The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out: Reaction to C.J. Stroud & Texans OUTDUELING Mahomes & Chiefs on SNF + NFL Week 14

Host: John Middelkoff (Three and Out Podcast, guest on The Herd)
Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

This episode focuses on a pivotal Week 14 in the NFL, headlined by the Houston Texans outdueling the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. John Middelkoff offers in-depth reactions to the end of the Chiefs’ dynasty era, the rise of C.J. Stroud and the Texans, and rounds up major storylines from around the league, including dramatic finishes, coaching chatter, injuries, and the college football playoff landscape. The tone is candid and unfiltered, blending analytical breakdowns with locker-room style storytelling.

Chiefs vs. Texans: Dynasty's End and a New Power Rises

End of the Chiefs Era

• Middelkoff sees Kansas City's loss as the "official" end to their dynasty:

  "Obviously the Chiefs, their playoff hopes, I would say officially are over and the dynasty is going to come to an end." (03:47)

• Compares the decline to other legends:

  "Usually that's not the way it goes... Willie Mays ended his career on the New York Mets... you talk about Brady, that last year..." (05:39)

• Notes decline of core stars:
  • Travis Kelce: Contract up, showing age ("he's not going to be on the Kansas City Chiefs next year"). (08:18)
  • Chris Jones: Implied likely trade due to contract situation.
  • Mahomes’ play: Still great, but inconsistent and in need of a stronger supporting cast. (11:10)
• The organizational challenge: salary cap reality forces churn; need for a “refill” and offseason rebuild.

  "At the point in time... it is in this operation, they need a refill... like a cleansing of my car every time I go to the gas station... that's what I think the Chiefs need to do this off season." (15:49)

Comparison to Other Dynasties & Coaches

• Andy Reid’s mindset:

  "Andy's just like, I'm just gonna lean on my best player right now... he's not waiting to, like, let's punt the ball back and then hopefully get a stop. He's not thinking like that." (20:39)

• Emphasizes how the Chiefs' "Super Bowl or bust" mentality differs from most teams. (20:16)

On Mahomes:

"I can't have any more respect for Patrick Mahomes, but he hasn't really played that great this year and there are a lot of players, if they would have just played like he played would get criticized." (11:32)

• Mahomes not above needing improvement, especially as the supporting cast ages and transitions.

Texans’ Emergence and C.J. Stroud’s Star

• C.J. Stroud & the Texans:

  • Defense is dominant and physical:

    "Their defense is dominant... It starts and ends with the defense." (28:56)

  • Offense inconsistent; Stroud scrambles, makes plays under pressure.
  • "They could beat anyone in an individual situation. So if they're the seven seed, they can take out the two seed... that defense could take over." (31:33)
  • Acknowledges D'Ameco Ryans as a top coach, with a “well-run operation”

    "They're just a well run operation at this point. They could beat anyone in an individual situation..." (31:15)

  • “Physicality a little bit of a throwback... pre-CTE rules... so many big hits, big tackles. That was a war zone for 60 minutes.” (32:04, 33:45)

• Playoff Outlook:

  • Feels Texans’ defense makes them “better shot to beat anybody than the Jags do.” (33:59)
  • Offense’s limitations may keep them from a deep run, but nobody wants to face them.

NFL Week 14 Recap: Analysis & Highlights

Bears vs. Packers: Instant Classic

• Bears’ comeback showcased grit and physicality.
• Caleb, Ben Johnson’s offense, ran an epic, 8-minute, 17-play TD drive. (39:01)
• "Team has like a physical nature... That creates a toughness... adds to the toughness of a team." (37:25, 37:46)
• Packers’ defensive speed and physicality lauded:

  "Packers team speed on defense is elite and their physicality." (37:44)

• Christian Watson’s five TDs in four games, Jordan Love’s steady play, Josh Jacobs' resilience cited as difference makers (42:37, 42:57).
• "Jordan Love, I thought, was awesome.” (42:35)
• “That was, I think, my favorite NFL game so far this season.” (44:01)

