Colin Cowherd· Aug 14, 2026
Cowherd's five bold predictions for 2026: Jalen Hurts thrives without A.J. Brown, Justin Herbert wins at least two playoff games with the Chargers, the Packers finish last in the NFC North, the Broncos narrowly miss the playoffs, and Caleb Williams wins MVP.
“Jalen Hurts will flourish despite losing a great number one receiver.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 1 award pick, 1 conference champion, 1 playoff pick and 1 power ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
4 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.
- Award PicksCaleb WilliamsChicago BearsAug 14, 2026
Caleb Williams to win MVP
“Cowherd backed Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to win the Most Valuable Player award”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 14, 2026
“Cowherd predicted a shift in standings, projecting the Green Bay Packers to finish in fourth place in a competitive division... "They finish last."”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersAug 14, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“Cowherd projected a postseason run for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert... "At least two playoff wins"”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsLos Angeles ChargersAug 14, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to reach the Super Bowl
“"At least two playoff wins, and I right now this morning think they could be a co-favorite to get to the AFC Championship."”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Chris RolingScore Predictions · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 31Roling predicts a lopsided Chargers home win over the Cardinals in Week 1, 30-10, and advises starting Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton in fantasy while sitting Ladd McConkey.
- Eric CohenGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Cohen says the Bears win easily in Carolina, and that Tennessee starts 1-0 over a Jets team he considers the third-worst in the league.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
- Shanna McCarristonScore Predictions · Los Angeles ChargersClose · 45The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Chargers to beat the Cardinals 27-17 in Week 1, and expects rookie Jake Slaughter to step in at center for Los Angeles after Tyler Biadasz's injury.
More conference champions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brockman argues the Seahawks are at the start of a dynasty, predicting they will win multiple Super Bowls over the next five years, and that they are set up to return to the Super Bowl the following season in Los Angeles.
- Damonza ByrdConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100The co-host picks the Seahawks to beat the Rams in the NFC Championship game, and says he believes New England will win in Denver even though he is taking the Broncos with the points.
- Nick WrightConference Champions · New England PatriotsHit · 100The host picks the Rams to beat the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game and believes the winner of that game wins the Super Bowl, i.e. that this is the Rams' year; he also picks New England to win in Denver despite taking the Broncos with the points, and says Stafford is winning MVP. He calls Sean McVay the second-best coach in the NFL.
- Nick WrightConference Champions · Denver BroncosClose · 50Wright picked the Broncos to beat the Patriots in a low-scoring AFC Championship game (17-16), said Sean Payton would coach Denver to the Super Bowl, picked the Rams to win outright in Seattle 31-20, believes the winner of the NFC game wins the Super Bowl with the Rams the better team, and expects Matt Stafford to be named league MVP.
- AJ HawkConference Champions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 50Hawk picked the Patriots to win in Denver despite liking Stidham and the Broncos defense, and in the NFC he stuck with the Rams, saying Stafford gets to the Super Bowl.
- Derek MurphyConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Bone said after watching film that Seattle will handle the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and that the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.