarterback alignment, and a sense they’re “odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl.”

Notable Quote:

"This Seattle team... does remind me of the last great Seattle team... but the quarterback, both were athletic. This time feels more galvanized, more unified. And they are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl after Saturday night..."
— Colin Cowherd, [10:55]

• Sam Darnold:

  "It's been a whirlwind, just the NFL season, just preparing one week at a time... But we're right back to seeing what we can do better and how we can get better for the next game." ([11:34])

---

3. NFL Parity & Unpredictable Playoffs

[11:58–14:13]

• Wide Open Field: Main quarterback names (Mahomes, Burrow, Lamar) absent or uncertain, leaving the field wide open for upsets.

  "I do not remember a wild card round where if you told me there were four upsets, I would not be shocked." ([13:41])

• Steelers as Home Underdogs: Emphasizes Mike Tomlin’s record on Monday Night Football and at home, suggesting Pittsburgh is undervalued.

Notable Quote:

"You have to bet Pittsburgh as a home dog on Monday with Mike Tomlin. That's the one everybody's talking about yesterday..."
— Colin Cowherd, [12:04]

---

4. Coaching Carousel: Firings & Best Open Jobs

[13:52–24:21]

• Recent Firings: Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals).
• Analysis: Surprised about Stefanski, thinks he’s a top suitor for teams like the Raiders.
• Job Rankings: Giants labeled best of bad options if Jackson Dart (QB), capable left tackle, and #1 WR Malik Neighbors return.
• Owner Dynamics: Notes many NFL owners are too cheap or egotistical to hire proven, high-priced coaches.

  "A lot of owners... don't want to spend big money on a coach... driven by ego. They want to be the centerpiece of an organization…" ([33:24])

---

5. Playoff Matchups & Team Assessments

[15:53–29:07]

• Games to Watch: Rams are strong favorites; Seattle and Denver get byes (Cowherd wonders if youth/momentum means they'd prefer to keep playing).
• Chicago vs. Green Bay: Bears as home underdogs despite late-game magic from Caleb Williams; skepticism about their ability to advance.
• Jacksonville Praise: Cites their well-rounded roster, strong performances, and labels them the most “complete team” few have seen.
• Chargers vs. Patriots: O-line weaknesses shared; Cowherd predicts Chargers win, regards Drake May as the “east coast Herbert.”
• Matthew Stafford for MVP?: Rams’ QB praised for steady play in tough division.
• Safety Position ‘Rebirth’: Highlights rise in safety value (Rams, Seahawks) and strategic flexibility.

---

6. Bo Nix & The Denver Broncos’ Trust

[29:11–31:39]

• Trust in Bo Nix: Sean Payton’s willingness to “load up” Bo Nix with a full playbook and passing load shows trust, reminiscent of veteran QBs.

  "When I hear this thing, ‘Well, it's just Sean Payton's play-calling.’ Yeah, you're right... Loading up Bo Nix with every play in the playbook." ([29:32])

• Historical Comparison: Big Ben’s early years babysat, not so for Nix.
• Broncos’ Outlook: 24 wins in two years in a brutal division, Nix positioned as franchise centerpiece.
• Bo Nix:

  "It's the best possible position to be in. Two home games is where we want to be...” ([31:06])

---

7. Playoff Schedules, Divisional Dynamics, & Coach of the Year Talk

[33:24–38:32]

• Draft Order Reflection: Same teams perennially at the top/struggling due to poor coaching hires or owner penny-pinching.

• What Good Owners Do: Examples cited—Patriots, Bears, Broncos, Chargers—write big checks for elite coaches and see playoff returns.

• Cowherd’s Coach of the Year: Argues for Kyle Shanahan given adversity, division strength, injuries, and roster challenges.

  "As good as Vrabel is, there's an argument to be made the coach of the year should be Kyle Shanahan. They finished the regular season 12 and 5. I don't know how they did it..." ([36:44])

• 49ers’ Aging Roster: Cautions that old rosters fall apart physically (cites Washington & San Francisco).

---

8. Weekend Picks & Matchups to Watch

[38:32–44:46]

• Bears vs. Packers: First-time playoff QBs vs. experience; skepticism about Bears’ historic chances vs. Green Bay.
• Jacksonville vs. Buffalo: Predicts Jacksonville will "hammer" the Bills, noting defensive strengths and calling Josh Allen “against the world” if the run game stalls.
• Pressure on Buffalo: Absence of AFC mainstays (Burrow, Mahomes, Lamar) ups the stakes; potential coaching shake-ups if Buffalo falters.

Notable Quote:

"I think my favorite pick is Jacksonville at home... Are we sleeping on Trevor Lawrence at all? He's been amazing."
— Colin Cowherd, [42:54]

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Aaron Rodgers
  "He can be prickly and moody and a bit arrogant, but for a 42 year old…was outstanding. That made function and formality a real thing for kind of a quicksand offense for the better part of seven to eight years..." ([05:06])

• On the Seahawks’ Drafting
  "Pete left the building, [Schneider] took over. Nine for nine. They don't miss." ([09:03])

• On NFL Parity
  "It feels a little NBA. And the reason for that is it's quarterback dependent. If you don't have one… it gets ugly fast." ([12:23])

• On Owners’ Reluctance to Pay Coaches
  "These owners are cheap, they're insecure, they're driven by ego...” ([33:24])

