THE HERD - Hour 3

January 8, 2026
iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Host: Colin Cowherd
Key Guest: Greg Cosell (NFL Films)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Herd" dives deep into NFL playoff matchups, focusing on the tactical chess matches ahead. Colin is joined by NFL Films guru Greg Cosell to analyze the Packers-Bears game and break down the identity of the Eagles' offense. The show also covers the prospects for teams like the Jaguars, Patriots, Chargers, Rams, and Steelers, with added insights from Tom Brady later in the hour. Expect film-driven breakdowns, strategic observations, and spirited discussion about coaching decisions and team-building, all in the show's sharp but conversational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers vs. Bears: Tactical Matchup & Weather Impact

[00:50-03:24]

• Quarterback Focus, But Not Everything:
  • Greg Cosell challenges the narrative that it's all on the quarterback (Caleb Williams). "Do you think every one of these games that there's just the quarterback is playing, it's not always just about the quarterback" ([01:50], Cosell).
  • Emphasizes the chess match between Ben Johnson’s sophisticated pass game for Chicago and Jeff Halfley’s dynamic Packers defense with late rotations and confusing pre- and post-snap looks.
• Bears Run Game Faltering:
  • Bears’ recent loss of rushing consistency noted as a concern for their offense.
• Weather as X-Factor:
  • Reports of snow and gusty winds favor the Bears' strong O-line and ground attack, which Colin argues gives Chicago an edge if the weather turns ugly.

2. Jaguars’ Offensive Explosion vs. Bills' Defense

[03:46-05:15]

• Jaguars’ Recent Surge:
  • Since Week 11, Jaguars averaging 34 points per game. Trevor Lawrence thriving, particularly working the middle of the field.
  • Scheme credit to Liam Cohen (Sean McVay coaching tree): tight WR splits, well-designed routes.
• Challenge for the Bills:
  • Sean McDermott’s situational savvy and improving defense noted, plus the critical role of safeties Jordan Poyer and Cole Bishop in dealing with middle-field passing concepts.
  • Bills’ run defense "leaky," but better of late; pressure on Lawrence is pivotal.

3. 49ers vs. Eagles: Scheme vs. Stars

[05:15-07:30]

• Scheme Reliance for 49ers:
  • San Francisco offense "relies heavily on scheme, heavily on motion." Absence of top one-on-one WR Ricky Pearsall could expose a lack of pure matchup winners outside Kittle ([05:32], Cosell).
  • Anticipate Eagles using more "quarter-shell" coverage to neutralize motion.
• Eagles' Offensive Identity in Flux:
  • Eagles are "still a run-first football team… just haven't done it as well." Loss of second-half rushing production year-over-year is "a ridiculous difference" ([06:34], Cosell).
  • Playoff wrinkle: Getting Jalen Hurts involved in designed runs to attack defensive structure.

4. Patriots' Quietly Effective Big-Play Offense & Defensive Blueprint vs. Chargers

[09:40-12:42]

• Drake Maye’s Grit:
  • Maye praised for his toughness in the pocket and for letting plays develop under pressure, a trait shared by Herbert in LA.
• New England’s Red Zone Creativity:
  • Patriots' offense effective at creating and converting big plays, particularly in the red zone.
• Defensive Pressure:
  • Patriots expected to blitz often and trust man coverage, daring Herbert and his patchwork O-line to hold up.

5. Steelers’ Offensive Growth Against Texans’ Stifling Scheme

[12:42-14:52]

• Steelers Showing More Juice:
  • Boost from RB Jalen Warren and improved O-line. Friermuth (TE) mentioned as a further weapon.
• Houston’s Defensive Structure:
  • Texans excel at generating pressure with four, allowing extra players in coverage. This "win the numbers game" makes passing hard: "They have seven to play three" ([13:38], Cosell)
  • Quick throws and empty formations might counter Houston's approach.

6. Rams’ Pre-Snap Creativity & the Value of Stafford

[14:52-17:57]

• Unusual 13 Personnel Usage:
  • Nearly half their snaps feature three tight ends (since week 7). Creates run/pass ambiguity; Stafford thrives in these sets (20 TDs from 13 personnel).
• Sean McVay’s Mastery:
  • "They do such a good job schematically... so good with their formations, incredibly multiple and diverse. Out of three tight ends it’s just a very hard offense to play against" ([17:13], Cosell).

7. Injury Updates and Playoff Health Status

[17:59-19:15]

• Rams to miss G Kevin Dotson, but overall healthy. Colin notes the relative health (and youth) of teams like Seattle and LA vs. more injury-laden older squads (San Francisco, Washington).

8. Eagles vs. 49ers: QB & Coaching Chess

[19:00-20:42]

• Discussion on Brock Purdy’s reliability and the critical importance of availability of players like Ricky Pearsall and Trent Williams for San Francisco.
• Vic Fangio’s scheme noted for routinely bottling up Kyle Shanahan’s offenses.

