The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out – Rams and Patriots WIN, Harbaugh in a New York State of Mind
Host: John Middlekauff (The Volume)
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers a monumental playoff weekend in the NFL, focusing on the Rams and Patriots advancing to the championship games, dramatic moments in the Bears-Rams matchup, reflections on quarterback performance under pressure (highlighting Caleb Williams and CJ Stroud), and an in-depth look at John Harbaugh’s blockbuster coaching deal with the New York Giants. Middlekauff blends big-picture sports philosophy with granular game analysis, offering both tactical football insights and thoughts on team identity, coaching hierarchies, and the emotional roller coaster of fandom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Resurrection of the Bears and Patriots (02:10–12:00, 36:32–53:34)

• Massive Playoff Wins: Rams and Patriots advance; Bears, previously “dead,” now revitalized and playoff relevant.
• Nostalgia & Team Identity: Middlekauff frames the Bears and Patriots as classic NFL brands whose resurgence is “good for the league.”
  • Quote: “When a brand that should matter, that historically has mattered, that’s been down and out matters again... it’s really, really cool.” — John Middlekauff (05:25)
• Chicago’s Playoff Atmosphere: Describes Chicago’s energy as “beautiful,” comparing Philadelphia and Chicago fans’ passion.
• Contrast with College Football: NFL’s cold-weather, high-stakes games described as unique, communal, and almost tribal.

2. Quarterback Play & Offensive Philosophy: Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson & the Bears Offense (08:29–22:57)

• Caleb Williams’ Skillset vs. Ben Johnson’s Philosophy: Caleb’s playmaking, especially outside the structure, often at odds with the more rigid Ben Johnson offensive approach.
  • Quote: “Caleb’s best skill by far is his playmaking ability. Honestly, he’s the best playmaker right now in the NFL.” (09:14)
• Tension on Fourth Downs: Ben Johnson’s aggressive fourth-down philosophy sometimes clashes with in-game context, notably eschewing field goals in frigid, low-scoring conditions.
  • “Ben Johnson is obsessed with going for it always... I’m sorry, I’m out on which I respect.” (16:55)
• Under-utilized QB Runs: Questioning why the Bears do not leverage Williams’ mobility more: “Why not use Caleb’s legs? Why not run a quarterback power?” (13:21)
• Ben Johnson vs. the McVay/Shanahan Coaching Tree: Playful speculation about a “personal” rivalry fueling Johnson’s coaching identity.
  • “For some reason, hates McVay and all of his friends... Hates the Shanahans. Kubiax probably can't stand that tree, which I also respect.” (13:40)
• Memorable Moment: Caleb’s game-tying play to force overtime
  • “That play he made to send it to overtime — less than 10 guys in the history of the NFL could make that play.” (09:25)
• Clutch Factor & Bears Fan Emotions: “These last couple weeks, if you're Bears fans and you attended the game, that is priceless... that's the type moment you tell your friends till the day you die.” (24:11)

3. Rams Grit: McVay, Stafford, and Toughness in the Cold (12:09–22:06)

• Sean McVay’s Cold-Weather Strategy: Praises the Rams’ ability to win physically in brutal conditions, underscores the challenge for West Coast teams.
  • Quote: “When you can go as a west coast team and go to frigid conditions and set the tone physically, you’re a well built team.” (18:28)
• Stafford’s Limitations: Analyzes how a stationary, aging QB (Stafford) forces a precision game where everyone must execute perfectly.

4. The Patriots: Mike Vrabel’s Impact and Team Toughness (36:32–41:15)

• Vrabel’s Gritty Blueprint: Vrabel has re-infused the Patriots with old-school toughness, discipline, and a collective identity.
  • Quote: “There is a grittiness and a toughness to the Patriots... The group is better than the sum of their parts.” (37:14)
• Drake Maye’s Arc: Rookie QB shows promise amidst adversity, and the Patriots' defense/special teams build margin for error.

