A Brits guide to the NFL. Season preview and predictions 2026
Over 200 days after the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XL, the NFL is finally returning, and the season kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch between the aforementioned Patriots and Seahawks. This preview will aim to detail who I think will be good and bad, and a few thoughts about each roster and what offseason moves I liked and didn't like.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
2025 record: 8-9
After a disappointing 2025 season, which culminated in a playoff miss and also the end of John Harbaugh's tenure as coach, the Ravens also lost some major contributors in free agency: C Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders and TE Isiah Likely and FB Patrick Ricard both followed Harbaugh to the Giants, but it absolutely isnt all doom and gloom; they managed to get one of the premier edge rushers in the league, Trey Hendrickson, from the division rival Bengals and added arguably the most pro ready player in the whole draft in G Vega Ioane to help protect star QB Lamar Jackson who missed 4 games last season and will be aiming to get back to his MVP level play of 2019 and 2023. I also love the additions in the receiver room; off Jacoby Lane and Elijah Surratt in rounds 3 and 4, add to that Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. This group of pass catchers is probably the best group Jackson has had in Baltimore.
It will be interesting to see if Jesse Minter can follow in the success Harbaugh largely had during his stint in Baltimore over his 18 years in charge, but Minter's Chargers defence last season got better and better as the season went on and ended the year as one of the premier units in the league, so Baltimore should be good; they have filled the biggest issue on the roster from last season with the addition of Hendrickson but as is so often in the NFL making the playoffs or not making the playoffs likely comes down to keeping Jackson on the field injury free for all 17 games.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Cincinnati Bengals
2025 record: 6-11
The Bengals are looking to bounce back after a disastrous season where star QB Joe Burrow only played 8 games due to a major turf toe injury, and while he returned late in the season, the Bengals were already well outside the playoff picture. Coach Zac Taylor can be considered fortunate to keep his job, but he is on the hot seat before a ball has been thrown, and another playoff miss will likely be the end of him in Cincinnati. They also lost their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, to Baltimore in free agency, leaving a defence that was already one of the worst in the NFL even worse. But they aggressively addressed this issue in free agency and the draft, trading their first-round pick to the Giants for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and adding DE Boye Mafe and DT Johnathan Allen in free agency. They further improved on defence by drafting DE Cashius Howell in the second round to add to last year's first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, to the defensive line, which now looks like one of the strengths of the roster.
There are still question marks on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary, with Dax Hill and DJ Turner being one of the worst cornerback tandems in the league, but the offence should still be elite when Burrow is on the field with his two elite receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins; the Bengals, when healthy, will score points, and the new defensive line should mean the defence at least moves to the middle of the pack, which should be enough to have the Bengals in a playoff push
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Cleveland Browns
2025 record: 5-12
The Browns traded the best defensive player of all time, in my eyes, DE Myles Garrett to the LA Rams, which, on the face of it, should make the team instantly weaker, which it has in the short term it has but getting back a top-10 edge rusher still on a rookie contract in Jared Verse to add to the strong young core that has been built over the last two drafts with DT Mason Graham, RB Quinshon Judkins, reigning defensive rookie of the year LB Carson Schwesinger and TE Harold Fannin Jr from the 2025 draft and in the past draft getting LT Spencer Fano WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and S Emmanuel Mcneil-Warren this team has a great young core especially on defence when adding in CBs Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, DT Maleik Collins and S Grant Delpit the defence should stay really good despite losing Garrett and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
The problem, as it has been for the most part since Bernie Kosar in the 1980s, is the QB position; the room of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dylan Gabriel is probably the worst in the league, and that's before mentioning the Deshaun off-the-field issues and getting booed incessantly by the home fans whenever he is on the field. I'd be surprised if all three of these guys dont play at some point, as well as a 6th-round rookie, Taylen Green. The Browns fans' eyes are likely on the 2027 draft, where they hope to finally get the franchise QB. Effectively writing off this season, but I find it hard to see the Browns being in the top 3-5 picks in the draft with the level of talent on the roster outside the QB and having the easiest schedule in the NFL based on 2025 win percentage.
2026 record prediction: 6-11
Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 record: 10-7
The Mike Tomlin era is over in Pittsburgh, despite the Steelers never having a losing record in his 19 seasons as head coach. Since they won the Super Bowl in 2009, Pittsburgh has only won 5 playoff games, including none since 2016, which is why the fans, in particular, feel it was the correct time for Tomlin to step aside and pass the torch to someone new. My problem is who they picked as the replacement. Yes, Mike McCarthy has won a Super Bowl with Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, but that was in 2011, and since then McCarthy has largely been a disappointment in Green Bay and Dallas, and he comes to an ageing Steelers team who have elite players, especially on defence, in DE TJ Watt and DT Cam Heyward, but these are both on the decline, and the Steelers' drafting over the last few years has been bad, with all the first-round picks from 2021-2024 being largely busts.
