The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Look for defense to play a huge part in the Super Bowl, Greg Cosell, Liam Coen
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Greg Cosell (NFL Films), Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach), J. Mack
Theme: In-depth Super Bowl preview focusing on defensive matchups, coaching schemes, young quarterbacks, and the inside stories of key teams and players.

Overview

This hour of The Herd is dedicated to an analytical breakdown of the upcoming Super Bowl, with special emphasis on how defense will shape the outcome. Colin is joined by NFL film analyst Greg Cosell, who provides data-driven insights into both teams' tactics and personnel, and Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen, who discusses developing quarterbacks and building a tough team culture. The episode blends strategic football talk with candid, relatable moments on the challenges of coaching and player development.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Coaching and Experience in the Super Bowl

• Colin opens by highlighting the advantage New England’s coaching staff (Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels) brings due to their multiple Super Bowl appearances, comparing their steadiness to “a great wedding planner” managing a high-stress event (00:31).
• Fred Warner shares how his Super Bowl experience taught him the importance of conserving energy:

  “Everything is longer. It's not just a regular season game... The second time around I made a conscious effort... we have to make sure we conserve our energy when we get to the sidelines because it's going to be a four quarter ball game.” – Fred Warner (01:37)

2. New England’s Offensive Evolution (with Drake May)

• Greg Cosell contends that scheme and coaching, more than personnel changes, have elevated the Patriots’ offense:

  “I think it's schemes and coaching and the natural development of Drake May... Very, very, very few quarterbacks are transcendent that you can just go out there and it doesn't matter what the system is... the way Josh McDaniels went about dealing with Drake May... they basically gave him everything...” – Greg Cosell (03:10)

3. Defensive Strengths and Matchups

• Both hosts agree this will be a defensive, physical game with limited long scoring drives:

  “I think field goals and special teams will matter. I think a lot of it’s played in between the 30s. I think it's a very physical game.” – Colin (04:00)

• Cosell highlights the high-level defensive tackle rotations and the difficulty both teams will have running inside:

  “Defensive tackle rotations in this game for both teams are really high level... It's very hard to run the ball inside against these defensive fronts.” – Greg Cosell (04:28)

4. Seattle’s Offensive Chemistry

• On the immediate connection between Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN):

  “Seattle does exceptionally well... under center play action is much more effective... you see a lot of those in breaking routes the Seahawks were really, really good at... Smith-Njigba being able to run those routes and essentially be open.” – Greg Cosell (05:32)

5. Kenneth Walker’s Evolution as a Runner

• Cosell notes Walker’s transition from “jazz musician” running style to a more disciplined, inside approach:

  “Over the last five, six weeks he's become a different runner... He’s gotten what we call the hard yards. And I think when you play in games like this, a yard, two yards, three yards, those yards matter.” (07:11)

  • Also predicts New England will do a strong job “setting the edge” due to Vrabel’s background.

6. Seahawks Defense’s Versatility

• Cosell praises Seattle’s interior linemen and the versatility of their secondary:

  “Two things stand out. Williams and Murphy on the inside and the versatility of so many of their safeties and corners... They have tremendous versatility which allows them to do multiple things from a coverage and a pressure standpoint.” (08:19)

  • He spotlights Emen Worre, Love, and Witherspoon as crucial multi-role defenders.

7. Critical Matchups: Patriots O-Line vs. Seattle’s Front

• Concern over the Patriots’ rookie left side (Wilson and Campbell):

  “The left side of the Patriots O line with the rookies... are potential issues... So the question is do they feel they need to help Campbell?... It'll be interesting to see how the Patriots handle that knowing that that is a potential concern.” – Greg Cosell (09:26)

8. Quarterback Perceptions and X-Factors

• Colin muses on Sam Darnold’s ability to overcome past narratives:

  “If he has a bad pick in the Super Bowl, people will just be like, see, I told you so... Darnold can't throw a bad pick.” (10:21)

• Also observes recency bias undervaluing New England’s offense, noting their strong offensive showings:

  “They dropped 31 on Buffalo... You have to be very careful about recency bias in my opinion on New England’s offense.” (10:21)

• Cosell points out Drake May’s legs as an unheralded weapon:

  “May's legs are a big deal. He had more scrambles this season than any quarterback in the NFL... Seattle... has not used a spy. Now with two weeks to prepare, could they? Sure.” (11:33)

9. Score Predictions and Betting Angles

• Both expect a defensive, close game, with scores around 23–20 predicted.

