Rich Eisen#38 of 87 NFL pundits · Oct 6, 2025

Rich Eisen reaffirmed their pick of the Lions to win the NFC while insisting the Eagles remain the team to beat, predicted the Colts beat the Cardinals on a last-second field goal, said the Chargers will not miss the playoffs, and expects Jake Browning to keep starting in Cincinnati and JJ McCarthy to return as Minnesota's starter. They also praised Jonathan Taylor as the best running back and OPOY-caliber, called Emeka Abuka the offensive rookie of the year, agreed Kyle Shanahan is the coach of the year front-runner, and said the Jets will pick in the top five.

Said on air, transcribed by us · Overreaction Monday (podcast)Hear the original

6 of 10calls landed6 hits · 4 misses · all settled

56.7Average accuracyout of 100, across 10 calls

56.7A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

10 of 10Settlednone still waiting

#38Rich Eisen’s rankof 87 ranked NFL pundits

What Rich Eisen said

The lines, I chose to win the NFC.

Rich Eisen, the lead quote

Where it was said: Overreaction Monday (podcast)
The episode: NFL Week 5: Pats Rising, Eagles Falling, Colts Contending, Chargering Is Back, and More
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidOct 6, 2025
GradedAug 13–17, 2026

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Misses
Conference Champions	0	1
Playoff Picks	1	0
Depth Chart Calls	2	0
Award Picks	0	2
Team Draft Slot Calls	1	0
Positional Finishes	1	0
Coach Award Picks	0	1
Game Outcome Picks	1	0
All	6	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

10 checkable claims — 2 award picks, 2 depth chart calls, 1 coach award pick, 1 conference champion, 1 game outcome pick, 1 playoff pick, 1 positional finish and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 11 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

All 10 have settled, averaging 56.7 out of 100, against 56.7 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.

Conference Champions1 missShow ▸

Detroit Lions to reach the Super Bowl
“The lines, I chose to win the NFC. That was great right now... And I kinda feel real feel really good about that.”
Detroit Lions
NE and SEA wonpicked DET
0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
skill:
0
they picked:
DET
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
champions:
NE, SEA
difficulty:
1.78
the naive guess:
last season's conference champions
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
14
reached the Super Bowl:
no
lost the conference final:
no
Think this is wrong?

Playoff Picks1 hitShow ▸

Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“They're not gonna miss the playoffs... I'm not going to sit here and saying the Charging is back and the bolts from this playoffs.”
Los Angeles Chargers
Made the playoffs
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
team:
LAC
skill:
0
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive guess said:
yes
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
made the playoffs:
yes
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls2 hitsShow ▸

J.J. McCarthy to be 1st on the depth chart
“And we'll see how JJ McCarthy looks when he comes back from this bye week. That's gonna be McCarthy's first start, we think... They've gotta get started with JJ McCarthy.”
J.J. McCarthy Minnesota Vikings
No. 1called No. 1 · by passing yards
100Hit
100 − 91.67 naive = 8.33 × 1.78 difficulty = +14.83 skill
How this was scored
club:
MIN
skill:
14.83
player:
J.J. McCarthy
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1.78
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?
Jake Browning to be 1st on the depth chart
“So, you know, Browning's gonna get that start.”
Jake Browning Cincinnati Bengals
No. 3called No. 1 · by passing yards
83.33Hit
83.33 − 91.67 naive = −8.34 × 1.78 difficulty = −14.83 skill
How this was scored
club:
CIN
skill:
−14.83
player:
Jake Browning
season:
2025
accuracy:
83.33
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
3
difficulty:
1.78
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Award Picks2 missesShow ▸

Emeka Egbuka to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“And Emeka Abuka ... Appears to be the offensive rookie of the year unless somebody goes nuts and he somehow falls off the planet.”
Emeka Egbuka Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tetairoa McMillan woncalled Emeka Egbuka
0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
award:
offensive_rookie_of_the_year
naive:
the naive pick was Jayden Daniels, who won it the year before
skill:
0
player:
Emeka Egbuka
season:
2025
who won:
Tetairoa McMillan
correct:
no
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?
Jonathan Taylor to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Jonathan Taylor looks like offensive player of the year, best running back in the league.”
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts
Jaxon Smith-Njigba woncalled Jonathan Taylor
0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
award:
offensive_player_of_the_year
naive:
the naive pick was Saquon Barkley, who won it the year before
skill:
0
player:
Jonathan Taylor
season:
2025
who won:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
correct:
no
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Team Draft Slot Calls1 hitShow ▸

New York Jets to pick “top five” (picks 1–5)
“Well, the Jets are definitely gonna pick at the top five next April.”
New York Jets
Picked at 2
100Hit
100 − 91.7 naive = 8.3 × 1.78 difficulty = +14.77 skill
How this was scored
team:
NYJ
draft:
2026
naive:
they picked 7 the year before
skill:
14.77
season:
2025
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.7
actual pick:
2
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
predicted pick:
top five (picks 1–5)
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Positional Finishes1 hitShow ▸

Jonathan Taylor to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“Jonathan Taylor looks like offensive player of the year, best running back in the league.”
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts
Finished #3called #1 · by rushing yards
83.33Hit
83.33 − 91.67 naive = −8.34 × 1.78 difficulty = −14.83 skill
How this was scored
skill:
−14.83
player:
Jonathan Taylor
season:
2025
zero credit this far off:
12
accuracy:
83.33
baseline:
91.67
position:
RB
ranked by:
rushing yards
difficulty:
1.78
the naive guess:
where he finished last season
weeks in the season:
18
naive finish:
4
actual finish:
3
weeks left when called:
14
predicted finish:
1
Think this is wrong?

Coach Award Picks1 missShow ▸

Kyle Shanahan to win Coach of the Year
“Kyle Shanahan is coach of the year front runner right now. Oh, I agree with you right there.”
Mike Vrabel woncalled Kyle Shanahan
0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
award:
coach_of_the_year
coach:
Kyle Shanahan
naive:
the naive pick was Kevin O'Connell, who won it the year before
skill:
0
season:
2025
who won:
Mike Vrabel
correct:
no
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Game Outcome Picks1 hitShow ▸

Indianapolis Colts to beat Arizona Cardinals
“And the Indianapolis Colts next have the Arizona Cardinals, which means the Colts will win, on a field goal with no time left.”
Indianapolis Colts
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Oct 12): Colts by 8.5 · favorite pick, Colts about 4 in 5 (79%).
How this was scored
won:
IND
score:
27-31
skill:
0
they picked:
IND
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
IND
difficulty:
1.78
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
14
Think this is wrong?

Who this take is about

Make your own calls.Pick every open claim on Picks →

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.
Jason Harmon · Roster Spot Calls · Max Brosmer · Miss 0
Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs.
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick.
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Lazarczyk expects the Raiders to be sellers before the trade deadline, suggesting Kirk Cousins could be dealt back to the Vikings and that benched interior lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is a prime candidate to be traded somewhere.
Patricia Traina · Trade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Traina expects defensive tackle to be a top need for the Giants in next year's draft, and suggests the Giants could trade J.J. McCarthy next offseason — or keep both them and Jaxson Dart if the return isn't good enough. They also expect Dart to make a full recovery.
Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.

More depth chart calls

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

Jeremy Brener · Depth Chart Calls · Drew Lock · Hit 100
Brener 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.
Jeremy Brener · Depth Chart Calls · Jalen Milroe · Miss 0
Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
Zachary Pereles · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.
Garrett Podell · Depth Chart Calls · Carson Beck · Miss 0
Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.