Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 3 - NFL playoff predictions, Tomorrow's headlines today, Greg Cosell
Date: January 15, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Herd dives deep into the upcoming NFL playoff matchups with detailed film breakdowns and predictions. Colin Cowherd and longtime NFL analyst Greg Cosell examine tactical adjustments, player matchups, and key concerns for each contending team. J. Mac offers bold headline picks for every game, and the crew debates the trajectory of star players and the impact of defensive units in the postseason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bears-Rams: Chicago’s Second-Half Turnaround & Defensive Adjustments

• Defensive Shift Was Key: Greg Cosell credits Chicago's defensive adjustments, specifically an increase in pressure, led by Dennis Allen, as the catalyst for their comeback against Green Bay.
  • “Dennis Allen really increased his pressure quotient... It started on the first play of the third quarter with a double corner blitz.” (02:23, Cosell)
• Caleb Williams’ Heroics: Highlighted the pivotal 4th-and-7 play where Williams' improvisational throw kept Chicago alive.
  • “That was just Caleb Williams making one of those absolutely special plays.” (03:36, Cosell)
• Rams’ Weaknesses Exposed: Cosell focuses on LA’s vulnerable cornerbacks, exposing a potential Achilles’ heel vs. Chicago’s offense in cold weather.
  • “The area of weakness for the Rams are their corners... If Kayla Williams goes off for 340 passing yards against those corners, that would not surprise me at all.” (04:12, Cosell)

San Francisco-Seattle: Line Play, Schematics, and Matchups

• Niners’ Offensive Struggles Against Physical Fronts: Cosell notes San Francisco's lack of offensive rhythm when physically overmatched, referencing their Week 18 loss to Seattle.
  • “When they played Seattle Week 18, the 49ers only ran 42 offensive plays... they never had a chance to develop an offensive rhythm.” (05:30, Cosell)
• Seattle’s Defensive Strength—Tackles & Scheme: Emphasizes Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy's impact at DT; Seattle's two-high safety structure keeps big plays in check.
  • “It is really hard to run the ball inside against this defense... Murphy is phenomenal stalemating and defeating double teams.” (07:26, Cosell)

Buffalo-Denver: Josh Allen’s Evolution & Denver’s Defensive Challenges

• Allen’s “Surgical” Game: Cosell lauds Josh Allen’s poised, pocket-based performance against Jacksonville.
  • “It wasn’t the Josh Allen Superman Show… so I thought this was one of the best games that he’s played.” (08:37, Cosell)
• Denver’s Man Coverage Risks: Denver is noted for their pressure-heavy and man-oriented defense, which Buffalo might exploit with tight end matchups due to shallow WR depth. Cosell suggests targeting Kincaid and Knox as key strategies.

Houston-New England: Texans’ Dominant Defense vs. Drake May

• Texans’ “Line Up and Play” Style: Compared to the Legion of Boom, Houston doesn’t rely heavily on blitzes; their front four can disrupt offenses while keeping seven in coverage.
  • “They rush four, they play with seven in coverage... What they often dictate with offenses is that you have to keep a back and or a tight end to protect.” (13:06, Cosell)
• Edge Matchup: Will Anderson lining up against rookie LT Will Campbell is flagged as a potential pressure point.
• Drake May’s Growth: Significant improvement in pocket toughness and subtle movement inside a collapsing pocket.
  • “He makes late in the down throws from the pocket with bodies around him.” (14:38, Cosell)
• Big Play Analysis: Cosell breaks down May's clutch TD throw to Hunter Henry, underlining May’s refined skills in movement and touch.
  • “This is an unbelievable throw… the throw is so good with firm touch… staying calm, eyes downfield.” (16:42, Cosell)

Defensive Advantages and Turnovers

• Houston & Seattle—Forgiving Defenses for Imperfect Offense: Both teams’ defenses can cover mistakes like turnovers; allows their offenses to take risks and still win low-scoring games.
  • “When you have a dominating defense, you don’t have to be perfect.” (19:45, Cowherd)
• Houston’s Defense vs. Scrambling QBs: J. Max notes Houston has allowed the fewest rushing TDs to QBs and rarely lets QBs beat them on the ground. May’s mobility will be tested.

