The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Richard Sherman Podcast - AFC & NFC Championship PREDICTIONS: Rams-Seahawks, Patriots-Broncos | Richard Sherman NFL

Episode Date: January 23, 2026

It’s Championship Sunday, and Richard Sherman breaks down both title games with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. In the NFC Championship, Sherm digs into Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks, revisiting their regular-season matchups, Sam Darnold vs. Matthew Stafford, Mike Macdonald’s aggressive Seattle defense, and why this Seahawks team is peaking at the right moment. On the AFC side, Sherman analyzes New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos, the impact of Bo Nix’s injury, whether Denver’s defense can challenge Drake Maye, and why New England’s physical, disciplined approach could determine the game. Covering key matchups, coaching decisions, score predictions, and Super Bowl implications, this episode has everything you need before the NFL’s biggest weekend.All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you.

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This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. From My Heart Podcasts, Saigon. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. They're pouring patril all over here. Freedom for Vietnam! There's a fire coming to this country and it's going to burn out everything.

Listen to Saigon. on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner,

we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the U. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast, and I just want to say I appreciate you guys. You can be getting your NFL content from anywhere, but you're here with me. I'm thankful for you. So hit that sub button so you can get the notifications when I'm dropping a new episode. All love. Hope you guys are having a great new year's, accomplish it all your New Year's resolutions,

and staying healthy. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast. It's championship week. Mitchell, these are the games that matter, the games that will send you to the Super Bowl and crush your team's dreams. Which one will it be? We'll find out soon enough.

I can't wait. The Seattle Seahawks played the Los Angeles Rams and another NFC West showdown. It's been, they split the two games during the season. The last one was a shootout. It ended up 38, 37 Seattle Seahawks. Sam Donald drives down the field in a valiant effort to win that game. They go for the two-point conversion.

They convert in overtime, walk-off win, beautiful game. The first game, not as beautiful, not as beautiful. Struggle by Sam Donald, four interceptions, but his defense kept standing up for him, held Matthew Stafford to 130 yards passing, and they had a chance at the end. Two more yards, and they would have had two wins this season versus the Rams. And I'm sure the Rams fans are like, yeah, but if it went different, we would have had two wins. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I'm not talking about you all right now. The Rams defense is incredible.

They're riding high. Cam Curl Interception sends them to the championship game. They played fantastic and tough conditions against a very good Chicago Bears offense. and I know that that gives him confidence. This was a game that Matthew Stafford didn't throw a touchdown pass. He didn't play his best football. His offense didn't play their best. But they still came away with the win.

It was a cool game. This is a game that I'm sure Mike McDonald is going to be incredibly prepared for. He's going to have this defense incredibly prepared. Their confidence level is through the roof. But I know that Chris Shula is looking at last year's, playoff game against the Vikings when they sacked Sam Darnold nine times in the game, when they got after him. They picked him off once.

And he's looking at that, trying to see what disguises, what things he can take from that game player to put into this one. I'm sure he's looking at things that he did in the matchup early on. In the first matchup, the disguises, the way they forced him into mistakes. But if I'm Sam Dernel, like I said before, I'm watching. that fourth quarter in that overtime where he played great football. If I'm K-9, I'm feeling really good, he had 100 yards on 11 carries in that second matchup.

The offensive line found their rhythm. He's played his best football when it's been required. And that's what makes me excited about the Seattle Seahawks team. And again, Mitchell, I'm wearing his hat for a reason because Super Bowl, Mitchell, we went to that Super Bowl and we won it. They got to go again. This is going to be a fantastic matchup. and I think they have everything they need.

This is where legends are made. This is the game where legends and legacies are created and upheld. You got guys like Leonard Williams and Julian Love who were in New York and hadn't really had much success at all. Much success. They never really played meaningful football in this way. They're playing in their first championship game. It's great to see.

Those guys were ready for the moment. I just saw a clip today where Leonard William, was talking to Grace Zabel on the sideline after halftime, and Grace Zabel gave him a little advice. You talk about a 10-year vet, taking advice from a rookie in a playoff game, and he takes that advice, goes on the field, and it creates a sack for his team,

and it was a huge play in the ball game. And it just talks to the camaraderie and the togetherness, the brotherhood that has been built in Seattle. And that's what, those are the things that you need in games like this. Those are the things that make teams special when you win championships, when you build this brotherhood. And everybody's talking about this MOB, mission over bullshit. And that's the way they've been living.

