Colin Cowherd· May 6, 2025
Cowherd laid out his full post-draft NFL division-by-division predictions, naming division winners, playoff fields in both conferences, and specific team finishes, plus a few player calls (Emeka Egbuka's rookie catch total, Travis Hunter's impact).
“So my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
32 checkable claims — 15 playoff picks, 8 division winners, 4 power rankings, 2 season win totals, 1 depth chart call, 1 player season number and 1 surprise team call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 18 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
30 of 32 have settled so far, averaging 44.8 out of 100, against 37.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
32 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.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles RamsMay 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“I think the Rams are gonna win it.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Division WinnersDetroit LionsMay 6, 2025
Detroit Lions to win the division
“Next up, NFC North. I'm keeping at the same... So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- DET
- 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
- Division WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesMay 6, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“We go to the NFC now, where I do have more changes. Eagles commander's going away.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow 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
- Division WinnersTampa Bay BuccaneersMay 6, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division
“I'm gonna move Tampa from second to first to win their division.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensMay 6, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersMay 6, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“in the AFC West, I feel the same way... I think the Chargers... my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- 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:
- no
- Division WinnersHouston TexansMay 6, 2025
Houston Texans to win the division
“I think the Texans win it going away, and the Titans are a wild card team.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsMay 6, 2025
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“So let's start with the AFC, so the easiest. I would bet my car on this one. Bills win it.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersMay 6, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAC
- 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
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansMay 6, 2025
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- HOU
- 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
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensMay 6, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BAL
- 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
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsMay 6, 2025
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BUF
- 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
- Season Win TotalsArizona CardinalsMay 6, 2025
Arizona Cardinals to finish with 10 wins
“but I think Arizona can win ten to eleven games”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- ARI
- naive:
- 8.25
- skill:
- 0
- what happened:
- 3
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- predicted:
- 10
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesMay 6, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- PHI
- 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
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsMay 6, 2025
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksTampa Bay BuccaneersMay 6, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- TB
- 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
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsMay 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsMay 6, 2025
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsMay 6, 2025
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“I think the Bears eke into the playoffs.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CHI
- 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
- Power RankingsMay 6, 2025
“Bills win it... Patriots... Dolphins aren't good. They're going backwards, but I'll take them over the Jets”
Hit · 90Scored 90a naive guess scored 40+100 skillHow 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 CallsElijah MooreBuffalo BillsMay 6, 2025
Elijah Moore to be 4th on the depth chart
“he's a number four number, Yeah, he's a number three or four.”
Close · 75Scored 75a naive guess scored 58.33+33.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BUF
- skill:
- 33.33
- player:
- Elijah Moore
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 58.33
- position:
- WR
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 7
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- receptions
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Emeka Egbuka to record 80 receptions
“He will be an eighty catch guy potentially as a rookie.”
Close · 58Scored 57.5a naive guess scored 0+115 skillHow this was scored
- naive:
- 27.65
- skill:
- 115
- what happened:
- 63
- player:
- Emeka Egbuka
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 57.5
- baseline:
- 0
- predicted:
- 80
- statistic:
- receptions
- difficulty:
- 2
- last season:
- no prior season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- position average:
- 27.65
- zero at percent out:
- 50
- Power RankingsMay 6, 2025
“Eagles commander's going away. I'm gonna put the Giants at third and the Cowboys at four.”
Close · 70Scored 70a naive guess scored 90-40 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsMay 6, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“my AFC playoff predictions Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals are new in chiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Season Win TotalsLos Angeles ChargersMay 6, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to finish with 11 wins
“She's still win ten to eleven, maybe twelve”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 75+50 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAC
- naive:
- 9.75
- skill:
- 50
- what happened:
- 11
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 75
- predicted:
- 11
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsMay 6, 2025
“I'll take the Jaguars third and the Colts fourth”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 70-40 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -40
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 70
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksTennessee TitansMay 6, 2025
Tennessee Titans to make the playoffs
“the Titans are a wild card team”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- TEN
- 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
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsMay 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksWashington CommandersMay 6, 2025
Washington Commanders to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow 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
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksMay 6, 2025
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“So my playoff picture in the NFC Eagles, Lions, Bucks, Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow 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
- Surprise Team CallsNew England PatriotsMay 6, 2025
New England Patriots to beat expectations
“I'm predicting the Patriots will be the most improved team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsMay 6, 2025
“Vikings will be a very good fourth place team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MaakaronTrade and Signing Calls · Joe BachieHit · 100Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki.
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.
- Dharya SharmaTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Previewing the Titans' preseason opener, Sharma identifies five receivers as roster locks, expects Bryce Oliver to make the 53 on special teams value, and predicts Will Levis will not be on Tennessee's roster by September, likely being moved for a late-round pick.
- Jonathan JonesTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Jones expects Anthony Richardson to be traded, likely for roughly a fifth-round pick, and to serve as a backup rather than a starter in 2026. He also lays out a series of quarterback-market predictions: Aaron Rodgers back with the Steelers, Tua off the Dolphins roster, Daniel Jones ultimately staying as the Colts' starter, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders competing for Cleveland's QB1 job, Will Levis most likely of the veteran backups to be traded, and Kirk Cousins possibly landing in Arizona.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 50Dubin picks the Rams to beat the Giants on Monday Night Football, sticking with preseason expectations over Week 1 overreaction. He gives two conditional scores depending on whether Puka Nacua plays: a comfortable 27-17 win if Nacua suits up, and a narrow 17-16 win if he sits.
- Dan OrlovskyGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Orlovsky said that even without Puka Nacua the Rams would find a way to beat the Giants on Monday night, though he thought the Giants would keep it within a touchdown.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ross JacksonPlayoff Picks · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 0Jackson projects a big sophomore jump for Saints QB Tyler Shuck, laying out a Drake May-style stat line (17 starts, 72% completions, ~4,601 passing yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs) or a Bo Nix-style consistency line (over 4,000 yards, over 20 TDs, ~10 INTs), and says either path means a playoff season for New Orleans in 2026.
- 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.