Colin Cowherd· Aug 13, 2025
Colin laid out his final 2025 NFL division-by-division predictions: Bills, Ravens, Texans and Broncos winning AFC divisions with Patriots, Bengals and Chiefs as AFC playoff teams; Eagles, Packers, Buccaneers and Seahawks winning NFC divisions with Commanders, Lions and Rams as NFC playoff teams. He also called the Patriots his most improved team and Seattle his shocker, and said Shedeur Sanders will start for Cleveland and Jordan Love will start Week 1.
“So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.”
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.
24 checkable claims — 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 6 power rankings, 2 depth chart calls and 2 surprise team calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 20 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
22 of 24 have settled so far, averaging 51.4 out of 100, against 41.4 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
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Buffalo Bills
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Shedeur Sanders
- Cleveland Browns
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jordan Love
- Kansas City Chiefs
- New England Patriots
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Rams
- Detroit Lions
- Washington Commanders
24 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 WinnersGreen Bay PackersAug 13, 2025
Green Bay Packers to win the division
“the more I look at Green Bay. They love their first round pick the more I like the Packers ... So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.”
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:
- 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
- Division WinnersHouston TexansAug 13, 2025
Houston Texans to win the division
“So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
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 WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesAug 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“that's an Eagles division ... So the Eagles, Packers, Bucks, and Seahawks are the division winners.”
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 WinnersBuffalo BillsAug 13, 2025
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“AFC East Bills are going to win it. ... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
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
- Division WinnersTampa Bay BuccaneersAug 13, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division
“Baker Mayfield playing with more maturity. I'm going to take them to win the division again”
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 RavensAug 13, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
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 WinnersSeattle SeahawksAug 13, 2025
Seattle Seahawks to win the division
“I'm gonna put Seattle. This is my shocker. I think Seattle is gonna win the division.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- 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:
- yes
- Division WinnersDenver BroncosAug 13, 2025
Denver Broncos to win the division
“AFC West. I am flipping the Broncos and the Chargers. ... So Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos now winning their divisions.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow 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
- Power RankingsMinnesota VikingsAug 13, 2025
“NFC North Major change, Green Bay... The Lions, I'm dropping them to second... So I am taking the Bears from second to third, the Lions from first to second.”
Miss · 25Scored 25a naive guess scored 0+50 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 50
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 25
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsJacksonville JaguarsAug 13, 2025
“I am going to move the Jags into the second spot... I'm gonna put them at second, Titans, third, Colts, fourth”
Close · 75Scored 75a naive guess scored 100-50 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -50
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsShedeur SandersCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2025
Shedeur Sanders to be 1st on the depth chart
“Shadur is going to start. Mark my word”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+16.67 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 16.67
- player:
- Shedeur Sanders
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsSan Francisco 49ersAug 13, 2025
“I'll move the Niners from fourth to third... I think Seattle is gonna win the division... Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsJordan LoveGreen Bay PackersAug 13, 2025
Jordan Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“Do not worry about Jordan Love's non throwing hand. He will start Week one”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- GB
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Jordan Love
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsAug 13, 2025
“The East remains the same. Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Cowboys.”
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
- Power RankingsAug 13, 2025
“we go to the AFC North. It's going to stay the same. Bengals... Ravens are the best operation... Steelers have not been impressive... Cleveland ... probably finished fourth”
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 ChiefsAug 13, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals, Chiefs are playoff teams.”
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
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsAug 13, 2025
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“Patriots Bengals, Chiefs are playoff teams. Patriots Bengals new playoff teams”
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 PicksCincinnati BengalsAug 13, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“the easiest pick in the NFL this year for a team that didn't make the playoffs last year and will this year is Cincinnati”
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 PicksLos Angeles RamsAug 13, 2025
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
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
- Power RankingsAug 13, 2025
“AFC East Bills are going to win it. Patriots are my most improved team... Dolphins coming out now... The Jets, I just structurally I have no idea their fourth”
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
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsAug 13, 2025
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
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 PicksWashington CommandersAug 13, 2025
Washington Commanders to make the playoffs
“Commanders, Lions and Rams are the playoff teams”
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
- Surprise Team CallsSeattle SeahawksAug 13, 2025
Seattle Seahawks to beat expectations
“I'm gonna put Seattle. This is my shocker.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsNew England PatriotsAug 13, 2025
New England Patriots to beat expectations
“Patriots are my most improved team in the NFL. Will be a wild team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nick WrightGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Nick Wright expects the Bills to beat the Lions comfortably in the Thursday night home opener, with Josh Allen shredding a depleted Detroit secondary, and he also picks a workmanlike Chiefs win over the Colts on Sunday night. He further predicts Tyreek Hill will end up on the Chiefs by around Halloween.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- John BreechDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned newsletter author says Deshaun Watson will start Week 1 at Jacksonville, notes he voted for Jaxson Dart as his breakout QB rather than Caleb Williams, and says newly signed Daniel Carlson is the favorite to win the Saints' kicking job.
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.
- Chris BrockmanDivision Winners · Chicago BearsHit · 100Brockman 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 he thinks they lose to a five seed from the NFC West), and said Philip Rivers will be in the NFL in 2026.
- Chris BrockmanDivision Winners · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Brockman 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 BrockmanDivision Winners · Dallas CowboysMiss · 0Brockman argued the Broncos are headed to the AFC Championship Game, that the Cowboys will win the NFC East, that Green Bay is the NFC's best team, and that the Bears will finish no worse than the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
- Chris BrockmanDivision Winners · Chicago BearsHit · 100Brockman 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 BrockmanDivision Winners · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Brockman 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.