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:39] Steelers’ win, Rodgers analysis begins
• [05:39] Comeback Player of the Year argument for Rodgers
• [07:40] Steelers as playoff underdog, Tomlin’s record
• [08:02] Seattle’s defensive showcase and personnel success
• [11:34] Sam Darnold’s locker room soundbite
• [12:04] Wide-open NFL playoffs — “must bet” Pittsburgh
• [13:52] Head coach firings and coaching carousel
• [15:53] Playoff matchups, Bears/Packers/Chargers/Patriots
• [24:43] Stafford for MVP? Rams analysis
• [29:11] Value of Bo Nix in Denver — Sean Payton’s trust
• [33:24] Coaching and hiring trends in the NFL
• [36:44] Shanahan as Coach of the Year
• [41:06] Bears vs. Packers playoff skepticism
• [42:46] Jacksonville-Buffalo prediction
• [44:21] Pressure on Bills and coaching implications

---

Final Thoughts

Colin Cowherd’s Hour 1 sets the playoff stage with his typical blend of sharp critique, keen statistical analysis, and bold predictions. He shines a spotlight on veteran quarterback leadership, the consequences of ownership decisions, and the randomness permeating this season’s playoff field. The episode echoes with themes of organizational trust, the evolution of positional value, and the critical importance of coach-quarterback alignment in determining NFL success.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an I heart podcast.

Guaranteed human. I'll say it up front. I don't usually endorse supplements. Most promise shortcuts. Anybody who's done real work knows shortcuts fail. But I like EmDrives. Every morning I put that protein powder in my coffee. It's practical. As you get older, energy dips and weight comes easier. That's biology. EmDrive boost and burn support steady energy metabolism and fat burning so effort actually counts. Clinically tested ingredients find that it sprouts. Amazon or mdrive for men.com mdrive for men who still show up Remember when people were nice, when we could occasionally stop fighting and come together? Well, here's some good news. The Ripple Effect is here. Hosted by comedian Jenna Kim Jones. It's a show about how powerful it is when we reach out to one another. It's the perfect weekly proof that goodness isn't gone. The Ripple Effect is more than a podcast. It's a reminder that you can start a ripple that changes everything. Listen to the ripple effect on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Walley.

[Hari Kondabolu]

And I'm Hari Kondabolu.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

It's a new year, and on the podcast Health Stuff, we're resetting the way we talk about our health, which means.

[Hari Kondabolu]

Being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that, or am I just depressed? Health Stuff is about learning, laughing, and feeling a little less alone.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Katie Couric]

If you only listen to one thing to make sense of the news this year, make it this. The final episode of this season of Next Question pulls together the most important conversations of the year. You'll hear David Graham on Project 2025, Liz Oyer on the plethora of presidential pardons, Tina Brown on the year's biggest scandals here at home and across the pond, plus much, much more. It's a crash course in the last 12 months, how we made it through the year, and a look at what might be coming in 2026. Listen to next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

[Rob Parker]

Now, let's get this party started.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go. The second season, the NFL playoffs. We're down to a final four in college football. One hour from now. Colin right? Colin wrong. Plenty of both. We're live. We're in Los Angeles. Sunny Los Angeles. Pretty warm Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. So I want to start was a wild game last night, a fitting conclusion. Two teams I don't think are going to win a playoff game regardless of who won last night. But all year long on Pittsburgh, I kept going back to this. Well, I kept saying, they don't do anything I like. Except Aaron Rodgers at 42 years old was the one thing. Every Sunday I was like, yeah, I trust Aaron. He hasn't thrown a pick since, what, November? And the Steelers have a lead. They blow two coverages. Zay Flowers is wide open multiple times allowing seven and a half yards of play. Lamar Jackson, fourth quarter, up and down the field. And the other thing is, nobody gets open with the Steelers. You notice this Aaron Rodgers, second half of the season with no DK Metcalf. Last two weeks, 73% completion percentage, passer rating well over 100 PFF. Has the receiving core at 29th that was rated on the season with DK Metcalf. It's 32nd without him. And here's Aaron, who doesn't run much anymore in a dysfunctional offense that really hasn't run the ball consistently for seven years. An offensive line that's been okay, inconsistent for seven years in pass protection, and he pulls it all together. You got a little war in here. You got a Friar move there. Pittsburgh's just not very good at anything. They even missed an extra point last night. Blown coverage is everywhere. And yet Aaron Rodgers in the second half of that game. No DK Metcalf had his best half of the year. No timeouts. He had to burn two of those because of a wonky headset. His defense has given up. Bullets, bombs from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers. They just didn't do anything consistently well all season long. And yes, he can be prickly and moody and a bit arrogant, but for a 42 year old with this receiving core, this defensive head coach, inconsistent run game to not throw a pick since Nov. 9, Aaron Rodgers gets my comeback Player of the year. Because at Green Bay there was no chaos. He had good offensive lines, he had good weapons. The jets, he was hurt most of it. But in Pittsburgh you think, well, it's Pittsburgh, they do some things right. Not really. They didn't do anything well all year. They didn't really have dependable assets. Green Bay did. I mean even DK Metcalf couldn't keep it together this year. Eventually takes a swing at a fan. Two biggest games of the year. He's not available for either. So Aaron Rodgers in the second half of the season and we all know the second half is the toughest half. I mean you saw San Francisco, you run out of players, you don't have all your tackles, you don't have backups. Look at Aaron's second half numbers. Outstanding. 101 passer rating, 14 TDs, 4 picks. The Steelers are in the playoffs. It's not because of Tomlin, it's not because of defense, it's not because of the run game, it's not because of DK Metcalf. It's that 42 year old Aaron Rodgers that can drive people nuts and can be a little moody, was outstanding. That made function and formality a real thing for kind of a quicksand offense for the better part of seven to eight years therein barely thanks to a missed field goal. Here's Aaron and the coach after it's.

