The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2 - Ranking the playoff QBs
Episode Date: January 19, 2024Ranking the 8 QBs remaining in the playoffs with a surprising superstar falling outside the top 5 The Eagles HC job might not be as good as you think Guest: Chris BroussardSee omnystudio.com/listen...er for privacy information.
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Hour number two here on the herd, Jason McIntyre, in for Colin Cowherd.
Joined today by Alex Curry.
Alex, I'm not excited about this rainy weekend in L.A.
I know nobody wants to hear about it.
It's cold all over the country.
I love it.
I'm born and raised here.
It doesn't happen often.
It's moody.
It's perfect for football because you're sitting inside on your couch all weekend anyway.
Not a eating.
I love it.
I love it.
I'm here for it.
I love weather.
We don't get a lot of it here in L.A.
So what happens is like, ooh, fun.
It's a show.
I almost ordered my dog a doggy raincoat.
You know, you got to walk your dog in the rain.
Oh, my dogs have them.
I have a mini golden and a little mini pity,
and a mini pity refuses to go outside in the rain.
So I had to get her a raincoat in order to take her outside to go.
I'll do the walk right before the football game
so that I don't get bothered by the dog during the NFL action.
Great weekend of football ahead.
And I thought it'd open this hour by ranking the quarterbacks in the divisional round based on what they've done this season.
And Chris Bouchard will come on in five minutes and tear it apart as he usually does.
But this is going to be tough, folks.
I just want to brace you.
We're talking this season.
I don't care what Baker Mayfield did before.
I don't care what Patrick Mahomes did before.
This season right now in the moment.
Okay?
You know what they say live in the moment?
Don't live on social media and say all this nonsense.
Live in the moment right now.
So here we go.
the top eight quarterbacks in the divisional round.
We'll starting with one for a reason you'll see shortly.
Number one has to be Josh Allen.
No quarterback has carried their team into the playoffs like Josh Allen.
Folks, the numbers are staggering.
Led the league in total yards and total touchdowns.
Yes, he has thrown a bunch of interceptions,
but he is averaging the most total yards per game in NFL history.
Josh Allen has put the team on his back and has carried Buffalo into the playoffs.
He's been the best quarterback for me.
this season in the divisional round.
Number two, Lamar Jackson.
He's going to win the MVP.
He's been great, a little inconsistent,
which is why I have him behind Josh Allen.
But he's on a heater.
10 and 1 in his last 11 games.
Listen, I understand that he's not totally consistent,
which is fine because they're still blowing teens out.
And part of the reason he's not putting up huge stats is
because they run out, they run away and hide.
And then they just ride the run game to victory.
Lamar would be my number two quarterback.
this season in the divisional round.
Number three, it's my guy.
Brock Purdy, listen, you can scoff, you can laugh,
you can send me text, you can DM me, that's fine.
But in every, every, every, every,
not like most, every single quarterback metric that matters.
He's top five.
He's, you look at the deep ball numbers,
pro football focus, go look at him.
Brock Purdy is the best deep ball thrower this season.
Like, it's undeniable.
You guys can hate on Purdy.
you want. I get it. Oh, Chen of him.
He's a system guy.
To an extent, isn't everybody a system guy?
Like, really?
Brock Purdy's been lights out. I know he has Debo,
N.I.U. And Kiddell. I think I put up a lot of
points this weekend. Brock Purdy, for my money,
this season, number three quarterback, in the divisional round.
Number four, a bit of a surprise.
C.J. Stroud. Folks, C.J. Stroud is doing some things.
First rookie to lead the NFL in passing yards per game,
and touchdown interception ratio.
I said Brock Purdy was number one deep ball throwing.
CJ Stroud is number two.
Pro Football Focus has him lighting up the league on the deep ball throws.
Now it's skewed a little bit because now Tank Dell's gone and Noah Brown's gone.
It's going to be the Nico Collins show.
We'll see how that worked out.
But listen, I'll take the L.
I rarely take L.
I'll take an L here.
I didn't think he was going to be this good.
Nobody thought CJ Stroud be this good in the divisional round this season.
Fourth best quarterback so far.
Number five, not yet.
You know who I'm waiting for.
Jordan Love.
Listen, his numbers this year are otherworldly.
He is on one of the greatest streaks that you'll see.
Last nine games, 21 touchdowns, one interception.
But what?
For a first year starter, Jordan Love has been unfreaking believable.
He's making all the throws.
He's not screwing up like he was earlier in the first.
this season. He right now, you could argue, he's the hottest quarterback in the NFL, hotter than
Allen, hotter than Purdy. Jordan Love, based on this season's numbers, is number five. Number
six, based on this season's numbers, Jared Goff checking in at six. Yes, I know, people are
getting upset. The numbers don't lie. Gough, this season, top five in passing yards and passing
touchdowns. Eighty-one percent completions last week against a rance. Like, Jared Goff is having
a phenomenal season.
He was a fringe MVP candidate.
I may have had a ticket on him to win the MVP.
I know he didn't really have a chance, but you got to play the number.
Listen, Jared Goff this season is lighting.
It's not out of the realm that they go to the Super Bowl, folks.
