The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 3 & Out – Reaction to Jalen Hurts & Eagles’ Huge SNF Win vs. Jared Goff & Lions + NFL Week 11

Release Date: November 17, 2025
Host: John Middlecoff (3 & Out Podcast – The Volume)
Producer Networks: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by John Middlecoff, offers an in-depth reaction to the Philadelphia Eagles’ gritty Sunday Night Football win over Dan Campbell, Jared Goff, and the Detroit Lions. The discussion centers on pivotal coaching decisions (with a particular focus on Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down strategy), the Eagles’ emerging defensive dominance under Vic Fangio, and broader takeaways from other key Week 11 NFL games—including Sam Darnold’s struggles in Seattle vs. the Rams, the Broncos’ signature win against the Chiefs, and issues surfacing with other contending teams. Middlecoff’s commentary is candid, energetic, and at times irreverent, making this a must-listen breakdown of the NFL’s landscape as Thanksgiving approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dan Campbell’s Fourth-Down Aggression: Courage or Recklessness?

• Aggressive Play Calling: Middlecoff strongly criticizes Dan Campbell for repeatedly going for it on fourth down (particularly in the third quarter), insisting that Campbell crossed the line from boldness to recklessness.
  • "I think you watch Dan Campbell tonight, and I don't think there's any way around it, like, he was reckless." (08:01)
• Context Matters: Middlecoff distinguishes between situations where aggression is justifiable (i.e., undermanned defenses, necessity) versus tonight, where the Eagles’ offense was not a true threat.
  • "Tonight you're playing the Philadelphia Eagles, whose offense is atrocious... So sometimes punting the ball or wait for it, kicking field goals... makes some sense." (10:04)
• Goff’s Weather Struggles: Points out Jared Goff’s discomfort in the cold as a factor Campbell should have considered before passing up points.
  • "When I see Jared Goff wearing two gloves in that environment... this is not going to work. He looked extremely uncomfortable." (13:32)
• Missed Opportunity: Middlecoff argues that settling for field goals would’ve kept the game within reach, given the Eagles’ inability to score.
  • "Just take the points here, just take a deep breath… give your quarterback, like, that’s a positive drive that was successful instead of just handing the ball back." (18:04)

2. The Jalen Hurts & Eagles’ Defensive-Led Identity

• Offensive Woes: Eagles’ offense described as “atrocious,” with specific criticisms of their stagnant run game, unproductive O-line (due to injuries), and A.J. Brown’s visible disinterest.
  • "A.J. Brown isn’t even hiding it. He despises everything about the offense, the play calling. Don’t think he likes the quarterback. He's just over it." (32:58)
• Defensive Ascendancy: Contrasts this with the surging defense under Vic Fangio, notably after acquiring Jalen Phillips.
  • "The answer of the last couple weeks is their defense looks dominant… when you have a deep defensive line, it makes it easier on everybody." (35:04)
• NFL’s Top Front Seven? Eagles praised for having one of the best defensive front sevens in football, with depth at pass rush and quality DB play.
  • "So now you go—do the Eagles have one of the best front sevens in the NFL? And the answer is yes." (36:51)
• New Team Identity: Middlecoff proposes fans accept that the Eagles, for the moment, are a defense-first team.
  • "If we just got to wrap our head around that the Eagles are now a defensive team…" (39:56)

3. Seahawks vs. Rams: Sam Darnold & the ‘Big Game Problem’

• Darnold’s Downfall: Raises concern that Darnold shrinks under the spotlight, pointing to four interceptions against the Rams.
  • "Is Sam Darnold not good in big games or do the Rams just own them... Today was pretty rough." (29:47)
• Big Game Pressure: Suggests Darnold’s history in critical games shows a worrying pattern and that coaching adjustments may be required.
  • "I might have to coach up my offensive coordinator to have a different plan of attack with Sam in these bigger games." (31:09)

4. Broncos' Signature Win Over the Chiefs—Changing the AFC Landscape

• Defensive Dominance: Likes Denver’s momentum as they ride an elite pass rush and secondary play to potentially clinch the #1 seed.
  • "The Denver Broncos are on pace to break the sack record in the history of the NFL... You're cooking with gas." (33:30)
• Chiefs’ Perspective: Loss isn’t catastrophic but amplifies previous slip-ups, making division title defense very difficult.
  • "I don't view the Chiefs like as a bad team… but the downfall of them was blowing the game to the Chargers, definitely the game to the Jags." (37:56)

