The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (Dec 12, 2025): Summary

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives into Week 15 of the NFL with his latest Blazing 5 picks, analyzes Caleb Williams’ development, dissects the Kansas City Chiefs’ precarious situation, and hosts notable guest Carson Palmer for a wide-ranging conversation. Colin, alongside J. Mac (Jason McIntyre), debates NFL quarterback trends, coaching impacts, the evolving landscape of college football, and the importance of coordinators. The discussion is sharp, football-nerd-friendly, and packed with insight and memorable quotes.

Blazing 5 Picks & NFL Betting Philosophy

[04:02–10:00]

Colin’s 5 Picks for the Week

Ravens at Bengals: Picks the Bengals (+pts) as a home underdog, noting Burrow’s energy and the Ravens’ recent struggles.
- Quote: “Joe Burrow folks, last year he was arguably when healthy the best quarterback in the league... Bengals at home as a dog is a sharp bet. 27-24 Cincinnati beats the stumbling Ravens.” (05:08)
Lions at Rams: Favors the Rams (-5.5) at home, citing their rhythm and offensive stability versus a Lions team still searching for identity.
- Quote: “My favorite bet... Rams win and cover. Final score: 33-26.” (06:37)
Panthers at Saints: Takes the Panthers (-2.5) as road favorites, trusting their coaching and defensive improvement.
- Quote: “Big quarterback-coach advantage right now. The defense playing well. I’m going to take the Panthers to win and cover 30-23.” (07:54)
Packers at Broncos: Leans Packers (-2.5) based on their healthy receiver corps and Broncos’ overvalued status.
- Quote: “Denver may have the better defense but I’m not even sure about that. I’m gonna take Green Bay minus the points...” (08:39)
Colts at Seahawks: Takes the under (42.5), expecting a run-heavy, quick game as team priorities shift to health before the playoffs.
- Quote: “It’s been a weird, wild weather week. Flooding all over Seattle. They want to get in, run the ball, stay healthy...” (09:31)

J. Mac’s Reaction

[10:00–10:26]
- J. Mac supports most of the picks, voicing concern over injuries (notably, Bengals WR T. Higgins) but shares agreement that Baltimore feels “broken.”
- J. Mac: “Absolutely terrifying how much I love these...I bet the under in Seahawks-Colts. I just can’t get there with the Bengals.” (10:00)

Carson Palmer Joins the Show

[10:26–24:07]

Joe Burrow’s Mentality & Frustrations

[11:20–12:21]
- Palmer: “He just looks frustrated. It’s been an up and down progression for him...I just think you’re seeing a guy that’s just frustrated, unfortunately.” (11:39)
- Colin: Reflects on the grind of repeated rehab and mental fatigue for top QBs.

Philip Rivers’ Comeback at 44

[12:21–13:45]
- Palmer: “Us old guys, we’re always pulling for the old guys...but at the end of the day, when you’re 44, it just feels a little bit different when you’re peeling yourself up off that turf.” (12:56)
- Colin: Wonders about the reality of a 44-year-old QB returning, acknowledging Rivers’ established relationships with Colts staff.

Caleb Williams’ Development & Accuracy Woes

[13:45–15:51]
- Colin: Questions whether Williams’ sub-60% completion rate is a red flag.
- Palmer: “It doesn’t bother me. His youth is why...But there’s going to be that point in the year where he’s got to win inside the pocket and be accurate...” (14:38)
- Emphasizes patience, but notes that playoff success will ultimately require pocket precision.

