Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: The Herd - Hour 2: Colin's Blazing 5 NFL picks, Best QBs from the 2024 Draft, Mike Sando
Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Mike Sando (The Athletic)

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd delivers his highly anticipated Blazing 5 NFL picks before diving deep into quarterback development from the 2024 NFL Draft. Joined by NFL analyst Mike Sando, the discussion ranges from rookie and sophomore QB growing pains to the chaotic AFC playoff picture and the ongoing struggles—and importance—of organizational culture in the NFL. The show closes with lively banter about the differences between coaching in the NFL versus college football, thoughts on key NFL teams’ chances, and some insight into locker room chemistry both in the NFL and NBA.

Blazing 5 NFL Picks (03:00 - 10:24)

Colin’s Key Picks & Analysis

• Falcons at Colts (-5.5)

  • Pick: Colts
  • Colts lead the NFL at 6.3 yards/play, have the #2 total offense, and are due for a bounce-back.
  • Falcons are regressing, worst third down team recently, and struggling to score.
  • Quote: “Atlanta’s on a three game losing streak… They are regressing. I think it’s a bounce back for the Colts.” (04:38)

• Ravens vs. Vikings

  • Pick: Ravens
  • Cites Lamar Jackson’s MVP-level play, Ravens defense holding opponents under 20 three straight games.
  • Vikings’ defense is regressing; Ravens will win and cover.
  • Quote: “Lamar’s having an unbelievable year. He’d be the MVP if he’d been healthy.” (05:15)

• Patriots at Buccaneers (-2.5)

  • Pick: Buccaneers
  • Tampa Bay coming off a bye, healthier at right tackle, dominant at home.
  • Cautions against overrating Patriots after an easy schedule; Drake Maye is getting sacked at an alarming rate.
  • Quote: “Drake May is under duress… I like the Bucks at home to win and cover.” (06:49)

• Lions at Commanders

  • Pick: Lions
  • Not concerned by last week’s loss. Offensive injuries mostly resolved, Goff should have time.
  • Commanders on a four-game losing streak and providing no pass rush.
  • Quote: “Jared Goff is going to have time to throw… I like another favorite here.” (07:39)

• Steelers at Chargers (+3)

  • Pick: Steelers (underdog)
  • Chargers dealing with four key O-line injuries; Herbert has struggled with pressure.
  • Predicts Steelers fans will outnumber Chargers fans in attendance.
  • Quote: “I don’t trust this O-line… I got an upset: 24-23, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers walk out with a narrow win.” (09:23)

*J. Mac agrees with most picks, notably warning to be cautious with the Bucs game, and says “You’re hot. What can I say? You know, when you’re hot.” (10:38)

Evaluating 2024 NFL Draft QBs with Mike Sando (10:40 – 21:37)

Bo Nix’s Troubles

• Colin and Mike discuss Bo Nix’s visible regression and the difficulty young QBs face in their second year as teams adapt.
• Mike Sando: “The development is never linear... It’s not sustainable.” (11:25)
• “This has to be the least impressive seven-game winning streak we’ve ever seen.” (12:11)

Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson in Chicago

• Colin notes impressive stats but mentions fan anxiety over consistency.
• Sando: “He’s on a historic high average time to throw or sack—3.6 seconds per play. That’s not where it’s at for Ben Johnson.”
• Praises big plays and avoidance of turnovers but raises long-term questions: “I think there’s still a lot of inconsistency there.” (14:03)
• Colin: “He doesn’t throw picks... It’s just to your point, the rhythm is off.” (14:03)

J.J. McCarthy’s Upside

• Colin: “I just don’t know if we have the right chef… I didn’t see a wow trait.”
• Sando likes one clutch throw vs. Detroit but is underwhelmed overall and suspicious of the PR “campaign to convince us”: “And I’m not buying it until I see more of it.” (17:03)

AFC Playoff Picture & Team Sustainability (17:14 – 21:39)

• Colin disparages the current AFC standings as unstable, pointing to Denver (leads NFL in three-and-outs and punts!) as a false #1 seed.

• Names Mahomes, Lamar, Josh Allen as the true favorites: “There’s no way that’s what it is in two months, right?”

• Mike Sando: “It would have to get a lot worse for me to come off of those teams.” (17:58)

• On coaching/ownership dynamics (regarding Geno Smith, Pete Carroll, and Raiders):

  • Sando wonders if a coach’s culture (“band back together”) can overcome bad ownership and how long a major reboot should take.
  • “Is this a five-year plan with Pete to get every aspect of the building? … It’s got to turn by the middle of next year.” (21:21)

NFL vs. College Coaching (29:09 – 34:08)

• Colin and J. Mac debate the headaches of coaching in the NFL compared to college.
• Colin: “I’d rather deal with one impulsive billionaire than seven needy boosters, an overwhelmed AD, and the NCAA nonsense… I’ll talk him off the ledge twice a year.” (32:16)
• J. Mac: “Not all owners are created equal. Cleveland Browns… I’d rather coach in college. Penn State’s probably a better job than, you know, probably a third of NFL jobs.” (33:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Atlanta’s on a three game losing streak… They are regressing.” (Colin, 04:38)
• “Lamar’s having an unbelievable year. He’d be the MVP if he’d been healthy.” (Colin, 05:15)
• “He [Caleb Williams] doesn’t throw picks… It’s just to your point, the rhythm is off.” (Colin, 14:03)
• “It’s been like a campaign to convince us, and I just want to see it.” (Mike Sando on J.J. McCarthy, 17:03)
• “Is this a five-year plan with Pete to get every aspect of the building? … It’s got to turn by the middle of next year.” (Mike Sando, 21:21)
• “I'd rather deal with one impulsive billionaire than seven needy boosters, an overwhelmed athletic director, and the NCAA nonsense.” (Colin, 32:16)

Post-Pick Analysis & Playoff Forecast (47:28 – 55:07)

• Colin reviews the messy AFC playoff ranking—expresses skepticism about Denver, confidence in the return of Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills.
• Details how cold-weather teams traditionally dominate the NFL, emphasizing the strategic advantage of teams used to harsh elements.
• “There’s never been a dome dynasty in the NFL. There’s never been a warm weather dynasty.” (Colin, 52:34)
• Quick sidebar: Rams seen as cold weather ready due to their run game, defense, and Stafford’s experience.

Locker Room Chemistry: NFL & NBA (34:13 – 41:10)

• Fun story about a failed “team bonding” night with Aaron Rodgers as the only attendee. (34:34)
• Analysis of Sam Darnold’s improvement, crediting strong support staff and OC Clint Kubiak.
• NBA segment: Dallas Mavericks’ “gloomy” locker room vibes and lack of leadership highlighted.
• “The vibes are dark. Like, who’s at practice? Let’s go, fellas. Who’s the hype guy? The energy guy?” (B, 39:56)

Final Thoughts

This hour of "The Herd" is quintessential Colin Cowherd—opinionated, skeptical of surface narratives, and ready to challenge both conventional wisdom and the latest trends. His lively conversations with Mike Sando offer sharp analysis of the QB class of 2024, while his playoff projections and critiques of team-building and coaching culture are delivered with clarity and humor. The episode is rich in both insight and entertainment, making it a must-listen for thoughtful sports fans.