Colin Cowherd’s Rams-Seahawks Reaction: Sam Darnold MAKES HISTORY, Stafford is ELITE | THE HERD NFL

Colin Cowherd’s Rams-Seahawks Reaction: Sam Darnold MAKES HISTORY, Stafford is ELITE | THE HERD NFL

Welcome to the Herds official YouTube channel. Make sure to like and subscribe. Don’t forget to check out the Colin Coward podcast, all of our NFL instant reactions, and more football content. I’m not really into stats or anything, but here’s a couple of interesting ones. The last four teams Sam Darnold has played for, started a game for, cuz he started one game for the NerS, his last 39 starts, he’s 30-9. Here’s another random stat that just like fell into my hands. Last night, Sam Darnold became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 12 games back-to-back seasons on different teams. Brady didn’t do it. Joe Montana didn’t do it. Favre didn’t do it. Slinging Sammy D did. Yeah, the Rams dominated the first three quarters and Sammy had a couple of bad picks, but the Rams settled for field goals in the red zone. Their special teams are shaky. Four punts by the Rams in the fourth quarter. Three straight three and outs. I see Darnold as relentless, doesn’t pout, doesn’t sulk, has a short memory, and he took advantage of opportunities. Games aren’t linear. Great first half for certain quarterbacks, bad second half. I’ve been saying that about Bo Nicks and Caleb Williams all year. I know this. They win a lot. They’re great in the fourth. And Sam Darnold has always had a little Andrew Luck and maybe a little less. Brett Favre, big arm, big mobility, big playmaker, wins a lot, and uh some sometimes he’ll throw an ugly one or two. But I thought Seattle also overreacted. came in with a ridiculously conservative game plan based on Sam’s last game against the Rams. Sam Darnold has way too much raw talent to coach him like he’s Jimmy Garopppolo. You got to live with the mistakes. You had to live with the Andrew Luck mistakes. Darnold also did this more history last night. Darnold converted three two-point conversions in the fourth quarter in overtime. No quarterback on a winning team had done that in league history. Slinging Sammy D was breaking records last night. He gets credit for that, too. Not not just criticism for the picks. Again, never pouts, doesn’t sulk, pumping his fist, takes accountability. He may not win a Super Bowl. I mean, Favre only got one and Andrew Luck never got to one. He he may never win a Super Bowl, but to deny his talent is being stumbered. Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter in overtime, forget the conversions, 105 passer rating, big play after big play. And and and for the record, Darnold has really struggled against Chris Schula and the Rams specifically. And Chris Schula, the defensive coordinator, many are saying he’s going to get a head coaching job. In fact, he will get a head coaching job. He’s been there a while. Last four years, Darnold’s 1-3 against the Rams. He’s 29-6 against everybody else. So, the Rams have given him trouble. Well, guess what? Bellich gave Darnold trouble trouble, too, when he was 21 and 22 and 23 years old with the New York Jets. He came into this league very raw, not well coached in college, not great on the white board, but by the time he got to Carolina, that San Francisco, then Minnesota, and the Rams. To deny what he can do, you’re just being stubborn. Right now, the number one seed in the NFC this year, the better conference, Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold, who’s won 30 of his last 39 starts. They’re not always pretty, especially when he faces McVey, Schula, and the Rams. But this is what he’s been doing for years. Here’s his coach after our story has stayed the same since day one with Sam. You know, everybody else has different stories, but this is the guy that we watch every day. It’s the same guy every day, no matter the circumstance. He’s an ultimate competitor. He’s a phenomenal leader and um just keeps fighting, just keeps plugging away. I wasn’t worried about, we weren’t worried about one bit. So that’s Sam. That’s Sam. First quarterback ever, 12 wins, back-to-back seasons with two different teams. I’m always impressed with people who overcome struggles. I’ve said this for years. The most important thing to success kind of in life is how you react to failure because everybody who takes a swing in life fails all the time. And Darnold just doesn’t get down. He threw four picks against the Rams last time in LA and they were driving for the