With the 2026 NFL season just around the corner, let’s have some fun and make some predictions. Below are my projected standings for all eight divisions, my playoff field and postseason predictions, and my picks for this year’s major NFL awards. Obviously, plenty will change once the season gets underway, but here is how I see the 2026 season playing out.
Division Predictions
NFC North Standings
- Lions 11-6 (NFC No. 2 Seed)
- Bears 9-8
- Packers 8-9
- Vikings 8-9
It pains me as a Packer fan, but I’m going with my brain here and not my heart. The Lions still have a really good roster and have by far the easiest schedule of the four teams. Bears have the toughest schedule in the league, Packers fourth toughest, Vikings 11th toughest, Lions… 27th toughest. I like Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson a lot, but that tough schedule combined with a defense that was reliant on turnovers last season has me a little worried. For the Packers, it’s not only the schedule, but not having their best player Micah Parsons for likely the first 4-6 weeks is the major concern. Remember, the Packers did not win a game last year (0-4) after Parsons’ injury. The Vikings should have better QB play with Kyler Murray under center, but I expect this to be a hard-fought division, so I still have them finishing fourth, albeit with the same record as the Packers.
NFC East Standings
- Cowboys 11-6 (NFC No. 3 Seed)
- Giants 10-7 (NFC No. 6 Seed)
- Eagles 9-8
- Commanders 7-10
I have the Cowboys winning the NFC East as I expect this defense to improve with the addition of Caleb Downs in the draft, and now having a DT duo of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark for the entire season. Dallas’ offense should be one of the best in the league again, too. The Giants take a big leap under John Harbaugh with their talented young roster and get a wild card spot. For the Eagles, I think their offense may take some time to get going with yet another new offensive coordinator and the loss of A.J. Brown at WR. The defense is loaded for Philly, so they may make me look dumb here having them outside the playoff picture. The Commanders should be much improved too if Daniels can stay healthy, but I expect this to be a tough division so even with that thought I have them finishing in last. And similar to Philly, Daniels and the Washington offense are also working with a new offensive coordinator. In general though, I think the Giants and Commanders will be much better competition this year.
NFC South Standings
- Saints 10-7 (NFC No. 4 Seed)
- Panthers 9-8
- Buccaneers 8-9
- Falcons 6-11
Similar to the Lions in the NFC North, I have the Saints going from worst to first in their division. I really liked how Tyler Shough looked, especially down the stretch. And I expect both him and head coach Kellen Moore to improve in year two. The Saints also have the second easiest schedule in the league for 2026, and actually finished last season 4-1 in their last five games. I have the Bucs finishing 8-9 again, as I don’t see a ton of improvement from their side, especially with Vita Vea now unhappy and asking to be traded. Not good at all. (Update: Vita Vea agreed to a one-year extension with the Bucs worth $30 million. Now signed through 2027 season). I actually love what the Panthers have done, but they have a brutal stretch on their schedule so I think they barely miss the playoffs after winning this division last year. For the Falcons, I don’t trust that QB room in terms of both talent and health. I’m projecting a last place finish for them even with a lot of talent on the roster elsewhere.
NFC West Standings
- Rams 14-3 (NFC No. 1 Seed)
- Seahawks 11-6 (NFC No. 5 Seed)
- 49ers 10-7 (NFC No. 7 Seed)
- Cardinals 3-14
The Rams are absolutely loaded. There’s really nothing more to add there, and I have them as the top seed in the NFC. Then you have the defending champs Seahawks who I expect to be very good again even with the loss of Kenneth Walker III. The 49ers already dealing with mounting injuries at camp does scare me. I mean shit, even coach Kyle Shanahan is hurt after his car accident. But this team did deal with a lot of injuries last year and still finished 12-5. So honestly maybe I’m selling them short here in terms of wins. But Christian McCaffrey did just turn 30 too, so we’ll see if he can stay healthy for a full season again and repeat what he did in 2025. The Cardinals are just bad right now and stuck in a nightmare division. I expect a second straight 3-win season from them as they likely go 0-6 in divisional play.
