The 2026 NFL regular season runs from September 9th until January 10th 2027.
The Playoffs start on January 16th, with Super Bowl LXI on February 14th at SoFi Stadium. Inglewood, California. The home of both the LA Rams and the LA Chargers.
Below are my final division table predictions, also conference finals and Super Bowl predictions
BUFFALO BILLS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
NEW YORK JETS
MIAMI DOPLPHINS
The Buffalo Bills expected a sixth straight division title and a run to the Super Bowl last year. But lost the division to the Patriots and exited the playoffs to Denver. That must have lit a fire under them for this season, with Josh Allen (QB) still in top form, James Cook (RB), who had the most rushing yards in the NFL and Dion Dawkins (OT).
The New England Patriots surprised by winning the division with the joint-best record and reaching another Super Bowl. However, they couldn’t get past Seattle. They will go again with last season’s highest passer rating, Drake Maye (QB), Christian Gonzalez (CB) and newly acquired players: Kevin Byard (S), who had the most interceptions last season.
Although the New York Jets have had a torrid few years, the rumour is this year is their chance to show real progress after last year’s joint worst record in the NFL, with the experience of the new man, Geno Smith (QB), the quality of Garrett Wilson (WR) and the newly acquired Demario Davis (LB).
After a failed franchise QB choice in Tua and the devastating injury and release of Tyreek Hill. It’s all change in the Miami Dolphins’ back office and on the field. In a new rebuild, they have chosen Malik Willis (QB) to lead. He will be supported by the talented De’Von Achane (RB) and Jordyn Brooks (LB), who had the most combined tackles last season.
DALLAS COWBOYS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
NEW YORK GIANTS
In the last five years, the Dallas Cowboys traded division titles with the Eagles. Their last win was in 2023, and I am tipping them to take the division this year after missing out on the playoffs last year. They will need Dak Prescott (QB) to be in form, along with George Pickings (WR) and CeeDee Lamb (WR).
Although they won the division last year, the Philadelphia Eagles went out in the first round of the playoffs, and the talk is their Golden Era could be winding down. However, with a squad still full of quality, they could still prove the talk wrong with Saquon Barkley (RB) and Jalen Carter (DT), led by the experience of Jalen Hurts (QB).
The New York Giants will hope that the only way is up, after winning just seven games in the last two years. Although not much is expected, the hierarchy expects some improvement with the emergence of Brian Burns (LB) and Andrew Thomas (OT), with leadership from Jaxson Dart (QB).
Not much is expected from the Washington Commanders, and there is some debate whether they will even improve on winning more than the five games they won last year. However, this may work in their favour with less pressure, and they will look to Jayden Daniels (QB) to lead the team with Laremy Tunsil (OT) and Terry McLaurin (WR).
BALTIMORE RAVENS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baltimore Ravens missed the playoffs last year after previously being back-to-back division champions. That should motivate them to win the division and go deep into the playoffs, with Derrick Henry (RB), Kyle Hamilton (S), and the talented Lamar Jackson (QB) leading the charge.
I debated this for a while; however, after three underwhelming seasons, the general feeling is that the Cincinnati Bengals are primed for a good season, especially with the quality of Ja’Marr Chase (WR) and Joe Burrow (QB), who will hope to get further support from Dexter Lawrence II (OT).
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers won the division and reached the playoffs in five of the last six years, they could be on the downward slide. However, they will be motivated after their huge first-round playoff defeat last year, with TJ Watt (LB), Jalen Ramsey (S) and the experience of Aaron Rodgers (QB).
Small improvements are the name of the game for the Cleveland Browns, who have finished last in this division for two years, with a combined eight wins. But the signs look positive with the superb acquisition of Jared Verse (DE), DROTY Carson Schwesinger (LB), and Deshaun Watson (QB).
DETROIT LIONS
CHICAGO BEARS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINNISOTA VIKINGS
After winning back-to-back division titles and tipped to make it a triple, the Detroit Lions surprised everyone by finishing at the bottom of the division. That embarrassment should spur them on to getting back to their bruising best. They will look to Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Amon-Ra St.Brown (WR), and the leadership of Jared Goff (QB).
The Chicago Bears were last year’s surprise team. After finishing bottom of the division three years in a row, they not only won the division, but narrowly lost in the second round of the playoffs. That will give them confidence this year, led by Caleb Williams (QB), with protector of the year Joe Thuney (G) and Montez Sweat (DE).
Although they have reached the playoffs in five of the last six years, the Green Bay Packers may be on the slide. However, they have experience, know-how and some top talent in Michal Parsons (DE), Xavier McKinney (S), and Jordan Love (QB).
I surprised myself with this, but this is a strong division, and someone has to finish last. But the Minnesota Vikings, are capable of beating every team in this division, and it will be interesting to see, especially with the mercurial talents of Justin Jefferson (WR), supported by Andre Van Ginkel (LB) and Kyler Murray (QB).
