The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Richard Sherman Podcast

Episode: AFC & NFC Championship PREDICTIONS: Rams-Seahawks, Patriots-Broncos | Richard Sherman NFL

Date: January 23, 2026
Guests: Julian Edelman
Key Theme: Expert breakdowns and predictions for the 2026 NFL Conference Championship Games.

Episode Overview

In this special Championship Week episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast (distributed via The Herd with Colin Cowherd), Richard Sherman and Julian Edelman dive deep into the NFC and AFC Championship matchups: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams, and Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots. They analyze each team’s recent performances, key storylines, players to watch, and make their considered predictions for who will progress to the Super Bowl.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams – NFC Championship

Rivalry Recap and Season Series

• Sherman sets the scene by highlighting the tightly contested season series. Each team took one game, the last being a 38-37 overtime shootout win for the Seahawks, capped by a two-point conversion (02:09).
• The prior meeting was a defensive struggle, with Darnold throwing four interceptions but Seattle’s defense holding Stafford to just 130 yards.
• Both teams enter with momentum and lessons from their earlier matchups.

The Seattle Build: Culture and Players

• Sherman lavishes credit on the Seahawks’ culture, camaraderie, and "Mob Mission Over Bullshit" mentality – a rallying cry for their unity and focus.

• Discusses how veteran Leonard Williams took sideline advice from rookie Gray Zabel, converting it into a sack—emphasizing team chemistry and humility.

  “A 10-year vet taking advice from a rookie in a playoff game… talks to the camaraderie and togetherness, the brotherhood that has been built in Seattle.” — Sherman, [05:29]

• Highlights the importance of homegrown talent: Charles Cross, Byron Murphy, JSN, Devin Witherspoon, and more—“Most of this team in its core has been homegrown.” (10:53)

• Rookie safety Nick Emanwori has emerged as a key impact player down the stretch, praised for elevating the defense’s energy and performance.

The Mike Macdonald Effect

• Both speakers hail the managerial transition from Pete Carroll to Mike Macdonald; Edelman, especially, calls the Macdonald hire a game-changer:

  “What an incredible hire for this organization... If this defense shows up like that, good luck to the Rams.” — Edelman, [08:22]

Offensive Keys

• Kenneth Walker (“K9”) is spotlighted as the offensive X-factor:

  “I think this is his moment to shine. Not to mention he’s got all the motivation in the world—he’s going to be a free agent after this year.” — Edelman, [09:22]

• Concerns linger about Sam Darnold’s ability to avoid critical mistakes, given his tough statistical history against Chris Shula’s Rams defense (16 sacks, 7 INTs in recent outings).
• Sherman urges confidence: “He doesn’t have to save the world… This defense is going to do their part.” ([10:53])

Rams Defense & X-Factors

• Rams bring confidence from a strong playoff win versus the Bears. However, Sherman notes they surrendered 38 to Seattle last meeting and expresses skepticism about their ability to stop Walker and the reshaped Seahawks offense (16:44).
• The key for the Rams remains Matthew Stafford and his connection with Puka Nacua and Devante Adams, both potential game-breakers if not managed well.

Game Plan & Philosophy

• Both hosts note the formula for postseason success remains the same: “Run the football, play great defense, and you walk off with a win.” — Sherman, [16:44]
• Edelman emphasizes how closely matched these teams are: across two games, the Rams have outscored Seattle by just one point; total yardage is separated by only one yard ([18:40]).

Defensive Adjustments & Containment

• Sherman predicts Macdonald will crowd the field to limit explosive passes to Nacua and Adams, forcing the Rams to grind out long drives.
• “You want to allow your pass rush to get home and you want to allow them to live in 10, 11-play drives… when you have those, it gives your defense opportunity to force turnovers.” — Sherman, [19:31]
• Effort and team defense are highlighted, comparing this Seahawks group’s “hungry wolves” mentality to the legendary Legion of Boom.

  “Your defense is just enjoying causing chaos, Mitchell — it don’t matter who you play, they in trouble.” — Sherman, [21:43]

What Championship Games Feel Like

• Sherman reveals the emotional and mental approach for such games:

  “Every game’s a championship game… you’ve been locked in. Nothing changes—field’s the same size, same jerseys. You got a point to prove.” — Sherman, [22:11]

• He reminisces about overcoming early deficits and the value of adversity to define championship units.

Predictions

• Edelman: Seahawks win 27-20; expects a clean, game-manager performance from Darnold and heavy use of K9. ([26:14])
• Sherman: Seahawks win 27-17; confidently forecasts a defensive touchdown—“Give me Kobe Bryant!” ([27:11])

2. Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots – AFC Championship

The ‘Bo Nix Factor’

• Staggering line movement after Broncos QB Bo Nix’s injury: from Denver -1.5 to New England -5.5 (33:05).
• Sherman underscores the magnitude:

  “It’s colossal, it’s monumental, it’s enormous. And it’s the difference between winning and losing in this league.” — Sherman, [33:52]

• Jared Stidham, Nix’s backup, is thrust into action—Sherman calls the expectations “unrealistic” for Stidham to throw 25–30 times and win.

Broncos’ Defensive Hope and Limitations

• Both agree Denver’s defense is their last hope to keep the game close.
• Patriots rookie Drake May has shown some vulnerabilities under pressure (10 sacks, multiple fumbles in last two playoff games), which the Broncos’ strong pass rush will try to exploit.

