Rich Eisen· Jan 2, 2026
Eisen forecast the Week 18 results and the entire wild-card field: Buccaneers over Panthers but Carolina still gets in as the 5 seed when Atlanta beats New Orleans, 49ers over Seahawks, Ravens over Steelers, Jaguars beating Tennessee to win the AFC South, and six wild-card matchups (Seahawks-Panthers, Bills-Jaguars, Texans-Ravens, Packers-Bears, Chargers-Patriots, Rams-Eagles), with Houston upsetting Baltimore. He also tabbed Saints rookie Tyler Shough as a possible Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“I believe the Jaguars will beat the Tennessee titans, but not get the other results they need to be the one seed. They will be the AFC South champions.”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →
22 checkable claims — 12 playoff picks, 6 game outcome picks, 2 seeding, byes and home field, 1 award pick and 1 division winner — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 22 have settled, averaging 77.3 out of 100, against 45.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
22 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.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldChicago BearsJan 2, 2026
Chicago Bears to take the top seed
“And and that the Bears are the two seed”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 106
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- checked as:
- seeds 2–4 host a wild-card game — the bracket cannot separate them further
- actual tier:
- host
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- the naive guess:
- where they finished last season (missed the playoffs)
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- claimed seed:
- 2
- claimed tier:
- host
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsJan 2, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“They will be the AFC South champions.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 106
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- HOU
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- won the division:
- yes
Carolina Panthers to take the top seed
“making the Panthers the five seed going to Carolina”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- checked as:
- seeds 5–7 visit a wild-card game — the bracket cannot separate them further
- actual tier:
- host
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- the naive guess:
- where they finished last season (missed the playoffs)
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- claimed seed:
- 5
- claimed tier:
- visitor
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksSan Francisco 49ersJan 2, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to beat Seahawks
“And I think San Francisco beats the Seahawks on Sunday night, making the Panthers the five seed”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- SEA
- score:
- 13-3
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksJacksonville JaguarsJan 2, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Tennessee titans
“I believe the Jaguars will beat the Tennessee titans”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- JAX
- score:
- 7-41
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksBaltimore RavensJan 2, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to beat Steelers
“I think the Ravens win that game on Sunday night”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-106 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- PIT
- score:
- 24-26
- skill:
- -106
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- PIT
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksTampa Bay BuccaneersJan 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Panthers
“The Panthers, I think, are going to lose to Tampa, but get in because Atlanta beats the Saints.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- TB
- score:
- 14-16
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- TB
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- TB
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksAtlanta FalconsJan 2, 2026
Atlanta Falcons to beat Saints
“but get in because Atlanta beats the Saints”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- ATL
- score:
- 17-19
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- ATL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- ATL
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksCarolina PanthersJan 2, 2026
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“the first game of wildcard weekend is going to be at Carolina... the Seahawks visiting the Panthers”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CAR
- skill:
- 106
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Game Outcome PicksHouston TexansJan 2, 2026
Houston Texans to beat Ravens
“I think the Texans would beat the Ravens. Don't you think? I think the Texans are about to go on a fat run.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- HOU
- score:
- 44-10
- skill:
- 106
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BAL
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsJan 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“I think the Rams and the Eagles wrap up wild card weekend”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAR
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesJan 2, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“I think the Rams and the Eagles wrap up wild card weekend in a game that everyone's gonna sit down and watch.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- PHI
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksJacksonville JaguarsJan 2, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs
“Bills at Jaguars is gonna be the night game.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- JAX
- skill:
- 106
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsJan 2, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“Bills at Jaguars is gonna be the night game.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BUF
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersJan 2, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“Chargers. Jim Harbaugh. Let's go. And Justin Herbert coming into New England, I think will be the NBC Sunday night game.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- LAC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksJan 2, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“it's gonna be the Seahawks visiting the Panthers for a rematch of what we saw in week 17”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- SEA
- skill:
- 106
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Award PicksTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsJan 2, 2026
Tyler Shough to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“I think this kid, Tyler Schott, could be the offensive rookie of the year.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- offensive_rookie_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Jayden Daniels, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Tyler Shough
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansJan 2, 2026
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“they open up the wild card triple header at home against the Houston Texans”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- HOU
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksGreen Bay PackersJan 2, 2026
Green Bay Packers to make the playoffs
“Brady and Burkhart are going back to Chicago for Packers and Bears”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- GB
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensJan 2, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“they open up the wild card triple header at home against the Houston Texans”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BAL
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsJan 2, 2026
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“And Justin Herbert coming into New England, I think will be the NBC Sunday night game.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- NE
- skill:
- 106
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsJan 2, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“Brady and Burkhart are going back to Chicago for Packers and Bears”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+106 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CHI
- skill:
- 106
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.06
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 1
What others said about the same people
- Richie BradshawScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Bradshaw picks the 49ers to beat the Cardinals in their Week 3 matchup, predicting a final score of 27-14 in San Francisco's favor.
