John Breech· Sep 7, 2026
A CBS Sports annual Labor Day predictions column forecasts every team's 2026 record, all eight division winners, both playoff fields with full bracket scores, individual award winners, and the top five picks of the 2027 draft, ultimately picking the Bengals to beat the Cowboys 27-23 in Super Bowl LXI.
“Super Bowl LXI prediction: Bengals 27-23 over Cowboys”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
85 checkable claims — 32 season win totals, 14 playoff picks, 13 score predictions, 8 division winners, 5 team draft slot calls, 3 award picks, 3 game outcome picks, 2 conference champions, 2 seeding, byes and home field, 1 coach award pick, 1 positional finishe and 1 super bowl pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 36 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 85 have settled so far, averaging 14.3 out of 100, against 51.9 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 39 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 12 and below it on 27.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Denver Broncos
- Baltimore Ravens
- Detroit Lions
- Dallas Cowboys
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Houston Texans
- Buffalo Bills
- New Orleans Saints
- Seattle Seahawks
- Green Bay Packers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Jets
- Jared Goff
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Atlanta Falcons
- Miami Dolphins
- Cashius Howell
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Washington Commanders
- New England Patriots
- Tennessee Titans
- Trevor Lawrence
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- Indianapolis Colts
- New York Giants
The games in this take
- Broncos at Chiefs 45 calls
- Cowboys at Packers 10 calls
- Bears at Lions 3 calls
- Cowboys at Rams 11 calls
- Rams at Seahawks 12 calls
85 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.
- Score PredictionsDenver BroncosSep 7, 2026
Denver Broncos 26 — Chiefs 20
“(1) Broncos 26-20 over (6) Chiefs”
Miss · 14Scored 14.29a naive guess scored 51.93-75.3 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- -75.3
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 14.29
- baseline:
- 51.93
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 0.81
- predicted margin:
- 6
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensSep 7, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 20 — Steelers 17
“(2) Ravens 20-17 over (7) Steelers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Game Outcome PicksDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to beat Giants
“DET: at Cardinals, Giants, Titans ... I feel like the Lions will go 3-0 with their slate”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Game Outcome PicksDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to beat Cardinals
“DET: at Cardinals, Giants, Titans ... I feel like the Lions will go 3-0 with their slate”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 34 — Packers 27
“(3) Cowboys 34-27 over (6) Packers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 23 — Seahawks 20
“(1) Rams 23-20 over (5) Seahawks”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 31 — Rams 24
“(3) Cowboys 31-24 over (1) Rams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 27 — Ravens 23
“(5) Bengals 27-23 over (2) Ravens”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to reach the Super Bowl
“AFC Championship (5) Bengals 22-19 over (1) Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Super Bowl PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl
“Playoffs bold prediction: Bengals finally get their first Super Bowl win in franchise history”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 27 — Cowboys 23
“Super Bowl LXI prediction: Bengals 27-23 over Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersHouston TexansSep 7, 2026
Houston Texans to win the division
“AFC South 1. *Texans: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to win the division
“NFC East 1. *Cowboys: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to finish with 10 wins
“1. *Cowboys: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsBuffalo BillsSep 7, 2026
Buffalo Bills to finish with 11 wins
“1. *Bills: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew Orleans SaintsSep 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 4. Saints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksSep 7, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 5. Seahawks”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksGreen Bay PackersSep 7, 2026
Green Bay Packers to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 6. Packers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 7, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 30 — Saints 17
“(5) Seahawks 30-17 over (4) Saints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions 27 — Bears 24
“(2) Lions 27-24 over (7) Bears”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsSeattle SeahawksSep 7, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to finish with 12 wins
“2. *Seahawks: 12-5”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 34 — Bills 31
“(5) Bengals 34-31 over (4) Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPittsburgh SteelersSep 7, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers to finish with 9 wins
“3. *Steelers: 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsCleveland BrownsSep 7, 2026
Cleveland Browns to finish with 5 wins
“4. Browns: 5-12”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensSep 7, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“AFC North 1. *Ravens: 12-5”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to win the division
“And if you're wondering why I like the Lions to win the division.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsSep 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the division
“NFC South 1. *Saints: 8-9”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“NFC West 1. *Rams: 14-3”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsLas Vegas RaidersSep 7, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders to pick at number 4
“2027 NFL Draft order for the first five picks 4. Raiders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 7, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to finish with 9 wins
“2. Eagles: 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosSep 7, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 1. Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsSep 7, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 4. Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew York JetsSep 7, 2026
New York Jets to finish with 6 wins
“3. Jets: 6-11”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJared GoffDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Jared Goff to win MVP
“NFC North bold prediction: Jared Goff wins MVP”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsCarolina PanthersSep 7, 2026
Carolina Panthers to finish with 6 wins
“4. Panthers: 6-11”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensSep 7, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 2. Ravens”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksHouston TexansSep 7, 2026
Houston Texans to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 3. Texans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Game Outcome PicksDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to beat Titans
