The 2026 NFL schedule is set to be released soon, with teams preparing for offseason activities. Predictions for team records are being made ahead of the regular season, which starts in under four months.
Key points
The 2026 NFL schedule will be released soon.
Teams are preparing for offseason training activities.
Contract extensions for key players may be on the horizon.
Teams need to trim rosters to a 53-man limit.
Predictions for team performance are being made ahead of the season.
Mentioned in this story
Matthew StaffordPuka NacuaC.J. StroudJahmyr GibbsBijan RobinsonA.J. Brown
The full 2026 NFL schedule has yet to be released.
However, all 18 weeks of regular-season action will be laid out soon, and with just under four months until the start of the regular season, it's never too early to look ahead.
In the coming days, teams will begin their offseason training activities (OTAs), setting the stage for mandatory minicamps in June. There are still roster decisions to make as teams work to trim their current squads down to the 53-man limit for the regular season.
Additionally, there is a lot of offseason intrigue to consider over the next few months. Contract extensions may be on the horizon for several key players, including Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, C.J. Stroud, Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, among others. A.J. Brown's future in Philadelphia remains uncertain, and there is still a lengthy list of veteran free agents available.
As teams navigate through the summer and the rest of the offseason, more deals and transactions are likely to occur. In the meantime, it’s never too early to predict how each team will perform during the regular season.
Here are our predictions for each NFL team's regular-season record in 2026:
What key players might receive contract extensions before the 2026 NFL season?
Key players like Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, C.J. Stroud, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson may receive contract extensions before the 2026 NFL season.
When will the 2026 NFL regular season officially begin?
The 2026 NFL regular season is set to begin in just under four months from now.
What offseason activities are NFL teams engaging in before the 2026 season?
NFL teams are beginning their offseason training activities (OTAs) and will have mandatory minicamps in June as they prepare for the 2026 season.
How many weeks will the 2026 NFL regular season consist of?
The 2026 NFL regular season will consist of 18 weeks of action.
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At first glance, the Ravens feel like a prime candidate to take a step back after the departure of John Harbaugh and some key players. Then you look again and realize Baltimore still has a two-time NFL MVP at quarterback, a freight train at running back and plenty of talent across the field.
Trey Hendrickson will provide a boost to the pass rush and there's a chance that Nnamdi Madubuike is back in the fold after a neck injury that was previously believed to be career-threatening. Regardless, the focus remains largely on Harbaugh and his firing, but perhaps it was for the best.
Jesse Minter was one of the top coaching candidates available and has coordinated a pair of Chargers' defenses that ranked top-10 in fewest points allowed during his two seasons. He might be unproven as a head coach, but he certainly isn't as a coordinator. Minter also has a history with the organization dating back to his run as an assistant from 2017 to 2020.
Given that the coach might not have the standard learning curve for the position, he should hit the ground running. Couple that with the fact that the Ravens have a relatively easy schedule on paper and you have a recipe for success. Baltimore remains the AFC North's best until proven otherwise. - Nick Brinkerhoff
The Bengals are sneaking up on some people in 2026 and should re-establish themselves as a formidable AFC contender if Joe Burrow can stay healthy. Cincinnati's defense allowed 28.9 points per game in 2025, ranking 31st in the league. The team retained defensive coordinator Al Golden but made significant changes to the personnel on that side of the ball this offseason.
The team signed defensive end Boye Mafe, safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Duggar and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Their biggest addition came when they traded the tenth overall pick in April's draft to the New York Giants for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The Bengals run out one of the league's most elite duos at wide receiver every week with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Additionally, they re-signed tight end Mike Gesicki, giving Burrow plenty of receiving options. Running back Chase Brown is quietly becoming a dangerous weapon out of the backfield.
