Cody RourkeJul 24, 2026
Rourke predicts the Broncos finish 13-4 in 2026, going 4-2 over a brutal opening six games, sweeping Kansas City again, and losing only at San Francisco, at home to Seattle, at Carolina and on Christmas Day to Buffalo. They also expect Carolina to return to the playoffs.
Said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Broncos (podcast)Hear the original
What Cody Rourke said
We both have them finishing thirteen and four, which is obviously, one less win than they had last season.
- Where it was said
- Locked On Broncos (podcast)
- The episode
- PREDICTION: Denver Broncos Will Win 13 Games In 2026 Despite Tough Schedule
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidJul 24
- PlayedSep 14–Nov 8
- GradedSep 16–Nov 8
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Outcome Picks | 6 | 0 | 4 | 6 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Playoff Picks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| All | 6 | 0 | 4 | 8 |
How each call scored
18 checkable claims — 16 game outcome picks, 1 playoff pick and 1 season win total — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
10 of 18 have settled so far, averaging 60 out of 100, against 60 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Denver Broncos · 2026 season · wins7 calls from 5 pundits between 10 wins and 13 wins. Cody Rourke said 13 wins. the room's median is 11 wins. 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.
Game Outcome Picks6 hits · 4 misses · 6 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Carolina Panthers to beat Denver Broncos
“you had the Broncos dropping that one on the road against Carolina... it is a loss in my opinion on this one”
Broncos 26–21Broncos at Panthers0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 26-21
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- CAR
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Arizona cardinals
“opening up week seven, you and I both have the Broncos winning on the road against the Arizona cardinals”
Broncos 30–16Broncos at Cardinals100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 30-16
- skill:
- 200
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- ARI
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Seattle Seahawks to beat Denver Broncos
“you and I predicted the same exact losses at the 40 Niners and at home against the Seahawks in a short week”
Broncos 17–14Seahawks at Broncos0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 14-17
- skill:
- −200
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- DEN
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat chargers
“then we go week five on the road at the chargers. This is the time where I think you gotta put the chargers back in place”
Broncos 23–17Broncos at Chargers100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 23-17
- skill:
- 200
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- LAC
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Broncos 23–17Broncos at Chargers100Hit
100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 23-17
- skill:
- 200
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- LAC
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Denver Broncos
“you and I predicted the same exact losses at the 40 Niners and at home against the Seahawks in a short week”
49ers 24–14Broncos at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 14-24
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Rams
“you and I both have them also beating the Rams in the first portion of this season”
Broncos 30–26Rams at Broncos100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 26-30
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- DEN
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Jacksonville Jaguars
“in the first six games, you and I predicted the same exact losses at the 40 Niners and at home against the Seahawks (week two vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars a win)”
Broncos 20–13Jaguars at Broncos100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- DEN
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs
“the Broncos, they open up on the road at Kansas City against the Chiefs, Monday night football. You and I both have them winning that game.”
Chiefs 31–10Broncos at Chiefs0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- KC
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- −200
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- KC
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs
“a week eight matchup at home against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs... I got Denver winning this one as well”
Chiefs 31–10Broncos at Chiefs0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- KC
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- −200
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- KC
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Denver Broncos to beat Raiders
“I've got them coming out winning against the Raiders at home”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Buffalo Bills to beat Denver Broncos
“the Christmas Day marquee matchup against the Buffalo Bills... I have Denver dropping this one”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denver Broncos to beat Steelers
“And I've got them winning at the Steelers where you have them dropping that game, and that is a Black Friday game as well”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denver Broncos to beat Raiders
“Then week 15, you go on the road at the Raiders... I think Denver continues their win streak against the Raiders”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denver Broncos to beat patriots
“we both had the Broncos going on the road and being the patriots in week 17... I really felt confident about that one as well”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denver Broncos to beat Miami Dolphins
“the Broncos will be taking on the Miami Dolphins... This one's definitely gotta be the w.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Season Win Totals1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Denver Broncos to finish with 13 wins
“We both have them finishing thirteen and four, which is obviously, one less win than they had last season”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Playoff Picks1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“I think they're gonna be back in the playoffs this upcoming season”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- Broncos at ChiefsChiefs 31Broncos 1042 calls →
- Jaguars at BroncosBroncos 20Jaguars 1334 calls →
- Rams at BroncosBroncos 30Rams 2626 calls →
- Broncos at 49ers49ers 24Broncos 1427 calls →
- Broncos at ChargersBroncos 23Chargers 1734 calls →
- Seahawks at BroncosBroncos 17Seahawks 1451 calls →
- Broncos at CardinalsBroncos 30Cardinals 1613 calls →
- Broncos at PanthersBroncos 26Panthers 2119 calls →
- Raiders at BroncosKickoff Nov 22, 20267 calls →
- Broncos at SteelersKickoff Nov 27, 20262 calls →
- Dolphins at BroncosKickoff Dec 6, 20264 calls →
- Bills at BroncosKickoff Dec 25, 20262 calls →
- Broncos at PatriotsKickoff Jan 3, 20273 calls →
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota.John Breech · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Breech picked the Bills to beat the Vikings on Monday night by a score of 24-17.
More game outcome picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Sam Monson · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Monson picked every Week 10 game, taking the Giants, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, Seahawks, Rams, Cowboys, Bengals and Ravens, and also suggested the Chargers' only likely wins the rest of the way come against the Jets and Dolphins.Eva Geitheim · Game Outcome Picks · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Geitheim picked the Commanders, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Vikings, Jaguars, Colts, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.Conor Orr · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Orr picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Chargers in Week 10.Albert Breer · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Breer picked all 14 Week 10 games straight up, favoring the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens.Mitch Goldich · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Goldich picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.Matt Verderame · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Verderame picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.