5. CJ Stroud’s Meltdown & Texans’ Dilemma (41:35–53:18)

• Stroud’s Freefall: Middlekauff recounts Stroud’s disastrous performance—three picks in ten plays, repeated hero-ball mistakes, and inability to handle the elements.
  • “That’s as bad of a game as you can ever see.” (49:51)
• Touch Passers in Cold Weather: Outlines the historical struggles of touch-passers like Goff and Stroud in frigid conditions versus power throwers/more mobile QBs.
• Coaching Dilemma: Criticizes Houston for not benching Stroud, noting in an earlier era “a player of CJ’s stature...would have got the hook at halftime.” (46:52)
• Implications for Future Contracts: Asserts the Texans can’t consider an early extension for Stroud; he must prove himself in poor conditions and high stakes.

6. John Harbaugh’s $100 Million Giants Deal – A New York State of Mind (53:51–1:06:17)

• A Power Move: Harbaugh signs a 5-year, $100 million contract with the Giants; Middlekauff frames this as restoring “credibility for a franchise that was kind of dead.”
• New York Needs a Boss: Harbaugh compared to Parcells, Coughlin, and other iconic New York “alpha” head coaches.
  • “The Giants have gone through a stretch where they’ve had a lot of twos and threes... If you’re a great one... you get $100 million.” (56:36)
• GM/Coach Power Dynamic: Warns of potential dysfunction if Harbaugh is forced to answer to GM Joe Schoen, drawing parallels to previous NFL power struggles.
  • “[The Giants] should have got the hint and figured it out and done it for him that this relationship... if it doesn’t, I think that’s pretty crazy because clearly Jon wanted no part of the previous hierarchy.” (64:48)
• Significance for the Giants: If successful, Harbaugh gets “extra credit” for reviving a storied but recently underperforming franchise.

7. Fandom, Heartbreak, and the Sweetness of the Ride (67:01–68:10)

• Dramatic Losses: Explores the pain and pride of playoff heartbreak for teams like the Bears and Bills.
  • “If you’ve sucked forever, you want to be in the game. You want to play a great game even if you lose.” (66:52)
• Perspective: Bears fans, despite losing, can “hold your head high and be excited.” (68:04)

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• On the communal stress of being a fan:
  “It’s in a weird way, a very communal thing to do, but it’s also not that fun. It’s stressful. It’s exhilarating. Highs and lows.” — John Middlekauff (24:23)

• On Bears QB Caleb Williams:
  “His best skill by far is his playmaking ability. Honestly, he’s the best playmaker right now in the NFL.” (09:14)
  “Why not use Caleb’s legs? Why not run a quarterback power?” (13:21)

• On Ben Johnson’s philosophy:
  “Ben Johnson is obsessed with going for it always... I’m sorry, I’m out on which I respect.” (16:55)

• On CJ Stroud’s struggles:
  “He did not have a good game. His confidence was lost and he was a gigantic liability.” (47:17)
  “CJ Stroud’s comp is really much closer to Jared Goff... What happens in the freezing cold? Can’t feel your hands.” (44:25)

• On John Harbaugh to the Giants:
  “He just knew that guy was a one. That guy ain’t a two or a three. He’s a one. He’s the leader of this operation.” (56:36)
  “It brings back credibility for a franchise that was kind of dead and this situation is the only thing that could derail it.” (66:08)

• On playoff heartbreak:
  “When you haven’t got over the hump, I feel like staying really, really hard. And then there’s a category... where you’re just so happy to be there, it’s gonna sting. But within a couple days, you’ll be able to hold your head high and be excited.” (67:55–68:04)

Recommended Listening Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time (MM:SS) | |-------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening Thoughts & Playoff Picture | 02:10–04:11 | | Bears-Rams & NFL Nostalgia | 04:11–12:00 | | Bears Offense & Ben Johnson | 08:29–22:57 | | Game Management & Clutch Moments | 15:35–24:45 | | Patriots’ Turnaround & Vrabel | 36:32–41:15 | | CJ Stroud’s Playoff Struggles | 41:35–53:18 | | Harbaugh Joins the Giants | 53:51–1:06:17| | Fandom & Playoff Heartache | 67:01–68:10 |

Tone & Style

Middlekauff is candid, opinionated, occasionally irreverent, and deeply steeped in the culture and “feeling” of football cities. The conversation moves from analytical to personal, sprinkling in both heavy football jargon and big-picture life lessons. There’s a clear love of tradition, spirited rivalries, and the drama that the NFL delivers.

Summary Prepared for listeners/alumni who missed the episode, need quick orientation, or want deeper insight into the latest seismic NFL events and the evolving culture of America’s favorite sport.