The Herd with Colin Cowherd

"What’s Wright - Best Of: Josh Allen & Bills in DANGER? LeBron James DISRESPECTED in player rankings, Mahomes or Baker NFL MVP?"

Guest: Nick Wright
Date: October 19, 2025
Podcast Providers: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This "Best Of" edition of What's Wright with Nick Wright is a lively, opinionated rundown featuring the hottest sports topics of the week. Nick dives deep into:

• The Buffalo Bills' recent struggles and Josh Allen's fluctuating MVP stock
• The Ringer’s latest NBA player rankings—especially LeBron James’ placement and what it means
• A spirited debate on the NFL MVP race, focusing on Patrick Mahomes vs Baker Mayfield
• Several rapid-fire insights into Atlanta's rising football prospects and the evolving NBA "top ten" tier

The tone remains sharp, fast-paced, and candid, filled with Nick's signature blend of measured analysis, humor, and engaging banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atlanta's Upset Over Buffalo & The Bills’ Worries

[02:15-03:18]

• Nick acknowledges Atlanta's unpredictable season, labeling them as "the hardest team in the league to get a beat on."
• Details Atlanta's recent wins and erratic performances, noting that "Bijan and Drake London accounted for 396 of 443 yards on offense" against Buffalo.
• The Bills have now dropped back-to-back games, and "Josh Allen's MVP odds are up to +300—he's number two behind Mahomes."
• Nick Wright:

  "I've been pretty consistent that I think Josh is the second best quarterback in football... With that said, the Josh Allen hyperbole on some of these things has always mystified me." [03:39]

The Josh Allen Discourse

• Nick reflects on media tendencies to "anoint the next guy when we're in the midst of the guy," referencing Greeny's recent over-the-top praise for Allen.
• Allen’s recent turnover spike (four in three games) and the Bills’ suspect wins (beating teams with only one win each) have Nick raising red flags.
• The Bills “have squandered what was supposed to be their biggest edge for this season,” namely their soft schedule.
• Nick Wright:

  "They just need a good win... It sure looks like it's going to be a season like we've seen a lot with the Bills where they win the division, but they don't get the bye" [09:43, 10:42]

2. AFC East Futures & Bills Prognosis

[09:17-12:03]

• Co-host brings up division odds: "You wouldn't put a taste on New England winning the division at +185?"
• Nick's surprised at the odds, expressing continued faith in Buffalo:

  "I still think Buffalo's going to win 11 games at least..." [09:43]

• Nick foresees a "very real possibility" of Chiefs-Bills in the AFC Championship, but likely at Arrowhead due to Buffalo's missteps.

3. Falcons & Breakout Talent Discussion

[12:03-14:54]

• Brief detour to Atlanta’s offense, highlighting Bijan Robinson’s explosive start:

  "He's on pace to shatter the yards from scrimmage record for a season... He is so good." [13:33, 14:54]

• Quick referencing of former playoff predictions and post-trade shakeups for the Falcons’ future.

4. LeBron James “Disrespected” in NBA Rankings

[20:22-27:46]

• Crunching the Ringer’s new Top 100, Nick hones in on LeBron at #11, just outside the Top 10 (with Durant at #10):

  “There’s just no argument that [Durant’s] better [than LeBron], and there’s no argument that he’s more available. There’s no argument that he’s more durable or reliable.” [21:07]

• Concedes that Steph (at #7) vs LeBron can be debated, but Durant’s leap feels unwarranted.
• Nick expands to a larger debate about NBA historical top tens, using Jokic’s rise as a trigger:

  “Top tens are going to get really prickly for people if... Joker all of a sudden has multiple rings and four MVPs and has kind of elbowed his way in there because it’s not going to be as simple as, okay, we’re just dropping Dream...” [24:43]

• The challenge of fitting Jokic into an already “universally agreed upon” top 12 is dissected.
• He calls Jokic “probably one of the five or six greatest offensive players ever,” but raises doubts about defensive value compared to legends like Duncan and Hakeem.

5. NBA All-Time Greats & Jokic’s Ceiling

[27:56-31:05]

• Explores historical playoff runs and series wins as context for ranking greats—calls out Giannis and Jokic’s relatively light resumes:

  “Joker has 10 [series wins]... I have a little allergy to saying a guy who’s been past round two twice ever... we’re going to bump him ahead of Kobe Bryant who... went to seven NBA finals...” [29:44]

• On Jokic’s future: “He has reached the ceiling he can get to as far as where he’s ranked absent another title.” [31:05]

6. NFL MVP Market: Mahomes or Baker?

[34:35-39:42]

• Segment sponsored by Hard Rock Bet, Nick weighs the special market: Baker Mayfield or Patrick Mahomes for MVP (-150) vs the rest of the field (+105).
• Nick loves the bet, noting,

  “To be able to get either one of them to win MVP at only -150 is a pretty solid bet... I already have Baker in the preseason at 35-1 on Hard Rock and... every year I bet Patrick to win MVP and every three years or so it pays.” [35:05]

• Other preseason favorites (Burrow, Lamar, Herbert) are essentially out of contention.
• He points to Josh Allen as their main competition, but recent hiccups (and turnovers) may derail Allen’s campaign.
• On fringe candidates:

  “Daniel Jones is not going to win league MVP... Rogers’ team has only one loss, he doesn't have the numbers...” [37:54]

• Co-host brings up Stafford and Dak, but Nick is skeptical:

  “No, no chance.” [39:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Josh Allen Hype:
  “We are so eager to anoint the next guy when we’re in the midst of the guy that we sometimes, you know, get a little ahead of ourselves.” — Nick Wright [04:37]
• Bills’ Situation:
  “Life comes at you fast, man. The Bills also need a good win. They just need a good one.” — Nick Wright [10:42]
• On LeBron’s Ranking:
  “There’s just no argument that [Durant’s] better and there’s no argument that he’s more available. There’s no argument that he’s more durable or reliable.” — Nick Wright [21:07]
• Jokic in the Top 10:
  "Top tens are going to get really prickly for people if... Joker all of a sudden has multiple rings and four MVPs..." — Nick Wright [24:43]
• NFL MVP Analysis:
  "To be able to get either one of them [Mahomes or Baker] to win MVP at only -150 is a pretty solid bet." — Nick Wright [35:05]
• On Daniel Jones MVP Chances:
  "Daniel Jones is not going to win league MVP..." — Nick Wright [37:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bills’ Downward Spiral: [02:15–11:58]
• Falcons’ Offense & Bijan Robinson: [12:03–14:54]
• NBA Player Rankings/LeBron & Durant: [20:22–27:46]
• All-Time NBA Top Ten/Jokic Debate: [24:43–31:05]
• NFL MVP Odds: Mahomes vs Baker: [34:35–39:42]

Final Thoughts

Nick Wright deftly navigates the landscape of NFL and NBA, challenging groupthink, poking fun at illogical rankings, and making confident predictions. The episode is dense with sports analysis, stat references, and passionate debate—equal parts sharp critique and fan excitement. If you need to catch up on the state of the Bills, the evolving MVP race, or why LeBron's legacy is once again being underestimated, this "Best Of" delivers all the highlights, with Nick's trademark punch.