December 19, 2025 • 32 mins
Colin Cowherd breaks down one of the wildest NFL finishes of the season as the Seattle Seahawks pull off a stunning overtime comeback against the Los Angeles Rams, taking the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He explains why Darnold remains one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL, despite consistently ranking among the league’s most productive QBs over the past several seasons.Plus, Colin reveals his Blazing 5 NFL picks for Week 16, breaking down the biggest matchups against the spread:
- Packers vs. Bears
- Vikings vs. Giants
- Bengals vs. Dolphins
- Patriots vs. Ravens
- 49ers vs. Colts
Later, Robert Mays of The Athletic joins the show for an in-depth NFL conversation, including why Caleb Williams is rapidly establishing himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league and what separates him from the rest of the next generation of NFL stars.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox
Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to
noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at
Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every
day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio
or FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowver
on Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Oh what a beautiful day. Wonderful day. Couldn't be better
today it is.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Friday, blazing five. In one hour, we are live. It
is the Herd.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Wherever you may be and however you may be listening.
Thanks for making us part of your day. You know,
I'm not really into stats or anything, but here's a
couple of interesting ones. The last four teams Sam Darnold
has played four started a game four because he started one.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Game for the Niners.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
His last thirty nine starts, he's thirty and nine. Here's
another random stat that just like fell into my hands.
Last night, Sam Darnold became the first quarterback in NFL
history to win twelve games back to back season on
different teams. Brady didn't do it, Joe Montana didn't do it.
(01:28):
Farv didn't do it, slinging Sammy de did.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
The Rams dominated the first three quarters, and Sammy had
a couple of bad picks, but the Rams settled for
field goals in the red zone. Their special teams are shaky.
Four punts by the Rams in the fourth quarter, three straight,
three and outs.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I see Donald as relentless.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Doesn't pout, doesn't sulk, has a short memory, and he
took advantage of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Games aren't linear.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Great first half for certain quarterbacks, bad second half. I've
been saying that about Bo Nicks and Caleb Williams all year.
I know this, they win a lot, they're great in
the fourth and Sam Donald has always had a little
Andrew luck and maybe a little less Brett Farv. Big arm,
big mobility, big playmaker. Wins a lot, and sometimes there's
(02:21):
an ugly one or two. But I thought Seattle also overreacted,
came in with a ridiculously conservative game plan based on
Sam's last game against the Rams. Sam Donald has way
too much raw talent to coach him like he's Jimmy Garoppolo.
(02:41):
You gotta live with the mistakes. You had to live
with the Andrew luckmcstakes. Donald also did this more history.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Last night.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Donald converted three two point conversions in the fourth quarter
and overtime. No quarterback on a winning team had done
that in league history. Slinging Sam was breaking records last night.
He gets credit for that too, not just criticism.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
For the picks.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Again, never pouts, doesn't sulk pump on his fist, takes accountability.
He may not win a Super Bowl. I mean, Farve
only got one, and Andrew Luck never got to one.
He may never win a super Bowl. But to deny
his talent is being stummered Sam Darnald in the fourth
(03:28):
quarter in overtime. Forget the convergence one hundred and five
passer rating, big play after big play. And for the record,
Donald has really struggled against Chris Shula and the Rams
specifically and Chris Shula the defensive coordinator. Many are saying
he's going to get a head coaching job. In fact,
(03:49):
he will get a head coaching job. He's been there
a while last four years. Donald's one and three against
the Rams. He's twenty nine and six against everybody else.
So the Rams have given him trouble. Well, guess what
Belichick gave Donald Trouble two when he was twenty one
and twenty two and twenty three years old with the
New York Jets. He came into this league very raw,
(04:10):
not well coached in college, not great.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
On the white board.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
But by the time he got to Carolina, that San Francisco,
that Minnesota and the Rams. To deny what he can do,
you're just being stubborn right now. The number one seed
in the NFC this year, the better conference, Sam Donald,
Sam Darnald, who's won thirty of his last thirty nine starts.
(04:36):
They're not always pretty, especially when he faces McVeigh, Shula
and the Rams. But this is what he's been doing
for years. Here's his coach after.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Our story has stayed the same since day one with Sam.
You know, everybody else has different stories, but this is
the guy that we watch every day. It's the same
guy every day, matter of circumstance. He's an ultimate competitor.
He's a phenomenal leader and just keeps fighting, just keeps
plugging away. I wasn't worried about We weren't worried about
one bit.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
So that's Sam. That's Sam.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
First quarterback ever, twelve wins back to back seasons, with
two different teams. I'm always impressed with people who overcome struggles.
I've said this for years. The most important thing to
success kind of in life is how you react to failure,
because everybody who takes a swing in life fails all
(05:37):
the time. Darnald just doesn't get down. He threw four
picks against the Rams last time in La and then
we're driving for the winning field goal. He just doesn't
get down. He doesn't pout, he doesn't shrug his shoulders.
His body language isn't terrible. He is a fox, whole guy,
my guy slinging Sammy d So. First of all, the
(05:59):
NFS is crazy town. Seattle now leads twelve and three,
the Rams are eleven and four. San Francisco's ten and four.
Watch out for the Niners. And here's the thing about
the Rams. Salary caps mean there are no perfect teams.
Everybody's got holes. You try to hide the holes. But
(06:20):
the La Rams special teams have been an issue all
season long, and their secondary on the back end. We
watched Bryce Young torch it. So when they don't get
a great pass rush, and the Rams usually do but
not always, they are very vulnerable. So and last night
and The Rams are so good in so many areas.
(06:42):
They're good in the old line number two pff, They're
Noah's Ark. They got two of everything tight ends. But
earlier this year they lost to the Niners. Why special teams?
Mister field goal and an extra point? They lost to
the Philadelphia Eagles. Why remember this block kick?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
The nine? Last night?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
The Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are three of
the four losses for the LA Rams, and special teams
was a huge factor in three of the four losses.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
In the other one, Bryce.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Young Stafford had coming off game and Bryce Young tore
them apart. So they're so good. I mean they've got
three to four different tight ends. They can all play
Corum and Kyron Williams. Devonte Adams was in there last
night that a seventh round receiver was taken up the slack.
So they draft well, they don't miss. Everything works for
(07:37):
them offensively, but that special teams unit and that secondary
has been costing them games all year and the last
several Super Bowl champs have not been perfect teams. The
Rams are still my pick to win the Super Bowl,
but I will say this, Stafford's not mobile, So when
they go three and out, three and out, three and
(07:58):
out in the second half. That's where a Josh can
pick up first downs with his legs. You know, that's
where Mahomes would win super Bowls in the second half,
when you're off script and the defense has seen all
your tricks and all your formations and all your motions.
With Stafford, he can have these, you know, kind of
rough second half, he kind of gets into a rut
(08:19):
and he's not getting you any first downs with his legs,
and so I thought, you know, and I'm not blaming him,
I'm just saying, is sometimes a Josh Allen or a
Mahomes or a Herbert's done it the last couple of weeks,
they'll move the change with their legs.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
You're not getting that with Matt Stafford.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
So the special teams in the secondary are a real issue.
