Tom Pelissero· Sep 18, 2026
Pelissero laid out several injury/availability calls for Week 2 — the Vikings' quarterback sitting Sunday but returning in Week 3, Joe Burrow playing through a back issue, Ladd McConkey out for the Chargers and Bowers unlikely for the Raiders. He also expects the Eagles to finish 11-6 and make the playoffs, and tabbed Chicago as the NFC North favorite for now.
“This to me sets up as, like, another perfect season where everyone bitches about the Eagles the entire season, and then we get to the end and they're eleven and six and they're playing in the playoffs.”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Bill Simmons Podcast (podcast) · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 5 availability calls, 1 division winner, 1 playoff pick and 1 season win total — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 10 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 above the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Philadelphia Eagles · 2026 season · wins9 calls from 7 pundits between 9 wins and 12 wins. Tom Pelissero said 11 wins. the room's median is 10 wins. 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.
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Who this take is about
8 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 CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsSep 18, 2026
“So Kyler's in the in the concussion protocol, but he's progressed... They've not ruled him out. I don't think he plays on Sunday for a variety of different reasons, but he may be cleared in time to play in that game.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsSep 18, 2026
“But I fully anticipate he's back in the lineup probably week three, regardless how Wentz does this week.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsSep 18, 2026
“Now they're going down to Houston. Joe Burrow's got a, you know, a little bit of a back issue, but I I fully anticipate him playing.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 18, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to finish with 11 wins
“we get to the end and they're eleven and six and they're playing in the playoffs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesSep 18, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“and then we get to the end and they're eleven and six and they're playing in the playoffs. Like... the Eagles are still the team to beat.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsBrock BowersLas Vegas RaidersSep 18, 2026
“But, you know, the Raiders, I... Bauer still doesn't practice. Seems unlikely that he plays this week.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersChicago BearsSep 18, 2026
Chicago Bears to win the division
“I I I don't know that there's a a clear favorite. I guess you'd say the bears until proven otherwise (NFC North)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Pete MartuneacGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Martuneac expects the Bears to beat the Jets comfortably in Week 4, with Tyson Bagent playing efficiently, Dillon Thieneman picking off Geno Smith twice, and Colston Loveland breaking out as a two-touchdown receiver.
- Joshua SchulmanGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersMiss · 0Schulman picks Las Vegas to hand Kansas City its first loss, expecting Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty to exploit a Chiefs defense he believes will be exposed.
- Pete MartuneacScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 95Martuneac predicts the Bears beat the Jets 30-17 in Week 4, moving to 3-1, with Tyson Bagent starting and the offense scoring early and often.
- Gennaro FiliceScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 90Picked winners and exact scores for every Week 4 game, including the Bills over a struggling Patriots offense, the Eagles over the Rams and the only Browns pick of the panel.
- Dan ParrScore Predictions · Minnesota VikingsClose · 64Picked winners and exact scores for every Week 4 game, taking the 49ers to move to 4-0 over Denver, the Saints at home on Monday night and the Steelers in Cleveland.
- Brooke CersosimoScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 50Picked winners and exact scores for every Week 4 game, including the Bears over the Jets, the Cowboys in the Battle for Texas and an upset of the Chiefs by the undefeated Raiders.
More availability calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Steven RuizAvailability Calls · A.J. BrownPendingReviewing Week 4, Ruiz argued the Cowboys are positioned to run away with the NFC East behind Dak Prescott given the division's shaky quarterback situations, and he expects A.J. Brown back for New England in Week 6 to help spark a Patriots offensive run.
- Associated PressAvailability Calls · Taylor MotonPendingThe AP reports Bryce Young's hot four-game start has put him in MVP conversation, and looks ahead to several Panthers injury returns — Taylor Moton after the bye, with Jalen Coker and Damien Lewis having a chance to be back in Week 6.
- Myles SimmonsAvailability Calls · Aaron DonaldPendingSimmons writes that Aaron Donald appears set to return in Week 5 for the Rams' Monday night game against the Bills after sitting out with back soreness.
- Nick RaducanuAvailability Calls · Jayden DanielsPendingRaducanu expects Jayden Daniels, back at practice after his Week 2 elbow dislocation, to return and play in Washington's Week 5 game against the Giants.
- Chad JensenAvailability Calls · Riley MossPendingReviewing Denver's 24-14 loss in San Francisco, Jensen says Patrick Surtain II will be sidelined for the Week 5 game against the Chargers and that Riley Moss is also unlikely to play, leaving Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine and Ja'Quan McMillian as the Broncos' starting cornerback trio in the meantime.
- Adam SchefterAvailability Calls · Jordyn TysonPendingSchefter expects Tyreek Hill to sign with a new team within days, with Kansas City the most likely landing spot, and projected Saints receiver Jordan Tyson to return from IR around Week 9 after the bye.