John Breech· Sep 30, 2026
Presenting a simulation of the rest of the 2026 season, he projects the full 14-team playoff field, with the Chiefs as AFC No. 1 seed and the Vikings as a surprise NFC No. 1 seed, and runs the entire bracket through to a Chiefs win over the Vikings in Super Bowl LXI.
“That's right, we have the Vikings in the Super Bowl!”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
41 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 13 score predictions, 8 division winners, 2 conference champions, 2 seeding, byes and home field, 1 season win total and 1 super bowl pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Kansas City Chiefs · 2026 season3 calls from 3 pundits between 1 and 1. John Breech 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 record
Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
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Who this take is about
41 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.
- Conference ChampionsMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to reach the Super Bowl
“That's right, we have the Vikings in the Super Bowl!”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensSep 30, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“3. Ravens (2-1) -- AFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersSep 30, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to make the playoffs
“5. 49ers (3-0)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksJacksonville JaguarsSep 30, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs
“4. Jaguars (2-1) -- AFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 21 — Vikings 20
“Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium: (1) Chiefs 21-20 over (1) Vikings.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersSeattle SeahawksSep 30, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to win the division
“2. Seahawks (2-1) -- NFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to win the division
“1. Chiefs (3-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 21 — Seahawks 19
“(1) Vikings 21-19 over (2) Seahawks.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl
“(1) Chiefs 26-23 over (2) Bills. ... they continue their mastery over Buffalo with a tight win the AFC Championship.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensSep 30, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 27 — Bengals 26
“(3) Ravens 27-26 over (6) Bengals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersSep 30, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 27 — Panthers 23
“(5) 49ers 27-23 over (4) Panthers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to win the division
“1. Vikings (3-0) -- NFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 30, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“2. Bills (3-0) -- AFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs
“1. Vikings (3-0) -- NFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsCarolina PanthersSep 30, 2026
Carolina Panthers to finish with 7 wins
“The Panthers are being projected to win that division with a 7-10 record.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosSep 30, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“5. Broncos (2-1)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsSep 30, 2026
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“6. Lions (2-1)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 26 — Bills 23
“(1) Chiefs 26-23 over (2) Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Super Bowl PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl
“our projection has Patrick Mahomes picking up his fourth Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs edging the Vikings in a wild game”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsSep 30, 2026
Buffalo Bills 28 — Ravens 26
“(2) Bills 28-26 over (3) Ravens.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsSep 30, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“7. Bears (2-1)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesSep 30, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“3. Eagles (2-1) -- NFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsSep 30, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“2. Bills (3-0) -- AFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCarolina PanthersSep 30, 2026
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“4. Panthers (1-2) -- NFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to take the top seed
“the computer gave us a huge surprise with the MINNESOTA VIKINGS earning the No. 1 overall seed”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 30, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles 25 — Lions 23
“(3) Eagles 25-23 over (6) Lions.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsSep 30, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“The only team being projected to repeat as champion is the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksIndianapolis ColtsSep 30, 2026
Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs
“7. Colts (1-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 30, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 23 — Eagles 20
“(2) Seahawks 23-20 over (3) Eagles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsSep 30, 2026
Buffalo Bills 32 — Colts 26
“(2) Bills 32-26 over (7) Colts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to take the top seed
“1. Chiefs (3-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksSep 30, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“2. Seahawks (2-1) -- NFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsSep 30, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 23 — 49ers 20
“(1) Vikings 23-20 over (5) 49ers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 30, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 26 — Bears 23
“(2) Seahawks 26-23 over (7) Bears.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensSep 30, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“3. Ravens (2-1) -- AFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesSep 30, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“3. Eagles (2-1) -- NFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“1. Chiefs (3-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsSep 30, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 23 — Broncos 19
“(4) Jaguars 23-19 over (5) Broncos.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 30, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 23 — Jaguars 21
“(1) Chiefs 23-21 over (4) Jaguars.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCarolina PanthersSep 30, 2026
Carolina Panthers to win the division
“The Panthers are being projected to win that division with a 7-10 record.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 30, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“6. Bengals (2-1)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Pat FitzmauriceScore Predictions · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 90Fitzmaurice picked Jacksonville to edge Cincinnati in a one-point nail-biter, took the Saints over the Falcons on Monday night, pegged Jeremiah Love as an RB11 for the rest of the season, and expected several banged-up players to sit out Week 4.
