Colin Cowherd's NFC South prediction will surprise everyone in the NFL.
The one and only Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports made a wild prediction recently.
Cowherd believes the New Orleans Saints will win the NFC South over the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
"Second-easiest schedule in football is the Saints," Cowherd 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 Panthers won the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record. They needed help in Week 18 to win the division, so they were not a juggernaut.
Cowherd, though, like what Carolina has surrounded Bryce Young with.
"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," Cowherd said.
The Panthers averaged only 18.3 points per game last season. That was 27th in the NFL. The offense must be better in 2026.
Otherwise, Carolina will not make the playoffs again.
Tetairoa McMillan won the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He's expected to be even better in 2026 since he got stronger this offseason. McMillan led all rookies last season in receiving yards (1,014), receiving yards per game (59.6) and touchdown receptions (seven) and ranked third in receptions (70). He broke the Panthers' franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie.
Young finished with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 2025. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
It will be fascinating to see how McMillan, Young and the Panthers perform in 2026. They will no longer be under the radar after making the playoffs in 2025.
The Saints have been a walking disaster ever since Hall of Famer Drew Brees left in 2020. They haven't made the playoffs since 2020.
Cowherd is the king of bold takes, but even this prediction is rather shocking. Most people who cover the NFL believe the Panthers or Buccaneers will win the NFC South this season.
