Surprise Team Calls
Scored under the published methodology, which sets out what counts as right, what a naive guess would have said, and why an earlier call is worth more than a late one.
- Takes logged
- 265
- Graded
- 0
- Average accuracy
- —
- Pundits
- 96
0% settled
out of 100
have made one
Nothing settled yet
265 logged, none graded. The scores appear as the season resolves them.
Settled or waiting
0 / 265
graded
265 still pending
By season
- 20240 of 8 graded
- 20250 of 100 graded
- 20260 of 157 graded
Every surprise team calls take
1–25 of 265
Houston Texans to beat expectations
it’s basically a toss-up between the Buccaneers and the Texans, and I’ll give the edge to Houston — in part because of the history that Greg pointed out and in part because I think the AFC South is worse than the NFC South
- PendingBen ArthurSurprise Team Calls2026 season
Houston Texans to beat expectations
I tried to be different from my colleagues here. I kept coming back to the Texans... In just a month and a half, Houston’s season could be in great shape.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Sep 25, 2026 Los Angeles Chargers to beat expectations
I expect a similar resuscitation effort from Jim Harbaugh here.
Houston Texans to beat expectations
Last year, the Texans got off to a miserable 0-3 start and then lost two games the rest of the way. I expect a similar turnaround this season... they should rack up enough low-quality wins to stick around the playoff race all season.
Houston Texans to beat expectations
the Texans are the 0-2 team in the best shape to turn their season around. They’ve all but trademarked this, starting 0-2 in three of the last four years
Indianapolis Colts to beat expectations
I’m going to go with the Colts for this reason: I have way more faith in their offense... Once they settle down, they’re good enough to stay in the playoff race, as long as Jones and Taylor stay healthy all year long.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
The Saints feel like they could be a surprise team this season. Grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals to beat expectations
Through two weeks, everything appears to be coming together for what might be a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
I told you the New Orleans Saints were for real, and were going to be the biggest surprise in the NFC this year.
Las Vegas Raiders to beat expectations
The Raiders are one of the biggest surprise teams of the young season after beating the Chargers and improving to 2–0.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
The Saints feel like they could be a surprise team this season.
Atlanta Falcons to beat expectations
That gentleman is starting officially for Atlanta. They're still my deep sleeper.
New York Giants to beat expectations
I thought the Giants could be kind of a sneaky team, not a sneaky playoff team, just a sneaky team that no one's really talking about that could surprise some people win seven, eight games.
Arizona Cardinals to beat expectations
Give new coach Mike LaFleur credit for pulling off the upset of the Chargers. Maybe this team will be better than expected.
New York Jets to beat expectations
That's a good start for a team that might be better than expected.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
I'll see there's a chance that that the Saints... I I I put my marker on them maybe.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat expectations
I'll tell you the team that I think is going to be the surprise team. The team that I'm really in on this year are the Bengals.
New Orleans Saints to beat expectations
"In a bad division, they could surprise some people. And his numbers could pop."
- PendingBill CowherSurprise Team Calls2026 season
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat expectations
And I think he's gonna embrace this year, and I think it's a team a little bit under the radar right now. They're gonna have a much better identity, I think, on the offensive side of the ball.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Sep 11, 2026 - PendingMike TiricoSurprise Team Calls2026 season
Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
I got asked by a writer, who is a team under the radar that you've got your eye on this year? And I said the cowboys.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Sep 9, 2026 - PendingJJ WattSurprise Team Calls2026 season
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat expectations
I do significantly think that the Jacksonville Jaguars are continually underrated and under discussed.
Waiting on the season to settle this.said Sep 9, 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers to beat expectations
I like the Steelers. I like the Steelers a lot this year.
Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
I'll probably get ridiculed for this, but I like the Dallas Cowboys.
Denver Broncos to beat expectations
I think The Denver Broncos are getting slept on... And I think they're a much better team than you think.
Dallas Cowboys to beat expectations
the Cowboys are quietly emerging as title contenders behind an explosive offense and retooled defense that could surprise opponents this fall
By sport
NFL — surprise team calls (nothing graded yet)
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