John Breech#34 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 15, 2026
Breech picks every Week 2 game with scores, takes the Cardinals to upset the Seahawks, sees a Bills-Lions shootout, predicts Baker Mayfield's revenge win over Cleveland, and says the Browns will miss the playoffs while the Dolphins go winless.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What John Breech said
That's right. I have completely lost my mind and I'm taking the Cardinals to pull off the upset.
- Where it was published
- CBS Sports
- The piece
- NFL Week 2 picks and score predictions: Bills top Lions in Thursday shootout, Seahawks suffer shocking loss
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidSep 15
- PlayedSep 17–21
- GradedSep 18–22
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score Predictions | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | |
| Super Bowl Picks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| All | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
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
18 checkable claims — 16 score predictions, 1 season win total and 1 super bowl pick — 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 18 have settled so far, averaging 64.7 out of 100, against 43.3 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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.
Score Predictions7 hits · 7 close calls · 2 missesShow ▸Hide ▾
- Rams 28–6called Rams by 3 · won by 2254.76Close
54.76 − 50 naive = 4.76 × 1.94 difficulty = +9.24 skill
Closing line (Sep 21): Rams by 6.5, total 47.5 · this 27–24 calls a closer game (Rams by 3) and more points (51).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 6-28
- skill:
- 9.24
- they picked:
- LAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 54.76
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- 0.19
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Panthers 34–3called Panthers by 7 · won by 3150Close
50 − 0 naive = 50 × 1.94 difficulty = +97 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Panthers by 2.5, total 43.5 · this 24–17 calls a bigger Panthers win (by 7) and fewer points (41).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 34-3
- skill:
- 97
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 31
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Packers 20–17called Packers by 3 · won by 3100Hit
100 − 41.63 naive = 58.37 × 1.94 difficulty = +113.24 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Packers by 3.5, total 44.5 · this 26–23 calls a closer game (Packers by 3) and more points (49).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 20-17
- skill:
- 113.24
- they picked:
- GB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 41.63
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- 49ers 35–13called 49ers by 22 · won by 22100Hit
100 − 50 naive = 50 × 1.94 difficulty = +97 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): 49ers by 12.5, total 44.5 · this 38–16 calls a bigger 49ers win (by 22) and more points (54).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 13-35
- skill:
- 97
- they picked:
- SF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 22
- Chiefs 33–30called Chiefs by 7 · won by 390.48Hit
90.48 − 91.63 naive = −1.15 × 1.94 difficulty = −2.24 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Chiefs by 6, total 46.5 · this 23–16 calls a bigger Chiefs win (by 7) and fewer points (39).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 30-33
- skill:
- −2.24
- they picked:
- KC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 91.63
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Cowboys 37–20called Cowboys by 10 · won by 1783.33Hit
83.33 − 58.29 naive = 25.04 × 1.94 difficulty = +48.57 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Cowboys by 3.5, total 51.5 · this 34–24 calls a bigger Cowboys win (by 10) and more points (58).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 20-37
- skill:
- 48.57
- they picked:
- DAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 58.29
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 10
- Patriots 20–3called Patriots by 7 · won by 1776.19Close
76.19 − 58.29 naive = 17.9 × 1.94 difficulty = +34.72 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Patriots by 4.5, total 41.5 · this 27–20 calls a bigger Patriots win (by 7) and more points (47).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 3-20
- skill:
- 34.72
- they picked:
- NE
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 76.19
- baseline:
- 58.29
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 7
- Eagles 24–20called Eagles by 11 · won by 483.33Hit
83.33 − 39.25 naive = 44.08 × 1.94 difficulty = +85.53 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Eagles by 7, total 39.5 · this 27–16 calls a bigger Eagles win (by 11) and more points (43).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 24-20
- skill:
- 85.53
- they picked:
- PHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 39.25
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 11
- Vikings 9–3called Bears by 3 · lost by 642.86Close
