Zachary Pereles· Aug 10, 2026
Pereles lists teams being overlooked entering the season, naming the Seahawks, Packers and Broncos as clubs that deserve more buzz, and argues Denver's 9.5-win total is too low.
“Even Denver's 9.5 win total seems low; it won 14 games last year and 10 the year before, when Nix was a rookie.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 3 surprise team calls and 1 sleeper call — 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.
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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.
- Surprise Team CallsGreen Bay PackersAug 10, 2026
Green Bay Packers to beat expectations
“2. Packers. It seems like it's said every year, but perhaps this is actually the year the offense becomes one of the league's best.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsDenver BroncosAug 10, 2026
Denver Broncos to beat expectations
“3. Broncos. They have longer odds than the Lions and the same odds as the Bengals to win the Super Bowl.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsSeattle SeahawksAug 10, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to beat expectations
“five teams that we're not talking about enough. 1. Seahawks.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMatthew GoldenGreen Bay PackersAug 10, 2026
Matthew Golden to outplay his draft cost
“Matthew Golden is a strong second-year breakout candidate”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2Dubin picks Denver to win narrowly in Kansas City, 21-20.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 10Sullivan picks Denver to beat Kansas City 24-20.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 7Dajani picks the Broncos over the Chiefs, 17-14.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 5In the Pick Six newsletter, Breech picks the Broncos to upset the Chiefs on Monday night, 23-21.
More surprise team calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pete PriscoSurprise Team Calls · Arizona CardinalsPendingAn unsigned Week 2 NFL power rankings column places the Seahawks first and the Dolphins last, with the 49ers rising six spots after beating the Rams and the Cowboys falling 12 after losing to the Giants. It also suggests the Cardinals and Jets could be better than expected.
- Rich EisenSurprise Team Calls · New Orleans SaintsPendingEisen accepted that the Giants can be the best team in the NFC East (while pumping the brakes on NFC contender talk), restated his preseason Josh Allen MVP pick, insisted the Rams are too talented to miss the playoffs, and put his marker on the Saints as the NFC South team that can beat expectations.
- Steve HartmanSurprise Team Calls · Cincinnati BengalsPendingHartman picked the Rams and Bills to meet in the Super Bowl with the Rams winning, named the Bengals as his surprise team with Joe Burrow winning MVP and Cincinnati winning its division and reaching the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.
- Fox SportsSurprise Team Calls · New Orleans SaintsPendingRelaying anonymous NFL executives and scouts, the piece names Saints QB Tyler Shough as this season's breakout star whose numbers could pop, suggests New Orleans could surprise people in a weak division, and says Bears youngsters Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland will become elite — with Burden taking over as Chicago's No. 1 receiver ahead of Rome Odunze.
- Bill CowherSurprise Team Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersPendingCowher said the Steelers are flying under the radar entering the season and will have a better identity, framing them as a team that beats expectations.
- JJ WattSurprise Team Calls · Jacksonville JaguarsPendingWatt gave Seattle's defensive front the edge over New England's, said the Jaguars remain underrated and under-discussed, and described USC product Lloyd as the Packers' bell-cow starting back.