Rams? Seahawks? Bengals? The NFL’s Best Teams Heading Into Week 1

Making it to Super Bowl LX isn’t enough to reserve a spot in Colin Cowherd’s top 10 – the first Herd Hierarchy before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, shared on Tuesday’s edition of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” revealed as much. 

The New England Patriots aren’t the only team missing, however: Cowherd made a point of saying that the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens were both close to making this inaugural list… but not close enough.

There’s plenty of season left for the teams missing from it now to play their way into the Hierarchy. But for now, here is Cowherd’s actual top 10 before Week 1 kicks off – which includes Super Bowl LX’s champions, at least.

Cowherds thoughts: “One of the most improved teams, and one of the teams that I thought made real moves, the Cincinnati Bengals. Theyve won the division the two times theyve given Joe Burrow a top-20 defense. And by adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Kyle Dugger, Cashius Howell and Boye Mafe, I think theyre going to have a top-20 defense. You also look in their division: old Aaron Rodgers twice, the Browns quarterback situation twice, I think when Burrow doesnt have to only win by track meet, is a playoff quarterback.”

Cowherds thoughts: “Best defense in the league by a margin. Listen, theyve won 10 of their last 11 games, Im a fan of C.J. Stroud — though the last two years, too many mistakes — they return 10 of the 11 starters that made their defense and shut down the L.A. Rams. The Seahawks couldnt even do that. I like the Texans a lot: Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley Jr. are about as good as anybody in the league at their positions, and I love head coach DeMeco Ryans and their GM — they just cant stay healthy at wide receiver.”

Cowherds thoughts: “Listen: 10-1 when they won the turnover battle. And heres the good news: Caleb Williams doesnt turn the ball over. He does not throw interceptions. He didnt at USC, he doesnt in the NFL, he didnt in high school. And I think Colston Loveland, Luther Burden and Rome Odunze, as they now age, are going to become an elite, top of the league trio. Rome Odunze had a nice camp, hes finally healthy. Do I worry about a lack of a consistent pass rush? Yes, thats why I have the bears at No. 8.

Cowherds thoughts: “I think were overselling the fact that they trailed in a lot of games last year. Well, adding Jaylen Waddle, theres a chance that will rejuvenate the passing game a little bit. They gave up the fewest sacks, and for two years in a row have led the NFL in sacks. They have an elite coach and returned 41 of their 43 offensive touchdowns. Yes, their schedules hard, yes, its a great coaching division, but I think Bo Nix is — and I think a lot of people are struggling to acknowledge — pretty good! He may not be great, but hes pretty good.”

Cowherds thoughts: “Worry about the interior O-line again, but Im going to put the Chargers in — 11-6 last year, with the lowest-rated offensive line. They got an upgrade at offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, I think their weapons are good enough, theyve added a rookie edge rusher with their first-round pick, Omario Hampton now healthy at running back — only team in the league top-five in third down and third down defense. Now they have the perfect coordinator for Justin Herbert.”

Cowherds thoughts: “It gets real close now. Philadelphia, Week 1, big favorites against Washington. No. 2-ranked O-line, and you know what I say about O-lines. Hard not to make the playoffs when you have  a top-5 or -6 O-line in the league. DeVonta Smith, is he a great No. 1 receiver with A.J. Brown gone? Well, they added Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown and Makai Lemon from USC (who had a spotty camp)… theyre good enough at wide receiver, great at running back, good at quarterback. Easy schedule, by NFC standards.”

Cowherds