Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: NFL Standings Predictions ft. Brian Baldinger

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - NFL Standings Predictions, Brian Baldinger
• Release Date: August 13, 2025
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.

Introduction

In the second hour of "The Herd," host Colin Cowherd delves into comprehensive NFL standings predictions for the upcoming season. Joining him is Brian Baldinger, an NFL Network Analyst with 13 seasons under his belt. The discussion centers around team performances, coaching impacts, quarterback potentials, and divisional forecasts, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and expert insights.

AFC Predictions

Colin begins by outlining his predictions for the AFC divisions, emphasizing the Bills as the likely winners of the AFC East. He lauds the Patriots as his most improved team, projecting them as a wild card contender despite previous underperformances.

Notable Quote:

"[00:04:02] Colin Cowherd: 'Bills are going to win it. Patriots are my most improved team in the NFL.'"

In the AFC North, Colin maintains the status quo, predicting the Bengals as division champions, backed by a strong camp for Joe Burrows. He praises the Ravens as arguably the best operation in the sport, while expressing continued skepticism about the Steelers, highlighting their struggles with the running game.

Notable Quote:

"[00:05:07] Colin Cowherd: 'Bengals. Joe Burrows had a great camp. That's promising because they've been a slow starting team.'"

The AFC West sees a pivotal shift as Colin decides to flip the Broncos and Chargers' standings. He cites concerns over the Broncos' offensive line and praises their camp, especially the acquisition of running back RJ Harvey.

Notable Quote:

"[00:05:48] Colin Cowherd: 'I'm going to put them at second. Titans third, Colts fourth in the AFC West.'"

NFC Predictions

Transitioning to the NFC, Colin keeps the Eagles, Commanders, Giants, and Cowboys in their respective divisions but expresses doubts about the Cowboys' potential, questioning their staff and overall gameplay.

Notable Quote:

"[00:06:12] Colin Cowherd: 'I don't like the staff. I do think they'll be interesting but that's an Eagles division.'"

In the NFC North, a significant change occurs as Colin demotes the Lions to second place, praising their roster and offensive line, while criticizing the Bears by moving them from second to third.

Notable Quote:

"[00:07:17] Colin Cowherd: 'I think the Lions from first to second. And I like the upgrades with the Giants and I like the way Jackson Dart is fitting in.'"

For the NFC South, Colin predicts the Falcons and Bucs as playoff-contending teams, with a particular emphasis on Baker Mayfield as a mature quarterback leading his team effectively.

Notable Quote:

"[00:07:45] Colin Cowherd: 'I think the best quarterback in division is Baker Mayfield. It's a workable schedule.'"

Lastly, Colin surprises his audience by predicting the Seahawks to win their division, despite acknowledging concerns over their offensive line and quarterback situation.

Notable Quote:

"[00:08:35] Colin Cowherd: 'I'm going to put Seattle. This is my shocker. I think Seattle is going to win the division.'"

Insights from Brian Baldinger

Brian Baldinger engages with Colin’s predictions, offering counterpoints and additional analysis. He challenges Colin’s placement of the Vikings last in the NFC North, defending their robust roster and defensive improvements.

Notable Quote:

"[00:11:26] Brian Baldinger: 'To put the Vikings last in the NFC North. Colin, I was just in Eagan, Minnesota. Like, that roster is stacked.'"

Regarding the Seahawks, Brian supports Colin’s surprising prediction, highlighting the team's strong offensive line pick and new culture under the second-year head coach. He also praises the Arizona Cardinals, predicting their significant improvement due to defensive upgrades and strategic coordination.

Notable Quote:

"[00:12:17] Brian Baldinger: 'They were a great pick and they're really one of those guys that you build culture around. [...] I think the Arizona Cardinals are going to be a lot better than what people think.'"

Quarterback Evaluations

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around quarterback performances and potential. Colin critiques Jackson Dart and Shador Sanders, analyzing their attributes beyond physical traits, such as maturity and decision-making skills.

Notable Quote:

"[00:15:14] Colin Cowherd: 'Movement, accuracy, comfort. He doesn't play. He's not frenetic. He doesn't look nervous. He's athletic enough.'"

Brian concurs, commenting on Jackson Dart’s adaptability and readiness for the NFL, especially after playing in the competitive SEC.

Notable Quote:

"[00:16:03] Brian Baldinger: 'This guy, if you play in the SEC and you play, you start three straight years and you're going into LSU and you going into Georgia, [...] I think he's built for this thing right here.'"

Coaching and Team Dynamics

The episode also touches on coaching strategies and their impact on team performances. Colin critiques the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching situation, highlighting internal conflicts and management issues that could negatively affect team culture.

Notable Quote:

"[00:20:48] Colin Cowherd: 'If we're not being looked at, then I'll do my part to get us looked at. [...] Mike McCarthy won with Cooper Rush.'"

Brian adds to this by discussing the challenges faced by the Cowboys, comparing them to historical franchises that struggled despite having star players.

Notable Quote:

"[00:21:33] Brian Baldinger: 'They have been irrelevant when they have star running backs, [...] I don't see it right now.'"

Key Takeaways and Conclusions

Colin and Brian provide a nuanced analysis of the upcoming NFL season, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics, coaching efficacy, and quarterback performance in determining divisional outcomes. They highlight potential upsets and validate their predictions with statistical backing and firsthand observations.

Notable Quote:

"[00:34:05] Colin Cowherd: 'How do you think that team has done in turn? You'd be like, oh, okay, they got at least two Super bowl appearances, one win, 13 division titles.'"

Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Colin reiterates the significance of strategic predictions and the role of expert analysis in understanding the complexities of NFL standings. He encourages listeners to stay engaged with "The Herd" for ongoing insights and updates throughout the season.

Notable Quote:

"[00:41:19] Jay Kofer: 'Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd line news.'"

Conclusion In this dynamic episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the impending NFL season through informed predictions and expert analysis. Colin Cowherd and Brian Baldinger dissect team performances, coaching strategies, and quarterback potentials, offering valuable insights that cater to both casual fans and seasoned enthusiasts.