The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 2 - The new Herd Hierarchy, the Chiefs are on the brink, Nick Wright

Episode Date: December 9, 2025

Nick Wright from First Things First joins the show to debate Colin’s latest Herd Hierarchy and confront the harsh reality surrounding his Kansas City Chiefs, who now appear on the brink of playoff elimination Colin gives his thoughts on comments from LeBron James' agent Rich Paul - do the Lakers have enough?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the IHartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go, hour two in a Tuesday. The Heard hierarchy and Nick Wright could be a bubbling, simmering controversy with the Lakers going on right now. Things are getting very, very interesting.

I got to tell you, I hope L.A. sports fans, the Dodgers just signed Edwin Diaz, the are red hot, Harbaugh and the Chargers and Herbert are nine and four. Rams could be the best team in football and USC just signed the number one recruiting class. I hope LA sports fans realize, I mean, the clippers are, you know, shocking a circus, but most of their, you know, franchise history is littered with nonsense. But I'm just, cities go in cycles. Man, L.A. is hot. Let's not waste any time. Let's get to our herd hierarchy right now. Third hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to colleague. Number 10. Well, listen, the bills are flawed, but they have won 12 straight home games in December

and January, and Josh Allen has a career high completion percentage and yards per attempt this season. I still think they're asking too much of them, which is why they've had 12 giveaways in five games. They're not a clean team. they can get sloppy. They're bad against the run, although they've been a little better in the last couple of weeks. I think the reality is they'll go as far

as Josh Allen can take them. I don't trust them situationally. They were fumbling near the goal line this week. I think right now the best quarterback in the world, not the most decorated, but the best is Josh Allen. But there's too many questions for me. They sneak in at number 10.

Number nine. The Chargers are now 5 and 0 in prime time this season. They're a big state. team, at least in the regular season. 13 and 4 under Jim Harbaugh in the second half of seasons. That's best in the NFL, remarkable with all their injuries. The offensive lines atrocious, all beat up. The running game depends on who's healthy, but they have a great pass defense,

best in the league since week 8. Between the head coach and the star coordinator and Herbert, they're in every single game. I have the Chargers at 9. Number eight. I can't even figure the Niners out. How in the world do they have the number one scoring defense since week 11? Robert Sala, I don't like their defensive personnel.

I'm mid on Brock Purdy, but they've got five wins of 10 plus or more points since week seven. That's tied for the NFL lead. They don't get penalized. They've got two easy games coming up. Just had the buy. San Francisco. Yes, they're two Christian.

and McCaffrey dependent, but Kittle and Jennings and Pearsall, they're getting healthier. I'll put them at eight. Number seven. Texans have the best defense in the league, five-game winning streak, eight of ten. Their offense can worry me. I do like C.J. Stroud. They have played the fourth hardest schedule in the league, so they are battle-tested, number one scoring defense.

I'll tell you, there's a couple of young defensive coaches in this league that are really sharp. Damico Ryan's, and I told you, I had somebody inside the Niners tell me years ago, Domeco Ryans was going to be a star as head coach. That Houston defense is no fun to play. I've got him at seven. Number six. I'm going to give it to the Bears. They lead the NFL in turnover differential.

They run the football. They can win time of possession. People bang on Caleb Williams, completing 58% of his throws. but he is so electric and dynamic, I can live with that. I think their biggest issue, they give up 6.1 yards of play. That's near the bottom of the NFL. That's what worries me. It's not Caleb's lack of accuracy.

I think he got to live with that because he's so dynamic. They've got to shore up their defense on the average play. Number five. Seattle. Maybe I have them low, but there's a slew of teams above them and there's reasons why. They can be reckless. They're a run-first team. They're aggressive, sometimes, a little, you know, penalties, youth. I don't think they're a Super Bowl team yet.

