Tomorrow, the 2025-26 NFL common season kicks off with a Thursday Night time Soccer Sport between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. All of it leads as much as Tremendous Bowl LX on February eighth, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Earlier than the NFL season begins, let’s check out who will make the playoffs and which workforce will likely be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy when all is alleged and completed.
AFC
North
Baltimore Ravens
In terms of the AFC North, the Ravens are head and shoulders above all people else. The Browns are a joke, the Bengals are a defensive atrocity, and the Steelers are banking on a 41-year-old quarterback to cause them to the promised land.
The Ravens have one of many 4 finest quarterbacks within the NFL, in addition to an elite coach in John Harbaugh. Operating again Derrick Henry reveals no indicators of slowing down, whereas the protection is suffering from playmakers throughout the board, like Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and Kyle Van Noy. This could as soon as once more be a workforce that wins 11 or extra regular-season video games.
East
Buffalo Payments
The Payments are coming off their fifth straight AFC East divisional crown. The Jets and Dolphins should not an actual menace to dethrone Buffalo. The New England Patriots may make the Payments sweat, however I believe the Pats are extra of a Wild Card workforce than a division winner. Don’t be shocked, although, in the event that they cut up the season collection with Buffalo.
Josh Allen is coming off his finest season as a professional, whereas Buffalo’s younger extensive receivers and tight ends enter this yr one other yr older and wiser. This would be the season that both Keon Coleman or Dalton Kincaid takes an enormous leap ahead. On the opposite aspect of the ball, the protection has a number of new contributors (together with Joey Bosa) and already has established a basis with guys like Ed Oliver, Christian Benford, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, and many others. So long as Josh Allen doesn’t regress and the Payments could be dominant at dwelling, they’ll run away with this division.
South
Houston Texans
Houston needs to be favored to win this division till confirmed in any other case. The Tennessee Titans may make some noise within the AFC South now that they’ve discovered their quarterback place, however they’re nonetheless one other yr away from changing into a playoff contender. The Colts and Jaguars are by no means threats to win the division, however Jacksonville a minimum of has an opportunity to be higher than they have been final yr, not like Indy.
Like I mentioned in my AFC preview, the Texans have the very best head coach, protection, and quarterback within the division. C.J. Stroud won’t have taken that subsequent step in the course of the common season, however he was nonetheless superb within the playoffs. Plus, the protection added impactful gamers like Sheldon Rankins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who will assist this group as soon as once more end ranked within the prime ten statistically. Houston simply wants to ensure it does the whole lot it might probably to guard C.J. Stroud, who has taken the second-most sacks within the NFL since coming into the league in 2023.
West
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Is Patrick Mahomes nonetheless the Chiefs’ beginning quarterback? Sure. Are Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo nonetheless calling the performs in KC? Sure. So long as the solutions to these two questions are “sure,” then the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs will win the AFC West. That has been the case since Patrick Mahomes turned the full-time starter in 2018.
The Chiefs made some enhancements offensively by shoring up the offensive line and utilizing a first-round draft decide on Josh Simmons, a man who I adamantly imagine would’ve been drafted within the prime ten had he not gotten damage final yr. They’ll additionally begin a former second-round decide at left guard after eliminating Joe Thuney. And when he returns to the sector, Rashee Rice will emerge because the number-one wideout in KC’s offense. Pair that with a protection that solely misplaced one true starter, and you’ve got the Chiefs profitable the AFC West divisional crown for a tenth consecutive yr.
Wild Card Groups
1. New England Patriots
The Pats have the whole lot you need in an up-and-coming workforce. They’ve acquired the promising, younger quarterback, the savvy head coach who has proven he can flip groups round, investments within the trenches, and a slew of playmakers which can be both younger or well-established. Contemplating the Pats will get to play a fourth-place schedule that features video games in opposition to the Giants, the Jets twice, the Dolphins twice, the Browns, the Panthers, and the Saints, New England ought to be capable to pull off some sudden wins and put collectively a 10-7 or 11-6 report, incomes them the highest Wild Card spot within the AFC.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ division is an absolute meat grinder. The AFC West had three playoff groups final yr and will have 4 this yr with the marked enhancements that the Las Vegas Raiders made this low season. Fortunately for Denver, they’ve video games in opposition to the Jaguars, Titans, Colts, Jets, Giants, and Cowboys, all matchups they need to win. If they’ll cut up the season collection in opposition to Vegas, Kansas Metropolis, and Los Angeles, that already places them at 9 wins. After that, they’ll return to the playoffs by stealing a win in opposition to the Packers, Ravens, Texans, Commanders, Eagles, or Bengals.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers is pissed off and has one thing to show to the NFL after principally being laughed out of New York. Contemplating how vengeful this man could be, anticipate him to return to Professional Bowl kind. Even when he places up the identical numbers this yr as he did final season, that needs to be ok to guide the Steelers to the playoffs. 28 passing touchdowns and solely 11 interceptions, mixed with that protection and training workers, is a recipe for achievement.