5. Bears vs. Vikings: Play Calling, Young QBs, & Coaching Contrasts

• Ben Johnson’s Masterclass: Praises Bears OC Ben Johnson for leaning on the run and playing to his team’s strengths, especially with Caleb Williams at QB.
  • "He wants to run the ball… a perfect game plan for him would be like 45 rush attempts." (46:51)
• Kevin O’Connell’s Fatal Flaw: Criticizes Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell for pass-heavy play calling with struggling rookie J.J. McCarthy.
  • "He does have a fatal flaw... what Kevin O’Connell is asking him to do is something he can’t do, and that’s carry the team from a passing standpoint." (48:53)
• Caleb Williams’ Toughness: Marvels at Williams’ escapability and Ben Roethlisberger-like play strength, undersized but “guys can’t sack him right now.”
  • "Caleb Williams looks like Ben Roethlisberger compared to JJ McCarthy." (50:28)

6. Scouting from the Couch: College Football Draft Stock

• Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame RB): Labeled a “special, special talent,” compared favorably to Saquon, McCaffrey, and Bijan.
  • "He’s as good as anyone... the total package." (55:52)
• Quarterback Caution: Cautions against overhyping this year’s QB class (incl. Ty Simpson), warning no true franchise-changers are in the crop.
  • "Do not look for one of these guys to be Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck or Joe Burrow… it's just not going to happen in this class." (59:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dan Campbell’s 4th Down Calls:
  "There is a line of, like, having stones and being reckless… Tonight, [Campbell] was reckless." — John Middlecoff (08:01)
• On the Eagles’ Offense:
  "The Eagles' offense is atrocious to watch. It is awful. They have no passing game… their run game because of offensive line injuries sucks." — John Middlecoff (11:05)
• Eagles’ Defensive Shift:
  "If we just got to wrap our head around that the Eagles are now a defensive team… [Nick Sirianni] wins a lot of games, his record is his record." — John Middlecoff (39:56)
• On Jared Goff’s Weather Struggles:
  "You look at Jared Goff, that thing gets below 55, you're like, God, do I need a sweatshirt? He's making me feel cold." — John Middlecoff (19:52)
• On Darnold’s Performance:
  "Sam Darnold… was, he was bad. And the difference in the game is like, Stafford, who historically has thrown some interceptions, did not." — John Middlecoff (32:06)
• On the Bears’ & Vikings’ QB Handling:
  "I saw one guy who knew his team's strengths and weaknesses and was desperately trying to win a game, and I saw another guy who just calls plays like he always calls plays." — John Middlecoff (52:21)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Discussion | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:12 | Opening thoughts & preview of episode topics | | 08:01 | Critique of Dan Campbell’s 4th down decisions vs. Eagles | | 13:32 | Observations on Jared Goff’s cold weather problems | | 18:04 | Why field goals > failed 4th down attemps in this matchup | | 32:58 | Eagles’ offense, A.J. Brown’s discontent, and defensive transformation | | 36:51 | Eagles' ascendant front seven and DBs | | 39:56 | Accepting the Eagles as a defensive team for 2025 | | 29:47 | Sam Darnold’s big-game woes after loss to Rams | | 33:30 | Broncos’ defensive dominance, win over Chiefs, AFC playoff implications | | 46:51 | Ben Johnson (Bears OC) vs. Kevin O’Connell (Vikings HC) play calling | | 50:28 | Caleb Williams’ play style and escapability | | 55:52 | Scouting Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love, ranking among elite RBs | | 59:34 | Quarterback draft caution; no next Manning/Luck/Burrow in 2025 class |

Final Thoughts

John Middlecoff’s “3 & Out” brings sharp analysis and uniquely candid, sometimes abrasive takes to Week 11 NFL narratives. He dissects coaching, player performance, and roster construction with an emphasis on context—why boldness can devolve into recklessness, why defense is now king in Philadelphia, and why some coaches fail their young QBs by not adapting. If you want a bracing, opinion-filled NFL therapy session with practical lessons for fans and armchair coaches alike, this is your episode.

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