By admin 
As the National Football League inches closer to the thrilling start of its regular season, prominent sports analyst Colin Cowherd has offered his comprehensive division predictions and projected playoff field for the NFC on Wednesday’s edition of "The Herd." Cowherd’s forecast anticipates a dynamic NFC landscape, marked by a blend of established powerhouses and ascending rosters, notably predicting the emergence of three entirely new playoff teams within the conference. This in-depth analysis breaks down the competitive outlook for all four NFC divisions, providing a roadmap of what to expect as the season unfolds.
Cowherd’s bold prediction for the NFC East places the Philadelphia Eagles at the helm once again, a choice he attributes to the team’s unwavering roster continuity, particularly along the offensive line, and the proven success of quarterback Jalen Hurts. "Jalen Hurts, since he became a full-time starter, has the winningest record in the NFL. I’m just going with this very, very well-run organization," Cowherd stated, emphasizing the Eagles’ stable foundation. Despite the notable departure of wide receiver A.J. Brown, Philadelphia has strategically bolstered its receiving corps with the additions of Dontayvion Wicks and the drafted Makai Lemon from USC. Crucially, the Eagles are set to return all five of their starting offensive linemen, providing a robust protective unit for Hurts. Compounding their strengths, Philadelphia benefits from the seventh-easiest schedule in the league, offering a more manageable path to a division title.
Following the Eagles, Cowherd forecasts a surprising second-place finish for the New York Giants, edging out the Dallas Cowboys. This projection hinges on the potential for improved performance in close games, a critical area where the Giants faltered significantly last season. "They were one and seven last year in those one-score games, worst in the league," Cowherd observed, highlighting their struggles to close out tight contests. "And in fact, they blew five games in which they had a fourth-quarter lead. That is going to, even if it evens out, even if it doesn’t totally flip, it will even out." He specifically pointed to the potential impact of quarterback Jaxson Dart, whose health will be a pivotal factor. "If Jackson Dart can stay out of the blue tent, I think it’s a playoff team," Cowherd asserted, believing that a more balanced outcome in close games will propel the Giants into playoff contention.
The Dallas Cowboys, despite their offensive scoring prowess, are projected by Cowherd to finish third in the division, a consequence of what he identifies as a disturbing trend of excessive penalties. "Here’s the other thing, which has become a disturbing trend for the Cowboys. They were the most penalized team in the NFL last year. They did some big things well, like scoring. They did a lot of little things poorly. I have the Cowboys better, but not a playoff team," he explained. This reliance on veteran talent coupled with a propensity for self-inflicted wounds suggests a ceiling that may prevent them from reaching the postseason in Cowherd’s view.
Rounding out the NFC East, Washington is pegged for fourth place, a prediction rooted in significant roster turnover at critical positions, including left tackle, and an aging overall roster. "Washington just doesn’t have enough talent. They lost Laremy Tunsil, their left tackle, who’s a beast. Second-oldest roster in the NFL. I just don’t like Washington right now going forward," Cowherd concluded, citing a lack of foundational talent and experience as major hindrances to their competitive aspirations.
Shifting focus to the NFC North, Cowherd confidently picks the Detroit Lions to secure the division crown, citing their potent offensive arsenal and strategic draft acquisitions. "I think the Lions have a combination of the best roster in the division and the easiest schedule in the entire league this year," Cowherd proclaimed. He further elaborated on the Lions’ offensive dominance: "I would argue quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receivers, they have the best group in the NFL." Cowherd pointed to last season as a testament to their offensive resilience, noting that even in a year considered somewhat down, their offense remained among the league’s elite. "They were the only team to have a top-five scoring offense in the last four years. Even last year, when they struggled, it was top five."
The reigning NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears, are projected by Cowherd to finish second in 2026. He acknowledges their strength in winning close games and their ability to capitalize on turnovers, a key factor in their success. "They were a great fourth quarter team last year. They probably can’t quite equal that magic, but when they won the turnover battle, and nobody talks about this one, Chicago, they were 10-1 when they won the turnover battle," Cowherd revealed. He also highlighted the potential of quarterback Caleb Williams, emphasizing his proven track record of ball security. "Caleb Williams doesn’t turn the ball over. He didn’t in high school. He didn’t in college. Even in the Eberflus year, 20 touchdowns, six picks. He is not a turnover quarterback. I have them for second."
The Green Bay Packers are predicted to claim third place in the division, despite returning a number of key players. Cowherd suggests that the team may have reached its current performance ceiling. "Not only do they get Michael Parsons back in October, but they also get Tucker Kraft back, who looks to be a star young tight end in the NFL for years to come. Christian Watson got hurt. Jaden Reed got hurt," he noted, referencing the injury concerns that plagued key offensive weapons. "They’ve not been a great September team, but they’ve been a wild card team in the last three seasons."
