The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Richard Sherman Podcast - Colts–49ers REACTION: Purdy drops 5 TDs as 49ers dominate Philip Rivers on MNF | Richard Sherman NFL

Episode Date: December 25, 2025

Richard Sherman reacts to the San Francisco 49ers’ big win over the Indianapolis Colts, breaking down Brock Purdy’s five-touchdown performance, Christian McCaffrey’s push toward another 1,000/1,000 season, and the defensive concerns that showed up against Philip Rivers. Sherm discusses standout plays from Dee Winters, Alfred Collins, and the special teams unit, while also looking ahead to the 49ers’ critical stretch against the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks with the No. 1 seed on the line. He also weighs in on DK Metcalf’s suspension, the NFC playoff picture, and what Kyle Shanahan’s coaching job means in a season full of injuries and adversity. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. 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 USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everybody. I appreciate you joining us, as always. You guys are phenomenal. You're the best in the world. You're watching the Richard Sherman podcast. But if you could do me a huge favor and hit that sub button, it would be greatly appreciated.

You would do a service for your boy, Sherm. And I'll tell you what, I got your back. You got my back. All love. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast, and what a game for the San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy. Phenomenal game. Haven't punt it since November. Executed from the first drive to the last drive looked amazing.

I mean, the interception was something, you know, high pass. A little sloppy, but whatever. The defense ended on a high note with a pick six from D. Winters. this was a good game. This is a good game from the offense. Now, I know on the defensive side, there are some concerns, and they're warranted, they're merited. This defense has to step it up,

and the cupboard's kind of bare right now. You know, there's not a lot where you're like, hey, we have such and such coming back, we have this guy coming back. This is what it's going to be. So these guys are going to have to pay. play better. They're going to have to step their game up. They're going to have to tighten things up.

I'm going to have to run coverages that aren't isolating the safeties because anytime you run covered two in the red zone, they're going to isolate those safeties, and they're going to have their way. And that's what the Colts did. That's what Philip Rivers saw on tape. And that's whatever happens, whatever works down this stretch for offenses is what you're going to see in the playoffs. And Robert Salah knows that. Kyle Shanahan knows that. And I mean, this defense is going to know that.

That's the hard part, and that's the concerning part for the San Francisco 49ers team, is there's not a lot of veterans on this defense right now. And when you're in the playoffs and you don't have experience, you usually learn some hard lessons. And those lessons help you for the future, but they don't help you for the now. So let's hope Robert Salah and Kyle Shanahan get this defense tightened up and get them prepared because I would imagine Salas coaching his butt off. and he's putting them in as best of a position as he can, as good of a position as he can, but he can't go out there and make the plays for him. He can't cover guys for him. And it's hard.

In that game, you saw it, he tried to switch it up. He tried to run man. They were getting beat on crossers. Philip Rivers was identifying it. He tried to run zone. He was picking it apart. He was finding the weaknesses of the zone and exploiting it. He tried to bring pressure.

He was figuring that out. So I know fans are like, man, you know, why is he not bringing more pressure? Why is he? Because the more pressure he brings, the more questions you're going to have. The more he tries to attack a veteran quarterback like that, the more big holes in the defense there's going to be. Huge play in the game from Alfred Collins, a huge force fumble and sack. That was a great rush by him and sling shotted himself forward. Huge play by him. Huge play by D. Winters we talked about.

Those are things you can build on. You hope those two guys are continuing to gain confidence. C.J. West had a sack in the game. But this is a game that I know defensively, Robert Sala is going to take a hard look at, and he's going to be critical of these guys. He's not going to take it easy and say, hey, guys, good job. We won.

He's going to say, hey, we got to play better than that. Sure, we won this game, and we made a play at the end, and we scored seven points. but we can be better than that and we'll have to be better than that if we want to win a championship and at this point the way the offense is rolling

you've got to believe that anything's possible. With Calh-Shanahan, I said it before, I'll say it again. With Calhiannehan at the helm, anything is possible. He should be the front-runner for coach of the year, but there's a lot of guys who should be front-runner for coached a year and a lot of teams dealing with a lot of injuries.

The L.A. Chargers Jacksonville Jaguars got a case. Obviously, New England Patriots and Brable to Chicago Bears and Ben Johnson, both first year coaches taking their teams to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. So, yeah, I'm sure the faithful believe one thing and believe it with all the conviction in the world, and you're justified. But for some reason, I don't think they're going to give it to Kyle because they never give it to Kyle, even when in 19, when we weren't supposed to be as good as we were,

you go from a four-win team to one seed, and they didn't give him coach it a year then, so I don't see it happening now. But a really great game for Brock Purdy, like I said, 25 to 34th, 2.95, 5 touchdowns in the one interception. He was only sacked once in the game. He was moving pretty well. This is about as good as I've seen him look all season long.

He was confident. He moved well in the pocket. Christian McCaffrey went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season, 21 for 117 in this game and two catches for 29, I mean, six catches for 29 yards and two touchdowns in this game. Again, he's doing what he does. He's about 151 yards away from having 151 receiving yards away from having 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving.

