2026 NFL Season Preview

Alright, so it's that time again.

The nights are growing shorter and cooler. Kids are about to go back to school, or already have in much of the country. Pumpkin Spice is back. 

And a new NFL season is about to begin. Tonight, the season kicks off when the New England Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl LX played last February.

Last year, two teams met in the Super Bowl who came as a surprise for most. Certainly, I was not expecting either the Seahawks or the Patriots to play in the big game, let alone against each other. Yet, it goes to show how unpredictable the NFL - and sports more generally - can be.

So now, a new season is upon us. And that means that it is also time for me to make my traditional picks for the coming NFL season, including how I suspect the playoffs will shape up (in a future post).

Here goes:

Okay, first of all, two franchises are returning to versions of their uniforms which were similar to other times in their history. The Washington Commanders are going back to the uniforms they used to have before their franchise name change some years ago. And the Tennessee Titans are going back to a uniform similar to what they had when they were still the Houston Oilers, before the move to Tennessee, which ultimately came with a name change and uniforms that never quite fit. In both cases, these "new" old uniforms feel like an improvement, and I applaud that. It feels a little bit like the Jets returning to the uniforms they had in the eighties, or the Bills and 49ers returning to the uniforms they had in the early eighties, as well. 

If we could only get the Giants to return to the uniforms that they had in the 1980's and 1990's, especially those white uniforms with the navy-blue helmets, the NFL might feel closer to being the league that I loved as a kid. 

Now, here are my predictions for the upcoming NFL season. I will break it down by conference and division. Then there will be predictions for the playoffs and, ultimately, the two teams who I will predict to make the coming Super Bowl, and which of those two teams will win it all.

Ready?

Since the Seahawks won it all last season, let's start with the NFC, particularly out West:

NFC West

This was far and away the best division in the league last year, with three legitimate contenders. Remember, the division title came down to the final weekend with a showdown between the Seahawks and the 49ers, which of course Seattle won. Two weeks later, they met again, and this time Seattle won in a romp, then beat the Rams to reach the Super Bowl, where they won again. This season, it feels like all three of those teams are again legitimate contenders, with only the Cardinals being left behind. While I feel that Seattle is a very good team, history tells us that they will likely struggle adjusting with the defending champion label. The 49ers are still solid, but I feel like the Rams are looking like the team with everything lined up in their favor. Here is my prediction for the NFC West

1. LA Rams

2. San Francisco

3. Seattle

4. Arizona

NFC North

While this was not the best division in the league last season, it feels like it still has some of the best teams and potential this year. And if the NFC West slips, maybe the NFC North will be the best division. Seriously, I feel like all four teams would have a chance at qualifying for the postseason in their best-case scenario. The Bears emerged with a very strong season last year, winning the division and then beating the Packers in the playoffs.  My guess is that they will struggle as favorite a bit this season. The Lions missed the playoffs last season, but a new offense and a still talented roster should allow them to be contenders yet again. The Packers tend to win more than they lose but it feels like this is a team that will be either 10-7 or 9-8, and likely squeak into the playoffs. And the unpredictable Vikings feel like the wildcard in the bunch, a team that could stun with a great season and even win the division title, or which could struggle to another losing season. Here are my picks for the NFC North:

1. Detroit

2. Chicago

3. Green Bay

4. Minnesota

NFC South

Absolutely nobody felt that this division was close to the best division last year, and nobody predicts this to be the best division this year, either. In fact, they are closer to being on the opposite end, as the worst division in the league. Carolina won the NFC South last season, but it felt almost like a technicality. They were able to win the division largely because of Tampa Bay's complete collapse. It was hardly even like the Panthers got hot themselves late in the season, as they also lost three of their final four regular season games. They sneaked past Tampa Bay because the Bucs lost seven of eight games in the second half of the season, knocking themselves out of contention. This year, they could bounce back although they are getting older. The Saints look like a team emerging to possibly contend, and the Falcons are unpredictable, although they do not quite feel like a serious contender. In truth, this division is so bad that any team can struggle, which also makes it feel like any team can win it just by not being quite as bad as the other teams. Still, somebody will emerge, right? Here are my predictions for the NFC South:

