Carter B. Huff Sports

Image – LA Times

It is almost time for NFL football again, with the start of the 2026 season coming on Wednesday, Sept. 9 between the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks taking on the team they defeated, the New England Patriots.

NFL football is back with the pre-season but in just 24 short days, the regular season will be back. Will the Seahawks win back-to-back Lombardi trophies? Or, will another NFC team dethrone them like the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, or Chicago Bears? Maybe, the AFC could win its first Super Bowl since the Kansas City Chiefs won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.

Read my full 2026-2027 NFL preview below, where I give my projected standings for each division in the league, the top games of the upcoming season, my playoff projections and Super Bowl LXI winner and award projections.

*All statistics come from 2026 Athlon Sports NFL Preview Magazine, Pro Football Reference and College Football Reference.*

AFC 

East

Image – Pro Football Network

Image – Buffalo Rumblings

No. 1 Buffalo Bills (11-6)
After a 12-win season in 2025, the Bills fired longtime head coach Sean McDermott, known for his defense acumen, and promoted their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady for the job. A devastating loss against the Denver Broncos ended another season before they won a Lombardi Trophy, in the AFC Divisional Round.

A new era begins for Buffalo as they move to a new stadium with a new head coach but the roster remains relatively similar with Josh Allen at quarterback, James Cook III at running back, and Ed Oliver at defensive tackle.

As long as the Bills have Allen at quarterback, they will be Super Bowl contenders. The offense should keep rolling with Brady as head coach after he was promoted. James Cook ran for an NFL-best 1,621 yards, 68 first downs and 12 touchdowns playing behind one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the NFL last fall.

The Buffalo wide receiver room was underwhelming again last season. To remedy their situation, they acquired Chicago Bears’ wide receiver DJ Moore and drafted Skyler Bell in the fourth round of the draft. The hope is Khalil Shakir can perform in the slot, Joshua Palmer can be a good piece after signing with the Bills in 2025 and Keon Coleman can bounce back after two rough seasons to begin his professional career.

Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox make up one of the best tight end rooms in the league. Kincaid and Knox are reliable targets for Allen down the field and they will continue to succeed in Brady’s offense.

After nine seasons with McDermott’s 4-2-5 defense, new coordinator Jim Leonhard is implementing a 3-4. As a result, every player on the front seven will have to learn a slightly new position so there will be growing pains, it is about how fast they can get past them.

On the edge, Greg Rousseau and Michael Hoecht will go from having a hand in the ground to being outside linebackers standing up. Bradley Chubb signed with the Bills to play that position in free agency and they drafted Clemson’s TJ Parker to do the same with their first pick in the NFL Draft.

On the line, Ed Oliver is fully healthy after missing most of last season with an injury and Deone Walker should be solid after a nice rookie season. At cornerback, Christian Benford is one of the best in the league but there’s not much depth behind him. 2025 first round pick Maxwell Hairston, who couldn’t stay healthy as a rookie. 2026 draft pick Davison Igbinosun will serve as depth at the position.

CJ Gardner-Johnson and Cole Bishop will serve as the safeties on the roster. Gardner-Johnson and Bishop should be a solid duo. Placekicker Tyler Bass missed all of the 2025 season but the expectation is he will be ready to go for 2026, Mitch Wishnowski or Tommy Doman Jr. could be the punter and backup tailback Ray Davis will return kicks after an All-Pro season in 2025. The punt return situation in Buffalo is unclear.

Buffalo will win the AFC East because they have Allen and Cook on offense and a strong defense that should adjust to their new scheme well. The New England Patriots have a first-place schedule this season and the Bills will take advantage of it.

Image – NBC Sports Boston

No. 2 New England Patriots (10-7)
Even after a 13-4 record and a run to the Super Bowl, New England will not be expected to win the AFC East during the 2026-27 season. The Patriots were successful in 2025 under first year head coach Mike Vrabel, winning the division behind quarterback Drake Maye with a last place schedule.

Maye put up an MVP-caliber season last fall, finishing in second place in the award’s voting behind Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. With the help of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Maye should continue to succeed in this system. Tommy DeVito will serve as Maye’s backup.

After the release of Stefon Diggs, New England traded for Philadelphia Eagles’ star wide receiver AJ Brown to play next to Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins on the perimeter. Hunter Henry will continue to man the tight end position for the Patriots.

Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will continue at running back, one of the more successful duos in the league. The offensive line should be solid in 2026 after finding their footing last season behind right guard Morgan Moses, right tackle Mike Owenu, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, left tackle Will Campbell and center Jared Wilson.

Outside linebacker coach Zak Kuhr took over for Terrell Williams after his prostate cancer diagnosis at defensive coordinator last fall. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are a tremendous group on the defensive line while Harold Landry III will be back at linebacker for the Patriots after leading the team in sacks during the regular season.

Inside linebacker and captain Robert Spillaine is another perfect piece for Kuhr’s defense. The Patriots picked up Christian Gonzalez’s fifth-year option in hopes of making him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the future. Gonzalez will hold down one side and Carlton Davis III will hold down the other at cornerback.

Veteran safety Kevin Byard was brought in to fill the safety role next to Craig Wilson after Jaylinn Hawkin’s exit in free agency. Placekicker Andy Borregales and punter Bryce Baringer are expected to starter while the return game is a question for New England going into this season.

The Patriots must split their two games against the Bills if they want to have a chance of winning the AFC East in back-to-back seasons. While I think that is possible, Buffalo should win it on the back of Josh Allen and the strength of his defense.

Image – Jets X-Factors

No. 3 New York Jets (6-11)
If the New York Jets can end their playoff drought in Aaron Glenn’s second season, expectations will continue to rise in year 3. The Jets have 10 straight losing seasons and 15 consecutive seasons without a playoff berth.

The way that they can change that is by adding culture changers, which they did this off-season. Linebacker Demario Davis and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick joined the Jets’ defense and they drafted Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq in the first round back in April.

Geno Smith will serve as a bridge quarterback for New York in 2026, where he played for the first time from 2013-16. If he can stabilize the Jet’s offense with star running back Breece Hall and receiving options Garrett Wilson, Cooper and Sadiq, things will be easier on the Jets’ defense.

New York’s first round draft picks in 2024 and 2025 are now their left and right tackles: Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. Both of those players are awesome pass-blockers and if they continue their ascent into 2026, things could look better for the Jets’ offense this season.

Glenn will be calling the defensive plays this season, replacing Steve Wilks, whom he fired in December. After three successful seasons as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator (2021-24), he had many great pass rushers, including Aidan Hutchinson. He now has one of those guys in Texas Tech’s David Bailey, whom he took No. 2 overall in this year’s NFL Draft.

Adding Bailey is nice, but the Jets still must stop the run, which they will continue to struggle with if they do not improve their size. Davis is one of the best leaders in the locker room and Fitzpatrick is one of the better ball hawks in the NFL. He will be a great mentor for D’Angelo Ponds, who is expected to start from the get-go.

The specialists brought in Cade York to replace Nick Folk as their placekicker while Austin McNamara will punt again for a second consecutive season for the Jets. Kene Nwangu will return kicks and Isaiah Williams will take punts back.

If Smith can lead this Jets team at quarterback and Davis and Fitzpatrick can help the defense improve, they can finish in third place in this division and potentially make their first playoff berth in 16 years.

Image – Sun Sentinel

No. 4 Miami Dolphins (4-13)
The Miami Dolphins should start calling themselves the “Green Bay Dolphins” after a staff and team makeover over the offseason. John-Eric Sullivan, who was with the Packers, takes over at the general manager. After the Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel, they hired Green Bay’s defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who coached at Lambeau Field for two seasons.

The new answer at quarterback is Malik Willis, who also comes over from the Packers. Willis will replace Tua Tagovailoa, who is now on the Atlanta Falcons. Willis and tailback De’Von Achane form one of the fastest backfields in the NFL, with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik calling plays as offensive coordinator.

After releasing Tyreek Hill and trading Jaylen Waddle, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Malik Washington and two draft picks Caleb Douglas and Chis Bell make up a brand new receiving core for Willis down the field. The offensive line has two main pieces in left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer. Miami will look to build around those guys and make sure there are holes for Achane to run through.

Hafley will build his defensive line using four-man fronts, which is rare for the Dolphins’ defenses of the last couple of seasons. Sean Duggan, a trusted assistant in the past for Hafley, takes over as defensive coordinator. All-Pro weak side linebacker Jordyn Brooks, led the NFL in tackles last season and will be back for more in 2026.

Alongside Brooks, Tyrel Dodson and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez makes up one of the top linebacking cores in the NFL. Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Josh Uche make up the defensive line.

Chris Johnson and Darrell Baker Jr. are expected to start at cornerback with Dante Trader Jr. and Lonnie Johnson Jr. at the two safety positions. Riley Patterson will come out at kicker, Bradley Pinion at punter while Malik Washington will handle both kickoff and punt returning roles.

Jeff Hafley’s team can finish third in the AFC East with a solid season from Malik Willis, their wide receivers and a defensive progression under their coordinator Duggan. However, the lack of receiving talent makes me think they will finish last.

Games that will determine the division
Bills vs. Patriots (Oct. 4 at Buffalo and Dec. 6 at New England)
Buffalo and New England split the games last season and it should be the same this season. Buffalo, who won the AFC East the five seasons in before 2025, fell 23-20 to Maye and the Patriots in their first matchup last season. Allen and the Bills must put up a strong showing at home to prove they can take the division back.

Vrabel and New England will get a win back against Buffalo at Gillette Stadium, setting them up to potentially win the division if they can get finish the season well against Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. However, the Bills will win this division with Allen, Cook and the defense leading the way.

North

Image – Baltimore Sun

Image – Yahoo Sports

No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
It’s a new era in Baltimore as for the first time in 19 years, there will be a new head coach. Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter takes over for the ousted John Harbaugh. The Ravens will be led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety Kyle Hamilton, who will both be vital in the transition from Harbaugh to Minter.

The two-time MVP at quarterback Jackson will continue with one of the NFL’s best running backs, Derrick Henry. The group of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker must step up after up-and-down seasons catching passes from Jackson down the field.

Mark Andrews is Jackson’s most reliable weapon at tight end, already owning every almost every Ravens’ receiving record. Baltimore’s biggest question is the center position following Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum’s exit from the team in free agency. Former Indianapolis Colt Danny Pinter should get a look next to the anchor of the line, left tackle Ronnie Stanley.