Steelers vs. Ravens: Surprises & Coach Watch

• Tomlin “lame duck” situation sparks NFL rumor mill (44:20).
• Steelers rally despite “leaking oil” and underdog status.
• Lamar Jackson “clearly injured;” playmaking vanished, “speed... is like a five [out of ten].” (46:36)
• “There’s not really much playmaking to Lamar.” (46:42)
• Criticizes Harbaugh for "going full puss here" by kicking an FG instead of going for it late. (50:09)

Bengals vs. Bills: Quarterback Duel

• Joe Burrow’s epic start, then game-flipping interception, then a second pick – swings Buffalo back into playoff life (51:15).
• Both QBs “the two best quarterbacks in the league right now.” (51:16)
• Still, questions both teams’ Super Bowl ceiling:
  • “You can’t win the Super Bowl when your defense is that unreliable.” (53:01)
  • For Bills: “Their defense just isn't good.” (53:01)

Rapid Fire: Storylines, Injuries, and College Football

NFL Quick Hits

• JJ McCarthy: “Hat tip to JJ McCarthy who kind of found himself on the mat... had a positive day.” (60:31)
• Shadour Sanders: “He made a beautiful touchdown pass... explosive plays.” (60:58)
• Deshaun Watson: Puzzled by rumors of a Browns return; “I don't even know what to say... If you did bring him back... that would be the worst decision in the history of the league." (63:24)
• Daniel Jones: Torn Achilles, “broken leg got injured... you think someone would have stepped up, like, 'Yeah, it's probably not a good idea.'" (64:23)
• Links these injuries to overcompensation and body mechanics, referencing NBA players like Klay Thompson and Derrick Rose. (65:02)

College Football: Playoff & Bowl Reactions

• Rants against including Group of Five schools in playoffs:

  “There is a different level of talent... Tulane has nothing in common with... [the] power[ful] teams. We saw them play Ole Miss, they lost 45-10.” (67:44, 68:41, 69:04)

• Suggests separating Power Four/Big schools from others in postseason.
• Criticizes Notre Dame for declining a bowl bid vs. BYU:

  “To decline the bowl game... I've lost a lot of respect. From a football standpoint... you're given an incredible opportunity to get more reps, even if you're pissed off. They chose not to do it... kind of arrogant, pompous.” (71:12, 74:21)

• On bowl decisions: “I never would [decline it], no matter how complicated. Especially in Notre Dame’s situation.” (74:52)

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• “The Chiefs have officially run out of gas. This team's not very good, right? And like, it's over.” (06:15, John Middelkoff)
• “That’s what happens when you’re old... Your margin for error is much smaller. You’re not quite as quick. You don’t make the plays.” (08:18)
• “I can’t have any more respect for Patrick Mahomes. But he hasn’t really played that great this year.” (11:03)
• “It felt like, you know, pre-CTE rules when you just went across the middle and you could just get a concussion... so many big hits, big tackles. That was a war zone.” (32:04, 33:45)
• “Packers team speed on defense is elite and their physicality... no hesitation to lower their shoulder and blast you.” (37:44)
• "I think Burrow, just like Josh, my takeaway from that game is like, these are two best quarterbacks in the league right now." (51:16)
• “To decline the bowl game against BYU... I've lost a lot of respect. Kind of arrogant, pompous. They’ve lost touch with reality.” (74:21, 74:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chiefs Dynasty Post-Mortem: 03:47–18:15
• Texans Dazzle, Stroud’s Poise: 28:33–34:57
• Bears-Packers Classic & NFC North: 35:53–44:01
• Steelers-Ravens & Tomlin Speculation: 44:10–51:15
• Bengals-Bills, Burrow’s Picks, QB Rankings: 51:15–54:47
• Rapid Fire (JJ McCarthy, Shadour, Injuries): 59:33–66:39
• College Football Playoff & Bowl Rumbles: 66:56–74:52

Final Picks & Parlay

• Monday night picks: Chargers money line, AJ Brown anytime TD, Chargers RB Hampton anytime TD – “pays a little ten to one.” (76:24)
• “Have a great night. Adios.” (77:18)

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