Chris Simms· Oct 30, 2026
Simms gave straight-up winners with predicted final scores for every Week 8 game, including upset calls on the Ravens in Buffalo, the Broncos over the Chiefs, the Jets over the Raiders and the Seahawks over the Bears, and he expected Josh Downs to play for the Colts despite his trade request.
“But I'm taking the Ravens to win this one.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast) · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 12 score predictions, 1 availability call and 1 game outcome pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 15 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
13 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 60.6 out of 100, against 59.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Colts at Jaguars 14 calls
- Titans at Bengals 11 calls
- Cardinals at Cowboys 17 calls
- Falcons at Buccaneers 15 calls
- Ravens at Bills 23 calls
- Vikings at Lions 23 calls
- Raiders at Jets 13 calls
- Browns at Steelers 34 calls
- Chargers at Rams 23 calls
- Patriots at Dolphins 19 calls
- Chiefs at Broncos 17 calls
- Eagles at Commanders 10 calls
- Bears at Seahawks 102 calls
14 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. Game calls show that game’s closing betting line under their grade: a dated fact from nflverse, for context and never part of a grade. MissedTakes takes no bets and earns nothing from any sportsbook.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksOct 30, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 17 — Bears 13
“I'm gonna bet that Seattle's defense can make enough plays at home... I'm gonna go seventeen thirteen Seattle.”
Miss · 19Scored 19.05a naive guess scored 10.88+13.15 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 34-17
- skill:
- 13.15
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 19.05
- baseline:
- 10.88
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.57
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Nov 2): Seahawks by 3, total 46.5 · this 17–13 calls a bigger Seahawks win (by 4) and fewer points (30).
- Score PredictionsDenver BroncosOct 30, 2026
Denver Broncos 20 — Chiefs 16
“I'm gonna go Broncos here. Let me just make sure I got my score right. 20 to 16... I'm gonna have them win the game outright.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 92.18+12.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-28
- skill:
- 12.59
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 92.18
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.72
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Nov 1): Broncos by 1.5, total 41.5 · this 20–16 calls a bigger Broncos win (by 4) and fewer points (36).
- Game Outcome PicksLos Angeles RamsOct 30, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to beat Chargers
“I'm gonna have, of course, the Rams winning the football game and covering”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- LAR
- score:
- 9-24
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- LAR
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 11
Closing line (Nov 1): Rams by 6.5 · favorite pick, Rams 71%. Graded on who won, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsWashington CommandersOct 30, 2026
Washington Commanders 27 — Eagles 20
“definitely taking the commanders here. I'm gonna go commanders 27 to 20. They win this football game.”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 61.23+24.09 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-27
- skill:
- 24.09
- they picked:
- WAS
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 61.23
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.72
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Nov 1): Commanders by 6, total 40.5 · this 27–20 calls a bigger Commanders win (by 7) and more points (47).
- Score PredictionsNew England PatriotsOct 30, 2026
New England Patriots 31 — Miami Dolphins 16
“I'm gonna go 31 to 16 patriots.”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 39.8+58.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-19
- skill:
- 58.59
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 39.8
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.72
- predicted margin:
- 15
Closing line (Nov 1): Patriots by 7, total 41.5 · this 31–16 calls a bigger Patriots win (by 15) and more points (47).
- Score PredictionsPittsburgh SteelersOct 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers 24 — Browns 14
“I like Pittsburgh in this game. To win... I'm gonna go twenty four fourteen here... I think Pittsburgh goes to six and two here.”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 51.13+36.52 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 6-27
- skill:
- 36.52
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 51.13
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 10
Closing line (Nov 1): Steelers by 3.5, total 38.5 · this 24–14 calls a bigger Steelers win (by 10) and fewer points (38).
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysOct 30, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 35 — Cardinals 23
“I got the cowboys winning. I got a thirty five twenty three.”
Miss · 29Scored 28.57a naive guess scored 43.99-24.82 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 33-30
- skill:
- −24.82
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 28.57
- baseline:
- 43.99
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 12
Closing line (Nov 1): Cowboys by 7, total 54.5 · this 35–23 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 12) and more points (58).