I think like the Packers who are young, it'll take another year. I think Green Bay is ready this year. They weren't last year. They have, you know, tied for the few with sacks allowed. Some of that's just Darnold's good on his feet, but I have Seattle at five. Number four. But I think the Broncos' Rock is right. roster's a little more experienced, and I get offensive coach Sean Payton. First game, though,

this year, they have not trailed. Listen, here's what's really impressive. Tide for the most sacks, and then the fewest allowed. You can't get to their quarterback. They always get to yours. That's going to serve them well in the playoffs. Offensive line, Sean Payton's got it number one after a couple years. I love their roster. I really like their roster. I wish their quarterback wasn't this uneven, but I have a nick ahead of Seattle. Number three. Green Bay. I may have them low. Best third down offense. Tied for the fewest giveaways. They're a very smart, clean, young team. I thought last year they were a bit too young. I love that Christian Watson is healthy because Jordan Love, like a Sam Darnold,

loves to throw the deep ball and throws a brilliant deep ball. I also think the Micah trade was brilliant. Not always bad for Dallas, but it was brilliant because they're going to lead a lot of games late and he's the closer. I have Green Bay at three. Number two. Patriots for Idol, I have them at two. Ten and O when Christian Gonzalez plays their elite corner. Ten game winning streak. Are they a bit young? Is Drake May ready? Listen, they have played the easiest schedule in the NFL.

That needs to be noted. Houston could be better. Houston's played the fourth hardest schedule. So I think they're a little harder to judge team. We know the coach is good and the quarterback is good, but I have them at two. Number one. The Rams. Boy, was Devante Adams a seal.

Leads the NFL with 14 touchdowns. Pooka Nukua, by the way, averaging the most receiving yards per game in NFL history, 91. Tight ends, quarterback, head coach, running back, O line. They have no weakness offensively other than Stafford's immobility. The defense is young and outstanding. This feels like the most complete team. in the league. And you may have noticed, I do not have Philadelphia in. I'm sorry. I think their coach is coordinator dependent, and their quarterback in Philadelphia is an if quarterback. He's

circumstantial. If the O line is healthy, if the defense is great, if Sequin's having a great year. I have Philadelphia at 11. And with that, Nick Wright, joining us on a Tuesday, first things first. All right, Eagles not in. I'm not judging rosters. I'm judging how are you today? I don't love Buffalo. They should have lost, and I don't like what I see from Philadelphia. Any major complaints? Well, I agree with you on Philadelphia. I disagree with you on Buffalo. Let's start with Philly. You can't be the quarterback

who might be limited, but always wins and never turns the ball over and then have a three-game losing streak because you keep turning the ball over. Like, that doesn't work. Other quarterbacks can get away with some rough moments because their high moments are what carries you. That hasn't been jailing.

And I am really concerned about the Eagles, and I've been saying this all year, when it would, the last half of the year, when there seems like once again, there is some real, uneasiness within the locker room about the offense. That for different reasons, but a very similar timeline, this reminds me a lot as a player and seemingly as relationship with his teammates of Russell Wilson and Seattle.

A little. They both went to two Super Bowls. They Russ won the first, lost the second. Jalen did it in the reverse order. They're both excellent deep ball throwers and efficient short throwers. struggling the intermediate stuff, dynamic with their legs when they want to be, yet didn't seemingly get all the credit for the championship, and also there seems to be a real disconnect between the player, the quarterback,

and the rest of the locker room. Yeah. That came to a head in Seattle, and I think it's coming to a head in Philadelphia. Yep. And that interception last night, Colin, not that one, or this one, or the next one, the other one, the last one. Yeah. You can't make this mistake on first and ten in overtime.

You just can't. And so, yeah, and I don't, I know what his record is, and it's unbelievable. And Jalen, to his credit, is a great big game quarterback. Great. We've seen him play excellent in two Super Bowls. But I also know what Siriani's record is, and it's alongside John Madden for the best winning percentage for a coach start his career. I don't trust

Siriani to get it right. And I don't think an inflatable bunny in the locker room fixes it. And if I sound a little extra harsh, sorry to keep ranting. It's because misery loves company, Colin. And if the chiefs are going down, we're pulling a lot of teams

with us. Well, yesterday we were all concerned at Fox Sports. When I turned on your show and I saw a stretcher come out, now you did have a pack of smoke, so let me know you were still breathing. But there was a lot of concern here. Explain. Oh, yeah. You were so concerned. Yeah, that's why you checked in on me. You were so

worried. You were laughing, making fun of me. You and J. Mack going over what should have been your freezing cold offseason takes and instead reveling in them. Yeah, go ahead. I said yesterday, is it a reboot or a subtle rebuild? This may not just be a tweak, and they can do it. By the way, you can. could see what Mike Vrable did. It's in what you have Mahalbs and Andy Reid. I got a, when I watch Seattle and the Rams and when I watch the Texans and I see the athleticism and the speed and the youth are the chiefs are rebuild at this point.

