Podcast Summary: “What’s Wright – NFL Week 4 Reaction: Chiefs CRUSH Ravens, Eagles ISSUES? Cowboys & Packers TIE?”
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (The Volume, iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Nick Wright, with co-host Damanze
Episode: #372 | Aired: October 1, 2025
Overview
Nick Wright and Damanze break down NFL Week 4’s biggest moments, focusing on the Chiefs’ dominant win over the Ravens, questions about the Eagles’ unconvincing undefeated run, and a bizarre Cowboys-Packers overtime tie. The episode also covers critical injuries (notably Tyreek Hill), rapid recaps of every Sunday game, and trademark candid, statistic-backed analysis with Nick’s characteristic wit.
Chiefs CRUSH Ravens: Chiefs “Steady the Ship”
Breaking Down the Game & Narrative (02:25–16:50)
- Chiefs bounce back after a shaky 0–2 start, crushing the shorthanded Ravens.
- The win marks a shift in external perception; media was quick to write off Kansas City amid receiver injuries and early losses.
- Nick pushes back on the postgame narrative that the outcome was “obvious” due to Baltimore’s injuries, noting that most predictions did not factor this in.
- Quote:
“The fatalism surrounding the Chiefs from almost everyone else in the media was... embarrassing and it was so fickle and so myopic… as if they don’t have a Hall of Fame head coach... and the most talented quarterback to ever live that they couldn’t figure it out.”
— Nick Wright (07:45)
- Ravens Remain a Concern: Lamar’s Big-Game Woes (20:22–30:53)
- Nick spotlights a pivotal Lamar Jackson mistake—a backpedaling desperation interception—which shifted momentum. This is cast as part of a pattern for Lamar in critical games.
- Notable quote:
“Why do we have to pretend what is obviously true is not?... From day one he has been a guy who in the postseason or in these instances, now when he sees Patrick across the field, plays his worst football.”
— Nick Wright (25:32) - Damanze (a Ravens fan) reluctantly agrees:
“It’s every single time… I think it’s a mental thing. He’s… not up and spry… like I see him in other games. It is a little disheartening.” (29:05)
- Coaching Critique: Nick questions Baltimore’s playcalling, especially the underuse of Derrick Henry, suggesting the Ravens try to “prove a point” with Lamar that backfires.
- Outlook:
- Chiefs haven’t solved everything (“RB room leaves a lot to be desired”), but they're in control. Ravens’ postseason ceiling in doubt.
- Quote:
“I don’t think KC is fully fixed, but I think KC has now fully steadied themselves." (31:50)
Key Segment Timestamps
- [02:25] Chiefs-Ravens result and KC’s recovery
- [07:45] Media overreaction discussed
- [20:22] Lamar Jackson turnover breakdown
- [25:32] Lamar in big games
- [29:05] Damanze’s emotional read on Lamar
Cowboys & Packers: 40–40 Tie — Missed Opportunities & Overtime Debates
Packers’ Late-Game Woes, Dallas’ Missed Potential (41:17–48:53)
- Cowboys/Packers tie at 40–40 after a dramatic overtime.
- Dak Prescott “playing out of his mind” even without CeeDee Lamb, but Dallas’ defense (without Micah Parsons resolved) is a huge missed opportunity.
- Quote:
“If we had just gotten this worked out with Micah… we’d be a real team… a problem for teams.” (43:49)
- Quote:
- Packers’ late-game clock mismanagement and Jordan Love’s shaky decision-making exposed.
- Nick critiques LaFleur’s endgame conservatism and wonders if Green Bay “was OK with a tie” when a win was crucial for playoff seeding.
Overtime Rule Hot Take (48:53–51:11)
- Nick is against longer overtime or removing ties; would support eliminating regular season OT altogether:
- Quote:
“The goal is to win in regulation, and if you don’t win in regulation, it’s a tie. Deal with it.” (49:28)
- Quote:
Eagles: Unconvincing Undefeated Run and Locker Room Issues
Philadelphia’s Flaws, Brown’s Frustration (51:11–56:58)
- Still undefeated at 4–0, but issues abound: erratic offensive halves (“two worst passing halves of the NFL season”) and “weird vibes” as A.J. Brown tweets cryptically.
