Cowherd Puts Bengals’ Chase Brown at Top of His Running Back Rankings After Week 1 Win

Cincinnati may be Joe Burrow’s team, but one prominent national voice thinks the Bengals’ backfield deserves the spotlight. Speaking on his “Herd Hierarchy” segment, Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd placed Cincinnati ninth among NFL clubs heading into Week 2 and offered a bold assessment of fourth-year running back Chase Brown.

“I think Chase Brown is the best running back in the NFL,” Cowherd said, citing Brown’s strong finish to the 2025 campaign as evidence for his claim.

The Bengals opened the season at 1-0 after edging the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27. Brown played a central role in the win, logging 16 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown while chipping in five receptions for 22 yards — 78 total yards from scrimmage in the opener.

The scoring strike extended a notable streak: the former fifth-round pick has now found the end zone in five of his last six regular-season games dating back to last year.

Cowherd’s praise extended beyond Brown. He characterized Cincinnati as the league’s second-most-improved roster this offseason, projecting the Bengals to reach the postseason on the strength of a retooled defense paired with the Burrow-Brown offensive tandem.

The commentary landed on Fox Sports programming from Fox Corporation, whose shares traded at $67.49 on the day, down 0.13% from the prior close of $67.57. The company, valued at roughly $26.8 billion, operates in the Communication Services sector through its entertainment portfolio, including the sports talk content that regularly generates headlines like Cowherd’s rankings.

Whether Brown can sustain the production that backs up Cowherd’s superlative remains one of the early-season storylines in Cincinnati, where expectations have been elevated by the Week 1 result and the team’s offseason additions.

What to watch

• Brown’s usage and scoring pace over the coming weeks as the Bengals chase a second straight win in Week 2.
• Whether Cincinnati’s upgraded defense holds up against tougher opposition after allowing 27 points to Tampa Bay.
• Cowherd’s updated “Herd Hierarchy” rankings, which will signal how Fox Sports talent views the Bengals’ trajectory.
• The Bengals’ next injury and performance reports as the season unfolds.

Source: original release