It definitely isn't all doom and gloom, though the receiver room is strong with DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman and 2nd-round rookie Germie Bernard providing a great room of receivers for Rodgers in what is likely to be the final season of his Hall of Fame career. And the defence is good at every level, with DTs Heyward and Derrick Harmon, Edges Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig certain to put QB's under pressure. The Steelers won't be bad, but they won't be threatening to win playoff games.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
AFC South
Houston Texans
2025 record: 12-5
The best defence in the league propelled the Texans to the playoffs, and they comprehensively beat the Steelers in the Wildcard before losing to the Patriots in the divisional round, but most of that defence is still intact, led by DE Will Anderson Jr who many are tipping to win Defensive Player of the Year, CB Derek Stingley Jr and DE Danielle Hunter. This defence hasn't lost anyone significant and will be elite again. The Texans drafted fairly well in the 2026 draft. While they reached for G Kaylan Rutledge at the back end of the first, getting DT Kayden McDonald in round 2 was a steal, and I love Kamari Ramsey in the fifth as a do-it-all safety who won't be pressured to start games but will make an impact whenever he is on the field.
The part of the team i worry about is the offence the o-line is fine but it is definitely not a strength of this roster, WR Nico Collins is elite but behind him im not convinced by the rest of the receiver room with the Texans needing at least one of Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel or Kayshon Boutte to step up and fill the WR2 position on this offence and the backfield is no better RBs David Montgomery and Woody Marks need to get the ground game going something last years Texans never really did which put QB CJ Stroud routinely in 3rd and long and led to a massive regression from his rookie and 2nd year play. That being said, this defence is too good for the Texans not to have a chance in every single game, except for lots of close, low-scoring games.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Indianapolis Colts
2025 record: 8-9
Last years 8-9 record doesnt tell the full story the Colts started 8-2 last year but then QB Daniel Jones got injured and the team spiralled to lose the last seven straight what makes this worse is the team traded two first round picks for CB Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline meaning they havent had the draft capital to build on the roster despite managing to get LB CJ Allen and S AJ Haulcy both of which I believe will be good NFL players the offence is where the team has lost the most losing the best receiver on the roster last year in Michael Pittman to Pittsburgh and losing Braden Smith in free agency and they havent adequately replaced either of them. While Jones was good when healthy last year, nothing so far in his career convinces me he can reproduce that form this year, which again leaves the Colts overly dependent on RB Jonathan Taylor and the inside of the O-line to move the ball.
The defensive side of the ball is fine, but not extraordinary. DT Deforest Buckner has been a great player but is ageing out. DE Laiatu Latu will need to have another step up in year 3 after a promising sophomore season, and Gardner and Charvarius Ward need to lock receivers up and losing Kenny Moore in the nickel could be a massive problem for this defence, as he is one of the most underappreciated players in the league. I see this team carrying on the losing trend of last season rather than rebounding.
2026 record prediction: 5-12
Jacksonville Jaguars
2025 record: 13-4
I dont really know how the Jaguars won 13 games last year. They have good players on the roster in most places but lack superstars; the closest are the DEs Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, who are both very good but are not amongst the elite defensive ends. The Travis Hunter pick is looking to be more a failure than a success at this point, as it looks like he will be playing almost exclusively CB in his second season and trading up to number 2 to draft a corner is a dreadful decision compared to the two-way star the team thought they were getting.
If this team is to get back to the playoffs, the D-line has to get after the QB and Trevor Lawrence and co need to play at a higher level than last year, when the Jags had one of the easiest schedules in the league. I just can't see them making the playoffs when Houston will be really good again, and the whole AFC West will be much better, and the Ravens, Bengals, etc will also be better than last year. I think they will be there or thereabouts, but on the outside looking in come January.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
Tennessee Titans
2025 record: 3-14
This is the team I have the hardest time predicting where they will be come season's end. On the one hand, QB Cam Ward could explode in his second season, and he and the much-improved wide receiver room get yards for fun through the air, and the defence takes a step up on the back of a monster season from DT Jeffery Simmons and is towards the top 10. That being said, I think the most likely outcome is the Titans are still not very good. The defence has some pieces like the aforementioned Simmons but lacks depth, and the offence still has a massive hole at running back, as somehow Tony Pollard is still the projected starter at this point in his career; that shouldn't be the case.
I like Cam Ward; I think he will come good. I just dont know, given the supporting cast, that this year is the year where that happens, as I think they reached on WR Carnell Tate, who has a very high floor, but I dont think he will be the kind of receiver a team hopes they're getting if drafted in the top 4.