The Minnesota Vikings are slotted into fourth place, though Cowherd is quick to point out that this position belies their potential capabilities. "Minnesota is going to be the best fourth-place team in the NFL," Cowherd asserted. He praised the team’s coaching staff and offensive line talent, but expressed significant reservations about their quarterback depth. "Christian Darrisaw is back at left tackle. I love the coach and the defensive coordinator. There’s not a lot here I don’t like, but Kyler Murray’s backup is either J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz. I don’t trust either." This uncertainty at the backup quarterback position, coupled with the injury history of all three quarterbacks on the roster, creates a vulnerability that Cowherd believes will prevent them from seriously contending in the division.
In a surprising turn, Cowherd’s NFC South predictions see the New Orleans Saints emerging as division winners, with quarterback Tyler Shough leading the charge. This prediction is bolstered by a notably favorable schedule. "Second easiest schedule in football is the Saints," Cowherd stated. "I thought they played very well at the end of last year. Tyler Shough, nobody paid attention, but they won four of their last five games." He also underscored the inherent unpredictability of the NFC South. "This is a division where you see teams go from last to first on a regular basis."
The Carolina Panthers are tabbed for a second-place finish, with Cowherd highlighting the promising leadership of head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan. He also pointed to the potential for improved stability on the offensive line for young quarterback Bryce Young. "I think Carolina has the coach and the general manager for the future. Dave Canales and Dan Morgan are excellent. I think they’ve given Bryce Young a lot to work with," he commented. Addressing past struggles, Cowherd added, "They had 11 different starting O-line combinations last year, so it was a bit of a mess in front of Bryce Young. I think they’ll get that corrected."
Tampa Bay is projected to finish third, facing significant headwinds according to Cowherd. He cited recent offensive struggles, defensive regressions, and mounting pressure on the coaching staff following a late-season collapse. "You got a coach on the hot seat. You got a new offensive coordinator, 20th-ranked defense last year. No Mike Evans. Lost seven of the nine games down the stretch," Cowherd detailed. "So they were a bit of a mess offensively, and they weren’t great defensively."
Atlanta rounds out the NFC South in fourth place, with Cowherd pointing to early schedule challenges and unresolved questions at the quarterback position as major obstacles. "I like the coach, like the owner. I think the GM is pretty sharp. There’s a couple of players like Drake London, a Bijan Robinson I love, but who’s the quarterback? We don’t know," Cowherd mused. "Cross my fingers with Michael Penix, but they start with three of their first four games on the road."
The highly competitive NFC West sees Cowherd favoring the Seattle Seahawks to edge out the Los Angeles Rams for the division title. He lauded Seattle’s impressive road performance over the past two seasons, highlighting their resilience and ability to win away from home. "Here’s what I love about Seattle: the last two years best road team in the league, and I mean a fantastic road team, 15 and two," Cowherd enthused. "They’re returning all their best players. All of them are in their prime." He further emphasized Seattle’s strong track record against playoff-caliber opponents as a crucial indicator of their championship potential.
Cowherd places the Los Angeles Rams in second place, acknowledging their Super Bowl aspirations and their status as one of the league’s elite teams. "They return all 11 offensive starters. There’s no reason to debate this. They could win the Super Bowl. I think these two teams, in my opinion, are the best two teams in the NFL: Seahawks, Rams, one and two in my book," he declared. However, despite the widespread acclaim for the Rams, Cowherd ultimately sides with the Seahawks. "I’ll take Seattle to win over the Rams. Everybody in the world’s telling me the Rams are going to win the Super Bowl. The team is hearing that. You know what? They’re going to be a really really good team and win 11 games. I think Seattle could win 12."
The San Francisco 49ers are projected to finish third in the division, a prediction influenced by an aging roster, players recovering from significant surgeries, and struggles in pressuring opposing quarterbacks. "They were 20th ranked in defense. They struggled to get to the quarterback. They have the oldest roster," Cowherd stated. "They are highly reliant at left tackle, running back, edge rusher, linebacker on veteran players who are coming off injuries."
Finally, the Arizona Cardinals are forecasted to finish fourth as they navigate a rebuilding phase within what Cowherd considers arguably the toughest division in football. "Arizona, bit of a mess. 0-6 against the division last year," Cowherd noted. "They’re playing like the Jets for next year’s draft. Arizona at fourth place." This assessment reflects the significant challenges the Cardinals face as they aim to establish a competitive foundation.
