The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Richard Sherman Podcast)

Episode: Week 14 REACTION: Seahawks-Falcons, Bengals-Bills, Bears-Packers, Lions-Cowboys | Richard Sherman NFL
Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

This episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast, part of The Herd, dives deep into the week 14 NFL action, focusing on pivotal games with playoff implications and standout performances. Richard Sherman and co-host Mitchell deliver detailed analysis, passionate opinions, and locker room insight on epic comebacks, coaching controversies, offensive explosions, and defensive lockdowns—sprinkled with memorable banter and honest criticisms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Seahawks Dominate Second Half in Atlanta

[03:15–11:25]

• Sherman and Mitchell analyze the Seahawks' 27-13 win over Atlanta.
  • First Half: Offense sluggish (6-6 at half), defense kept them in the game.
  • Key Second Half Turning Point: Rasheed Shahid’s 100-yard kickoff return sparks momentum.
  • Defense records timely turnovers, highlighted by Nick Emmon-Worry (INT, sack, blocked FG):

    “He was everywhere. He was milking the cow, Mitchell, mowing the lawn, fixing the roof... fixing the plumbing. He was everywhere you needed to be.” — Richard Sherman [06:28]

  • Sam Darnold bounces back for 249 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
• Concerns with the running game continue:

  “Every play it’s one guy… Every single week there’s one guy that gets beat… Not every play is designed for [Kenneth Walker] to bounce it to the edge. This is the National Football League. There are fast guys out there.” — Richard Sherman [08:50-09:29]

• Seahawks praised for road-warrior mentality and defensive depth.
• Mitchell: “They look the part today… They got their eyes on the number one seed in the NFC. I think it’s within reach, a hundred percent.” [10:52]

AFC Firefight: Bills’ Comeback vs. Bengals

[20:37–24:22]

• Buffalo rallies from two scores down in snowy conditions to beat Cincinnati.
  • Josh Allen “turns it on”—44-yard rushing TD (longest of career), clutch red zone passing.
  • Bengals’ Joe Burrow impressive for three quarters (4 TDs), but back-to-back turnovers (pick-six, tipped INT) in the 4th quarter seal their fate.

  “It looked like luck, Mitchell, but you can’t call it luck when guys like that continue to play this way in critical games.” — Richard Sherman [21:30]

  • Bills now positioned for AFC East run despite earlier struggles.
• Mitchell skeptical of Bills’ WR group:

  “That’s going to be the Achilles heel in my opinion with this Buffalo Bills team. Can these wide receivers rise up…?” [24:22]

Shador Sanders Shines, Browns Lose Heartbreaker

[25:46–34:54]

• Rookie QB Shador Sanders nearly leads Cleveland back from double-digit deficit vs. Titans; 364 yds, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD.
• Controversy over Browns’ play-calling: Sanders was pulled for a Wildcat 2-point play with rookie RB Judkins, which failed spectacularly.

  “You take him out the game on the most critical play… What was that, Kevin Stefanski?... It was awful.” — Richard Sherman [30:56–31:46]

• Mitchell speculates the Browns may be “big-braining” for draft position, but Sherman isn’t buying it.
• Discussion of Browns’ QB future—how will Sanders and Deshaun Watson co-exist? Lack of confidence from Stefanski in Sanders raised as a concern.

  “He speaks highly of his teammates. He doesn’t throw his coach under the bus... But it’s frustrating when guys treat young quarterbacks a certain way that believe in themselves.” — Richard Sherman [36:09]

Steelers Snap Ravens; Packers Survive Bears

[43:13–53:11]

• Steelers beat Ravens 27–20:
  • Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf connect (7 rec, 148 yds); Baltimore offense listless, Lamar looks off.

  "Lamar Jackson... just doesn’t look like the guy, the perennial MVP candidate that he’s been. Doesn’t look as dynamic…” — Richard Sherman [44:20]

  • Both teams inconsistent; whispers about Tomlin’s and Harbaugh’s futures.
  • Steelers’ red-zone back Kenneth Gainwell highlighted as key addition.
• Jaguars top Colts; Daniel Jones' injury ends Indy’s fairy tale run:
  • Discussion of QB injuries and their impact on careers/franchises.
  • Jags’ Trevor Lawrence praised for maturing as a runner; GM James Gladstone credited for aggressive moves.

  “You could find yourself out of the playoffs with a few losses… Cinderella losing the glass slipper off her foot.” — Richard Sherman [52:33]

Lions Blow Out Cowboys, Gibbs Makes History

[66:12–72:04]

• Lions throttle Cowboys 44–20 in Detroit:
  • Jameer Gibbs scores 3 TDs, ties Barry Sanders’ record for TDs before age 24 (47 career).