- Carmen VitaliGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100In the show's weekly picks segment Vitali took the Broncos over the Rams, the Ravens over the Cowboys in Rio, Tampa at home over Minnesota, the Bills over the Chargers and the Eagles on the road in Chicago. She also agreed that Caleb Williams would be out roughly two to three weeks.
- Tracy SandlerGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Sandler predicted Caleb Williams would miss two to three weeks with his hamstring injury, and in the picks segment took the Broncos, Ravens, Vikings, Bills and Bears (switching off an earlier Tampa pick).
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Middlekauff expects blowout wins for Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami in Week 3, picks Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh in the AFC North matchup, and takes Tennessee over the Giants if Jameis Winston is taking snaps.
- Pat FitzmauriceScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 36Fitzmaurice gave rest-of-season positional rankings for several Chiefs and other skill players, including Mahomes as his QB10, Kenneth Walker as RB4 behind Gibbs, Bijan and McCaffrey, Kelce at TE8 and Worthy down at WR50, and he picked Tampa Bay to beat Minnesota 21-20.
- Derek BrownScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersClose · 40Brown laid out aggressive rest-of-season positional rankings — Mahomes QB8, Kenneth Walker RB3, Kelce up to TE7, Rashee Rice all the way down at WR31 and Worthy at WR42 — called Drake London a WR1 with Penix back, and picked Tampa Bay 21-18 over Minnesota while declaring Zay Flowers will not play in Brazil.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Craig StoutPlayoff Picks · Kansas City ChiefsMiss · 0Craig believes better execution from a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs team will be enough to return them to the playoffs in the coming season, and he expects Tyler Algeier to land with Denver as a complement to RJ Harvey.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Brockman argued the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through Foxborough, meaning the Patriots will finish as the No. 1 seed, and called his shot that the Chargers beat Denver in Week 18. He also declared the Bears a team of destiny who will win the NFC, said the Steelers will end their playoff win drought, and that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Denver BroncosHit · 100Brockman argued the Broncos are headed to the AFC Championship Game, that the Cowboys will win the NFC East, that Green Bay is the NFC's best team, and that the Bears will finish no worse than the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Brockman argued the Eagles' defense is the NFL's best and will drag a mediocre offense to the NFC championship, that the NFC North sends only two teams to the playoffs with the Bears among them, that the Rams are the league's best team, that a healthy Brock Purdy makes the 49ers an NFC threat who will beat the Saints and Falcons, and that the Panthers win the NFC South.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Minnesota VikingsMiss · 0Brockman argued the Seahawks are the NFC's best team and will land the No. 1 seed, that Jacksonville will reach 11 wins and steal the AFC South from Indianapolis, that JJ McCarthy will lead the Vikings to the playoffs, and that Matthew Stafford will be an MVP finalist.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Detroit LionsMiss · 0Brockman doubled down that the Ravens will win the AFC North, named Jonathan Taylor the NFL's MVP, locked in his seven NFC playoff teams with the Eagles as the NFC East's lone qualifier, and predicted Justin Fields will be the Jets' starting quarterback in 2026.