winning field goal. He just doesn’t get down. He He doesn’t pout. He doesn’t shrug his shoulders. His body language isn’t terrible. He is a foxhole guy. my guy slinging Sammy D. So, first of all, the NFC West is crazy town. Seattle now leads 12 and three. The Rams are 11 and4. San Francisco’s 10-4. Watch out for the Niners. Um, and here’s the thing about the Rams. Salary caps mean there are no perfect teams. Everybody’s got holes. You try to hide the holes, but the LA Rams special teams have been an issue all season long. and their secondary on the back end. We watch Bryce Young torch it. So when they don’t get a great pass rush and the Rams usually do, but not always, they are very vulnerable. So if and and last night and the Rams are so good in so many areas. They’re good in the O line. Number two PFF. They’re Noah’s arc. They got two of everything. Tight ends, but earlier this year they lost to the Niners. Why? special teams missed a field goal and an extra point. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Why? Remember this block kick? The Ners last night, the Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are three of the four losses for the LA Rams and special teams was a huge factor in three of the four losses. In the other one, Bryce Young, Stafford had kind of an off game and Bryce Young tore them apart. So, they’re so good. I mean, they’ve got three to four different tight ends they can all play. Uh, Cororum and Kairen Williams. Devonte Adams wasn’t there last night. That a seventhround receiver was taking up the slack. So, they they draft well. They don’t miss. Everything works for them offensively, but that special teams unit and that secondary has been costing them games all year. And the last several Super Bowl champs have not been perfect teams. The Rams are still my pick to win the Super Bowl. But I will say this, Stafford’s not mobile. So when they go three and out, three and out, three and out in the second half, that’s where a Josh Allen can pick up first downs with his legs. You know, that’s where Mahomes would win Super Bowls in the second half when you’re off script and the defense has seen all your tricks and all your formations and all your emotions. With Stafford, he can have these, you know, kind of rough second half. he kind of gets into a rut and he’s not getting you any first downs with his legs. And so I thought, you know, and I’m not blaming him. I’m just saying is sometimes a Josh Allen or a Momes or a Herbert’s done it the last couple of weeks, they’ll move the chains with their legs. You’re not getting that with Matt Stafford. So, um, the special teams in the secondary are a real issue. Matt Stafford though, 450 yards when he is humming. I mean, there’s there’s nothing quite like to go to Seattle, that defensive coach, that secondary, 457 yards, three TDs, no picks. Here’s Stafford after. >> Anytime you come in here, um, play that that defense, you know, uh, one of the best, if not the best in the league. And, um, you know, do we were able to do on offense, control the game, um, you know, and, you know, score whatever we scored 37. Um, you feel good about it. Obviously, there’s, you know, a couple plays we want back to maybe score in the red zone earlier in the game or continue a drive where we got off the field early in the game. But, uh, I was proud of our effort. Uh, a lot of people, myself included, a little surprised the Rams didn’t draft a corner last year. Their special teams has lost him three games. That Carolina game, Bryce Young had his highest highest career passer rating game against the Rams. His entire career against the Rams. That’s with a good pass rush. So, the special teams last night, the the game changed. Rams leading 3014. Rasheed Sahed comes back, takes the punt return in and I’m like, “Oh, it’s the special teams.” Here we go. Saw it against the Niners. Saw it against the Eagles. Saw it last night. It opened the door and then a couple of three and outs in a row and slinging Sammy D doing what he does. Jac, I know you were happy for him. I mean, it’s hard not to have a soul if you don’t root for Sammy D after that Jets debacle. >> Well, I I’m happy that you’re happy for him. Um, I just can’t believe, remember, Rasheed Shahed was picked up at the deadline. Yeah. You know, every year at the deadline, there’s a huge move that somebody makes that kind of swings the balance. I didn’t think Shahed had been particularly great with the Seahawks the first few games. Remember, there was a