Mitchell, all season long, they have been on a mission from day one of training camp until now. They knew what they had in the building. And if you came to training camp and you got to watch that team, if you spent any time in that building, you knew what they had. That was a big reason I felt good about them coming in. of the season, having those conversations with Sam Darnold and JSN and the defense, Tariq Woolen and Mike McDonnell, because it just felt different. You know what a special championship locker room sounds like. You know what it feels like. And that's what it looked like.

Could I have predicted them making it all the way this year and playing as well as they did in the divisional game? I couldn't have seen it being a 41 to 6 blowout, but a defense finding its rhythm at the right time is a dangerous thing, and they're finding their confidence, their rhythm, and the rookie Nick Emin Worry is playing as good as he's ever played in his career. And that's a big reason why I feel like the Seattle Seahawks are going to pull this one off in a comfortable fashion. I don't know if it's not going to be the blowout that it was against I don't think it can be that. But I think they're going to feel good. I think they're going to be in control this game. They just are such an incredible.

team, complete team. The special teams are amongst the best in the National Football League. The defense, the offense. And even with Sam Darnold's injury, the way the offensive line has been blocking, it's going to be, it's going to be different than you expect from the Seattle Seahawks team. I still think their passing game is going to be necessary. They're going to have to push the ball down the field. I think Rashid Shaheed is going to have to factor in. No question about that. Richard, I have to admit, I've been wildly impressed with the Seattle Seahawks. Hawks team. Even before their dominant performance against 49ers.

Mike McDonald, what an incredible hire for this organization. You want to talk about transitioning from Pete Carroll to the next guy. And that next guy, Mike McDonald, has stamped his imprint on this team. You saw his vision. You saw his scheme in Baltimore. Just a wild

defense, getting after the football, wreaking havoc on quarterbacks, causing turnovers. Baltimore was a ferocious defense. He has got the personnel to absolutely wreak havoc on whoever they go up against. And for that reason, I love the Seattle Seahawks team. I don't even care about the offensive side of the ball because what I saw this past weekend

against the 49ers, if this defense shows up like that, good luck to the Rams. I think Seattle, if they put 21 on the board, they walk away with a win because you can see it in their eyes, man. And like you said, mission over bullshit. You can see that model playing out on the field. And, you know, you want to talk about it. absolutely dominating an offseason, killing it with the draft. Drafting guys, like you said, like Gray's Able, like Nick Aminwari.

These are guys that are going to be culture changers here in Seattle for years to come. And Richard, switching to the offensive side of the ball, it's my boy, K-9's time to shine, the Michigan State graduate. You saw him tail in town Brady Go Green in that broadcast after the win. Zach Charbonnet, unfortunately, goes out with an ACL injury, which is brutal. But you know what? I've seen it firsthand at Michigan State when Kenneth Walker absolutely dominated the Michigan Wolverines and carried this team back from multiple scores down.

I think we see that same K-E-9 this upcoming weekend against the Rams. He's somebody that can tote the rock. He can be a lone ranger in that backfield. I promise you guys in Seattle. I think this is his moment to shine, not to mention he's got all the motivation in the world. He's going to be a free agent after this year. so you know he's going to be highly motivated to prove himself in this game. You've got to love what you've seen from the Seattle's running attack over the last

handful of weeks. The question becomes, can Sam Darnold cure those demons against Chris Shula? He's had not so much success over the last couple of years. Five touchdowns to seven interceptions, been sacked 16 times. So the question becomes, can Sam Darnold manage this offense well enough to bring home the victory. Do you think Sam has it in him? Yeah, I think he has it in him. And I think, again, you don't have to save the world. He doesn't have to be a world conqueror in this game. You don't have to throw for five, six touchdowns. When we won the Super Bowl, it didn't take a ton. It didn't

take a ton of touchdowns from a quarterback. I didn't take it. Marshawn Lynch, consistent. Marcia Lynch running a football. Our run game was consistent. He scored. He took over that NFC championship game. Russell Wilson threw a critical clutch touchdown to Germain. curse on a free play where they got the defense to jump off sides on a fourth down critical play clutch moment. But it's not like you have to go out there and score 40 points and make it a shootout. This defense is going to do their part. They're going to do their job. Can they hold Matthew Stafford in check like they did in the first game? That's going to be another big question in the game. Matthew Stafford, the MVP of the league this year is what I'm assuming he's going to

be named at some point is is not going to go quietly into the night. He's a Super Bowl champion for a reason. Him and Sean McVeigh have been through dark moments. They've been through these big games. They've been through these critical games before. But what they haven't been is in these critical games against this aggressive Mike McDonald coach defense. And again, John Snyder deserves a ton of credit. And you got to give credit where it's due. He's built this team from the bottom up. And you talk about guys like Charles Cross. Byron Murphy from the last class, JSN from the last class,

