John Middlekauff· Sep 8, 2026
Middlekauff gave his full season predictions: division winners (Bills, Bengals, Texans, Broncos, Cowboys, Lions, Saints, Seahawks), wildcards (Chargers, Chiefs, Steelers in the AFC; Rams, Bears, 49ers in the NFC), Detroit as the NFC's top seed, Jared Goff for MVP, Brian Schottenheimer for Coach of the Year, Will Anderson for Defensive Player of the Year, Caleb Downs and Jadarian Price as Rookies of the Year. He also predicted Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss goes top five in the NFL draft.
“I'm going Jared Goff, MVP.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 4 award picks, 2 season win totals, 1 coach award pick, 1 mock draft pick, 1 player season number, 1 position group ranking, 1 pro bowl and all-pro call and 1 seeding, byes and home field — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 21 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Their call against the record
Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- San Francisco 49ers
- Denver Broncos
- Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions
- New Orleans Saints
- Chicago Bears
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Jared Goff
- Jadarian Price
- Seattle Seahawks
- Chris Olave
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Houston Texans
- Trinidad Chambliss
- Caleb Downs
- Buffalo Bills
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
26 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.
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersSep 8, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to make the playoffs
“I'm going to give the Niners the edge over the Eagles... And I got the Rams, Bears, and Niners in my wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Position Group RankingsSep 8, 2026
“I think their defense, which has consistently been, is going to be the best in the league in 2026... I think the Texans have the best defense in the league”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDenver BroncosSep 8, 2026
Denver Broncos to win the division
“The AFC West, I'm just going to ride Denver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to win the division
“In the NFC, I've been hammering this for a while... I'm taking the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Detroit Lions to win the division
“The NFC North, who I'd probably pick to be the one seed... In the NFC, I think I'd go Detroit.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsSep 8, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the division
“I don't like the Saints. I love the Saints... So Dallas, Detroit, New Orleans.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Detroit Lions to take the top seed
“The NFC North, who I'd probably pick to be the one seed... In the NFC, I think I'd go Detroit.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsSep 8, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“I'm going to lean the Bears... And I got the Rams, Bears, and Niners in my wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersSep 8, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“But Chargers to me are a block playoff team... So I got the Chargers, Chiefs, and Steelers in my wildcard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 8, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“But I just, I got to pick the Chiefs to make the playoffs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPittsburgh SteelersSep 8, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers to make the playoffs
“But I'm taking the Steelers with that last wildcard spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew Orleans SaintsSep 8, 2026
New Orleans Saints to finish with 10 wins
“I think the Saints, you're looking at 10-plus wins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 8, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to finish with ? wins
“So to me, they're probably 9-10 wins because I think their defense is going to be so awesome.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJared GoffDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Jared Goff to win MVP
“I think Jared Goff wins it. I'm going Jared Goff, MVP”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksSep 8, 2026
Jadarian Price to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“And offensive rookie of the year... So I like Price... Price is my offensive and defensive rookie of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to record 1,000 rushing yards
“So I like Price. I can see 1,000 yards.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Olave to make Pro Bowl
“But if Alave is on the field, like I think that guy's a pro bowler”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksWill Anderson Jr.Houston TexansSep 8, 2026
Will Anderson Jr. to win Defensive Player of the Year
“But I'm taking Will Anderson... I think defensive player of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksTrinidad ChamblissSep 8, 2026
Trinidad Chambliss to be picked “top five” (picks 1–5)
“If he keeps playing like this, to me, I think he's going to go in the top five.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCaleb DownsDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“So I'm going Caleb Downs, and Price is my offensive and defensive rookie of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 8, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“AFC East. I'm just betting on Josh Allen until I'm wrong... So I'm going Bills, Cincy, Texans, Denver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“We'll stick with the Rams on the wildcard teams. I'll take the Rams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersSeattle SeahawksSep 8, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to win the division
“I think we get some similarities this year with that Seattle Rams game at the end of the season dictating it. And I'm just leaning Seattle.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Brian Schottenheimer to win Coach of the Year
“Coach of the Year. I'm going Brian Schottenheimer, because if you tell me the Cowboys win the East, I don't see how he doesn't win Coach of the Year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the division
“But I love the Bengals this year. I love them... So I'm going Bills, Cincy, Texans, Denver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersHouston TexansSep 8, 2026
Houston Texans to win the division
“AFC South, this is actually probably the easiest pick. I think the Houston Texans...”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Mike MoraitisDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0Moraitis writes that although Braxton Jones has looked like the favorite, Ozzy Trapilo is likely to take over as the Bears' starting left tackle once he's healthy enough to play.
- Pete MartuneacDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0After Trapilo's activation from the PUP list roughly seven months after rupturing his patellar tendon, Martuneac says the Bears' left tackle competition is over and Trapilo will be starting at left tackle early in the 2026 season, even if not by Week 1.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
More division winners
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Daniel DiBerardinisDivision Winners · Atlanta FalconsMiss · 0Danny 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. He also gives a Final Four of Michigan, Florida, Purdue and Arizona with Michigan winning.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · New York GiantsMiss · 0Cowherd projects the NFC East with the Giants winning the division ahead of Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas, pegging the Cowboys as a six- or seven-win team. He also expects Malik Willis to land a big free-agent deal, Kayvon Thibodeaux to be moved, and Baltimore to lose Isaiah Likely, and he floats the Rams reaching on Ty Simpson late in round one.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Cowherd likes Jacksonville, Chicago and Pittsburgh (with DK Metcalf back) in the wild-card round, ranks the league's head coaches with McVay first and Ben Johnson seventh, and predicts Lamar Jackson has about two strong years left. He also names the Rams as a possible team to draft a receiver and floats next year's draft having seven first-round quarterbacks.
- Danny ParkinsDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Parkins lays the points with the Eagles and Cowboys, takes Baltimore to beat Pittsburgh and win the AFC North, picks Carolina over Tampa Bay and Seattle over San Francisco, and says he'd probably pick the Rams to come out of the NFC.
- Rich EisenDivision Winners · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 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 EisenDivision Winners · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Eisen called the 49ers-as-NFC-favorites take an overreaction, picked the Jaguars to beat the Titans and win their division, leaned Ravens over the Steelers in the Week 18 Sunday night game, expects the Bills to beat the Jets even without Josh Allen, sees the Chargers as the AFC's seventh seed, agreed Tyler Shough could win Offensive Rookie of the Year with a good Saints 2026, said Malik Willis will be a starter somewhere next season, and insisted Detroit goes into 2026 with Goff.