Matt Stafford though, four hundred and fifty yards when he
is hummon I mean, there's there's nothing quite like to
go to Seattle, that defensive coach, that secondary. Four hundred
and fifty seven yards, three tds, no picks.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Here's Stafford.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
After anytime you come in here, play that that defense,
you know, one of the best, if not the best
in the league. And you know, do we were able
to do on offense control the game, you know, and
you know, score whatever we score thirty seven.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Feel good about it.
Speaker 5 (09:15):
Obviously, there's you know, a couple of plays we want
back to maybe score in the red zone earlier in
the game, or continue to drive where we got off
the field early in the game.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
But I was proud of our effort.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
A lot of people, myself included a little surprise. The
Rams didn't draft a corner last year. Their special teams
has lost them three games. That Carolina game, Bryce Young
had his highest highest career passer rating game against the Rams,
his entire career against the Rams.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's what a good pass rush.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
So the special teams last night that the game changed,
Rams leading thirty fourteen, Rashid Saheed comes back, takes the
put returning and I'm like, oh, it's the special teams
here we got. Saw it against the Niners, saw it
against the Eagles, saw it last night.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
It opened the door.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
And then a couple of three and outs row and slinging,
Sammy d doing what he does. J Mack, I know
you were happy for him. I mean, it's hard not
to have a soul. If you don't root for Sammy
d after that Juts debacle.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Well I'm happy that you're happy for him.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I just can't believe.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
Remember, Rashid Shaheed was picked up at the deadline. You
know every year at the deadline there's a huge move
that somebody makes that kind of swings the balance. I
didn't think Shaheed had been particularly great with the Seahawks
the first few games. Remember there was a struggle. They
had the kid hording. Yeah, who was showing and then
he had to go to the bench. But that that
punt return was everything. And special teams, as you noted
going into the game con the Rams had the fewest
(10:37):
madefield goals in the league. We're talking about a league
where Brandon Aubrey and Cameron Dicker, these guys are automatic.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Did you notice McVeigh early on deep in his own territory.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
We're going for it. I mean the Rams came in.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Their takeaway is they're trying to mitigate how bad their
special teams are. So they're they're they're being high per aggressive,
which by the way, analytically is the right thing to
do because they are so stacked on offense. But I
mean they go for it. A lot of it just
they just don't trust their special teams.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Let me just ask you.
Speaker 6 (11:07):
This is a tough question, and I don't want people
to freak out, but Colin, after that game in Seattle,
Rams led by sixteen with eight minutes left, Seattle wins.
Who do you feel is the better team going into
the playoffs? Rams or Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I think the Rams high end is better. They didn't
have DeVante Adams.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Remember, Okay, so the coach, I'd go and I'd love Seattles.
I'd go Rams. The quarterback, I'd go Rams. Offensive line,
I'd go Rams. Receiving targets total, Rams, defensive front slight Rams.
The Rams out played them for three quarters. But again,
the Rams have a hole with special teams that the
(11:46):
Seahawks don't have. And the Seahawks secondary I think is
pretty good. That's why the Puka Stafford combination last night's
crazy because that's Seahawks secondary, super talented guys.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
McDonald is a sharp guy. Why did he keep job
up against Pooka like he had no chance all game?
They're highlighting it. You could hear the announcer Herbstreet. It's like,
I'm stunned that they just kept doing the same damn
thing and Pooka. Of course I'm facing him in fantasy
last night. That did not go well. I me greatest
game ever.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
All Right, we got a lot of stuff blazing five.
Top of next hour. Robert Mays from The Athletic is
so good. He'll join us on a variety of topics.
We'll go a mile deep on some stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon eastern nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Hey is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Now.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
In addition to hearing us live weekdays from five to
seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio,
We're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for
the show.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yep, that's right.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
You can now watch Covino and Rich live on YouTube
every day. All you gotta do search Covino and Rich
FSR on YouTube again, go to YouTube search Covino and
Rich FSR. Check us out on YouTube, Subscribe, hit that
thumbs up icon coming away.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Let's roll, Let's blaze it up.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Fired Up, It's Collins Blazon, Fox Packers at Bears.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I like the Bears at home minus one and a half.
They're eight and two over their last ten games, and
those losses are only road losses. Caleb Williams has one
or fewer giveaways and all fourteen starts, so they won't
give the game away. And the defense, like most defenses,
is better at home. It's number six in the league.
I like the roster, and they're much healthier than Green Bay.
(13:34):
By the way, teams that play the Broncos, which the
Packers just did, are three and ten the week after
playing Denver. They're beat up, missing several stars, not just starters.
Run game for the Packers feels dead. Run game for
the Bears, been on fire all season. I like the
Bears to win and cover twenty seven to twenty three.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Vikings said upset.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I like New York here four of their last five
losses by one score. They are running the ball last
six straight games, one hundred plus rushing yards without scataboo,
so they're pounding the rock. Jackson dart, I was wrong.
I didn't think of me as good as a rookie.
His last five games, he's got a ninety five passer
rating and he didn't have a number one starbacker, a
(14:23):
number one wide receiver, and the Vikings. They've lost four
of their last six. Their wins or over two atrocious defenses,
Commanders and Cowboys. JJ McCarthy, I'm gonna take the better
quarterback at home. I trust him more. Let's keep him
out of the blue ten. I'll take the points. Giants win.
Twenty eight. Twenty seven Bengals at Dolphins. Maybe my favorite
(14:47):
pick of the week. I'll take Cincinnati minus four and
a half. They've scored thirty points in two of their
last three games, and Burrows in a bad mood because
he mailed it in the team did against the Ravens.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Joe Burrow, this is weird.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Not only has he won eight of his last ten starts,
he is unbelievable late in the season. In Week sixteen
and eighteen in his career, he's seven.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
To oho Miami.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Five of the dolphins six wins this year have come
against the Jets twice, the Saints, the Falcons, the Commanders,
and now they're starting quinn Ewers. I have no idea
what I'm getting from quinn Ewers, but I know this,
He's not Joe Burrow. I'm going to take Burrow in
Cincinnati to win thirty to twenty in.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Cover Patriots and Ravens. I don't get this line.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I'm going to take the Patriots and the field goal
six and oh on the road outgained their opponents in
nine straight games coming off a loss, so they'll be salty,
and Drake made its completion percentage is still seventy. They'll
move the chains consistently, and they dominated Buffalo in the
first half. The Ravens are three and five at home
the last five games. Their passing game is toast and
(15:57):
they're not very good on the back end, so I
think Drake may could have some success down the field.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I don't really get the line here.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
The Patriots are a good road team, excellent coach coordinator.
I'm gonna take the points. I think the Patriots went
outright twenty eight to twenty seven. Forty nine Ers said Colts.
Maybe I haven't listening to J Mac, but I like
the Niners here minus five and a half, four game
winning streak, all four wins by double digits. Their third
(16:28):
down offense has been great with brockforty. They're not only
the Rams are penalized last pretty healthy offensively, and the
Colts on the back end. Uh oh. Also, everybody loved
Philip Rivers last week. It was a great, memorable game
and touching story. His passer rating was seventy three. He
averaged four point four yards throwing the ball down the field.
