# Pamela Maldonado: Maldonado gave final score picks for every Week 5 game, including the Packers over the Bears, the Raiders winning in New England, the Saints upsetting the Vikings and the Giants beating the Commanders.

**Claimed:** Oct 10, 2026
**Pundit:** Pamela Maldonado — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pamela-maldonado
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50129471/week-5-picks-predictions-schedule-fantasy-odds-2026

14 checkable claims — 14 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

All 14 have settled, averaging 59.1 out of 100, against 46.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.

## The claims

- **Los Angeles Rams 30 — Bills 27**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Los Angeles Rams
  - Verdict: scored 50 out of 100, against 43.52 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 12, 2026): Rams by 3.5, total 55.5 · this 30–27 calls a closer game (Rams by 3) and more points (57). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Detroit Lions 34 — Cardinals 27**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: scored 59.52 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Lions by 5.5, total 55.5 · this 34–27 calls a bigger Lions win (by 7) and more points (61). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Denver Broncos 20 — Chargers 17**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Denver Broncos
  - Verdict: scored 92.86 out of 100, against 36.48 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Broncos by 3.5, total 42.5 · this 20–17 calls a closer game (Broncos by 3) and fewer points (37). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Atlanta Falcons 24 — Ravens 23**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Atlanta Falcons
  - Verdict: scored 35.71 out of 100, against 34.1 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Falcons by 3.5, total 44.5 · this 24–23 calls a closer game (Falcons by 1) and more points (47). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Seattle Seahawks 23 — 49ers 20**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: scored 50 out of 100, against 43.62 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Seahawks by 3, total 46.5 · this 23–20 calls the line’s margin (Seahawks by 3) and fewer points (43). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Green Bay Packers 23 — Bears 21**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Green Bay Packers
  - Verdict: scored 50 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Bears by 1.5, total 46.5 · this 23–21 calls a Packers win (by 2; the line gave the Packers 47%) and fewer points (44). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Cleveland Browns 21 — Jets 17**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Cleveland Browns
  - Verdict: scored 47.62 out of 100, against 90.19 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Jets by 2.5, total 38.5 · this 21–17 calls a Browns win (by 4; the line gave the Browns 44%) and fewer points (38). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **New Orleans Saints 23 — Vikings 17**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: New Orleans Saints
  - Verdict: scored 40.48 out of 100, against 28.28 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Vikings by 2.5, total 41.5 · this 23–17 calls a Saints win (by 6; the line gave the Saints 44%) and fewer points (40). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Houston Texans 24 — Titans 13**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Houston Texans
  - Verdict: scored 71.43 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Texans by 6.5, total 37.5 · this 24–13 calls a bigger Texans win (by 11) and fewer points (37). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Pittsburgh Steelers 24 — Colts 17**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: scored 88.1 out of 100, against 73.52 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Steelers by 3, total 41.5 · this 24–17 calls a bigger Steelers win (by 7) and fewer points (41). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **New York Giants 24 — Commanders 17**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: New York Giants
  - Verdict: scored 58.33 out of 100, against 72.91 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Commanders by 3.5, total 41.5 · this 24–17 calls a Giants win (by 7; the line gave the Giants 38%) and fewer points (41). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Cincinnati Bengals 21 — Dolphins 18**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Cincinnati Bengals
  - Verdict: scored 90.48 out of 100, against 35.42 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Bengals by 7, total 44.5 · this 21–18 calls a closer game (Bengals by 3) and fewer points (39). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Las Vegas Raiders 23 — Patriots 21**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Las Vegas Raiders
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Patriots by 3.5, total 45.5 · this 23–21 calls a Raiders win (by 2; the line gave the Raiders 38%) and fewer points (44). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.
- **Jacksonville Jaguars 24 — Eagles 19**
  - Kind: Score Predictions · About: Jacksonville Jaguars
  - Verdict: scored 92.86 out of 100, against 96.54 for a naive guess
  - Line: Closing line (Oct 11, 2026): Jaguars by 7.5, total 41.5 · this 24–19 calls a closer game (Jaguars by 5) and more points (43). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade.

