The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 2: Where Colin Was Right and Wrong, Shohei Ohtani’s Night, Bears Offense Revamped, and Matt Hasselbeck Interview

Date: October 20, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Episode Focus: Week 7 fallout across the NFL and MLB, featuring “Where Colin Was Right and Wrong”, Shohei Ohtani’s heroics, the Chicago Bears offensive evolution, and a deep-dive conversation with Matt Hasselbeck.

1. Overview: Main Theme/Purpose

Hour 2 of today’s episode is classic Cowherd: sharp NFL and MLB analysis, accountability for his predictions, and candid conversations with former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck.
Key topics include:

• Colin’s weekly “right and wrong” self-assessment on major teams, players, and coaches.
• Shohei Ohtani’s latest superstar performance.
• The Chicago Bears’ offense under Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.
• Quarterback and coaching trends around the league, with emphasis on the Rams, Chiefs, and Packers.
• Notable performances and coaching decisions coming off a wild NFL weekend.

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

A. Where Colin Was Right / Where Colin Was Wrong

(03:25–10:05)

• Right: Bo Nix is a franchise QB (03:27)

  • Cowherd recaps Friday’s “blind resume” on Oregon QB Bo Nix, highlighting his explosive quarter and unique skillset:

  “He just became the first player ever to have two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in a quarter. Last five possessions? TD, TD, TD, TD, FG...”
  (03:27)

• Wrong: Washington Commanders (04:07)

  • Overestimated their longevity; now look aging and slow.

  “I thought they'd be a playoff team for a decade. They feel a little old and a little slow...”
  (04:07)

• Right: Rams, Sean McVay, and Stafford (04:48)

  • Impressed with L.A.’s “crisp, efficient, detailed game plan” despite travel and missing skill talent.

  “If Stafford doesn’t make the Hall of Fame...he’s the greatest player in the league not in the Hall. He is magic.”
  (04:48)

• Wrong: Shohei Ohtani, best ever? (05:47)

  • Colin admits getting carried away with his Ohtani praise (“better than Babe Ruth”), but marvels at his power/pitching duality.

  “Does he have the best split finger in the sport? He’s throwing 100. He had more hits Friday than he surrendered...”
  (05:47)

  • Notable highlight: Freeman’s reaction to Ohtani’s 469-foot home run.
    (06:44)

• Right: Colts are for real; Chris Ballard vindicated (06:49)

  • “There are stars in every unit...this is a really, really good team.”
    (06:49)

• Wrong: Cam Ward and the Chicago offense (07:25)

  • Cam’s “college” habits showing; playing “hero ball”, poor sack and pick numbers.

  “He’s been sacked 30 times. Doesn’t have a great feel for the pocket...I didn’t think it would look like this.”
  (07:25)

• Right: Notre Dame over USC (08:03)

  • Nailed the pick, citing Jeremiah Love’s future as a first-round RB and USC’s inability to handle heavy run teams on the road.
    (08:03)

• Right: Tua extension skepticism (08:49)

  • Critiques Miami’s construction and Tua’s extension given cold-weather performance and concussion issues.

  “I did not get at any level the extension. I don’t get how they built the team...I thought he looked frightened yesterday.”
  (08:49)

B. Quarterback Deep Dives with Matt Hasselbeck

(10:10–18:53)

• Bo Nix’s Resilience and “No Flinch” Gene (10:10–11:14)

  • Hasselbeck praises Nix’s confidence and coach’s belief:

  “If you were to lock up one thing, something you cannot test for at the combine, it’s that ‘no flinch’ gene some quarterbacks have and others don’t.” (10:36, Hasselbeck)

• Jackson Dart’s Growth and Accountability (11:14–12:55)

  • Taking responsibility publicly after loss; team rallying around him.

  “You listen to him at Jackson Dart at the podium. He was incredible. It wasn’t, ‘Oh, we can’t turn the ball over right there.’ It was like, no, that’s me. That’s—I have to do better.” (11:46, Hasselbeck)

• Drake Maye’s Talent and Durability (12:55–14:35)

  • Comparison to Josh Allen; elite arm but needs to self-protect.

  “Can we have less adventure on throwaways?...One of the best things he can do for his team is not miss games this year.” (13:23, Hasselbeck)

• Matt Stafford’s Hall of Fame Resume (14:35–16:26)

  • Stafford is “unbelievably talented, super fun to watch.” Adjusted well with banged-up roster and in tricky overseas conditions.

  “Sometimes when you’re missing a star player, you gotta go win games in a unique way... that’s what Stafford did.” (15:19, Hasselbeck)

• Ben Johnson and the Bears’ New Identity (16:26–18:53)

  • New head coach Ben Johnson is “the real deal”.

  “Ben Johnson isn’t really the type—it doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that’s going to change. It’s kind of like, ‘Hey, Caleb, we’re going to play on time, we’re going to play on rhythm, we’re going to run my scheme.’” (17:32, Hasselbeck)

C. Team Constructions and Adaptation: Chiefs, Packers, and More

(18:53–23:45)

• Chiefs’ Organizational Flexibility (18:53–21:39)

  • Praises KC for quickly adjusting, especially at WR.

  “The Chiefs have one of the best cultures...It’s us against the world, even though the world’s not really against you.” (20:06, Hasselbeck)

  • Rashee Rice’s usage as an example of team culture and support.