(16:52):
This offense. I mean again, the Philip Rivers a great story.
He wasn't a great quarterback. And the Niners have a
ton to play for, especially after Seattle comes back to
beat the Rams. You're gonna get a inspired effort by
the forty nine ers. They can do a lot more
(17:12):
with Brock thirty move in the pocket than the Colts can.
I like the Niners to win and cover thirty four
to twenty four. Three favorites a couple of underdogs on
our Blazing five picks. Jmack quick thoughts.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I hate to break it to you, but.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
I'm against you on one two games.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I do love the Bears and Niners. I like this
fault they all right.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays
and Noone Easter nine em Pacific and with that.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
He's a writer for the Athletic but now you know
him as the Athletic Football podcast show host. His name
is Robert Mays. Joining our show again. You know I
said this about Sam Darnold. It's kind of a funny step.
It's remarkable in his last thirty nine starts. He's thirty
and nine and that's four different teams because he started
to get with the Niners. First quarterback ever to win
(18:03):
twelve games back to back, two different teams. Not Brady,
not Montana. I know the interceptions are ugly. He may
not win a Super Bowl. I loved Andrew Locke, but
there is something Robert about he has a short memory.
His body language does I mean there's something to be said.
It's always been my knock on Aaron Rodgers. I can
tell how he's playing by his demeanor on the sideline.
(18:25):
I kind of love what Donald did last night.
Speaker 8 (18:27):
What was your takeaway if you think about the mental
toughness even over the course of his career, some of
the things he's come back from and now playing at
this level. I think there's a real maturity to the
way that he's approached the last few years, and you
can see it and stuff like last night where he
comes back from those early interceptions. I'm kind of with you, like,
I just think this is the Sam Donald experience. There
(18:48):
are gonna be a couple moments every game where it's like,
oh man, Sam, you got to get rid of the ball,
or like I cannot believe he threw that, But then
you watch what he did on those final couple drives
that throw a Cooper cup on that corner route truly
as good as it gets. I mean, he has elite
moments as a passer. And if you're going to ride
the highs, you got to endure the lows. And I
kind of just think that's what the Sam Donald experience
(19:10):
is right now.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
You know, I told my staff this morning I would
give Josh Allen the MVP over Stafford. And here's why
you saw it last night. Josh is great in the
second half, and that's not scripted. There are times where
the ability to just say, guys, I'm taking off. I've
seen mahomes do this in Super Bowls. The Rams offense
Robert can get stuck. And last night I think they
(19:34):
had four punts in the fourth quarter and you're like, guys, boyd,
did they need a Herbert experience? They needed Caleb Williams
so I And this is not a knock on Stafford.
It's a reality. He may be the last great pure
pocket passer. But when you watch the Rams fourth quarter
offense and it stalls, how do you view that?
Speaker 3 (19:54):
What's the issue to you?
Speaker 8 (19:57):
I think it's a reminder that their run game is
incredibly important as like the engine of their offense overall.
If you look at the numbers, then the Rams are
dominant on early downs, and part of the reason for
that is on early downs you have the thread of
the run and you have the threat of play action pass.
When you put them in third and defined pass and
they're a dropback team, they're just not quite as dynamic.
(20:19):
And I think that's what you saw last night. They
ran the ball at will in the first half, and
then when they couldn't do it in the second half,
the offense starts to feel a little bit more inconsistent
and a little bit more hrky jerky. And so that's
the Seahawks are a ton of credit for really bowing
up against the run, because if you can do that,
you feel a different version of the Rams offense.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
So listen, I have made my case that I like
Caleb and bow Knicks, and I think you know, Caleb's
the greater athlete, the higher ceiling. I think Bow Nicks
is more accurate ten yards and under the bubble stuff,
the flat stuff, he's really good. Let's talk, Caleb. Where
have you seen? I mean you you dive deep on
this stuff. Go to week one to now. Give me
(21:01):
a couple of things where it's very clear, either analytically
on film, he's a better quarterback now than Week one.
Speaker 8 (21:09):
I just think he looks so much more comfortable within
the offense, and if you look at the timing he's
playing with, I thought that the first half of that
game against the Browns, and even the performance overall against
the Browns is probably the best game I've seen him
play as a pro. And you see this spectacular stuff
like that touchdown of DJ Moore, But to me, it's
about consistent ball placement. I don't think there was a
single throw over that entire first half and maybe even
(21:30):
the game where I'm like, he kind of wants that
one back and you see his ability to drive the ball.
That's what he does best, intermediate over the middle, off
play action. I'm going to rip it into this window.
But what I really liked in the Browns game is
that you saw him shaping some touch throws accurately and
if he can start to harness every single club in
(21:50):
his bag. That's where a guy with his talent level
becomes like truly scary, and I think we're trending in
that direction.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Yesterday, Todd McShay said, and he talked to GM's last
year before the draft, very few had bo Nicks as
a first round talent. And I called my three or
four guys I trust, they were totally split on him.
So there are people that believe this is really about
Sean Payton. What do the analytics say? He has been uneven?
He can struggle down the field, but what do the
(22:19):
numbers say? What's your take on bow?
Speaker 8 (22:22):
Over the first fourteen weeks of this season, if you
look at the Broncos offense, they were not an ambitious
passing game.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Like they did not want to push the ball downfield.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
I believe they were in twenty eighth in the NFL
in the percentage of their throws that were short of
the sticks.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
It was a lot of yak. It was a lot
of underneath stuff.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Think even back to the Raiders game two weeks ago,
that's how they approached it.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And so I think the question with bo Nix was.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
All right, if he's got to make four or five
throws down the field against a really good opponent, and
you're not just squeaking by against the Jets and the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Is he capable of doing that?
Speaker 8 (22:57):
And that's why last week I think is so encouraging
if you're a Bronco, that's exactly what happened. I mean,
he's just putting dots on guys on thirty five forty
yard throws down the field against one of the best
defenses they're going to play this year. And so if
he's going to have that level of ambition as a
passer and he's still going to bring some of the
creation stuff that he has, the fact that he's a
(23:18):
good athlete, the fact that he's accurate, his ability to
attack all areas in the field. To me, that was
the last thing I wanted to see, and so him
being able to do that last week, that's a box
checked in my opinion.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
You know, Buffalo is interesting.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
I've said I'd give Alan the MVP over Stafford because
I think Stafford's got a much better roster. I call
it Noah's Ark two of everything. Backs, tight ends, receivers,
guards like the Rams have a surplus of talent I
think three different tight ends had multiple.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Catches last night. That's what they are. But the AFC
is weird.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
No Homes, no Burrow, maybe no Lamar Jackson, justin Herbert's
beat up with an atrocia. So line, where are you
soup to nuts on the bills right now? Going into
the playoffs? You know, if things continue on.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
I don't know how you've experienced this or worked through this.
This year.
