Summary of THE HERD – HOUR 3 – Chiefs New Offense | Josh Allen Hot Start

Overview of THE HERD – HOUR 3 – Chiefs New Offense | Josh Allen Hot Start

This hour was a football-heavy breakdown of early-season NFL trends, with Colin Cowherd and Robert Mays focusing on how offenses are being built, which coaches are adjusting well, and which teams already look structurally flawed. The biggest themes were Kansas City’s offensive evolution, Josh Allen’s more aggressive Buffalo attack, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ outdated approach, and a series of Week 3 game picks and matchup angles from J-Mac.

Key NFL Takeaways

Chiefs: evolving into a more run-first, Mahomes-friendly offense

• Kansas City is no longer relying on Patrick Mahomes to carry everything through the air.
• The Chiefs are using:
  • more under-center play action
  • a stronger ground game on early downs
  • simpler answers to help Mahomes avoid constant dropback pressure
• Robert Mays still flagged concern about the pass-catching group:
  • the receivers are not especially threatening
  • the offense may still struggle on third-and-long or “money downs” if the run game stalls
• Bottom line: the offense looks more sustainable than in recent years, but the lack of elite receiving talent remains a real concern.

Bills: Josh Allen looks “freed” in a more explosive offense

• Buffalo’s offense has become much more dynamic under Joe Brady.
• Two major changes stood out:
  • they are pushing the ball downfield more often
  • they are using under-center play action at a much higher rate
• The idea is to pair the vertical passing game with the run game so Allen can attack intermediate and deep areas more efficiently.
• Mays argued this version of Buffalo feels as dangerous as any offense Allen has had in Buffalo.

Packers: coaching and structure look worse than the roster

• Green Bay was singled out as a team that “does nothing well” right now.
• The offensive line is a major problem, but Mays said it’s too easy to blame everything on that alone.
• Matt LaFleur’s coaching was questioned more directly than in previous seasons.
• The larger concern: the Packers have broader structural issues on both offense and defense, and criticism of the coaching staff is likely to grow.

Steelers: Aaron Rodgers is limiting the offense

• Rodgers was described as playing in a way that feels “rooted in a different time.”
• The Steelers are using too much static, spread-out structure and too little motion.
• Mays argued modern defenses are too complex for that style to work consistently unless you have overwhelming talent at receiver.
• The core takeaway: Rodgers’ preferences may be constraining the offense more than helping it.

Chargers: operational problems are snowballing

• The discussion pointed to a messy offensive operation:
  • timing issues
  • run-game inconsistency
  • too many long-yardage situations
• The run game was described as the biggest issue because it’s creating a cascade of bad downs and too much pressure on the quarterback.
• The bigger point was that if an offense can’t run the ball reliably, small mistakes start compounding fast.

Player and Coach Notes

Ben Johnson / Chicago

• Chicago was framed as a game where the Bears may have to “manufacture offense.”
• Against a tough defense, the Bears will likely need:
  • screens
  • cheap completions
  • run-game efficiency
  • schematic edges from Ben Johnson
• The confidence in Johnson’s play-calling was high, even if the personnel matchup is difficult.

Tyler Shough

• Mays was optimistic about Tyler Shough’s development.
• He compared Shough’s style to a younger Ryan Tannehill type:
  • big-bodied pocket passer
  • willing to stand in and take hits
  • not afraid of backside throws
• The main praise was for Shough’s rhythm, timing, and confidence working through progressions.
• There’s still some uncertainty around his supporting cast and injuries, but the long-term outlook was encouraging.

Week 3 Game Picks and Headlines

Seahawks at Commanders

• J-Mac liked Seattle on the road.
• He highlighted:
  • Seattle’s strong travel and road performance
  • Washington’s banged-up offensive line
  • Seattle’s defensive front creating problems for Marcus Mariota
• Prediction: Seahawks control the game.

Titans at Giants

• J-Mac leaned Titans, citing injuries on the Giants’ defense and a shaky offensive setup.
• He saw value in Tennessee’s pressure up front and believed Brian Daboll could get a revenge-game win in New York.
• Prediction: Titans win outright.

Patriots at Jaguars

• The edge was Jacksonville.
• J-Mac pointed to:
  • Trevor Lawrence’s success vs. Vrabel-led defenses
  • line movement favoring the Jaguars
  • the Patriots’ difficult upcoming schedule
• Prediction: Jaguars handle New England.

Vikings at Buccaneers

• J-Mac backed Minnesota.
• His reasoning:
  • Brian Flores’ defense is creating problems
  • Baker Mayfield has been shaky vs. certain defensive looks
  • Tampa Bay looks a little disjointed without some of its prior offensive pieces
• Prediction: Vikings on the road.

Ravens vs. Cowboys in Brazil

• J-Mac leaned Ravens, though he noted some injury concerns.
• The key factor was Baltimore’s ability to punish Dallas with the run game and Lamar Jackson’s mobility.
• Prediction: Ravens win a potentially high-scoring game.

Broncos vs. Rams

• Colin and J-Mac briefly discussed Denver as a strong spot if Puka Nacua is out.
• The matchup favored Denver’s defense and corners against a thinner Rams receiving group.

Main Theme of the Hour

• The biggest throughline was that modern NFL success depends on execution, structure, and adaptability, not just talent.
• Teams that are simplifying for their quarterbacks and leaning into what actually works looked much better than teams trying to force outdated ideas or overly static offensive systems.
• Early-season results were treated as a warning sign for teams with broken structure, especially Green Bay and Pittsburgh.