Pete Prisco· Sep 18, 2026
Prisco picks final scores for every Week 2 NFL game, with several teams that lost in Week 1 — the Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys, Packers and Rams — bouncing back, and the Bills outlasting the Lions in a shootout.
“For example, the Chargers will beat the Raiders and cover this week after a terrible showing in losing to the Cardinals at home last week.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
16 checkable claims — 16 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
15 of 16 have settled so far, averaging 55.9 out of 100, against 40.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Browns at Buccaneers 10 calls
- Vikings at Bears 20 calls
- Eagles at Titans 35 calls
- Packers at Jets 12 calls
- Steelers at Patriots 20 calls
- Saints at Ravens 15 calls
- Panthers at Falcons 17 calls
- Bengals at Texans 26 calls
- Raiders at Chargers 9 calls
- Jaguars at Broncos 38 calls
- Dolphins at 49ers 14 calls
- Commanders at Cowboys 15 calls
- Seahawks at Cardinals 13 calls
- Colts at Chiefs 17 calls
- Giants at Rams 31 calls
16 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.
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsSep 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 30 — Giants 14
“Pick: Rams 30, Giants 14”
Hit · 86Scored 85.71a naive guess scored 50+69.29 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 6-28
- skill:
- 69.29
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 85.71
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- 0.19
- predicted margin:
- 16
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles ChargersSep 18, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers 24 — Raiders 16
“Pick: Chargers 24, Raiders 16”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 20.2+39.34 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 26-14
- skill:
- 39.34
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 20.2
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 12
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 8
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensSep 18, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 33 — Saints 20
“Pick: Ravens 33, Saints 20”
Miss · 36Scored 35.71a naive guess scored 32.1+7 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-17
- skill:
- 7
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 35.71
- baseline:
- 32.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 13
- Score PredictionsGreen Bay PackersSep 18, 2026
Green Bay Packers 27 — Jets 20
“Pick: Packers 27, Jets 20”
Hit · 90Scored 90.48a naive guess scored 41.63+94.76 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-17
- skill:
- 94.76
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 41.63
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Score PredictionsNew England PatriotsSep 18, 2026
New England Patriots 21 — Steelers 14
“This is a low-scoring game with the Pats winning it. Pick: Patriots 21, Steelers 14”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 58.29+34.72 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 3-20
- skill:
- 34.72
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 58.29
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Score PredictionsAtlanta FalconsSep 18, 2026
Atlanta Falcons 21 — Panthers 17
“Pick: Falcons 21, Panthers 17”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 34-3
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- ATL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 31
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 4
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsSep 18, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 23 — Broncos 20
“Pick: Jaguars 23, Broncos 20”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 82.1-80.76 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- -80.76
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 82.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Score PredictionsHouston TexansSep 18, 2026
Houston Texans 28 — Bengals 23
“Pick: Texans 28, Bengals 23”
Miss · 29Scored 28.57a naive guess scored 15.44+25.48 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-6
- skill:
- 25.48
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 28.57
- baseline:
- 15.44
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 5
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 18, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 27 — Colts 17
“Pick: Chiefs 27, Colts 17”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 91.63-16.09 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 30-33
- skill:
- -16.09
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 91.63
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 10
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersSep 18, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 29 — Dolphins 10
“Pick: 49ers 29, Dolphins 10”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 50+83.14 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-35
- skill:
- 83.14
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 19
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 18, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 19 — Cardinals 13
“Pick: Seahawks 19, Cardinals 13”
Close · 57Scored 57.14a naive guess scored 0+110.86 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 31-7
- skill:
- 110.86
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 57.14
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 6
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 18, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 31 — Commanders 24
“Pick: Cowboys 31, Commanders 24”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 58.29+34.72 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-37
- skill:
- 34.72
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 58.29
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Score PredictionsTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 18, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30 — Browns 10
“Pick: Buccaneers 30, Browns 10”
Miss · 12Scored 11.9a naive guess scored 39.25-53.04 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 23-19
- skill:
- -53.04
- they picked:
- TB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 11.9
- baseline:
- 39.25
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 20
- Score PredictionsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 18, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles 30 — Titans 13
“Pick: Eagles 30, Titans 13”
Close · 69Scored 69.05a naive guess scored 39.25+57.81 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-20
- skill:
- 57.81
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 69.05
- baseline:
- 39.25
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 17
- Score PredictionsChicago BearsSep 18, 2026
Chicago Bears 30 — Vikings 24
“Pick: Bears 30, Vikings 24”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 34.49+30.1 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 9-3
- skill:
- 30.1
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 34.49
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- -0.52
- predicted margin:
- 6
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsSep 18, 2026
Buffalo Bills 36 — Lions 30
“Pick: Bills 36, Lions 30”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 48Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Nate TiceScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 74Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
- Bryan DeArdoScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 50He picks the Bengals to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh in a low-scoring, defensive game, arguing Pittsburgh's struggling offense can't break through against Cincinnati's strong defense.
- Nick WrightScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 33On his Week 3 pick show, Nick Wright gave straight-up final-score predictions for five games, calling blowouts by Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami, a Jacksonville home win over New England, a narrow New Orleans win over the Raiders and a low-scoring Baltimore win over Dallas in Brazil. He also called Seattle the best team in the NFL with the league's best defense.
- Darrion GrayScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 45Predicted the Saints beat the Raiders 27-17 at home.
- John HendricksScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 43Predicted a lower-scoring Saints win over the Raiders, 24-19, with the defense carrying them.