The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Summary

Episode Date: November 14, 2025
Main Segments: Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5 Picks, NFL/College Football Insights with Dave Wannstedt, Coaching Carousel Talk, Culture & Player Management, and Hot Takes on this Weekend’s Games.

Episode Overview

In this engaging hour, Colin Cowherd delivers his highly anticipated “Blazing 5” NFL picks for the weekend, reviews team and player narratives across the NFL, and brings on former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt for candid football analysis and classic insider stories. The episode is rich in actionable insights for both bettors and die-hard fans, and explores not just upcoming matchups, but also the cultural and leadership dynamics in NFL organizations.

Blazing 5 Picks & Weekend Game Analysis

(Starts at 04:44)

Colin’s Blazing Five Picks

Cowherd opens the hour with energy, celebrating his 58% accuracy on picks this season.

1. Buccaneers at Bills

Pick: Bills -5.5
Analysis: “They are the number one rushing offense—that matters in bad weather. Buffalo wins big when they win.”
Tampa Bay’s injuries (Evans, Godwin) and poor recent form mean Buffalo should cover, especially with ugly weather favoring ground game.
Predicted score: Bills 30, Bucs 23

2. Seahawks at Rams

Pick: Seahawks +3
Quote: “This is a pick ‘em game... keep your eye on special teams edge for the Hawks.”
Cites Seattle’s 10 straight road wins, great pass protection, and superior special teams.
Predicted score: Seahawks 28, Rams 27

3. 49ers at Cardinals

Pick: 49ers -2.5
Cowherd: “They will be in a bad mood. Brock Purdy has owned Arizona.”
Highlights Arizona’s lack of weapons and poor pass rush vs. improving 49ers O-line.
Predicted score: 49ers 28, Cardinals 23

4. Ravens at Browns

Pick: Browns +8.5
“They always play tough at home against their division.”
Notes Browns’ defensive strength and how Ravens struggle on the road with divisional games. Cites overvalued spread.
Predicted score: Ravens 24, Browns 20

5. Lions at Eagles

Pick: Eagles to cover
“They’re a step-up team… offense never turns it over. Great in the red zone.”
Dings Detroit for cold-weather regressions and key injuries. Trusts Philly culture in big games.
Predicted score: Eagles 28, Lions 24

Summary Statement:
“I like a clear dog in Cleveland, but I like favored Buffalo, 49ers, Eagles, and then Seahawks on the road because of the special teams.”

Notable Mention:

Bears at Vikings: Colin, instead of picking, discusses the development of J.J. McCarthy and team narratives rather than gambling advice.

Vikings, Bears, & Quarterback Development

(Starts at 09:40)

Young QB Progress Metrics

“I don’t need my young quarterbacks to be perfect. I need progress.”
J.J. McCarthy critique: “You gotta pick up first downs on third, can’t have giveaways. Gotta get out of the pre-snap operational stuff.”
Comparison to past Vikings QB situations and the psychological impact of previous, now-successful QBs having left the team:
“Everybody’s watching Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold. They were both in the building and they’re both having MVP years. That just adds a dimension of pressure on him [McCarthy].” (10:33)

Kevin O’Connell on McCarthy’s Growth:

“Most importantly, what I look for is the consistency… of being able to put some routine things… and it becomes second nature… But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a business of, you know, trying to go 1-0 this week.” (12:27)

Dave Wannstedt’s NFL Coaching Insight

(Begins at 18:58)

The Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams

Colin: “They are what they look like on TV. Good enough to beat average teams. Let's see if they can beat good teams.”
Wannstedt praises Caleb Williams’ durability and low interception rate.
- “He’s not the six-four Josh Allen, height-wise, but he is physical… He doesn’t throw picks.” (19:50)
Highlights Bears’ improved O-line:
- “Biggest improvement… is the offensive line. They signed three new guys… They haven't missed a down. Darnell Wright is heading to the Pro Bowl.” (19:50)

Offensive Evolution

Running game now more diverse:
- “They've evolved their running game… It’s no longer just outside zone.” (21:00)
Cowherd: Bears’ offensive talent now outweighs defensive—“They feel like a playoff team.” (21:30)

Mike Vrabel & the Winning Blueprint

Vrabel’s success: “When you can hire guys you know… you don’t have to waste time coaching coaches.” (22:46)
Josh McDaniels brings experience, allowing for immediate focus on performance, not fundamentals.
“They hit on these draft picks… Drake May… Henderson, Campbell.” (23:45)

Defensive Schemes & Identity

Seahawks’ coach praised for evolving the Pete Carroll defense—“He obviously had a foundation for what he wanted to do.” (24:37)
Wannstedt references Chuck Noll’s advice: “Get your side right—the first thing you do is get the defense right.” (25:28)

NFL Coach Hiring, Locker Room Culture & Player Management

(Starts at 26:26)

Should Mike McCarthy Get the Giants Job?