If the Packers shocked the Niners, I don't think it happens.
Lions could be in the Super Bowl.
Checking in at number seven based on this season's stats, Patrick Mahomes.
He's having the worst year of his career.
He's an amazing talent.
He's a Hall of Fame lock.
But this season, Patrick Mahomes has struggled.
Every number is rock bottom for Patrick Mahomes across the board.
Completion percentage, quarterback rating, QBR, success rate, EPA.
Like, it's all down.
You want to see his deep ball passing?
One touchdown, six interceptions, according to PFF, 27% completions.
I'm not saying Patrick Mahomes is broken.
He's an otherworldly quarterback, but this season, he's been bad.
And finally, ranking the quarterbacks in the divisional round, Baker Mayfield, who has been great.
He was phenomenal last week against the Eagles.
4,000 yards passing.
Love that cream sickle jersey.
He's had a very, very good year.
Not bad at the Mayfield, although he's ahead of him in some stats, Baker Mayfield, eighth,
based on this season's numbers in ranking the quarterbacks in the divisional round.
All right, let's bring on Chris Gussard, co-host of First Things First.
Bussard, my guy.
I haven't seen you in a minute, buddy.
How you living?
I'm great, man.
How are you doing?
But look, before we get into whatever else you want to talk about, first things first.
That list, how is Josh Allen number one?
Now, he's having a nice year.
Lamar Jackson is about to be the MVP.
The only question is, will he be unanimous?
How can he not be number one?
And if you notice with Allen,
during this six-game win streak,
his numbers haven't been great.
At least his passing numbers.
Obviously, he's rushed for a lot of touchdowns.
But his numbers haven't been great
passing the football during this win streak.
So Mahomes, I'll end it here.
As long as you admit, who's the best quarterback on that list?
Not this year, but period.
For his career?
Yeah, just period.
Oh, Patrick Mahomes has had the best career.
MVP, Super Bowl MVP.
As long as you give me, well, he's the best quarterback, right?
This season?
As long as you give me that.
Period.
What's wrong with Mahomes' season, Chris?
Why is he struggling?
He's got no receivers.
They let the league in drops.
They don't get open.
They don't create space.
He's got a tight end.
An old tight end who's been banged up and is showing a little wear and tear from his great career.
but those receivers, that's the main problem with Kansas City.
It's not Patrick Mahomes.
I'll give you, he's not having a great year, though.
But a lot of it's on those receivers.
So you're only as good as your receivers?
No, I'm saying, first of all, he's not having a horrible year.
I'm just saying he's not having your typical Patrick Mahomes season,
but a lot of it is because he has no wide receivers.
Okay, fair enough.
Let's drill down on the Chiefs.
Not many times, right, right?
I'm sure you saw the report from Mike Florio Pro Football Talk.
that Andy Reed could step down after the season,
not the first time we've heard it.
Chris, like, listen, Chief's kind of on the struggle bus.
I like him this weekend against Buffalo,
but, man, could Reed step away, turn 66 in March?
A lot of free agents.
Mahomes' cap hit goes up $20 million next season.
Your thoughts?
Well, I think the way you're couching it is him saying,
wow, we're not as good this year as we have been.
has really been a struggle and next year we could be worse or in the future we could be worse
I think if he retires those won't be the reasons um he's obviously said he hasn't thought about
it but obviously you wouldn't want to make yourself the story right if indeed he was going to step
down he wouldn't want to say it right now um so I think that if he does step down it's just
because he's ready to move on from football I can't imagine he would step down and want to go
somewhere else. You got Patrick Mahomes, the best quarterback I've ever seen in my life.
And I don't think, Jason, that they're going to be worse in the future. I think they're
going to be better. That defense is great this year. And I think it's going to remain great
for the foreseeable future. And offensively, the run game is great. The line has struggled a bit
this year, but I think that can get better. And all they need are some legitimate receivers.
I think they go out and get one really good receiver,
and then they're set and they're back to being, you know,
a team that could win the Super Bowl.
They're still that right now, but they're better next year.
So I don't think if he steps down, J. Mack,
I don't think it has anything to do with him saying our run is over,
because I don't think the run is over.
Okay.
All right, Broussard, let's go to the Dallas Cowboys.
You've been beating him up on your show, man.
You've been going after him hard.
Not as hard as Cam Newton came after me yesterday.
Am I wrong?
Hard.
Not totally.
Three straight 12 win seasons is nice.
The playoffs are a failure.
I'm just curious.
What do you?
Talk me through your thoughts on what happens with DAC this offseason in Dallas.
It's simple to me.
As much as Dak was a disappointment in the playoffs,
and you can't even overstate how disappointing he was, right?
You got to bring him back.
You have to bring him back.
And obviously they're going to have to sign him to an extension.
You don't want him playing on that $59 million cap hit,
So you want to sign other guys so you got to get that down. So you sign him to a long-term extension.
Look, I think I try to talk to Dak about, hey, your number one goal we know is to win a Super Bowl.
It's not just to be the highest paid player. It's not just to have individual accolades.
It's to win a Super Bowl. Look at the goat, Tom Brady. How do he do it?
He didn't quite take as much as he could get. He always left the little money on the table to sign better teammates.
Whether New England did that or not, that was Brady's approach.
And that's how the Cowboys should approach Dak.
Like, look, we know you're great.
And we're willing, you know, 55 million right now, Joe Burrow is the top.
We're willing to give you in that $50 million range, 51-ish.
But let's leave a little money on the table to get better players around you
so you and we can win some Super Bowls.
You appeal to that.
Now, Dak may just say, hey, I want to reset the market like every other quarterback.
that comes up and fine.
If that's what he wants to do, that's his prerogative.
But that's how I would approach him.
But J-Mack, they can't let him go.
Because it could be five or ten years before they got another, like, good, really good quarterback.
And he is really good.
And Peyton Manning didn't win a Super Bowl until his ninth year.
And he was criticized as a guy in his great regular season,
doesn't do it in the postseason, was three and six in the playoffs up until that Super Bowl run.
So look, I think you can win a Super Bowl with Dak.
I would go J. Mack after a Derek Henry.
I think they need a meat eater at running back to compliment Tony Pollard,
and then you need a little more size on your defensive end,
defensive side of the ball.
But I think they're not that far away.
So, yeah, I would definitely sign that.
I like the Derek Henry thing.
Let me ask, do you think Jerry, after that lost Sunday,
reached out to Harbaugh and Belichick just to back channel and see
is there interest in the gig
and then once he heard no
he just said all right we're going to stick with McCarthy for one more
I don't think he did
I mean I haven't seen any reports that
suggest he did
he should shame on him
Jay Mack that he didn't
if indeed he did
I would have definitely called Belichick
now Harbaugh's a different story
Harbaugh may be looking at his
next stop is a long term affair
right as he should
and he and Jerry probably would
buttheads long term
Jerry doesn't
want the microphone to be out of his face, the camera to be off of his person.
He wants to still be the face of the franchise, doing all the talking.
I think a Belichick or a coach or even a hardball probably, not probably, wouldn't like that.
And I think that would be a part of the conversation.
Hey, you know, we got to do things a little bit differently.
But if I'm Jerry, I'm with Belich, what's Belichick got?
Three, four years left as a head coach.
You can do that for three or four years.
And the problem with Jerry, with him wanting all the attention, he doesn't understand one key thing, J. Mack.
If we didn't hear a peep from Jerry all next season, right?
If he goes totally dark, doesn't do his weekly radio shows, doesn't speak after every game, and they won the Super Bowl, he would get all the credit.
He would get, or he would get his fair share of the credit.
He would be the one.
We don't hear from Clark Hunt, Robert Kraft, during the season, but guess who's handed the Super Bowl trophy?
The owner, and Jerry Jones would get credit.
If he went out and got a Bill Belichick, and Belichick wanted him to step back a little, and they won a Super Bowl because of it,
no one would rip Jerry.
They would praise him for going to get the coach to lead them to a Super Bowl.
But he doesn't understand that, so they continue to do what they've been doing for 29 years without success.
I know you do a lot of public speaking.
I'm just curious, do you think that someone could get through to the billionaire and be like,
bro, step back?
Just be quiet.
Or is that just mission impossible?
It's probably mission impossible because with all his money, he obviously has power, right?
But I would think a Belichick might, you know, obviously Belichick has tons of clout.
And listening to a Belichick talk to him about it might help.
But maybe Jay Mack, that's why he didn't call him.
That's why else would you not call Bill Belichick?
And I've been a critic of Belichick without Brady.
Hasn't done squat without Tom Brady.
But in Dallas, that team is ready.
They just need a culture change.
They need a little bit of improvement on defense.
And you already have the quarterback in Dak.
So I think Belichick could go there and maybe win them a Super Bowl.
All right.
Let's go to Belichick real quick.
He's interviewing for the second time with Atlanta,
or he's interviewing Atlanta, however you want to phrase.
it. I got to ask, like, do you think this is a leverage play for a different job, or do you think
he can really go to Atlanta? Because, I don't know, just, like, culturally, Belichick doesn't
seem to vibe with what that franchise and city are. It's difficult for me to see, but it sounds
like maybe it's happening. I don't know. Well, no, you make a good point. I mean, it doesn't
seem like a cultural fit, but I don't think it's a good fit for Belichick or for the Falcons.
Like I wouldn't be going after Belichick if I was Atlanta, and if I'm Belichick, I really wouldn't be that interested.
Now, if they go out and get a Kirk Cousins, then, okay, now we're talking.
But if Belichick just wants to go ahead and win his 15 games to catch Don Shula as all time winning his coach, then, yeah, you can do that in Atlanta in that division in probably two years.
But if he wants to win a Super Bowl to catch Tom Brady, which is what I think he wants to do, why are you going to Atlanta?
He needs to go someplace that's ready-made that has a quarterback.
We've seen him, J-Mac, without a quarterback.
It's not pretty.
It won't be, they'll be pretty good in Atlanta.
They do have a lot of talent outside of the QB position.
But Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, I mean, could be good.
We don't know exactly what Fields is.
And I don't love Belichick with young quarterbacks.
I mean, you saw what he did to Mac Jones.
