Colin Cowherd's Blazing 5: The Shocking Week 15 Picks And Why He's Fading The Public

The highly anticipated "Blazing 5" picks from sports media titan Colin Cowherd have landed for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, and they are as contrarian and thought-provoking as ever. With the playoff picture tightening and every game carrying massive implications, Cowherd’s selections are designed to fade the public perception and exploit situational betting spots. As of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, his latest slate of best bets focuses heavily on coaching advantages and teams in desperate need of a momentum-shifting win, promising a dramatic and potentially profitable weekend for those who follow his unique logic.

The "Blazing 5" is a weekly segment on his show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, where he gives his five best NFL picks against the spread (ATS). His reputation is built on a willingness to be wrong, but also a knack for identifying market inefficiencies, often leveraging his deep knowledge of team dynamics and coaching philosophies over simple statistics. This Week 15 list is no exception, featuring several high-stakes matchups where Cowherd sees value in the underdog or a dominant performance from a favorite.

Colin Cowherd: A Profile of the Contrarian Sports Voice

Colin Murray Cowherd, born on January 6, 1964, is one of the most polarizing and successful sports broadcasters in the United States. His career is defined by his willingness to offer strong, often controversial, opinions on sports, culture, and media, which he refers to as "The Volume."

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• Full Name: Colin Murray Cowherd
• Born: January 6, 1964 (Age 61 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.
• Education: Eastern Washington University
• Career Start: Began his broadcasting career as the Sports Director of Las Vegas television station KVBC.
• Major Roles: Gained national prominence during his decade-long tenure at ESPN, hosting The Herd with Colin Cowherd (2004–2015).
• Current Role: Joined FOX Sports and Premiere Networks in September 2015, where he continues to host The Herd on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Radio.
• Signature Segments: "The Blazing 5," "Herd Hierarchy," and "Where Colin Was Right/Wrong."
• Broadcasting Style: Known for his analytical, often narrative-driven approach, focusing on quarterback play, organizational stability, and coaching impact.

The Blazing 5: Colin Cowherd's Week 15 Picks and Rationale

Coming off a successful prior week, Cowherd is confident in his ability to identify undervalued teams in critical spots. His Week 15 selections are a masterclass in situational betting, prioritizing playoff implications and coaching stability. The following are the five best bets Colin Cowherd is placing his faith in, with lines and analysis based on the most recent available information.

1. Cleveland Browns (+4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick: Browns (+4) to cover the spread against the Chiefs.

The Rationale: Cowherd sees this as a classic situational spot where the market overreacts to the Chiefs' brand name. The Browns, despite any perceived limitations, possess a ferocious defense and a dominant running game that can control the clock and keep the ball out of the hands of the opposing quarterback. Giving a top-tier team four points at home against a Chiefs team that has shown vulnerability this season is a value bet. Cowherd’s logic often dictates that in a playoff-atmosphere game, the team with the superior trench play (the Browns' offensive and defensive lines) is the safer bet to keep the score tight.

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2. Cincinnati Bengals (ATS) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Pick: Bengals to cover the spread against the Ravens.

The Rationale: This pick leans heavily on the star power of the Bengals' quarterback and their recent history in rivalry games. Cowherd argues that the Bengals, even if facing an injury or a recent slump, have the offensive firepower to exploit the Ravens' defense. The narrative here is that the Bengals are playing for their playoff lives, creating a "desperation spot" that often leads to inspired performances. He believes the Bengals' coaching staff is adept at preparing for the Ravens, making the spread too large for a divisional clash with major AFC implications.

3. Los Angeles Rams (ATS) vs. Detroit Lions

The Pick: Rams to cover the spread against the Lions.

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The Rationale: Cowherd is often skeptical of teams that are media darlings, and the Lions fit that bill this season. While respecting their offense, he sees the Rams as a more complete team with a significant coaching advantage. The Rams' head coach is known for his ability to scheme against high-powered offenses. This pick is a classic Cowherd "fade the public" selection. He believes the spread is inflated due to the public's love for the Lions' story, making the Rams the sharp, undervalued play in a game that will be a tightly contested offensive battle.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (ATS) vs. Opponent TBD

The Pick: Steelers to cover the spread.

The Rationale: The Steelers pick is almost always a bet on the coach, not the personnel. Cowherd consistently praises the Steelers’ head coach for never having a losing season and for his ability to rally his team in crucial moments. In Week 15, the Steelers are likely facing a team with a better record, positioning them as an underdog. Cowherd's analysis is simple: the Steelers are a fundamentally sound, well-coached team that rarely gets blown out. Betting on them to cover a spread, especially as a home underdog, is a bet on organizational stability and a relentless defensive effort that keeps them in every game.

5. Green Bay Packers (ATS) vs. Opponent TBD

The Pick: Packers to cover the spread.

The Rationale: This pick is driven by the situational angle of a team peaking late in the season. Cowherd sees the Packers as a young, ascending team that is finally putting all the pieces together. They have a dynamic quarterback who is starting to find his rhythm, and the team is playing with a confidence that transcends the spread. Whether they are playing a divisional opponent or a struggling contender, Cowherd is betting on the momentum and the superior offense to win out. He views the Packers as a team that is undervalued by the market due to early-season struggles, making them a high-upside pick for Week 15.

The Cowherd Philosophy: Why These Picks Matter

The "Blazing 5" is more than just a list of predictions; it's a weekly lesson in situational betting and market psychology. Cowherd’s picks consistently focus on key entities and concepts that the average bettor overlooks:

• Coaching Advantage: Cowherd believes coaching is the single biggest factor in covering the spread, often picking teams with historically strong or well-prepared coaches (e.g., Steelers).
• Organizational Stability: He favors teams with strong, stable front offices and quarterback situations, viewing them as more reliable bets over the long term.
• Situational Spots: His picks are often based on "desperation spots" (teams needing a win to stay in the playoff hunt), "look-ahead spots" (teams potentially overlooking an opponent), or major home-field advantages.
• Quarterback Play: While he respects defense, Cowherd’s final decision often comes down to which quarterback he trusts more to manage the end of a close game, especially when the line is tight.
• Fading the Public: He actively seeks out picks where the majority of the money is on the opposing side, believing the public often overvalues star power and recent results, creating value in the underdog.

Whether you choose to follow or fade his advice, Cowherd's Week 15 "Blazing 5" provides a compelling, well-reasoned argument for every selection. His picks serve as a crucial data point for any serious bettor looking to gain an edge in the final weeks of the NFL season, forcing a deeper analysis of the situational factors that truly win games.