3 & Out - Reaction to Aaron Rodgers & Steelers DOMINATING Tua & Dolphins on MNF

How we doing—probably better than Tua and the Dolphins after getting handled in that deep-freeze by Rodgers and the Steelers. I’m sitting in Scottsdale in short sleeves while they’re out there in single digits, and I still respect the hell out of Rodgers slinging it with a busted hand.

Quick housekeeping: if you’re on Colin’s feed, hit subscribe on the 3 and Out feed, jump on the YouTube, and we’ll be live Thursday night after Rams‑Seahawks. Big one.

Cold-weather football exposes arm talent. Velocity matters when the air hurts and the ball’s a rock, which is why Brady, Ben, and Flacco thrived, and why dome or warm‑weather guys can look different outside. Rodgers is forty‑two with a broken hand and still cut it; Tua’s arm just isn’t built for this.

Steelers coached it right—choked off Miami’s run game and made them throw, and that’s game over in those conditions. Rodgers was efficient with one real wideout, the big tight ends did damage, and Darnell Washington looks like he could make tackle money if he ever wanted to switch.

I still see Pittsburgh as one‑and‑done unless they pull the right matchup, and hopefully TJ Watt’s back soon. They’ve steadied the ship, but the AFC gauntlet is real.

Miami’s problem is bigger than a bad night. You can’t build your winter plan around a quarterback who can’t drive it in wind and cold and also doesn’t add anything with his legs. That contract aged like milk—if you can’t trade him, I’d cut bait and move on.

On the Packers, this is where LaFleur and Jeff Hafley can raise their stock. Rally the room, cover for a big defensive loss, and stack wins on a short week against the Bears. Leaders don’t mope; they adjust fast. Don’t count them out from winning the division and grabbing a playoff win.

Why so many older quarterbacks? College ball is clap counts and sideline play calls, the portal and coaching churn stunt growth, and the CBA stripped practice reps. Coaches trust veterans who speak their language and protect games. That’s why a Flacco or a Rivers gets the nod over a toolsy but raw kid.

Mailbag: I think the Chiefs move Chris Jones to a cap‑healthy team tied to a rookie quarterback, not to the Niners. San Francisco should get younger up front and probably keep Mac Jones as inexpensive Purdy insurance rather than chase pricey vets.

Greatest tight end depends on the lane. As receivers, Kelsey and Tony Gonzalez are at the top. As complete tight ends, Gronk was a cheat code and Kittle is the closest thing we’ve seen to that blend of mauling and yards after contact.

Michigan’s mess is a reminder that winning buys cover and losing invites crusades. College rules feel arbitrary, boosters run hot, and when the scoreboard turns, the walls close in.

Harbaugh with Herbert is a rocket booster. Herbert was never overrated; his coaching was. Jim wins everywhere with toughness, run game, and defense, and the Chargers badly needed that adult in the room.

I barely watch the NBA anymore. Life, work, and football eat the calendar, so I track it through pods and box scores more than live games.

Bills‑Patriots showed the gap between a battle‑tested star and a talented young guy. It was the biggest stage of Drake May’s life, Josh Allen was untouchable, and the late‑game offense was on the coaches more than the kid. Vrabel and Josh need to settle him down fast with the Ravens up next.

Hit the Instagram DMs at John Middlekauff for the mailbag, subscribe to the 3 and Out feed, and we’ll be live Thursday night after Rams‑Seahawks. See you then.