Greg Cosell (7:00)

Well, I think you always look at what your quarterback is. You play to your quarterback. And I think one of the things that has really stood out to me about Drake May has just been his toughness in the pocket. I mean, we know he can move, we know he's athletic, we know he can throw on the run. But he is not a guy that is affected by bodies around him. He is really firm and tough in the pocket and he stays there and that allows plays to play out and develop. Colin and, you know, there's so many quarterbacks now that are great athletes. And I'm sure as a coach, you don't want to tell a quarterback who's a great athlete never to move.

Zyn Nicotine Pouches Advertiser (Alternate) (7:38)

But.

Greg Cosell (7:38)

But the result Often of quarterbacks that move is that they move too soon. They break down the timing and structure of the play and they leave plays on the field. Now, they may run for 20 yards at times and you're obviously going to say, hey, good play. But at the end of the day, you really want the plays to be run the way they're practiced. This is what coaches do during the week. And it's not just the quarterback. It's the O line, it's the receivers, it's the running backs. It's everybody works together in a structure and, and may allows that structure to play out to its fullest.

Colin Cowherd (8:14)

So we watched the Rams get beat by Atlanta and we went back and looked at a number that they're strangely like. We've seen Seattle win when, when Sam didn't play well. We've seen the Niners win with Mac Jones. We've seen the Bears win due to their run game. But if you look at the Rams, if Stafford struggles, they lose. And he had a lot of time to throw and it was almost as if, I mean, he, he air mailed a couple throws and you're like, Matt, you're you. You are as good of arm talent as the league shows. When you watch Stafford and he gets a little unhinged and unravels, is it tempo? Is it his feet? Because I thought Monday early it just there were open receivers or maybe it was just the. There weren't. Maybe the film said they had him schemed. Right? What did you see?

Greg Cosell (9:03)

I mean, look, I think that he just had a game where he was inaccurate on certain throws. I remember working with ron Jaworski for 100 years and Jaws would tell me there's two games a year where you just didn't throw it great. And you know, you never know what those two games are going to be. And when those games happen, you hope that the rest of the team picks you up. And I think Stafford just did not have a good game. But I would not use this game as a statement as to what Matthew Stafford is. And by the way, their run game has been very good for the most part. It's just they don't have an explosive back, so you don't think of it the way you think of. And by the way, Bijon Robinson to me is the best back in the league. But their run game's just not explosive. It's much more of a sustaining, grinding run game. But it's been very good. I mean, you have one back that's got about 1100 yards and another back that's probably close to 800 yards. It's been a very strong run game. And so I don't look at this game and say there's something wrong with Matthew Stafford. Now there's no question, even though he's not a true statue, that he's a pocket quarterback. And if you can get consistent pressure on him, you will speed him up a little. There's no question about that. That's true of any quarterback.

Colin Cowherd (10:15)

So Buffalo is fascinating. Their 23rd, they do a lot of their scoring in the second half and in the first half they have been trailing in seven of the last eight games in the second half, which is remarkable. And I said this week, it's remarkable they have the number one run game because they trail in the second half in all these games. Why are they. The first half is more the scripted half usually. Why are they so bad and inconsistent in the first half in Buffalo?

Greg Cosell (10:43)

Well, I think first of all they are a running football team and I think that that's evident and I think that that's the way they stabilize their offense. That's the way they create, create sustainability with their offense by running the football. They're very limited to some degree in the pass game, Colin, because the one thing that they don't have, and if you listen to any really smart, you know, the Tom Brady's, who I know you talk to, the Troy Aikmans, if you listen to those guys at some point in this league you need receivers on the outside who can win one on one. They do not have that. So there's a limitation to what they can do in the pass game. So the pass game therefore has to be highly schemed. And you know, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. You know, I saw a play last week where they ran one of their staple plays, really beautiful play that's worked many times for them where they send James Cook on a rail route through the line of scrimmage. They've hit big plays on that many, many times over the last couple years. And Zach Bond saw it immediately and he just ran right with Cook and it was incomplete. So it's a highly schemed pass game by necessity because they just can't win one on one on the outside. So that puts a tremendous limitation on their pass game. And the reality is we know Josh Allen is a great player. That's not the point. But you know, those kinds of Superman plays, that can't be the foundation of how you go about winning every week.

