Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out - Bears STUN Packers, Rams SURVIVE Panthers on NFL Wild Card Weekend

Date: January 11, 2026
Host: John Middlekauff
Main Focus: Detailed reactions and analysis of the Bears’ comeback win over the Packers, the Rams’ tight victory over the Panthers, and broader playoff narratives.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into two dramatic NFL Wild Card games: the Chicago Bears' historic and exhilarating comeback over the Green Bay Packers, and the Los Angeles Rams' narrow escape against the underdog Carolina Panthers. Host John Middlekauff offers passionate, unsparing analysis on coaching decisions, quarterback performances, playoff pressure, and the emotional highs and lows for fans and franchises. The conversation is laced with Middlekauff's signature candor, plenty of football nuance, and reflections on what these wild games mean for the teams going forward.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Bears vs. Packers: A Comeback for the Ages

[03:00–37:00]

• Setup and Stakes

  • The Chicago Bears, the NFC’s #2 seed, found themselves facing their "bitter rival," the Green Bay Packers—a team with historical dominance (Favre, Rodgers) and playoff wins over Chicago.
  • Emphasis on the emotional and historical context: “You’re down 21 to 3. It feels like 40 to nothing.” (04:40)
  • Bears fans have endured years of pain at the hands of the Packers; this game offered a shot at redemption.

• Bears' First-Half Woes

  • Poor defensive coverage: "They can't cover a soul. I mean, they cannot cover a soul." (11:20)
  • Questionable coaching—criticizing Ben Johnson’s reckless 4th-down calls:

    “The analytical guys are all like giving each other reach-arounds… You can’t go for it in a 14:3 game at your own 30. Not now, not ever. That is moronic.” (07:55)

  • Packers dominated until halftime, up 21–3, with QB Jordan Love sharp and the Bears offense out of sync.

• Second-Half Flip

  • Defense regroups: Packers manage “punt, punt, punt, punt” and just one first down over four drives after halftime. (13:00)
  • Key injuries: Bears lose TJ Edwards (shattered/dislocated ankle) but somehow hang in.

• Caleb Williams—The Star Is Born

  • Williams throws two 4th-down interceptions but Middlekauff excuses these, explaining the context.
  • Absolute pivotal play:

    “Fourth and eight at the Chicago 43. He hit Rome rolling to his left… Josh Allen, Herbert are probably the only two guys that can make that play…” (20:23)

  • The Bears score 25 points in the 4th quarter; Williams delivers clutch throws, including a TD to DJ Moore.
  • Middlekauff on Williams’ rare physical talent:

    “A very small percentage of people can avoid sacks. Right-handed quarterbacks roll left, throw a ball 40-plus yards in the air on a dot... That matters.” (24:24)

  • Bears win 31–27 after a wild closing stretch, surpassing years of heartbreak:

    “As a sports fan, if you're a Chicago Bears fan, that's as good as it gets right there. Honestly, besides winning the Super Bowl, that's worth 10 playoff victories by itself." (06:28)

• Jordan Love and Packers

  • Love played well, especially in the first half, but lacked the transcendent playmaking in crunch time that Williams showed.
  • Packers’ late-game management, kicker issues, and injuries (center, Parsons) haunt them.

• Ben Johnson’s Ups and Downs

  • Play-calling scrutinized: success with DJ Moore and Swift, but too pass-heavy (48 Caleb pass attempts)—“He only had 13 carries. … 48 pass attempts for Caleb is not the way we want to play.” (34:00)
  • DeAndre Swift: not enough touches despite being highly effective.

• Matt LaFleur’s Job on the Line

  • LaFleur’s errors on timeout and game management could cost him dearly:

    “I think his job status is very in jeopardy over the next 48 hours. It's something to keep a close eye on.” (36:45)

  • Packers' lack of ownership structure complicates decisions.

• Atmosphere and Community

  • Soldier Field’s magic in night games; importance of communal fan experience:

    “That stadium at night with that crowd… It doesn’t get any better than that.” (32:58)

  • Sports’ power in bringing communities together outside of online divisions.

