Solak Predicts Big Things for Texans but What Else is He Predicting?

Summary

Payne & Pendergast: "Solak Predicts Big Things for Texans but What Else is He Predicting?"

Date: July 2, 2026
Hosts: Seth Payne and Sean Pendergast
Episode Focus: Examining NFL analyst Benjamin Solak’s bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season—especially his high praise for the Houston Texans—and breaking down what those predictions could mean for the team and the league.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around Benjamin Solak's (NFL analyst) recent list of ten NFL predictions for the 2026 season. Most notably, Solak forecasts that the Houston Texans will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Payne and Pendergast analyze Solak’s logic, discuss the state of the Texans and CJ Stroud, and consider the credibility of Solak’s other bold league-wide predictions, including the Chiefs missing the playoffs and the Vikings winning the NFC North.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Solak's Bold Texans Prediction

Timestamp: 01:15 – 03:29

• Solak predicts the Texans will win the AFC and go to the Super Bowl.
• Notes Solak reserves the right to change if Broncos QB Bo Nix’s health improves, as Solak likes Denver’s overall roster as well.
• Pendergast highlights the polarizing national opinions about CJ Stroud, with minimal middle ground:

  “There’s people that are swayed completely by the playoffs, and they think he’s trash. And then there’s another set... who just feel like anybody who doubts CJ Stroud is an idiot and doesn’t know ball.” (Pendergast, 02:31)

Analysis from Hosts:

• Texans’ offense’s biggest limitation has been its run game; much of the analysis of CJ Stroud’s ceiling is on hold until this improves.
• This season is pivotal for both the organization and Stroud’s contract future:

  “If they actually have a good rushing attack and offensive line performs okay, then they’re either going to be proven correct or incorrect on just what the upside is for CJ Stroud.” (Payne, 03:29)

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2. Examining Solak’s Other NFL Predictions

Timestamp: 04:42 – 13:16

a) Chiefs Missing the Playoffs

Timestamp: 05:28 – 07:51

• Both hosts explore Solak’s controversial call that the Chiefs won’t make the playoffs, noting the ongoing roster attrition and lack of recent offensive firepower.
• Payne notes their struggles to manage roster over time, and lack of “genuinely impressive offense.”
• Pendergast acknowledges that the Chiefs are still high on betting odds due to public trust in Mahomes and Andy Reid, but concurs that the roster is “deteriorating.”
• Notable quote:

  “If you’re taking the logo out, it just looks like any other team that was really, really good for a while and then... you lose enough by attrition that at some point... you’re back on the rebuild process.” (Payne, 07:26)

b) Vikings to Win NFC North

Timestamp: 09:50 – 11:17

• Solak projects the Vikings (last in sportsbook odds) will win the division, largely due to signing Kyler Murray and a defense he trusts more than any other in the NFC North.
• Both hosts are skeptical, noting that Murray must prove himself in Kevin O’Connell’s system despite past attempts in similar schemes:

  “It’s just, he’s still very much in a ‘you have to prove it to me’ mode. But Kevin O’Connell is also the guy who turned Sam Darnold’s career around... It’s very, very intriguing. But.. it’s not enough for me to say, oh yeah, they’re going to win that division.” (Payne, 10:41)

c) Jonathan Taylor to the Bears

Timestamp: 11:17 – 13:16

• Solak predicts Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor could be traded to the Bears before the deadline.
• Both hosts doubt it will happen, citing Taylor’s health and durability issues, and the likely heavy workload in Indy making a mid-season trade less appealing for suitors:

  “I’d be really surprised if Jonathan Taylor got traded away... Jonathan Taylor’s not a guy that’s been able to stay healthy consistently in his career.” (Payne, 12:20)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On National Reaction to Stroud:
  "There is very. There are very few people hanging out in the middle ground with him [CJ Stroud]." (Pendergast, 03:08)
• On the Texans’ 2026 outlook:
  "I always like seeing positive predictions from people who follow the game closely about our team. That’s always nice to see..." (Pendergast, 04:42)
• On NFL prediction boldness:
  “Part of this is you’re making bold predictions to get eyeballs on it.” (Pendergast, 04:42)
• On attrition in Kansas City:
  "It just looks like any other team that was really, really good for a while and then they have a painful period where things just kind of ... you’re back on the rebuild process.” (Payne, 07:26)

