Nick WinklerSep 9, 2026
Known as the 'Winxstradamus,' Winkler picked every game on the 49ers' 2026 schedule, landing on a 12-5 finish with losses only to Seattle twice, Atlanta, the Chargers and Kansas City.
Said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On 49ers (podcast)Hear the original
What Nick Winkler said
40 finished the season twelve and five.
- Where it was said
- Locked On 49ers (podcast)
- The episode
- 49ers Need a HOT START in 2026, "Winkstradamus" Makes Season Predictions
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidSep 9
- PlayedSep 10–Nov 8
- GradedSep 12–Nov 9
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Outcome Picks | 9 | 0 | 2 | 6 | |
| Trade and Signing Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| All | 9 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
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
19 checkable claims — 17 game outcome picks, 1 season win total and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
11 of 19 have settled so far, averaging 81.8 out of 100, against 63.6 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room.
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.
Where this call stands in the room
San Francisco 49ers · 2026 season · wins4 calls from 3 pundits between 10 wins and 12 wins. Nick Winkler said 12 wins. the room's median is 10 wins. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Game Outcome Picks9 hits · 2 misses · 6 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
San Francisco 49ers to beat Las Vegas Raiders
“They're gonna win that game, renew the old rivalry with the Raiders, and that that's a w.”
49ers 38–17Raiders at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 17-38
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Atlanta Falcons to beat San Francisco 49ers
“Short week at Atlanta, 10AM start. I actually have that down as an l for the forty niners”
Falcons 29–2049ers at Falcons100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- ATL
- score:
- 20-29
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- ATL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- ATL
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Washington Commanders
“You skipped that commander's game week six. It's okay. It's a w. That's not a very good football team.”
49ers 23–17Commanders at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 17-23
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Seattle Seahawks to beat San Francisco 49ers
“this seems like a kind of an easy spot to put an l on the schedule for the forty niners... Let's put it down for four and one after that matchup.”
49ers 32–2949ers at Seahawks0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 32-29
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- SEA
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Seattle Seahawks to beat San Francisco 49ers
“Unfortunately, I hate to do it, but they're dropping both games of the Seahawks this year.”
49ers 32–2949ers at Seahawks0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 32-29
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- SEA
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Denver Broncos
“then they gotta travel to San Francisco or to Santa Clara to to play the niners. So I got the niners winning this football game for no start.”
49ers 24–14Broncos at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 14-24
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Arizona Cardinals
“and then, of course, going to Arizona. I'm not too worried about the Cardinals.”
49ers 36–30Cardinals at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 30-36
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Arizona Cardinals
“I see a three and o start for the niners and a two and o in the division.”
49ers 36–30Cardinals at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 30-36
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Miami Dolphins
“week two, I think there's gonna be an easy come home win for the forty niners... That brings us to two and o San Francisco 40 niners”
49ers 35–13Dolphins at 49ers100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 13-35
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- SF
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Los Angeles Rams
“I have them winning both games against the Rams this year. Super team? Come on. Bring it to Levi's.”
49ers 27–749ers at Rams100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Closing line (Sep 10): Rams by 3.5 · underdog pick, 49ers about 1 in 3 (34%).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 27-7
- skill:
- 200
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- LAR
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat Los Angeles Rams
“I really like the 40 niners in week one against the Rams in Melbourne. I'm gonna go with the w.”
49ers 27–749ers at Rams100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Closing line (Sep 10): Rams by 3.5 · underdog pick, 49ers about 1 in 3 (34%).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- SF
- score:
- 27-7
- skill:
- 200
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- LAR
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
San Francisco 49ers to beat New York Giants
“they're they're gonna beat the Giants even though it's at 10AM start time.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kansas City Chiefs to beat San Francisco 49ers
“go to Kansas City, and that's a tough place to play as well. I have the forty niners losing that game”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat San Francisco 49ers
“unfortunately, I gotta give the chargers the win here in week 15.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
San Francisco 49ers to beat Minnesota Vikings
“Make make it an eight and two forty niners team after this... It's Sunday night football. It's at Levi Stadium. They don't lose prime time home games.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
San Francisco 49ers to beat Dallas Cowboys
“I'm gonna go ahead and say forty niners are gonna go to Dallas and beat up on the cowboys.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
San Francisco 49ers to beat Philadelphia Eagles
“that is the wake up call that propels them to win their next two games. At home against the Eagles, Sunday night matchup”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trade and Signing Calls1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Season Win Totals1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
San Francisco 49ers to finish with 12 wins
“40 finished the season twelve and five.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- 49ers at Rams49ers 27Rams 735 calls →
- Dolphins at 49ers49ers 35Dolphins 1314 calls →
- Cardinals at 49ers49ers 36Cardinals 3010 calls →
- Broncos at 49ers49ers 24Broncos 1427 calls →
- 49ers at Seahawks49ers 32Seahawks 2960 calls →
- Commanders at 49ers49ers 23Commanders 1727 calls →
- 49ers at FalconsFalcons 2949ers 2026 calls →
- Raiders at 49ers49ers 38Raiders 1712 calls →
- 49ers at CowboysKickoff Nov 15, 202641 calls →
- Vikings at 49ersKickoff Nov 23, 20265 calls →
- 49ers at GiantsKickoff Dec 6, 20262 calls →
- 49ers at ChargersKickoff Dec 18, 20261 call →
- 49ers at ChiefsKickoff Dec 27, 20263 calls →
- Eagles at 49ersKickoff Jan 4, 20272 calls →
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
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.Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.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 game outcome picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Sam Monson · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
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.Eva Geitheim · Game Outcome Picks · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Geitheim picked the Commanders, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Vikings, Jaguars, Colts, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.Conor Orr · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Orr picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Chargers in Week 10.Albert Breer · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
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.Mitch Goldich · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Goldich picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.Matt Verderame · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Verderame picked the Giants, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens in Week 10.