Richard Sherman Podcast - AFC & NFC Championship PREDICTIONS: Rams-Seahawks, Patriots-Broncos | Richard Sherman NFL

Welcome back to the show. I appreciate you for rocking with me when you could get NFL talk anywhere. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss drops. It’s championship week, the stage where dreams get made and broken. Seahawks and Rams again, and I’m fired up because this is where legacies are written.

Seattle split the regular season with L.A. and nearly had both. The Rams defense is legit, but Seattle’s unit just found its rhythm at the perfect time. The locker room feels like a true brotherhood—vets taking tips from rookies, everyone locked on mission over the BS—and that’s why I think they’re built for this moment.

Seattle’s defense looks terrifying under Mike Macdonald. I’m riding with K‑9 to carry the load. The question is Sam Darnold versus Chris Shula’s disguises and pressure. Can Sam manage it without forcing plays?

He doesn’t need to be a superhero. Run the rock, stay on schedule, let the defense hunt. I respect Stafford and McVay—they’ve been here—but they haven’t seen this version of Seattle’s defense. Credit to John Schneider for a homegrown core and a culture that shows up in how these dudes talk about each other.

Against the Rams, keep it simple and physical. Lean on K‑9, don’t get cute, and play championship math: run game, defense, field position. I think whoever wins this one hoists the Lombardi.

The line’s tight and these teams are neck and neck on yards and points this year. What’s your score call?

Seattle has to cap explosive plays by crowding the middle, forcing checkdowns, and letting the rush create chaos. Give me Seahawks 27 to 17 with a defensive touchdown in there. If you want a name, I’ll take Kobe Bryant jumping a throw.

I’m close to you. Seahawks by a touchdown, 27 to 20. Keep JSN involved, feed K‑9, and let that defense finish. Now, the AFC flipped fast after Bo Nix went down. That line swung hard. How big is the loss for Denver?

Massive. That’s the difference between winning and going home in this league. Stidham’s a pro, but he didn’t get them here. Denver’s defense can keep them alive, yet New England is battle tested and will force mistakes. The Broncos rushers can stress the edges, but the offense can’t put the game on Stidham’s arm. Take a lead early, bleed the clock, and play turnover‑free ball or it gets tough.

Denver’s line grades well and the rookie back has juice, but Drake May is about to see a third straight top defense. If you’re Sean Payton, what do you call?

Simplify. Heavy run, clean play‑action, motion to ID coverages, and let Stidham use his legs. Don’t turn it into a read‑the‑world test against a defense that lives on disguise. And don’t overlook the moment—Vrabel will have his side salty and ready.

New England’s defense is underappreciated. They’re stout against the run, tight in coverage, opportunistic, and well coached. That balance is why they’re still dancing.

Five and a half to New England—do they cover?

People love a fairy tale, but I’ve got the Patriots winning comfortably. They’ll stack the box, dare Denver to throw, and the offensive drought will wear the Broncos defense down. New England 21 to 15.

Same read here. The building will be electric, but I like New England’s tight ends and backfield to tilt it. Hunter Henry can eat against a defense that leaks to TEs, and that RB duo is humming. A Seahawks‑Patriots Super Bowl would be a story, and I wouldn’t sleep on New England as a worthy challenge.

That matchup would bring back memories and a chance to settle old business. Exercise some demons and then some.

Run the damn ball. I’m calling it now—Kenneth Walker for Super Bowl MVP. Stamp it.

Appreciate you spending championship week with us. Much love. We’ll be back with the recap and the Super Bowl preview. Make sure you’re subscribed.