Walt· Sep 1, 2026
An unsigned pre-Week 1 power ranking of all 32 teams for the 2026 season, led by the Rams, Seahawks and Bills, with the Dolphins last; also projects Josh Allen as MVP, backs the Saints to win the Super Bowl, and expects Kirk Cousins to start games for the Raiders.
“The Rams are a powerhouse and will be difficult to beat this year.”
published in writing · Walter Football · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 1 award pick, 1 depth chart call, 1 power ranking, 1 super bowl pick and 1 top player list — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Kirk Cousins · 2026 season46 calls from 39 pundits between 1 and 1. Walt said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
5 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.
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“it sounds like Kirk Cousins will be starting a bunch of games, especially after Fernando Mendoza crapped the bed in the preseason.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 1, 2026
“2026 NFL MVP Projection: 1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills 2. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals 3. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers 4. Drake Maye, QB, Patriots 5. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsSep 1, 2026
“My current NFL Power Rankings for the 2026 NFL season. Pre-Week 1 NFL Power Rankings. NFL Power Rankings updated Sept. 2, 2026 ... Los Angeles Rams ... Miami Dolphins (7-10) Team Hub - Previously: 32.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJosh AllenBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
Josh Allen to win MVP
“2026 NFL MVP Projection: 1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Super Bowl PicksNew Orleans SaintsSep 1, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl
“I bet the Saints to win the Super Bowl at 100/1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Breech picks the Texans to upset the Bills in Houston, trusting Houston's defense to smother Josh Allen, and takes the Raiders to beat the Dolphins by at least a touchdown.
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100PFF's divisional-round same-game parlay picks: Tampa Bay beats Cincinnati with Cade Otton exploiting the Bengals' linebackers, Las Vegas beats Miami behind Kirk Cousins attacking a depleted Dolphins secondary, and Houston beats Buffalo with C.J. Stroud throwing effectively and Jaylin Noel benefiting from the slot matchup.
- Logan LazarczykGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Lazarczyk argues the Raiders' Week 1 home opener against a gutted, tanking Dolphins team should be an easy win, saying Las Vegas has no excuse to lose.
- Danny ParkinsGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Parkins picked the Giants to upset Dallas, the Steelers to beat Atlanta by two scores, the Bears to beat Carolina, the Bills to beat Houston and Denver to beat Kansas City outright; he also said Justin Herbert will win an MVP and had the Bengals as AFC North champs.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.