The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out: Jordan Love & Packers DOMINATING Jayden Daniels & Commanders on TNF (September 12, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode of "3 & Out," John Middlekauff leads a spirited postgame breakdown of the Green Bay Packers' dominant Thursday Night Football victory over the Washington Commanders. The discussion highlights the Packers' emergence as a top contender after trading for pass-rusher Micah Parsons and lauds defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. There’s also broader coverage of NFL headlines, injury news, a deep mailbag segment, and a guest gambling preview with Stuckey from The Action Network, helping listeners prep for the full football weekend.

Packers vs. Commanders: TNF Recap & Analysis

Main Segment Begins [02:12]

Key Points

• Complete Domination, Beyond the Score:
  • “The score doesn't quite even reflect…they dominated the Washington Commanders tonight. That was an ass kicking.” – John Middlekauff [02:16]
  • Green Bay’s defense was so suffocating that tight end Tucker Kraft had more yards than the entire Commanders offense at one point.
• Jordan Love and the Offensive Surge:
  • Offense remains a strength: “They transition very smoothly into Jordan Love. Offense is not going to be their issue.” [07:29]
  • Love has been efficient, taking charge early in games and benefiting from strong line play and versatile targets.
• Impact of Micah Parsons Trade:
  • “Once they traded for Micah Parsons…It's just Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons straight up this year—which is a trade any human would make.” [06:13]

Packers Defense & Jeff Hafley’s Rise

• Hafley’s squad showed “speed, solid tackling, and tight coverage,” stifling playmakers like Debo Samuel and Terry McLaurin.
• “That defense tonight, the speed in which they played, how well they tackled…it just, defense looks excellent.” [08:42]
• Hafley singled out as a top up-and-coming coach: “If it keeps going like this, he's going to be one of the top candidates this offseason.” [09:26]

Commanders’ Struggles & Jaden Daniels Toughness

• Washington’s offense looked “horrendous,” struggling with the Packers’ speed—Jaden Daniels “looked much more normal” as an athlete against Green Bay’s defense. [11:35]
• Daniels' toughness credited: “Jaden Daniels stood in there tonight and got the shit kicked out of him…he kept hopping back up.” [15:40]
• Rookie tackle’s issues: “That was eye opening…he’s just not ready as a rookie. Not like he was the seventh pick.” [18:36]

On the Cliff Kingsbury Offense

• Strong criticism of Washington’s play-calling and approach:
  • “Respect the guy, don't respect the scheme. I think it is extremely soft.” [17:12]
  • On short-yardage: “How can anyone…not just run a normal short yardage run under center? …I'm out on your offense.” [29:32]

Overall Packers Outlook

• Green Bay described as a possible “Super Bowl level team”: “Green Bay looks like, if not the best team, one of the best teams in the league.” [03:11]
• Lafleur and the front office praised for bold decisions and “organizational synergy.” [42:12]
• “Jeff Hafley, great hire. This is where LaFleur deserves credit. And this is why I’m so high on this team.” [45:07]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Packers’ D:
  “If this was college, the Green Bay Packers would be the number one team in the country.” – John Middlekauff [07:03]
• On Jaden Daniels:
  “The most important aspect of a quarterback that we never talk about is toughness. And Jaden Daniels stood in there tonight and got the shit kicked out of him.” – John Middlekauff [15:40]
• On Defensive Schemes:
  “When you have a weakness on defense…and you are a good offensive coach, you attack that guy relentlessly.” – [19:52]
• On Josh Jacobs and the run game:
  “Josh Jacobs is just like, I’m going to keep jabbing you in that side, and eventually you’re just going to go down, be in so much pain. And that’s what he feels like.” – [28:40]

Broader NFL Topics & Reactions

Injury Updates: Brock Purdy & 49ers Uncertainty [30:50]

• Mixed messaging on Brock Purdy’s status (“2 to 5 weeks…kind of weird. That could be a week or a month…”).
• San Francisco praised for investing in strong backups (Mac Jones), but there’s concern about Purdy’s long-term durability.

