Colin Cowherd isn’t buying the popular NFC South script.
The FOX Sports host went out on a limb with a division pick that turns the usual chatter on its head, saying the New Orleans Saints will finish ahead of 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.”
That’s a notable call considering the Panthers won the NFC South last season at 8-9 and needed help in Week 18 to get it done. They were hardly dominant, but Cowherd still sees reason to believe in Carolina’s direction.
“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’ offense has plenty to prove after averaging just 18.3 points per game last season, which ranked 27th in the NFL. If that number doesn’t move up in 2026, another playoff trip will be hard to come by.
Still, Carolina does have some real building blocks. Tetairoa McMillan won the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year award and is expected to take another step after getting stronger this offseason.
He led all rookies in receiving yards with 1,014, in receiving yards per game with 59.6 and in touchdown receptions with seven, while also ranking third in receptions with 70. He also set the Panthers’ franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie.
Young’s 2025 season gave Carolina a clearer picture of what it has at quarterback. He threw for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, added 216 rushing yards and two rushing scores, and helped push the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.
That makes Carolina one of the more interesting teams to watch in 2026, especially now that it won’t be sneaking up on anyone after last year’s playoff run.
Cowherd’s pick also comes with a sharp contrast to the Saints’ recent track record. New Orleans has been stuck in the mud since Drew Brees retired in 2020 and hasn’t reached the playoffs since that year.
Cowherd has built a reputation on fearless calls, but this one still stands out. Most around the NFL are leaning toward the Panthers or Buccaneers to take the division.
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