Brandon Carney· Jan 6, 2026
Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.
“I'm gonna pick the Rams to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
20 checkable claims — 9 game outcome picks, 6 award picks, 2 conference champions, 1 coach award pick, 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 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 20 have settled, averaging 80.8 out of 100, against 16.1 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.
- Pro Bowl and All-Pro CallsTrent WilliamsJan 6, 2026
Trent Williams to make Protector of the Year
“And so the fact that Trent Williams is in this convo, I'm gonna give it to him.”
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:
- Trent Williams
- 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 Panthers
“I just can't see them going down like this, the Rams. No. I I can't either.”
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. I'll pick the boys to go to the bowl.”
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
- Conference ChampionsLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to reach the Super Bowl
“I'm taking the Rams over the Seahawks to get to the Super Bowl.”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 0+50 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 50
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 50
- 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:
- yes
- Game Outcome PicksChicago BearsJan 6, 2026
Chicago Bears to beat Packers
“The seven seed Packers at the two seed Chicago Bears on Saturday. Who we got? Packers Bears. I like Bears. Me too.”
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
- Game Outcome PicksNew England PatriotsJan 6, 2026
New England Patriots to beat Jags
“But I'm gonna take the Patriots because, again, of that coaching”
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
- Award PicksChristian McCaffreyJan 6, 2026
Christian McCaffrey to win Comeback Player of the Year
“It's Christian McCaffrey. It is. No question.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- comeback_player_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Joe Burrow, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Christian McCaffrey
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Christian McCaffrey
- 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
“Starting with MVP. I spoiled it already. I think Matthew Stafford gets it.”
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
Carson Schwesinger to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“I'll go with him over that and then Nick Emanuari”
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
- Super Bowl PicksLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl
“I'm gonna pick the Rams to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- champion:
- SEA
- runner up:
- NE
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Award PicksMyles GarrettCleveland BrownsJan 6, 2026
Myles Garrett to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Miles Garrett will be your defensive player of the year.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- defensive_player_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Pat Surtain II, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Myles Garrett
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Myles Garrett
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Tetairoa McMillan to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“I think it's Ted McMillan.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- offensive_rookie_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Jayden Daniels, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Tetairoa McMillan
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksSan Francisco 49ersJan 6, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to beat Eagles
“I'm gonna go with the Niners. ... And I think that's going to materialize in the Eagles losing to the Niners”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 23-19
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- PHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksLos Angeles RamsJan 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to beat Chicago Bears
“And then, Bears, Rams, I'm taking the Rams.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- LAR
- score:
- 20-17
- skill:
- 100
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- CHI
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksHouston TexansJan 6, 2026
Houston Texans to beat Steelers
“So I will take the Houston Texans.”
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
- Game Outcome PicksJacksonville JaguarsJan 6, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Bills
“I am absolutely going with Jacksonville against the Bills.”
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'm going with the Patriots as well.”
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
- Coach Award PicksJan 6, 2026
Mike Vrabel to win Coach of the Year
“I will go with Mike Vrabel because I think subverting biased.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- coach_of_the_year
- coach:
- Mike Vrabel
- naive:
- the naive pick was Kevin O'Connell, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Mike Vrabel
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Game Outcome PicksDenver BroncosJan 6, 2026
Denver Broncos to beat Texans
“But I'll take the Broncos in this one.”
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
Jaxon Smith-Njigba to win Offensive Player of the Year
“I'm gonna go with JSN. ... So I'll I'll go with JSN here, receiving leader in 2025.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skillHow this was scored
- award:
- offensive_player_of_the_year
- naive:
- the naive pick was Saquon Barkley, who won it the year before
- skill:
- 100
- player:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- season:
- 2025
- winner:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- correct:
- yes
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 88Simms 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.