So, no, I don't think that's a fit.
I think he needs to go somewhere ready-made.
All right, I want to squeeze in one Lakers question, obligatory NBA.
I know you're a big NBA guy.
You covered the league forever.
Lakers fans, as they are want to do, are panicking, despite the nice wins recently.
Do we need to make a trade?
Do we trade Austin Reeves?
Blah, blah, blah.
LeBron.
It's the usual.
I just looked at it up.
Lakers are currently 10th in the West.
It's not out of the realm.
Anthony Davis has been healthy and LeBron's been healthy, which is the scary part.
Like, those two have been healthy and playing, and they're still.
tent in the West. I don't know. Your thoughts about the Lakers as we get what within three weeks
in the deadline. Well, like you said, it's interesting. And remember a few weeks ago, people
were really panicking talking about Darvindham needs to go despite winning the in-season tournament,
whatever you think that's worth. But the thing is, Jay Mc, they've played in spurts, right?
They've had their downs, but then they've beaten some good teams recently. And so I, look,
you don't want to be in the playing because you don't want to be in a one.
and done type of situation.
You'd like to get in the top seven.
But in the playoffs, you look at the top of the West right now outside of Denver.
Minnesota, now I like them a lot.
Best defensive team in the league right now.
Obviously got great offensive scores in Edwards, Anthony Edwards and Carl Anthony Towns.
They're a strong team.
Mike Connolly staying healthy is big for them too.
But them and OKC, J Mack, they're young.
They're young.
And Minnesota is not that young, but that.
They don't have any deep playoff experience, right, outside of Gobert, who's not their leader or star.
And so they're a question mark going into the playoffs.
OKC's a question mark.
So if you're the Lakers, you're wondering, okay, can our experience with LeBron and AD and our intelligence, our basketball IQ, can we overcome a team like that in a seven game series?
I'm not saying they definitely can, but you have to give them a shot against one of these younger teams just because LeBron and AD are still.
playing well and they have the experience.
Okay, sorry, one more. But they do need to make
a move if they can.
If they can. I don't know exactly what move
is out there for them, but they need
to add a little something. Yeah, one more.
Sorry, Joelle Embed, I know you and I have
disagreed greatly on Embedde.
The guy's never been to a conference finals,
Chris, okay? Is this finally
the year? That's the great
Joel Embed, the MVP, Joel Abed.
Get to a conference finals.
Look,
What also, M. Bede is playing phenomenal, Jamie.
I think you would admit that, right?
Like, this is the best he's ever played.
Like, he looks like the best player in the league right now.
And I think it's Yolkich.
I'm just saying you could argue for M.B.
Right now.
Okay.
Especially because of the defense.
But the problem for M.
And the playoffs has been one he had, his production has dropped drastically.
All right?
He's not quite James Harden territory, but he's inching that way, right?
But I think one of the reasons his production drops is because he's always
banged up like he either he usually has to sit out a few games in the playoffs and then
when he comes back in plays he's not quite a hundred percent and that's the problem
with Joel Embed if he goes into these playoffs 100 percent then they got a shot I
mean Milwaukee we know hasn't been as great as we expected Boston's gonna be tough I
mean obviously they're undefeated at home they'll be tough to deal with but Philly
would be right there and have a shot if Embed is fully healthy
doesn't have to sit out games and is not limping around the court.
All right.
That's the great Chris Broussard.
First Things First follows the herd.
I'm sure him and Nick will try to carve up my Patrick Wilhomes take, my Andy Reed take.
That's what they do.
They're Chiefs guys over there, Chris.
You're reaching.
Enjoy the games, buddy.
I'll see you soon.
Chris Brousard.
What a guy.
I love that guy.
He's got some takes.
All right, coming up next, regardless of what happens with Nick Siriani,
I don't know that the Eagles job is as good as you guys think.
Talk about that next.
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Got a great parlay for you this weekend.
Thanks to Drafking Sportsbook, new users, please use the code heard, H-E-R-D, when you download the app, which takes 90 seconds.
So my parley pick of the week via Draft King Sportsbook.
I'm going to take the Texans plus nine at the Ravens, a young Texans team playing with confidence.
I don't necessarily think a couple of weeks off helps the Ravens.
I think Baltimore wins. I'll take the nine.
I'm going to take the Lions minus six against the Bucks.
They're a better team. That Rams team they beat and controlled in the first half was arguably
next to Baltimore, the hottest team in the league. Lions at home win by a touchdown.
I'm going to take Bills minus three over the Chiefs.
Kansas City this year is not Kansas City previous years, and I think Buffalo at home is going to score some points.
If you want to take the herd parlay, check out Draft King's Sportsbook.
New users, please use the code Hurd when you download the app.
21 plus in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction.
Eligibility restrictions apply.
Gambling problem.
Call 1-800-Gambler.
In New York.
Call 8778-8-Hope-N-Y or text Hope & Y 467-369.
See show notes for full details.
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 documented 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 I-Hard Radio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what y'all saying.
Yep, that's me, Clifert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.
Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.
This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.
One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment
and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.
The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that
don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.
So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where
you need to be.
Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your
podcast.
And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford.
and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.
Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?
Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.