Well, no, they're done. You're never a rebuild if you have one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, you know, in his prime. But they, listen, this isn't a fluke. Just like last year I was adamant that that team was a great team and everyone, one's like, but the margin of victory and the close wins. Winning in the NFL is a skill, just like a great tennis player understands. There's like four or five points in the match that actually matter. I'm going to win those.

The Chiefs last year understood that. And this year, they have been the opposite. At the highest leverage moments of these games, they've been at their worst. And it started, I can chapter and verse it just quickly for you, Colin. talk to rebuild. Week one, third and 15, fourth quarter against Justin Herbert. Get off the field and you can win the game. Chris Jones doesn't keep contained. Week two, about to take the lead against Philadelphia, despite being outplayed, Kelsey lets it go off his hands. Against the Jaguars, you're about to put that game away. Mahomes doesn't see the D-Linman lurking pick six. Against the Broncos,

fourth quarter lead, Bo Nix in a third and long. You let them pick it up, and then a comedy of errors on Sunday night, from Andy's decision to go for it when the Texans' offense was dead, to Travis once again, mishandling a pass, Patrick having some uncharacteristic mistakes. This team deserves to be six and seven. There is no denying it. But what I would tell you is this, and it's the similarities are, are stunning in this regard. Brady, who Mahomes is always compared to, Brady in year seven played

in a Super Bowl to win his fourth Super Bowl and be cemented as the greatest team ever. They lost, and then over the next three years, Colin, the Patriots won zero playoff games and got blown out in the playoffs, including a loss to Mark Sanchez at home. Zero playoff wins over three years. Patrick Mahomes, it is seventh year as a starter, played in a Super Bowl to win his fourth Super Bowl and be the greatest team ever. They lost, and right now they look like they're going to miss the playoffs. Now, I don't think they're going to go two more years without a playoff win, but it does ebb and flow. And so the Chiefs right now, for the first time in the Mahomes era, are not a great team, and they have to reckon with that and figure out what needs to be done in the offseason

to correct it. Listen, you've, I've said this before. It's one thing if you're a millionaire and you're a trust fund kid. It's another if you grew up in chaos and you're a millionaire. They're not all even. I said earlier, some quarterbacks are hot air balloons. They're weather dependent. Jalen Hertz.

Some are fighter pilots. Just give me the coordinates. I'll land the plane. Herbert has an atrocious old line. They've been on a third string running back. They're in a division with the reigning Super Bowl dynasty and Sean Payton, the Denver's pass rush elite. And here's Herbert 9 and 4.

They shouldn't have won the game. Broken hand, stiff-arming people. Listen, I know he doesn't have the peltz. But even you last night watching Herbert, 9 and 4, weren't you a little impressed with him? A little? Well, listen, I don't, I'm not anti-Justin Herbert, first of all. Second of all, last night is such an interest. This is, here is my issue.

I know I'm talking to a guy, and I don't know if we can put Colin back on the screen, but who all of a sudden, new age Colin Cowherd, you said I know he doesn't have the pelts on the wall. I don't think Colin Cowherd believes in walls or pelts or anything. I heard yesterday I heard you call Josh Allen the greatest player in the history of the sport. A guy who's a friend of yours, a personal friend of yours. Tom Brady went to 10 Super Bowls. Josh Ells been done. You're like, Josh El is the greatest player I've ever seen.

So listen, I know you're a very new age. It's, you know, the it factor. Here is what I find frustrating about some of the Herbert discourse. All right. So I think despite a horrible stat line, he was really impressive yesterday. Yeah. Despite the fact that half his yards came on a dump off to Kamani Vidal, I thought his toughness, his running, the circumstances that was impressive.

But I feel like I'm allowed to think that way because I was not also being like, hey, I know they lost a game. They had no business losing. But did you see how many yards Justin Herbert threw for and how pretty the throws were? The folks who for years have been the biggest Justin Herbert defenders that are like, yeah, wins aren't a quarterback stat.

you, what are you talking about clutch, like just watch him throw, are going to, now with yesterday, they'll be like, yeah, I understand he had a passerating of 40 and threw a bunch of turnovers, but man, the guy sure knows how to win, doesn't he? Like, you got to pick the lane here. And so that, that's my frustration there. I also, you know what we're staring at, Colin? Herbert versus the Prince and the playoffs again, we're still right down the barrel of that gun, and I'm excited to see it. I said about Shadur Sanders is that I understood the Tebow delusion

he was winning and there was the Christianity connection with Shadour it's almost like the trend six and seven you can try to explain it to me I don't get it he's not winning he seems like a nice enough kid I the conspiratorial feel the conspiracy theory stuff Dylan Gabriel set a college record with starts, he was more ready to play early, but Shadoor's more talented.

