The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hour 3 – Tomorrow’s Headlines Today, Brian Baldinger
Date: January 23, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd (with J. Mac, Brian Baldinger)
Episode Overview
This episode of "The Herd" delivers high-level analysis and predictions on the weekend's major NFL matchups as the playoffs continue, including detailed breakdowns by Colin and J. Mac (“Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”), and an in-depth segment with former NFL player and analyst Brian Baldinger (“Baldi”) on quarterbacks, coaching changes, and NFL team trajectories. Notably, the episode features a brief segment with Tom Brady sharing a quarterback’s perspective on key players and coaching strategies heading into the next round.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Charles Barkley/ESPN Situation (03:02–04:45)
- Barkley has voiced frustration over reduced airtime on ESPN, which Colin and J. Mac attribute to the NBA's preference for less critical coverage.
- Colin: “ESPN has a great relationship with the NBA, and they said, yeah, we'll bring that show over. You won't see it as much. Put it on the shelf a little bit, huh?” (03:17)
- J. Mac: “During football season, nobody's caring. But NBA from February, March, April, May, June. I'm sure he'll be on a lot, right?” (03:30)
- League Sensitivity: Reference to Adam Silver and previous commissioner David Stern's low tolerance for criticism of the NBA and its players.
2. Herdline News & Playoff Storylines (04:51–12:34)
Patriots at Broncos: The Denver Altitude Edge
- J. Mac highlights the Patriots’ postseason struggles in Denver (0-4 all-time) and the impact of altitude.
- “There is an altitude situation in Denver that has to be addressed.” (04:54)
- Colin: Cites Denver’s defense and home field; expects the Patriots to gain a slight edge due to Denver's inconsistency and new QB situation.
- “That gives you a little field position edge, which needs playoff games. That is huge.” (05:36)
- Discussion of Jarrett Stidham starting for Denver and how Sean Payton will not overhaul the offense at this stage of the season.
Dolphins’ Quarterback Uncertainty
- Miami Dolphins in “rebuild mode;” Tua Tagovailoa benched for Quinn Ewers, but he's still under contract.
- New GM John Eric Sullivan’s press conference: Still undecided about the future at QB.
- Colin: “It’s unfair and irresponsible for me to sit up here and talk about anything specific before I’ve talked to the player himself. That’s fair.” (07:51)
- J. Mac questions where Miami will draft and their real options (“Not high enough to get Mendoza.”) (08:23)
LA Rams Draft/Quarterback Speculation
- Colin suggests Rams may “reach” for a QB (e.g., Ty Simpson) with their rare first-round picks, given their future draft capital dilemmas.
- “If they don’t get a quarterback now, look at what the Rams are going to do drafting 30th the following year to get to the seventh pick. Two ones. Two twos. You got your draft capital.” (09:58)
Stafford’s Future & Tua-to-LA Rumors
- J. Mac: “If Stafford wins the Super Bowl, is it over? … If they lose this game, I would say he’s definitely coming back next season.” (10:16)
- Quick speculation whether Tua could work with the Rams ("C.J. Stroud? Yes." - Colin, 11:25)
Coaching Carousel: Robert Saleh to Tennessee
- J. Mac: “There’s a world here where Salah’s pretty damn good pretty quickly. … They just have to, you know, they got some cap money, cap space to spend.” (11:27)
- Colin: Calls Tennessee job “kind of a wonky political job but not terribly dumb” to fire Vrabel. (12:20)
3. Brian Baldinger (“Baldi’s Breakdowns”) Interview (16:22–25:48)
Rams vs. Seahawks Analysis
- Baldinger: “I like Seattle… defense wins championships and I think their defense will be up to the task.” (17:38)
- On Stafford: Elevates Stafford’s postseason legacy—“If he wins two Super Bowls, I’m putting him right next to Aaron Rodgers all time.” (18:30)
Sam Darnold’s Playoff Reliability
- Baldinger: “When he’s under siege, he makes mistakes like a lot of quarterbacks… but this [Seattle] team… they feel like they’re good enough to overcome if there are mistakes.” (19:41)
Drake May (New England) Evaluation
- Most Impressive: “Makes difficult throws look routine… you can’t rattle him.” (20:58)
- Gives credit to Josh McDaniels for preparation.