I know what you're thinking.
What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?
Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.
I'm Sam Jett.
And I'm Alex English.
Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down,
and try to make sense of how we survived it.
Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,
waxing all about crack in the 80s.
To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack.
I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know.
I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.
So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.
We also have AIDS on the table right now.
Thank you for finishing that sentence.
Yes.
I don't think there's a more important year for black people.
Really?
Yeah.
For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.
Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple.
podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Back here on the herd, Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd.
And let's go to Joy.
No, not you, but I'll take it.
Alex Furry.
Alex Curry with the news.
No, no, no, no.
Turn on the news.
This is the herd line news.
I mean, she's like one of my dear friends.
I love Joy.
I get called Joy, like, more often than people think.
Well, you guys both have dark hair, but basically this head cold, like, I've had a
couple screwups in the show.
I mean, I'm not putting it in a perfect game.
I'll take it.
That's a compliment.
Goodness gracious.
Thank you, Jay Mack.
Thank you.
Well, let's get started with one of the biggest quarterback matchups this weekend.
Patrick Mahomes is set to make the first road playoff start of his career Sunday in Buffalo.
Mahomes has only made one start there in his career, and it was during the COVID season with no fans in the stands.
And Bill's tackle, Dionne Dawkins sent out this warning to Mahomes.
He's only been here once.
So he's never been here.
simple as that
Pat has never been
to
the bill stadium
in full effect
the environment to be different
and not to say it's in our favor
but stadium is our favor
you know stadium is us
that helps us
I don't care what nobody says
this is the most
dopest feeling I've ever had
like we've
like we're having two
back-to-back playoff games home
like come on now
like we get to leave and go eat wings
like
Like it's cool, so good luck.
So yes, it's Patrick Mahomes' first road playoff game.
Yes, it's going to be different, but it's Patrick Mahomes, right?
He is the best quarterback right now in the league.
Obviously, you just talked about it a couple segments ago.
Not his best season, obviously, but we've seen just how fired up.
I feel like he almost plays better with that trash talk and with that doubt.
So it's going to be tough.
going to be cold. But the good news for both of these
teams, they both just won
in these like freezer bowl,
insane, insanely cold games.
They are used to playing in
that, I guess, atmosphere,
that environment.
But it's going to be an epic quarterback matchup.
Do you have a pick yet?
And a score.
You might as well do it.
It's so tough.
Oh, see, it is. I know.
I know. Bills are favored by two and a half.
Two and a half. Dockins is a friend of the show.
He came on last time.
we did this together.
And I think it was before the Dallas game, was it?
And it was before one of the late season games.
He's obviously Bill's guy, likes to joke about the Jets.
He's a good dude.
I hate to go against it.
I'll let you pick first.
I know.
It's hard to, anytime I bet against Patrick Mahomes, it's come back and slap me in the face.
But the run that Josh Allen and the bills have been on and being at home,
and I think Josh Allen has a lot more to prove
and a lot more to lose if he doesn't win this
because there's been so much hype around Josh Allen
and he hasn't lived up to that full expectation.
I think that all of us thought he could be
and he should be because he is so naturally talented
as a quarterback.
I'm going with the bills.
Oh, wow.
I know.
Again, it might come back to bite me
because any time I bet against Patrick Ballum
that comes back to bite me.
A home favorite in January.
Can't go wrong.
I'll go Chiefs 20.
to 17.
Okay.
But you're right.
If Josh Allen wins this,
like we're getting Alex
to the point where
these NFL playoff games
are creating narratives
that are huge and sweeping
with massive implications
the way the NBA
like LeBron loses the playoffs.
He can't be the goat.
Like all this silliness.
I just wonder,
if Josh Allen does lose though,
it's like,
are they ever going to get by Casey?
And then if Alan wins,
he's now the guy to beat
and Mahalo.
Holmes is kind of new.
No, I don't think this season can reflect.
It doesn't ding the incredible career that Patrick Mahomes has had.
Now, if he wins this weekend, he joins a very elite group of quarterbacks.
He will have 13 playoff wins tied for fourth all time with Brett Farr and Big Ben.
So Mahomes is already an insane company.
He is the greatest quarterback in the league right now.
talent, career, everything. He's even said, I mean, they are in the mists. I would say the chiefs
are the closest thing to a dynasty right now, in my opinion. And even Patrick Mahomes has said
this openly. I think you need three championships to be that dynasty. But they are extremely
close. And I do believe after this season and seeing the lack of offensive weapons that Patrick
Mahomes had, having the most drops in the league, this team is going to go out. They are going
to get him what he needs
or going to get him some offensive weapons
and even like answering back to your thoughts on Andy Reid.
I think he sticks around and he gives us another try
especially knowing you got Patrick Mahomes in your prime right now.
Yes, it was an off year.
Travis Kelsey hurt.
Mahomes not having the offensive weapons that he needs.
They still have the best quarterback coach duo in the league.
What happens if Kelsey walks away to go do a podcast with his brother
and get married to Taylor Swift?
I think he will still do a podcast with his brother
and even if he does get married to Taylor Swift.
That's not going to take away his love for the game.
He's definitely still going to play.
If he physically can.