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Segment Timestamps

• 01:15 — Opening, setting up Solak’s Texans Super Bowl prediction
• 02:31 — National media divides on Stroud and the Texans
• 03:29 — The importance of the Texans’ run game and possible delay in paying CJ Stroud
• 04:42 — Hosts’ reactions to Solak’s other bold NFL predictions
• 05:28 – 07:51 — Chiefs’ playoff chances and roster decline
• 09:50 – 11:17 — Vikings favored in NFC North? Hosts weigh in
• 11:17 – 13:16 — Jonathan Taylor Bears trade scenario examined

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Tone & Style

The episode features the show’s trademark blend of sharp analysis and relatable Houston sports fandom. There’s plenty of banter, skepticism toward national media hot takes, and deep discussion about roster construction, player upside, and why certain predictions might be more for headlines than for accuracy.

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Summary

This episode delivers an in-depth critique of national NFL narratives centered around the Texans and CJ Stroud, using Benjamin Solak’s bold picks as a springboard for larger discussions about the state of the AFC, the Chiefs’ looming decline, NFC North volatility, and player movement. While the hosts welcome optimism, especially for Houston, they apply discerning skepticism wherever wild predictions are made, keeping the conversation both grounded and highly engaging for sports fans.

Transcript

[Jimmy Conrad]

As the U.S. men's National Team takes center stage at a home World Cup. Make sure you're listening to Call it what yout Want, part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network where you can join me. I'm Jimmy Conrad alongside Charlie Davies, Tony Miola, Marcelo Balboa and Benny Fieldhaber throughout this tournament for previews, instant reactions and analysis of every US Match. Then all summer, we're back every Tuesday and Thursday covering all things U.S. men's National Team. Download and follow Call it what you want on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Tony Miola]

Hi pain and Pendergast with you on a on a Thursday. Appreciate everybody getting up with us, especially if you're off for this week and offer next week or whatever. We always appreciate you guys tuning in either on the radio or the free Odyssey app. We thank you for that. So Benjamin Solak who we played some audio from on the show earlier this week. He was a guest on Garrett Houston stress stress YouTube stream a few days ago. He's a big fan of the Texans. He just in he likes the team. He thinks they're going to be. He thinks they're going to be good this year. He did his 10 predictions Seth for the upcoming season, trades, division winners, things like that and he predicted the ultimate Texans prediction. He thinks that the Texans are going to represent the AFC in the super bowl this year. Texans will win the afc. He has a disclaimer he said I deserve or I reserve the right to change this prediction before week one as we get more news about Bo Nick's ankle and his health because he really likes the Broncos overall roster. But obviously Bo Nix is dealing with some fallout from his injury he suffered in the playoffs last year. But we know that Benjamin really still a CJ Stroud believer.

[Charlie Davies]

It sounds like he believes in the Broncos more than the Texans. He just wants to be double sure about Bo Nix's health before they enter the season. Yep. That's neither here nor there. Yeah, he's. I think he's one of the guys that. I saw somebody on Twitter yesterday say that, man, like, Texans are in two camp. On the national media, there's people that are swayed completely by the playoffs, and they think he's trash. And then there's another set of national media people who just feel like. Like anybody who doubts CJ Stroud is an idiot and doesn't know ball, when in reality, I think there's. There's room in the middle ground somewhere, but I think so, like, is one of those people that thinks that the, the people who doubt CJ Just don't know ball.

[Tony Miola]

That's what, that's what, in my opinion, makes CJ One of, if not the most intriguing players in training camp this year around the league, is his contract situation and just the divergent opinions out there about him. It's, it's. It is there. There. It's. There is very. There are very few people hanging out in the middle ground with him.

