2025-26 season predictions

By: Josh Frey-Sam

We made it.

It’s been 207 days since the last meaningful football game was played, so it brings me great pleasure to say the NFL is returning tonight.

To mark the occasion, I wanted to plant the flag on how I think this season will shake out. Because who doesn’t love prediction, right?

Let’s get started…

Division winners

AFC East - Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins

The New England Patriots will prove they are one of the fastest-rising teams in the NFL this season, putting them in a position to potentially be some people’s surprise AFC East winners in 2026. For now, the Bills Mafia runs this division.

AFC West - Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders

Jim Harbaugh wins football games. He already showed it last season, and this year, the Chargers will take another step by knocking the Chiefs off their pedestal for the first time in nine years. This offence will be physical, and the defence will be stout once again. This division will be incredible to watch all year.

AFC South - Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans

Do not be surprised if this division race comes down to the last couple of weeks. The Jags are among the teams I expect to surprise this season. Ultimately, I think the Texans’ defence is simply too good and will guide them to another AFC South title.

AFC North - Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns

Another race that will come down to the wire. At the end of the day, the Ravens are the best team in the division, so I see them coming out on top. The Steelers will make the playoffs, and the Bengals will be in the conversation until the end again.

NFC North - Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears

This isn’t a reaction to the Micah Parsons trade, but his new presence certainly doesn’t hurt. The Packers and Vikings are well-built football teams with eyes on deep playoff runs. I think Green Bay is the deeper team, however. Meanwhile, the Lions take a slight step back but still make the playoffs. The Bears are still a year away.

NFC East - Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, New York Giants

The Eagles are poised to run it back. They are the best team in this division, and it’s not even close. Perhaps the surprise is the Cowboys finishing second over the Commanders. Jayden Daniels and the offence will be good again, but this team overachieved last season and is poised for a regression before a big comeback in 2026.

NFC West - Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals

Perhaps the toughest division to predict. With a healthy Matt Stafford, the Rams are the best overall team in the NFC West. I believe the arrow will be pointing up for all four of these teams by season’s end.

NFC South - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints

I’m not sleeping on the Falcons, but I don’t think they are a complete team yet. They are a year away. The Bucs have their eyes on a Super Bowl run, and their regular season should reflect that.

Playoffs seeding

NFC - Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers

AFC - Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers

Conference championship

AFC - Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills

NFC - Philadelphia Eagles v Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl

Buffalo Bills v Green Bay Packers

Award winners

MVP - Lamar Jackson

Was partially a victim of voters fatigue last season. Lamar will be great again this year.

OPOY - Bijan Robinson

Bijan will thrive with Michael Penix Jr. under center and Zac Robinson calling plays.

DPOY - Nik Bonnito

Surprised? Turn on the film. Bonnito is the best pass rusher on arguably the best defence in the league. He’s also looking to get paid. He’ll be fantastic for the Broncos once again.

OROY - Omarion Hampton

A lot of good choices. I think Hampton takes over this backfield and puts up big numbers behind the Chargers’ strong offensive line.

DROY - James Pearce Jr.

Will be leaned upon to produce for the Falcons immediately. Pearce Jr. was one of the most polished pass rushers in this draft, and now he’ll have a big opportunity to show that.

COY - Mike Vrabel

The Pats will be in the playoff conversation. Should they make it, that will be enough for voters. Remember, the Pats were a four-win team last season.

CPOY - Dak Prescott

He’s going to need to put up big numbers for the Cowboys to have a chance. The stats should support an award-winning season.

POY - Joe Alt

Alt was supposed to start at RT this season until Rashawn Slater went down in training camp. Now Alt, already one of the best young protectors in the league, will guard Justin Herbert’s blindside. That’s no easy proposition, and I think he’ll succeed, which could be compelling enough to warrant him the inaugural Protector of the Year Award.

Enjoy the football tonight. I know I will.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh