Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Greg Cosell Analyzes Shedeur Sanders' First Win and Caleb Williams' Season
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Greg Cosell (NFL Films)
Theme: In-depth NFL analysis with Greg Cosell, focusing on quarterback performances, team strengths/weaknesses, and Thanksgiving week matchups.

Overview

Hour 3 centers on the analytical breakdown of recent and upcoming NFL games, especially the performances of young quarterbacks such as Shedeur Sanders and Caleb Williams. Greg Cosell, with decades of NFL Films experience, joins Colin to dissect tape, trends, and team dynamics. The discussion combines film-based insights and big-picture narratives, touching on the evolution of star players, offensive/defensive concepts, and key matchups.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Caleb Williams' Growth Against Philadelphia

• Controlled Play: Cosell notes that Williams played "very controlled, very calculated" (04:01) in his latest game, significantly improving his sack rate—an important marker of quarterback development.
• Missed Layups: Williams still "misses routine throws," a fixable flaw that, if corrected, will enhance his growth.
  • Quote: “The thing is he misses routine throws. Those are throws you can’t miss.” – Greg Cosell (04:01)
• O-Line Play: Praised improved offensive line performance, especially rookie Ozzie Tropillo’s play at left tackle (04:21).
• Reduced Sacks: “This year he’s not getting sacked much at all. I think he’s only been sacked 15 or 16 times.” – Cosell (04:21)
• Takeaway: Williams’ reduced sacks are more a sign of his increasing QB awareness than line improvement.

2. Eagles Offense and Saquon Barkley’s Struggles

• Offensive Line Regression: Barkley isn’t a factor due to the O-line’s fall-off (Jurgens, Dickerson, Maialata), limiting his gains before first contact.
• Explosive Play Exception: His 65-yard TD showed he still has “juice” if given space (05:50).
  • Quote: "Last year he had the most yards gained before first contact...This year he’s near the very bottom.” – Cosell (05:50)
• Philosophy: Eagles stick to their formula, but execution is failing due to O-line.

3. Shedeur Sanders' First Win and Early Assessment

• Game Manager Role: Cosell says the Browns “didn’t ask [Sanders] to do very much”; screens and short passes dominated third and long.
• Big Play Highlight: His long touchdown to Isaiah Bond against a zero blitz was “a great play”, but the sample was too limited for a true evaluation (07:44).
  • Quote: "This was not a game to make any kind of definitive judgment about Shedeur Sanders.” – Cosell (08:13)
• Colin’s Take: Sanders is loose and unafraid, giving the offense more big play potential, but needs fine-tuning.

4. Brock Purdy’s Regression: Health and Processing

• Toe Injury Concerns: Colin believes Purdy is not fully healthy, citing “throws behind the receiver” and decreased velocity (08:50).
• Anticipation and Processing Slowed: Cosell points out Purdy’s post-snap decisions are “a beat late,” causing picks.
  • Quote: “The anticipation is just a notch late. The first interception by Horn…just a beat late turning it loose.” – Cosell (09:20)
• Not a Pure Arm Talent: Purdy relies on processing over arm strength; delays expose the lack of velocity.

5. Defensive Matchups: Cowboys, Chiefs, and Mahomes

• Cowboys D-Line Strength: Athletic with a strong interior rotation (Williams, Clark, Odighizuwa) but with vulnerability at corner (11:09).
• Chiefs Passing Oddities: Mahomes leads the league in passes/yardage behind the line of scrimmage— "a very odd mix", not a classic pocket technician.
  • Quote: “When I watch the coaching tape, you don’t see a ton of refined subtlety in their pass game at the intermediate level.” – Cosell (12:17)
• Mahomes as Playmaker: Still “very difficult to play against” because of unique vision and improvisation.

6. Cowboys Offensive Evolution

• Dak's Year: Two star receivers, strong guards, and run blocking; offense categorized as “absolutely legit” (13:01).
• Balance in Playcalling: Not just passing—the run game with Javonte Williams is impactful, especially on first down.

7. Packers Shift to a Defense-Led Team

• Offense Not Broken: Green Bay is more conservative, possibly due to Love’s shoulder and game script, but not “broken” (15:11). Aims for a balanced approach; less explosive, more controlled.
• Defensive Identity: For first time in decades, defense is “carrying the offense”.

