THE HERD - Hour 2 - New Herd Hierarchy, more on Caleb Williams, Nick Wright

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2

Episode Date: September 9, 2025
Featured Guests: Jason McIntyre (J. Mac), Nick Wright
Main Topics: In-season Herd Hierarchy, QB/rookie debuts, team outlooks, coaching, and NFL narratives after opening weekend.

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Episode Overview

This episode marks Colin’s first in-season “Herd Hierarchy,” a ranking of the top 10 NFL teams after the opening week’s slate. Colin, J. Mac, and guest Nick Wright dive into team performances, the impact of coaching, the fast-evolving evaluation of rookie quarterbacks (especially Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy), and debate the reputations versus realities of franchises, players, and coaches after Week 1.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Coaching Matters More Than Ever

• Colin starts by emphasizing, “This weekend told us one thing. Coaching matters.” (03:13)
• Examples include the Vikings’ resurrection under Kevin O’Connell and J.J. McCarthy's rapid in-game improvement.

2. First In-Season Herd Hierarchy (Top 10 Teams)

Colin’s Rank Rundown: (starts at 04:28)

• 10. Vikings: Believes the late-game version of J.J. McCarthy is more representative and calls their coaching staff one of the best.
• 9. Buccaneers: Credits Mayfield’s confidence and Todd Bowles’ defensive prowess, notes their record of seven wins in last eight.
• 8. Commanders: Praises their defense and Debo Samuel’s versatility, points to ability to win close games.
• 7. Chiefs: Notes third-down struggles, WR issues, “home dog” status against the Eagles; maintains they’ll be fine due to Mahomes and staff.
• 6. Chargers: Highlights parity with KC, Herbert’s strong performance, and new left tackle Joe Alt.
• 5. Rams: Needs to keep Nakua and O-line healthy, defense and McVay are “best in the league right now.”
• 4. Ravens: Issues with holding leads but praises Zay Flowers’ breakout.
• 3. Bills: Concerns revolve around the defense’s back end—“That defense…is a problem.”
• 2. Eagles: “Hyper-aggressive” GM keeps team competitive, A.J. Brown’s disappearing act causes “a little drama.”
• 1. Packers: Calls them “the most complete team I saw,” lauds Jordan Love’s stat line (11 TDs, 0 INTs in last eight), and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

Colin:

"I said I have a right to overreact in week one. Packers blew me away. I haven't seen them play that kind of aggressive defense." (10:23)

Notable Follow-up Points:

• J. Mac questions Chiefs’ place (“Are the Chiefs there on reputation? Let’s be real. No, they did not look good.” 11:57)
• Nick Wright joins (12:12) and largely agrees with Colin’s list, but raises eyebrow at omissions (Jags, Steelers, Raiders).

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3. Team Deep Dives & Key Quarterback Debates

Chiefs’ Issues and Mahomes Debate (12:27 - 15:51)

• Nick Wright: Cautions that while the Chiefs’ running game and pass rush are suspect, Mahomes’ singular greatness keeps them contenders.
• Colin and Nick debate if Mahomes was “dropped into the best situation.” Nick jabs, suggesting J.J. McCarthy now may have a better spot with Minnesota:

“JJ McCarthy just got dropped into a 14-win team with a great defense with Justin Jefferson, with Kevin O’Connell.” (15:15)

Rookie QBs: J.J. McCarthy & Caleb Williams (15:51 - 19:05)

• J.J. McCarthy:
  • Colin calls his first quarter “the first competitive football JJ McCarthy had played in 600 days.”
  • Both agree Minnesota fans should be “ecstatic” despite three rough quarters.
• Caleb Williams:
  • Nick Wright admits Caleb’s struggles with pre-snap operation and missed throws have shaken his faith in Williams’ stardom.
  • Nick references Tyler Dunne’s investigative piece raising red flags on Williams’ development.

Nick: “My marrow-deep faith that Caleb Williams will be a superstar…has taken a hit the last 96 hours.” (16:57)

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4. Coaching Critiques and In-Game Decision Making

• Nick slams Ben Johnson (Detroit HC) for basic game management errors:

“It is not acceptable for…a young, smart, innovative head coach to realize…my kicker doesn’t have the strongest leg…kick the ball out of bounds, guarantee me the two-minute warning." (19:08)

• Colin and Nick agree Detroit's coaching changes create concern for this season’s outlook.

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5. Why the Ravens Blow Leads: A Theory (20:38 - 24:00)

• Colin: “There’s no comp for Lamar Jackson. The first seven or eight possessions…it's Tyson in his prime…but if you get to the sixth round with Tyson, you had a shot to win.”
• Nick: Notes Harbaugh’s conservatism and reiterates Ravens are “the only great team that consistently loses games like this. Every other great team in sports history…they win.” (24:00)

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6. The Cost of Paying Elite QBs (24:44)

• Colin: “The reality of paying the quarterback big money…Kansas City, Baltimore, and Buffalo…have weaknesses."
• Notes Philadelphia as an outlier thanks to their elite GM.
• Teams that give massive contracts (Dallas, Buffalo, Baltimore, KC) experience roster holes, especially in secondary or run game.

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7. Nick Wright’s Take on NFC North and Lions’ Slide (25:24 - 27:06)

• Nick: "Every year there is a team that everyone expects to be great that falls off... This year Detroit is the prime candidate."
• Emphasizes concern about Detroit's interior O-line and coaching changes.

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8. NFL News Cycle & Quick Hits (News Segment with J. Mac) (32:43 - 39:21)

• Tua Tagovailoa Criticism: (33:08)
  • Colts’ Xavier Howard quote: “Once we take away his first read, I feel like it's panic mode after that." (33:08)
  • J. Mac: “That’s not nice…I mean, you spent five years with the guy.”
• Eagles Trade Rumors: (35:29)
  • Howie Roseman trades for Tank Bigsby, stoking speculation over reducing Saquon carries and potential A.J. Brown trade chatter.
• Arch Manning Wincing: (37:28)
  • Sark grills reporter over claim that Arch’s arm is injured. Colin downplays it: “Young athletes…he’ll be fine.”

