Rich Eisen · Sep 17, 2025

Eisen argues the Bengals' season isn't over without Joe Burrow, projecting Jake Browning to go a game over .500 the rest of the way for a 10-7 finish that could earn a wild card, and he thinks Cincinnati can beat Minnesota to go 3-0. He also gave a top-five MVP list through two weeks (Josh Allen first) and said Jonathan Taylor is on pace to win the rushing title.

“Why would anybody be surprised if Jake Browning goes one game over 500? That's ten and seven the rest of the way.”

said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →

5 checkable claims from this

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.

Season Win Totals Cincinnati BengalsSep 17, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to finish with 10 wins
“Why would anybody be surprised if Jake Browning goes one game over 500? That's ten and seven the rest of the way. Ten and seven might make the playoffs. Season is not over.”
Miss · 20Scored 20a naive guess scored 45-47.25 skill
How this was scored
team:
CIN
naive:
8.75
skill:
-47.25
what happened:
6
season:
2025
zero at:
5
accuracy:
20
baseline:
45
predicted:
10
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
16
Think this is wrong?
Top Player ListsSep 17, 2025
“Top five MVP candidates through two weeks... Number five on the list is is my boy, Baker... Number four... Jordan Love... Number three... Justin Herbert... So I'm putting him two and Josh Allen one.”
Close · 65Scored 65a naive guess scored 50+28.35 skill
How this was scored
naive:
a coin-flip ordering scores 50
skill:
28.35
placed:
5
season:
2025
players:
5
accuracy:
65
baseline:
50
by position:
QB 5: 65
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
could not place:
0
weeks left when called:
16
Think this is wrong?
Game Outcome Picks Cincinnati BengalsSep 17, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to win
“And I think the Bengals can go to three and o this week potentially.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-189 skill
How this was scored
won:
MIN
score:
10-48
skill:
-189
they picked:
CIN
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
100
naive pick:
MIN
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
16
Think this is wrong?
Award Picks Josh AllenSep 17, 2025
Josh Allen to win MVP
“So I'm putting him two and Josh Allen one... it might wind up with Josh Allen one.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
award:
mvp
naive:
the naive pick was Josh Allen, who won it the year before
skill:
0
player:
Josh Allen
season:
2025
winner:
Matthew Stafford
correct:
false
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
16
Think this is wrong?
Positional Finishes Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis ColtsSep 17, 2025
Jonathan Taylor to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“Jonathan Taylor is, you know, on a pace to potentially win the rushing title this year.”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 91.67-15.75 skill
How this was scored
skill:
-15.75
player:
Jonathan Taylor
season:
2025
zero at:
12
accuracy:
83.33
baseline:
91.67
position:
RB
ranked by:
rushing yards
difficulty:
1.89
naive basis:
where he finished last season
weeks in the season:
18
naive finish:
4
actual finish:
3
weeks left when called:
16
predicted finish:
1
Think this is wrong?