The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Richard Sherman Podcast (Sept 4, 2025)

NFL 2025 Predictions: NFC West Champs, Packers’ Rise, Eagles-Chiefs Rematch & More

Episode Overview

In this season preview episode of The Richard Sherman Podcast (brought to you by The Herd with Colin Cowherd), host Richard Sherman and co-host Michael F. Florio break down NFL division races, focus on the wide-open NFC West, debate the Packers’ blockbuster offseason, and forecast major storylines for every conference. Sherman and Florio bring insider camp visits, player analysis, and fierce debate—plus definitive division and Super Bowl picks.

Main Themes:

• Who will win the ultra-competitive NFC West?
• How the Packers’ deal for Micah Parsons changes the NFC North
• Can the Eagles and Chiefs meet again in the Super Bowl?
• Risers, sleepers, and major questions in every division

Detailed Summary & Key Discussion Points

1. The NFC West: Truly Wide Open?

(Start – 39:00)

49ers: Top Heavy, Fragile, But Still Elite?

• Sherman lays out why San Francisco remains the Vegas favorite: Pro Bowl talent (Shanahan, Purdy, McCaffrey, Bosa, Kittle) but cites lingering injury bug and depth concerns, especially at defensive tackle.
• "It's fragile. It's very, very, very, very fragile this year. When you're top heavy like that...if one thing breaks the elephant falls, Mitchell. And that's a heavy fall." — Richard Sherman (06:06)
• Key issues:
  • D-tackle rotation’s inexperience (rookie C.J. West, Jordan Elliott, Alfred Collins)
  • Receivers unproven behind Iuk and unsettled Jauan Jennings • O-line still a question in pass protection; huge early test vs Seahawks front

Jauan Jennings Contract Drama

• "There's a huge opportunity here for Jauan Jennings to have the season that would get him $25 million a year. If he goes out there and continues to just be himself...Go out there and prove it one more time. $20 million. If they don't pay you, somebody else will." — Richard Sherman (15:02)

Seahawks: Undervalued, New Identity

• Sherman is bullish on Seattle—citing strong camp vibes, new run-focused Kubiak scheme, and a culture change along the O-line.
• "When you get guys who are out there sacrificing because they don't want to let their guy, the guy next to him, down, that's special. It's not every day..." — Richard Sherman (18:38)
• Sam Darnold steps in at QB. Skill positions: JSN (Smith-Njigba) poised for breakout, Cooper Kupp adds experience, RB tandem of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet could return the "Beast Mode" mindset.
• Defense: loaded pass rush (DeMarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy) and versatile DB group (Julian Love, Spoon, Rick Woolen).

Rams: Super Bowl Ceiling, Health-Dependent

• LA makes splash by adding Davante Adams; defense transitions from Donald to Jared Verse.
• Main caveat: Stafford’s health is the X-factor. Sherman: "If anything happens to Matthew Stafford, everything goes out the window." (25:39)

Cardinals: Still a Tier Below

• Vegas likes them at 9.5 wins but Sherman is skeptical. Kyler Murray remains the wild card; team "middle of the pack" unless Murray rediscovers early-career dynamism.

Division Picks

• Sherman: Seahawks barely edge Niners in a tiebreaker (both at 11-6), Rams close behind. "I gotta...I think Seattle wins the division in a tie record-wise with the San Francisco 49ers, but it's gonna be a close tiebreaker..." (36:19)
• Florio: Rams take the division if Stafford stays healthy.

2. NFC North: Packers Add Micah Parsons, Lions’ Youth Movement

(44:32 – 74:22)

Packers: Parsons Deal Makes Them Scary

• Sherman is effusive about the Packers’ trade for Micah Parsons: "This is a team that's a Super Bowl contender now...He takes them over the top, Mitchell. He gives them not credibility because they had credibility. But...he changes the trajectory and the dynamic of this division and makes them the clear favorites in this division." (44:32)
• Defense now “icing on the cake”; pressure squarely on Jordan Love to cut down his playoff interceptions and deliver in January.

Lions: Detroit Remains Sherman’s Pick

• Florio’s case: deep, youthful roster, high-end offensive weapons, top defense if healthy.
• "This Detroit Lions team is the best, youngest team in the NFL right now." — Michael F. Florio (54:54)
• Isaac Tesla: rookie WR to watch, possible breakout

Other Division Storylines:

• Vikings: Sherman doubts the J.J. McCarthy rookie transition, predicts drop-off from last season’s 14-3 Cinderella run.
• Bears: Ben Johnson now OC, QB Caleb Williams the big question mark.
• Both hosts see the Lions and Packers splitting the season series, with Detroit winning the division via tiebreak.

3. NFC East: Eagles’ Division; Cowboys In Crisis

(76:08 – 91:31)

• Cowboys trade away Micah Parsons to Packers—a move Sherman excoriates as “pride before the fall.”
  • "This was stupidity. This was utter nonsense. Because you can't justify this any other way." (76:47)
• Giants: Defensive front (Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, rookie Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux) gives them “a puncher’s chance” every week; Sherman expects 8-9 wins.
• Eagles: Most talented, stable roster in conference; Sherman picks them handily to win the division: "I expect them to win this division easily going away." (83:26)
• Commanders: Jaden Daniels must avoid sophomore slump; Deebo Samuel (now in D.C.) could be a major X-factor.

