Tomorrow, the 2026-27 NFL season officially begins. 272 total regular-season games will be played over the next 18 weeks as the league looks to crown a Super Bowl champion in Los Angeles, California on February 14th, 2027. As we get set to kick off the 107th regular season in NFL history, let's take a look at how things will shake out and who will eventually be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens
When healthy, Lamar Jackson is still one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL. More importantly, the Ravens have a very favorable schedule with only six games against teams that made the playoffs last season. New head coach Jesse Minter will help Baltimore play better defensively, while the offense manages to put up numbers similar to what we saw during the 2023-24 season, when the Ravens were the best team in the AFC. Baltimore has proven that it can win plenty of regular-season games, which is why they earn the top spot in the conference.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost nine one-score games last season, which feels like an aberration rather than the new normal in Kansas City. A healthy Patrick Mahomes coupled with the best running back he has ever played with - reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III - will make this offense much better. At the same time, more talent along the defensive line will bring success to the rest of the unit and make life easier for the secondary as well as the linebackers. Plus, Kansas City should expect a better performance from its special teams, which will be the difference in those one-score games.
3. New England Patriots
Yes, the Pats will have a much harder schedule this year as opposed to last season. However, New England also boasts an improved roster. They made upgrades at wide receiver, along the offensive line, in the pass rush, and in the secondary. Additionally, the Patriots still have an elite coaching staff that clearly knows how to win games. Quarterback Drake Maye could certainly take another step forward in his progression with a better group of skill position players, which would make this team deadly. They aren't going to go 14-3, but it's reasonable to expect at least 10 wins from this group.
4. Houston Texans
With a top-flight defense, it's fair to assume that Houston will be competitive in every single game it plays this season. They just need to put it together offensively, which might be possible with an improved rushing attack and - more importantly - better play in the trenches. The biggest concern is still on the offensive side of the ball, but C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense do not have to light the world on fire. If Houston is slightly above-average on that side of the ball, then this team will be in the playoffs and the class of the AFC South.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are breaking in a new head coach and defensive coordinator, which will lead to some missteps early in the season. Regardless, they still have Josh Allen, who is one of the best players in the NFL regardless of position, as well as an elite offensive line, which makes this team a threat to win every game they play. The middle of the schedule and the end of the regular season present some very favorable opportunities for the Bills to bolster their record and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Even with so many changes to the coaching staff, a winning culture has already been established in Buffalo, and that (plus Josh Allen) will be enough to carry the Bills to the postseason.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Even with a God-awful offensive line and unimaginative playcalling on that side of the ball, the Chargers still managed to win 11 games last year. Now that they have both of their Pro Bowl tackles back and an offensive mastermind in Mike McDaniel, Los Angeles looks poised for one of its best seasons under Jim Harbaugh. However, they have a grueling eight-week stretch after the first two games of the season that will likely prevent them from winning the division. With a more favorable back-end, though, there's a strong possibility that the Chargers catch fire and finish the year strong.
7. Denver Broncos
With a slew of incredibly challenging games to open the 2026-27 campaign, it's quite possible that Denver finds itself on the wrong side of .500 after the first six weeks of the season. Thankfully, though, they have an easier stretch after that with games against the Cardinals, Panthers, Dolphins, Jets, Steelers, and the Raiders twice. The defense is still excellent, and the offense should take another step forward as quarterback Bo Nix enters his third season as a pro. However, the slow start will hurt the Broncos' chances of winning the AFC West and getting any home playoff games.
NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have spared no expense building one of the best rosters we have ever seen. They have countless Pro Bowlers throughout their depth chart, including last season's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Honestly, I'm having a hard time finding any losses on their schedule. They could drop the game in Melbourne and the Week 16 matchup in Seattle. Beyond that, though, this team will likely be favored in every contest. Barring any catastrophic injuries to Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, or Myles Garrett, the Rams have what it takes to dominate the NFC this year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
It's going to be a back-to-basics campaign for Philly, which should be much better offensively with a healthy O-line and a new OC. Not to mention, they don't have the most difficult schedule in the world, with 10 games against teams that failed to make the playoffs last season. With running back Saquon Barkley returning to Pro Bowl form and a better performance from the pass-rush on the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles should emerge as one of the best teams in the NFC. If they can split their divisional games and go 2-2 against the NFC West, then Philly will be primed for a great season.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers do not have an insanely difficult schedule outside of their NFC North opponents. There's a world where they open the regular season 4-0 with games against the Vikings, Jets, Falcons, and Buccaneers. This team just needs to ride out the storm until edge rusher Micah Parsons returns to the lineup. After all, they were 9-3-1 before he went down last season. Once Parsons comes back, Green Bay will be a much better team and should finish the regular season strong with maybe nine or 10 wins in their last 12 games. If they can beat three of their first five opponents, then there's no reason this group can't finish the campaign with 12 regular-season victories.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have their warts, but they also have enough talent to win the NFC South and secure a spot in the 2027 NFL Playoffs. The offensive line will be more consistent, the pass rush should be better, and Baker Mayfield will probably not have to deal with any injuries that impede his ability to throw the football. On top of that, Tampa only has seven games against playoff teams, and two of those contests will come against the Carolina Panthers, whom they match up well with. As long as Baker Mayfield comes out of the regular season relatively unscathed, then this team will win the NFC South.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks suffered numerous noteworthy off-season losses, but that doesn't mean that this is a bad team. They still have a top-flight coach, quarterback, wide receiver, and defense. Also, Lumen Field gives them one of the best home-field advantages in football. If they played anywhere else, they would be the favorite to win their division. However, going up against the 2026-27 Los Angeles Rams will present a unique set of challenges for any team, let alone a divisional rival. The Seahawks will have a target on their back all season long and should not finish the year with 14 wins. However, they are more than capable of reaching the postseason.
6. Detroit Lions
There are still some concerns in the secondary, but beyond that, Detroit has one of the best rosters in the National Football League. Their offense will once again be elite, and the defense should be solid too. The Lions are also blessed with a fantastic coaching staff that beat the Bears twice last season, which is why they'll finish with a better seed in the playoffs. Though the D will betray them a few times this year, they have enough offensive firepower to make the postseason, especially with an easier schedule than they had last year. After all, this team could've made the playoffs had it not been for that disastrous Christmas Day loss to the Vikings.
7. Chicago Bears
Though the Bears should be expected to take a step back this season, they are still one of the seven best teams in the NFC. They have a brilliant head coach and an incredibly promising young quarterback who looks ready to take that next step in his progression. Unfortunately for the Chicago faithful, this squad's defense will not be as good as it was last year, when it led the league in takeaways (33). The offense will be excellent, but the defense will cost this group some games. However, they just have to play better than the 49ers, Cowboys, and Vikings, and that should earn them a playoff berth.
Super Bowl LXI
Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots
In the AFC, the Chiefs get one over on the Broncos in the first round of the playoffs thanks to home-field advantage, while the Pats smother the Chargers and the Texans' defense proves too much for Joe Brady's Bills. After that, the Ravens' offense overwhelms Kansas City's young defenders, earning them a spot in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, who once again take care of C.J. Stroud and the Texans. In the Championship Game, Jesse Minter's inexperience as a head coach leads to a few mistakes that the Patriots take advantage of, as they make it back to the Super Bowl.
Over in the NFC, the Eagles beat the Bears at their own game by running the ball down their throat in the Wild Card Round. Thanks to the weather in Green Bay and their familiarity with the Lions, the Packers move on in the playoffs, where they'll face the Seahawks, who are too much for the Buccaneers to overcome. Later, the Rams' passing attack in a dome cannot be contained by the Eagles, while the Seahawks' defensive line overwhelms the Packers' blockers, setting up an NFC Championship Game rematch from last year. This time, though, the Rams are better prepared and get to play at home, which gives them the advantages needed to finally down the Seahawks when it counts.
In the Big Game, the Patriots' secondary does a fairly good job of containing LA's pass catchers, but they forget to account for the Rams' rushing attack, which bowls over New England. On the other side, the Pats' new-look offensive line has no answers for the lethal combination of Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford, which makes New England's guys up front look like chopped liver. As a result, the Rams squeak out a victory for their second Super Bowl in six years, which allows quarterback Matthew Stafford to retire and ride off into the sunset.
