Tyler Sullivan· Oct 21, 2026
Sullivan projects final scores for every Week 7 NFL game, including a comfortable Vikings home win over the Colts, a Jets win over the winless Dolphins, a Browns road win in Tennessee, another Cardinals upset over Denver, and a Bengals win in Baltimore.
“With the rest and home-field advantage, Minnesota should leave Indy in the dust.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
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 59.7 out of 100, against 42.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Patriots at Bears 23 calls
- Steelers at Saints 24 calls
- Giants at Texans 13 calls
- Browns at Titans 12 calls
- Dolphins at Jets 62 calls
- Bengals at Ravens 15 calls
- 49ers at Falcons 26 calls
- Colts at Vikings 19 calls
- Buccaneers at Panthers 11 calls
- Broncos at Cardinals 13 calls
- Rams at Raiders 24 calls
- Packers at Lions 21 calls
- Chiefs at Seahawks 23 calls
- Cowboys at Eagles 31 calls
14 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. Game calls show that game’s closing betting line under their grade: a dated fact from nflverse, for context and never part of a grade. MissedTakes takes no bets and earns nothing from any sportsbook.
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysOct 21, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 27 — Eagles 17
“Cowboys at Eagles (Monday) Projected score : Cowboys 27, Eagles 17”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 8.32+125.27 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 38-21
- skill:
- 125.27
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 8.32
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.5
- predicted margin:
- 10
Closing line (Oct 26): Cowboys by 4.5, total 43.5 · this 27–17 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 10) and more points (44).
- Score PredictionsArizona CardinalsOct 21, 2026
Arizona Cardinals 23 — Broncos 20
“Projected score : Cardinals 23, Broncos 20”
Miss · 24Scored 23.81a naive guess scored 15.84+13.32 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 30-16
- skill:
- 13.32
- they picked:
- ARI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 23.81
- baseline:
- 15.84
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Broncos by 4.5, total 44.5 · this 23–20 calls a Cardinals win (by 3; the line gave the Cardinals about 1 in 3 (33%)) and fewer points (43).
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsOct 21, 2026
Detroit Lions 33 — Packers 26
“Packers at Lions Projected score : Lions 33, Packers 26”
Hit · 90Scored 90.48a naive guess scored 92.03-2.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 17-20
- skill:
- −2.59
- they picked:
- DET
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 92.03
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Lions by 3.5, total 55.5 · this 33–26 calls a bigger Lions win (by 7) and more points (59).
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsOct 21, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 30 — Raiders 27
“Rams at Raiders Projected score : Rams 30, Raiders 27”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 15.84+96.82 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 35-21
- skill:
- 96.82
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 15.84
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Rams by 3.5, total 49.5 · this 30–27 calls a closer game (Rams by 3) and more points (57).
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 21, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 24 — Seahawks 23
“Chiefs at Seahawks Projected score : Chiefs 24, Seahawks 23”
Miss · 12Scored 11.9a naive guess scored 58.69-78.14 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 3-20
- skill:
- −78.14
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 11.9
- baseline:
- 58.69
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 1
Closing line (Oct 25): Seahawks by 3, total 43.5 · this 24–23 calls a Chiefs win (by 1; the line gave the Chiefs 41%) and more points (47).
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsOct 21, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 30 — Ravens 23
“Projected score : Bengals 30, Ravens 23”
Close · 64Scored 64.29a naive guess scored 0+107.36 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 35-13
- skill:
- 107.36
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 64.29
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Bengals by 3, total 46.5 · this 30–23 calls a bigger Bengals win (by 7) and more points (53).
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 21, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 33 — Colts 19
“Projected score : Vikings 33, Colts 19”
Hit · 81Scored 80.95a naive guess scored 85.04-6.82 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-16
- skill:
- −6.82
- they picked:
- MIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 80.95
- baseline:
- 85.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 14
Closing line (Oct 25): Vikings by 6.5, total 41.5 · this 33–19 calls a bigger Vikings win (by 14) and more points (52).
- Score PredictionsCarolina PanthersOct 21, 2026
Carolina Panthers 28 — Buccaneers 20
“Buccaneers at Panthers Projected score : Panthers 28, Buccaneers 20”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 43-13
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 30
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 8
Closing line (Oct 25): Panthers by 3, total 44.5 · this 28–20 calls a bigger Panthers win (by 8) and more points (48).