1. New Orleans

2. Tampa Bay

3. Carolina

4. Atlanta

NFC East

Despite some problems and an early exit from the postseason last season, the Eagles remain the cream of the crop here. Remember, they were the defending Super Bowl champs just one year ago, and the core of that team still exists. Expect them to have a strong season and to take the division. Dallas is talented, but too inconsistent. They may qualify for the playoffs, although they just as easily may fail to get anywhere near them. If they go, they likely will take the first exit on the road to the Super Bowl. The G-Men are improving and could make some noise, although I am not as confident as other fans that this year will mean a playoff spot. As for Washington, they were in the NFC Championship Game around 18 months ago, but do not look or feel like the same team. Then again, they took a lot of people - myself included, admittedly - by surprise then so maybe they can do it again. Here are my picks for the NFC East:

1. Philadelphia 

2. Dallas 

3. Washington

4. NY Giants

AFC West

Kansas City absolutely owned this division for nine straight seasons before it all came crashing down last year. They had been the model of consistency for the league, and it was looking decent last year, too, when the team was 5-3 after three straight wins. Maybe they would catch fire and go back to the playoffs, perhaps win another division title. Maybe even the Super Bowl? Then they lost a tough showdown at Buffalo, followed by a loss to the AFC West leading Broncos. KC won a game after that to reach 6-5, but that proved to be their last gas. They lost out the rest of the way. Mahomes was gone with an injury, and their once mighty offense looked, frankly, inept, scoring a total of 57 in their final five games combined. Yikes. Fortunately for them, the Raiders are in the same division, and even more inept, so the Silver & Black took their familiar last place in the division yet again. Last year was about Denver surprising everyone with a dominant run to be the top seed in the AFC, and the Chargers also showing a strong run into the playoffs. And while the Chargers got bounced right away by the Pats, it still felt like a promising sign. As for the Broncos, they felt like the new powerhouse team in the division. They went 14-3 last year, tied with the Seahawks and Broncos for best overall regular season record in the league. So how does this year look? A lot of it defends on how well Mahomes recovered, and that is not a certainty. It remains to be seen if he can recover and be the force he was until last season, or if this is the point where he begins to decline. Let's take a look at the AFC West:

1. Denver

2. Los Angeles Chargers

3. Kansas City

4. Las Vegas

AFC North

Pittsburgh managed to win a seriously weakened AFC North division last year. However, they had felt strictly like a middle of the road team on both offense and defense, and played like that once they reached the playoffs. Remember, they got bounced in a blowout right away to Houston. Now, they return with a new head coach. And while Aaron Rodgers, 42 and turning 43 in December, insists that the Steelers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, it is difficult to imagine that they can really compete on that level. Especially if the Ravens bounce back, as I expect them to do. Also if Joe Burrow comes back for Cincinnati, they could be a force. As for the Browns, well, I hope that they enjoy success. But I wouldn't put money on it. Here are my picks for the AFC North:

1. Baltimore

2. Pittsburgh

3. Cincinnati

4. Cleveland

AFC South

This was a very strange division last season. The Texans and the Jaguars both had solid defenses, but neither advanced too far in the playoffs. The Colts absolutely raced out to an impressive 8-2 start and looked like an NFL powerhouse, then never won another game the rest of the year. The Titans were more predictable, remaining in the cellar from start to finish last season. So, how will the AFC South shape up this season? Well, I expect that Houston will be better right from the gates this time. Remember, they got off to a disastrous start last year and never fully recovered. This season, I expect them to be strong early and to keep that up. Let's take a look at my predictions for the AFC South:

1. Houston

2. Jacksonville

3. Indianapolis

4. Tennessee

AFC East

New England kind of took everybody by storm last year, didn't they? Almost nobody expected them to return to elite status as quickly and as completely as they wound up doing. Yet there they were, taking the division with an impressive 14-3 record. Then winning out in the AFC playoffs before being brought to hell in the Super Bowl against Seattle. This year, expect them to struggle a bit more as favorites, because they certainly should not take anybody by surprise anymore. I expect the Bills to return to the top of the AFC East, and to make another serious run at the Super Bowl. The Dolphins are in transition and will probably play like that. As for the Jets, well, they might be better than expected. But I wouldn't put any money on that. Here are my predictions for the AFC East:

1. Buffalo

2. New England

3. Miami

4. NY Jets 

Predictions for the NFL Playoffs for the 2026-27 season will come shortly.

Prediction for tonight's game:

New England at Seattle - The Pats never really got anything going in the Super Bowl meeting between these two teams. At least not until it was much too late and the outcome had long before been decided. Clearly, they will want revenge. But Seattle is a tough place to play, and the Seahawks will want to play at their best for their home fans, especially for such a huge showdown played immediately to kick off the entire season. Expect a better performance from the Pats, and a close game. However, I still feel like the Seahawks should win this one.  My pick: Seattle