Jason McIntyre· Sep 5, 2026
Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre laid out his "Super Bowl bubble": the Rams, Seahawks, Texans, Eagles and Ravens are locks for the playoffs with two of them likely reaching the Super Bowl, while the Chargers, Bills, Lions, Bengals and Chiefs are on the fringe. He also said Omarion Hampton is primed for a big fantasy season and that the Chiefs are probably back in the playoffs.
“So those are the interior five in the bubble.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 6 playoff picks and 1 sleeper call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Their call against the record
Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
7 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.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensSep 5, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“Finally, Ravens' highest win total on the board... just buy Raven stock. All right, so those are the interior five in the bubble.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksSep 5, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“teams who are inside the bubble They are great. They are going to be in the playoffs for sure... I think the Seahawks pull back a little with the new OC”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesSep 5, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“I like the Eagles more than the market does. I'm going to ride with Jalen Hurts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Omarion Hampton to outplay his draft cost
“Marion Hampton is primed for a massive fantasy season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsSep 5, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“let's get started with the teams who are inside the bubble They are great. They are going to be in the playoffs for sure... Obviously, we'll start with the Rams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansSep 5, 2026
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“The one surprise in here, I guess, would be Houston because nobody likes C.J. Stroud”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 5, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“I had the Chiefs missing the playoffs last year. 100% nailed it... But they're probably... going back this year.”
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.
- 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.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich 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.
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An 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.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Baltimore RavensClose · 58In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ross JacksonPlayoff Picks · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 0Jackson projects a big sophomore jump for Saints QB Tyler Shuck, laying out a Drake May-style stat line (17 starts, 72% completions, ~4,601 passing yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs) or a Bo Nix-style consistency line (over 4,000 yards, over 20 TDs, ~10 INTs), and says either path means a playoff season for New Orleans in 2026.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Minnesota VikingsMiss · 0Eisen 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.
- Dwaine BoardPlayoff Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Board 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.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Carolina PanthersHit · 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.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Brockman 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.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Eisen 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.