The 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday night with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. A contest that saw the Seahawks outplay the Patriots to the tune of a 29-13 drubbing.
The 2025 season was filled with surprises. Especially given the fact the Seahawks were a 60 to 1 odd to win the Super Bowl to start the season along with the Patriots who had similar odds as well.
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With the offseason headlines filled with enough TMZ drama for a year — NFL fans can expect another season of suspense and excitement.
We have predicted the records of all 32 teams below.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Year two in the Ben Johnson regime will be similar to year one in terms of results. Last season saw the Bears squeak out some wins with a little magic from Caleb Williams. This year, I expect Williams and Johnson to show more steadiness offensively and allow the offense to really thrive. The Bears will have a good year.
2026 record prediction: 12-5
Detroit Lions
Since 2023, each year in Detroit feels less and less like a true Super Bowl contender. Jared Goff unfortunately doesn’t move the needle for many fans and the Dan “gamble” Campbell era appears to be fading fast. Under Ben Johnson’s tutelage, the Lions offense was red hot in 2024 when it peaked to the tune of 33.2 PPG including 70 touchdowns. The Lions held a league-best and franchise-setting 15-2 record, yet flamed out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Their production dropped significantly followed Johnson’s departure, as did its record (9-8). The Lions will look to bounce back this year after signing Jahmir Gibbs to a hefty contract along with other key moves in free agency.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Green Bay Packers
It’s do or die for Matt Lafleur in Green Bay. There’s really no other way to put it. Lafleur enters into his 8th season with the Packers and coming off a 9-7 season. Lafleur enjoyed the fruits of a subpar NFC North his first three years in Green Bay. With the rest of the conference emerging with competent coaches and quarterback play, the Packers have become middle of the pack (no pun intended) for the majority of the past four seasons. I expect an improvement from last year, but it’s contingent on the health of Jordan Love who missed two games in 2025. If Love is healthy, Green Bay will go as far as he can carry them.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Minnesota Vikings
I feel bad for Kevin O’Connell, I really do. I believe he is a good coach and when given the right tools, he can be successful. With Sam Darnold, he cruised to a 14-3 record. After a disappointing Wild Card loss, he shipped away to Seattle and consequently won a championship (ouch). Adding insult to injury, Darnold was replaced with JJ McCartney who lost the starting quarterback job to Kyler Murray. So, the guy (Darnold) who helped bring success goes to another team and wins a title, and the replacement is benched for a guy pushed out of his former team. Got it. I don’t have much faith in the Vikings this season.
2026 record prediction: 7-10
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
The expectations for the Falcons are not high this year. After finishing 8-9 last season, Atlanta parted ways with Raheem Morris and hired two-time Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski as his replacement. Stefanski’s tenure in Cleveland was a mixture of high’s and low’s and last season one could surmise he was thrilled with the news of receiving his walking papers. Last year, Stefanski dealt with an entire season of quarterback drama and he walked right into another shaky quarterback room in Atlanta. The Falcons announced Tua Tagovailoa as its starter on Monday after months of indecision from the coaching staff. With Michael Penix sidelined for the majority of training camp, it appeared Stefanski and company were not sold on Tagovailoa as the quarterback to lead the Falcons especially given his struggles during preseason. While Stefanski may have the respect from the NFL world, he’s yet to turn water into wine.
2026 record prediction: 5-12
Carolina Panthers
The NFC South as a whole just doesn’t move the needle for me and the Carolina Panthers, despite what appeared to be a growth year in 2025, just don’t have enough to be competitive. I want to believe in Bryce Young, but I fear it will be hard for him to replicate some of the success he had last year. I like what the Panthers offense can become with budding star, Tetairo McMillan and the steadiness of Chuba Hubbard. However, the fact that Xavier Legette has yet to break out gives me cause for concern. I can see this team clicking at some point and stealing a win or two to skew my actual prediction record, but I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting anything substantial.