[Rob Parker]

Been a grinding year and two years before that were tough as well. So it's been, it's been an absolute blessing to be here with these fans in this organization and Mike T and the leadership that we got with these guys and you know, I think we just, we found that little bit that something special which is belief tonight on the offensive side. And I'm proud of our guys. The way we responded in the fourth quarter. Admired him from afar for a long time. It's good to do it with him. But again, as I've said multiple times here in recent weeks, this was the vision in the spring when we pursued him. That's why you do business with a 41, 42 year old guy. Been there, done that. Guy with a resume like his, he's not only capable man, he thrives in it. And I think he put that on display tonight.

[Colin Cowherd]

Now they're an underdog at home on that final wild card weekend of playoffs next week and everybody loves Houston. I will just remind you that Mike Tomlin's been terrible on short week Thursday games. Mike Tomlin's been virtually unbeatable on Monday Night Football. Games Steelers as a home dog with the motivator Mike Tomlin against the Houston Texans. Do not be shocked if Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, 42 years old, finds himself advancing. I love Houston, but Monday night Tomlin is magical. Speaking of magical, the best game of the weekend in terms of kind of awe inspiring. Wow. Was Seattle's defense completely shutting down the the hottest offense in the NFL San Francisco. In the Bay Area, Seattle is the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl. They are long, fast, Twitchy, athletic, Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy out of sorts. A big part of it is the fact that their general manager, in my opinion the best personnel guy in the league, Howie Roseman, may make the best trades. John Snyder is the best personnel guy. If you go to the Seahawks first and second round picks, nine of them in the last four years. Pete left the building, he took over. They are nine for nine. They don't miss. And this Seattle team, as somebody from the Northwest, it does remind me of the last great Seattle team that had a defensive coach and was mostly led by a great run game and and a defense and they had a quarterback the other team. But he wasn't really a unifier. He and Pete Carroll never really saw eye to eye. And that's the difference. Everybody in that building loves Sam Darnold. Everybody in San Francisco, usc, Minnesota love Sam Darnold. He's a relatable guy. Quarterbacks always get special treatment. You can't ask for it. That Seattle team was packed, but you always heard things that the players didn't quite connect with. Russell Wilson, he saw himself at times above the team. Fair not that's what you heard. You never hear that with Darnold. The gm, the coach, his teammates constantly after games defending if he has an interception. And the reason being is because Darnold owns it, doesn't seek special treatment one of the guys. And that really matters. There's the old stories about Tom Brady that would walk up to rookies when he was in year 17 and go hi, my name is Tom Brady. Of course everybody knew that he was. But the fact that Brady would reach out was a way to communicate and connect with a 22 year old out of Rutgers. That's Darnold's secret sauce. Yes, he's athletic. You yes, he's got a great arm. Yes, he's aggressive. Yes, he can run, make plays with his feet. But it's that relatability. And in life look at who vouches for people. Kyle Shanahan loved him. Kevin O' Connell loved him. Mike McDonald, his biggest fan. This Seahawk team reminds me of that. But more unified. Yes, both have a run game led by their defense, defensive coach, but the quarterback, both were athletic. This time feels more galvanized, more unified and they are the odds on favorite to win the super bowl after Saturday night shutting down McCaffrey, Purdy and Kyle Shanahan's red hot offense. Here's Darnold.

[Various NFL Coaches and Players (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold)]

I'm taking it one day at a time. It's been a whirlwind, just the NFL season, just preparing one week at a time. It's. That's the best part about it is like, you know, you celebrate a win like this and then tomorrow you might celebrate a little bit too because you got a buy. But we're right back to seeing what we can do better and how we can get better for the next game. And that's the beautiful thing about, you know, the NFL and what we do.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's, I mean, no Mahomes, no Lamar Jackson, no Joe Burrow and we're not sure what to make of Josh Allen's defense. So it's a very interesting year. I think one of the trends that's happened in the NFL over the last couple of years, the bottom of the league is awful. The New York teams are unwatchable and mostly awful. It didn't used to be like that. It feels a little NBA. And the reason for that is it's quarterback dependent. If you don't have one and you don't have the right coach to elevate what you do have, it gets ugly fast. So this is going to be a very unique year where Jacksonville could win it all. Will Bo Nix or Sam Darnold hoist a trophy? What do we make of Philadelphia? We love the roster, but we're not sure about the coach and the quarterback. And it's a coach quarterback league. It's a wide open playoffs. I'm not even a fan of Pittsburgh, but everybody's counting them out. Tomlin on Monday is a home dog. You have to bet Pittsburgh. You have to bet Pittsburgh is a home dog on Monday with Mike Tomlin. That's the one everybody's talking about yesterday. Everybody's going, oh, it's an entertaining game, but these teams can't win a playoff game. Tomlin, home dog against an offense that struggles. You know, Pittsburgh is, I mean, there's only one guarantee in this league. If the jets play, they will not get an interception. That's the only thing statistically we, they could play another 30 games, they would not get an interception. J. Mac, I do not remember a wild card round where if you told me there were four upsets, I would not be shocked.

