John Breech· Oct 20, 2026
Breech picked winners and exact scores for every Week 7 NFL game, including the Bears beating the banged-up Patriots on Thursday night, the Bengals upsetting the Ravens, the Packers winning in Detroit, the Chiefs winning in Seattle behind Kenneth Walker's revenge game, and the Cowboys taking the Monday night game in Philadelphia.
“PICK: Bears (-3) 27-20 over Patriots”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 14 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 14 have settled, averaging 61.1 out of 100, against 42.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Patriots at Bears 23 calls
- Steelers at Saints 24 calls
- Giants at Texans 13 calls
- Browns at Titans 12 calls
- Dolphins at Jets 62 calls
- Bengals at Ravens 15 calls
- 49ers at Falcons 26 calls
- Colts at Vikings 19 calls
- Buccaneers at Panthers 11 calls
- Broncos at Cardinals 13 calls
- Rams at Raiders 24 calls
- Packers at Lions 21 calls
- Chiefs at Seahawks 23 calls
- Cowboys at Eagles 31 calls
14 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing. 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.
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysOct 20, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 23 — Eagles 17
“PICK: Cowboys (-4.5) 23-17 over Eagles”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 8.32+109.36 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 38-21
- skill:
- 109.36
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 8.32
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.5
- predicted margin:
- 6
Closing line (Oct 26): Cowboys by 4.5, total 43.5 · this 23–17 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 6) and fewer points (40). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsDenver BroncosOct 20, 2026
Denver Broncos 19 — Cardinals 16
“Broncos 19-16 over Cardinals”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 15.84+96.82 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 30-16
- skill:
- 96.82
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 15.84
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Broncos by 4.5, total 44.5 · this 19–16 calls a closer game (Broncos by 3) and fewer points (35).
- Score PredictionsGreen Bay PackersOct 20, 2026
Green Bay Packers 31 — Lions 24
“PICK: Packers (+3) 31-24 over Lions”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 92.03-86.09 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 17-20
- skill:
- −86.09
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 92.03
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Lions by 3.5, total 55.5 · this 31–24 calls a Packers win (by 7; the line gave the Packers 37%) and fewer points (55). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsOct 20, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 27 — Seahawks 20
“PICK: Chiefs (+2.5) 27-20 over Seahawks”
Miss · 26Scored 26.19a naive guess scored 58.69-54.28 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 3-20
- skill:
- −54.28
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 26.19
- baseline:
- 58.69
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Seahawks by 3, total 43.5 · this 27–20 calls a Chiefs win (by 7; the line gave the Chiefs 41%) and more points (47). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsOct 20, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 27 — Raiders 23
“Rams 27-23 over Raiders”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 15.84+100.79 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 35-21
- skill:
- 100.79
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 15.84
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.35
- predicted margin:
- 4
Closing line (Oct 25): Rams by 3.5, total 49.5 · this 27–23 calls a bigger Rams win (by 4) and more points (50).
- Score PredictionsSan Francisco 49ersOct 20, 2026
San Francisco 49ers 34 — Falcons 24
“49ers 34-24 over Falcons”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 77.89-50.56 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-29
- skill:
- −50.56
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 47.62
- baseline:
- 77.89
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 9
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 10
Closing line (Oct 25): 49ers by 2.5, total 49.5 · this 34–24 calls a bigger 49ers win (by 10) and more points (58).
- Score PredictionsMinnesota VikingsOct 20, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 19 — Colts 16
“Vikings 19-16 over Colts”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 85.04+13.06 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-16
- skill:
- 13.06
- they picked:
- MIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 85.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Vikings by 6.5, total 41.5 · this 19–16 calls a closer game (Vikings by 3) and fewer points (35).
- Score PredictionsCleveland BrownsOct 20, 2026
Cleveland Browns 20 — Titans 13
“Browns 20-13 over Titans”
Hit · 90Scored 90.48a naive guess scored 42.18+80.65 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-24
- skill:
- 80.65
- they picked:
- CLE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 42.18
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Browns by 1.5, total 36.5 · this 20–13 calls a bigger Browns win (by 7) and fewer points (33).
