Colin Cowherd’s NFC North pick: Detroit Lions to reclaim the division crown

Colin Cowherd is making the case that the NFC North’s next title goes back to the Detroit Lions. In his FOX Sports breakdown, Cowherd frames Detroit as the team most likely to reclaim the division after missing the postseason the previous year, positioning the Lions as a serious “back on top” candidate as training camp approaches full momentum.

Cowherd’s argument starts with the idea of trajectory and readiness. The Lions, in his view, have the kind of profile that can translate preparation into wins over a full division schedule, where repeatable execution and sustained offensive production matter more than one-week spikes. His central question for the division is not whether Detroit can compete, but whether it can finish the race strongly enough to outlast the rest of the North.

The competition, in Cowherd’s telling, runs through Chicago. He spotlights the Bears’ leadership picture, explicitly pointing to the coaching presence of Ben Johnson and the quarterback cornerstone of Caleb Williams. The framing suggests Chicago is not just rebuilding in the abstract, but operating with an identity expected to produce results, which is why Cowherd treats the Bears as a primary factor in whether Detroit can “reclaim” the crown or whether the North stays in motion.

Cowherd’s broader division lens also emphasizes how quickly NFL seasons can swing, especially in the NFC North where the gap between first and last place can tighten or widen based on a small number of key games. From that perspective, Detroit’s task is framed as consistency against familiar opponents, while Chicago’s is framed as proving that its new direction can withstand the grind of divisional play.

For Lions fans, the appeal of Cowherd’s pick is that it ties directly to a simple narrative: return to the postseason, then build from there. He does not present the division as guaranteed, but the tone is that Detroit has the best combination of readiness and stability to take the next step. For Bears fans, the counterpoint is equally clear. Chicago is positioned as the team that could disrupt the Lions’ plans, with the Williams and Johnson pairing serving as the division’s most visible storyline.

What to watch next is whether Detroit’s form holds up as camps progress and the regular season picture becomes clearer, particularly in the games against its NFC North rivals. If the Lions can match their offseason momentum with execution under pressure, Cowherd’s thesis strengthens. If Chicago’s leadership changes translate into dependable offense and late-game control, the Bears could make the North a tougher climb than Cowherd predicts.