Devin Witherspoon, you got guys like Ernest Jones that they brought in, that they brought in middle of the season and made him their guy. And now he's a foundational piece of this defense. Guys like to Marcus Lawrence, they brought in who said he wanted to go pursue a championship.

Guys like Rick Woolen, who he brought in, Kobe Bryant, who they've developed. A lot of these guys are home-a-old-d-grown, talents. And then you talk about Gray-Zable and K-9 and all the rest of the guys. It's not like they're just picking a ton of guys off other teams. Most of this team in its

core has been homegrown. Jared Reed. Jared Reed was drafted to the Seattle Seahawks. He went and played other places, but he's back home and he's playing fantastic football. There's so many guys that they've got that they've developed and coached and really nurtured

this incredible culture that they have now. And and you can see it. The way they talk about each other in these interviews, the way they talk in press conferences. That's the chemistry. Now, Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers,

and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call it. We were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas.

And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. Help an Acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds.

Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup,

he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get to fly.

He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball, like, After you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's something that should not be as complicated as it is. Getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is.

Getting a new one put up in its place. As long as there's a politics of race in America, there's going to be a politics of remembering the Civil War. To get to school, I had to go down Robert Lee Boulevard. Get to the grocery store. I had to go down Jefferson Davis Parkway. If you're an historian and you leave out half of what the history is, you're not doing your job. I'm Akila Hughes. In Rebel Spirit, season two goes deep on both of those things. The fights, the politics, the people who won, and my personal campaign to add something to the Kentucky State House that's actually worth the wall space. We are more than our bodies. We contain essence. We contain spirit. How do you write?

represent that. They are just fueling a fire that is really catching. You'll see what I mean. Listen to Rebel Spirit season two on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the other side, the Rams are, again, not going quietly into the night. They feel good about how they were able to attack Sam Donald in this offense. But I think, again, K-9 is going to have a huge impact. They can feel as good as they want. They gave up 38, points in the last time they played. But I think this is going to be a different game. It's going to be a mix of the first two games. But Sam's going to obviously be wary of being careful, being cautious with the football, doing what he needs to do to get the ball down the field and get his team a win,

not putting it in harm's way. K-9, consistent running game. I don't think they're going to try to be cute. I don't think Clint Kubiak is going to try to get too cute in this game. They're going to hand the football out, football off, and try to live in the way you win championship football games and the way it's a proven formula that has stood the test of time. You run the football, you play great defense, and you walk off with a win. Obviously, they get this win. I think the winner of this game wins the Super Bowl. I think the Denver Broncos without Bo Nix, it's a great story. You know, it's a, it's a fantastic story that what they've been able to do this season, what Sean Payton's done.

They were the number one seat. Anytime you lose your starting quarterback, it's a heartbreak and a gut punch. I think the same thing about the New England Patriots. Young quarterback that's been an MVP candidate all season long, played fantastic, elevated his team and his teammates. Mike Brable and the way he's created that culture and injected life and energy into these guys, but you're running into a bus saw in this NSC. These aren't guys that are playing around.

These aren't guys that are feel-good stories. These are big dogs. And I think the big dogs eat first. And I think they go on the win. But, you know, the NFL, that's why everybody watches the game because you never know how things are shake out. But that's what I feel. Well, the Rams, you know, they've been road warriors,

these first two games of this playoffs, going on the road to beat Carolina and a thriller in the same way against the Bears. So they're battle-tested on the road. I know they're going in into Lumen Field. against these crazy 12s. Richard, Hard Rock Bet has this as a two and a half point spread in favor of the Seahawks. I know you said you expect a mix of the two games. Well, I think that's what the Hard Rock bet expects, too.

