Surprise Team Calls
Scored under the published methodology, which sets out what counts as right, what a naive guess would have said, and why an earlier call is worth more than a late one.
- Takes logged
- 253
- Graded
- 0
- Average accuracy
- —
- Pundits
- 89
0% settled
out of 100
have made one
Nothing settled yet
253 logged, none graded. The scores appear as the season resolves them.
Settled or waiting
0 / 253
graded
253 still pending
Every surprise team calls take
51–75 of 253
New York Giants to beat expectations
The team is the New York Giants... I think the Giants are a dark horse in terms of what they not only do during the regular season, but how they handle and eventually knock off somebody into postseason.
New York Giants to beat expectations
They're my surprise team in the NFL, and I didn't think they looked very good
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
The Saints have a great worst-to-first case given their burgeoning finish last season, going 4-1 in their final five games.
Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
of all the teams in this division, I think I'm most optimistic and enthusiastic about opportunities to put Dallas in to any long term, long shot futures bets
Cincinnati Bengals to beat expectations
the Bengals to me, it's they are the team that when you just look at them and if it could if it all goes well, you can you can see how they could get to the finish line.
Philadelphia Eagles to beat expectations
the team that I've been thinking about a lot recently is another team I used to work for, which is the Philadelphia Eagles... a talented talented roster... Nobody talking about them.
- PendingBaker MayfieldSurprise Team Calls
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat expectations
"I think we're going to shock a lot of people this year," Mayfield said Tuesday after practice. ... Yet, amid all the turmoil, Mayfield said he is confident his team will catch people by surprise.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Aug 18, 2026 New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
I'm kinda in on the on the Saints sleeper train this year... I picked the Saints as my sleeper team
Cleveland Browns to beat expectations
they need a trigger... slightly above average quarterback play, and they're gonna be the sleeper team that I threw them in that mix for
New York Giants to beat expectations
one team could be a sleeper this year, the New York Giants
- PendingJared FeinbergSurprise Team Calls
Las Vegas Raiders to beat expectations
Going from having the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft to making the playoffs would be an enormous turnaround, but the reason I felt this delusion and excitement was what I saw from a handful of key players, the offense, and head coach Klint Kubiak. ... That's why the word "playoffs" is being spoken here, and that may now become the absolute best-case scenario.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Aug 16, 2026 Miami Dolphins to beat expectations
But the signs are there of a new foundation that will give the Dolphins a chance to surprise people, as soon as this season.
- PendingWill HillSurprise Team Calls
Minnesota Vikings to beat expectations
At +510 odds, I think the Vikings could be a surprise team in the NFC North in 2026.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Aug 14, 2026 Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
I think they're gonna be one of the teams that, despite being the Dallas Cowboys, are going to improve pretty significantly on their finish last year... But I think they're going to surprise some people.
Seattle Seahawks to beat expectations
Seattle enters the season with the fourth-best Super Bowl odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook), trailing Los Angeles, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills. But Cowherd thinks even that's too low, pointing to the rare continuity Darnold will have this season as a key reason why the Seahawks should be viewed as a contender.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
In a very winnable division, I'm expecting these Saints to become one of the league's most pleasant surprises.
Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
Dallas is my favorite under-the-radar title contender right now.
Minnesota Vikings to beat expectations
This team could be a dark horse in the NFC.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
I'm taking the Saints as one of the most improved teams in the league... Most underrated team in the league, the Saints.
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat expectations
I fully expect Jacksonville to make a leap forward with their offensive production this year.
New York Giants to beat expectations
If those two can pick up right where they left off, the Giants could be a surprise playoff contender if they stay healthy.
Green Bay Packers to beat expectations
2. Packers. It seems like it's said every year, but perhaps this is actually the year the offense becomes one of the league's best.
Denver Broncos to beat expectations
3. Broncos. They have longer odds than the Lions and the same odds as the Bengals to win the Super Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks to beat expectations
five teams that we're not talking about enough. 1. Seahawks.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat expectations
And at Cincinnati, which I've already told you is my number one sleeper team this year
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