John Breech#34 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 8, 2026
Breech makes score picks for every Week 1 game of the 2026 season, and references their season preview in which they have the Bills winning the AFC East and the Texans winning the AFC South, both at 11-6.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What John Breech said
I think Seattle sends a message to the rest of the NFL with a double-digit win over a good Patriots team.
- Where it was published
- CBS Sports
- The piece
- NFL Week 1 picks and score predictions: Seahawks destroy Patriots in Super Bowl rematch, Rams prevail
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidSep 8
- PlayedSep 9–14
- GradedSep 11–16
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score Predictions | 5 | 7 | 4 | 0 | |
| Division Winners | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| All | 5 | 7 | 4 | 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
20 checkable claims — 16 score predictions, 2 division winners and 2 season win totals — 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.
16 of 20 have settled so far, averaging 56.4 out of 100, against 52.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
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
Houston Texans · 2026 season · wins3 calls from 3 pundits between 4 wins and 11 wins. John Breech said 11 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.
Score Predictions5 hits · 7 close calls · 4 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
- Chiefs 31–10called Broncos by 2 · lost by 214.76Miss
4.76 − 51.93 naive = −47.17 × 2 difficulty = −94.35 skill
Closing line (Sep 14): Chiefs by 2.5, total 42.5 · this 23–21 calls a Broncos win (by 2; the line gave the Broncos 46%) and more points (44).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- −94.35
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 4.76
- baseline:
- 51.93
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 0.81
- predicted margin:
- 2
- Eagles 24–22called Eagles by 6 · won by 290.48Hit
90.48 − 93.97 naive = −3.49 × 2 difficulty = −6.98 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Eagles by 6, total 43.5 · this 27–21 calls the line’s margin (Eagles by 6) and more points (48).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 22-24
- skill:
- −6.98
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 93.97
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 6
- Giants 28–20called Cowboys by 7 · lost by 847.62Close
47.62 − 79.68 naive = −32.06 × 2 difficulty = −64.13 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Cowboys by 3, total 47.5 · this 30–23 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 7) and more points (53).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 20-28
- skill:
- −64.13
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 47.62
- baseline:
- 79.68
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Ravens 41–23called Ravens by 7 · won by 1873.81Close
73.81 − 5.87 naive = 67.94 × 2 difficulty = +135.87 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Ravens by 3, total 48.5 · this 27–20 calls a bigger Ravens win (by 7) and fewer points (47).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 41-23
- skill:
- 135.87
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 5.87
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Bengals 33–27called Bengals by 7 · won by 697.62Hit
97.62 − 84.44 naive = 13.18 × 2 difficulty = +26.35 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Bengals by 3.5, total 50.5 · this 23–16 calls a bigger Bengals win (by 7) and fewer points (39).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 27-33
- skill:
- 26.35
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 97.62
- baseline:
- 84.44
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Lions 31–30called Lions by 10 · won by 178.57Close
78.57 − 96.35 naive = −17.78 × 2 difficulty = −35.56 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Lions by 7, total 49.5 · this 30–20 calls a bigger Lions win (by 10) and more points (50).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 30-31
- skill:
- −35.56
- they picked:
- DET
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- baseline:
- 96.35
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 10
- Jets 23–10called Titans by 3 · lost by 1326.19Miss
26.19 − 17.78 naive = 8.41 × 2 difficulty = +16.83 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Titans by 1.5, total 39.5 · this 16–13 calls a bigger Titans win (by 3) and fewer points (29).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 23-10
- skill:
- 16.83
- they picked:
- TEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 26.19
- baseline:
- 17.78
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 13
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Vikings 39–22called Packers by 3 · lost by 1716.67Miss
16.67 − 58.25 naive = −41.58 × 2 difficulty = −83.17 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Vikings by 1.5, total 46.5 · this 22–19 calls a Packers win (by 3; the line gave the Packers 47%) and fewer points (41).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 22-39
- skill:
- −83.17
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 16.67
- baseline:
- 58.25
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Bills 36–31called Texans by 1 · lost by 540.48Close