The Bengals have an easy path in 2026, ranking third-easiest strength-of-schedule league-wide, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Due to the Bengals' third-place finish in the division last season, they get a home matchup with the Chiefs, along with road matchups against the Dolphins and Commanders. Just five of their 17 games will be against 2025 playoff teams, two of which will be against the Steelers. Burrow will put up MVP numbers, and Cincinnati will take advantage of four matchups against a feeble NFC South and six games in the AFC North that appears to be undergoing a power shift. - Tom Viera
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-9
Following their most recent campaign, head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after leading the Steelers through 19 consecutive non-losing seasons. Pittsburgh's decision to replace Tomlin with a veteran head coach – the offensive-minded Mike McCarthy – was a notable pivot from their normal MO of young, up-and-coming defensive coordinators.
That surprising shift in mindset makes the seemingly inevitable decision to run things back with Aaron Rodgers even more confusing. Rodgers had an average depth of target (ADOT) ranking fourth-lowest among passers with at least 150 dropbacks. How will Pittsburgh deploy its new receiving weapons successfully with an aging quarterback? And if they end up surprising everyone by moving on without Rodgers, what is their solution behind center? Rookie Drew Allar? Second-year Will Howard? Veteran Mason Rudolph? None are sure upgrades.
The Steelers are also playing a first-place schedule that has them matched up with the 2025 AFC finalists – the Broncos and Patriots – and the Eagles. Pittsburgh could find itself suffering its first losing season since 2003. - Jack McKessy
Once again, the Browns are in transition mode. New head coach Todd Monken continues to say all the right things, but whether that translates to wins remains to be seen. At the very least, it won't solve the quarterback issues that are likely to be the Browns' undoing again in 2026.
Cleveland knows it has a defense capable of winning now, but don't discount the loss of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator. Instead, it'll be Mike Rutenberg taking over that spot. The new DC is an unknown who has never held that position before and has a high bar to clear, given the success of the Browns' defense under Schwartz. Don't be so quick to pencil them in as a top unit again.
If we look beyond the present for just a moment, we can see that this offseason was all about building for the future. The Browns invested in pass-catchers like KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, as well as an offensive lineman in Spencer Fano during the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a developmental year for the young Browns, who should be in position to add a top quarterback prospect next offseason.
The most important wins for the Browns won't show up in the standings in 2026. - Nick Brinkerhoff
These 2026 Patriots don't have the ridiculously easy strength of schedule that the 2025 iteration did, but they can still pencil in two to four wins against the seemingly less-than-competitive Dolphins and Jets. Adding in a split with the Bills gives New England three to five wins just from in-division games.
Finding six more wins on New England's schedule is an easier task than it may have been when their season ended after Super Bowl 60, thanks to some savvy offseason moves.
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs joins the receiving corps for Drake Maye, while offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker, Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover will keep the quarterback protected up front. Third-round rookie Eli Raridon provides Maye with an extra pass-catcher and blocker as well. Defensively, New England prioritized its pass rush with Dre'Mont Jones in free agency and Gabe Jacas in the draft. - Jack McKessy
Like the Patriots, the Bills can pencil in a handful of divisional wins against the AFC East's bottom two teams. However, Buffalo faces more uncertainty than the Patriots when it comes to stacking up wins. The team fired head coach Sean McDermott after the season only to replace him with offensive coordinator Joe Brady – not much of a drastic change.
Buffalo's offseason featured some solid moves: signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb and trading for wide receiver DJ Moore. In the draft, the Bills invested heavily in their defense, adding three DBs, an edge rusher and an inside linebacker. But Buffalo has a tough schedule with matchups against the AFC West and NFC North. The Bills also play the Rams and Texans on the road and the Ravens at home. - Jack McKessy
New York Jets: 6-11
On paper, the Jets come into the year with the fifth-easiest schedule in the league, according to Sharp Football Analysis. In reality, this is still a team that won three games a season ago and it would be crazy to expect a miracle from Aaron Glenn's group.
This is all about moving in the right direction toward selecting a potential franchise quarterback who will change the game in 2027. For now, New York will try to develop a solid group of young talent and lean on the veterans to get them there. At that point, you could make the case that the Jets are among the best landing spots for any rookie signal-caller in the upcoming draft.
