The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Richard Sherman Podcast – AFC Wild Card REACTION
Air Date: January 14, 2026
Featured: Richard Sherman (host), Mitchell (co-host)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Richard Sherman and Mitchell break down an electric AFC Wild Card weekend, focusing on the Houston Texans' dominant defensive performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, analyze the Bills' gritty win over the Jaguars, and dissect how the Patriots edged out the Chargers under coach Mike Vrabel. The conversation is energetic, with Sherman's signature defensive insights and candid takes on team legacies, coaching, and players’ futures. Notable moments include direct comparisons to Sherman’s legendary "Legion of Boom" days and sharp critique of “offensive genius” coaching decisions.
Key Discussion Points
1. Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Main Focus: Defensive dominance, Texans’ upside, Steelers’ future, Aaron Rodgers’ season
- Sherman’s Defensive Praise:
- Texans’ defense “looked like the class of the AFC” ([01:31]).
- “I just wanted the offense to just take a knee...because I want this defense back on the field.”
- Praises defensive stars: “Will Anderson, Daniel Hunter, Kalen Bullock, Kamari Lassiter, Aziz Al-Shaair. Everybody got in on it, and it was a beautiful, beautiful game by that defense.” ([01:31]-[02:30])
- Mitchell’s Offense Notes:
- Christian Kirk resurges: "Eight receptions, 144 yards, and a touchdown" ([04:20]).
- "Nick Chubb looked like his old self...48 tough yards.”
- CJ Stroud struggled: multiple fumbles, a red zone INT.
- Sherman’s Humorous Take:
- “I thought maybe [Coach] Tomlin was calling the police because, Mitchell, this is assault. Sometimes assault with a deadly weapon.” ([05:30])
- Key Defensive Statline: Texans D: four sacks, several turnovers, two defensive TDs, including a “50 yard pick-six late in the game” ([07:00])
- Legion of Boom Comparison:
- "What you just described...was reminiscent of the Legion of Boom era" – Mitchell ([07:30])
- Sherman tempers the comparison but calls it “the best performance by far this playoffs by a defense.” ([07:56])
- “They finished...took the heart, pulled it out of their chest, threw it on the ground and stepped on it.” ([08:30])
- Steelers’ Offense and Aaron Rodgers:
- Rodgers’ visible frustration after defensive TDs ([09:18]).
- Mitchell asks if Rodgers will stay; Sherman calls Steelers fanbase “fatigued…hamster wheel…always first round exit.” ([10:16])
- “They’ve played in eight playoff games and have eight playoff losses and I think that gets kind of stale.” ([11:00])
Notable Quotes
- Richard Sherman: “Who wants to play the Houston Texans? And the answer is nobody. Not a soul.” ([02:30])
- Richard Sherman: “They didn't even need their offense...Their defense scored two touchdowns. If the offense didn’t show up at all, they still win that game. And that is impressive.” ([28:52])
2. Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Main Focus: Trevor Lawrence’s playoff loss, Jacksonville’s future, Josh Allen’s moment
- Lawrence’s Growth and Jaguars’ Story:
- Sherman: “I don’t think it does anything for his legacy...It was house money for them...They’re just happy to be here.” ([14:21])
- Praises emergence of Jacoby Myers and Parker Washington, sees promise with coach Liam Cohen’s system.
- Coaching Critique:
- “They get too damn cute in these games and they cost their teams every time...If you got a running back that got 12 [yards] a carry, then you let him get a few more carries...” ([17:10]-[18:00])
- Jags overly reliant on passing, just 14 rush attempts between backs averaging over 8 ypc ([19:12]).
- Buffalo’s Win and Allen’s Legacy:
- Mitchell: “This is Josh Allen’s time, right? He is the giant that is remaining in this playoffs...This is a big deal for Josh Allen.” ([19:45])
- Sherman: “I like Buffalo and their performance because they win a road game...But I think the Buffalo Bills are reaching their peak and they could have easily lost this game if [Jags] continued the run game.” ([20:59])
- Praises Allen: “Josh Allen does not play bad in the playoffs...Even in games that he’s lost to Mahomes and Burrow and Lamar, he’s done his part.” ([21:50])
Notable Quotes
- Richard Sherman: "The thing I'm concerned about is the same thing I'm concerned about with all these offensive genius coaches. They get too damn cute in these games and they cost their teams every time..." ([17:10])
- Richard Sherman: “He [Josh Allen] has not [played bad]...he’ll give them a chance, but this is a very tough defense to go against.” ([21:50])
3. New England Patriots vs. LA Chargers
Main Focus: Mike Vrabel's coaching, Patriots’ defensive identity, Chargers’ struggles
- Vrabel’s Impact:
- Mitchell: “Mike Vrabel...the fact that he’s the same size as his players and played in the league for numerous seasons...” ([22:44])
- Sherman: “[Vrabel] has so much passion and love and regard for his players and they can feel that…he wants to be able to look them eye to eye...I want to go to war with you. I’m bleeding like you’re bleeding.” ([23:32])
- Game Notes:
- Patriots’ defense recorded 5 sacks, forced turnovers, high energy (“defense was roaring…they were feisty” ([25:00]); Chargers’ O-line injuries exposed, New England capitalized.
