Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Monday Night Preview
Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests/Co-hosts: Matt Hasselbeck, Sports Analyst (likely Jason McIntyre)
Episode Overview
This episode of The Herd dives into a high-energy recap and analysis of the NFL's week one, punctuated by Colin’s signature “Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong” segment, expert perspective from Matt Hasselbeck, and sharp news-and-notes discussion with the co-host. Major topics include Josh Allen’s heroics, concerns about the Chiefs, shakeups in Detroit, the Dallas Cowboys' outlook, and a preview of the upcoming Bears vs. Vikings Monday Night Football matchup. The episode is thick with quarterback talk and the crucial impact of coaches and rosters, all delivered in Cowherd’s straight-shooting, occasionally contrarian style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Where Colin Was Right/Wrong (03:20–09:01)
- Chiefs’ Struggles
- Right: Colin predicted Kansas City's regression, noting O-line and run game issues, and thinness at wide receiver. He points out, “You can’t keep winning every one-score game even if you have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes” (03:21).
- Aaron Rodgers Exceeds Expectations
- Wrong: Despite labeling Rodgers a "statue," Colin admits, “I thought Aaron on the road against Aaron Glenn’s defense...I thought it was impressive” (04:04).
- Detroit’s Issues
- Right: Detroit’s inability to replace elite coordinators is showing. “You can’t replace two elite coordinators with in-house guys and think it'll just be the same. It’s not the same” (04:43).
- Dallas Cowboys’ Coaching
- Wrong: Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling and clock management impressed Colin despite previous skepticism (05:24).
- Bill Belichick’s College Struggles
- Right: Colin questions Belichick’s transition to college football, “He’s not a great drafter of college kids. Why is he going to be a great recruiter of high school kids?” (06:03).
- New England & Offensive Woes
- Wrong: “What a dud by New England…Josh McDaniels was cautious, it was slow, deliberate” (06:46).
- Miami Dolphins’ Lack of Leadership
- Right: Colin repeats concerns about Mike McDaniel: “Head coach is a CEO. It’s not just a play caller” (07:23).
- Tampa Bay’s Rookie Standout
- Right: Colin touts Emeka Egbuka as a star rookie receiver: “He has a chance to be the rookie of the year” (08:09).
Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson: Superstar Showdown (09:13–10:52)
- Josh Allen’s “Superman” Factor
- Matt Hasselbeck details Allen’s unique ability: “Josh Allen can just go, cut it loose, put a cape on and just play Superman. And that’s really what he did” (09:47).
- Both agree: Allen and Lamar are "built different"—true game changers.
The Rise of Justin Fields & The Jets’ QB Hope (10:52–12:44)
- Justin Fields Emergence
- Colin observes newfound poise: “It wasn’t first read stuff…that was quarterback play” (10:52).
- Matt Hasselbeck on Fields
- “I think he was good. Not great, but like, I think he can be great. I really do…it’s about being a passer first and then being a threat as a runner” (11:37).
- Aaron Rodgers’ Limitations
- “That’s no longer his Game, unless you design it that way…Aaron Rodgers is as good as there’s ever been with his eyes, his arm and his head” (12:19).
Detroit, Green Bay & The Impact of Losing Coordinators (12:44–13:53)
- Coaching Staff Turnover Hurting Detroit
- Coordinators matter: “Maybe one of the best, maybe the best play caller in the game for the last couple years. Just so creative, so confident” – Hasselbeck on Ben Johnson (13:07).
- Green Bay credited as “came to play” (13:53).
The Packers’ Defensive Swagger (13:53–15:25)
- The “Micah Parsons Effect”
- Colin likens adding a defensive star to “having a great closer in baseball” (14:23).
- Matt: “The unknown for an offense when you’re going against a great pass rusher…that’s not a great place to be as an offense” (14:23).
Brock Purdy’s Breakout Performance (15:25–17:04)
- Colin on Purdy
- “That’s the most impressed I’ve ever been...[he] carried a team...Purdy was great” (15:25).
- Matt on Purdy
- “He’s otherworldly...cool, calm, collected…He looks like a high school quarterback, I get it. But he can make all the throws” (16:06).
Miami’s Culture Crisis & Colts’ Good Vibes (17:04–18:57)
- Colin’s Critique
- “They move a lot and they’re fun, but I don’t…What’s the meat in the sandwich for the Dolphins?” (17:04).
- Matt on Organizational Culture
- “I don’t think it’s a winning culture. The Colts were playing for something bigger than themselves...Miami has been more fragmented. You either pull together or pull apart in times of adversity” (17:43).
Raiders, Geno Smith, and the Pete Carroll Factor (18:57–20:42)
- Colin is Impressed: “Geno…very effective…they controlled that game. Geno was a notch above Drake May” (18:57).
- Matt’s Caution: “They were losing to the Patriots at halftime…But he’s [Pete Carroll] impressive…Max Crosby, game changer. This was a game that meant a lot to the Raiders” (19:37).
Monday Night Preview: Bears vs. Vikings & Key Matchups (20:42–21:53)
- Cowherd calls for Minnesota: “I like Minnesota tonight. They have the better roster” (21:04).
- Hasselbeck on Flores: “You get a whole lot of Brian Flores and it’s going to be impressive” (20:50).
- Cowherd interested in chess match: “Keep your eye on Brian Flores and Caleb Williams and that chess match” (20:56).
