Colin Cowherd· Aug 25, 2026
Cowherd laid out his full AFC playoff field: Bills, Ravens, Texans and Chargers as division winners, with Patriots, Bengals and Chiefs as wild cards, ordering each division and adding a few team and player calls (Chargers 11-6, Jets four or five wins, Mendoza starting for the Raiders before Thanksgiving, Rodgers in his final NFL season). He also pushed back on Cowboys Super Bowl hype and made a few college football calls.
“So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
20 checkable claims — 7 playoff picks, 4 division winners, 4 power rankings, 2 depth chart calls, 2 season win totals and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 13 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season13 calls from 11 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.
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Who this take is about
20 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 WinnersHouston TexansAug 25, 2026
Houston Texans to win the division
“So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 25, 2026
“the bills are the largest favorite ... I'll take them to win the division. New England's schedule is much tougher... The Jets in third... Dolphins are rebuilding... I'll pick them easily for fourth.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 25, 2026
“I'm going to go with Baltimore... Cincinnati, I have as a new playoff team... Steelers... I think they'll be viable as a playoff team until about week 16, 17 or 18. Cleveland... They're just too young to win”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 25, 2026
“This is my toughest call in the AFC. I'm going to go Colts over the Jags... So I, the Colts, Jaguars, coin flip... and the Titans for fourth.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsAug 25, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“I do think, I'll give Kansas City credit, I think they get back to the playoffs. ... Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs as wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensAug 25, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“Baltimore, by the way, is going to be a new playoff team, too.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansAug 25, 2026
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid BaileyNew York JetsAug 25, 2026
David Bailey to be 1st on the depth chart
“David Bailey on the edge is going to start.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“I really like Fernando Mendoza. My guess is he starts somewhere, somewhere before Thanksgiving.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 25, 2026
“I have them winning the division... Kansas City gets a slight edge to me. Raiders could be the best fourth Place team in football”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsLos Angeles ChargersAug 25, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to finish with 11 wins
“I have the Chargers, 11-6, with the worst offensive line in football.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsAug 25, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division. Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs as wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensAug 25, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“The AFC North, I don't think this one's difficult. I'm going to go with Baltimore just because a lot of changes, but they have the deepest roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsAug 25, 2026
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs as wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew York JetsAug 25, 2026
New York Jets to finish with ? wins
“Offensively, if Geno can be a C-plus quarterback, they should win four or five games.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsAug 25, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“I'll take them to win the division. ... So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Rodgers to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“It's his final year, my guess, as a pro.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersAug 25, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“I have the Chargers, 11-6, with the worst offensive line in football. ... I have them winning the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersAug 25, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“So I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers winning their division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsAug 25, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“Cincinnati, I have as a new playoff team. ... Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs as wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An unsigned PFF piece ranks the NFL's top 32 centers heading into the 2026 season, with Creed Humphrey first for the fourth straight year, and names Ethan Pocic and Austin Schlottmann as the favorites to win starting center jobs in Baltimore and Tennessee.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Pat FitzmauriceTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Fitzmorris made picks 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 in the 2026 mock, ranked the top three receiver prospects Tate-Lemon-Tyson, said Caleb Downs won't fall to Day 2, and predicted Trey Hendrickson won't be back in Cincinnati.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Baltimore RavensClose · 58In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Dan "Buzz" WilsonPlayoff Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Wilson argued the Eagles' offseason approach of prioritizing 2026 and beyond doesn't mean a bad 2025 — he expects them to remain among the NFC's best teams and to make a deep playoff run rather than fall off to eight or nine wins.
- 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.
- 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.