He'd be the first person to do it twice. in his career, which is incredible. 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 us. 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, Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should, call it and well 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 for 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 oh no but thanks for remembering that guys listen to hey jonas on the iHeart radio app apple

podcast 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 Smyl 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are

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Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in 10. and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian went.

I mean, she went down to three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented. it all embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Another really solid game for Joanne Jennings, five reception, 71 yards in the TD, important third-down catches, huge third-down catches throughout this game. I loved when he scored. and he said, you know, he looked like he was going to give it to the fan, and it was obviously a Colts fan, and he snatched it back. I love embracing the villain role.

Like, hey, guys are going to be, he's going to be the antagonist. He's going to be the guy that it gets things riled up, gets things going. It gets the juices going, and you get your team going. Do your thing, Joanne. Do your thing. I'm not mad at that. He did a great job. The defense, like I said, two sacks, the Fumble, the Sack Force,

from Alfred Collins, the force fumble by Jair Brown on the kickoff, the special teams. That's been another great story. Outside of Eddie Panero, Eddie De Niro, whatever you want to call it. Oh, speaking of that, the 64-yarder, I, you talk about putting everything into it. You put his whole leg into it and literally hit the crossbar. Like, if it was 63 yards, I think it's good, but 64, it didn't have 64. But we know he could potentially get 63. But what a season for Eddie Panero.

What a pickup for him and what a weapon he's been this season. I don't think he's getting enough credit going out with an injury, coming back, executing down the stretch, executing. I mean, that was the first miss of the season for him. And, of course, 64-yarder. I applaud him for trying. I applaud him for taking an attempt. This was a great game.

This was a great game offensively. Special teams continues to do their part. Defensively, there were some good things. The rush defense against Jonathan Taylor was fantastic. He had 16 carries, only 46 yards. You could see there was a concerted effort there to make those stops. But everything's right in front of the San Francisco 49ers. Everything's in their control.

They have a game next week against the Chicago Bears, and if they can win that one, then it all comes down to the Seattle Seahawks in Levi Stadium. Like I said at the beginning of the season, before all this happened, it's going to be between, it's going to come down to the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks last game of the season for the division. And they're going to be tied.

I tell you what, I need pull that clip. So I think it's between the Seattle's, Seattle C. Hawlton of San Francisco 49ers. That's cool. I feel cool. I feel cool calling that one. But you got to get past Chicago Bears. A really good team. Well-coached team. Caleb Williams seems to be getting more and more confidence. Having a great season.

Their defense is very formidable. A lot of talent. A lot of guys in the secondary, No Sean Wright came out of nowhere leading the league and forced turnovers. They got Jalen Johnson back there. They got guys that can play. So it's not just going to be an easy game by any stretch of imagination. I think that's going to be a dog fight, but I think Calshanahan is prepared for it.

This offense, Brock Purdy. Hopefully George Kittle, he was banged up a little bit at the end of this game. But hopefully he's able to heal up this week. Jake Tongis, though, Jake Tongis, I wish they would have to challenge that play because it looked like Jake Tong just let his feet die, got him in bounds, caught the ball. It may have hit the ground, but he controlled it. I think they might have given that to him if they would have challenged that. But he made another awesome catch later on in the game, similar on the sideline.

But I think at the moment, if his number's called, he's prepared for the moment, and that will be outstanding. The Seahawks have the Carolina Panthers, and obviously the San Francisco 49ers at the end of the season. That Carolina Panthers game, I mean, I don't really know who they are, because if they play like they did against the Saints, should be an easy game for the Seattle Seahawks. If they play like they, if the Panthers play like they did against the Bucks,

the Seattle Seahawks should win. But if they play like they did against the Rams when they were at home and they beat the Rams, then this could be a dog fight. So I wouldn't expect the Seattle Seahawks to sleep on this team. This team is capable and their inconsistent is all get out from the quarterback to the defense to everybody. but when they're rolling, they're rolling. I think the Rams have two winnable games against the Falcons and the Cardinals

who have tried to compete, but it looks like they're going to be drafting very high in the draft this year, figuring out what they're going to have to do with Kyler Murray. But barring something insane, the one seed should come down to the San Francisco 49ers or in the Seattle Seahawks.

One of these teams will have it, and that is remarkable with everything that's going on this season. with everything that's going on with some of these contracts. I mean, you look on the IR and there's probably close to $100 million on the IR, if I'm not mistaken. I mean, just between three guys. You put Brandon I.U.

For $30 million, you put Fred for $20 and some change. You put Brock was on there for a little while. But who else? Nicholas John Bosa for 33. That's 80 something, and there's other guys who are banged up and injured and not able to play for the San Francisco 49ers team and steal. They still have a chance at the number one seed. Faithful as fans, you've got to appreciate this kind of effort from everybody in the building.