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9. Legacy Coaches, Changing Leagues (43:44 - 48:07)

• Colin draws parallels between Bill Belichick and Bobby Knight, suggesting they’ve both become isolated and out of touch as the game evolves.
• Message: The NFL, like all sports, moves on from even the most lauded figures unless they adapt.

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10. Rapid-fire Assessment of Week 1, “Overreactions,” and Roster Building (49:04 - 53:01)

• Colin: “If you pay the quarterback a lot…you are going to have weaknesses.”
• Nick argues only Philadelphia combines a paid QB with a strong supporting cast due to Howie Roseman’s work.
• Colin & J. Mac revisit Chiefs reputation vs. performance and assess why the Packers look elite, while other consensus contenders have issues.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Packers’ Week 1:

  “Packers blew me away. I haven't seen them play that kind of aggressive defense. That was Kansas City defense. That was Philadelphia defense.” (10:23, Colin Cowherd)

• On Caleb Williams Concerns:

  “My marrow deep faith that Caleb Williams will be a superstar…has taken a hit the last 96 hours.” (16:57, Nick Wright)

• On Ravens’ Identity:

  “They are the only great team that consistently loses games like this. Every other great team in sports history…they win.” (24:00, Nick Wright)

• On Detroit’s Outlook:

  “Every year there is a team that everyone expects to be great that falls off... This year Detroit is the prime candidate.” (26:49, Nick Wright)

• On Quarterback Contracts and Team Building:

  “That’s the reality of paying the quarterback big money.” (24:44, Colin Cowherd)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:13 – “Coaching matters” opening, introduction to Herd Hierarchy
• 04:28 – 10:23 – Full Herd Hierarchy rundown (teams 10–1), includes insights on each team
• 12:12 – 19:05 – Nick Wright joins: Chiefs, Jags, rookie QBs
• 19:05 – 20:38 – Critique on Ben Johnson and Lions’ game management
• 20:38 – 24:00 – Ravens’ recurring collapse & theory explained
• 24:44 – 27:06 – Paying QBs, Lions primed for regression
• 32:43 – 39:21 – J. Mac news segment: Tua/Howard, Eagles RB move, Arch Manning speculation
• 43:44 – 48:07 – Belichick parallels with Bobby Knight, adapting to change
• 49:04 – 53:01 – The reality of “big money” QBs and roster building

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Summary: Takeaway for the Listener

The second hour of “The Herd” delivers a thorough, expert breakdown of NFL narratives after Week 1—sorting overreactions from genuine trends, highlighting coaching as a differentiator, and stressing how quarterback contracts reshape rosters. Colin, J. Mac, and Nick Wright balance bold takes with granular analysis, spotlighting this week’s quarterback drama, team volatility, and front office maneuvering—making this a can’t-miss primer for anyone seeking an informed edge on current NFL storylines.

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Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks for listening to the Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go, Hour two It is a Tuesday. We are live. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. A lot of choices out there. Nick Wright in five minutes. It was a wide Sunday night. Bills, Ravens. A wild and unexpected Monday night where JJ McCarthy pivoted from terrified to terrific over the course of a quarter. Very surprising, J. Mac But I thought this weekend told us one thing. Coaching matters. When you look at the regression of the Lions, when you look at the improvement in a quarter by J.J. mcCarthy. So I mean, we've always known coaching matters, coordinating matters almost as much and sometimes with a quarterback, even more.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Yeah, totally agree.

[Colin Cowherd]