2026 record prediction: 7-10
New Orleans Saints
With a conference filled with top 10 drafted quarterbacks, three in the top 5, and two number one overall picks, it is quite possible New Orleans as the one with the most upside in second round pick, Tyler Shough. After the Saints began the season with an atrocious 1-6 record, Shough saw his first real game action in Week 8 in a loss to Tampa Bay. Since then, in his next nine starts, New Orleans finished the season with a 5-4 record. Shough finished with 13 total touchdowns (10 passing, three rushing) and threw for 2,384 yards. He looked every bit of the part and in a division primed for a takeover, the Saints are on the right track to take the next step. It may not be this year though.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Full transparency — I initially had the Buccaneers finishing with a similar record than the Saints. However, after the news of Baker Mayfield‘s three-year, $165 million contract, I’ve changed my stance just a bit. I wasn’t certain how this year would go for Tampa Bay given the tough contract negotiations this offseason. With Mayfield fully in the mix, Todd Bowles fighting for his job, and a division as wide open as the great outdoors, I like the Bucs even more this season.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
America’s team is back. I am drinking the Dallas Cowboys Kool-aid. Not only do I believe the Cowboys will have a very good regular season, I believe they have a very good chance at not only making it to the Super Bowl, but winning it. The Cowboys check virtually every box this year. The shored up the depth on the defensive side of the ball, and not only did they add bodies, they added game-changing type players. On its defensive line alone, the Cowboys will feature All-Pro defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and newly signed Rashan Gary. Not to mention the signing of Von Miller, whose resume speaks for itself. With Dak Prescott starving for playoff success and a Super Bowl birth, be on the lookout for the Cowboys to make a ton of noise this season.
2026 record prediction: 13-4
New York Giants
The Giants are in rebuilding mode. John Harbaugh won’t turn around this franchise in one year. I expect them to be better, but the jury is still out on Jaxon Dart and whether Harbaugh will move forward with him as his franchise quarterback. They won’t go 4-13 again, but don’t expect them to cause a stir.
2026 record prediction: 7-10
Philadelphia Eagles
Last season was noisy in Philadelphia. One thing I know about Jalen Hurts is he doesn’t care for a lot of noise. The noise has now departed, but the expectations have not changed. With A.J. Brown traded to the New England Patriots, the Eagles made their choice with Hurts. They also sent a message with the acquisition of Andy Dalton. Hurts had his struggles last season, and Howie Roseman and company are in the business of competing for championships. With Brown’s exit, this opens the door for DeVonta Smith to prove himself as a number one receiver. The Eagles defense continues to rank in the top half of the league and if trading Brown is addition by subtraction, this is the year to prove it.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Washington Commanders
I don’t see the Washington Commanders being good this year. The buck stops with Jayden Daniels and given his injury history, I’m concerned for his future with the organization. To make matters worse, while his focus as a franchise quarterback should be on his recovery and the 2026 season, Daniels made headlines regarding the usage of his LSU No. 5 jersey with current player, DJ Pickett. Daniels and his legal team went as far as sending a cease-and-desist letter to LSU, blocking the school from using his name, image, and likeness in promotional materials following reissuing the number. Be that as it may, the Commanders do have Terry McLaurin and signed Stefon Diggs, so Daniels has weapons at the receiver position. I just don’t think it will matter much in the end.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray’s gone. New head coach Mike Lafleur is coaching for the future. I like the prospects of Carson Beck, but barring a Pro Bowl-esque year, the Cardinals will be shooting for the Arch Manning/Dante Moore sweepstakes.
2026 record prediction: 4-13
Los Angeles Rams
I’ll try and make this one short and sweet. The Rams are loaded. They have an embarrassment of riches on both sides of the ball, starting with Matthew Stafford who appears to be the Benjamin Button of quarterbacks lately. On top of that, they added not just the best defensive player in the league, but arguably the best player in the league in Myles Garrett. Wait, I’m not finished. On top of that, they added three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald back to the squad as they look to compete for a Super Bowl. I don’t have the Rams going undefeated, but I wouldn’t be upset if someone picked them to.