Colin Cowherd (12:11)

So let's talk Philadelphia. It's, it's so interesting. You were critical of them about a month ago on this show. You said, you know, their, their offense is kind of, you know, it's kind of simple. And then suddenly, suddenly the next three weeks you're like, well, maybe it's not so simple working. So would you if you were an Eagles fan. They're going to arrest some starters here. Week 18. Do you like their. Do you like their momentum going into the playoffs?

Greg Cosell (12:39)

Well, I didn't think they did a very good job on tape in the past game this week, although I thought Jalen Hurts played very well in the first half. Yes. And in the second. In the second half, you know, they had those five drives and they had 17 plays for 17 yards and he didn't complete a pass. So it was very odd. And it's not his. I'm not blaming him. I'm just saying it's very odd. But, you know, their run game has just not been what we've expected it to be all year. With the exception of a few moments, you know, they're o line, quite frankly, if you look at tape has not been very good. I think Cam Juergens has had a really difficult season at center. I think the sort of chemistry between Jurgens and the left guard Dickerson, hasn't been what it was a year ago. So I think at their core, Colin, they're a running football team. They're a great defensive team, which they are now. Their defense has led the league in points allowed over the last eight weeks. And they have a quarterback who, when he's at his best, is really good at understanding his role within the structure of their entire team and doesn't turn the ball over, executes in big moments. But they're not a true passing team. So, you know, I'd like to see them do more. In the past game, they've. I think they're capable of it, but they just don't.

Colin Cowherd (14:00)

So we know this to be true. There are offensive coaches in this sport that are just really good with young quarterbacks. Sean Payton, Bo Nix, Ben Johnson. With Caleb. I thought Caleb played. Now, the Niners don't generate much of a pass rush unless Saleh has blitz packages, but the last few weeks, he's not taken sacks. Caleb's never thrown a bunch of interceptions. He's not a big interception guy. He wasn't at usc. But when you look at Caleb today, if I gave you last week's tape and eight weeks ago, it must look different because the results feel different to me.

Greg Cosell (14:34)

Well, I gotta tell you, Colin, I watched that tape. I watched both sides of the ball in that game really carefully because it was a really fun watch. And I said to the guys in my matchup room, after I watched Caleb, or as I was watching him, I said, you know what? This guy's going to be a great quarterback. I just felt like I was watching a really good player. Now granted, he wasn't under a lot of pressure and I know the 49ers defense doesn't necessarily present a lot of pressure, but still, I'm just isolating the play of the quarterback. We just saw him throw that touchdown to Burden. I don't think people realize how difficult a throw that was and how easy he made it look. You know, I think he'll get better at some of the scattershot throws. I would assume he would. I don't think he's a naturally inaccurate passer by any means. You know, he's just going to have to get a little better with his accuracy on some throws that are, you know, layups by NFL standards. But I mean he's just so physically gifted and I mean he's such an easy, natural thrower to the football.

Colin Cowherd (15:34)

Okay, now let's talk about two offenses that are the opposite of that. Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the winners to go to the playoffs. I have defended Aaron Rodgers all year on this show. I've said, guys, DK Metcalf's not exactly running every route in the tree. He's now out. They're very tight end, centric. I don't know how they move the ball against Baltimore. I again it's at Pittsburgh. Tomlin is an underdog. It's always been effective. Yeah, I look at Aaron this year and my take is the reason he's struggling is once again they can't run the ball. He doesn't really have a number two receiver. I don't blame Aaron or Tomlin. I don't. Is their offensive personnel any good?

Greg Cosell (16:20)

It's not great. And Rogers is a guy that likes to work one on ones on the outside and they don't have those guys. So a lot of times there's routes that look like they're available and again we don't know how he's taught or what the reads are. So it's always easy to criticize if you see a three by one set and the trip side looks like the routes there. And he works to the one on ones. He's always worked to the one on ones. And when you have good receivers, I mean I remember speaking to coaches so many times over the years, Colin. And if it's a three by one set, meaning three receivers to one side and a single receiver usually to the boundary side, the short side. And if that guy's one on one, pretty much every coach will tell you, hey, you throw to the one on one. It's matchup football. It's the NFL. Now the issue is they don't necessarily have those guys. So you know, it's. It comes across as Rodgers not quote unquote running the offense. But we don't know, you know, how they teach it and what they want him to do, but they just don't have those guys. So it's been very, very difficult. In fact, the last time they played Baltimore and Metcalf played and he's not playing in this game, they worked the one on ones beautifully. But it was Metcalf. So we'll see what they do this week. On the flip side, it's going to be Derek Henry. I mean, and the most amazing thing about this is the use of Ricard, the fullback. Derrick Henry. A very high percentage of his runs this year have been with Ricard on the field. And last week in the game against Green Bay, 18 for 140 with Ricard on the field as an I formation fullback. So that's the way they're going to go no matter who plays quarterback.

