The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Richard Sherman Podcast

Episode: NFL Week 5 Reaction: Bucs-Seahawks, Lions-Bengals, Broncos-Eagles, Cardinals-Titans, Raiders-Colts
Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Richard Sherman and Mitchell

Overview

This Week 5 recap episode dives into the highlights, surprises, and disappointments from a packed NFL Sunday, offering in-depth breakdowns of major games, key player performances, and the implications for the league’s power hierarchy. Sherman and Mitchell bring their signature mixture of passionate analysis, playful banter, and direct player perspectives, moving game by game and folding in notable broader storylines.

Key Games & In-Depth Reactions

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay 38, Seattle 35
Hot Topic: QB Duel & Defensive Woes

• Opening Summary
  Sherman kicks it off calling the matchup "an offensive showcase, a shootout" (02:09), lamenting, "the Seahawks fell short, but a great game by Sam Darnold. A great game by Baker Mayfield. The defenses didn’t decide to show up today, but the Ohio State receivers did" (02:15).

• Breakdown

  • The game started slowly for Seattle, who “didn’t get a touchdown until the last two minutes of the first half” (04:05).
  • A key play: “They picked a random opportunity to put Jalen Milroe in the game and run an option that led to a turnover... K9 couldn’t handle it. He fumbles, the Bucs recover, and it just left you scratching your head because it led to the Tampa Bay Bucs' first touchdown.” (04:12)
  • Sam Darnold: "Played an incredible game... 28 of 34 for 341, four touchdowns, one interception." (12:46). Noted as elevating into "the top 10 quarterback conversation." (12:50)
  • Offensive play calling was criticized: "I think it was a case of Clint Kubiak getting too cute late in the game... could have run the football and just milked the clock." (04:44)
  • Defensive injuries (Seattle): “Devin Witherspoon was out, Tariq Woolen went out... They were calling zone predominantly trying to protect these backup corners.” (05:34)
  • Tampa's Offensive Standouts: “Emeka Egbuka took advantage... seven catches for 163 yards… Jackson Smith-Njigba made big play after big play, eight catches for 132 yards.” (06:54)

• Big Quote:

  • “The NFC West is still wide open. The Arizona Cardinals lost today last second with some really ridiculous plays down the stretch to the Tennessee Titans… The matchup next week in Tampa Bay with the Bucs and 49ers is looking like the game of the week.” (08:46)

Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit 37, Cincinnati 24
Lions Assert Dominance (Against a Joe Burrow-less Bengals)

• Mitchell’s Analysis:
  "This Lions defense in the first half looked absolutely dominant… Jack Campbell is rising to be one of the stars in this league and he's relatively unknown still." (09:55)

  • “They had an opportunity to absolutely bury the Cincinnati Bengals and they let them crawl back in late... Jamar Chase got going late... but in terms of a team firmly in the Super Bowl challenger mix, the Detroit Lions have got to be one or two.” (10:46)
  • On the environment: "Ford Field South today—only a four hour drive from Detroit. The place was flooded with Detroit Lions fans. You saw the Honolulu Blue, which I know you love, everywhere in that stands." (12:15)

• Sherman’s Assessment:

  • "You gotta be able to beat the teams you're supposed to beat... there's something to be said about that." (13:00)
  • Concerned about Lions' O-line: "The concern is the four sacks Jared Goff took in this game. You can't have four sacks and be an elite team, especially going up against a decimated team." (13:35)
  • Notable line: "You would have thought Oprah was in Cincinnati because, you get a pick, you get a pick, you get a pick." (15:09)

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Denver Broncos

Denver 21, Philadelphia 17
Upset of the Week: Broncos Rally, Eagles Offense Critiqued

• Mitchell:
  "The Eagles looked rather lifeless offensively… Saquon Barkley, six rushes for 30 yards. This is your workhorse... and they just didn’t do it. They let the Broncos get back in this game for no reason." (18:38)

  • “The Broncos just dominated that fourth and came away with the win... Sean Payton was ballsy going for two, taking that lead, showing them that they wanted to come to Philly and leave with the W. Philly was just playing not to lose, and they lost.” (18:53)

• Sherman:
  "You’re setting yourself up to have really, really difficult conversations with the best players on your team... Saquon Barkley only having nine touches in a football game where you only score 17 points seems like a head-scratcher to me." (19:40)

  • “This is like a Ferrari losing to Honda Civics. You're watching a Ferrari just sit there and rev its engine and Honda Civics just zoom by it.” (21:55)
  • On the Eagles’ trends: “The Philadelphia Eagles have consistently underwhelmed and underutilized their best players... If we hold you to 21 [points], we have an off day. I expect the Eagles’ offense to elevate and still win this game. And they didn’t." (23:11)
  • “I know Eagles fans are frustrated. I’m trying to express your frustration for you. This might be the most talented team in the National Football League... does he not know how to drive? Like take it out of—You can’t get out of gear two… hit the clutch!” (25:23)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns (London Game)

Minnesota 24, Cleveland 20

• Sherman:
  "Thank goodness I didn't have to play for a team that had to stay in international waters for two weeks in a row.” (27:08)
  • On Dylan Gabriel: "He played not to lose his game. Played mistake-free, pushed the ball down the field a little bit, but nothing crazy.” (27:24)
  • On Carson Wentz: “He made some really great layered throws… The deciding touchdown in the game." (29:22)
  • Congratulates Justin Jefferson: “Third most receiving yards through a player’s first six career NFL seasons… he’s done it with multiple quarterbacks. Just a testament to who he is…” (29:50)
  • QB controversy looming: “Do you sit the veteran and say, hey, we’re going back to the rook when you’ve averaged almost 30 points a game with him at the helm?” (30:18)
  • “I don’t think JJ McCarthy wins this game against the Browns. That’s a tough front—you’re going against Myles Garrett.” (31:57)
  • Recommendation: “I think you let [McCarthy] sit and learn and be a backup..." (32:04)