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsOct 30, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 28 — Titans 20
“So I'm going Bengals like I said, but I do think that the Titans kinda hang around... I got twenty eight twenty Bengals in this one.”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 84.46+21.18 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 36-43
- skill:
- 21.18
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 97.62
- baseline:
- 84.46
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 8
Closing line (Nov 1): Bengals by 13.5, total 45.5 · this 28–20 calls a closer game (Bengals by 8) and more points (48).
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsOct 30, 2026
Detroit Lions 21 — Vikings 17
“I'm gonna go twenty one seventeen on lions just to make sure they cover as well.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.61+13.52 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 15-19
- skill:
- 13.52
- they picked:
- DET
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.61
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Nov 1): Lions by 3, total 46.5 · this 21–17 calls a bigger Lions win (by 4) and fewer points (38). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsOct 30, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 31 — Colts 19
“So I'm gonna go thirty one nineteen Jags.”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 50+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 7-42
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 35
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 12
Closing line (Nov 1): Jaguars by 10, total 45.5 · this 31–19 calls a bigger Jaguars win (by 12) and more points (50).
- Score PredictionsAtlanta FalconsOct 30, 2026
Atlanta Falcons 23 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
“I'm gonna go Atlanta here on the road, twenty three twenty, having the win”
Miss · 19Scored 19.05a naive guess scored 63.03-70.82 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 0-16
- skill:
- −70.82
- they picked:
- ATL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 19.05
- baseline:
- 63.03
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 16
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Nov 1): Buccaneers by 2.5, total 42.5 · this 23–20 calls a Falcons win (by 3; the line gave the Falcons 46%) and more points (43).
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensOct 30, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 28 — Bills 27
“But I'm taking the Ravens to win this one... I'm gonna take them twenty eight twenty seven.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 50-80.5 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-36
- skill:
- −80.5
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 26
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 1
Closing line (Nov 1): Bills by 3, total 54.5 · this 28–27 calls a Ravens win (by 1; the line gave the Ravens 41%) and more points (55).
- Score PredictionsNew York JetsOct 30, 2026
New York Jets 24 — Raiders 20
“I'm gonna go with the Jets here... I'm gonna take the Jets 24 to 20.”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 39.22+13.52 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 38-33
- skill:
- 13.52
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 47.62
- baseline:
- 39.22
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 11
- naive home margin:
- 0.47
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Nov 1): Jets by 1.5, total 46.5 · this 24–20 calls a bigger Jets win (by 4) and fewer points (44).
- Availability CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsOct 30, 2026
“And Josh Downs requested He requested a trade too... But I think he's plays. I don't think they're gonna be worried about that. (Week 8 at Jacksonville)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Anthony RichardsonHit · 100Middlekoff's bold predictions, as relayed on the show, have the Patriots and Colts making the playoffs; he also argues the Colts whiffed on Anthony Richardson, comparing him to Trey Lance.
- Parker HurleyTrade and Signing Calls · Jessie BatesMiss · 0Hurley argues a Jessie Bates trade to San Francisco is unrealistic because Atlanta remains in the weak NFC South race and likely won't sell, and he expects 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown to depart in free agency after this season.
- Jeremy BrenerScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
- Albert BreerGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Breer picks the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in their Week 9 NFC West matchup.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Sullivan picks the Seahawks to win in Week 9.
- Dave RichardGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Richard picks the Seahawks over the Cardinals.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Houston TexansClose · 55Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Bryan DeArdoScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 98DeArdo picks the Bears to beat the Buccaneers on Sunday night in a defensive game, predicting a 20-16 final score.
- Nick WrightScore Predictions · Houston TexansHit · 83Wright made several outright game calls for Week 9 alongside his spread picks: Kansas City beating the Jets 31-20, Detroit winning at Miami, New England edging Green Bay by a field goal or so, Carolina winning outright over Denver, and Houston blowing out the Chargers 27-12.
- Big CatScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 100Big Cat picked the Bengals to beat the Falcons in Madrid, the 49ers to handle the Raiders, the Seahawks to bounce back against the Cardinals, and the Bears to beat the Buccaneers by a projected 26-23.
- Zac CorneliusScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 29Zach projected the Buccaneers to beat the Bears 24-12.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 88Sullivan takes the Jaguars over the Ravens on Thursday and expects the Bears to beat the Buccaneers for their fourth straight win.