Rams vs. Panthers: Survival, Not Statement

[42:39–54:00]

• Unexpected Contest

  • Rams were expected to roll over 8-9 Panthers but eked out a win 34–31.
  • “Stafford was atrocious for most of the game. And I thought Sean McVay was not good either.” (42:56)
  • Rams led 17–7 and 20–14 but allowed Panthers to stay in it.

• Rams’ Special Teams Disaster

  • Recent firing of their special teams coach didn’t fix issues—blocked punt leads to Panthers’ late TD and lead:

    “When your special teams can’t be trusted… I just can’t take you that seriously.” (46:47)

  • Defensive issues linger as well; McVay accused of being too pass-happy.

• Matthew Stafford Responds

  • Despite up-and-down play, Stafford engineered a late, heart-stopping drive for the win.

• Panthers’ Growth and Bryce Young

  • Bryce Young shows enough that picking up his fifth-year option ($16M/year average) makes sense:

    “He’s still not my ideal quarterback… Little small for me, clearly not terrible… At least can understand it.” (52:00)

  • Young weapons on Carolina offer hope; “defensive coordinator... Avero, he’s pretty good. Like him.”

• Playoff Takeaway

  • Rams’ flaws prevent trust as a title contender: “You have to stress this much to beat an 8–9 team… it’s hard for me to trust this team.” (48:55)
  • Even with a Super Bowl-winning coach/quarterback, they look vulnerable.

Coaching Hot Seats & QB Pressures

[54:00–56:27]

• Matt LaFleur (Packers)

  • LaFleur’s collapse, mismanagement, and rumors linking him to Atlanta (presumably as new HC).

• Justin Herbert (Chargers)

  • Middlekauff touches on playoff stakes for Herbert heading into his game:

    “I’m a Herbert guy… But if they’re gonna make a little run here… my guy Justin Herbert’s gonna have to zone in.” (55:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears’ Comeback:

  • “25 points in the fourth quarter. That is, that's as exhilarating of a sports ending as you're gonna see.” (22:40)

• On Caleb Williams’ Game-Saving Play:

  • “I think it's the play of his career. It was fourth and eight at the Chicago 43. He hit Rome, rolling to his left... There are only a few guys on Earth who make that play.” (20:23)

• On Packers’ Turmoil:

  • “You’re up 21 to 3 on the road, getting the ball at halftime. You got to win that game. You just do.” (36:00)
  • “After tonight, choking a game like that… I think his job status is very in jeopardy over the next 48 hours.” (36:45)

• On Soldier Field and the Fan Experience:

  • “That experience down the stretch… It doesn't get any better than that. Like, that Chicago is something special.” (33:34)
  • “There’s something so communal… What sports and specifically football and football towns, bringing people together… It’s just something we don’t get very often.” (34:20)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Setting up Bears–Packers history/importance | | 07:50 | Ben Johnson 4th-down criticism | | 11:20 | Bears' defensive struggles | | 13:00 | Packers’ stagnant second half | | 20:23 | Caleb Williams’ superstar 4th-down play | | 22:40 | Bears’ 25-point 4th quarter eruption | | 24:24 | Difference in QB physical traits | | 34:00 | Ben Johnson’s play-calling critique | | 36:00 | Matt LaFleur’s hot seat | | 42:39 | Rams–Panthers breakdown | | 46:47 | Rams’ special teams failings | | 48:55 | Rams’ playoff doubts | | 52:00 | Bryce Young’s year-five option discussion | | 55:44 | Justin Herbert playoff pressure |

Concluding Thoughts

Middlekauff expertly captured the high-octane drama, emotional stakes, and future anxieties for the Bears, Packers, Rams, and Panthers. The episode’s heart was the Bears’ improbable, communal win—a moment Middlekauff ranks as “as good as it gets” for a sports fan. Concerns loom for Green Bay and LA, while young talent flashes hope for Carolina.

If you missed this episode, you missed a passionate breakdown of what makes playoff football—and its consequences for teams, fans, and coaches—so uniquely compelling.