  "I think I picked 23–20 or 23–17. And I think you feel the same way. I pick Seattle..." – Greg Cosell (13:10)

• J. Mack brings up betting alternate lines in case of a Seattle blowout based on the Patriots’ O-line struggles (14:01).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Very, very, very few quarterbacks are transcendent... it all comes down to [coaching and scheme].” – Greg Cosell (03:10)
• “Under center play action is much more effective... the run game and the pass game are married together so well...” – Greg Cosell (05:32)
• “A yard, two yards, three yards, those yards matter.” – Greg Cosell on playoff running (07:11)
• “They have tremendous versatility with their back end players which allows them to do multiple things from a coverage and pressure standpoint.” – Greg Cosell on Seattle’s defense (08:19)
• “If I was a better, I would take the points here and the under. I think it's close and low scoring.” – Colin Cowherd (12:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31 – Opening discussion: Coaching experience as Super Bowl differentiator
• 01:37 – Fred Warner on Super Bowl experience and energy management
• 03:10 – Cosell: Patriots’ 2025-26 offensive turnaround explained
• 04:28 – Deep dive: Defensive tackle rotations, how both teams defend the run
• 05:32 – How Darnold-JSN chemistry formed and role of Seattle’s offensive scheme
• 07:11 – Kenneth Walker’s growth as a runner, playoff running philosophy
• 08:19 – Seattle’s defensive versatility broken down
• 09:26 – Patriots’ O-line vulnerabilities and possible adjustments
• 10:21 – QBs under the microscope: Darnold, Drake May, and bias against New England’s offense
• 11:33 – Drake May’s scrambling ability as an X-factor
• 12:49 – Predictions: Betting, likely score, overall pace of game
• 14:01 – J. Mack analyzes alternative betting scenarios; possible Seattle blowout

Liam Coen Interview: Coaching and Quarterback Development

1. Trevor Lawrence’s Transformation and Coaching Philosophy

• Liam Coen discusses reworking Trevor Lawrence’s mechanics and mindset:

  “He was always a right foot forward guy. Ended up wanting to go left foot forward. That was his idea. That was something that I was comfortable with after working with Matthew and Baker... We were able to really start from the ground up…” (32:15)

• Focus on humility, footwork, mental reps during injury rehab.

2. Coaching a Mobile Franchise QB

• Coen on balancing aggressiveness and protection for athletic QBs:

  “That is the finest line that you walk... It's an advantage for us when he can get moving... As long as you feel like you're protecting yourself...” (34:00)

3. Facing Seattle’s Defense

• “You can see they've got waves of rushers... their front seven specifically can really impact and affect the quarterback... [Emen] Worre is unbelievable... They lived and died by the explosive play. Sam's playing at a high level...” (35:46)

4. Building Toughness in a Warm-Weather Team

• Coen details efforts to instill “northern toughness” in Jacksonville—a warm-weather city:

  “We knew if we wanted to get where we want to go... it was when a Super Bowl is, we're going to have to go run the football and stop the run in places like Baltimore, New England, Buffalo, Kansas City...” (39:42)

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• Fred Warner (on Super Bowl fatigue):

  “The things you don’t realize the first time around is how draining the entire game is. Everything is longer… the national anthem before the game takes, feels like it takes an hour.” (01:37)

• Greg Cosell (on QB development):

  “Very, very, very few quarterbacks are transcendent... it all comes down to that [coaching and scheme].” (03:10)

• Liam Coen (on coaching relationships):

  “Take football back... it’s the brotherhood, it’s the relationships, it’s the trust... If you approach those conversations and tough ones as a man... those guys can usually take that stuff.” (37:46)

• J. Mack (on doubts about Patriots schedule):

  “I’m just remembering the embarrassing effort against the Broncos. A backup quarterback and barely winning 10–7 and playing the weakest schedule this century, Colin. This century. Go Seahawks.” (20:50)

Flow and Tone

The tone alternates between analytical and conversational, with Colin’s confident opinionation driving the discussion. Cosell brings methodical, film-based analysis, while Coen offers coach’s candor and stories from inside team culture. J. Mack interjects with fan and betting perspectives, occasionally ribbing Colin.

Listening Guide: Key Segments

• Strategy and Matchups:
  • 00:31–13:32: Deep analysis with Cosell on defensive lines, offensive schemes, QB growth, run games, secondary versatility
• Coaching and Player Development:
  • 32:15–41:30: Liam Coen details QB transformation, coaching philosophy, and how to build a “tough” team culture in a sunbelt city
• News and Notable Soundbites:
  • 14:01–29:12: Betting odds, QB rumors, Hall of Fame chatter, plus a highlight from Fred Warner on Sam Darnold
• Betting and Fan Angle:
  • 14:01–14:43: J. Mack on betting alternate lines for Super Bowl blowout potential

Final Takeaway

This episode sets the stage for a gritty, physical Super Bowl, unpacking why defense and coaching may overshadow high-octane offense. Expect a chess match: experienced coaches, defensive line depth, and QB mobility as wildcards. The episode gives football fans, analysts, and casual listeners a playbook for understanding the real battles likely to define the championship.