The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 3 & Out — Patrick Mahomes leads Chiefs past Giants & Russell Wilson on SNF

Date: September 22, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff (The Volume)
Theme: Breaking down Sunday Night Football (Chiefs vs. Giants), assessing the state of the Giants and Russell Wilson, insights on Patrick Mahomes’ value, flyover of NFL Week 3, and overrated/underrated takes across the league.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Chiefs’ win over the Giants on Sunday Night Football, and John Middlekauff delivers sharp, candid analysis of Patrick Mahomes’ leadership, the Giants’ fumbling of the QB situation, and Russell Wilson’s ongoing struggles. The conversation also zooms out with a fast-paced tour through major storylines and controversies across the NFL, including head coach performance, quarterback trajectories, and the art of team-building.

1. Chiefs vs. Giants: Sunday Night Football Breakdown

Timestamps: [02:16 - 21:50]

Chiefs Secure a Much-Needed Win

• Chiefs’ Performance:
  The Kansas City Chiefs "finally get a win" in a sloppy game that was tight for much of the night. Patrick Mahomes' veteran instincts and all-around value were front and center despite a rocky start.

• Mahomes’ Defining Play:
  A fumble recovery stood out as the game’s linchpin.

  “Patrick Mahomes ripped it out of the fucking guy’s hands and kept possession. It was... one of the best plays of his 7, 8-year career.”
  — John Middlekauff (20:15)

• Travis Kelce–Andy Reid Sideline Incident:
  Andy Reid was uncharacteristically animated, yelling at Travis Kelce on the sideline for an incident unknown at recording—highlighting both Kelce’s importance and the urgency inside the Chiefs’ camp.

  “Nothing is more football than that moment—one, the respect Travis has for him to let his coach come up to him... Andy Reid screaming at players—probably can count it on two hands.”
  — John (18:57)

• State of the Chiefs:
  Offense is not as explosive, Kelce is aging but not washed, and reinforcements are expected with the return of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Defense and coaching keeping them afloat.

Giants' QB Dilemma & Coaching Critique

• Russell Wilson’s Regression:
  Wilson’s athletic decline is now cemented; underthrown balls, lack of explosive plays, and costly mistakes.

  “His days of being an elite playmaker are done... this is not on Russell Wilson. This falls on the coach. You’re either coaching it or allowing it to happen.”
  — John (05:11)

• Brian Daboll’s Decision-Making:
  Daboll failed to commit to rookie QB Jackson Dart, inserting him only briefly, frustrating fans and players.

  “You can’t roll this guy [Wilson] out any longer when you have this young player you just drafted in the first round... If he’s overwhelmed, take him out and put Russell back in. There are no feelings involved anymore. He has to play or you’re going to lose everybody.”
  — John (12:47)

• Roster Talent:
  John stresses Giants have "impact players" that top teams would covet (e.g., Malik Nabers, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence).

• Draft Philosophy Commentary:
  John questions the Giants' use of resources (e.g., trading a first-rounder for Travis Hunter over defensive linemen like Abdul Carter):

  “Trading a first round pick [for a hybrid WR/CB] and taking Travis Hunter over Abdul Carter... looks kind of crazy.”
  — John (11:13)

• Fan Discontent:
  Giants fans suffered watching the same old story unfold:

  “I feel bad for Giants fans. And I don’t see how you go back at this point.”
  — John (12:00)

2. Leadership & Instinct: The Patrick Mahomes Difference

Timestamps: [15:40 - 21:50]

• Mahomes’ Leadership:
  Sets a standard above and beyond stats.

  “I have more respect watching Patrick Mahomes in 2025 for his game, for him as a competitor… I would go to war with that guy every day of the week and 10 times on Sunday.”
  — John (16:57)

• Football IQ:
  Mahomes’ “football IQ is through the freaking roof.”
  — John (18:09)

• Adaptation & Composure:
  Mahomes keeps poise regardless of personnel, adjusting without Tyreek Hill, working with an aging Kelce, and helping new receivers step up.

3. NFL Week 3 Fly-Around: Overrated & Underrated

Timestamps: [27:22 - 49:35]

49ers’ Grit

• Key Point: “Overrated: Having healthy players”—Niners survived significant injuries to Nick Bosa, Mikel Williams, Mac Jones and still won.
• Noted: No such thing as “doubles” in the draft; you take risks for home runs, as with Ricky Pearsall emerging over Marvin Harrison Jr.