Colin Cowherd (17:54)

Okay, so before we get to the Niners and I have to eat some throw on Purdy before we get to that, the staff is almost rooting against me because they know my affection for Sam Darnold. I do think Seattle is more of a defensive story than an offensive story. But I will say Sam worked very well last year with Justin Jefferson. I think he and JSN have exceptional timing this year. Two different coaches, two different offenses, two different styles. I think that's hard to do and be a pro Bowler in both. But I will say when I watch them, if you can bracket jsn, I'm not necessarily sure what I trust offensively. I think they're a defensive story to me. What's the film say they are.

Greg Cosell (18:41)

And I think you would agree that their past game over the last month has been uneven.

Colin Cowherd (18:44)

That's right.

Greg Cosell (18:46)

The first part of the season they really pushed the ball down the field and had great success. The last month it's been uneven. Look, their run game worked last week we saw Charbonnet get 110. I doubt that happens every week. I don't think that would happen against the Niners, but who knows? But their run game, they have not Had a run game this year, Colin, to really fall back on when the past game has been somewhat uneven, which it has been. So you're right, it's really been JSN and not much else in the past game, and that's been a little bit of a concern. So, you know, I almost look at this game the other side of the ball because if the Niners can score a lot, and I don't know that they will, this is a really good defense and they're at the forefront of the big nickel in the NFL, which has become a trend with three safeties instead of three linebackers. Nick Immunwari is such a key to what Seattle does on defense, and their D line has been absolutely phenomenal. I mean, I'm not sure a lot of people are talking about Byron Murphy, but he's. You know, there's two defensive tackles this year that have played so well, and one's on a really bad team. Jeffrey Simmons, who I think has been the best D tackle in the league. But Byron Murphy has played really, really well. And in the context of that Seattle defense, no one's talking about him.

Colin Cowherd (20:02)

Okay, listen, I've said I like Brock Purdy, but the last month he has been sensational. And in fact, before this past week, he'd never won a game. When Kittle didn't play, I think it was. If you go back to his career, he struggles without Kittle, so I thought this weekend it would be choppy. No, he was sensational. You tell me what. What makes him. Yeah, and I mean, Garoppolo and Mac Jones, Matt Schaub, everybody feels like. I mean, they work to some degree with Shanahan, but it feels like of all the quarterbacks he's ever had, this kid, Shanahan just loves him for a lot of reasons. What's the film say? Why?

Greg Cosell (20:44)

Yeah, I mean, I know you talk to Brady pretty much every week, and I'd love to get his take on this whole concept of pure progression, because pure progression is what the 49ers are based on. And I think the pure progression in its purest form is that the quarterback doesn't really need to know much about defense.

Colin Cowherd (21:01)

Right.

Greg Cosell (21:01)