AFC North Standings
- Ravens 12-5 (AFC No. 3 Seed)
- Bengals 11-6 (AFC No. 5 Seed)
- Steelers 8-9
- Browns 5-12
I would be very surprised if we don’t see the Ravens get back on track with a very motivated Lamar Jackson. Speaking of motivation, I’m sure newly acquired Raven Trey Hendrickson can’t wait to show the Bengals why they were foolish to never give him a long-term deal. He will instantly help what was a surprisingly poor Ravens pass rush. However, the Bengals added a stud themselves when they traded for Dexter Lawrence. If Burrow stays healthy, I think we finally see the Bengals back in the playoffs with what should be an improved defense. I mean, it can’t get much worse. Unless the Steel Curtain returns, I don’t see the Steelers making too much noise with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. And the Browns were smart to move on from Myles Garrett for a young Jared Verse and picks, but this team sucked with superstar Myles Garrett getting 23 sacks last year. No reason to believe they will be anything but bad again this year without him. Maybe in a few years for the Browns, but who knows with that organization.
AFC East Standings
- Bills 13-4 (AFC No. 1 Seed)
- Patriots 10-7
- Jets 4-13
- Dolphins 3-14
The AFC East will be the Bills vs the Patriots, and I got the Bills back in the top spot. The addition of DJ Moore should be huge for Josh Allen and this offense. I actually think the Moore trade is being a little overlooked since he didn’t have his best season last year in Chicago. But I think Moore is going to be vital for this team. As for the Patriots, they don’t have that favorable schedule they had in 2025. But they should still be a solid team for sure, and added a WR of their own in A.J. Brown. Just like Moore for the Bills, Brown should boost that offense for the Pats that at times was carried by the defense. Although, I have the reigning AFC champs just outside the playoffs in what I anticipate to be a really tight AFC Wild Card race. The Jets are the Jets and the Dolphins have a new QB in Malik Willis, a new head coach in Jeff Hafley, and traded their best WR in Jaylen Waddle. I don’t expect the Jets or Dolphins to do much other than lose this year.
AFC South Standings
- Texans 11-6 (AFC No. 4 Seed)
- Jaguars 10-7
- Titans 8-9
- Colts 6-11
I think this is going to be quite the battle between the Texans and Jaguars for the AFC South crown. I’m giving an edge to the Texans finishing first because of that incredible defense that may just be the best in the league. Whereas on the Jacksonville side, who won this division last year, they lost first-team All-Pro LB Devin Lloyd and RB Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. Liam Coen appears to be a great coach for this team, but similar to the Pats I have the Jags as a 10-win team just outside the playoffs. The Titans should be much better in QB Cam Ward’s second year. Tennessee added WR Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, WR Carnell Tate with the fourth pick in the draft, and I like the hiring of Brian Daboll as this team’s offensive coordinator. People may be surprised by my Colts pick, but I do not trust Daniel Jones. I know he started last year hot, but he did come back to Earth a bit as his last two games before the injury were his two lowest yardage games of the season. I just haven’t seen enough from Jones in his career to be excited about him as a franchise QB. And now he’s coming off a torn Achilles. How Alec Pierce handles WR1 duties with Michael Pittman Jr. gone is a huge question mark too. I have concerns about the Colts.
AFC West Standings
- Broncos 13-4 (AFC No. 2 Seed)
- Chargers 10-7 (AFC No. 6 Seed)
- Chiefs 10-7 (AFC No. 7 Seed)
- Raiders 5-11
I like the reigning AFC West champs to repeat in 2026. Losing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers to the Titans in free agency hurts, but trading for Jaylen Waddle certainly helps ease that pain. I think this top 5 defense can survive the Franklin-Myers departure and still be elite, and Waddle is a great addition for Sean Payton and this offense. The Chargers are a better overall team than the Chiefs, but I still foresee a tough battle simply because of Patrick Mahomes. If Mahomes plays at his MVP-level, they likely win more than ten games. I have both the Chargers and Chiefs getting in as wild cards. I just have a hard time seeing two consecutive NFL Playoffs without Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Raiders have made some nice moves this offseason, including selecting hopeful franchise QB Fernando Mendoza first overall. I think the Raiders may be building something good out in Las Vegas, but right now it is not their time. And they play in a division with three other teams capable of competing right now.