Speaker 8 (24:09):
It's been kind of this cognitive dissonance where I have
a way I've always processed the sport over the last
like ten years, and that's it's quarterback centric. So one
the teams with the best quarterbacks are the teams that
I'm going to trust laid into the season. Well, I
rode the Chiefs into the gutter like because of that,
and I think the Ravens are kind of in a
similar place where you know, we believe in the quarterback,
(24:29):
but they're not a good or dangerous team right now.
And so I wonder if that's happening with Josh Allen
where I want to say he's the guy I would
believe in the AFC playoffs, But is that the type
of year that we're discussing overall, I think that what
they were in the second half against the Patriots is
exactly why they're so scary. They do have a really
good run game. That is the foundation of the offense.
(24:51):
They can run the ball downhill at you. Their offensive
line is really good. Josh Allen is a force of nature.
He's going to make three or four plays over the
course of the game, whereas a defensive coach, he's going
to sit there and shake your head because there's nothing
you can do about it.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
And then the.
Speaker 8 (25:03):
Defense, it's not a great group down to down. They're undersized,
they struggle against the run. But I think that the
staff is creative enough where they can throw a curveball
at you, whether it's for two quarters, whether it's for
a game, and they can catch you flush the way
that they did with Drake may in that half, the
way they did it Patrick Mahomes earlier in the year.
So if you have creativity and sort of unpredictability on
(25:28):
defense combined with what Josh Allen can give you, that's
why I still think that the Bills are probably the
scariest team in that conference.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
So things can I think the team in the league
I had said this probably eight weeks ago, I said,
the coaching staff of the year is San Francisco. You
had Mac Jones except for Kittle, everybody was beat up.
The defense lost in the offseason. Hafung guy in green
Law and then Bosa and Warner. I'm like, this division
has great coaching. What's happening? Nothing makes sense that they
(26:00):
can win this division is insane to me. But I
look at it and I think, man, do they have
anybody defensively that you would trust in a big spot?
Sometimes it's just great coaching in this league. I mean,
we see Kevin O'Connell takes Josh Dobbs without a practice
and wins a game. It's like that is that is
(26:22):
really good coaching and good for Josh jobs.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Where are you on the Niners. I think their offense.
Speaker 8 (26:28):
Is always going to be scary as long as they
have like sixty percent of the guys they need and
Kyle Shanahan, And that's exactly what's happened this year. The
defense is where I just have my concerns. Like you
look at even a team like the Titans. Last week,
the Titans were able to push them around on the ground.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
That's the Titans.
Speaker 8 (26:45):
What are they going to look like against the Rams,
the Packers teams in the NFC playoffs that all of
them have pretty dynamic offenses, and so I don't like
moral victories. I understand if you're a Niners fan and
the fact that you can get the one seed you
have designs on like doing stuff and making noise in
the playoffs. I just think that right now they're just
two banged up on the defensive side of the ball
(27:07):
to be a real player.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
In this thing.
Speaker 8 (27:09):
And that's okay. This was supposed to be like a
transitionary year for the Niners, and so I think for
the most part they've been everything that you have wanted
in more as they turned the page to what should
be a better version of.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
This thing in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
And maybe it's the Niners of the AFC Pittsburgh, I think,
and I've been a critic, I think Aaron's been one
of the most consistent redeemable parts.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
This is a.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
This offense has been tone deaf. How in the world
can you go seven years without a run game? The
on line, they've spent draft capital, still don't love it.
They're big, and I mean even DK metcalf I after
him I don't trust a lot of the receivers. Are
they the Niners of the AFC that they should just
we should all just go they made it in Aaron's
(27:58):
forty two with the achievement or do you have them
with a higher ceiling.
Speaker 8 (28:04):
I think I have them with a lower ceiling because
I think in any given stretch of two or three games,
the offenses are usually the teams aren't going to believe
in because I think that offense is for the most part,
dictate your ceiling. So that the Niners in any given game,
I think can score thirty points against most defenses in
the NFL. I think that makes them a little bit scarier.
(28:25):
The Steelers, I still feel like the offense is limited.
That game they played against the Ravens where he had
four or five shots down the field, it was almost
it was like jarring watching that version of their offense
because of how conservative they've been for the most part
throughout this year, and so I think that right now
when you watch them, he still does not really want
(28:46):
to hang in the pocket, does not really want to
push the ball down the field. And while there have
been some moments where he's kind of stepped outside of
that I still think that overall the offense is a
little bit too limited for them to really give anybody any.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
Problems as they get into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Let's go back Robert Mays one more question, Seahawks Rams,
Jamack and I believe that when you really look of
depth and experience and coaching, the Rams are better than
the Seahawks. That's my take this morning, despite what happened.
Where are you on that?
Speaker 8 (29:17):
I don't know if there are certain elements of the
Rams that I'm just worried about, right, I think that
the exactly and those are the margins we're talking about.
When you want to win championships, those little things end
up mattering. And so I think there are two different
things about the Seahawks that give them a slight edge
over the Rams. Top to bottom. I still think the
(29:39):
Seahawks defense is better. I think the personnel is better.
I think they have fewer weaknesses, and so that's a unit.
Even if the Rams have been good, I still think
that a couple cornerback issues and a couple of week
points on the Rams defense I'm still a little bit
more worried about than Seattle. And special teams is a
real thing. The Seahawks have been one of the best
special teams units in the NFL kicking returns, and we
(30:01):
saw it last night and this continues to be a
significant problem for the Rams. This is like a multi
year thing that they've had to work through. And I
love the fact that we're getting this version of Sean
McVay who's going for it three different times on four
down in the first quarter. I think you can make
an argument that he's not being aggressive enough considering the
current state of their kicking game, and so how he
(30:23):
ends up sorting through that, I think that's going to
be the biggest question that the Rams have to answer.
And it's just not a question the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Have to worry about.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Yeah, the Niners game they missed a field goal and
an extra point, the Eagles game they had a kick blocked,
and then last night that three of their losses are
special teams and what a circus and what a great game.
Robert Mays The Athletic Football Show podcast is outstanding at
Robert Mays love having you on the show. Your insight,
(30:51):
your intellect. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Have a great weekend. Anytime contexts a lot. He does
terrific work Robert mays, Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
You know, it's crazy that if the Rams got to
the super Bowl and lost and it was special teams
blunders usually special You're not good enough to get to
a super Bowl if you have bad special teams. Here's
the other thing to think about. So John Snyder looks
at the two teams and at the trade deadline, he's like,
where are the Rams weakest? And the Seattle GM probably
(31:23):
says they're special teams. So J Mack he makes a
move at the deadline to empower his Seattle special teams
because he knows it's the Seahawks weakness. I don't know
if he did that, but I could see Snyder, who's
very strategic, going, Okay, we don't think the Niners are
going to be a threat big picture. The Rams may
(31:44):
be one of two teams we struggle to get through.
They're bad special teams. We're gonna double down, give up
mid round picks to get Rashid sa Heat and it
paid off last night because they didn't need a number
one receiver. But you know, he's a deep threat first
of all, but he is a special team's nightmare, especially
against the Rams.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
Yeah, and the other team in the division. The forty
nine ers. Remember, their kicking situation was brutal in Week one.
