Pete Prisco· Sep 9, 2026
A CBS Sports Week 1 picks column predicts final scores for all 16 games, including a Seahawks rout of the Patriots in the Super Bowl rematch and a late Chiefs win over Denver in Patrick Mahomes' return.
“This rematch of the February Super Bowl will go much like that game. The Seahawks will dominate.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
16 checkable claims — 16 score predictions — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 16 have settled, averaging 65.2 out of 100, against 52.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
The games in this take
- Patriots at Seahawks 34 calls
- 49ers at Rams 37 calls
- Buccaneers at Bengals 31 calls
- Falcons at Steelers 34 calls
- Bears at Panthers 28 calls
- Jets at Titans 25 calls
- Saints at Lions 22 calls
- Browns at Jaguars 38 calls
- Ravens at Colts 24 calls
- Bills at Texans 46 calls
- Dolphins at Raiders 48 calls
- Packers at Vikings 42 calls
- Cardinals at Chargers 23 calls
- Commanders at Eagles 32 calls
- Cowboys at Giants 42 calls
- Broncos at Chiefs 45 calls
16 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.
- Score PredictionsKansas City ChiefsSep 9, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs 20 — Broncos 17
“Pick: Chiefs 20, Broncos 17”
Close · 57Scored 57.14a naive guess scored 51.93+10.42 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-31
- skill:
- 10.42
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 57.14
- 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:
- 3
- Score PredictionsDetroit LionsSep 9, 2026
Detroit Lions 33 — Saints 21
“Pick: Lions 33, Saints 21”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 96.35-45.08 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 30-31
- skill:
- -45.08
- they picked:
- DET
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- 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:
- 12
- Score PredictionsJacksonville JaguarsSep 9, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars 30 — Browns 13
“Pick: Jaguars 30, Browns 13”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 50+66.67 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-34
- skill:
- 66.67
- they picked:
- JAX
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 17
- Score PredictionsNew York JetsSep 9, 2026
New York Jets 23 — Titans 19
“Pick: Jets 23, Titans 19”
Close · 79Scored 78.57a naive guess scored 17.78+121.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 23-10
- skill:
- 121.59
- they picked:
- NYJ
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- 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:
- 4
- Score PredictionsDallas CowboysSep 9, 2026
Dallas Cowboys 30 — Giants 17
“Pick: Cowboys 30, Giants 17”
Miss · 38Scored 38.1a naive guess scored 79.68-83.17 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 20-28
- skill:
- -83.17
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 38.1
- 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:
- 13
- Score PredictionsChicago BearsSep 9, 2026
Chicago Bears 29 — Panthers 21
“Pick: Bears 29, Panthers 21”
Close · 67Scored 66.67a naive guess scored 0+133.33 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 59-37
- skill:
- 133.33
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 66.67
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -0.53
- predicted margin:
- 8
- Score PredictionsLas Vegas RaidersSep 9, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders 21 — Dolphins 17
“Pick: Raiders 21, Dolphins 17”
Close · 76Scored 76.19a naive guess scored 65.4+21.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-27
- skill:
- 21.59
- they picked:
- LV
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- 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:
- 4
- Score PredictionsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles 30 — Commanders 21
“Pick: Eagles 30, Commanders 21”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 93.97-21.27 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 22-24
- skill:
- -21.27
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- 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:
- 9
- Score PredictionsPittsburgh SteelersSep 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 — Falcons 17
“Pick: Steelers 27, Falcons 17”
Hit · 93Scored 92.86a naive guess scored 82.06+21.59 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 21.59
- they picked:
- PIT
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- 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:
- 10
- Score PredictionsCincinnati BengalsSep 9, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals 29 — Buccaneers 28
“Pick: Bengals 29, Buccaneers 28”
Hit · 88Scored 88.1a naive guess scored 84.44+7.3 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-33
- skill:
- 7.3
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 88.1
- 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:
- 1
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles ChargersSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers 31 — Cardinals 14
“Pick: Chargers 31, Cardinals 14”
Miss · 38Scored 38.1a naive guess scored 20.16+35.87 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 26-14
- skill:
- 35.87
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 38.1
- 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:
- 17
- Score PredictionsBaltimore RavensSep 9, 2026
Baltimore Ravens 34 — Colts 27
“Pick: Ravens 34, Colts 27”
Close · 74Scored 73.81a naive guess scored 5.87+135.87 skillHow 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
- Score PredictionsBuffalo BillsSep 9, 2026
Buffalo Bills 23 — Texans 20
“Pick: Bills 23, Texans 20”
Hit · 95Scored 95.24a naive guess scored 36.83+116.83 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 36-31
- skill:
- 116.83
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 95.24
- 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:
- 3
- Score PredictionsGreen Bay PackersSep 9, 2026
Green Bay Packers 26 — Vikings 24
“Pick: Packers 26, Vikings 24”
Miss · 14Scored 14.29a naive guess scored 58.25-87.94 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 22-39
- skill:
- -87.94
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 14.29
- 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:
- 2
- Score PredictionsLos Angeles RamsSep 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams 28 — 49ers 27
“Pick: Rams 28, 49ers 27”
Miss · 5Scored 4.76a naive guess scored 0+9.52 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 27-7
- skill:
- 9.52
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 4.76
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 20
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- -8.5
- predicted margin:
- 1
- Score PredictionsSeattle SeahawksSep 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 26 — Patriots 14
“Pick: Seahawks 26, Patriots 14”
Close · 79Scored 78.57a naive guess scored 100-42.86 skillHow this was scored
- score:
- 10-13
- skill:
- -42.86
- they picked:
- SEA
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 78.57
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- naive home margin:
- 3
- predicted margin:
- 12
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.
More score predictions
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 48Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Marcus RayScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 19Marcus predicted a 30-13 Buccaneers win over Cleveland with three touchdowns and three field goals, and picked the Raiders to beat a Jim Harbaugh team to start 2-0.
- Ryan LaVoyScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 17LaVoy predicted a 28-10 Buccaneers win over the Browns, said even the Falcons would beat Cleveland, and named Detroit, Baltimore and the Rams as teams he expects in the playoffs.
- Jaron SporScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 19The host predicted a comfortable Buccaneers win over Cleveland, 27-10, picked Jacksonville as an upset winner at Denver, said the Giants could win seven or eight games as a sneaky team, and expected Deshaun Watson and the Browns to part ways soon.
- Richie BradshawScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Bradshaw picks the 49ers to beat the Cardinals in their Week 3 matchup, predicting a final score of 27-14 in San Francisco's favor.
- Pat FitzmauriceScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 36Fitzmaurice gave rest-of-season positional rankings for several Chiefs and other skill players, including Mahomes as his QB10, Kenneth Walker as RB4 behind Gibbs, Bijan and McCaffrey, Kelce at TE8 and Worthy down at WR50, and he picked Tampa Bay to beat Minnesota 21-20.