After a deal for All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby fell apart, the Ravens added former Cincinnati Bengals end Trey Hendrickson to bolster their pass-rush. Former Ravens player and assistant coach Anthony Weaver returns as the new defensive coordinator, although Minter will handle play-calling, not him.

With Hamilton as the leader of the defense, he will have a talented secondary around him, including Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie at cornerback, and Malaki Starks and Jaylin Hawkins joining him at safety.

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike will return after a neck injury early last season, and if he is fully healthy he can get to the quarterback.Travis Jones and Calais Campbell join Madubuike on the line. Hendrickson, Roquan Smith and Teddye Buchanan make up a the linebacking core.

Placekicker Tyler Loop has had the spring and the summer to think about shanking the 44-yarder against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the final play of the regular season that kept his team out of the playoffs. Baltimore drafted Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley as a reclaimant for Jordan Stout, who left during free agency. The Ravens normally having running backs handle kickoff returns, so it will likely be No. 3 back Rasheed Ali while wide receiver LaHohntay Wester is expected to return punts.

With that being said, I have confidence in Minter, Jackson and Hamilton to help Baltimore turn a new leaf, win the AFC North and make the playoffs with 11 victories.Henry will have to keep running strong to set up Jackson’s passing game and Minter’s defense will have to hold up if they want to meet their goals in the pre-season.

Image – SB Nation

No. 2 Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The trade the Cincinnati Bengals made for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II means just one thing: it is time to win for Zac Taylor. The Bengals have had three disappointing seasons in a row and as long as Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are in their primes, they must make sure each season is better than the last.

Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki are all awesome offensively but can their line protect Burrow and help them get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2021? With Burrow fully healthy and Chase Brown back at tailback, they can be successful with a stabilized offensive line.

That offensive line is now made up of right tackle Amarius Mims, right guard Dalton Risner, center Ted Karras, left guard Dylan Fairchild and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. If they can protect Burrow against the scary defensive lines of the AFC North, they can return to the playoffs.

The Al Golden-led defense was not good in 2025 but it only gave up 24 points in five of their six final games. With Lawrence in the fold as a premium pass-rusher and Trey Hendrickson with their division rival Baltimore Ravens, he must prove he was worth the top ten pick that Cincinnati traded him for this season.

Boye Mafa, Jonathan Allen, Myles Murphy and 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart are the names to know on the defensive line around Lawrence and if they can get to the quarterback at a consistent level, it will make it easier for the rest of their unit to make plays.

The linebackers and defensive backs must tackle better if they want to bounce back from a woeful 2025 season. No team in the league missed more tackles last season. Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Oren Burks make up the linebacking unit, cornerbacks Dax Hill and DJ Turner II, and safeties Jordan Battle and Bryan Cook make up the group of seven that must be better in 2026 if the Bengals want to reach their goals.

Placekicker Evan McPherson and punter Ryan Rehkov will both start for the third consecutive season for Cincinnati. Charlie Jones, entering his fourth season for the Bengals, is a home run threat returning kicks and punts.

The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team in the AFC North to have not turned over their coaching staff this off-season so Taylor and his staff must take advantage against the other teams in the division. He must flex the fact that Burrow, Brown, Chase and Lawrence are stars for his team and all four of those guys must have a great season if they want to finish second or better in the division.

Image – Fox56 Wolf

No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (8-9)
Even after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens and made the playoffs last season, they fired longtime head coach Mike Tomlin and hired the coach that beat them in a Super Bowl over a decade ago, Mike McCarthy. That quarterback that helped him with that Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers was Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to finish out his career in 2026 with the Steelers.

Outside of adding talented wide receiver Michael Pittman, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh’s offensive weapons did not change. DK Metcalf has fit in nice with the Steelers and if he levels up for a great season catching passes from Rodgers, they can make the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington make up an awesome tight end room as well.

Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will split carries for Pittsburgh behind an offensive line that includes left tackle Broderick Jones, left guard Spencer Anderson, center Zach Frazier, right guard Mason McCormick and right tackle Troy Fautanu. If the line can block for Warren and Dowdle well, they can succeed and set up Rodgers’ passing game to Metcalf, Pittman and Freiermuth.

After some uncharacteristic struggles in 2025, where they ranked 29th against the pass and 26th in total defense, Pittsburgh’s 12 turnover differential was their saving grace. Until he’s not on the team anymore, the talk will always start with star outside linebacker TJ Watt, who missed three games during a frustrating 2025 season.

Watt has talent around him rushing the passer, including Alex Highsmith (9.5 sacks) and Nick Herbig (7.5) last fall. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson will be important in the middle of the defense and added two defensive backs this off-season, including cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker to put next to three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.

Chris Boswell is one of the best place-kickers in the NFL and he returns alongside punter Cameron Johnston. Kaden Wetjen, a fourth round pick from Iowa, is the favorite to cover both kick and punt return roles.

It feels like anybody can win the AFC North each season and that remains true this year. However, it should take another year for McCarthy’s team that should be better on both offense and defense in 2026 assuming that injuries don’t hurt them again in 2026.

Image – SB Nation

No. 4 Cleveland Browns (4-13)
After another fourth-place finish and offensive meltdown in 2025, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns hired another offensive mind and first-time head coach Todd Monken, who will call his own plays like Stefanski did.

Cleveland will entrust either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders to quarterback an offensive roster that is young. Tailback Quinshon Judkins is expected to start in his second season in the league next to Watson or Sanders.

Jerry Jeudy is a veteran now in the NFL at wideout but KC Concepcion and Denzel Boster, both rookies, will be in line to start at the Jacksonville Jaguars to open the season. Another second-year player in Harold Fannin Jr. and Blake Whitehead make up the tight end room.

The offensive line, made up of rookie left tackle Spencer Fano, left guard Zion Johnson, center Elton Jenkins, right guard Teven Jenkins and right tackle Tytus Howard. They will have the difficult job of protecting for Watson passing the football and Judkins carrying it against the tough defenses in their division and around the league.

Most of the defensive personnel returns outside of coordinator Jim Schwartz, who resigned after the Browns chose not to promote him to head coach and Myles Garrett, maybe the best defensive player in the NFL, was traded to the Super Bowl favorite, the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams’ Jared Verse, a previous Rookie of the Year in the league, comes over in the trade for Cleveland, and he will be an instant impact player that they will need after Garrett’s exit next to Mason Graham, Maliek Collins and Alex Wright on their line.

Mike Rutenberg takes over for Schwartz as the coordinator of the defense.

Carshon Schwesinger, Quincy Williams and Winston Reid will have to step up at linebacker. The defensive backfield is talented with cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, and safety Grant Delpit.

Andre Szmyzt and Corey Bojorquez will be the kicker and punter respectively. Malachi Corley will return kicks and Concepcion will do so for punts on top of his receiving role after doing so last season for Texas A&M.

It may take awhile to rebuild, but Cleveland must take advantage of the talent that they have on defense with Verse, Ward and Delpit to win at least a couple of games while they do so. The Browns will definitely finish fourth in the AFC North.

Games that will determine the division
Bengals vs. Ravens (Oct. 25 at Baltimore and the Dec. 31 at Cincinnati)
The AFC North is always a division where any of the top three teams can win. While Pittsburgh won it last fall, Baltimore and Cincinnati emerged to the top of it this year for me with their offensive talent. The Bengals are the only team with coaching continuity going into this season but it does not mean they will definitely win the division.

The Bengals will go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens while they will do the same thing over two months later on New Year’s Eve and beat Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium. As a result, Jackson and Henry will lead Baltimore to a division championship and a playoff berth in Minter’s first season as head coach.

South

Image – Houston Press

No. 1 Houston Texans (10-7)
The Houston Texas have a championship-caliber defense but an offense that let them down in the playoffs, when they lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round last January. All-Pro edge Will Anderson Jr. makes the defense go but will quarterback CJ Stroud be better in 2026?

Stroud has arrived at a career crossroads after winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year but his awful postseason performance last season (five interceptions, five fumbles and seven total turnovers in two games) was troubling. If the Texans can’t trust their quarterback in the playoffs, how do they move forward?

With Joe Mixon out injured, they traded for power back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions, and they signed him to a two-year $16.5 million extension. Wide receivers Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and tight end Dalton Schultz will catch passes from Stroud this season, and the group will have to be better if the passing game wants to be better than a season ago.

Houston has the best defense in the league with Anderson and Danielle Hunter as pass-rushers. Anderson and Hunter combined for 27 sacks, 45 quarterback hits and 35 tackles for loss last season. Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai are in the middle as tackles and Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o man the linebacker spots.

Former Philadelphia Eagles’ team captain Reed Blankenship joins Pro Bowler Calen Bullock at safety with Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre are all impact players elsewhere in the secondary.

There is a lot of support for placekicker Ka’imi Fairbairn in Houston, who landed a two-year $13 million contract extension, after making 44 field goals last season. The Texas were not satisfied with punter Tommy Townsend so they let him walk in free agency and are staging a competition between Kai Kroeger, who they traded for from the New Orleans Saints and former Syracuse standout Kai Kroeger. Jaylin Noel is expected to handle kick-off and punt returns.

This is a crucial season for a Texans’ team that has made the playoffs three seasons in a row. They will be competing with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the top spot in the division and if Stroud continues to struggle, they may not be at the top of the division. But Anderson and the defense give them the upside to take away their opposition’s offense and win many games in 2026.

Image – The Florida Times-Union

Image – Alamy

No. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
In year one under new head coach Liam Coen, general manger James Gladstone and executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli, the Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South and made a playoff run. Now, it’s about getting even better than last season and making the Jaguars a consistent contender.

Trevor Lawrence improved greatly last season behind center, and he will enter season number six around an offense that includes Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft that also plays cornerback, Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. at wide receiver. Brenton Strange plays tight end next to offensive linemen Can Van Lanen, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari and Anton Harrison.

Jacksonville must improve their ground game in 2026 with a duo of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The group was explosive in 2025 but can be even better behind their experienced offensive line and a quality passing-game.

The Jaguars had the best run defense in the NFL in 2025 and were one of the best at creating turnovers. The question is if the pass rush can improve to make the defense elite.

Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are two of the league’s best edge run defenders while DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead impact the middle as tackles. All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency so he was replaced by Ventral Miller, who started in 2025. The hope is he fills that role with little drop-off.

The secondary will be another important area to watch for Jacksonville this season. Even though they had 22 interceptions in 2025, they allowed many critical deep plays in big games, especially in their Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Cornerbacks Montaric Brown and Travis Hunter are two talented pieces at cornerback while nickel back Jourdan Lewis has seen success since coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. It needs to all come together for them and safeties Caleb Ransom and Eric Murray in the secondary.