That's it. Or am I missing something? This belief they're trying to bury Shadour. I don't culturally get it. What, what I got Tebow, Shadour's much better than Tebow. I don't get the animosity towards Stefansky. What am I missing? Well, I mean, I, listen, I don't, I've said this now for a couple days. don't assign to malice what can be explained to stupidity. Like, I don't think it takes a conspiracy to get to where we've gotten with the Brown's handling of the quarterback position. I just think, I think the simpler answer is Kevin Stefansky might make some really poor

decisions. And the two-point conversion was a poor decision. Whenever you make a play call that is so bad and goes so poorly that people's only explanation is you must be intentionally sabotaging your team, it means that's probably one you would like back. And it does, listen, I don't buy the conspiracy piece of it. I do think it's probably, I know this will shock people. I think it's possible that the Browns organizationally make a lot of poor decisions. Not the most buttoned up. Don't have the quarterback thing figured out.

And I also think that the game we saw Shador play on Sunday, I don't think Dylan Gabriel is capable of playing at that level. Now, Shador will make some mistakes, Gabriel, might not make, but at least there are some big plays. And so it was wholly a lot. Here's my problem, my biggest problem, with Stafansky's two-point conversion decision. The only way this silly conspiracy stuff continues after that game is by that decision.

If you simply call a regular handoff or let Shador throw the, if you do literally anything else for at least a week, the noise around your team dies down because Shador's the starter, he played well, win or lose. instead you do a wildcat reverse pass that looked like the worst play in the NFL this season that Max Brosmer wasn't involved in and I don't understand it. So I'm a college football diehard. I thought Miami deserved to be in over Notre Dame. I think Notre, I said this earlier, you know, Notre Dame won't commit, put a ring on it. They won't. ACC's asked him to marry him three times and they're like, we're not quite ready. Well, so the ACC backed 21-year member Miami, who was more deserving anyway and said,

we got Miami's back. And now Notre Dame's like, you know, feels like we're on an island out here. Yeah, you're independent still. You've been in an island of your choosing. So I think they mostly got it right. I was very happy Miami got in over Notre Dame. You have acknowledged that you're not a huge college football fan, but I like that because you tend to embrace the bigger macro topics.

What did you make of the playoff announcement? So I think you're going to love this, Colin. So first of all, I agree with you. Miami over Notre Dame was very simple. They had the same record. They played each other. Miami won. Like, you can say that's caveman stuff.

Like, I don't know. I think the game should matter. Yeah. But I don't actually care about that piece of it. Because here is my argument. And leave the bracket up and see if you agree with me. I wanted the playoff expanded from four to 12 for seasons exactly. like this one, where there is one team Indiana that in any system ever was going to get in,

and then four to six teams that all had a legitimate claim to be in the top four. Because without the new playoff system, what do you do about Georgia, Ohio State, Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, A&M? They all have one loss. They all have an argument. So, for me, the entire, purpose of the playoff is to make sure A&M on up, if you will. A&M, Oregon, O'M, O'M, and then the top four teams have a chance to compete for a national championship. After that, I simply don't care, and you're lucky you got included. Like everyone who is not a no-doubt inclusion doesn't get to complain.

The playoff was not created to make sure the 10th best team in the nation can have a chance win the national championship. The playoff for me was created to make sure a team that actually might be the third best team in the country doesn't get left out because they're fifth ranked Oregon. That's what, so I think they got it right first of all. I actually might have considered Notre Dame over Alabama, but forget that. But everyone after A&M is on a free pass. You lost twice, you gave the committee a reason to leave you out, you're lucky you got in. Everyone from A&M up is why the playoff was created and I'm happy about it. Yeah, you know, I think it's a good take.