You could easily in this situation give up, kind of say, oh, man, it's just one of those years. And that's what seemed like, seemed to be the narrative coming into this season. Hey, it's just going to be one of those down years. You know, San Francisco, they struggled last year. They got all this dead money. They got these guys banged up. A easy schedule, but losing a lot of talent offensively, really young defensively. But it didn't happen.

And again, that's a testament to Robert Salah, Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, everybody involved with this team in keeping them on track. The training staff, the equipment staff, the Jay Byrd and those guys, everybody that has their hand in it to make this run as efficiently and as good as it has should be applauded. Because I don't think there's any coach in any organization that sustains these kind of these kind of, losses and this kind of turmoil with Brandon Ayyuk and your number one receiver just deciding he does not want to play for your organization anymore, even though he's getting paid his money. And you lose your best player on defense, both of your best players on defense, two of the best players in the National Football League for the season.

And you don't flinch, you don't blink, and you lead your team to an 11 and 4 record with two games to play, that's admirable stuff, and I respect that. Getting into these playoffs, I mean, it's anybody's game. This is as wide open of a season as there's been in recent memory. I think I feel good if San Francisco 49ers, if the playoffs started and they were the fifth seed and they had to go to Carolina to play, I'd feel pretty good. If they had to go to Tampa Bay to play, I'd feel pretty good. But if they were somehow the sixth seed and they had to go to Philadelphia, I would feel good.

If they were the one seat and they had to buy, I'd feel really good. So they're in a great spot. And I think you got to applaud them and appreciate this moment. It's wide open. If they somehow end up in the dance, San Francisco 49ers fans, get ready to build a statue of Kyle Shanahan. And I know you're like, what about the Super Bowl? We got to win one. outside of the late great Bill Walsh,

there ain't many taking their teams to Super Bowls in the way in NFC championships and having a success, regardless of circumstance, and the way Calhanna is doing it right now. And, you know, we're a long way away from that. A lot of things got to happen, but he's done it before. He can do it again. And if he does it this year, regardless of the outcome,

and if they somehow win it, oh, my God, If they somehow win it, first off, there'll be questions about all the other times, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's going to be a fun playoffs. Can the Seattle Seahawks get the number one seat? They're in control of their own destiny right now. They look really good. They look fantastic against the Rams the other night, especially down the stretch and overtime,

offensively. And they look good defensively. I thought they had a couple turnovers and they got called back. But moving on, because this is wide open. wide open, the one seed's wide open on both sides. I think this is going to be a fun playoff run because you never know what's going to happen. But what I really don't understand is what D.K. Metcalfe was doing. And neither did the NFL because they suspended him for two games because of that fan reaction. And somebody asks, do the fans have too much power or is this,

you know, the players need to just control their temple. Yes, it's that. The fans can, sure, should the fans, you know, be better about what they say and all that, sure. You know, don't get belligerent, don't get ignorant, don't, but they do that. You know, that happens. And they're not going to get kicked out most times, you know, unless they do something and they throw something or hit you. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words, et cetera, et cetera. you can't do it.

You can't do it. You can't go into the stands and put your hands on a fan, regardless of what they say. Because if that's the case, every away stadium is going to feel like they can get to you if they say that. They're going to talk about your mom.

They're going to talk about your family. They're going to whatever it takes. They just want to see their team win. And as a player, you kind of understand that. And you use your play on the field to frustrate. That's what I would love. I love doing that. I love talk all the crap you want.

Because when I go get that pick, I'm coming back. And when I go in this game, I'm coming back. And I'm telling you to go home, beat the traffic. I'm going to frustrate you. I'm coming here to ruin your day. You can't give them that kind of power, D.K. And that's the sad part about this. They said he lost, you know, between these two game checks,

he's going to lose over $500,000 with the voids of his guarantees going forward, which means the Pittsburgh Steelers can cut him at any time and not incur the guaranteed money. I'm sure there's some dead money and all that in his contract that'll help him stay protected. But just unnecessary. You know, it's unnecessary, especially in a game your team ends up winning. It'd be different and a little more understandable.

If this was at the end of the game, you're super frustrated. You know, you played your butt off, and it came down to it, and you're super emotional. But this is the middle of the game. You can't have it. You just can't. And it's unfortunate because, you know, this team has been on a roll, and they're rolling into the playoffs in a good spot, and they happen to win this game, and, you know, there's negativity associated with it. So, you know, I just hope he can be better in the future.

Obviously, he'll learn from this two-game suspension, and, We'll see how the rest pans out and what his team does in his absence. He's the number one receiver on that team, the highest paid receiver on that football team. So it's going to be a tremendous loss for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But will Aaron Rogers and the boys overcome it? We shall see. As always, I appreciate you joining us. You could be anywhere in the world, but you're here with us.

And I surely do appreciate it. Faithful. Congratulations on another win. Hit that sub button. 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. 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. 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. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation.

I felt it was what I had to do. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edward. And I'm Kastro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, 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 USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart 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. Sike, 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, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from a Hypocrite Wednesdays on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. This is an I-Heart podcast.

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