Pete Prisco· Sep 9, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports Week 1 picks column predicts final scores for all 16 games, including a Seahawks rout of the Patriots in the Super Bowl rematch and a late Chiefs win over Denver in Patrick Mahomes' return.
“This rematch of the February Super Bowl will go much like that game. The Seahawks will dominate.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
16 checkable claims — 16 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 16 have settled, averaging 65.2 out of 100, against 52.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Patriots at Seahawks 33 calls
- 49ers at Rams 37 calls
- Ravens at Colts 24 calls
- Browns at Jaguars 26 calls
- Falcons at Steelers 34 calls
- Jets at Titans 25 calls
- Saints at Lions 22 calls
- Buccaneers at Bengals 31 calls
- Bears at Panthers 28 calls
- Bills at Texans 46 calls
- Cardinals at Chargers 23 calls
- Commanders at Eagles 31 calls
- Packers at Vikings 41 calls
- Dolphins at Raiders 34 calls
- Cowboys at Giants 42 calls
- Broncos at Chiefs 45 calls
16 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.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 9, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 20 — Broncos 17
“Pick: Chiefs 20, Broncos 17”
Close · 57Scored 57.14a naive guess scored 51.93+10.42 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- 10.42
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 57.14
- baseline:
- 51.93
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 0.81
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsSep 9, 2026
Detroit Lions 33 — Saints 21
“Pick: Lions 33, Saints 21”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 96.35-45.08 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 30-31
- skill:
- -45.08
- they picked:
- DET
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 96.35
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 12
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsSep 9, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 30 — Browns 13
“Pick: Jaguars 30, Browns 13”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 50+66.67 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-34
- skill:
- 66.67
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 17
- Score PredictionsNew York JetsSep 9, 2026
New York Jets 23 — Titans 19
“Pick: Jets 23, Titans 19”
Close · 79Scored 78.57a naive guess scored 17.78+121.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 23-10
- skill:
- 121.59
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- baseline:
- 17.78
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 13
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 4
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 9, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 30 — Giants 17
“Pick: Cowboys 30, Giants 17”
Miss · 38Scored 38.1a naive guess scored 79.68-83.17 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-28
- skill:
- -83.17
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 38.1
- baseline:
- 79.68
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 13
- Score PredictionsChicago BearsSep 9, 2026
Chicago Bears 29 — Panthers 21
“Pick: Bears 29, Panthers 21”
Close · 67Scored 66.67a naive guess scored 0+133.33 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 59-37
- skill:
- 133.33
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 66.67
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 8
- Score PredictionsLas Vegas RaidersSep 9, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders 21 — Dolphins 17
“Pick: Raiders 21, Dolphins 17”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 65.4+21.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-27
- skill:
- 21.59
- they picked:
- LV
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 65.4
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 4
- Score PredictionsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles 30 — Commanders 21
“Pick: Eagles 30, Commanders 21”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 93.97-21.27 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 22-24
- skill:
- -21.27
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 93.97
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 9
- Score PredictionsPittsburgh SteelersSep 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 — Falcons 17
“Pick: Steelers 27, Falcons 17”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 82.06+21.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 21.59
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 82.06
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 10
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 9, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 29 — Buccaneers 28
“Pick: Bengals 29, Buccaneers 28”
Hit · 88Scored 88.1a naive guess scored 84.44+7.3 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-33
- skill:
- 7.3
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 88.1
- baseline:
- 84.44
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 1
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles ChargersSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers 31 — Cardinals 14
“Pick: Chargers 31, Cardinals 14”
Miss · 38Scored 38.1a naive guess scored 20.16+35.87 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 26-14
- skill:
- 35.87
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 38.1
- baseline:
- 20.16
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 12
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 17
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensSep 9, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 34 — Colts 27
“Pick: Ravens 34, Colts 27”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 5.87+135.87 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 41-23
- skill:
- 135.87
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 5.87
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsSep 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills 23 — Texans 20
“Pick: Bills 23, Texans 20”
Hit · 95Scored 95.24a naive guess scored 36.83+116.83 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 36-31
- skill:
- 116.83
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 95.24
- baseline:
- 36.83
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Score PredictionsGreen Bay PackersSep 9, 2026
Green Bay Packers 26 — Vikings 24
“Pick: Packers 26, Vikings 24”
Miss · 14Scored 14.29a naive guess scored 58.25-87.94 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 22-39
- skill:
- -87.94
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 14.29
- baseline:
- 58.25
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 2
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 28 — 49ers 27
“Pick: Rams 28, 49ers 27”
Miss · 5Scored 4.76a naive guess scored 0+9.52 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-7
- skill:
- 9.52
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 4.76
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 20
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -8.5
- predicted margin:
- 1
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 26 — Patriots 14
“Pick: Seahawks 26, Patriots 14”
Close · 79Scored 78.57a naive guess scored 100-42.86 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-13
- skill:
- -42.86
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 3
- predicted margin:
- 12
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.
- 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.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.
- Mike MoraitisDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0Moraitis writes that although Braxton Jones has looked like the favorite, Ozzy Trapilo is likely to take over as the Bears' starting left tackle once he's healthy enough to play.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2The unbylined CBS Sports preview picks Denver to win at Arrowhead in Week 1, 21-20, and expects Kenneth Walker III to be Kansas City's lead back while Jaylen Waddle serves as Bo Nix's top receiving target in Denver.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 7Dajani picks the Rams over the 49ers, Texans over Bills, Ravens over Colts, Bengals over Buccaneers, Vikings over Packers, Cowboys over Giants and Broncos over Chiefs in Week 1, with exact scores. He also predicts the Bills win the AFC East, the Cowboys win their division, and Caleb Downs wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.