- Discussion on the importance of coordinators and concern for Detroit following in-building promotions (42:44).
NFL Week One News & Notables (27:58–36:16)
Texans vs Rams: Low Offense, Big Defense
- CJ Stroud’s Accountability
- “We gotta just be better” – Stroud after loss (28:28).
- Colin’s Defense: “There’s a reason I put an under in the blazing five. These are two of the top five or six defenses” (28:52).
- Co-host on Stroud: He’s taking big negative plays and “blaming the offensive line” (29:30).
Broncos and Bo Nix: Offensive Struggles
- Bo Nix’s Rough Outing
- “Struggled as being generous” – Co-host, pointing to turnovers and pocket issues (30:40).
- Sean Payton’s Pressure on his QBs: “Sean Payton challenges his quarterbacks, like really challenges them…he’s going to push you to the most you can handle. Bo Nix is in year two” (31:37).
Titans and Cam Ward: Encouraging Despite Loss
- Cam Ward Sees the Field
- Colin: “All I know about Cam Ward is this. Some guys see the field and some don’t. That dude sees the field” (33:23).
- Co-host on the Titans D: “This team is going to be very frisky” (33:50).
Giants & Russell Wilson: Concerning Trends
- Russell’s Struggles:
- “Malik Neighbors was visibly angry…Russ under pressure, 2 of 12 for 26 yards” (34:32).
- Cowherd’s Doubts: “It was just announced that Russell Wilson will start in Week 2 against the Cowboys to a chorus of boos from Giants fans. I don’t know what to make of Cowboys, Giants this week” (35:03).
College Football & Quarterback Evaluations (41:43–49:38)
- Oklahoma’s Easy Win Over Michigan
- “They controlled the game okay…Oklahoma’s defense is all juniors and seniors” (41:43).
- On Hiring Inside the Building
- “So he is very reliant on scheme and coordinators…Dan Campbell is not a schematic guy…very alpha, former player, build toughness. So he is very reliant on scheme and coordinators” (42:44).
- Detroit/Green Bay Roster Comps:
- “Green Bay’s roster now is the best and they’re not rebuilding anywhere. Everybody else in the league’s got concerns…Green Bay is not rebuilding anything” (46:44).
Colin’s Major Takeaways & Quarterback Talent Rankings (49:38–52:49)
- Josh Allen: The Most Talented QB Ever?
- “Josh Allen is the most talented quarterback I’ve ever seen in my life. Whoa, whoa.” — Cowherd (51:15)
- Doubles down: “Yes. Bigger. Stronger. He’s bigger. Stronger than Patrick [Mahomes]. That’s not even debatable” (51:32).
- “Tom Brady’s the most productive. You don’t confuse production with talent…Josh Allen has a defensive coach that half the league doesn’t like. One guy had Bill Walsh. Belichick has Andy Reid.” (51:42)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Josh Allen’s Talent:
- “Josh Allen is the most talented quarterback I’ve ever seen in my life.” — Colin Cowherd (51:15)
- On Ben Johnson’s Importance:
- “Maybe one of the best, maybe the best play caller in the game for the last couple years. Just so creative, so confident.” – Matt Hasselbeck (13:07)
- On Miami’s Culture:
- “You either pull together or pull apart in times of adversity. That to me looked like a team that did not pull together.” – Matt Hasselbeck (18:57)
- On Brock Purdy:
- “He is otherworldly to me when it comes to just like this cool, calm, collected. When the chaos is around...get comfortable, being uncomfortable. And like that's what I see out of this guy.” – Matt Hasselbeck (16:06)
- On Coordinators' Value:
- “Generally your coach isn't your best scheme guy. Shanahan is very unique. That’s why Shanahan can lose guys. It doesn’t affect the offense.” – Colin Cowherd (42:44)
- On the Packers D:
- “Green Bay, with Micah playing less than half the snaps, played with a confidence I haven’t seen a Packer defense play within years.” – Colin Cowherd (50:14)
Important Timestamps
- 03:20 – Where Colin Was Right/Wrong segment begins
- 09:13 – Matt Hasselbeck on Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson
- 10:52 – Justin Fields’ emergence and the Jets’ QB situation
- 13:07 – Discussion about impact of losing Detroit’s coordinators
- 15:25 – Colin and Matt discuss Brock Purdy’s performance
- 17:04 – Miami’s culture and Colts’ organizational advantage
- 18:57 – Raiders, Pete Carroll, and Geno Smith analysis
- 20:42 – Bears vs. Vikings Monday Night preview
- 27:58 – NFL Week One News and analysis with co-host
- 41:43 – College football and more on Detroit’s coaching
- 49:38 – Quarterback takeaways and Josh Allen “most talented” debate
Episode Tone
- Energetic, candid, and lively: Cowherd’s trademark mix of brash opinions and nuanced analysis is complemented by Matt Hasselbeck’s insider perspective and the co-host's sharp banter.
- Conversational: Guests are given space to riff and respond with rich detail.
- Opinionated but fair: Colin is transparent about what he missed — “I was wrong plenty” — just as much as he is about victory laps when he gets it right.
For Those Who Haven’t Listened
This episode is essential for anyone following the week one NFL fallout and looking for sharp, high-level analysis of quarterbacks, team cultures, and the critical role of coaching. The Bears-Vikings Monday Night preview—and a deep dive on wide-ranging, quarterback-centric storylines—makes this recap a comprehensive guide to the storylines dominating early-season football talk.