Playoff Predictions
NFC Playoff Seeds
- Rams 14-3
- Lions 11-6
- Cowboys 11-6
- Saints 10-7
- Seahawks 11-6
- Giants 10-7
- 49ers 10-7
AFC Playoff Seeds
- Bills 13-4
- Broncos 13-4
- Ravens 12-5
- Texans 11-6
- Bengals 11-6
- Chargers 10-7
- Chiefs 10-7
Wild Card Round
(7) 49ers @ (2) Lions → Lions win
(6) Giants @ (3) Cowboys → Cowboys win
(5) Seahawks @ (4) Saints → Seahawks win
(7) Chiefs @ (2) Broncos → Chiefs win
(6) Chargers @ (3) Ravens → Ravens win
(5) Bengals @ (4) Texans → Bengals win
Divisional Round
(5) Seahawks @ (1) Rams → Rams win
(3) Cowboys @ (2) Lions → Cowboys win (yes, I really do have Dallas making the NFC Championship)
(7) Chiefs @ (1) Bills → Bills win
(5) Bengals @ (3) Ravens → Bengals win
Conference Championships
(3) Cowboys @ (1) Rams → Rams win
(5) Bengals @ (1) Bills → Bills win
Super Bowl Prediction
Bills defeat the Rams to win Super Bowl LXI
Award Predictions
2026 NFL MVP
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
I swear, I actually am a Packer fan and not a Cowboy fan. After this MVP pick and me having Dallas finally make an NFC Championship game again, you may not believe me. But I really think this is the year the Cowboys may break the mold. First off, Dak has been part of MVP discussions before. Including finishing second in 2023 behind Lamar Jackson. And if Pickens and Lamb can both stay healthy this full year, look for Dak to put up some great numbers this season.
2026 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
I’m not going out on a limb here, as Chase may very well be the best WR in football. If Joe Burrow can stay healthy this season, I expect a 1,500+ yard season and double-digit TDs from Chase.
2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions
Hutchinson actually cracked the top 5 in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season with 14.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. And that was coming off a 2024 season where he broke his fibula and tibia. He was on a torrid pace in 2024 before the injury, too. Now more than a full season removed from that broken leg, I’m picking him to walk away as Defensive Player of the Year in 2026.
2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans
Tate was the top-rated WR in the 2026 draft, and was selected fourth overall by the Titans. I think he is going to do wonders for second-year QB Cam Ward. I project Tate will immediately become Ward’s go-to guy, and I’m also projecting Tate tops 1,000 receiving yards his rookie season.
2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders
If you look back at what position typically wins this award, it is almost always a pass rusher or defensive back. Ironically though, just last season it was middle linebacker Carson Schwesinger for the Browns. I think we see that trend continue as Styles was a beast at Ohio State, and is already getting rave reviews from camp. He’s going to be a cornerstone on that Washington defense for a long time, with or without this award.
2026 NFL Coach of the Year
Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints
I don’t think the Saints are on many people’s radar. Which is exactly why I like Moore here. This award typically goes to a coach whose team, by most people’s belief, overachieved. And since I have the Saints going from worst to first in division, I like this selection.
2026 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Let’s face it, this dude is coming back. I refuse to believe he’s doing all of this to in the end just be like “nah, I’m good actually.” And if he comes back and is even remotely close to his former self, how can you not give him Comeback Player of the Year after taking two seasons off?
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways this season could play out, and I’m sure some of these predictions will look pretty awful in February. But for now, these are my picks for how the NFL season will unfold, from the division standings all the way to the Super Bowl and major awards. Regardless of how many I get right or wrong, there is one fact we should all be excited about. Football is almost back!
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Have a take on this? Leave a comment below.