The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Richard Sherman Podcast

Episode Title: Week 15 REACTION: Titans-49ers, Colts-Seahawks, Lions-Rams, Bills-Patriots & Packers-Broncos | Richard Sherman NFL
Date: December 15, 2025
Podcast Hosts: Richard Sherman, Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Richard Sherman with Mitchell, delivers a thorough breakdown of NFL Week 15, with a special emphasis on the NFC West but stretching across the NFL’s most compelling matchups. The duo recaps highlights, upsets, and key injuries from games including Titans-49ers, Colts-Seahawks, Lions-Rams, Bills-Patriots, and Packers-Broncos, while offering both granular player analysis and big-picture playoff implications. Notable is the honest, player-driven commentary, particularly on injuries, team dynamics, and league-wide surprises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans

• Brock Purdy’s Performance (05:00)
  • 23/30, 295 yards, 3 TDs, career-long rush.
  • "Brock looked good. He looked under control, in command. Whatever you want to say about it, he looked fantastic." – Richard Sherman [04:16]
• Offensive Standouts:
  • George Kittle: 8 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD. "They got my guy George Kittle involved early and often." – Sherman [04:31]
  • Ricky Pural: 6/96, best game as a pro.
  • CMC: 22 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD.
• Defensive Critique:
  • Leaky in the run game. Tony Pollard (Titans): 14 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD.
  • Missed turnover opportunities: "No interceptions on the game, but it could have been three, maybe four... That’s just inexcusable." – Sherman [05:46]
• Concerns Moving Forward:
  • Defensive lapses; need for potential personnel changes via draft/free agency.
  • Brandon Aiyuk drama: Placed on "reserve; left squad" list, turbulent tenure, possible exit.

2. Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts

• Strange Win for Seahawks (14:55)
  • Won without scoring a touchdown.
  • Faced Philip Rivers, returning after five years: "Anything he did in that game positive was, was impressive for you to not play... then to step in late in the season." – Sherman [15:51]
• Defensive Analysis:
  • Colts imposed physicality, Jonathan Taylor effective on ground and screens.
  • Seahawks' run game issues loom: "49 total rushing yards on the game... that's going to be the issue going forward." – Sherman [18:47]
• Special Teams MVP:
  • Jason Myers: 6 FGs, scored all 18 points for Seattle.
• Playoff Implications:
  • Thursday night Rams vs. Seahawks critical for NFC West race.

3. Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions

• High-Scoring Battle (23:01)
  • Rams win 41-34 despite Lions’ early control.
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown: 13/163/2, Jameson Williams: 7/135/1 for Detroit, but ultimately, Puka Nacua (9/181) and Matt Stafford (MVP-level) led LA back.
  • "This was a complete performance and a complete showcase by the LA Rams." – Sherman [25:10]
• Run Game Development:
  • Rams pivot to RB committee with Blake Corum & Kyren Williams.
• Defensive Concerns:
  • Rams, typically a top-4 defense, allowed 34; vulnerabilities shown against elite WRs.

4. Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots

• Comeback Victory (36:38)
  • Patriots led 21-0, but Bills stormed back to win 35-31.
  • Josh Allen: 3 TD passes, plus rushing impact; James Cook pivotal: "It's when you let James Cook get going is when teams struggle." – Sherman [38:34]
• AFC Playoff Race:
  • AFC and NFC remain wide open; Patriots still viewed as legitimate contenders by Sherman.

5. Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers

• Statement Win for Broncos & Devastating Injuries (42:12)
  • Bo Nix: 23/34, 302 yards, 4 TDs – best game yet.
  • Micah Parsons (Packers) torn ACL, Christian Watson out: "You hope he's healthy. But if you lose Christian Watson and you lose Micah Parsons... that's going to be devastating for this team's chances in the playoffs and long term." – Sherman [45:42]
• Defensive Identity:
  • Broncos’ defense lauded as "complete" and potentially pivotal in playoffs.

6. Kansas City Chiefs Miss Playoffs & Mahomes Injury (52:57)

• After 11 Straight Playoff Appearances:
  • Patrick Mahomes tears ACL, ending Chiefs’ run and likely affecting next season's start.
  • "You hate to see it happen in such devastating fashion..." – Sherman [53:45]
• Chargers' Rise:
  • 10-4, resilient despite key injuries. Sherman credits Jim Harbaugh’s coaching.