[Charlie Davies]

Well, it is interesting, though, because, like, people rightfully point out that the run game's been atrocious. They don't even really talk about the pass blocking as much as they should, but it's like, the pass blocking wasn't great last year either, but the run, the lack of a run game is what really is just holding the entire offense back. So I think they finally, because I've been kind of annoyed that a lot of the people that really liked CJ Stroud after his rookie year, like the people that, the real, like the guys that watch film of all 22 teams and everything, they've really been holding it in reserve with CJ Stroud the last couple of years almost to where they're just. They're tabling their opinion until they see everything that they want and need to see. And I think this year, if the run game is there for the Texans, that's the. That's kind of the corner everybody's painted themselves into. It's all right. He's had rookie offensive coordinators, he's had bad offensive lines. He's had this, he's had that. If they actually have a good rushing attack and the offensive line performs okay, then they're either going to be proven correct or incorrect on just what the upside is for CJ Stroud. So this year, this year, and I think the Texans might be looking at it that way, too. They'd prefer to wait and pay CJ Stroud, possibly until after they see exactly what he looks like with better surroundings.

[Tony Miola]

Yep. Okay. So. So that's. I always like seeing positive predictions from people who follow the game closely about, about our team. That's always nice to see. And then I read the rest of the article and I'm like, okay, I would like for the person making the prediction about the Texans, I would like for most of their other predictions to make sense to me. So there's five in this article where I was like, I don't know, man. And I'm guessing part of this is you're making bold predictions to get eyeballs on it and there's that aspect of it. So there's a few of these here. Seth, I want to run by you and do these predictions make you feel better or worse about the Texans prediction that Solak has the Chiefs will miss the playoffs again? Are you simpatico with Ben Solak on the Chiefs missing the playoffs in the upcoming season?

[Charlie Davies]

I think that, I think we've seen in the last couple years kind of the, the steady drain and the effect of just trying to maintain all of these players on our roster and them doing a really impressive job of getting by without, you know, losing, losing, you know, their best defensive backs at various times, Rasheed Rice going to jail, all of those various things. And yet they haven't been a genuinely impressive offense for a couple years.

[Tony Miola]

No.

[Charlie Davies]

And I just don't know how much just Kenneth Walker iii, who I like. I, I really like Kenneth Walker iii and I would have loved to having him as somebody to, you know, like, try to build an actual credible rushing attack and everything. But he's going to a team that still has some of the same concerns with their receiving core and their offensive, not their offensive line, as long as they're healthy, I guess. But I don't think that that's. It's with a, a coach that's just in his entire career has never really cared about using the run game all that much. Even when they're capable of running the ball, he goes away from it. So no, I think missing the. If I had to flip a coin right now, I would. I think I would have a weighted coin that would say no playoffs.

[Tony Miola]

No playoffs. You agree with him on that? Yeah. Yeah. I don't think it's the craziest prediction in the world. You know, the world I live in. I live in the world with the odds boards and things like that. And, and that's certainly that's driven a lot by public perception. And as long as you got Andy Reid and Mahomes, that will always be perceived to be a team that can compete for a championship. Your points are the same points Solak makes about the roster, which is. No, the roster is just deteriorating over time. It's the guys that are the most important guys are old on that team.

[Charlie Davies]

Well, and you get a signing. Yeah, you lose Trent McDuffie and it's like they've, they've done a good job of, of losing some of their better players, but then they brought back what's his name there from the Titans.

[Tony Miola]

Legerious need.

[Charlie Davies]

Yeah, the Jerry Sneed who's just been a shell of himself. Maybe, maybe being back with, with Spagnolo is just the ticket for him. But it just if you're, if you're taking the logo out of just looks like any other team that was really, really good for a while and then they have a painful period where things just kind of you lose enough by attrition over time that at some point you're, you're back on the rebuild process.

[Tony Miola]

Fanduel or yeah Fanduel's odds board for Super bowl winner in 2026. Rams far and away number one, five and a half to one. Then the Bills at 10 to one. The Ravens at 11 to one. The Seahawks, the defending champs, are 12 to one. The Chargers are fifth on the board at 16 to one. And then the Chiefs. So the Chiefs in the eyes of the betting community at least. Still, I don't know how much action they're getting, but they're fairly high up the odds board.

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[Tony Miola]

Lemonade.

