Brandon Anderson· Jul 16, 2025
Brandon's 14 playoff teams: Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, Chargers and Patriots in the AFC; Eagles, Packers, 49ers, Panthers, Bears, Vikings and Rams in the NFC. He picks San Francisco to win the Super Bowl, bet Matt Stafford at 50-1 for MVP, and likes Micah Parsons for Defensive Player of the Year.
“I am going to reluctantly take the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
19 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 2 award picks, 2 division winners and 1 super bowl pick — 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 19 have settled, averaging 68.4 out of 100, against 31.6 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
19 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 WinnersCarolina PanthersJul 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers to win the division
“We all have very different choices for winners of the NFC South. I like Atlanta, Simon likes Tampa Bay, Brandon Lakes Carolina.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- method:
- division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- TB
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- yes
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsJul 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“I'm not ready to go better enough to win the division. I am going to reluctantly take the Jacksonville Jaguars... Could it be nine and eight or ten and seven? That's probably enough in this division.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- 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:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- last season's winner of the same division
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- won the division:
- yes
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles ChargersJul 16, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“So I have Chargers in with the high floor and the Steelers and the ... Broncos I have out”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksJacksonville JaguarsJul 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs
“I am going to reluctantly take the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- JAX
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersJul 16, 2025
San Francisco 49ers to make the playoffs
“your final seven I believe would be Rams, Bears, Bikings, Eagles, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Carolina. Yes”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- SF
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksGreen Bay PackersJul 16, 2025
Green Bay Packers to make the playoffs
“your final seven I believe would be Rams, Bears, Bikings, Eagles, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Carolina. Yes”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensJul 16, 2025
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“All of us have the Chiefs, the Ravens, and the Bills.”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksMinnesota VikingsJul 16, 2025
Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs
“Brandon, hash Chicago, Minnesota and green Bay.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- MIN
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesJul 16, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“your final seven I believe would be Rams, Bears, Bikings, Eagles, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Carolina. Yes”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsJul 16, 2025
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“Brandon, hash Chicago, Minnesota and green Bay.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CHI
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsJul 16, 2025
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“Brandon and Chad agree. Mike Rabel New England Patriots”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- NE
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsJul 16, 2025
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“All of us have the Chiefs, the Ravens, and the Bills.”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Award PicksMicah ParsonsDallas CowboysJul 16, 2025
Micah Parsons to win Defensive Player of the Year
“if you like Dallas, I think Parsons Defensive Player of the Year is a good way to invest in Dallas”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- defensive_player_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Pat Surtain II, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Micah Parsons
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Myles Garrett
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsJul 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“All of us have the Chiefs, the Ravens, and the Bills.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- KC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Super Bowl PicksSan Francisco 49ersJul 16, 2025
San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl
“Yes, they're my one super Bowl ticket right now.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- champion:
- SEA
- runner up:
- NE
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksCarolina PanthersJul 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“your final seven I believe would be Rams, Bears, Bikings, Eagles, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Carolina. Yes”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CAR
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsJul 16, 2025
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“So a lot of options. I like the other teams in that division as well, but for now I've got the Rams in”
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:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- yes
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Award PicksMatthew StaffordLos Angeles RamsJul 16, 2025
Matthew Stafford to win MVP
“Matt Stafford has been my first MVP bet for the season... And Stafford is a fifty to one MVP ticket is a ticket worth investing in for once.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- mvp
- naive:
- the naive pick was Josh Allen, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Matthew Stafford
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Matthew Stafford
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsJul 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“so I'm happy to put the Bengals as an option”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- CIN
- skill:
- -200
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 18
What others said about the same people
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 50Dubin picks the Rams to beat the Giants on Monday Night Football, sticking with preseason expectations over Week 1 overreaction. He gives two conditional scores depending on whether Puka Nacua plays: a comfortable 27-17 win if Nacua suits up, and a narrow 17-16 win if he sits.
- Dan OrlovskyGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Orlovsky said that even without Puka Nacua the Rams would find a way to beat the Giants on Monday night, though he thought the Giants would keep it within a touchdown.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 71Dubin picked the Rams to beat the Giants 27-17 on Monday night.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsHit · 86Prisco picked the Rams to beat the Giants 30-14.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 69Dajani picked the Rams to beat the Giants 30-21.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 55Breech expects Caleb Williams to return quickly from his hamstring injury, at the latest by Week 4 against the Jets or Week 5 against the Packers, and he picked the Rams to beat the Giants on Monday night. He also floated the Saints as a potential surprise team this season.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ross JacksonPlayoff Picks · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 0Jackson projects a big sophomore jump for Saints QB Tyler Shuck, laying out a Drake May-style stat line (17 starts, 72% completions, ~4,601 passing yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs) or a Bo Nix-style consistency line (over 4,000 yards, over 20 TDs, ~10 INTs), and says either path means a playoff season for New Orleans in 2026.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 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.
- 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.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Eisen agreed the Bears are a team of destiny who will win the NFC, insisted the Packers will make the playoffs and won't lose at home to the Ravens, said the Steelers should make the playoffs, and endorsed the view 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.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Eisen agreed the NFC West will send three teams to the playoffs (Seahawks, 49ers and Rams), endorsed the Bears finishing no worse than the No. 2 seed, and said Chicago would beat Green Bay at home.