# Cody Rourke: 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. **Claimed:** Jul 24, 2026 **Pundit:** Cody Rourke — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/cody-rourke **Outlet:** Locked On Broncos (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/locked-on-broncos-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/ed7d56/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/596acaf7-a268-4ea6-94a9-efedb9c15d14/episodes/4ac45be9-30c9-4baf-b0a8-d9f0a821872f/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=596acaf7-a268-4ea6-94a9-efedb9c15d14&awEpisodeId=4ac45be9-30c9-4baf-b0a8-d9f0a821872f&feed=f6CBcmwn 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. > We both have them finishing thirteen and four, which is obviously, one less win than they had last season. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Carolina Panthers to beat Denver Broncos** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Arizona cardinals** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Seattle Seahawks to beat Denver Broncos** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat chargers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat chargers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **San Francisco 49ers to beat Denver Broncos** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Rams** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Jacksonville Jaguars** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Raiders** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to beat Denver Broncos** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to beat Steelers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to finish with 13 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to beat Raiders** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to beat patriots** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to beat Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills ## What others said about the same people - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Pete Prisco on Buffalo Bills: Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/baf85732-a389-4d56-8efe-5ce1e77fb8ae (scored 76.19) - John Breech on Buffalo Bills: Breech picked the Bills to beat the Vikings on Monday night by a score of 24-17. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4d22cd22-c9e2-4e03-ac32-129a116a34d0 (scored 76.19) ## More game outcome picks The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Sam Monson on New York Giants: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f4cb7a1e-1380-4f08-b39b-1432b97db846 (scored 0) - Eva Geitheim on Washington Commanders: Geitheim picked the Commanders, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Vikings, Jaguars, Colts, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c011abef-0b18-41ad-acad-6a67dfbd41fd (scored 100) - Conor Orr on New York Giants: Orr picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Chargers in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ba669379-043c-448a-a167-2f2e3695a52e (scored 0) - Albert Breer on New York Giants: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fdc16abc-9ae2-4bf4-a327-8e9d9ae283b6 (scored 0) - Mitch Goldich on New York Giants: Goldich picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/706c628f-bb25-4892-b33e-84c81bfb6e4a (scored 0) - Matt Verderame on New York Giants: Verderame picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dfeb0994-1abf-414f-b153-d01b6e4e5365 (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=cody-rourke