Here we go. Herd hierarchy. Our first in season. Herd hierarchy. Herd hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams according to college number 10. I'm gonna put the Vikings in. I think they're gonna look more like the fourth quarter than the first three with JJ McCarthy's growth and confidence. Listen, Kevin O' Connell was head coach of the year in 2024. GM and Kevin got extensions. Flores, in my opinion, the best defensive coordinator. Listen, that start on Monday was the first competitive football JJ McCarthy had played in 600 days. It took a couple of quarters to shake the rust off. Christian Derrisal. The great left tackle, is coming back soon. I like their roster. I like them organizationally. I think after Kansas City, there's an argument it's the best coaching staff in the league. I have The Vikings at 10. Number nine, Tampa Bay. Yes, Baker Mayfield. They've won seven of their last eight regular season games. And remember, going to a division rival Atlanta is a tough ask. And they didn't have Tristan Worfs, their best offensive lineman. They didn't have wide receiver Chris Godwin. And Ime Buga is going to be a star as a rookie. So Baker's not only got Mike Evans, now he's got a sensational rookie again. I, I think as long as you have Baker and Todd Bowles, the complement of a confident high end quarterback and an excellent defensive mind in a pretty weak division. I have the bucks in my top ten here at nine, number eight. The Commanders didn't score a lot, but 432 yards of offense. Debo Samuel, we said he's a great chess piece, was used efficiently, led the team in receiving yards in his debut. We know Terry McLaurin is going to get better week after week. And no defense allowed fewer points in week one. They spent some money on it. The Giants. There were no crevices to run between the tackles. They were 5:1 in games decided by 3 or less. So we know they can be good in close games. I have the Commanders at eight, number seven, the Chiefs. Then it gets real tight. Listen, they were over seven on third down in the first half against the Chargers. They had a bad first quarter. The receiving room right now, Worthy's hurt, Rasheed Rice out for six games. They're still reworking the offensive line. I think they'll be fine. I think they're a playoff team, but they're gonna, we said going into it okay, they'd won 17 straight one score games. If they could go eight and three this year in one score games, it would be phenomenal. But they're a home dog against the Eagles and should be. So they're gonna be fine. They gotta get the receiving room right. They looked a little out of sorts early, but after the first quarter they were Chiefs at seven, number six and Chargers at six. I do think Justin Herbert, Joe Alt, played left tackle, was really good, didn't allow any pressures. That was great news. And Jim Harbaugh is also 60 in week one. So this was not an easy game for the Chiefs to go to Brazil. I think the Chargers in seven or eight weeks and the Chiefs in seven or eight weeks. If they met again. It's a very close coin flip game. I think these are very even teams. Kansas City's obviously dominated this division, but in the second half, Justin Herbert, one thing that's worrisome for the Chiefs, he was 13 to 16 and the Chiefs, I mean Keenan Allen 33. Why is he getting seven catches? I thought there were too many Charger receivers. The weakness of their team open. I have met six number five Rams at five. They got to keep Puka Nakua healthy and the O line worries me. But they've won six straight regular season games. When Starters are actually playing and they've held opponents under 10 points in four straight games. When the starters are playing, I believe their defensive line and their defense as a whole could be the best in the league right now because a lot of these good teams like the Bills and the Ravens, they gave up a lot of yards on the back end. They're young. They were the least penalized team. Stafford was the highest rated quarterback in Week one. And I think after Andy Reid, there's a strong argument the best coach in the NFL is Sean McVay. I have the Rams at five. Number four, Ravens should have won the game. If Derrick Henry doesn't fumble their last three drives. They have 17 total yards. It's a little bit of a problem. Zay Flowers, I thought was outstanding, had his best game as a pro. I love everything about Baltimore outside of the fact that they get these big leads and lose them. And I, and I do think some of this is. When you dominate a team for two and a half, three quarters, it's hard to convince pro athletes. All gas, no brakes, here they come. It's not college football. Everybody can play with everybody. Raven still at four. Number three, Buffalo a notch ahead at three. What concerns me about Buffalo, the back end of their defense, their offense got. Got 500 yards. Josh Allen sacked only once. I mean, that, that Buffalo O line, we don't talk a lot about it. Fewest sacks allowed last year. They don't allow a lot of pressure. And if they did, Josh Allen can evade it. Now they're going to face six straight teams with losing records. So they're going to go on a bit of a roll here. But that defense on the back end, it is a problem. And that Sean McDermott got, I mean, Derrick Henry broke into the secondary and was running away from secondary members who were smaller and should be faster. So they're going to lose some games. They should win because the back end of that defense. I have met three. Number two, Philadelphia 171 since week five last season. And I know you're saying how. How can they, how can they be at 2? Listen, Dallas showed they're a little vulnerable now. Jalen Carter will come back. I don't think he's going to get suspended. I could be wrong if that just came out. A.J. brown worries me. Only one target. I sense a little drama. Hyper aggressive GM Howie Roseman made another move today. Six trades since the start of August, but I have them, too. And number one is number one. I thought the most complete team I saw was Green Bay. Jeff Halfley Is a stud as defensive coordinator. Micah only played 40 45% of the snaps already has an impact. I don't see the weakness. Does this team ever miss on tight end and wide receiver and quarterback draft picks ever? Everybody can play. And for the record, Jordan Love, you may want to look this up. Jordan Love's last eight regular season games, 11 touchdowns, no picks and a 109 passer rating. Coaching elite protection, elite run game, elite quarterback playing elite wide receiver, tight end talent good in getting better. And Micah Parsons opens up lanes and space for everybody else. I said I have a right to overreact in week one. Packers blew me away. I haven't seen them play that kind of aggressive defense. That was Kansas City defense. That was Philadelphia defense. They were playing with their chest out. There you go J. Mac.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Am I allowed to take ask where the jets are because they were so good?

[Colin Cowherd]

I have Seattle at 11.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

The same Seattle that lost to the Niners.

[Colin Cowherd]

Darnold doesn't bump into a lineman. They beat San Francisco, San Francisco 12. But remember Seattle is healthier going forward. I have to consider everything. Brock Purdy may not play in weekly.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Are the Chiefs there on reputation? Let's be real. No, they did not look good.

[Colin Cowherd]

Mahomes looked unbelievable.

[Nick Wright]

That's it.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

One guy.

[Colin Cowherd]

They also have the best staff in the league.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Ms. Spagnolo did not look good. I mean he got carved up by Herbert on that final drive. You should run it when Nick's on next.

[Colin Cowherd]

He is joining us right now live, Nick Wright. First things first. I thought I was very complimentary of Kansas City. I think if they play the Chargers again it's a coin flip. Although I worry about Worthy's health. But your takeaway in the top 10.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah. So a few things. How close were the Jags? Travis Hunter the Trevor looked good. They looked like a better operation. How close were the Jags?

[Colin Cowherd]

Can I see a second week? I think Carolina and Bryce in the league.

[Nick Wright]

That's fair. Okay, that's fair. I'm the. I thought you might put the Steelers in. I wouldn't I actually. And I also think the Raiders are going to be good this year. But it also might be that the Patriots are just terrible. So I don't have have major major issue with your list. I don't even have for the moment major issue with where you have the Chiefs Now. I understand J. Mac finds himself in a tough spot because now right now everyone thinks the dynasty has fallen. So the niche he is carved out of number one chief skeptic that gets to be Wrong. Every year it's a crowded corner. So like now he wants them outside of the top 10. I get it behind the jets who allowed 34 points to a 44 year old man. That's fine. I'm not really too concerned with that. I think Kansas City. Here's what I think is fair about Kansas City, Colin, and tell me if you agree with me. I think that it is fair to say the running game looked more than shaky and they are going to have to generate a pass rush outside of Chris Jones because the secondary is a work in progress and it led to Justin Herbert having the best game of his life and it led to Chris Jones pressing at the end of that game and cutting Inside on the third and 14 because he knew he was the only one who could get the pass rush broke contain Herbert runs the ball. So those are fair criticisms. What to me is not fair, like the flip side of those criticisms are because of who the quarterback is. If they had gotten a stop in third and 14 and Mahomes got the ball back with 90 seconds left down six, I think all of us would have been like, oh yeah, he's probably going to go in. They are the opposite of the Ravens in that regard. As vulnerable as the three time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs are as they still feel like they can win in any situation if they get the ball and the Ravens feel like they can lose in any situation. I have one other Chiefs related question before we move on because you said something last week and by the way, congrats on 10 years. It's a legendary accomplishment. It's why you're you. It's amazing. I should have said that before this. But you said last week in an attempt to minimize the singular greatness of Patrick Mahomes, that he was dropped into the greatest situation any quarterback's ever been dropped into.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Nick Wright]

And yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So my question is, did that take expire as of last night? Because JJ McCarthy just got dropped into a 14 win team with a great defense with Justin Jefferson with Kevin o'. Connell. So was it was that take was that take shelf life three days and now it's JJ McCarthy who in year two is the starter like Patrick, except the Vikings are a better team than the Chiefs were when they got Patrick.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, I. But it's not Andy Reid and I love Kevin o', Connell, but I think it's total.

[Nick Wright]

Andy Reid wasn't Andy Reid before Patrick. Well, Andy Reid was not Andy Reid. He was a guy who couldn't win in the playoffs. War Patrick. Well, you know that.

[Colin Cowherd]

But I also know Andy Reid in coaching circle. I mean the guy was unemployed for 40 minutes. Everybody in the league knew Andy Reid was great. So here's my takeaway. You are absolutely right on J.J. mcCarthy. It is a like Brock Purdy when he came in 2022. There are situations that are ideal. You get Kyle, you get Kevin, you get Andy. Now you've got to go prove you can do it. And Mahomes did what J.J. mcCarthy's not going to now rattle off multiple Super Bowls. I don't believe. But let's talk about that game is my takeaway is if you're a Viking fan despite three awful quarters that you believe this morning. Well, he hadn't played in 600 days. We found our guy. And despite the fact that Caleb was perfect on the opening drive, the better quarterback for 3/4 in Chicago this morning you're thinking oh this is Justin Fields. This is all. I mean I, I'm telling you I have Bears fans that are like I've seen this the last three years and you bailed on that guy.

[Nick Wright]

All right. So I think Justin Fields is a bridge too far.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay.

[Nick Wright]

However I, and however I am my marrow deep faith that Caleb Williams will be a superstar in this league has taken a hit the last 96 hours. Okay. I will admit that I you had Tyler Dunn on your show. I read his piece on his website Golong TD pay for good journalism America. It's like four bucks a month. It's worth the read that was concerning to me.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

Like those, those anecdotes individually are not a big deal in the totality are potentially a very big deal. And then last night when you saw he really struggles with the operation still.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yep.

[Nick Wright]

And the getting out of the huddle, motioning guys a little too late. Like the pre snap stuff, he still looks like a rookie. And this is year two. You can paper over that. And I have because that play he made on the sideline where he's running and then fires an absolute laser. It's like man, there aren't five quarterbacks in the league who can make that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Totally agree.

[Nick Wright]

But, but here is for me the tiebreaker last night was if it was like okay, he's making magic happen like that. That's just an unbelievable play. But he's also struggling with the pre snap stuff. You know I would tie would go to the making magic happen. But he also missed three game changing layups on the fourth down a potential touchdown. So I can't have you be inaccurate on the Easy stuff and shaky pre snap. The magic doesn't make up for all of that. So I still believe in Caleb Williams long term, but I think it is going to be a much slower process than I had hoped. And I also have to. Can I say something about Ben Johnson?

[Colin Cowherd]

Please?

[Nick Wright]

It is not acceptable for. I'm okay with older coaches like that that I'm a better game manager than them. I'm like, okay, they know a stuff I don't know. They're a different generation. Fine, whatever. The end of that game. Colin, there's 202 left and you have to save the two minute warning.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yep.

[Nick Wright]

And his plan was kick it out the back of the end zone, which of course he wanted to do. Kyro Santos doesn't have the leg. Here's what I would expect from Ben Johnson, young, smart, innovative head coach to realize, wait a minute, my kicker doesn't have the strongest leg. The new touchback rules say if I do kick it out of the back of the end zone, they get it on the 35 anyway. I need to tell my kicker, forget the back of the end zone. Fire that thing out of bounds. Everyone can do that. It guarantees me the two minute warning and I only lose five yards. I'm fine giving. I wanted to give it to him on the 35, but I ran the risk that I lose the two minute warning and lose the game. I need you to in real time realize what I realized from my couch drinking wine. Have him kick it 45 degree angle out of bounds. You keep the two minute warning. They get the ball with 202 left and maybe Caleb gets another shot. So he like that was disappointing because I expected him to be cutting edge. I thought he did a fine job. But the challenge was bad and not telling Santos just kick the ball out of bounds was less than ideal.

[Colin Cowherd]

So the Ravens have gotten into a habit of losing leads and here's. I'm going to throw a theory at you. I love it. Okay. There is no comp for Lamar Jackson. Nobody else plays like him. Not only historically, but in the league now. Nobody plays like him. I mean, Mahomes is great. So was Allen. They mostly sit in the pockets. And so the first seven or eight possessions against Lamar Jackson, it's. It's Tyson in his prime. Nobody hit that hard.

[Nick Wright]

No.

