The Richard Sherman Podcast — NFL Divisional Predictions

Episode Date: January 16, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Featured: Richard Sherman, co-host Mitchell

Episode Overview

In this divisional round preview, Richard Sherman and Mitchell dive deep into the weekend's top NFL matchups, highlighting the injuries, rivalries, and tactical showdowns that will shape the outcomes. Sherman leverages insider knowledge and past experience to offer insightful analysis and predictions—sprinkling in memorable quotes and a competitive but respectful back-and-forth. If you live for high-stakes football and gritty defensive battles, this episode is a must.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 49ers vs. Seahawks: Rivalry Renewed on Short Rest

• Injury Impact:
  • Fred Warner is close to a return; his practice window opening is a huge morale boost.
    • "It's great to see Fred Warner opening his practice window...that's what I'd have expected from them." — Richard Sherman [01:15]
  • George Kittle’s Achilles: Sherman reassures fans that, thanks to advances in technology, Kittle isn’t done yet.
    • "I definitely don't think we've seen the last of George Kittle by any stretch of imagination." — Richard Sherman [02:58]
• San Francisco Adversity:
  • Team has weathered injuries all year, setting up a “nobody believes in us” playoff narrative.
  • “This team is weathered every storm and at this point, it's all the same to them...” — Sherman [03:56]
• Betting Line Disparity:
  • Hard Rock put the 49ers as 7.5-point underdogs—a number Sherman scoffs at:
    • “Giving either team 7.5 points is insanity. If you're a gambling man, I'd put money on that.” — Sherman [04:37]
• Matchup Dynamics:
  • Linebackers Gallo and Kendricks are stabilizers for SF, especially against the Seahawks’ running backs.
  • Seattle's Defensive Front (Murphy, Reed, Williams, Lawrence) caused big issues for San Francisco’s run game in the last meeting.
  • QB Spotlight: Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold both face immense pressure; Darnold’s playoff redemption is a key storyline.
  • Physicality Level:
    • "It's going to be rated R physicality. This is the kind of physicality that makes kids uncomfortable." — Sherman [06:52]

Notable Quotes

• "I don't care if it's preseason, regular season, postseason, or offseason, Mitchell. It's on site." — Sherman [08:59]
• "There's enough just normal everyday hate for one another that you're going to see in this game." — Sherman [09:08]

2. Keys to the Game: Seahawks’ Plan [10:56–17:18]

• Seattle's Run Game: Walker and Charbonnet crucial; must replicate prior success.
• Downfield Threats:
  • JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) has to be featured; Seattle needs to take deep shots.
  • Chemistry with Sam Darnold and Rashid Shaheed (deep threat) is still developing.
• Defense Provides Cushion: Darnold can play more aggressively thanks to a stout D.
• D'Amador Lenore vs. JSN:
  • Don't overplay the matchup; 49ers mostly run zone.
    • "Just because a guy's lined up in front of another guy doesn't mean they're in man to man." — Sherman [16:08]

3. Robert Saleh’s Defensive Coaching [17:18–19:02]

• Standing Out Despite Adversity:
  • Masterful managing of constant injuries; name floated for multiple head coaching jobs.
    • "He's done a masterful job just... taking the hand that he's dealt and doing the best he can with it." — Sherman [17:54]
• K.J. Wright’s role as an assistant — another layer of Seahawks/49ers crossover.

4. Game Predictions: 49ers vs. Seahawks [19:02–26:43]

• Sherman and Mitchell agree: this will be a one-score game that comes down to the last possession.
  • Sherman refuses to pick a specific winner, calling it a “pick ‘em.”
  • Mitchell predicts a Seattle win, 24–20.
    • "It feels like an upset. It feels like the recipe for an upset." — Sherman [19:31]
    • “It's going to come down to the last drive of the game, Colin Kaepernick decided to try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree...” — Sherman [54:18]

5. Rams at Bears: Offense, Defense & Chicago Weather [26:43–35:03]

• Mitchell’s Take: Rams could exploit Bears’ weak run D (27th ranked), two-headed RB (Kyron Williams, Blake Corum) a key advantage.
• Sherman’s Concern: Rams defense is leaking points; Bears’ run game and unpredictable weather are wildcards.
  • "If they can't stop the run in these conditions, it's going to be a very long day." — Sherman [29:21]
• Chicago’s Secret Weapon:
  • Rookie TE Colston Loveland emerging as a future star.
• Tough Conditions:
  • Negative temps/nightmarish turf make tackling and footing a defender’s nightmare.
    • "You have to make sure, hey, I don't get too far outside of my frame...one slip, one misstep in this game and the game's over." — Sherman [33:07]
• Prediction: Sherman picks the Bears to advance to the NFC Championship.

