Jared Dubin#60 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 17, 2026
Dubin gives winners and scores for the same seven games, favoring the Bills, Patriots, Ravens, Texans, Broncos, Chiefs and Rams, though they expect several of them to stay close.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What Jared Dubin said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromI lean toward the Bills for the win in the debut of their new stadium, but I like the Lions to keep it close enough that the Bills don't cover the spread.
- Where it was published
- CBS Sports
- The piece
- NFL Week 2 picks: Our experts face off on Lions at Bills Thursday night, Bengals vs. Texans and more
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidSep 17
- PlayedSep 17–21
- GradedSep 18–22
- 1Los Angeles Rams 27 — Giants 17“Prediction: Rams 27, Giants 17”
- 2Baltimore Ravens 27 — Saints 20“Prediction: Ravens 27, Saints 20”
- 3Kansas City Chiefs 21 — Colts 17“Prediction: Chiefs 21, Colts 17”
- 4Denver Broncos 24 — Jaguars 21“Prediction: Broncos 24, Jaguars 21”
- 5New England Patriots 21 — Steelers 13“Prediction: Patriots 21, Steelers 13”
- 6Houston Texans 26 — Bengals 24“Prediction: Texans 26, Bengals 24”
- 7Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 31“Prediction: Bills 35, Lions 31”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams 27 — Giants 171 | Score Predictions | Rams 28–6 | 71.43 | 50 | +41.57 | |
| Baltimore Ravens 27 — Saints 202 | Score Predictions | Saints 24–17 | 50 | 32.1 | +34.72 | |
| Kansas City Chiefs 21 — Colts 173 | Score Predictions | Chiefs 33–30 | 97.62 | 91.63 | +11.62 | |
| Denver Broncos 24 — Jaguars 214 | Score Predictions | Broncos 20–13 | 90.48 | 82.1 | +16.24 | |
| New England Patriots 21 — Steelers 135 | Score Predictions | Patriots 20–3 | 78.57 | 58.29 | +39.34 | |
| Houston Texans 26 — Bengals 246 | Score Predictions | Bengals 20–6 | 21.43 | 15.44 | +11.62 | |
| Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 317 | Score Predictions | Bills 41–31 | 85.71 | 79.41 | +12.23 | |
| 7 calls · 3 hits · 3 close calls · 1 miss · all settled | 70.7 | 58.4 | ||||
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.
How each call scored
a naive guessbetter than naive7 checkable claims — 7 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 7 have settled, averaging 70.7 out of 100, against 58.4 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
1Score PredictionsLos Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams 27 — Giants 17
What happenedRams 28–6called Rams by 10 · won by 2271.43Close · naive 5071.43this call−50a naive guess=21.43better than naive×1.94difficulty=+41.57skillClosing line (Sep 21): Rams by 6.5, total 47.5 · this 27–17 calls a bigger Rams win (by 10) and fewer points (44).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 6-28
- skill:
- 41.57
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 71.43
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- 0.19
- predicted margin:
- 10
2Score PredictionsBaltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 27 — Saints 20
What happenedSaints 24–17called Ravens by 7 · lost by 750Close · naive 32.150this call−32.1a naive guess=17.9better than naive×1.94difficulty=+34.72skillClosing line (Sep 20): Ravens by 8.5, total 45.5 · this 27–20 calls a closer game (Ravens by 7) and more points (47).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 24-17
- skill:
- 34.72
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 32.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
3Score PredictionsKansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 21 — Colts 17
What happenedChiefs 33–30called Chiefs by 4 · won by 397.62Hit · naive 91.6397.62this call−91.63a naive guess=5.99better than naive×1.94difficulty=+11.62skillClosing line (Sep 20): Chiefs by 6, total 46.5 · this 21–17 calls a closer game (Chiefs by 4) and fewer points (38).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 30-33
- skill:
- 11.62
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 97.62
- baseline:
- 91.63
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 4
4Score PredictionsDenver Broncos
Denver Broncos 24 — Jaguars 21
What happenedBroncos 20–13called Broncos by 3 · won by 790.48Hit · naive 82.1Closing line (Sep 20): Broncos by 2.5, total 45.5 · this 24–21 calls a bigger Broncos win (by 3) and fewer points (45).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 16.24
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 82.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