struggle. They had the kid Horton who was showing and then he had to go to the bench. >> But that that punt return was everything. And special teams, as you noted, going into the game, Colin, the Rams had the fewest made field goals in the league. We’re talking about a league where Brandon Aubrey and um Cameron Dicker, these guys are automatic. >> Did you notice McVey early on deep in his own territory? We’re going for it. I mean, the Rams came in. Their takeaway is they’re trying to mitigate how bad their special teams are. So, they’re they’re they’re being hyperaggressive, which by the way, analytically is the right thing to do because they’re so stacked on offense. But, I mean, they go for it. A lot of it’s just they just don’t trust their special teams. >> Yeah. Let me just ask you, this is a tough question and I don’t want people to freak out, but Colin, after that game in Seattle, Rams led by 16 with eight minutes left. Seattle wins. Who do you feel is the better team going into the playoffs, Rams or Seahawks? >> I think the Rams high-end is better. >> They didn’t have Dvonte Adams, remember? No Dvonte Adams. Okay, so the coach, I’d go, and I love Seattle’s, I’d go Rams. The quarterback, I’d go Rams. Offensive line, I’d go Rams. receiving targets total Rams defensive front slight Rams the Rams outplayed them for three quarters but again the Rams have a hole with special teams that the Seahawks don’t have and the Seahawks secondary I think is really good that’s why the Puka Stafford combination last night’s crazy cuz that Seahawk secondary is super talented guys >> McDonald is a sharp guy why did he keep Job ISOed up against Puka like he had no chance all game they’re highlighting it you could hear the announcer Herb Street’s like I mean I’m stunned that they just kept doing the same damn thing. And Puka, of course, I’m facing him in fantasy last night. That did not go well. Greatest game ever. >> You know, it is I I could make an argument. Matt Stafford is the last great pure pocket passer in the NFL. Yes, he has a lot of support. I mean, three different tight ends for the Rams, three had multiple catches. They are again Noah’s Arc, two backs, two receivers. The Rams don’t miss on draft picks. They had a seventh round rookie last night. Uh Canada Mumfield, he was outstanding. Three big catches. So, I mean, it’s Blake Corum. It’s Kairen Williams. They don’t Jordan Whittingham’s a six round wide receiver. They don’t miss on draft picks. And but I’ll tell you this, nine different guys caught a pass is they always use that term arm talent. It was on display last night in high leverage situations. The sidearm stuff, great touch down the sideline, a no look stuff, deep ball ease. Oh, by the way, there’s another receiver. May have been an undrafted one. Yes, Puka is great, but he’s a fifth rounder. So, there are just Matt Stafford does stuff armwise that other people just can’t and don’t do. And I and I do think it’s fair to say this. This is not a criticism. It’s a reality. He is the last great pocket passer. It is sometimes a reality that in a second half where Josh Allen has been so great, um, you know, Josh can just say, I’m I’m going to pick up first downs. Herbert’s done that. Jaylen Herz can do that. Um, you know, Sam Darnold can do that. Stafford’s got to make hay from the pocket. And and and I’ve thrown this out there and I said this three or four years ago. what happens off this MVP level season if he wins a second Super Bowl. You start looking at that resume with he and Aaron Rodgers. I mean, but to be in your late 30s, not be mobile in the game today and to be putting up the numbers. Last night was the eighth game this season, three touchdowns, no picks against Mike McDonald, that defense, that rush on the road. Um, what is he right now? 40 touchdowns, five picks. That is insane in and arguably the best division in football. So, um, he is not, just to remind you of, he is athletically the opposite of Josh Allen. We looked it up. He has not rushed for a single first down this season. I mean, and to be and everybody knows it. The whole league knows where he’s going to be. 1 second after the snap. The whole league knows where he’s going to be standing. Yes, he’s got McVey and Puka and the tight ends. The PFF loves their O line. I I’m I’m not denying that. And the Rams don’t miss a lot of picks, but uh God reached down at some point and he blessed Nolan Ryan, Justin Verlander, and Matt Stafford’s arm. Here was Stafford on the loss in the playoff