The NFL season is nearly here, with the preseason kicking off Thursday night at the Hall of Fame Game. The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals provided a thrilling battle to usher in the return of football. In just a month, the Seattle Seahawks will begin their title defense against the New England Patriots.
The 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be another thrilling campaign after an offseason filled with blockbuster transactions. Several franchises also enter the season with new faces at quarterback and head coach, adding another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable league.
This is the time of year when bold predictions begin to surface, creating plenty of buzz and debate among NFL fans. For this prediction, we went game-by-game and week-by-week to project how the entire 2026 NFL season will unfold. That process ultimately led to the predicted standings for each division and our projected playoff field.
MORE: Patrick Mahomes reveals knee injury progress as Chiefs QB eyes Week 1 return
There are some stunning results, along with a few potential surprises. Here are our 2026 NFL season predictions:
AFC divisional standings
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury (65) prepares to snap the ball to quarterback Drake Maye (10) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: 12-5
New England Patriots: 9-8
Miami Dolphins: 5-12
New York Jets: 2-15
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-5
Baltimore Ravens: 11-6
Cincinnati Bengals: 11-6
Cleveland Browns: 3-14
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 9-8
Houston Texans: 9-8
Tennessee Titans: 7-10
Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-11
MORE: NFL experts are split on the Denver Broncos’ 2026 outlook
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 11-6
Denver Broncos: 11-6
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
NFC divisional standings
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; NBC Sports host Maria Taylor interviews Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) as he celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: 13-4
Dallas Cowboys: 13-4
New York Giants: 9-8
Washington Commanders: 7-10
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 10-7
Minnesota Vikings: 10-7
Detroit Lions: 8-9
Chicago Bears: 7-10
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 10-7
Carolina Panthers: 8-9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9
New Orleans Saints: 4-13
MORE: Ranking first-year NFL head coaches with the toughest jobs
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams: 12-5
Seattle Seahawks: 11-6
San Francisco 49ers: 7-10
Arizona Cardinals: 2-15
NFL playoff picture
Jan 25, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the first half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Projected NFC playoff field
Philadelphia Eagles
Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings
Projected AFC playoff field
Buffalo Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
2027 NFL Draft No. 1 pick
“With the first pick of the 2027 NFL Draft the New York Jets select…”