Both hosts prefer an experienced coach for NY Giants.
Wannstedt: “Mike would do a fantastic job… what happens is the guy takes over, he wants them to play hard. Deep down, he wants the job, so he gets rid of dress codes, pads… everybody loves him.” (27:25)
Warns against fool’s gold with interim hires.

College to NFL QBs Debate

Colin: “Would you take a Mac Jones for a Baker Mayfield price, or go rookie?” (28:25)
Wannstedt: “I’d have to really deep dive… but maturity at quarterback holds a lot of these guys back. I might go with Mac Jones.” (29:32)

J.J. McCarthy & Young QB Evaluation Timelines

“It used to be you gave QBs three years; now, it’s Thanksgiving of Year Two, you quietly make a decision.” (30:21)
Wannstedt on helping young QBs: “You see what the Bears are doing?… They’re up under center, play action, they're running the ball… You gotta try to keep him [McCarthy] out of harm’s way until he gains confidence. Right now, he doesn’t have any confidence.” (31:11)

Team & Player Culture: Managing Stars and Drama

(33:05)

Colin asks how to manage disruptive but talented players like A.J. Brown (Eagles) or Charles Haley (Cowboys).
Wannstedt: “The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted. Communication is the number one key… I went out of my way to talk with Charles [Haley] every day.” (33:58–35:13)

Locker Room Realities

“There’s never a perfect locker room. Even the Cowboys, when you were winning Super Bowls.” (35:13)
Colin: “Did you ever have a great player who was a bad practice player?”
Wannstedt gives a classic anecdote about ‘The Fridge’ (William Perry) negotiating practice time and the pragmatic side of managing veterans at the end of their careers. (36:01–37:56)

Coaching Carousel & Team Future Prospects

(43:58)

Giants vs. Jets Jobs

Guest Analyst: Giants’ job less attractive than Jets—Cowherd disagrees, citing better personnel and stability with the Giants. (45:11)

Dan Campbell & The Lions Culture

“From the very beginning, there were two things Dan Campbell did to create the culture: relentless 4th down aggression and maximum effort.” (47:37)
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad team play this hard for an entire season.” (48:36)
Patience needed—slow, tough beginnings are sometimes necessary for culture building.

Shoe Markets and Athlete Brands

(49:33)

Steph Curry & Under Armour

News of their mutual parting.
Colin: “Athletes work [as shoe sellers] because a lot of shoe buying is cool. MJ is still cooler than LeBron.” (50:17)
Curry's brand has reach, but not the same cool factor with kids as Jordan or even Ja Morant.

Closing Weekend Outlook

(52:06)

Colin previews his college picks (Georgia over Texas, Alabama over Oklahoma, USC over Iowa) and reiterates how compelling the NFL Week 11 slate is, calling Bears/Vikings, Denver/Kansas City, Detroit/Philly, Rams/Seattle and Baltimore/Cleveland all “best of the year” quality. (52:06–53:58)
Weather forecast for Bills-Bucs game: “40 mile an hour winds, rain and snow, temperatures in the 30s. That’s why I like Buffalo.” (54:09)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Colin Cowherd on young QBs:
“I don’t need my young quarterbacks to be perfect. I need progress.” (10:00)
Dave Wannstedt on managing stars:
“The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted. Communication is the number one key.” (33:58)
On Bears’ improvement:
“Biggest improvement on this Bears football team…is the offensive line. They signed three new guys. They haven’t missed a down.” (19:50)
On Dan Campbell and Lions’ culture:
“There were two things Dan Campbell did to create the culture. They went for it on fourth down at an absurd rate…and the team played so hard.” (47:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

