Colin Cowherd argues that Drake Maye's stock is rising, highlighting his strong performance against the Bills, where he outplayed Josh Allen. Cowherd suggests that Maye's ability to use his legs to move the chains, evidenced by eight scrambles, is a key factor in his success. He concludes that Maye is too talented to falter and will ultimately be fine.
Herbert's Struggles and Chargers' Woes
Cowherd criticizes Justin Herbert's performance, noting his low passer rating and lack of comfort in the offense. He suggests Herbert is part of the problem, forcing passes and struggling to complete them. While acknowledging offensive line issues and injuries, Cowherd concludes that Herbert is not playing up to his potential.
Deion Sanders: Recruiter, Not Coach
Cowherd labels Deion Sanders as an 'anti-Kurt Signetti,' all flash and no substance. He criticizes the team's disorganization and penalties, arguing Sanders excels at recruiting at lower levels but lacks the coaching acumen for major college football. Cowherd concludes Sanders is outclassed as a coach at this level.
Eagles' Third Down Woes and Hurts' Reluctance to Run
Matt Hasselbeck discusses the Philadelphia Eagles' struggles on third down, noting their 0-for-12 performance on third downs in a recent game. He suggests Jalen Hurts might be reluctant to run, which he believes Hurts should do when the passing game is struggling. Hasselbeck emphasizes that third downs are 'money downs' and critical for offensive success.
Bo Nix's Struggles and Broncos' Offensive Imbalance
Cowherd observes Bo Nix struggling to throw downfield, questioning if it's a solvable issue or a reality. Hasselbeck agrees it looks too hard, comparing Nix unfavorably to Brock Purdy. Both analysts note the Broncos' offensive struggles, with Cowherd suggesting they overcomplicate plays and Hasselbeck advocating for more 'run it' plays instead of excessive pre-snap shifts.
Raiders' Early Success Built on Leadership and O-Line
Cowherd praises the Las Vegas Raiders' early success, calling it one of their best losses in a decade. He highlights their focus on improving the offensive line and the leadership of Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak. Cowherd believes the Raiders are 'way ahead of schedule' and starving for relevance.
Seahawks' Creative Offense and Coaching Innovation
Hasselbeck explains the Seahawks' creative offensive approach, particularly using wide receiver Emanuel Wilson in the run game due to injuries. He praises offensive coordinator Brian Hartline for his innovation and conviction, noting that other NFL teams are now copying Seattle's strategies. Hasselbeck concludes that Hartline's success with various quarterbacks is a testament to his coaching.
Chargers' Offensive Collapse and Lack of Trust
Hasselbeck describes the Chargers' offense as 'awful,' citing sloppy play, bad penalties, and a lack of trust among players. He notes that players are doing their own thing out of frustration, which only worsens the situation. Hasselbeck concludes that the team's disarray makes them vulnerable and prone to mistakes.
Cowherd: Drake May's Stock Remains Steady
Colin Cowherd advises against selling Drake May's stock, emphasizing that his struggles are due to a lack of key receivers and offensive line issues, not a fundamental loss of skill. He highlights May's increased rushing attempts and movement as a positive sign, suggesting the Patriots' coaching staff did well to adapt their strategy. Cowherd concludes that May's talent and commitment mean he hasn't forgotten how to play football, and his second-half performance with a 115 passer rating proves the sky isn't falling. The key takeaway is that young quarterbacks can succeed by using their legs when facing adversity. The recipe for struggling quarterbacks is to use their legs, and Drake May did that yesterday. He outplayed Josh Allen yesterday. The sky isn't falling.
Cowherd: Packers' Issues Stem from Coaching
Colin Cowherd believes the Green Bay Packers' struggles, including penalties and an inability to maintain leads, are directly linked to head coach Matt LaFleur. He compares LaFleur's situation to Lincoln Riley's at USC, suggesting a pattern of soft play and a lack of urgency. Cowherd questions LaFleur's leadership ability to motivate millionaire athletes through tough times, citing dropped passes and missed tackles as evidence. He concludes that while LaFleur is smart offensively, his overall coaching and leadership are holding the team back, making them appear less competitive relative to their talent. The Packers' issues are a reflection of their head coach's leadership.
Cowherd & Hasselbeck: USC's Defensive Woes and Coaching Questions
Colin Cowherd and Matt Hasselbeck discuss USC's defensive struggles, particularly their poor tackling, which they deem unacceptable. Cowherd notes that despite having talented players, the team lacks urgency and attention to detail, drawing parallels to the Packers' issues under LaFleur. Hasselbeck points out that USC's defense, despite its talent, is uninspiring and prone to penalties. They question Lincoln Riley's ability to instill discipline and toughness, especially given the fan chants for his dismissal. The discussion highlights that USC's talent level should warrant a higher point spread against Penn State, indicating a disconnect between potential and performance. USC's defensive issues and lack of discipline are a major concern.
Cowherd: Baseball Playoff Scenarios and Momentum
Colin Cowherd touches on potential World Series matchups, noting that a Rays vs. Brewers series is possible, which he sees as a win for players in a labor stoppage scenario, implying a salary cap might be beneficial. He questions the concept of momentum in baseball, suggesting it's just a 'next game starting' phenomenon. Cowherd also discusses the Padres' late-inning losses, acknowledging their strong home record but noting Milwaukee's consistency. He believes Milwaukee has more 'swag' and does more things at a high level, making them a formidable opponent. The discussion implies that while individual stars are important, team consistency and overall execution are key in the playoffs. The Padres' late losses are tough, but Milwaukee's season-long consistency gives them an edge.
Cowherd: College Football Needs a Larger Playoff
Colin Cowherd argues that college football needs a larger playoff system and should move to conference play immediately, eliminating non-competitive 'payout games' against directional schools. He criticizes September football as 'ugly' and lacking compelling matchups, contrasting it with the NFL's immediate high-stakes games. Cowherd believes that good content will always draw viewers, regardless of the day, and that a larger playoff would increase the stakes and excitement throughout the season. He advocates for a system where top conferences play each other, ensuring meaningful games and a more robust playoff structure. The current college football schedule is too diluted with uncompetitive games.
