The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (September 19, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this Friday episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd brings his signature blend of analysis, strong takes, and wry wit as he breaks down his "Blazing 5" NFL picks for week three, dives deep into league storylines—including the struggles of the Bears' offense, the rise of Josh Allen, and what the Packers’ 2-0 start really means. Colin is joined by former NFL coach and frequent contributor Eric Mangini for insight on quarterback dynamics and team building, and cohost J. Mac (Jason McIntyre) and guest Tyler Dunne join to debate the week’s most intriguing matchups and coaching trends.

Collins Blazing 5 Picks for Week 3

(Segment starts at 02:54)

Colin opens the hour with enthusiasm for his Blazing 5, coming off a tough beat in Denver but feeling “good about” this week’s slate. He gives rationale for each pick, merging stats, narrative, and gut instinct.

1. Rams (+3.5) at Eagles

• Rams are the “best second half team in the league” with Stafford as the “highest rated quarterback.”
• Defense: “Number one scoring defense in the league. Both opponents held under 20.”
• Key stat: “Eight sacks from six different players—this defensive front is gnarly.”
• Eagles offense “trying to find its way”; only three plays over 20 yards all season.
• Prediction: Rams upset Eagles, 27-23.

2. Patriots (+1.5) vs Steelers

• Patriots as a home underdog.
• Colin highlights: “They’re getting after the quarterback. Mike Vrabel’s got that defensive front humming.”
• Steelers can’t run: “They haven't run the ball in Pittsburgh in seven years and they’re not going to run it against New England.”
• Steelers defense “a mess on the back end.”
• Prediction: Patriots win outright, 27-23.

3. Seahawks vs Saints (+7.5)

• Seattle has “held both opponents under 20 points.”
• “Jackson Smith-Njigba looks like they found a number one receiver... O-line will be better.”
• Saints’ Spencer Rattler struggling: “Completing under 60%. 0-8 as a starter.”
• Saints traveling cross-country; Colin expects them to fall behind.
• Prediction: Seahawks cover, win 28-20.

4. Cowboys vs Bears (Over 50.5 points)

• “Dallas will win, close, but I’m taking the over.”
• Cowboys’ third-down offense looks elite: “They did what they wanted to.”
• Bears defense “allowing seven yards a play… bad on third down.”
• Bears’ three-and-outs mean “tired second half defense missing their best corner.”
• Prediction: Cowboys win 28-27, bet the over.

5. Lions at Ravens (-4.5) [Monday Night]

• Colin’s mantra: “When Lamar Jackson hosts an NFC team, I don’t care what the spread is.”
• Ravens #1 scoring offense, “7-1 over their last 8 home games—10 of 13 have come by over a touchdown.”
• Lions defense allows a 48% conversion rate on third down: “near the bottom of the league.”
• Prediction: Ravens win and cover, 30-23.

Colin (on feeling good about the slate):
"Put the work boots on, grab the shovel and start digging out picks. So here we go. It is week three. I feel good about it. Blazing five, let's blaze it up." (02:54)

Guest Analyst: Eric Mangini Breaks Down Key Quarterback/Team Storylines

(Segment starts at 08:30)

Coach Mangini joins Colin and the Herd crew to offer deeper perspective on QBs, offenses, and coaching decisions.

1. Josh Allen’s Evolution into Elite, Mistake-Free Quarterback

• Colin:
  "The Buffalo Bills have not lost the turnover battle in 25 games… 30 touchdowns and one pick. I’ve never seen anything like this. This horsepower with no mistakes." (09:12)
• Mangini:
  "When I had Brett Favre in New York... you love the chances that he took, but you didn’t love the fact that he had to take a chance ALL the time... The fact that Josh Allen was able to do what he did last year after having five out of the six previous years with double digit interceptions, it’s really impressive and it’s hard to do because his nature is to take chances." (10:02)