42.86 − 34.49 naive = 8.37 × 1.94 difficulty = +16.24 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Bears by 4.5, total 46.5 · this 20–17 calls a closer game (Bears by 3) and fewer points (37).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 9-3
- skill:
- 16.24
- they picked:
- CHI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 42.86
- baseline:
- 34.49
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 6
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Saints 24–17called Ravens by 11 · lost by 740.48Close
Closing line (Sep 20): Ravens by 8.5, total 45.5 · this 34–23 calls a bigger Ravens win (by 11) and more points (57).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 24-17
- skill:
- 16.24
- they picked:
- BAL
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 32.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 11
- Bengals 20–6called Bengals by 3 · won by 1473.81Close
73.81 − 15.44 naive = 58.37 × 1.94 difficulty = +113.24 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Texans by 3, total 45.5 · this 23–20 calls a Bengals win (by 3; the line gave the Bengals 43%) and fewer points (43).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 20-6
- skill:
- 113.24
- they picked:
- CIN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 73.81
- baseline:
- 15.44
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Seahawks 31–7called Cardinals by 3 · lost by 240Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 1.94 difficulty = 0 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Seahawks by 3.5, total 40.5 · this 20–17 calls a Cardinals win (by 3; the line gave the Cardinals about 1 in 3 (34%)) and fewer points (37).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 31-7
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- ARI
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Browns 23–19called Buccaneers by 18 · lost by 416.67Miss
16.67 − 39.25 naive = −22.58 × 1.94 difficulty = −43.81 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Buccaneers by 8.5, total 41.5 · this 34–16 calls a bigger Buccaneers win (by 18) and more points (50).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 23-19
- skill:
- −43.81
- they picked:
- TB
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 16.67
- baseline:
- 39.25
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 18
- Raiders 26–14called Chargers by 8 · lost by 1240.48Close
40.48 − 20.2 naive = 20.28 × 1.94 difficulty = +39.34 skill
Closing line (Sep 20): Chargers by 6.5, total 43.5 · this 27–19 calls a bigger Chargers win (by 8) and more points (46).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 26-14
- skill:
- 39.34
- they picked:
- LAC
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 40.48
- baseline:
- 20.2
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 12
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 8
- Broncos 20–13called Broncos by 3 · won by 790.48Hit
Closing line (Sep 20): Broncos by 2.5, total 45.5 · this 30–27 calls a bigger Broncos win (by 3) and more points (57).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 13-20
- skill:
- 16.24
- they picked:
- DEN
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 90.48
- baseline:
- 82.1
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- −0.52
- predicted margin:
- 3
- Bills 41–31called Bills by 7 · won by 1092.86Hit
92.86 − 79.41 naive = 13.45 × 1.94 difficulty = +26.08 skill
Closing line (Sep 17): Bills by 5.5, total 54.5 · this 38–31 calls a bigger Bills win (by 7) and more points (69).
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- score:
- 31-41
- skill:
- 26.08
- they picked:
- BUF
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 92.86
- baseline:
- 79.41
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual margin:
- 10
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- naive home margin:
- 1.35
- predicted margin:
- 7
Super Bowl Picks1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl
“The Bengals were my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Season Win Totals1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
- —Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The games in this take
every pundit’s pick on each- Lions at BillsBills 41Lions 3123 calls →
- Bengals at TexansBengals 20Texans 625 calls →
- Saints at RavensSaints 24Ravens 1713 calls →
- Eagles at TitansEagles 24Titans 2037 calls →
- Steelers at PatriotsPatriots 20Steelers 323 calls →
- Panthers at FalconsPanthers 34Falcons 318 calls →
- Browns at BuccaneersBrowns 23Buccaneers 1910 calls →
- Packers at JetsPackers 20Jets 1713 calls →
- Vikings at BearsVikings 9Bears 318 calls →
- Jaguars at BroncosBroncos 20Jaguars 1334 calls →
- Raiders at ChargersRaiders 26Chargers 1411 calls →
- Commanders at CowboysCowboys 37Commanders 2017 calls →
- Seahawks at CardinalsSeahawks 31Cardinals 714 calls →
- Dolphins at 49ers49ers 35Dolphins 1314 calls →
- Colts at ChiefsChiefs 33Colts 3018 calls →
- Giants at RamsRams 28Giants 633 calls →
Who this take is about
Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.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.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.
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.