The Richard Sherman Podcast – NFL Week 11 Reaction

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Richard Sherman Podcast: NFL Week 11 Reaction
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

Richard Sherman dives deep into a pivotal NFL Week 11, offering detailed analysis and opinions on a slate of crucial games featuring the 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks, Rams, Bears, Vikings, Buccaneers, Bills, Chiefs, and Broncos. Sherman brings a candid, high-energy breakdown, focusing on team performances, quarterback play, critical coaching decisions, and playoff outlooks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals (03:57)

• Brock Purdy’s Return: Sherman lauds the decision to start an apparently healthy Purdy, who throws for three touchdowns in a smooth, commanding outing.
• Offensive Depth: “He threw it to everybody, threw a touchdown to CMC. He got George Kittle involved for two touchdowns.” (Richard Sherman, 04:24)
• Defensive Takeaways: Despite giving up 452 passing yards, the Niners won with timely interceptions—only their second and third of the season. Young defenders like Curtis Robinson (12 tackles) and D. Winters (10 tackles) stepped up.
• Special Teams: Sky Moore’s 98-yard kick return electrified the team and crowd. Sherman highlights the special teams as “greatly improved.”
• Cautions: The lack of pass rush is a concern. “You gotta find some password somewhere. It's not sustainable to play like this.” (Richard Sherman, 06:31)
• Looking Ahead: Niners face the Panthers and Browns before the bye. Sherman is optimistic if they reach 9-4.

2. Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams (10:01)

• Tough Day for Sam Darnold: Four interceptions from Darnold put the team in a tough spot but Sherman still finds positives for Seattle.
• Defense Shines: “This is still a confidence boost for the Seattle Seahawks… the defense played outstanding.” (Richard Sherman, 10:50)
• Rams Execution: Rams’ Puka Nakua impressed; Stafford was held to 130 yards and two TDs. Seattle’s vaunted pass rush failed to record a sack.
• Turnovers Did Them In: “Those four interceptions are tough to overcome for anybody.” (Richard Sherman, 12:03)
• Seahawks Ownership of Adversity: Sherman urges fans not to panic: “Stay calm, Seahawks fans. It's going to be okay… this team can compete with anybody…” (Richard Sherman, 13:07)
• Vikings Critique: Sherman delivers a fiery take on Minnesota fans, defending Darnold and suggesting the Vikings should have kept him.

3. Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:45)

• Josh Allen’s MVP Day: Allen posts 317 yards, 3 TDs (plus 2 INTs), and rushes for 3 TDs. “Josh Allen looked like an MVP…” (Richard Sherman, 23:12)
• Bucs Decimated by Injuries: With heavy losses in skill positions, Mayfield struggles (16/28, 173yds, 1 TD, 1INT).
• Defensive Collapse: “You can’t give up 44 points and expect to be a contender in this league…” (Richard Sherman, 22:49)
• Looking Forward: Sherman questions Bills’ ability to keep winning in shootouts and doubts the Bucs’ playoff chances with the current defense.

4. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants (28:04)

• Packers Grit: Jordan Love (13/24, 174yds, 2 TDs) shows flashes but Sherman is not fully convinced: “Can he execute down the stretch in critical games when the game is on the line? I have not seen it in the playoffs.” (Richard Sherman, 29:44)
• Scheming for Success: Love benefited from schemed open receivers.
• Critical of Overpraise: Sherman contrasts criticisms for Darnold and Love, tying expectations to quarterback salaries.
• Playoff Confidence: Jury is still out on Love; Packers still have work to do for Sherman’s full backing.

5. Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings (36:47)

• Bears’ Surge: “The Bears have won seven of their last eight games.” (Richard Sherman, 36:47)
• Quarterback Issues Haunt Vikings: J.J. McCarthy struggles, throws two picks. Sherman remains adamant Minnesota made a mistake letting Darnold walk.
  • Quote: “I still feel like they should have kept Sam Darnold. I will say that until the cows come home.” (Richard Sherman, 37:16)
• Wasted Talent? If McCarthy doesn’t develop, Sherman worries about squandering Jefferson’s prime.
• Division Dynamics: Tough sledding for Minnesota in a competitive NFC North, with the Bears, Packers, and Lions in form.

6. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (47:01)

• Chiefs in Crisis: Kansas City drops to 5-5 after a painful walk-off loss. Playoff hopes are in serious danger.
• Broncos Ascendance: “It looks like the Denver Broncos… are the class of the AFC West right now.” (Richard Sherman, 48:35)
• Mahomes Under Fire: Offensive line problems persist, with Denver sacking Mahomes three times.
• Defensive Decline: “Is this the Chiefs defense of old… that has been really, really effective and been championship caliber…? Unfortunately, it looks like there’s a changing of the guard.” (Richard Sherman, 48:14)
• Playoff Math: Sherman maps out possible outcomes, doubts Chiefs control their own destiny, and sets expectations low for a playoff run.
• Steelers & AFC North: Pittsburgh’s defense shines versus Cincinnati (pick-six, fumble return TD) as the division battle heats up.

7. AFC North Updates: Browns vs. Ravens, Steelers vs. Bengals (53:23)

• Steelers Resurgence: Pittsburgh now leads AFC North despite banged-up QBs, thanks to a “defensive team everybody thought they’d be.” (Richard Sherman, 54:01)
• Ravens’ Grit: Lamar Jackson sacked 5 times (4 by Myles Garrett), but Ravens handle Browns after Dylan Gabriel’s concussion. Shadour Sanders expected to start next week.
• NFC North Races: Sherman forecasts physical, crucial divisional battles impacting seeding and playoff future.

Notable Quotes

• “You gotta find some password somewhere. It's not sustainable to play like this.”
  — Richard Sherman on 49ers’ pass rush issues (06:31)

• “Stay calm, Seahawks fans. It's going to be okay. This team can compete with anybody…”
  — Richard Sherman on Seahawks’ outlook (13:07)

• “Josh Allen looked like an MVP in his game. Carried his team on his back.”
  — Richard Sherman (23:12)

• “Can [Jordan Love] execute down the stretch in critical games when the game is on the line? I have not seen it in the playoffs.”
  — Richard Sherman (29:44)

• “I still feel like they should have kept Sam Darnold. I will say that until the cows come home.”
  — Richard Sherman on Vikings QBs (37:16)

• “It looks like the Denver Broncos… are the class of the AFC West right now. They're on top of the division and they're dominating.”
  — Richard Sherman on Broncos’ win (48:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 49ers vs. Cardinals Deep Dive: 03:57 – 10:01
• Seahawks vs. Rams & Seahawks QB Discussion: 10:01 – 17:38
• Bills vs. Bucs Breakdown: 21:45 – 28:04
• Packers vs. Giants Assessment: 28:04 – 36:47
• Bears vs. Vikings, Vikings QB Future: 36:47 – 44:17
• Chiefs vs. Broncos, AFC West Power Shift: 47:01 – 53:23
• AFC North Wrap-up: 53:23 – 62:10

Memorable Moments

• Sherman’s stern warning to Niners and Seahawks about their pass rush—highlighting how even backup QBs can torch passive defenses.
• Charismatic banter and sharp critique of NFC North’s approaches to quarterback management, especially Minnesota’s failed succession plan.
• Humorous, yet pointed, call-out to Vikings fans regarding Darnold and QB expectations (“Just to mask the tears…” 42:41).
• Playoff calculus and tiebreaker talk around the Chiefs—a rare “in trouble” label attached to Mahomes’ squad.

Final Thoughts

Richard Sherman’s episode is fast-paced, rich in player and team detail, and pulls no punches. He celebrates big performances, skewers coaching and roster decisions, and offers the candid, sometimes bracing perspective that has become his trademark. Week 11, by Sherman’s analysis, provided momentum swings with major playoff implications—particularly for teams like the 49ers, Packers, and Chiefs—while ongoing quarterback issues continue to shape narratives in Minnesota and Seattle.

Recommended for: NFL fans seeking in-depth analysis, sharp quarterback takes, and real-time playoff picture insight, with the authentic Richard Sherman flair.