The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Episode Summary

Date: December 15, 2025
Guests: John Middlekauff (former NFL scout, Three and Out podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives into a jam-packed NFL Sunday, analyzing pivotal games, season-defining injuries, and the changing playoff picture. The main themes are:

• The Denver Broncos and Bo Nix silencing doubters
• Patrick Mahomes’ devastating ACL tear and what it means for Kansas City
• Philip Rivers' improbable NFL return
• The Buffalo Bills’ stunning comeback over the Patriots
• The Bears’ playoff credentials
• The state of playoff contenders from the AFC and NFC

Colin is joined by John Middlekauff for spirited segment-by-segment analysis, delivering sharp takes, insider anecdotes, and big-picture context for a tumultuous football weekend.

Key Game Discussions and Insights

1. Broncos Silence Doubters, Bo Nix’s Breakout (Denver 34, Green Bay 26)

Timestamps: 05:00–12:10

• Bo Nix Has Arrived:

  • Colin and John heap praise on the Broncos rookie:

    “I mean, today I think Bo Nix, four touchdowns, no picks, four different receivers, 300 yards, 22 of 31. And this defense is one we’ve talked about in Green Bay for weeks.” [05:52, Colin]
    “He probably had some games in Oregon that would match this statistically, but this had to be the best game I’ve ever seen him play.” [06:20, John]

• Sean Payton’s Impact:

  • “It feels like Bo Nix over the last couple weeks… I’m watching him make play after play, rolling right. And I mean, clever stuff. Last second, finding the guy, his accuracy has gotten better.” [05:56, Colin]

• Game-Changing Injuries:

  • Green Bay’s Christian Watson and Micah Parsons leave with injuries, destabilizing both offense and defense.

• Denver’s Credentials:

  • The guys argue the Broncos’ defense is “Super Bowl caliber”—if Nix just has to be competent, Denver could “win the AFC for sure.” [09:42, John]

• Quote:

  “That was, you know, I don’t know, like young Elway-like before you’re throwing four touchdowns against an elite defense. You can’t ask for that. But if he can just give you a couple and they can run the ball and play defense, they can win the AFC.” [09:42, John]

2. Packers’ Prospects Sink

Timestamps: 12:10–12:59

• Aftermath of Injuries:

  • “I’m not trying to be hyperbolic, but that’s a crippling day for Green Bay because look at the NFC…you could be looking at the seventh seed.” [12:10, John]

• Rapid Power Shift:

  • With Seahawks and Rams surging, the Packers risk falling out of playoff contention.

3. Philip Rivers Returns: Colts vs. Seahawks Thriller

Timestamps: 12:59–19:15

• Colts Lean on a Legend:

  • Philip Rivers, pulled out of retirement and back from coaching high school ball, plays efficiently (18/27, 120 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT).

• Locker Room Impact:

  • John: Comparing it to a trade deadline move, it signals to Colts players the front office “believes”—energizing the defense:

    “Their defense was trying so hard because I think they kind of believed. And I bet when Ballard and Shane Steichen met and they decided to do this, part of it was to show the locker room.” [15:10, John]

• Seattle Escapes:

  • A slightly conservative approach from the Colts coaching staff helps Seattle eke out an 18-16 win with a game-winning field goal, but Rivers elevates a dead-in-the-water team.

4. Patrick Mahomes’ ACL Tear — End of an Era?

Timestamps: 25:00–33:36

• Chargers Outlast Chiefs, Mahomes Injured:

  • “Mahomes ugly season, ugly injury. He’ll have to have an MRI…It’s been confirmed torn ACL for Patrick Mahomes, so that’s possibly out next year.” [25:22, Colin; 30:57, Colin]

• Chiefs’ Dynasty in Question:

  • “He hasn’t really been that during the last three years, during the season, now in the playoffs. He’s flipped…today, he just kind of looks like a, you know, better than a marginal player, but he’s just right. He’s not good enough to take an average team above.” [26:11, John]

• Major Roster Moves Loom:

  • “Travis Kelsey’s probably going to retire…you’re probably trading [Chris Jones] this offseason because you’re not going to extend him again. His cap hit is massive.” [29:39, John]

• Future Unclear:

  • Colin and John discuss whether KC should “reset” in 2026, focus on the draft, and exercise caution as Mahomes recovers.