4. NFC South: Tampa’s Division to Lose

(88:05 – 91:31)

• Buccaneers: Model of consistency under Todd Bowles, balanced offense (Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin; healthy Baker Mayfield).
  • "The sun is going to rise in the east, it's going to set in the west, and the Bucs are going to win the South." — Sherman (88:49)
• Falcons: Young talent (London, Pitts, A.J. Terrell), but too many “prove it” pieces.
• Saints: Deep QB woes, named Spencer Rattler the starter, “COVID is kind of bare out there.”
• Panthers: Waiting for Bryce Young to take the next step.

5. AFC Roundup and Super Bowl Picks

AFC West: Chiefs Until Proven Otherwise
(93:55 – 98:34)

• "Kansas City Chiefs, again, are the class of this division until proven wrong. It's hard to bet against them after being in the Super Bowl five of last six years." — Sherman (95:01)
• Broncos’ improved defense, Raiders’ new Pete Carroll regime, and Chargers’ injury woes noted.
• Raiders: Pete Carroll brings stability; expects 8-9 wins and a wild card chase.

AFC North: Ravens Slight Favorite Over Bengals (103:15 – 107:53)

• Ravens: Vegas favorite, Super Bowl upside.
• Bengals: “30-for-30” offense/defense split; defense must improve. Trey Hendrickson situation reflects “insane” Bengals front office practices.
• Steelers: Bank heavily on an aging Aaron Rodgers; risks of regression.

AFC East: Bills Superiority

• Bills (MVP Josh Allen) top division; Dolphins, Patriots (Vrabel as new coach), and Jets (Aaron Glenn) remain wild cards.
• Jets have culture reset; performance will determine coach’s “Bill Belichick” approach.

AFC South: Texans Slight Favorite, but Watch the Colts/Jaguars

• Texans: C.J. Stroud regression a worry, but roster looks strong (Nick Chubb, Nico Collins).
• Colts move on from Anthony Richardson to Daniel Jones.
• Jaguars: Travis Hunter excitement, but QB pressure building for Trevor Lawrence.

6. Sherman’s End-of-Episode Predictions

(119:38 – 125:12)

NFC Champion:

• Philadelphia Eagles:
  "They're just too consistent, too talented on both sides of the offensive and defensive line...It's hard to root against them in the NFC." (119:38)

AFC Champion:

• Kansas City Chiefs:
  "It's boring to say this...It's hard to go against the Kansas City Chiefs." (120:51)

Super Bowl Prediction:

• Eagles over Chiefs (Back-to-Back for Philly)
  "I would say the Philadelphia Eagles go back-to-back." (121:47)

MVP Picks:

• Sherman: Joe Burrow will be in the mix but might be held back by his team’s flaws.
• Florio: Touts Burrow, also raises Sam Darnold as a Seattle sleeper pick.

Preseason Power Rankings (Sherman):

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Detroit Lions
   (124:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "It's fragile. It's very, very, very, very fragile this year...if one thing breaks, the elephant falls, Mitchell." — Richard Sherman on 49ers’ roster (06:06)
• "This is a team that's a Super Bowl contender now...Micah Parsons, this is a big juicy cherry on top of Green Bay Green and Gold Sunday." — Sherman on Packers’ defense (44:32)
• "This was stupidity. This was utter nonsense. Because you can't justify this any other way." — Sherman destroys Cowboys’ trade of Micah Parsons (76:47)
• "The sun is going to rise in the east, it's going to set in the west, and the Bucs are going to win the South." — Sherman, Bucs' NFC South dominance (88:49)
• "Kansas City Chiefs, again, are the class of this division until proven wrong...as long as they have Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, and Spags...they’re going to win 11, 12 games." (95:01)
• "I would say the Philadelphia Eagles go back to back." — Sherman’s Super Bowl pick (121:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | | :-----------------------------: | :--------------- | | Welcome / NFC West Preview | 02:21 – 39:00 | | NFC North (Packers, Lions) | 44:32 – 74:22 | | NFC East (Eagles, Cowboys, Gmen)| 76:08 – 91:31 | | NFC South | 88:05 – 91:31 | | AFC West | 93:55 – 98:34 | | AFC North | 103:15 – 107:53 | | Closing Predictions/Power Rank | 119:38 – 125:12 |

Summary for New Listeners

Richard Sherman and Michael F. Florio deliver an unparalleled, wide-ranging NFL season preview, blending in-camp scouting, hard-hitting analysis, and strong opinions.

• NFC West: Clear as mud—Sherman likes the Seahawks (barely) on tiebreakers over the Niners, but sees all three top teams as contenders if healthy.
• Packers’ Parsons Trade: Instantly boosts Green Bay to Super Bowl conversation according to Sherman; upends balance of NFC North.
• Eagles/Chiefs: Both remain favorites to return to the Super Bowl.
• Biggest Worries: Injuries derailing the 49ers/Lions/Rams, uncertain QBs for Vikings and Bears, Cowboys implosion post-Parsons trade.
• Must-Watch Players: JSN (Seattle), Jauan Jennings drama (SF), Jared Verse (Rams), Isaac Tesla (Lions), Jalen Higgins (Texans)

Sherman’s bold, unfiltered, and sometimes controversial perspectives are balanced by Florio’s optimism and pulse-of-the-fan insights, making for a lively, must-listen divisional tour de force.

For fans craving a comprehensive, insider look at every division and the NFL’s power structure heading into 2025, this episode is a can’t-miss listen.