The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out – REACTION: Justin Herbert & LA Chargers UPSET Patrick Mahomes & Chiefs

Host: John Middlekauff
Date: September 6, 2025

Overview

This episode is a rapid reaction and deep-dive on the LA Chargers’ upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with a focus on Justin Herbert’s standout performance in Brazil on a YouTube-exclusive broadcast. Host John Middlekauff breaks down Herbert’s emergence under Jim Harbaugh, the state of both the Chargers and Chiefs franchises, the contrast in quarterback narratives, key turning points, and provides commentary on the YouTube broadcast experience and the changing NFL media landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Justin Herbert’s Breakout on the Big Stage

• Herbert delivered “as good of a game as you’ll see him play,” displaying elite passing, running ability, and toughness (03:13).
• Stats: 25/34, 318 yards, 3 TDs, multiple critical runs.
• Middlekauff emphasizes that the media “overthinks” Herbert’s place among top QBs, pushing back on the “overrated” debate.

Quote:

“I've never understood the Justin Herbert discourse... I don't have the energy. Mainly because I just couldn't disagree more... this guy’s really good.”
— John Middlekauff [06:10]

• Comparison is made to QBs like Peyton Manning and Lamar Jackson, arguing playoff struggles shouldn’t overshadow elite talent.

2. Harbaugh Effect & Chargers’ Roster Construction

• Jim Harbaugh chose the Chargers for Herbert, not just a return to the NFL; he values a team with a star QB (07:40).
• Chargers now mirror the Chiefs’ “formula” – physical DBs, explosive but reliable WRs, strong drafting.
• Chargers overcame the loss of top LT Slater by shifting Joel to LT, a sign of roster flexibility and depth (19:15).
• Offensive talent highlighted: Herbert, Hampton (rookie RB), Quentin Johnston, Lad McConkey, Keenan Allen.
• Praise for the defense and Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, noted as “great at hiring defensive coaches” (21:35).

Quote:

“Chargers just from the jump said, we're your equal, we're every bit as good as you. And whether that's true or not... they sure as hell believed it tonight and it showed.”
— John Middlekauff [35:04]

3. Chiefs’ Offensive Struggles & Mahomes Heroics

• Early injury to Xavier Worthy (WR) derailed Chiefs’ deep-threat game plan (13:40).
• Rashee Rice suspended, placing added strain on an aging Travis Kelce, Hollywood Brown, and Juju Smith-Schuster.
• Mahomes praised for his “touch” and playmaking but must be more careful when taking hits (“You are the franchise, brother." [16:30]).
• Right tackle Jawaan Taylor’s repeated false starts and penalties become “drive killers.”
• Noted that Kelce “does not move the same... a shell of himself,” signifying the effects of age (15:25).

Quote:

“When they were at their peak... Travis Kelce was an unstoppable force... now, week one, you don't see him being a factor.”
— John Middlekauff [15:02]

4. Key Turning Points in the Game

• Chargers’ offensive efficiency: 7-for-13 on third down, moved chains on early and late downs (30:26).
• Chiefs’ miscues: Missed extra point by Butker, failed 2-point conversion, and mounting penalties put them in chase mode.
• Critical Herbert runs and 1st downs blunted Chiefs’ comeback attempts.
• Final stretch: “Every time it would start to creep in like, oh, the Chiefs are going to pull another game out... Herbert would just make a big pass.” [30:40]

5. The YouTube Broadcast Experience & Future of Sports Media

• Unique “Friday Night in Brazil on YouTube” was presented as historic and likely a sign of things to come (03:02; 36:02).
• Criticism of the YouTube broadcast: Middlekauff finds Rich Eisen “a tough listen” and the show “not very good,” but calls the user experience for streaming “excellent.”
• Observes that YouTube’s financial power could change sports broadcasting, potentially outbidding traditional networks.
• Predicts that streaming platforms will continue to reshape how fans consume the NFL (“We are just at the beginning of this.” [38:30]).

Quote:

“If YouTube was a standalone company... it would be a top-20, 25 company in the world. And they are trending up... They could outbid every single person [for NFL rights].”
— John Middlekauff [37:00]

6. Reflections on Chiefs’ and Chargers’ Seasons Ahead

• Chiefs’ schedule now looks daunting: Eagles, Giants (SNF), Ravens – risk of a 1-3 start if struggles persist.
• Emphasizes the difficulty of “first place schedules” and being the team everyone guns for.
• Divisional games always competitive: “Divisional dog early in the season... they're not intimidated.” [33:10]
• Middlekauff reconsiders his preseason Chargers prediction:

  “I might have to rethink my Chargers missing the playoffs, that's going to be a tough team.” [26:18]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “[Herbert’s] got the perfect coach for him to build him up. But watching tonight... he was picking [the Chiefs] apart.” [11:29]
• “When you look at the Chiefs, Travis is a shell of himself... It's called Father time. It's called age.” [15:25]
• “For [the Chiefs] even to stay in the game... Mahomes just got to create explosives out of magic.” [16:55]
• “It was glaring to watch tonight: [Harbaugh] let Herbert... keep calling pass plays. They were extremely comfortable calling pass plays... shows you how much belief.” [21:50]
• “You saw tonight, the Chargers just from the jump said, we're your equal, we're every bit as good as you.” [35:04]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Show intro & context: Chargers vs. Chiefs in Brazil on YouTube | | 06:10 | Addressing the Herbert “overrated” QB debate | | 10:50 | Jim Harbaugh’s decision to join Chargers, shaping the roster | | 11:29 | Herbert’s performance, Chiefs defense, and weapons | | 13:40 | Chiefs’ offense derailed by Worthy injury; reliance on Mahomes | | 15:25 | Kelce’s aging and impact on Chiefs’ offense | | 16:30 | Mahomes’ playstyle; need for caution running in open field | | 19:15 | Chargers’ offensive depth & Slater injury response | | 21:35 | Chargers’ defense and coaching staff “carbon copy” of Chiefs | | 26:18 | Middlekauff reconsiders Chargers missing the playoffs | | 30:26 | Key moment: Chiefs’ miscues (point after, 2-ptr), Chargers’ answer | | 33:10 | Divisional games’ unique intensity | | 36:02 | YouTube broadcast experience & sports media’s future | | 37:00 | YouTube as a broadcast giant – sports rights speculation | | 38:30 | Streaming platforms reshaping NFL consumption |

Tone & Style

• Direct, opinionated, and relatable; Middlekauff uses vivid analogies and references to history and the personalities involved.
• Candid criticisms (e.g., of broadcast talent or NFL decision-makers) mixed with fan-level enthusiasm for great football.
• Periodic humor and “everyman” analogies (e.g., “football porn” to describe prime Mahomes-Kelce schemes).

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode delivers a lively, in-depth postgame breakdown of the Chargers’ signature win over the Chiefs in Brazil. John Middlekauff hails Justin Herbert’s career night and the new-look Chargers under Jim Harbaugh, while raising alarms about Kansas City’s supporting cast and Travis Kelce’s decline. He explores the ripple effects for both franchises’ seasons and places the TV-streaming experiment into a rapidly shifting sports media landscape. The tone throughout is passionate, accessible, and unabashedly honest, making it a must-listen (or read) for anyone wanting to understand why this game—and moment—matters.