Richard Sherman Podcast - AFC Wild Card REACTION: Texans-Steelers, Bills-Jaguars, Patriots-Chargers | Richard Sherman NFL

Appreciate you being here with me—hit subscribe, stay healthy, crush those New Year goals. Wild card slate was crazy, and Houston just smothered Pittsburgh; the offense stumbled, but that defense took over and made you feel like nobody wants a piece of them right now.

You’ve been on Houston for weeks, and they backed you up—Stroud put them in tough spots with the ball on the ground, but that defense hunted and closed; even with a few offensive sparks, this turned into a defensive showcase.

Stroud had a humbling one and he’ll be sharper at Gillette, but New England’s defense is flying around under Vrabel. What Houston did up front was a beatdown—you rush four, win anyway, and play old-school ball that travels in January.

Is this the closest thing we’ve seen to a Legion of Boom vibe since your Seattle days?

Too early for that crown, but it was the top defensive performance of these playoffs—like ripping the will out of a team and stomping it. If Denver handles Buffalo, a Texans–Broncos rematch would be a defensive thriller.

On Pittsburgh, Rodgers let it rip late—do you see him back there next season after dragging a light offense into the playoffs?

That fan base feels stuck on a treadmill—winning seasons, quick exits—so a coaching reset could be coming, and a new regime usually means moving on from older pieces like Rodgers. They’ll also have to decide if Joey Porter Jr. gets true number-one corner money after a strong year.

Bills beat the Jags, Lawrence threw the late pick—does that change his trajectory?

No—Jacksonville outkicked expectations, built culture, and has real pieces; the pick was more about a DB making a great play, and Tre’Davious White had himself a day. My gripe is the same one with a lot of ‘offensive geniuses’—they bailed on a run game that was gashing when they should’ve kept leaning on it.

They barely ran with ETN and Tutan despite the efficiency, the run D held up, and then it became Josh Allen time; does this win change your view on Buffalo making a run?

I picked Buffalo here, but Jacksonville could’ve had it if they’d stayed on the ground; Denver won’t get bored—Payton will keep taking what’s there and that defense will test Allen’s supporting cast. Josh usually shows up in January, but Buffalo’s defense might be what decides it, and Sutton is a real problem on the other side.

New England handled L.A., and Vrabel’s energy was all over that finish—how much do you love that for this Patriots team?

He’s player-first and it shows—those guys are hitting and finishing like it matters; they feasted on a depleted Chargers line and made life miserable. Against Houston it’s ball security and staying on schedule, because that Texans rush can flip a game fast—if New England finds a way, the AFC picture gets wild.

So how would you call it for the Pats offense versus Houston?

Slow bleed and discipline—take the throws to the sideline windows when protected, hammer the run, and do not get cute; win with patience and zero giveaways.

Which team impressed you most this weekend?

Houston, because that defense could’ve won the game by itself in tough conditions against a Hall of Famer, and they can bring that same edge to New England.

Six-for-six on your picks, the comments can chill for a week—what a weekend, and another big one coming.

Thanks for rocking with us—if your squad’s out, dive into college tape and get ready for the draft; if you’re still alive, keep the faith and get loud. Divisional preview’s coming this week, so subscribe and stay locked in.