Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: "THE HERD - Hour 2 - Which NFL teams should be worried, big games this weekend, Joel Klatt"
Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

Hour two of The Herd dives into which NFL teams should hit the panic button (or stay patient) after a whirlwind start to the season, previewing big NCAA matchups, and features a deep segment with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt. The tone ranges from pointed, fast-paced NFL breakdowns to passionate college football analysis, with typical Cowherd candor and banter throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baseball Playoffs & Hot Takes (03:00 – 04:12)

• Colin and Julian debate teams likely to win the World Series, humorously dismissing the Mariners’ chances due to bullpen concerns.
• Notable exchange:
  • Colin: "You cannot win a World Series with a bad bully. Dodgers cannot win a World Series without bullpen." (03:42)
  • Julian counters, favoring Mariners’ elite closer and staff, but Colin remains skeptical, promising to merge “hot take” with actual odds later.

2. NFL Panic or Patience Game (04:12 – 09:50)

Colin and Julian run through prominent NFL teams, debating whether to panic or remain patient. Key points:

• Baltimore Ravens:
  • Panic. Defense got steamrolled; they must make a move at the trade deadline for run defense help.
  • Julian: "You watch Detroit run all over them... I think they have to make a defensive move at the trade deadline and give up something on offense." (04:54)
• Kansas City Chiefs:
  • Panic. Travis Kelce in final year, weak receiving corps, no run game; suggested possible trade for veteran wideout.
  • Julian: "Don't waste Mahomes talent right now... this is Travis Kelce's last year." (05:38)
• Pittsburgh Steelers:
  • Panic. Poor run defense and offensive line. Julian sees a "one-year plan" window and urges acquiring a running back "on a bad team at the trade deadline." (06:18)
• Buffalo Bills:
  • Panic. Weak against the run, bad on third downs. Suggests trading one of their tight ends for a defensive lineman. (07:00)
• Denver Broncos (Bo Nix):
  • Patience. Easier schedule ahead; struggles are "circumstantial." (07:46)
• Saquon Barkley/Eagles:
  • Patience. Heavy prior workload, needs possible rest. (08:11)
• Green Bay Packers:
  • Patience. Bad fourth quarter, but overall a strong team. (08:38)
• Los Angeles Rams:
  • Panic. Weakness at cornerback, lack of size, drafting neglect. Julian argues they need a trade deadline move for a top corner.
  • Julian: "They have kind of neglected this position... I think at the trade deadline they got to give up a pick and go get a top corner." (09:02)
• Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud):
  • Patience. Injuries to O-line and RB Joe Mixon, but Stroud still displays elite precision. (09:55)

3. Big College Football Preview with Joel Klatt (11:23 – 25:05)

Ohio State vs. Washington

• Klatt calls Washington "most overlooked team in our sport."
  • Joel Klatt: "Washington has the second longest home win streak in college football at 22 games. Colin, they haven't lost since 2021... The AP poll continues to prove to everyone what a worthless piece of junk it is by not giving Washington one vote. Not one. Not one. You've got to be kidding me." (11:47)
• Predicts a conservative approach for Ohio State, foresees a close game; "I would probably take the eight and a half and Washington." (12:30)

Oregon at Penn State

• Penn State’s historic struggles in big games highlighted: "They're 0 and 14 in the regular season against the top 10 opponent." (14:09)
• Dante Moore (Oregon) described as possible "Heisman favorite."
• The atmosphere at Penn State’s “whiteout” is “the most difficult environment in all of college football.” (14:30–15:00)

USC’s Offense and Lincoln Riley

• Transition from Caleb Williams to Jaden Mayava means more balanced, system-driven offense:
  • Julian: "This is his first team that I feel like...this is completely Lincoln Riley's team." (16:25)
  • Joel: "Caleb Williams was the best quarterback talent wise that Lincoln Riley had, and Jaden Myava's offense could be better...because it's more balanced." (17:12)
• Noted improvement in USC’s defensive line size and overall elite balance.

NIL’s Impact on Coaching Job Security

• Julian: "NIL is giving coaches a year or two... You're going to give Brian Kelly an extra year or two because you're asking so much of your donors." (18:38)

Oklahoma Without QB John Matier

• Klatt is "panicked" for Oklahoma with Matier out; “they will lose one, maybe two games...once they get him back, then they've still got to face Alabama, Missouri, LSU." (20:07–21:30)

Most Underrated/Overrated Teams

• Klatt: USC (most underrated), Washington also, because of AP poll disrespect. Overrated: Ole Miss, maybe Alabama this weekend.

