Podcast Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out – Dak Prescott & Cowboys UPSET by McCarthy & Vikings on SNF + NFL Week 15 Reaction
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff (featured on Colin Cowherd’s podcast feed)

Main Theme

This episode is a deep-dive, reaction-filled recap of NFL Week 15, focused on the shocking upset of the Dallas Cowboys by J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Middlekauff explores quarterback progress, season-altering injuries, playoff implications, and big-picture questions for struggling teams and stars. The episode balances gritty analysis, passionate takes, and sharp observations on coaching, team building, and player psychology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. J.J. McCarthy's Breakout Game & Vikings’ QB Future

[03:15–17:20]

• John Middlekauff opens with a candid admission: he's “been very hard on J.J. McCarthy,” but saw notable progress in Sunday night's upset against Dallas.
• McCarthy showed marked improvement, specifically on touch throws – “tonight, countless times he did that” (05:45).
• The best throw of McCarthy's career: rolling left, throwing across his body before receiver’s break for a TD (06:10).
• Acknowledges opponent quality: Dallas’ defense struggled but emphasizes “this is not about Dallas sucking, this is about seeing progress in your guy” (07:20).
• QB evaluation stakes: Vikings “could not just run it back” with McCarthy unless there was real growth, considering high-paid stars like Justin Jefferson (04:30).
• The Vikings’ organizational stability and coaching are seen as assets to develop McCarthy further.
• “Before you can run a 5K, you might have to prove to yourself you can run a mile … bar’s pretty low here… just looking to win a couple games, throw a couple touchdowns, complete a couple third downs” (11:00).
• Memorable Quote:

  "Congrats to J.J. McCarthy. A huge part of playing football, just like a huge part of life, is when shit hits the fan, when things are not going well … It's tough being a young player put in a position on a good team." (12:30)

2. Cowboys’ Big-Picture Concerns & Offseason

[14:45–20:10]

• John frames this as more about Dallas’s flaws than a fluke loss.
• Defensive issues highlighted—“If their offense isn’t perfect, they’re gonna have issues. Their defense is not dependable” (08:10).
• Recaps the impact of the pre-season Micah Parsons trade, wide receiver questions (Pickens situation, high costs for mid-level production, e.g., Brandon Aiyuk), and needing to regroup.
• “Is this what we want to get into business with…? I think the answer is obvious: you gotta be smart about doing business this offseason.”
• Argues that “maybe you’re just better off losing out, get a high draft pick, reset this offseason… actually been a pretty positive year given the circumstances” (18:56).
• Final season take: Dallas has overperformed expectations after a rocky off-season; the head coach has shown value, especially on offense.

3. Devastating Injuries Altering the NFL Landscape

[24:33–36:30]

A. Patrick Mahomes Torn ACL

• “The headline story of the league today were the two major injuries…” (24:33)
• Mahomes’ ACL injury is called “the cherry on top of the year from hell” for Kansas City.
• Mahomes elevated Andy Reid from “couldn’t win the big one” to an all-time Hall of Fame legend.
• “If you’re the Chiefs, not only do you want to lose out, you’re… contemplating: if the Raiders look like they might have the number one pick, would you try to screw them and let them beat you?” (27:10)
• NFL-wide impact: “It’s just terrible, it’s a blow for the NFL. There’s no way around it.” (28:15)

B. Micah Parsons Torn ACL & Packers Collapse

• “I would say though the bigger injury given the impact on 2025 was Micah Parsons.” (29:45)
• Packers went from clear Super Bowl contenders to a team with their season “over” in a matter of plays after losing Parsons and Christian Watson to injury.
• “I just lost a guy that scored four, five touchdowns in four weeks … and I lost a guy that we traded two first rounders for, gave $188 million” (33:53)
• LaFleur’s visible shock on the sideline.
• “There is no next man up for Micah Parsons, there’s no next man up for Patrick Mahomes. …Next Man Up is the dumbest thing ever said in the NFL.” (36:28)
• Playoff/draft implications for both Chiefs and Packers

4. Other Notable Week 15 Stories

[39:20–56:40]

• Chicago Bears’ Surge:

  • “The Bears are going to be the two seed. …Last year, didn’t they lose like 10 straight?”
  • Middlekauff highlights culture turnaround, coaching, and Caleb Williams’ play (“the mental fortitude they showed”). (41:42)
  • Bears now possible division favorite.

• LA Rams & Puka Nacua’s Impact:

  • Nacua compared to “the Polynesian wide receiver version of George Kittle.” (44:48)
  • Importance of DeVante Adams’ injury for Rams’ Thursday night matchup.

