Last-Minute Bold Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season

Throughout the offseason, I've rolled out bold NFL predictions as the league shifted under our feet.

Already on the record: Green Bay will finish in the NFC North basement, New England will miss the playoffs entirely, Tampa Bay will fall off a cliff, the Rams will stumble under market expectations, Cleveland will be better than terrible, and Indianapolis will crash and burn.

Now, on the eve of the first Sunday of the 2026 NFL campaign, it's time to empty the notebook with six fresh bold calls regarding the new season.

Volatility is the default setting in the NFC East, where I don't trust anyone in the division. The Eagles deservedly remain the team to beat, but I wouldn't be surprised if significant offensive turnover leads to early inconsistency.

Meanwhile, Dallas and Washington continue to face massive questions about their defenses, at the very least.

I like that the Giants are loaded with young talent on both sides of the ball. I love that they've now combined that with a Super Bowl-winning head coach, a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator and veteran additions like Isaiah Likely and Tremaine Edmunds.

I get the feeling Jaxson Dart and his young, high-energy supporting cast will approach 2026 with a nothing-to-lose mentality, which is dangerous if you're Dallas, Philly or Washington.

I'm expecting progress under a new regime from Dart, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo—as well as in the trenches on both sides of the ball—as the G-Men shock the NFC East in 2026.

For the First Time in 23 Years, the Pittsburgh Steelers Post a Losing Record

I don't remember the last time a core featuring a quarterback acquired just a year ago and a head coach hired just a few months ago felt this stale.

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy? What are we doing here, Pittsburgh?

The 42-year-old Rodgers hasn't performed at an elite level since 2021, while McCarthy, 62, has just one playoff win since 2017. Rodgers isn't particularly well supported by an average skill-position group and a good-not-great offensive line. While there are some legends on that defense, that unit was thoroughly average overall in 2025. It's fair to wonder what Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt have left in the tank.

This is a mediocre team destined for a blowup season and likely to be overmatched by the Ravens and Bengals in the AFC North. It's not a good recipe. It's finally time for the Steelers to endure a poor campaign before entering an inevitable rebuild.

Kyler Murray Leads the Minnesota Vikings to the Playoffs

I'll preface this by stating I think the NFC wild-card race is going to be bonkers. I've already got the Giants leaving Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington in the wild-card picture. There are seven playoff-caliber teams fighting for a maximum of five playoff spots in the North and West (everybody but Arizona).

That said, I get the sense that a rejuvenated Kyler Murray will team up with Justin Jefferson, excel behind a superb offensive line, and—buoyed by a talented and experienced defense—push Minnesota back to the playoffs.

This really is a strong all-around team with a high ceiling when the quarterback isn't getting in the way. Kevin O'Connell might be the guy to bring out the best in Murray.

The 49ers can't ever seem to stay healthy. The Rams are overrated and facing ridiculous expectations and pressure in a jacked division. Within said division, the Seahawks could be in for a Super Bowl hangover after losing some key cogs to the vultures.

Within Minnesota's division, Green Bay is facing a tall task without Micah Parsons for an extended stretch. Detroit is coming off a disappointing campaign. The Bears were only a middle-of-the-pack team in terms of DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) despite winning the North last year.

Few are giving a lot of love to a Vikings squad that went 14-3 two seasons ago. Watch for them to take advantage of that and slip into a wild-card spot while everybody above rips each other to shreds.

It took longer than many expected, but the 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick has finally found it.

Lawrence took a major step forward with new head coach Liam Coen in his fifth season as a pro—finally finding stability and an offensive mind with a clear plan and path for him.

That's what we saw as he threw for 15 touchdowns and one interception, posting a 113.2 passer rating in his final six games, as the Jaguars finished the 2025 campaign on an eight-game winning streak.

The competition will generally be fiercer this year than it was in that stretch, but I also expect Lawrence and Coen to take another big leap after a full offseason of review and revision.

Nobody's questioning Lawrence's talent. Now, he has the sensei. Does he have the requisite talent surrounding him? The jury's still out, especially if a now-healthy Travis Hunter is more of a corner than a wideout.

The reality is that a lack of oomph elsewhere on offense (including across the line) could work in Lawrence's favor for MVP consideration if he continues to improve under Coen and keeps the Jags in contention anyway.

Aaron Glenn and Shane Steichen Are Toast by Thanksgiving

In Glenn's case, a leash shorter than two years is a tough break, but I just don't see his defense improving enough after ranking 31st in points allowed in his debut season.

Combine that with his vocal backing of Geno Smith—who is destined to struggle as an over-the-hill turnover machine—and it's difficult to envision an increasingly impatient front office waiting for 2027 to pull the plug.

The Jets are going to be buried well before winter arrives, at which point they'll likely put their coach out of his misery and turn their attention to a big pivot in the new year.

As for Steichen, the Colts are a "meh" team trying to pose as a contender fueled by the false belief that Daniel Jones could be the guy after an aberrational hot streak that ended in a decline and a major injury in 2025.

They have a better chance of falling behind the surging Titans than they do of catching up to the Jaguars or Texans in 2026. I doubt it takes long for the front office to realize that and bail on a guy destined for a fourth consecutive non-playoff campaign since taking over in 2023.

A Bills-Lions Super Bowl Finally Comes to Fruition

Finally, a fun Super Bowl prediction that many neutral NFL observers would love to see take place.

Two of the league's most lovable all-time losers. The Lions are the only continuously operating franchise that has been in existence for the entirety of the Super Bowl era without playing in the game, while the Bills are also members of the no-Lombardi club despite having four consecutive kicks at the can a generation ago.

Both teams have been prime contenders for much of the last decade. Now, their windows are arguably closing. I have a feeling it will come together for both of these extremely talented, battle-tested teams as they work under increased pressure in 2026.

Detroit has an easier path than any other NFC heavyweight. You'd have to think better injury luck will be on their side after they led the league by a comical margin in defensive adjusted games lost in 2025. Meanwhile, the Bills have the best quarterback in the world right now, with a fresh feel as Joe Brady takes over the operation and DJ Moore joins the fray as Allen's top weapon.

This is the year. As for who will come through and win it all, I'll wait to make that bold prediction until just ahead of Valentine's Day.