I mean, these two teams, and they're two matchups, 58 to 57, the Rams have outscored the Seahawks by one point. The two teams have put up 830 yards and 829 yards respectfully. So that shows you how evenly balanced these two teams really are. obviously they know themselves they know each other very very well walk me through what's your score prediction here in this game oh that's tough that's tough because i i have to expect the seattle seawks are going to have a better plan for pukinakua who had 12 catches for 225 yards in their last matchup even with devonte adams out of that game obviously devonte adams is

going to be well and good and in seattle present with his pads on ready to play in this game so how they defended him isn't the way there. A lot of it was dig routes and crossers and allowing him to catch and run through the defense. I'm sure Mike McDonald is going to do what a lot of teams have done and crowd that middle of that field with his safeties and linebackers and kind of just keep everything in front of them. Make them check the ball down. Make them check it down to Colby Parkinson and Kyron Williams and Blake Quorum

and allow them to, hey, if Blake Quorum and Kyrim and, Williams have 12 and 13 catches between them, you feel good about that. You don't want Pooka Nakuwa and Devante to get out there and beat you. You want to be able to contain those guys. You want to allow your pass rush to get home and you want to allow them to live in 10, 11 play drives because when you have teams taking 10, 11 plays drives, it gives your defense opportunity to force turnovers. In the game against the San Francisco 49ers, a lot of those turnovers were effort turnovers. They weren't necessarily. mistakes by the San Francisco 49ers.

You look at the DeMarcus Lawrence fumble that he forced on Brock Purdy when Brock Purdy was scrambling. That was just pure effort. That was just what Demarcus Lawrence has put on tape week in and week out this season and why this team has so much love and respect for him and what he's brought because he's done that. He came around and chopped it and Brock Purdy gave the football. You look at the fumble they forced on Jake Tonges.

Again, just an effort play. Just guys going after the football. They were out there hungry wolves. They're hungry. They are attacking. They are finding immense pleasure in running and hitting and causing chaos. And when you get to that point, Mitchell, you get to the point where your defense is just enjoying causing chaos. Mitchell, it don't matter who you play.

It sounds familiar to 2013, 2014, 2015, 2015, when you were playing with the lead. in a boom. I know you guys took pride in the way you played in the energy you brought to that defense. Richard, what is it like? You've played in three NFC championship games, obviously three Super Bowls. You know, what is it like this moment? I know the next one's the biggest one, but what is it like playing an NFC championship game? You know, it was one of the things and everybody's going to be mad because it's so cliche, but every game is a championship game. And I'm sure Mike McDonald's giving them the same conversation. Like, don't treat this game any different than the one before.

I mean, all of them are big games. All of them matter. All of them are relevant. You've been locked in. You had to win against the San Francisco 49ers to get the one seat. You had to win to continue the season. You've got to keep winning to continue your season. But nothing changes.

The field is the same size. You're at home. You're wearing the same jerseys, putting the same pads on, and he's the same guys you faced before. You've got a point to prove. You've beat them before. you can beat them again. And it's going to take every man just doing their job.

It's going to take every phase just doing their job. And that's what they understand. On defense, it's about being detailed, stopping pooping the cool, stopping Matthew Stafford, getting pressure on the quarterback, getting his pass rush, getting home, giving them exotic looks and being smart about when you send the fire zones. I think Mike McDonald is going to be a little bit more cautious with sending those five men simulated pressures

because Matthew Stafford was finding those lanes. That's when a lot of their explosive plays happened. They had 10 explosive plays in that last game against the Seattle Seahawks. And I know Mike McDonald was pulling his hair out because some of them are just, hey, they had answers for the pressures that you were bringing, and there's nothing the players can do at that point. They found plays where the DN's dropping in the fire zone, where he's the hook dropper, and that's where they're attacking.

and Matthew Stafford is smart enough quarterback. If he can diagnose it and the Blitz doesn't get home, he's going to make you pay. And I think that's an important lesson going into this game is knowing when and where to pressure and when and where to just trust that your four-man, your four-man rush is going to be able to get home and trust in your back-in can be disciplined

and get these guys covered up. I think there's an incredible chemistry in the back-in between guys that have played a lot of football together now, and I think you've got to trust that. So I think, It is what it is. When you're flying high and you're playing with confidence and you've been through as many battles as this team has been through,

you feel like you're invincible. You feel like nobody can beat you. And a lot of times that's what you need going into this game. They're going to need the 12s to be loud and they're going to need the crowd to be raucous so that the Rams understand that this ain't no walking apart. It is not sweet out here. And I think that's what it's going to come down to.

