The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Herd Hierarchy, Dak Prescott's MVP-level Play, Chiefs Analysis, and Nick Wright Joins (October 7, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on Colin Cowherd's updated "Herd Hierarchy"—his ranking of the NFL's top teams for Week 5—and in-depth discussions about standout quarterbacks including Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield. Cowherd and regular guest Nick Wright (First Things First) dive into key games, trends, and narratives: Are the Chiefs fine despite an uncharacteristic loss? Is Dak finally an MVP? Plus, rapid-fire debate about the Eagles’ coaching, the curious case of Penn State football, and betting angles in the NFL.

Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams (00:45–10:27)

Colin reveals his top 10 teams with bold analysis and rapid stats:

• 10. Colts: “Most underrated team in the league. Should have beaten the Rams... Lead the NFL in point differential, fewest sacks surrendered, most efficient scoring offense.”
• 9. Rams: Reliant on Puka Nacua. Running back ball security is a worry. High-yards offense, but “they had that Niners game and blew it. And the Colts outplayed them.”
• 8. 49ers: “Kyle Shanahan is having his best year as a coach… asking Mac Jones to throw it 40 times a game. Christian McCaffrey touching it more than I want him to. Coaching matters.”
• 7. Bills: “They just defensively can’t stop the run… [but] offensively, I don’t worry.”
• 6. Packers: “Can we stop with the Jordan Love criticism? Eight touchdowns, one pick, 113 passer rating. Young teams struggle in close games until they figure out how to win.”
• 5. Chiefs: “Better team last night… 7.6 yards a play… Mahomes threw a pick-six because he didn’t see Devin Lloyd.”
• 4. Eagles: “You can’t be 29th in yards-per-play and be a top two or three team… A.J. Brown needs 13 targets. Saquon Barkley had six carries this past weekend.”
• 3. Broncos: “Lead the NFL in sacks, number two scoring defense… Bo Nix is a way better athlete than anybody wants to admit.”
• 2. Buccaneers: “Offensive clinic… Emeka Egbuka, we have a star. Baker Mayfield, still a chip on his shoulder, but he’s using it as fuel… not reckless.”
• 1. Lions: “Detroit’s offense is pitch and catch… Second in sacks, third in takeaways. I do not think we have a great team right now in the league, but Detroit is as good as you can be in 2025 with an expensive quarterback and a rigid cap.”

Memorable Quote:
“That is my Herd Hierarchy. Jacksonville at 11… Kansas City’s better.” – Colin (10:21)

The State of the Chiefs (with Nick Wright) (10:28–13:26)

• Nick Wright (First Things First) joins, opening with self-deprecating humor after doing yard work in Manhattan.

• Concerns about Chiefs:

  • “What makes the Chiefs special is they don’t blow games like last night... A 14-nothing lead. They win that game. So that was disappointing. But your bigger picture point… the offense looks the best it has looked in three years.” (Nick Wright, 11:46)
  • Rashee Rice’s return and a trusted O-line are positive trends.
  • Team needs “a more consistent running game” and better pass rush.

• Colin’s Perspective: Chiefs’ growing pains are “youth problem”—young players making “23-year-old guy mistakes.”

  “I think they’re playing… these are correctable mistakes… when these guys have played 12 NFL games or 15, they’re just making 23-year-old guy mistakes.” – Colin (12:54)

Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence & Quarterback Chaos (13:27–15:15)

• Nick and Colin reflect on Trevor Lawrence’s up-and-down play:

  • “Last night was the full Trevor experience... the best win for Jacksonville since they beat Justin Herbert in a playoff game.” (Nick Wright, 13:34)

• Broncos & Packers Parallels:

  • Nick: “Great defenses… sharp coaches… both have QBs [Bo Nix and Jordan Love] who, if they avoid turnovers, are dangerous... Love’s upside is higher, but also more volatile.”