• Packers’ Growth and the Challenge of Youth (21:39–23:45)

  • Green Bay and QB Jordan Love still maturing.

  “We just think automatically he’s like, ‘Hey, why aren’t you playing like Favre or Aaron Rodgers?’ He’s still a young player.” (22:22, Hasselbeck)

• College Football Note: UCLA’s Spark After Coaching Change (23:45–25:14)

  • Hasselbeck reveals he’s a UCLA parent.

  “When [coaching changes] happen on the fly, you either pull apart or pull together. UCLA has for sure pulled together, winning three in a row…” (24:11, Hasselbeck)

D. NFL News & Analysis (w/ J. Mac & Jason)

(31:03–39:57)

• Christian McCaffrey’s Dominance (31:03–34:39)

  • 24 carries, 7 catches; workload concerns.

  “He could be a slot receiver in the NFL. I mean, he’s that gifted... Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, McCaffrey to me are just different.” (31:47, Cowherd)

• Niners’ Defense Endures Injuries (32:46–34:09)

  • Despite missing top defenders, Niners still play at an elite level.

  “A lot of teams get injured and it’s man overboard. That’s not been the case.” (33:42, Cowherd)

• Giants/Broncos Recap: Denver’s Miracle Comeback (34:39–37:58)

  • Denver rallies from 19–0 down; Jackson Dart’s tough interception, “You make your own luck.”
  • “That’s the greatest quarter by an offense in the history of the league, or at least by a player. So you make your own luck.” (36:59, Cowherd)

• AFC West Power Rankings (37:52–38:05)

  • “Angel City one, Denver two, Chargers three.” (37:56, Cowherd)

• Baker Mayfield MVP? Michael Strahan’s Hot Take (38:49–39:57)

  • “He’s the most valuable player in this league and to his team...” (38:51, Strahan)

  • Cowherd: “Baker does the best job of defining his team. He’s got a little pirate ship feel to him, and that’s what Tampa’s always been.”
    (39:12, Cowherd)

E. Bears’ Surging Offense; Ben Johnson’s Impact

(47:47–50:34)

• Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams: Philosophy & Fit

  • “We’re going to take shots early and often...if you want to do it my way, this can work. If you want to revert back to what you did in high school and college...maybe you’re not my guy.” (47:47, Hasselbeck)

• Colin on Chicago’s Weapons & Progress

  • “The skill people for the Bears—they’ve got really good skill people. Yards after the catch have been top three. ... Number one in turnover differential, four game winning streak, run game is devastating, defense is aggressive...Check, check, check, check.” (48:16–49:30, Cowherd)

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If Stafford doesn’t make the Hall of Fame...he’s the greatest player in the league not in the Hall. He is magic.” — Colin Cowherd (04:48)
• “Some quarterbacks have the ‘no flinch’ gene and others don’t. That’s what you can’t test for at the combine.” — Matt Hasselbeck (10:36)
• “We love when our coach or our GM comes into the locker room and says, ‘Hey, our bad.’” — Matt Hasselbeck on team culture (20:06)
• “Christian McCaffrey, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton—they’re just different.” — Colin Cowherd (31:47)
• “You make your own luck. That’s the greatest quarter by an offense in the history of the league, or at least by a player.” — Colin Cowherd (36:59)
• “Baker does the best job of defining his team. He’s got a little pirate ship feel to him...that’s what Tampa’s always been.” — Colin Cowherd (39:12)
• “We’re going to play on time, we’re going to play on rhythm, we’re going to run my scheme.” — Matt Hasselbeck on Ben Johnson’s approach with Caleb Williams (47:47)

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:48 — “Where Colin Was Right/Wrong” segment begins
• 03:27, 04:48, 05:47, ... — Right/Wrong insights on Nix, Rams, Ohtani, Tua, etc.
• 10:10–18:53 — Matt Hasselbeck interview
• 31:03–34:39 — McCaffrey/Niners analysis
• 34:39–37:58 — Giants/Broncos wild finish
• 38:49–39:57 — Michael Strahan on Baker Mayfield
• 47:47–50:34 — Bears offense deep dive, Ben Johnson’s philosophy

5. Tone and Style

Colin’s tone is both self-deprecating (“This is the part where I stand in front of America like a dartboard...”) and opinionated, but the dialogue with Hasselbeck is insightful and comradely. There’s playful ribbing about perennially overhyped teams, effusive praise for toughness and adaptability, and a narrative through-line of organizations—like the Chiefs and Rams—who constantly evolve and never accept mediocrity.

Summary Takeaways

• Accountability: Cowherd sticks to his format—holds his takes up to scrutiny weekly.
• Quarterback Discourse: Deep focus on QB composure, development, and supporting cast.
• Coaching & Culture: Organizations willing to adapt (“course correct”) tend to thrive.
• Emergent Storylines: Bears’ offensive change, Niners’ resiliency, Ohtani’s star power.
• Memorable moments: Cowherd’s and Hasselbeck’s authentic, sometimes vulnerable reflections on mistakes and growth.

This hour is a must for fans who want smart NFL discourse, honest self-appraisal from its host, and insights into the attitude and adjustments that separate contenders from pretenders.