Best of the Herd

Here we go on a packed Monday from Chicago. Sean McDermott, a very good coach and a good man, is out in Buffalo. When you’ve got Josh Allen, the bar is championships, not close calls. Too many late-game slips, too many details missed, and not enough help at receiver or on defense. Josh can win you multiple titles, so you can’t run it back with more of the same. You don’t hire another defense-first coach. You find the right offensive mind who maximizes your star. Brian Daboll, who already accelerated Josh’s growth and has won a playoff game with Daniel Jones, feels like the answer.

Rams-Bears was the perfect example of how clean wins in January. L.A. went into the cold with no turnovers, no penalties, and not a single drop. Chicago was flashier, had more yards and the ball longer, and Caleb had a rocket throw that will live for a while. But in overtime he chased the big shot when a field goal would do. He’s grown a ton, but the Rams’ precision carried the day. The Bears aren’t going anywhere, and L.A. looked built for bad weather because they just didn’t give the game away.

Did McVay coach like he was freezing? Mid-third quarter it was all passes. I love him, but that felt like his worst script of the season.

He shifted late, but yeah, the flow was odd. Puka couldn’t be covered, tight ends were cooking, and you lean into what works. Still, they probably should’ve run more. Credit Chicago for answering every punch; it came down to that overtime pick on a misread and a kick I didn’t think would sneak in.

Bottom line, Caleb Williams looks like a top ten quarterback already.

I’m there. The picks will get scrutiny, but he rarely stacks turnovers, he’s durable and strong, and he’s seeing the field better every week. That Rams defense closes fast. There are a lot of legit defenses left, and he’s holding up.

Quick hits, right and wrong. Right: Denver’s for real, their quarterback answered big throws and out-executed on the road. Wrong: Josh Allen can’t give it away; before halftime and late, those mistakes are killers. Right: New England’s toughness, discipline, and timely splash plays travel; they’re not pretty, they’re effective. Concern: a young star quarterback has slid with costly giveaways. Right: Seattle as the surprise riser with a sharp front office, a productive quarterback on a friendly deal, and a defensive mind who changes games. Also right: the noise about Matt LaFleur’s job was silly; he wins and his guys produce. I underrated Chicago; they earned that coin-flip game. And on the college front, some highly touted names were never leaving good situations.

Matt, McDermott’s out. I’m fine with it because Josh needs a great, not just good, head coach. How does this land with you?

He’s a really good coach, and it’s a shock. Players feel it hard. You saw Josh emotional after the game; today he’ll feel like he let the building down. When a head coach goes, a lot of people go. I think Josh tightens the screws after this. He’s MVP talent, but the ball’s got to be safer in big moments.

What did you think of the interception ruling?

Tough call, but you stick with what was called on the field. I agreed with it.

Denver turns to Jarrett Stidham. He hasn’t had many first-team reps and you lose that QB run element. Big ask, right?

He’s been preparing for this for years. He’s not a statue, he knows the system, and backups live for the moment when the exam actually gets graded. The hope is he seizes it rather than just surviving it.

Big picture on Ben and Caleb after that game?

Caleb’s a different guy from last year. He’s getting better weekly and winning while developing. That’s the sweet spot. Chicago’s got alignment with GM, coach, and quarterback. Ben Johnson’s steadiness and leadership jump off the screen. Teams are firing coaches hoping to find another Ben; there may not be one.

Rams had no flags, no turnovers, no drops in a snow game. That efficiency blew me away.

That’s practice habits showing up. Discipline is coached. And Stafford’s elite at KYP, know your personnel. The ball you give Puka isn’t the ball you throw a backup tight end. He understands his guys and places it perfectly.

Seattle’s roster went from muddled to fast and dynamic. Where’s the weakness? How do you attack them?

I’m not giving away the plan. But their biggest shift is poise. The young head coach installed a mission-first mentality. They don’t get dragged into the extra stuff, they just play. Pair that with smart drafting and it’s no surprise. And in this matchup, special teams is massive.

New England feels like New England again. Smart, efficient, relentless. They make two big plays when they need them and suddenly you’re behind in the snow.

They’re a year ahead of schedule. Money went into the front, the cover guys are real, and Drake May has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league with upside to spare. Leadership is aligned, and like the early title teams, the defense is leading while the quarterback grows.

Back to Buffalo. I wouldn’t gamble on another first-time defensive coach or recycle a familiar playoff ceiling. Daboll’s been in the room, he’s intense, and he unlocked Josh before. That fit makes sense to me.

I agree. An offensive head coach who energizes the building and maximizes Josh is the bet. Daboll and Allen worked the first time and he leveled Josh up fast. He’s the clubhouse leader for me.

Seahawks-Rams part three is a coin flip, but Seattle’s got rest and a special teams edge, and L.A. logged an overtime tax. If we get Seattle-New England, it’s the classic formula with younger stars and a modern twist. That’s the Herd.