04:44 — Colin’s Blazing 5 Picks
09:40 — Deep dive: Vikings QBs, J.J. McCarthy, Bears analysis
18:58 — Dave Wannstedt segment begins (Bears, O-line, Caleb Williams)
22:46 — Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels coaching insights
24:37 — Seahawks defensive evolution
26:26 — NY Giants coaching search debate
28:25 — QB drafting: rookie vs. proven veteran
30:21 — QB evaluation timelines for the modern NFL
31:11 — Dave Wannstedt on helping young QBs
33:05 — Locker room & star player management
43:58 — Giants vs. Jets coaching prospects
47:37 — Dan Campbell, Lions culture
49:33 — Steph Curry/Under Armour partnership split
52:06 — College picks, NFL Week 11 preview
54:09 — Weather impacting Bills-Bucs

Quick Takeaways

Cowherd stays hot on NFL picks, betting heavily on cold-weather and special teams edges this week.
Wannstedt provides a masterclass in leadership, team culture, and protecting young QBs.
Coaching carousel rumors abound with consensus: proven winners work best for NY clubs.
Locker room harmony is about direct communication and handling egos—even Hall of Famers like Charles Haley or “The Fridge.”
Dan Campbell’s Lions embody culture-building and patience, a template for rebuilding teams everywhere.
The weekend’s NFL slate offers playoff-level intrigue and several upset watch alerts, especially with messy weather in Buffalo.

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & Weekend Game Analysis

(Starts at 04:44)

Colin’s Blazing Five Picks

Cowherd opens the hour with energy, celebrating his 58% accuracy on picks this season.

1. Buccaneers at Bills

Pick: Bills -5.5
Analysis: “They are the number one rushing offense—that matters in bad weather. Buffalo wins big when they win.”
Tampa Bay’s injuries (Evans, Godwin) and poor recent form mean Buffalo should cover, especially with ugly weather favoring ground game.
Predicted score: Bills 30, Bucs 23

2. Seahawks at Rams

Pick: Seahawks +3
Quote: “This is a pick ‘em game... keep your eye on special teams edge for the Hawks.”
Cites Seattle’s 10 straight road wins, great pass protection, and superior special teams.
Predicted score: Seahawks 28, Rams 27

3. 49ers at Cardinals

Pick: 49ers -2.5
Cowherd: “They will be in a bad mood. Brock Purdy has owned Arizona.”
Highlights Arizona’s lack of weapons and poor pass rush vs. improving 49ers O-line.
Predicted score: 49ers 28, Cardinals 23

4. Ravens at Browns

Pick: Browns +8.5
“They always play tough at home against their division.”
Notes Browns’ defensive strength and how Ravens struggle on the road with divisional games. Cites overvalued spread.
Predicted score: Ravens 24, Browns 20

5. Lions at Eagles

Pick: Eagles to cover
“They’re a step-up team… offense never turns it over. Great in the red zone.”
Dings Detroit for cold-weather regressions and key injuries. Trusts Philly culture in big games.
Predicted score: Eagles 28, Lions 24

Summary Statement:
“I like a clear dog in Cleveland, but I like favored Buffalo, 49ers, Eagles, and then Seahawks on the road because of the special teams.”

Notable Mention:

Bears at Vikings: Colin, instead of picking, discusses the development of J.J. McCarthy and team narratives rather than gambling advice.

Vikings, Bears, & Quarterback Development

(Starts at 09:40)

Young QB Progress Metrics

“I don’t need my young quarterbacks to be perfect. I need progress.”
J.J. McCarthy critique: “You gotta pick up first downs on third, can’t have giveaways. Gotta get out of the pre-snap operational stuff.”
Comparison to past Vikings QB situations and the psychological impact of previous, now-successful QBs having left the team:
“Everybody’s watching Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold. They were both in the building and they’re both having MVP years. That just adds a dimension of pressure on him [McCarthy].” (10:33)

Kevin O’Connell on McCarthy’s Growth:

“Most importantly, what I look for is the consistency… of being able to put some routine things… and it becomes second nature… But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a business of, you know, trying to go 1-0 this week.” (12:27)

Dave Wannstedt’s NFL Coaching Insight

(Begins at 18:58)

The Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams

Colin: “They are what they look like on TV. Good enough to beat average teams. Let's see if they can beat good teams.”
Wannstedt praises Caleb Williams’ durability and low interception rate.
- “He’s not the six-four Josh Allen, height-wise, but he is physical… He doesn’t throw picks.” (19:50)
Highlights Bears’ improved O-line:
- “Biggest improvement… is the offensive line. They signed three new guys… They haven't missed a down. Darnell Wright is heading to the Pro Bowl.” (19:50)

Offensive Evolution

Running game now more diverse:
- “They've evolved their running game… It’s no longer just outside zone.” (21:00)
Cowherd: Bears’ offensive talent now outweighs defensive—“They feel like a playoff team.” (21:30)

Mike Vrabel & the Winning Blueprint

Vrabel’s success: “When you can hire guys you know… you don’t have to waste time coaching coaches.” (22:46)
Josh McDaniels brings experience, allowing for immediate focus on performance, not fundamentals.
“They hit on these draft picks… Drake May… Henderson, Campbell.” (23:45)

Defensive Schemes & Identity

Seahawks’ coach praised for evolving the Pete Carroll defense—“He obviously had a foundation for what he wanted to do.” (24:37)
Wannstedt references Chuck Noll’s advice: “Get your side right—the first thing you do is get the defense right.” (25:28)

NFL Coach Hiring, Locker Room Culture & Player Management

(Starts at 26:26)

Should Mike McCarthy Get the Giants Job?

Both hosts prefer an experienced coach for NY Giants.
Wannstedt: “Mike would do a fantastic job… what happens is the guy takes over, he wants them to play hard. Deep down, he wants the job, so he gets rid of dress codes, pads… everybody loves him.” (27:25)
Warns against fool’s gold with interim hires.

College to NFL QBs Debate

Colin: “Would you take a Mac Jones for a Baker Mayfield price, or go rookie?” (28:25)
Wannstedt: “I’d have to really deep dive… but maturity at quarterback holds a lot of these guys back. I might go with Mac Jones.” (29:32)

J.J. McCarthy & Young QB Evaluation Timelines

“It used to be you gave QBs three years; now, it’s Thanksgiving of Year Two, you quietly make a decision.” (30:21)
Wannstedt on helping young QBs: “You see what the Bears are doing?… They’re up under center, play action, they're running the ball… You gotta try to keep him [McCarthy] out of harm’s way until he gains confidence. Right now, he doesn’t have any confidence.” (31:11)

Team & Player Culture: Managing Stars and Drama

(33:05)

Colin asks how to manage disruptive but talented players like A.J. Brown (Eagles) or Charles Haley (Cowboys).
Wannstedt: “The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted. Communication is the number one key… I went out of my way to talk with Charles [Haley] every day.” (33:58–35:13)

Locker Room Realities

“There’s never a perfect locker room. Even the Cowboys, when you were winning Super Bowls.” (35:13)
Colin: “Did you ever have a great player who was a bad practice player?”
Wannstedt gives a classic anecdote about ‘The Fridge’ (William Perry) negotiating practice time and the pragmatic side of managing veterans at the end of their careers. (36:01–37:56)

Coaching Carousel & Team Future Prospects

(43:58)

Giants vs. Jets Jobs

Guest Analyst: Giants’ job less attractive than Jets—Cowherd disagrees, citing better personnel and stability with the Giants. (45:11)

Dan Campbell & The Lions Culture

“From the very beginning, there were two things Dan Campbell did to create the culture: relentless 4th down aggression and maximum effort.” (47:37)
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad team play this hard for an entire season.” (48:36)
Patience needed—slow, tough beginnings are sometimes necessary for culture building.

Shoe Markets and Athlete Brands

(49:33)

Steph Curry & Under Armour

News of their mutual parting.
Colin: “Athletes work [as shoe sellers] because a lot of shoe buying is cool. MJ is still cooler than LeBron.” (50:17)
Curry's brand has reach, but not the same cool factor with kids as Jordan or even Ja Morant.

