Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “What’s Wright: NFL Week 17 Reaction”

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Nick Wright (joined by Damanze)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nick Wright delivers his trademark heated takes and deep analysis following an “insane” NFL Week 17. Major themes include: a spirited MVP debate (Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford), looming panic alarms for the Eagles and Bills ahead of the postseason, questions about the 49ers’ legitimacy, and broader structural complaints about the 17-game, expanded-playoff NFL season. The show also touches on the Hall of Fame finalists and provides Nick’s take on the biggest games and storylines as the playoff picture clarifies.

Main Discussion Topics & Insights

1. NFL Week 17 MVP Race: Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford

• Key Point: Nick argues that Matthew Stafford has been the best player “start to finish,” but the MVP has devolved into a “December Player of the Month” award due to recent voting patterns.
• Drake Maye's Performance: Five TDs in Week 17 virtually locks up the MVP, according to Nick—a move he criticizes.
• Stafford’s Case: More passing yards, more TDs (12 more), far fewer sacks taken, “brutal schedule,” and did it in the league’s toughest division.
• Nick’s take: “From start to finish, Matt Stafford’s been the MVP of the league... But because Week 17, Drake May throws five touchdowns and Week 17, Stafford has one of his two bad games that he’s had all year, it’s now going to be…Drake Maye won the award” (15:05).

Notable Quote:
“It feels to me like MVP is slowly moving towards who's hottest at the end of the year. And I don't love that.” (16:38 - Nick Wright)

Timestamps:

• [10:04] Damanze introduces the MVP race – Maye’s odds, Stafford’s stumble.
• [10:25–19:51] Nick’s extended breakdown of MVP trends and gripes.

2. The Impact of Playoff Expansion & the 17-Game Season

• Complaint: Nick strongly dislikes the expanded seven-team playoff system, arguing it makes the season less dramatic and the playoffs less exclusive.
• “Most things in life are improved by a little exclusivity…which makes getting in all the more rewarding.” (30:28)
• Under previous six-team-per-conference playoffs, there’d be much more at stake for teams like the Bills, Chargers, Packers.

Notable Quote:
“Every team that is worth a damn is going to make the playoffs. And under the six team playoff field…[teams] would have overcome all this, had this great year, but because they couldn’t take care of business…they have to go win in Week 18.” (32:28)

Timestamps:

• [30:14–37:06] Nick’s impassioned soapbox on exclusivity, NFL playoff stakes, historical examples.

3. Eagles & Bills: Panic Time?

Eagles

• Alarming Half: Negative passing yards in the second half, for the third time this season.
• Strange Droughts: “Three of [their 32 halves], you had negative yards passing. One in 10. That’s insane.” (45:26)
• Locker Room Issues: Sirianni’s tunnel antics, AJ Brown’s frustration.

Bills

• Nick’s Worry: More alarming for the Bills' playoff path, as they’re locked into a tough wild-card situation and could be one-and-done.
• Josh Allen: “He’s got to be better in that game...he just missed the game-winning play.” (42:06)

Notable Quote:
“I like either of those teams [Rams or 49ers] to go to Philadelphia and win…those teams have been so much more consistent throughout the year.” (46:59)

Timestamps:

• [41:42–48:12] Nick and Damanze dissect the Eagles/Bills matchup and playoff implications.

4. Are the 49ers “For Real”? Brock Purdy Cycle Continues

• Brock Purdy Debate: Nick expresses his frustration at the cyclical nature of arguments about the 49ers' QB spot: “It is maddening to me that we are somehow…in an endless loop of me making statements that seem unprovable about the Niners quarterback situation. They then get proven, and folks still saying I'm wrong...” (48:29)
• Credit Goes To…: Core of Niners’ success is Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey, not Purdy alone. Purdy's greatness in the last two weeks is acknowledged, but context matters.

Notable Quote:
“The story of this Niner season is not a Brock Purdy story…It’s about two people more than anybody: Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey.” (51:54)

Timestamps:

• [48:12–54:43] Ongoing “system QB” vs. “real star” discourse. Nick’s verdict on Coach of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year.

