Broncos Stun Chiefs, Cowboys Collapse, Lamar Jackson Hurt, Chargers A Disaster, USC Upsets Ohio State

Summary of Broncos Stun Chiefs, Cowboys Collapse, Lamar Jackson Hurt, Chargers A Disaster, USC Upsets Ohio State

by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

58m•November 2, 2026
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Overview of Broncos Stun Chiefs, Cowboys Collapse, Lamar Jackson Hurt, Chargers A Disaster, USC Upsets Ohio State

This segment is a rapid-fire NFL and college football reaction show with Colin Cowherd and guest John Middlecoff, breaking down a wild weekend of results and what they mean moving forward. The biggest themes were Denver’s stunning late comeback over Kansas City, Dallas’ embarrassing collapse against Arizona, Lamar Jackson’s latest injury concerns, the Chargers’ unraveling under Jim Harbaugh, and USC’s statement win over Ohio State. The conversation also touched on the long-term futures of teams like the Ravens, Jets, Patriots, Vikings, and Cowboys.

Biggest NFL Takeaways

Broncos 28, Chiefs 24

  • Denver pulled off a stunning comeback after trailing late, finishing with a controversial false-start call against Kansas City near the goal line.
  • Colin and Middlecoff questioned the call, saying it did not look like a clear false start.
  • The larger takeaway: Sean Payton is getting major credit for squeezing wins out of Bo Nix, who they believe struggles badly when forced to operate strictly from the pocket.
  • They contrasted Bo Nix with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Drake Maye, saying Mahomes consistently creates value even with limited weapons, while Nix benefits from elite coaching, scheme, and support.

Cowboys Collapse Against the Cardinals

  • Dallas blew a 27-6 lead and lost 33-30 in overtime, dropping to 3-5.
  • The hosts called the loss humiliating, especially because Arizona had recently looked like one of the league’s least convincing teams.
  • They criticized Dallas’ defense as untrustworthy and said no serious team can be taken seriously with a unit this bad.
  • Jerry Jones and the coaching structure were heavily criticized; the segment argued that Dallas’ current leadership group is a big reason for the team’s mediocrity.
  • There was discussion about whether the Cowboys should consider moving George Pickens if they don’t plan to re-sign him.

Lamar Jackson Hurt, Ravens in Trouble

  • Baltimore was blown out 36-10 by Buffalo, but the bigger story was Lamar Jackson’s injury and another missed stretch of games.
  • Colin argued that the Ravens’ relationship with Lamar has felt “weird” for a long time, comparing it to a lack of trust similar to Kawhi Leonard’s situation in the NBA.
  • The hosts said Baltimore’s season is likely over if Lamar is out, and that the Ravens’ offensive identity disappears without him.
  • They stressed that the team may need to seriously reassess its future if the injuries continue and the organization can’t fully align with its star quarterback.

Chargers’ Season Is Spiraling

  • The Rams beat the Chargers 24-9, and the Chargers have now gone 27 straight drives without a touchdown.
  • The conversation painted the Chargers as a broken franchise with major quarterback and offensive line problems.
  • Justin Herbert was described as visibly discouraged and battered, with the argument that he is approaching “Andrew Luck territory” in terms of wear and tear and frustration.
  • Harbaugh’s team was said to be unraveling fast, with the personnel and offensive line making it hard to imagine a turnaround this season.

Steelers-Browns and the Mike McCarthy Conversation

  • Pittsburgh beat Cleveland 27-6, and the discussion highlighted how limited the Steelers’ offense is.
  • Despite the lack of weapons, Mike McCarthy was praised for doing a strong job with Pittsburgh.
  • Middlecoff argued McCarthy’s résumé is underappreciated and that he’s often judged more harshly than similarly accomplished coaches.
  • Jalen Warren was singled out as essentially the Steelers’ entire offense at the moment.

Other NFL Notes

Raiders 38, Jets 33

  • The Raiders outgunned the Jets in a game that featured strong production from Kirk Cousins and a productive run game.
  • Colin and Middlecoff cautioned Jets fans not to rush into another reset, saying this is actually the right year to keep losing and accumulate draft capital.
  • They noted New York may end up with multiple high picks and that a young roster plus premium draft assets could make the job attractive to the right coach.

Patriots Beat the Dolphins

  • Drake Maye got major praise for carrying New England with very little help.
  • The hosts emphasized that the Patriots’ skill group is thin and that Maye is being asked to do a lot with a limited supporting cast.
  • Mike Vrabel was credited with coaching hard and getting a difficult roster to compete.

Lions Beat the Vikings

  • Detroit won 19-15 behind a strong ground game led by Jameer Gibbs.
  • Minnesota’s quarterback situation drew skepticism, with discussion of whether the Vikings might need to explore a veteran option if the next few games go badly.
  • Brian Flores was praised for his defensive work, but the offense was described as too limited to trust against stronger teams.

College Football Spotlight

USC Upsets Ohio State

  • USC’s win over Ohio State was framed as a major statement victory, especially because the Buckeyes were dealing with a true freshman quarterback.
  • Colin thought Lincoln Riley’s postgame demeanor was awkward, especially a prepared statement that came off as overly defensive.
  • The hosts said Riley’s win should have been a moment to celebrate, not overthink, and that his public presence still lags behind the top coaches in the sport.
  • USC’s offensive and defensive line talent was praised, and the win was viewed as potentially season-changing.

Indiana, Minnesota, and the Big Ten Picture

  • Indiana was described as vulnerable despite its record, with concerns about regression, special teams issues, and quarterback instability.
  • USC’s upcoming game against Indiana was highlighted as a big test.
  • The broader point: several Big Ten teams look shaky, and the conference’s standings may be much more fluid than expected.

Main Themes and Opinions

Quarterback play is deciding everything

  • The segment repeatedly returned to the idea that elite QB play hides flaws, while weak QB play exposes every roster weakness.
  • Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Kyler Murray were all used as examples in different ways.
  • The hosts drew a sharp line between quarterbacks who can function from the pocket and those who struggle when forced to do so.

Coaching and organizational fit matter

  • Sean Payton was credited as a difference-maker in Denver.
  • Mike McCarthy was defended as an underrated coach.
  • Harbaugh’s Chargers were described as a bad fit that’s spiraling.
  • The Cowboys were used as an example of a franchise where structure and leadership may be the biggest problem.

Roster construction matters just as much as stars

  • The Chiefs were criticized for lacking a reliable, adult receiving group.
  • The Cowboys, Chargers, and Ravens were all cited as examples of teams with major roster holes.
  • The Patriots were praised for maximizing effort despite lacking top-end talent.

Notable Takeaways

  • Denver’s win over Kansas City may be more about coaching and situational execution than Bo Nix’s long-term ceiling.
  • Dallas looks structurally broken, not just unlucky.
  • Baltimore’s season may hinge entirely on Lamar Jackson’s health.
  • The Chargers are in deep trouble, and Herbert’s frustration is becoming a major storyline.
  • USC’s win over Ohio State could be the defining moment of Lincoln Riley’s season.
  • New England’s Drake Maye looks like the real thing, even with almost no help around him.