Roster Management & Financial Tactics

• Discusses how teams like the Eagles exploit salary cap flexibility with large signing bonuses, contrasting with old-school “cheap” owners.
  • “I don’t understand these teams not taking advantage of what the Eagles are doing.” [38:51]

Other Team Check-Ins

• Chiefs: Not panicking over offensive stumbles; “championship blood.”
• Dolphins: Mike McDaniel’s hot seat discussed; “it’s going to get really ugly” if they keep losing. [101:00]
• Patriots: Drake Maye scrutiny; questions about Josh McDaniels’ value without Brady. [90:34]
• Lions: Offensive line concerns; “Two, two major problems you highlighted. One, it's the interior offensive line…there was no creativity and innovation.” [87:41]

Gambling & Betting Preview with Stuckey [56:18]

College Football Sharp Angles

• Miami vs. South Florida: “South Florida eventually falling apart and just wearing down…Miami ends up pulling away here and winning by three touchdowns.” – Stuckey [65:45]
• Florida/LSU: “I took the seven and a half here…Napier historically pretty good as an underdog.” – [69:32]
• Notre Dame/Texas A&M: “Must win? It’s close…Marcus Freeman has been very, very good with time to prepare.” – [70:30]

NFL Week 2 Betting Insights

• Ravens vs. Browns: Divisional ‘dog logic; OVER 45 played – “that number is just too low for the Ravens offense,” expecting passing and potential for defensive/special teams scores. [77:41]
• 49ers/Saints: Over if line drops into 30s; even with backup QBs, Shanahan can scheme points. [84:06]
• Bears/Lions: Short week, Chicago injuries, but both sides are “teams I don’t want to put my money behind.” [86:42]
• Patriots/Dolphins: “Could not pay me to bet the Dolphins right now…Patriots or nothing.” – Stuckey [94:01]
• Colts/Broncos: Expect low scoring, possibly ugly offensive play.
• Chiefs/Eagles (Super Bowl Rematch): “Mahomes 12–2 against the spread as an underdog…Give me all the narratives at home.” [102:58]
• Texans/Buccaneers: Loved Houston under a field goal. Bucks described as “one of the luckiest teams” last week. [108:48]
• Raiders/Chargers: Raiders getting points at home is attractive, especially vs. the non-marquee Chargers fans. [117:13]

Special Focus: The New Kickoff Rule’s Impact [50:02]

• New rule has reenergized special teams: “The average starting field position for the kickoff is basically the 30 yard line…” [49:55]
• Real offensive weapons (e.g., Debo Samuel) are now handling returns: “You are using players who you would use on offense, not just special teams, to return kicks.” [50:15]
• The NFL gets credit for proactive rule adaptations.

Memorable Off-Field Moments

• Middlekauff’s story about early impressions of Jeff Hafley as a young, ‘skinny, geeky’ coach before recognizing his true coaching acumen. [25:25]
• Lighthearted gambling stories: Stuckey explains his nocturnal life during football season, scheduling sleep like an NBA player just to prep games. [56:45, 57:07]

Key Timestamps

• [02:12] — Packers-Commanders TNF Reaction
• [07:03] — Green Bay Hyped as "No. 1 in College" Comparison
• [17:12] — Cliff Kingsbury Scheme Critique
• [30:50] — Purdy Injury, 49ers State
• [38:51] — Eagles vs. “Cheap” Teams’ Salary Cap Usage
• [50:02] — New NFL Kickoff Rule
• [56:18] — Gambling Segment with Stuckey
• [77:41] — Ravens-Browns, NFL Week 2 Previews
• [102:58] — Chiefs-Eagles Betting Breakdown
• [117:13] — Raiders-Chargers Analysis

Tone & Style

Opinionated, high-energy, and anecdotal, with Middlekauff speaking bluntly:

• “He kept hopping back up. But when this team gets a lead on you, it’s different.” [15:43]
• “Bad teams…let the guy sink or swim. Good teams—if he can't get it done…we gotta look at other people.” [21:17]

Summary

This episode blends sharp in-game analysis, pointed coaching commentary, and actionable betting advice into a must-listen for serious football fans. The Green Bay Packers are positioned as early heavyweights thanks to the Parsons trade and defense under Jeff Hafley, while the Commanders’ tough night and the limitations of their offensive approach are laid bare. The second half is a football gambler’s buffet—breaking down upcoming college and NFL matchups in both form and function. Throughout, John Middlekauff’s mix of candor and strategic insight makes this a compelling window into the inner workings and on-field realities of today’s NFL and NCAA football.