Yeah, I see. I'm shocked that you're all in on the Steelers here. Wow. Loving Pittsburgh Monday night. I think what they undefeated since, you know, 1971 or some crazy stat.

How about this? Kevin Stefansky, Pete Carroll, Jonathan Gannon, all fired this morning. Her lines coming up. I would hire Kevin Stefanski in Las Vegas in a New York minute.

If I'm the Jets, I consider moving on from Aaron Glenn to grab Stefanski before someone else does.

Cleveland makes a lot of mistakes. I think this is one of them. I would hire in one second Kevin Stefanski.

Heartbeat. No. No question. Yeah.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, it's Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington from the Odd Couple on Fox Sports Radio.

[Rob Parker]

And in addition to hearing us live weeknights from 7 to 10pm Eastern on Fox Sports Radio, we are excited to announce brand new YouTube channel for the show.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's right, you can now watch the Odd Couple Live on YouTube every day.

[Rob Parker]

All you gotta do, search Odd Couple FSR on YouTube again. YouTube. Just search Odd Couple FSR. Check us out on YouTube and subscribe.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wali.

[Hari Kondabolu]

And I'm Hari Kondabolu.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

It's a new year and on the podcast Health Stuff, we're resetting the way we talk about our health, which means.

[Hari Kondabolu]

Being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that or am I just depressed?

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

We talk to experts who share real experiences and insight.

[Colin Cowherd]

You just really need to find where it is that you can have an impact in your own life. And to start doing that, we break.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

Down the topics you want to know.

[Hari Kondabolu]

More about sleep, stress, mental health, and how the world around us affects our overall health.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

We talk about all the ways to keep your body and mind inside and out healthy. We human beings, all we want is connection. We just want to connect with each other.

[Hari Kondabolu]

Health stuff is about learning, laughing and feeling a little less alone.

[Dr. Priyanka Walley]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, welcome back. I do not remember seeing a wild card round of the playoffs where there's almost nothing I'm sure of. I said almost. The Rams will beat Carolina. It's a ten and a half point spread. I'd probably stay away from that. Here are the games to look at. I mean Sunday is going to be absolutely epic. So I mean Denver and Seattle get a first round buy. I think Seattle wants to play. If I was that young, that aggressive, playing that well, if I was Seattle, I'd want to play. So I don't know what the Eagles are. Who knows what the Bears are. In fact the two number two seeds, New England, Chicago, aren't they still in rebuilds like the Patriots O line still in a rebuild? The Bears defense still in a rebuild. So what are we supposed to make of Chicago who yesterday for the first three quarters the offense was flat and couldn't score? Maybe the Chicago Bears who are now a home underdog to Green Bay in the wild card round. And Green Bay hasn't won a game in a month. So I, I look at Chicago and I think if Chicago loses, do we chalk it up to. Well, the first stage of Ben Johnson, he got him to a two seed. No more sacks for Caleb Williams. He's healthy. He's gone from like some thought of bus to wildly dynamic. I don't know what to make of Philadelphia. I love the roster, don't love the coach, the quarterback, eh. And I don't know now suddenly what to make a Chicago. Now they were number two in big plays, number six in total offense, but they gave up more big plays than all but about three teams in the league. So when you get to the playoffs, it's about all three phases, special teams. Ask Baltimore. You get into these big games, you got to make your kicks. Yeah, I mean Seattle dominates San Francisco, only wins 13 to 3 because that first drive they went down, went for it, got no points for it. So here is Ben Johnson on the two game losing streak. And you know, Caleb was magical late in the game, but was invisible early. And here's the coach.

[Various NFL Coaches and Players (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold)]

The stakes are a lot higher here going forward. We can't afford to have a phase.

[Colin Cowherd]

One of our three phases play like we did today. And so we're going to have to pick it up. And like I said, I get fired up just thinking about it right now and I know our guys are too. There's an argument that the most complete team is Jacksonville and very few people have watched them. They went to Denver and did something nobody else seemed to be able to do, destroy the Broncos on the road. So you start looking at it. Rams, Panthers, I think we all like the Rams. I would take the Bears at home as a dog. Little Extra motivation. That's going to be a wild scene in Chicago. I like Jacksonville to beat Buffalo and bounce Josh Allen Round one. I do, I think Philadelphia, the Niners are limping into that game. If Peirsol and Trent Williams play, they've got a shot. J Mac is very hot on the Chargers. I think New England's one of those teams because they got, they went from bad to this good. Nobody quite buys into New England. I do and I thought I came into the weekend, I thought Texan Steelers when they you got a Monday night game. Pittsburgh's a dog. One of the great underdog coaches in this league, especially on Monday is Mike Tomlin. Outside of the Rams in Carolina, no outcome would surprise me this weekend. None.

By the way, Rams are double digit.

Favorites ten and a half. So I, I but by the way they lost their three weeks ago which actually helps them.

It was like November 30th. But yes, I would agree. So Chargers, Patriots, what's the weakness of the Chargers?

Colin O line.

Right. Do you know the patriots are like 25th in pressure rate and they, they, they blitz at like league average. They can't get to the quarterback.

Right.