    “If he’s not able to play till let’s say late in the season…maybe he gets the red shirt almost next year and you kind of bottom out, get to retool the roster.” [33:36, John]

5. Buffalo Bills’ Stunning Comeback Over Patriots

Timestamps: 35:10–41:54

• Allen’s Heroics:

  • The Bills erase a 21-0 New England lead, where Josh Allen is described as MVP-level:

    “Josh Allen’s the best player in the league, you know…this year, it feels like especially down the stretch.” [36:41, John]

• McDermott’s Defensive Woes:

  • “Considering Sean McDermott’s supposed to be the defensive guru, they’re just not very good defensively.” [35:57, Colin]

• New England’s Near-Miss:

  • The Patriots got pass-happy late and, despite overachieving all year, are “four to five draft picks and a free agent signing away from being like a Denver or a Rams.” [39:41, Colin]

6. Bears Rolling, Division in Sight (Bears 31, Browns 3)

Timestamps: 44:03–48:54

• Caleb Williams’ Growth:

  • “Caleb, 112 passer rating, 17 of 28, two touchdowns. He doesn’t throw a lot of picks…The weekly improvement of Caleb Williams. This defense isn’t as good…but their pass rush is hit and miss. They take the ball away from everybody.” [47:32, Colin]

• Playoff Credentials:

  • Bears’ physicality, balance, and cold weather experience are lauded as playoff-primed characteristics.

• Ben Johnson Praised:

  • “Is Ben Johnson the best hire since Sean McVay in LA?...I think Ben Johnson is on a short list in the last five to ten years of best hires.” [48:32, Colin]

7. NFC/AFC Landscape — Playoff Picture & Contenders

Timestamps: 55:16–62:18

• Rams Outscore Lions in Shootout (41-34):

  • “The Rams, once they got going in the second half, the Lions defense is even worse. I mean they’re terrible.” [57:54, John]

• Lions’ Defensive Troubles:

  • “God, I feel like they can’t get the defense right. John, it’s been like six years…if you have an elite receiver, the Rams can’t stop you. And that’s their real issue.” [55:54, Colin]

• Niners: Dangerous Wild Card:

  • “If the Niners end up 12-5 with all these injuries…that’s pretty remarkable, because you see these teams just completely fall apart when they have injuries.” [62:18, John]

• Texans and Jaguars on the Rise:

  • “If I had to guess right now, I’d probably go Denver and the Houston Texans in the AFC championship.” [65:26, Colin]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bo Nix:
  “He’s got a little bit of that late cognitive ability at the very last second to go from running to throwing or throwing to running. Like he’s really quick upstairs and that’s like a skill. Mahomes was one of the first I ever saw.” [07:20, Colin]

• On Mahomes’ Injury:
  “It’s been confirmed, torn ACL for Patrick Mahomes, so that’s possibly out next year…That’s a devastating injury. I mean, it really is. Especially late, you know, December 14th, on the day you get knocked out of the playoffs.” [30:57, Colin; 31:25, John]

• On Josh Allen:
  “He can do them both…He’s just an unstoppable force when he gets rolling.” [41:49, John]

• On the Bears:
  “They look and feel like a playoff team…Their physicality on offense, running the game, that matters in the postseason.” [44:03, Colin]

Timeline of Major Segments

• 05:00–12:10 — Broncos’ statement win, Bo Nix shines, Packers’ bad injury day
• 12:59–19:15 — Philip Rivers’ return, Colts-Seahawks, veteran QB impact
• 25:00–33:36 — Chargers beat Chiefs, Mahomes’ ACL, dynasty questions
• 35:10–41:54 — Bills-Patriots: Allen’s comeback, New England’s near-miss
• 44:03–48:54 — Bears crush Browns, Caleb’s growth, Ben Johnson praise
• 55:16–62:18 — Rams-Lions shootout, NFC playoff picture, Niners’ resilience
• 67:56–69:35 — Week preview: Dolphins at Steelers MNF picks

Final Thoughts

This was a consequential NFL weekend with seismic injuries, franchise-altering results, and a playoff race defined as much by depth and coaching as by superstar performance. The episode is a must-listen for fans following the shifting balance of power in both conferences, highlighting:

• The Broncos and Bears as emerging contenders
• The Mahomes injury as a league-altering event
• The importance of coaching (Payton, Harbaugh, Ben Johnson) in a season with unprecedented churn
• The “lost year” aura for the Chiefs, while teams like the Bills, Rams, and Texans seize momentum

A true "state of the NFL" episode—dense with insights, strong opinions, and real-time news.

For fans seeking more detail or context on any team’s playoff prospects, listen to the full episode or check out John Middlekauff’s “Three and Out” podcast for extended segments.