The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Richard Sherman Podcast: NFL Week 9 Reaction

Episode Title: NFL Week 9 Reaction: Seahawks-Commanders, 49ers-Giants, Chiefs-Bills, Vikings-Lions | Richard Sherman
Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Richard Sherman
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

Richard Sherman hosts an in-depth solo breakdown of NFL Week 9, highlighted by an emphatic Seahawks victory, a resilient 49ers triumph, a statement win by the Bills over the Chiefs, critical divisional drama between the Vikings and Lions, and many more nationwide storylines. With sharp analysis and a player’s perspective, Sherman covers standout performances, coaching narratives, playoff implications, injury fallout, and the evolving shape of the NFL playoff races—especially in a loaded NFC West.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks Dominate the Commanders (02:22–14:30)

• Sherman’s Opening Energy:
  Richard jumps in rejoicing the Seahawks’ “dominant” win, praising performances on both sides of the ball, and calling them “special… they can compete with anyone in the National Football League” (03:36).

• Sam Darnold–JSN Connection:

  • Darnold delivers four touchdown passes, looking “like a machine out there.”

  • Jackson Smith-Njigba hits a franchise milestone with four straight 100-yard games (04:13).

    “Sam Darnold dropped some dimes in this game to Jackson, Smith and Jigba who made incredible catches … They just look like they've played together for 10 years at this point.” — Sherman (03:03)

• Emerging Stars & Record Calls:

  • Rookie Torrey Horton: four catches, 48 yards, two TDs (“the steal of the draft” – 04:40)
  • Defense steps up as “the secondary is playing good because they’re getting healthier” (06:07)
  • Coach Mike Macdonald now “11-1 on the road… that’s just incredible” (07:39)

• Power Rankings & Road Warrior Mentality:

  • Seahawks moving up Sherman’s rankings; belief they’re better on the road than at home (“Send them on a roll. They’d feel pretty good about it” – 10:05).

• Offensive Line & Running Game:

  • Offensive line impresses, notably Gray Zabel (“6th lowest QB pressure percentage allowed among OL” – 11:15).
  • Only nitpick: struggling run game (under 100 yards; “just nitpicking… this is a really good team" – 13:37).

• Commanders’ Misfortune:

  • Rookie Jaden Daniels’ injury, questionable late-game management (“you can’t predict when injuries happen… it’s just an unfortunate situation" – 15:15).
  • Washington faces uncertain QB situation.

2. San Francisco 49ers Outlast the Giants at MetLife (16:10–18:34)

• QB Efficiency & McCaffrey’s Record:

  • Mac Jones starts 14-for-14; only miss in 2nd half; efficient overall.

  • Christian McCaffrey: 16 consecutive games with rushing + receiving TD (all-time record – 17:04)

    “Congrats to Christian. What a game from him.” — Sherman (17:07)

• Defensive Headlines:

  • Stretches of dominance (“five straight 3 or 4 or 5 and out” – 17:34), but Sherman notes late “brain farts” allowed Giants to close the gap.
  • Rotation, depth issues noted—Colin Farrell returns, Keon White potentially rising, concerns over injuries (Mikhail Williams, IR talk – 18:21).

• Trade Deadline & State of the 49ers:

  • Discusses rumors; confidence in Shanahan and Lynch front office resilience; emphasizes “the truth of the situation: they’re competitive” (18:24).

3. The Chaos of the AFC: Colts, Steelers, Patriots, and More (22:45–31:21)

• Colts Crash Down to Earth:

  • Daniel Jones and the Colts turn the ball over 6 times against Steelers (“pumpkin game as Ryan Fitzpatrick would put it” – 23:00).
  • Steelers’ defense: 5 sacks, 3 INT, TJ Watt huge impact. “This is the Steelers defense they were expecting” (24:12).
  • AFC now wide open, with playoff race unpredictable: “You really just don't know who the best team in the AFC is right now because it changes every week” (25:24).

• Rams Dominate the Saints:

  • Stafford putting up “MVP type season… 21 touchdowns, only two interceptions” (26:30), lauded as a testament to era of quarterbacks who read defenses.

    “There will always be a place for quarterbacks who understand how to read defenses and go through progressions at a fundamental level. That's why these guys can still play quarterback.” — Sherman (30:49)

• NFC West Parity:
  Rams, Niners, Seahawks all bunched as playoff favorites; divisional tiebreakers loom large. “I expect all three of these teams to make the playoffs and make some noise” (28:51).

