The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
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About this episode
On this episode of 3 & Out , John Middlekauff reacts to the NFL officially releasing the full schedule and breaks down the biggest takeaways from the 2026 slate. Which teams got favorable draws, who got buried with tough stretches, and what stood out most from the schedule release? John also dives into the Week 1 lineup, highlighting the best matchups around the league and the games fans should already have circled on the calendar. Plus, a look at the changing NFL media landscape as Amazon continues to reshape Thursday Night Football and Netflix expands its NFL strategy with more special event games. What do these streaming moves mean for the future of how fans consume football? And could Wednesday NFL games become a real thing? John discusses the possibility and whether the league is pushing the limits of the weekly football calendar. All that and much more on this episode of 3 & Out . Follow John on Twitter , and Instagram for the latest. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode summary
Weekend check-in and the schedule just dropped. I’m not picking every matchup; we’ll hit the big beats—opening week, prime time swings, Netflix on Thanksgiving Eve, Amazon’s Black Friday—and keep it tight because I’ve got family duty tonight.
Week one bends for the league’s global push as Seattle plays Wednesday in Australia, which is fine early in the year. Seahawks host New England in a spicy rematch; Seattle looks loaded, while the Patriots carry a giant off-field elephant and a brutal slate.
Only in football can date placement be theater; nights, flights, and byes change seasons. If you’re going to a game, mid-bowl sightlines usually beat sitting on the rail.
McVay noted the hard part of Australia is the flight home. San Francisco then gets Miami; I’m down on the Dolphins long-term even after locking up their speed back, and it’s a nice reminder how first-round status changes contract leverage.
Dallas–Giants still sells like Yankees–Red Sox. New York’s buzz comes with health flags, like a receiver cleanup and some ankle chatter that make you pause.
Monday night’s Denver–Kansas City scratches that Shanahan–Marty nostalgia and should sing under Troy and Joe.
Bills at Houston is a real test for Joe Brady against DeMeco Ryans and Will Anderson after last year’s mismatch. Baltimore at Indy is a sturdy barometer for a Ravens machine changing play-callers yet keeping its identity.
I see the South going to the Saints, Bucs, or Panthers with a stronger record than last year. Chicago with Caleb Williams is compelling if coaching elevates him, and Bryce Young should benefit from bigger targets.
Amazon’s cash now buys marquee Thursdays and holidays—Detroit at Buffalo to start, heavyweight brands throughout, Black Friday in Pittsburgh, and festive showcases—so they’re clearly being fed stars. I love Herbstreit in college, but the NFL booth could use a true league lifer.
Netflix is paying for moments, not a full slate: Packers–Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, Niners–Rams, Christmas Day, a Week 18 Saturday, even NFL Honors, all with mini-byes baked in. If they ever want more, the league will open the tap.
Sunday night stays stacked and the Rams are everywhere. Monday night has bangers but bets big on Washington and the Giants, while Thursday might now match it; midweek is creeping in with occasional Wednesdays, though Tuesdays and Fridays are tough.
Jacksonville draws a rough back-to-back in Europe, underscoring how hard the international push can hit the schedule.
New England’s path is a gauntlet packed with playoff-level opponents and divisional traps. The Jets’ roster looks too good to crater again, and the Raiders are sturdier, so nothing’s free.
It’s a fun slate with real storylines, and we’ll dig deeper as camp nears. Exciting stuff.
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