Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out – Texans SURVIVE Chargers, Ravens OUTLAST Packers on NFL Super Saturday

Host: John Middlekauff (The Volume)
Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

John Middlekauff recaps an eventful NFL Super Saturday, focusing on two dramatic games—Texans-Chargers and Ravens-Packers—while weighing in on playoff picture shifts, standout performances, team meltdowns, and big questions about coaches and player futures. The episode blends sharp analysis, passionate rants, and vivid storytelling that captures the high and low notes of a pivotal NFL weekend.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ravens Dominate the Packers – Packers' Season in Disarray

Timestamp: 02:41–13:00

• The Ravens ran for over 300 yards and decimated the Packers at Lambeau, officially putting Green Bay “on notice.”
• Packers’ defense, once considered elite, “in complete shambles”—numerous injuries and ineffectiveness.
• Quote: “By the end of that game, their defense—a mash unit. Derrick Henry looked like he was in his absolute apex...running for 200 yards. They couldn’t get a stop to save their life.” (John, 03:19)
• Green Bay is locked into the #7 seed. Middlekauff expresses shock at the Packers’ fall from Super Bowl hopefuls to likely first-round exits.
• References devastating injuries, including a particularly gruesome one that caused TV broadcast to refuse replay—a season-defining moment of misfortune.
• “This was a team that I had bet on to not only make it to the Super Bowl, but I thought would win the Super Bowl. And you look up in the middle of this game and you can’t get a stop...Guys getting carted off left and right.” (John, 05:48)
• Roster depth and toughness questioned; defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley touted as a head-coach candidate gets “obliterated.”
• Playoff scenarios discussed: Multiple NFC seeding possibilities. “It just feels like the last, I don’t know, 15 minutes of the Bears game kind of defines that entire game, even though they played pretty well...” (John, 15:30)

2. Malik Willis Breakout – Future QB Payday?

Timestamp: 13:00–19:35

• Malik Willis delivers a statement game for the Packers—showing poise, running ability, and passing touch in cold-weather playoff conditions.
• Middlekauff compares Willis’s emergence to the failed promise of Justin Fields, emphasizing Willis’s growth and versatility.
• “If Justin Fields could get two years and 40 million, Malik Willis 100% can. If I was his agent and the numbers didn’t start there, I’d hang up the phone.” (John, 16:56)
• Suggests 2 years / $50 million as Willis’s likely free-agent market and lists potential landing spots (Raiders, Dolphins, Cardinals).
• Only one top QB prospect (Mendoza, Indiana) expected in the draft; Willis could see even higher demand.

3. Playoff Picture Shakeup and Ongoing Drama

Timestamp: 19:35–28:30

• AFC West: The Broncos clinch the division for the first time in 9 years—the Chiefs’ run ends.
• Texans eliminate Colts; surge from 0-3 start to wild card demonstrates “character in the locker room.” Praises DeMeco Ryans and GM Nick Caserio.
• Quote: “For a team that started 0 and 3, that’s like what the Packers do, what the Steelers do, why they never lose. When you’re 0-3, you can kind of crater...that speaks to the character in that locker room.” (John, 27:39)
• Draft implications for Colts, Jets, and Texans: Discusses how trades, injuries, and gambles affect team futures.

4. Officiating Woes and the Texans-Chargers Finish

Timestamp: 24:40–27:00

• Middlekauff laments late-game officiating trends—calls on defensive backs in crunch time, attacking the current crop of NFL referees as “as shitty as it’s ever been.”
• “I would say the group in general is as shitty as it’s ever been. I think they're coached up to, when all else fails, call it on the defense, and that just consistently happens all around the league.” (John, 25:42)

5. Max Crosby and the Raiders’ Dilemma

Timestamp: 33:14–41:45

• The Raiders shut Max Crosby down for knee surgery, aiming to protect draft position. Middlekauff lauds Crosby as the ultimate competitor and leader.
• Quote: “He is literally everything you would want in an NFL player...from a love of the game standpoint, loyalty to the franchise...he loves the Raiders for some reason.” (John, 35:06)
• Both Crosby and Raiders organization seen as “right”—team is prudent, but Crosby’s competitive fire is genuine.
• Raises the possibility of a blockbuster Crosby trade—“Two ones and a three, minimum.” Thinks NFC suitors (Eagles, Bears, Lions) would be prime bidders; nixes chances of him joining the AFC or 49ers.
• “He’s honestly, I would say, most people in the NFL’s favorite player, because he represents everything you want from a guy.” (John, 37:54)

6. It’s a Wild NFL Year – ‘Anyone Can Win’ Playoffs

Timestamp: 41:45–44:30

• Recaps the “bizarre” year: Ravens and Chiefs likely missing playoffs, perennial powers upended.
• “For the first time...I do think you can make a legit case for like, 10 [teams] to win the Super Bowl.” (John, 42:55)
• Assesses playoff field: Names contenders from NFC (49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Bears, Eagles) and AFC (Denver, New England, Jacksonville, Houston, Buffalo, Chargers, Steelers).
• Highlights strength-in-depth; no clear favorites, wild-card teams dangerous.

7. Best Bets for Upcoming Week

Timestamp: 44:30–47:04

• John gives his top three betting picks:
  • Seattle -7 vs. Carolina: Praises Seahawks’ road record under Mike McDonald (13-2).
  • Pittsburgh -3.5 vs. Cleveland: Doubts Browns with key injuries, backs Tomlin and Steelers to clinch.
  • Saints -2.5 at Tennessee: “Tyler Shuck’s been really good...the Saints just look solid,” calling a surprise late-season run for New Orleans.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Derrick Henry looked like he was in his absolute apex...they couldn’t get a stop to save their life.” (03:19)
• “If Justin Fields could get two years and 40 million, Malik Willis 100% can.” (16:56)
• “Both [Max Crosby] and the Raiders are right on this. But this off-season...I think you need to seriously consider trading him.” (36:55)
• “For the first time...you can make a legit case for like, 10 [teams] to win the Super Bowl.” (42:55)
• “I would say the group [of refs] in general is as shitty as it’s ever been.” (25:42)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Ravens beat Packers, GB spiral, playoff ramifications | 02:41–13:00 | | Malik Willis’s ascendancy, QB market analysis | 13:00–19:35 | | Playoff picture update, dramatic team arcs | 19:35–28:30 | | Officiating rants, late-game calls | 24:40–27:00 | | Max Crosby–Raiders saga, trade speculation | 33:14–41:45 | | Year-in-review: A wild NFL season | 41:45–44:30 | | John’s best bets for Sunday & wrap-up | 44:30–47:04 |

Final Thoughts

Middlekauff’s Super Saturday recap paints a picture of turmoil and opportunity across the NFL: powerhouses collapsing, rising young stars, blockbuster trades looming, and a playoff field where (almost) anyone can dream. It’s a passionate, critical, but ultimately hopeful take on one of the wildest ends to a regular season in recent memory.

For more details and hot takes, catch the full episode and tune in live after Sunday Night Football for the instant breakdown.