2026 record prediction: 6-11
AFC West
Denver Broncos
2025 record: 14-3
The team that probably would have gone to the Super Bowl if QB Bo Nix didn't get injured in the divisional round and were only three points away, with Jarrett Stidham at QB, who has no business playing in the playoffs if we're being honest. This team is built around the line of scrimmage, with the best O-line in the league, including probably the best left tackle in the league, Garrett Bolles and the defensive line doesn't have any standout players, but all of them are really good, and that shows in them leading the league in sacks last season and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is still there, so the defence led by former DPOTY Patrick Surtain will still be in the top 5 of the league.
The Offence also shouldnt have taken a step back trading with the addition of WR Jaylen Waddle via trade from the Dolphins to add to Courtland Sutton makes one of the best one-two punches at receiver in the league the only slight fear is will the running back room step up J.K Dobbins is good when healthy but sadly he never is and behind him I like Jonah Coleman coming out of college and RJ Harvey has flashed at points but these three need to get 1200 yards between them to allow Sean Paytons system to utilised to the best effect and keep it simple for Bo Nix. Nix is a difficult one; he has only been very good in the NFL, but I can't see him winning a game by himself like Mahomes or Allen can. He needs the system to stay structured and working, and in that system he is great.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Kansas City Chiefs
2025 record: 6-11
After a forgettable 2025 season that ended as soon as QB Patrick Mahomes got injured, the Chiefs are trying to show the dynasty hasn't ended. Mahomes still has TE Travis Kelce and the interior o-line of Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are also back the receiver core has questions, Rashee Rice is good but what is going to come of his legal troubles, former first round pick Xavier Worthy is basically just a fast deep threat who doesnt have the route tree to get to the next level and behind them is a bunch of largely untested NFL guys so who knows how much help Mahomes is going to get out of them but he should have the best run game hes ever had after Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker has come over from the Seahawks.
The defence is built on having a great player at every level. Chris Jones is one of the best DTs in the league, Nick Bolton is a very solid linebacker, and L'Jarius Sneed and rookie Mansour Delane should be a great cornerback pairing, meaning the loss of Trent McDuffie to the Rams won't be felt too much. I dont like the pick of Peter Woods at the end of the first round, as he is very boom-or-bust. His 2024 tape at Clemson was outstanding and had him in the number one overall pick mix, but his 2025 tape was mixed at best, which led him to fall down the board; the Chiefs will be hoping Woods was taking it easy on a largely uncompetitive Clemson team.
If Mahomes stays healthy, the Chiefs can win it all again as he is the best quarterback in the sport, but I dont think they are Super Bowl favourites like in the last few seasons.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders
2025 record: 3-14
How many weeks will it be till we see first overall pick Fernando Mendoza? He was unbelievable in college last year, on route to winning the Heisman, and winning Indiana its first-ever national championship. Even though Kirk Cousins has been named starter over Mendoza, the Raiders' offence looks like it will likely be good no matter what. Getting C Tyler Lindebaum is a massive upgrade to the o-line, which should allow second-year RB Ashton Jeanty more space to run, making him more effective than he was as a rookie, and TE Brock Bowers is as good a tight end in the league. The receiver room is definitely weaker, but Jalen Nailor is primed for a much bigger role than he had in Minnesota, and I liked Jack Bech out of college last season, so hopefully he can take a second-year leap.
The defence, however, is bad. Maxx Crosby is one of the best 3 or 4 DEs in the league, but his supporting cast is awful. Overspending in free agency on guys like Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker isnt going to improve this defence much, if at all. A good offence and a bad defence means the Raiders should at least be a good watch this season, even if it doesn't add much to the win column.
2026 record prediction: 6-11
Los Angeles Chargers
2025 record: 11-6
My pick to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC this season: the Chargers managed to go 11-6 last season despite having basically no O-line for most of the season due to injuries, mostly if the two star tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, can stay healthy, the instantly should make QB Justin Herbert's life much easier, especially if rookie C Jake Slaughter is a plug-and-play centre like most people think he will be. Another beneficiary of this healthy and better O-line should be Omarion Hampton, who was fine as a rookie, but I'm expecting a big jump in year 2. The only question mark on offence is wide receiver Ladd McConkey is great, but behind him Quentin Johnston has catching consistency issues, but Tre Harris should have a much better sophomore season now he has learned and integrated himself into the offence.
The defence got better and better last season and was led by S Derwin James and the evergreen DE Khalil Mack. I'd expect no drop-off despite former coordinator Jesse Minter jumping ship to Baltimore. DE Tuli Tuipolotu has got better and better each season, and in a contract year, I'm expecting a massive season from him opposite Mack, and throw in rookie Akheem Mesidor into that D-line room the Chargers should be getting after the quarterback.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
2025 record: 12-5
Josh Allen is in the top three quarterbacks in the league. James Cook was one of the best running backs in the league, so two names down the depth chart, the Bills are elite at the most important position in football and at the most underappreciated position in football. While they overpaid for DJ Moore in trading for him from Chicago, he is instantly their best receiver, and fellow receiver Keon Coleman can't be as bad as he was last season, and the O-line is entirely back, so the offence should be elite again.
