Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL in Week 15 last season meant the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, but Colin Cowherd just dropped his hot take: Kansas City is roaring back in 2026, and a few other teams are looking to pull a 2025 Seahawks special. You know, that move where a non-playoff team from the year before snags a postseason spot. Cowherd, always one to stir the pot, laid out his five picks for FOX Sports’ “The Herd,” and honestly, for teams like the Chiefs, it feels like it’s go-time.
Kansas City’s Comeback Story Is Straight Outta Hollywood
When you talk about a bounce-back, the Chiefs are the headliner. Mahomes is healthy again, and that alone is huge for any NFL team. But they didn’t stop there. They went out and grabbed Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III for the running back spot and snagged top-10 pick Mansoor Delane to shore up the corner position. Cowherd nailed it, saying, “Andy Reid. 27 seasons. Never had back-to-back losing seasons.” The man knows how to get it done. The Chiefs were a painful 1-9 in one-score games last year. Ouch. But with these additions and a healthy Mahomes, Cowherd firmly believes, “I do believe, when Mahomes has protection and a semi-solid run game, he’s a playoff quarterback. Kansas City is back in.” It’s hard to argue with that logic, especially when you consider the talent they’ve added to address those glaring needs.
The Saints Are Stacking Talent In A Wide-Open Division
Don’t sleep on the New Orleans Saints, because Cowherd certainly isn’t. They ended their 2025 campaign on a high note, with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough leading them to four wins in their final five games under first-year coach Kellen Moore. That’s a serious surge. The Saints clearly decided to build around Shough this offseason, making some aggressive moves. They signed Jaguars standout Travis Etienne to beef up their running back room alongside Alvin Kamara, used a top-10 pick on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, and landed one of the top interior offensive linemen in free agency, David Edwards. Cowherd’s analysis on their division, the NFC South, is spot-on: “Very winnable division. It’s noisy in Tampa.” He highlighted Shough’s impressive rookie finish, leading all rookies in completion percentage, passing yards, and passer rating. “Their defense was top 10,” he added, proving this team has more going for it than just offense. With Etienne shoring up a “lousy” run game from last year, the Saints are making a serious push for their first playoff berth since 2021.
Giants Eyeing A Fresh Start With Harbaugh At The Helm
Another team on Cowherd’s radar is the New York Giants, who are banking on a new head coach in John Harbaugh and their second-year quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Getting star wide receiver Malik Nabers back after an ACL tear cut his second season short is massive for that offense. The Giants also went heavy in the draft, picking up an Ohio State star linebacker. It’s a fresh vibe in New York, and with Harbaugh known for turning teams around, combined with key players returning and new talent, they’re definitely a squad to watch as the early season gets underway. These early games are going to show us if Cowherd’s crystal ball is accurate, and if these teams can start building that playoff momentum right from kickoff!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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