  • "I think USC is the most underrated team in the country...I think Ole Miss is a bit overrated at this point." (21:34–22:50)

• Both agree Georgia beats Bama at home.

• Lighter moments: Plans for the Saturday broadcast from Champaign and jokes about Julian’s brief TV time.

4. NFL Headlines & Analysis (31:01 – 37:08)

Caleb Williams’ Growth with Bears & Ben Johnson

• Cole Kmet praises Caleb’s playmaking vs. Cowboys.

  • "He continues to ascend every week." – Cole Kmet (31:36)

• Julian points out it’s simplistic to dismiss Dallas’ D, emphasizing the NFL's challenges for young QBs.

Cowboys’ Downfall Tied to Jerry Jones

• Discussion on trading Micah Parsons, coaching quality, and Jerry’s lack of ambition.
  • Julian: "Now it's all of the incompetence and incoherence with none of the ambition. ...Jerry has hired coaches who need Jerry... Bill didn't listen to him and Jimmy got sick of listening to him." (33:03–34:53)
• Coaching, more than ever, is identified as critical to competing in modern NFL.

Atlanta Falcons and Commanders

• Julian and Colin refuse to bet on the Falcons despite a favorable matchup.
  • Julian: "There are two things I'm never going to do again. Skydive... and bet the Atlanta Falcons." (35:56)
• Michael Penix’s struggles aired; both remain cautiously optimistic on his traits.

5. Colin’s Bears Reassessment & NFL Big Picture (43:00 – 53:00)

• Cowherd analyzes the Bears’ roster, schedule, and current synergy, revising his preseason 9–8 win projection down to 8–9.
  • Colin: "Their offense is so talented, they will beat bad defenses... But I don’t think they can win on the road at Washington, Baltimore, Minnesota, Philly, Green Bay or San Francisco." (44:10–45:49)
• Elaborates on the importance of a complementary roster, advocating for contending teams to make mid-season roster moves—especially when a star QB window is open.

Trading DJ Moore?

• Suggests the Bears should consider trading DJ Moore to a desperate contender for draft capital.
  • Julian: "I would consider moving DJ Moore. ...I think DJ Moore wears his emotions sometimes in his body language." (50:15–50:58)
  • Colin floats possible destinations: Giants, Broncos, Seattle, Chiefs, Bills.
• Both agree the time is now for teams like Buffalo or Kansas City to maximize current QB windows by adding missing pieces.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Klatt on Washington AP Poll Snub:
  • "The AP poll continues to prove to everyone what a worthless piece of junk it is by not giving Washington one vote. Not one. Not one. You've got to be kidding me." (11:51)
• Cowherd on NFL Team Windows:
  • "Nothing kills a great baseball team like a bad bullpen. ...Baltimore's defense, you can't win a Super bowl with that defense." (49:35)
• Julian on betting misadventures:
  • "There are two things I'm never going to do again. Skydive... and bet the Atlanta Falcons." (35:56)
• Cowherd on Bears schedule reality check:
  • "I thought I was optimistic...Now I’ve looked at every single game and I revisited my 9–8 prediction...that record would be 8 and 9." (44:36–45:49)
• Klatt on the critical nature of big games for coaches:
  • "I think James Franklin has to win this game. ...If Penn State loses at home, it's like we're all gonna be sitting there and thinking, is he ever going to win a matchup game?" (15:10)

Time-Stamped Breakdown of Key Segments

• Baseball hot takes: 03:00–04:12
• NFL Panic or Patience: 04:12–09:50
• Joel Klatt college football segment: 11:23–25:05
• NFL headlines (Caleb Williams, Cowboys, Commanders): 31:01–37:08
• Colin’s deep Bears/NFL talk: 43:00–53:00

Tone & Style

Colin and Julian maintain a lively, straight-shooting, debate-rich energy, frequently pivoting from humor to hard-hitting analysis. Joel Klatt supplies technical depth and vibrant college football perspective, while the entire episode is packed with actionable insights and candid takes for invested sports fans.

Perfect for listeners interested in the NFL’s shifting landscape, college football’s biggest Saturday storylines, or the intersection of roster building, big coaching moments, and championship windows.