7. Houston Texans Surge; AFC South Outlook

• Hottest AFC Team:
  • Seven wins in eight games; defense lauded as the NFL’s best.
  • "I always trust a team with a great defense... I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the AFC Championship Game in a weird year like this." – Sherman [62:16]
• AFC South Chaos:
  • Panthers squander chance to take division lead; Saints fighting on, but Sherman foresees Buccaneers potentially sneaking into playoffs (65:16).

8. Chicago Bears Rise in NFC North

• Caleb Williams Efficient; Defense Opportunistic ([72:02])
  • "Caleb Williams, 17 of 28, two touchdowns. He did fumble in the game, but this was a dominant win." – Sherman [73:14]
  • Defense: 5 sacks, 3 INTs, led by Jalen Johnson and Kevin Byard.
• Draft Class Retrospective:
  • Drake May getting MVP talk, but Sherman resists declaring any one young QB decisively “the best” ([79:10]).

9. Rapid-Fire Recaps

• Eagles Blank Raiders:
  • 31-0, but "can't judge that off how they played the Raiders... We won't know until the playoffs" – Sherman [80:43]
• Ravens Take Control in AFC North:
  • Lamar Jackson efficient; Derek Henry historic. Sherman questions Joe Burrow’s long-term future in Cincinnati ([81:52]).
• Jaguars & Trevor Lawrence:
  • 5 TD passes vs. Jets, but Sherman cautious on their playoff outlook ([84:22]).
• Dolphins vs. Steelers Preview:
  • Both hosts predict a close, high-scoring affair ([84:48]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "No interceptions on the game, but it could have been three, maybe four... That's just inexcusable." – Richard Sherman, on 49ers’ missed INTs [05:46]
• "The Shane Steichen and this offense kept them on their heels... kept pounding away with Jonathan Taylor." – Sherman, on Colts surprisingly moving the ball vs. Seahawks [16:35]
• "If you lose Micah Parsons for the playoffs, that would be devastating." – Sherman, on Packers’ playoff hopes [45:42]
• "This is a violent game. If it's a dirty hit, you can call it. But that is not a dirty hit. And they shouldn't have kicked him out for it." – Sherman, on Tony Jefferson's ejection [57:10]
• "You come close to breaking records in this league, usually they give you other rewards." – Sherman, nominating Myles Garrett as DPoY [77:03]
• "I always trust a team with a great defense... I wouldn't be surprised to see [the Texans] in the AFC Championship Game." – Sherman [62:16]
• "[Mahomes] tearing his ACL... means you probably miss the start of next season... You hate to see it." – Sherman [53:45]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment/Game | Time | |-------------------------------------------|---------------| | 49ers-Titans Recap & Analysis | 03:30–12:00 | | Seahawks-Colts Recap | 14:55–21:05 | | Lions-Rams, NFC Playoff Picture | 21:05–27:35 | | Rams' Run Game & Defensive Assessment | 26:25–27:35 | | Bills-Patriots, Comeback Breakdown | 36:38–40:23 | | Broncos-Packers, Bo Nix Shines | 42:12–46:43 | | Chiefs Miss Playoffs/Mahomes ACL Injury | 52:57–56:10 | | Houston Texans & AFC South Scenarios | 62:16–67:04 | | Bears Win, NFC North, Caleb Williams | 72:02–79:10 | | Ravens, Joe Burrow’s Future | 81:25–83:27 | | Dolphins-Steelers MNF Preview | 84:48–85:59 |

Episode Vibe & Tone

Typical of Sherman’s style, the episode is candid, insightful, and laced with a veteran’s perspective. Sherman and Mitchell go beyond mere stats, dissecting coaching choices, psychology, and playoff narratives with a player’s candor. The hosts blend humor, empathy (especially around injuries), and some tough love for underperforming or undisciplined teams/players, anchoring every discussion with practical football logic.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• This episode provides an in-depth look at Week 15’s pivotal stories: San Francisco’s defense and WR drama, the improbable Seahawks win, the Rams’ surge, AFC/NFC playoff chaos, and injuries shaking up title races.
• Listeners will walk away with a clearer sense of how mid-December NFL drama is rewriting the playoff landscape and which teams/players are peaking (or fading) at the right time.

End of Summary