Podcast Summary: "3 & Out – Reaction To Bengals STUNNING Steelers On TNF, Betting NFL Week 7"

The Herd with Colin Cowherd Date: October 17, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff
Guest: Stuckey (Action Network, Betting Analyst)

Overview

This episode dives into a wild and unexpected Thursday Night Football matchup, where Joe Flacco led the Cincinnati Bengals over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers. John Middlekauff recaps the game’s pivotal moments, reflects on the implications for both teams, and explores the state of the AFC North. The show then transitions to a robust NFL Week 7 betting preview, with Stuckey offering sharp analysis, opinions on key matchups, and actionable gambling advice. Insights into college coaching contracts, the NFL injury epidemic, and notable college football games round out the conversation.

1. Bengals Shock Steelers on TNF: Joe Flacco's Redemption Story

(Starts ~[03:00])

Key Points & Insights:

• Joe Flacco’s Vintage Performance:

  • Flacco outdueled Aaron Rodgers, throwing for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns, rejuvenating Jamar Chase’s season and the entire Bengals offense.
  • “He out dueled Aaron Rodgers...threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns and has turned Jamar Chase into a video game player again.” – John Middlekauff ([03:06])
  • Bengals’ offensive line excelled, giving Flacco time—Cam Heyward and TJ Watt didn’t touch him for over two hours of real time.

• Jamar Chase Dominates:

  • Since Flacco started, Chase has 26 catches, 250 yards, and 2 TDs in two games, with T. Higgins also benefiting.
  • “That was the play tonight…get the ball to Jamar and get the fuck out of the way.” ([14:37])

• Steelers Defensive Collapse:

  • Pittsburgh’s defense, previously looking improved, was “absolutely eviscerated.”
  • Secondary stood no chance against Chase, drawing comparisons to NBA stars in takeover mode.

• Mike Tomlin’s Stance and Browns Trade Fallout:

  • Tomlin’s pregame comments questioned the Browns treating Flacco “like a widget” and sending him to a divisional rival.
  • Middlekauff ridicules Cleveland’s process and the DeShaun Watson contract mess.

• NFL: No Room for Tanking:

  • Contrasted with NBA/MLB, the NFL’s culture and veteran leadership minimize tanking.
  • “Part of Mike Tomlin’s rant this week…this is a real quarterback in this franchise…with those two wide receivers, if they could just get a capable quarterback, can be a real freaking team.” ([11:28])

Notable Quote:

“If you’re not gonna pressure Joe Flacco, he can eviscerate you as he did tonight. Even some of his misses, he’s hitting Jamar Chase in the hands. His chemistry with these players, despite literally having his first practice with them last Wednesday, is pretty mind blowing.” – John Middlekauff ([13:45])

2. Broader Implications for the AFC North & Steelers

([17:53] onward)

• Bengals Newfound Hope:

  • Sitting at 3-4 with the Jets next, a .500 record is realistic, keeping playoff hopes alive.
  • Flacco’s joy and leadership spotlighted—his motivation at this point in his career seen as admirable.

• Steelers’ Ceiling Exposed:

  • Offense described as “boring to watch,” reliant on three solid tight ends and inconsistent run game.
  • Jalen Warren had success against a poor-tackling Bengals D, but real concern about sustainability against better teams.

• Aaron Rodgers Critique:

  • Two picks, one particularly bad; his athletic difference from Flacco minimal at this stage.
  • “You saw two icy hot guys…two older players. Now, Aaron, that final Hail Mary is a thing of beauty…but other than that, he's not doing that much.” ([18:59], [24:56])

3. NFL News and Coaching Market Shake-Ups

([25:28] onward)

College Football Salaries Outpacing NFL

• Kurt Signetti’s $93/94 million fully guaranteed contract at Indiana cited as emblematic of college football's exploding coaching market, outpacing many NFL head coach salaries.
• Suggestion that NFL coaches or top assistants might look to college for the money.

Notable Quote:

“The amount of money college pays is borderline insanity…Can you imagine, like, 61-year-old Nick Saban right now, in the prime of his career in college. What would he be worth? $300 million contract.” ([31:38])

4. NFL Week 7 Betting Preview with Stuckey

Main Segment: [48:38] onward

NFL Scheduling Quirks & Injuries

• Too many bye weeks, double Monday night games, and international games thin out the 1pm and 4pm windows.
• “The clusters are crazy…the amount of teams with the amount of injuries…pretty crazy.” – Stuckey ([96:03])

Rams vs. Jaguars (London Game)

• Puka Nacua’s injury significant—hurts LA’s ability to attack Jacksonville’s zone defense.
• Rams’ travel and the wear of a long road trip discussed; staying on East Coast may help, but tough spot for McVay.