Third-year placekicker Cam Little is one of the NFL’s best long-distance kicker, kicking both 68 and 67-yarders last season. 2024 Pro Bowl punter Logan Cooke will continue to punt for the Jaguars. Bhayshui Tuten and Parker Washington will return kick-offs and punts respectively.

If Coen and co. continue to improve on offense and get better on the back end on defense, Jacksonville can win the AFC South and definitely make the playoffs whether they win the division or not. Lawrence should take another leap as a quarterback and if the Jaguars’ weapons serve him well again this season, they could make another deep run this season.

Image – ClutchPoints

No. 3 Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
After longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s death, his daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon faced her first challenging decision as co-owner/CEO of the team. She considered the team’s collapse from a 7-1 start to an 8-9 finish unacceptable. She decided to give general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen another shot despite the fact that Ballard has only won one playoff game since his hiring in 2017. Steichen, although a good play caller, enters his fourth season with a 25-26 record.

Quarterback Daniel Jones was on his way to the best season of his career as the Colts started the season 3-0. But in November, he suffered a fractured fibula, and then a season-ending torn ACL in December. Despite finishing the season 8-5 as a starter with a career-best 68% completion percentage, he wasn’t on the field to finish what felt like the best season of his career.

Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor will return next to Jones in the backfield after rushing for 1,585 yards and a league-leading 18 touchdowns. Four starters return on the Indianapolis offensive line, including second-year right tackle Jalen Travis, who has impressed.

After losing Michael Pittman Jr. to AFC foe Pittsburgh Steelers, they paid deep-threat Alec Pierce to fill his role as the No. 1 receiver for Jones. Tight end Tyler Warren was impressive as a rookie, catching 76 passes for 817 yards and four scores. Slot receiver Josh Downs, should get more targets after Pittman’s exit as well.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo got some familiar help when Indianapolis added free agent linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither who played four seasons for him with the Cincinnati Bengals. Davis-Gaither had a career-high 117 tackles with the Arizona Cardinals last season. They are hopeful third round pick AJ Haulcy can play right away at safety next to Cam Bynum, who joined the team in 2025.

Defensive end Laiatu Latu, a 2024 first round pick, made a big jump during his second season with 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three interceptions. Free agent additions Arden Key, Micheal Clemons are competing to defend on the other edge opposite of Latu. Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner form one of the best tandems at tackle in the NFL and they will be scary next to Latu, Key and Clemons rushing the passer and stopping opposing rushing games.

The Colts have to decide on a placekicker between Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe. Shrader was lost to a torn ACL and MVL in the fifth game last season but before that he had made 13-of-14 field goals and 14 extra points. Grupe also impressed by making all 11 field goals, including a franchise-record 60-yarder in addition to 10 extra points.

Punter Rigoberto Sanchez and long-snapper Luke Rhodes have been constants on the Indianapolis record for about a decade and will continue to be on the roster this season. Sanchez averaged a career-best 44.7 net yards last year.

If Jones starts the season in 2026 like how he did in 2025, the Colts can reach the playoffs. But without Pittman, his receivers will have to step up and the defense will have to continue improving if they want to get to the top of the AFC South and make the playoffs again.

Image – The New York Times

No. 4 Tennessee Titans (5-12)
After back-to-back 3-14 seasons, the Tennessee Titans made changes again ahead of the 2026 season. For the fourth consecutive season, a new head coach and/or general manager arrived in Nashville. This year’s newcomer is former New York Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh, who is looking to institute discipline and aggressiveness to a team that has only won 19 games over the last four seasons.

The Titans’ offense will go as far as second-year quarterback Cam Ward goes. Former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll comes into to call plays for Ward, who will get the ball to receivers Calvin Ridley, Wan’Dale Robinson, rookie Carnell Tate and tight end Gunnar Helm.

Tailback Tony Pollard is not as electric as he once was but he rushed for 1,000 yards for a fourth consecutive season. His backups Tyjae Spears and rookie Nicholas Singleton will compete for playing time and the second spot on the depth chart.

The offensive line has been an issue for the Titans over the last four seasons. Entering 2026, there are still many questions for the unit, even with former first round picks Peter Skoronski and JC Latham expected to start among the five up front. Center and right guard will be position battles in camp among free agents, holdovers and rookies.

After the 2025 season, the Tennessee defense was basically Jeffery Simmons and that was it. Simmons had the best season of hiss career with 11 sacks after resisting all trade offers for him at the deadline. The defensive-minded Saleh wanted to bring in a bunch of new players to help Simmons and he did just that.

Defensive end Jermaine Johnson II was acquired from the New York Jets and Saleh’s added many players he used to coach at other places including tackles John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Elliott to play in his 4-3 unit.

The Titans have returnees Cedric Gray and Cody Barton at linebacker and Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr. at safety. Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott are expected to start at cornerback. If the pass-rush gets any better outside of Simmons, the linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks can take advantage of it and make plays to set up Ward and the offense.

Tennessee needs a lot to happen to go from the bottom of the league to playoff contention. Their offense can extend down the field with Tate now in the receiving room and their retooled defense could be better but they will probably finish last in the AFC South in Saleh’s first season in Nashville.

Games that will determine the division
Jaguars vs. Texans (Oct. 18 in London and Dec. 20 at Houston)
The AFC South championship always goes down to the wire at the end of the season so the first matchup between Houston and Jacksonville in London in the middle of October and the end of season battle in Houston will have meaning for the playoff picture in January.

The Jaguars and Texans will split the meetings and they will finish a game apart in the standings at the end of the season. Jacksonville will win the game against Houston in London but the Texans will avenge their loss at home, and win the division to make their fourth playoff appearance in a row.

West

Image – The Denver Gazette

Image – Sports Illustrated

No. 1 Denver Broncos (12-5)
It’s Super Bowl or bust for the Denver Broncos after falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game last January. Bo Nix’s 24 wins is the most in two seasons of any team in the NFL and because of that they will be a Super Bowl contender. Had he not broken his ankle in the divisional round win against the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos could have made it there last season and potentially won it.

The Broncos won 15 games last season (including playoffs) despite long stretches in games last season where they looked unwatchable. They won 15 games in a big part because of Nix, and a receiving core that was led by Courtland Sutton. Offensive coordinator Davis Webb has helped Nix’s development but additions of receiver Jaylen Waddle and tight end Evan Engram will make their down the field offense better and excite Denver fans.

The run-game needs to improve for the Broncos in 2026. JK Dobbins missed the final nine games of the season due to an injury. RJ Harvey stepped in and excelled as a goal-line runner and a receiver out of the backfield but he struggled running between the tackles and he did not look good in the AFC Championship Game.

The offensive line is a strong spot for Denver as they return all five starters. Tackles Garrett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are strong pass blockers while Quinn Meiernz and Ben Powers get down the field to run-block. Luke Wattenberg will be the center again in 2026, finishing a line that Nix is comfortable with.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s loves to pressure the quarterback and they succeeded at it all season long in 2025, a big reason why they played into late January. The Broncos set a franchise record for sacks for the second consecutive season in 2025, with 68. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen are guys that get to the quarterback consistently, setting up opportunities for the league’s best cornerback Patrick Surtain II to make plays on the football.

While Surtain fought through a torn pectoral injury last season, nickleback Jaquan McMillan was a playmaker for Joseph’s tough defense. Riley Moss had an up-and-down season across from Surtain, so his success in 2026 will be important for the Denver defense in 2026.

Darren Rizzi took over as special teams coordinator last season. The unit caused multiple losses early in 2025, including a 29-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts thanks to a game-winning field goal after a leverage penalty by the Broncos. The group settled down after a rough beginning to the season, with kicker Will Lutz converting on 28-of-32 field goals. Jeremy Crawshaw will continue to punt and electric returner Marvin Mims returning both kickoffs and punts.

The Denver Broncos should be the favorite to win the AFC West but both the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are capable of both winning the division and making the playoffs with retooled rosters. Assuming the Broncos’ passing game gets better with Waddle and Engram as down-the-field threats for Nix and the pass-rush continues to get to opposing teams’ quarterbacks, their streak of AFC West titles will be extended to two.

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No. 2 Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
The Los Angeles Chargers must break through in the playoffs to take the next step under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers have won 11 games in back-to-back seasons, the team’s offensive production became predictable and stagnant when it mattered in the playoffs.

Justin Herbert continues to be one of the NFL’s most talented quarterbacks, maintaining a high-level of production despite a hand fracture limiting him in 2025. The Chargers have added speed at skill positions. For many years, they lacked a true vertical threat, but fourth-round pick Brenen Thompson changes the dynamic instantly. Thompson is a deep threat and he should fit in greatly next to Keenan Allen and top receiver Ladd McConkey.

Omarion Hampton established himself as the lead running back during his rookie season, that he was injured in a little bit. Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku are the veterans in the tight end room. Success in this era of Los Angeles football will depend on the health of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries in 2025.

The interior defensive line relies on a rotation of solid players, Tear Tart, Jamaree Caldwell and Dalvin Tomlinson. Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and first-round pick Akheem Mesidor are strong edge rushers, capable of changing games with their ability to get to the quarterback. Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman form a group at inside linebacker that is hard to beat as well.

The secondary is led by safety Derwin James Jr, playing most of his snaps as a nickel and dime linebacker, disrupting the run and tight ends ability to bring the ball in from the quarterback. Elijah Molden stands across the the field as the other safety from James, while Donte Jackson and Cam Hart will be expected to start at cornerback.

Cam Dicker is one of the NFL’s best weapons as the Chargers’ placekicker while punter JK Dobbins has excelled in hang time but must refine his field-flipping ability. Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken will challenge returner Derius Davis for both specialist duties.

Assuming the offensive line stays healthy, the Los Angeles Chargers can win 11+ games again in 2026 and make a playoff run. The division is competitive with the Broncos and Chiefs being playoff contenders, however Harbaugh’s team has proven they can make it to January.

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No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (9-8)
Few people saw the Kansas City Chiefs only winning six games during the 2025 season but it all came to a head in the middle of December when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his left ACL and MCL. While Mahomes is not expected to miss any games in 2026, the Chiefs won’t take any risks with him.

Eric Bieniemy returns to take over for Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator with a unit that already includes Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker coming over from the Seattle Seahawks. While Mahomes is coming off a massive injury and Kelce’s career is coming to an end, Kansas City did not have a great ground game last season and Walker can make a vast difference with his ability to make defenders miss tackles.