Baker Mayfield and the MVP Race (15:15–18:40)

• Colin clarifies his history with Baker:

  • “People think I’ve rooted against Baker… I love Tampa Baker. He’s one of my favorite players. I said yesterday I’d vote him MVP. Yeah, Dak or him.” (Colin, 15:22)
  • Baker’s chip-on-the-shoulder: “Don’t let it turn you into a grudge holder or a reckless player. Baker has gotten rid of the reckless.” (16:01)

• Nick agrees, adding:

  • “A less confident player… getting cut by the Panthers would have broken them. Baker matured and continued to improve. He deservedly would be league MVP right now.” (Nick, 16:25)
  • “Dak is trying to follow the Joe Burrow path last year… the team’s mediocre but my numbers are unbelievable. Baker’s been unreal.” (Nick, 17:24)

Quarterback Evolution & Dak Prescott’s Growth (18:40–23:21)

• Colin’s “quarterback chapters” metaphor:

  • “If you consider their career a book... for Dak, it took me 11 chapters. Everybody left him… and every time he wins double digit games.”
  • “With Dak, it’s IQ and EQ… he is so self-aware, so egoless with the biggest ego owner. He is the constant.” (Colin, 19:32–20:38)

• Nick’s take:

  • “Dak has been awesome. From the first pass of the first game to right now… He’s playing as freely as he’s ever played.” (Nick, 21:00)
  • On MVP race: “If we didn’t care about reputation or resume… Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, and Daniel Jones would be the three candidates… Dak makes the Cowboys scary, because they can beat or lose to anyone.” (Nick, 22:27)

Philadelphia Eagles’ Offensive Puzzles (23:21–26:56)

• Colin on Philly:

  • “Eagles are 12-0 since last year when they throw it less than 25 times. Run more. That’s always the answer in Philadelphia.” (Colin, 23:22)
  • Is Nick Sirianni riding the coattails of management and the QB?

• Nick’s take:

  • Invokes marriage counseling as metaphor (“two hour meeting with Jalen, AJ, and Saquon? Too long!”).
  • Offense is “overcorrecting”, oscillating too much between run/pass.
  • “They have the most expensive offense in NFL history and a top 5 OL, RB, WRs and a good QB. But in their last six halves they’ve had either less than 8 yards rushing or passing in three of them.” (Nick, 25:56)

Lightning Round: News, Nick Wright’s Yard Work & Light-Hearted Banter (26:56–28:10)

• Nick laments about doing “yard work in Manhattan,” jokes about not recovering, and the responsibilities of being married.

  “I tell my wife about twice a year when she asks me to do yard work, I'm like, honey, I've got to entertain America tomorrow.” —Colin (27:46)

• Nick: “I'm simulating the economy. I can hire a professional to do this. It helps everyone, including me.” (27:54)

NFL & CFB News, Trends, and Betting Nuggets (from 32:29)

• Browns trade Joe Flacco to Bengals: Shador Sanders is now backup in Cleveland (32:40).
• Underdog trend: “Six teams came back from double-digit deficits to win this week… Underdogs went 9-5 straight up.” (38:41–39:09)
• NFL Analysis: Cowherd credits offensive coordinators, perfect fall weather, and injured defenses for volatile results.
• Cowherd’s advice: “It’s an offensive league… we have the most smart offensive coordinators in history and they’re dialing up good plays.” (39:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lions: “Detroit’s offense is pitch and catch… Second in sacks, third in takeaways.” (09:00–10:00)
• On Chiefs: “If you’re selling stock on Kansas City, I am buying all of it today.” – Colin (07:57)
• On Dak: “It took me 12 chapters to figure him out... he is the grown up [in Dallas].” – Colin (19:32)
• On Eagles: “A two-hour meeting? Too long. Marriage counseling is 55 minutes.” – Nick (24:08)
• On Mayfield: “A less confident player… getting cut by the Panthers would have broken them. Baker matured and continued to improve.” – Nick (16:25)
• On upsets: “Underdogs went 9-5 straight up this week… The NFL is just wild right now.” – A (38:41–39:09)

Timestamps at a Glance

• 00:45–10:27: Herd Hierarchy revealed & explained
• 10:28–13:26: Chiefs post-loss analysis with Nick Wright
• 13:27–15:15: Trevor Lawrence/Jags, Broncos, Packers discussions
• 15:15–18:40: Baker Mayfield, MVP race, Colin’s change of heart
• 18:40–23:21: Dak Prescott’s evolution, "quarterback chapters"
• 23:22–26:56: Eagles, coaching criticisms, offensive woes
• 26:57–28:10: Banter, Nick’s yard work anecdote
• 32:29–40:45: NFL news, betting advice, upsets, macro league trends

Summary

In this episode, Colin lays out his latest NFL power rankings, giving high praise to the Lions’ offensive juggernaut and Baker Mayfield’s transformation while expressing nuanced concerns about teams like the Eagles and Chiefs. Nick Wright offers lively banter and smart analysis, especially on quarterback narratives and coach/QB dynamics. The show delivers an entertaining blend of stats, storytelling, and candid takes—perfect for NFL fans wanting to catch up on the league’s state and the personalities shaping the conversation.