Once they, it's just like against the San Francisco 49. Once there was blood in the water and they felt there was blood in the water, Mitchell, it was like piranhas. It was piranhas everywhere you at, Mitchell, and you don't want to be in that water when the piranas is eaten, when they feasting and there's blood in the water. And that's what it was like for the San Francisco 49ers. And I think that's what it's going to be like for the Rams. It started from play one, and it'll start from play one with the Rams. And a lot of our NFC championship games, Mitchell, both games, we started, we were down 10 points early in these games. We were down in both games, double digits.

And we were able to come back and win. So it's not always perfect. And that's what battle tests your team. You know, sometimes you have some adversity in these games not going the way you want them to go. And you have to persevere. You have to overcome that if you really want to become champions and you deserve and if you are who you think you are. And sometimes that's what allowed us to be the legendary defense that we were

because we were against the eight ball. You're putting difficult situations in both NFC championship games. We started off in our own territory. The first game, our offense fumbled, the first or second play, we're in the red zone or at the 25 or something, and you've got to stand up. You've got to hold them to a field goal. I think in the Green Bay game, there was a pick and Ha Ha ha returned it to the three or four yard line, and you've got to stand up. We held them able to hold them to field goals. That's when you really are able to showcase what makes you special. And I know there will be a moment in this game for this defense to show why they are who they say they are and I can't wait to watch it. I'm right there with you. Hard Rock's two and a half point line. I personally like the Seahawks

as well. I think that they're just riding too much of a they're riding too high of a wave right now with their momentum. And having this game at home, seeing how the Rams have just kind of squeaked by the last couple of games, albeit impressive wins,

when you're facing a Seattle Seahawk team that's clicking on all cylinders, I feel like they've figured some things out and they're ready to take care of the Rams this game. I got them winning by a touchdown. I think we're looking at like a 27 to 20 game. And I expect Sam Darno to clean things up as well. You know, again, he's going to have to be more of a game manager this time. Get JSN involved.

Give the ball to my boy, K-E-9. I like the Seattle Seahawks to go on to the Super Bowl and face the winner of the next game. Richard, let's talk a little bit about the AFs. see. Well, let me give my prediction, because you, you asked me, and I never gave you an actual number, Mitchell, and I feel bad about that. I got Seattle Seattle's going to 27 to 17 in this ball game scoring, and they'll get a defensive score somewhere in there, Mitchell.

I need defensive score. I feel like I can feel it in my bones. Give me a player, dude. You extend this one layer more. One layer more. Is it Nick Emonwari? You know what's going to be. Witherspoon.

I wanted to be Nicky. Is it Tyreek Woolen? Yeah, if Rick is Bowling, he's not, he's not going to get caught. Demarcos Lawrence. Give me Kobe Bryant. Oh, one of the one's got two touchdowns in the game. Give me Kobe. He already got to.

Okay. 27 to 17, 17, Seattle, per Richard Sherman. Hey, it's us, the Jonas brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? we created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it.

Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, Hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad,

Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam?

It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toll. and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves,

I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. he has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running the court licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's something that should not be as complicated as it is, getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is, getting a new

one put up in its place. As long as there's a politics of race in America, there's going to be a politics of remembering the Civil War. To get to school, I had to go down Robert Lee Boulevard, get to the grocery store, I had to go down Jefferson Davis Parkway. If you're an historian and you leave out half of what the history is, you're not doing your job. I'm Akila Hughes, Rebel Spirit Season 2 goes deep on both of those things, the fights, the politics, the people who won, and my personal campaign to add something to the Kentucky State House that's actually worth the wall space. We are more than our bodies. We contain essence. We contain spirit. How do you represent that? They are just fueling a fire that is really catching. You'll see what I mean.

Listen to Rebel Spirit Season 2 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. And you know what I love doing in these big stand-alone playoff game? Same game parlays. Lock in one match up at a time and stack your picks. Maybe the QB throws for 250, the running back hits 100 and the tight-in punches in the first touchdown. Hard Rock Bet gives you tons of ways to build your same game parlay, turning big game days into bigger payday. And if you miss kickoff, don't worry.