Outside of Kelce, the wide receiver group must become more consistent for Mahomes if they want to return to a Super Bowl contending level in 2026. Rashee Rice is always in-and-out of the lineup and Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton are talented but they need to play at a different level if they want to contend with teams at the top of the AFC, like the Bills, Broncos and Patriots.

The offensive line is solid for the Chiefs but it must be even better, like the receiving group for them to have a better season this fall. The left tackle position is a question mark after Josh Simmons won the job as a rookie but he missed time due to an injury last season. Jaylon Moore struggled in pass blocking at right tackle after replacing Jawan Taylor.

Kansas City’s defense performed well in 2025, allowing only 19.3 points per game but they weren’t great in three major areas – creating turnovers, sacking the quarterback and getting off the field on third down. Steve Spagnulo’s unit must get better with who they already have on the roster, including tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Nick Bolton but additions needed to be made to the defense to make it better.

The Chiefs selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane in the first round of the NFL Draft to play next to Nohl Williams, Kader Kohou, Chamarri Conner and Alohi Gollman in the secondary.

Kansas City needs more from their return game. Nikko Remigiro’s kickoff- and punt- return averages were not great so Brashard Smith took over. Placekickker Harrison Butker has not been as good as he was to begin his career, connecting on only 87% of his field-goal attempts each of the last two seasons. He must bounce back, because he is signed through the 2028 season. Matt Araiza, who has been average in his first two NFL seasons, returns for the Chiefs.

Kansas City is capable of returning to the top of the AFC West and playoff contention but their passing attack must improve with the help of running back Walker and the defense must set up their offense with turnovers and better field position in 2026 to position themselves in that way.

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No. 4 Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
It is operation Fernando Mendoza for the Las Vegas Raiders after the team selected him No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft following his Heisman Trophy and national championship winning season at Indiana. General manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady’s influence has been all over the Raiders this off-season they fired Pete Carroll and replaced him with Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak of the Seattle Seahawks, after the addition of Mendoza.

While there is excitement for Mendoza, Las Vegas won’t rush him into the spotlight if they don’t have to. Don’t be surprised if Kubiak starts veteran Kirk Cousins for at least the first couple of weeks before transitioning to Mendoza.

Second-year tailback Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are offensive weapons with loads of potential, something all Raiders’ will look forward to with Cousins and Mendoza playing in Kubiak’s offense. Draft pick Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas will back up Jeanty while Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Tre Tucker are the receiving options outside of Bowers.

Center Tyler Linderbaum is the leader of the offensive line while left tackle Kolton Miller returns next to him. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rodgers and Charles Grant fill out the rest of the line that must bounce back from many awful showings during the 2025 season.

After Las Vegas’ deal to trade star defensive end Maxx Crosby fell through, he will continue to play next to fellow veterans Kwity Paye, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, who make up the front seven. If this group, led by Crosby, can get to the quarterback, they can make it easier for their defensive backfield to make plays on the football. Cornerbacks Eric Stokes and Darien Porter will play at cornerback while Jeremy Chinn and rookie Treydan Stukes, out of Arizona will be trusted to make those plays if their front seven can get to the quarterback.

The Raiders moved on from veteran placekicker Daniel Carlson, setting up a training camp battle between veteran Matt Gay and undrafted rookie Kansei Matsuzawa for the place kicking duties. Matsuzawa was a consensus All-American and a Lou Groza Award finalist in 2025 at Hawaii. AJ Cole is one of the best punters in the league. Dylan Raube will return kickoffs and Tre Tucker will return punts.

The Las Vegas Raiders will likely finish last in the AFC West again this season but with Mendoza, Jeanty and Bowser in the wings on offense, they are capable of turning their rebuild into a great team under their head coach Kubiak in just a few seasons. They will keep games closer than last season but they will fail to win six games.

Game that will determine the division
Broncos vs. Chargers (Oct. 11 at Los Angeles and the final weekend of the regular season at Denver)
The AFC West will be one of the best divisions in the NFL in 2026. Three teams are capable of winning the division, including the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. Given the Broncos’ success last season and the Chargers’ the previous two seasons, the two games between the Broncos and Chargers will determine the division winner, especially if Patrick Mahomes does not begin the season fully healthy for the Chiefs.

The Chargers will defeat the Broncos at home the second weekend of October. Denver will return the favor to Los Angeles and clinch the division during the final weekend of the regular season as they look to avenge their loss in the AFC Championship game a year ago following Nix’s injury against the Bills in the divisional round. The Chargers will also make the playoffs.

NFC

East

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No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (10-7)
After a late-season slide, the Philadelphia Eagles bowed out in the NFC Wild Card round to the San Francisco 49ers. Then, the Eagles traded star receiver AJ Brown to the New England Patriots at the beginning of June, which was a big distraction in the off-season.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts was solid in 2025, passing for 3,224 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions despite a 55.2 QBR, the lowest of his career. The good news for Hurts is that even though Brown is now in Foxboro, running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 1,140 yards last season, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Outside of Smith, Hollywood Brown and rookie Makai Lemon will step in at receiver.

Tight end Dallas Goedert caught a career-high 60 passes and scored 11 touchdowns last season and he is back for his quarterback Hurts. Goedert will have to emerge next to Smith as two threats down the field in Brown’s absence in 2026. It is a familiar offensive line for Philadelphia that includes left tackle Jordan Mailata, left guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgen, right guard Tyler Steen and left tackle Lane Johnson.

It is hard to blame the Eagles’ defense for last season’s issues. The team gave up the fifth-fewest points (19.1 per game) in 2025 and returns many of the key performers from last season, including cornerbacks Quinton Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both of whom earned first-team All-Pro honors last year.

Mitchell is either on the left sider or travels with the opposing team’s top receiver while DeJean makes an impressive slot corner. Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba fill the roles at safety, forming the rest of the secondary. Philadelphia locked up two of their mainstays on the defensive line, including both Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. Davis and Carter will continue at the tackle spots while Moro Ojomo will play at end.

After leading the team with 123 tackles in 125, Zack Baun returns to head the linebacking group. Second-year player Jihaad Campbell made 80 stops last season so he could break out in the middle for the Eagles in 2026. Jeremiah Totter Jr. and Small Mondon Jr. are quality young backups.

Punter Braden Mann impressed in 2025 for Philadelphia, with a 49.9-yard average. However, the kicking situation isn’t as settled. Jake Elliott was 20-of-27 on his field-goal attempts, leading into questions ahead of the upcoming season. Britain Covey will fill the punt returner role and Will Shipley will do the same for kickoffs.

If Hurts can succeed with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and without Brown at receiver, Philadelphia can win the NFC East for the third consecutive season. If Barkley can return to his 2024 form and if Smith and Goedert can come together to be an electric receiving duo, Nick Sirianni’s team could turn into a Super Bowl contender. The defense will always be good under coordinator Vic Fangio, so all they need is the offense to improve.

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No. 2 Dallas Cowboys (10-7)
The Dallas Cowboys are attempting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023 after being pretty quiet during free agency. The Cowboys did not make the big move for Maxx Crosby in the off-season but they did retain wide receiver George Pickens, who excelled alongside CeeDee Lamb last season.

The Cowboys return 10 of 11 starters to an offense that ranked second in yards (391.9) and seventh in points (27.7) per game. When healthy, Dak Prescott has been a top ten quarterback in the NFL, with his 4,552 yards passing in 2025 the second most of his career in one season.

Javonte Williams impressed as the starting running back in his first season in Dallas, rushing for 1,201 yards, the most since Ezekiel Elliott’ 1,357 yards in 2019. Lamb and Pickens received most of the targets in their terrific 2025 campaign while Ryan Flournoy will be the third wide receiver. KaVontae Turpin is always a threat as well, splitting his time at receiver, running back, and return man.

Tight end Jake Ferguson played well last fall, setting career highs in catches (82) and touchdowns eight). The Cowboys return their top six offensive linemen but the question is who will start at left tackle? Tyler Smith, the team’s most talented offensive lineman, will fill one of the spots, likely at left guard, but Dallas may prefer him at left tackle. If Smith fills that role, TJ Bass will play left guard, TJ Bass should play center, Tyler Booker will play right guard and Terence Steele will fill the right tackle.

For the fourth time in five seasons, the Cowboys have anew defensive coordinator, turning to Christian Parker, the former secondary coach of their divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles. Parker is switching the Cowboys to a 3-4 base. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, whom Dallas acquired in trades last season, will start at the end spots with free-agent addition Otito Ogbonnia.

After trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last August, they have failed to get a consistent pass rush. The Cowboys expect second-year end Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary, who was acquired in the off-season from the Packers. At inside linebacker, Demarion Overshown and Shemar James will hope to fill the other weakness on the team. As a result, Dallas traded for the San Francisco 49ers’ Dee Winters to compete with James for playing time.

With Parker now as a great mentor for the secondary group, DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr. are expected to start at cornerbacks with Reddy Steward at nickel back. Malik Hooker returns at free safety and Jalen Thompson, who came over from the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. They traded up in the first round for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who will be important in their future plans in the Cowboy secondary and the overall defense.

Dallas havsone of the best special teams units in the game with Brandon Aubrey at placekicker, Bryan Anger at punter, Trent Sieg at long-snapper and Turpin as the kickoff and punt returner. Aubrey became the highest paid kicker during free agency after his strong foot helped him earn it.

The defense must be better for the Cowboys if they want to return to the playoffs. The offense is more than capable of carrying the load in 2026 but Parker’s unit can improve enough to get them where owner and general manager Jerry Jones wants them to go this season. Dallas is a playoff contender with Prescott, Lamb, Pickens on offense and Williams on defense.

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No. 3 Washington Commanders (6-11)
After going 5-12 in 2025 and halting all of the progress that they made in their run to the NFC Championship game the previous season, the Washington Commanders knew they had to get younger in 2026 after fielding the oldest roster in football in 2025.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a series of injuries last fall including right knee, right hamstring and left elbow injuries. Daniels only started seven games as a result of his offensive line’s inability to protect him efficiently. David Blough replaced Kliff Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator as the Commanders were in desperate need to upgrade Daniels’ support staff.

After re-signing Marcus Mariota to back up Daniels, they extended left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Jacory Crosskey-Merritt and Rachaad White will compete for carries at running back beside Daniels while star Terry McLaurin will lead the receiving unit for Washington again.

Head coach Dan Quinn must hope former first round pick Treylon Burks or Luke McCaffrey step into roles next to McLaurin as contributors or it could be another long season. Chig Okonkowo and John Bates are both offensive weapons at tight end but Burks and McCaffrey, both of who are capable of making plays down the field, must step up. The Commanders picked up veteran receiver Stefon Diggs late in free agency, so he should be an upgrade for the room.