Matchups to Watch

• Edelman highlights Denver’s #1 ranked offensive line and rookie RB RJ Harvey’s late surge, but wonders if they can run enough to protect Stidham.
• Sherman spotlights New England corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis as exceptional in man-to-man coverage, with Marcus Jones as an electric playmaker in all three phases ([41:36]).
• Patriots defense is characterized as “undersold but dominant”:

  “They're sixth against the rush, ninth against the pass, and number four scoring defense. They're well coached, disciplined, ball aware.” — Sherman, [40:53]

How Patriots Win

• Sherman and Edelman agree that Patriots DC Mike Vrabel will stack the box, force Stidham to beat them, and rely on defensive depth and discipline.
• Edelman identifies Denver’s susceptibility to tight ends—Hunter Henry is set up for a big game ([44:20]).
• The New England run game (Travion Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson) is a steady, reliable force.

Game Outlook & Predictions

• Sherman: Patriots win 21–15, “comfortably.”

  “Everybody loves a fairy tale… This ain’t one of them stories.” — Sherman, [42:54]

• Edelman: Agrees; expects New England to prove doubters wrong about their schedule strength and be a worthy Super Bowl opponent for Seattle.

Emotional Resonance

• The prospect of Seahawks vs. Patriots in the Super Bowl stirs memories and competitive fire for Sherman, referencing their famed past meeting:

  “It’s just giving me flashbacks and, you know, it's great memories, but then it’s trauma… That would be a Super Bowl where demons would be exercised.” — Sherman, [45:47]

• Comic relief comes as Edelman needles Sherman about “run the damn ball” and Kenneth Walker’s would-be Super Bowl MVP story ([47:01]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Seahawks culture:

  “Those are the things that you need in games like this… That’s the way they’ve been living, Mitchell—all season long. They have been on a mission from day one of training camp until now.” — Sherman, [05:29]

• On Mike Macdonald’s impact:

  “You saw his scheme in Baltimore: wild defense getting after the football, wreaking havoc on quarterbacks, causing turnovers… He's got the personnel to absolutely wreak havoc on whoever they go up against.” — Edelman, [08:22]

• On Puka Nacua’s last performance:

  “I have to expect Seattle’s going to have a better plan for Puka Nacua, who had 12 catches for 225 yards in their last matchup.” — Sherman, [19:31]

• On Rams’ championship DNA:

  “Matthew Stafford… is not going to go quietly into the night. He’s a Super Bowl champion for a reason.” — Sherman, [10:53]

• On AFC Championship emotion:

  “It’s colossal, it’s monumental, it’s enormous… it’s the difference between winning and losing in this league.” — Sherman, [33:52]

• On Patriots’ unsung defense:

  “They don’t have big names, but the names they do play really high level football… That’s why this defense has been so fantastic. They're well coached, disciplined, ball aware, they have great ball skills.” — Sherman, [40:53]

• On denying the ‘fairy tale run’ for Denver:

  “Everybody loves a fairy tale… This ain’t one of them stories, Mitchell.” — Sherman, [42:54]

• On running the ball and Walker’s Super Bowl MVP candidacy:

  “Kenneth Walker, you know what I’m calling it right now? Kenneth Walker, Super Bowl MVP. Done.” — Edelman, [47:01]

Key Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Sherman opens with Seahawks-Rams breakdown and Seattle’s locker room culture | | 05:29 | Camaraderie & the “mob mission” mentality; Williams-Zabel sideline moment | | 08:22 | Edelman hails Mike Macdonald and highlights Seahawks defense | | 10:53 | Homegrown talent & developmental success in Seattle | | 16:44 | Rams defense, running game philosophy | | 18:40 | How evenly matched the Seahawks & Rams are statistically | | 19:31 | Defensive adjustments: Handling Puka Nacua, effort turnovers | | 22:11 | Sherman on NFC Championship mentality | | 26:14 | Edelman’s Seahawks–Rams prediction: Seahawks by a touchdown | | 27:11 | Sherman’s final prediction: Seahawks 27–17 with a defensive TD | | 33:05 | Transition to AFC: Nix injury swings line, value of the quarterback | | 37:15 | Broncos’ defense and Patriots O-line break down | | 40:53 | Patriots’ defense: unsung but dominant | | 42:54 | Sherman’s Patriots–Broncos prediction: New England wins easily | | 47:01 | Edelman predicts Kenneth Walker as Super Bowl MVP |

Final Predictions

NFC:

• Seattle Seahawks defeat the Los Angeles Rams; controlling the tempo, running the ball, stifling Stafford, and “mob mission” mentality firing on all cylinders.
  • Sherman: 27–17 (with a defensive touchdown—Kobe Bryant favored for the big play)
  • Edelman: 27–20

AFC:

• New England Patriots overwhelm Denver, whose playoff run stalls with Nix’s injury; Patriots’ defense dominates, offense rides Henry, Henderson, and Stevenson.
  • Sherman: 21–15 New England
  • Edelman: Patriots advance; targets Hunter Henry as key.

Tone and Closing Thoughts

The episode blends sharp football analysis and data-driven takes with locker-room stories, championship nostalgia, and hearty banter—making for an episode as entertaining as it is insightful. Sherman’s passion is palpable, especially when comparing the present-day Seahawks to his defensive “Legion of Boom” roots, and Edelman’s playful prodding keeps the tone light—even when recounting “trauma” from past Super Bowls.

Memorable Moment:

• Edelman, emphatically: “Run the damn ball… Kenneth Walker, Super Bowl MVP. Done… Jot it down now. We’re going to timestamp this for later.” ([47:01])

For listeners who missed it, this episode is a quintessential mix of scheme, story, and sports energy—a masterclass in breaking down what makes championship football, and why both these matchups are can’t-miss TV.