The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out - Christian McCaffrey, 49ers SECURE SNF win vs. Falcons + NFL Week 7 Recap

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Presented by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the San Francisco 49ers’ 20-10 Sunday Night Football win over the Atlanta Falcons, highlighting the coaching brilliance of Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh amidst injuries, Christian McCaffrey’s dominance, Atlanta’s systemic issues, and broader takeaways from NFL Week 7. The show also touches on college football developments, including the shifting hierarchy of coaching jobs and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) impacts.

Key Discussion Points

1. 49ers vs. Falcons: Coaching, Culture, and Christian McCaffrey’s Performance

[03:00–24:00]

• 49ers’ Grit Despite Injuries:
  Shanahan and Saleh lead a depleted roster (Fred Warner and Bosa out, Kittle returning) to a decisive SNF win, moving to 5-2 and top of the division.

  • “They are technically in first place…with Mac Jones winning his fourth game as the 49ers' starting quarterback in the middle of October. What a performance.” (04:30)

• Coaching Mismatch Was Key:
  Emphasizes how coaching makes the ultimate difference in tightly matched, injury-ridden NFL games. The Falcons have talent but not winning culture.

  • “The difference in talent is not that great…but the coaching mismatch can be so wide and tonight…the reason Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh make a combined 20 to 25 million dollars was for that right there.” (06:15)

• McCaffrey’s Spectacular Night:
  Christian McCaffrey’s 24 carries, 130 yards, 2 TDs, plus 7 catches made him the offensive focal point.

  • “That's the best McCaffrey game in two years…he was simply spectacular.” (08:30)
  • “Shanahan rode him like Secretariat tonight.” (09:50)

• Contrast With Bijan Robinson:
  Falcons underutilized their own star; McCaffrey had 30+ touches to Bijan Robinson’s 20.

  • “If I'm Raheem Morris…how do we not match the amount of touches for our best player as they do their best player?” (10:45)

• 49ers’ Defensive Identity and Depth:
  Despite missing stars, the defense, led by backups and anchored by organizational “standard,” played with relentless physicality.

  • “There is a standard for if you are going to be a starter on this team…this is the bare minimum: play your ass off and hit people hard.” (14:30)

2. 49ers Organizational Culture & Team-Building

[18:00–25:30]

• John Lynch’s Influence & Defensive Philosophy:
  Shanahan and Lynch prioritize physical, high-character defenders, and the culture persists across injuries and through coaching changes.

  • “One thing I've always appreciated for an offensive guy, his value of defensive players is extremely high.” (17:45)

• Replacing Stars, Maintaining Standards:
  Even as injuries mount (center, cornerbacks, Warner), the team expectation is to perform with intensity and physicality, citing rookie Tatum Bethune as an example of next-man-up culture.

  • “The standard of their physicality…when Kyle’s on from a playcalling standpoint, he is a much better playcaller than most in the league.” (22:10)

3. Offensive Philosophy & Quarterback Play

[25:00–32:00]

• Run-Heavy, QB-Friendly Offense:
  Shanahan’s offense focuses on winning the downs early with the run to help manage the quarterback – crucial with Mac Jones filling in for injured Brock Purdy.

  • “They want to have more rush attempts than pass attempts. It makes it easier for the quarterback…that's why it’s a quarterback-friendly offense.” (25:30)

• Mac Jones’s Redemption:
  Jones, written off by many after New England, is steady and productive for the 49ers.

  • “Mac Jones…proving he could be a functional starter. He had an interception tonight, wasn’t his fault…Congrats to him for just not tapping out and just keep on swinging.” (32:50, 39:10)

4. Atlanta Falcons Issues: Talent vs. Culture

[33:30–38:00]

• Raheem Morris Overmatched:
  The Falcons’ staff fails to maximize talent or make adjustments in tight games.

  • “Does feel like [Morris] is over his head as the head coach…every time I think Zach Robinson [Falcons OC] got it, then I watch tonight and…what’s happening here?” (36:40)

• Michael Penix Jr. Concerns:
  Questioning Penix Jr.'s pocket presence and arm strength; doesn’t play to physical gifts.