Chris Paul, Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi and Josh Conerly Jr. will play next to Tunsil on the offensive line. Tunsil, Paul and Cosmi are experienced but Allegretti stepped into a starting role for the first time last season and Conerley Jr. enters only his second season of his career.

Washington’s defense finished last in yards allowed per game (384.3) in the NFL last season. So, an overhaul was needed. Under new coordinator Daronte Jones, the unit got upgrades on all three levels, highlighted by the signing of pass-rusher Odafe Oweh.

Oweh, who signed a four-year $96 million deal, has averaged fewer than seven sacks per season in his five seasons in the league. Oweh must perform at his peak potential with K’Laivon Chaisson on the other end supporting him. Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Jer’Zhan Newton and Tim Settles will split time at tackle.

Linebacker Sonny Styles, who was drafted seventh overall, should be a perfect fit in Jones’ defense. He is a true playmaker at 6-foot-5, 243 pounds and an 81-inch wingspan. He is a former safety so he has the speed to cover tight ends and slot receivers and he is a great tackler. Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenai will start next to Styles at the outside linebacker positions.

Things appear not as settled in the secondary after the Commanders signed cornerback Amik Robertson and safety Nick Cross in free agency; both to two-year deals. Robertson will step in at nickleback next to cornerbacks Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil. Cross will play strong safety along with Will Harris at free safety.

Seven kickers have seen action for Washington in the last two seasons. There will be competition again between Iowa’s Drew Stevens, who was an undrafted free agent and Jake Moody, who was a holdover that performed well in six games last season.

By contrast, the punter job is stable with Tress Way, who made the Pro Bowl in 2025, the third of his career. He returns to the Commanders for year 13 of his career. McCaffrey will return kickoffs and Jaylin Lane will return punts for Washington.

After a 12-5 season in 2024 and a reverse 5-12 mark in 2025, the Commanders must find their footing again behind Daniels and an improved offensive line. Assuming Daniels is able to make plays behind the offensive line to McLaurin and an improved receiving core and the defense gets better, Washington should finish with a better record in 2026. But with the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants all getting better in the division, it will be an interesting season as Quinn enters another season as head coach.

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No. 4 New York Giants (5-12)
After a decade of awful football, the New York Giants decided they needed more than a fresh start. That is why they hired John Harbaugh, after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens. Harbaugh is by far the most accomplished coach the Giants have ever hired. His acumen should help New York in his first season in charge, even though they don’t have the most talent in the division.

Another bright spot for the Giants is quarterback Jaxson Dart, who stabilized the position after years of it being a revolving door. Now, with Dart back for his second NFL season throwing to a fully healthy Malik Nabers, his No. 1 receiver, who returns from his torn ACL injury. Nabers barely had time to play with Dart last season before he got hurt.

With Wan’Dale Robinson on the move, Harbaugh replaced him with former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and Malachi Fields, a 6-foot-4, 222-pound receiver, who he drafted. What Harbaugh really wants is a power running game similar to one he had in Baltimore last season. New York had the fifth-best rushing attack behind Tyron Tracy Jr. and an improving offensive line.

If Cam Skattebo recovers from the gruesome leg injury he suffered last season, the real power in the running back room should come from him. Ex-Raven Patrick Ricard will play fullback for the Giants and his 300-pound weight will be helpful in pushing Skattebo and Tracy Jr. forward. Jon Runyan will play left guard, John Michael-Schmitz Jr. will play center, Daniel Faalele will fill the right guard role and Jermaine Eluemunor will play right guard.

The pass-rush is terrific with Brian Burns (16.5 sacks in 2025), Kayvon Thibodeau (11.5 in 2023) heading it up. Abdul Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft and rookie Arvell Reese, who many think is the top edge rusher in this year’s draft. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will have to use his pass-rush well because outside of it, last season the Giants’ defense was not great. Tremaine Edmunds is solid at middle linebacker next to Reese, Burns and Carter.

The hope is that rookie Colton Hood can emerge as a starting corner alongside Paulson Adebo on the other side. Greg Newsome II, a 2021 first round pick, will step in if Hood does not succeed after four and a half disappointing years as a Cleveland Brown. Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland will man the safety spots.

Harbaugh brought All-Pro punter Jordan Stout with him from Baltimore, knowing the importance of the unit after time as a special teams coach previously in his career. Jason Sanders will replace Graham Gano as placekicker with Gunner Olszewski returning both kickoffs and punts.

Under Harbaugh, New York has potential. The Giants will not be as bad as they were last season as there is nowhere to go but up for them. Dart, Skattebo and Nabers are a tremendous offensive nucleus but if the pass-rush has to carry the defense again, they will finish last in the NFC East again.

Games that will determine the division
Cowboys vs. Eagles (Oct. 26 at Philadelphia and Nov. 26 at Dallas)
The Philadelphia Eagles ended the streak in the NFC East of the division being won by a different team every other season last season when they won it for the second consecutive season, winning 11 games. After three straight 12 win seasons from 2021-2023, the Dallas Cowboys have only won seven games in each of the last two. The Cowboys and Eagles split last season’s meetings and the expectation is that they will do the same in 2026 with Dallas’ improved roster and Philadelphia’s veterans. The Cowboys are capable of winning the NFC East and making a playoff run but until they do so again, the Eagles will win the division for a third consecutive season, winning a Thanksgiving Battle in Arlington against Dallas after falling on a late October Monday at home in Philadelphia.

North

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No. 1 Chicago Bears (11-6)
Can the Chicago Bears win back-to-back NFC North division championships after three last place finishes in a row? With Ben Johnson in his second season as head coach, it is definitely possible for the Bears to do so.

Chicago finally found the franchise quarterback that they had been waiting for, Caleb Williams. Williams threw for 3,942 yards and had a 27 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio. Tight end Colston Loveland and receivers Rome Odense and Luther Burden III return as options for Williams down the field. Loveland became the first rookie tight end to lead the Bears in receiving yards since Willie Gault in 1983.

The ground game is headed by D’Andre Swift (1,087 yards) and Kyle Monangai (783). Swift and Monangai were the only teammates to each rush for over 750 yards last season. A revamped offensive line helped Chicago last season. Second-team All-Pro Darnell Wright leads the line that also includes Pro Bowl guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.

The Bears wanted to add speed on their defense this off-season and when they signed safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush in free agency. They also drafted safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round and cornerback Malik Muhammad as well.

Bryant and Thieneman should form a solid duo at the safety positions with Muhammad backing up Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson at cornerback. Bush will fill the middle of the defense and TJ Edwards will play at outside linebacker. Jack Sanborn will back up Bush and D’Marco Jackson will do the same for Edwards.

The Bears’ pass rush can improve with Montez Sweat, who has recorded double-digit sacks in two of the last three seasons. If Austin Booker can take another step in his young career on the other side of the line, they can set up tackles Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Jr. with tackles in the backfield.

After making 25-of-30 field goals in 2025, veteran placekicker Cairo Santos returns to Chicago for another season. Punter Tory Taylor will be back as well after breaking his own franchise record with a gross average of 47.8 yards last fall. The Bears signed return specialist Kalif Raymond, will do so for both kickoffs and punts.

The Chicago Bears are capable of making another playoff run but it will take getting through another season in the tough NFC North division, that includes three other teams that think they are also capable of reaching similar heights. The duo of head coach Johnson and Williams was great in 2025 but could it be even better in 2026. If the defense gets even better, Chicago could be in for a great run in the next few seasons.

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No. 2 Green Bay Packers (9-8)
The Green Bay Packers lost their last five games of the 2025 season, twice to their arch rivals, the Chicago Bears, once in overtime on Dec. 20 and the next time to end their season in the NFC Wild Card round three weeks later on Jan. 10.

With both edge rusher Micah Parsons and tight end Tucker Kraft still healing from injuries, a lot will be put on quarterback Jordan Love to begin the season. The receiver group of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden must step up for their quarterback in 2026 because the ground game carried a lot of Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Veteran tailback Josh Jacobs rushed for 929 yards last season as he dealt with a nagging knee injury and an inconsistent run-blocking offensive line. The Packers don’t have a proven backup so Jacobs’ health is important for their offense to function in 2026.

Assuming Kraft gets healthy, the offensive line is the biggest question for Green Bay. Jordan Morgan, who was their first round pick in 2024, will get to start at left tackle and Sean Rhyan will continue at center after making the move to play the position at mid-season in 2025.

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Johnathan Gannon replaces Jeff Hafley as their defensive coordinator. The Packers won’t rush Parsons back into action but it can’t just be him making plays for their defense.

Once Parsons returns, he will play next to three tackles including Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Karl Brooks and fellow edge Lukas Van Ness. Behind them, Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper will man the middle linebacker positions.

Green Bay may have the strongest safety trio in the NFL with Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Ballard. That is great for Gannon because he likes to run schemes with all three of his safeties on the field. Cornerback is one of the bigger questions for the Packers in 2026. Veteran Kristan Nixon is solid as the No. 1 corner on the team but Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs have both been up and down.

New special teams coordinator Cam Achord will take over Green Bay’s unit in 2026. Brandon McManus was thought to be a reliable veteran option as the placekicker however he missed three important kicks in the playoff loss to the Bears. So, now they have turned to rookie, sixth-round pick Trey Smack to handle the job. Daniel Whalen will handle the punting duties and Skyy Moore will return both kickoffs and punts for the Packers in 2026.

Until Parsons and Kraft return, LaFleur’s team will have to rely on the run-game from Jacobs and Love’s ability to get the ball down the field to Watson, Reed and Golden behind a questionable offensive line. The defense needs to hold up without their top pass rusher for at least the first few weeks of the season if they want to win the NFC North again and make another deep playoff run. Once they get back to to full health, the Green Bay Packers can win the division but the Bears may already have a head start thanks to everybody they are getting back for the 2026 season.

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No. 3 Detroit Lions (8-9)
After failing to make the playoffs and finishing last in the NFC North last season, Detroit Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell is vowed to get his team back to where they were in 2024, the conference’s No. 1 seed in 2024.

After Ben Johnson left Detroit for their division rival Chicago Bears, John Morton lasted only one season as the offensive coordinator. Campbell took over play-calling duties in Week 10. Despite Morton’s struggles, the Lions still ranked in the league’s top five in scoring and total yards. Drew Petzing takes over the offensive coordinator position after three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

Jared Goff, who has now played more seasons for the Detroit Lions than his original team the Los Angeles Rams, is the unquestioned leader of the unit. Tailback Jahmyr Gibbs earned a third consecutive Pro Bowl despite a struggling offensive line. Gibbs impressive running and catching passes out of the backfield make him one of the most valuable players in the league.