But I think in the NFL, that's. It can't quite be like that. Now, it's not the same as old school offensive football where, you know, you pick a side, a man's side, his own side. It's not like that, but it's. But I think you have to have some sense of defense to some degree. But I think Purdy and particularly in this era of NFL football, Colin, where defenses change, they change the picture pre snap to post snap. You can't be oblivious to the defense. And I think Purdy just has such an innate feel of seeing it right away. Whatever it is, he sees it right away. And that was hard to know coming out of college because the college game is so different. You know, with the, the hash marks spread further apart, there's more open space. And I just think that, you know, two things that he does so well that were tough to know in college, timing and anticipation and just innately seeing it right away. And I think the play we're going to show is a great example. I mean I'm sure it was pure progression and I'm sure the Jennings touchdown was the read and we can go to that play right now. I'm sure the Jennings touchdown was the primary read because they throw those in breakers all the time and they got the right coverage for it. So I mean ultimately, you know, that's, that's what happened here and we'll break it down because I thought this was absolutely beautiful. But it just, you know, it's fascinating to me. It's a real wonderful philosophical discussion. So Purdy's in the gun here and they're in a two by two set and the two key players here are going to be Juszczyk and Jennings. They're on the left side of the formation. Now you're going to see use check going short in motion here and that's important because what that is going to do is it's going to expand the corner and it's going to give Jennings free access into his route because you don't want his timing disrupted. That's so critical in these pure progression schemes. Now look what you get from a coverage standpoint. You're going to get cover two here and then the mic linebacker, Edwards, he's going to open to the wide side of the field. That's what you normally do in cover two. So now what we get back to is we get Jennings dig route and like I said, that's the primary read, that's the sequencing the number one in the sequence. Now Tungus, the tight end, he's going to run right at Edwards and he holds him down and it works perfectly on this play because what you get here is a big void. And so now as I said, I'm almost positive this is the primary reading. But now he's going to make this throw into the void. And he hits Jennings in stride with run after catch and it becomes a touchdown. And we're going to show this play from behind Purdy Collins because I want people to see the timing and anticipation that's involved here. And I think, I'm not sure you can teach this right now. Look where Jennings is. Purdy has just started to separate his hands to throw the ball. So, you know, you talk about an innate sense and feel for timing and anticipation with which, by the way, is essential in a Mike Shanahan offense. I've heard Steve Young talk about that, you know, with Bill Walsh, about how you have to make the throw before the guy is where he is. You know, you've got to trust it. And Purdy does that exceptionally well.

Colin Cowherd (24:16)

Yep. Greg Cosell, 46 years, NFL Films. As always, Greg, great stuff. Appreciate it.

Greg Cosell (24:22)

Thanks, Colin. Happy New Year. Talk to you next week.

Colin Cowherd (24:24)

Yeah, college football and pro football feel more aligned. But it was four or five, six years ago. I remember when Mahomes came out and he came out what, seven, eight years ago. When Mahomes came out, I was one of them. I'm like, none of these Big 12 quarterbacks work in the NFL. It's all, it's all like flag football. It's a pillow fight. It's this stuff going to work. And, you know, I mean, if. Why? I mean, I watched Mahomes play like once or twice in college football. My take is this is not. It's like run and shoot football from the 70s. It's college, college flag football. Nobody tackles. It's 52 to 46. And a bunch of these Big 12 quarterbacks just didn't work. So now you look at it and you think, well, now the NFL and college are more closer, aligned. In fact, I was talking to an NFL coach probably three weeks ago, a really good NFL coach, and he said Fernando Mendoza is an easy guy to scout because so much of what Indiana does has NFL guys and NFL schemes. So you can watch him and see what he can do and see what he can't. And he's not an A plus prospect. He's a very good prospect, he said. But it'll be an easy watch. They're doing stuff that we do on Sunday, and that's not always been the case with college football. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

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Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast Straight fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports podcast, pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the Sportsbook and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight fire with Jason McEntire on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Colin Cowherd (29:13)

Yeah, I'm not a New Year's resolution guy, J. Mac. I don't know if you are. I don't want to wait till January 1st to get my act together. I was talking to somebody today about that. You know, you go to a gym in January and it's all packed by March 1st. It's not. I. I can't. I'm trying to think of something. I kind of think by. You know, a lot of times you're influenced. When you're a kid or you're in college, you're influenced by your environment. By about 32, what you do is what you are. And you're not influenced. You're more mature, you've got more self awareness. You can't really change stuff. I mean, I guess if you, if somebody said stop smoking or you'll pass away, you'd stop doing that or eat better or you could, you know, it's going to be destructive to your life. But I think by and large early 30s, you kind of, you kind of are what you are. I don't think I've made a massive life change since 32 years old. I don't think I've made.

Jason McIntyre (30:07)

People are capable of change.

Colin Cowherd (30:09)

I think change is hard.

Jason McIntyre (30:11)

I think amateurs maybe.

Colin Cowherd (30:13)

Well, I, I'm trying to think of a structural change I've made in my life since 32.

