Cowherd Predicts Cowboys Miss Playoffs, Picks Seahawks, Lions, Saints

Colin Cowherd released his NFC division predictions on Wednesday's episode of "The Herd," forecasting the Dallas Cowboys to miss the playoffs while tapping the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants as new postseason entrants in the conference.

Cowherd picked the Philadelphia Eagles to repeat as NFC East champions, citing continuity along the offensive line - all five starters return - and Jalen Hurts' winning record since becoming a full-time starter. He slotted the Giants second, arguing that New York's 1-7 record in one-score games last season, the worst mark in the league, should regress toward the mean if rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart stays healthy. The Cowboys landed third in Cowherd's projection despite what he called strong scoring production, pointing to the team leading the NFL in penalties last season as a recurring problem. Washington finished fourth, with Cowherd citing the departure of left tackle Laremy Tunsil and the league's second-oldest roster as concerns. futsal betting bonuses

In the NFC North, Cowherd picked Detroit to win the division, calling its skill-position group - quarterback, running back, tight end and receivers - the best in the NFL and noting the Lions have posted a top-five scoring offense in each of the last four seasons. He placed the Chicago Bears, last year's division champions, second, pointing to their 10-1 record when winning the turnover battle and Caleb Williams' low interception rate. Green Bay came in third ahead of Minnesota; Cowherd noted the Packers will get Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft back but have struggled in Septembers despite three straight wild-card appearances. He praised the Vikings' coaching staff and the return of left tackle Christian Darrisaw, but flagged uncertainty behind starter J.J. McCarthy, with Carson Wentz as the primary backup option.

Cowherd's most unconventional call came in the NFC South, where he picked the Saints to win the division behind quarterback Tyler Shough, noting New Orleans closed last season by winning four of its last five games and holds the second-easiest schedule in the league this year. Carolina finished second in his projection, with Cowherd crediting coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan for stabilizing an offensive line that used 11 different starting combinations last season in front of Bryce Young. Tampa Bay placed third amid what Cowherd described as defensive regression and a difficult stretch to close last season, while Atlanta came in fourth, with Cowherd citing unresolved questions at quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. and a tough opening slate that includes three road games in the first four weeks.

In the NFC West, Cowherd picked Seattle over Los Angeles, pointing to the Seahawks' road record over the past two seasons and a core of returning starters he described as being in their prime. He called the Rams and Seahawks the two best teams in the NFL but sided with Seattle over the Super Bowl-favored Rams, projecting 12 wins for Seattle against 11 for Los Angeles. San Francisco was projected third, with Cowherd citing the league's oldest roster and a defense that ranked 20th last season, while Arizona rounded out the division in fourth after a winless mark against divisional opponents last year.