All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams lead a receiving core that remains largely intact for 2026. Williams reached 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Sam LaPorta, Detroit’s productive tight end, is expected to be a full go to start the season after missing the final eight games of last season due to a herniated disc that required surgery.

After much of the Lions’ defense was built through the draft in recent years, it is time to start seeing a better return out of the unit in 2026. Kelvin Sheppard, Detroit’s defensive coordinator, learned under Aaron Glenn during his years with the Lions and now must get more out of the defense. It all starts with star end Aidan Hutchinson, who will have to step up without Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the field to begin the season.

With both safeties out to begin the season, backups Thomas Harper and Christian Izien will step in for Branch and Joseph. Cornerback Terrion Arnold is not with the team anymore so DJ Reed, Roger McCreary, Emmis Rakestraw Jr. and rookie Keith Abney II will be trusted on in the defensive backfield.

DJ Wonnum will play on the other edge across from Hutchinson while Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams will be the tackles. Jack Campbell is a leader in the middle of the defense and he will play next to Derrick Barnes at linebacker.

Placekicker Jake Bates couldn’t match his rookie success in his second NFL season as his accuracy fell off. But he remained perfect in clutch situations. He’ll have something to prove during the 2026 season. Jack Fox continues to succeed as punter for the Lions, and both Bates and Fox enter contract years. Sione Vaki will return kickoffs and Greg Dortch will do the same for punts.

Assuming the offensive line is better, Goff, Gibbs and St. Brown can lead the Detroit offensive to success in 2026. But the injuries to Joseph and Branch hurts the defensive potential for the Lions heading into this season. Campbell must trust backups on his defense to make an impact in the secondary. If Joseph and Branch don’t return soon enough, Detroit could finish last in the division again. But the success of their offense should not let them finish that low.

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No. 4 Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is hoping to resurrect quarterback Kyler Murray’s career just like he did with Sam Darnold just two years ago. In two seasons with Kirk Cousins and one with Darnold, O’Connell’s team went 27-7.

Murray, who comes off of a foot injury that limited him to five games last season, prefers shotgun formation and is dangerous scrambling to get himself outside of the pocket and down the field. If Murray fails to get his career back on track, JJ McCarthy will step in again. McCarthy turned the bal over 14 times in 10 games last season.

The good news for Murray is that he will be throwing to one of the best receiver duos in the NFL. The league’s best No. 1 weapon, Justin Jefferson, and one of the best No. 2s, Jordan Addison, make the Vikings one of the most feared passing attacks in the league when the quarterback position is stable in Minnesota. TJ Hockenson will fill the tight end position as one of the better players at his position throughout his career.

Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason will split carries at running back. Jones Sr., who previously played with the Vikings’ divisional rival Green Bay Packers will get more carries than Mason but both should get time on the field. Will Fries and Brian O’Neill will play on the right side of the offensive line, Blake Brandel at center, and Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw on the left side.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores blitzes more frequently than anybody else in the league. Flores’ 3-4 base has many sub-packages and multiple fronts he uses to keep quarterbacks and offensive staffs confused. Dallas Turner will lead the Minnesota defense at outside linebacker after leading the team in sacks last season.

Andrew Van Ginkle will play at the other defensive end position while Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman will fill the spots at inside linebacker. Jay Ward leads the safety group after an impressive 2025 campaign next to Joshua Metellus, who will play next to him. Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. make up the rest of the secondary at the cornerback position.

Tackle Jalen Redmond leads the defensive line with two rookies, end Caleb Banks out of Florida and fellow tackle Domonique Orange, who was drafted out of Iowa State. Flores will spend time subbing them out for Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Taki Taimani with the many different packages he has developed. But the engine of the Vikings’ defense is built on the front seven, so it will be up to a younger group to lead the way.

Reigning first-team All-Pro placekicker Will Reichard may only be 25 but he has made a name for himself as one of the top players at his positions in the NFL. Johnny Heker, a veteran, can be trusted to replace Ryan Wright, who left for more money with the New Orleans Saints. Rookie Desmond Claiborne could see time returning kicks while Myles Price will likely return punts for O’Connell’s team.

The tough NFC North will be tough for Minnesota to win, especially with the Chicago Bears’ improvements. O’Connell has yet to win a playoff game as he enters his fifth season as head coach so Murray must improve and the defense must grow up fast if they want to reach that goal in 2026. After finishing third in the division last season, a quality season from Murray could mean they are right back there after this upcoming season ends.

Games that will determine the division
Bears vs. Packers (Oct. 11 at Green Bay and Dec. 25 at Chicago)
After splitting their two games last season, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are likely entering a similar season in 2026. If the Bears can take advantage of the Packers without Parsons and Kraft on the road in Green Bay they can gain an advantage the Packers will have to get back by defeating their rivals at Soldier Field in Chicago on Christmas Day. Ben Johnson’s team can take over this division with a sweep of Green Bay but something tells me the teams will split their meetings in 2026.

South

Image – ESPN

Image – ClutchPoints

No. 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ streak of four consecutive NFC South titles has come to end after their 6-2 record to begin the 2025 season quickly dissolved into an 8-9 finish thanks in large part to injuries to important players on the roster. Todd Bowles was retained as head coach despite the late season collapse but they hired Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator, who called plays for their division rival Atlanta Falcons last season.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is heading into the final year of his contract and he will look to help Tampa Bay recapture the energy they had to start last season successfully. Future Hall of Fame Mike Evans left for the San Francisco 49ers so it will be up to fellow veteran Chris Godwin Jr. to return to form at wide receiver after a few injury riddle seasons. Cade Otton will play tight end and look to be a playmaker next to Godwin down the field for Mayfield.

The Buccaneer offensive line was hit hard by injuries last season so it will be important that they also return to form in 2026. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs will lead the unit that also includes Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke. Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell form an interesting tandem in the backfield that should succeed behind the line that should be fully healthy at the season’s beginning.

Veteran defensive lineman Vita Vea requested a trade at the end of July so rookie DeMonte Capehart will have to get work alongside projected starter Calijah Kancey and fellow backup Elijah Roberts. In addition, linebacker LaVonte David retired after 14 seasons, meaning that a lot will be put on their linebacking room that includes Alex Anzalone and two rookie Josiah Trotter and Rueben Bain Jr.

The secondary lost cornerback Jamel Dean in free agency so it will be up to younger players to step up in his place, Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morris and Jacob Parrish. All-Pro free safety Antoine Winfield and strong safety Tykee Smith, will be trusted to provide leadership for Tampa Bay after David’s retirement.

All three of the Buccaneers’ starters for their special teams unit are back from last season with placekicker Chase McLaughlin, punter Riley Dixon and long-snapper Evan Deckers. Sean Tucker will handle the kick-off returning duties and Kameron Johnson will do so for punts.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster is not as talented as it was entering the 2025 season but the NFC South does not have another team that has proven over the last few seasons that they can challenge the Bucs over a long time. Tampa Bay knows how to win but without Evans and David as leaders and contributors, they will fall short of making a deep playoff run.

Image – SB Nation

No. 2 Carolina Panthers (8-9)
The Carolina Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 despite a middle of the pack 8-9 record in 2025. Another tough season looms ahead. Starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in the playoff game back in January and that means he will likely be out for week 1 and potentially more time. Carolina lost 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle to the Pittsburgh Steelers but outside of Dowdle, most key players return for the Panthers on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Bryce Young enters his fourth season in the NFL and as the quarterback for Carolina. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time in his career and with a receiver group that includes Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette and tight end Tommy Tremble, they have a group that can score, especially against opposing NFC South defenses. The group can’t take the top off of defenses but that is a big reason why Carolina drafted Chris Brazzell II to help them in that area.

Without Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard will be the main back taking carries from Young. Hubbard does not have the same breakaway threat that he was without the two running back system they had a season ago. With Ekwonu out for a week or longer to start the season, rookie Monroe Freeling will be trusted to start at left tackle next to left guard Damien Lewis, center Luke Fortner, right guard guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Taylor Moton.

The Panthers finished the 2025 season with only 30 total sacks, which was tied for third-worst in the NFL. For any defense to be successful, you have to get to the quarterback. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips joined Carolina on a four-year, $120 million contract. Carolina also hopes that Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen improve at getting to the quarterback and making sacks.

Derrick Brown remains the Panthers’ top lineman next to Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton. Devin Lloyd and Trevin Wallace man the middle of the defense at linebacker. Carolina’s strength is the defensive backfield, with Jayce Horn and Mike Jackson forming one of the top corner duos in the NFL after they combined for 9 of the Panthers’ 15 interceptions during the 2025 season. Tre’von Moehrig and Nick Scott form a solid duo at safety.

Placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald has made a name for himself as a clutch player while Sam Martin is reliable at the punter position. Long-snapper JJ Jansen is the longest-tenured player in Panthers history as he enters his 18th season in the league. Backup running back Trevor Etienne will serve as the returner for both kickoffs and punts.

The Carolina Panthers can win the NFC South again in 2026 if the offense continues to develop and the defense gets a consistent pass-rush to set up their secondary to make plays. Carolina has a capable quarterback, a solid tailback and group of receivers and a defense that knows how to consistently stop the opposing offense. All the Panthers have to do are the simple things and they will be in contention for a playoff berth again in 2026.

Image – 680 The Fan

No. 3 Atlanta Falcons (6-11)
After eight consecutive losing seasons, a new regime is in place for the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta parted ways with head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, and brought in former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and first-time general manager Ian Cunningham to try to change things in Atlanta. Also, the Falcons brought franchise quarterback Matt Ryan as their first-ever president of football, a role that will help get the organization back to the success they experienced with Ryan as a player.

The 2025 season was supposed to be the beginning of the Michael Penix Jr. era. With offensive weapons like tailback Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta felt they had the young talent in place to support their quarterback.

Instead, the Falcons started the season 3-7, suffered a 30-0 loss to their division rival Carolina Panthers and two overtime losses through Week 11. That same week, Penix suffered a partially torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve. Atlanta won five of its last seven games but the early damage was too much to overcome.

Tommy Rees comes in as the offensive coordinator to coach Penix and Tua Tagovailoa, who the Falcons brought in as help while their starting signal-caller heals. Robinson is one of the league’s bright stars, especially after leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,298) and All-Pro honors as a result in 2025. After losing Tyler Allgeier to the Arizona Cardinals, Brian Robinson Jr. will backup Bijan in 2026.