5Score PredictionsNew England Patriots
New England Patriots 21 — Steelers 13
What happenedPatriots 20–3called Patriots by 8 · won by 1778.57Close · naive 58.2978.57this call−58.29a naive guess=20.28better than naive×1.94difficulty=+39.34skillClosing line (Sep 20): Patriots by 4.5, total 41.5 · this 21–13 calls a bigger Patriots win (by 8) and fewer points (34).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 3-20
- skill:
- 39.34
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- baseline:
- 58.29
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 8
6Score PredictionsHouston Texans
Houston Texans 26 — Bengals 24
What happenedBengals 20–6called Texans by 2 · lost by 1421.43Miss · naive 15.4421.43this call−15.44a naive guess=5.99better than naive×1.94difficulty=+11.62skillClosing line (Sep 20): Texans by 3, total 45.5 · this 26–24 calls a closer game (Texans by 2) and more points (50).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 20-6
- skill:
- 11.62
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 21.43
- baseline:
- 15.44
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 2
7Score PredictionsBuffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 31
What happenedBills 41–31called Bills by 4 · won by 1085.71Hit · naive 79.4185.71this call−79.41a naive guess=6.3better than naive×1.94difficulty=+12.23skillClosing line (Sep 17): Bills by 5.5, total 54.5 · this 35–31 calls a closer game (Bills by 4) and more points (66).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 31-41
- skill:
- 12.23
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 85.71
- baseline:
- 79.41
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 10
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- 1.35
- predicted margin:
- 4
- All
The take as a whole
the average of 7 settled calls, each counted once
70.7naive 58.4
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- Lions at BillsBills 41Lions 3123 calls →
- Bengals at TexansBengals 20Texans 625 calls →
- Saints at RavensSaints 24Ravens 1713 calls →
- Steelers at PatriotsPatriots 20Steelers 323 calls →
- Jaguars at BroncosBroncos 20Jaguars 1334 calls →
- Colts at ChiefsChiefs 33Colts 3018 calls →
- Giants at RamsRams 28Giants 633 calls →
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
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.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
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.Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
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.Gilberto Manzano · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Previewing the trade deadline, he expects Justin Herbert to stay in Los Angeles despite the Chargers' 0–7 start, thinks the Jets will keep Garrett Wilson and pair him with their young weapons, expects a receiver-hungry Kansas City to be aggressive with Josh Downs the likeliest target, and suggests expiring Eagles contracts Moro Ojomo and Riq Woolen could be dealt for mid-round picks.Joshua Poniatowski · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Poniatowski names several trade targets, predicting Malik Willis underperforms this week against New England, that Omarion Hampton could become a viable RB2 if Adam Gase takes over play-calling, that Josh Downs gets traded (ideally to Kansas City, where they'd be a top-24 WR), that Brian Thomas Jr. could be dealt to the Rams or 49ers, and that Travis Kelce remains a consistent weekly TE.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Miss 36
Prisco picks the Giants to beat the Commanders 23-14 on Thursday night and the Lions to beat the Patriots 30-24 in Munich.John Breech · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 90
Breech picks the Commanders to upset the Giants on Thursday night, 24-17, and takes the Texans to beat the Browns 24-16 in Week 10 behind a pass rush that should batter Deshaun Watson.Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Miss 36
Prisco picked the Giants to beat the Commanders at home in the Thursday night Week 10 game, 23-14, citing New York's dominant front seven containing Jayden Daniels.Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picked seven Week 10 games with final scores, including a Commanders upset of the Giants, Lions over the Patriots in Munich, Chiefs over the Falcons, Packers edging the Vikings, 49ers over the Cowboys, Bengals over the Steelers and Ravens over the Chargers. They also suggested Joe Burrow could win MVP this season.