2026 record prediction: 15-2
San Francisco 49ers
*Long sigh* What can I say? The 49ers were the gift that kept on giving all offseason. From the months-long turmoil of Brandon Aiyuk making social media posts lambasting the organization. To head coach, Kyle Shanahan causing a car crash where he suffered a severe concussion, a broken nose, a broken left hand, three broken ribs, and needed more than 40 stitches in his face. To make matters worse, the 49ers waited 11 days to make the news public. Then, owner, Jed York was arrested in August in a prostitution sting. The interaction was recorded on police body camera footage and released, which was more than enough embarrassment for an offseason. But wait, there’s more. The proverbial chef’s kiss was the arrest of a phony 49ers player, named Daejon Love who reportedly scammed 26 women to the tune of $1.3 million dollars. I don’t have much else to offer on the 49ers, so take the prediction with a grain of salt.
2026 record prediction: 7-10
Seattle Seahawks
The Super Bowl hangover is a real thing. I don’t think the Seahawks will be bitten too hard by it, but I do believe they overachieved last year. If not for a all-time bonehead coaching blunder by Sean McVay in the NFC Championship game, the Seahawks may have been watching the Super Bowl instead of playing in it and winning it. Be that as it may, I expect Seattle to be very competitive again this year. Mike Macdonald put together a defensive clinic last year and the entire team bought into the culture he instilled. Sam Darnold finally got his respect, but I don’t see a repeat happening for this team.
2026 record prediction: 12-5
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens decided to part ways with John Harbaugh after 18 years with the franchise. The new regime is led by Jesse Minter, who served as the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator the past two seasons. The organization is sticking with Lamar Jackson. That’s well and good, but don’t expect too much other than a playoff berth.
2026 record prediction: 11-6
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has spoken ladies and gentlemen. He made it emphatically clear his expectations for the organization when he said it’s, “now or never” for this season. He did express recently how proud he is to be a Bengal and play for this organization, but the constant losing has to have taken its toll. I do believe the Bengals have addressed many of the needs in the areas they lacked and they’re primed for a monster year. If Burrow is focused and all-in, the rest of the Bengals will follow suit.
2026 record prediction: 14-3
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns stink. That’s not breaking news, but it’s just a known truth. Their quarterback room is so bad they spent months having Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played since the 2024 season where he posted a 21.0 QBR with a 1-6 record before a season-ending Achilles injury, battle with Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback spot. Sanders, a fifth round pick started the final seven games of the season and finished with a 3-4 record with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, oh yeah, and a 18.9 QBR to boot. The Browns made a blockbuster trade sending Myles Garrett to the Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks, most notably a 2027 first round pick. The defense was the overwhelming star of the team last year, however, it was led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was passed over for Todd Monken as the Browns head coach. With no serviceable quarterback in sight on the roster and a defense devoid of its leader, I don’t really know what to make of the mess Monken inherited. To say the Browns tanking for their shot at Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and the other talented options in the 2027 draft class is a secret, I have a three dollar bill I can sell you. The Browns will be bad in 2026.
2026 record prediction: 2-15
Pittsburgh Steelers
The story in Pittsburgh and around the NFL is 2026 will be Aaron Rodgers‘ last season. He will be reunited with former Packers head coach, Mike McCartney, who replaces Mike Tomlin. The Steelers honestly haven’t done a ton to make major headway, but they are the Steelers and they have a good head coach with an all-time quarterback in Rodgers. It won’t end in a Super Bowl, but it should at least be a respectable year.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
AFC South
Houston Texans
If Demeco Ryans was a stock, I’d buy tons of it. He’s a fantastic coach and an exceptional leader. He will find a way to take a team to the Super Bowl before he decides to leave coaching, whenever that will be. He has his defense so locked in, I won’t even focus on that side of the ball. The key to Houston’s success starts with their quarterback play. Many had high hopes for the Texans during last season’s playoffs. However, CJ Stroud’s performance left much to be desired in a AFC Divisional round loss to the Patriots. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half, and that pretty much sealed the Texans fate. However, this year is a new year and a new look for Stroud, who showed up to training camp with a new hairstyle, and maybe a new mindset. The Texans added running back, David Montgomery, who is primed to be a feature back after splitting carries with Jahmir Gibbs in Detroit. The Texans have the defense to go all the way, the questions however, are on the offensive side.