Pressure is not their thing. Yeah, that's great for Justin Herbert in the pocket. And then conversely, Jesse Minter's defense doesn't give up big plays. What does Drake May live off of big plays. So I think first time starter for May I I already bet Chargers three and a half. I really liked, I think they went outright.

Yeah.

Oh, who's a better coach in that game by the way?

Why does somebody have to be better?

Well, who gets the advantage?

I don't think there's any advantage really. I think it's two great coaches.

I looked this up last night. Do you remember the last time V won a playoff game? What year it was? No, 2019.

Oh, it's not that long ago.

6.

For the record, I would argue the weakness of both the Patriots and Chargers is the O line.

Yes.

I think that's absolute. And the run games have been inconsistent. They're very, very similar. Is that we still think Harbaugh has to improve the O line. And we had real questions about the receiving corps but the charges receiving corps is actually okay. And we had real questions about the old line for New England and the receiving corps and their receiving corps has exceeded any prediction.

By the way, for your west coast team going.

By the way, Drake May's comp is Justin Herbert. I mean coming out of college people said he's like he'll be the east.

Coast Herbert, it's not bad. By the way, the weather. I know you're a big west coast going east. No snow, no frigid temperatures. High 30s, low 40s. That's like LA weather in the morning. 5am out here in LA.

J. Mack with the news.

[Rob Parker]

No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the third line news.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, Colin, let's start with a lot of breaking news on Black Monday in the NFL. So three head coaches are out. Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, Pete Carroll with the Raiders and Jonathan Gannon, the most recent of the Arizona Cardinals. I'm surprised by Stefanski. Six years in Cleveland, two time coach of the year, got to the playoffs twice. Pete Carroll, it was a disaster. But they've now gone one and done basically two years in a row with Pierce and Carroll. That's not a great look. Jonathan Gannon, I mean they lost nine straight. They were listless for two months.

Well, he's a defensive coach. So Arizona's defensive coach, the defense kind of quit. The jets are going to keep Aaron Glenn and that's the worst defense in the league. Pete Carroll felt out of sorts. There was some friction in Seattle about his son on the coaching staff. There was friction. Chip Kelly quit this year, his son again on the coaching staff. So that there's a lot of stuff there that hasn't been reported much. But it's, it's. I've heard through trustable various sources that was a fissure, a bone of contention. So Pete kept saying we're all good here. Everybody in the world knew it was over. I think what's interesting, Stefanski to the Raiders makes so much sense because they're getting Mendoza and young quarterbacks. We've seen it through the league. It can be Liam Cohen, it can be Ben Johnson. Young quarterbacks need teachers. Calm this whole. Brian Flores, Brian Dable. I like both of them a lot. They are intense. Yeah, they are. Blow it up. Start over, guys.

Yeah, there's a theory that it would be Flores is the head coach. Dable as the OC I. That's a lot of combustible ground there. Well, let's not get into it. I'm just curious of those six we saw on the screen, six jobs are open currently. Titans as well. Falcons is open as well. Of those six, is there one that jumps out that you think is the best job? On how the Raiders have the number one pick. Titans had the one last year. Have Cam Ward.

Well, the Giants have Jackson Dart. So my feeling is he is good enough if he can stay out of the blue tent to be a franchise quarterback. And I've been saying this for years. I think the Giants actually have talent. They can't get their leadership.

There obviously is a red flag. Joe Shane. They announces stuff staying.

Yeah.

He's the GM who butchered Daniel Jones, butchered Saquon Barkley. If you want to go work for that guy. Obviously that's.

You're asking me what's the best of a sorry lot.

It's very sorry. But the Falcons. Okay, go ahead.

I got, I have my left tackle. I'll get Scatter Boo. I've got a franchise quarterback four years. I don't have to pay him. I've got Abdul Carter. I got pass rushers. Malik Neighbors comes back. Giants have what, the number five pick. They're going to get a star somewhere. They'll probably go get a right tackle. So again, Jackson dart's been better than I thought. If you're giving me Jackson Dart Scatter Boo. A left tackle and number one wide receiver. They have to go get a tight end but they've got pass rushers. I think the Giants are the best of this situation.

Interesting. Over the Raiders who have the number one pick and a certain guy in the front office who's the greatest quarterback in the history of football. I mean, he's going to walk into those meetings and plop down a bunch of super bowl rings on the table.

Is he playing?

He knows a little about football. I, I think they're going to be okay. Yeah. All right, let's move on to the Rams. Colin. Interesting win for them over the Cardinals. 37 20. Matthew Stafford, very strong game. Rams weren't buttoned up defensively, but let's focus on Stafford, who McVeigh believes is the only choice for MVP.

I think Matthew's the MVP of the league. He played that way. Wouldn't want anybody else leading the way. Got a lot of respect for a bunch of people in this league, but there's nobody I'd rather have being the quarterback of the LA Rams. And Matthew Stafford, his, his play speaks for itself. Well, they, some people insinuated. They, they, they dialed up more pass plays for Stafford in the, in the late going to help stats. I listen, I think I, I think you can go either way. I, I will say I think top to bottom, the Rams have more talent than New England right now. So if you look at it and go. But I would argue that Stafford plays in a much tougher division by far. I think the NFC west is the best division. I don't have a problem either. Way I love both guys. May is doing more with less. Stafford did more period in in terms of. I'm listen when you play in at the play. Kyle Shanahan twice and Salah and the Seahawks defense twice. That is a handful. You know Drake May got the jets twice in the Dolphin circus.

