The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD – Hour 2 – New Herd Hierarchy, Patriots Win Streak, Nick Wright
Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Herd focuses on Colin Cowherd’s mid-season “Herd Hierarchy” for the NFL, deep analysis and debate over current contenders, and special guest Nick Wright’s takes on team performances—most notably the Patriots’ surprising surge, struggles of the Chiefs, and coaching legacies. The hour covers quarterback narratives, playoff outlooks, and a spirited discussion about college football’s Lane Kiffin to LSU saga.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams

[02:20 – 10:42]

Colin unveils his weekly ranking of the top 10 NFL teams, explaining his reasons and what he sees in each contender this December.

The List:

1. New England Patriots:

   • No true weakness except the run game; "sound, special teams great, reminiscent of Belichick/Brady with a more mobile QB."
   • Quote: “What am I supposed to do with them? They keep winning. Last night they got 30 in the first half with a backup left tackle. I got New England 1.” — Colin [09:41]

2. Los Angeles Rams:

   • Least penalized, highest graded overall team.

3. Green Bay Packers:

   • Currently a “Super Bowl team” with Jordan Love proven.
   • “We gotta stop wondering if Jordan Love is good. The answer is yes.” — Colin [08:49]

4. Denver Broncos:

   • Long win streak, but many close games, offense inconsistent.

5. Seattle Seahawks:

   • Physical, fast, haven’t lost back-to-back games.

6. Buffalo Bills:

   • Turnover issues, but Josh Allen called best QB right now.

7. Chicago Bears:

   • Lead league in takeaways; QB Caleb Williams accurate on 3rd down but not overall.
   • “I like any team that is a physical team in December and January and the Bears are.” — Colin [07:00]

8. Dallas Cowboys:

   • Top three in pressure rate since key signings; running game and WR group praised.

9. Philadelphia Eagles:

   • Concerns about rushing offense and ability to fix problems mid-season.

10. Houston Texans:

    • Four-game win streak, best defense, always competitive.

Notable Moment:

• Colin admits uncertainty with the order, particularly putting New England #1:
  “You do this about twice a year. You put a team number one and then your rationale is ‘I don't know what to do with them.’ Well, I don't know, then put them like four.” — Nick Wright [10:47]

2. Patriots’ Turnaround & Quick Rebuilds

[10:44 – 12:42]

• Nick Wright views New England as proof that with the right QB and coach, “rebuilds” can be nearly instantaneous.
  • “If you ace the quarterback and the coach, the rebuild’s done.” — Nick Wright [11:22]
• He cautions: despite the record, he’d pick Rams, Packers, or Seahawks over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

3. Chiefs’ Struggles & AFC Playoff Picture

[12:42 – 16:16]

• Discussion on why the Chiefs aren’t dominant: inability to get defensive stops on 3rd and long, few turnovers/sacks.
• Stat Drop: Chiefs now “fourth worst in the league at 3rd and long defense, fourth fewest turnovers forced, sixth fewest sacks.” — Nick Wright [13:26]
• Offensive line injuries compound peril as they battle for playoff survival.
• Big games ahead: “If they win that game, they then… go into a game against the Chargers where the winner gets the final playoff spot in the AFC.” — Nick Wright [15:09]

4. Dak Prescott’s Growth & Cowboys’ Ceiling

[16:16 – 19:06]

• Both Colin and Nick reflect on whether Dak deserves a promotion from “B+” to “A+” after a career-best season.
  • “It’s the best I’ve ever seen him. He’s in year 10.” — Colin [16:38]
• However, Nick notes, “We would like to see (Dak) produce at least the same level in the postseason… This year he’s playing the position as well as he ever has.” [17:34]
• Uncertainty whether Dallas’s late surge will be enough for a playoff berth in NFC.