The Jets can pick up some wins against the league's bottom feeders, like the Dolphins, Browns, Raiders, Cardinals and Titans, but they are outmatched against better competition. If things go better than expected, there's a chance this team pushes for a playoff spot later in the season with a sneaky talented roster. Of course, it all depends on health and what they get from Smith.
History says not to expect much, but the Jets aren't trying to win a Super Bowl in 2026. They are simply trying to win back some respect and this team is more than capable of that. - Nick Brinkerhoff
The Dolphins missed the playoffs for a second straight season, going 7-10 in 2025. Their solution was to blow everything up. General manager Chris Grier left the team after Week 9, and the team fired head coach Mike McDaniel after the season. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan promptly finished what owner Stephen Ross had started and continued to strip down the team by blowing up the roster.
With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick all released or traded away, the 2026 Dolphins will look very different from the 2025 squad. Even with a promising new quarterback in Malik Willis and thirteen new players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami seems pretty clearly set up to take a significant step backward record-wise this year. - Jack McKessy
The Jaguars were one of the biggest surprise successes of the 2025 season. In head coach Liam Coen's first year with the offense, Jacksonville ranked sixth in the NFL in points per game.
As the Jaguars prepare for 2026, they'll do so with the aim of taking another step forward in Coen's offense. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looked like the best version of himself last year, and he'll be re-joined by wideouts Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers for another season.
With matchups against the AFC North and NFC East ahead, we're expecting Jacksonville to take advantage of clashes with rebuilding defenses. - Jack McKessy
Houston Texans: 10-7
The Houston Texans went 12-5 and returned to the playoffs for the third consecutive season despite failing to win the AFC South. C.J. Stroud will look to bounce back after struggling in the postseason.
Nico Collins highlights his receiving weapons while second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are expected to take on larger roles. Meanwhile, Tank Dell is expected to return after missing the 2025 season. Houston traded for veteran running back David Montgomery this offseason.
The Jaguars are expected to be among the AFC contenders but the Titans are still rebuilding and several question marks surround the Colts. They will face the AFC North and NFC East in non-divisional play. Outside of that, Houston plays fellow second-place finishers the Bills, Packers and Chargers. None of those will be easy contests, even with the latter two games being played at home. Still, with the league's best defense, the Texans should remain above. 500 with ease despite likely not besting their 12-5 season last year. Even if the defense takes a step back, the offense should take a step forward. - Tom Viera
Indianapolis Colts: 8-9
Indianapolis lost eight of its last nine games and seven in a row to end the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones also tore his Achilles in Week 14, and the Colts tried unsuccessfully to save the season by signing the previously retired Philip Rivers to start behind center.
In the offseason, the Colts re-signed Jones and receiver Alec Pierce while parting ways with wideout Michael Pittman Jr. The biggest question now facing the team is whether Jones will continue playing well in head coach Shane Steichen's offense in 2026, after experiencing a career resurgence in 2025. - Jack McKessy
It's easy to be excited about the Titans. They have new jerseys, a somewhat new roster and a brand-new coaching staff. The vibes are high, but vibes don't win games and that is the issue for the Titans in 2026.
Barring a huge second-year leap from Cam Ward, Tennessee is the third-best team in the AFC South at best with no dominant unit to boost their outlook. Matchups loom against the NFC East and AFC North, which promise to be physical matchups with no clear wins against any of those eight teams. Yet the biggest issue for Tennessee remains an in-house one – the roster is still very much under construction.
The Titans lack an explosive rushing attack, so success likely falls to Ward's right arm. Can Carnell Tate be a WR1 right away? How will Wan'Dale Robinson fare with a heavy workload and even more attention from opposing defenses?