[Colin Cowherd]

There was no way to prepare for it. None of your sparring partners could do that. But if you get to the sixth round with Tyson, you had a shot to win. And the thing with Baltimore is if you can stay within reach as he gets into a seventh or eighth possession. The offense, he's not as great from the pocket maybe as like a Mahomes whoever name the quarterbacks and that they lose leads because people over eight or nine possessions kind of figure out a little bit to slow down the train and then they come roaring back on a defense that's frankly the last two years not the same as it was five years ago. And that's why they lose leads.

[Nick Wright]

Listen, I think that's a part of it. I think Harbaugh gets a little conservative at times. I think that's a part of it. I thought Lamar. Listen, you know, I have been, you know, not shy about Lamar Jackson criticism when I think he's deserved it for big games or the playoffs. I thought he played awesome Sunday night. My only Lamar criticism, and it's a very small one, would be this. I when he threw it short of the sticks on their last possession, I assumed it was because he knew they were in four down territory. But throw on third and nine, throwing it six yards. If you're not going for it on fourth, that's a mistake. Like you've got to either know you're going for it on fourth or do everything you can to pick up the first down. But that's, that's really just nitpicking. He was awesome. Josh was a touch better. You know, they got a lot. The Bills got a lucky break with the tipped pass that turned into a touchdown. Henry fumbles those like individually you can just say epic game. Bills, you know, comeback is great. Holistically. Colin, here is what I know about the Baltimore Ravens with the Harbaugh Lamar combo. They are the only team across all of sports that I am beat over the head by the media telling me how not only good they are, but great they are. And their historical profile is of an all time team who always loses these games like they're never on the other side of one of these games. They're the only great team that consistently loses games like this. Every other great team in sports history has something in common. They win. And I know the Ravens have a gaudy regular season record, but they don't win in the playoffs. They blow big leads, they don't play their best in the biggest spots. And you can't put this one on Lamar. And so it's just something about the team as a whole where they create ways to lose games when the best teams create find ways to win games.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

The flip side of that game is this, Colin, if I'm a Bills fan, I'm Thrilled I won and I'm thrilled I have a good path to the one seed in the tiebreaker. And obviously Josh Allen's a superhero. I get all that. I do not feel better about my super bowl chances. If I'm either of those teams because of those defensive performances, I'm looking at it like, man, oh man, we have real secondary issues on both teams here that I think and I understand. Listen, the Chiefs would be lucky to just get the seven seed this year, but I don't think you want to walk into a playoff game against Patrick Mahomes if the weakness of your team is the secondary. I don't think you want that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, if you pay the quarterback a lot, Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo, the secondaries are bad for those two. And the running game in the O line, you're kind of a work in progress for Kansas. That's the reality of paying the quarterback big money. Okay? So I said you shouldn't be afraid to have a strong opinion. In week one. I thought Green Bay looked unbelievable. I also think if you are replacing the two best coordinators, the best coordinator tandem in the league in Detroit, you don't do it with in house candidates. I have no. I said this after the hall of Fame game. They are not going to be a great team. The over under in Vegas went down to eight and a half. I think I can say Detroit is in big trouble. What say you?

[Nick Wright]

I agree. And it was just one moment on the Packers. I know the media, there was about a 10 day quick fever dream where people had this conversation. Micah Parsons, how good is he? How did that answer? How they like Micah Parsons. You know, when you consider the fact that Jerry Jones tells us he's bad against the run. Does he even help your team? Kenny Clark, Dan Campbell said before the game, yeah, you know, we're just happy Kenny Clark's gone. And because. And that's because Kenny Clark is an excellent player. Really. In fact, Colin, Kenny Clark is such a good player that if you take Kenny Clark and attach two first round picks to him, you can get yourself Micah Parsons. That's how good Kenny Clark is. Him plus two first round picks gets you that type of game record. So the packers look unbelievable, the Lions are shaky and it's the coaching changes. And Colin, the interior of that offensive line, because you get Jared Goff off his spot and all of a sudden he doesn't look like the Jared Goff we've seen the last few years. And that would really concern me if I'm Detroit significantly. So yeah, I don't think. Listen, every year there is a team that everyone expects to be great that falls off. Last year it was the Niners. The year before that it was the Bengals.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes.

[Nick Wright]

This year there were five teams that everyone thought would be great. Philly, Detroit, Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore. Now I know folks are praying for the downfall of the Chiefs. Talk to me when it actually happens. I think Detroit is the prime candidate for that one.

[Colin Cowherd]

Nick Wright is always my friend. It's football season. Week 1's in the books and we'll talk soon.

[Nick Wright]

Absolutely. And I meant it. I just realized 10 years doing this show after doing it for a decade or more at the other, at the other place. It's legendary, bro. It is legendary. Congratulations. Sincerely.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

All right, Nick Wright, first things first. Thank you very much to all our.

[Colin Cowherd]

Staff and the people who have sent, you know, gratitude from me. Thank you for all of you that make us part of your day. There's a lot of choices out there. J.K. dobbins, end of the hour. And Dana White, Best fight, arguably, I would say in a decade. Dana White's now moved over to promote a fight. It is a must watch if you're a, if you're a UFC or a boxing fan. Dana's going to join us in Studio One. More herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Hey, what's up everybody? It's me, three time Pro Bowler Lavar Arrington. And I couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called up on Game. What is up on game, you ask? Along with my fellow pro bowler, TJ Hushmanzada and Super bowl champion. Yep, that's right. Plexico Burris. You can only name a show with that type of talent on it. Up on Game we're going to be sharing our real life experiences, loaded with teachable moments. Listen to up on game with me, Lavar Arrington, TJ Huch, Manzada and Plexico Burris on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast from.