8. Lions’ Run Game and Jameer Gibbs' Explosiveness

• Film Breakdown: Cosell showcases Gibbs’ “crazy” speed and outside-zone running, aided by effective six-OL personnel and key blocks (17:09).
• Key Stat: 37% of total yards last week from six-OL looks.
  • Quote: "He just outruns angles…when he gets to the second and now third level, the juice he has, he just outruns angles.” – Cosell (19:47)
• Matchup Highlight: Lions offense vs. Packers defense is “the most fascinating” aspect of the game.

9. Quick Hits (News Rundown)

• Ceedee Lamb’s Drops: 8 drops this season, 6 against the Eagles; self-attributed to “lack of focus” (25:27).
• Jaden Daniels’ Return Debate: Jason would sit Daniels for draft/health, but Colin says “young quarterbacks need more reps” (27:35).
• Shedeur Sanders & Stefanski: Sanders downplays any tension, says, “Our relationship has grown. I’m just thankful to be here” (29:33). Colin and Jason joke about reading “coded language."
• Quarterback Archetypes: Discussion of “franchise,” “bridge,” and “backup” QBs, with Winston, Mac Jones, and Davis Mills mentioned in context (42:14).

10. Jason McIntyre’s “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” (Predictions Segment)

• Packers vs. Lions: Picks Packers as underdogs, citing Christian Watson as a breakout candidate (35:14).
• Chiefs vs. Cowboys: Picks Cowboys, expects Dallas’ offense to exploit KC’s D, especially with Dak excelling against blitzes (36:41).
• Colts vs. Texans: Backs Colts at home, referencing C.J. Stroud’s uncertain status and defensive matchups (38:14).
• Chargers vs. Raiders: Likes Chargers, citing coaching advantage and matchup history (39:38).
• Patriots vs. Giants: Picks Patriots as big favorites, pointing to Giants’ run defense weaknesses (40:58).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Caleb’s Sack Rate:
  “More sacks are the result of the quarterback than the O-line…That’s a sure sign of his better understanding of the offense.” – Greg Cosell (04:21)

• On Saquon Barkley:
  “Barkley does not get past the first level of the defense…hard to tell what Barkley is.” – Greg Cosell (05:50)

• On Shedeur Sanders' Debut:
  “This was not a game to make any kind of definitive judgment about Shedeur Sanders.” – Greg Cosell (08:13)

• On Brock Purdy:
  “The anticipation is just a notch late…That allowed Horn to undercut Jennings.” – Greg Cosell (09:20)

• On Mahomes:
  “He’s not really a pocket technician…He’s truly a playmaker and he has unbelievable vision.” – Greg Cosell (12:17)

• On Cowboys O-Line:
  “Their guards are really good…They’re excellent on third down. Still too many penalties.” – Colin Cowherd (12:59)

• On Jameer Gibbs:
  “When he gets to the second level…he just outruns angles.” – Greg Cosell (19:47)

Segment Timestamps

• Caleb Williams & Eagles Defense — 03:17–05:25
• Eagles Offense & O-Line Troubles — 05:25–07:03
• Shedeur Sanders Analysis — 07:03–08:50
• Brock Purdy’s Recent Struggles — 08:50–10:33
• Cowboys Defense / Chiefs Offense — 10:33–12:46
• Cowboys Offense / George Pickens — 12:46–14:26
• Packers: Changing Identity, Analysis — 14:26–16:37
• Lions Run Game & Gibbs Film Breakdown — 16:37–20:13
• News Briefs: Ceedee Lamb, Daniels, Shedeur — 25:14–30:08
• Tomorrow’s Headlines Today (Predictions) — 34:52–42:14
• QB Tier Discussion (“Bridge” QBs etc.) — 42:14–44:53

Tone & Style

• The segment is conversational but dense with football tape study analysis and debate.
• Both Colin and Greg frequently reference specific plays, stats, and tendencies, offering actionable insights for both casual and diehard fans.
• Banter and playful disagreement surface, especially with Jason McIntyre and the “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show...

This episode is a deep-dive into the tactical and developmental questions surrounding some of the NFL's most-watched teams and young quarterbacks. Greg Cosell’s film study shapes the conversation, with practical examples and balanced skepticism—especially on emerging QBs like Shedeur Sanders and Caleb Williams. The hosts don’t shy away from critical takes but back them with examples from recent tape. The latter half provides a fast-paced run through news tidbits and betting angles on upcoming Thanksgiving matchups.

Listen for: Hard-hitting X’s and O’s, quarterback development context, and smart gambling/betting takes, plus a few lighthearted podcaster moments and friendly jabs.