John Breech· Oct 21, 2026
Presenting a full-season simulation, he projects the AFC and NFC playoff fields, has the Giants backing into the NFC East title at 8-8-1, and runs the entire bracket to a Chiefs 24-23 Super Bowl LXI win over the 49ers.
“This is the fifth straight week we've projected them to make the Super Bowl.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
46 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 13 score predictions, 8 division winners, 6 season win totals, 2 conference champions, 2 seeding, byes and home field and 1 super bowl pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 19 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 8 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Pittsburgh Steelers · 2026 season · wins3 calls from 3 pundits between 9 wins and 12 wins. John Breech said 9 wins. the room's median is 9 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Francisco 49ers
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- Baltimore Ravens
- Minnesota Vikings
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Detroit Lions
- Carolina Panthers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
- Green Bay Packers
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
46 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.
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsOct 21, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“3. Jaguars (4-2) -- AFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl
“NFC Championship (1) 49ers 26-20 over (2) Vikings”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsOct 21, 2026
Buffalo Bills 29 — Jaguars 25
“(2) Bills 29-25 over (3) Jaguars”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsChicago BearsOct 21, 2026
Chicago Bears to finish with 10 wins
“the Bears end up being the odd man out, despite finishing with a 10-7 record in our projection”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensOct 21, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“4. Ravens (4-2) -- AFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensOct 21, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 21 — Broncos 20
“(4) Ravens 21-20 over (5) Broncos”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 26 — Vikings 20
“NFC Championship: (1) 49ers 26-20 over (2) Vikings”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 21, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 23 — Packers 19
“(2) Vikings 23-19 over (7) Packers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersMinnesota VikingsOct 21, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to win the division
“2. Vikings (5-0) -- NFC North champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 26 — Ravens 23
“(1) Chiefs 26-23 over (4) Ravens (divisional round)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsOct 21, 2026
Detroit Lions 31 — Giants 25
“(5) Lions 31-25 over (4) Giants”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCarolina PanthersOct 21, 2026
Carolina Panthers to win the division
“3. Panthers (3-2) -- NFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksOct 21, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 24 — Panthers 23
“(6) Seahawks 24-23 over (3) Panthers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksOct 21, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“6. Seahawks (3-3)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsOct 21, 2026
Buffalo Bills 34 — Bengals 24
“(2) Bills 34-24 over (7) Bengals”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to win the division
“1. 49ers (6-0) -- NFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 24 — 49ers 23
“Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium: (1) Chiefs 24-23 over (1) 49ers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected AFC playoff field: 1. Chiefs (5-0)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksMinnesota VikingsOct 21, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs
“2. Vikings (5-0)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsOct 21, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“2. Bills (5-1) -- AFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl
“AFC Championship (1) Chiefs 27-24 over (2) Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 21, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 26 — Lions 23
“(2) Vikings 26-23 over (5) Lions”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 27 — Bills 24
“AFC Championship: (1) Chiefs 27-24 over (2) Bills”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsOct 21, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“7. Bengals (3-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsOct 21, 2026
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“5. Lions (3-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsOct 21, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 25 — Patriots 19
“(3) Jaguars 25-19 over (6) Patriots”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected NFC playoff field: 1. 49ers (6-0)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsNew York GiantsOct 21, 2026
New York Giants to finish with 8 wins
“our computer has the Giants finishing 8-8-1”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsCleveland BrownsOct 21, 2026
Cleveland Browns to finish with 8 wins
“For you Browns' fans, our projection has them finishing 8-9”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 25 — Seahawks 23
“(1) 49ers 25-23 over (6) Seahawks”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPittsburgh SteelersOct 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers to finish with 9 wins
“As for the Steelers, we have them projected to finish in the AFC North at 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCarolina PanthersOct 21, 2026
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“3. Panthers (3-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsDallas CowboysOct 21, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to finish with 8 wins
“stealing the division from the 8-9 Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew York GiantsOct 21, 2026
New York Giants to win the division
“our computer has the Giants finishing 8-8-1 and stealing the division from the 8-9 Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Super Bowl PicksKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl
“Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium (1) Chiefs 24-23 over (1) 49ers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsOct 21, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“2. Bills (5-1)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksJacksonville JaguarsOct 21, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs
“3. Jaguars (4-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew York GiantsOct 21, 2026
New York Giants to make the playoffs
“4. Giants (3-2-1) -- NFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsHouston TexansOct 21, 2026
Houston Texans to finish with 9 wins
“We have them finishing at 9-8, which would mean that Houston goes 7-4 over its final 11 games.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksGreen Bay PackersOct 21, 2026
Green Bay Packers to make the playoffs
“7. Packers (4-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosOct 21, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“5. Broncos (4-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to take the top seed
“1. 49ers (6-0) -- NFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsOct 21, 2026
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“6. Patriots (4-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensOct 21, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“4. Ravens (4-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to win the division
“1. Chiefs (5-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to take the top seed
“1. Chiefs (5-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Caleb WilliamsMiss · 0Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. He is pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying he'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. He also sees Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix.
- Bill HuberGame Outcome Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Huber argues Green Bay has no excuses left and will beat New England in Foxborough, and expects Christian Watson to play despite his rib injury. He also sketches the projected interior offensive line, with John Williams at center and Laken Tomlinson at right guard.
- Jeremy BrenerScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
- Albert BreerGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Breer picks the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in their Week 9 NFC West matchup.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Sullivan picks the Seahawks to win in Week 9.
- Dave RichardGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Richard picks the Seahawks over the Cardinals.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Dan "Buzz" WilsonPlayoff Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Wilson argued the Eagles' offseason approach of prioritizing 2026 and beyond doesn't mean a bad 2025 — he expects them to remain among the NFC's best teams and to make a deep playoff run rather than fall off to eight or nine wins.
- 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.
- 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 · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 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.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Indianapolis ColtsMiss · 0Eisen insisted the Colts will still win the AFC South and beat Atlanta in Berlin, picked the Lions to win the NFC North and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl with wins over Washington, the Giants and Green Bay on Thanksgiving, agreed Stafford will be an MVP finalist, and named the Colts, Patriots, Broncos, Chargers and Bills as AFC playoff teams.