picture. Go play. Where are we playing? Who we playing? Put the ball down. Prepare. Go play. That’s the attitude this team’s had since day one. That’s the attitude we’re going to have till the last game we play this year. Uh listen, respect everybody. Fear nobody. Go play. Josh Allen has 41 first downs from rushing. Matt Stafford has zero. And it is a disadvantage. I mean, it’s it’s always been the knock- on golf. you know where he’s going to be 1 second after the snap. Go pursue that area. Well, the same thing with Stafford and it’s 40 touchdowns, five picks. The guy is just an all He is arm talent. When people use that term and these receivers, Puka is fifth. I’m not sure if that guy was drafted. Whittingham is sixth. Most of the tight ends are mid-round guys. Even Kairen Williams, the running back, I think he’s a fourthrounder. They’re not doing it with these glossy, you know, Calvin Johnson. That was with him in Detroit. Uh, what a show by Matt Stafford. Want to know where I bet on sports during the holiday season? Hard Rock Bet. Great app. Not just because it’s the presenting sponsor of our show, but because they make it really easy to bet on my favorite teams or favorite players, leagues. Couple of taps. So, especially with the brand new for you page, it’s great that recommends picks based on my favorites and who I like to bet on. So, open up the app, go to the my for you page, you find a bet you like, bam, bets placed just in time for you to get back into wrapping presents. Sign up today and bet $5 on any game. If it wins, you also score $150 in bonus bets, a winning bet, plus an extra $150 to bet with. So, that’s spreading holiday cheer. Plus, Hard Rock Bet fills your stockings with new promos daily. So, whenever you’re listening, just open the app, check out what you’ve got on any day of the week. Download the Hard Rock Bet app. Takes 90 seconds. Make your first deposit today. We we say this all the time. One of the advantages the Philadelphia Eagles have and the Rams have. They have very wealthy owners and they’re very aggressive. I talked about this yesterday. Seattle GM John Snyder, he’s a friend of mine was with him last night. He’s a sharp dude. That punt return last night by Rasheed Shahed that changed the momentum of the game. You’re like, “Wow, if they can get one stop and get the ball back.” He also had a very key endound 31 yard pure speed. Two huge plays by this former New Orleans Saints. And again, this is what a Cincinnati doesn’t do. A clever savvy trade deadline move. They gave up a couple of mid late round picks. So many GMs either sit on their hands or wildly overswing. This was a great pickup. A home run hitter, you know, jet sweeps, end punt return, and a deep threat. So, and they didn’t give up a ton for it. And the other move that happened uh at the trade deadline, Jacobe Meyers for the Jags, I think I just read this morning, they’re signing him to a three-year deal. That has turned around the Jags season. that Jacobe Meyer, remember when Bill Bich let him go? Me, you, and everybody in the world went, “Why? He’s your best receiver. What are you doing? You can barely draft offensive players. Once you get one, don’t let him go.” Raiders let him go. Jacobe Meyer has been outstanding. So, Jacobe Meyers, AFC, NFC, Rasheed Sahed, that’s what savvy general managers do. And you know, we all know there’s gaps. Some crazy owners and great ones. gaps in head coaches and quarterbacks. Everybody knows that there’s a can Grand Canyon gap in what the Cincinnati of the world do and what Seattle and Philly and the Rams do in the front office. Seattle’s got a great GM. Philadelphia’s got a great GM. Rams do. We’ve said Rams went and got Devonte Adams. What other teams could have had him? Nate Landman, he’s been unbelievable for them. Here’s Rasheed Shahed on the punt return for a touchdown. >> Based off the field position, we knew we were going to be able to get a return. Uh we’ve been focused on that left return field return all week. Uh we knew that they um had kind of a weak point uh with their special teams and you know, we were able to circle the uh the team and uh make a big play. >> Yeah. No, and referencing again, we knew the Rams were not good on special teams. So, when I was watching that game last night, the first three quarters, my opinion was, you know, the Rams are better. They just have more depth. And then I watched this and went, “Oh, you got to be kidding me.” Ner’s game, EVO game, Seout game, and then the end of round, and