- Saquon Barkley’s underwhelming production (from 5.8 YPC last year to 3.1) flagged as a concern.
- Quote:
“They just can’t play a normal game… one of the very best players on their team is clearly unhappy.” (51:36)
- Quote:
- Nick recommends experimenting in live games for flexibility later in the season, as previous Chiefs’ teams did.
Injury News: Tyreek Hill’s Catastrophic Knee
Tyreek’s Place in NFL History (68:47–73:42)
- Tyreek Hill suffers likely season—potentially career—ending knee dislocation.
- Nick criticizes insensitive online reactions, then celebrates Hill’s legacy:
- Quote:
“Tyreek Hill, the football player, is quite simply one of the greatest receivers any of us have ever seen. That is not an overstatement.” (70:22)
- Considers Hill a first-ballot Hall of Famer even if he never returns.
- Quote:
Other Week 4 Rapid Reactions
Around the NFL—Concise Game Takeaways
- Jaguars 3–1, stifling Purdy and the Niners:
- Jags’ defensive improvement credited: “They have 13 takeaways through four games—they had nine all last year.” (65:38)
- Seahawks 23–20 over Cardinals:
- Sam Darnold praised for surprisingly upgrading at QB: “That has not been a downgrade… It’s been an upgrade.” (75:45)
- Steelers 24–21 over Vikings:
- Rodgers’ quick-passing efficiency, Wentz’s struggles.
- Giants upset Chargers 21–18:
- Terrible run/pass balance and concerning injuries for the Bolts.
- Bills 31–19 over Saints (not impressive):
- D reflects ongoing defensive issues despite wins.
- Falcons, Texans, Patriots, Lions, Rams, Bears, Broncos:
- Each game gets a punchy breakdown, like “Drake Maye’s playing ball,” “Patriots have the softest schedule,” and “Giants’ turf strikes again” (re: Malik Nabers injury).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Chiefs’ media doubters:
“It was embarrassing and so fickle and so myopic…” (07:45) — Nick Wright
-
On Lamar's struggles vs. big teams:
“He’s been a guy who in the postseason or in these instances, now when he sees Patrick across the field, plays his worst football.” (25:32) — Nick Wright
-
On the tie and overtime:
“The goal is to win in regulation, and if you don’t win in regulation, it’s a tie. Deal with it.” (49:28) — Nick Wright
-
On Eagles’ mood:
“…one of the very best players on their team is clearly unhappy.” (51:36) — Nick Wright
-
On Tyreek Hill’s legacy:
“Tyreek Hill, the football player, is quite simply one of the greatest receivers any of us have ever seen.” (70:22) — Nick Wright
Final Thoughts / Episode Tone
Nick is fiery, sarcastic, and statistical as always—pushing back hard on conventional sports media narratives and offering “macro” interpretations. Damanze serves as a measured counterpoint, speaking for invested fans’ emotional rollercoaster. The tone is candid, occasionally exasperated, deeply informed, and never afraid to call out what Nick sees as “dishonest” analysis or missed context.
Key Timestamps for Reference
- [02:25] Chiefs-Ravens kickoff
- [07:45] Chiefs’ perception and offensive issues
- [20:22] Lamar’s critical interception
- [29:05] Ravens’ psyche and future
- [41:17] Cowboys/Packers tie and analysis
- [49:28] Overtime rules discussion
- [51:36] Eagles’ struggles and locker room
- [68:47] Tyreek Hill’s injury and legacy
- [75:41] Rapid recap of Week 4 games
Listeners walk away with a nuanced, unsparing take on the NFL’s current power hierarchy, quarterback narratives, and the underlying statistical realities that shape the league’s storylines each week.
