49ers’ Richard Sherman appreciates Vikings’ Kirk Cousins throwing a ‘very catchable ball’

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman hauled in his third career interception in the playoffs and his fourth of this season. Saturday's came courtesy of Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins and helped the 49ers win 27-10 and end the Vikings' season.

Sherman was asked after the game to take reporters through the interception.

"We were in man, and it was third down," Sherman explained. "He gave me an inside release. He gave me a little too much at the top of his route. I knew what the route was. I beat him to the spot. Kirk threw a very catchable ball — I appreciate it — and I was able to make the play."

Sherman got a little passionate when asked again about the interception.

"It was man coverage," he said. "I get tired of hearing, 'Oh man, he's a zone corner.' I get tired of hearing the excuses for why I'm great. It was man coverage, I covered the man, I picked the ball off. In the playoffs, in big games, I show up. I show up year in, year out, whether it's 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

"Unless I tear my Achilles, I'm out there, and I'm doing my job at a high level. I get tired of the excuses for why I'm good. ... It's like, why don't other people get those [opportunities] then, you know what I mean? There's a lot of other corners out there who have the same ops I have."

Added Sherman: "It's like people got frustrated that I was so confident early on in my career. I was so confident early on, so people wanted me to fail, and when I didn't fail, it's like, 'How do we tear him down in other ways?'"

Sherman went on to rattle off the statistical categories in which he ranks No. 1.

"I just get tired of it," he continued. "In the playoffs, I've played in 13 games now. Zero touchdowns given up, three interceptions. Show me somebody else doing it like that."

Now, the 49ers await the outcome of Sunday's playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco will host the winner next weekend in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium.