JP Acosta· Sep 17, 2026
In a Week 1 overreaction piece, the author expects Detroit's injured star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph to be back in the lineup by Week 4, which would let coordinator Kelvin Sheppard open up more coverage options and hide CB Rock Ya-Sin.
“The Lions should get Branch and Joseph back by week four, so the hope is that Sheppard can unlock more of his playbook with both guys in the lineup.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 availability calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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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.
- Availability CallsKerby JosephDetroit LionsSep 17, 2026
“The Lions should get Branch and Joseph back by week four, so the hope is that Sheppard can unlock more of his playbook with both guys in the lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsBrian BranchDetroit LionsSep 17, 2026
“The Lions should get Branch and Joseph back by week four, so the hope is that Sheppard can unlock more of his playbook with both guys in the lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Rogers 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 · Detroit LionsHit · 100Long 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.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 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.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Previewing 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.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · Detroit LionsHit · 90Sherman picked winners and several exact scores across the Week 3 slate, favoring Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Detroit, Green Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, the Rams, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Kansas City, Minnesota, the Giants, Jacksonville and Houston, and named Kenneth Walker his MVP.
- Colin CowherdScore Predictions · Detroit LionsClose · 60The co-host (identified only as "Mitchell") made his own Week 3 picks, including blowout wins for Seattle and San Francisco, Cincinnati 27-17, Detroit 37-13, Denver 24-21 over the Rams, and predicted Jonah Coleman takes over the Broncos' running back role.
More availability calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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- Mike FanelliAvailability Calls · Jayden DanielsPendingFanelli expects Jayden Daniels to sit out Washington's Week 4 game in London against the Colts, roughly two weeks after dislocating his elbow, leaving Marcus Mariota to start.
- Ralph VentreAvailability Calls · Christian BenfordPendingVentre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Fox SportsAvailability Calls · Jayden DanielsPendingWith surgery ruled out, Washington's outlet speculates Jayden Daniels avoids injured reserve and, if he isn't back for the Week 4 game in London, returns either in Week 5 against the Giants or Week 6 against the 49ers.
- Ian RapoportAvailability Calls · J.J. McCarthyPendingOn the JJ McCarthy trade he expects Jameis Winston to keep starting for the Giants while McCarthy learns, with McCarthy ready to go around midseason weeks six through eight; he also expects Tyson Bagent to start for the Bears next week with Caleb Williams out.