Shanahan was pulling his hair out. They solve it with
Piniero I think is his name or or whatever it is,
but he's an unbelievable kicker. So the Niners also got
Sky Moore returning kicks. He's doing well. Of those three teams,
the Rams very clearly have the worst special teams in
(32:23):
it'stan close column
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox
Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to
noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at
Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every
day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio
or FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowver
on Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Oh what a beautiful day. Wonderful day. Couldn't be better
today it is.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Friday, blazing five. In one hour, we are live. It
is the Herd.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Wherever you may be and however you may be listening.
Thanks for making us part of your day. You know,
I'm not really into stats or anything, but here's a
couple of interesting ones. The last four teams Sam Darnold
has played four started a game four because he started one.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Game for the Niners.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
His last thirty nine starts, he's thirty and nine. Here's
another random stat that just like fell into my hands.
Last night, Sam Darnold became the first quarterback in NFL
history to win twelve games back to back season on
different teams. Brady didn't do it, Joe Montana didn't do it.
(01:28):
Farv didn't do it, slinging Sammy de did.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
The Rams dominated the first three quarters, and Sammy had
a couple of bad picks, but the Rams settled for
field goals in the red zone. Their special teams are shaky.
Four punts by the Rams in the fourth quarter, three straight,
three and outs.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I see Donald as relentless.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Doesn't pout, doesn't sulk, has a short memory, and he
took advantage of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Games aren't linear.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Great first half for certain quarterbacks, bad second half. I've
been saying that about Bo Nicks and Caleb Williams all year.
I know this, they win a lot, they're great in
the fourth and Sam Donald has always had a little
Andrew luck and maybe a little less Brett Farv. Big arm,
big mobility, big playmaker. Wins a lot, and sometimes there's
(02:21):
an ugly one or two. But I thought Seattle also overreacted,
came in with a ridiculously conservative game plan based on
Sam's last game against the Rams. Sam Donald has way
too much raw talent to coach him like he's Jimmy Garoppolo.
(02:41):
You gotta live with the mistakes. You had to live
with the Andrew luckmcstakes. Donald also did this more history.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Last night.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Donald converted three two point conversions in the fourth quarter
and overtime. No quarterback on a winning team had done
that in league history. Slinging Sam was breaking records last night.
He gets credit for that too, not just criticism.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
For the picks.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Again, never pouts, doesn't sulk pump on his fist, takes accountability.
He may not win a Super Bowl. I mean, Farve
only got one, and Andrew Luck never got to one.
He may never win a super Bowl. But to deny
his talent is being stummered Sam Darnald in the fourth
(03:28):
quarter in overtime. Forget the convergence one hundred and five
passer rating, big play after big play. And for the record,
Donald has really struggled against Chris Shula and the Rams
specifically and Chris Shula the defensive coordinator. Many are saying
he's going to get a head coaching job. In fact,
(03:49):
he will get a head coaching job. He's been there
a while last four years. Donald's one and three against
the Rams. He's twenty nine and six against everybody else.
So the Rams have given him trouble. Well, guess what
Belichick gave Donald Trouble two when he was twenty one
and twenty two and twenty three years old with the
New York Jets. He came into this league very raw,
(04:10):
not well coached in college, not great.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
On the white board.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
But by the time he got to Carolina, that San Francisco,
that Minnesota and the Rams. To deny what he can do,
you're just being stubborn right now. The number one seed
in the NFC this year, the better conference, Sam Donald,
Sam Darnald, who's won thirty of his last thirty nine starts.
(04:36):
They're not always pretty, especially when he faces McVeigh, Shula
and the Rams. But this is what he's been doing
for years. Here's his coach after.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Our story has stayed the same since day one with Sam.
You know, everybody else has different stories, but this is
the guy that we watch every day. It's the same
guy every day, matter of circumstance. He's an ultimate competitor.
He's a phenomenal leader and just keeps fighting, just keeps
plugging away. I wasn't worried about We weren't worried about
one bit.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
So that's Sam. That's Sam.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
First quarterback ever, twelve wins back to back seasons, with
two different teams. I'm always impressed with people who overcome struggles.
I've said this for years. The most important thing to
success kind of in life is how you react to failure,
because everybody who takes a swing in life fails all
(05:37):
the time. Darnald just doesn't get down. He threw four
picks against the Rams last time in La and then
we're driving for the winning field goal. He just doesn't
get down. He doesn't pout, he doesn't shrug his shoulders.
His body language isn't terrible. He is a fox, whole guy,
my guy slinging Sammy d So. First of all, the
(05:59):
NFS is crazy town. Seattle now leads twelve and three,
the Rams are eleven and four. San Francisco's ten and four.
Watch out for the Niners. And here's the thing about
the Rams. Salary caps mean there are no perfect teams.
Everybody's got holes. You try to hide the holes. But
(06:20):
the La Rams special teams have been an issue all
season long, and their secondary on the back end. We
watched Bryce Young torch it. So when they don't get
a great pass rush, and the Rams usually do but
not always, they are very vulnerable. So and last night
and The Rams are so good in so many areas.
(06:42):
They're good in the old line number two pff, They're
Noah's Ark. They got two of everything tight ends. But
earlier this year they lost to the Niners. Why special teams?
Mister field goal and an extra point? They lost to
the Philadelphia Eagles. Why remember this block kick?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
The nine? Last night?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
The Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are three of
the four losses for the LA Rams, and special teams
was a huge factor in three of the four losses.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
In the other one, Bryce.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Young Stafford had coming off game and Bryce Young tore
them apart. So they're so good. I mean they've got
three to four different tight ends. They can all play
Corum and Kyron Williams. Devonte Adams was in there last
night that a seventh round receiver was taken up the slack.
So they draft well, they don't miss. Everything works for
(07:37):
them offensively, but that special teams unit and that secondary
has been costing them games all year and the last
several Super Bowl champs have not been perfect teams. The
Rams are still my pick to win the Super Bowl,
but I will say this, Stafford's not mobile, So when
they go three and out, three and out, three and
(07:58):
out in the second half. That's where a Josh can
pick up first downs with his legs. You know, that's
where Mahomes would win super Bowls in the second half,
when you're off script and the defense has seen all
your tricks and all your formations and all your motions.
With Stafford, he can have these, you know, kind of
rough second half, he kind of gets into a rut
(08:19):
and he's not getting you any first downs with his legs,
and so I thought, you know, and I'm not blaming him,
I'm just saying, is sometimes a Josh Allen or a
Mahomes or a Herbert's done it the last couple of weeks,
they'll move the change with their legs.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
You're not getting that with Matt Stafford.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
So the special teams in the secondary are a real issue.
Matt Stafford though, four hundred and fifty yards when he
is hummon I mean, there's there's nothing quite like to
go to Seattle, that defensive coach, that secondary. Four hundred
and fifty seven yards, three tds, no picks.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Here's Stafford.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
After anytime you come in here, play that that defense,
you know, one of the best, if not the best
in the league. And you know, do we were able
to do on offense control the game, you know, and
you know, score whatever we score thirty seven.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Feel good about it.