- Score PredictionsCleveland BrownsOct 21, 2026
Cleveland Browns 24 — Titans 17
“Projected score : Browns 24, Titans 17”
Hit · 90Scored 90.48a naive guess scored 42.18+80.65 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-24
- skill:
- 80.65
- they picked:
- CLE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 42.18
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Browns by 1.5, total 36.5 · this 24–17 calls a bigger Browns win (by 7) and more points (41).
- Score PredictionsHouston TexansOct 21, 2026
Houston Texans 27 — Giants 20
“Giants at Texans Projected score : Texans 27, Giants 20”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 35.04+21.01 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-21
- skill:
- 21.01
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 47.62
- baseline:
- 35.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Texans by 10, total 42.5 · this 27–20 calls a closer game (Texans by 7) and more points (47).
- Score PredictionsNew York JetsOct 21, 2026
New York Jets 23 — Dolphins 16
“Projected score : Jets 23, Dolphins 16”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 42.18-2.85 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 28-25
- skill:
- −2.85
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 42.18
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Jets by 3.5, total 39.5 · this 23–16 calls a bigger Jets win (by 7) and fewer points (39).
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 24 — Falcons 21
“49ers at Falcons Projected score : 49ers 24, Falcons 21”
Miss · 36Scored 35.71a naive guess scored 77.89-70.44 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-29
- skill:
- −70.44
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 35.71
- baseline:
- 77.89
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 9
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): 49ers by 2.5, total 49.5 · this 24–21 calls a bigger 49ers win (by 3) and fewer points (45).
- Score PredictionsPittsburgh SteelersOct 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers 30 — Saints 23
“Steelers at Saints (in Paris) Projected score : Steelers 30, Saints 23”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 35.04+104.51 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 16-10
- skill:
- 104.51
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 97.62
- baseline:
- 35.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Steelers by 3, total 43.5 · this 30–23 calls a bigger Steelers win (by 7) and more points (53).
- Score PredictionsChicago BearsOct 21, 2026
Chicago Bears 24 — Patriots 20
“Patriots at Bears (Thursday) Projected score : Bears 24, Patriots 20”
Hit · 95Scored 95.24a naive guess scored 86.37+14.8 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-30
- skill:
- 14.8
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 95.24
- baseline:
- 86.37
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- 0.28
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Oct 22): Bears by 3, total 50.5 · this 24–20 calls a bigger Bears win (by 4) and fewer points (44).
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Caleb WilliamsMiss · 0Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. He is pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying he'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. He also sees Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Houston TexansClose · 55Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Bryan DeArdoScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 98DeArdo picks the Bears to beat the Buccaneers on Sunday night in a defensive game, predicting a 20-16 final score.
- Christian BooherRoster Spot Calls · Anthony LucasMiss · 0Booher previews the Lions' Week 9 trip to Miami, predicting Derrick Barnes takes over as the green-dot linebacker in Jack Campbell's absence, Juice Scruggs starts at center, and boldly forecasting Detroit's first defensive touchdown of the season on an Aidan Hutchinson strip-sack recovered and returned by Barnes.
- Jared KochGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansHit · 100Koch predicts the Texans will beat the winless Chargers on the road in Week 9 by at least 10 points, with Houston's defense forcing a couple of turnovers to set up a multiple-score win.
- Danny ParkinsGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Parkins named the seven AFC teams he believes are already set as the playoff field, expects Chicago, Buffalo and Kansas City to win this week, took Green Bay over New England and Atlanta over Cincinnati outright, and kept Bills–Bears as his Super Bowl matchup with the Giants still winning the NFC East.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brener 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.
- Randy GurziScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Gurzi expects Seattle to win comfortably again with Drew Lock starting, predicting a 27-10 Seahawks victory.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Randy GurziScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Predicts Seattle runs away with the game, 27-10 over Arizona.
- Russell BaxterScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksClose · 79Predicts the Seahawks beat the Cardinals 26-21 in Week 9, with Seattle's pass rush making Gardner Minshew uncomfortable.
- Michael HanichScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 81Predicts a 24-18 Seahawks victory, with Drew Lock steadying the offense and the running game improving.