The defence, which was good last season, should be very similar. They've lost Joey Bosa, but 2nd-round rookie TJ Parker should fill his role of setting an edge, allowing Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau to be let loose on the other side and get the quarterback. No doubt, the Bills will be in the playoffs unless Allen gets hurt. The question is, can they get to and win the Super Bowl?
2026 record prediction: 12-5
Miami Dolphins
2025 record: 7-10
This team is tanking. New QB Malik Willis has literally zero help in the receiver room after Jaylen Waddle was traded. The group of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Caleb Douglas and Skyler Bell is one of the worst receiver rooms ever in the modern NFL. Devon Achane is an amazing running back, and dont be surprised if he is the leading receiver and rusher on this team, behind an O-line that is sneaky good, with C Aaron Brewer and RT Austin Jackson among the best in the league at their position, but Malik Willis has been set up to fail with that receiver room.
The defence is even worse the linebacker tandem of Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez is very good on paper but the d-line in front of them is not great at all Chop Robinson has never developed into the player the Dolphins thought he might be after drafting him 21st overall in 2024 its likely a make or break season for him if he wants his second contract to be a big one and the rest of the projected starting d-line of Jordan Phillips, Zach Sieler and Josh Uche is really bad and if im honest the secondary if full of people ive never heard of apart from Chris Johnson who is a rookie so who knows how good he will be albeit he was excellent in college
2026 record prediction: 3-14
New England Patriots
2025 record: 14-3
The Super Bowl losers were absolutely dismantled by Seattle, with Drake Maye running for his life behind the O-line, which should be improved this season with the addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard, but LT Will Campbell will have to play better this season, or he will be replaced by rookie Caleb Lomu. The clear aim this offseason has been to keep Drake Maye on his feet more this year, but despite the pressure he faced very regularly, Maye was amazing in his second year, and there is no reason to doubt he will be as good this season. Adding AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs to the receiver room, which was one of the weakest last season, is also a huge upgrade, and the offence should be better than it was last year.
My worry for the Patriots is the defence, which, while it was very good as a group in the playoffs, only played against CJ Stroud and Jarrett Stidham before getting destroyed by Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl. The corner-back duo of Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis are great, but the front seven is full of serviceable to good players without a standout star, so there may be some games where they get pushed around by an elite offensive line.
The other reason I have them regressing slightly this season is the schedule. The Patriots had the easiest schedule in the league last season, and this season they are more middle of the pack, but I still think the Pats will be good and make the playoffs, but I'm not sure another Super Bowl run is on.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
New York Jets
2025 record: 3-14
Finally it looks like the Jets are on the up they finally had a good draft and have some young talent on the roster the tackle tandem of Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou is as good as anyones and both are still on rookie deals, Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr looks like a good receiving core on paper especially when you throw tight ends Mason Taylor and rookie Kenyon Sadiq into the mix plus Breece Hall at running back and there is a basis of a good offence but like the Browns there is so many questions about the quarterback position Geno Smith was absolutely dreadful in Vegas last year so I would not be surprised if rookie Cade Klubnik gets plenty of games towards to the end of the season to show what he has got.
The defence is weaker than the offence but still has some young talent. Will McDonald and 2nd overall pick David Bailey should be a great tandem on the edge, and I like T'Vondre Sweat at DT in a great trade for the Jets from the Titans. Getting rookie D'Angelo Ponds down the board to be the slot corner is a great pick, as he was probably Indiana's best defensive player on a team that won the national championship, and Minkah Fitzpatrick might not fit the age profile of the rest of the team, but he is still good for the time being.
That being said, while there is finally a direction after trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, leading to lots of draft capital, this is not the season that comes to fruition; they will be QB hunting in what looks to be a stacked 2027 draft at the position
2026 record prediction: 5-12
NFC North
Chicago Bears
2025 record: 11-6
The Bears are a difficult one to predict in a very tough NFC North. They managed to win it last season, but doing so again will be tough. I'm not worried about the offence at all; QB Caleb Williams was exceptional last season, and despite losing DJ Moore, he still has plenty of weapons in WRs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, plus the two tight ends, Colton Loveland and Cole Kmet, plus D'Andre Swift in the backfield might not be exceptional, but he is a perfectly good running back for a contending team.
The question marks are on defence. While they got lots of turnovers and big plays on defence last year, doing that again this year is a tough ask. When the defence wasn't turning the ball over, it was allowing opposition offences to march up and down the field, so if the turnovers disappear, the Bears could be in trouble, but I like their additions on defence: getting S Dylan Thieneman in the first was a great pick, as was getting CB Malik Muhammed in round 4, which is great value. LB Devin Bush was also awesome in Cleveland last year, so he's an instant upgrade at linebacker position. I question the depth behind Montez Sweat at edge a little bit, but the Bears should be good again. However, the division is tough, and the schedule is harder, so they could be the same level team as last year but win fewer games.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Detroit Lions
2025 record: 9-8
It's a make-or-break season for the Lions; they were disappointing last season to only win 9 games and missing the playoffs. If that happens again, there will be significant roster changes because the roster this year to last year is very similar in the key areas; the only major change is at tackle, with All-Pro Penei Sewell moving from right to left tackle after Taylor Decker left, and he is replaced on the right side by rookie Blake Miller, who I think they reached for in the draft at pick 17, but it was the only major need on the roster at that point, so the reach makes sense.
