The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Bucs Beat Texans In Final Seconds, Tampa Is The Perfect Fit For Baker Mayfield, QBs Getting Hurt

Episode Date: September 16, 2025

Colin reacts to Baker Mayfield and the Bucs coming back to win in the last minute on the road against the Texans. He argues that the game could have gone either way, but it came down to the Bucs being the team to make plays in the final 90 seconds.  He also weighs in on the rash of injuries that have sidelined five starting quarterbacks in the first two weeks of NFL action.  All lines provided by hardrock.bet Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates!  #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris.

She can win. She's an outsider to win the French fame. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any service. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcasts on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

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six different ways and sort of gutted it out. Between the Colts and the Broncos yesterday and the Buccaneers and the Texans tonight, it shows you know, that's why when fans get worked up and this coach is a bum and this player's a bum, a lot of this stuff is coin flip. I mean, think about tonight. The Buccaneers have a punt block. They give up a huge return, but yet then Houston, the Texans, have a first and goal, and the Texans, it's easier for them to block a punt and get 20-yard gains from Nick Chub for a touchdown, then pick up two at the goal line. And so they just figured out, Baker gets the ball last, and, you know, huge scramble makes a play, goes seven of nine for 65 yards on the final drive, and Tampa wins it. But Tampa had a disastrous special teams performance

at various times, Amika, Abuka, a great young receiver dropped what should have been a huge play down the stretch. They struggled in past protection with Baker Mayfield. But the NFL mostly comes down to, in close games, who makes the big plays with under a minute 30 left? And Tampa did. Baker with a huge scramble,

Baker with a couple of ropes, Bucky Irving breaking tackles on that run. They just made their big plays the last time they got the football. The Texans made several big plays in the third quarter. So it's such a go-either-way league. But I was watching, neither quarterback, I mean, again, Texans are 0 and 2, bucks 2 and 0, and a lot of it is circumstantial.

Tampa's just made big plays on the road against Atlanta, big plays against Houston, and Baker Mayfield is a big part of that. And I was thinking about this today, I was riding this down going into this game, because I think C.J. Stroud and Baker Mayfield, both have gotten their teams into the playoffs. Think about this. I'm going to name the quarterbacks right now that are capable of winning double-digit games or getting to the playoffs. Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar, Burrough, C.J. Stroud, Baker, Herbert, Gough, Hertz, Dax, Stafford, Jordan, Love, Kyler, Kyler, Gino Smith, Aaron, Sam, Darnold, Bo, Nix, Jaden, Daniels, Brock Purdy, Tua. Two has been a pro bowler.

Trevor Lawrence, you know, he did get his team and won a playoff game. That's 21 quarterbacks in 32 teams. I'm not counting Mac Jones, Daniel Jones, or Russell Wilson, who had great games yesterday when they have the right coach and the right fit. I'm not counting Michael Pennicks or Cam Ward or Drake May, who I think are going to make it in this league. I'm not counting Caleb Williams or J.J. McCarthy, who I'm not sure of at this moment in time. Caleb's certainly talented enough.

but total between all those quarterbacks, 28. So there's a lot of guys that can spit it in this league, but it comes down to. I mean, buccaneers go on the road, punts blocked, returns, surrendered, I mean, dropped passes, sacks, multiple sacks. Baker Mayfield was a pinata for a couple series, and they figure out how to win games. And it's just like the Denver Colts game. That's a go-either-way game. There's an iffy, sketchy call by the officials.

Shane Steichen does actually a poor job coaching on that final drive. He admits it after that he got too conservative, but they get an officiating break and they win. And by the way, they made a great interception on Bow Nix in the fourth quarter. So the Colts also had several big plays offensively. Daniel Jones was humming at key moments in that game. But so much of this game, it's just coaching and quarterback play and who gets the ball last and who makes the last big play in a game. And I know you think, you know, you think I don't like Baker Mayfield,

but I do think the offensive coaching is the best it's ever been in my life. And that's why you're seeing Gino Smith and Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. And Mac Jones yesterday. That was the best game Mac Jones has ever played. Well, it's Kyle Shanahan. So the offensive coaching in this league is really spectacular right now. And what it allows is for quarterbacks who may fail, in their first organization, that eventually Baker Mayfield goes to the Rams,

and then he goes to Tampa Bay, and eventually he finds his way. And Sam Darnold goes to Caroline and the Jets. Then he goes to San Francisco, understands the system. Kevin O'Connell likes him. Now he's in Seattle, and he's going to win a lot more games than Seattle. So eventually, the message is in the NFL, if you're talented enough, you will find a good offensive coach or a great situation. Tampa is perfect for Baker.

You know, Tampa's a little bit of a pirate ship and Ebor City and a little bit of a rebel and an outcast city. It can be a party town. It can be a retirement place. But it's always been with Jason Light, the GM. They've got tons of talent. They've always had talent. But until they got Tom Brady and then Baker, they couldn't get the quarterback right. You know, Brad Johnson won a Super Bowl, but it was a stacked roster.

