The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “What’s Wright” Championship Predictions: Rams-Seahawks Real Super Bowl? Broncos Miracle vs. Patriots? | With Nick Wright

Episode Date: January 25, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into NFL Conference Championship weekend with analyst Nick Wright and co-host Damanze, offering deep analysis, passionate debate, and betting predictions for both the NFC and AFC title games. The discussion centers on whether the Rams-Seahawks matchup is the “real Super Bowl,” and whether the Broncos can pull off a miracle against the Patriots with quarterback Jared Stidham. The duo also break down betting trends, historical context, and key player matchups, while sharing candid reflections on their playoff predictions and gambling results.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Playoff Betting Woes and Record Accountability

[02:36–09:14]

• Nick Wright opens up about his poor playoff betting results:
  "The playoffs have ruined us and I have made an executive decision that my season long record and my playoff record are separate entities…for the playoffs I'm guaranteed a stone loser." — Nick Wright (03:13)
• He recounts his losses on the Bills, 49ers, and Rams, justifying the process but lamenting the outcomes.
• Damanze performed marginally better with a few correct picks, leading to some playful ribbing.

2. NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks — “The Real Super Bowl”?

[09:14–15:55]

Is Rams–Seahawks the NFL’s Real Championship?

• Nick Wright asserts this game will likely determine the league’s true best team:

  “There are certain times when it’s very clear that… the two best teams aren’t going to be playing in the Super Bowl. They’re playing this weekend. And I would be stunned if the winner of this game does not win the Super Bowl.” — Nick Wright [09:30]

• He compares the matchup to classic Conference Finals, like Niners/Cowboys (1994) and Patriots/Colts (2006), with “the undercard” waiting in the actual Super Bowl.

Rams Pick and Rationale

• Nick’s Pick: Rams +2.5 (betting underdog on the road)
• Why the Rams?
  • Trust in Matthew Stafford’s MVP-level play and Hall of Fame credentials if he wins again.
  • Head coach Sean McVay (“the second-best coach in the NFL”) vs. Mike Macdonald for Seattle:

    “Stafford is in such a different tier as than Darnold and McVeigh… I have felt like the Rams were the best team all year long… the best team overall the last few months.” [10:58]

  • Rams have already put together their best games against Seattle this season — both offensively (Stafford’s 450+ yards) and defensively (forcing four INTs).
  • Believes “this is the Rams year,” with Stafford poised to enter Hall of Fame debates alongside Big Ben and Brees.

Damanze’s Counterpoint: Leaning Seahawks

• Damanze’s Pick: Seahawks -2.5 (home favorite)
• Believes Seattle’s defense and home field will edge a low-scoring, tight contest:

  "I believe in Seattle's defense a little bit more than I believe in the Rams... I think the Seahawks will be able to pull it off." — Damanze [14:38]

• Acknowledges Rams’ chance but backs Seattle’s start-to-finish consistency—only three close/wacky losses all year.

3. AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos — An Upset Brewing?

[19:40–23:51]

Patriots Face Broncos in Mile High: Can the Miracle Continue?

• Denver starts backup Jared Stidham after Bo Nix’s injury; Patriots led by sophomore Drake May with Mike Vrabel as rookie head coach.

• Nick and Damanze both zero in on Denver’s home-field advantage:

  • Loud crowd, altitude, snowballing pass rush—tough environment for May's first road playoff game.
  • Patriots’ “shaky O-line” and May’s history of loose ball security.

• Nick’s Pick: Broncos +5.5 (but expects Pats to win narrowly)

  "I think Denver... will greatly impact the Patriots passing game. I think this is a 17-13, 21-17, 17-14 type of game where New England wins. I do think the Patriots win, but I think the Broncos cover." — Nick Wright [21:39]

• Emphasizes Stidham’s experience edge over usual backups, Broncos’ Sean Payton “calling his shot,” and past Denver wins with subpar QB play.

  “The Broncos just won an unbelievable game against Buffalo. They earned the one seed and I think that they are going to be able to greatly impact the Patriots passing game.” [22:23]

• Damanze’s Pick: Broncos with the points (outright win possible)

  “I honestly think they could end up winning this game… It's that feeling when nobody expects anything of you.” — Damanze [23:22]

• Both see pressure squarely on New England, setting up a no-expectations, nothing-to-lose vibe for Denver.

4. Betting Segment: Parlays, Props, and Teaser Talk

[25:19–28:50]

Teaser Challenges and Risky Playoff Numbers

• Damanze builds a custom parlay: New England +2.5, Rams +10.5, and under 55 in Rams-Seahawks.
• Nick highlights why middle-range point spreads (like +5.5) are especially tricky for teasers:

  “A five and a half point spread is the nut low. The single worst point spread for an eight point teaser… It's just the worst possible number to have to tease on.” — Nick Wright [26:57]

Touchdown Prop Frustration

• Nick laments last week’s three-TD parlay miss, pivots to featuring Rams RB Kyren Williams “anytime touchdown” (+125) as his featured play for the weekend.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On separating regular season and playoff betting records:

  “This is what we call coping, because I'm not doing well.” — Nick Wright (03:48)

• On Rams vs. Seahawks as the de facto Super Bowl:

  “I would be stunned if the winner of this game does not win the Super Bowl… That’s what I think we have this weekend.” — Nick Wright (09:32)

• On Stafford’s career legacy:

  “If [Stafford] makes another Super Bowl, much less wins another Super Bowl, then you start having interesting historical discussions: Stafford vs. Big Ben, Stafford vs. Drew Brees…” — Nick Wright (13:02)

• On Denver’s nobody-believes-in-us energy:

  “It's like that feeling when nobody expects anything of you. And it's just like I don't think anybody expects him to deliver out there. So if he does, he does.” — Damanze (23:30)

• On teaser challenges:

  “A five and a half point spread is the nut low. The single worst point spread for an eight point teaser…” — Nick Wright (26:57)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:36] — Playoff betting debrief and season record talk
• [09:14] — NFC Championship preview: Rams vs. Seahawks (analogy to past classic title games)
• [10:58] — Nick’s pro-Rams argument and analysis
• [14:38] — Damanze’s pro-Seahawks pick; discussion of Seattle’s three “weird” losses
• [19:40] — AFC Championship preview: Patriots vs. Broncos
• [21:39] — Nick’s analysis on Denver’s home field, Patriots’ pressure, and his pick
• [23:22] — Damanze’s bold Broncos-possibly-outright take
• [25:19] — Teaser bets, parlay plays, and Nick’s hesitation with playoff wagers
• [28:11] — Nick’s featured player prop: Kyren Williams anytime TD

Recap Summary

Nick Wright and Damanze deliver a passionate, stat-rich, and opinionated preview of the NFL Conference Championships, contending that Rams-Seahawks is the true Super Bowl and that Denver’s underdog run might just continue. Their conversation blends historical perspective, betting strategy, and playful banter, offering a comprehensive guide for NFL fans and bettors ahead of championship weekend.