Carter Bahns· Oct 21, 2026
Bahns makes the case for the Giants holding their lead and winning the division, pointing to J.J. McCarthy's upside, Isaiah Likely developing into a top-flight tight end, and a defense that is top-five against the pass.
“If New York can simply be a mid-tier team on both sides of the ball, that should be enough to hold onto a slim lead in such a downtrodden division.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 division winner — 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.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
J.J. McCarthy · 2026 season18 calls from 17 pundits between 1 and 2. Carter Bahns said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
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Who this take is about
2 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.
- Depth Chart CallsJ.J. McCarthyNew York GiantsOct 21, 2026
J.J. McCarthy to be 1st on the depth chart
“J.J. McCarthy might be the quarterback with the higher upside. If John Harbaugh commits to him after benching Winston, the offense should look more like it did with Jaxson Dart under center.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew York GiantsOct 21, 2026
New York Giants to win the division
“banking an early advantage over the rest of the division makes this team the one to beat until further notice... that should be enough to hold onto a slim lead in such a downtrodden division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · New York GiantsHit · 86Prisco 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.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New York GiantsHit · 95Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said he wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Monson walked through the Raiders' remaining schedule game by game, projecting losses to San Francisco, Seattle, Denver (twice) and Kansas City with wins over the Chargers, Titans and Cardinals for five to seven wins; he also said the Chiefs beat the Jets, picked the Giants to win at Philadelphia, expects the 49ers to release Brandon Aiyuk, and expects Carson Wentz to start for Minnesota.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · New York GiantsHit · 86Prisco picks the Giants to beat the Eagles late in their NFC East rivalry game, 22-20, with Philadelphia's defense playing well against J.J. McCarthy.
- Stephen LebitschGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Lebitsch names the five remaining opponents the Giants should beat in their push for the NFC East title, ranking them from most to least challenging: the Lions, Browns, Cowboys, Eagles and Colts. He suggests New York can sweep both the Cowboys and the Eagles.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Jalen MilroeMiss · 0Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for his first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
- Michael MooreDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. He also expects Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
- Nic BodifordDepth Chart Calls · Joe FagnanoHit · 100Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. He also views Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace him as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.
- Donnie DruinDepth Chart Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind him.