Overview of THE HERD – HOUR 2 – NFL Playoff Predictions, Josh Allen + DJ Moore Expectations
Colin Cowherd spends most of this hour making his annual early NFL playoff and Super Bowl picks, then hands the mic to gambling analyst Adam Chernoff for reactions and deeper betting angles. The conversation centers on how coaching changes, quarterback play, roster continuity, and “regression” candidates could reshape the league. The hour wraps with Herdline News on Jordan Love, Josh Allen’s chemistry with a new receiver, and Fernando Mendoza’s QB situation.
Colin Cowherd’s Early NFL Playoff Predictions
AFC division winners
Colin picks:
- Bills to win the AFC East
- Ravens to win the AFC North
- Texans to win the AFC South
- Chargers to win the AFC West
His main logic:
- Buffalo is still the class of the division despite his criticism of the team.
- Baltimore is a bounce-back pick after last year’s late-season collapse.
- Houston is a bet on C.J. Stroud and a strong returning defense.
- The Chargers are his boldest AFC pick, with Justin Herbert and a belief that the roster and coaching setup can finally unlock a real leap.
AFC wild cards
He also slots in:
- Chiefs
- Bengals
- Jaguars
Key themes:
- Kansas City’s one-score-game luck should normalize.
- Cincinnati gets back in thanks to offensive talent and defensive upgrades, even if Colin still doubts Zac Taylor.
- Jacksonville is a “don’t sleep on them” pick, with optimism around Liam Coen and Travis Hunter’s return.
NFC division winners
Colin picks:
- Eagles in the NFC East
- Lions in the NFC North
- Buccaneers in the NFC South
- Rams in the NFC West
His reasoning:
- Philadelphia is the safest division winner.
- Detroit is seen as healthier and better set up for a rebound.
- Tampa Bay wins a weak division, with Baker Mayfield in focus.
- The Rams are treated as a serious contender if Matthew Stafford stays healthy.
NFC wild cards
He goes with:
- Vikings
- Packers
- Seahawks
Highlights:
- Minnesota is praised for its defensive upside and line-health improvement.
- Green Bay is viewed as underrated, with Jordan Love still trending upward.
- Seattle is the most questionable of the three, but Colin still sneaks them in.
Super Bowl pick
- Rams over Texans
- Colin predicts Matthew Stafford and the Rams win another title, calling it a huge boost to Stafford’s Hall of Fame case.
Adam Chernoff’s Betting Takes and Reactions
Adam Chernoff mostly agrees with Colin on the Texans- Chargers AFC title-game idea, but is much more bullish on the Chargers than Colin framed it.
Why he likes the Chargers
- He thinks a retread offensive coordinator who previously failed as a head coach can be a huge plus.
- The system can help hide offensive line issues and unlock Herbert.
- He views Herbert as a “freak” quarterback who finally has a chance to be supported properly.
Ravens outlook
Chernoff is optimistic on Baltimore because:
- He expects more late-game situations to go the Ravens’ way.
- He sees a coaching refresh as healthy.
- Red-zone and late-game variance could swing in Baltimore’s favor this season.
Bengals outlook
- He says Cincinnati’s offense is still strong and the defense should be better.
- But he’s not eager to bet into the Bengals because he doesn’t trust Zac Taylor to outcoach elite competition in January.
Packers outlook
Chernoff strongly backs Green Bay:
- He argues the Packers were much closer to a much better season than people realize.
- He thinks Matt LaFleur is underrated.
- He likes Jordan Love as a legit quarterback and bet the over on Green Bay’s win total.
Bears outlook
- He notes Chicago is a classic regression candidate because so much went right last season.
- But he warns against blindly fading them because Ben Johnson may have changed the ceiling.
- He also points out that modern betting markets and media coverage have changed how teams like the Bears are priced.
Broncos vs. Seahawks
- He’s skeptical of Denver’s offense with Bo Nix, even if the defense remains strong.
- He thinks Seattle is the bigger regression candidate because they lost a key play-caller and may not be able to reproduce last year’s offensive success.
49ers, Falcons, and Jets
- 49ers: He’s cautious because of injuries, age, and lingering team-health questions.
- Falcons: He shoots down the idea of trading Bijan Robinson, saying Atlanta’s offense is built around him.
- Jets: As a fan, he says the team is stuck and needs a coaching reset, even if that means a rough season.
Herdline News: Jordan Love, Josh Allen, and Fernando Mendoza
Jordan Love’s growth
Rachel Nichols and Colin discuss how Love says he’s now comfortable discussing situational play-calling with Matt LaFleur, similar to what he saw Aaron Rodgers do as a backup.
Main points:
- Love is entering his fourth season as a starter.
- The consensus is that he’s good, not elite, but clearly capable of winning big games.
- Colin is bullish on the Packers as a top-tier team if healthy.
Josh Allen and chemistry with a new receiver
The segment also focuses on Josh Allen building timing with a receiver referred to in the transcript as DJ Moore.
Takeaway:
- Allen said he’s stopped trying to “aim” throws and is letting the receiver go get it.
- The point is that chemistry is improving and the connection could help Buffalo’s offense take another step.
- Rachel emphasizes that a strong outside receiver could help Allen by forcing more defensive attention and creating space.
Fernando Mendoza and the backup role
The final topic is Fernando Mendoza, who sounds increasingly accepting of a backup/learn-and-wait role.
Key points:
- He talks like a mature, team-first player.
- He says he’s following veteran leadership and trying to prepare for whenever his chance comes.
- Colin praises his demeanor and leadership style, saying he sounds more like a coach than a rookie quarterback.
Key Takeaways
- Colin’s early playoff board leans heavily on quarterback stability, coaching changes, and regression from last year’s overperformers.
- The Chargers, Texans, Packers, and Ravens are the biggest betting-friendly stories in the hour.
- Bears, Broncos, Seahawks, and 49ers are flagged as teams that could disappoint relative to hype.
- The Rams are Colin’s surprise Super Bowl pick, with Stafford as the centerpiece.
- In Herdline News, the emphasis is on Jordan Love’s comfort level, Josh Allen’s chemistry work, and Fernando Mendoza’s patient approach.