  “Things change so quickly in the NFL with draft picks... there are no such things as doubles.”
  — John (30:48)

Vikings & Commanders: Backup Quarterbacks

• Underrated: Winning with backup QBs (Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota) is a big deal and validates their paychecks.

Atlanta Falcons Troubles

• Heavy critique of ATL offensive strategy and not catering to Michael Penix’s deep-ball specialty.

  “Zach Robinson not sure knows what he’s doing... [they] fell in love with this quarterback... then are asking him... to do something different.”
  — John (37:54)

Defensive Coaching Concerns

• Matt Eberflus (Cowboys) & Gus Bradley:
  DC/HCs who are “just not working.”

  “Whatever he’s telling these players got lost in translation... What I witnessed today was the most embarrassing, fundamental defensive performance I’ve ever seen.”
  — John (40:18)

Denver Broncos Uncertainty

• Team could rack up some wins soon (Jets, Giants, Cowboys, Bengals ahead) but isn’t beating playoff-level teams. Bo Nix still unproven as a difference-maker.

Chargers & Harbaugh

• Chargers off to 3-0 division start, looking strong despite injuries, “got to buy what Jim Harbaugh is doing.”

Eagles-Rams & the Value of Elite Talent

• Eagles’ offensive struggles abruptly reversed by feeding A.J. Brown.

  “He just started calling passes to A.J. Brown. Pretty good idea… The field goal is blocked, he’s celebrating, visual of Jalen Hurts staying stoic…”
  — John (46:01)

• Rams' play-calling (e.g., running at Eagles’ strength) called out.
• Emphasizes brutal environment in Philly: “They would never operate like the Giants.”

4. Closing Week 3 Takeaways

Timestamps: [52:48 - End]

Bucs Collapse vs. Jets

• “Lead with Baker Mayfield is pretty overrated.”
• Blocked field goal changed momentum, injuries mounting.

Titans: The NFL’s Worst

• Brian Callahan pegged as worst HC in the NFL, Titans a “disaster.”

  “He’s got ‘being fired’ written all over him... This Titans team is an atrocious watch.”
  — John (54:39)

Colts & Daniel Jones

• Under-the-radar: Daniel Jones has been “airing ropes” and looks like a real fit for Shane Steichen’s offense.
• AFC South “wide open”: Texans and Titans disastrous, Jags unimpressive.
• Big picture: “Football's crazy, man. You just never know what’s going to happen week to week.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mahomes’ Fumble Recovery:

  “That has to be one of the best plays of his career… He ripped it out of the fucking guy’s hands and kept possession.” — John Middlekauff (20:14)

• On Brian Daboll’s Strategy:

  “He wanted to show that he’s got some balls, but wasn’t exactly gonna put it all out there… You’re risking losing again. That’s exactly what happened.” — John (13:29)

• On Giants’ QB Controversy:

  “Anything less than Jackson Dart being named the starter this week… it’s going to cause riots outside Brian Daboll’s office.” — John (22:00)

• On Baker Mayfield and Blown Leads:

  “A lead with Baker Mayfield is pretty overrated because he’s three for three now [blowing leads].” — John (52:48)

• On Titans HC Brian Callahan:

  “He’s got being fired written all over him… it’s got to be Brian Callahan right now. The Titans team is an atrocious watch. Embarrassingly bad.” — John (54:42)

Key Themes/Tone

• Candid, unfiltered, passionate: Middlekauff calls out poor coaching, organizational dysfunction, and celebrates football IQ and effort.
• Humor and Sarcasm: Regularly pokes fun (e.g., being “high on crack cocaine” to doubt Chiefs’ playoff chances).
• Big Picture Thinking: Emphasizes how quickly fortunes shift in the NFL and the importance of leadership, risk, and adaptability.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Chiefs rely on Mahomes’ intangible traits as much as raw talent—his hustle play is symbolic of the franchise’s resilience.
• Giants’ patience has run out with Russell Wilson—true change needed at QB, or risk losing the team and fanbase.
• Across the NFL, the week's results reveal that leadership and adaptability, both in players (Mahomes, Daniel Jones) and coaches, are more important than pedigree or past reputation.
• Several franchises (Titans, Falcons, Broncos) are in existential crises; meanwhile, surprise resurgences and collapses define the ever-changing league landscape.

For fans who missed the episode:
John delivers a thorough, no-nonsense recap of SNF and zooms across the NFL, offering equal parts tough love, genuine football admiration, and sharp-witted commentary. If you want the pulse on this week in football—and who’s getting it right or wrong—this episode is a must-listen.