John Harbaugh’s Giants Outlook
- Coaching Identity: “There was a toughness… he trains them hard, and when you win, nobody complains.” (22:07)
- Special Teams: Predicts Harbaugh will resolve the Giants’ longstanding kicking issues. (23:14)
Buffalo Bills – McDermott Firing
- Baldinger: “Teams run the ball against [Buffalo]… they never really fixed it. At some point, you say, let’s try something else.” (24:09)
Nostalgic Moment
- Baldinger on his ’80s NFC Championship: “Losing in RFK stadium like that… stays with you a long time.” (25:11)
4. Tomorrow’s Headlines Today (J. Mac’s Predictions) (30:25–38:49)
Patriots at Broncos:
- Headline: “Arm Pat stains. Broncos lose BO But AD Stidham stink.”
- Pick: Patriots win narrowly; “I think Denver keeps it close early and we’re looking at like 27, 23.” (31:44)
- Sean Payton’s excellent record with backup QBs noted (31:09)
Seahawks vs. Rams:
- Headline: “Samorama Ding Dong Darnold ditched off playoff porch.”
- Pick: Rams win outright in Seattle, led by Chris Shula’s defense. Left tackle injuries for Seattle loom large. (32:56–34:57)
John Harbaugh and the Giants:
- Headline: “Big Blue Suede Shoes, New York royalty still waiting to be king.”
- Prediction: “No playoffs… maybe eight or nine wins, second or third in the division.” (35:05–36:17)
Stefanski and the Falcons:
- Headline: “NFL New Falcon League. Falcons put the fun in Stefanski.”
- Pick: Falcons to win their division with Bijan Armstrong/Drake London as a premier duo. (36:32–37:34)
Buffalo Bills Coaching Search:
- Headline: “The Daybowl is in the details. Hot seat finds cold comfort.”
- J. Mac likes Brian Daboll returning to Buffalo; not convinced it is a “Super Bowl move.” (37:48–38:46)
5. Tom Brady Guest Segment – Rams & QB Play (40:03–42:55)
On Rams’ Offense & Coaching:
- Brady credits the Rams’ coaching for their precision, ball security, and adaptability in extreme conditions:
- “This is a surgical offense. They have so many weapons. Everybody touches it.” (40:03)
On NFL Draft’s Top Prospect, Fernando Mendoza:
- Brady on Mendoza: “He’s just a very mature young man … there’s still so much room for development. Nobody’s a finished product.” (42:07)
- Colin adds: “That last drive [at Penn State], it was like, wow, that is different level stuff.” (42:55)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Colin on NFL Sensitivity: “David Stern didn’t like when people were critical of the NBA either. They’re very sensitive…” (04:14)
- Colin on Stafford: “He got adopted by the Rams and ... the second best quarterback to Mahomes in the league during this period.” (18:30)
- Baldinger’s assessment of Drake May: “He makes difficult throws look routine, and that's impressive. ... you can't rattle him.” (20:58)
- Baldinger on John Harbaugh’s practices: “He trains them hard, and when you win, nobody really complains.” (22:32)
- J. Mac on Falcons: “I can’t quit these damn Falcons, Colin. ... this is the division winner. Clearly.” (36:32)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- ESPN/Barkley/NBA Coverage – 03:02–04:45
- Herdline News: Playoff Games and Rumors – 04:51–12:34
- Brian Baldinger Interview – 16:22–25:48
- Rams vs Seahawks deep dive – 17:38
- Sam Darnold’s reliability – 19:41
- Drake May analysis – 20:58
- John Harbaugh/NYG – 22:07
- Bills/McDermott – 24:09
- Tomorrow’s Headlines Today – 30:25–38:49
- Tom Brady Segment – 40:03–42:55
Natural Flow & Tone
“Classic Herd” – a blend of quick-witted banter, strong opinions, and substantive analysis. Colin steers conversations with authority but allows J. Mac’s predictions and Baldinger’s war stories to bring color and depth. The tone is lively, sometimes tongue-in-cheek (especially during ‘Headlines’), but deeply informed on NFL nuance and context.
Summary Takeaways
- The Patriots-Broncos and Seahawks-Rams playoff matchups are deeply analyzed for tactical and emotional edges.
- Miami, the Rams, and Buffalo face pivotal offseason crossroads—QB questions and coaching hires dominate.
- Brian Baldinger brings a “from the trenches” insight on coaching, team culture, and what separates playoff contenders.
- Tom Brady’s take reinforces the value of offensive discipline and maturity for QB prospects entering the NFL.
- J. Mac’s “Tomorrow’s Headlines” segment offers bold, sometimes contrarian predictions on the weekend and offseason news cycles.
This episode offers thorough and entertaining coverage for dedicated NFL fans anticipating a thrilling playoff weekend and offseason shakeups.