Chris Simms· Sep 25, 2026

Simms 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.

“I'm gonna take Jacksonville to win a close one.”

said on air, transcribed by us · Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast) · read the original →

17 checkable claims — 13 score predictions, 3 availability calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.

It names 19 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

13 of 17 have settled so far, averaging 72 out of 100, against 70.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.

Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →

Who this take is about

The games in this take

17 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 Predictions Kansas City ChiefsSep 25, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 34 — Dolphins 20
“I I'm certainly with you and the Chiefs... I'm gonna go $34.20, Kansas City Chiefs.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 18.75+153.56 skill
How this was scored
score:
24-10
skill:
153.56
they picked:
KC
season:
2026
accuracy:
100
baseline:
18.75
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
14
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
14
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Baltimore RavensSep 25, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 28 — Cowboys 24
“I'm going to take Baltimore 2824... I'm gonna ride them twenty eight twenty four.”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 44.94+99.56 skill
How this was scored
score:
34-31
skill:
99.56
they picked:
BAL
season:
2026
accuracy:
97.62
baseline:
44.94
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
3
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
4
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions New Orleans SaintsSep 25, 2026
New Orleans Saints 26 — Raiders 17
“I'm gonna have the Saints kinda pull away just late. That's kinda how I got it. Like, twenty six seventeen.”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 33.04+27.56 skill
How this was scored
score:
35-27
skill:
27.56
they picked:
NO
season:
2026
accuracy:
47.62
baseline:
33.04
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
8
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
9
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Minnesota VikingsSep 25, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 28 — Bucs 17
“I'm going Vikings 28 to 17.”
Hit · 90Scored 90.48a naive guess scored 35.42+104.06 skill
How this was scored
score:
23-16
skill:
104.06
they picked:
MIN
season:
2026
accuracy:
90.48
baseline:
35.42
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
7
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
11
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions San Francisco 49ersSep 25, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 31 — Cardinals 20
“I got them winning 31 to 20.”
Hit · 88Scored 88.1a naive guess scored 87.8+0.56 skill
How this was scored
score:
30-36
skill:
0.56
they picked:
SF
season:
2026
accuracy:
88.1
baseline:
87.8
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
6
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
11
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Denver BroncosSep 25, 2026
Denver Broncos 24 — Rams 21
“I'm gonna go, Broncos here. 2421, close football game”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 92.56+9.56 skill
How this was scored
score:
26-30
skill:
9.56
they picked:
DEN
season:
2026
accuracy:
97.62
baseline:
92.56
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
4
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
3
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Jacksonville JaguarsSep 25, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 23 — Patriots 21
“So I'm gonna take Jacksonville to win a close one. They're at home... Jaguars winning twenty three twenty one”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 50+0 skill
How this was scored
score:
6-35
skill:
0
they picked:
JAX
season:
2026
accuracy:
50
baseline:
50
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
29
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
2
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Seattle SeahawksSep 25, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 24 — Washington 14
“So, yeah, I I'm Seahawks all the way here, 24 to 14”
Miss · 31Scored 30.95a naive guess scored 97.32-125.44 skill
How this was scored
score:
31-33
skill:
-125.44
they picked:
SEA
season:
2026
accuracy:
30.95
baseline:
97.32
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
2
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
10
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions New York GiantsSep 25, 2026
New York Giants 17 — Titans 13
“I think they win an ugly one here... I'm gonna say seventeen thirteen Giants.”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 90.18+14.06 skill
How this was scored
score:
7-12
skill:
14.06
they picked:
NYG
season:
2026
accuracy:
97.62
baseline:
90.18
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
5
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
4
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Cincinnati BengalsSep 25, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 27 — Steelers 20
“So I'm definitely taking the Bengals to win this one... Oh, I'm gonna go twenty seven twenty.”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 94.94-102.94 skill
How this was scored
score:
27-30
skill:
-102.94
they picked:
CIN
season:
2026
accuracy:
40.48
baseline:
94.94
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
3
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
7
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Carolina PanthersSep 25, 2026
Carolina Panthers 24 — Browns 20
“I'm gonna pick the Panthers. I am there, but I do. I'm going twenty four twenty.”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 94.94-89.44 skill
How this was scored
score:
18-21
skill:
-89.44
they picked:
CAR
season:
2026
accuracy:
47.62
baseline:
94.94
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
3
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
4
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Houston TexansSep 25, 2026
Houston Texans 20 — Colts 17
“I'm gonna go Texans win this one twenty 03/17.”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 97.32-93.94 skill
How this was scored
score:
17-19
skill:
-93.94
they picked:
HOU
season:
2026
accuracy:
47.62
baseline:
97.32
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
2
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
3
Think this is wrong?
Score Predictions Buffalo BillsSep 25, 2026
Buffalo Bills 35 — Chargers 27
“So now I'm going to go Buffalo wins by eight... I got Buffalo winning thirty five twenty seven”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 83.04+32.06 skill
How this was scored
score:
16-24
skill:
32.06
they picked:
BUF
season:
2026
accuracy:
100
baseline:
83.04
difficulty:
1.89
weeks in the season:
18
actual margin:
8
weeks left when called:
16
naive home margin:
0.88
predicted margin:
8
Think this is wrong?
Availability Calls Puka Nacua Los Angeles RamsSep 25, 2026
“Because I don't expect Puka to play. (Week 3, Rams at Broncos)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Availability Calls Zay Flowers Baltimore RavensSep 25, 2026
“There's a flowers. We're not expecting him to play, right?... but I don't expect to see him. (Week 3, Ravens-Cowboys in Brazil)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Marvin Harrison Jr.Arizona CardinalsSep 25, 2026
Marvin Harrison Jr. to be 3rd on the depth chart
“he's never gonna be the superstar. He's gonna be a really good number two, maybe a high end three.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Availability Calls Kyler Murray Arizona CardinalsSep 25, 2026
“Expect Kyler Murray to play, and I think he's gonna show his ass this weekend.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

What others said about the same people

Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100
Rogers 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 · 0
Long 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 · Houston TexansMiss · 0
Previewing 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 · 100
Tice 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.
Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0
Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
Jake ArthurScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 98
Arthur expects a close Chiefs win on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead, predicting a final score of 27-23 for Kansas City.

More score predictions

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

Nate TiceScore Predictions · Dallas CowboysHit · 100
Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
Matt HarmonScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100
Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
Marcus RayScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 19
Marcus predicted a 30-13 Buccaneers win over Cleveland with three touchdowns and three field goals, and picked the Raiders to beat a Jim Harbaugh team to start 2-0.
Ryan LaVoyScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 17
LaVoy predicted a 28-10 Buccaneers win over the Browns, said even the Falcons would beat Cleveland, and named Detroit, Baltimore and the Rams as teams he expects in the playoffs.
Jaron SporScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 19
The host predicted a comfortable Buccaneers win over Cleveland, 27-10, picked Jacksonville as an upset winner at Denver, said the Giants could win seven or eight games as a sneaky team, and expected Deshaun Watson and the Browns to part ways soon.
Jared DubinScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 33
Dubin picked the Eagles to win at Chicago 23-10 on Monday night.

Who this take is about

The games in this take

17 checkable claims in this take

What others said about the same people

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