  • “When you watch Penix play, he does not play like a good athlete…there’s just something missing.” (38:20)

5. NFL Week 7 Recap & Coaching Carousel

[43:00–54:30]

• Giants, Titans, Broncos:

  • Giants’ Brian Daboll: “I would just give them a little more growth together. Firing Brian Daboll is pretty risky, right?” (44:10)
  • Titans and early coach searches: “If you’re starting a coaching search in the NFL before Halloween, I just can’t take your organization seriously.” (45:40)
  • Broncos’ comeback: “How sustainable is that? Winning sometimes can band-aid your issues.” (50:10)

• Coaches/Coordinators on the Rise:

  • Shane Steichen (Colts OC): “By far, start to finish, best offensive coordinator this year.”
  • Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys): “...has been dominant. They look like the Rams, just chunk play after chunk play.” (54:15)

6. Quarterback Eras Ending & Notable Franchise Trends

[56:30–60:00]

• Tua Tagovailoa & Kyler Murray:
  • “I think we can unofficially say the Tua and the Kyler Murray eras are over...that whole thing is just, obviously, he’s had an awful season. The franchise is falling apart.”
  • Jacoby Brissett praised as steady backup saving the Cardinals’ offense: “It’s just over…when Brissett is in there [for Arizona], they feel like a much more efficient operation.” (58:00)

7. College Football Corner: Coaching Jobs & NIL Revenue

[62:15–68:30]

• Shifting Coaching Hierarchy:
  Explores how NIL money and collective funding have dramatically changed the landscape—jobs at traditional powers (Florida, Penn State) now face more competition from “lower” schools offering more pay and better conditions.
  • “There’s not a time in the history of the sport when Penn State was viewed as an equal to Indiana…Kurt Signetti basically just said…I’ll take $11.5 million to stay at Indiana because the world’s changed.” (64:00)
• Lane Kiffin’s Rise and Rumors to Florida:
  Kiffin’s transformation and the uncertainty of whether traditional jobs like Florida’s are even “better” any more given NIL realities.
  • “Lane Kiffin has taken Ole Miss and turned them into a power. But do you even need to leave? Is there a big difference anymore between Ole Miss and Florida?” (66:45)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the 49ers’ coaching and culture:
  “The overwhelming difference in the NFL isn’t talent, it’s coaching – and you saw that tonight. The Niners, with backups all over, just completely out-toughed Atlanta.” (06:20)

• On McCaffrey’s versatility:
  “[McCaffrey] at any moment can just turn into Wes Welker or Julian Edelman…one of the greatest Swiss army knives you’ll ever see.” (09:10)

• On the importance of a physical culture:
  “You build teams full of people with high competitive character…physicality is something that they enjoy doing.” (16:50)

• On Mac Jones’s football journey:
  “It was healthy to get drug through the mud and go through a lot of shit…Turns out he doesn’t suck. Turns out he’s pretty good.” (39:00)

• On franchise identity:
  “There is just something about that franchise [Atlanta]…It’s a culture, it’s a standard, that just hasn’t been there.” (40:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – 20:00: 49ers-Falcons SNF breakdown, McCaffrey’s performance, coaching edge
• 20:00 – 25:30: Defensive “standard,” next-man-up mentality, Lynch’s role
• 25:00 – 32:00: Shanahan’s run-first offensive philosophy, Mac Jones’s role
• 33:30 – 40:30: Atlanta’s struggles and Penix Jr. evaluation
• 43:00 – 54:00: Giants, Titans, Broncos analysis; OC kudos for Steichen and Schottenheimer
• 56:30 – 60:00: Tua and Kyler’s future, Jacoby Brissett’s steadiness
• 62:15 – 68:45: College football, NIL impact, Lane Kiffin/Florida rumors

Tone and Style

• Direct, candid, analytical, often laced with humor and some strong language.
• Heavy on football “culture” talk and personality-driven commentary.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers an in-depth look at how great coaching and team culture can overcome adversity, both on the field (49ers’ win) and off (NIL reshaping college football). It’s packed with sharp, sometimes irreverent opinions on players, coaches, and front office decisions—perfect for football fans wanting more than just the box score.