Speaker 5 (09:15):
Obviously, there's you know, a couple of plays we want
back to maybe score in the red zone earlier in
the game, or continue to drive where we got off
the field early in the game.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
But I was proud of our effort.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
A lot of people, myself included a little surprise. The
Rams didn't draft a corner last year. Their special teams
has lost them three games. That Carolina game, Bryce Young
had his highest highest career passer rating game against the Rams,
his entire career against the Rams.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's what a good pass rush.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
So the special teams last night that the game changed,
Rams leading thirty fourteen, Rashid Saheed comes back, takes the
put returning and I'm like, oh, it's the special teams
here we got. Saw it against the Niners, saw it
against the Eagles, saw it last night.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
It opened the door.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
And then a couple of three and outs row and slinging,
Sammy d doing what he does. J Mack, I know
you were happy for him. I mean, it's hard not
to have a soul. If you don't root for Sammy
d after that Juts debacle.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Well I'm happy that you're happy for him.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I just can't believe.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
Remember, Rashid Shaheed was picked up at the deadline. You
know every year at the deadline there's a huge move
that somebody makes that kind of swings the balance. I
didn't think Shaheed had been particularly great with the Seahawks
the first few games. Remember there was a struggle. They
had the kid hording. Yeah, who was showing and then
he had to go to the bench. But that that
punt return was everything. And special teams, as you noted
going into the game con the Rams had the fewest
(10:37):
madefield goals in the league. We're talking about a league
where Brandon Aubrey and Cameron Dicker, these guys are automatic.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Did you notice McVeigh early on deep in his own territory.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
We're going for it. I mean the Rams came in.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Their takeaway is they're trying to mitigate how bad their
special teams are. So they're they're they're being high per aggressive,
which by the way, analytically is the right thing to
do because they are so stacked on offense. But I
mean they go for it. A lot of it just
they just don't trust their special teams.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Let me just ask you.
Speaker 6 (11:07):
This is a tough question, and I don't want people
to freak out, but Colin, after that game in Seattle,
Rams led by sixteen with eight minutes left, Seattle wins.
Who do you feel is the better team going into
the playoffs? Rams or Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I think the Rams high end is better. They didn't
have DeVante Adams.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Remember, Okay, so the coach, I'd go and I'd love Seattles.
I'd go Rams. The quarterback, I'd go Rams. Offensive line,
I'd go Rams. Receiving targets total, Rams, defensive front slight Rams.
The Rams out played them for three quarters. But again,
the Rams have a hole with special teams that the
(11:46):
Seahawks don't have. And the Seahawks secondary I think is
pretty good. That's why the Puka Stafford combination last night's
crazy because that's Seahawks secondary, super talented guys.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
McDonald is a sharp guy. Why did he keep job
up against Pooka like he had no chance all game?
They're highlighting it. You could hear the announcer Herbstreet. It's like,
I'm stunned that they just kept doing the same damn
thing and Pooka. Of course I'm facing him in fantasy
last night. That did not go well. I me greatest
game ever.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
All Right, we got a lot of stuff blazing five.
Top of next hour. Robert Mays from The Athletic is
so good. He'll join us on a variety of topics.
We'll go a mile deep on some stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon eastern nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Hey is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Now.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
In addition to hearing us live weekdays from five to
seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio,
We're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for
the show.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yep, that's right.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
You can now watch Covino and Rich live on YouTube
every day. All you gotta do search Covino and Rich
FSR on YouTube again, go to YouTube search Covino and
Rich FSR. Check us out on YouTube, Subscribe, hit that
thumbs up icon coming away.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Let's roll, Let's blaze it up.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Fired Up, It's Collins Blazon, Fox Packers at Bears.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I like the Bears at home minus one and a half.
They're eight and two over their last ten games, and
those losses are only road losses. Caleb Williams has one
or fewer giveaways and all fourteen starts, so they won't
give the game away. And the defense, like most defenses,
is better at home. It's number six in the league.
I like the roster, and they're much healthier than Green Bay.
(13:34):
By the way, teams that play the Broncos, which the
Packers just did, are three and ten the week after
playing Denver. They're beat up, missing several stars, not just starters.
Run game for the Packers feels dead. Run game for
the Bears, been on fire all season. I like the
Bears to win and cover twenty seven to twenty three.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Vikings said upset.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I like New York here four of their last five
losses by one score. They are running the ball last
six straight games, one hundred plus rushing yards without scataboo,
so they're pounding the rock. Jackson dart, I was wrong.
I didn't think of me as good as a rookie.
His last five games, he's got a ninety five passer
rating and he didn't have a number one starbacker, a
(14:23):
number one wide receiver, and the Vikings. They've lost four
of their last six. Their wins or over two atrocious defenses,
Commanders and Cowboys. JJ McCarthy, I'm gonna take the better
quarterback at home. I trust him more. Let's keep him
out of the blue ten. I'll take the points. Giants win.
Twenty eight. Twenty seven Bengals at Dolphins. Maybe my favorite
(14:47):
pick of the week. I'll take Cincinnati minus four and
a half. They've scored thirty points in two of their
last three games, and Burrows in a bad mood because
he mailed it in the team did against the Ravens.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Joe Burrow, this is weird.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Not only has he won eight of his last ten starts,
he is unbelievable late in the season. In Week sixteen
and eighteen in his career, he's seven.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
To oho Miami.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Five of the dolphins six wins this year have come
against the Jets twice, the Saints, the Falcons, the Commanders,
and now they're starting quinn Ewers. I have no idea
what I'm getting from quinn Ewers, but I know this,
He's not Joe Burrow. I'm going to take Burrow in
Cincinnati to win thirty to twenty in.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Cover Patriots and Ravens. I don't get this line.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I'm going to take the Patriots and the field goal
six and oh on the road outgained their opponents in
nine straight games coming off a loss, so they'll be salty,
and Drake made its completion percentage is still seventy. They'll
move the chains consistently, and they dominated Buffalo in the
first half. The Ravens are three and five at home
the last five games. Their passing game is toast and
(15:57):
they're not very good on the back end, so I
think Drake may could have some success down the field.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I don't really get the line here.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
The Patriots are a good road team, excellent coach coordinator.
I'm gonna take the points. I think the Patriots went
outright twenty eight to twenty seven. Forty nine Ers said Colts.
Maybe I haven't listening to J Mac, but I like
the Niners here minus five and a half, four game
winning streak, all four wins by double digits. Their third
(16:28):
down offense has been great with brockforty. They're not only
the Rams are penalized last pretty healthy offensively, and the
Colts on the back end. Uh oh. Also, everybody loved
Philip Rivers last week. It was a great, memorable game
and touching story. His passer rating was seventy three. He
averaged four point four yards throwing the ball down the field.
(16:52):
This offense. I mean again, the Philip Rivers a great story.
He wasn't a great quarterback. And the Niners have a
ton to play for, especially after Seattle comes back to
beat the Rams. You're gonna get a inspired effort by
the forty nine ers. They can do a lot more
(17:12):
with Brock thirty move in the pocket than the Colts can.
