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WaltAug 12, 2026

A preseason Week 1 picks column that predicts final scores in four exhibition games, leaning heavily on head coaches' preseason records and backup quarterback situations.

Published in writing · Walter FootballRead the original

Waiting3 calls, none settled yet
—Average accuracynothing settled yet
—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge
1Games calledeveryone’s picks below
3Waitingnot graded yet

What Walt said

our reading, beside the words we read it from
Preseason Week 1 NFL Pick: Titans 27, 49ers 17
Walt, the lead quote · each call’s own words are below
Where it was published
Walter Football
The piece
NFL Picks Against the Spread: Preseason Week 1, 2026
The original
Read the original
  1. 1New York Giants 27 — Vikings 13“Preseason Week 1 NFL Pick: Giants 27, Vikings 13”
  2. 2Los Angeles Rams 31 — Chiefs 24“Preseason Week 1 NFL Pick: Rams 31, Chiefs 24”
  3. 3Tennessee Titans 27 — 49ers 17“Preseason Week 1 NFL Pick: Titans 27, 49ers 17”

Box score

HitCloseMissWaiting
VerdictCallKindWhat happenedScoreNaiveSkill
New York Giants 27 — Vikings 131Score Predictions————
Los Angeles Rams 31 — Chiefs 242Score Predictions————
Tennessee Titans 27 — 49ers 173Score Predictions————
3 calls · 3 waiting——

How each call scored

3 checkable claims — 3 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.

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.

  1. 1Score PredictionsNew York Giants

    New York Giants 27 — Vikings 13

    VerdictWaiting

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

  2. 2Score PredictionsLos Angeles Rams

    Los Angeles Rams 31 — Chiefs 24

    VerdictWaiting

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

  3. 3Score PredictionsTennessee Titans

    Tennessee Titans 27 — 49ers 17

    VerdictWaiting

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

The game in this take

every pundit’s pick on each

Others on the same people

More score predictions

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