Jason McIntyre (30:19)

Yeah, well, you don't have a lot of structure. You gotta fly by the seat of your pants. You know, this is a problem, you know, Tighten it up cowherd. Come on.

Colin Cowherd (30:27)

J. Mac with the news.

Greg Cosell (30:29)

No, no, no, turn on the news.

Colin Cowherd (30:31)

This is the Herd line news.

Jason McIntyre (30:34)

All right, Raven Steelers will be the final game of the 20th 25 regular season. Aaron Rodgers, will it be his final game in his storied career? Mike Tomlin was asked about the potential that this could be the last time we see Aaron Rodgers on a football field.

Mike Tomlin (30:52)

You know, I don't know that I've taken time to ponder that. I'm just committed to making sure that is not. He's certainly been an awesome contributor to our efforts and not only from a talent perspective and an experience perspective, but just his professionalism, his relationship with the game, his love for his teammates, and his willingness to help them grow and get better and gain better understanding each and every day has been. Has been cool to be a part of.

Colin Cowherd (31:21)

Yeah, it's not going to be the prettiest game. I think I would probably. I don't know how Pittsburgh's going to move the ball. I really don't. Without DK Metcalf, they don't have a 1 or a 2 receiver. And now Washington's out. So. Friarmouth, Warren, cross your fingers. Don't turn it over. I think Pittsburgh could win if they. If, you know, Huntley throws a pick six. I mean, they. Pittsburgh's won games this year where the offense hasn't been good. They do it about as much as anybody. They just. They can just kind of figure it. Mike Tomlin is an underdog, figures out ways to inspire his team. I could see them winning, honestly, 17, 16 or something like that.

Jason McIntyre (31:59)

It'll be low scoring, but it's interesting, the whole nostalgia angle of Rogers. I. I don't get nostalgic for stuff like this. You know, like, I don't get into hall of Fame speeches. And honestly, I had not given an ounce of thought. If the Steelers lose this and Rogers is done, okay, he's done. He's retired. Like, I don't.

Colin Cowherd (32:18)

Does that do anything for you?

Jason McIntyre (32:20)

Are you like, man, remember that Aaron Rodgers? Like, I.

Colin Cowherd (32:23)

No, I mean, he's already a Hall of Famer. What are his numbers this year? Like I said, what is his passer rating this year?

Jason McIntyre (32:28)

He's not really relevant enough for me to commit that to memory or even close to it. Like, he's not a top 10 quarterback, so who cares? I don't. I don't know. I haven't paid a lot of attention to Rodgers. You know, I'm kind of rooting again. Like, I'm into, like, let's get some new stuff. I'm sick of the dead wood. Like, you know, like, Rogers is done. He's not a great quarterback anymore. Can we see more Brock Purdy? Can we see more young guys?

Colin Cowherd (32:48)

I would say the Steelers are always pretty interesting. So, you know, he's completed 65% of his throws. Okay, 95 passer rating. When you consider this franchise run game history, o line history, last seven years, I think he's Overachieved. If you would have told me.

Jason McIntyre (33:06)

Wait, wait, overachieved this year?

Colin Cowherd (33:08)

Yeah, if you would have told me. Okay, all right, coming in here, 23 touchdowns, seven picks, 95 passer rating and they make the playoffs. If they win Sunday, I would have been not shocked. I would have said, oh God. I take that. Absolutely. Take it to the bank. I mean, go, go back to the jets days. So I think Aaron has more than lifted his weight here. I think Aaron's been, honestly, this is the most impressed I've been with Aaron since maybe one of the MVP years in Green Bay when he had lafleur and a better O line and a better culture. Offensively, I think Aaron's been impressive. I really do.

Jason McIntyre (33:50)

So that, that got me thinking you were, you know, taking some jazz at LeBron earlier over LeBron's old. LeBron's putting up great numbers with the Lakers this year. Who's having a better year in their 40s? LeBron with the Lakers right now or Aaron Rodgers this season with the Steelers?

Colin Cowherd (34:04)

Aaron, because I think Aaron's. Aaron's yards and completions are elevating an average team to wins. LeBron, his plus minus is one of the worst on the Lakers. He gets in the way. Defensively, Aaron's absolutely a plus. Aaron's absolutely. In terms of decision making, he doesn't turn the ball over much. He pre snappy, gets out of trouble. I mean, without DK Metcalf, without DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh does not have a receiver in the top 90 according to PFF. That's not an Aaron Rodgers issue. This place is quicksand and he somehow kept this team above water.