## Who this take is about

- Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams
- Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions
- Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos
- Atlanta Falcons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/falcons
- Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks
- Green Bay Packers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/packers
- Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns
- New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints
- Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans
- Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers
- New York Giants — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/giants
- Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals
- Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders
- Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars

## What others said about the same people

- Jack Markowski on Brandon Smith: Markowski argues the Steelers should move on from Tyreek Hill given his injury and possible NFL discipline, and names promoting practice-squad receiver Brandon Smith to the 53-man roster as the most obvious way Pittsburgh addresses its receiver need. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/69805779-75a2-4bb5-be53-feb6ac642f0f (scored 0)
- Jared Dubin on Los Angeles Rams: Dubin picks the Rams to beat the Bills in the Week 5 Monday night game, projecting a 28-24 final score as Los Angeles' Nacua-Adams-Williams trio proves too much for Buffalo's defense. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4d5c92bc-d4b9-48e9-bb9f-695f82fee90b (scored 47.62)
- Anthony "Tone Digz" DiGuilio on Los Angeles Rams: Picked the Rams to beat the Bills on Monday night because of their defense. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8da282-f981-43ec-97e4-d147ef00b42a (scored 0)
- Darius Butler on Los Angeles Rams: Said Brian Flores could be Coach of the Year for what he is doing with the Vikings defense, and picked the Rams to beat the Bills on Monday night with Stafford outplaying Josh Allen. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bbaeb70d-e67f-4a28-88ea-c0d95a26f4e9 (scored 0)
- Pat McAfee on Los Angeles Rams: Picked the Rams to beat the Bills in the Monday night game at SoFi Stadium. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b11b3677-3d44-49d4-ac2d-bb8ac3179121 (scored 0)
- AJ Hawk on Los Angeles Rams: Took the Rams over the Bills on Monday night, saying they win by seven in a high-scoring quarterback duel. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/95507356-2ff5-404a-82b1-0963b8665fff (scored 0)

## More score predictions

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

- Jordan Dajani on Buffalo Bills: Dajani picked the Bills to beat the Rams 30-27 on Monday night. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/09826cd4-dbcf-4c85-aa4a-450c3b8c8125 (scored 100)
- Gennaro Filice on Buffalo Bills: Filice picked every Week 5 game with scores, backing Cincinnati in a closer-than-expected game at Miami, the Patriots in a low-scoring home win, Houston to finally get off the schneid in Tennessee, and upsets by the Saints, Jets, Packers and Bills. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7cc33db3-88e5-4811-8121-94bed7928d3a (scored 95.24)
- Bobby Kownack on Buffalo Bills: Kownack picked all Week 5 games with scores, including the Browns winning at the Jets to reach 4-1, the Broncos handling the Chargers, and the Giants upsetting Washington. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57789de7-9bc6-4cce-aacc-c088bd5aa6fe (scored 90.48)
- Pat Fitzmaurice on Buffalo Bills: Fitzmaurice predicted a 34-31 Bills win over the Rams, suggested the Packers would again blow a lead to the Bears, and said Drake Maye is a high-end to mid-range QB1 going forward. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/09f1aa2e-4381-4584-82b9-6b8b1112f04f (scored 100)
- Derek Brown on Buffalo Bills: Brown picked the Browns to beat the Jets and the Bears to beat the Packers, forecast a 31-28 Bills win over the Rams on Monday night, and made several Week 5 availability calls — doubting Tee Higgins, Lamar Jackson, Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin while expecting Ja'Marr Chase to play. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6adf08dd-972d-4cce-b6b8-8212332b191e (scored 100)
- Jordan Dajani on Buffalo Bills: Dajani lays out projected final scores for every Week 5 game he covers, including Jacksonville handling Philadelphia, Pittsburgh bouncing back at home against Indianapolis, and Cleveland winning outright in New York. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/029d282f-2740-4c4d-af36-07a93d65eb65 (scored 100)

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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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