The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (December 8, 2025)

Overview

In this hour, Colin Cowherd delivers his signature “Where Colin Was Right and Wrong” segment, breaking down recent sports storylines and offering candid assessments of his past predictions. The episode features extended analysis of the Packers, Chiefs, and Bears, a spirited debate over Shedeur Sanders’ future as a starting quarterback, and in-depth NFC playoff discussions with regular guest Matt Hasselbeck. Lively banter, memorable quotes, and sharp insights provide context for the ongoing NFL and college football seasons.

Where Colin Was Right and Wrong – Key Takeaways

“Where Colin Was Right and Wrong” Segment (03:53–08:39)

Key Points & Insights

• Jordan Love's Emergence

  • Colin touts Jordan Love as "out of this world good," crediting him for Green Bay's rise.
  • Quote: “He’s elite. Three tutties, 121 passer rating. He was the difference yesterday.” — Colin (03:56)

• Dallas Cowboys’ Defensive Flaws

  • Colin admits to overstating his faith in the Cowboys' defense, highlighting their ongoing secondary issues.
  • Quote: “Their pass defense gives up 255 per game. They need help in the secondary.” — Colin (04:33)

• Josh Allen’s MVP Candidacy & Elite Status

  • Still bullish on Josh Allen, Colin calls him the best quarterback in football, ahead of Mahomes, Lamar, and Rodgers.
  • Quote: “The best quarterback in the NFL… is Josh Allen and has been for two years.” — Colin (05:05)

• Indiana Hoosiers Football Surprises

  • Colin concedes he was wrong about the Indiana Hoosiers, marveling at their physical battle with Ohio State.
  • Quote: “This was Indiana going toe to toe in the trenches with the number one program in college football. Blew me away.” — Colin (06:05)

• Defending Aaron Rodgers

  • Maintains Rodgers is not the problem in Seattle, praising his play despite limitations.
  • Quote: “He’s done a good job with what he has this year.” — Colin (06:30)

• Miami Dolphins’ Resurgence

  • Colin admits he doubted Mike McDaniel as a head coach, now credits McDaniel for Miami’s four-game win streak and locker room cohesion.
  • Quote: “Nobody has quit on this team. Mike McDaniel has not lost that locker room. They have the same record as the Chiefs.” — Colin (07:05)

• College Football Rankings and Conference Realignment

  • Colin doubles down on Miami leaping Notre Dame in rankings, criticizing Notre Dame’s independence and defending bowl opt-outs.

• Mike McDonald, Defensive Genius

  • Compares Mike McDonald to Sean McVay on the defensive side; applauds Seattle's youth, risk-taking, and bright future.

Chiefs' Dynasty Discussion & NFL Analysis (08:39–14:35)

Chiefs' Dynasty Decline

• Colin and Matt Hasselbeck discuss the signs of a fading dynasty, as seen with the Chiefs.
• Quote: “This is how dynasties end… they start losing close. Their old players, you can see the age.”—Colin (09:36)
• Matt: “Details and discipline are the difference in the NFL… It can be an opportunity to get complacent.” (09:46)

Green Bay vs. Bears — Legitimacy and NFC Depth

• The Bears’ competitiveness despite a loss is explored, with Matt calling them “legitimate anyway” but questioning the quarterback’s consistency.
• Quote: “Caleb does the stuff that scouts drool over, and he does the stuff that coaches pull their hair out over.” — Matt (12:41)
• Colin observes, “For the previous five or six, seven years, I thought the AFC was better… Now… I do feel like the NFC is better.” (12:41)

NFC Playoff Picture & Team Breakdowns (13:25–14:35, 23:02–27:14)

Green Bay’s Strengths & Flaws

• Both praise Green Bay for their physical style and defense-first approach, crediting coaching as key for late-season runs.

Rams, Packers, Bears, Seahawks Outlook

• Confident talk about the NFC’s depth, with Green Bay, Rams, and Seattle highlighted as serious contenders.