Jason McIntyre (34:51)

All right, I'll, I'll see all that stuff and I'll raise you this last year The Steelers went 10, 7, made the playoffs with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as their quarterbacks. And Aaron Rodgers is elevating them. Like, I don't, I just don't see that at all. I mean, in the afc last year had a healthy Lamar and a healthy Patrick Mahomes. So like, are we sure, Roger? I mean, maybe it's because the AFC's down.

Colin Cowherd (35:18)

I mean, okay, last year, I just.

Jason McIntyre (35:20)

Don'T see Rogers last year.

Colin Cowherd (35:22)

The red zone matters, right? Good teams like the Niners are good in the red zone. Steelers bottom four red zone offense last season. This year, top half of the league. That's Aaron. That's just Aaron making smart plays. So I mean, to me, I, I don't know. I, I am, have been critical of Aaron. I think he has been everything that you could Hope for at 41 or 42. I really think he's played well.

Jason McIntyre (35:47)

Hey, I'll say this. He had a great run. Hall of Fame career.

Colin Cowherd (35:50)

Yes.

Jason McIntyre (35:50)

You know, congrats. I know I sound a little negative. Come on. Maybe I'll be. Maybe that's my New Year's resolution. More positivity from J. Mac, Right? Is that fair?

Colin Cowherd (35:58)

Well, how about this? We contextualize. The Steelers had a top 12 defense last year.

Jason McIntyre (36:04)

It's terrible.

Colin Cowherd (36:05)

This year they're 27th. So Aaron's having to carry an atrocious defense. And now with no DK Metcalf, if they win Sunday, you have. We have to all give it up for Aaron. Bad defense, no receiver in the top 90, inconsistent run game, and you make the playoffs in the afc.

Jason McIntyre (36:27)

Or how about this? If he loses to Tyra, to Snoop huntley in week 18, we have to tear down Aaron. How about a deal? Let's shake on it. All right, next up, the Chicago Bears. Colin, I. I did not know this stat. They're the only team in the NFL, the history of the NFL, to not have a 4,000 yard passer. Now, Caleb Williams is close. He needs 270 yards to reach that mark. This is kind of hard, difficult to wrap my head around. No 4,000 yard passers. I mean, the jets have had so many. Bears haven't had one. Does Caleb hit the mark with 270? This against the Lions in the finale?

Colin Cowherd (37:07)

They're certainly capable of it. I mean, Burden's now really something. They've done a lot of it without.

Jason McIntyre (37:11)

Roma Dunze, he's supposed to be back now. I don't know what's up with Burden in the knee. You're. You're on the ground, your boots on the ground.

Colin Cowherd (37:17)

In Chicago, they'll probably rest him. I got to tell you something. They've done this offense has gotten better without Roma Dunze, which has allowed DJ Moore and Caleb to connect. Burden's become more of a factor.

Jason McIntyre (37:29)

Some of it is contextually the Niners defense can't stop anybody. Packers didn't have Micah, so. Yeah. But Burton has looked very good.

Colin Cowherd (37:36)

He looked like, oh, by the way, I thought about this. I'm blazing five. I've got only three games. I can bet. I literally don't know who's playing these games. How can you bet five games? I'm looking at the, I'm looking at the report today. We know, we know there's three games. Everybody's gonna try and play Raven, Steelers, Niners, Seahawks, Panthers Bucks after that. Yeah. Everybody's. It's like, remember the COVID years where you'd wake up Sunday and a team would let be like, we have 11 guys that can't play. Like, I, I don't know how you can make five bets this week.

Jason McIntyre (38:08)

So you want me to give you a freebie? This is easy money.

Colin Cowherd (38:11)

What?

Jason McIntyre (38:12)

Your guy, Joe Burrow in the Bengals. They're trying really hard.

Colin Cowherd (38:15)

Yes.

Jason McIntyre (38:16)

Yeah, they're trying to finish. And it's against Miles Garrett there on the road. I should not have done that. We'll save it for later in the week. Final story. College. College football. Here we go. Four good games over the next 48 hours. I think this Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Alabama game, by the way, could be played in a bit of a rainstorm out here. As a heads up for the weather guys, here's Mendoza talking about the matchup with Alabama and the excitement of the game.