And I also have always had my country club theory is that you think the more you expand the country club. From 30 members to 60, everybody will be happy. But what happens is you weren't allowed in. And then your neighbor gets in as the 60th person. like, I make more than him. I'm a nicer guy than him. I've lived in the community longer. I'm a better golfer. The more you expand

the playoff, the surlier the arguments get. If it was two teams, you'd be like, well, Indiana, and then you have one argument. Ohio State or Georgia. So I think what happens is when we expand playoffs, we think it's going to dim and lessen the arguments. The more you're going to the

country club, the more people go, well, my neighbor got in. How do I not get in? It expands the argument, but what I like about it is, it makes the argument have less gravity. Because if it was still four teams, there is a really, like Texas Tech versus Oregon is a really, really hard call. And Ole Miss and A&M, while I think they're a cut beneath Tech in Oregon, would feel like, wait a minute, why aren't we included? And so expanding it the way they have, I think is really smart. I would not expand it any further.

And I also do like the fact that Duke didn't get in just because they won their conference championship. Like if we're going to put a team in that has no shot of winning the whole thing, having it be a one-loss James Madison as opposed to a five-loss Duke, I like that a lot. Yeah. By the way, because of HIPAA laws, we can't tell you what was wrong with Nick Wright yesterday, but the video is so dramatic. Let's show it again. Broken heart, Colin.

That's what's wrong. Broken heart and I'll tell you one other thing. Because I might have to hit you off the air for a bridge loan. It's also, I'm going to send this video to all my creditors after this football season because I'm being reminded that all my preseason futures bets, I tied. and the Chiefs making the playoffs to them to get a little extra juice. And now all that's come and do on me, buddy. I'm in a rough, rough way.

I'm in a rough, rough way, my friend. Well, Sam Darnold can still win a Super Bowl, so I'll be the medic that saves your life. Oh, well, thank God. I appreciate it, buddy. But more than that, I just need some money. Talk to you later, Colin. All right, Nick Wright, first things first.

Very funny show yesterday. Yeah, you know, you expand the playoffs to me, and everybody says, okay, that'll solve it. No, it just opens up more arguments. I think we had an amazing college football season. I loved it. I thought the committee mostly got it right. And if you want to expand it, I'm fine with that.

I think the one thing I'll say is everybody kept telling me, blowing up the PAC 12 would ruin college football, didn't, NIL would ruin college football, didn't, transfer portal was bad for college football, isn't. They're not perfect. I mean, the transfer portal feels sometimes moving a little fast for my taste. But coaches are moving all over the place. Lane Kiffin's leaving in the middle of the night.

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Hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. 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. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it.

Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast.

But thanks for remembering that, guys. 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 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, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel

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I mean, she went down at three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the Eyeheart.

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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. Welcome back. Are you doing that Laker controversy stories? Why are you teasing the good stuff, bro? Come on, save it.

Have you seen the NFL schedule next week? Oh, my. Wait, next week or this week? The coming up this week. This week has five double-digit favorites, I think. Maybe a sixth. Rams Lions. Okay.

That, again, it's like Fox is on a heater. That one is a great game. Yeah. Do we have the rating in for Green Bay, Chicago this weekend? Yeah, 75 minutes, I'm just saying. I'm telling you, that thing was gripping. It was everything. Pat, you know, traditional rivals, cold weather, close game.

What was more gripping? That or the World Cup bracket reveal in the pools? That was fun. We liked that. It was great. Yeah, yeah. Jay Mack with the news. No, no, no, no.

Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. We got some breaking news out of Andy Collin. Yesterday we talked about Philip Rivers. This is not. Maybe going to the Colts. Well, it's official. He's been signed to the practice squad.

Yes, 44-year-old. Philip Rivers, he's a grandfather. Did you know this? 44-year-old grandfather. He played old when he was 36. So he's older. According to the staff, he's older than the head coach. Shane Seichen.

I don't even know what to make of this. Now, here's this reason why he's signed. Riley Leonard is the number two, but he's hurt. Anthony Richardson's on IR. This is how crazy their season has been. He was working with bands. I know you go to the gym and use those bands. Yeah.

It snapped back and broke his orbital bone, like early in the season. He's out. I mean, I think it's dangerous to put Philip Rivers on the field. In Seattle, the line has ballooned to 13 and a half. Colin, this is, when I say dangerous, I'm not kidding. I joked on social media. This is like when Apollo Creed went to fight Ivan Drago and Rocky 4 and literally got killed. I mean, Philip Rivers hasn't played football in five years.