- Score PredictionsNew York JetsOct 20, 2026
New York Jets 23 — Dolphins 16
“Jets 23-16 over Dolphins”
Close · 40Scored 40.48a naive guess scored 42.18-2.85 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 28-25
- skill:
- −2.85
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 42.18
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Jets by 3.5, total 39.5 · this 23–16 calls a bigger Jets win (by 7) and fewer points (39).
- Score PredictionsHouston TexansOct 20, 2026
Houston Texans 24 — Giants 17
“Texans 24-17 over Giants”
Close · 48Scored 47.62a naive guess scored 35.04+21.01 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-21
- skill:
- 21.01
- they picked:
- HOU
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 47.62
- baseline:
- 35.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 25): Texans by 10, total 42.5 · this 24–17 calls a closer game (Texans by 7) and fewer points (41).
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsOct 20, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 27 — Ravens 24
“PICK: Bengals (+3) 27-24 over Ravens”
Close · 55Scored 54.76a naive guess scored 0+91.45 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 35-13
- skill:
- 91.45
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 54.76
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Bengals by 3, total 46.5 · this 27–24 calls the line’s margin (Bengals by 3) and more points (51). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
- Score PredictionsCarolina PanthersOct 20, 2026
Carolina Panthers 23 — Buccaneers 20
“Panthers 23-20 over Buccaneers”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 43-13
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 30
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Panthers by 3, total 44.5 · this 23–20 calls the line’s margin (Panthers by 3) and fewer points (43).
- Score PredictionsPittsburgh SteelersOct 20, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers 20 — Saints 17
“Steelers 20-17 over Saints (in Paris)”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 35.04+96.56 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 16-10
- skill:
- 96.56
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 35.04
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- −0.28
- predicted margin:
- 3
Closing line (Oct 25): Steelers by 3, total 43.5 · this 20–17 calls the line’s margin (Steelers by 3) and fewer points (37).
- Score PredictionsChicago BearsOct 20, 2026
Chicago Bears 27 — Patriots 20
“PICK: Bears (-3) 27-20 over Patriots”
Hit · 98Scored 97.62a naive guess scored 86.37+18.78 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 24-30
- skill:
- 18.78
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 97.62
- baseline:
- 86.37
- difficulty:
- 1.67
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 12
- naive home margin:
- 0.28
- predicted margin:
- 7
Closing line (Oct 22): Bears by 3, total 50.5 · this 27–20 calls a bigger Bears win (by 7) and fewer points (47). Graded on the margin called, not on the spread.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Caleb WilliamsMiss · 0Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. He is pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying he'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. He also sees Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix.
- Bill HuberGame Outcome Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Huber argues Green Bay has no excuses left and will beat New England in Foxborough, and expects Christian Watson to play despite his rib injury. He also sketches the projected interior offensive line, with John Williams at center and Laken Tomlinson at right guard.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Houston TexansClose · 55Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Bryan DeArdoScore Predictions · Chicago BearsHit · 98DeArdo picks the Bears to beat the Buccaneers on Sunday night in a defensive game, predicting a 20-16 final score.
- Jared KochGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansHit · 100Koch predicts the Texans will beat the winless Chargers on the road in Week 9 by at least 10 points, with Houston's defense forcing a couple of turnovers to set up a multiple-score win.
- Derek BrownGame Outcome Picks · Green Bay PackersHit · 100Brown picked the Bengals to beat the Falcons in Madrid, the Packers to win outright in New England and the Bills to beat the Vikings on Monday night. He was bullish on Jonah Coleman's rest-of-season value, expected Jonathan Taylor to play for the Colts, floated a Breece Hall trade, and did not expect DJ Reed to play in Week 9.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Brener 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.
- Randy GurziScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Gurzi expects Seattle to win comfortably again with Drew Lock starting, predicting a 27-10 Seahawks victory.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Randy GurziScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 93Predicts Seattle runs away with the game, 27-10 over Arizona.
- Russell BaxterScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksClose · 79Predicts the Seahawks beat the Cardinals 26-21 in Week 9, with Seattle's pass rush making Gardner Minshew uncomfortable.
- Michael HanichScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 81Predicts a 24-18 Seahawks victory, with Drew Lock steadying the offense and the running game improving.