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Download the Hard Rock Bet app. and make your first deposit today. All right, let's turn the page over to the AFC. This game was supposed to be magnificent until Bowenicks took a knee and broke his ankle. Now, the storyline has totally shifted. The number one seed Denver Broncos welcome the New England Patriots who were a five and a half point favorite per hard rock bet.

Richard, I did a little research prior to jumping on the podcast with you today. Did you know that prior to the injury, of Bo Nix. Denver was actually a one and a half point favorite going into this matchup against the New England Patriots. So you see a seven point swing with one guy going out. Obviously, it's a big deal losing Bo Nix, but how big of a deal is it for the Denver Broncos? It's huge. It's colossal. It's monumental. It's enormous. Whatever you want to use, it's big. And it's the difference between winning and losing in this league. That's why, the quarterback position is so valued and why they pay them all the big bucks and why every

team is looking for one every single year that can put them in this position to win the football game. I'm not saying anything bad about Jared Stidham, but he didn't get him here. And it's going to be a tough task. It's going to be a tall mountain to climb to expect him to come in this game and play impactful football. But the Broncos have the defense to give them a chance. They've been fantastic. They've been dynamic. They've been making plays all year. They're battle tested, no question about it. And on the flip side, the Patriots, Patriots are battle tested. But Drake May was sacked five times against the Chargers and he was set five times against the Houston Texans. He fumbled multiple times in both of these games, put the ball on the ground.

There were a multitude of opportunities for the Houston Texans to scoop and score and really changed the outcome of this game defensively. And I think the same is going to be true for the Denver Broncos. Will Campbell struggled with some of the pressure from Oway. with the Chargers and Khalil Mack, and he struggled a little bit with, he struggled a lot of bit with Will Anderson, but who doesn't struggle Will Anderson and Daniel Hunter? And I think Edron Cooper and Nick Panito

are going to cause issues for this, for this, for this offense of the New England Patriots. And unlike the Houston Texans defense that struggled a little bit in man-to-man coverage, no question about it. And I think they would admit that these guys do not. They got Derek Stingley, Kishon Booty, on a critical touchdown pass late in the game. One-on-one coverage. He beat Stingley, and that was a huge play.

Not a play Stingley gives up very often, one of the best corners of the National Football League. And again, you go to the next week and you're playing the reigning defensive player at a year in Patrick Surtain. And he does play man-to-man coverage. He is a tough outfit. And you ask any receiver in the AFC, any receiver that has faced him, he's going to be there. He's going to be in your pocket. Can you deal with him? Can they deal with that?

Is he going to be shadowing or following anybody? But then on the other side, you got our guy, Riley Moss, friend of the program, who also plays a lot of man-to-man coverage. And you know the hardest job in the NFL is playing corner opposite of Patrick Certain. So what does Vance Joseph do in those situations? Is he going to give him help? Are they going to stack the box? Are they going to be able to compensate for the issues that they have in certain situations?

This defense plays aggressive man-to-man defense about. 30% of the time. They mix in different coverages, but most of the time, when the game's on the line, those guys are going to be in man to man. And they're going to be able to, that's going to be the tail of the game. Can the Denver Broncos offense overcome the loss of bone, I mean, bone nicks by running the football and not asking a ton from Jared Stedham. You cannot ask him to win you this game. I think that's unfair and that's unrealistic to think he's going to throw it 25, 30 times and they're going to walk away with a win in this game. They're going to have to get the lead early and then just nurture it throughout the game.

You're just going to have to milk the clock. You're going to have to win the time of possession, win the turnover battle. Everything's going to have to go right in order for the Denver Broncos to get a win this week. Well, Jared Sidham is sitting behind the Broncos number one ranked offensive line per PFF. So, you know, they've got that going for them. And RJ Harvey's really come on late here in this year. So he clearly was a good rookie draft pick for them. The question is, obviously, can Denver's defense rise to the occasion and make it uncomfortable for Drake May?

They're going to have to cause turnovers, like you talked about the other game. They're going to probably have to get a defensive score. You know, Drake May will be the first QB to face a top five defense in each of his first three playoff games in a season since Cam Newton in 2015. You know, so that's another storyline here. But obviously, the NFL and everyone talking football did not expect that they have a Bo Nixless Denver Broncos team as the opponent. So unfortunately, the storyline has dramatically shifted. Can this Denver Broncos defense keep things competitive?

And like you said, I like how you termed it, nurture home a win when Denver takes a lead. Jared Sidham has been around this league enough times, man. But he has not taken a snap in several years. You know, so the Patriots have got to be chopping at the bit defensively, too. You know, they caused absolute havoc and made life so uncomfortable for C.J. Stroud. I can only imagine what's going on with Jared Stidham right now. That being said, if you are Sean Payton, knowing the circumstances, what offensive game plan are you rolling out there to try to combat New England?

I'm keeping it simple. Obviously, this New England defense is very variable. They do a great job disguising. You heard the conversation after the Chargers game that the Chargers, that the Chargers offense didn't know what they were in majority of the time. You don't want to put a young, inexperienced quarterback behind center and say, hey, I want you to go up back there and diagnose this defense and deal out passes. You don't want to do that.

He's going to keep it simple. He's going to run the football. It's going to be simple play actions, keep the game right in front of them, simple reads that he can say, hey, zone side, man side, figure it out, you know, get guys crossing, get guys in motion so he can diagnose and know what he's seeing early on. on. Stimamam is just going to have to use his legs at times. Like, use everything that's at your disposal to win this game. Now, I know the Patriots have to be feeling good. There aren't many times you get such a gift in the playoffs in the NFL where you say, hey, you're going against

a really tough opponent, but hey, they just lost the starting quarterback that put them in this position. Can you go out and beat them? I know Mike Rable is doing everything to tell his team, not to take this team lightly, do not take this quarterback lightly. This is, this is, this is a situation they can come in here and beat us if we, if we don't do what we're supposed to do. Like, sometimes the biggest part of winning a championship is being who you're supposed to be, not letting your opponent down. Mitchell, when, when people would come in to see our defense, you didn't want to let them

down. They knew, hey, this is going to be an icebag game. And guess what? Mitchell, we are not going to disappoint them. We are going to be exactly what they expect us to be. When they expect to get hit, we're going to be there laying punishment on them. When they expected to get intercepted, I'll be back there. You know, just call my name and I'll be, I'll be there.

Type deal, Metro, you've got to get a little singing in here. It's that kind of deal. But the Patriots, dude. I'll just, I'll background dance with you, man. Anytime you want to sing, I'll just be over here, you know, doing whatever you need me to do. We'll do some choreography off air, though. No question. No question, Mitchell.

I've seen your dance moves, and I must say, they're fantastic. This Patriots defense is underrated, though. They're underrated. They're six against the rush, nine against the pass. They're eight in total yards, and they're number four scoring defense. So we don't talk about them a ton because they don't have a ton of the big names, but the names they do play really high-level football. We got Christian Gonzalez at the corner.

We got our guy Carlton Banks, who I got to play with, play on the Saints field with Carlton Davis. Richard Carlton Banks is doing my my dance. You're right. Hell yeah. Hell yeah. No, Carlton Davis, but I think everyone know where you were getting at. Carlton Davis is a baller, by the way.

Carlton Davis. CD had two interceptions last game, played fantastic. Again, they play a lot of man-to-man covers because he and Christian Gonzalez are fantastic, man-to-man cover corners, but they're also great in zone. Marcus Jones is a fantastic playmaker on that defense. He's had multiple touchdowns. Sometimes you'll see him on the offensive side of ball.

He's also a punt returner. He had a pick six in the last game. That was a huge impact play that really broke the backs of the Houston Texans. So look for him to continue to make plays. Then you got guys like Spillane in the middle of that defense, Clavon, Chase on, guys that aren't necessarily the biggest names. He was drafted high. He just seems like he's in a great spot and a great rhythm playing

where he's supposed to be playing Milton Williams, Barmore in the middle of that defense, so stout against the run. You're not just moving those guys up out of there. These guys who are highly touted, highly paid free agents that are making tremendous impact, and that's why this defense has been so fantastic. They're well coached, their discipline,

they're ball aware, they have great ball skills in the secondary, they have big time playmakers, they have a great defensive line. Have everything. That's why they're here. So with that being said, a hard rock bat, five and a half point favorite New England Patriots. How do you see this playing out? Do you think they cover that? Well, Mitchell, everybody, everybody, and I mean everybody. That's why the movies do so well. Loves a fairy tale. They love a happy ending. They love when Cinderella, the abused young lady,