  “One of the best players in the National Football League, regardless of position, continues to make huge impact, breaking record after record.” — Richard Sherman [68:17]

  • Defense comes alive, gets more sacks than last four games combined.
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown plays hurt (6 rec, 92 yds):

    “It’s inspiring. When your best players sacrifice and put their bodies on the line… then other guys know that’s the standard.” — Richard Sherman [71:03]

  • Mitchell lauds St. Brown’s toughness and “Legion of Boom”-like leadership.
• Sherman responds to George Pickens’ postgame criticism:

  “If you think [Pickens] can be the best receiver…and that’s the expectation…when you see a performance like that, you’re disappointed. That’s where I was speaking from.” [72:29-74:37]

Packers Top Bears in NFC North Chess Match

[77:42–82:02]

• Packers win a frigid, close battle vs. Chicago sealed by a Keyshawn Nixon INT.
  • Jordan Love sharp: 17/25, 343 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
  • Bears competitive behind rookie Caleb Williams, but clock mismanagement late.
  • Mitchell sees “a lot of promise” in Ben Johnson’s Bears despite the loss.

Around the League:

Rams Crank Up Offense vs. Cardinals

[88:07–92:23]

• Rams romp, 45-17, as Matt Stafford continues MVP pace; Blake Corum and Kyren Williams dominate the ground.
• Puka Nacua shines (7 rec, 167 yds), Michael Wilson (Cards) sets up as a future star WR.

Broncos, Patriots, and the Crowded AFC

[92:23–95:50]

• Broncos grind out a road win over the Raiders, remain top AFC contenders without being dominant.
• Sherman: “The AFC is wide open… anybody who says anything else is fooling themselves.” [93:19]

NFC West: Can 49ers Complete a Cinderella Run?

[95:50–98:32]

• 49ers sit at 6th seed, but have a soft closing schedule and a division showdown with Seattle looming.

  “If [the 49ers]…are one of the top three seeds in the NFC, you gotta be looking at Kyle Shanahan for coach of the year… the circumstances are so unique this season.” — Richard Sherman [97:29]

Buccaneers Flounder, Panthers Rising

[60:28–64:42]

• Tampa looks lifeless in loss to Saints; Baker Mayfield struggles, rookie Ameka Egbuka with costly drop.
  • Mike Evans’ absence feels massive.
  • Division still up for grabs; Panthers suddenly in the driver’s seat.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nick Emmon-Worry’s all-around game:

  "He was everywhere. He was milking the cow, Mitchell, mowing the lawn, fixing the roof... fixing the plumbing. He was everywhere you needed to be.” — Richard Sherman [06:28]

• On Josh Allen's penchant for heroics:

  “You can't call it luck when guys like that continue to play this way in critical games in very tough circumstances.” — Richard Sherman [21:30]

• On Browns’ 2-point call:

  “What was that, Kevin Stefanski? I can't. I'm sure somebody can explain that play… My goodness, was that awful.” — Richard Sherman [31:01]

• On Ravens’ collapse:

  “Lamar Jackson… does just look out of sorts right now for some reason. This was his first touchdown in, I think, four weeks... It's unheard of.” — Richard Sherman [46:28]

• On Bears/Packers divisional battle:

  “This was a cool game. I can't wait to hear Lafleur’s comments... to the winner goes the spoils, as we always say.” — Richard Sherman [82:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-------------| | Seahawks-Falcons detailed breakdown | 03:15–11:25 | | Bills-Bengals comeback analysis | 20:37–24:22 | | Browns-Titans, Shador Sanders’ performance | 25:46–36:09 | | Steelers-Ravens, AFC North outlook | 43:13–53:11 | | Jaguars-Colts, AFC South shifting | 49:35–56:10 | | Lions-Cowboys, Jameer Gibbs & St. Brown | 66:12–72:04 | | Packers-Bears, NFC North chess match | 77:42–82:02 | | Rams-Cardinals, playoff implications | 88:07–92:23 | | Broncos-Raiders, AFC parity discussion | 92:23–95:50 | | 49ers closing schedule, division race | 95:50–98:32 | | Buccaneers fall, Panthers rise NFC South | 60:28–64:42 |

Final Thoughts

Richard Sherman and Mitchell bring real locker-room candor to NFL analysis—bouncing from sharp critiques of coaching decisions to veteran wisdom about player mentality, health, and locker room culture. From the relentless Seahawks to the resurgent Browns’ rookie QB, the episode celebrates great performances while shining a light on cracks in even the best teams. Listeners come away with a nuanced, unfiltered view of the week's happenings, told with the passion and insight only former players can bring.

Missed the episode? This summary captures the energy, insights, and stakes that will define the chase to the playoffs, with plenty to think about for teams, fans, and fantasy owners alike.