Overview of HERD BEST OF THE WEEK – Colin’s Wrong About Brock Purdy | Herd Hierarchy: Bills #1? | Nick Wright: Chiefs & Mahomes Are BACK
This episode is a football-focused roundup from Colin Cowherd and Nick Wright, centered on Week 2 NFL takeaways, Colin’s weekly “right/wrong” column, a refreshed Herd Hierarchy of the top 10 teams, and a sharp debate about the Chargers, Caleb Williams, and whether the Chiefs are back. The discussion blends game analysis, team-building, quarterback play, and a few betting angles for the upcoming slate.
Colin’s “Right and Wrong” Recap
Where Colin was right
- Packers: Colin argued Green Bay’s issues were more about coaching and offensive structure than just injuries or personnel. He pointed to penalties, red-zone struggles, and a lack of polish.
- Seahawks: He again praised Seattle’s depth, culture, and roster construction, noting they can win even with backup quarterbacks.
- Bengals: He said Cincinnati would be one of the most improved teams, and so far their revamped defense looks dramatically better.
- Vikings: He backed Minnesota as a team that could win or lose on any given week, and their close game proved that point.
- Other praise: He also continued to trust teams like the 49ers when healthy and mentioned how strong some of these top-tier organizations look structurally.
Where Colin was wrong
- 49ers / Brock Purdy: Colin admitted he badly underestimated San Francisco. Purdy has been exceptional, efficient, and nearly flawless early on.
- Chargers: He said this is the team he has missed on most. The offense looks disjointed, the line is shaky, and the whole operation feels overly complicated and unstable.
- LSU / Lane Kiffin game: He picked LSU and was wrong after Ole Miss controlled the game.
- USC defense: He thought USC’s defense was improved, but Rutgers exposed the front and moved the ball too easily.
Herd Hierarchy: Colin’s Top 10 NFL Teams
10. Detroit Lions
- Explosive offense, but the defense remains a concern.
- Jared Goff is playing clean football, but Colin doesn’t fully trust them to hold leads.
9. New Orleans Saints
- Colin is impressed by their late-game performance, especially on the road.
- He believes Tyler Shough is trending toward being their answer at quarterback.
8. New England Patriots
- Built on coaching, culture, and defense.
- The offense is still middling, but the team keeps winning.
7. Los Angeles Rams
- Talented but not fully polished.
- Missing key pieces and still prone to mistakes.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
- Colin respects the talent but thinks the offense still isn’t fully clicking.
- Their style is ugly, but they keep winning.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
- The biggest change is on defense: they now look physical, violent, and disruptive.
- Colin believes they’re one of the league’s most improved teams.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
- The run game is helping unlock everything else.
- Travis Kelce looks rejuvenated, and Mahomes looks more dangerous now that defenses can’t cheat as much.
3. San Francisco 49ers
- Hard to judge because they’ve been so healthy and efficient.
- Colin notes that when they’re healthy, their ceiling is still elite.
2. Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen and the offense look strong.
- The defense is good enough, and Colin likes how the team is built.
1. Seattle Seahawks
- Colin’s top team because of their depth, speed, and versatility.
- He thinks they can survive injuries better than almost anyone.
Nick Wright’s Main Arguments
The Chargers are not a “sleeping giant”
Nick strongly pushed back on the idea that the Chargers are just underachieving:
- He argued they are simply not a good team.
- He said people keep overrating them every year despite the same problems.
- His view: it’s not the schedule — it’s the roster and the quarterback situation.
Caleb Williams: toughness vs. emotional maturity
Nick defended Caleb Williams from unfair criticism:
- He rejected the idea that Caleb is not tough.
- At the same time, he agreed Caleb is clearly highly emotional and may need to mature in how he handles adversity.
- His main point: this was about emotional response, not toughness or masculinity.
- He compared it to quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, who can also be mood-dependent.
The Chiefs are back
Nick is bullish on Kansas City:
- The run game changes everything.
- With defenses forced to respect the run, Kelce and Rice get better looks.
- Mahomes appears more comfortable and more dangerous.
- He still thinks Kansas City may want another receiver, but he sees them as fully back in contender mode.
Colin’s Blazing 5 Picks
Week picks
- Lions over Jets
- Colts as home dogs vs. Texans
- Saints over Raiders
- Broncos plus points vs. Rams
- Eagles over Bears
Betting notes
- Colin especially likes the Colts and Broncos as home underdogs.
- He sees strong matchups for Detroit, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.
Biggest Takeaways
- Brock Purdy and the 49ers look much better than Colin expected.
- The Chargers remain one of the league’s biggest disappointments.
- Seattle, Buffalo, Kansas City, and San Francisco are all being treated as real contenders.
- Cincinnati’s defense may be the early-season difference-maker nobody expected.
- Caleb Williams is not being questioned for toughness, but there is a real discussion about emotional control and development.
- The Chiefs’ offense looks more complete when the run game forces defenses to play honestly.
Bottom Line
This episode is mostly about separating real contenders from hype teams. Colin admits he whiffed on Brock Purdy and the 49ers, still loves Seattle, and is increasingly skeptical of the Chargers. Nick Wright agrees on the Chargers, defends Caleb Williams as tough but emotional, and argues the Chiefs’ offense is trending back toward elite now that the run game is opening everything up.