New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans 28, NY Giants 17

• Mitchell:
  “Saints come away with the win, Spencer Rattler's first win as a pro… Giants look like a team their fans are probably happy with… They finally have some playmakers on this team." (36:41)

• Sherman:

  • On Giants rookie Jackson Dart: "They like the energy, the charisma, the aura, the confidence… But then the mistakes happen and sometimes once it rains, it pours." (37:32)
  • Social media warning: "You can't get to the point where you're going on social media and apologizing to the fans... It's a slippery slope and it leads to frustration and depression and anxiety..." (38:52)
  • Advice: “My advice would be just be careful with all that because it just sends you down a bad road when things start going bad.” (40:19)

Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Indianapolis 40, Las Vegas 6

• Mitchell:
  “Daniel Jones has got the Indianapolis Colts looking like a very legitimate contender in the AFC in my opinion... They are an Adonai Mitchell fumble at the end zone away from being undefeated right now.” (41:09)

• Sherman:

  • On Jonathan Taylor: "You got to give him his flowers while they're due... he's playing like the best running back in football right now." (42:33)
  • On Colts’ surprise: "There's a world in which we're going to start, start really considering if the Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1 seed in the playoffs, the way they're playing..." (44:34)
  • “Jonathan Taylor... three touchdowns, you're going to start hearing MVP chants..." (43:21)
  • On Pete Carroll with Raiders: “They're just not good enough and they're not playing good enough. The Colts handled them handily…” (46:32)

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Houston 44, Baltimore 10

• Mitchell:
  "The Baltimore Ravens are shocking the NFL landscape with a 1 and 4 start... Lamar Jackson is out, but this problem was already intact before..." (49:54)

• Sherman:
  "My panic meter is at 11, or 12, or 57, whatever the highest it can be." (50:40)

  • Injury report: "160 million of the guys that they pay, $160 million of their players, are hurt or on IR." (50:50)
  • On Lamar Jackson: “This just shows how valuable Lamar Jackson is... he affects winning for Baltimore in a really, really, really, really big way." (51:24)
  • On C.J. Stroud: “Big confidence boost for CJ Stroud, who looks like he's found his rhythm over the last two games.” (52:44)

Washington Commanders vs. LA Chargers

Washington 27, LA Chargers 10

• Mitchell:
  “The Commanders look solid… Jaden Daniels being back in the fold… Debo Samuel, I mean, come on, man. He’s really giving this commander's offense a new identity.” (54:15)

• Sherman:

  • On injuries: “They’ve had so many injuries. Two starting receivers out… a lot of pressure and a lot of targets towards Debo Samuel… he stepped up in a big way in all three of their wins.” (55:21)
  • On Chargers: “They lost two really, really good tackles… I don’t know how you replace them... Herbert was sacked four times, but hard to expect any quarterback to be successful without time.” (56:30)
  • “Everything has changed for the Chargers in my opinion... No quarterback is going to be really effective in the National Football League no matter how talented you are…” (57:37)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee 22, Arizona 21

• Mitchell:
  “The Arizona Cardinals are up 21 to 6... Amari D. Mercado races away on a 70-yard should-be touchdown run… pulls an Adonai Mitchell and fumbles the ball at the half-inch line.” (58:04)

• Sherman:

  • “You just gotta stay positive. You gotta tell him to keep your head up… But it sucks if you’re an Arizona Cardinals fan. I mean you gotta be sick. Three losses... all have been on field goals as time expired.” (59:27)
  • On Marvin Harrison Jr.: “He made an incredible catch to start this game. A 44-yard catch over two defenders. Mitchell, it looked like Megatron.” (60:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Saquon Barkley’s Usage (Eagles):

  "You are wasting them. This is looking like a bad offense. This is like a Ferrari losing to Honda Civics."
  —Richard Sherman, (21:55)

• On O-line Issues (Lions):

  “You would have thought Oprah was in Cincinnati because—You get a pick, you get a pick, you get a pick.”
  —Richard Sherman, (15:09)

• On the NFC Power Rankings Shake-up:

  “The Eagles lost, the Lions won, the Rams lost, the Seahawks lost… The 49ers will make an appearance... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sure do look good.”
  —Richard Sherman, (65:48)

• On the Legion of Boom Reunion:

  “It was all great energy, great laughs, checking on the kids. The wives were there. Marshawn is going to be himself, as always. Mike Bennett—just so many personalities... always a good time when those guys get together.”
  —Richard Sherman, (65:06)

Additional Insights & Timestamps

• Lions’ Schedule and Home Field Advantage: (16:52)
• QB Roster Decisions (Vikings): (30:18–32:04)
• Shakeup in AFC South: Colts & Texans: (44:34, 52:44)
• Player Mental Health & Social Media Advice: (38:52–40:19)
• Betting Odds and Predictions for MNF: (61:35–64:11)

Richard Sherman’s Concluding Power Rankings Hints

• Eagles and Rams will fall off due to losses;
• 49ers, Lions, and possibly Bucs look to climb;
• Power shifts reflect the upsets and statement wins of NFL Week 5.

Final Thoughts

The episode is rich with player-focused insight and locker-room level expertise, delivered in an energetic, down-to-earth tone—sometimes irreverent, always passionate. The hosts balance criticism (“You’re wasting them!”) and praise (“You gotta give him his flowers while they’re due”) with humor and an eye for the league-wide ripple effects. For both armchair QBs and die-hard fans, it’s a must-listen Week 5 breakdown.