Since then, CB Terrion Arnold had his legal trouble and was cut, so the cornerback room is more of a question than it was at the draft, and the Lions need one of Keith Abney II, Rock Ya Sin or Khalil Dorsey to be a reliable option on the other side of the field to DJ Reed. But this roster kept its stars. RB Jahmyr Gibbs has threatened to be the best running back in the league, and now he doesn't have to split reps with David Montgomery, who is now in Houston. Gibbs should hit another level. WR Amon-Ra St Brown is also still here, as is DE Aidan Hutchinson, who should be better again this season after last season was disrupted by a horrible leg injury. QB Jared Goff will do what he does; he will be a fringe top-10 quarterback who doesn't turn the ball over much but needs St Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta to get lots of yards after the catch.
The schedule is very nice compared to the rest of the division, so that gives the Lions an advantage, and Dan Campbell and co should be able to have the Lions in and around the playoff mix come January.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Green Bay Packers
2025 record: 9-7-1
The Packers were pretty good last season despite losing star QB Jordan Love for games, but Malik Willis filled in well, earning himself a payday in Miami, and the offence should be fine as long as Love stays healthy. Despite losing their most consistent receiver, Romeo Doubs, the Packers will be expecting second-year receiver Matthew Golden to step up alongside Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. The pass catchers are also buoyed by the return of TE Tucker Kraft, who missed most of last season through injury and before that was one of the league's best tight ends, so if he can return to that level, the offence will be better than last year despite star RB Josh Jacobs being out indefinitely with legal trouble.
Defence is the problem on this team. The second-best defensive player in the league, DE Micah Parsons, starts the season on PUP, so will have to miss at least the first four games of the season, and even after he's back, he may not be able to save this defence. Losing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to Miami is a blow, and the cornerback position is a shambles. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine were awful last year, and while I like getting Brandon Cisse in the second round of the draft, he alone won't be enough to make this group good; one of the aforementioned Nixon and Valentine will need to step up and be better than they were last season if Green Bay are to make the playoffs again.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
Minnesota Vikings
2025 record: 9-8
The JJ McCarthy experiment looks to be over at quarterback, with former first overall pick Kyler Murray brought in as yet another stopgap in Minnesota. Murray can't be worse than McCarthy and Carson Wentz were last year, and by all accounts he's looked very good in camp. Despite the awful QB play, this team still managed to get to 9-8, somehow led on offence by star receiver tandem Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and Brian Flores' defence swarmed to the ball and got after opposition quarterbacks and running backs.
Despite having the worst pick in the first round, where they inexplicably reached for DT Caleb Banks in the top 20 when he likely would have still been on the board with their next pick at 51. I like getting Max Brederson down the board, who should fill the role CJ Ham had for so many years in Minnesota, being a do-it-all player for them on offence. Getting perennial Pro Bowl S Harrison Smith back at safety for another year after he heavily contemplated retirement is a nice bonus to a very well-rounded defence. The success of this team all comes down to Kyler Murray. If he is good, Minnesota could win 14 games like they did in 2024; if he isnt they will likely be in the 7-9 win range, as this team will be competitive no matter who is at quarterback, as shown over the past few seasons.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
2025 record: 8-9
The only team that can rival the Browns for the worst quarterback room in the league. They're starting Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 against the Steelers, but based on last season in Miami, that won't last long, with a former underwhelming first-round pick, Michael Penix, also likely to start at least five games and dont be surprised if preseason standout undrafted free agent Jack Strand starts towards the end of the season. The rest of the offence is great, though. RB Bijan Robinson is probably the best in the league, WR Drake London is a fringe top-10 receiver, and the offensive line is good, especially with Chris Lindstrom at right guard, who is again probably the best in the league. Add in TE Kyle Pitts, who is inconsistent but can be great, and there are absolutely no excuses for the quarterbacks in Atlanta to not be good.
