John Breech· Oct 14, 2026
Presenting a full-season simulation, he projects the 14-team playoff field entering Week 6, with the Chiefs and 49ers earning top seeds, the Eagles backing into the NFC East at 8-9, and the 49ers beating the Chiefs 25-24 in Super Bowl LXI.
“According to our projection, the third time will be the charm for the 49ers.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
44 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 13 score predictions, 8 division winners, 4 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 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 6 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 5.
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.
Their call against the record
Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
44 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 ChampionsKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl
“(1) Chiefs 26-23 over (2) Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPittsburgh SteelersOct 14, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers to finish with 9 wins
“the Colts and Steelers are both on the outside looking in at 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLos Angeles RamsOct 14, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs
“the Rams are still projected to make it despite their three losses because they're still viewed as a strong team”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsOct 14, 2026
Buffalo Bills 28 — Patriots 20
“(2) Bills 28-20 over (7) Patriots.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 14, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 21 — Seahawks 19
“(2) Vikings 21-19 over (5) Seahawks.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsIndianapolis ColtsOct 14, 2026
Indianapolis Colts to finish with 9 wins
“the Colts and Steelers are both on the outside looking in at 9-8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksPhiladelphia EaglesOct 14, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected NFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected AFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBuffalo BillsOct 14, 2026
Buffalo Bills to win the division
“2. Bills (4-1) -- AFC East champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensOct 14, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected AFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCarolina PanthersOct 14, 2026
Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected NFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksJacksonville JaguarsOct 14, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected AFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsOct 14, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected AFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 27 — Ravens 23
“(1) Chiefs 27-23 over (4) Ravens.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsChicago BearsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Bears to finish with 9 wins
“After losing to the Packers on Sunday, our projection has them finishing at 9-8, which will leave them one spot out of the wild card.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCarolina PanthersOct 14, 2026
Carolina Panthers to win the division
“3. Panthers (2-2) -- NFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksMinnesota VikingsOct 14, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected NFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 26 — Bills 23
“AFC Championship (1) Chiefs 26-23 over (2) Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to take the top seed
“the computer is now projecting that San Francisco is going to finish with the top seed in the NFC”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsOct 14, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 29 — Bengals 23
“(3) Jaguars 29-23 over (6) Bengals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 32 — Lions 27
“(1) 49ers 32-27 over (6) Lions.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl
“(1) 49ers 27-20 over (2) Vikings.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersMinnesota VikingsOct 14, 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.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksOct 14, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“5. Seahawks (3-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsOct 14, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“3. Jaguars (4-1) -- AFC South champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesOct 14, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“The computer has the Eagles falling backward into the division title with an 8-9 record.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensOct 14, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 25 — Broncos 21
“(4) Ravens 25-21 over (5) Broncos.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDetroit LionsOct 14, 2026
Detroit Lions to make the playoffs
“6. Lions (3-2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 25 — Chiefs 24
“Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium (1) 49ers 25-24 over (1) Chiefs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsOct 14, 2026
Buffalo Bills 27 — Jaguars 24
“(2) Bills 27-24 over (3) Jaguars.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsPhiladelphia EaglesOct 14, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to finish with 8 wins
“The computer has the Eagles falling backward into the division title with an 8-9 record.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosOct 14, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“5. Broncos (3-2) ... with the Broncos, Bengals and Patriots getting in over the Colts and Steelers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 27 — Vikings 20
“NFC Championship (1) 49ers 27-20 over (2) Vikings.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to make the playoffs
“Here's the projected NFC playoff field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Super Bowl PicksSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl
“Kyle Shanahan finally gets the monkey off his back by leading the 49ers to a win here to earn his first Lombardi Trophy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksOct 14, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 20 — Eagles 19
“(5) Seahawks 20-19 over (4) Eagles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 14, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 21 — Rams 20
“(2) Vikings 21-20 over (7) Rams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to take the top seed
“1. Chiefs (4-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksNew England PatriotsOct 14, 2026
New England Patriots to make the playoffs
“7. Patriots (3-2) ... with the Broncos, Bengals and Patriots getting in over the Colts and Steelers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersKansas City ChiefsOct 14, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs to win the division
“1. Chiefs (4-0) -- AFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsOct 14, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“6. Bengals (3-2) ... with the Broncos, Bengals and Patriots getting in over the Colts and Steelers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersSan Francisco 49ersOct 14, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to win the division
“1. 49ers (5-0) -- NFC West champion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsOct 14, 2026
Detroit Lions 30 — Panthers 28
“(6) Lions 30-28 over (3) Panthers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersBaltimore RavensOct 14, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“4. Ravens (4-1) -- AFC North 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.
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Anthony RichardsonHit · 100Middlekoff's bold predictions, as relayed on the show, have the Patriots and Colts making the playoffs; he also argues the Colts whiffed on Anthony Richardson, comparing him to Trey Lance.
- 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.
- 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 ChargersHit · 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 · 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.
- Chris BrockmanPlayoff Picks · Houston TexansHit · 100Brockman predicted the AFC South will send at least two teams to the playoffs and called the Texans real contenders.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Houston TexansHit · 100Eisen said the Texans can win the AFC South and make the playoffs, called the Rams the best team in football, predicted Aaron Rodgers will start against the Bears, and said he believes Joe Burrow returns for the Patriots-Bengals game.
- Rich EisenPlayoff Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Eisen endorsed the Eagles' defense carrying them to the NFC championship and the Rams being the NFL's best team, but predicted the NFC North sends only Green Bay and Detroit to the playoffs, that Kansas City wins five of its last seven, that the 49ers make the playoffs, that Baltimore wins the AFC North, and that Tampa Bay wins the NFC South with both the Bucs and Panthers losing their upcoming NFC West road games.