London remains the top option in the passing game after posting 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in only 12 games played last season. Pitts Sr., Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus will be the other options for Penix and Tagovaila have down the field.

Veteran right tackle Jawaan Taylor signed with Atlanta after Kaleb McGary’s unexpected retirement. With a left-handed quarterback, Taylor will now be responsible for protecting the blindside, making his performance critical next to a line that includes Chris Lindstrom, Ryan Neuzil, Matthew Bergeron and Jake Matthews.

The Falcons’ defense also saw significant change in 2026, however they retained coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich played a major role in the franchise-record 57 sacks in 2025, which ranked second in the NFL. That being said, Atlanta will have to overcome the departures of David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, linebacker Kaden Elliss and cornerback Dee Alford.

To address those losses, they added outside linebackers Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari, middle linebacker Christian Harris, end Camer Thomas and free safety Sydney Brown. The team also acquired tackle Mason Smith through a trade, giving them a physical presence in the middle of their line.

The biggest off-season storyline for the Falcons’ defense is the arrest of 2025 first round pick James Pearce Jr., who will be slated to play outside linebacker for Atlanta this season. He is facing multiple felony charges so he could face a suspension before playing during the 2026 season at some point.

Pearce set a franchise rookie record with 10.5 sacks last season, making him an important factor in Atlanta’s defensive outlook ahead of this season and the future. If his reduced role, the Falcons must rely on fellow 2025 first rounder Jalon Walker, who can be an off the ball and pass-rushing linebacker.

To stabilize the special teams unit, Atlanta hired Craig Aukerman as coordinator and Chase Blackburn as an assistant. After years with Matt Bryant and Younghoe Koo as their placekicker, they brought in veteran Nick Folk this off-season after Koo was released early last season. Jake Bailey, a former All-Pro, will replace Bradley Pinion at the punter position. Rookie Zachariah Branch has the talent to claim the kickoff and punt return role long-term, though it is unsettled now.

Image – ClutchPoints

No. 4 New Orleans Saints (4-13)
The New Orleans Saints saw enough out of first year head coach Kellen Moore and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough while winning four straight games last December to bring them both into this season. With better resources than they have had in recent years, the Saints strengthened the offense around their second year quarterback. Now, New Orleans will try to get even better during the 2026 season.

Everything will be on Shough being the answer for the Saints at quarterback. Their running back room was not explosive last season, needing five different running backs to carry the ball across 2025. Former Jacksonville Jaguar Travis Eienne Jr., who signed a $52 million free-agent deal, will add some juice to the ground attack, with fellow veteran Alvin Kamara backing him up.

Wide receiver Chris Olave proved he could stay healthy last season, earning All-Pro honors while Devaughn Vele came on slow after acquiring him in a trade before the 2025 season began. Tight end Juwan Johnson finally broke out last fall, catching 77 passes for 889 yards and will be paired with veteran free-agent signee Noah Fant.

New Orleans signed left guard David Edwards to a $61 million free-agent deal to shore up the last weak part of the offensive line that already includes former first round pick tackles Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga, alongside Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz.

The first season under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley went well last fall, with his 3-4 base defense working out great with the players he already had in New Orleans. Last season, the Saints limited big plays in the passing game and ranked as the No. 3 run defense in the NFL.

Pass-rusher Chase Young recorded his first double-digit sack season despite missing the first five games with a calf injury. The Saints also got production out of rookies Jonas Sanker and Quincy Riley, who spent time starting in the secondary.

Without corner Alontae Taylor, linebacker Demario Davis and end Cameron Jordan who all signed free-agent deals elsewhere, Staley’s defense must make progress with less talent on the roster. New Orleans will feel both players’ absences greatly.

The Saints signed Kaden Elliss to help replace Davis in the middle of the defense at linebacker. Pete Werner will play next to Elliss at weak side linebacker across from Young on the other side. With Bryan Bresee done for the season after ACL surgery, Vernon Broughton will have to step in beside Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd at the tackle spots.

Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley will attempt to replace the production of Taylor at cornerback, with Justin Reid and Jonas Sanker at the two safety spots. Without a true leader in the secondary, McKinstry, Riley, Reid and Sanders will have to be that much better on a unit that does not have as much talent as it had a season ago.

New Orleans signed former Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright after years of uncertainty at the position. The real question is at placekicker. Charlie Smyth, who had never kicked in American football before 2024, is an intriguing option for the position. Rookie wide receiver Barion Brown will get a shot to return kickoffs and punts during the 2026 season for the Saints.

New Orleans will likely finish in last place in the NFC South again in 2026 however they should have the same or a better record if they don’t suffer any injuries, especially an offense with a quarterback like Shough that needs to continue to improve and a receiving core that needs more than just Olave to be productive. The defense must be just as good as it was last season with less talent, which will be difficult but Staley’s unit was solid last season and should be again this season.

Games that will determine the division
Buccaneers vs. Panthers (Oct. 25 at Charlotte and Nov. 30 at Tampa)
After splitting last season’s meetings, the Carolina Panthers’ and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ two battles this season will be just as important this season, with the division not having a true Super Bowl contender. The Tampa Bay roster does not have the same strength it has had in past years after the exits of Evans and David and Carolina is still rising as a team, with Young leading the offense at quarterback and Brown in the middle of the defensive line as a tackle. The Buccaneers and Panthers should split their matchups and the NFC South will come down to the final couple of weeks of the regular season.

West

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Image – Rams Wire – USA Today

Image – WTNH.com

No. 1 Los Angeles Rams (13-4)
The Los Angeles Rams did something in free agency they did just five years ago – when they won the Super Bowl in 2021. Los Angeles added All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to a secondary that is already tremendously talented, similar to signing Jalen Ramsey and Marcus Peters months before their run five seasons ago. Then, they traded former Rookie of the Year Jared Verse to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Myles Garrett, maybe the top defensive playmaker in football, who can rush the passer better than almost anyone in the league.

The Rams return 10 starters from an offense that led the NFL in scoring in 2025, including MVP-winner Matt Stafford behind center and electric wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Nacua led the NFL in receptions and Adams led the league in receiving touchdowns thanks to Stafford’s terrific season. Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson will split time at tight end next to Nacua, Adams and fellow receiver Xavier Smith.

Los Angeles has found success with the tailback pairing of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Williams and Corum will continue to split carries with Corum getting more work helping Williams to become more explosive when Stafford hands him the ball in the backfield. Alaric Jackson will protect Stafford’s blindside at left tackle next to left guard Steve Avila, center Coleman Shelton, right guard Kevin Dotson and right tackle Warren McClendon Jr.

After the additions of McDuffie and Watson, the cornerback room is a lot stronger after a weak showing in 2025. Both corners learned to play in Steve Spagnulo’s system for the Kansas City Chiefs, where they learned to play the position physically. McDuffie and Watson will get the luxury of playing on both sides of a solid safety core of Kam Curl and Quentin Lake, who have been in important in the Rams’ defensive success.

After trading for Garrett later in the off-season, there are rumors that tackle Aaron Donald could return from his retirement but nothing is official yet. Even after losing Verse in the trade to the Browns, the benefit of getting Garrett, who broke the NFL’s single-season sack record last season (23), is great especially next a line that already includes Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young on the other side of the line.

Los Angeles needs more consistent play out of side linebackers Nate Landman and Omar Speights, especially after they struggled in the postseason. It could be easier for Landman and Speights with the addition of Garrett and the newfound strength of their secondary with McDuffie and Watson now at corner.

Harrison Mevis fixed the Rams’ placekicker problem early last season, going 12-for-13 on his field goal attempts and knocking down all 39 of his extra-point tries. Los Angeles brought in Joe Cardona to shore up the special teams operation while Ethan Evans continues his strong run at punter. They hired new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone this off-season, attempting to prevent the long returns that were given up last season. Xavier Smith will compete to retain his job returning punts after a critical fumble in the NFC Championship Game. Jordan Whittington and Corum will compete to return kickoffs after explosive 2025 seasons.

A Super Bowl is in play again for Sean McVay after three incredible defensive upgrades and the fact that they return 10 of 11 starters from what was an incredible offense in 2025. The Rams play in one of if not the best divisions in football in the NFC West but their roster now is capable of defeating the Seattle Seahawks, something they did not do late last season and in the NFC Championship Game. Reigning MVP Stafford, Nacua, Adams and Williams headline the offense while Garrett, McDuffie and Watson lead a defense that will should get a lot better during the 2026 season.

Image – SB Nation

No. 2 Seattle Seahawks (11-6)
After winning the Super Bowl in February, the second in their team’s history, the Seattle Seahawks will look to defend their trophy in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The culture under head coach Mike Macdonald is incredible and that is a big reason why they won it, with a tremendous offense and an even better defense.

The only two losses on offense is Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Murray III, the running back who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs during free agency and play caller Klint Kubiak to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Those are big losses for Macdonald’s offense. Murray shared carries with Zach Charbonnet, who rushed for 12 touchdowns, before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Seattle’s NFC division playoff game win. Charbonnet may not return until well into this season if then.

Walker’s exit and Charbonnet’s injury prompted the Seahawks to add Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price in the first round of the NFL Draft, who is slated to start in his rookie season ahead of Emmanuel Wilson. Quarterback Sam Darnold his second year of a three-year, $100 million deal after the Seahawks traded Geno Wilson. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the receiving core next to 2022 Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp. Tight end AJ Barner continues for the Seahawks as he develops into a star.

The most improved unit for Seattle in 2025 was their offensive lines under coach John Benton. Benton coaches a group headlined tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, who both signed big extensions in the off-season. Grey Zabel performs at left guard next to college roommate Jalen Sundell.

Macdonald’s returns 10 starters from a unit that led the NFL in scoring defense. The Seahawks re-signed Josh Jobe to start at cornerback opposite Devon Witherspoon. Nick Emmanwori, Julian Love and rookie Bud Clark will form the safety trio, joining Jobe and Witherspoon the defensive backfield.

The Seahawks lost Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals so the signing of former Dallas Cowboy Dante Fowler Jr. will be important, especially after his three sacks in 2025. Another former Cowboy, DeMarcus Lawrence is coming off of a Pro Bowl season for Seattle, and he will be helpful for Fowler, as he enters another season at the age of 34. Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy succeed as the tackles on Macdonald’s line.

After having one of the best special team units in the NFL in 2025, Seattle retained returner Rasheed Shaheed, who excels at both kickoff and punt returner. Placekicker Jason Myers is coming off of a career year the age of 35. Michael Dickson is one of the league’s richest punters, so he must continue his success alongside Myers.

