The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 2 - Blazing 5, Chiefs’ Struggles, and Julian Edelman

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd | Guest: Julian Edelman | Co-Host: J. Mac

Episode Overview

In this action-packed Hour 2, Colin Cowherd delivers his highly anticipated “Blazing 5” NFL Picks for the weekend, dives deep into the Kansas City Chiefs’ surprising struggles this season, and brings on three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about late-season football, pressure on young quarterbacks, the psyche of championship teams, and must-watch upcoming matchups. This hour is packed with sharp betting insights, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and big-picture analysis perfect for die-hard NFL fans.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Colin’s Blazing 5 NFL Picks (03:40 – 10:38)

Colin breaks down his five hottest bets of the week, complete with detailed rationales and score predictions:

• Green Bay Packers -6.5 vs. Vikings

  • Focuses on Jeff Hafley’s much-improved defense, doubts about rookie QB JJ McCarthy.
  • “This is about Green Bay at home where everybody's defense is better...I'm going to go with Jeff Halfley's defense to create some offense. Packers win and cover.” (05:33)

• Chicago Bears -2.5 vs. Steelers

  • Cites Bears’ home performance and strong run game.
  • “Caleb does not throw a lot of picks...he’s been better at home. The Steelers can’t run the football…Bears to win and cover.” (06:10)

• Colts at Chiefs — Over 50.5

  • Predicts offensive eruption, particularly from a motivated KC after a loss, and highlights poor defenses.
  • “Chiefs average 29 at home...Kansas City is desperate. Don’t be shocked if the Chiefs don’t have their performance of the year off that Denver loss.” (07:09)

• Seahawks -13.5 at Titans

  • Leans on Tennessee’s poor home record.
  • “Seattle does both [defense and running] well…Tennessee’s atrocious, worst point differential in the league. I think the locker room may be lost at this point.” (08:05)

• Carolina Panthers +7 at 49ers

  • Takes points with resurgent Bryce Young and banged-up Niners defense.
  • “Bryce Young...completing 68% of his throws...the Niners are a weird team...I think Carolina can go toe to toe.” (09:11)

J. Mac’s Response:

J. Mac broadly agrees with Colin’s picks, expressing doubt on the Panthers:

• “I don't know about the Panthers, Colin. There is some... juice behind this Niners offense right now. I don't think the Panthers can hold him down.” (10:40)

2. Chiefs’ Struggles & the “Dangerous Champion” Mindset (12:25 – 14:58)

Topic: Are the Chiefs Being Counted Out Too Early?

Colin: Draws historical parallels, arguing that counting out veteran champions is always risky:

• “You don’t want to play the Chiefs when, if they lose, they're out of the playoffs… Champions are really dangerous when nobody's buying them.” (12:25)

Julian Edelman: Relates to his Patriots’ experience:

• Recalls 2018 Patriots being discounted late in the season, only to get a confidence-boosting win over a strong Buffalo team.
• “We were struggling...very similar to what the Chiefs are going through...that confidence booster let everyone know, hey, we're still around.” (13:14)
• “These guys didn't forget how to play football. Yeah, they're in a little funk right now...but the real football season starts after Thanksgiving.” (14:31)

3. Deep Dive: What’s Wrong with the Buffalo Bills? (14:58 – 17:48)

Colin and Edelman analyze Buffalo’s issues after a concerning loss:

• Colin: Points out Josh Allen’s forced errors and defensive collapse.

  • “My biggest issue is Josh is forcing stuff...the defense just...even Houston ran on them. Houston has no run game.” (14:58)

• Edelman:

  • Believes the lack of an outside deep threat and defensive struggles are glaring.
  • Singles out the underperforming Coleman at WR:
  • “That's not sustainable defense when you can't stop the run...very disappointing that this Coleman kid is doing what he's doing...that's a cancer.” (15:52)
  • Calls the Bills “a complimentary football team” unable to compensate for weaknesses compared to Edelman’s Patriots or past Steelers teams.

4. Rookie QB Watch: Surprises & Growing Pains (17:48 – 22:14)

Drake May & Patriots’ Unexpected Success

• Colin: Asks if New England is surprised at Drake May’s efficiency despite lacking star weapons.
• Edelman:
  • “I wouldn't say they're surprised. I would just say that they were excited from day one…great attitude, loves to learn, natural leader, and can process.” (18:19)
  • Notes May’s tendency to take hits, expects rapid improvement as he matures in the system.

The J.J. McCarthy Dilemma

• Colin: Discusses the extra pressure young, first-round QBs face, especially on teams expecting to win now.

  • “Everybody in the room knows it's a problem, but...what do you do? There's more pressure to perform immediately.” (19:35)

• Edelman:

  • Argues every player in a locker room feels unique forms of pressure.
  • “These are the growing pains you have to go through with the young quarterback who only has six starts in his NFL career.” (20:20)
  • Stresses that only those inside the building know if progress is being made. “Because there could be things that we don't know what they're coaching on in there.”