- Patriots’ back end: “Christian Gonzalez...he’s going to be an issue...a factor in this game.” ([24:30])
- Looking Ahead vs. Texans:
- Sherman: “If C.J. Stroud can protect the football…they’ll be fine. But Mike Vrabel is going to have them prepared...If they can beat this Houston Texans team, all bets are off.” ([26:45])
- Patriots’ Offensive Gameplan Against Texans:
- Sherman: “It’s about protecting the football, and it’s going to be death by a thousand cuts...Stick to the run game. Stick to the run game. Stick to the run game...That’s how you win.” ([27:36])
Notable Quotes
- Richard Sherman: “There’s some success the Steelers found running these corner routes and attacking the edges of these zones...the problem is, it’s a lot easier said than done.” ([27:36])
Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)
- [02:30] Sherman: “Who wants to play the Houston Texans? And the answer is nobody. And I mean, not a soul.”
- [05:30] Sherman (on Texans' defensive dominance): “I thought maybe [Tomlin] was calling the police because...this is assault...sometimes assault with a deadly weapon.”
- [08:30] Sherman (on Texans D): “They finished...took the heart, pulled it out of their chest...threw it on the ground and stepped on it.”
- [14:21] Sherman (on Trevor Lawrence’s loss): “It was house money for them...they’re just happy to be here.”
- [17:10] Sherman (on Jaguars' coaching): “They get too damn cute in these games and they cost their teams every time...”
- [21:50] Sherman (on Josh Allen): “Even in games that he’s lost...he's done his part...his defense has been the reason he's gone home.”
- [23:32] Sherman (on Vrabel’s coaching): “He wants to be able to look them eye to eye...I want to go to war with you. I’m bleeding like you’re bleeding.”
- [27:36] Sherman (how to beat Texans defense): “It’s about protecting the football, and it's going to be death by a thousand cuts...Stick to the run game.”
- [28:52] Sherman (wild card most impressive): “The team that probably impressed me the most: Houston Texans...Their defense scored two touchdowns. If the offense didn't show up at all, they still win that game.”
Upcoming Matchups/Outlook
- Texans at Patriots: Defensive masterclass expected, key battle in the trenches.
- Bills at Broncos: Sean Payton’s offense vs. Buffalo’s improving but tested defense.
- Steelers’ Future: Potential coaching changes on the horizon, Aaron Rodgers' fate in question.
- Jaguars: Bright future with Lawrence, key offseason for roster and coaching growth.
Summary Table: AFC Wild Card Highlights
| Game | Key Performer(s) | Notable Stat/Quote | Outlook | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------| | Texans vs. Steelers | Texans Defense, Christian Kirk | “They are who we thought they were.” – Sherman ([04:41])<br>Defensive TDs sealed blowout | Texans dominant | | Bills vs. Jaguars | Josh Allen, Jacoby Myers | “Josh Allen does not play bad in the playoffs.” – Sherman ([21:50]) | Bills survive, vs DEN | | Patriots vs. Chargers | Patriots Defense, Drake May | “He [Vrabel] wants to be able to look them eye to eye...” – Sherman ([23:32]) | Patriots resilient |
Episode Tone & Style
The episode is lively, candid, and analysis-driven with a defensive player’s perspective. Sherman’s high-energy delivery and insights are punctuated with memorable analogies, humor, and real talk about the league’s shifting dynamics, coaching philosophies, and the unique culture great coaches instill in winning teams.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This Wild Card reaction is a must-listen for fans of defensive football, those curious about AFC playoff trajectories, and anyone looking to understand the “why” behind big wins and losses. Sherman’s breakdowns go beyond the box score, highlighting culture, schematic nuance, and what separates good from great playoff teams.