step-sister gets to be with the prince at the end, and it's happily ever at this ain't one of them stories, Mitchell. I got the New England Patriots coming in in the Denver and winning comfortably. They will impose their will on the Denver Broncos offense. The lack of quarterback play is going to be the difference in this game, in my humble opinion. I think the Denver Broncos defense does everything they can, just like the Houston Texans did, does everything they can to keep their offense in it. But eventually they are getting worn down, too many possessions, too many three and outs for this offense. I think Mike Brable is going to stack the box. He's going to have eight and nine people in this box to stop this run. He's going to dare Sean Payton to drop back and throw and

punish this defense with Jared Stidham. Will he be willing to do that? Will he be willing to play a straight shootout game with Jared Stidham? I don't think he will, and I know that's what Brable is going to be expecting, is that they're going to run this ball early and often. I don't think that Denver is going to have enough to win this game. I got the New England Patriots winning this game, 21 to 15. You and I see eye to eye. I, too, think that New England is going to be too tough a task for them. I think, listen, Denver is going to be lively.

It's going to be a very hype environment with all those fans. Everyone's going to be an us against the world mentality with Jared Stidham at the helm. But I think it's just too much to overcome. You know, defense is probably going to make a handful of big plays, but water is going to find his level, and New England Patriots are going to be marching on at the Super Bowl. look for Hunter Henry to have a big game this weekend. That's a weak spot in this Denver defense. They've allowed almost 60 yards a game to opposing tight ends.

We saw Dalton Kincaid go off for six catches in 83 yards and a score last weekend. So Hunter Henry, a season veteran for the New England Patriots, I like him a lot. And then that tandem at running back, Travion Henderson and Remandre Stevenson, they've been clicking of late. So I think this offense, and we've seen the growth of Drake May

over the last, you know, second half of the season. It's time to put to rest the claim that the Patriots only good because they're scheduled soft. I think they're actually really good. And I wouldn't overlook them in a matchup. What we're calling right now is a Seattle Seahawk against New England Patriots Super Bowl. I would not overlook them as a worthy opponent for the Seattle Seahawks. You got a young Drake May.

This would be an awesome story for the Seattle Seahawks to overcome the New York. New England Patriots again, Richard. It's just giving me flashbacks. And, you know, it's great memories, but then it's trauma. You know what I mean? Trauma. You're talking about the New England Patriots for the Seattle Seahawks and an NFC West opponent's field. Mitchell, we were in Arizona.

They're in Levi Stadium. They're in, oh, ooh, ooh. But this is, this is, we talked about exercising demons, Mitchell. That will be a Super Bowl, that demons would be exercised. Mitchell, that would be at Exodus. Mitchell, bring it back. avenge us. Avenge.

What? Okay. Sorry, Mitchell got carried away. I'm going to say one thing, Richard, and I want you to react. You know, jive with me here. You can react, you know, facial expression. You give me a one word answer. You can give me a paragraph.

You give me a full chapter of a book. I don't care. What goes through your nagging when I say, run the damn ball? I don't want to talk about it. Mitchell. I don't want to talk about it, Mitchell. Mitchell. I got her hat.

They made me get a hat. Run the ball. Mitchell, I'm going to make sure I wear this hat to hold. Run the ball. Kenneth Walker. You know what? I'm calling it right now. Kenneth Walker, Super Bowl MVP.

Done. You want to talk about exercising demons, Richard. Kenneth Walker should have been at the Heisman ceremony, man. And he wasn't. That was bullshit. He's going to win the Super Bowl MVP. Jot it down now. We're going to time staff this.

later, but run the damn ball. You heard it. I need one of those hats. Thank you guys for joining us. We know you can be anywhere in the world, but you're here with us, and we surely do appreciate it on this championship week in the National

Football League. We appreciate you guys joining us. Love you. See you next time for the Super Bowl preview. Actually, for the championship recap, because we're going to figure out who going to to the big game. We'll see you next time and again, as always, hit that sub button if you knew.

Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends.

Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us.

From IHeart Podcasts, Saigon. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. They're pouring patrol all over here. Freedom for Vietnam! There's a fire coming. to this country and it's going to burn out everything.

Listen to Saigon on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Joey Dardano, and on my new podcast, Hope from a Hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with thoughtful solutions. Syke, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to me. This is Help From a Hypocrite.

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