The Herd with Colin Cowherd
--% time saved
PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Shortcast updated
About this episode
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff reacts LIVE following the Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup between Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears vs. Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. John kicks off by reacting to another game of the year candidate as the 49ers outlast the Bears on SNF in Week 17. John discusses how it the 49ers control their own destiny for the NFC's number 1 overall seed if they can defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18. John also discusses Brock Purdy's back to back career performances and head coach Kyle Shanahan's Coach of the Year consideration. John then dives into the Pittsburgh Steelers loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns to set up a win or go home matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. John debates whether head coach Mike Tomlin or QB Aaron Rodgers should return in 2026 if the team misses the NFL playoffs. John then dives into the NFC South as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers both lost in Week 17 to the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks, respectively, and how their Week 18 win or go home game for the NFC South title could forecast them exiting early in the playoffs. John flips the script and discusses the AFC South, which feature two of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans, and how he wouldn't be surprised if either of those teams ended up in the AFC Championship game. John then applauds the Las Vegas Raiders for losing to the New York Giants in Week 17, setting the team up to have the number 1 pick in the NFL Draft heading into their Week 18 game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. John wraps up by reacting to a report from Jay Glazer regarding the Atlanta Falcons' interest in bringing back former QB Matt Ryan for a front office role. 03:45 - Bears-49ers Reaction 30:45 - Steelers-Browns 35:24 - Eagles-Bills 38:58 - Seahawks-Panthers | Bucs-Dolphins | NFC South 41:07 - Jaguars-Colts | Texans-Chargers | AFC South 43:39 - Giants-Raiders 46:17 - HRB MNF Picks 46:56 - Falcons want Matt Ryan in front office Follow John on Twitter , Instagram and YouTube for the latest. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet Use promo code “3ANDOUT20” on https://nicokick.com/zone for 20% off at checkout! Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow - for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loading episode data...
Episode summary
We’re back after a long Sunday that started slow, picked up when Josh Allen got cooking, and peaked with a wild 49ers–Bears shootout; I’ll hit that finish, the Steelers faceplant, the NFC South slog, the Jags and Texans surge, and a Matt Ryan-to-Falcons front office rumor, then we’re live after Rams–Falcons.
How did the Bears’ last drive unravel? A 15-play march died when the hook-and-ladder stayed in bounds, the clock bled, and with four seconds left the field was too tight, Caleb had to scramble, and the Niners swarmed to seal it.
What stood out about the quarterbacks? Caleb flashed absurd arm talent with a rope TD and off-platform lasers but missed too many layups, while Purdy played in rhythm, hit guys in stride, used his legs smartly, and shook off a pick-six to control the game.
Why did this feel like a track meet? Give elite play callers like Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan soft defenses and they’ll light up the scoreboard, with Ricky Pearsall popping and Luther Burden looking special before that scare late.
Is Shanahan coach of the year material? He won’t get the award, but guiding a one-seed push without stars like Kittle, with Trent exiting midgame and others shelved, while leaning on McCaffrey for a heavy workload, is flat-out amazing.
Any gripe with the schedule? It’s wild the Niners–Seattle game for the one seed got shoved to Saturday while Steelers–Ravens rest up, and that short week hits harder if Trent sits and Kittle’s still iffy.
What’s the real difference in this one? San Francisco ran for around two hundred yards, owned the ball, and limited Caleb’s chances, which matters when your own defense can’t rush and has to win on the margins.
Can either team win it all playing defense like that? No shot if that’s the standard; the Bears’ offense is loaded and fun, but neither side lifts a trophy without real stops.
How should Chicago feel? It stings after you were a play away, yet the turnaround’s massive and you’re hosting a playoff game, which is a huge step forward.
What did we learn about the Steelers? That loss to the Browns was an embarrassment, the plan ignored Jalen Warren’s effectiveness, the passing game sputtered, and there’s no reason to run this same formula back.
Where do the Bills and Eagles stand? Philly looked dominant then vanished for a half, Buffalo’s line leaked, Allen’s ankle wobbled, and he still had the winner in hand and missed it, which sums up both teams’ volatility.
Are the Bucs or Panthers a real playoff team? Not with Bryce throwing for barely anything and Tampa coughing up turnovers; one will get in by rule, but neither looks the part.
Who’s peaking at the right time? The Jags and Texans are tough, physical, well-coached, and can beat anyone, and the Saints are suddenly hot with confident quarterback play despite injury holes.
Did the Raiders actually tank? Players don’t tank, and they proved it; now watch Chiefs–Raiders get weird because rivalries and draft stakes bring out the spite.
What about Rams–Falcons and that Matt Ryan report? I like Atlanta to keep it close in a weird spot, and if Arthur Blank taps Matt Ryan to run football ops, it only works if he’s all-in daily and hires elite personnel lieutenants to build the board and grind the cap.
Bottom line on the Falcons idea? Respect the ambition, but being a GM isn’t TV hits and relationships—it’s a seven-days-a-week job that demands the right staff and zero remote vibes.
Adios—what a night.
Ready to save time?
Download Shortcast and get started today