John Middlekauff· Sep 12, 2026
Middlekauff lays out his full season picks: Bills, Bengals, Texans and Broncos winning the AFC divisions with the Chargers, Chiefs and Steelers as wild cards; Cowboys, Lions, Saints and Seahawks in the NFC with the Rams, Bears and 49ers as wild cards; Detroit as the NFC's top seed; Jared Goff MVP, Brian Schottenheimer Coach of the Year, Will Anderson DPOY, Caleb Downs and Jadarian Price the rookies of the year. He also predicts a double-digit Eagles home-opener win and calls Jeremiah Smith a top-five pick.
“I'm going Jared Goff, MVP.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
29 checkable claims — 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 4 award picks, 3 season win totals, 1 coach award pick, 1 depth chart call, 1 mock draft pick, 1 player season number, 1 position group ranking, 1 pro bowl and all-pro call, 1 score prediction and 1 seeding, byes and home field — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 23 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 3.
Where this call stands in the room
Philadelphia Eagles · 2026 season · wins7 calls from 5 pundits between 9 wins and 12 wins. John Middlekauff said 9 wins. the room's median is 11 wins. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Houston Texans
- Jeremiah Smith
- Chris Olave
- New Orleans Saints
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Caleb Downs
- Dallas Cowboys
- Jared Goff
- Detroit Lions
- Buffalo Bills
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tee Higgins
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Jadarian Price
- Chicago Bears
- Baltimore Ravens
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
29 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 WinnersHouston TexansSep 12, 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.
- Mock Draft PicksJeremiah SmithSep 12, 2026
Jeremiah Smith to be picked “top five pick” (picks 1–5)
“And he's clearly going to be like a top five pick next year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Olave to make Pro Bowl
“But if Alave's on the field, like, I think that guy's a pro bowler.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Position Group RankingsSep 12, 2026
“I think their defense, which has consistently been is going to be the best in the league in 2026... And I think the Texans have the best defense in the league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksWill Anderson Jr.Houston TexansSep 12, 2026
Will Anderson Jr. to win Defensive Player of the Year
“But I'm taking Will Anderson... I think defensive player of the year. He is going to have a massive season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCaleb DownsDallas CowboysSep 12, 2026
Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Rookie of the year. Again, if I'm in on the Cowboys turning around on defense, I got to be in on Caleb Downs... 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.
- Award PicksJared GoffDetroit LionsSep 12, 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.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldDetroit LionsSep 12, 2026
Detroit Lions to take the top seed
“In the NFC, I think I'd go Detroit. I think Detroit's going to be awesome.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 12, 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.
- Division WinnersSeattle SeahawksSep 12, 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.
- Depth Chart CallsTee HigginsCincinnati BengalsSep 12, 2026
Tee Higgins to be 2nd on the depth chart
“T Higgins is as good of a number two as you'll find in the league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDallas CowboysSep 12, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to win the division
“In the NFC, I've been hammering this for a while. I'm not pivoting now a couple days before the season. I'm taking the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCincinnati BengalsSep 12, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the division
“I think they are going to be a major, major factor in the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm a believer... So I'm going Bills, Cincy, Texans, Denver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 12, 2026
Brian Schottenheimer to win Coach of the Year
“Coach of the Year. I'm going Brian Schottenheimer.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksSep 12, 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.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsSep 12, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“I'm going to lean the Bears... I just think Ben Johnson's too good.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsBaltimore RavensSep 12, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to finish with 10 wins
“Now, they were 10-7, and that's kind of what I pegged the Ravens to do.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew Orleans SaintsSep 12, 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 12, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to finish with 9 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.
- Division WinnersDenver BroncosSep 12, 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 WinnersDetroit LionsSep 12, 2026
Detroit Lions to win the division
“The NFC North, who I'd probably pick to be the one seed... I'm a believer in Detroit... So Dallas, Detroit, New Orleans, and I'm just sticking with what I know. And Seattle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsSep 12, 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.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersSep 12, 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 12, 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 12, 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.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsSep 12, 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.
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersSep 12, 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.
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.
- Score PredictionsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 12, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles 28 — ? 13
“Like, he probably should win this game by double digits... this is a game if you're Philly and you're going to get back to your kind of get your swag back that you lost last season. 28, 13, something like that.”
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.
- 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.
- Rich EisenDivision Winners · New England PatriotsHit · 100Eisen said the Patriots are still likely to win the AFC East and won't be one-and-done, that the Chargers will end Dallas' season next week, that TreVeyon Henderson should out-snap Rhamondre Stevenson, that the NFC East race is over in Philadelphia's favor, and that the winner of the NFC West will be the NFC's No. 1 seed.
- Rich EisenDivision Winners · New England PatriotsHit · 100Eisen previewed week 15 games, predicting Joe Burrow would play well in his first home start back against Baltimore, and speculated on a possible Colts-Steelers wild card matchup. He also asserted the Chiefs will not win their division for a tenth straight year, keeping the Patriots' record of 11 straight division titles safe.