The Richard Sherman Podcast – NFL Week 12 Reaction

Seahawks-Titans, Browns-Raiders, Chiefs-Colts, Eagles-Cowboys | The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Date: November 24, 2025 | Hosts: Richard Sherman & Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast dives deep into NFL Week 12 action, featuring big games and big performances. Sherman and co-host Mitchell break down the biggest stories, dissect key matchups, and deliver unfiltered opinions on teams such as the rejuvenated Seahawks, Lions' nail-biter, Chiefs' comeback, an NFC North soap opera, a red-hot Patriots team, and the Eagles-Cowboys classic. The episode spotlights player development, coaching decisions, playoff implications, and the unique narratives unfolding this NFL season.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks Keep Rolling (03:27)

• Sherman's Praise for Seattle: Richard lauds the Seahawks' steady rise and their knack for "beating teams they're supposed to beat" – a truly underrated NFL skill (05:03).
• Jackson Smith-Njigba's Record: First NFL player with 75+ yards in each of his first 11 games; breaks Seattle single-season receiving record (03:50).
• Defense & Special Teams: Defense looks "well coached and formidable" (04:08), special teams need work after allowing a 90-yard punt return.
• Sam Darnold’s Impact: Sherman sees Darnold's poise and accuracy as key to Seattle's Super Bowl aspirations (07:51). Offensive line is credited as a major reason for their success.
• Balanced Attack Emerges: Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet show improvement on the ground, critical for deeper playoff run.
• Seattle's Playoff Outlook: "I think this is a very complete team and they're going to be a tough out for anybody in the playoffs" (08:54).
• Titans’ Cam Ward: Despite Tennessee's struggles, Sherman notes Ward’s flashes and considers him the Titans’ future (09:30).
• Mitchell on the Offseason Move: Moving from Geno to Darnold is praised as a savvy, cost-effective move ($40M vs. +$50M QBs). "Seattle won the offseason" (09:44).

  "When in doubt, draft an Ohio State wideout." – Mitchell, on JSN’s breakout (10:21).

2. Lions Survive, Giants and Jameis Winston Put up a Fight (19:11)

• Lions’ Frustrations & Successes: Mitchell laments play-calling, especially moving away from their power run game and underusing David Montgomery despite Jameer Gibbs' explosion (219 yards, 3 TDs) (20:00–22:10).

  "Hand these guys the football. Get back to basics." – Mitchell (21:40)

• Sherman on Detroit Defense: Concerned about the Lions' lack of pass rush; only sack came in the final play (23:32).
• Giants Coaching Situation: Both hosts discuss interim coach Mike Kafka; Sherman likes Kafka but doubts he’ll get the full-time job, expecting the Giants to seek an "offensive genius" (26:32).
• Jameis Winston: His volatility kept the game close and entertaining; over a thousand combined yards in the game.

3. OT Thrillers: Chiefs’ Comeback vs. Colts (28:30)

• Mahomes’ Desperation Mode: Sherman highlights Patrick Mahomes’ urgency and the Chiefs' “playoff mentality” to rally in OT (29:07).

  "You saw it in Patrick Mahomes' eyes... the urgency this game" – Sherman (29:13)

• Defense Steps Up: Chiefs contain Jonathan Taylor, Colts defense sacks Mahomes 4 times; Kareem Hunt runs tough but coughs it up in a key moment.
• Playoff Picture for Both: Neither is convinced “the Chiefs are back” but respect their resilience. Colts/Texans next week deemed a must-watch (31:50).
• Texans' Secondary Shines: Sherman praises young Houston secondary, especially Kaylin Bullock and Kamari Lassiter (33:08). He relates his own advice about playing without hesitation (33:08–35:49).

4. NFC North Woes and Wonders

Packers Outlast the Vikings (39:51)

• Jordan Love Debate: Sherman bluntly says the Packers staff "do not trust the quarterback" – reflected in run-heavy, safe play-calling (40:14).

  "If they believed in him, they'd call it differently. Don't get mad at me, that's what the tape says." – Sherman (41:18)

• Mitchell’s Math: Love’s stat line (14 completions, $3.2M/game) further exposes the financial inefficiency versus Sam Darnold (44:59).
• Need for a "Big Dog": Sherman repeats that top-tier teams need a dominant playmaker; Packers lack one post-Davante Adams (43:37).
• Coaching Carousel: Both blast fans turning on coaches; warn swapping QBs for "different" isn't always better (47:31–53:45).