2. The Tua Dilemma in Miami

• Colin laments Tua’s turnovers and size: “There’s a cap hit here… Watching him throw that pick—it’s like, he didn’t see the linebacker? He’s too smart.”
• Mangini (on Tua’s future):
  "The issue with Tua isn't just about the mistakes or size, but you’ve also got the concussion part of it and you just don’t know when is the next hit gonna be the last hit with him. And that’s what was surprising when they initially gave him the big long-term contract. It’s a huge risk." (12:35)

3. Caleb Williams and the Bears’ Offensive Structure

• Colin:
  "With Caleb Williams against the Cowboys, I don’t need a win, I need progress... Through two games outside the two opening drives, I don’t see it." (13:41)
• Mangini:
  "Plays where, wow, this guy has a chance to be a really good quarterback. But to your point, every play can’t be some sort of heroic, elongated make-something-happen play. It just can't be." (15:02)

4. Eagles’ Offense and the ‘Tush Push’

• Colin (skeptical about Eagles):
  "They have more push, push attempts than passes 10 yards down the field… That signals to me they don’t trust the staff doesn’t trust him [Hurts].” (16:33)
• Mangini (on the Eagles’ ‘boring but winning’ strategy):
  "It’s a formula that works. So why not be boring and win instead of trying to get style points and lose? It works for them. And you may hate it, but it’s a formula that works. And I wouldn’t deviate from it." (17:47)

5. Is Jim Harbaugh the Greatest Combined College/Pro Coach?

• Colin (bold claim):
  "If you combine them like basketball, could I argue Jim Harbaugh is the best coach ever? He’s taken five messes. Four of five were good immediately, five of five within two to three years." (17:55)
• Mangini:
  "I’ve been with multiple Hall of Fame coaches… the thing that’s different about Jim… He legitimately loves football... When you get into pro football, it can be just work. He brings that enthusiasm you had as a kid when you loved the game into each of these programs, and that’s contagious.” (19:07)

6. Dak Prescott as the ‘Forgotten Son’ and his 2025 Form

• Colin (on Dak’s reliability):
  "He reminds me of the kid that the parents sometimes forget about because he’s never a problem... And in the end, you make him executor of the will because he’s the one kid ... he never pulls the fire alarm. Those kids end up being mentally tough because they get ignored a lot, right?" (20:47)
• Mangini:
  "That’s a perfect analogy... But Dak’s not part of that [Dallas dysfunction]. I’ve been so impressed by Dak these first two games, coming back from an injury and playing as well as he did... There seems to be a resolve and almost a chip and anger.” (21:55)
• Colin (on Dak’s crucial run in OT):
  "For him in that game against the Giants in overtime, off surgery to peel off a huge run… That’s an impressive play. In that moment to trust yourself, put yourself out there.” (23:06)

In-Depth Analysis & Commentary

Why Great Defenses Falter

(Starts at 27:50)

• Colin (on the Bears and similar teams):
  • “You’re complaining about the Bears defense. Have you seen the numbers on Caleb Williams after the first drive? Three and out. The defense is exhausted... They’re absolutely atrocious on third and fourth down.”
  • “If the Bears and Caleb are scoring 33 points a game, it’s remarkable how good their defense will look... It’s hard to be a great defense when you’re tired.”
  • Key insight: Great defenses in history, from the ’70s Steelers to Tom Brady’s Patriots, benefited from long, productive offensive drives. Offenses that can’t sustain drives doom their defenses to exhaustion and late-game letdowns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin (on Josh Allen):
  "The one thing that’s hard to coach out of star quarterbacks who have horsepower is reckless. Favre, Luck, Manning, Namath, Elway... The fact that [Josh Allen] now throws the ball underneath, doesn’t take risky throws—it shows he’s coachable, he’s humble." (09:12)

• Mangini (on Tua and Miami):
  "The big guys at the end of the day are going to win. The issue with Tua isn’t just the mistakes or size, but you’ve also got the concussion part of it. You just don’t know when the next hit will be the last." (12:35)

• Mangini (on boring but effective teams):
  "Why not be boring and win instead of trying to get style points and lose?" (17:47)

• Colin (on Dak Prescott):
  "He’s the kid parents sometimes forget about... and those kids end up being mentally tough because they get ignored a lot." (20:47)