We saw Gronk want to walk away with all the back stuff and all the injuries.
Another, like, very active tight end.
If he can play, he's going to play.
His brother, as you saw Jason, like, you had to literally tear him.
He was going to retire last season, and that was the whole reason he did the Kelsey documentary.
And then he came back, and he was like, if I can physically, they love the game so much.
It's why they do the podcast around the whole thing.
I don't think that takes away from anything.
All right, you're taking choose.
I'm taking bills.
All right, let's move on to another matchup this weekend.
The Ravens are set for the divisional round after securing a first round by tied in.
Mark Andrews has been working his way back from an ankle injury that cost him the final six games of the season.
Andrews has practice all week.
It is currently listed as questionable, but the latest report indicates he will not be activated ahead of tomorrow's game.
Now remember, Mark Andrews hasn't played since November, okay?
And this team has had a great run without him.
What is that?
Practicing, but he's not going to play?
Maybe he can't go full speed.
Maybe it's ankle.
Like, ankles are so tricky.
So one wrong move, I dealt with a lot of ankle injuries.
It's so easy.
One wrong step.
You re-injure it.
And if he re-injures it, you're done for the season.
So maybe you wait an extra week.
Give him an extra week, see if it gets better.
Likely's been excellent at filling in for him.
Exactly.
And the team's been five and one since he's been gone.
And that one loss was week 18 when they were resting all of the starters.
Plus, they also activated Dalvin Cook.
So we should expect to see him.
You'll probably expect to see him on the field tomorrow.
Yeah.
I mean, yes, obviously Lamar Jackson is going to be better with Andrews out there.
But they have been playing just fine.
And as you mentioned, Isaiah likely has done a great job.
stepping up in his place.
So that's also going to be a fun one.
All right, let's talk about some Cowboys,
because their defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn,
is one of the big names available for a head coaching opening.
But if he doesn't secure a job,
he will reportedly be back in Dallas,
despite the Cowboys' brutal home loss in the wild card
where they allow to playoff franchise worst 48 points.
Now, unfortunately, in my opinion for Dan Quinn,
that embarrassing loss did not help his case,
because as they say in the entertainment world,
you are only as good as your last performance.
And if they're going off that last game for Dan Quinn,
not great here.
But we did hear Micah Parsons talk about how much he,
Dan Quinn means to him.
And he kind of jokingly said, you know,
well, if he leaves, like, maybe he'll take me with him.
So you want to keep your top guys happy.
Micah Parsons is a huge part of that Dallas core.
I just,
they made it known
Dallas is keeping
they're keeping everybody
they're riding with McCarthy
DAC's going to be just fine
so I wouldn't be surprised
if they bring back Quinn
he did incredible work
for that defense all season
unfortunately they just got lit up
I wonder
so they move on from Kellyn Moore right
last year after the playoff loss
you can't just run this back
after this devastating loss
you know showed
they should
But you know he's going to.
So we know Dax coming back, obviously.
Yeah.
McCarthy is locked in.
Yeah.
You're going to change nothing and say, hey, let's put more value in the regular season.
Who cares that we're one in the playoffs the last three years with this group?
Like, I don't know.
I mean, I guess the real question is, do you think Dan Quinn's going to get a head coaching job?
I bet the Cowboys are hoping he gets to head coaching time.
Okay.
So then it all kind of like works its way out.
It works itself out.
You want.
But if he doesn't get the Seattle job.
It's just tough because I've heard, like, from people that work with the team,
how much Dan Quinn means to this defense.
How much, again, Michael Parsons, they're, like, top player, like, how much he means to him.
So it's, that matters as well, too, you know, the relationship that you have with the players,
the relationship that you have with the team.
I mean, obviously, there's going to be a scapegoat.
Like, Dallas needs a scapegoat for someone and something,
and it kind of has that feeling that if it's going to be someone, it might be.
And they get digs back from injury.
Remember, he left early with the injury season.
True.
They'll be good.
Obviously, they're going to be good.
They're a great regular season team.
They just can't win in the postseason.
They have fooled us for decades.
As a former athlete.
For decades.
Alex, you know.
Regular season.
Wonderful.
Congrats.
Yeah.
But it's not how you start.
It's how you finish.
Exactly.
And if you're not winning in the postseason, the regular season doesn't matter.
Yeah.
All right, Alex Curry, with the news.
Well, that's the news.
News.
And thanks for stopping by.
The Herd Lye News.
As we wait on Nick Siriani watch, I started looking around.
Is the Eagles roster as good as we think?
That's next year on The Herd.
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.
Hey, what's up, everybody?
It's me, three-time Pro Bowl of LaVar Arrington, and I couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast
called Up on Game.
What is Up on Game, you ask?
Along with my fellow Pro Bowler, T.J.
Manzada and Super Bowl champion.
Yep, that's right.
Plexico Burris.
You can only name a show with that type of talent on it.
Up on Game.
We're going to be sharing our real-life experiences loaded with teachable moments.
Listen to Up on Game with me, LaVar Arrington, T.J.
Hushmanzada and Plexico Burris on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast from.
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 documented 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 I-Hard radio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
A win is a win.