Hammer Picks of the Week (Middlekauff)

• Raiders +11.5
• Vikings +1.5
• Saints +4.5
  Logic: Saints’ defense vs. Bears, Vikings’ plus matchup against struggling Eagles, Raiders as large underdogs to Chiefs.

Saints at Bears

• Stuckey: Not high on Caleb (Bears QB), likes Saints’ improved offense under Rattler.
• “He’s been the worst quarterback in the league against Cover 2. Well, the Vikings play more Cover 2 than any defense in the league…It’s a nightmare matchup for the Eagles.” – Stuckey ([62:24])

Chiefs at Raiders

• Chiefs offense “is back,” getting Rice and Worthy back, Mahomes’ efficiency up.
• But KC historically struggles to cover large spreads; Raiders have upset them as big underdogs before.

5. Key Game Previews and In-Depth Analysis

Other NFL Games Discussed

• Cardinals spiraling:
  Jonathan Gannon’s job security questioned; Cardinals praised for schematic creativity on D but "teetering."

  • “They're much closer to like the Jets or the Dolphins…they’re a joke franchise.” – Middlekauff ([72:04])

• Colts at Chargers:
  Injuries in the secondary make it a tough spot for the Colts, Chargers seen as having a clear edge through Herbert.

• Dolphins at Browns:
  Flacco and the Browns’ elite home defense, especially in poor weather, could neutralize Miami’s weapons (Tyreek Hill out).

  • “Browns defense at home over the last three years is a different animal. No one can score on them…And now you’re going up against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL.” – Stuckey ([82:26])

• Falcons at 49ers:
  Key injuries (Bosa, Fred Warner) mean 49ers’ defense is now “bottom tier”; Falcons running game could feast; watch the tackles’ status for Atlanta.

6. College Football – Playoff Race and Coaching Carousel

(Starts [98:54] onward)

Notable Games & Themes

• USC vs. Notre Dame:
  Weather could swing the game; slot receiver Lemon a potential star.
• Georgia vs. Ole Miss:
  Ole Miss prepping for Georgia a week early; not as bullish on Rebels’ ability to hang—SEC noted as especially even and “chaotic” this year.
• Coaching Carousel:
  Florida, Penn State, Auburn jobs (and more) could open. Top-tier assistants and current head coaches likely to get attention; college market reshuffling with SEC/Big Ten money.
• Vanderbilt and Clark Lee:
  Vandy’s program described as impressively run given resources; Lee positioned for bigger job prospects if openings emerge.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Joe Flacco’s Motivation:
  “Money's not an issue for Joe. So it’s like, do I want to do this? And not only does he look like he wants to do it, looks like he’s embraced it.” – John Middlekauff ([14:37])

• On the Uniqueness of TNF Road Games:
  “Thursday road games are hard…your margin for error even when you are the better team is not as wide.” – Middlekauff ([08:52])

• On Coaching Money in NCAA:
  “Kurt Signetti at Indiana, not the Indianapolis Colts. Indiana. If you would have told me…the head coach at Indiana would make $11.6 million. I would have said, you’re higher than I was a couple nights ago when I had my gummy and I was floating in the sky.” – Middlekauff ([31:38])

• On the Eagles’ Struggles:
  “Fade alert until further notice. This just looks like a couple of years ago with under Brian Johnson...numbers versus zone are exponentially worse…” – Stuckey ([60:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 — Bengals vs. Steelers, Flacco’s performance and game breakdown
• 08:50 — Thursday Night Football road disadvantage, NFL vs. NBA tanking
• 17:53 — Steelers offensive struggles, Flacco’s leadership, Jamar Chase
• 25:28 — AFC North and Browns’ mismanagement, NFL job talk
• 31:36 — College coaching salaries, NFL job market implications
• 48:38 — NFL Week 7 preview, Stuckey joins show
• 51:00 — London games, Sunday schedule, Rams-Jaguars
• 57:35 — Weekly betting “Hammer” picks
• 70:00 — Packers, Cardinals, Colts-Chargers, Dolphins-Browns, more NFL games
• 98:54 — College football preview, playoff implications, Ole Miss-Georgia
• 114:33 — College coaching carousel roundup

Conclusion

Middlekauff and Stuckey deliver an episode blending sharp football analysis, betting strategy, and cultural commentary on the modern NFL and college football landscape. The incredible tale of Joe Flacco reviving the Bengals and humiliating the Steelers is the heartfelt highlight, while the episode’s back half is a clinic in using context, injury status, and matchup advantages to inform NFL and CFB betting decisions.

For listeners seeking bold opinions, insider logic, and a bit of humor, this episode is a must—especially for those interested in the intersection of football analysis and sports wagering.