40.48 − 36.83 naive = 3.65 × 2 difficulty = +7.3 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Bills by 1.5, total 44.5 · this 20–19 calls a Texans win (by 1; the line gave the Texans 50%) and fewer points (39).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 36-31
- skill:
- 7.3
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 36.83
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 1
- Raiders 27–13called Raiders by 7 · won by 1483.33Hit
83.33 − 65.4 naive = 17.93 × 2 difficulty = +35.87 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Raiders by 3, total 40.5 · this 20–13 calls a bigger Raiders win (by 7) and fewer points (33).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 13-27
- skill:
- 35.87
- they picked:
- LV
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 65.4
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Bears 59–37called Bears by 3 · won by 2254.76Close
54.76 − 0 naive = 54.76 × 2 difficulty = +109.52 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Bears by 3, total 47.5 · this 24–21 calls the line’s margin (Bears by 3) and fewer points (45).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 59-37
- skill:
- 109.52
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 54.76
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Jaguars 34–10called Jaguars by 3 · won by 2450Close
50 − 50 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Jaguars by 8.5, total 40.5 · this 19–16 calls a closer game (Jaguars by 3) and fewer points (35).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 10-34
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Steelers 20–13called Steelers by 3 · won by 790.48Hit
90.48 − 82.06 naive = 8.42 × 2 difficulty = +16.83 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Steelers by 6.5, total 40.5 · this 23–20 calls a closer game (Steelers by 3) and more points (43).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 16.83
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 82.06
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Cardinals 26–14called Chargers by 10 · lost by 1245.24Close
45.24 − 20.16 naive = 25.08 × 2 difficulty = +50.16 skill
Closing line (Sep 13): Chargers by 8.5, total 47.5 · this 31–21 calls a bigger Chargers win (by 10) and more points (52).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 26-14
- skill:
- 50.16
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 45.24
- baseline:
- 20.16
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 12
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −0.53
- predicted margin:
- 10
- 49ers 27–7called Rams by 7 · lost by 2019.05Miss
19.05 − 0 naive = 19.05 × 2 difficulty = +38.1 skill
Closing line (Sep 10): Rams by 3.5, total 47.5 · this 24–17 calls a bigger Rams win (by 7) and fewer points (41).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 27-7
- skill:
- 38.1
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 19.05
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 20
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- −8.5
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Seahawks 13–10called Seahawks by 10 · won by 383.33Hit
83.33 − 100 naive = −16.67 × 2 difficulty = −33.33 skill
Closing line (Sep 9): Seahawks by 3, total 44.5 · this 27–17 calls a bigger Seahawks win (by 10) and fewer points (44).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 10-13
- skill:
- −33.33
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 3
- predicted margin:
- 10
Division Winners2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Season Win Totals2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- Patriots at SeahawksSeahawks 13Patriots 1027 calls →
- 49ers at Rams49ers 27Rams 735 calls →
- Saints at LionsLions 31Saints 3020 calls →
- Jets at TitansJets 23Titans 1020 calls →
- Falcons at SteelersSteelers 20Falcons 1327 calls →
- Browns at JaguarsJaguars 34Browns 1037 calls →
- Ravens at ColtsRavens 41Colts 2320 calls →
- Bills at TexansBills 36Texans 3134 calls →
- Bears at PanthersBears 59Panthers 3723 calls →
- Buccaneers at BengalsBengals 33Buccaneers 2724 calls →
- Cardinals at ChargersCardinals 26Chargers 1420 calls →
- Dolphins at RaidersRaiders 27Dolphins 1339 calls →
- Packers at VikingsVikings 39Packers 2235 calls →
- Commanders at EaglesEagles 24Commanders 2227 calls →
- Cowboys at GiantsGiants 28Cowboys 2032 calls →
- Broncos at ChiefsChiefs 31Broncos 1042 calls →
Who this take is about
Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills
Others on the same people
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.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.John Middlekauff · Draft Bust Calls · Caleb Williams · Miss 0
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.Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota.Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 62
Dajani picked the Bills to edge the Vikings 24-23.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 74
Dubin picked Buffalo to win a low-scoring Monday night game in Minnesota, 20-14.
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.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Close 43
Dubin picks the Giants to beat the Commanders 20-14 on Thursday night and takes the Packers over the Vikings 17-14 in a low-scoring Week 10 game.Jared Dubin · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Close 43
Dubin picks the Giants to beat the Commanders at home on Thursday night, projecting a 20-14 final score.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.