Colin Cowherd#54 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 13, 2025
Colin laid out their final 2025 NFL division-by-division predictions: Bills, Ravens, Texans and Broncos winning AFC divisions with Patriots, Bengals and Chiefs as AFC playoff teams; Eagles, Packers, Buccaneers and Seahawks winning NFC divisions with Commanders, Lions and Rams as NFC playoff teams. They also called the Patriots their most improved team and Seattle their shocker, and said Shedeur Sanders will start for Cleveland and Jordan Love will start Week 1.
Said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)Hear the original
What Colin Cowherd said
So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.
- Where it was said
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)
- The episode
- THE HERD - Hour 2 - NFL Standings Predictions, Brian Baldinger
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence here are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
- SaidAug 13, 2025
- GradedAug 5–17, 2026
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division Winners | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Playoff Picks | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Surprise Team Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| All | 9 | 3 | 10 | 2 |
How each call scored
24 checkable claims — 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 6 power rankings, 2 depth chart calls and 2 surprise team calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 20 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
22 of 24 have settled so far, averaging 51.4 out of 100, against 41.4 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Division Winners3 hits · 5 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Green Bay Packers to win the division
“the more I look at Green Bay. They love their first round pick the more I like the Packers ... So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- DET
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
Houston Texans to win the division
“So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- HOU
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“that's an Eagles division ... So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.”
100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- yes
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“AFC East Bills are going to win it. ... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BUF
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division
“Baker Mayfield playing with more maturity. I'm going to take them to win the division again”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- TB
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- TB
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BAL
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
Seattle Seahawks to win the division
“I'm gonna put Seattle. This is my shocker. I think Seattle is gonna win the division.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- LAR
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- yes
Denver Broncos to win the division
“AFC West. I am flipping the Broncos and the Chargers. ... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- KC
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- yes
Power Rankings2 hits · 3 close calls · 1 missShow ▸Hide ▾
“NFC North Major change, Green Bay... The Lions, I'm dropping them to second... So I am taking the Bears from second to third, the Lions from first to second.”
25Miss25 − 0 naive = 25 × 2 difficulty = +50 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 50
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 25
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“I am going to move the Jags into the second spot... I'm gonna put them at second, Titans, third, Colts, fourth”
75Close75 − 100 naive = −25 × 2 difficulty = −50 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- −50
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“I'll move the Niners from fourth to third... I think Seattle is gonna win the division... Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“The East remains the same. Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Cowboys.”
70Close70 − 90 naive = −20 × 2 difficulty = −40 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- −40
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 70
- baseline:
- 90
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“we go to the AFC North. It's going to stay the same. Bengals... Ravens are the best operation... Steelers have not been impressive... Cleveland ... probably finished fourth”
70Close70 − 90 naive = −20 × 2 difficulty = −40 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- −40
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 70
- baseline:
- 90
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
“AFC East Bills are going to win it. Patriots are my most improved team... Dolphins coming out now... The Jets, I just structurally I have no idea their fourth”
90Hit90 − 40 naive = 50 × 2 difficulty = +100 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 100
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 90
- baseline:
- 40
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Depth Chart Calls2 hitsShow ▸Hide ▾
Shedeur Sanders to be 1st on the depth chart
“Shadur is going to start. Mark my word”
No. 1called No. 1 · by passing yards100Hit100 − 91.67 naive = 8.33 × 2 difficulty = +16.67 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 16.67
- player:
- Shedeur Sanders
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Jordan Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“Do not worry about Jordan Love's non throwing hand. He will start Week one”
No. 1called No. 1 · by passing yards100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- GB
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Jordan Love
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Playoff Picks2 hits · 4 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals, Chiefs are playoff teams.”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- KC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals, Chiefs are playoff teams. Patriots Bengals new playoff teams”
Made the playoffs100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- NE
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“the easiest pick in the NFL this year for a team that didn't make the playoffs last year and will this year is Cincinnati”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- CIN
- skill:
- −200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
Made the playoffs100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- LAR
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Missed the playoffs0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- DET
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Washington Commanders to make the playoffs
“Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- WAS
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Surprise Team Calls2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
New England Patriots to beat expectations
“Patriots are my most improved team in the NFL. Will be a wild team.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Jordan Love, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.
More division winners
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Daniel DiBerardinis · Division Winners · Atlanta Falcons · Miss 0
Danny D predicts Sonny Styles goes in the top ten (maybe top five), doesn't think Ty Simpson goes before late first round, says Kenyon Sadiq lands with the Rams at 13, and picks the Falcons to win the NFC South while naming the Bengals an AFC bounce-back team. They also give a Final Four of Michigan, Florida, Purdue and Arizona with Michigan winning.Chris Brockman · Division Winners · Chicago Bears · Hit 100
Brockman called the Broncos-Packers game the best of the day, said Denver looks poised to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed and reach the AFC Championship Game, predicted the Bears win the NFC North and the Eagles win their division (though they think they lose to a five seed from the NFC West), and said Philip Rivers will be in the NFL in 2026.Chris Brockman · Division Winners · Carolina Panthers · Hit 100
Brockman argued the Texans will reach the AFC Championship Game, declared the Chiefs dynasty over, said the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Lambeau Field, that Josh Allen is still the most dangerous QB and the Bills will win a playoff game (with the AFC East runner-up as the 5 seed winning in Pittsburgh or Baltimore), that Carolina will win the NFC South, that Baltimore finishes under .500 with Lamar no longer a top-five QB, that the Colts should trade for Mac Jones, and that Marcus Freeman will be in the NFL next year.Chris Brockman · Division Winners · Chicago Bears · Hit 100
Brockman declared the Rams are winning Super Bowl 60 and it's theirs to lose, said Jahmeer Gibbs is the Offensive Player of the Year and the best non-quarterback in the league, called Pickens the best receiver on the Cowboys, and argued the Bears will win the NFC North.Chris Brockman · Division Winners · Carolina Panthers · Hit 100
Brockman argued the Eagles' defense is the NFL's best and will drag a mediocre offense to the NFC championship, that the NFC North sends only two teams to the playoffs with the Bears among them, that the Rams are the league's best team, that a healthy Brock Purdy makes the 49ers an NFC threat who will beat the Saints and Falcons, and that the Panthers win the NFC South.