The defence was looking very good as well and still is in the secondary, with elite CB AJ Terrell leading the group, also featuring great safety duo Jessie Bates and standout rookie from last season Xavier Watts. The D-line was looking good until Jalon Walker tore his ACL in camp, and James Pierce, who was great as a rookie, was given an 8-game suspension for off-the-field issues. This leaves the D-line in a weird place. Trading for Gervon Dexter in the interior looks to be a very good, cheap option, but the projected starters on the outside of veteran Za'Darius Smith and LaCale London are among the weakest on paper in the league. If Tua/Penix are good, Atlanta could absolutely make the playoffs, but I dont think they will; coupled with the bad defensive line, it looks like another season of mediocrity in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers
2025 record: 8-9
The Panthers inexplicably won this dreadful division at 8-9 last season, and it won't be far above that to win it again this year. This Panthers team is again dependent on Bryce Young, who was better last year than his first two seasons was still not that good, so another step forward from him is probably necessary for the Panthers to be better. He still has WR Tetairoa McMillan, who was amazing as a rookie and RB Chuba Hubbard was also very good last season despite most people, including myself, thinking the running back position was a position of weakness before last season. The offensive line has question marks. Monroe Freeling is a very boom-or-bust pick at tackle, and both starters from last year, Ikem Ekuonu and Morgan Moses, are out of Week 1, so he will have to play early despite probably not being ready yet, and the receiver room behind McMillan is bad. Despite Jalen Coker flashing at points last season, he shouldn't be the number two receiver on an NFL roster.
Defensively, DT Derrick Brown is a beast and eats a double team virtually every single snap, which should allow new defensive end Jaelan Phillips 1-on-1s with tackles to get to the QB, but he has been injured a lot in his career, so paying him as much as they did is a big risk. CB Jaycee Horn is great bit outside these three, there isnt much to get excited about on defence. I like Lee Hunter out of the draft, but he's a rookie DT, a position that rookies usually struggle the most in, and Bobby Okereke and Devin Lloyd are both fairly big names at linebacker, but I'm not convinced by either in coverage, especially Okereke, who racks up tackles because he can't cover, so he's often the nearest defender to receivers when they catch the ball as they've run past him.
The division is still bad, and 8-9 may well be enough to win the division again, but they have the hardest schedule in the division, and I'm not a Bryce Young believer and think this will likely be his final season as the starter in Carolina.
New Orleans Saints
2025 record: 6-11
The Saints pivoted to Tyler Shough too late last year as a rookie, but when he came in, he looked very good for a second-round rookie, and this year's roster is better than last year's. Getting RB Travis Etienne from the Jags gives the Saints a good one-two punch at running back when Alvin Kamara is back from his injury. WR Chris Olave is great and should have more help when top-10 pick Jordyn Tyson gets healthy, which was a risk with Tyson on draft night due to his sketchy injury record, but when he was on the field for Arizona St, he was exceptional. The Tight end room is one of the deepest in the league. Juwan Johnson continues to be one of the most underrated players in the league. Noah Fant has proven to be a solid NFL tight end, and I love Oscar Delp out of Georgia and will be surprised if he isnt at least a good contributor in the NFL. The offensive line has also been improved with the addition of Kelvin Banks at left tackle, who, despite having some issues in college, has all the tools to be a good NFL tackle. All that leaves the Saints with an offence full of good players despite none of them getting the league-wide recognition they probably should have.
The defence is much the same; guys like LB Kaden Elliss, S Justin Reid and Edge Carl Granderson aren't the biggest names in the league but have proven they are good NFL players. It is probably the side I project to be the weaker of the two in New Orleans, but it certainly shouldn't be worse than middle of the pack. Losing DT Bryan Breese to IR to start the season certainly doesn't help them, but there is no reason the Saints should be bad; they're likely, in my eyes, to be in lots of close games and are favourites for the worst division in football.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 record: 8-9
The Baker Mayfield cycle: since he has just been paid and had a team believe in him, he is due for a bad season and likely an injury, based on the rest of his career and the Bucs' success entirely rests on him being close to a top-10 quarterback. He no longer has WR Mike Evans, and the receivers he does have are Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin. Both of these have issues. Egbuka started his rookie season like a rocket through the first half of the season, but once teams got tape of him in the Bucs' offence, his play fell off a cliff in the second half of the season, so who knows which of these two Egbuka forms starts the season. Godwin has been a great receiver for a long time, but he's coming off a major injury, so who knows if he is still at that level. LT Tristan Wirfs is one of the best in the league, but the rest of the offensive line flatters to deceive and TE Cade Otton is good but isnt amazing. This leaves the Bucs with an offence that has a clear ceiling of being middle of the pack.
Defensively, DT Vita Vea has got over his trade request and signed a one-year deal to stay in Tampa this year, and that's great for rookie Reuben Bain on the edge, who should get more friendly double-team rates with Vea inside. Throw in Calijah Kansey, who has flashed in his early NFL career without being consistent, and the defensive front is certainly not a weakness on this team. Antoine Winfield is great at safety, but I worry for this team at corner and linebacker. I just can't see this defence being above middle of the pack like the offence, which caps how good I think they can be. There are virtually no unknowns on this team, which again caps the win total I can project for them. I've seen this team over the last few years, but this one doesn't have two future Hall of Famers in Mike Evans and Lavonte David on it, so it will be worse.