5. The Mike Tomlin Era: Is It Over in Pittsburgh?

[19:06 – 23:13]

• Colin and Nick discuss whether Tomlin’s consistency (no losing seasons) has masked a lack of real postseason progress.
• “When I see something that keeps happening over and over… they struggle late, can’t run the ball… feels outdated in an offensive league.” — Colin [19:28]
• Nick: “You can be a great coach and it be time to move on… Like Andy Reid in Philly…” [20:22]
• Raises “Super Bowl coaches on the hot seat” narrative: Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Sirianni in Philly, Harbaugh in Baltimore.

6. Lane Kiffin Leaves Ole Miss for LSU: College Football Reaction

[23:13 – 26:59]

• Colin frames Kiffin’s move as classic: “Don’t marry the rock star and then be upset when he goes on tour.” [46:29]
• Nick is more critical of the narrative, dismissing “crocodile tears” over tough choices for highly paid coaches:
  • “Don’t then tell me about how sad it made you. That is a child thing, not an adult thing.” — Nick Wright [26:15]
• Both agree LSU is a better job, but with more pressure/drama.

7. Chiefs: The Edge of Glory or Failure

[27:08 – 28:10]

Nick’s heartbreak over the Chiefs’ playoff jeopardy:

• “If they win Sunday night, I’m going to be on the air Monday saying they beat the Chargers, they’re going back to the Super Bowl. And you might agree.” — Nick Wright [27:20]
• Colin compares their liminal state to Oscar nominees: “Either the most famous person in the world for about six days or you go on to independent films and nobody remembers you.” [27:49]

8. Listener News & NFL Updates

[33:05 – 41:26]

Steelers’ Defensive Collapse

• 249 rush yards allowed at home for the first time in 50 years; signs of a broken system.
• “Again, they haven’t won a playoff game in eight years.” — Colin [35:17]

Bears’ QB Situation

• Caleb Williams dead last in completion percentage; concern over whether he can develop like Josh Allen did.
• Quote: “You got to get to 62 or 63%. You got to get up. 58 is a backup quarterback and not a great backup.” — Colin [38:22]

Colts & Sauce Gardner Injury

• Worry about the gamble backfiring if Sauce Gardner’s absence leads to missing playoffs.

9. More on Lane Kiffin’s Fit at LSU

[45:46 – 52:11]

• Colin echoes, “Ole Miss is either dumb or naive if they thought hiring Lane Kiffin couldn't end this way… You knew his track record.” [45:46]
• Sees Kiffin as a great fit at LSU, where “unbelievable high school football talent” makes quick success possible.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We gotta stop wondering if Jordan Love is good. The answer is yes.” — Colin Cowherd [08:49]
• “If you ace the quarterback and the coach, the rebuild’s done. Now you’re in build.” — Nick Wright [11:22]
• “Don’t then tell me about how sad it made you. That is a child thing, not an adult thing.” — Nick Wright [26:15]
• “It’s the best I’ve ever seen (Dak). He’s in year 10.” — Colin Cowherd [16:38]
• “If they win Sunday night, I’m going to be on the air Monday saying ... they’re going back to the Super Bowl.” — Nick Wright [27:20]
• “You keep telling me… They keep winning. Last night they got 30 in the first half… I got New England 1.” — Colin [09:41]
• “I think it’s kind of time with Tomlin. I’m seeing too many patterns over the last six years.” — Colin Cowherd [19:28]

Tone & Style

• Lively, direct, and analytical — Cowherd and Wright trade sharp opinions, supported by stats, trends, and pointed questions.
• Conversational, candid, sometimes even self-deprecating, as when Colin debates his own Hierarchy logic.
• Insider banter about coaching, player development, and league narratives, designed to stimulate debate.

Conclusion

Hour 2 of The Herd delivers classic Cowherd: bold rankings, in-depth NFL debate, and candid crossfire with Nick Wright on team legitimacy, changing coaching eras, QB scrutiny, and college football’s soap operas. Essential listening for anyone wanting current, passionate sports talk with sharp opinions and ample context.