Well, he's a, he's big, thick, strong, smart. He, like, he'll- Oh, he can't move. You can talk about Dexter Lawrence in that defensive front. Those guys are nasty. No, DeMarcus Lawrence. DeMarcus Lawrence. Sorry.

You look at that, honestly, the front seven of Seattle, what they've done to some quarterbacks. Okay, hold on, I want to read this. The staff just sent me this. Colin. Other quarterbacks who have played at 44. And I remember this. George Blanda with the Raiders. And athletes are in much better shape now.

Warren Moon, Chiefs, 2000. Vinnie Testa Verde, remember that. Tom Brady Buccaneers. Yeah, but the defenders now are bigger, faster, and stronger. They're scary. I'm just telling you, man, this is not a smart... I'm surprised the line isn't like 20. Well, remember, Seahawks have the Rams next week on Thursday Night Football,

so they're not going to give a max effort. They'll power down once this is 24 to 6, and then just coast. I love Philip Rivers. I love that he's like, satellite. up, let's go. Troy, Troy Aitman told a story. He was retired for like four or five years. People came after him when he was retiring. Well, remember Frank Rack now, the center of the lines tried to come back. And they're like, oh, you have a torn hamstring, bro. You can't play football. No, I think the... The fact that Rivers passed, the physical is impressive.

I'm, I bet you Matt Ryan's been called. He just retired a couple years ago. He's like a... He's in the booth. Yeah, I guarantee you Matt Ryan got called by somebody, Philip Rivers. You're telling me there's no young guy you would feel... I mean, Josh Dobbs. What's he doing? Okay, remember. Is he working at NASA or something? Well, remember, it is, what is it, week 15. So there's just a lot of beat-up quarterbacks. Yeah. And, you know, I've argued for years the NFL needs to expand its roster to carry another quarterback somewhere.

This is a, I love Philip so much, but he played old in his late 30s. I mean, Brady felt, I mean, I watched Brady on the broadcast. You could never guess his age. I mean, he looks and feels young. And this is a, it's going to make me watch. The Colts are fighting for their playoff lives. The schedule is tough. Colin, they're not getting into playoffs.

It's over and that sauce gardener deal will look horrible. He's out with the calf still. I mean, look at this schedule. Where's the win here? Who are they beating? No, this schedule is brutal. I don't want to see. That's the toughest last month in the league.

It's certainly up there. The Chargers have a tough one. But this is like the Niners and Robert Sala. You know the Jags have some edge rushers. And the Texans has shown against. Patrick Mahones. You don't want to face it. All right, let's move on to,

let's go to another team on the West Coast. That's the Rams. They slaughtered the Cardinals. Really easy dub, 45-17. Pooka Nakuwa is having an absolutely unbelievable. He and Devonte Adams are the best one, two in the league. Jamar Chase Higgins, too. Those two are both pro bowlers.

Yeah, for sure. Here's McVeigh on his team's performance in the blowout. I thought the guys did a great job. This is a mentally tough group. This is a resilient group. You know, you got to earn it. And I thought they had a great week of preparation. I thought even just the maturity of, even some of the stuff where I wasn't around a little bit,

just because of what I was dealing with, just the way they handle it. These are grown men, you know, and they do such a great job of this is a player-led team. And really, I can't say enough about what a great job our coaches do. I don't mean that to be minimizing them at all. But we got a lot of really great leaders in that locker room. and they are healthy. Jason, they're usually this time of the year you're banged up. The Rams are hot, hungry, healthy, and...

When that ball gets rolling with that offense, they are a machine. I mean, Kyron Williams, Blake Corum's playing. Now, we thought last year, didn't he break his wrist? He had an injury, but he had a couple fumbles, too, that they were like... Now, Blake Corum has arrived. He's nice. And now the Terrence Ferguson, the tight end out of Oregon. Like, they don't miss them all of their draft picks either.

You know, we don't like to fire. coaches here, but a lot of Arizona fans are like, yo, it's over for Gannon. I mean, that was listless, terrible performance. Final story, this is the one you were teasing. Oh, boy, I don't love this, Colin. Rich Paul is LeBron's guy. They've been tight forever. He's his agent. He went on a podcast and said a lot of stuff. Now, you know, the conspiracy theorist will say he's a mouthpiece for LeBron here, but you watch the video during the break. The Lakers, remember, are 17 and 6 second in the West behind OKC. That's true. Rich Paul was like, yeah, I don't really think we're contenders.

