Ryan Wilson· Sep 8, 2026
Wilson bets on the Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, Chargers, Cowboys, Bears, Saints and Seahawks, and says Cincinnati makes a deep playoff run.
“This is it! This is the year Justin Herbert finally wins the AFC West!”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 8 division winners and 1 playoff pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 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
9 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.
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsSep 8, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the division
“if New Orleans can weather the early injuries, including Jordyn Tyson's absence, there's enough here to steal a division where 9 wins might be enough to get it done.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersSeattle SeahawksSep 8, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to win the division
“Everybody seems ready to hand this division back to the Rams, which is probably exactly how the Seahawks prefer it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to win the division
“Dak has enough around him to win a wide-open NFC East.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersChicago BearsSep 8, 2026
Chicago Bears to win the division
“There are questions on defense, especially after losing Coby Bryant to injury, but it's hard to bet against Johnson in Year 2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersSep 8, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“This is it! This is the year Justin Herbert finally wins the AFC West!”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 8, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“Buffalo gave Allen his first legit WR1 since Stefon Diggs, and if Jim Leonhard's defense is even marginally better, that means Allen doesn't have to put the team on his shoulders come January.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the division
“Just average, and this team will make a deep playoff run.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsSep 8, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“Houston's defense makes this close, but the Jags get the edge at quarterback, at least heading into the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“Just average, and this team will make a deep playoff run.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ross JacksonScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 38Ross Jackson picked the Saints to beat the Raiders at home, projecting a 27-24 final score with the Raiders scoring 24 points.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Rogers made his own Week 2 calls, taking the Packers, Eagles (by at least 10), Panthers (by at least a field goal), Cowboys (by at least six), Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also noted Baltimore was his Super Bowl pick and said it wouldn't shock him if Jacksonville hosted the AFC Championship Game.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Chicago BearsClose · 45Simms went through every Week 2 game with predicted final scores, picking the Texans, Bears, Steelers (as an upset), Packers, Ravens, Eagles, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys, 49ers, Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also reiterated that Denver was his preseason Super Bowl pick while predicting the Broncos would fall to 0-2.
More division winners
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Daniel DiBerardinisDivision Winners · Atlanta FalconsMiss · 0Danny D predicts Sonny Styles goes in the top ten (maybe top five), doesn't think Ty Simpson goes before late first round, says Kenyon Sadiq lands with the Rams at 13, and picks the Falcons to win the NFC South while naming the Bengals an AFC bounce-back team. He also gives a Final Four of Michigan, Florida, Purdue and Arizona with Michigan winning.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · New York GiantsMiss · 0Cowherd projects the NFC East with the Giants winning the division ahead of Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas, pegging the Cowboys as a six- or seven-win team. He also expects Malik Willis to land a big free-agent deal, Kayvon Thibodeaux to be moved, and Baltimore to lose Isaiah Likely, and he floats the Rams reaching on Ty Simpson late in round one.
- Colin CowherdDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Cowherd likes Jacksonville, Chicago and Pittsburgh (with DK Metcalf back) in the wild-card round, ranks the league's head coaches with McVay first and Ben Johnson seventh, and predicts Lamar Jackson has about two strong years left. He also names the Rams as a possible team to draft a receiver and floats next year's draft having seven first-round quarterbacks.
- Danny ParkinsDivision Winners · Baltimore RavensMiss · 0Parkins lays the points with the Eagles and Cowboys, takes Baltimore to beat Pittsburgh and win the AFC North, picks Carolina over Tampa Bay and Seattle over San Francisco, and says he'd probably pick the Rams to come out of the NFC.
- Cynthia FrelundDivision Winners · Houston TexansMiss · 0Freeland's model has the Chargers winning straight up in Dallas, the Texans winning big over the Raiders and going on to win the AFC South, the Lions beating the Steelers by six, the Saints beating the Jets, and the Packers beating the Bears; she also sees the AFC's Super Bowl representative being either Denver or Houston.
- Chris BrockmanDivision Winners · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Brockman called the Broncos-Packers game the best of the day, said Denver looks poised to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed and reach the AFC Championship Game, predicted the Bears win the NFC North and the Eagles win their division (though he thinks they lose to a five seed from the NFC West), and said Philip Rivers will be in the NFL in 2026.