Chuck PaganoNov 12, 2026

Pagano picked Denver and the 49ers to reach the Super Bowl, saying they love Josh Allen but thinks Denver is the more complete team.

Said on air, transcribed by us · The Pat McAfee Show (podcast)Hear the original

Waiting2 calls, none settled yet

—Average accuracynothing settled yet

—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

0 of 2Settled2 still waiting

2Waitingnot graded yet

What Chuck Pagano said

our reading, beside the words we read it from

But I think Denver's got the more complete team, so I like Denver versus the niners.

Chuck Pagano, the lead quote · each call’s own words are below

Where it was said: The Pat McAfee Show (podcast)
The episode: PMS 2.0 1665 - TNF Preview/Picks, Former Boise State RB Ian Johnson, Kirk Herbstreit, Chuck Pagano, & AJ Hawk
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

1Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl“But I think Denver's got the more complete team, so I like Denver versus the niners.”
2San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl“But I think Denver's got the more complete team, so I like Denver versus the niners.”

Box score

HitCloseMissWaiting

Call	Kind	What happened	Score	Naive	Skill
Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl¹	Conference Champions	—	—	—	—
San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl²	Conference Champions	—	—	—	—
2 calls · 2 waiting			—	—

How each call scored

2 checkable claims — 2 conference champions — 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.

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.

Their call against the record

Reaches the Super BowlThey said

Did not reach it2025

Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.

1Conference Champions Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
2Conference Champions San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Who this take is about

Where do you stand on this one?Pick every open claim on Picks →

Others on the same people

Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.
Parker Hurley · Roster Spot Calls · Khalid Kareem · Miss 0
Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut.
Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.
Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · San Francisco 49ers · Hit 83
Prisco 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.
AJ Hawk · Game Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ers · Hit 100
Hawk said the Chiefs would beat the Jets, the Seahawks would beat the Cardinals, and the 49ers would beat the Raiders, even while taking the points with the underdogs in each case.

More conference champions

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Chris Brockman · Conference Champions · Seattle Seahawks · Hit 100
Brockman argues the Seahawks are at the start of a dynasty, predicting they will win multiple Super Bowls over the next five years, and that they are set up to return to the Super Bowl the following season in Los Angeles.
Damonza Byrd · Conference Champions · Seattle Seahawks · Hit 100
The co-host picks the Seahawks to beat the Rams in the NFC Championship game, and says they believe New England will win in Denver even though they are taking the Broncos with the points.
Nick Wright · Conference Champions · New England Patriots · Hit 100
The host picks the Rams to beat the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game and believes the winner of that game wins the Super Bowl, i.e. that this is the Rams' year; they also pick New England to win in Denver despite taking the Broncos with the points, and says Stafford is winning MVP. They call Sean McVay the second-best coach in the NFL.
AJ Hawk · Conference Champions · Los Angeles Rams · Close 50
Hawk picked the Patriots to win in Denver despite liking Stidham and the Broncos defense, and in the NFC they stuck with the Rams, saying Stafford gets to the Super Bowl.
Derek Murphy · Conference Champions · Seattle Seahawks · Hit 100
Bone said after watching film that Seattle will handle the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and that the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.
Connor "Boston Connor" Campbell · Conference Champions · New England Patriots · Hit 100
Connor expects a tight first half in Denver before New England pulls away in the second half and advances to the Super Bowl.