QB Contracts: Taking Less for Team Benefit

[15:51–18:08]
- Colin: Explores the dilemma of QBs taking a pay cut for the roster.
  - Quote: “If you take a little less...you're a better football team.”
- Palmer: “At the end of the day you can take less...if you trust the organization to use that money wisely...If you don’t have complete trust...not surprised when I see guys take as much as possible.” (16:56–18:08)

College Football’s NIL and Recruiting

[18:08–20:15]
- Colin: Observes how the NIL/transfer portal has upended traditional power dynamics.
- Palmer: Praises USC’s Southern California focus, sees NIL as “a big piece of the pie”—but admits, “I think we’re all kind of lost and waiting on the next set of rules or guidelines.” (18:54)

Offensive Coordinator Carousel & Coaching Trends

[20:15–24:07]
- Colin: Notes how losing top OCs (Eagles, Lions, Bucs) led to performance drops; says coordinator value is sky-high.
- Palmer: “The hard thing to do is to find coordinators...quarterbacks, those kinds of coordinators are really hard to find.” (21:53)
- Colin: Invites Palmer to reflect on his first year of HS coaching.
  - Palmer: “Just how hard it is...Trying to mix it all together and find those right recipes is a challenge. But it’s a blast.” (23:23)

The Chiefs, Offensive Coaches, and the Browns’ Troubles

[24:09–27:13]

Coaching Succession Mistakes & The Value of OCs

Colin re-emphasizes the risk in simply promoting from within after losing elite offensive staff (“When you lose Jim Harbaugh, don’t go down the hallway...”).
J. Mac: Warns Browns fans to be careful about running off Stefanski for a defensive HC (“Grass isn’t always greener...”). (26:18)
Both suggest: The trend is clear—hire offensive head coaches. When a defensive coach produces a good OC, that OC is gone in a year.

Brief Discussion: Caleb Williams, Shador Sanders, NFL Draft

Colin: Praises Shador Sanders’ production despite supporting cast.
J. Mac: Not convinced but acknowledges flashes (“He looked good. He looked as good as he has all season.”). (26:54)

News Roundup with J. Mac

[33:02–41:20]

Bears vs. Browns, Injury Reports, and Pick Cautions

Both caution about late-season upsets.
J. Mac: “Late in the season, dogs are kind of barking as the favorite team just wants to win.” (34:12)

Eagles’ Locker Room “Positivity Bunny”

Colin & J. Mac mock the Eagles’ attempt to lighten the mood with an inflatable rabbit after recent losses.
- Colin: “When you’re struggling, this looks desperate and cringy.” (36:22)

Seattle Seahawks: Underrated Bully?

Both analyze Seattle’s tendency to dominate weaker teams and go quiet in 2nd halves. Discuss Darnold’s efficiency.
Colin: “There are two teams in the league we’re not talking about...Texans and Seahawks. It’s really obvious they have drafted extremely well.” (38:29)
J. Mac calls Seattle a “bully” against weaker opponents, and both express anticipation for tougher matchups to close the season.

Quarterbacks: How They Age, and Cam Newton’s Critiques

[47:15–52:43]

Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers Comeback

Colin reviews Cam Newton’s upset that the Colts called 44-year-old Rivers and not him.
Lays out why Rivers, a pocket QB, ages better than athletic QBs (Newton, Lamar, Kyler, Russ).
Colin: “Quarterbacks reliant on athleticism age fast. Pocket guys...age very, very well.” (47:56)
Quotes Tom Brady on longevity and intention: “You don’t waste throws, you don’t waste workouts. Everything is with real intention to it.” (49:21)
Argues that names like Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, and Stafford will age well; athletic QBs, less so.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Carson Palmer on being a starting QB:
“Kind of being obsessed...Like Brady was kind of obsessed by it. Like it is your life. Training in the off season, working with people, maybe it’s not that healthy, but that’s just part of the job.” (10:39)
On NFL scheduling unpredictability:
Colin: “On an annual basis, I do not think it’s that difficult to predict divisions and winning teams. That part’s not as difficult. On a week to week basis, against the spread, it’s not easy.” (04:22)
On the value of offensive coaches:
Palmer: “There’s no doubt the NFL, the way they protected the quarterback and protected defenseless receivers, they are focused on high-scoring games.” (21:53)
On NIL and college football chaos:
Palmer: “I think we’re all kind of lost and waiting on the next set of rules or guidelines on how this thing shakes out...” (18:54)
On the danger of hiring defensive coaches:
J. Mac: “You hire a defensive guy, if he gets a good offensive mind, that guy’s gone in a year.” (26:12)

