Pete Prisco· Sep 15, 2026
An 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.
“The Seattle Seahawks stay in the top spot after beating the Patriots to open the season, while the 49ers have moved up after blowing out the Rams.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 surprise team calls and 1 power ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 2 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
3 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 CallsArizona CardinalsSep 15, 2026
Arizona Cardinals to beat expectations
“Give new coach Mike LaFleur credit for pulling off the upset of the Chargers. Maybe this team will be better than expected.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsNew York JetsSep 15, 2026
New York Jets to beat expectations
“That's a good start for a team that might be better than expected.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 15, 2026
“Rk Teams ... 1 Seahawks ... 32 Dolphins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Henry McKennaDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0McKenna predicts Kyler Murray will win the Vikings' starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy, that Minnesota will make the playoffs if Murray cuts out the hero ball, that both QBs will play in 2026, and wonders whether rookie Carson Beck could unseat Jacoby Brissett as Arizona's Week 1 starter.
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned PFF top-down betting breakdown argues the Jets will beat the Titans in Week 1, reasoning that Geno Smith should face little disruption against Tennessee's weak pass rush while Cam Ward will struggle against New York's heavy man coverage.
- Bryan DeArdoGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Jets to beat the Titans in their Week 1 matchup in Nashville, reasoning that Geno Smith's track record gives New York the edge in a close, low-scoring game.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Gregg RosenthalGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Rosenthal picks Eagles -4.5 over Washington, Bucs +3.5 in Cincinnati, and Steelers -3.5 over Atlanta, and adds extra leans on the Texans, Broncos, Saints and Jets.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports piece flags five Week 1 underdogs as upset candidates: the 49ers over the Rams in Melbourne, the Texans over the Bills, the Panthers over the Bears, the Jets over the Titans, and the Broncos over the Chiefs on Monday night.
More surprise team calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Mike TiricoSurprise Team Calls · Dallas CowboysPendingTirico named the Cowboys as his under-the-radar team for the season, noting the absence of drama and a defense that could push them to a strong year.