2026 record prediction: 7-10
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
2025 record: 3-14
The worst roster in the NFL this season; it's absolutely baffling they drafted a running back at third overall despite how good Jeremiyah Love was in college, the state the rest of this roster is in, and some of the players still on the board. Unless Love is the best running back in the league by year three, it was a bad pick. That's not to say there is no talent on this roster; TE Trey McBride is excellent, LT Paris Johnson Jr is very good, DE Josh Sweat and S Budda Baker are proven good NFL players, and CB Will Johnson was good as a rookie but does have injury question marks.
Outside of these five guys, the roster is a mess. WR Marvin Harrison Jr has not lived up to the hype that followed him out of college. Michael Wilson was good last year, but I dont think he is of the level to be a team's number 1 receiver. The O-line is a mess outside of Johnson, and Jacoby Brissett at QB is about as average a bridge starter as one can get. Rookie QB Carson Beck looked pretty good in pre-season, so expect him to get some games towards the end of the season when this team has been eliminated from playoff contention. The division is brutal, with arguably the two best teams in the NFL in it, plus another expected playoff contender, and all that adds up to the favourite for the number 1 pick in the 2027 draft.
2026 record prediction: 3-14
Los Angeles Rams
2025 record: 12-5
The Rams were 4 points away from playing in the Super Bowl, and they look to have added those 4 points to the roster in DE Myles Garrett from the Browns. Garrett is coming off the Defensive Player of the Year honour and breaking the single-season sack record with 23 and, in my opinion, is the best defensive player ever, somehow managing to drag the Browns to wins over the years. Throw in the returning DT Aaron Donald, who himself has three Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name and is in the conversation with Garrett for best defensive player ever and this D-line with these two plus Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford, this might be the best defensive line ever assembled. The main issue on defence last year was secondary, but they have addressed that by trading for Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs, so that is no longer a problem and defensively this team doesn't have a hole.
The offence, led by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback, still has largely the same supporting cast, with elite WR duo Puka Nacua and Davante Adams retained, plus very good running back Kyren Williams is still on the roster. The one slightly worrying position group is offensive line: Alaric Jackson is good at left tackle but could get suspended for a few games, and the rest of the group is fine without being spectacular. If a team is to beat the Rams in the playoffs, it will likely come from pressuring Stafford into errors, but Sean McVay is probably the best coach in the league, so he will likely find ways to get the ball out quickly to Nacua and Williams and let them make plays.
2026 record prediction: 13-4
San Francisco 49ers
2025 record: 12-5
The 49ers went under the radar last year on their way to 12 wins and a playoff victory in Philadelphia on the back of solid QB play from Brock Purdy and elite play from his supporting cast of RB Christian McCaffrey and co. WR Juwan Jennings has left, but future Hall of Famer Mike Evans is in as his replacement, which is a good replacement despite him coming to the end of his career. The Niners' season probably comes down to injuries again, and it's not off to a good start; there are already 11 49ers on IR before Week 1, including WR Ricky Pearsall, who can't catch a break as well as those 11 on IR before Week 1, there are 3 guys out of Week 1 and a further 9 guys that are questionable, including key players like DE Nick Bosa, TE George Kittle and FB Kyle Juszczyk, so that is 23 guys that are injured in some capacity.
If guys can stay healthy, this is a great team with elite players on both sides of the ball and a great head coach in Kyle Shanahan. This team should be good again as long as somebody stays healthy on both sides of the ball. Probably the most key players are McCaffrey and LB Fred Warner; if these two stay healthy, the Niners will be competitive no matter who is on the field with them.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Seattle Seahawks
2025 record: 14-3
Last year's Super Bowl champs are looking to repeat as champs for what would be the third time this century. The team is still very strong; QB Sam Darnold has to be good without being exceptional like he was last year; all he has to do is get the ball to WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and not turn the ball over, which is what he excelled at last season. Losing Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker in free agency hurts, but losing him allowed Smith-Njigba, CB Devon Witherspoon, and DE Leonard Williams to get paid, so somebody had to leave, and they have replaced Walker well with Jadarion Price at pick 32, who I really like despite him being behind Jeremiyah Love in college.
The depth of this team is definitely worse than last year, but the key pieces outside of Walker are still in place: last year's runner-up in DROTY, S Nick Emmanwori, will still be flying around the field making plays; S Julian Love is very underrated, opposite of Emmanwori. Witherspoon is still CB1, but Tariq Woollen has left, so Josh Jobe is in line for a bigger role in 2026. The defensive front has stayed largely the same, with Williams, DT Byron Murphy and DE Demarcus Lawrence leading the charge in pressuring quarterbacks.
