Overview of HERD BEST OF THE WEEK: Colin Was Right About Lamar Jackson | Herd Hierarchy: Bears Best In The NFL | Tom Brady on Jordan Love & Drake Maye
This episode is a football-heavy recap centered on Colin Cowherd’s “Colin Was Right / Colin Was Wrong” segment, a fresh Herd Hierarchy top-10 NFL ranking, and a long conversation with Tom Brady about quarterback play, coaching trust, and why the Patriots’ environment has historically been so hard to beat. The show also includes several betting-style picks for upcoming NFL matchups.
Main Themes and Takeaways
Lamar Jackson concerns proved justified
Colin revisited his preseason skepticism about Lamar Jackson as a dependable elite quarterback, arguing that the uncertainty around his availability, durability, and relationship with the organization made him too hard to trust long-term. Jackson’s injury was used as evidence that, even when he plays well, the physical toll on him is a major issue.
Drake Maye continues to elevate New England
A major recurring point was the belief that Drake Maye is already carrying the Patriots beyond what many expected. Colin praised Maye’s ability to keep the team competitive even with injuries and thin weaponry, calling him the kind of quarterback who can “put the franchise on his shoulders.”
Coaches matter as much as quarterbacks
The discussion repeatedly emphasized how much a quarterback’s success depends on system, trust, and coaching fit. That theme came through in the praise for:
- Liam Coen in Jacksonville
- Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams and the Bears
- Josh McDaniels with Drake Maye
- Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan-type structures
Colin Was Right / Colin Was Wrong
Where Colin was right
- Lamar Jackson: concern about durability and trust issues
- USC / Lincoln Riley: the Trojans would respond well when backed into a corner
- Liam Coen: Colin credited him for transforming Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense
- Yaxel Lindenburg: praised as a smart, older, productive draft pick who can contribute immediately
- Brewers over Dodgers: Colin again highlighted how fundamentals, depth, and selfless baseball can beat bigger payrolls
Where Colin was wrong
- Cowboys defense: thought Dallas would be solid, but the defense has been far worse than expected
- Justin Herbert: off a bye, the offense still stalled and Herbert looked worn down
- Kirk Cousins: Colin admitted he did not expect Cousins to be having this kind of productive season
- Michael Penix Jr.: rough outing, with turnovers and poor ball security
Herd Hierarchy: Top NFL Teams
Colin’s updated top 10 centered on balance, coaching, and recent form:
Top 10 snapshot
- Bears
- 49ers
- Broncos
- Seahawks
- Bills
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Rams
- Lions
- Chiefs
Notable comments from the rankings
- Bears at No. 1: Colin was extremely bullish, citing their defense, creativity, and the way Caleb Williams is being unlocked by the system.
- 49ers at No. 2: expected to improve as they get healthier.
- Broncos at No. 3: Colin said he can’t explain them, but he trusts their coaching, pass rush, and ability to win tight games.
- Bills at No. 5: still elite offensively, but turnovers and penalties keep them from moving higher.
- Patriots at No. 6: viewed as underrated and potentially dangerous once healthy.
- Jaguars at No. 7: Trevor Lawrence’s strong play and Liam Coen’s offense are driving the rise.
- Rams at No. 8: talented but injury-prone and inconsistent.
- Lions at No. 9: good team, but Colin expressed some skepticism about their defense in big spots.
- Chiefs at No. 10: still good, but issues with penalties, injuries, and lack of consistent explosiveness pushed them down.
Tom Brady Interview Highlights
On returning to Foxborough
Brady said returning to New England will be emotional because of how much of his career unfolded there. He described the stadium as full of memories from championships, rivalry games, and division-clinching moments.
On why the Patriots were so hard to beat
Brady explained that New England’s success came from:
- smart, adaptable players
- strong preparation
- emphasis on special teams
- defensive discipline
- offensive continuity
- a belief that opponents would eventually make mistakes
He also said that visiting teams often felt like they had to play perfectly, which created a psychological edge for the Patriots.
On Drake Maye and the current Patriots
Brady praised the current Patriots setup, saying the organization has been reset well and that Drake Maye looks like an MVP-caliber player when healthy and properly supported.
On interior defensive linemen like Jeffrey Simmons
Brady gave a detailed explanation of why elite interior pass rushers are so disruptive:
- they collapse the pocket faster
- offensive lines can’t easily double-team them
- they force quarterbacks into panic mode
- they affect both the run game and pass protection
He used examples like Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Geno Atkins, and Richard Seymour to illustrate the point.
On quarterback-coach trust
Brady emphasized that great quarterback play often comes down to developing a back-and-forth relationship with the coach or play-caller. He compared it to a pitcher-catcher relationship and said true mastery comes when the quarterback and coach are fully aligned.
On Jordan Love
Brady said Jordan Love is playing the best football of his career:
- more accurate than in past seasons
- more controlled from the pocket
- executing at a high level despite injuries and offensive line issues
- trusted by Matt LaFleur to take shots and make smart decisions
On playing at 43
Brady said he didn’t feel major physical decline at age 43, but he did have to manage his body and avoid becoming too cautious mentally. He stressed that veteran quarterbacks can lose aggressiveness if they start overthinking bad plays.
Betting Picks and Game Takes
Commanders vs. Rams
- Colin liked Washington +4.5
- Reasoning: Rams injuries, Jaden Daniels’ mobility, and a tough cross-country spot
Giants vs. Eagles
- Colin liked Giants -3
- Reasoning: better personnel than people think, bye week, and the Eagles’ ATS struggles
Panthers vs. Broncos
- Colin’s upset pick: Panthers +2.5
- Reasoning: Denver’s offensive inconsistency and Carolina’s home-field comfort
Raiders vs. 49ers
- Colin liked 49ers -9.5
- Reasoning: San Francisco getting healthier, better at home, and far stronger in the trenches
Packers vs. Patriots
- Colin liked Patriots -3
- Reasoning: strong home form, Drake Maye’s surge, and Green Bay’s injuries, penalties, and lack of run-game efficiency
Overall Conclusion
The episode reinforced Colin Cowherd’s core football beliefs: quarterback play matters most, but coaching, structure, health, and line play determine whether a team truly contends. The biggest throughlines were the rise of Drake Maye, the legitimacy of Caleb Williams and the Bears, and the idea that teams like the Patriots, Jaguars, and 49ers are ascending because their systems are finally maximizing their quarterbacks. Tom Brady’s interview added a deeper layer, explaining why elite organizations create both tactical and psychological advantages.