Overview of THE HERD – Hour 3
This hour focused on two big themes: the NFL’s best teams finding different ways to win, and the growing chaos/interest in college football as the playoff expands to 24 teams next season. Colin and guests argued that records alone can be misleading, praised several well-coached but under-talented teams, and made a strong case that the Chicago Bears may be true Super Bowl contenders if their defense keeps playing at a dominant level.
NFL Takeaways
Bears: Why they may be Super Bowl favorites
- Colin and RG3 both praised Chicago’s win over Tampa Bay as proof the Bears can win even when Caleb Williams has a rough game.
- The defense was the headline:
- strong pass rush without blitzing
- four sacks
- a return touchdown wiped out by penalty
- The argument: if the Bears can survive an “F game” from the offense and still beat a good team, that’s a sign of a championship-level roster.
- Ben Johnson’s message afterward was consistent: the team is “building,” and the best football is still ahead.
Jordan Love and the Packers are rolling
- Colin said Jordan Love is playing with extreme confidence and is in a “flow state.”
- RG3 compared him to a shooter who knows every attempt is going in, noting:
- better rhythm with the run game
- improved schematic use of Christian Watson
- Love is extending plays and attacking downfield with total belief
Dolphins: better than the record suggests
- Colin argued Miami is a well-coached team that plays hard every week, even if the roster isn’t strong enough.
- His point: don’t judge the Dolphins just by their record; they’ve been competitive against quality opponents and are still setting a strong culture.
Browns: Shedeur Sanders changes the offense
- The Browns’ near-win over the Saints led to a real discussion about a possible quarterback decision.
- Colin liked Shedeur Sanders’ upside because he brings:
- explosive plays
- downfield passing
- a big-play element Cleveland lacks with steadier but less dynamic options
- The key question for Cleveland: are they evaluating the next few weeks, or the next few years?
Jaguars are making a push
- Jacksonville made two notable moves:
- traded for safety Jesse Bates
- added defensive tackle DeVon Godchaux
- Colin and J-Mac liked the aggression and suggested the Jags are building a legitimate playoff threat.
- Trevor Lawrence, the run game, and a favorable stretch of schedule were all cited as reasons to buy in.
Bills vs. Vikings preview
- Minnesota’s Josh Metellus emphasized the need to contain Josh Allen with disciplined rush lanes and coverage.
- J-Mac’s approach for Minnesota:
- run the ball
- chew clock
- keep Allen off the field
- make it a possession game
College Football: Undefeated teams, rematches, and playoff expansion
UCLA’s run is getting serious attention
- Colin said UCLA’s success is even more impressive than Indiana’s from last season because:
- the Bruins don’t have major NIL resources
- they’re winning with a backup quarterback
- they’re not loaded with blue-chip recruiting talent
- RG3 agreed that UCLA is just playing great complementary football:
- efficient passing
- balanced run game
- solid defense
- His broader point: in a power conference, just keep winning the games in front of you.
Ohio State’s quarterback situation matters
- RG3 said Ohio State’s losses became more understandable once the QB situation changed.
- He argued the quarterback position is about more than throwing passes:
- leadership
- confidence
- chemistry with stars like Jeremiah Smith
- His takeaway: the Buckeyes’ talent is elite, but the team doesn’t look the same without its best quarterback.
Notre Dame vs. Miami: rematch would favor Miami
- Colin and RG3 both thought Notre Dame’s win over Miami may not mean much in a rematch if Miami has all its pieces.
- RG3 specifically pointed to Malachi Toney as a game-changing difference-maker.
- They also noted the controversy around the catch/no-catch ruling late in the game, which Miami felt changed the outcome.
24-team playoff: more access, more games, more value
- RG3 supported the expansion to a 24-team College Football Playoff.
- Main reasons:
- more access for Group of Six schools
- more meaningful November games
- less incentive for players to opt out of bowls
- He did raise one major concern:
- teams that make a deep run may be playing an NFL-length schedule
- player health and mental health protections will need to be addressed
Notable Themes and Quotes
“Records don’t tell the full story”
- A recurring theme was that a team can be well-coached and dangerous even with a bad record.
- Miami and the Jets were both used as examples of teams with different problems:
- Miami = good coaching, lacking talent
- Jets = good enough roster, poor coaching
“The best is yet to come”
- Ben Johnson’s postgame message to the Bears reinforced the idea that Chicago is still ascending, despite the turnover-filled win.
“Just get to the playoff”
- In the new college football landscape, Colin stressed that top programs have to accept that losses are part of the reality now.
- The days of assuming dominant teams will cruise unbeaten are fading.
Bottom Line
This hour framed the Bears as one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams, highlighted Jordan Love’s heater, and argued that college football is moving into a more open, less predictable era. The big takeaway from both sports: talent still matters, but coaching, culture, and adaptability are increasingly what separate contenders from everyone else.