Seattle Seahawks and Sam Darnold

• Colin notes Sam Darnold’s resurgence and the often-overlooked consistency of Seattle.
• Quote: “This coach, this defense. Sam Darnold is so aggressive. JSN’s unguardable. Are we all sleeping on Seattle?” — Colin (22:51)
• Matt agrees: “Their defense is the real deal…They actually control their destiny to be the one seed.” (23:02, 24:26)

Shedeur Sanders: Starter Status and Quarterback Debates (20:08–22:02, 27:30–41:16)

Shedeur Sanders as Starter

• Colin and Matt debate Sanders’ ceiling, with Colin insisting he’s a franchise quarterback and better than his fifth-round draft slot.
• Quote: “It looks like the Colorado kid…I do think he’s better than a fifth round draft pick.” — Colin (20:32)
• Matt: “He’s doing a lot better than a lot of people were counting on him doing.” (20:47)
• Stefanski later confirms Sanders will start the rest of the season.
• Quote: “Stefanski just announced that Shedeur Sanders will start the rest of the season. So you just called it.” — Colin (21:56)

Browns Quarterback Controversy

• Discussion dives into Browns’ fans emotional investment, the so-called “Shador cult,” and the challenge facing Stefanski, especially if the team drafts a high-profile QB.

AFC Playoff Picture & Team Power Rankings (27:50–29:15)

Houston Texans as Dark Horse

• Colin floats Houston as a potential AFC Champion, citing their defensive line's advantage in the conference playoffs.
• Quote: “If the Texans ended up in the AFC championship against Denver…Houston could win. I’m telling you, when the playoff numbers come out, I’m betting Houston.” — Colin (28:10)

AFC Team Quality Doubts

• Both express skepticism over “in the hunt” AFC teams, naming Colts and Giants as already done for the year.
• Matt: “Honestly, Daniel Jones, if you feel terrible for him, that season’s over for the Colts. They’re not getting, I don't think they're getting to the playoffs.” (28:35)

Redemption Year for Quarterbacks & Draft Gems (25:00–27:08)

Quarterback Redemption Stories

• Colin notes 2025 has become a “redemption year” for QBs: Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold, and Jordan Love, all doubted at some point, have thrived this season.

Fifth-Round Standouts: Puka Nacua & George Kittle

• Discussion about surprise stars discovered late in the draft, especially Puka Nacua’s breakthrough with Stafford’s early endorsement.

Rapid Fire: College Football Playoffs, NBA Updates, Bowl Games (33:40–51:44)

College Football Playoffs, Bowl Games Losing Value

• Colin analyzes playoff selections, defends the exclusion of small-school teams, and forecasts bowl games as a dying institution.

Notre Dame and Conference Realignment

• Criticism of Notre Dame's scheduling and reluctance to join a conference, as well as shifting attitudes towards bowl game participation.
• Quote: “Bowl games are going away sooner the better…I think conference championships, this is not an excuse, but Indiana was better than Ohio State. But I don’t see the value in conference championships.” — Colin (49:44–50:51)

NBA Updates

• Brief reference to LeBron James' big performance and the player-fan banter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dynasties:

  • “This is how dynasties end… They start losing close. Their old players, you can see the age.” — Colin (09:38)

• On Jordan Love:

  • “He’s elite. Three tutties, 121 passer rating. He was the difference yesterday.” — Colin (03:56)

• On Allen vs. Mahomes:

  • “The best quarterback in the NFL… is Josh Allen and has been for two years.” — Colin (05:05)

• On AFC Quality:

  • “The AFC is crazy right now… If you’re Josh Allen going up against the top three, you’re not scared of any of those three.” — Matt (27:50)

• On Shedeur Sanders:

  • “He throws the ball down the field. That was a great throw.” — Colin (37:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:53 – Start of “Where Colin Was Right and Wrong”
• 08:39 – Chiefs dynasty discussion with Matt Hasselbeck
• 12:41 – NFC vs. AFC strengths, Bears and Packers
• 13:37 – Green Bay playoff and Super Bowl discussion
• 20:08 – Shedeur Sanders’ evaluation and QB debates
• 21:56 – Sanders named starter rest of season
• 22:51 – “Are we all sleeping on Seattle?” (Sam Darnold & Seahawks talk)
• 24:26 – NFC playoff seeds breakdown
• 27:50 – AFC playoff dark horse talk (“I’m betting Houston”)
• 33:40 – College football playoff selection & bowl game worth
• 37:56 – Shedeur Sanders’ performance breakdown

Conclusion

This hour of The Herd is packed with big-picture NFL analysis, college football implications, and sharp, sometimes surprising takes. Colin and Matt Hasselbeck walk through which quarterbacks and teams they were right or wrong about, call out shifting trends in both leagues, and dissect the evolving playoff picture. The dynamic and conversational style, signature to The Herd, is loaded with candor and NFL insight, ensuring listeners walk away both entertained and informed—even if they missed the live show.