Pete Prisco#51 of 87 NFL pundits · 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.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What Pete Prisco said
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.
- Where it was published
- CBS Sports
- The piece
- Prisco's Week 2 NFL picks: Rams rout Giants; Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys bounce back
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidSep 17
- PlayedSep 20–21
- GradedSep 21–22
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score Predictions | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| All | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
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.
How each call scored
16 checkable claims — 16 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
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.
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.
Score Predictions4 hits · 7 close calls · 4 misses · 1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- Rams 28–6called Rams by 16 · won by 2285.71Hit
85.71 − 50 naive = 35.71 × 1.94 difficulty = +69.29 skill
Closing line (Sep 21): Rams by 6.5, total 47.5 · this 30–14 calls a bigger Rams win (by 16) and fewer points (44).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Raiders 26–14called Chargers by 8 · lost by 1240.48Close
40.48 − 20.2 naive = 20.28 × 1.94 difficulty = +39.34 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Chargers by 6.5, total 43.5 · this 24–16 calls a bigger Chargers win (by 8) and fewer points (40).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Saints 24–17called Ravens by 13 · lost by 735.71Miss
35.71 − 32.1 naive = 3.61 × 1.94 difficulty = +7 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Ravens by 8.5, total 45.5 · this 33–20 calls a bigger Ravens win (by 13) and more points (53).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Packers 20–17called Packers by 7 · won by 390.48Hit
90.48 − 41.63 naive = 48.85 × 1.94 difficulty = +94.76 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Packers by 3.5, total 44.5 · this 27–20 calls a bigger Packers win (by 7) and more points (47).
Think this is wrong?How 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
New England Patriots 21 — Steelers 14
“This is a low-scoring game with the Pats winning it. Pick: Patriots 21, Steelers 14”
Patriots 20–3called Patriots by 7 · won by 1776.19Close76.19 − 58.29 naive = 17.9 × 1.94 difficulty = +34.72 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Patriots by 4.5, total 41.5 · this 21–14 calls a bigger Patriots win (by 7) and fewer points (35).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Panthers 34–3called Falcons by 4 · lost by 310Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.94 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Panthers by 2.5, total 43.5 · this 21–17 calls a Falcons win (by 4; the line gave the Falcons 42%) and fewer points (38).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Broncos 20–13called Jaguars by 3 · lost by 740.48Close
Closing line (Sep 20): Broncos by 2.5, total 45.5 · this 23–20 calls a Jaguars win (by 3; the line gave the Jaguars 43%) and fewer points (43).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Bengals 20–6called Texans by 5 · lost by 1428.57Miss
28.57 − 15.44 naive = 13.13 × 1.94 difficulty = +25.48 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Texans by 3, total 45.5 · this 28–23 calls a bigger Texans win (by 5) and more points (51).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Chiefs 33–30called Chiefs by 10 · won by 383.33Hit
83.33 − 91.63 naive = −8.3 × 1.94 difficulty = −16.09 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Chiefs by 6, total 46.5 · this 27–17 calls a bigger Chiefs win (by 10) and fewer points (44).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- 49ers 35–13called 49ers by 19 · won by 2292.86Hit
92.86 − 50 naive = 42.86 × 1.94 difficulty = +83.14 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): 49ers by 12.5, total 44.5 · this 29–10 calls a bigger 49ers win (by 19) and fewer points (39).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Seahawks 31–7called Seahawks by 6 · won by 2457.14Close
57.14 − 0 naive = 57.14 × 1.94 difficulty = +110.86 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Seahawks by 3.5, total 40.5 · this 19–13 calls a bigger Seahawks win (by 6) and fewer points (32).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Cowboys 37–20called Cowboys by 7 · won by 1776.19Close
76.19 − 58.29 naive = 17.9 × 1.94 difficulty = +34.72 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Cowboys by 3.5, total 51.5 · this 31–24 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 7) and more points (55).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Browns 23–19called Buccaneers by 20 · lost by 411.9Miss
Closing line (Sep 20): Buccaneers by 8.5, total 41.5 · this 30–10 calls a bigger Buccaneers win (by 20) and fewer points (40).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Eagles 24–20called Eagles by 17 · won by 469.05Close
69.05 − 39.25 naive = 29.8 × 1.94 difficulty = +57.81 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Eagles by 7, total 39.5 · this 30–13 calls a bigger Eagles win (by 17) and more points (43).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- Vikings 9–3called Bears by 6 · lost by 650Close
50 − 34.49 naive = 15.51 × 1.94 difficulty = +30.1 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Bears by 4.5, total 46.5 · this 30–24 calls a bigger Bears win (by 6) and more points (54).
Think this is wrong?How 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
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- Bengals at TexansBengals 20Texans 625 calls →
- Saints at RavensSaints 24Ravens 1713 calls →
- Eagles at TitansEagles 24Titans 2037 calls →
- Steelers at PatriotsPatriots 20Steelers 323 calls →
- Panthers at FalconsPanthers 34Falcons 318 calls →
- Browns at BuccaneersBrowns 23Buccaneers 1910 calls →
- Packers at JetsPackers 20Jets 1713 calls →
- Vikings at BearsVikings 9Bears 318 calls →
- Jaguars at BroncosBroncos 20Jaguars 1334 calls →
- Raiders at ChargersRaiders 26Chargers 1411 calls →
- Commanders at CowboysCowboys 37Commanders 2017 calls →
- Seahawks at CardinalsSeahawks 31Cardinals 714 calls →
- Dolphins at 49ers49ers 35Dolphins 1314 calls →
- Colts at ChiefsChiefs 33Colts 3018 calls →
- Giants at RamsRams 28Giants 633 calls →
Who this take is about
Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills
Others on the same people
Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.Gilberto Manzano · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Previewing the trade deadline, he expects Justin Herbert to stay in Los Angeles despite the Chargers' 0–7 start, thinks the Jets will keep Garrett Wilson and pair him with their young weapons, expects a receiver-hungry Kansas City to be aggressive with Josh Downs the likeliest target, and suggests expiring Eagles contracts Moro Ojomo and Riq Woolen could be dealt for mid-round picks.Joshua Poniatowski · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Poniatowski names several trade targets, predicting Malik Willis underperforms this week against New England, that Omarion Hampton could become a viable RB2 if Adam Gase takes over play-calling, that Josh Downs gets traded (ideally to Kansas City, where they'd be a top-24 WR), that Brian Thomas Jr. could be dealt to the Rams or 49ers, and that Travis Kelce remains a consistent weekly TE.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.John Breech · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 90
Breech picks the Commanders to upset the Giants on Thursday night, 24-17, and takes the Texans to beat the Browns 24-16 in Week 10 behind a pass rush that should batter Deshaun Watson.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Close 43
Dubin picks the Giants to beat the Commanders 20-14 on Thursday night and takes the Packers over the Vikings 17-14 in a low-scoring Week 10 game.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Close 43
Dubin picks the Giants to beat the Commanders at home on Thursday night, projecting a 20-14 final score.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Close 43
Dubin predicted final scores for seven Week 10 games, taking the Giants over the Commanders, the Lions, Chiefs, Packers, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens to win their respective matchups.