Colin Cowherd (38:45)

Pressure is a privilege. Like, although that we, you know, you know, we're the number one seed in the College Football Playoff and with all these high expectations, Indiana is the first time Indiana's ever done this. We don't have, you know, this win against the Rose Bowl. We don't have the national championship. We don't have the semifinal win yet. We don't have the Rose bowl, you know, trophy or we don't have roses in our mouth yet. We gotta go get it. We gotta go take it.

Jason McIntyre (39:07)

I like this guy, man.

Colin Cowherd (39:09)

Yeah, I like him. You know, it's, it's. We're getting to the point now is that everybody's starting to pick apart. This kid I'm starting to read, you know, all these, all these mock drafts and it's like, oh, he slipped a five or six. He's going number one.

Jason McIntyre (39:25)

Well, I'll just say this. The Dante Moore angle is interesting. We'll see what happens with him. But he's. Mendoza is no consolation prize. That guy's an awesome talent. I hear Andrew Luck, and when I watch him, I see like a young Joe Flacco in Baltimore. Not fleet of foot, but faster than Flacco. But he just articulates so well, Colin. And he seems to be happy when he's talking to reporters, you know, not no serious game face. I like Indiana against Alabama.

Colin Cowherd (39:52)

I mean, he, he's a pocket guy, but he can move. Yes, he moves better than like a Stafford or a Golf. He can move. He moves better than Matt Ryan. He can move.

Jason McIntyre (40:02)

Three year starter.

Colin Cowherd (40:03)

There's nothing about him I don't like. He's not Andrew Luck athletically, he's not Darnold.

Jason McIntyre (40:08)

I hear Andrew Luck just like an articulate, intelligent human being.

Colin Cowherd (40:12)

Strong, accurate, playing in a great conference, highly productive. Went to Austin Stadium. Ohio State couldn't win at Austin last year. He went to Austin and dominated the Ducks.

Jason McIntyre (40:22)

Like more was bad in that game.

Colin Cowherd (40:23)

Yeah, yeah. No, he's, he's, he's good.

Jason McIntyre (40:26)

Is there one lock you, you want to give out for the College Football Playoff? We haven't talked lines or spreads for those much.

Colin Cowherd (40:31)

Well, if I get like three and a half, I would take Tech to cover against Oregon. That feels.

Jason McIntyre (40:36)

You don't. You don't get three and a half. It's two and a half. Just pick your lines, buddy. No, no, Oregon's two and a half. But I mean, Indiana, seven. I think six and a half. Seven.

Colin Cowherd (40:50)

My best bet. Indiana is going to blow Alabama out.

Jason McIntyre (40:53)

I have a feeling that could be in play.

Colin Cowherd (40:56)

Indiana is going to blow Alabama out.

Jason McIntyre (40:58)

You know how those betting percentages are out there. One of these guys, I'm not going to say which company said that the most bets were on Alabama Money line.

Colin Cowherd (41:05)

Oh, no.

Public Investing Advertiser (41:06)

Of the four.

Jason McIntyre (41:07)

And I'm like, are people dumb? I guess they're. These are the people. Joe Public going to Vegas for New Year's Eve. Hey, let me put a long shot. Alabama to win the title. It's Alabama and they're in for a rude awakening.

Colin Cowherd (41:20)

Yeah, Indiana's no joke. I mean, how many people can go to Oregon and hammer Oregon? Last five, six, seven.

Jason McIntyre (41:27)

That Ohio State game was even more impressive. I. I thought Ohio State would wax them. And I was like, whoa, this team's legit. That defensive line, Signetti, by the way. Hey, that guy's good.

Colin Cowherd (41:39)

Well, the old guys can coach college football now because it's so administrative and transactional. You buy players. You don't have to be watching high school games on Friday night. So a Signetti or a Kyle Whittingham? I mean, if Belichick was any good with personnel, he'd win in Carolina. You can buy players now. I mean, everybody used to buy players. It was called the sec. And now everybody gets to. And the SEC isn't as good.

Trainer Games Promoter (42:01)

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Jason McIntyre (42:03)

Let's just say jets get two, Dante Moore goes one. Can the jets get Mendoza and Signetti? Is that in play? No shot.

