The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Richard Sherman Podcast – Week 13 REACTION

Date: December 1, 2025
Main Games: Seahawks-Vikings, 49ers-Browns, Rams-Panthers, Texans-Colts

Episode Overview

In this action-packed episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast (featured segment of The Herd with Colin Cowherd), Richard Sherman and co-host Mitchell break down a wild Week 13 in the NFL. They focus on major games and their playoff implications, highlighting defensive dominance, offensive struggles, surprise upsets, evolving power rankings, and the tight playoff races across both conferences. The hosts maintain their signature mix of technical analysis, former-player perspective, and lively banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings

[03:13–08:46]

• Sherman’s Take:

  • Seahawks defense “dominated this game from start to finish” despite offensive struggles, especially from QB Sam Darnold.
  • Darnold again looked shaky, pressured often by the Vikings defense (Brian Flores), and the same issues from his Minnesota stint resurfaced.
  • Defensive Big Plays: Seahawks force 4 interceptions, a pick-six by Ernest Jones (85 yards), strong sack presence from Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Byron Murphy.
  • Run Game: Kenneth Walker (13 for 56) and Charbonnet (14 for 52 + TD) showed flashes.
  • Despite scoring only two field goals, defensive dominance let Seattle control and win convincingly.

• Co-host Mitchell:

  • Points out defense’s ability to neutralize Justin Jefferson; “it didn’t feel like he had a positive catch until the fourth quarter.”
  • Darnold failed to impress playing his former team, making for a tough NFL debut for Max Brosner (Vikings QB).
  • Puts Seahawks as “certainly one of the top three teams in this conference.”

Notable Quote:

"These are the issues that plagued him in Minnesota last year and continue to plague him now. It's not going to change unless he changes the narrative."
—Richard Sherman, [04:34]

2. NFC Playoff Picture Chaos

[06:55–08:46]

• Sherman surprised that the Chicago Bears currently hold the NFC #1 seed, especially given preseason expectations.
• Discusses how recent Rams and Panthers upsets shake up the power rankings.

Notable Quote:

"Anybody who said they knew that going into the season, including Chicago Bears fans, is lying to your face, Mitchell."
—Richard Sherman, [07:29]

3. 49ers vs. Browns in Cleveland

[09:46–14:56]

• 49ers Snapping a Historic Losing Streak: First win at Cleveland since 1984; tough conditions.
• Quarterback Play: Brock Purdy resilient under pressure (168 yards, rush TD, zone read wrinkle from Shanahan).
• Christian McCaffrey held in check by Browns defense.
• Special teams pivotal: Sky Moore’s 66-yard punt return huge for setting up first TD.
• Defense maturing: 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, improved communication and performance by young players.
• Praises coaching staff—Shanahan, Robert Saleh, John Lynch—especially for shoring up defense after injuries.

Notable Quotes:

"If you've got Kyle Shanahan, you've got a chance..."
—Richard Sherman, [10:43]

"Sky Moore is the best returner the 49ers have had probably since Ted Ginn, I would imagine."
—Richard Sherman, [11:38]

4. LA Rams Upset by the Carolina Panthers

[16:40–21:28]

• Panthers “Resurrected”: Bryce Young throws 3 TDs, efficient and composed. Chuba Hubbard scores; running game and opportunistic defense stand out.
• Rams' Matthew Stafford (coming in with a 30-2 TD-INT ratio) throws as many picks in one game as rest of season, including a pick-six.
• Gives huge credit to Panthers’ staff (David Canales, Ejero Evero) for tough defense and player development.
• Stress on NFL parity and how “everybody can beat everybody.” Playoff berths in NFC very competitive—teams with 8-10 wins may still miss out.

Notable Quotes:

"Everybody's in the playoff conversation right now. I don't think I've seen a year where the NFC is so tough. Like 9-4... San Francisco's barely in."
—Richard Sherman, [20:36]

"You almost got to throw everything out, throw all the stats and records out for a week outside of a few teams and then you just got to watch the game."
—Richard Sherman, [21:20]

5. Chicago Bears Dismantle Eagles—No. 1 Seed?

[23:55–27:41]

• Bears “bullied” Eagles, especially up front—massive O-line investment pays off; two 100-yd rushers (Manungai and Swift).
• Eagles schematic stagnation a problem; play calling and run game under fire.
• “Great collection of players, not a great team”—Sherman critical of Eagles' offensive simplicity and inability to adjust.

