Nick Wright#49 of 87 NFL pundits · Oct 3, 2025
Nick Wright picked the Ravens to beat Houston this weekend even with Lamar Jackson possibly out (leaning on Derrick Henry and Cooper Rush), the Chiefs to win in Jacksonville, and the Rams to beat the 49ers on Thursday night. They also laid out an AFC playoff field of Bills, Steelers, Chiefs, Chargers and Colts, projected the Chiefs' receiver pecking order once Rashee Rice returns, and called Justin Jefferson the best receiver in football with Puka Nacua a top-five receiver.
Said on air or in an interview · What's Wright? with Nick Wright (podcast)Hear the original
What Nick Wright said
I do not think the forty nine ers have a chance tonight.
- Where it was said
- What's Wright? with Nick Wright (podcast)
- The episode
- What's Wright - Shedeur Sanders RIDICULOUS behavior, Mahomes vs. The Prince, 49ers-Rams predictions | Nick Wright
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence here are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
- SaidOct 2, 2025
- GradedAug 5–Oct 3, 2026
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positional Finishes | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Game Outcome Picks | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Playoff Picks | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| All | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
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
11 checkable claims — 5 playoff picks, 2 depth chart calls, 2 game outcome picks and 2 positional finishes — 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 11 have settled, averaging 50.8 out of 100, against 62.1 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.
Their call against what happened
positional finishTheir call against what actually happened.
Positional Finishes1 close call · 1 missShow ▸Hide ▾
Puka Nacua to finish top 5 at his position, by receiving yards
“he's certainly demons has to be in your top five. Certainly.”
Finished #2called #5 · by receiving yards75Close75 − 0 naive = 75 × 1.78 difficulty = +133.5 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 133.5
- player:
- Puka Nacua
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 75
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- WR
- ranked by:
- receiving yards
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- the naive guess:
- where he finished last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 24
- actual finish:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 14
- predicted finish:
- 5
Justin Jefferson to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“I still think Jefferson is the best receiver in football”
Finished #11called #1 · by receiving yards16.67Miss16.67 − 25 naive = −8.33 × 1.78 difficulty = −14.83 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- −14.83
- player:
- Justin Jefferson
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 12
- accuracy:
- 16.67
- baseline:
- 25
- position:
- WR
- ranked by:
- receiving yards
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- the naive guess:
- where he finished last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- naive finish:
- 2
- actual finish:
- 11
- weeks left when called:
- 14
- predicted finish:
- 1
Depth Chart Calls2 hitsShow ▸Hide ▾
Tyquan Thornton to be 3rd on the depth chart
“all of a sudden, you have Thornton as your number three, Hollywood is your four, Juju is depth”
No. 5called No. 3 · by receptions83.33Hit83.33 − 100 naive = −16.67 × 1.78 difficulty = −29.67 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- KC
- skill:
- −29.67
- player:
- Tyquan Thornton
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- WR
- naive slot:
- 5
- actual slot:
- 5
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- measured by:
- receptions
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 14
Marquise Brown to be 4th on the depth chart
“you have Thornton as your number three, Hollywood is your four, Juju is depth”
No. 2called No. 4 · by receptions83.33Hit83.33 − 58.33 naive = 25 × 1.78 difficulty = +44.5 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- KC
- skill:
- 44.5
- player:
- Marquise Brown
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 58.33
- position:
- WR
- naive slot:
- 7
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- measured by:
- receptions
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 14
Game Outcome Picks2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Baltimore Ravens to beat Texans
“if we just play this out and I think they are going to win this weekend... I think they could win with with Cooper Rush... if you just run Dereck Henry thirty five times, I think you can beat up flailing Texans team”
0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Oct 5): Texans by 2.5 · underdog pick, Ravens 43%.
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- HOU
- score:
- 44-10
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive pick:
- BAL
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 14
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Jacksonville
“I would be very surprised if Kansas City can't go to Jacksonville and figure out how to get a win against a really good Jags team... But I don't think they're gonna win.”
0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 1.78 difficulty = −178 skill
Closing line (Oct 6): Chiefs by 3.5 · favorite pick, Chiefs 64%.
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- won:
- JAX
- score:
- 28-31
- skill:
- −178
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- JAX
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 14
Playoff Picks3 hits · 2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
Pittsburgh Steelers to make the playoffs
“we're saying, the Steelers are going to be in”
Made the playoffs100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- PIT
- 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
- Made the playoffs100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- BUF
- 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
Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs
“We're gonna put the Chiefs and the Chargers in”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- KC
- skill:
- 0
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- the naive guess said:
- yes
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 14
Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs
“We're gonna put the Chiefs and the Chargers in”
Made the playoffs100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 1.78 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?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
Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs
“let's just say the Colts keep doing what they're doing and they're in those five teams”
Missed the playoffs0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 1.78 difficulty = −178 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- team:
- IND
- skill:
- −178
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive guess said:
- no
- difficulty:
- 1.78
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- made the playoffs:
- no
- weeks left when called:
- 14
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.Jordan Dajani · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
After reporting that Colts receiver Josh Downs requested a trade, they identify five clubs as plausible landing spots for them: the Rams, Patriots, Falcons, Chiefs and Raiders, and suggests Las Vegas could also give them a long-term extension.
More playoff picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Ross Jackson · Playoff Picks · New Orleans Saints · Miss 0
Jackson projects a big sophomore jump for Saints QB Tyler Shuck, laying out a Drake May-style stat line (17 starts, 72% completions, ~4,601 passing yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs) or a Bo Nix-style consistency line (over 4,000 yards, over 20 TDs, ~10 INTs), and says either path means a playoff season for New Orleans in 2026.Rich Eisen · Playoff Picks · Minnesota Vikings · Miss 0
Eisen argues Ohio State will produce multiple top-10 picks — Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs — becoming the first school with three defensive players in the top 10, and that Styles will not be available at No. 12 to the Cowboys. He also thinks Fernando Mendoza is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick and expects the Raiders to draft him, and picks Trey Lance over Anthony Richardson to start a game first, Micah Parsons to fetch a bigger trade return than Maxx Crosby, Kirk Cousins as the released QB most likely to reach the playoffs, and J.J. McCarthy as the Vikings' Week 1 starter.Rich Eisen · Playoff Picks · Carolina Panthers · Hit 100
Eisen forecast the Week 18 results and the entire wild-card field: Buccaneers over Panthers but Carolina still gets in as the 5 seed when Atlanta beats New Orleans, 49ers over Seahawks, Ravens over Steelers, Jaguars beating Tennessee to win the AFC South, and six wild-card matchups (Seahawks-Panthers, Bills-Jaguars, Texans-Ravens, Packers-Bears, Chargers-Patriots, Rams-Eagles), with Houston upsetting Baltimore. They also tabbed Saints rookie Tyler Shough as a possible Offensive Rookie of the Year.Rich Eisen · Playoff Picks · Green Bay Packers · Hit 100
Eisen agreed the Bears are a team of destiny who will win the NFC, insisted the Packers will make the playoffs and won't lose at home to the Ravens, said the Steelers should make the playoffs, and endorsed the view that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback.