Zachary Pereles· Aug 10, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports piece names five quiet-offseason teams that could outperform expectations in the coming season — the Seahawks, Packers, Broncos, Jaguars and Saints — arguing Seattle remains a legitimate contender, Denver is a lock for the playoffs, and Green Bay's Matthew Golden is a breakout candidate.
“Here are five teams that haven't made a ton of noise this offseason but could make plenty when the results actually matter.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 5 surprise team calls, 1 playoff pick, 1 positional finishe and 1 sleeper call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
8 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 ... 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 CallsSeattle SeahawksAug 10, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to beat expectations
“1. Seahawks ... they're not getting much buzz. That's a mistake. Last year wasn't just some lucky run.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsDenver BroncosAug 10, 2026
Denver Broncos to beat expectations
“3. Broncos ... The Broncos were likely a freak injury away from the Super Bowl.”
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.
Devon Witherspoon to finish top 5 at his position, by interceptions
“Devon Witherspoon is a top-five cornerback”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Surprise Team CallsJacksonville JaguarsAug 10, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat expectations
“4. Jaguars ... But what about the internal development? Trevor Lawrence caught fire down the stretch of last season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Surprise Team CallsNew Orleans SaintsAug 10, 2026
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
“Here's one team well outside the projected playoff picture to be bullish on.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosAug 10, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“Denver should be a shoo-in playoff team at worst.”
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- John ShipleyDepth Chart Calls · Patrick MekariMiss · 0Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes him as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn him a game-day jersey. He also identifies Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matt HasselbeckSurprise Team Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersPendingHasselbeck pushed back on Cowherd's picks, backing the Steelers, Cowboys and Broncos, and saying he might put the Packers in the playoffs instead of one of Cowherd's NFC teams.
- Bucky BrooksSurprise Team Calls · Dallas CowboysPendingBrooks previews five Week 1 storylines for the 2026 season: A.J. Brown will serve as New England's true No. 1 receiver, Kyler Murray takes over as Minnesota's starting quarterback, and the Cowboys are quietly emerging as title contenders who could surprise opponents.