Easiest schedule there some people are some of the metrics easier in the last decade at least. Easiest schedule.

Yeah. New England had a pretty easy run.

Another reason I like the Chargers, by the way. Rams get Devonte Adams back and apparently Lake in the back end of the secondary is coming back.

Quinton Lake's coming back. He is.

Do you remember what happened against the Panthers? They had a couple bomb touchdowns. Okay.

So Quint, you know how many times.

They got to the red zone against the Rams Panthers.

How many?

One time in the whole game. Defensive touchdown.

Yeah.

I think Rams.

Quentin Lake is one of those guys that's not talked about in the league. Rams see him as he's a nickel as a huge asset. And you have noticed they have been resting Devonte Adams. So their offense has been uneven. A lot of it's the red zone stuff with Devonte. So Devonte comes back. You don't rely on Puka as much. The tight ends yesterday once again were huge for the Rams.

I think Rams.

Rams is coast. Yeah.

Final story. Colin Dallas Cowboys. Boy, they had a nine game win streak against the Giants that was snapped yesterday. Jackson dart doing some fun things. I thought Jackson dart was nice. Now Dak Prescott again. It's week 18. They were doing the 1, 2, 3, Cancun thing in the huddle. You know, Dak Prescott fumbled, had like 70 yards passing. They pulled him afterward. Dak Prescott says coming up short of the Super Bowl, super bowl playoffs. Buddy is getting old.

[Dak Prescott]

Tired of it. I've got to deal with it. Yeah, sure, tired, right. But it's up to me to control. And that's why I say this year was as frustrating as anything is. Right. There's been enough a number of times being up here talking to you guys and right. Saying I need to fix this, I need to get better at this and you know, to have a season where it wasn't on my play or, you know, I can't say I need, I should have fixed that or I should have fixed that. I mean, I take accountability. Don't get me wrong in so many ways. And the leader I am, I'm. I'm frustrated. Always trying to figure out what could have done better, you know, if there was. Whether it was conversations here or talking to this guy there or whatever it may be.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Well, if you're not going to take coaching seriously and you're going to try to get value, you know, Jerry Jones always says, every, every time I seek value, that's what I get. I, I get a discount. Well, look at your coaching staff. Yeah.

So they will be drafting 12th. Their back end of their secondary is terrible. Caleb Downs would be a massive home run from. I don't think he's going to be there at 12. Colin. I'm looking at the board.

I think what hurts Dallas is that if Dante Moore doesn't come out and shouldn't, you're not getting four or five quarterbacks overdrafted like next year, seven quarterbacks, maybe first round.

Next year's the year.

Yeah. So this year we thought Cade Klubnick and we thought Drew Aller and those guys are fourth and fifth round picks probably. So the problem is Caleb down is going to get gobbled up by the 8th or 9th.

Seattle is doing with their safeties and secondary. Like there's some things. Safeties are becoming a new chess piece. Kyle Hamilton, last night, he goes out for the Ravens. Yeah, the defense falls apart like some of these safeties. And I think downs can be a box and coverage safety. He's really good, especially with the new tight end stuff. Teams going three tight ends.

It's funny to watch. The NFL got cyclical. We running backs got downgraded and then all of a sudden Christian McCaffrey and everybody looks around and it's like. And you watch Scaboo and you watch these young guys, Derrick Henry and Bijan, you're like, oh, no, they actually matter. Jonathan Taylor last year and everybody bail. Safeties never got paid for years and years. And now, now one of the trends is certain organizations love safeties. I mean, the Broncos, you know, the Rams, what you talked about. Seattle.

Seattle. Seattle's becoming a blueprint defensively. McDonald is. He's freaking good.

Yeah. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news. Well, I always think this. If you've got kids and you draw up a will, what kid is the executor of the will? It's the one you trust when you're gone. It's the one you trust. The grown up of the kids. So Sean Payton, Denver's got a bye. Number one seed, Sean Payton. Never babysitting or pandering to Bo Nix. Not only does Bo Nix have 24 wins in two years in a division with Harbaugh and Jesse Minter, Annie Reed and Spags. It's like a great defensive division. Top quarterbacks. Bo Nix is the first quarterback ever to lead the NFL in his first two seasons in passing attempts. In this era of football, that's called trust and responsibility. So when I hear this thing, well, it's just Sean Payton's play calling. Yeah, you're right. It is about Sean Payton's play calling. Loading up Bo Nix with every play in the playbook. I remember when Big Ben came into the league, Miami of Ohio to Pittsburgh and for two years they babysat him. He never threw the ball. It was defense and run game. So in my take on Bo Nicks is, you can tell how good he is by what Sean Payton puts on his plate. He's thrown at 42, 43 times a game. I mean, last night Aaron Rodgers threw 47 times. That told you who? Mike Tomlin trusted Aaron Rodgers, not his run game. So, I mean, it's I 14 and three in that division with Harbaugh and Jesse Minter with Spags and Andy Reid is an accomplishment. Here's Bo Nix on the number one seed.