5. The Importance of Late-Season NFL Football (22:14 – 24:51)

Colin asks Edelman how the tone shifts as the calendar turns to late November/December.

• Edelman:
  • Describes a major uptick in urgency and focus after Thanksgiving:
  • “The real part of the season...where you put yourself in contention to play your best football. We always talked about playing your best football at the end of the season.” (22:47)
  • Cites health, knowing team identity, and minimizing mistakes as crucial.
  • “If you like football and you like to compete, you're in the right business because this time of the year is what that is about.”

6. News & Analysis: Bills WR Troubles, Ravens & Packers (31:30 – 36:41)

Josh Allen’s Issues with WR Trust (31:30 – 32:26)

• “Just to show you that Josh Allen does not trust his wide receiving group. He's second in the NFL in holding the ball…” (31:30)

Ravens’ Sack Woes (32:26 – 34:07)

• Lamar Jackson’s sack rate has doubled; potential lack of open receivers and reduced elusiveness noted.
• “Baltimore just does not look quite as dynamic offensively.” (33:14)

Packers’ Slim Playoff Hopes & Division Schedule (34:07 – 36:41)

• Green Bay facing five of final seven games vs. divisional opponents.
• Colin’s Prediction: “I believe starting this weekend...Green Bay is going to start playing their best football of the year.” (35:36)

7. College Football Spotlight: USC vs. Oregon Preview (36:41 – 40:21)

• Lincoln Riley and Colin discuss Oregon’s strengths and USC’s challenge on the road against the Ducks.
  • “You have to play complete football against them...Oregon’s been banged up for two or three weeks at wide receiver.” (37:21 – 39:51)
• J. Mac: Trends toward Oregon, citing injury uncertainty.

8. NFL Sidebars: Young Nightlife, Shador Sanders, Cowboys WRs (46:15 – 55:10)

Young Players & Social Life in Vegas (46:15 – 47:27)

• Colin shrugs off concerns about CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens going out for steaks before a game:
  • “It’s not the end of the world...It’s not a nightclub. It’s dinner, steaks, with a teammate.” (47:27)

Shador Sanders: What to Expect (49:20 – 53:19)

• Both hosts predict a conservative Browns game plan in Sanders’ first start; Julian Edelman:

  • “I do expect him to be better than last week...he’s going to be the focal point in practice...so I expect him to be mid.” (50:17)

• Colin’s bold prediction: “13 of 18, 139 yards, one touchdown, one pick. Passer rating of 82.5.” (50:47)

Cowboys Offensive Spending Model (54:16 – 55:57)

• Discussion on paying two star receivers (Lamb/Pickens), letting Micah Parsons go, and Dallas’s current flexible cap situation:
  • “Interior D lineman more valuable than edge rusher.” (55:57)

Notable Quotes

“Champions are really dangerous when nobody's buying them...The real football season starts after Thanksgiving.”
— Julian Edelman (14:31)

“[Drake May] retains information. He doesn’t make the same mistakes, he processes...great attitude, loves to learn, natural leader, and can process.”
— Julian Edelman (18:19)

“You can’t fool pro athletes. Everybody in the room knows it’s a problem, but…the last thing you want to do is press [J.J. McCarthy].”
— Colin Cowherd (19:35)

“If you like football and you like to compete, you're in the right business because this time of the year is what that is about.”
— Julian Edelman (24:20)

“Just to show you that Josh Allen does not trust his wide receiving group. He's second in the NFL in holding the ball.”
— Colin Cowherd (31:30)

“I go into situations, I have kids, they're going to make mistakes. I just bake it in. My stockbroker will have bad stocks—I bake it into life.”
— Colin Cowherd (47:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Blazing 5 Bets: 03:40 – 10:38
• Chiefs Struggles / Champion Mindset: 12:25 – 14:58
• What’s Wrong with the Bills?: 14:58 – 17:48
• Rookie QB Deep Dive: 17:48 – 22:14
• Late-Season Football Mentality: 22:14 – 24:51
• NFL News: Bills, Ravens, Packers: 31:30 – 36:41
• College Football: USC-Oregon Preview: 36:41 – 40:21
• Shador Sanders/Young NFL Players/Cowboys Model: 46:15 – 55:57

Conclusion

This jam-packed hour delivers classic Colin: sharp game picks, inside-the-huddle perspective from Julian Edelman, and engaging debates on the NFL’s biggest storylines—especially how great teams respond under adversity, what separates winning organizations, and why late-November football is a different animal. Listeners will come away with smart betting advice, locker room wisdom, and a fresh appreciation for the intensity and urgency of the stretch run in the NFL season.