Pat Gustavson· Jan 6, 2026
Gustafson picked the Bears, Eagles, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, the Rams and Bears in the NFC, the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, and the Patriots to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. His awards slate included Stafford for MVP, Puka for OPOY and Liam Cohen for Coach of the Year.
“I do have the Patriots over the Bears in the Super Bowl, and I'm really not happy about it.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
20 checkable claims — 9 game outcome picks, 5 award picks, 2 coach award picks, 2 conference champions, 1 pro bowl and all-pro call and 1 super bowl pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 15 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 20 have settled, averaging 50.8 out of 100, against 21.1 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
20 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.
Charles Cross to make Protector of the Year
“I'm gonna go Charles Cross.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-100 skillHow this was scored
- made:
- no
- naive:
- he did not make it the year before, so the naive pick said no
- skill:
- -100
- player:
- Charles Cross
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- selection:
- protector_of_the_year
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to beat Seahawks
“Give me the Rams over the Seahawks here.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- SEA
- score:
- 27-31
- skill:
- -100
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SEA
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksChicago BearsJan 6, 2026
Chicago Bears to beat Packers
“I think the Bears are just gonna and they've already beaten them.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- CHI
- score:
- 27-31
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- CHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Conference ChampionsChicago BearsJan 6, 2026
Chicago Bears to reach the Super Bowl
“Give me the fucking Chicago Bengals. Ben Johnson takes the team to the promised land in year one.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- champions:
- NE,SEA
- difficulty:
- 1
- the naive guess:
- last season's conference champions
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- reached the Super Bowl:
- no
- lost the conference final:
- no
- Game Outcome PicksNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
New England Patriots to beat Jags
“The Patriots. We're picking the Patriots.”
Close · 67Scored 66.67a naive guess scored 22.92+43.75 skillHow this was scored
- note:
- these two never played, so the pick is graded on the parts of it that happened
- skill:
- 43.75
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- ceiling:
- 66.67
- accuracy:
- 66.67
- baseline:
- 22.92
- opponent:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 1
- the naive guess:
- 14 of 32 clubs reached the postseason, 8 won a game there
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- right opponent:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- picked won aplayoff game:
- yes
- picked reached the playoffs:
- yes
- opponent reached the playoffs:
- yes
- Game Outcome PicksLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to beat Panthers
“I don't care. I'm going with the Rams.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- LAR
- score:
- 34-31
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- CAR
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Conference ChampionsNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
New England Patriots to reach the Super Bowl
“And give me New England. I will pick the boys... So will I.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- champions:
- NE,SEA
- difficulty:
- 1
- the naive guess:
- last season's conference champions
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- reached the Super Bowl:
- yes
- lost the conference final:
- no
- Game Outcome PicksChicago BearsJan 6, 2026
Chicago Bears to beat Eagles
“And then my other matchup is the Bears and the Eagles. ... Give me give me the bears.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- CHI
- score:
- 24-15
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksJacksonville JaguarsJan 6, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Bills
“And I can see them throwing up a dud here against the hottest team in football right now.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- BUF
- score:
- 27-24
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
New England Patriots to beat Chargers
“I like the Patriots. Kinda definitively here.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- NE
- score:
- 3-16
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- NE
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksHouston TexansJan 6, 2026
Houston Texans to beat Steelers
“I I I like Houston here. Steelers aren't very good and the Texans are red hot.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- HOU
- score:
- 30-6
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- PIT
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Coach Award PicksJan 6, 2026
Vance Joseph to win Assistant Coach of the Year
“I'm gonna go with Vance Joseph.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- assistant_coach_of_the_year
- coach:
- Vance Joseph
- naive:
- we hold no 2024 winner, so the naive pick scored 0
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Josh McDaniels
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksDenver BroncosJan 6, 2026
Denver Broncos to beat Houston
“Give me Denver to escape with one game.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- DEN
- score:
- 18-15
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- HOU
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Coach Award PicksJan 6, 2026
Liam Cohen to win Coach of the Year
“I think Liam Cohen went into a worse situation and turned it around more. So I'll go with our boy.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- coach_of_the_year
- coach:
- Liam Coen
- naive:
- the naive pick was Kevin O'Connell, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Mike Vrabel
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Super Bowl PicksNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl
“I do have the Patriots over the Bears in the Super Bowl, and I'm really not happy about it.”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 0+50 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 50
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 0
- champion:
- SEA
- runner up:
- NE
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Carson Schwesinger to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“But I I gotta go Carson Schwesinger here, another Brown.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- defensive_rookie_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Jared Verse, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Carson Schwesinger
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Carson Schwesinger
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Award PicksMatthew StaffordLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Matthew Stafford to win MVP
“Yes. I agree. I I'd say I think Stafford locked it up this week.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- mvp
- naive:
- the naive pick was Josh Allen, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Matthew Stafford
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Matthew Stafford
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Award PicksDrake MayeNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
Drake Maye to win MVP
“I will market Drake May will win multiple MVPs in his career.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- mvp
- naive:
- the naive pick was Josh Allen, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Drake Maye
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Matthew Stafford
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Award PicksPuka NacuaLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Puka Nacua to win Offensive Player of the Year
“I think the answer to these three is Puka.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- offensive_player_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Saquon Barkley, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Puka Nacua
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Award PicksTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsJan 6, 2026
Tyler Shough to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“I'll go Tyler Shuck. ... So I will go Shakir.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- offensive_rookie_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Jayden Daniels, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Tyler Shough
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- correct:
- no
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 48Simms 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 · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Rogers 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 · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 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 · Houston TexansMiss · 0Previewing 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 · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson 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.
More game outcome picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsHit · 100Monson 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.
- Matt HarmonGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsHit · 100Harmon 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.