Richard Sherman Podcast - Week 17 REACTION: Seahawks-Panthers, Steelers-Browns, Broncos-Chiefs, Ravens-Packers | Sherman NFL

Everybody, appreciate you rocking with us. Hit that sub button for your boy, and let’s roll. Seattle went on the road and handled business: ran it hard, played real defense, cleaned up the red zone, and walked out holding Carolina to ten. Zach Charbonnet was steady and physical, JSN kept the chains moving, A.J. Barner found the paint, and the defense flipped the game with a Demarcus Lawrence punch-out and a Julian Love bait-and-pick; that’s the identity we’ve been waiting on.

Seattle fans have to be buzzing. This roster feels the most complete since your glory days: waves of D-linemen, a nasty secondary, and role guys turning into names, like Barner and Mr. Consistency JSN. Credit to Schneider and the Sam Darnold swing; 13 and three with a shot at the top seed is wild.

And midseason pickups like Rashid Shaheed hitting big? If Schneider isn’t in the executive-of-the-year mix, I’m surprised.

NFC South time: it feels like nobody wants it. Tampa stumbled to Miami, Carolina’s sliding, and the Saints are confusing, so this thing’s still hanging out there.

Tampa had it in front of them and dropped four straight even with their weapons back. Does that put Todd Bowles on the hot seat?

Hard for me to say that after four straight playoff trips and another division push, but the run game’s missing, the points don’t match the passing yards, and the defense isn’t turning people over. They’ve got to steal one late just to steady the ship.

Who actually wins this division then?

I lean Tampa on star power alone. Cool story in Carolina with Dave Canales, but whoever comes out is walking into a buzzsaw against an NFC West team.

You were in Denver for that Chiefs game. The Broncos won ugly but keep stacking wins. Are they built for the one seed run you’ve hinted at?

The defense gives them a playoff shot; it comes down to Bo Nix staying on script and Sean Payton managing his aggressiveness. They need to get home more often up front, but with their pass-rush depth, if they heat up in January, they’re dangerous—and so are the Texans.

Speaking of the Chiefs, what’s next—and what’s Travis Kelsey thinking?

Travis is truly undecided. Even if he stepped away, I could see the nostalgia call bringing him back in 2026 when things get tight again in KC.

Is the dynasty window closed?

Not for me. It’s a down year and the grind caught up. They’ve got to rebuild the O-line after moving on from Joe Thuney, find help for Chris Jones, and deal with a division that’s catching up—Denver and the Chargers aren’t laying down.

Houston keeps rolling and just out-toughed the Chargers. Are they your AFC favorite now?

They’re my favorite to watch. That defense is loaded with playmakers, and they just dumped five sacks on LA. C.J. started hot, made a couple of mistakes, but the run game and a timely deep shot to Jaden Higgins balanced it out. They’re a brutal wild-card draw for anyone, including Jacksonville or New England.

Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter wrecked another game, the secondary’s flying, and they’re doing this without Tank Dell and Joe Mixon. The Chargers still have weapons—what needs to click?

Protect Herbert so he can be the closer, then let the seeding shake out. The AFC five-through-seven race is chaos, and matchups will decide who lasts a week.

Trevor Lawrence keeps using his legs in the red zone and the Jags sit at 12 and four. Are you buying the finish?

Respect the surge, but the playoffs will define it. A Houston matchup would tell the truth; if they clear that, tip your cap to Liam Cohen and what’s coming when they’re fully healthy.

Indy ran out of gas after Daniel Jones’ injury, even with Philip Rivers keeping them scrappy. Do you still like the roster?

On paper the defense can be nasty when healthy, but DeForest Buckner’s surgery stings and the quarterback plan is the big offseason question.

Baltimore got the gift of the week while Pittsburgh no-showed against Cleveland and Shedeur Sanders. How tough a blow is that for the Steelers?

It hurts, especially with their offense stuck in mud. The defense battled, but without a spark at receiver it was flat; I expect Baltimore to lean on Derek Henry and make Pittsburgh prove they can punch back.

Do you see a Ravens run if Lamar’s in the dance?

I don’t right now. Too many cracks, Lamar doesn’t look fully right, and the defense just made Malik Willis look like a star; that combo doesn’t travel in January.

New England blew out the Jets behind Drake May’s five first-half touchdowns. Is he the AFC’s top quarterback this season?

Let’s slow down. He’s been outstanding, but Stafford’s 40-and-5 season is the MVP bar for me, and Josh Allen still lives in this conference.

Did the Patriots just feast on an easy schedule, or are they built for playoff smoke?

They handled what was in front of them and play with Vrabel’s edge, but nobody earns stripes until January. A matchup with Houston or the Chargers will show us who they are.

My Lions saved their worst for last in Minnesota with six giveaways. I still think it’s fixable with obvious O-line moves, but was this window a mirage?

I’m cautious. The division’s rising—the Bears with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, the Packers’ core—and you just got handled by the struggling Vikings. Detroit needs defensive health and real answers up front to stay in the fight.

For the week ahead, I like the Rams to roll in Atlanta, and I’m sprinkling anytime touchdowns on Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Kyle Pitts.

I like those darts, and Pitts has been hot. Mitchell, as always, we appreciate you—new subs, day ones, everybody tapping in. Happy holidays and a happy new year.