Kansas City returns as Cowherd reshapes NFL rankings for Week 2
Colin Cowherd’s updated “Herd Hierarchy” places renewed emphasis on Kansas City’s run game while dropping the Los Angeles Rams from his top 10 after Week 1.
Fox Sports reports that Colin Cowherd has released the first updated “Herd Hierarchy” of the 2026 NFL season, following a Week 1 marked by significant movement in his personal ranking of the league’s top teams.
Kansas City returned to Cowherd’s top 10 after he praised the Chiefs’ run game and their decision to limit Patrick Mahomes’ downfield passing. He also described the team’s approach as a smart and deliberate game plan, while noting that the wider significance of the performance remained uncertain.
The Los Angeles Rams fell outside the ranking after losing to the San Francisco 49ers. Fox Sports also reported that Myles Garrett was placed on injured reserve. Cowherd said the Rams remained capable but argued that the uncertainty surrounding Garrett’s absence prevented him from keeping the team in his top 10.
The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos were also omitted from the list. Cowherd’s hierarchy is an individual assessment rather than an official NFL ranking, and the supplied report does not include the complete order of teams.
Cowherd retained the Philadelphia Eagles despite describing their Week 1 performance as unattractive, calling them the NFL’s best roster. He also discussed the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants, identifying the Bengals as one of the league’s most improved teams and arguing that the Giants’ concerns were related to coaching, culture and health rather than talent.
