Colin Cowherd· Sep 26, 2025
Cowherd's "Blazing 5" picks: Vikings over Steelers 27-20, over in Panthers-Patriots with New England winning 26-23, Rams over Colts 34-24, Raiders over Bears 27-23, and Broncos over Bengals 30-20. He also predicts Jeanty has a breakout game, Luka Doncic averages over 30 points, and calls Denver the best team that hasn't looked good yet.
“But I think Minnesota twenty seven to twenty covers here, better staff, better offense, better defense.”
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.
6 checkable claims — 5 score predictions and 1 game outcome pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 6 have settled, averaging 65.1 out of 100, against 72.2 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
6 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.
- Game Outcome PicksAtlanta FalconsSep 26, 2025
Atlanta Falcons to beat Washington
“I like the Falcons, but I like them Milani.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- ATL
- score:
- 27-34
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- ATL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- ATL
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- Score PredictionsDenver BroncosSep 26, 2025
Denver Broncos 30 — Bengals 20
“Bo Nicks, by the way, not great in September last year, finally Clicks thirty twenty. They cover the spread. Take the Denver Broncos”
Close · 64Scored 64.29a naive guess scored 50+26.14 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 3-28
- skill:
- 26.14
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 64.29
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 25
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- naive home margin:
- 2.03
- predicted margin:
- 10
- Score PredictionsLas Vegas RaidersSep 26, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders 27 — Bears 23
“I'm gonna take the Raiders to win it. Twenty seven to twenty three.”
Close · 43Scored 42.86a naive guess scored 47.55-8.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 25-24
- skill:
- -8.59
- they picked:
- LV
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 42.86
- baseline:
- 47.55
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- naive home margin:
- 2.03
- predicted margin:
- 4
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsSep 26, 2025
Minnesota Vikings 27 — Steelers 20
“But I think Minnesota twenty seven to twenty covers here, better staff, better offense, better defense. I a better road team. I'm gonna take Minnesota.”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 97.69-104.69 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 21-24
- skill:
- -104.69
- they picked:
- MIN
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 97.69
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- naive home margin:
- 2.03
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Score PredictionsNew England PatriotsSep 26, 2025
New England Patriots 26 — Panthers 23
“I think we get points in this game. Twenty six twenty three New England wins take the over.”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 50+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-42
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 29
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- naive home margin:
- 2.03
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsSep 26, 2025
Los Angeles Rams 34 — Colts 24
“They beat the Colts thirty four to twenty four.”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 88.16+8.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-27
- skill:
- 8.59
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 88.16
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 15
- naive home margin:
- 2.03
- predicted margin:
- 10
What others said about the same people
- Trevor RipleyRoster Spot Calls · Dillon BellMiss · 0Ripley expects Max Brosmer to return to the Vikings on the practice squad after being waived, and thinks Dillon Bell may draw waiver interest but is also a practice squad candidate for Minnesota.
- Steven RuizTrade and Signing Calls · A.J. BrownHit · 100Ruiz expects the Eagles to trade A.J. Brown once the June 1 dead-cap threshold passes, most likely to New England, and thinks Baker Mayfield will get a Buccaneers extension making him the league's highest-paid quarterback within a month or two. He also argues the Lions may have to let one or two of their 2023 draft class leave, and that Houston should extend C.J. Stroud.
- 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.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · A.J. BrownHit · 100Carney 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.
- Jeremy WhiteTrade and Signing Calls · A.J. BrownHit · 100Jeremy White expects the Patriots to acquire AJ Brown, calling the trade likely inevitable within about a month.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · A.J. BrownHit · 100Brockman predicted only Stafford and Josh Allen of last year's MVP vote-getters get votes again, Fernando Mendoza starts and wins Rookie of the Year, the Colts win the AFC South, AJ Brown is traded to New England leaving DeVonta Smith as Philadelphia's clear No. 1 and a breakout star, five running backs top 1,600 yards, George Pickens breaks a Cowboys receiving record, and Justin Fields starts for Kansas City in September.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 86Sullivan picks the Bills 31-27 over the Lions and the Eagles to beat the Titans 27-17.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 90Dajani picks the Bills 36-30 over the Lions and the Texans to beat the Bengals 27-23 in Houston.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 83Dubin picks the Bills to win a shootout over the Lions 35-32 and takes the Patriots to beat the Steelers 21-13.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 93Breech picks the Bills to beat the Lions 38-31 on Thursday night, floats the game as a Super Bowl preview, and takes the Cardinals to upset the Seahawks 20-17 in Week 2.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 90Prisco picks the Bills 36-30 over the Lions and has the Jaguars upsetting the Broncos 23-20 in Denver.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 86Unsigned CBS Sports preview of Bills-Lions picks Buffalo to win a high-scoring Thursday night game 35-31, and expects Larry Borom to step in as Detroit's starting right tackle for the injured Blake Miller.