Garrett Podell· Sep 8, 2026
Podell picks the Patriots, Bengals, Texans, Chargers, Cowboys, Packers, Buccaneers and Rams as division winners, and says Cincinnati returns to the playoffs.
“The Bengals return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 8 division winners and 1 playoff pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 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
9 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.
- Division WinnersDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to win the division
“Dallas wins the NFC East for the first time since 2023.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew England PatriotsSep 8, 2026
New England Patriots to win the division
“New England maintains their slight edge over Buffalo.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersGreen Bay PackersSep 8, 2026
Green Bay Packers to win the division
“Love with a consistent group of pass catchers, plus the Micah Parsons-led defense, will be enough to win the NFC North.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division
“the Buccaneers have the most talented roster top to bottom. They return to their perch atop the division in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the division
“Cincinnati Bengals (+164) Podell: "Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have always been able to light up a scoreboard, but now they finally have a defense that can make those points matter."”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“The Bengals return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“Los Angeles Rams (-105) ... Podell: "It's rare that "dream teams" actually pan out in the NFL, but the Rams were already the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense in 2025."”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersSep 8, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“Herbert, running back Omarion Hampton and Los Angeles' stout defense power the Bolts to their first AFC West crown since 2009.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersHouston TexansSep 8, 2026
Houston Texans to win the division
“As long as C.J. Stroud isn't historically awful like he was last postseason, the Texans should be one of the best teams in football.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Danny ParkinsTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Parkins predicts Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders, Trey Hendrickson signs in Tampa, Michael Penix Jr. wins Atlanta's QB competition, Jared Wilson takes over at center in New England, Mike Evans reaches 1,000 yards, and the Bears lose Byard and Brisker.
- Pat FitzmauriceTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Fitzmorris made picks 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 in the 2026 mock, ranked the top three receiver prospects Tate-Lemon-Tyson, said Caleb Downs won't fall to Day 2, and predicted Trey Hendrickson won't be back in Cincinnati.
More division winners
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Daniel DiBerardinisDivision Winners · Atlanta FalconsMiss · 0Danny D predicts Sonny Styles goes in the top ten (maybe top five), doesn't think Ty Simpson goes before late first round, says Kenyon Sadiq lands with the Rams at 13, and picks the Falcons to win the NFC South while naming the Bengals an AFC bounce-back team. He also gives a Final Four of Michigan, Florida, Purdue and Arizona with Michigan winning.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · New York GiantsMiss · 0Cowherd projects the NFC East with the Giants winning the division ahead of Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas, pegging the Cowboys as a six- or seven-win team. He also expects Malik Willis to land a big free-agent deal, Kayvon Thibodeaux to be moved, and Baltimore to lose Isaiah Likely, and he floats the Rams reaching on Ty Simpson late in round one.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Cowherd likes Jacksonville, Chicago and Pittsburgh (with DK Metcalf back) in the wild-card round, ranks the league's head coaches with McVay first and Ben Johnson seventh, and predicts Lamar Jackson has about two strong years left. He also names the Rams as a possible team to draft a receiver and floats next year's draft having seven first-round quarterbacks.
- Danny ParkinsDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Parkins lays the points with the Eagles and Cowboys, takes Baltimore to beat Pittsburgh and win the AFC North, picks Carolina over Tampa Bay and Seattle over San Francisco, and says he'd probably pick the Rams to come out of the NFC.
- Rich EisenDivision Winners · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Eisen 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.
- Rich EisenDivision Winners · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Eisen called the 49ers-as-NFC-favorites take an overreaction, picked the Jaguars to beat the Titans and win their division, leaned Ravens over the Steelers in the Week 18 Sunday night game, expects the Bills to beat the Jets even without Josh Allen, sees the Chargers as the AFC's seventh seed, agreed Tyler Shough could win Offensive Rookie of the Year with a good Saints 2026, said Malik Willis will be a starter somewhere next season, and insisted Detroit goes into 2026 with Goff.