Notable Quote:

"The Eagles got bullied in this game... It looked almost opposite; the Eagles looked disjointed on offense."
—Richard Sherman, [24:58]

6. Lions, Packers, and Defensive Concerns

[32:22–33:31]

• Packers jump to early lead; Lions’ main weakness is their interior O-line and stagnant defense.
• Sherman blasts defensive play-calling (“It’s lazy…You can’t just play man all day long”) and warns pass rush issues will haunt Detroit.
• NFC North is a “gauntlet”—Bears surprise, Packers still in mix.

7. Dallas Cowboys Best Chiefs on Thanksgiving

[38:18–41:23]

• Cowboys beat Chiefs 31-28 in a statement win; Dallas offense sparkled, CD Lamb (7/112), Dak Prescott dialed in.
• Micah Parsons—historic sack numbers.
• Jerry Jones’ offseason moves (Clowney, Pickens, Quinnen Williams) paying off.
• Chiefs showing cracks—still in AFC mix due to softer conference but may be hitting a down year after years of Super Bowl runs.

Notable Quotes:

“First player in NFL history to have 12.5 sacks in each of first five seasons.”
—Richard Sherman on Micah Parsons, [38:47]

"The Kansas City Chiefs have not been able to book vacation plans in January for some time... This might be the year."
—Richard Sherman, [41:11]

8. Houston Texans’ Turnaround & Defensive Dominance

[47:48–52:11]

• Texans upset Colts to go 7-5; now in a heated AFC South race.
• Sherman credits “stability” and DeMeco Ryans stepping back from defensive play-calling, focusing on overall team.
• Texans defense among league’s best, led by Will Anderson, Derek Stingley, Al-Shaair, Kaylin Bullock, etc. Stingley “did not allow a single reception today on 28 coverage snaps."
• Colts’ Daniel Jones playing through fractured fibula; serious playoff risk if he can’t stay healthy.

Notable Quotes:

"Nobody wants to play the Texans right now..."
—Richard Sherman, [48:31]

“Derek Stingley Jr... Fifth game this season allowing less than 10 yards in coverage... those are stats that used to be thrown up next to your name."
—Co-host Mitchell, [51:20]

9. Other Key Games and Team Outlooks

• Bills Beat Steelers—Are Steelers Done?
  • Sherman: “Not done” but little hope; AFC is still wide open ([54:32]).
  • Bills skating on “thin ice”; no AFC team looks truly dominant.
• Bengals Surprise Ravens
  • Joe Burrow returns, shakes off rust, stuns Baltimore 32-14.
  • Concern for Ravens, particularly Lamar Jackson's turnovers ([57:21]).

Playoff Picture, Power Rankings, and Parity

• NFC:
  • Bears and Seahawks riding high.
  • Eagles, Lions, 49ers, and Rams vulnerable—playoff picture tight, teams with 9+ wins still sweating.
• AFC:
  • Chiefs mortals, Colts fading, Patriots surprise juggernaut, Broncos quietly strong.
  • Wild parity and unpredictability week to week.

Memorable Quotes

• On parity this season:

  "Everybody, every team's the best team for a little while in this league this year."
  —Richard Sherman, [16:46]

• On offense vs. play calling:

  "They're a great collection of players, but they're not a great team."
  —Richard Sherman on the Eagles, [29:25]

• On defensive struggles:

  "It's lazy defensive coordinating. When you just say, 'Hey, play man,' and then when it doesn't go well, you say, 'Oh, they didn't cover them well enough.'”
  —Richard Sherman, [34:10]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Seahawks-Vikings breakdown: [03:13–08:46]
• NFC Standings/Power Rankings: [06:55–08:46]
• 49ers-Browns Analysis: [09:46–14:56]
• Panthers Upset Rams: [16:40–21:28]
• Bears-Eagles Debrief: [23:55–27:41]
• Lions-Packers, Defensive Woes: [32:22–33:31]
• Cowboys-Chiefs Thanksgiving Shootout: [38:18–41:23]
• Texans-Colts, AFC South Race: [47:48–52:11]
• Bengals-Ravens: [57:21–59:28]
• General NFL Playoff Picture, Closing Remarks: [59:40–61:38]

Final Thoughts

Richard Sherman and Mitchell deliver sharp analysis, debate weekly surprises, and unpack the chaos of the 2025 playoff races. Defensive strategy, offensive playcalling, injuries' impact, and unheralded stars all get attention in this edition that showcases just how unpredictable—and entertaining—this NFL season has become.