A win is a win.
I don't care what you're saying.
Yep, that's me,
Clifford Taylor the 4th.
You might have seen the skits,
the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football,
or my career in sports media.
Well, somewhere along the way,
this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.
And now I'm bringing all of that excitement
to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.
This is a place for raw,
unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,
creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,
but celebrated.
One week I'll take you behind the scenes
of the biggest moments
in sports and entertainment,
and the next we'll talk about life,
mental health, purpose, and even music.
The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast,
it's a space for honest conversations,
stories that don't always get told,
and for people who are chasing something bigger.
So, if you've ever supported me
or you're just chasing down a dream,
this is right where you need to be.
Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
And for more behind the scenes,
Follow at Clifford and a TikTok podcast network on TikTok.
Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?
Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.
I know what you're thinking.
What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?
Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.
I'm Sam Jette.
And I'm Alex English.
Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down,
and try to make sense of how we survived it.
Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,
waxing all about crack in the 80s.
To be clear, 84 was big to me, not just because of crack.
I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know.
I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.
So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.
We also have AIDS on the table right now.
Thank you for finishing that sentence.
I don't think there's a more important year for black people.
Really?
Yeah.
For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.
Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
After his incredible playoff debut, Jordan Love and the Packers take on Brock Purdy and the top-seated 49ers in the NFC divisional round.
It all starts at 7.30 Eastern tomorrow on Fox.
All right, we're still waiting on what the heck's going on with Nick Siriani in Philadelphia.
It's a weird situation.
They started 10 and 1.
They were on fire.
And then I'm sure you guys have all seen the clip online of Siriani in Kansas City when they got lucky.
Let's be clear, lucky I had the chiefs that night.
And Siriani walks in the tunnel and screaming like, bro, you won a regular season game in, I think it was November.
What are we doing here?
And they went in a tailspin after that.
Now, something went down in the locker room.
We don't exactly know what the heck happened.
It hasn't come out yet, but I'm sure bombs will drop here in the coming weeks.
something went down.
We don't know.
Because you don't just go in a tailspin like that.
And now your coach is kind of interviewing for his job again unless something happened.
And we can blame Matt Patricia if we want.
We could blame the players, apathy after going to a Super Bowl.
But it's weird because we thought the Dallas Cowboys job might come open.
It did not.
And now we think the Eagles job would come open.
And Colin and I have sparred over this.
I thought the Dallas job was better.
despite Jerry Jones, the big question mark because of the stuff that Bussard and Albert Breer talked about earlier.
Like, you know, Jerry's going to meet the media every week, and that's putting undue pressure on the players and the coaches.
So, Colin seems to think Philly's the much better job.
They've got a young quarterback in jail and Hertz.
And, oh, wait, Hertz only has been a star for one year.
Right.
Interesting.
So they paid him off for one year.
Now, his contract is team friendly.
The cap hit doesn't spike dramatically like some of the other quarterbacks,
but they paid him off of one year.
And A.J. Brown had an awesome year last year.
And then something went down.
His numbers fell off a cliff.
And then he was injured and missed the final.
He got injured in the last game of the season.
They didn't need to really be playing.
And then he misses the playoff game.
And they looked very pedestrian without him.
And then you start drilling down a little bit.
Jason Kelsey, the longtime center, retires.
And I don't know.
We've talked about it.
Like, if you watch broadcast closely,
you can kind of pick up on some stuff maybe behind the scenes.
And near the end of that game,
they were really pushing the Kelsey,
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox's narrative of three veterans,
three long-time captains.
Is this their last dance?
And I went and looked at Spottrack about the free agents for the Eagles.
Fletcher Cox, 33, he's one of them.
Brandon Graham turning 36.
Those are veteran cogs not only on the defensive line, but in the locker room.
So now you lose Kelsey, maybe these two other vets.
And you've got this void in the locker room when you've got uncertainty around coordinators.
And it's like, geez, so who's the leader of this team all of a sudden?
And man, you start drilling down like, oh, Lane Johnson's had a lot of injuries, he's getting old.
the cornerbacks, Slay, who was not big play, Slay this year.
A lot of injuries, 33.
Bradbury All-Pro last year this year.
Awful.
Oh, wait.
Maybe the cornerbacks aren't as great when the defensive line's not getting
unbelievable pressure and setting NFL sack records.
So you start to really look at this team in roster, and you're like, oh,
D'Andre Swift, who was arguably their second best skill position player, probably third.
Devon DeVosman Smith was good.
he's a free agent
Boston Scott running back free agent
Rashad Penny always hurt free agent
and then you hear this stuff about
Siriani
essentially the owner and the GM
are making Siriani
put together a plan
and present it to them
about what he wants to do going forward
we have heard this before
you guys remember that right
Doug Peterson
won a Super Bowl
in not that long of a time,
he then had to come and present a plan.
Ownership said, we don't like it.
Sianara.
You're gone.
Does that portend well
for Nick Siriani and the Eagles this week?
We'll see. It's Friday.
It's perhaps news dump Friday.
I speculated this earlier with Albert Breer.
Could we possibly, possibly see the end of Sireani in Philadelphia?
And the gut is, like, maybe Vrable gets the job.
