The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out – Kansas City Chiefs Handle Commanders on MNF REACTION
Host: John Middlekauff
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode offers an in-depth reaction and analysis following the Kansas City Chiefs' decisive win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. Host John Middlekauff unpacks Patrick Mahomes’ MVP-caliber performance, the Chiefs’ resurgence after a shaky start, the Commanders’ ongoing struggles, and broader NFL issues like coaching decisions, quarterback evaluation, leadership, as well as reflections on notable league figures and mailbag questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chiefs Dominate, Mahomes Back in MVP Form

• The Chiefs shut down the Commanders, improving to 5-3. Mahomes delivered a commanding three-touchdown performance, reasserting himself in the MVP race.

• Early game chaos included a bizarre string of interceptions, including one off Debo Samuel’s facemask and uncharacteristic picks by Mahomes and on a pass intended for Kelsey. Despite miscues, Kansas City imposed itself after the first quarter.

  “That was as easy as it looked. Very weird start to the game… The first quarter is one of the more bizarre experiences I’ve had this year…”
  — John Middlekauff (08:39)

• Chiefs’ offensive weapons returning to health (notably Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice) transformed their attack, opening up space for Kelsey who notched his 100th career touchdown.

  “Travis has the fountain of youth. Clearly all the wide receiver help… The running game's awesome… This team’s coming.”
  — John Middlekauff (11:05)

• Despite missing two starters on the offensive line, Kansas City dominated. Middlekauff sees them as AFC Championship favorites.

Perspective on Mahomes and MVP Race

• Mahomes’ excellence is solidified by command of simple, routine throws as much as by highlights.

  “You have to do the easy stuff well… Patrick Mahomes does that shit with his eyes closed.”
  — John Middlekauff (16:37)

• Narrative and timing also matter. After a shaky 0-2 start and media skepticism, Mahomes’ late-season charge could drive MVP momentum.

• Mahomes is lauded for "flipping a switch" and reaching vintage form, especially as his receiving corps regains health.

  “It kind of feels like we’re getting that throwback… We called him Farveen. We called him like the Steph Curry of football. And he’s doing that again…”
  — John Middlekauff (18:24)

Kansas City Chiefs’ Organizational Resilience

• The Chiefs face every opponent’s “best shot” as perennial targets — a challenge few franchises meet year after year.

  “When you are forever LeBron James or Steph Curry… you're getting everyone’s best shot every single time…”
  — John Middlekauff (24:20)

• Middlekauff parallels Kansas City’s sustained excellence with Alabama under Saban and emphasizes the mental toll of being “the hunted.”

Commanders in Free Fall

• The Commanders (now 3-5) have dramatically fallen off after an NFC Championship appearance last year, pointing to the key absence of Jaden Daniels and declining performances across the roster, including aging veterans and an uninspiring defense.

  “They were so good on fourth down last year… that magic’s just kind of gone…”
  — John Middlekauff (22:23)

• Terry McLaurin is highlighted as a bright spot, making incredible catches—though much of the team “is just missing a little juice at the end of the day.”

Backup Quarterbacks & NFL Careers

• Marcus Mariota starts for the Commanders in Daniels’ absence. Middlekauff discusses the financial and cultural value of "high-character" backup QBs like Mariota, Chad Henne, Joe Flacco, and Gardner Minshew.

  “If you are a good guy… you can make a lot of money in the NFL…”
  — John Middlekauff (29:10)

• The importance of backups as mentors and stabilizers in quarterback rooms is stressed.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Chiefs’ Turnaround & Mahomes’ Leadership

• “It kind of hits you when you’re watching them play—this team’s going to be in the AFC Championship game again.” (12:50)
• “Now he’s flipped a switch… That's the best player in the league… This guy’s going to win the MVP of the league.” (15:44)
• “His ability…what he’s really shown over the last couple weeks… We called him Farveen. We called him like the Steph Curry of football.” (18:24)

The NFL’s “Hunted” Mentality

• “For the Chiefs now since Patrick Mahomes… for the last six or seven years, every team on the schedule, it’s arguably the biggest regular season game of their season.” (24:20)