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Online look legit and own your own brand with professional tools from GoDaddy instantly build trust with your customers and boost your credibility with an email that matches your domain so people know you mean business. There's never been a better time. Just go to GoDaddy.com GDnow and choose the from a wide variety of popular domains to find one that's right for you. Pair that with a professional email that works for all your business needs, from daily communications to email marketing and everything in between. That's a little price for a lot of credibility. For a limited time, get a domain and matching professional email for just 99 cents a month for one year. Go to GoDaddy.comGdNow and look legit with GoDaddy. That's GoDaddy.comGdNow again. GoDaddy.comGdNow there's never been a better time to choose the domain and email that's right for you. New customer purchases only Products Auto renew separately. See terms on site godaddy.com gdnow hey.

Folks, this message brought to you by the one and only official Whiskey of the Herd with Colin Coward Green River Whiskey now here's a story that'll knock your socks off.

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

And get this.

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[Colin Cowherd]

Legend in a bottle today. Cheers to that.

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A product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com Please drink responsibly.

[Colin Cowherd]

Dana White Last hour. J.K. dobbins, Denver Broncos, who had a rough. I mean, the defense was dominating. We'll talk to jk. They had a rough, rough opener at home offensively, just sort of out of sorts. Here's JMAC with the news. No, no, no, no. Heard on the news. This is the Herdline news.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

I know this is another Miami Dolphins story and sorry for talking about the worst team in the league, but there is an interesting quote circling Tua was terrible. We know against the Colts, three turnovers, 4.51.7 passer rating. Well, after the game, Colts cornerback Xavian Howard, who spent many years in Miami with Tua, talked about how they put pressure on the young quarterback.

[Colin Cowherd]

We get the ball out pretty quick, and once we take away his first read, I feel like it's panic mode after that. And it showed yesterday, man. We took away his first read and he was trying to get rid of the ball real quick. That's interesting.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

That's. That's not nice. I mean, you spent five years with the guy. Imagine if I left this show and you just started saying stuff. Oh, yeah, take away the first story from J. Mac. He's got nothing. Like, that's not nice.

[Colin Cowherd]

I know.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Xavier, come on. That's a little harsh.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think. I think they've got the fact that stuff comes out because people want it out. And I think a lot of people that leave the Dolphins have taken shots at the Dolphins. Yeah. Because they feel like you would do that for a company you don't respect. If you respect your former bosses, you don't say any. Even if it didn't work out, I think it's a lack of sort of Respect for Mike McDaniel, it was a loose ship. I think players feel empowered to say what they want because they don't really respect how they were treated or how it turned out and they don't want their legacy and their reputation to take a hit.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Now, we do know Tua. Obviously, pressure, right. The numbers are out there under pressure. He struggles as most quarterbacks do with no pressure, clean pocket. He's going to cook. Yeah, but that was the same book for Drew Brees and a lot of these other quarterbacks, you know, so the more I read about this and hear people just trashing the Dolphins, which is fine, the more I want to bet them this week against the Patriots. I just bounce back. Spot at home. Come on, you.

[Colin Cowherd]

Weather can be a factor for a northeast team, by the way.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

It's not like. It's not like the Patriots.

[Colin Cowherd]

I have my theory on the Patriots that between their free agent class, which was the biggest in the league, and their draft where they played multiple players. Christian Gonzalez, late scratch, right. He got.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

He hasn't practiced since, like, late July. That's not good.

[Nick Wright]

That.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

How is he gonna play?

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, so he's been out. Oh, I thought. I didn't know that.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Yeah, he's been out for a minute. I. I'm just. I like the Dolphins and nobody likes the Dolphins.

[Colin Cowherd]

I just think New England played a lot of guys that had not started within Mike Brable's New England system. Right. It was a first game and everybody, Everybody has new starters. Yeah. I thought New England is breaking in. It felt like about 40% of the team. And I think they played very deliberately and very cautiously. Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

All right, let's move to the Philadelphia Eagles. Colin. Howie Roseman made another move yesterday, acquiring Tank Bigsby from the Jags backup running back. All they gave up was a fifth and sixth round pick. I'm surprised by this. The Eagles have made five trades since training camp. They're coming off a Super Bowl. I love that you're keeping pedal to the metal. You're not letting up. You're always looking for an edge. Bigsby was good last year with The Jags.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Seven touchdowns, power runner, almost 800 yards. So they already have Will Shipley, the kid from Clemson, who looks good as the backup to Saquon. Now they got Bigsby. To me, this is a tell that they want even fewer carries for Saquon. We need to save him.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

You can't run him 25 times a game.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, no, no, no. I mean, I think the Eagles, look at their. They're playing the long game on this stuff. They're finding receivers and backs that can take some snaps and reps and hits away from their stars.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

And listen, this is what smart teams should do.

[Colin Cowherd]

Or do they want to empower their run game because they may be moving off a star receiver in Philadelphia. A.J. brown, one target. Let's empower our run game.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Do you want to further just alienate AJ Brown? At some point, you're gonna need him.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, I'm saying alienate. We are going to empower our run game. Add 6, 7 touches to the run game.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Yeah, that means alienate the receiver.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're not giving it to him anymore. It happens. I'm just saying it was an interesting move this morning to go get a solid number two running back.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Hold on. A.J. brown is still a top 10 receiver in this league. Is he top five?

[Colin Cowherd]

That means why wouldn't he be willing to give up a fifth and a six for Tank Digsby? Because you think you're getting a fifth and a six back with an AJ Brown? Trade settled him well on you.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

You, you won the Super Bowl.

[Colin Cowherd]

First thing. I thought Howie Roseman wins every trade. He just gave up a fifth and a six for a backup running back.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Depth matters, my friend.

[Colin Cowherd]

Or he knows he's moving A.J. brown and getting a pick mid season. Come on. Not mid season. It could be in three weeks.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Interesting final story. Now this is spicy. So Arch Manning obviously didn't look great last week against San Jose State. And then they got the win. It was fine. He ended up with four touchdowns, but early, he did not look great. Now, if you're watching on FS1, look at this. Arch releases and he's wincing. It's very clear something's amiss.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

So I can't tell if it's an arm, a shoulder. Is it to push off the leg? I don't know. But of course, they asked Sark about this, and Sark got a little combative with the media.