2026 record prediction: 12-5
Indianapolis Colts
Oh what could have been for the Colts in 2025. A season that saw a resurgence in Daniel Jones, who looked like the second-coming of Tom Brady the first eight weeks of the season in particular. Now, coming off an Achilles injury, Jones must prove last season wasn’t a fluke and he’s not the bust many have written him off to be. I believe the Colts will have a competitive 2026 season.
2026 record prediction: 10-7
Jacksonville Jaguars
I’m still trying to figure out what to make of the Jaguars and how they plan to use their 2025 first round pick, Travis Hunter. Last year went about as disappointing as one could imagine and it’s imperative the Jags find a way for the pick to make dividends.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
Tennessee Titans
I like Robert Saleh as a defensive mind. He hasn’t taken the best coaching jobs, and I’m not certain this one is any better than the Jets. This season is about the growth of Cam Ward and if the recent headlines of his spat with a reporter is foreshadowing, the Titans are in for a long year.
2026 record prediction: 5-12
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are done with the Sean McDermott era and have entered the Joe Brady era. Brady, who has served as the Bills offensive coordinator the past three seasons, enters 2026 as a first-year head coach. He and Josh Allen have developed a strong relationship with Brady serving as quarterbacks coach starting in 2022. The Bills have had everything they’ve needed at their disposal to get over the hump and are hoping the transition from McDermott to Brady gives them the firepower to do so. Will this year be the year? We shall see.
2026 record prediction: 12-5
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins tossed Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa to the curb to essentially start fresh in 2026. They signed Malik Willis in the offseason hoping he can take the magic he showed in the few appearances he had last season in Green Bay along with new head coach, Jeff Hafley who too was in Green Bay. The Dolphins are essentially kicking the tires with Willis to determine if he’s worth investing long term, or if their next quarterback is in the 2027 draft.
2026 record prediction: 4-13
New England Patriots
Hit the reset button and start again for 2027. If Mike Vrabel can muster at least seven wins, he should consider it a gift from God. I think he gets just above that, and nothing more.
2026 record prediction: 8-9
New York Jets
I’m sorry, it’s the Jets.
2026 record prediction: 5-12
AFC West
Denver Broncos
I’m high on the Broncos this season. Maybe even a mile high (ok, that’s enough). But seriously, this is the time for Sean Payton to take it to the next phase, especially given what happened last year, and the misfortune of Bo Nix‘s injury. Payton knows quite a bit about offense, and he got a major piece for Nix when Denver acquired Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins. The Broncos also re-signed J.K. Dobbins, and with the defense mostly intact, Payton has the chance to hoist another Lombardi trophy.
2026 record prediction: 13-4
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are like a modern day Patriots when Tom Brady was the signal caller. You could never really count them out. Patrick Mahomes at this stage of his career is on par with where Brady was when he was going into year 10. The three-time Super Bowl champion is coming off an ACL injury and it’s the first time the Chiefs have dealt with this with Mahomes. How will he fare? Will he be the same player? We don’t have any data to date, so this season is really up in the air. I don’t have high expectations, but don’t take them lightly if No. 15 is locked in.
2026 record prediction: 9-8
Las Vegas Raiders
So, the Raiders will be the opposite of good this year. Maybe not, first pick in the draft not good, but, not good nonetheless. They will start the year with Kirk Cousins in favor of number one overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, which is slightly concerning, but likely the right decision. I won’t be surprised to see Maxx Crosby on the trading block to a contender before the trade deadline, and the Raiders preparing for 2027.
2026 record prediction: 4-13
Los Angeles Chargers
It’s year three in the Jim Harbaugh era and I say he’s right on schedule to do something great. Harbaugh is known to get off to a fast start in his coaching tenures, and with back-to-back 11-6 seasons with the Chargers, he’s on brand to take a leap in year three. With the hiring of Mike McDaniel as his new offensive coordinator, I expect them to cook up some spectacular schemes for Justin Herbert and the Chargers will be right in the mix for a title this season.
2026 record prediction: 13-4
Super Bowl LXI
Teams: Rams vs. Chargers
Winner: Rams