But Tampa's got players. They've won their division, what, two, three years. years in a row, and good GM, good quarterback play, and they've kind of now feel like they're in control of this division. So I picked them to win this division, and, you know, it comes down to if you give me the best quarterback in a division, I like my chances to make it into the playoffs. Like Kansas City with Mahomes is eventually probably going to get a Xavier worthy, healthy, Rishi Rice will come back. They'll figure out a way to win 10 games and get into the playoffs. They're too good defensively, too good of a coach, too good of a defensive court.

Malm's too talented. They'll figure out how to win 10 games. But, you know, as I watch this game, it could drive you sports better as crazy. I like, I actually like Houston tonight. So, and I thought they had it with two huge specialty teams plays. They earn both of them, legitimate block punt, great return. The referees picked up the flag. But Baker gets the ball last and has got all sorts of weapons in Tampa. Chris Godwin wasn't available. He's been banged up throughout his career. And so I get ready for Raiders and the Chargers tonight. You know, the other thing, I got a couple of texts after my show today from people in the National Football League in the front office. And they were agreeing with me on my take today about quarterbacks. Mike Sandell also wrote an article about this. Justin Fields is banged up again and Joe Burrow was banged up again. It's not that they deserve to be hurt, but there is a skill to Brady and Eli Manning and certain NFL players staying healthy. Now, some guys like Josh Allen are just simply bigger and can take more or more durable. But even Big Ben and Cam Newton, who are huge men, like 65, 255, 65, 6,6, 265,

Big Ben aged very quickly. Cam Newton aged overnight. Why? They took too many hits. And so Josh Allen similarly gets beat up. And I worry about that could age him. Now, he does have a great left tackle. They have now with James Cook developed a run game. And so they're not as reliant on. And they actually run more statistically. If you look at the data, then people would think with the bills. But some of this is just you've got to know your body. You know, Baker Mayfield, who like tonight, you know, there's a couple times. Baker's a great quarterback. If you give him two and a half seconds and let him plant his right foot. He throws a beautiful ball. For the record, so does C.J. Stroud. Baker throws a beautiful ball. When it breaks down, Baker plays with

so much confidence and so much emotion when the, you know, the pass blocking breaks down, sometimes Baker extends a play and shouldn't. And I think that's just, it's a little reckless, but I think that's his personality. You know, Baker is, you know, he's a fullback that plays quarterback. He's a linebacker that plays quarterback. He likes the physicality of the sport. But even as big and strong as Andrew Luck was, it just takes its toll. So I really do believe there is a skill in this league to staying on the field. Eli Manning was the master of just letting go with the ball, getting rid of it. And there's also players, think how big, strong and physical Anthony Richardson was for the Colts.

But he couldn't get the pre-snap stuff down. He couldn't spot blitzes and would get just hammered two or three times a game. And despite his size, Anthony Richardson was dinged up a lot. Justin Fields is a big, athletic, twitchy athlete. He gets banged up a lot. lot. So listen, the Bengals are a cheap organization that's been more on the offensive line. I mean, to me, I've always looked at it like your quarterback is your Bentley. The offensive line is the insurance policy. You wouldn't own a beautiful car without an insurance policy.

So it's the most important unit on the field is protecting your asset, the franchise, the quarterback. Cincinnati can't figure that out. So it's just time and time again, you kind of roll your eyes at the Bengals. But, so. So. So. So. So. Some of it is on quarterbacks, not sometimes you've got to just let a play end and move on to the next play. And it's very hard for guys like Baker Mayfield who are super hyper competitive. He's just trying to, he's squeezing every ounce of talent out of his frame. But Baker tonight just took, took some shots that he should not take. Because this team in Tampa has got a pretty good defensive front and have some nice weapons.

but if Baker's not playing, they're not a playoff team. Baker is a huge, huge, the most important part of them dominating that division the last several years. And by the way, coaches also get second chances. Todd Bowles in New York didn't feel he quite, he wasn't quite ready to be a head coach. He's done a great job in Tampa. They always come with surprises, always make big plays. They just had a really bad night in special teams. But Tampa wins at 20 to 19.

and that is the NFL. Look at the Buccaneers' first two games. They could be 0 and 2, they're 2 and 0. They got the quarterback, they made a couple of key situational plays, they have played completely imperfect football, and the Bucks are 2 and O with two very narrow wins. Football seasons here, and if you want to go to an NFL or college football game,

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20 bucks off your first purchase. Terms apply again. Create an account, redeem code, C-O-L-I-N, 20 bucks off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go. Download the GameTime app today. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it.

We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being and ask questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. tired and sick listen to hey jonas on the iheart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast just listen we don't care where you hear it another podcast from some s nl late night comedy guy not quite unhumor me with robert smigle and friends me and hilarious guests from bob odenkirk to

david leterman help make you funnier this week my guest s nl's mikey day and head writer streeter sidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter where does your group perform we do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless.

And at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. Jench won. She's an outsider to win the French fame. and she likes Clay.

Listen, Leonard Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman, it all embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.