The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 3 – Oregon vs Texas Tech, Sam Darnold vs Kyle Shanahan, the Lamar Jackson Conundrum
Jan 1, 2026
Hosts Rob Parker and Kerry Rhodes dive into the intense quarterfinal matchup between Oregon and Texas Tech, highlighting crucial fourth-down decisions. The debate heats up over whether Lamar Jackson should start against the Steelers, with an emphasis on his potential game-changing impact. They also discuss the playoff stakes for Sam Darnold and Kyle Shanahan, contrasting their postseason pressures. Finally, the duo recalls the biggest sports moments of 2025, reflecting on gambling scandals that have shaken trust in sports.
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Ravens Must-Weigh Lamar vs Huntley
- The Ravens face a high-stakes decision on whether to start Lamar Jackson after a back injury versus Tyler Huntley.
- Rob Parker and Kerry Rhodes argue a healthy-enough Lamar (even ~70%) provides more upside than Huntley in a must-win division game.
Play Lamar If He Can Function; Protect Him
- If Lamar can perform basic functions and practiced Wednesday, play him and protect him with a heavy run game and conservative play calls.
- Avoid treating him like a Superhero; prioritize clock control and limiting hits while leveraging his MVP-level threat.
Harbaugh's Job Security Hinges On Results
- Rob Parker and Kerry Rhodes see organizational risk if Baltimore fails to reach the playoffs, calling for potential coaching changes.
- They argue past success (Harbaugh's Super Bowl) doesn't exempt a coach from accountability after repeated disappointments.