Colin Cowherd#54 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 4, 2025
Cowherd gave their final full-season NFL predictions before Week 1: Bills, Ravens, Texans and Broncos win the AFC divisions with the Patriots, Bengals and Chiefs as wild cards; Eagles, Packers, Buccaneers and Rams win the NFC divisions with Commanders, Lions and Seahawks as wild cards. They also gave a few Week 1 picks and win totals.
Said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)Hear the original
What Colin Cowherd said
So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos are the division win. Patriots Bengals Chiefs are wild card teams.
- Where it was said
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)
- The episode
- THE HERD - Hour 2 - Colin's NFL predictions, issues with the Cowboys and Dak Prescott, Greg Cosell
- 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.
- SaidSep 4, 2025
- GradedAug 7–17, 2026
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Outcome Picks | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Division Winners | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Playoff Picks | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| All | 5 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
Game calls show that game’s closing betting line under their grade: a dated fact from nflverse, for context and never part of a grade. MissedTakes takes no bets and earns nothing from any sportsbook.
How each call scored
20 checkable claims — 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 3 game outcome picks and 3 season win totals — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 20 have settled, averaging 28 out of 100, against 15.5 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.
Game Outcome Picks1 hit · 2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Seattle Seahawks to beat San Francisco
“I like Seattle to hold servant home and beat San Francisco”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 7): 49ers by 2.5 · underdog pick, Seahawks 45%.
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 17-13
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- SEA
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
New York Jets to beat Steelers
“Steelers at the Jets. Jets, by the way, if for no other reason, I have one of my rules of betting is in a low scoring game, take points... Yeah. I like the Jets.”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 7): Steelers by 3 · underdog pick, Jets 42%. Graded on who won, not on the spread.
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- PIT
- score:
- 34-32
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- NYJ
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Carolina
“take a look at Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter. I like Jacks”
100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 7): Jaguars by 4.5 · favorite pick, Jaguars about 2 in 3 (64%).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- JAX
- score:
- 10-26
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Division Winners2 hits · 6 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“AFC East, I'm going Josh Allen and the Bills... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos are the division win.”
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
Denver Broncos to win the division
“I think the Broncos have the best roster... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos are the division win.”
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
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“AFC North again, I think it's fairly predictable. Ravens arguably best operation in the sport with Lamar”
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
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“NFC West. Here's my big change Rams. I'm going to have them winning 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:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- 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:
- no
Green Bay Packers to win the division
“I think in the NFC North again... The Green Bay Packers young still, but I like their first pick”
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
“AFC South. I'm just gonna go with what I know. Demico Ryans hell of a coach, and I like c. J. Stroud”
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
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division
“I'm not sure the Bucks are as good as a lot of the NFL execs... But I trust Baker, I trust the GM, I trust the roster... I went with Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Rams.”
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
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“NFC. Again, I think it's pretty Static, Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Cowboys.”
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
Season Win Totals1 close call · 2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
- 14called 90Miss
0 − 5 naive = −5 × 2 difficulty = −10 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- SEA
- naive:
- 9.25
- skill:
- −10
- what happened:
- 14
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 5
- they said:
- 9
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to finish with 9 wins
“I think the Niners could win nine and Seahawks win the tiebreaker.”
12called 940Close40 − 5 naive = 35 × 2 difficulty = +70 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- SF
- naive:
- 7.25
- skill:
- 70
- what happened:
- 12
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 40
- baseline:
- 5
- they said:
- 9
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- 14called 1020Miss
20 − 0 naive = 20 × 2 difficulty = +40 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- NE
- naive:
- 6.25
- skill:
- 40
- what happened:
- 14
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 20
- baseline:
- 0
- they said:
- 10
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Playoff Picks2 hits · 4 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“Lions have two new coordinators, but I love almost everything else about the organization... I only have one new team making the playoffs in the NFC, it's the Seahawks.”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 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
“Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Cowboys... I only have one new team making the playoffs in the NFC, it's the Seahawks.”
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
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals Chiefs are wild card 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
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals Chiefs are wild card teams. New England Bengals are both new playoff teams”
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
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“Patriots' most improved team get in as a wild card team.”
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
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“I only have one new team making the playoffs in the NFC, it's the Seahawks.”
Made the playoffs100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- SEA
- 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
Who this take is about
Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
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.