Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 2 – January 22, 2026)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on previewing the AFC and NFC Championship games, with a special focus on ranking the top players in the upcoming Patriots-Broncos AFC matchup. Colin Cowherd, joined by NFL analyst Greg Cosell, delves into team strengths, key on-field matchups, quarterback analyses, and broader NFL storylines including coach impact, draft realities, and culture building across the league.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Ranking the Top Players in the Patriots vs. Broncos (AFC Title Game)

[00:46 – 06:41]

• Colin details his list of the top 10 players in the AFC Championship game (with stats and rationale).
  • #10 – Mike Onwenu (Patriots, Guard): “Allowed two sacks on 722 pass-blocking snaps. … He is a great interior lineman.” (00:58)
  • #9 – Courtland Sutton (Broncos, WR): “Most underrated #1 receiver in the league… They lock in on him for big plays.” (01:16)
  • #8 – Christian Gonzalez (Patriots, CB): “Patriots are 13-1 and allow 18 points a game when he plays… 61 passer rating when targeted.” (01:44)
  • #7 – Zach Allen (Broncos, DL): “Led the NFL in QB hits and pressures this season… Great acquisition.” (02:18)
  • #6 – Garett Bolles (Broncos, LT): “Highest graded pass-blocker… More important position than guard.” (03:14)
  • #5 – Stefon Diggs (Broncos, WR): “Top 10 graded receiver, both wideout and slot.” (03:29)
  • #4 – Quinn Meinerz (Broncos, G): “Highest graded guard… First team All Pro.” (04:07)
  • #3 – Drake Maye (Patriots, QB): “First in NFL history: 70% comp, 4K passing, 450+ rush yards.” (04:26)
  • #2 – Nik Bonitto (Broncos, Edge): “Only player outside Miles Garrett w/ 13+ sacks both years. Dog in big moments.” (05:00)
  • #1 – Patrick Surtain (Broncos, CB): “Arguably best corner… reigning DPOY, 4-time Pro Bowler.” (05:28)
• High-end talent slants Denver’s way (6-4 split), but “New England at the most important position has a sizable advantage. Drake Maye over Jarrett Stidham and I think that’s the difference in the game.” (05:52)

“Denver’s high-end talent is outstanding… Maybe only Philly, maybe the Rams have better high-end talent than Denver.” – Colin Cowherd (06:04)

2. Greg Cosell Joins: Detailed Matchups and Player Analyses

[06:42 – 20:38]

a. Nik Bonitto vs. Will Campbell: The Key Matchup

• Cosell spotlights: Bonitto’s dominance and Campbell’s recent struggles.
  • “Campbell has struggled with Mack… now he faces Bonitto, who lines up on the right side 97-98% of the time. The Patriots know, so they help with chips or extra blockers—but that means fewer eligible receivers.” (06:42)
• This impacts New England’s whole pass game, as extra protection limits passing options.

“I think that matchup, Campbell versus Bonitto, how the Patriots deal with that, is a pretty significant part of this game.” – Greg Cosell (07:41)

b. Caleb Williams (Bears) Film Review

• Cosell says Williams is “spectacular on good plays” but as a young QB needs time for mastery in Ben Johnson’s complex system; must improve lower body mechanics for consistency.
  • “No question this guy is… elite talent, just the way he throws… but he throws a lot of balls off-balance, so his ball placement can be inconsistent.” (08:14)

c. Mike McDaniel to the Chargers: What Changes for Justin Herbert?

• “He will tailor what he does in the pass game to what Justin Herbert is… but the run game will improve dramatically.” (09:28)

3. Patriots vs. Broncos: Whose Strength Prevails?

[10:34 – 14:15]

• Cosell identifies:

  • The Patriots defense has been outstanding recently, blitzing more and playing man coverage.
  • Sean Payton likely won’t “hide” Jarrett Stidham—will still play an aggressive offense.
  • Patriots interior defenders (Milton Williams, Barmore) are underappreciated key players.

• Colin asks about Stidham:

  • Cosell: “He could be a mid-level starter with the right support. Good enough to win a division, maybe not a Super Bowl.” (11:57)

• Is the Broncos D equipped to slow Drake Maye and New England?

  • Cosell: Broncos D wasn’t good last game (30 allowed to Bills); expects pass rush (especially against Will Campbell) to be decisive. Denver’s linebackers are a vulnerability in pass coverage.

