# Mitch Goldich: Goldich's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.

**Claimed:** Sep 9, 2026
**Pundit:** Mitch Goldich — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitch-goldich
**Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/2026-nfl-week-1-staff-expert-picks

16 checkable claims — 16 game outcome picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

All 16 have settled, averaging 56.3 out of 100, against 62.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.

## The claims

- **Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 14, 2026): Chiefs by 2.5 · underdog pick, Broncos 46%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Chargers
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Chargers by 8.5 · favorite pick, Chargers about 4 in 5 (79%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Minnesota Vikings to beat Packers**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Minnesota Vikings
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Vikings by 1.5 · a toss-up, Packers 47%, Vikings 53%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Las Vegas Raiders to beat Dolphins**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Las Vegas Raiders
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Raiders by 3 · favorite pick, Raiders 60%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Chicago Bears to beat Panthers**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Chicago Bears
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Bears by 3 · favorite pick, Bears 60%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Steelers by 6.5 · favorite pick, Steelers 72%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Bengals**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Bengals by 3.5 · underdog pick, Buccaneers about 1 in 3 (36%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Browns**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Jacksonville Jaguars
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Jaguars by 8.5 · favorite pick, Jaguars about 4 in 5 (79%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Dallas Cowboys to beat Giants**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Dallas Cowboys
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Cowboys by 3 · favorite pick, Cowboys 60%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Houston Texans to beat Bills**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Houston Texans
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Bills by 1.5 · a toss-up, Bills 50%, Texans 50%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Detroit Lions to beat Saints**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Lions by 7 · favorite pick, Lions about 3 in 4 (73%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Philadelphia Eagles to beat Commanders**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Philadelphia Eagles
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Eagles by 6 · favorite pick, Eagles about 2 in 3 (68%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Baltimore Ravens to beat Colts**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Ravens by 3 · favorite pick, Ravens 59%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Tennessee Titans to beat Jets**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Tennessee Titans
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 13, 2026): Titans by 1.5 · a toss-up, Jets 48%, Titans 52%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Los Angeles Rams to beat 49ers**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 10, 2026): Rams by 3.5 · favorite pick, Rams about 2 in 3 (66%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Seattle Seahawks to beat Patriots**
  - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Sep 9, 2026): Seahawks by 3 · favorite pick, Seahawks 60%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.

## Who this take is about

- Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers
- Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings
- Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders
- Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears
- Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers
- Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars
- Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys
- Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans
- Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions
- Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles
- Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens
- Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans
- Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams
- Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks

## What others said about the same people

- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0)
- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0)
- Nate Gosney on Daiyan Henley: After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/60272861-4ad0-4749-b36a-dcdf09b9213f (scored 0)
- Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0)
- Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d0fd408a-7dcd-4e50-ac62-6b4510a8a800 (scored 100)
- Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: Lazarczyk expects the Raiders to be sellers before the trade deadline, suggesting Kirk Cousins could be dealt back to the Vikings and that benched interior lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is a prime candidate to be traded somewhere. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fda03952-2ea6-4919-8114-0ebb127478d1 (scored 100)

## More game outcome picks

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Sam Monson on New York Giants: Monson picked every Week 10 game, taking the Giants, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, Seahawks, Rams, Cowboys, Bengals and Ravens, and also suggested the Chargers' only likely wins the rest of the way come against the Jets and Dolphins. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f4cb7a1e-1380-4f08-b39b-1432b97db846 (scored 0)
- Eva Geitheim on Washington Commanders: Geitheim picked the Commanders, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Vikings, Jaguars, Colts, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c011abef-0b18-41ad-acad-6a67dfbd41fd (scored 100)
- Conor Orr on New York Giants: Orr picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Chargers in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ba669379-043c-448a-a167-2f2e3695a52e (scored 0)
- Albert Breer on New York Giants: Breer picked all 14 Week 10 games straight up, favoring the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fdc16abc-9ae2-4bf4-a327-8e9d9ae283b6 (scored 0)
- Matt Verderame on New York Giants: Verderame picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dfeb0994-1abf-414f-b153-d01b6e4e5365 (scored 0)
- John Pluym on New York Giants: Pluym picked the Giants, Patriots, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Colts, Saints, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Chargers in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8a940f59-49e6-4c02-8e75-60671656da04 (scored 0)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology

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