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.

Cowherd’s thoughts: "One of the most improved teams, and one of the teams that I thought made real moves, the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ve won the division the two times they’ve given Joe Burrow a top-20 defense. And by adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Kyle Dugger, Cashius Howell and Boye Mafe, I think they’re 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 doesn’t have to only win by track meet, is a playoff quarterback."

Cowherd’s thoughts: "Best defense in the league by a margin. Listen, they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games, I’m 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 couldn’t 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 can’t stay healthy at wide receiver."

Cowherd’s thoughts: "Listen: 10-1 when they won the turnover battle. And here’s the good news: Caleb Williams doesn’t turn the ball over. He does not throw interceptions. He didn’t at USC, he doesn’t in the NFL, he didn’t 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, he’s finally healthy. Do I worry about a lack of a consistent pass rush? Yes, that’s why I have the bears at No. 8.

Cowherd’s thoughts: "I think we’re overselling the fact that they trailed in a lot of games last year. Well, adding Jaylen Waddle, there’s 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 schedule’s hard, yes, it’s 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 he’s pretty good."

Cowherd’s thoughts: "Worry about the interior O-line again, but I’m 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, they’ve 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."

Cowherd’s 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)... they’re good enough at wide receiver, great at running back, good at quarterback. Easy schedule, by NFC standards."

Cowherd’s thoughts: "I think the Lions will battle for the Super Bowl. Easiest schedule in the league, they have a new offensive coordinator that’s viewed in-house as an upgrade, their skill positions — Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam Laporta and Jameson Williams are really, really electric playmakers. That matters in the long NFL season, you can’t have 13-play drives, week after week. You need some over the top home runs by Jahmyr Gibbs or Williams. Great teams get occasional easy touchdowns; not everything are perfect long drives.

Cowherd’s thoughts: "I like Buffalo more than most, largest favorites to win their division. Josh Allen is 28-8 against his division — it’s got a Tom Brady feel. They traded for D.J. Moore — because he’s not flashy and not terribly demonstrative, people don’t understand how good he is. Durable, professional, open — I love D.J. Moore, a real serious No. 1 receiver. We gotta be honest about this: their rush defense was bad. But the last two years, they’ve spent more draft picks on defensive capital than any other team. I think some of those start to pay off."

Cowherd’s thoughts: "The Rams are the most talented team in football. I put them No. 2 because I worry about being hunted, week after week after week. I also think if you look at their schedule, when you’re a heavy favorite it’s hard to stay motivated. They’ve also got some age in a couple of spots. Will DaVante Adams stay healthy? Will Puka Nacua always be available? I love their tight ends, running back, coach and quarterback, but he’s what, 38 years old? I have them at No. 2.

Cowherd’s thoughts: "What I like about the Seahawks is all their best players are either all going into their athletic prime — Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon — or they’re in their prime. They have no egos. It’s not like the other Seahawks with Pete Carroll, where Marshawn Lynch was a star and Richard Sherman was a star and Russell Wilson was and Pete Carroll was. In his own division, Mike Macdonald is the third-most talked about head coach. Sam Darnold still has that perfect chip on his shoulder. JSN doesn’t get nearly the pub that he should. I think Seattle doesn’t have the brand stars, so they’re still sort of undervalued in the market."