# Colin Cowherd: Cowherd laid out his NFC division predictions one through four: Eagles over Giants, Cowboys and Commanders in the East; Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings in the North; Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers, Falcons in the South; Seahawks over Rams, 49ers and Cardinals in the West. He also named the Lions, Saints and Giants as new playoff teams, the Giants as his double-the-win-total pick, and said Seattle and the Rams are the two best teams in the NFL.

**Claimed:** Aug 26, 2026
**Pundit:** Colin Cowherd — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/colin-cowherd
**Outlet:** The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/the-herd-with-colin-cowherd-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview
**Original:** https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/1508ddb2-0c9a-42f6-aafe-ae3300346aa9/8c8c19ef-2213-4662-bb45-b4b201502ced/audio.mp3?in_playlist=bf391792-153e-41b3-9d3d-ae3300346ad8

21 checkable claims — 7 playoff picks, 6 power rankings, 4 division winners, 2 season win totals, 1 depth chart call and 1 surprise team call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.

It names 10 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.

> Finally, the NFC West, a little surprise, I'll take Seattle to win over the Rams.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **New York Giants to beat expectations**
  - Kind: Surprise Team Calls · About: New York Giants
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Blake Miller to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Blake Miller, Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **I think these two teams, in my opinion, are the best two teams in the NFL, Seahawks-Rams, one and two in my book.**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **New Orleans Saints to win the division**
  - Kind: Division Winners · About: New Orleans Saints
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **I'll take Seattle to win over the Rams... San Francisco, I worry about it... And then Arizona, bit of a mess... Arizona at fourth place.**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Cincinnati Bengals
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **New York Giants to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: New York Giants
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Philadelphia Eagles to win the division**
  - Kind: Division Winners · About: Philadelphia Eagles
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Seattle Seahawks to finish with 12 wins**
  - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Detroit Lions to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **New Orleans Saints to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: New Orleans Saints
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Philadelphia Eagles
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **We did pick the Colts as the second place team in the AFC South over the Jags**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Seattle Seahawks to win the division**
  - Kind: Division Winners · About: Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Los Angeles Rams to finish with 11 wins**
  - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Los Angeles Rams
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Detroit Lions to win the division**
  - Kind: Division Winners · About: Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **I think Carolina will vie for the division title and a playoff spot. I like the top two teams. Tampa Bay, you got a coach on the hot seat... So I'm going to pick Atlanta for fourth place.**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **I'm going to go with the Giants over the Cowboys... I have the Cowboys better, but not a playoff team third. And Washington just doesn't have enough talent.**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **I'm going to go Chicago second... I'm going to choose Green Bay over Minnesota... Minnesota is going to be the best fourth-place team in the NFL.**
  - Kind: Power Rankings
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs**
  - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Kansas City Chiefs
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- New York Giants — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/giants
- Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/ravens
- Blake Miller — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/blake-miller
- Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/lions
- New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/saints
- Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/bengals
- Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/eagles
- Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/rams
- Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/chiefs

## What others said about the same people

- Tyler Sullivan on Drew Lock: In 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8a14b5e6-066b-457f-b409-a3ddbd512aca (scored 0)
- Emmett Matasovsky on Christian Izien: Matasovsky 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/9715ee92-1646-4ee4-8911-e3e4cbae9027 (scored 0)
- Jeff Kerr on Michael Carter: Kerr 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/922a9343-f96d-419d-8091-49b64dd471d9 (scored 0)
- Michael Hanich on Bud Clark: Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c15b8321-a10e-421f-8076-039ca96a05a8 (scored 0)
- Mason Cameron on Ethan Pocic: An 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/ac17490e-98b7-4d3c-9fea-750e5dc9e486 (scored 0)
- Pat Fitzmaurice on Trey Hendrickson: Fitzmorris 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c3d0242f-bda2-45fd-82b3-7782bd29c69f (scored 0)

## More playoff picks

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Rich Eisen on Minnesota Vikings: Eisen 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/29ea2738-79a2-4be9-aa45-e794cd3848fb (scored 0)
- Dwaine Board on San Francisco 49ers: Board 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/07beb6d4-aadc-4b2d-b131-b889c85204a3 (scored 100)
- Rich Eisen on Carolina Panthers: Eisen 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/34345186-876a-4c4b-9567-9c289a6cbace (scored 100)
- Chris Brockman on Pittsburgh Steelers: Brockman 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/7792215a-c787-44bd-b294-5ff028851d30 (scored 100)
- Rich Eisen on Green Bay Packers: Eisen 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/1f7633c5-427b-4993-8849-3f53865241bd (scored 100)
- Chris Brockman on Buffalo Bills: Brockman 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c06d1a3a-78d8-4aec-8574-159821b42aab (scored 100)

---

Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology

We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us:
https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/corrections?pundit=colin-cowherd