Would Belichick be interested?
Sounds like a no.
So is this like an attractive job?
And that's when you start to get, like, a little scared.
You're like, okay.
So they have their franchise quarterback in Hertz.
They paid them a lot off one year.
It's not like this is Mahomes.
No disrespect to Hertz.
Love him.
This ain't Mahomes.
It's not Josh Allen.
It's not even Justin Herbert.
like I don't know here here was brayer earlier on the situation with seriani in philadelphia
if you remember like they waited a week until after until a week after the um 2020 season concluded
to cut ties with Doug peterson and part of that was you had this you know weak period where
they were going through their plans for the future and and kind of setting things up to meet
with geoffrey lorry and talk about where things were going and you know eventually what wound up
happening was that, you know, Lurie wanted some staff changes and Doug Peterson was very loyal
to his staff. That led to the conclusion that that was it for them. Do I think it's over for
Nick Siriani? No, I don't think it's over for Nick Siriani. But until he comes out of that meeting
and they come out of that meeting with a concrete plan for next year, I think you'd never say never.
So this is probably too hot of a take for Philadelphia, but just take a deep breath, step back.
So let's say Siriani's canned.
What's the better job right now?
The Philadelphia Eagles, who have now, if Sireani gets canned, will have run off two coaches who just went to the Super Bowl.
One of them won.
Or the Atlanta Falcons who play in a terrible division and have a lot of youth, have no quarterback,
but they haven't paid one.
And, oh, did I mention the division's terrible?
Because remember, when Tom Brady left New York,
England. He had the choice. It was Chargers. It was Tampa. Chargers in a tough division.
You want to go face Mahomes every year? You know? Russell Wilson, uh, actually he hadn't got
to Denver yet, but that was a tough division with Patrick Mahomes. So Tom Brady says,
let me go, let me go to Tampa. And get to face the Saints and Carolina, Atlanta. You think
Brady's going to struggle with this guys? He won a Super Bowl instantly. I know Philadelphia fans say,
oh, we could get Belichick, let's bring him on.
And Cowherd was pushing that, like Belichick Eagles.
Why is he taking that job?
Like Brian Dable's a damn good coach.
He's going to figure it out in New York.
He's going through some bumpy times.
Dallas has won 12 wins, 12 games, three years in a row.
He got a good quarterback.
He nearly won the MVP.
Washington, new ownership, a lot of talent offensively.
Don't have a quarterback.
That's a way tougher job in Philly, tougher division,
situation with the aging roster, the veterans, maybe toxicity in the locker room.
What happens with A.J. Brown? I don't know.
I think the Atlanta Falcons job is better than the Eagles job.
Now, I'm not going to go overboard and say the Carolina job or the Tennessee,
those are, you know, for a coordinator who wants to like start things over.
But I don't know. Where are you, Alex?
We got Falcons opening, attractive.
Yeah. Belichick Harbaugh, I've interviewed.
Yeah.
Eagles, is that an attractive?
That's a city where if you get, if you win, they love you.
Yes.
Man, if you lose.
It's definitely an attractive job.
You have a great quarterback in Jalen Hertz.
You have offensive weapons.
You have a lot of great pieces in place.
Yes, you're going to lose your veteran heart and soul of the team in Kelsey.
But it's definitely a positive job.
Yes, it's a hard job.
There's a couple cities that you lose.
You're going to get booed no matter what, Philly being one of those.
It's...
Will they boo you in Atlanta?
Do they even boo in Atlanta?
I don't know.
I haven't experienced that.
I don't think so.
I feel like they're kind.
It's like a little more
that Southern charm.
Absolutely.
Also, yeah.
Philly is definitely the gnarliest fan face.
I have been around.
Baseball, football, everything.
I mean, Alex, just think about it.
You go to the playoffs.
Yeah.
Losing the Wild Card.
Go to the Super Bowl, lose.
Yeah.
Lose in the first round again.
Yes.
And you're getting fired?
Well, that's a...
Like I said earlier, it really puts into perspective how tough it is to be a head coach in the NFL.
Like you have three winning seasons and you could possibly be out the door because you're not accomplishing the ultimate goal, which is, again, it's not how you start.
It's how you finish.
Yeah.
They had a great start and then they just like fell off a cliff.
I'll remind people, my jets.
Fell off a cliff.
Haven't won a play, haven't been to the playoffs in, I think, 13 seasons.
Heartbreaking.
The longest trout in professional sports.
Heartbreaking.
What the hell?
The Eagles are firing a guy.
This is almost SEC like.
Isn't it Alex?
Yeah.
I mean, it's, you got a winner go home.
Yeah, basically.
That's what it is.
Right, coming up next, Andy Reid, what's his future in Kansas City?
That's next on the herd.
Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite.
Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.
Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.
This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel,
help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.
Where does your group perform?
We do some retirement home.
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.
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 documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.
Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.
was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.
Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
A win is a win.
A win is a win.
I don't care what you're saying.
Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th.
You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey,
or my career in sports media.
Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast,
The Clifers Show.
This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes,
creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.
So let's get to it.
Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok.
This is an IHeart podcast.
Guaranteed human.
