# John Breech: A CBS Sports piece presents SportsLine's simulation of the entire 2026 season, projecting both conferences' playoff fields, division winners, win totals, every playoff game, and the Rams beating the Ravens in Super Bowl LXI. **Claimed:** Sep 9, 2026 **Pundit:** John Breech — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech **Outlet:** CBS Sports — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-predictions-projecting-playoffs-super-bowl-lxi-winner/ 54 checkable claims — 14 playoff picks, 14 season win totals, 13 game outcome picks, 8 division winners, 2 conference champions, 2 seeding, byes and home field and 1 super bowl pick — 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. 2 of 54 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls. Of the 16 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 14. > If our simulation shows us one thing, it's that the Rams are inevitable. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Philadelphia Eagles to beat Bears** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - Line: Closing line (Sep 14, 2026): Chiefs by 2.5 · underdog pick, Broncos 46%. Source: nflverse; context only, never part of the grade. - **Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Houston Texans to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jacksonville Jaguars to finish with 10 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tampa Bay Buccaneers to finish with 9 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Lions** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Ravens** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to reach the Super Bowl** - Kind: Conference Champions · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to take the top seed** - Kind: Seeding, Byes and Home Field · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Philadelphia Eagles to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Houston Texans to beat Patriots** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Detroit Lions to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to finish with 11 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **New England Patriots to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Detroit Lions to beat Eagles** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl** - Kind: Super Bowl Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to finish with 10 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Houston Texans to beat Broncos** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Detroit Lions to beat Vikings** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Detroit Lions to finish with 11 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chicago Bears to finish with 9 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Chicago Bears - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Minnesota Vikings to finish with 9 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Buccaneers** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to beat Bills** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chicago Bears to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Chicago Bears - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to beat Seahawks** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to finish with 12 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Philadelphia Eagles to finish with 10 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kansas City Chiefs to finish with 10 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to beat Jaguars** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kansas City Chiefs to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Detroit Lions to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to finish with 10 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to finish with 12 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Houston Texans to finish with 11 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **New England Patriots to finish with 9 wins** - Kind: Season Win Totals · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to beat Texans** - Kind: Game Outcome Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Houston Texans to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to reach the Super Bowl** - Kind: Conference Champions · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to take the top seed** - Kind: Seeding, Byes and Home Field · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Philadelphia Eagles to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams - Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens - Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs ## What others said about the same people - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Chris Clark on Nikko Remigio: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/99521265-d5c0-4db1-b2a0-fe77908ea0b3 (scored 0) - Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0) - Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d0fd408a-7dcd-4e50-ac62-6b4510a8a800 (scored 100) - Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fda03952-2ea6-4919-8114-0ebb127478d1 (scored 100) ## More playoff picks The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Ross Jackson on New Orleans Saints: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4dc05898-73fd-4fcb-92c4-a940d7e395ba (scored 0) - Dwaine Board on San Francisco 49ers: Board argues the 49ers can still make the playoffs even if Trent Williams leaves, expects Williams to be brought back, and favors drafting a wide receiver at No. 27 over an offensive tackle. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/07beb6d4-aadc-4b2d-b131-b889c85204a3 (scored 100) - Rich Eisen on Carolina Panthers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/34345186-876a-4c4b-9567-9c289a6cbace (scored 100) - Chris Brockman on Pittsburgh Steelers: Brockman argued the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through Foxborough, meaning the Patriots will finish as the No. 1 seed, and called their shot that the Chargers beat Denver in Week 18. They also declared the Bears a team of destiny who will win the NFC, said the Steelers will end their playoff win drought, and that Trevor Lawrence is playing like a top-five quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7792215a-c787-44bd-b294-5ff028851d30 (scored 100) - Rich Eisen on Green Bay Packers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1f7633c5-427b-4993-8849-3f53865241bd (scored 100) - Rich Eisen on San Francisco 49ers: Eisen agreed the NFC West will send three teams to the playoffs (Seahawks, 49ers and Rams), endorsed the Bears finishing no worse than the No. 2 seed, and said Chicago would beat Green Bay at home. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ea0d0a73-4f8b-4c92-8cd3-bcf957dc2115 (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=john-breech