I'd be surprised if the Seahawks miss the playoffs, and they're probably the second favourites to win the Super Bowl this season. It's just a shame for them that the favourites are in the same division, so one of them and the Rams will have to go on the road throughout the playoffs.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
2025 record: 7-9-1
The Cowboys were ravaged by injuries down the stretch last season, which saw them finish the season poorly, but this did allow them to draft S Caleb Downs at pick 11, who was my number 1 player in the whole class, so despite not playing a premium position, Downs instantly becomes the Cowboys' best player in the secondary in what is a big upgrade on last season elsewhere on defence. CB DaRon Bland is great at forcing turnovers; DT Quinnen Williams was good after being acquired via trade at the deadline last season, and he had help on the defensive front in DT Kenny Clark and new DE Rashawn Gary, as well as one of my favourite players in the 2026 draft class, Malachi Lawrence, who, despite coming out of a smaller school at UCF, had amazing film, and I think he ends the season as Dallas' best defensive end.
On Offence its same old, same old, with the success of the season coming down to QB Dak Prescott and his two elite receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, as well as TE Jake Ferguson as the third option in the passing game that is as good as it gets, as long as everyone stays healthy. My worry on offence is RB Javonte Williams, who was pretty good last year, but I just dont think he is that good. He benefitted from a very good interior offensive line, which is weakened by star guard Tyler Smith starting the year on IR. This team should be good and could win the division as long as Dak stays healthy.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
New York Giants
2025 record: 4-13
This is one of the most unpredictable teams in the league. On the one hand, they have arguably the deepest Edge room in the league with Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Arvell Reese (when he's not playing linebacker). This has three elite guys, and Thibodeaux has flashed at points, but they did lose DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals and haven't really replaced him. The secondary also has question marks outside of S Jovon Holland, who is great; the corners dont fill me with confidence.
Offensively, there are more question marks with huge upside. While I'm not a big fan of QB Jaxson Dart, like some people are, I can see he's talented, but I just think he spends too much time in the medical tent. Are the skill position players returning from major injuries, RB Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers, going to be able to return to the levels they were at before the injuries? The Giants have massively upgraded in the coaching department by getting John Harbaugh from Baltimore, which is why I would not be surprised if the Giants win 11 games and also wouldn't be surprised if they win 4; it could go either way.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
Philadelphia Eagles
2025 record: 11-6
The Super Bowl hangover was real last season, as despite winning 11 games, it felt like less and culminated in getting blown out by the 49ers at home in the playoffs. Losing WR AJ Brown doesnt help QB Jalen Hurts, especially as I really dont like the draft from the Eagles, with WR Makai Lemon and TE Eli Stowers both in my eyes set to disappoint more than they excel. Where the Eagles will excel is the run game; they have one of the best O-lines in the league, with LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson and RT Lane Johnson leading that unit, creating space for star RB Saquon Barkley, who I'm expecting to return to 2024 form with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
Defensively, this team is also really good, led by DT Jalen Carter, who is only getting better heading into year 4 with his massive new contract. LB Zach Baun was amazing the last two years, and a cornerback trio of Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woollen, and Cooper DeJean is probably the best trio in the league; the defence has no weakness, really the whole roster doesnt have an obvious weakness, and there is no reason the Eagles should be outside the playoffs even if I dont rate Nick Sirianni as coach.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Washington Commanders
2025 record: 5-12
Another team like the Giants; I dont really know how they will get on. QB Jayden Daniel was great as a rookie but basically didn't play last season through injury; will that be the end of him, or will he bounce back to the form of his rookie season? I probably lean towards the latter and think he will come good again. He still has WR Terry McLaurin, who is as consistent a receiver can be despite struggling with injuries last season and adding veteran Stefon Diggs, who isnt at the peak of his powers anymore, still knows how to get open and catch the ball, which is more than can be said of the Commanders WR2s in recent seasons. Running back is a problem for this team. I dont get the Jacoby Croskey-Merritt hype; he was bang-average as a rookie, and Rashaad White might be the definition of an average NFL running back, meaning I wouldn't be surprised if Jayden Daniels leads the team in rushing this season behind a dependable, if not exceptional, offensive line.
Defensively is less positive; paying DE Odafe Oweh as much as they did is frankly baffling; he is nowhere near an $100 million player. They're also overpaying for multiple other players on the defensive front, including DT DaRon Payne and DT Javon Kinlaw. I love Sonny Styles, who is massive at 6ft 4 but moves like he is 5ft 8 and flies around the field getting after the ball, and Commanders fans are going to love him. Elsewhere on defence, I think CB Mike Sainristil is a good player, and Frankie Luvu can be great but can also go missing at times. Like the Giants, the Commanders could finish between 4 and 11 wins, and I wouldn't be surprised, but it all hinges on Daniels' performance.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
End-of-season awards predictions
MVP: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
I have the Chargers winning the AFC, and if that happens, Justin Herbert will be the reason this is the best offensive line and offensive weapons he's ever had, so if he is to finally take the final step up from great to elite, this is the year it happens.
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