you could just feel the momentum changing. And uh, you know, this is why we talk about it all the time. Front offices and general managers matter a lot. I saw a story yesterday here. Here you go. Well, you got the Bears today, like on the eve of playing the Packers, and yesterday the story breaks. You know, the Bears may build a new stadium in Indiana. Well, the Bears owners are are barely billionaires. A bunch of kids, Macasis, you know, bad timing, just so clumsy. Uh I the Ben Johnson to me, there’s your MVP of the league. Don’t don’t forget what we thought of upstairs and the ownership of the Bears, but that announcement yesterday was so weak. >> TURN ON THE NEWS. THIS is the Herd line news. >> All right, Colin, we got to talk about that wacky, crazy, unbelievable two-point conversion. >> Good lord. >> In Ram Seahawks last night. So, if you somehow missed the game, you missed the game of the year. But Colin, none of this made sense until they showed that overhead cam view. >> Yeah. which was clear that it was a backwards pass. Now, I know everybody’s been online and they’ve heard the whistle blew before Zack Charbanet picked it up in the end zone. That is a thousand% clear. I mean, McVey is going to demand clarity on this because it’s very shaky. Here’s McVey after the game talking about the two-pointer. I’ve never quite seen anything like what happened on the two-point conversion where you’re lined up to kickoff, then they say it’s a fumble because they had the clear and obvious recovery. Now you tack it on, you make it a 30-30 game. Very interesting. Didn’t get uh clear explanation of everything that went on just because of some of the timing of it. They were trying to be able to do that, but that’s the thing that I’ve said. I’ve never seen anything or never been a part of anything like that. And I’ve grown up around this game. Uh yeah, it was I listen it it’s this is why you have replay. Give Charbonet credit for I don’t even he just It’s not like he was being alert. He was just going to pick the ball up, you know, >> was next to him. That’s the only reason he picked it up, right? >> Yeah. Listen, when you win a game like this, when you may have the two best teams in the league, those could be I’m serious. That could be the two best teams in the league. That game was wild. Seattle gets dominated for three quarters and then the Seahawks dominate in fourth quarter in overtime. Sometimes it’s this is the decision, right? Like you can The Rams can complain, but let’s be fair, the Rams had three straight three and outs in the fourth quarter. >> Yeah. this. >> And the other thing is when you go on the road to face an elite team and if I would have told you before the game, >> the Rams get dominated in the fourth quarter and they also give up a punt return for a touchdown. You would not have thought it would have been this close. When you give up a punt return on the road for a touchdown against an elite team, what’s the winning percentage? 10 to 15%. So, it’s like you can blame the officials all you want, but with all the Rams talent in the fourth quarter, they had four punts in the fourth quarter. >> Yeah, I I don’t think anybody’s blaming the officials, right? Obviously, this call is unfortunate, but there was still six minutes left. You’re right though, the Rams zero turnovers, 500 yards of offense, 6.6 yards per play, didn’t punt through the first three quarters. You got to win that game, guys. I I I you know, it’s just fluky stuff, but um I don’t know. What do you think they do with this rule in the off season? Because Colin, uh, what if the ball had kept rolling out of the end zone and Charbanet picked it up? Like then what? No, no two-pointer because he picked it up. It just feels like there needs some clarity here. >> Well, the the NFL to its credit, and most leagues do this, baseball’s done it. They go to the off seasonason, the rules committee and the NFL tweaks all the time and then they have a point of emphasis in the preseason and they’ll like overall something, you know, to kind of stimulate conversation, stimulate talk within locker rooms. So, it’s just it’s a weird break. It went their way. Um, you know, in a game, >> I want to see this in the Super Bowl, though. End of the game, two point like that would be one of these. Whoa, whoa, whoa. You know, >> kind of kind of rough. All right, let’s go to the next uh layer of this NFC West story, and that’s the Seahawks are now number one in the division, number one in the conference, >> but keep