Matt Verderame· Oct 11, 2026
Verderame argues the 0-5 Titans are headed for a premium pick in the 2027 draft, possibly No. 1 overall, and that Cam Ward isn't the long-term answer. He also sees Minnesota, now 5-0, continuing to roll with two winnable games against the Colts and Lions ahead.
“At 0–5, the Titans are headed for a top pick in the 2027 draft, perhaps even the No. 1 choice.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 game outcome picks and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 3 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Colts at Vikings 19 calls
- Vikings at Lions 23 calls
3 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 Outcome PicksMinnesota VikingsOct 11, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to beat Lions
“Minnesota has two winnable games ahead, the Colts and the Lions, before a Monday night showdown in Week 8 at home against the Bills.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-178 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- DET
- score:
- 15-19
- skill:
- −178
- they picked:
- MIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- DET
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 14
- Game Outcome PicksMinnesota VikingsOct 11, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to beat Colts
“Minnesota has two winnable games ahead, the Colts and the Lions, before a Monday night showdown in Week 8 at home against the Bills.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- MIN
- score:
- 10-16
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- MIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- MIN
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 14
- Team Draft Slot CallsTennessee TitansOct 11, 2026
Tennessee Titans to pick “a top pick in the 2027 draft, perhaps even the No. 1 choice”
“At 0–5, the Titans are headed for a top pick in the 2027 draft, perhaps even the No. 1 choice.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Adam CarlsonRoster Spot Calls · Demond ClaiborneMiss · 0Carlson argues that with DeeJay Dallas signed to the 53-man roster, the Vikings should release rookie running back Demond Claiborne, who has been inactive and losing snaps to Dallas, rather than cutting other inactive players.
- Greg JenningsGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsMiss · 0Jennings backed the Vikings to upset the Lions in Detroit, put chips on the Steelers over the Browns, and took the Chiefs to win in Denver.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Minnesota VikingsClose · 48Breech picked the Vikings to beat the Lions 19-16 behind Brian Flores' defense, and the Chiefs to edge the Broncos 20-16.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsMiss · 0Sullivan's Week 8 upset alert column flags five favorites he expects to lose: he picks the Falcons over the Buccaneers, the Raiders over the Jets, the undefeated Vikings over the Lions, the Ravens (with Lamar Jackson returning) over the Bills, and the Browns over the Steelers.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Minnesota VikingsClose · 48Breech made score predictions for all Week 8 games, including the Bills beating the Ravens either way on Lamar Jackson's status, the Vikings edging the Lions, the Browns sweeping the Steelers, the Chiefs winning in Denver and the Seahawks handling the Bears on Monday night.
- Bill HuberGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsHit · 100Huber expects Minnesota to improve to 6-0 by beating Indianapolis, and he projects Isaiah McDuffie to take over as Green Bay's defensive signal-caller at linebacker with Cooper out, Walker gone and Franklin hurt.
More game outcome picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Bill HuberGame Outcome Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Huber argues Green Bay has no excuses left and will beat New England in Foxborough, and expects Christian Watson to play despite his rib injury. He also sketches the projected interior offensive line, with John Williams at center and Laken Tomlinson at right guard.
- Jeremy BrenerGame Outcome Picks · 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.
- John PluymGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Pluym picks the Seahawks over the Cardinals.