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
HOUSTON TEXANS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
TENNESSEE TITANS
The Jacksonville Jaguars snapped Houston’s two-year winning streak last season with their record most wins in a regular season. However, the first-round playoff defeat will motivate their leader Trevor Lawrence (QB), as well as Josh Hinds-Allen (DE) and Foyesade Oluokun (LB).
I expect another exciting shootout for this division, with the Houston Texans looking to take back the title. They showed their quality in the playoffs, beating the Steelers but just coming up short against the Patriots. They will look for another run with Will Anderson Jr. (DE). Derek Stingley (CB) and led by C.J. Stroud (QB).
In the last two seasons, the Indianapolis Colts went 8-9, and before that they went 9-8. I expect something very similar this year, but I am sure they will hope to at least end with a winning record, with Jonathan Taylor (RB), who had the most touchdowns last year. Also, Quenton Nelson (G) and led by Daniel Jones (QB).
Bringing up the rare, as they have in the last three seasons, the Tennessee Titans will hope to improve on their record of winning just three games in each of the last two seasons. Although they have a big ask, there is room for improvement. However, they will need the likes of Jeffery Simmons (DE) and Tony Pollard (RB), with Cam Ward (QB).
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
ATLANTA FALCONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed a fourth consecutive division title following a three-way tie at 8-9, ultimately losing it after their January defeat to the Falcons. However, they are determined to reclaim what is theirs with the support of Tristan Wirfs (OT), Antoine Winfield Jr. (S), and Baker Mayfield (QB).
The Atlanta Falcons have not won this division since 2016; losing to the Panthers in the regular season cost them the division last season. However, with the level in this division, they could surprise. Especially with the quality of Bijan Robinson (RB), Drake London (WR) and former Miami man Tua Tagovailoa (QB), with something to prove.
After finishing bottom twice in four years, then winning it, I doubt the Carolina Panthers will see back-to-back division titles. But nobody can take away their achievement, and they also pushed the Rams all the way in the playoffs. They are led by Bryce Young (QB), with the newly acquired Devin Lloyd (LB) and OROTY Tetairoa McMillian (WR).
Even the New Orleans Saints have a chance in this division due to its poor level. However, they finished bottom in the last two years, and although they were two wins away from making it a four-way tie at the top, nobody is convinced of their chances. But they will look to newly traded Travis Etienne (RB), Cameron Jordan (DE) and Tyler Shough (QB).
DENVER BRONCOS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
It took recording the joint-best record in the NFL for the Denver Broncos to snap the Chiefs’ nine-year winning streak in this division. But they lost the Conference Championship Game to New England. Now they are back for another run with Patrick Surtain II (CB), Nik Bonitto (LB) and hopefully a fit Bo Nix (QB).
After their dominance in this division and a Super Bowl dynasty, winning just six games last year and not making the playoffs for the first time in ten years must have hurt the Kansas City Chiefs. The question is, do they still got it? They need all the talents of their leader, Patrick Mahomes (QB), along with Chris Jones (DT) and Travis Kelce (TE).
The Los Angeles Chargers have finished as runners-up in three of the last four years and want to forget their disappointing playoff defeat, where they scored only a field goal against New England. To compete this season, they will need performances from Justin Herbert (QB), Derwin James (S) and Tuli Tuipulotu (LB).
Recording just three games last season, the Las Vegas Raiders really struggled and finished bottom for the second season in a row. In the five years since relocating from Oakland, they have finished with a winning record once. So, will desperately need the likes of Maxx Crosby (DE), Brock Bowers (TD) and Kirk Cousins (QB) to perform.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Two seasons ago, the Los Angeles Rams won the division but lost to eventual winners the Eagles. Last year, they lost the Conference Final to eventual winners Seattle. They have recruited well, with defensive POTY Myles Garrett. Led by last season’s MVP Matthew Stafford (QB), the passing-yards and passing-touchdowns leader, and Puka Nacua (WR), the pass-reception leader.
In what was the strongest division in the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks emerged from the regular season with the joint best record, then steamrolled the competition in the playoffs to win their second Super Bowl. Can they do it again? It’s definitely possible, led by Sam Darnold (QB), with offensive POTY Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) and Ernest Jones (LB).
Last season, the San Francisco 49ers finished with the same record as the Rams and then impressively beat the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. But then ran into Seattle and were well beaten. They will be eager to erase that memory, with comeback player of the year Christian McCaffrey (RB), George Kittle (TE), and Brock Purdy (QB).
Finishing bottom of this division in three of the last four years, nobody will envy the Arizona Cardinals. They finished with the joint-worst record last year, and the last time they ended with a winning record was in 2021. To improve, they will need the talents of Trey McBride (TE), Josh Sweat (LB) and Jacoby Brissett (QB).
CONFERENCE FINALS
AFC: BUFFALO BILLS VS DENVER BRONCOS
NFC: LOS ANGELES RAMS VS DETROIT LIONS
SUPERBOWL LXI
BUFFALO BILLS VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