I like the Niners to win and cover thirty four
to twenty four. Three favorites a couple of underdogs on
our Blazing five picks. Jmack quick thoughts.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I hate to break it to you, but.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
I'm against you on one two games.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I do love the Bears and Niners. I like this
fault they all right.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays
and Noone Easter nine em Pacific and with that.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
He's a writer for the Athletic but now you know
him as the Athletic Football podcast show host. His name
is Robert Mays. Joining our show again. You know I
said this about Sam Darnold. It's kind of a funny step.
It's remarkable in his last thirty nine starts. He's thirty
and nine and that's four different teams because he started
to get with the Niners. First quarterback ever to win
(18:03):
twelve games back to back, two different teams. Not Brady,
not Montana. I know the interceptions are ugly. He may
not win a Super Bowl. I loved Andrew Locke, but
there is something Robert about he has a short memory.
His body language does I mean there's something to be said.
It's always been my knock on Aaron Rodgers. I can
tell how he's playing by his demeanor on the sideline.
(18:25):
I kind of love what Donald did last night.
Speaker 8 (18:27):
What was your takeaway if you think about the mental
toughness even over the course of his career, some of
the things he's come back from and now playing at
this level. I think there's a real maturity to the
way that he's approached the last few years, and you
can see it and stuff like last night where he
comes back from those early interceptions. I'm kind of with you, like,
I just think this is the Sam Donald experience. There
(18:48):
are gonna be a couple moments every game where it's like,
oh man, Sam, you got to get rid of the ball,
or like I cannot believe he threw that, But then
you watch what he did on those final couple drives
that throw a Cooper cup on that corner route truly
as good as it gets. I mean, he has elite
moments as a passer. And if you're going to ride
the highs, you got to endure the lows. And I
kind of just think that's what the Sam Donald experience
(19:10):
is right now.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
You know, I told my staff this morning I would
give Josh Allen the MVP over Stafford. And here's why
you saw it last night. Josh is great in the
second half, and that's not scripted. There are times where
the ability to just say, guys, I'm taking off. I've
seen mahomes do this in Super Bowls. The Rams offense
Robert can get stuck. And last night I think they
(19:34):
had four punts in the fourth quarter and you're like, guys, boyd,
did they need a Herbert experience? They needed Caleb Williams
so I And this is not a knock on Stafford.
It's a reality. He may be the last great pure
pocket passer. But when you watch the Rams fourth quarter
offense and it stalls, how do you view that?
Speaker 3 (19:54):
What's the issue to you?
Speaker 8 (19:57):
I think it's a reminder that their run game is
incredibly important as like the engine of their offense overall.
If you look at the numbers, then the Rams are
dominant on early downs, and part of the reason for
that is on early downs you have the thread of
the run and you have the threat of play action pass.
When you put them in third and defined pass and
they're a dropback team, they're just not quite as dynamic.
(20:19):
And I think that's what you saw last night. They
ran the ball at will in the first half, and
then when they couldn't do it in the second half,
the offense starts to feel a little bit more inconsistent
and a little bit more hrky jerky. And so that's
the Seahawks are a ton of credit for really bowing
up against the run, because if you can do that,
you feel a different version of the Rams offense.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
So listen, I have made my case that I like
Caleb and bow Knicks, and I think you know, Caleb's
the greater athlete, the higher ceiling. I think Bow Nicks
is more accurate ten yards and under the bubble stuff,
the flat stuff, he's really good. Let's talk, Caleb. Where
have you seen? I mean you you dive deep on
this stuff. Go to week one to now. Give me
(21:01):
a couple of things where it's very clear, either analytically
on film, he's a better quarterback now than Week one.
Speaker 8 (21:09):
I just think he looks so much more comfortable within
the offense, and if you look at the timing he's
playing with, I thought that the first half of that
game against the Browns, and even the performance overall against
the Browns is probably the best game I've seen him
play as a pro. And you see this spectacular stuff
like that touchdown of DJ Moore, But to me, it's
about consistent ball placement. I don't think there was a
single throw over that entire first half and maybe even
(21:30):
the game where I'm like, he kind of wants that
one back and you see his ability to drive the ball.
That's what he does best, intermediate over the middle, off
play action. I'm going to rip it into this window.
But what I really liked in the Browns game is
that you saw him shaping some touch throws accurately and
if he can start to harness every single club in
(21:50):
his bag. That's where a guy with his talent level
becomes like truly scary, and I think we're trending in
that direction.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Yesterday, Todd McShay said, and he talked to GM's last
year before the draft, very few had bo Nicks as
a first round talent. And I called my three or
four guys I trust, they were totally split on him.
So there are people that believe this is really about
Sean Payton. What do the analytics say? He has been uneven?
He can struggle down the field, but what do the
(22:19):
numbers say? What's your take on bow?
Speaker 8 (22:22):
Over the first fourteen weeks of this season, if you
look at the Broncos offense, they were not an ambitious
passing game.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Like they did not want to push the ball downfield.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
I believe they were in twenty eighth in the NFL
in the percentage of their throws that were short of
the sticks.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
It was a lot of yak. It was a lot
of underneath stuff.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Think even back to the Raiders game two weeks ago,
that's how they approached it.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And so I think the question with bo Nix was.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
All right, if he's got to make four or five
throws down the field against a really good opponent, and
you're not just squeaking by against the Jets and the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Is he capable of doing that?
Speaker 8 (22:57):
And that's why last week I think is so encouraging
if you're a Bronco, that's exactly what happened. I mean,
he's just putting dots on guys on thirty five forty
yard throws down the field against one of the best
defenses they're going to play this year. And so if
he's going to have that level of ambition as a
passer and he's still going to bring some of the
creation stuff that he has, the fact that he's a
(23:18):
good athlete, the fact that he's accurate, his ability to
attack all areas in the field. To me, that was
the last thing I wanted to see, and so him
being able to do that last week, that's a box
checked in my opinion.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
You know, Buffalo is interesting.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
I've said I'd give Alan the MVP over Stafford because
I think Stafford's got a much better roster. I call
it Noah's Ark two of everything. Backs, tight ends, receivers,
guards like the Rams have a surplus of talent I
think three different tight ends had multiple.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Catches last night. That's what they are. But the AFC
is weird.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
No Homes, no Burrow, maybe no Lamar Jackson, justin Herbert's
beat up with an atrocia. So line, where are you
soup to nuts on the bills right now? Going into
the playoffs? You know, if things continue on.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
I don't know how you've experienced this or worked through this.
This year.
Speaker 8 (24:09):
It's been kind of this cognitive dissonance where I have
a way I've always processed the sport over the last
like ten years, and that's it's quarterback centric. So one
the teams with the best quarterbacks are the teams that
I'm going to trust laid into the season. Well, I
rode the Chiefs into the gutter like because of that,
and I think the Ravens are kind of in a
similar place where you know, we believe in the quarterback,
(24:29):
but they're not a good or dangerous team right now.