Closing Weekend Outlook

(52:06)

Colin previews his college picks (Georgia over Texas, Alabama over Oklahoma, USC over Iowa) and reiterates how compelling the NFL Week 11 slate is, calling Bears/Vikings, Denver/Kansas City, Detroit/Philly, Rams/Seattle and Baltimore/Cleveland all “best of the year” quality. (52:06–53:58)
Weather forecast for Bills-Bucs game: “40 mile an hour winds, rain and snow, temperatures in the 30s. That’s why I like Buffalo.” (54:09)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Colin Cowherd on young QBs:
“I don’t need my young quarterbacks to be perfect. I need progress.” (10:00)
Dave Wannstedt on managing stars:
“The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted. Communication is the number one key.” (33:58)
On Bears’ improvement:
“Biggest improvement on this Bears football team…is the offensive line. They signed three new guys. They haven’t missed a down.” (19:50)
On Dan Campbell and Lions’ culture:
“There were two things Dan Campbell did to create the culture. They went for it on fourth down at an absurd rate…and the team played so hard.” (47:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

04:44 — Colin’s Blazing 5 Picks
09:40 — Deep dive: Vikings QBs, J.J. McCarthy, Bears analysis
18:58 — Dave Wannstedt segment begins (Bears, O-line, Caleb Williams)
22:46 — Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels coaching insights
24:37 — Seahawks defensive evolution
26:26 — NY Giants coaching search debate
28:25 — QB drafting: rookie vs. proven veteran
30:21 — QB evaluation timelines for the modern NFL
31:11 — Dave Wannstedt on helping young QBs
33:05 — Locker room & star player management
43:58 — Giants vs. Jets coaching prospects
47:37 — Dan Campbell, Lions culture
49:33 — Steph Curry/Under Armour partnership split
52:06 — College picks, NFL Week 11 preview
54:09 — Weather impacting Bills-Bucs

Quick Takeaways

Cowherd stays hot on NFL picks, betting heavily on cold-weather and special teams edges this week.
Wannstedt provides a masterclass in leadership, team culture, and protecting young QBs.
Coaching carousel rumors abound with consensus: proven winners work best for NY clubs.
Locker room harmony is about direct communication and handling egos—even Hall of Famers like Charles Haley or “The Fridge.”
Dan Campbell’s Lions embody culture-building and patience, a template for rebuilding teams everywhere.
The weekend’s NFL slate offers playoff-level intrigue and several upset watch alerts, especially with messy weather in Buffalo.

THE HERD - Hour 2 - The Blazing 5 picks for the weekend, Dave Wannstedt

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & Weekend Game Analysis

Colin’s Blazing Five Picks

1. Buccaneers at Bills

2. Seahawks at Rams

3. 49ers at Cardinals

4. Ravens at Browns

5. Lions at Eagles

Notable Mention:

Vikings, Bears, & Quarterback Development

Young QB Progress Metrics

Kevin O’Connell on McCarthy’s Growth:

Dave Wannstedt’s NFL Coaching Insight

The Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams

Offensive Evolution

Mike Vrabel & the Winning Blueprint

Defensive Schemes & Identity

NFL Coach Hiring, Locker Room Culture & Player Management

Should Mike McCarthy Get the Giants Job?

College to NFL QBs Debate

J.J. McCarthy & Young QB Evaluation Timelines

Team & Player Culture: Managing Stars and Drama

Locker Room Realities

Coaching Carousel & Team Future Prospects

Giants vs. Jets Jobs

Dan Campbell & The Lions Culture

Shoe Markets and Athlete Brands

Steph Curry & Under Armour

Closing Weekend Outlook

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Quick Takeaways

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Summary

Episode Overview

Blazing 5 Picks & Weekend Game Analysis

Colin’s Blazing Five Picks

1. Buccaneers at Bills

2. Seahawks at Rams

3. 49ers at Cardinals

4. Ravens at Browns

5. Lions at Eagles

Notable Mention:

Vikings, Bears, & Quarterback Development

Young QB Progress Metrics

Kevin O’Connell on McCarthy’s Growth:

Dave Wannstedt’s NFL Coaching Insight

The Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams

Offensive Evolution

Mike Vrabel & the Winning Blueprint

Defensive Schemes & Identity

NFL Coach Hiring, Locker Room Culture & Player Management

Should Mike McCarthy Get the Giants Job?

College to NFL QBs Debate

J.J. McCarthy & Young QB Evaluation Timelines

Team & Player Culture: Managing Stars and Drama

Locker Room Realities

Coaching Carousel & Team Future Prospects

Giants vs. Jets Jobs

Dan Campbell & The Lions Culture

Shoe Markets and Athlete Brands

Steph Curry & Under Armour

Closing Weekend Outlook

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Quick Takeaways