[Colin Cowherd]

Arch Manning seemed to be having some throwing pains by the. According to who? Arch. Arch said that to you? No. Oh, according to who? It just looked like he was. He doesn't have any. Does that, Is there an explanation to why he was. It looked like that. I don't know. I've never, I've never filmed any of you guys when you're using the bathroom, so I don't know what faces you make when you're doing that.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

That doesn't even make sense because, like, Arch is throwing a pass and he's like, ah, Collins, something's up. I, I, you can't deny it. Well, I mean, why else is he wincing? Give me a lot. You had a good answer earlier for, for. Shoot, I already forgot the topic, but. Oh, oh, oh, why the Ravens blow second athletes. What do you got now, hot shot? Come on, let's hear it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I think, I think players wince all the time during football games. Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Come on, that's not going to cut it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Young athletes. He'll. He'll be fine.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Yeah, but something's up. Is it a shoulder?

[Colin Cowherd]

Did he keep playing?

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

He did keep playing.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

It was San Jose State, though.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I'm just saying is that athletes wince in football all the time. I mean this idea that you're smiling during football games. Matt Stafford winces multiple times in a.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Fossil in the pocket. My friend Arch Manning is like a 21, 22 year old young guy. Something's up. I don't know. You get that's all you got. Athletes wince while they're playing football.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I did Ben Johnson, Winston, he's a coach last night they get their butts kicked. That's right. J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie Mike Grable isn't buying Bill Belichick's nonsense. Among other things. Next in the Herd, be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FTC and the iHeartRadio app.

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Online look legit and own your own brand with professional tools from GoDaddy. Instantly build trust with your customers and boost your credibility with an email that matches your domain so people know you mean business. There's never been a better time just go to GoDaddy.com GDnow and choose from a wide variety of popular domains. To find one that's right for you, pair that with a professional email that works for all your business needs from daily communications to email marketing and everything in between. That's a little price for a lot of credibility. For a limited time, get a domain and matching professional email for just 99 cents a month for one year. Go to GoDaddy.comGdNow and look legit with GoDaddy. That's GoDaddy.comGdNow again. GoDaddy.comGdNow there's never been a better time to choose the domain and email that's right for you. New customer purchases only products Auto renew separately. See terms on site godaddy.com gdnow hey.

Folks, this message brought to you by the one and only official whiskey of the herd with Colin Cowardly, Green River Whiskey. Now here's a story that'll knock your socks off.

[Colin Cowherd]

Picture this.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Founded way back in 1885, Green River Whiskey is OG Kentucky Cool, the 10th oldest distillery in the state. And get this, it was so valuable.

[Colin Cowherd]

Back in the day that 20 barrels.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Of the good stuff were traded for shares in a gold mine. That's liquid gold, literally. But like any great drama, tragedy struck in 1917 with a fire that almost wiped it off the map. Cue the hero music. It was rebuilt on the same hallowed grounds, let me tell you, better than ever. So whether you're sipping their single barrel bourbon or a smooth straight rye, know you're raising a glass to history, folks. Here's to Green River Whiskey, where rich flavor meets richer stories. Hop on over to greenriverwhisky.com, discover a.

[Colin Cowherd]

Legend in a bottle today. Cheers to that.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

A product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume, varies by product. Green RiverWhisky.com Please drink responsibly.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

It's the game we've all been waiting for. Philly KC In a Super bowl rematch, Saquon leads the defending champion Eagles against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. America's game of the week, Sunday, 4 Eastern on Fox.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is interesting. So, you know, listen, Bill Belichick came out and said, I am not, I'm not going to let a New England Patriot scouts into the building. And, and because, you know, they won't allow me in their building. And Mike Vrabel, the new Patriot coach, is not having any of it. Nothing surprises me. I would imagine that that Bill, I mean, he came back for the best of my knowledge, Tom's ceremony, so that I would. Yeah, I guess he's welcome back based on the fact that he was there. So I'll just go by that. Since his departure as the head coach here, he's been back and I'll leave it at that. So also, Robert Kraft has said he is going to build a statue for Bill Belichick once he retires from coaching. So this idea, this feels very petty, and I just, I don't buy it. I think between Bill, his kids, his allies and his loyalists, he's built this fortress around him. And I don't think he's aging terribly well. He kept hiring retread coaches that were loyal to him. And it's got. It's got a late Bobby Knight feel to it where you kind of build up these walls and we're going to do it my way or the highway and the world passes you by very quickly. You know, Bobby Knight didn't want to do the one and done. And college basketball moved on. They moved on. NFL is an offensive league. Players have more power. Belichick still leans into defense. Make Matt Patricia the oc the league moves on. No matter how many times you're told you're brilliant, businesses move on. In college basketball, Bobby Knights, I'm not doing one and done. Well, everybody else is. Coach K is Roy Williams, Bill Self, Jay Wright, like it. Like, like John Calipari, like, you know, one and dones wanted to go to your school. Almost everybody else was doing it. And, and, and Bill's like, bill, you can't just keep hiring guys that have failed elsewhere. You've got to look outside the building. You've got to have different opinions. You've got to take offense seriously. And I mean, even when you watch them in week one against tcu, I mean, Geo Lopez is okay, but they, they don't. They don't have a lot of great players. In fact, there's a quote. There is a quote from an NFL scout saying, nobody's mad because UNC doesn't have any players. And that was my knock on Belichick. He was not great at college personnel the last seven years running the Patriots draft. Why am I supposed to believe in college football he's going to be great? Like, why am I supposed to believe that? I don't. And so, you know, Mike Vrabel is just calling it what it is, which is they're building you a statue. You are welcome here. And I. And Mike Vrabel doesn't need Belichick a lot of the people like his kids, they can get jobs. But ultimately, Bill is very important to employment. And so I think you got to call people out. And I think, you know, certain coaches age very well. Krzyzewski embraced the one and done. You're looking some of the older coaches in college football, they've embraced the nil and the transfer portal. But sports moves on and life moves on very quickly. You know, if you can build up these walls and fences and fortresses, sports moves on quickly. All right, so Nick and I were talking about the Ravens loss to the Bills, and I think one of my takeaways from week one is once you pay your quarterback Mahomes money, Josh Allen money, Lamar Jackson money, you are going to have weaknesses. And right now, Kansas City's run game is nondescript and mediocre. And the Ravens defense is just not as fast and not as good in the back end. And Buffalo looks slow on the back end. And, and, and by the way, Dallas Dak A plus contract Dallas moving off Micah, they don't have a great defense over the course of a season. Guys will get banged up. It's already thin. So this is why it is so important to get the right number. By the way, Tampa, Seattle paid Baker and Darnold more reasonable numbers so you don't have to like, I watch Tampa play, I don't see a huge weakness on their roster. I watch Seattle play. I don't see a huge hole on the roster. I think Seattle's a pretty complete team. May not be a great team, but they're pretty complete. But Kansas City, I see weakness and Buffalo and the Ravens and that's. And by the way, you pay Joe Burrow big money. Look at that offensive line for Cincinnati. That's going to get Burrow hurt again. So this is why everybody wants their favorite quarterback to get the bag. Just realize the guys at the top of the food chain, you know, Philadelphia is an outlier. They paid Jalen Hurts and they have great players. That's because they have the best and most aggressive GM in the sport. So here's Nick earlier on the Ravens loss and what he sees going forward holistically.