9. Packers-Bears: Experience vs. Momentum

[20:44-22:16]

• Jordan Love returns from concussion. Colin highlights that Green Bay’s familiarity with playoff stakes can be decisive, while Chicago has home-field and O-line/running game edge in wintry conditions.
• Both teams’ approaches to player rest and youth vs. experience discussed.

10. Coaching Carousel: Ravens’ Next Move

[22:16-24:52]

• Extensive, humorous speculation about who will replace John Harbaugh, with mentions of Jesse Minter, Todd Monken, Kevin Stefanski, and Cliff Kingsbury—debating fit and credibility ("I don't see Kingsbury as a head coach. He ... is to be a great coordinator." - [24:52], Cowherd).

11. The Weather Factor & NFL Dynasty Geography

[25:13-32:48]

• Colin (with Tom Brady and others) makes the case that dynasties rarely come from warm-weather franchises due to cold-weather playoff advantages and the type of QBs these conditions demand.
• Makes distinction between truly warm-weather cities (Miami, Arizona, Jacksonville) vs. “pseudo-warm” (Dallas, San Francisco).

12. Rams’ Team-Building Philosophy Post-Stafford

[32:48-35:09]

• Should Los Angeles draft a QB this year or continue to build an elite roster and ride Stafford one more year? Colin leans strongly: "Why draft the quarterback? ... All four of those [premium picks], we're going to go get you a first round tackle, a first round corner, a second round receiver and a third round playmaker and say now we’ll give you an extra year on your contract."
• Rams’ off-season moves and quarterback succession strategy discussed in-depth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “‘Do you think every one of these games that there’s just the quarterback is playing, it’s not always just about the quarterback’” — Greg Cosell [01:50]
• “Their run game, their run defense at times can be leaky, but it’s certainly been better lately. But it’ll be interesting because they’re going to have to get pressure on Trevor Lawrence in those critical third down situations.” — Greg Cosell [04:01]
• “They rely heavily on scheme, heavily on motion. Vic Fangio will be well aware of that...so this, to me, you know, it'll be interesting. The Niners have to find a way to run the ball with some sustainability in this game against an Eagles defense that's been playing at a really high level...” — Greg Cosell [05:32]
• “Structurally and conceptually, in many ways [the Eagles’] offense is what it is. They’re a run-first football team and I think now that they’re in the playoffs, I think you’ve got to get Jalen Hurts involved in the design run game because of the impact it has on defensive structures.” — Greg Cosell [06:34]
• “Stafford’s pass game numbers, Colin, out of three tight ends, are off the charts. He's dropped back over 130 times with three tight ends on the field and has 20 touchdown passes out of three tight ends on the field. So this is not just let's hand the ball off.” — Greg Cosell [15:13]
• “There’s never been a warm weather NFL dynasty.” — Colin Cowherd [28:21]
• “If you go look at the Cowboys, Emmitt Smith, they had a great run game. ... Dallas gets really cold for four months.” — Colin Cowherd [31:10]
• "Why draft the quarterback? Why? ... We're just going to do all we can to get playmakers and hit makers..." — Colin Cowherd [33:58]

Key Timestamps

• 00:50-03:24 — Packers-Bears preview: schematic Xs & Os, weather, importance of matchup
• 04:01-05:15 — Jaguars offense dissected; Bills' defensive plans previewed
• 05:32-07:30 — 49ers-Eagles: scheme reliance, identity issues on both sides
• 09:40-12:42 — Patriots-Chargers, red zone creativity, and QB toughness
• 13:38-14:52 — Texans-Steelers: how Houston’s D constricts passing lanes, Steelers’ options
• 15:13-17:57 — Rams’ offensive approach, 13 personnel, Stafford’s excellence
• 19:00-20:42 — 49ers-Eagles: Purdy’s stepping up, Fangio’s D, injuries as X-factors
• 21:14-22:16 — Bears-Packers: player returns, playoff readiness, momentum vs. experience debates
• 22:16-24:52 — Coaching rumors, Ravens' HC search, organizational headaches
• 25:13-32:48 — How weather, geography, and QB style shape NFL dynasties
• 32:48-35:09 — Rams and roster-building: draft philosophy with or without a retiring Stafford

Tone & Style

The episode maintains The Herd's signature blend of sharp analysis, opinionated dialogue, and accessible explanations. Colin’s commentary is both direct and laced with wit, while Greg Cosell brings deep, film-based insight. Each topic is discussed with football intelligence and personality—mixing technical depth with relatable narratives.

This summary covers all football-relevant content, omitting ad reads or unrelated promotions. For fans and NFL observers, it provides both the big-picture themes and granular insights that define the postseason chess match.