[Various NFL Coaches and Players (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold)]

It's the best possible position to be in. You know, two home games is where we want to be. It's better than having to play on the road and it's better than having to play an extra game. So I think for us it's the best case scenario. And you know, it'll be good to play here because of our stadium and the atmosphere. I think that'll apply a little bit more pressure and then. But at the end of the day, it's, you know, it's an open tournament. It's going to be, you know, a really good opportunity to play really good teams.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, we saw it in college football where only one team with extra rest. Indiana won football. I think Seattle's better off playing than getting a buy. I think Seattle's youth and their energy and their momentum. If I was Seattle, I'd want to play. I, you know, I feel a little bit the same for Denver. I don't love getting out. Now, Philadelphia, by all means, take a week off. San Francisco is a team. If they could take a week off, get Trent Williams or Ricky Pierce all healthy. But, you know, for anybody that doubts Bo Nix, 24 wins, two seasons, and it's the playbook that Sean Payton has foisted on Bo Nix. He's the executor of this will. They have dumped every play on him. And sometimes in that division, with those DCs and those head coaches, it's a little inartistic. Just a little. So Colin right? Colin wrong next hour. Also, the draft order is out and it sends a message. Also, I think he won't win coach of the year, but if I had a vote, I would vote him coach of the year. That's next in L. A it's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd. Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

Tonight it's a Big Ten hoops doubleheader on FS1. First at 6 Eastern, 13th ranked Nebraska takes on Bruce Thornton and Ohio state. Then at 8:30 USC battles coach Izzo and his ninth ranked Spartans. It all tips off tonight only on FS1.

Colin right. Colin wrong. Starting Thursday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, it is going to be the best five day sweep of football in America. It's going to be unbelievable. I'm telling you right now, I'm making chicken enchiladas. I may not leave the couch for five days. So I actually this morning started laughing looking at this. Go look at the 2026 NFL Draft Order. Tell me if these are familiar teams at the top of a draft. Vegas has the number one pick followed by the Jets. Arizona, Tennessee 4, Giants 5, Cleveland 6, Washington 7, New Orleans 8. Rinse and repeat. Might as well be. It could be one of any of the last eight years. New England was on that puppy recently and why aren't they? How did the New England Patriots escape being in that top 10? A smart owner in Robert Kraft admitted his mistake. Gerard Mayo, good assistant, not a head coach, wasn't stubborn and then hired a very expensive best coach on the market. Mike Frable. You know who else did that? The Bears, they're in the playoffs. The Broncos, they're in the playoffs. The Chargers with Harbaugh, they're in the playoffs. They all hired like Vrabel, the perceived and true best coach on the market. Look at the head coaches of these top eight teams. Drafting one of them, Kevin Stefanski would have any market. So I think people forget this. A lot of owners and I mean 75% of owners it may be 75% they don't want to spend big money on a coach. New York Giants won't. New York jets won't. Cincinnati won't. Arizona, the Bidwells won't. Dallas won't. Jerry Jones won't spend money on a coach. McCarthy, Jason Garrett, Chan Gailey, he had Bill Parcells, he didn't like it. So New England didn't want to perpetually be one of those teams. So they wrote a massive check and but these owners are cheap, they're insecure, they're driven by ego. They want to be. They want to be the centerpiece of an organization. They know they have to have a good quarterback and they try to find one. They don't want that coach running the show and kicking them out of the office. So I mean, a prime example is Joe Burrow, second year in a row missed the playoffs. What's the first thing Cincinnati does this morning? Announce they are bringing back the coach. Okay, in Cincinnati I'd bring in Kevin Stefanski. They're not going to do that. So Mike Vrabel was not cheap. Either was Ben Johnson, Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton. Here's Rabel on a year one, basically a nine month complete turnaround by his franchise.

[Various NFL Coaches and Players (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold)]

We got the right guys in the building at the right time and we got good quarterback play. We figured out how to not beat ourselves. I think we played our identity and you know, guys make plays. That's what happens. We are the second seed and we're going to host the Chargers and we start over. The only ones that are going to matter is going to be the ones that we can get moving forward.

[Colin Cowherd]

So as good as Vrabel is, there's an argument to be made. The coach of the year should be Kyle Shanahan. They finished the regular season 12 and 5. I don't know how they did it. Say this out loud. You play in the toughest division in football, certainly the best coach division in football. You have to start a backup quarterback. A backup who they threw out of Jacksonville eight times. Your two best defenders, Fred Warner and Bosa, both hall of Famers. Yeah, they got hurt. Plus your first round pick on defense got hurt. You don't have a number one wide receiver, Brandon Auk, no show this year. And by the way, his backup Ricky Piercello also missed half dozen games. So the composition of rosters in the Seattle San Francisco game was so heavily towards Seattle. Pierce Hall's out, Trent Williams out. And they were actually in that game in the fourth quarter. So the leading receivers for the Niners this year were a running back, Christian McCaffrey and a seventh round pick. And they are a 12 and 5 team in the toughest division in football. Best three teams at the top of any division in football. I thought it was unbelievable coaching. I mean at least Mike Vrabel gets the jets twice and Miami twice. I mean that you watch that game, Seattle and San Francisco. Did you not feel from the first drive on, especially if you were at the game? I had a friend that was at the game. He's like, Seattle is everywhere he goes. Seattle's team speed didn't even. San Francisco didn't even match up. Didn't look like they should be on the same field. So here's Kyle Shanahan after kind of getting manhandled against Seattle.