At the end of the day, Tennessee sports a roster that is still firmly in rebuild mode, with a coaching staff that lacks a proven track record of winning. It all adds up to some marginal improvement from a three-win season in 2025, but nothing more. - Nick Brinkerhoff
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers: 12-5
The Chargers have earned 11 wins in back-to-back seasons under Jim Harbaugh. With second-year running back Omarion Hampton and standout tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back healthy, the Chargers are a team that can be serious contenders. The addition of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel should help innovate and improve what was a basic offense, and also help Justin Herbert reach a new level in his career. The loss of former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter hurts the Chargers’ defense, but the unit should still be strong with the likes of Khalil Mack, Derwin James and Tuli Tuipulotu. - Tyler Dragon
The AFC West has its work cut out for it with matchups scheduled against the stacked NFC West this season. In addition, the Broncos might face some additional challenges in their division. All three other teams are potentially set for an improved 2026 season after dealing with various issues in 2025.
Denver made one of the biggest moves of the offseason when it traded for Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle to bolster the receiving corps. That should help quarterback Bo Nix take another step forward after his strong second season. However, concerns about his ankle injury and the Broncos' potentially more difficult schedule make it hard to anticipate a record that matches (or surpasses) their 14-win 2025 record. - Jack McKessy
Kansas City Chiefs: 9-8
Kansas City has something to prove in 2026 after not only losing its streak of AFC West titles but failing to miss the playoffs entirely in 2025. The Chiefs started their offseason with a bang by signing reigning Super Bowl MVP and running back Kenneth Walker. The move proved the team's commitment to improving the run game after a rough year for the rushing offense.
That move, plus the other ones Kansas City made in free agency and the draft to improve its defense, gives the Chiefs an improved outlook in 2026. Like the other teams in their division, they face an uphill battle to improve their record, given the difficulty of the AFC West and NFC West opponents on their schedule. Playing both the Rams and Seahawks on the road is an especially tough draw for the Chiefs coming off of their down year. - Jack McKessy
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
An improvement upon the Raiders' bottom-of-the-league 3-14 record feels inevitable this season. After poor quarterback play helped contribute to that disastrous record, Las Vegas was able to use the coveted No. 1 overall pick to draft a new signal-caller in Fernando Mendoza. He joins running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers and offensive-minded rookie head coach Klint Kubiak in the desert.
The Raiders' potential leap forward is hindered by the toughness of their schedule. In addition to contending with three tough teams in their division, they have to play against the stacked NFC West this year. Their fourth-place schedule doesn't help much either, as it sets them up to play the Titans and Saints – two teams prepping for their own leaps forward with promising second-year quarterbacks. - Jack McKessy
The Falcons have a new head coach and a new general manager. Might they also have a new quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa? Or will Michael Penix Jr. return from another knee injury and keep his hold on the starting job? Were the offseason wide receiver additions (Jahan Dotson, an Olamide Zaccheaus reunion and third-round pick Zachariah Branch) enough to help out whoever wins that quarterback job? Only time will tell.
The biggest question is whether the Falcons will be able to keep pace with their NFC South peers in 2026. The Panthers just won the division and had one of the best offseasons of any team. The Buccaneers still have a talented roster built up around quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Saints might take the biggest leap of the group in 2026 with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and free agency addition Travis Etienne. - Jack McKessy
The Panthers snuck their way into the postseason despite a losing record (8-9) and needing help on the final day of the regular season to win the NFC South. They were bounced in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams, but the eight regular-season wins were the most by the franchise since 2017. A move in the right direction with Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales.
The NFC South finally saw a change after four seasons with the Buccaneers at the top, but it's hard to argue that Tampa Bay isn't still the team to beat in the division. Carolina has some momentum with Young and his top wide receiver, reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, but the defense has some question marks behind the pillars of Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn. The unit still has significant weaknesses, ranking 24th in ESPN's pass-rush win-rate metric and 32nd in run-stop win rate.