Here we go. I personally don't think the Lakers are good enough to be contenders right now. Not right now. When you say contenders, what do you mean? I don't think they have enough to get to the Western Conference Fund. I don't think they have enough to get to really contend from that perspective right now. So O-C as currently constructed, you don't love the Lakers' chances? No.

I totally agree. They're not good enough athletic. on the wing. They don't have a little. Good offensive teams will eat them alive in the playoffs. When you can play a team six, seven times, you know this. It's a difference between going on a date and being married. And when you're married, you argue about stuff because you're around each other all the time. The Lakers are a hard team to prepare for it because they're so good offensively. Reddick, Austin, LeBron, Lucas, the best offensive player. So when they just come into town and you get one preps film session, it's like they're a handful. But if I play the Lakers over the course,

of a series and I can go, oh, they can't defend the wing. And LeBron's going to give you at this point, maybe two really good games in a series and three or four average games in a series. Luca, okay, you can pick on him defensively. They have no rim protector. So this happens all the time. Remember those Houston Rocket teams with Hardin? You're like, they're amazing in the regular season.

Hardin doesn't defend. So I think Chris Paul's, you think he's picking on who? So if you watch the full video, essentially Rich Paul is being a mouthpiece for LeBron and saying, we don't have enough right now. You know, we can't defend on the wing. We're not athletic enough. And this is coded about Austin Reeves. And it really sounds a lot of Laker fans are angry right now that LeBron and Rich Paul are trying to get Austin Reeves move for Janus.

Bring Janus here. Then we'll have enough to battle OKC. Colin, I don't like this at all. Okay. The Lakers love Austin Reeves. They love him. They don't want to trade him. Now, if you bring on Yannas, that's another story, but the reality is like, this is not what you need when you're 17 and 6 and second in the West.

This is now a diversion. This is all the Lakers are going to be asked about. LeBron's, of course, saying all the right things. I love Austin. That's my guy. Why would your best friend and agent come on here and say the Lakers are not good enough when they're 17 and 6? Well, because they're not. That's called contextualization.

Rich Paul is saying, don't be fooled by records. It's like in the NFL. We say this all the time. Everybody goes crazy. The Miami Dolphins are on fire in Miami. It's September. They're not built for late in the season, though they're playing well now. What he's basically saying is, this is great.

But look at the T-Wolves and OKC, and you start looking at these Western teams. San Antonio, those teams are better defenders, better rim protectors, better wing defenders. I mean, like San Antonio is built for a long series. So is OKC. So is Denver. The Lakers are built to come into town and beat you because they have three guys. great play initiators. But they've got holes in the roster and I appreciate, I appreciate anybody who isn't a fan ball. I totally agree with Rich Paul here. It's less about do you agree

with them. It's do you think when you're 17 and 6 in riding high, you want basically, he's got a new podcast. But do you want LeBron? This is essentially LeBron saying we're not good enough when we're great. Do you want that? Because how do you get better? You trade somebody. Well, you're assuming this is, this is LeBron. talking. I know Rich Paul. I think it's Rich Paul talking. I would hope so. I can't. This feels like sabotage. Does it not? Well, no. Rich Paul's a pretty successful, strong guy.

Nobody's going to force him to say anything. He's got a new podcast on the Simmons group. And so I think this is an authentic opinion. It's right. Some of the advanced stats tend to agree. They're not great with the point differential. I'm just telling you, offensively they can hang with anybody. They've also had LeBron, Reeves, and Luca for what, like, five games together? Can we give it a little more time to breathe? Like, yes, you're right, no rim protector, but Colin, this is not what you need ahead of this Spurs game.

This is all the Lakers are going to ask. JJ Reddick, by the way, Reddick was at the Eagles game last night. My buddy's ran into him. LeBron, Reeves, Luke, that's all they're going to talk. We don't need this crap. Sorry for the Wii. Sorry for the Wii. Are you on the roster?

I may be a towel boy, you know, during the NBA Coppersal Lakers. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. This week in the NFL, I'm telling you, man, we get sold. There are so many good rivalry games coming up. Live in L.A., it's the Herd.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? 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. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band.

Before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast.

But thanks for remembering that, guys. 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 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 homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening. at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay.