Rams-Bears & Matchup Dynamics

• Rams’ Vertical Attack vs. Bears’ Secondary: J. Max and Colin point to Stafford’s deep ball capabilities against a Bears defense that struggles with vertical threats.
  • “Best deep ball thrower in the league in Matt Stafford… Bears gave up the second most deep ball touchdowns in the league.” (34:18, J. Max)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The key play in the entire game… was that fourth and seven play. And that was just Caleb Williams making one of those absolutely special plays.”
  Greg Cosell, 03:36
• “This was not a game where [Josh Allen] ran around and made Josh Allen plays. He made some great throws, but they were from the pocket.”
  Greg Cosell, 08:37
• “They rush four, they play with seven in coverage… they’re not a heavy blitz team… because they’re so good up front.”
  Greg Cosell, 13:06
• “Drake May stands there… has excellent pocket movement… moving a little bit to his right, a little bit to his left. He’s really, really good at that.”
  Greg Cosell, 14:38
• “When you have a dominating defense, you don’t have to be perfect. In fact, you can be, you can make mistakes.”
  Colin Cowherd, 19:45

Tomorrow's Headlines Today: J. Mac’s Predictions

(Timestamps reflect the block in which each headline was presented)

[29:43] - Bills at Broncos

• Headline: “Bo bumps into mafia boss.”
• Call: Bills win a low-scoring game (17-16), Allen makes the difference despite WR injuries.

[31:30] - San Fran at Seattle

• Headline: “Seattle Death do Us Part. One that got away makes them pay.”
• Call: Seahawks to edge Niners, citing matchup advantages on defensive line.

[32:32] - Texans at Patriots

• Headline: “Parting of the Strouds. Old playoff Persona left behind.”
• Call: Texans will win outright; Houston’s secondary and defense will challenge May’s progress.

[33:42] - Rams at Bears

• Headline: “The cold man in the sea. Hot routes, warm reads. Old man Matthew Stafford delivers.”
• Call: Rams to thrive with Stafford’s deep passing game, overmatched Bears secondary.

[34:54] - Miami vs. Indiana (NCAA)

• Headline: “2 1/2 Mendozas. The U loses all its sheen.”
• Call: Indiana wins, Miami keeps it close, take the points with Hurricanes (+8.5).

Additional Insights

On NFL Draft & Player Development

• Discussion on the challenges and upside of two-way players like Travis Hunter. Colin and the crew debate whether Hunter’s value is maximized by focusing on one side of the ball in the NFL.
  • “I just think it’s very hard to bounce between offensive and defensive meeting rooms. Pick a lane.” (23:01, Cowherd)

On New England's Fast Track

• Colin is surprised by New England’s rapid rise, still views them as mid-rebuild but exceeding expectations by reaching conference championship contention.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chicago vs. Rams discussion: 01:45 – 05:06
• San Francisco vs. Seattle breakdown: 05:06 – 08:11
• Buffalo vs. Denver analysis: 08:11 – 12:46
• Houston vs. New England preview: 12:46 – 17:39
• Defensive value and turnovers: 19:45 – 21:48
• Travis Hunter & Draft trades: 22:35 – 24:26
• Tomorrow’s Headlines Today/Major Picks: 29:43 – 36:11

Conclusion

This dense, dynamic episode covers every angle of the upcoming playoff games, from schematic matchups and individual development to emotional “headline” predictions. The episode blends Cosell’s granular film analysis and in-depth football knowledge with Cowherd and J. Mac’s sharp prognostication, offering both the how and the why behind each pick.

Listeners walk away with tactical details, key player matchups to watch, and a strong sense of which teams have the edge heading into a pivotal NFL playoff weekend.