# Brandon Carney: 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. They also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year. **Claimed:** Jan 6, 2026 **Pundit:** Brandon Carney — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/brandon-carney **Outlet:** Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/bran-coverage-with-benchwarmerbran-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://www.buzzsprout.com/2182919/episodes/18462936-black-monday-reactions-playoff-predictions-award-picks-podcast-for-1-6.mp3 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 call. It names 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record. All 20 have settled, averaging 80.8 out of 100, against 11.1 for a naive guess at the same calls. > I'm gonna pick the Rams to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Trent Williams to make Protector of the Year** - Kind: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · About: Trent Williams - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Panthers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 10, 2026): Rams by 10 · favorite pick, Rams about 4 in 5 (81%). Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **New England Patriots to reach the Super Bowl** - Kind: Conference Champions · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Los Angeles Rams to reach the Super Bowl** - Kind: Conference Champions · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: scored 50 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Chicago Bears to beat Packers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Chicago Bears - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 10, 2026): Packers by 2.5 · underdog pick, Bears 45%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **New England Patriots to beat Jags** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: scored 66.67 out of 100, against 22.92 for a naive guess - **Christian McCaffrey to win Comeback Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Christian McCaffrey - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Matthew Stafford to win MVP** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Carson Schwesinger to win Defensive Rookie of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl** - Kind: Super Bowl Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Myles Garrett to win Defensive Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tetairoa McMillan to win Offensive Rookie of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **San Francisco 49ers to beat Eagles** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 11, 2026): Eagles by 6 · underdog pick, 49ers 30%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Chicago Bears** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Houston Texans to beat Steelers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 12, 2026): Texans by 3 · favorite pick, Texans 58%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Bills** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 11, 2026): Jaguars by 1.5 · a toss-up, Bills 47%, Jaguars 53%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **New England Patriots to beat Chargers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Jan 11, 2026): Patriots by 3.5 · favorite pick, Patriots 64%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **Mike Vrabel to win Coach of the Year** - Kind: Coach Award Picks - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Texans** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Jaxon Smith-Njigba to win Offensive Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess ## Who this take is about - Trent Williams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trent-williams - Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears - Christian McCaffrey — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/christian-mccaffrey - Matthew Stafford — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/matthew-stafford - Carson Schwesinger — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carson-schwesinger - Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns - Myles Garrett — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/myles-garrett - Tetairoa McMillan — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tetairoa-mcmillan - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Jaxon Smith-Njigba — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaxon-smith-njigba - 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) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - John Middlekauff on Caleb Williams: Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. They are pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying they'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. They also see Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/deaaf3f6-e53e-4080-a0ca-d5f872b54c6a (scored 0) - Jeremy Brener on Drew Lock: Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (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) - Mitch Goldich on New York Giants: Goldich picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/706c628f-bb25-4892-b33e-84c81bfb6e4a (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) --- 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 We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=brandon-carney