The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 – January 5, 2026

Main Themes:

• Where Colin was right and wrong on recent sports predictions
• Dangerous NFL teams heading into the playoffs
• Analysis with Matt Hasselbeck: Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, playoff bracket breakdown
• NFL coaching carousel, the future of teams missing the playoffs

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd reflects on his pre-season NFL predictions, discusses where his analysis was accurate or missed, and dives into the most dangerous teams as the playoffs approach. Joined by guest Matt Hasselbeck, they break down pivotal playoff matchups, analyze quarterback performances, and discuss coaching firings and hires. The tone is energetic, insightful, and reflective, marked by honest self-evaluation and bold playoff predictions.

Where Colin Was Right / Where Colin Was Wrong

[02:18 – 08:34]

Colin opens with his trademark segment reviewing his boldest predictions:

Hits:

• Denver Broncos: Predicted to unseat Kansas City in the AFC West:

  "Denver was one of my better picks of the year in the NFL." – Colin [03:06]

• Miami Hurricanes in CFP: Lobbied for Miami over Notre Dame; praised their physical play, especially in their dominance over Ohio State.
• Offensive coaches leading playoff teams: Notes 9 of 14 playoff teams have offensive-minded head coaches; credits the advancement of QBs like Caleb Williams and coaching of Ben Johnson, Liam Cohen.

Misses:

• Kevin Stefanski firing:

  "Of all the fired coaches, I think he has a really viable market... If I was the Raiders, I would have hired him an hour ago." – Colin [03:40]

• Cowboys moving off Micah Parsons:

  "This coaching staff was not equipped to handle it... Exposed an incredibly weak secondary." – Colin [04:26]

• Not believing in the Jaguars: Admits underrating Trevor Lawrence and Liam Cohen’s impact.
• Kirk Cousins/Michael Penix: Thought the combination would be productive, but both the coach and GM were fired and Penix struggled.

Notable Quote:

"Don't overthink the room. Fernando Mendoza is a runaway number one pick." – Colin, about the Indiana QB [06:33]

Dangerous Playoff Teams & Key Storylines

[08:34 – 15:10]

Aaron Rodgers' Comeback in Pittsburgh

• Colin and Matt Hasselbeck analyze Rodgers’ performance at 42, executing clutch plays without key receivers:

  "At 42 years old, that was pretty impressive... He did everything that [the Steelers] were expecting." – Colin [08:50] "He empowers his guys in the huddle... That's one of the reasons his teammates love him." – Hasselbeck [09:00]

Baltimore Ravens & Lamar Jackson

• Discussion on Baltimore's future after a disappointing season and close loss:

  "The band has to be better. Your best players gotta play their best." – Hasselbeck [10:49] "Lamar wasn't Superman all year long." – Hasselbeck [10:59]

  • Practice, consistency, and situational excellence highlighted as missing.

Chicago Bears’ Playoff Legitimacy

• Bears are home underdogs to Green Bay; Colin expresses skepticism, Matt sees reasons for optimism:

  "I'm gaining more respect for them... Ben Johnson is one of the great coaches." – Hasselbeck [12:35] "They're just a little bit of procrastinators... The intangibles that you can't coach, that works." – Hasselbeck [13:11]

Playoff Byes and Team Momentum

[13:51 – 15:57]

Seattle Seahawks

• Colin: "I think they have the fastest roster. There's almost nothing I don't like."
• Hasselbeck counters on byes:

  "If you ask all those players in the locker room, they'll take the bye week all day long... That number one seed and that bye week to me is worth its weight in gold." – Hasselbeck [15:24]

Playoff Bracket & Matchup Analysis

[15:57 – 24:45]

AFC

Chargers at Patriots

• Both teams' O-lines are a weakness. Patriots get edge due to draft and health.

  "Patriots are pretty strong actually up front on the tackle side compared to the Chargers... Will Campbell's been an incredible addition." – Hasselbeck [18:10]

Bills at Jaguars

• Colin thinks Jags should be favored; Hasselbeck notes the "wildcard" nature.

  "Jags should be favored in this game. They're the better team this year... But this is wildcard weekend for a reason. Crazy stuff happens." – Hasselbeck [19:28] "Josh Allen needs to put this team on his back and do something." – Hasselbeck [16:53 & 19:39]

NFC

Rams at Panthers (presumption)

• Colin and Matt discuss possible upsets, agree don't sleep on Carolina's big WRs.