As a result of finishing first in the NFC South last season, the Panthers will face fellow division winners the Eagles, Broncos and Seahawks. Carolina has the third-hardest strength-of-schedule overall, according to Sharp Football Analysis. They are set to take on teams from the AFC North and NFC North on top of their six division matchups. If they can find a way to sweep the Saints and Falcons they will be in a position to compete with the Buccaneers for the division title again. However, the rest of their opponents are daunting outside of a road clash against the Browns. - Tom Viera
The Bucs are teetering on the edge of a rebuild following the departure of Mike Evans and the retirement of Lavonte David this offseason. Tampa missed the playoffs for the first time under Todd Bowles, but they play in a division that is only getting stronger and can't waltz into the postseason with nine or 10 wins anymore. It's a make-or-break season for Baker Mayfield, who is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. His level of play will determine how far this team goes.
On the defensive side, Tampa will cross its fingers and hope for a consistent pass rush. If Rueben Bain Jr. can step in right away and improve that front, then the Bucs might have a higher ceiling. And, as always, health remains the big key after a season of injuries ruined the 2025 campaign.
The schedule is unforgiving though and Tampa feels like a team trending in the wrong direction while their NFC South foes move in the right direction. They will remain consistent and hover around .500, which will be enough for the team to consider a reset next offseason. - Nick Brinkerhoff
New Orleans Saints: 7-10
The Saints posted a 6-11 record in 2025, but were 5-4 in starts made by Tyler Shough. New Orleans continued to add in the offseason, inking deals with Travis Etienne, Kaden Elliss and others in free agency before topping it off with selecting Jordyn Tyson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's important to remember that the division is far from difficult, even as it improves. There are clear spots where they should stack wins, especially against the Cardinals, Browns and Raiders. If they split some division games and add an upset, that is your path to seven wins. New Orleans could easily reach eight victories or approach double digits if they sweep a division foe.
Success in 2026 all comes down to Shough and whether he can build off what was a solid rookie season. There will still be some bumps in the road, but this is a team on the rise and seven wins should be considered the floor as they continue to build towards contending again. - Nick Brinkerhoff
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: 12-5
The Eagles became the first NFC East team to win back-to-back division titles in 21 years. They are aiming for a three-peat this year. On paper, the Eagles have the most talented squad in the division. A.J. Brown’s future is uncertain in Philly, but the offense is centered around Saquon Barkley and the running game. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is tasked with improving a lethargic Eagles passing attack that ran basic concepts last year. The Eagles defense lost Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, but supplemented the loss with edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. The addition of cornerback Riq Woolen should also help what was a top-10 pass defense. - Tyler Dragon
Washington Commanders: 10-7
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. Daniels is healthy following an injury-riddled season. He’ll still have standout wideout Terry McLaurin as his top target. The Commanders also added tight end Chig Okonkwo to give their offense more firepower. On defense, Washington bolstered its pass rush during free agency with the additions of edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson. First-round pick linebacker Sonny Styles should also give the Commanders defense a boost. After winning 12 regular-season games in 2024, the Commanders lost 12 contests last year. If Daniels remains healthy, Washington could make its way back into the playoffs. - Tyler Dragon
Dallas Cowboys: 9-8
Expectations are always high in Dallas but are the offseason moves by Jerry Jones and Co. enough to usurp the Eagles in the NFC East?
Brian Schottenheimer's first season as head coach resulted in a disappointing 7-9-1 record. Still, Dallas boasts a high-powered offense with Dak Prescott healthy. The struggles for "America's Team" have mainly been on the defensive side which they attempted to improve this offseason. Dallas drafted safety Caleb Downs 11th overall and defensive end Malachi Lawrence 23rd overall in April's draft. Additionally, the team traded for Rashan Gary and Dee Winters in hopes they can bring balance to a unit that saw improvements after trading for Quinnen Williams at the deadline.