And so I wonder if that's happening with Josh Allen
where I want to say he's the guy I would
believe in the AFC playoffs, But is that the type
of year that we're discussing overall, I think that what
they were in the second half against the Patriots is
exactly why they're so scary. They do have a really
good run game. That is the foundation of the offense.
(24:51):
They can run the ball downhill at you. Their offensive
line is really good. Josh Allen is a force of nature.
He's going to make three or four plays over the
course of the game, whereas a defensive coach, he's going
to sit there and shake your head because there's nothing
you can do about it.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
And then the.
Speaker 8 (25:03):
Defense, it's not a great group down to down. They're undersized,
they struggle against the run. But I think that the
staff is creative enough where they can throw a curveball
at you, whether it's for two quarters, whether it's for
a game, and they can catch you flush the way
that they did with Drake may in that half, the
way they did it Patrick Mahomes earlier in the year.
So if you have creativity and sort of unpredictability on
(25:28):
defense combined with what Josh Allen can give you, that's
why I still think that the Bills are probably the
scariest team in that conference.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
So things can I think the team in the league
I had said this probably eight weeks ago, I said,
the coaching staff of the year is San Francisco. You
had Mac Jones except for Kittle, everybody was beat up.
The defense lost in the offseason. Hafung guy in green
Law and then Bosa and Warner. I'm like, this division
has great coaching. What's happening? Nothing makes sense that they
(26:00):
can win this division is insane to me. But I
look at it and I think, man, do they have
anybody defensively that you would trust in a big spot?
Sometimes it's just great coaching in this league. I mean,
we see Kevin O'Connell takes Josh Dobbs without a practice
and wins a game. It's like that is that is
(26:22):
really good coaching and good for Josh jobs.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Where are you on the Niners. I think their offense.
Speaker 8 (26:28):
Is always going to be scary as long as they
have like sixty percent of the guys they need and
Kyle Shanahan, And that's exactly what's happened this year. The
defense is where I just have my concerns. Like you
look at even a team like the Titans. Last week,
the Titans were able to push them around on the ground.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
That's the Titans.
Speaker 8 (26:45):
What are they going to look like against the Rams,
the Packers teams in the NFC playoffs that all of
them have pretty dynamic offenses, and so I don't like
moral victories. I understand if you're a Niners fan and
the fact that you can get the one seed you
have designs on like doing stuff and making noise in
the playoffs. I just think that right now they're just
two banged up on the defensive side of the ball
(27:07):
to be a real player.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
In this thing.
Speaker 8 (27:09):
And that's okay. This was supposed to be like a
transitionary year for the Niners, and so I think for
the most part they've been everything that you have wanted
in more as they turned the page to what should
be a better version of.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
This thing in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
And maybe it's the Niners of the AFC Pittsburgh, I think,
and I've been a critic, I think Aaron's been one
of the most consistent redeemable parts.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
This is a.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
This offense has been tone deaf. How in the world
can you go seven years without a run game? The
on line, they've spent draft capital, still don't love it.
They're big, and I mean even DK metcalf I after
him I don't trust a lot of the receivers. Are
they the Niners of the AFC that they should just
we should all just go they made it in Aaron's
(27:58):
forty two with the achievement or do you have them
with a higher ceiling.
Speaker 8 (28:04):
I think I have them with a lower ceiling because
I think in any given stretch of two or three games,
the offenses are usually the teams aren't going to believe
in because I think that offense is for the most part,
dictate your ceiling. So that the Niners in any given game,
I think can score thirty points against most defenses in
the NFL. I think that makes them a little bit scarier.
(28:25):
The Steelers, I still feel like the offense is limited.
That game they played against the Ravens where he had
four or five shots down the field, it was almost
it was like jarring watching that version of their offense
because of how conservative they've been for the most part
throughout this year, and so I think that right now
when you watch them, he still does not really want
(28:46):
to hang in the pocket, does not really want to
push the ball down the field. And while there have
been some moments where he's kind of stepped outside of
that I still think that overall the offense is a
little bit too limited for them to really give anybody any.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
Problems as they get into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Let's go back Robert Mays one more question, Seahawks Rams,
Jamack and I believe that when you really look of
depth and experience and coaching, the Rams are better than
the Seahawks. That's my take this morning, despite what happened.
Where are you on that?
Speaker 8 (29:17):
I don't know if there are certain elements of the
Rams that I'm just worried about, right, I think that
the exactly and those are the margins we're talking about.
When you want to win championships, those little things end
up mattering. And so I think there are two different
things about the Seahawks that give them a slight edge
over the Rams. Top to bottom. I still think the
(29:39):
Seahawks defense is better. I think the personnel is better.
I think they have fewer weaknesses, and so that's a unit.
Even if the Rams have been good, I still think
that a couple cornerback issues and a couple of week
points on the Rams defense I'm still a little bit
more worried about than Seattle. And special teams is a
real thing. The Seahawks have been one of the best
special teams units in the NFL kicking returns, and we
(30:01):
saw it last night and this continues to be a
significant problem for the Rams. This is like a multi
year thing that they've had to work through. And I
love the fact that we're getting this version of Sean
McVay who's going for it three different times on four
down in the first quarter. I think you can make
an argument that he's not being aggressive enough considering the
current state of their kicking game, and so how he
(30:23):
ends up sorting through that, I think that's going to
be the biggest question that the Rams have to answer.
And it's just not a question the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Have to worry about.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Yeah, the Niners game they missed a field goal and
an extra point, the Eagles game they had a kick blocked,
and then last night that three of their losses are
special teams and what a circus and what a great game.
Robert Mays The Athletic Football Show podcast is outstanding at
Robert Mays love having you on the show. Your insight,
(30:51):
your intellect. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Have a great weekend. Anytime contexts a lot. He does
terrific work Robert mays, Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
You know, it's crazy that if the Rams got to
the super Bowl and lost and it was special teams
blunders usually special You're not good enough to get to
a super Bowl if you have bad special teams. Here's
the other thing to think about. So John Snyder looks
at the two teams and at the trade deadline, he's like,
where are the Rams weakest? And the Seattle GM probably
(31:23):
says they're special teams. So J Mack he makes a
move at the deadline to empower his Seattle special teams
because he knows it's the Seahawks weakness. I don't know
if he did that, but I could see Snyder, who's
very strategic, going, Okay, we don't think the Niners are
going to be a threat big picture. The Rams may
(31:44):
be one of two teams we struggle to get through.
They're bad special teams. We're gonna double down, give up
mid round picks to get Rashid sa Heat and it
paid off last night because they didn't need a number
one receiver. But you know, he's a deep threat first
of all, but he is a special team's nightmare, especially
against the Rams.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
Yeah, and the other team in the division. The forty
nine ers. Remember, their kicking situation was brutal in Week one.
Shanahan was pulling his hair out. They solve it with
Piniero I think is his name or or whatever it is,
but he's an unbelievable kicker. So the Niners also got
Sky Moore returning kicks. He's doing well. Of those three teams,
the Rams very clearly have the worst special teams in
(32:23):
it'stan close column
Hosts And Creators
Colin Cowherd
Jason McIntyre
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.