Key Timestamps

Blazing 5 segment: 04:02–10:00
Carson Palmer interview: 10:26–24:07
Coordinator talk/Coaching carousel: 20:15–27:13
News headlines (Bears, Eagles, Seahawks): 33:02–41:20
QB aging, Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers: 47:15–52:43

Episode Takeaways

NFL Week 15 betting insights: Colin’s picks are grounded in coaching, QB play, and deeply scrutinized team tendencies.
Quarterback development & longevity: Both pro and college QBs need to master the pocket to have true professional longevity.
Coaching matters more than ever: Blunt warning against hiring defensive head coaches—with coordinator churn making roster stability nearly impossible.
The college game is in flux: NIL, transfer portal, and booster money are reshaping traditional recruiting and program stability at warp speed.
Seattle and Houston: The NFL’s most underrated teams: Drafting and organizational alignment are paying off for both.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving chess match between NFL roster management, college-to-pro QB development, and the high-stakes hiring/firing carousel that is modern football.

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (Dec 12, 2025): Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & NFL Betting Philosophy

[04:02–10:00]

Colin’s 5 Picks for the Week

Ravens at Bengals: Picks the Bengals (+pts) as a home underdog, noting Burrow’s energy and the Ravens’ recent struggles.
- Quote: “Joe Burrow folks, last year he was arguably when healthy the best quarterback in the league... Bengals at home as a dog is a sharp bet. 27-24 Cincinnati beats the stumbling Ravens.” (05:08)
Lions at Rams: Favors the Rams (-5.5) at home, citing their rhythm and offensive stability versus a Lions team still searching for identity.
- Quote: “My favorite bet... Rams win and cover. Final score: 33-26.” (06:37)
Panthers at Saints: Takes the Panthers (-2.5) as road favorites, trusting their coaching and defensive improvement.
- Quote: “Big quarterback-coach advantage right now. The defense playing well. I’m going to take the Panthers to win and cover 30-23.” (07:54)
Packers at Broncos: Leans Packers (-2.5) based on their healthy receiver corps and Broncos’ overvalued status.
- Quote: “Denver may have the better defense but I’m not even sure about that. I’m gonna take Green Bay minus the points...” (08:39)
Colts at Seahawks: Takes the under (42.5), expecting a run-heavy, quick game as team priorities shift to health before the playoffs.
- Quote: “It’s been a weird, wild weather week. Flooding all over Seattle. They want to get in, run the ball, stay healthy...” (09:31)

J. Mac’s Reaction

[10:00–10:26]
- J. Mac supports most of the picks, voicing concern over injuries (notably, Bengals WR T. Higgins) but shares agreement that Baltimore feels “broken.”
- J. Mac: “Absolutely terrifying how much I love these...I bet the under in Seahawks-Colts. I just can’t get there with the Bengals.” (10:00)

Carson Palmer Joins the Show

[10:26–24:07]

Joe Burrow’s Mentality & Frustrations

[11:20–12:21]
- Palmer: “He just looks frustrated. It’s been an up and down progression for him...I just think you’re seeing a guy that’s just frustrated, unfortunately.” (11:39)
- Colin: Reflects on the grind of repeated rehab and mental fatigue for top QBs.

Philip Rivers’ Comeback at 44

[12:21–13:45]
- Palmer: “Us old guys, we’re always pulling for the old guys...but at the end of the day, when you’re 44, it just feels a little bit different when you’re peeling yourself up off that turf.” (12:56)
- Colin: Wonders about the reality of a 44-year-old QB returning, acknowledging Rivers’ established relationships with Colts staff.

Caleb Williams’ Development & Accuracy Woes

[13:45–15:51]
- Colin: Questions whether Williams’ sub-60% completion rate is a red flag.
- Palmer: “It doesn’t bother me. His youth is why...But there’s going to be that point in the year where he’s got to win inside the pocket and be accurate...” (14:38)
- Emphasizes patience, but notes that playoff success will ultimately require pocket precision.