an eye, we talked about this yesterday, >> Brock Pury and the San Francisco 49ers. Colin, if they beat the Colts, I think they will, and they host the Bears, they’ll be favored. >> They will play Seattle in week 18 for the number one seed. They will all the time breakers. >> Nuts. >> Yeah. Is that insane that the ners can be forget a playoff team, the number one seed with the most Bosa gone, Fred Warner gone, traded Hafunga, Green Law, their four best players from last year gone and and Salah’s doing it with smoke and mirrors. I bet people in San Francisco can’t name half of their defensive players and it’s it’s been an incredible coaching performance by Shanahan and Solo. Yeah, I I’m on record. Uh I think the Niners will, assuming they beat the Colts and Bears, I think they will. I think they’ll win that week 18 game against Seattle, and it’s at home, remember, because they already beat them in Seattle in week one. I mean, Colin, >> if the Can you imagine if the NerS get the one seed? Would that then drop the Rams to the seven and they they’re the Super Bowl favorites? >> The Seahawks would have the tiebreaker, right? Or or >> Rams, I think this morning, are still the Super Bowl favorites. >> Yes. As well, they should be. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, but this NFC West is absolutely stacked. I mean, that division is, you know, what was it last year? Was it the AFC West that was loaded? >> Remember, with the good coaches, maybe. I mean, I I don’t remember which one, but this has got to be one of the better divisions we’ve seen in recent memory. Just three awesome teams. You could argue the three best teams in the NFC. Sorry, Bears. Uh, final story, Colin. Let’s go to the NBA. Yes, the basketball happened last night. The Lakers didn’t play much defense against Utah. found themselves trailing for much of the game. And then guess what happened in the fourth? Luca Legend took over. 45 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, and oh, by the way, he had five steals, Colin. I mean, listen, >> did you see is unbelievable? >> Did you see LeBron’s uh plus minus? I >> I did not look at LeBron’s plus minus. >> Lowest on the team. >> Interesting. No Austin Reeds last night. To win a game without your second best player, pretty impressive. Uh, Luca, by the way, 40 point triple doubles. >> Are you going to mention? Are you going to mention they’ve played Utah three times in Utah is easily the worst defensive team in the league. Are you going to mention that? >> I mean, you just did, so no need for me to pile on. A win is a win, baby. Um, yeah. So, listen, I just wanted to give you an opportunity to say nice stuff about Luca Donuch. >> He’s a He’s the I’ve said he is the world’s best offensive basketball player. No question. He is he is a combination of >> he’s for the record skinny Luca is also getting to the basket more as you know. So he last year he settled for a lot of stuff leaning away. He’s getting to the basket. He’s finishing at the rim. So this version of Luca, which is what we saw the first three years before he got banged up a little bit, put on some weight. Um it it’s he’s an all-time great offensive player. I I’ve said before I think he’s a he’s a way better version of Carmelo Anthony, but for Carmelo Anthony I didn’t think was a winning player, but Carmemelllo was going to get his 27 a night. Like some guys can just get a bucket and Luca is the best in the world at that right now. >> I think Christmas night I believe it’s Lakers rockets. So Amed Thompson, one of the best defenders in the league against Luca. That should be really fun. Obviously Kevin Durant, LeBron. Yeah.

Colin Cowherd reacts to the Seattle Seahawks OT victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He begins with talking about Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s history-making performance. He then discusses why Sean McVay and the Rams should be concerned about their special teams unit. Next, he talks about Rams QB Matt Stafford’s greatness and argues that he is the NFL’s last great pure pocket passer. Following that, he praises Seahawks GM John Schneider for trading for WR Rashid Shaheed, who scored a punt return TD vs. the Rams. Finally, Colin and Jason McIntyre react to the latest news from around the world of sports.

0:00 Sam Darnold makes history
5:16 Rams special teams concerns
11:34 Matt Stafford’s elite talent
16:47 Seahawks front office
20:21 Herdline News

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