[Charlie Davies]

Oh nuts.

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[Charlie Davies]

Okay, people, line starts here.

[Tony Miola]

Okay. Solac prediction Vikings will win the NFC North.

[Charlie Davies]

What's he basing that on?

[Tony Miola]

Let's see here. What is he basing that on? I had looked at what he was basing the next two Vikings will win the AFC North. He's got a lot of words in here. He says that the Vikings, they were the clear. The sportsbooks have them in last place right now. They're coming off a JJ McCarthy year in lots of various quarterback stuff. They signed Kyler Murray, says Kyler Murray should elevate them back to above average quarterback play so they will be better at quarterback the other side of the ball. The Vikings are the only defense that he trusts in that division. Yeah, he trusts the Vikings defense more than the Lions defense, the Bears defense and the packers defense.

[Charlie Davies]

I can't at this point, I just

[Tony Miola]

can't say I'm a no on this

[Charlie Davies]

one at this point. I can, I'm intrigued by Kyler Murray. But it's not like this is the first time Kyler Murray's been in Shanahan type system. They tried that with him in Arizona. So maybe, maybe Kevin o' Connell will be just that much better at implementing it. And you can see where, you can see where the potential is with him running that system. But it's just, he's still, he's still very much in a like you have to prove it to me mode. But Kevin o' Connell is also the guy who turned Sam Darnold's career around. That's they're intriguing. It's very, very intriguing. But I, it's not enough for me to say, oh yeah, they're going to win that division.

[Tony Miola]

Yep, this is one that I hope happens again. These are Benjamin Solak's big predictions. He predicts the Texans are going to win the AFC this year. This is the one I'm really, other than that one, the one I'm really hoping for. He predicts Jonathan Taylor will get traded to the Bears before the trade deadline.

[Charlie Davies]

Oh, that would be awesome because the

[Tony Miola]

Colts are going to be underwhelming this year.

[Charlie Davies]

They'll be underwhelming and they'll do. Oh boy. How much. How much does he say he thinks they'll get for Jonathan Taylor?

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[Tony Miola]

That's a good question. He. The part where he gets to the actual trade of Jonathan Taylor talks about he compares him to the other backs, you know, that that might be available.

[Charlie Davies]

Yeah.

[Tony Miola]

He says the Colts. If the Colts come out of the gate slow and consider a change at mid season, Taylor will surely draw trade interest. His start to 2025 prove that he still has best running back in the league. Potential playoff the trades I've seen Seth, I just don't want to read an entire paragraph on the air. The trades I've seen involving Jonathan Taylor typically are like a third round pick.

[Charlie Davies]

He probably didn't put a price in here anyway. Yeah, I just. I'd be really surprised if Jonathan Taylor got traded away. I think the Colts. The Colts will probably be. Boy, I don't know. It's. They're going to have to put it all on Jonathan Taylor. And Jonathan Taylor is not a guy that's been able to stay healthy consistently in his career. And depending on how much. I mean, like if Daniel Jones isn't all that mobile and he was only doing 7 on 7 during minicamp, he wasn't doing team stuff. It takes a big part of his threat away from him and then it just becomes, okay, we got to load up against Jonathan Taylor and the Colts will be all too happy to run him 25, 30 times a game.

[Tony Miola]

Yep.

[Charlie Davies]

And it could get really, really ugly. I don't know if. I don't know if he makes it to the trade.

[Tony Miola]

That's the thing I was thinking I'm like, ye.

[Charlie Davies]

Or.

[Tony Miola]

Or if you're trading for him at the trade deadline, you're going to get a guy who's got, you know, 14 games worth of tread.

[Charlie Davies]

Yeah.

[Tony Miola]

On his tire through only seven or eight games of the season. You know that they just used him and abused him. All right, Pain and Pendergast with you. Good job. Benjamin Solak, Texans coming out of the afc. I'm here for it. All right, coming up next, let's circle back to the Astros. Tatsuya Imai did a terrible thing to me yesterday. He made me look stupid. Not that it's hard to do, but he made me look really, really dumb. And we will explain why as we head into the 8 o' clock hour. Coming up next.

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