Colin Cowherd (42:12)

First of all, Mendoza's going ahead of Dante Moore and Dante Moore staying in college.

Jason McIntyre (42:17)

Let a boy dream.

Colin Cowherd (42:18)

Come on, J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by the herd lie news. One of my favorite NFL guys. I just learned he's obsessed with football. That's next. The Herd Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

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Jason McIntyre (45:43)

Saturday Primetime hoops is on Fox with a Big Ten showdown as fifth ranked Purdue takes home Wisconsin. It all tips off at 8pm Eastern Saturday on Fox Days.

Colin Cowherd (45:53)

I tend to think about my days in sections. Days are very long. Let's say you sleep. I can give you seven and a half hours a day to sleep. I can give you an hour to work out, two total hours to eat, three and a half hours to socialize, listen to music, read, hang out. If I ask you to work the other 10 hours, am I demanding? Days are long. Don't you ever find yourself like scrolling on the phone, sitting around waiting for stuff? You can give yourself three and a half hours of socializing, seven and a half sleep, work out for an hour to an hour and a half, couple hours to eat, still have 10 hours left in a day. And so, yeah, like, I like my football players to be kind of obsessed to kind of think football a lot. Not all day, but a lot. I don't think working or thinking about work 10 hours a day is asking much if I pay you millions of dollars. And Max Crosby was talking to Jim Gray recently and he said, yeah, I'm one of those crazy guys that loves the game. My whole life has been football and sports like that has been my obsession since I was a little kid. I love the game, man. This is, this is my whole life. And when I look back, I know I'm never going to look in the mirror and say, damn, I wish I would have worked a little harder. I think that is such a healthy way to live. Like, I watch Sean McVeigh's press conference after he loses. He's sick. He looks pale. Shanahan after he loses, like they Bill Parcells, like Bill Parcell's Tony Romo fumbled a snap in Seattle going for the game winning kick. And like Parcel said, it's not healthy. I can't, I can't coach like this, I'm getting ill. That's okay. I love Max Crosby, but I. Jay Glazer said this years ago, the great ones, the Mannings, the Mahomes, that they're all a little obsessed. I'm okay with it. So we were talking earlier about generally I feel pretty good about quarterbacks. Like, I like this guy, I don't like that guy. I like this guy, I don't like that guy. I have a pretty good track record. I feel pretty good about it. Not perfect like anybody would be. I think one of the guys that's hard to kind of grasp is any quarterback that's with Kyle Shanahan. Matt Schaub was a Pro Bowler. Matt Ryan's mvp. Garoppolo got to a Super Bowl. Brock Purdy looks unbelievable. I do think there's a stat in this league which tends to really tell the truth about quarterbacks. When everybody in the league knows you have to throw, that's different than play action or playing with a lead or playing with a great run game. When I know you've got to throw, how good are you? That's when Brady was unbelievable. That's when Mahomes has been unbelievable in their careers. Brock Purdy and Bo Nixon when trailing with four minutes left, Bo Nix is a Pro bowler. Brock Purdy 85 passer rating, three touchdowns, six picks. Bo Nix is as good as any quarterback in the league. One guy goes first round, one guy's last pick. I do think Brock Purdy is more situational than Bonix. I think B's a better athlete. I think Bo Nicks makes fewer mistakes. I think he's better trailing. I think he's consistently better late. I don't think it's conditional. I don't think he has to have his best running back or best tight end or best wide receiver. But as Greg Cosell said, there are things that Purdy does that are exceptional.

Greg Cosell (49:39)

Defenses change, they change the picture pre snap to post snap. You can't be oblivious to the defense. And I think Purdy just has such an innate feel of seeing it right away. Whatever it is, he sees it right away. You know, two things that he does so well that were tough to know in college. Timing and anticipation and just innately seeing it right away.

Colin Cowherd (50:03)

And that's what Sam Darnold said about Brock Purdy. That's what Darnold said when he went to San Francisco for that year and people asked him about it and he said it privately and publicly. Brock Purdy's ability, smart kid. To cognitively see it, let it rip and get the ball there, man. He sees the field.

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Colin Cowherd (51:08)

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Greg Cosell (52:26)

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Colin Cowherd (52:30)

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