Niners at Eagles

• Injuries and resting starters analyzed; culture of each organization discussed.

  "Trent Williams is met, that loss, him not playing makes them a completely different team... There's been a long history of Philly resting people before the playoffs. It's just kind of the culture in the building." – Hasselbeck [22:00]

• Both see Niners as a tough out, despite Philly's rest advantage.

Packers at Bears

• Colin leans Chicago for explosive offense, running consistency.

  "Third time around games are really interesting because that's where I believe the coaching matters more... This is a great game. Ben Johnson... I think he's the best." – Hasselbeck [23:50]

Notable Quote:

"You're walking out for a playoff game, nothing hurts... This is for the love of the game and for the respect of your peers and you're on borrowed time and you cut it loose and have fun." – Hasselbeck, on the playoff experience [25:05]

The NFL Coaching Carousel

[39:56 – 45:02]

Kevin Stefanski Firing & Coaching Market

• Colin criticizes impatient ownership and advocates Stefanski for Vegas.

  "If you fire somebody, you'll know if you're right based on how long they're on the market... Stefanski is going to be interviewing by next week." – Colin [44:34]

Giants as the Best Open Job

• Colin sees the Giants as the best situation due to young offensive talent.

  "I think the Giants is the best of those jobs to me." – Colin [43:50]

General Frustration

• Emphasizes the league's stark disparity between top contenders and bottom dwellers:

  "There's some G League teams on that list, man, and there are no quarterbacks in sight." – Colin [45:01]

Rapid Fire: NFL News & Reactions

[30:35 – 39:17]

• Ravens-Steelers Recap: Emotional Lamar Jackson quote after close loss.

  "I'm stunned right now. I'm still trying to process what's going on." – Lamar Jackson [31:27]

• Coaches on the Hot Seat: Many teams moving on from head coaches after just one season.
• Joe Burrow’s Frustration: Cowherd paints Burrow as a top talent stuck with organizational dysfunction.

  "Joe Burrow is the best quarterback of my adult life that regularly misses the playoffs." – Colin [35:05]

• Kansas City Chiefs Future: Discussion on whether the Chiefs can bounce back next year.

  "Do you think the Chiefs are a playoff team next year? Yes. Okay. Yeah, I do." – Colin [37:37]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Playoff Upsets:

  "Wild card games, once the playoffs start, we're 0 and 0... That's the mindset in the locker room. An all-world quarterback can do damage and change things." – Hasselbeck [20:50]

• On Bears-Packers Rivalry:

  "Third time around games, that's where coaching matters more. Ben Johnson, you've heard how I feel about him, and Jeff Halfley is one of the guys the league thinks is one of the best." – Hasselbeck [23:50]

• On Being Playoff Ready:

  "You cut it loose and have fun. That's why it's so wild. That's why it's so fun. That's why upsets happen. My favorite weekend." – Hasselbeck [26:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Where Colin Was Right/Wrong: 02:18 – 08:34
• Aaron Rodgers & Ravens-Bears Playoff Picture: 08:34 – 15:10
• Playoff Bye Discussion, Seahawks Momentum: 13:51 – 15:57
• AFC/NFC Playoff Matchups: 15:57 – 24:45
• Playoff Atmosphere & Hasselbeck on Mindset: 24:45 – 26:31
• NFL News Blitz (Ravens, Burrow, Chiefs): 30:35 – 39:17
• NFL Coaching Carousel: 39:56 – 45:02

Tone and Language

Colin brings his signature blend of bravado, candor, and sports wisdom. He admits errors with humility but defends his logic where appropriate. Matt Hasselbeck, in his analyst role, offers deep player insight, practical wisdom from his experience, and a positive, measured tone. The conversation is lively, insightful, and packed with both macro-level league analysis and micro-level matchup breakdowns.

Takeaways

• Don’t sleep on Miami, Denver, or Jacksonville in the playoffs.
• Coaching matters more than ever in the NFL’s turbulence.
• Bears, Seahawks, and Jaguars all have the upside and intangibles to shake up postseason expectations.
• Quarterback play, playoff experience, and roster health will decide January outcomes.
• The head coaching market is thin; Stefanski stands out as one of the best available.
• Wild card weekend is “the best weekend in football” – unpredictability reigns.