- Derek BrownScore Predictions · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 95Brown forecast a Jaguars shootout win in Cincinnati, took the Saints to beat the Falcons on Monday night, ranked Jeremiah Love as an RB15 rest-of-season (while saying he'd move up), and expected Jacoby Brissett to remain Arizona's quarterback for the year and Jalen Wright to be back in Miami's backfield.
- Jeff KerrRoster Spot Calls · Carson SteeleHit · 100Kerr argues Joshua Weru making the 53-man roster is an overreaction, predicts Carson Steele has earned a roster spot (possibly beating out Cameron Latu for the fullback job), says Tanner McKee should and will be the QB2 over Andy Dalton by Week 1, and expects Darius Cooper to win the final receiver spot over Elijah Moore though he isn't a lock.
- Nick WrightSeason Win Totals · Chicago BearsHit · 100Nick Wright lays out his season win-total picks (overs on Jaguars, Bears, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Raiders, Falcons; unders on Bengals, Colts, Broncos, Cowboys, Vikings, 49ers), playoff berth and miss calls, three division winners, a Chiefs-over-Buccaneers Super Bowl exacta, and five Week 1 picks.
- Damonza ByrdSeason Win Totals · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Nick Wright's co-host picks the Jaguars over as his favorite of the six over bets and calls the Baltimore/Buffalo division-winner parlay a safe one.
- Gregg RosenthalSeason Win Totals · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Rosenthal's Week 1 picks: the Giants win at Washington, the Lions beat the Packers, and the Jaguars beat the Panthers; he also likes the Jets over the Steelers and the Dolphins over the Colts, and expects Jacksonville to clear 7.5 wins.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ross JacksonPlayoff Picks · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 0Jackson projects a big sophomore jump for Saints QB Tyler Shuck, laying out a Drake May-style stat line (17 starts, 72% completions, ~4,601 passing yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs) or a Bo Nix-style consistency line (over 4,000 yards, over 20 TDs, ~10 INTs), and says either path means a playoff season for New Orleans in 2026.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Eisen forecast the Week 18 results and the entire wild-card field: Buccaneers over Panthers but Carolina still gets in as the 5 seed when Atlanta beats New Orleans, 49ers over Seahawks, Ravens over Steelers, Jaguars beating Tennessee to win the AFC South, and six wild-card matchups (Seahawks-Panthers, Bills-Jaguars, Texans-Ravens, Packers-Bears, Chargers-Patriots, Rams-Eagles), with Houston upsetting Baltimore. He also tabbed Saints rookie Tyler Shough as a possible Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Brockman argued the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through Foxborough, meaning the Patriots will finish as the No. 1 seed, and called his shot that the Chargers beat Denver in Week 18. He also declared the Bears a team of destiny who will win the NFC, said the Steelers will end their playoff win drought, and that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Eisen agreed the Bears are a team of destiny who will win the NFC, insisted the Packers will make the playoffs and won't lose at home to the Ravens, said the Steelers should make the playoffs, and endorsed the view that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Eisen agreed the NFC West will send three teams to the playoffs (Seahawks, 49ers and Rams), endorsed the Bears finishing no worse than the No. 2 seed, and said Chicago would beat Green Bay at home.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · New England PatriotsHit · 100Eisen gave his Week 13 power rankings, with the Rams first, Patriots second and the Cowboys entering at No. 10, and also named New England and Philadelphia as the first teams to clinch playoff spots, picked Seattle to beat Minnesota, and tabbed Drake Maye as an MVP finalist and Mike Vrabel as Coach of the Year.