[Various NFL Coaches and Players (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold)]

We need to play better than that. I was proud that they kept battling and was able to hold them to 13 points. That's what gave us a chance there at the end. But we need to play better all around. We're ready for it. I mean, yeah, it would have been nice to, you know, have to have a home game here or both home games and get a buy, but it is what it is. I mean, this team's been through a lot this year. Now we got to do it the hard way and won't brace the out doing it the hard way and look forward to it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Now, I have said this. It's been my criticism. And it's not just Shanahan. It's John lynch and I and I. And I know John and I love him. The downside to getting old in this league, you know, the second oldest team in the league this year, J. Mac knows it's Washington. They fell apart physically. So you look again at the composition of San Francisco's roster. Trent Williams, old, hurt. George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, a lot of hits. Fred Warner is, I wouldn't say old, probably just moving out of his prime. Bosa. So a lot of San Francisco's issue. Seattle is young and. And young players, when they get hurt, heal more quickly. San Francisco, I think may need to consider moving some pieces a little bit because they are now they moved Hunga, a very good safety who himself gets hurt. But when you watch San Francisco, I was saying it, if they can get. Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall are healthy, they could go to Philadelphia and win that game. But if you start looking at that roster in this league, the league's getting younger. Washington and San Francisco felt to me old going into a season. And you know what happened? You fell apart. So here are the playoff schedules again for this weekend starting Saturday, where the Rams are a big favorite at Carolina. And again Carnell Lake it my bad. Quinton Lake is back at safety for them and Devonte Adams back. So the Rams are a huge 10 and a half point favorite. I think one of the odysseys of the playoffs is Chicago is a home underdog. After that game against San Francisco when they flexed and showed their offense lost but played really, really well offensively, I think People look at that Detroit game and betters and the don't know what to do with Chicago. Green Bay has not won a game in a month. Jordan love is he 100%. Matt LaFleur was on the hot seat at the end of the season and Green Bay is favored in that game Saturday. Is that nuts? I, I, that is a why I mean I, I think Chicago should be favored to win.

So, so you saw the two matchups, right? The first matchup we would agree the packers were the better think the whole game was tied sometimes. Second matchup packers up 166 with 2 minutes left in Chicago without Jordan Love and no Micah and the Bears needed like a late field goal, an onside kick and then the walk off touchdown pass by Caleb. There's a lot of luck involved there. I had wanted Bears I this is a stay away game for me. I'm nervous for your guys. First time quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs historically do not fare well.

So you're betting against Drake May.

I'm definitely betting against Drake May and against Bryce Young. Caleb could be the one. I don't know what to do with that game. If you know how the boxers. Hey, there was eight rounds. There were eight quarters. Packers, Bears. Did the Bears win any of those quarters? Any. I mean maybe the overtime, the ninth quarter.

You know my favorite bet of the weekend. I think Jacksonville could hammer Buffalo.

Oh that's that's my.

When's the last time, when's the last time Jacksonville didn't play well? I mean Jacksonville, they don't have a great, they don't have a great number of sacks but they rush, they, they're very good at getting pressure on the quarterback.

Yeah.

Kind of like the Belichick Patriots. They don't lead the league in sacks but they get pressure, they run the ball, they don't turn it over. Now Liam Cohen who got into that early season scrap with Robert Sala, Jacksonville's. There's an argument they're the best team in the league. Not named the Seahawks.

So crazy stat. I saw they have not allowed a Seahawks 75 yard rusher this season. 75. So if James Cook can't get loose it literally is Josh Allen against the world and I. That is a tall order for him. What's the line on that? You said it was like one.

Jacksonville was a one point dog.

Dog. Oh, that's a lot of respect.

I think my FA my, my favorite pick is Jacksonville at home.

Yeah. Are we sleeping on Trevor, Trevor Lawrence at all? I mean he's been amazing. He said Every franchise.

I think there's a couple of things at play. One, it's hard to unsee stuff, right? Like we've seen Jacksonville over the last four or five years. They just make a lot of mistakes. I'm as guilty as anybody. I'm just now considering them a top three team. But, you know, it's. When I watch Vrabel go to New England, I predict, yeah, they're going to make the playoffs because I have a lot of equity built up watching Vrabel play. You watch Jacksonville the last decade, you're like, oh, it's a squirrely franchise, that weird Blake Bortles team. But they just. You don't trust them in big spots. This Jacksonville team, good on the road, good in close games. They've blown people out multiple times.

Spin it forward. Jacksonville wins. What was a 30 to 20. Do the Bills consider moving on from McDermott? They will have backslid every year since it's being in that amazing AFC title game against Mahomes.

Is there an argument that the people not in the AFC playoffs. Lamar Burrow and Mahomes puts immense pressure on Buffalo. I don't think the pressure's on Jacksonville. I think all the pressures on Buffalo, Burrow, Mahomes or Lamar Jackson. And you've got Josh Allen, the perceived one of the great four in the afc and you're playing squirrely Jacksonville, which has really no home field advantage at all. Buffalo will have 20,000 people down there.

And remember Burrow and Mahomes, they got paid and it's tough to build around. Maybe this is the last hurrah for the Bills and Josh Allen because he's got his big deal. That would be. So does Stefanski and everybody wait to see what happens in Buffalo before jumping on a job?

Absolutely. I mean, what. What do you do if Buffalo loses to Jacksonville?

You go coach Josh Allen there you.

The owner has to have a long conversation. Moving into the new stadium.

Yeah. Oh, new stadium. That's right. Yeah. This is an iHeart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.