• 49ers’ Playoff Push & Injuries:

  • 49ers offense “looks incredible” with George Kittle and McCaffrey, but injuries to Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk’s, “MIA,” status loom for their playoff hopes.
  • Philip Rivers getting a surprise starting nod, playing well for the Niners as a feel-good moment (more below).

• Josh Allen’s Heroics:

  • Patriots up 21-0, but “then Josh Allen happened.” Five straight touchdown drives and a comeback. (49:50)
  • “Not a soul in the NFL… would say Josh Allen isn’t the best player currently playing in the league. He is an unstoppable force.” (50:00)
  • Debates value of MVP awards, noting “Matt Stafford’s not better than Josh Allen, and we all know it.”

• Bo Nix’s Defining Game for Broncos:

  • “If he plays like that, that team can win the Super Bowl … that was an elite performance.” (52:15)
  • Broncos defense and home field make them a dark horse if the QB stays hot.

5. Additional Rapid-Fire Topics

[56:53–66:30]

• Bengals’ “Cheapest Owner in the League” and Snow Fiasco:
  • Team failed to clear snow for fans, violating NFL rules.
  • “When you are really, really wealthy and you’re still really cheap, it’s a disease.” (57:45)
• Lamar Jackson & Ravens’ Resurgence:
  • “Lamar… made some beautiful deep passes… when their passing game gets going, watch out for the Ravens.” (59:15)
• Shadur Sanders & Browns’ Draft Dilemma:
  • Sanders had a poor showing, making Browns’ QB decision trickier; possibility of drafting Fernando Mendoza if possible.
• Pete Carroll “Hanging on Too Long” in Las Vegas:
  • Carroll “should have just rode off in the sunset… All I do is win. The problem is now you're just losing.” (63:40)
• Philip Rivers’ Comeback with the 49ers:
  • 44-year-old Rivers, out of the league, comes back, holds his own, gets emotional after the game.
  • “He was basically dinking and dunking all game … but I felt like a couple quarters in, every former quarterback… had a little smile.” (65:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Congrats to J.J. McCarthy. A huge part of playing football, just like a huge part of life is when shit hits the fan, when things are not going well… it is tough being a young player put in a position on a good team.” – John Middlekauff [12:30]
• “When their defense plays crappy, their offense has no margin for error.” [13:50]
• “There is no next man up for Micah Parsons. There's no next man up for Patrick Mahomes… Next Man Up is the dumbest thing that's ever said in the NFL.” [36:28]
• “I think at this point in time, if you're the Cowboys, like, is this what we want to get into business with?” (on expensive WR contracts) [17:45]
• “Not a soul in the NFL… would say Josh Allen isn’t the best player currently playing in the league. He is an unstoppable force.” [50:00]
• “Bengals did not [clear the snow]. They paid nobody… clear indication that everyone thinks their owner is the cheapest human alive. … It’s a disease.” [57:45]
• “Pete Carroll… all I do is win. The problem is now you’re just losing.” [63:45]
• “Every single quarterback, former quarterback… was watching that game (Philip Rivers with the 49ers) and had a little smile and part of them had to be like, could I still do that?” [65:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Topics | |------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 03:15–17:20 | Vikings-Cowboys SNF Reaction | J.J. McCarthy’s progress, Dallas’s flaws | | 17:20–20:10 | Cowboys’ Offseason/NFL Landscape | Receiver contracts, draft focus, future outlook | | 24:33–36:30 | Major Injuries | Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons, Packers’ collapse | | 39:20–44:40 | Bears, Rams, and Playoff Picture | Division races, Nacua, DeVante Adams injury | | 44:40–48:20 | 49ers Update | Playoff hopes, Ricky Pearsall, Rivers’ comeback | | 48:20–52:15 | Josh Allen & Patriots | Comebacks, MVP discussion | | 52:15–56:40 | Bo Nix & Broncos, other games | Broncos advantage, Week 15 reactions | | 56:53–61:30 | Bengals, Ravens, Browns | Snow scandal, Lamar, Browns’ QB situation | | 61:30–66:30 | Pete Carroll, Rivers’ Return | Carroll’s twilight, Rivers’ nostalgia moment |

Flow & Tone

Middlekauff is candid, gritty, and conversational—frankly critiquing teams, lauding progress, and dissecting the human side of football. The show is packed with insight, biting humor, and perspective for both diehard and casual fans. Key moments are grounded in direct quotes and pop-culture analogies (“before you run a 5K...”). Despite the rough weeks for some fanbases, optimism surfaces for teams seeing new hope, while realism grounds those in disarray.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a layered look at one of the most eventful Sundays in recent NFL memory, blending strategic analysis, visceral reaction, and a focus on the high-stakes consequences of injuries and player development. Middlekauff’s breakdown is perfect for listeners craving substance, edge, and a no-BS perspective on the week in football.