Dallas has the fourth-hardest strength-of-schedule league-wide, according to Sharp Football Analysis. As a result of finishing second in the division, the Cowboys will face the Ravens (Brazil game, Week 3), Packers and Buccaneers – three tough matchups. Dallas will encounter four challenging road games outside the division against the Rams, Seahawks, Packers and Texans. They are also set to host the reigning AFC South champion Jaguars at some point during the season.
Overall, the Cowboys' schedule poses considerable challenges, with games against the NFC West and an NFC East that should be more balanced. That said, the stage is set for "America's Team" to potentially nab the division title if everything aligns in their favor. - Tom Viera
New York Giants: 8-9
"Big Blue" made a big splash during the hiring cycle, bringing in former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. In addition, the Giants may have finally escaped quarterback purgatory with Jaxson Dart at the helm. The Giants have improved their roster over the last two seasons and Harbaugh put his stamp on the personnel immediately in 2026 free agency. The Giants took OT Francis Mauigoa with the tenth overall pick in April's draft after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the selection. A clear sign the team is willing to build the offense around Dart.
The defense could be ferocious with an impressive front seven comprised of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Tremaine Edmunds and fifth overall pick Arvell Reese. While Dart and running back Cam Skattebo can build on their success in Year 2, as Harbaugh brings stability to the locker room.
Despite a last-place schedule, the Giants have the ninth-hardest strength-of-schedule, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Largely due to the NFC East squaring off with the NFC West in 2026, which saw the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks all win at least 12 games in 2025. However, they also meet the AFC South, which includes the Colts and Titans. New York will also host the Cardinals, Browns and Saints and those should be winnable. New York is closer to challenging for a playoff spot and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Giants finish close to .500. - Tom Viera
NFC North
Detroit Lions: 11-6
Helped by the sixth-easiest strength of schedule entering the season, the Lions have a great opportunity to get back on track in 2026. Detroit’s offense should be prolific with quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way. The Lions must do a much better job up front; they ranked 31st in pass-block win rate and 26th in pass-rush win rate last year, per ESPN. The Lions used their first two draft picks on tackle Blake Miller and edge Derrick Moore as they try to strengthen both areas. Tackle Penei Sewell was by far the team’s best O-lineman. Aidan Hutchinson was the Lions' only reliable edge rusher last year. Sewell and Hutchinson will need more assistance if the Lions want to roar back into contention in the NFC North. - Tyler Dragon
Chicago Bears: 10-7
The Bears should remain a playoff contender, but they are navigating some key changes that could cap their ceiling.
Offensively, the Bears will need to replace two key starters from 2025, wide receiver DJ Moore and center Drew Dalman. Chicago also lost offensive coordinator Declan Doyle – who was hired to be the Ravens' offensive play-caller – and will be replacing him with Press Taylor.
Johnson still figures to call plays for the Bears, which should aid the transition to Taylor. And if Caleb Williams can take another big step forward after finishing just 58 yards shy of becoming Chicago's first-ever 4,000-yard passer, that could raise the Bears' ceiling.
However, Chicago's schedule is particularly brutal, as the Bears will play a first-place schedule that includes road games against the Bills, Seahawks and all of their NFC North foes. Their home schedule is slightly more manageable thanks to games against the Jets and Saints, but the Bears are going to have to scrap hard to get to double-digit wins for a second consecutive season. - Jacob Camenker
Green Bay Packers: 10-7
The Packers are remarkably consistent in the Jordan Love era. They have finished with a record of 9-8, 11-6 and 9-7-1 in three seasons with Love as the full-time starter, meaning they just need a 10-win year to cap it off.
Green Bay should be a Super Bowl contender, but can't seem to get over the hump. The expectation is that they'll lose a headscratcher or two while playing some close games along the way. Without a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Packers were unable to add any additional playmakers on offense to offset the losses of Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs. Free agency wasn't much better, but Green Bay is still a solid team across the board. With a schedule that profiles as middle-of-the-road on paper, the Packers will stack some wins.