The Seattle Seahawks are almost a playoff lock going off of projections going into the season after a Vince Lombardi Trophy but playing in the NFC West rests for no one, especially with how much the Los Angeles Rams improved their roster after failing to beat them in their last two attempts last season. Macdonald should trust Darnold and Smith-Njigba, the linch pins for his offense, and his defense, that is so great up front, in the middle and in the secondary. He must hope Price and Wilson settle the run-game while Charbonnet recovers from his injury.

Image – ClutchPoints

No. 3 San Francisco 49ers (9-8)
The San Francisco 49ers surprised many in 2025, going 12-5 and making the playoffs. After beating Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional matchup, they lost to the eventual Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco returns a bunch of production entering 2026 and even added veteran receiver Mike Evans, but injuries always hurt them.

The 49ers return nine starters from their offense last fall. Evans replaces Jauan Jennings on the outside next to Deebo Samuel, who recently came back in the fold after a season with the Washington Commanders, Christian Kirk and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling. Evans and Samuel will be trusted to lead the room after Ricky Pearsall had to get season-ending surgery.

Brock Purdy remains the quarterback for San Francisco, a stable, consistent arm that gets the ball to his receivers and tailbacks behind a solid offensive line. Running back Christian McCaffrey will also be back next to Purdy, after finishing fourth in MVP voting in 2025. At age 30, he is still one of the most impactful backs in the NFL.

Left tackle Trent Williams, who signed a restructured two-year, $50 million contract after a second-team All-Pro season in 2025. Williams leads a line that has three other starters returning and a rookie, Carver Willis, who will compete to play snaps at left guard.

The 49ers brought Raheem Morris back to San Francisco to be their defensive coordinator after Robert Saleh was hired away by the Tennessee Titans to be their head coach. The great news for Morris is that pass-rusher Nick Bosa and middle linebacker Fred Warner, two leaders of the defense, should be back in Week 1 fully healthy, after suffering injuries last season.

San Francisco could not rush the passer in Bosa’s 14-game absence last season, but it was not an awful season for the 49ers’ front. After not re-signing tackles Jordan Elliott and Kalia Davis, they traded a third round pick for Dallas Cowboys’ tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who had 52 pressures last season.

Dre Greenlaw returns to San Francisco after a year with the Denver Broncos to get one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL back together with Warner. Deommodore Lenoir is the No. 1 cornerback for the 49ers next to teammate Renardo Green. Malik Mustapha has earned one safety spot for San Francisco while Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones will compete for the other one.

After releasing Jake Moody, the 49ers signed Eddy Piñeiro to fill the placekicking role last September. Piñeiro was fantastic during the 2025 season and earned himself a four-year, $17 million deal. Long-snapper Jon Weeks, who made his second Pro Bowl appearance last fall, returns at long-snapper and signed punter Corliss Waitman after not re-signing Thomas Morstead. Return specialist Skyy Moore left for the Green Bay Packer but there are multiple options to replace him, including Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick in 2025, who tied an FCS record with eight career punt-return scores and a kickoff-return touchdown.

The San Francisco 49ers can make the playoffs with this roster but there is worry that injuries could derail their season again. The defense looks to be healthy again and should be better as a result in 2026 but it will be up to McCaffrey’s rushing ability to set up the passing game down the field for Purdy, who will look to get it to Evans and Samuel.

Image – Fantasy SP

No. 4 Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
Since Arizona Cardinals won 11 games during the 2021 season, they have only won a combined 19 over the last four seasons, causing them to fire both head coach Jonathan Gannon and get rid of franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who went to their NFC opponent Minnesota Vikings. The Cardinals hired offensive minded Mike LaFleur to replace Gannon.

Arizona enters this season without a clear-cut franchise quarterback for the first time since 2019. Jacoby Brissett is expected to take over at the positional full time, being coached by coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Wide receiver Michael Wilson went from an afterthought to a 1,000 yard target last season, while tight end Trey McBridge set the NFL record for single-season receptions by a tight end (126).

The selection of third round quarterback Carson Beck will loom large for the Cardinals, especially if things go sideways for Brissett behind center. After a disappointing second season, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. must get back on track if he wants to turn his career around. If LaFleur can get Harrison back in the fold as a contributor, the Cardinals’ offense can be more successful in 2026.

Another important draft pick for Arizona was at No. 3 overall, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Love will lead a crowded room that also includes Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Bam Knight. The offensive line was upgraded, with Isaac Seumalo filling a major need at left guard. Second Rond pick Chase Bisontis will get a look at right guard alongside left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and Center Hjalte Froholdt.

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis remains one of the few holdovers from the previous coaching staff. He has a lot to prove in his return after Arizona had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. The Cardinals allowed at least 37 points six times in their final nine games so they have a lot of work to do to be better in 2026.

Outside of Josh Sweat, the pass rush was inconsistent. Sweat posted a career year in his first season in Phoenix, totally 13 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. The other outside linebackers combined for just 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season. If Arizona is going to have a chance in a brutally tough division, they must find someone that get sack the quarterback on the opposite side from Sweat.

Calais Campbell’s exit from the Cardinals is brutal for a defensive line that needs help now. Arizona did bring back Roy Lopez, who should start at nose tackle alongside Walter Nolen III and Darius Robinson. After suffering a rib injury eight games into the 2025 season, Mack Wilson Sr. returns next to Cody Simon, forming the inside linebacker duo.

Will Johnson enters Year 2 of his career, looking to cement himself as cornerback No. 1, after being labeled as one of the steals of the 2025 draft. Denzel Burke and Sterling Thomas V are options to start on the other side of Johnson.The health of nickel cornerback Garrett Williams. Williams tore his achilles late last season which is bad news for the Cardinals because his status will impact the unit greatly. Losing safety Jalen Thompson to the Dallas Cowboys is a big blow but they replaced him with Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson.

Casey Kreiter is the Arizona Cardinals’ first new long-snapper since 2016. Punter Blake Gilkin and placekicker Chase Ryland are both back after last season. Joshua Karty will give Ryland some competition while Devin Duvernay will serve as the return man.

Games that will determine the division
Rams vs. Seahawks (Dec. 25 at Seattle and the final weekend of the regular season at Los Angeles)
If the two battles between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are as entertaining as the three battles between the two teams we got last season, then we are in for a treat. The first matchup will be on Christmas Day in Seattle and if both teams are at the top of the NFC, the meeting two weeks later to end the regular season at SoFi Stadium could be for the NFC West title and the top seed in the conference and a bye for wild card weekend. The Rams and Seahawks should split their two meetings.

Image – AL.com

Top AFC Games
No. 1 Bills at Broncos (Dec. 25)
No. 2 Chiefs at Bills (Nov. 26)
No. 3 Broncos at Patriots (Jan. 2/3)
No. 4 Broncos vs. Chargers (Oct. 11, Jan. 9/10)
No. 5 Broncos vs. Chiefs (Sept. 14, Nov. 1)
No. 6 Bills vs. Patriots (Oct. 4, Dec. 6)
No. 7 Jaguars vs. Texans (Oct. 18, Dec. 20)
No. 8 Bengals vs. Ravens (Oct. 25; Dec. 31)
No. 9 Chargers at Bills (Oct. 18)
No. 10 Ravens vs. Steelers (Dec. 20, Jan. 10)

Image – Roundtable.io

Top NFC Games
No. 1 Rams vs. Seahawks (Dec. 25, Jan. 9/10)
No. 2 Bears at Seahawks (Nov. 2)
No. 3 49ers vs. Rams (Sept. 10, Dec. 13)
No. 4 Bears vs. Packers (Oct. 11, Dec. 25)
No. 5 Cowboys vs. Eagles (Oct. 26, Nov. 26)
No. 6 49ers vs. Seahawks (Oct. 11, Nov. 29)
No. 7 Cowboys at Rams (Dec. 20)
No. 8 Buccaneers vs. Panthers (Oct. 25, Nov. 30)
No. 9 Bears vs. Lions (Nov. 26, Jan. 4)
No. 10 Bears vs. Vikings (Sept. 20, Jan. 9/10)

Projected Playoff Bracket:

Image – PressBoxOnline.com

AFC
No. 1 Broncos (12-5)
No. 2 Bills (11-6)
No. 3 Ravens (10-7)
No. 4 Texans (10-7)
No. 5 Patriots (10-7)
No. 6 Chargers (10-7)
No. 7 Chiefs (9-8)

Image – NBC News

NFC
No. 1 Rams (13-4)
No. 2 Bears (11-6)
No. 3 Eagles (10-7)
No. 4 Buccaneers (9-8)
No. 5 Seahawks (11-6)
No. 6 Cowboys (10-7)
No. 7 Packers (9-8)

Image – Washington Times

Wildcard Round (Saturday-Monday, January 9-11, 2027)

AFC
No. 7 Chiefs over No. 2 Bills
No. 3 Ravens over No. 6 Chargers
No. 4 Patriots over No. 5 Texans

NFC
No. 2 Bears over No. 7 Packers
No. 6 Cowboys over No. 3 Eagles
No. 5 Seahawks over No. 4 Buccaneers

Image – The Denver Post

Divisional Round (Saturday-Sunday, January 16-17, 2027)

AFC
No. 1 Broncos over No. 7 Chiefs
No. 3 Ravens over No. 4 Patriots

NFC
No. 1 Rams over No. 6 Cowboys
No. 2 Bears over No. 5 Seahawks

Image – The Tribe

Conference Championship Round (Sunday, January 30, 2027)

AFC
No. 1 Broncos over No. 3 Ravens

NFC
No. 1 Rams over No. 2 Bears

Image – The Denver Post

Super Bowl LXI (Santa Clara; Sunday, February 14, 2026)
No. 1 Rams over No. 1 Broncos

Projected Super Bowl LXI winner: No. 1 Los Angeles Rams

Image – NFL.com

Awards
MVP: Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
2025 Stats: 404-600, 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 53 carries, 177 yards, 2 touchdowns
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Detroit Lions
2025 Stats: 243 carries, 1,223 yards, 13 touchdowns, 77 receptions, 616 yards, 5 touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Year: Will Anderson, Edge, Houston Texans
2025 Stats: 35 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
2025 Stats: 199 carries, 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns, 27 receptions, 280 yards, 3 touchdowns (at Notre Dame)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Rueben Bain Jr., Outside Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 Stats: 30 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 1 pass defended
Comeback Player of the Year: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
2025 Stats: 18 receptions, 271 yards, 2 touchdowns
Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears

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