Colin Cowherd· Sep 9, 2026
Cowherd lays out his final season predictions: he flips the NFC West to the Rams over Seattle (fearing first-time OC Brian Fleury), picks Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Saints and Rams as division winners with the Bills reaching the Super Bowl, and makes picks on opening night (Seahawks 23-20 over New England) and the Jaguars over the Browns.
“I went Seattle second, Rams first.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
35 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 8 division winners, 7 power rankings, 2 depth chart calls, 1 conference champion, 1 game outcome pick, 1 score prediction and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 19 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 35 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season6 calls from 6 pundits between 1 and 2. Colin Cowherd said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New Orleans Saints
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Giants
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Chicago Bears
- Fernando Mendoza
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Detroit Lions
- Los Angeles Rams
- Houston Texans
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New England Patriots
- Baltimore Ravens
- Denver Broncos
- Courtland Sutton
- Arizona Cardinals
The games in this take
- Patriots at Seahawks 34 calls
- Browns at Jaguars 38 calls
35 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Game Outcome PicksJacksonville JaguarsSep 9, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Browns
“How about this will not shock you. The Jags are beating the Browns. / That's happening, right? Lock that up.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- JAX
- score:
- 10-34
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 23 — Patriots 20
“I think it looks 23-20-ish. I'll take Seattle very, very close and very low-scoring.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-13
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 3
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Division WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesSep 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“the playoff teams in the NFC look like this. Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsSep 9, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the division
“I'll take the Saints to win it... Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsSep 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew York GiantsSep 9, 2026
New York Giants to make the playoffs
“The Giants are a good wildcard team... Giants are a new playoff team, obviously.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 9, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“the Ravens and the Bengals are both going to make the playoffs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsSep 9, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“Seahawks, Bears are great wildcard teams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Raiders will be a very fun fourth place team. Even more fun when Fernando Mendoza starts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“AFC West, I made a change. Denver second, Kansas City third... The Raiders will be a very fun fourth place team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsSep 9, 2026
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“And Lions are a new playoff team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles RamsSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“I went Seattle second, Rams first... Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesSep 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“the playoff teams in the NFC look like this. Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division. Seahawks, Bears are great wildcard teams. The Giants are a good wildcard team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“NFC South, Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Falcons.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansSep 9, 2026
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew Orleans SaintsSep 9, 2026
New Orleans Saints to make the playoffs
“Saints are a new playoff team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksSep 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“Seahawks, Bears are great wildcard teams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsSep 9, 2026
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“I do see them as a wildcard team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“NFC North, best division in football. I'm going to take Detroit... Take the Bears second... but I'll still take their playoff momentum, their third Vikings fourth.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“the easiest one is... is the AFC East. I'm going Bills, Patriots, Jets, Dolphins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensSep 9, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“the Ravens and the Bengals are both going to make the playoffs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosSep 9, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensSep 9, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“I do like the Ravens, but it's a new coach in Jesse Minter... So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“I think it's a pretty magical year for the Chargers... So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsBuffalo BillsSep 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills to reach the Super Bowl
“I have the Bills getting to the Super Bowl.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“There's my AFC East, Buffalo, New England, Jets, Dolphins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Courtland Sutton to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Cortland Sutton will be one of the best number two receivers in the league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsArizona CardinalsSep 9, 2026
Arizona Cardinals to pick at number 1
“And Arizona is in an absolute rebuild, potentially drafting number one next year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“NFC East. Listen, Philadelphia's roster, I'm going to take them... I'm very high on the Giants... Cowboys will be much better defensively, but we've pumped the brakes here... Washington... They'll finish fourth.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersHouston TexansSep 9, 2026
Houston Texans to win the division
“I love the Texans. I think CJ Stroud bounces back... So my playoff picture, Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“I do like the Ravens... Pittsburgh has a very high floor and a lower ceiling. They're third... Feel pretty strongly about Cleveland last and Pittsburgh third here.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 9, 2026
“And in the NFC West, I flipped it. I went Seattle second, Rams first.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDetroit LionsSep 9, 2026
Detroit Lions to win the division
“Eagles, Lions, Saints, and Rams win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Baltimore RavensHit · 98Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Craig StoutPlayoff Picks · Kansas City ChiefsMiss · 0Craig believes better execution from a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs team will be enough to return them to the playoffs in the coming season, and he expects Tyler Algeier to land with Denver as a complement to RJ Harvey.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Minnesota VikingsMiss · 0Eisen argues Ohio State will produce multiple top-10 picks — Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs — becoming the first school with three defensive players in the top 10, and that Styles will not be available at No. 12 to the Cowboys. He also thinks Fernando Mendoza is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick and expects the Raiders to draft him, and picks Trey Lance over Anthony Richardson to start a game first, Micah Parsons to fetch a bigger trade return than Maxx Crosby, Kirk Cousins as the released QB most likely to reach the playoffs, and J.J. McCarthy as the Vikings' Week 1 starter.
- Dwaine BoardPlayoff Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Board argues the 49ers can still make the playoffs even if Trent Williams leaves, expects Williams to be brought back, and favors drafting a wide receiver at No. 27 over an offensive tackle.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Eisen forecast the Week 18 results and the entire wild-card field: Buccaneers over Panthers but Carolina still gets in as the 5 seed when Atlanta beats New Orleans, 49ers over Seahawks, Ravens over Steelers, Jaguars beating Tennessee to win the AFC South, and six wild-card matchups (Seahawks-Panthers, Bills-Jaguars, Texans-Ravens, Packers-Bears, Chargers-Patriots, Rams-Eagles), with Houston upsetting Baltimore. He also tabbed Saints rookie Tyler Shough as a possible Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Brockman argued the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through Foxborough, meaning the Patriots will finish as the No. 1 seed, and called his shot that the Chargers beat Denver in Week 18. He also declared the Bears a team of destiny who will win the NFC, said the Steelers will end their playoff win drought, and that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Eisen agreed the Bears are a team of destiny who will win the NFC, insisted the Packers will make the playoffs and won't lose at home to the Ravens, said the Steelers should make the playoffs, and endorsed the view that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.