Tyler Sullivan· Oct 3, 2026
Sullivan flagged the Panthers as a potential Week 4 upset winner over the Lions, arguing Detroit's bottom-of-the-league defense gives Carolina a path to a victory that would even its record.
“it's their lackluster defense that puts them on upset alert”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.
The call scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
The game in this take
- Lions at Panthers 42 calls
1 checkable claim 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 Outcome PicksCarolina PanthersOct 3, 2026
Carolina Panthers to beat Lions
“Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports pointed to five possible upsets on the Week 4 slate. And he doesn't rule out Canales's club evening its record this season via a victory on Sunday night.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- won:
- CAR
- score:
- 26-32
- skill:
- 0
- they picked:
- CAR
- season:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- the naive pick:
- CAR
- difficulty:
- 1.83
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 15
What others said about the same people
- Carter BahnsScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersHit · 95Bahns picks the Panthers to win a high-scoring Sunday night shootout over the Lions, 38-34, arguing both defenses are too leaky to slow the other offense.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersHit · 98Sherman gave his own top five entering Week 4 with the 49ers first, then made picks in every Week 4 game, including upset calls for Carolina over Detroit (with a 36-31 scoreline), Tampa Bay over Green Bay, Washington over Indianapolis and Jacksonville over Cincinnati.
- Zachary PerelesTrade and Signing Calls · Trevon DiggsMiss · 0After Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson landed on IR, Pereles argues Carolina must add cornerback help and lists five specific players the Panthers could sign or trade for: Trevon Diggs, Shaun Wade, Tre'Davious White, Kader Kohou and Darrell Luter Jr.
- Zach RobertsRoster Spot Calls · Ja'Seem ReedHit · 100Roberts projects the Carolina Panthers' 53-man roster following the Hall of Fame Game, naming every player he expects to make the team at each position, and pegs AJ Dillon as the fourth running back on the depth chart.
- Zach RobertsRoster Spot Calls · Ja'Seem ReedHit · 100Roberts argues Haynes King's Hall of Fame Game showing means Carolina can't risk exposing him to the practice squad, and says receiver Ja'Seem Reed looks poised to make the 53-man roster.
- Zach RobertsRoster Spot Calls · Ja'Seem ReedHit · 100Previewing the Panthers' Hall of Fame Game, Roberts predicts Kenny Pickett starts but plays sparingly with Haynes King getting extensive work, and projects UDFA receiver Ja'Seem Reed and defensive lineman Aaron Hall to make the final 53-man roster.
More game outcome picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pete MartuneacGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Martuneac expects the Bears to beat the Jets comfortably in Week 4, with Tyson Bagent playing efficiently, Dillon Thieneman picking off Geno Smith twice, and Colston Loveland breaking out as a two-touchdown receiver.
- Tyler BrownGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Brown expects a grind of a game that the Raiders keep close, but believes Kansas City's weapons and experience in tight games carry the Chiefs to the win.
- Jordan FooteGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Foote doubts the Raiders' hot start is sustainable and picks the Chiefs to win on the road by one score.
- Joshua BriscoGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Brisco expects the Raiders' edge rushers and Brock Bowers to create matchup problems, but picks Kansas City to win a close Week 4 game as the better overall team.
- Joshua SchulmanGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersMiss · 0Schulman picks Las Vegas to hand Kansas City its first loss, expecting Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty to exploit a Chiefs defense he believes will be exposed.
- Seth WalderGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Walder made a 'bold prediction' for each Week 4 game — including receiving and rushing yardage marks, sacks, an interception and a Dolphins upset — and picked final scores for all 15 games on the slate.