Commanders’ Struggles

• “They beat the Lions on the road and now they play Seattle coming up, which is not going to go well… It could get ugly and it could get ugly fast.” (05:50)

On Football’s Fragility

• “This is what makes the league so, so hard… It’s really hard to maintain a high level… Year in, year out.” (24:52)

On Backup Quarterbacks

• “If you’re one of those guys… I want this guy around my young quarterback…Chad Henne… made millions of dollars for years being the backup for Patrick Mahomes.” (29:35)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Chiefs vs. Commanders Recap and Mahomes Analysis: (08:39 – 24:52)
• The Chiefs as the NFL’s Big Game for Opponents: (24:20 – 26:30)
• Commanders’ Downward Spiral and McLaurin: (26:31 – 27:52)
• Backup QB Philosophies in the NFL: (29:10 – 31:12)
• Reflection on Travis Kelce’s Career: (22:50)
• Moment of Respect for Jets legend Nick Mangold: (50:03 – 52:01)

Additional NFL Topics Covered

Packers & Organizational Decisions (34:00+)

• Middlekauff praises Packers management (Gutekunst and LaFleur) for their decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers in favor of Jordan Love, comparing the “nuts” required to make such franchise-defining QB moves to the Alex Smith–Mahomes switch.
• Relates these tough decisions to organizational risk-taking and the perils of playing it safe in NFL front offices.

Leadership & Coaching Styles (41:00+)

• Middlekauff discusses Brian Kelly’s struggles fitting at LSU and draws parallels with Bill Belichick’s declining returns as his hard-nosed persona loses effectiveness without winning.
• Points out that truly successful hard-edged coaches (Saban, Belichick) only lasted because their results overshadowed their lack of personal warmth.

NFL Mailbag Highlights (56:18+)

Middlekauff addresses diverse listener questions with characteristic candor:

• The Eagles' playoff hopes and Jalen Hurts’ under-sung production. (56:30)
• Why some divisions may have three playoff teams, and why the NFC North likely won’t. (59:45)
• Organizational dysfunction: Atlanta Falcons’ recurring malaise and repercussions for GM and coach. (1:04:18)
• NFL refereeing errors and the league's unwillingness to change. (1:07:25)
• Thoughts on the Pablo Torre–Michael Lombardi controversy in media and NFL circles. (1:16:49)
• Doubts about Caleb Williams’ long-term future as Bears QB if results don’t improve. (1:21:24)
• Commentary on the absurdity of MLB’s Angels hiring a manager on a one-year deal. (1:24:03)
• Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive woes — is it coaches or declining talent? (1:28:00)

Episode Tone

Middlekauff’s tone is confident, off-the-cuff, and unapologetically opinionated, mixing sharp analysis, locker room stories, and self-deprecating humor. He’s honest about his own hits and misses as an analyst, and doesn’t shy away from calling out dysfunction—whether it’s about coaching hires, front office moves, or sports media squabbles.

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you didn’t catch the episode:

• You’ll come away convinced that the Chiefs are back to their intimidating Super Bowl-contender selves, led by a fully reloaded Mahomes whose routine greatness makes everyone else look average.
• You'll understand why backup QBs with leadership qualities make bank and stick around, even if they never play.
• The defense of great, risk-taking front offices—like Green Bay’s willingness to “bet the franchise” on unproven young QBs.
• A deeper appreciation for the subtleties of coaching, organizational culture, and why some franchises (looking at you, Commanders and Falcons) just can’t seem to shake systemic mediocrity, despite short-term flashes.
• The episode closes with warmth and respect for NFL players as people, particularly in tribute to the late Nick Mangold.

Notable Quote to Remember:

“I love football. I love watching good quarterback play... I admire it. I appreciate how difficult it is on the road in these environments, understand the pressure of playing in these primetime games.”
— John Middlekauff (16:08)

[End of Summary]

(Note: Ad reads and non-content sections have been omitted for clarity and relevance.)