4. Rams vs. Seahawks: Why LA Has Seattle's Number

[14:15 – 20:38]

a. Rams Offense vs. Seattle’s Defense

• “They have been able to run the football… double teams on Seattle’s DTs… Most teams can’t get Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams blocked. Rams can.” (14:33)
• Seattle’s defense is “very good at all three levels… mostly out of a two-deep shell… hard to get big plays over the top.”

b. Rams Defense vs. Sam Darnold

• “The Rams flummox Darnold by changing the picture pre-snap to post-snap. … Show man, play zone. He gets baited into mistakes.” (15:56)
• Seattle has improved at running the ball lately, with Walker attacking more downhill, helping balance the offense and reduce turnovers.

c. Seahawks Defense

• Scheme is “more static by NFL standards… do most things out of a two-shell look, pressures are well-done but rare,” mainly rushing four with stunts. (17:43)

d. Notable Play: Sam Darnold’s TD to Smith-Njigba (18:42)

- Cosell gives a film breakdown: “Low red zone, 12 personnel, mirrored crossers… Darnold boots left, play breaks down, but he keeps rolling and makes a big-time throw for the touchdown. That’s a hard, difficult throw.”  
- “With any quarterback—focus on turnovers. If he doesn’t turn it over, this team is really good in every area.” (20:38)

5. Coaching, Experience, and Playoff Edges (Panel Discussion)

[22:31 – 25:54]

• Rams vs. Seahawks is a contrast of experience vs. youth.
  • Rams have advantages at coach (McVay) and quarterback (Stafford) and experience at safety, tight end, RB (Kyren Williams).
  • “At the positions really important—head coach and QB—the Rams have an experience advantage.” – Colin Cowherd (24:44)
  • Rams’ close-game record remarked upon: Lost only one game by more than 3 points. This is their third straight road game, which could factor.

Notable Quote

“When I have a head coach, a quarterback advantage in a big spot… I just think the Rams have experience at really good spots.” – Colin Cowherd (25:53)

6. Bills Front Office Dysfunction: GM vs. Coach

[26:41 – 32:15]

• Panel discusses tension between Buffalo’s GM (Brandon Beane) and coach (Sean McDermott), owner Terry Pegula’s involvement, and fan unrest.

• Draft realities:

  • Colin notes teams regularly picking late in the first round (Buffalo, KC, Baltimore) end up with prospects who are second-round value, making draft success harder.

  • “When you draft at the end of the first round… the best available is really a second-round player.” (29:28)

  • Gives Rams as an example: one first-round pick in nine years, nailed it.

  • Bottom line: “If you get the quarterback right… you can make a lot of mistakes everywhere else.” (30:44)

7. Chiefs OC Change, Travis Kelce's Future

[32:15 – 34:11]

• Eric Bieniemy returns as Chiefs OC; Travis Kelce’s comments fuel speculation he’ll return for 2026:
  • “I can’t wait to see him [Bieniemy] back in the building… one of my favorite coaches and people.” – Travis Kelce (32:37)
• Panel notes the “breadcrumbs” suggesting Kelce will play next year.

8. Coaching Culture & Accountability (Ben Johnson, Bears)

[34:58 – 42:04]

• The episode closes with a meditation on culture and accountability in NFL coaching.

  • Colin: “Culture… starts with accountability. Don’t be a victim. Set standards.”

  • Ben Johnson (Bears HC) cited for holding offense to a high standard, even when winning.

  • “It’s hard to force millionaires to be accountable every day at practice. The little stuff matters.” (38:08)

  • Cosell, Colin, and Ben Johnson discuss the impact of demanding persistent standards, correcting mechanics, and not settling for mediocrity after limited success.

  • Anecdotes:

    • Mike Vrabel at New England: Focused on tiny details for accountability.
    • John Wooden: Quiet in games because accountability was established in practice.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On talent over depth: “Six Broncos, four Patriots. But New England at the most important position has a sizable advantage.” — Colin (05:35)
• On high-end defenses: “This has become a very difficult defense to play against… a lot of really good players people might not be aware of.” — Cosell (10:44)
• On QB drafting/difficulties: “If you get the superstar quarterback right in the draft, you can make a lot of mistakes.” — Colin (30:46)
• Culture and coaching: “Don’t be a victim—be accountable. Don’t pander—even when it’s always easier to criticize players when you’re winning.” — Colin (38:08)
• Sam Darnold’s TD throw: “That’s just a big-time throw… the play looked dead.” — Greg Cosell (19:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Top 10 Players AFC Title Game: 00:46 – 06:41
• Greg Cosell Interview – Matchups: 06:42 – 20:38
• Rams-Seahawks Matchup: 14:15 – 20:38
• Executive Panel: Rams/Seahawks & Bills Dysfunction: 22:31 – 32:15
• Chiefs/Travis Kelce & Coaching Culture: 32:15 – 42:04

Overall Tone

The tone is insightful, candid, and often humorous, with a mix of deep football analysis (Cosell’s film breakdowns), strong opinions from Colin, and playful back-and-forth between hosts and contributors. Technical football breakdowns coexist with broader discussions about leadership, organizational culture, and what separates good from great franchises.

This episode offers both an intimately detailed look at the AFC and NFC Championship matchups and a bigger-picture conversation about what makes football teams and organizations succeed—or fail.