QB Contracts: Taking Less for Team Benefit

[15:51–18:08]
- Colin: Explores the dilemma of QBs taking a pay cut for the roster.
  - Quote: “If you take a little less...you're a better football team.”
- Palmer: “At the end of the day you can take less...if you trust the organization to use that money wisely...If you don’t have complete trust...not surprised when I see guys take as much as possible.” (16:56–18:08)

College Football’s NIL and Recruiting

[18:08–20:15]
- Colin: Observes how the NIL/transfer portal has upended traditional power dynamics.
- Palmer: Praises USC’s Southern California focus, sees NIL as “a big piece of the pie”—but admits, “I think we’re all kind of lost and waiting on the next set of rules or guidelines.” (18:54)

Offensive Coordinator Carousel & Coaching Trends

[20:15–24:07]
- Colin: Notes how losing top OCs (Eagles, Lions, Bucs) led to performance drops; says coordinator value is sky-high.
- Palmer: “The hard thing to do is to find coordinators...quarterbacks, those kinds of coordinators are really hard to find.” (21:53)
- Colin: Invites Palmer to reflect on his first year of HS coaching.
  - Palmer: “Just how hard it is...Trying to mix it all together and find those right recipes is a challenge. But it’s a blast.” (23:23)

The Chiefs, Offensive Coaches, and the Browns’ Troubles

[24:09–27:13]

Coaching Succession Mistakes & The Value of OCs

Colin re-emphasizes the risk in simply promoting from within after losing elite offensive staff (“When you lose Jim Harbaugh, don’t go down the hallway...”).
J. Mac: Warns Browns fans to be careful about running off Stefanski for a defensive HC (“Grass isn’t always greener...”). (26:18)
Both suggest: The trend is clear—hire offensive head coaches. When a defensive coach produces a good OC, that OC is gone in a year.

Brief Discussion: Caleb Williams, Shador Sanders, NFL Draft

Colin: Praises Shador Sanders’ production despite supporting cast.
J. Mac: Not convinced but acknowledges flashes (“He looked good. He looked as good as he has all season.”). (26:54)

News Roundup with J. Mac

[33:02–41:20]

Bears vs. Browns, Injury Reports, and Pick Cautions

Both caution about late-season upsets.
J. Mac: “Late in the season, dogs are kind of barking as the favorite team just wants to win.” (34:12)

Eagles’ Locker Room “Positivity Bunny”

Colin & J. Mac mock the Eagles’ attempt to lighten the mood with an inflatable rabbit after recent losses.
- Colin: “When you’re struggling, this looks desperate and cringy.” (36:22)

Seattle Seahawks: Underrated Bully?

Both analyze Seattle’s tendency to dominate weaker teams and go quiet in 2nd halves. Discuss Darnold’s efficiency.
Colin: “There are two teams in the league we’re not talking about...Texans and Seahawks. It’s really obvious they have drafted extremely well.” (38:29)
J. Mac calls Seattle a “bully” against weaker opponents, and both express anticipation for tougher matchups to close the season.

Quarterbacks: How They Age, and Cam Newton’s Critiques

[47:15–52:43]

Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers Comeback

Colin reviews Cam Newton’s upset that the Colts called 44-year-old Rivers and not him.
Lays out why Rivers, a pocket QB, ages better than athletic QBs (Newton, Lamar, Kyler, Russ).
Colin: “Quarterbacks reliant on athleticism age fast. Pocket guys...age very, very well.” (47:56)
Quotes Tom Brady on longevity and intention: “You don’t waste throws, you don’t waste workouts. Everything is with real intention to it.” (49:21)
Argues that names like Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, and Stafford will age well; athletic QBs, less so.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Carson Palmer on being a starting QB:
“Kind of being obsessed...Like Brady was kind of obsessed by it. Like it is your life. Training in the off season, working with people, maybe it’s not that healthy, but that’s just part of the job.” (10:39)
On NFL scheduling unpredictability:
Colin: “On an annual basis, I do not think it’s that difficult to predict divisions and winning teams. That part’s not as difficult. On a week to week basis, against the spread, it’s not easy.” (04:22)
On the value of offensive coaches:
Palmer: “There’s no doubt the NFL, the way they protected the quarterback and protected defenseless receivers, they are focused on high-scoring games.” (21:53)
On NIL and college football chaos:
Palmer: “I think we’re all kind of lost and waiting on the next set of rules or guidelines on how this thing shakes out...” (18:54)
On the danger of hiring defensive coaches:
J. Mac: “You hire a defensive guy, if he gets a good offensive mind, that guy’s gone in a year.” (26:12)

Key Timestamps

Blazing 5 segment: 04:02–10:00
Carson Palmer interview: 10:26–24:07
Coordinator talk/Coaching carousel: 20:15–27:13
News headlines (Bears, Eagles, Seahawks): 33:02–41:20
QB aging, Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers: 47:15–52:43

Episode Takeaways

NFL Week 15 betting insights: Colin’s picks are grounded in coaching, QB play, and deeply scrutinized team tendencies.
Quarterback development & longevity: Both pro and college QBs need to master the pocket to have true professional longevity.
Coaching matters more than ever: Blunt warning against hiring defensive head coaches—with coordinator churn making roster stability nearly impossible.
The college game is in flux: NIL, transfer portal, and booster money are reshaping traditional recruiting and program stability at warp speed.
Seattle and Houston: The NFL’s most underrated teams: Drafting and organizational alignment are paying off for both.

THE HERD - Hour 2 - Colin's new Blazing 5 picks for week 15, Caleb Williams' development so far, the Chiefs are on the brink, Carson Palmer

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Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (Dec 12, 2025): Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & NFL Betting Philosophy

Colin’s 5 Picks for the Week

J. Mac’s Reaction

Carson Palmer Joins the Show

Joe Burrow’s Mentality & Frustrations

Philip Rivers’ Comeback at 44

Caleb Williams’ Development & Accuracy Woes

QB Contracts: Taking Less for Team Benefit

College Football’s NIL and Recruiting

Offensive Coordinator Carousel & Coaching Trends

The Chiefs, Offensive Coaches, and the Browns’ Troubles

Coaching Succession Mistakes & The Value of OCs

Brief Discussion: Caleb Williams, Shador Sanders, NFL Draft

News Roundup with J. Mac

Bears vs. Browns, Injury Reports, and Pick Cautions

Eagles’ Locker Room “Positivity Bunny”

Seattle Seahawks: Underrated Bully?

Quarterbacks: How They Age, and Cam Newton’s Critiques

Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers Comeback

Notable Quotes & Moments

Key Timestamps

Episode Takeaways

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (Dec 12, 2025): Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & NFL Betting Philosophy

Colin’s 5 Picks for the Week

J. Mac’s Reaction

Carson Palmer Joins the Show

Joe Burrow’s Mentality & Frustrations

Philip Rivers’ Comeback at 44

Caleb Williams’ Development & Accuracy Woes

QB Contracts: Taking Less for Team Benefit

College Football’s NIL and Recruiting

Offensive Coordinator Carousel & Coaching Trends

The Chiefs, Offensive Coaches, and the Browns’ Troubles

Coaching Succession Mistakes & The Value of OCs

Brief Discussion: Caleb Williams, Shador Sanders, NFL Draft

News Roundup with J. Mac

Bears vs. Browns, Injury Reports, and Pick Cautions

Eagles’ Locker Room “Positivity Bunny”

Seattle Seahawks: Underrated Bully?

Quarterbacks: How They Age, and Cam Newton’s Critiques

Cam Newton vs. Philip Rivers Comeback

Notable Quotes & Moments

Key Timestamps

Episode Takeaways