It's enough to be a playoff team, but they might run into trouble against a difficult NFC North and that's why they'll fail to win the division once again. - Nick Brinkerhoff
Minnesota Vikings: 9-8
The Vikings are presently one of the NFL's most enigmatic teams. They have a strong offensive supporting cast, but possess uncertainty at quarterback. Brian Flores remains one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, but they have seen significant personnel change on that side of the ball – especially along the defensive line. To boot, they rank middle-of-the-pack in strength of schedule, possessing the 16th-easiest schedule for the 2026 season, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
What does all that mean? It's difficult to accurately project how the Vikings will perform. They have the talent and coaching acumen needed to emerge as a playoff team, but both of their top quarterbacks also have durability concerns that could once again derail the team's season.
That risk – plus the fact that Minnesota plays in the ever-difficult NFC North – could work to prevent Minnesota from reaching double-digit wins in a second consecutive season. - Jacob Camenker
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 13-4
There's a popular meme from "The Office" that asks you to find the difference between two pictures, but it's actually the same picture. That essentially describes the rosters for the 2025 Seahawks and the 2026 Seahawks, who are minimally different – if they are actually different at all.
Many will make the case that the departure of Kenneth Walker III is a big deal, but Seattle invested a first-round pick in Jadarian Price to offset that loss. Elsewhere, the roster remains mostly unchanged after blazing through the playoffs en route to a dominant victory in Super Bowl 60.
The Seahawks will have to avoid the urge to fix something that isn't broken. If they can do that, then it will be another season filled with plenty of wins in the Pacific Northwest. - Nick Brinkerhoff
Los Angeles Rams: 11-6
The NFC West is a gauntlet but the Rams are out for revenge after getting bounced by the Seahawks one game shy of the Super Bowl. Seattle and Sam Darnold have a tall task of trying to defend a championship - something only the Chiefs (2022-2023) have accomplished over the last two decades. The 49ers are still contenders but the Cardinals are rebuilding. According to the latest Super Bowl odds, the Rams are priced at +800, making them the early favorite.
Their offense gets the headlines but the front office addressed the defense this offseason. Led byJared Verse and Braden Fiske in the trenches, the team also traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie and signed cornerback Jaylen Watson. They have a championship-caliber offense, the experience in the locker room, and a top-notch coaching staff, making them legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Because of the NFL's rotating schedule, the Rams face the NFC East and AFC West, which have few easy opponents. The Rams have the fifth-hardest strength-of-schedule league-wide, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Still, Los Angeles should be able to repeat their successful season and achieve a fourth consecutive year with double-digit wins. They will live up to the billing behind the reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. - Tom Viera
San Francisco 49ers: 11-6
The 49ers have won double-digit games in four of the past five years. Expect San Francisco to win 10 or more games this year, barring major injuries. The 49ers battled multiple injuries last year but will get back linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and edge rusher Nick Bosa (knee). Tight end George Kittle’s (Achilles) return is uncertain, but he is ahead of schedule. The offense should be even stronger this year with the additions of wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. San Francisco brought back Dre Greenlaw. Warner and Greenlaw make up arguably the best linebacker tandem in the NFL. Kyle Shanahan’s squad is entering 2026 as a strong contender. - Tyler Dragon
Arizona Cardinals: 3-14
Sorry, Cardinals fans. The 2026 forecast for the Cardinals doesn’t feature much winning. Tight end Trey McBride, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and rookie running back Jeremiyah Love are building block players on offense. Veteran Budda Baker is a coach on the backend of the defense. But the Cardinals are arguably in the best division in football -- looking up at the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks and two other contenders in the Rams and 49ers. The Cardinals currently have the third-toughest strength of schedule this year, based on opponent winning percentage from the previous season. - Tyler Dragon
New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Arizona Cardinals – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Tennessee Titans – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Cleveland Browns – CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
New York Giants – Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
New Orleans Saints – Colin Simmons, DE/OLB, Texas
Washington Commanders – Dylan Stewart, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Jets (from IND) – KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
