Colin Cowherd· Mar 14, 2025
Cowherd laid out his full AFC predictions: division orders for all four divisions, division winners (Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers), wild cards (Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs), plus win-total calls on the AFC West and expectations for the Patriots to double their win total. He also predicted the Chiefs decline and named the Patriots and Titans as surprise teams.
“So my division winners, I'm gonna do it like last year, with one exception, Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers wild card teams are the Patriots, Bengals, and Chiefs.”
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.
22 checkable claims — 7 playoff picks, 4 division winners, 4 power rankings, 3 season win totals, 2 depth chart calls and 2 surprise team calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
20 of 22 have settled so far, averaging 45.3 out of 100, against 45.6 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
22 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 WinnersLos Angeles ChargersMar 14, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“I'm gonna go Chargers win the AFC West”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- KC
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsMar 14, 2025
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“If Josh Allen is in his prime like Brady was, he will win this division going away... Bill's Patriots, Dolphins, Jets”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BUF
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensMar 14, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“AFC North, Great Division. I'm gonna go Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Brown”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BAL
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
- Division WinnersHouston TexansMar 14, 2025
Houston Texans to win the division
“I'm gonna take the Texans, Titans, Colts, and Jags”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- HOU
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- no
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsMar 14, 2025
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“wild card teams are the Patriots, Bengals, and Chiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- NE
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsMar 14, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“wild card teams are the Patriots, Bengals, and Chiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CIN
- skill:
- -200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsMar 14, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Kansas City's the wild card team”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- KC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsMar 14, 2025
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans Chargers, and then the Patriots, Bengals che Thiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BUF
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensMar 14, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans Chargers, and then the Patriots, Bengals che Thiefs”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BAL
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansMar 14, 2025
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans Chargers, and then the Patriots, Bengals che Thiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- HOU
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersMar 14, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans Chargers, and then the Patriots, Bengals che Thiefs”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsMar 14, 2025
“I think this is an easy one. Bill's Patriots, Dolphins, Jets”
Hit · 90Scored 90a naive guess scored 40+100 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 100
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 90
- baseline:
- 40
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsCleveland BrownsMar 14, 2025
“AFC North, Great Division. I'm gonna go Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Brown”
Miss · 25Scored 25a naive guess scored 75-100 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -100
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 25
- baseline:
- 75
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsMar 14, 2025
“I'm gonna take the Texans, Titans, Colts, and Jags”
Miss · 30Scored 30a naive guess scored 70-80 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -80
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 30
- baseline:
- 70
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Power RankingsMar 14, 2025
“I'm gonna go Chargers win the AFC West. Kansas City's the wild card team, Broncos third, Raiders fourth”
Close · 70Scored 70a naive guess scored 60+20 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 20
- method:
- spearman
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 70
- baseline:
- 60
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- teams ranked:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Season Win TotalsNew England PatriotsMar 14, 2025
New England Patriots to finish with 8 wins
“I think they will double their win total, no question.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- NE
- naive:
- 6.25
- skill:
- 0
- what happened:
- 14
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- predicted:
- 8
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Season Win TotalsLos Angeles ChargersMar 14, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to finish with 12 wins
“I think the Chargers probably win twelve.”
Hit · 80Scored 80a naive guess scored 75+10 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAC
- naive:
- 9.75
- skill:
- 10
- what happened:
- 11
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 80
- baseline:
- 75
- predicted:
- 12
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Season Win TotalsKansas City ChiefsMar 14, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs to finish with 10 wins
“I think they'll win ten or eleven games.”
Miss · 20Scored 20a naive guess scored 0+40 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- KC
- naive:
- 11.75
- skill:
- 40
- what happened:
- 6
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 5
- accuracy:
- 20
- baseline:
- 0
- predicted:
- 10
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsDrake MayeNew England PatriotsMar 14, 2025
Drake Maye to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I think they have the second most talented quarterback in the division. I don't think it's particularly close in Drake May.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-16.67 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- -16.67
- player:
- Drake Maye
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota VikingsMar 14, 2025
J.J. McCarthy to be 1st on the depth chart
“If he goes to Minnesota, my guest says he's a backup. By like October, they're gonna start JJ McCarthy.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+16.67 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- MIN
- skill:
- 16.67
- player:
- J.J. McCarthy
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Surprise Team CallsNew England PatriotsMar 14, 2025
New England Patriots to beat expectations
“Patriots one of my surprise teams in the league... I think they will double their win total, no question.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsTennessee TitansMar 14, 2025
Tennessee Titans to beat expectations
“But J. Mack likes the Titans as a surprise team. I do too, potentially as a playoff team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jay MorrisonRoster Spot Calls · Tanner HudsonMiss · 0Morrison expects the Bengals to promote tight end Tanner Hudson from the practice squad to the active roster to fill the spot opened by Andrei Iosivas going on Injured Reserve.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Devon PlatanaTrade and Signing Calls · Johnny HekkerHit · 100With punter Brett Thorson dealing with a hamstring injury, Platana suggests the Vikings have a decent chance of bringing back veteran free-agent punter Johnny Hekker as a familiar fill-in.
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.
- Dharya SharmaTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Previewing the Titans' preseason opener, Sharma identifies five receivers as roster locks, expects Bryce Oliver to make the 53 on special teams value, and predicts Will Levis will not be on Tennessee's roster by September, likely being moved for a late-round pick.
- Jonathan JonesTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Jones expects Anthony Richardson to be traded, likely for roughly a fifth-round pick, and to serve as a backup rather than a starter in 2026. He also lays out a series of quarterback-market predictions: Aaron Rodgers back with the Steelers, Tua off the Dolphins roster, Daniel Jones ultimately staying as the Colts' starter, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders competing for Cleveland's QB1 job, Will Levis most likely of the veteran backups to be traded, and Kirk Cousins possibly landing in Arizona.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Dan "Buzz" WilsonPlayoff Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Wilson argued the Eagles' offseason approach of prioritizing 2026 and beyond doesn't mean a bad 2025 — he expects them to remain among the NFC's best teams and to make a deep playoff run rather than fall off to eight or nine wins.
- 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.
- 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.