Rapid Fire: News and Analysis Segment with Tyler Dunne

(Starts at 32:11)

• Lions-Ravens Monday Night Football:
  • Baltimore is "going to get out to a lead and then Goff’s going to be playing catch up," says Colin.
  • Tyler highlights Detroit’s weaknesses in linebacker speed; concern on the O-line with Taylor Decker possibly out.
• Packers 2-0 Start:
  • Tackle Rasheed Walker says, “I think we can go undefeated, honestly.” (34:57)
  • Tyler notes how young and confident the team is, but injuries and a matchup vs. Myles Garrett loom.
  • Colin likens them to early Mahomes Chiefs—can play from behind or ahead; praises team balance.
• Aaron Rodgers reportedly frustrated in Pittsburgh:
  • Colin compares situation to New York: Defensive culture, poor O-line, limited receivers ("the Jets with cooler uniforms").
  • “Stafford and Brady figured it out… we want an offensive coach, O-line’s got to be right, team must be able to run the ball. Aaron’s like, the Jets didn’t work, let’s try it again. I don’t get that.” (39:32)

Noteworthy Team & Player Observations

• Kansas City Chiefs:
  • "Most consecutive games with fewer than 30 points." Colin raises possibility of playoff fatigue, comparing to the 2007 Patriots’ burnout.
• Potential Upsets (Week 3):
  • Tyler flags Jets vs. Bucs (Bucs missing four O-linemen, Jets’ D-line strong) and "fishy" Chargers at home against Denver.
  • Colin: “Chargers could be the game of the weekend… I think they could be in the AFC championship.” (51:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:54] – Colin’s Blazing 5 picks rationale
• [08:30] – Eric Mangini joins, discussion begins
• [09:12] – Josh Allen’s transformation and history
• [12:35] – Tua’s future in Miami
• [13:41] – Caleb Williams’ development and Bears offense
• [15:02] – Mangini on Bears coaching balance for Caleb Williams
• [16:33] – Deep dive on Eagles’ offense and ‘Tush Push’
• [17:47] – Mangini on value of “boring” winning football
• [19:07] – Harbaugh’s legacy and coaching style
• [20:47] – Colin’s Dak Prescott analogy
• [32:11] – Tyler Dunne cohosts: Ravens-Lions, Packers, Aaron Rodgers topics
• [39:32] – Rodgers in Pittsburgh vs. Jets/NFL fit
• [50:14] – Upset watch: Jets-Bucs, Chargers-Broncos
• [27:50] – Why great defenses often falter (offense’s fault)

Episode Tone & Style

Colin maintains his fast-paced, conversational, and sometimes irreverent style, mixing big-picture takes with granular, statistical football analysis. Mangini offers a grounded, coach’s perspective, often tempering Colin’s bold claims with specifics and reminders about team dynamics. Regular asides with cohosts fill out the show with quick-hit takes and league rumor mill updates.

Conclusion

Hour 2 of The Herd offers a robust NFL primer heading into Week 3, with Colin’s Blazing 5, deep quarterback discussions, and hard looks at team trajectories. Whether you’re seeking insight on the Packers’ sustainability, the fate of Miami with Tua, or wondering if Dak is at his peak, this episode delivers sharp, engaging football analysis punctuated by memorable lines and expert insight.

Best Quotes:

• “Why not be boring and win instead of trying to get style points and lose?” – Eric Mangini (17:47)
• “He’s the kid parents sometimes forget about... and those kids end up being mentally tough because they get ignored a lot.” – Colin (20:47)
• “This horsepower with no mistakes. I’ve never seen anything like this.” – Colin on Josh Allen (09:12)

Recommended Start Points (If Listening Back):

• [02:54] – Blazing 5
• [08:30] – Mangini on quarterbacks and coaching
• [32:11] – Tyler Dunne’s rapid-fire news, Packers, Rodgers, & injuries
• [27:50] – Colin explains why great defenses “fall apart” in the second half

This episode is a must-listen for NFL fans looking for both big-picture wisdom and tactical game-week picks.