“DET: at Cardinals, Giants, Titans ... I feel like the Lions will go 3-0 with their slate”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsChicago BearsSep 7, 2026
Chicago Bears to finish with 10 wins
“3. *Bears: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsMinnesota VikingsSep 7, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to finish with 10 wins
“4. Vikings: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to finish with 7 wins
“2. Buccaneers: 7-10”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsArizona CardinalsSep 7, 2026
Arizona Cardinals to pick at number 3
“2027 NFL Draft order for the first five picks 3. Cardinals”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsGreen Bay PackersSep 7, 2026
Green Bay Packers to finish with 11 wins
“2. *Packers: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 3. Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 30 — Lions 27
“(3) Cowboys 30-27 over (2) Lions”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsBaltimore RavensSep 7, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to finish with 12 wins
“1. *Ravens: 12-5”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsSep 7, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 7. Bears”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 5. Bengals”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsLos Angeles ChargersSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to finish with 9 wins
“3. Chargers: 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsJacksonville JaguarsSep 7, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to finish with 8 wins
“2. Jaguars: 8-9”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsAtlanta FalconsSep 7, 2026
Atlanta Falcons to finish with 6 wins
“3. Falcons: 6-11”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsMiami DolphinsSep 7, 2026
Miami Dolphins to finish with 2 wins
“4. Dolphins: 2-15”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCashius HowellCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cashius Howell to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“AFC North bold prediction: Bengals second-round pick wins Defensive Rookie of the Year ... this year, I'm jumping on the Cashius Howell bandwagon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 7, 2026
Kellen Moore to win Coach of the Year
“NFC South bold prediction: Kellen Moore wins Coach of the Year with a losing record”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsSan Francisco 49ersSep 7, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to finish with 10 wins
“3. 49ers: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsSep 7, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 6. Chiefs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPittsburgh SteelersSep 7, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers to make the playoffs
“AFC playoffs Teams: 7. Steelers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsMiami DolphinsSep 7, 2026
Miami Dolphins to pick at number 1
“2027 NFL Draft order for the first five picks 1. Dolphins (Hello, Arch Manning!?)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsLas Vegas RaidersSep 7, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders to finish with 5 wins
“4. Raiders: 5-12”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 2. Lions”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsWashington CommandersSep 7, 2026
Washington Commanders to finish with 7 wins
“4. Commanders: 7-10”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsDenver BroncosSep 7, 2026
Denver Broncos to finish with 12 wins
“1. *Broncos: 12-5”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew England PatriotsSep 7, 2026
New England Patriots to finish with 9 wins
“2. Patriots: 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 22 — Broncos 19
“(5) Bengals 22-19 over (1) Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsTennessee TitansSep 7, 2026
Tennessee Titans to finish with 3 wins
“4. Titans: 3-14”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsArizona CardinalsSep 7, 2026
Arizona Cardinals to finish with 3 wins
“4. Cardinals: 3-14”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsDallas CowboysSep 7, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to reach the Super Bowl
“I have the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersDenver BroncosSep 7, 2026
Denver Broncos to win the division
“AFC West bold prediction: Broncos repeat as AFC West champs and win the division by multiple games”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 7, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 23 — Texans 20
“(6) Chiefs 23-20 over (3) Texans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to take the top seed
“NFC playoffs Teams: 1. Rams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsKansas City ChiefsSep 7, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to finish with 10 wins
“2. *Chiefs: 10-7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsSep 7, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“AFC East 1. *Bills: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to finish with 14 wins
“1. *Rams: 14-3”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsDetroit LionsSep 7, 2026
Detroit Lions to finish with 12 wins
“1. *Lions: 12-5”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsSep 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“NFC playoffs Teams: 1. Rams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trevor Lawrence to finish top 1 at his position, by passing interceptions
“AFC South bold prediction: Trevor Lawrence leads the NFL in interceptions”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“NFC West bold prediction: 49ers second-round pick wins Offensive Rookie of the Year ... so I'm going to go with the guy who recently made the switch to Love's number: De'Zhaun Stribling.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsTennessee TitansSep 7, 2026
Tennessee Titans to pick at number 2
“2027 NFL Draft order for the first five picks 2. Titans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew Orleans SaintsSep 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints to finish with 8 wins
“1. *Saints: 8-9”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldDenver BroncosSep 7, 2026
Denver Broncos to take the top seed
“AFC playoffs Teams: 1. Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsHouston TexansSep 7, 2026
Houston Texans to finish with 11 wins
“1. *Texans: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsCincinnati BengalsSep 7, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to finish with 11 wins
“2. *Bengals: 11-6”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsIndianapolis ColtsSep 7, 2026
Indianapolis Colts to finish with 7 wins
“3. Colts: 7-10”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew York GiantsSep 7, 2026
New York Giants to finish with 8 wins
“3. Giants: 8-9”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsCleveland BrownsSep 7, 2026
Cleveland Browns to pick at number 5
“2027 NFL Draft order for the first five picks 5. Browns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 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 · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long 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.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 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.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 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.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.