[Nick Wright]

Colin, here is what I know about the Baltimore Ravens with the Harbaugh Lamar combo. They're the only great team that consistently loses games like this. Every other great team in sports history has something in common. They win. And I know the Ravens have a gaudy regular season record, but they don't win in the playoffs. They blow big leads. They don't play their best in the Biggest spots. Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

And for the record, they draft well. They're owned well, they're managed well. It's hard. I mean, we said this yesterday, the NFL socially engineers, they're engineering that everybody comes back to the middle. And so if you have a Josh Allen and a Lamar and Holmes, I mean, Justin Herbert, that receiving core has not looked like the last couple years. You're, you know, all you have to do is miss on one big receiver. And Justin Herbert took money. Rashawn Slater, the left tackle, took money. They've got a great coach, but they always feel thin on the perimeter. So you, you, that's why if you're gonna pay a quarterback huge money, he's got to be an A. You can't pay Kirk Cousins or a Dakota. Those are B plus guys. Now you say, what about Brock Purdy? He didn't sign a monster deal. He's only a 9 million cap hit this year and a $25 million cap hit next year. So Brock's contract is actually team friendly. Like considering how good he is. It's very team friendly. Darnold and Baker, those are pretty team friendly deals. Geno Smith to the Raiders, that's a pretty team friendly deal considering Geno could be pretty good. So all this stuff matters. If we look at our herd hierarchy from earlier today, you know, I. Green Bay is the only football team and Philadelphia was good, but Dallas found some running lanes and you got a little AJ Brown drama. Green Bay, I've got no drama. Green Bay was the only team I watched where I loved the coordinators, the coaches, the O line, the playmakers, the quarterback and the defensive energy. I didn't see. I mean, I, I thought Green Bay was hands down the best team of the weekend. Listen, if Dallas doesn't fumble, Dallas has a chance to beat have CD Lamb does not drop that football. Dallas goes to Philadelphia and wins that game. That it was not a virtuoso performance by Villa Delvia.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Yeah, I mean, Colin, look at Washington. Did they look impressive against the New York Giants?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, no. And they still blew him out.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Okay, fair enough.

[Colin Cowherd]

But I don't think that's a. We don't consider that a great roster. I don't. I think there are elements to Washington that are very impressive.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

I mean, I think you. I, I'm going to go back to the Chiefs. It's unfair to have them in there based on reputation. It's like, oh, they won a couple Super Bowls.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, Mahomes was great. Nanny Reed remains great.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

The defense was pedestrian, as Nick said, the running games.

[Colin Cowherd]

How about the Harbaugh hasn't lost a season opener in forever and Herbert Joel by the way moved from right to left tackle.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Seamless.

[Colin Cowherd]

Seamless. He and by the way in most teams don't have a Rashawn Slater. For most teams he would have been a left tackle. They just had a great left hat.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Your Denver Broncos don't see them in the top 12.

[Colin Cowherd]

Wasn'T very impressed.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

Remember Tennessee had the number one pick in the draft like Denver did not blow them out of the barely held on for the win.

[Colin Cowherd]

Maybe I like that game. It's tasty. I still think the Titans getting five and a half at home against the Rams, who are beat up, is the best bet of the week American Public.

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[Colin Cowherd]

And with 24.

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[Angela Rye]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Who cares about truth when the lie is more entertaining? Welcome home. I'm Angela Rye, co host of the.

[Angela Rye]

Native Lampod with Andrew Gillum and Tiffany.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cross, and we want y' all to survive and thrive in this political moment. We're having the same debates that American households are having all over the country. I am terrified that in our rest we're going to miss the moment you want me to stop resting? What specifically are you asking me to do? Stay informed and take action. Listen to Native Land Pod on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Why are TSA rules so confusing? You got a hoodie on. Take it all. I'm Manny.

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I'm Noah.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is Devin, and we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called no Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming? I can't expect. What to do now if the rule was the same, Go off on me.

[Nick Wright]

I deserve it.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know? Lock him up. Listen to no Such thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. No Such Thing.

[Jason McIntyre (J. Mac)]

This is an iHeart podcast.