Jen she went. I mean, she went down at three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface, because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. 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 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 Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We got a huge SEC Big Ease battle on Fox College Hoops Friday, as Texas takes on solo ball and fifth-ranked Yukon. It all tips off Friday night at 8 Eastern on Fox. So Rich Paul, LeBron's agent, right, Max Kellerman, that got a new podcast. And this is the one that got J. Mack all worked up. is that Rich Paul in one of the bites is essentially saying this Laker team is fun, but eventually Austin Reeves becomes a major liability. Here's the bite.

When you have the talent up top that they have, those guys can win games. LeBron and Luca. But also, Austin's played very well. He's taking a step. Then when you go into the playoffs, we've seen last year, they ran into athleticism and length. They struggle going back to the championship organization versus an organization with championships. The Spurs. On the Spurs, he'd be the sixth man, right?

Right. Especially back in the day. The Spurs made that decision. And you know what Genobi did? Went along. He embraced it. Right. Right.

And how many championships they win? Five. Yeah. Is those type of decisions to be made? Yeah. So basically they're saying is, you know, Austin Reeves is first guy off the bench on a great. great team. But eventually he'll be exposed in the postseason, which is what happened

last year, which it got. You know, these guys you love, Brock Purdy, Jalen Hertz, Austin Reeves, I know the story is great, but they do get exposed. Like Austin Reeves gets exposed athletically. Playoffs in the NBA, they swallow the whistle. So you can bully Austin Reeves. He's not a super long player. He's aggressive. He works his butt off. You can bully him. He's not that strong. He's not very long.

in the playoffs, the refs swallowed their whistle. So Austin was not a great playoff guy, but in the regular season, where they kind of just let you play, you know, they call more whistles, he initiates contact. Austin gets to the line, he's a 20-point guy. So I can like Austin Reeves. In one

setting, it's like, Tua in the sun is wonderful. Two in the wind, not my favorite quarterback. I love how Austin Reed is having the best season of his career. He's a lot to be an All-Star. We were on this over six weeks ago. And what we're doing is having LeBron's best guy come out and slander Austin reads.

Yeah, he's a good sixth man. What is happening, Colin? Where's the agenda here? You know what this is doing? It's just deflecting away from LeBron because I think everybody knows this is probably his final year with the Lakers, right? Unless he takes a dramatic pay cut. Austin has been the better player this year on the Lakers over LeBron,

at least in terms of consistency. And I like LeBron. I don't want to be bashing him here, but Colin, let's talk through this. We got a minute. What's LeBron's game plan in the off season? Because A, ain't nobody paying him. 40, 50 million. That's not happening. No, the new owners. This is it. Okay.

But I get that. J.J. Reddick, Luca, or the future. Austin Reeves is out for discussion. LeBron's not the future. I get that. So then what becomes of LeBron? It's over. So he's going to retire. I'm telling you, Charlotte's not giving him $30 million year.

No, he's made his money. It's over. He's not going anywhere. So this is, to me, them getting ahead of that and trying to prolong his career by bringing in Janus and moving Austin. Yes, probably. I don't like that. That's a dirty game.

It's the game. Play basketball, LeBron. Hey, you know, have you seen the numbers on him? He's not getting to the rim like he used to. Well, of course. He's not finishing at the rim like he used to. It's his last year in the league. So why aren't we talking about that instead of getting Austin Reeves, who's having the

career season? Why aren't we talking about that? I don't know. I think you're reading. I think you like this drama. Stay out here next week, my friend. Don't go home. We need more Lakers content in between.

But we got a great last hour. Joel Klatt's going to stop by. Do not shed a tear for Notre Dame. I thought I always was a Notre Dame guy. I said this. The L.A. Times yesterday finally came to my side. USC does not need Notre Dame. Notre Dame getting left out needs USC.

Jen Cohen, you've got the leverage. Use it. Hour three next. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick.

And guess what? 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 asked 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 SNL late night comedy guy, not quite, unhumored me with Robert Smyl and friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, S&L'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 homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio, nonstop workout music. and expert tips 24-7.

Hey, head over to iHeart.com. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now. Awesome health and wellness tips, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, stick to the fight. When your heart is hit, it's when things seem worse

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Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life. That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do.

Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hippocrite, I'll be changing lives. Helping people in need with thoughtful salutes. psych! I'm a comedian! I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to me. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from a Hypocrite Wednesdays on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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