4. Chiefs-Bills: Regular Season Divides vs. Playoff Reality (37:45–43:43)

• Bills’ Statement Win Over Chiefs:

  • Allen owns “franchise record for completion percentage” (23/26), 2 passing/2 rushing TDs; Buffalo dominates time of possession.

  • Mahomes held to lowest completion % of his career (15/34).

    “The Buffalo Bills controlled the game from start to finish. They held Patrick Mahomes to his worst completion percentage of his career.” — Sherman (37:49)

• Playoff Implications:

  • Allen now 5-0 vs. Mahomes in regular season, but Chiefs unbeaten in postseason matchups—“We say that every single year… we’ll see what happens in the playoffs” (39:42).
  • Secondary, D-line lauded for Bills; the Chiefs on alert as AFC seeding grows tight.

5. Vikings Upset Lions; NFC Playoff Picture Tightens (43:44–51:24)

• Vikings’ Defensive Masterclass:

  • 5 sacks, run game containment. J.J. McCarthy (rookie QB) throws 2/1 TD-INT, and rushes for game-winner.
  • Lions falter on red zone execution and special teams (block FG returned).
  • “That’s a loss that’s going to haunt them late in the season… when it’s going to come down to a game or two in the standings” (47:38).

• Packers Stunned by Panthers:

  • Jordan Love struggles to finish drives (1-for-5 in red zone).
  • Panthers’ Rico Dowdle runs for 130, 2 TD; Bryce Young picked off but team grinds out the win.
  • Sherman skeptical of Packers’ consistency, particularly at QB: “You need your $55 million quarterback to generate more than 20 points and you win both of them.” (50:08)

6. Other Notable Games, Performances & League Trends (57:21–66:48)

• Broncos–Texans: Physicality & QB Safety Loom Large:

  • Sherman passionately defends defenders regarding hits on sliding QBs; weighs injuries to C.J. Stroud and Jackson Dart (57:21).
  • Broncos win sixth straight behind Bo Nix's late-game heroics; “comeback kids” of the AFC (58:34).

• Patriots Stay Hot:

  • Drake Maye’s continued brilliance, Patriots win sixth straight, now 7-2 (62:09).

• Bears Outgun Bengals in Wild Shootout:

  • Joe Flacco throws for 474 and 4 TDs but loses; Chicago’s Colston Loveless Loveland 58-yard GW TD (64:03).
  • Bengals’ defense “ranked last in almost every major category” (65:09).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seahawks’ Identity:

  “This team is special … They can play any kind of game. ... I don't think any team in the NFC wants to see Seattle on their schedule, home or away in January.” — Richard Sherman (08:15)

• On Defensive Struggles (Packers):

  "You just can't Jekyll and Hyde in this league… that's what you'll be: fringe great. You'll be good sometimes." — Sherman (50:39)

• On AFC Unpredictability:

  “You really just don't know who the best team in the AFC is right now because it changes every week.” — Sherman (25:24)

• On QB Fundamentals:

  “There will always be a place for quarterbacks who understand how to read defenses and go through progressions at a fundamental level.” — Sherman (30:49)

• On Chiefs–Bills Playoff Implications:

  “We say that every single year. So we’ll see what happens in the playoffs…” — Richard Sherman (39:42)

Key Timestamps

• 02:22–14:30 — Seahawks-Commanders full breakdown; Seattle as road warriors; offensive & defensive standouts.
• 16:10–18:34 — 49ers-Giants analysis; McCaffrey's record; defense and injury updates; trade deadline talk.
• 22:45–31:21 — Indy’s turnovers, Steelers defense, AFC parity; Rams rise in NFC West.
• 37:45–43:43 — Chiefs vs. Bills: Bills' dominance and what it means for playoffs; QB/D-line evaluation.
• 43:44–51:24 — Vikings-Lions upset; NFC North analysis; Packers’ red zone woes.
• 57:21–66:48 — Broncos-Texans; Patriots win streak; Bears-Bengals shootout, AFC playoff implications.

Final Thoughts & Tone

Richard Sherman delivers his trademark blend of enthusiasm, candor, and detailed analysis, offering fans both high-level overview and granular insight. He balances deep love of player fundamentals with tough honesty about teams, quarterbacks, and coaches around the league, keeping the tone energetic, humorous, and at times, brutally honest.