Bryan DeArdo· Sep 24, 2026
DeArdo ranks the NFL's eight 2-0 teams, splitting them into four he considers legitimate (Seahawks, Bengals, Bills, 49ers) and four pretenders (Chiefs, Eagles, Vikings, Raiders). He expects Buffalo to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and believes Kansas City's soft schedule will still get it a playoff spot.
“At this point, it would be hard to pick against the Bills in terms of which AFC team will represent the conference in the Super Bowl.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 1 availability call, 1 conference champion, 1 playoff pick and 1 power ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 4 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Their call against the record
Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
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Who this take is about
4 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Conference ChampionsBuffalo BillsSep 24, 2026
Buffalo Bills to reach the Super Bowl
“At this point, it would be hard to pick against the Bills in terms of which AFC team will represent the conference in the Super Bowl.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsSep 24, 2026
“an injured Kyler Murray, who will make his first start this Sunday against the Buccaneers since a Week 1 injury”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 24, 2026
“Below is a rundown of each 2-0 team, broken up into the ones that are for real and the ones that may falter in the coming months. Who's real: 1. Seattle Seahawks, 2. Cincinnati Bengals, 3. Buffalo Bills, 4. San Francisco 49ers. Pretenders: 1. Kansas City Chiefs, 2. Philadelphia Eagles, 3. Minnesota Vikings, 4. Las Vegas Raiders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 24, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Fortunately for the Chiefs, their schedule (three games against teams that are currently 0-2 and seven games against 2025 non-playoff teams) should allow them to grab a playoff spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Fox SportsRoster Spot Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100FOX Sports projects Kyle McCord as Miami's backup behind starter Malik Willis, Mitchell Trubisky as Tennessee's primary backup behind starter Cam Ward, and J.J. McCarthy making the Vikings' 53-man roster.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Ar'maj Reed-AdamsMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Buffalo Bills' final 53-man roster ahead of Week 1 against Houston, naming every player who makes it, who gets cut, and a few depth-chart outcomes (Damar Hamlin as backup safety, Alec Anderson as a new starter on the offensive line, Shane Buechele back on the practice squad).
- Trevor RipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jacob ThomasHit · 100Ripley expects UDFA safety Jacob Thomas to earn a roster spot with the Vikings after a strong preseason showing, believes Jay Ward will start opposite Metellus, and thinks Theo Jackson's roster spot is safe despite losing his starting job.
- Tom JensenRoster Spot Calls · T.J. HockensonMiss · 0NFL.com published a list of players it expects to be released by cutdown day, headlined by tight ends Dawson Knox, T.J. Hockenson and Cole Kmet.
More conference champions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brockman argues the Seahawks are at the start of a dynasty, predicting they will win multiple Super Bowls over the next five years, and that they are set up to return to the Super Bowl the following season in Los Angeles.
- Damonza ByrdConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100The co-host picks the Seahawks to beat the Rams in the NFC Championship game, and says he believes New England will win in Denver even though he is taking the Broncos with the points.
- Nick WrightConference Champions · New England PatriotsHit · 100The host picks the Rams to beat the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game and believes the winner of that game wins the Super Bowl, i.e. that this is the Rams' year; he also picks New England to win in Denver despite taking the Broncos with the points, and says Stafford is winning MVP. He calls Sean McVay the second-best coach in the NFL.
- Nick WrightConference Champions · Denver BroncosClose · 50Wright picked the Broncos to beat the Patriots in a low-scoring AFC Championship game (17-16), said Sean Payton would coach Denver to the Super Bowl, picked the Rams to win outright in Seattle 31-20, believes the winner of the NFC game wins the Super Bowl with the Rams the better team, and expects Matt Stafford to be named league MVP.
- AJ HawkConference Champions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 50Hawk picked the Patriots to win in Denver despite liking Stidham and the Broncos defense, and in the NFC he stuck with the Rams, saying Stafford gets to the Super Bowl.
- Derek MurphyConference Champions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Bone said after watching film that Seattle will handle the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and that the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.