Bears’ Surprising Rise (53:45–58:56)

• Ben Johnson’s Impact: Bears are now 8-3 after a string of fourth-quarter comebacks. Caleb Williams and rookie RB Kyle Monangai are pivotal.
• Upcoming Litmus Test: Next games against Eagles/Packers will reveal if the Bears are legitimate NFC contenders (55:23–58:56).
• Shock Factor: If told preseason the Bears would be 8-3, Sherman says, "My shock level would be at a 7.7." (58:56)

5. AFC Power Shift: Patriots 10-2, Bengals Lose Late (59:50)

• Patriots Find New Identity: Despite a "soft" schedule, the consensus is that Mike Vrabel instilled toughness and belief; Drake May blossoms at QB (60:42).
• Sherman on Vrabel: "Being a motivator, a leader of men... that's what I think Mike Vrabel is getting" (62:42).
• Patriots’ Playoff Outlook: Hosts see them as consistent, tough out in the playoffs. Cam Newton’s "fool’s gold" comment is dismissed for lack of context (64:46, 69:47).

  "They are winning in the culture and the way Mike Vrabel is winning" – Sherman (61:17)

6. Ravens, Browns, and the AFC North Dogfight (71:15)

• Ravens Surge: From 1-5 start to division leaders, but Sherman says, “Nothing is safe in the NFL right now” (72:33).
• Lamar’s Rust: Lamar Jackson’s play still has “rust”; defense secured the win vs. the Jets.
• Shador Sanders’ NFL Debut: Browns rookie throws first NFL TD, impresses with poise despite some mistakes. Sherman acknowledges him as “polarizing,” but believes he brought a spark to Cleveland (73:58).
• Miles Garrett’s Historic Prowess: Breaks franchise sack record; on pace for 28 sacks.

  “If he goes and gets 28 sacks, he's going to make the decision easy for a lot of people” – Sherman (80:11)

7. Cowboys Stun Eagles in Comeback Classic (81:43)

• Dallas Turns Their Season: Down 21 points, the Cowboys come back to topple the Eagles on a last-second field goal (81:43–86:12).
• George Pickens Emerging Star: Sherman praises Pickens’ transformation into a Pro Bowl–caliber player (86:41).
• Dak’s Leadership: Prescott’s performance and resilience praised, as is the Cowboys offense for winning despite multiple drops by CeeDee Lamb.
• Philly’s Red Flags: Late-game collapses traced to d-line overuse and poor run game (91:15).

  “You cannot expect guys that big to play that much … the biggest issue for the Philadelphia Eagles is they're not able to get the same pass rush, the same stoutness against the run on the interior defensive line because they're so worn down late in these games.” – Sherman (91:15)

8. 49ers-Raiders, Brandon Aiyuk Drama, and MNF Predictions (94:19–95:37)

• Sherman and Mitchell preview the upcoming 49ers game and break news on Brandon Aiyuk being done for the year.
• Sherman’s Advice: "Helping [the team] helps you... Sitting out does not." (95:37)

Notable Quotes & Key Moments

• On Sam Darnold's Revival in Seattle

  "Being who you're supposed to be... is an underrated skill set in the National Football League." – Richard Sherman, on Seahawks' consistency (05:33)

• On the Packers

  "They do not trust the quarterback... That's not what I'm saying, that's what the tape’s saying." – Richard Sherman (41:18) "If my math serves me correct, every completion [Love] is worth $231,000... I'd expect a lot more." – Mitchell (44:59)

• On Dallas' Comeback

  "They did not allow the Philadelphia Eagles to score a point in the second half. That should be applauded." – Sherman (86:41)

• On the Patriots

  "Being a leader of men... that’s what Mike Vrabel is getting." – Sherman (61:17)

• On Miles Garrett

  "If he goes and gets 28 sacks this season, he's going to make the decision easy for a lot of people." – Sherman (80:11)

• On Coaching Craziness

  "They think different is better. They don't think better is better." – Sherman (53:07)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Seahawks-Titans Analysis/Streaks: 03:27–09:44
• Sam Darnold/JSN Praise: 09:44 (Mitchell)
• Lions-Giants Wild Finish: 19:11–26:32
• Chiefs-Colts OT Thriller: 28:30–33:08
• Texans Defense Deep Dive: 33:08–35:49
• Packers-Vikings / Jordan Love Debate: 39:51–47:29
• Bears’ Rise & NFC North Storylines: 53:45–58:56
• Patriots AFC #1 Seed, Vrabel's Culture: 59:50–64:46
• Ravens’ Comeback & Browns Talk: 71:15–81:43
• Cowboys Defeat Eagles (Eagles’ Collapse): 81:43–91:15
• Brandon Aiyuk News / 49ers MNF Preview: 94:19–95:37

Final Thoughts

This episode embodies why NFL fans gravitate to the Richard Sherman Podcast: sharp analysis, honest player perspective, and a dynamic rapport between Sherman and Mitchell. Expect further shifting narratives as playoff races tighten—and perhaps another dose of Sherman’s “real talk” on underappreciated contributors, flashes of youth, and the drama of NFL unpredictability.