6. Bills at Broncos: MVPs and Defensive Duels [35:03–42:51]

• Moneyline: Bills are slight 1-point favorites, mainly due to respect for Josh Allen.
  • “You're going to give Josh Allen the respect that he's due in these playoffs.” — Sherman [36:13]
• Broncos’ Defense: Second-best in the league; All eyes on their ability to stifle Allen.
• QB Pressure:
  • Bo Nix must outperform Allen—no easy feat.
  • Denver must lean on defense, man coverage, and pass rush.
• Offensive Weapons: For Buffalo, questions about depth/receiver reliability.
• Previous Matchup: Bills blew out Broncos 31-7 last year; McDermott will feel confident.
  • "Still, you got to show you can beat Josh Allen. Until you do, Buffalo's going to be favored." — Sherman [41:10]
• Predictions:
  • Sherman, sticking to his Super Bowl prediction, goes with Denver ("sneaking by").
  • Mitchell backs Buffalo.

7. Texans at Patriots: Defensive Identity & Playoff Hype [42:51–53:34]

• Vegas Line: Patriots -3 (standard home-field; opened as a near “pick ’em”)
• Texans' Confidence:
  • Defense is historic, riding a 10-game win streak, dominating up front and in the secondary.
• Patriots’ Storyline: Drake May’s rise to MVP conversation — this is his ultimate test.
  • “He's going to have to win a big game like this to put the rest of the NFL on notice that he's here and he's here to stay.” — Mitchell [47:43]
• CJ Stroud: Needs better ball security—five fumbles and two lost vs. Pittsburgh nearly cost them.
• Key Players:
  • Availability of Nico Collins (Houston)
  • Christian Kirk (Texans), Woody Marks (Texans RB)
• Intimidation Factor: Sherman lauds Houston's simple, fast, and aggressive defense for the playoffs.
  • “When you keep it simple, you're allowed to play fast and be as aggressive as you want to be.” — Sherman [50:04]
• Score Projection:
  • “Grindy. Grindy. Maybe a turnover here. Stop in the red. 17-9, Houston.” — Sherman [53:22]
  • Mitchell counters with a Patriots prediction, calling it "Drake May’s time."

Timestamps of Major Segments

| Segment | Approx. Timestamp | | ------- | ---------------- | | 49ers injuries/impact | 00:55–03:56 | | Seahawks-49ers matchup, odds, keys | 03:56–10:10 | | Seahawks strategy/offense | 10:56–17:18 | | Robert Saleh coaching | 17:18–19:02 | | 49ers-Seahawks prediction segment | 19:02–26:43 | | Rams-Bears preview | 26:43–35:03 | | Bills-Broncos preview | 35:03–42:51 | | Texans-Patriots preview & predictions | 42:51–53:34 | | Summary wrap-up | 53:34–end |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “When the San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks... it's on site.” — Sherman [08:59]
• “It's going to be fireworks... rated R physicality." — Sherman [06:52]
• “This is a pick 'em for me, Mitchell. It could go either way.” — Sherman [26:39]
• On young, brash defenses:
  “Sometimes you hit people in the face over and over and over... and that's what you're going to see from the Houston Texan defense.” — Sherman [52:23]
• “Keep your seat heaters and get your anxiety meds because… it's going to come down to the wire.” — Sherman [54:14]

Final Predictions Recap

• 49ers-Seahawks: Pick 'em; expect a one-possession game. Mitchell sides with Seahawks 24-20; Sherman refuses to call a winner.
• Rams-Bears: Sherman takes the Bears; Mitchell leans Rams citing their run game.
• Bills-Broncos: Sherman hesitantly sticks with Broncos; Mitchell picks Bills.
• Texans-Patriots: Sherman picks Texans (17-9 grind); Mitchell picks Patriots, betting on Drake May’s "arrival" moment.

Tone & Takeaways

• Sherman speaks from deep personal experience, with vivid anecdotes about playoff battles and locker-room stories.
• Unrelenting honesty: If Sherman can’t pick a side, he doesn’t fake it.
• The intensity and stakes of divisional weekend are palpable—listeners get strategies for both fans and bettors.
• Rivalry energy: Nowhere is this more evident than in the anticipation for 49ers-Seahawks.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You’ll want to tune in if you appreciate technical football analysis, cold-weather war stories, and real talk about the pressures facing players and coaches in the NFL playoffs. Richard Sherman delivers insights you won’t get anywhere else, always with the same edge and confidence that made him famous on the field.