5. Playoff Picture Breakdown and "Quick Hitters"

• Rams’ Playoff Scenario: Path got much harder; the difference between the 5 and 6 seed is pivotal, depending on other outcomes.
• Bears: Good year, probably a year away from contention. Defense not ready for a deep run.
• NFC South: Tampa Bay “unforgivable” to need help making the playoffs; only the Saints playing with fire.
• AFC North: Steelers blew a golden chance; Nick savages Rodgers’ game. Derrick Henry’s impact since joining the Ravens is highlighted.
• Jaguars, Cowboys, Vikings, Broncos, Chargers, Patriots, Saints, Bengals, Giants: Rapid fire “who’s up, who’s down” with playoff positioning.

Timestamps:

• [54:43–68:42] Playoff scenario rundowns, team-by-team comments.

In-Depth: Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh, and Ravens Drama

A major chunk of the episode is spent examining the strained relationship between Lamar Jackson and Ravens coach John Harbaugh, especially as it relates to injuries, contracts, and playoff absences.

• Pattern of Absence: Nick meticulously recounts three years of late-season/post-injury ambiguity, contract disputes, and missing crucial games.
• Contract Agent Issue: Lamar’s unique negotiation situation (represented by his mother, who can't officially serve as agent) complicates things.
• “I feel like I can say with full confidence that the Lamar Jackson–John Harbaugh partnership is ending and it is very likely that Lamar has played his last game with the Ravens…with John Harbaugh being the coach.” (79:23–82:16)
• Two Options: (1) Lamar’s injuries (ankle, knee, hamstring, toe, back) are severe enough to keep him out, raising concerns about long-term investment. (2) The injuries are minor and he’s leveraging them in negotiations, also raising red flags.

Notable Quote:
“If it’s just A or B, is that a player that you are comfortable giving a top of market guaranteed contract to?” (81:11)

Timestamps:

• [70:03–84:25] Full recounting and analysis of the Lamar–Harbaugh dynamic.

Hall of Fame Finalists & Wrap-Up

• 2025 Finalists: Nick breaks down the semifinalists and predicts the most likely inductees: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, both Suggs and Keuchly (hard to choose), and one offensive lineman (likely Willie Anderson).
• “I don’t see any chance Frank Gore or Jason Whitten have to get in first ballot.” (86:04)

Timestamps:

• [85:52–90:48] Hall of Fame rundown

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Nick on the MVP race:
  “MVP has slowly started to turn into December Player of the Month amongst the MVP candidates. And I don’t like that.” (11:48)
• On the playoff field:
  “You want there to be a team or two that was good but not good enough. Every single team in the league this year with the possible exception, I guess, of Pittsburgh…that is above .500 will make the playoffs. That's too much.” (35:38)
• On the 49ers:
  “What I want is just the right people to get credit.” (51:31)
• On Lamar’s future:
  “Something’s been weird with Lamar and Harbaugh and the Ravens all year…to me it’s pretty obvious where this thing’s going.” (84:25)

Episode Timeline Table

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 00:00–02:55 | Ads, intro, Christmas/holiday well wishes | | 02:55 | Podcast opens, Jokic injury update, NBA notes | | 10:04 | NFL MVP race: Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford | | 30:14 | Soapbox: Expanded NFL season/playoff critique | | 41:42 | Eagles-Bills panic breakdown | | 48:12 | 49ers: Brock Purdy debate & playoff prospects | | 54:43 | Playoff scenarios for major teams, rapid analysis| | 70:03 | Baltimore Ravens drama (Lamar/Harbaugh/contract)| | 85:52 | Hall of Fame semi-finalist rundown | | 90:48 | Sponsor/Wrap |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Signature Nick Wright: Opinionated, data-backed, not afraid to revisit old debates or harp on systemic league issues.
• Engagement: Playoff discussion is high drama—stakes, legacies, and huge implications are picked apart for both teams and individual players/coaches.
• Takeaway for listeners: If you’re jumping in cold, this episode offers an intense, comprehensive state-of-the-league heading into NFL playoff season, with special attention to award debates and what really matters when legacy is on the line.