NFC
North
Detroit Lions
Prime-to-bottom, the Detroit Lions have essentially the most full roster of their division. The Packers have secondary points. The Vikings’ season depends upon the youngest beginning quarterback within the NFL being good. The Chicago Bears have a rookie head coach and questions at each deal with spots. Even with a brand new offensive and defensive coordinator, the Lions ought to win the NFC North, particularly with the entire injured gamers they’re coming back from final yr.
Detroit’s offensive weapons are fear-inducing. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery, the listing goes on and on. They’re breaking in some new guys alongside the offensive line, however they nonetheless have Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker manning the sides, which provides them a bonus over most defenses. So long as their protection doesn’t endure as many accidents because it did final yr, that unit will likely be ok to cease opponents from conserving tempo with the Lions’ offense. Barring an damage to Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, or Jared Goff, Detroit will likely be again within the postseason for a 3rd consecutive yr.
East
Philadelphia Eagles
The Washington Commanders are the one legit menace to the Eagles in the case of profitable the NFC East. The Cowboys’ protection won’t be able to cease groups from scoring, whereas the Giants’ offense nonetheless lacks the firepower and quarterback to make any actual noise within the division. With the Commanders going through a slew of robust defensive groups, Philly is poised to win the East for the third time within the final 4 seasons.
The offensive line returns all however one starter, proper guard Mekhi Becton, who’s being changed by an extremely promising former third-round decide named Tyler Steen, who’s an absolute monster at 6’6″ and 321 lbs.. With Saquon Barkley working behind that line, he’ll in all probability end the season as the very best working again within the NFL. That may make it simple for quarterback Jalen Hurts to proceed constructing on the Tremendous Bowl MVP efficiency he put up in February. On prime of that, the protection nonetheless has game-wreckers at each stage with Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. Philly ought to simply end the common season with a minimum of 11 wins.
South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers may run away with their division if Michael Penix Jr. doesn’t take that subsequent step for the Atlanta Falcons. The Carolina Panthers are nonetheless a yr or two away from being aggressive. In the meantime, the Saints will in all probability be one of many three worst groups within the NFL. There’s an opportunity that Tampa is the primary workforce to win its division this season.
I mentioned in my NFC preview that the Buccaneers may have essentially the most balanced offensive assault within the NFL this season. They’ve three number-one extensive receivers and two number-one working backs, in addition to a top-ten quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Additionally they carry again many starters on a protection that was ranked within the prime ten in dashing yards allowed and sacks. If their younger cornerbacks could make a fast transition from faculty to the professional stage, then this workforce will certainly win the NFC South and perhaps even some playoff video games.
West
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are principally the one workforce within the NFC West that isn’t going by means of main modifications at key positions. The 49ers misplaced a number of starters, the Playing cards restructured their defensive position, and the Seahawks have a brand new quarterback. If LA can cut up its collection in opposition to Seattle, San Fran, and Arizona, then they’ve a simple sufficient remaining schedule to win the division.
Matthew Stafford is a warrior who has all the time completed his finest to play by means of accidents. We all remember when he threw a game-winning touchdown pass with a separated shoulder. Although a again damage could be very totally different, he ought to nonetheless be capable to sling the ball everywhere in the area and lead an offense that has arguably the very best trio of playmakers within the NFL with Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Davante Adams. This protection, which is likely one of the youngest within the league, may also take one other step ahead after averaging eight sacks a sport within the playoffs. It’s value saying, although, that the Rams are screwed if Matthew Stafford’s damage will get worse.
Wild Card Groups
1. San Francisco 49ers
With the complete companies of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Trent Williams, the 49ers’ offense will likely be higher this yr versus final season, once they averaged 22.9 factors per sport (tied for thirteenth within the league). Consider a cupcake schedule that features video games in opposition to the Panthers, Browns, Colts, Titans, Jaguars, and Giants, and San Francisco will return to the playoffs as the highest Wild Card workforce within the NFC.
2. Inexperienced Bay Packers
When wholesome, Jordan Love is likely one of the prime quarterbacks within the NFL who can truly win you video games. Plus, the addition of Micah Parsons will assist this protection take that subsequent step, going from good to nice. If they’ll go 3-3 of their division and beat the Cowboys, Browns, Panthers, Bengals, and Cardinals, there’s a robust chance this workforce will discover sufficient wins elsewhere on the schedule to make the playoffs.
3. Washington Commanders
If Jayden Daniels places up related numbers to those he had final season, then the Commanders will likely be within the playoffs this yr. Granted, they’ve a tricky schedule, however with 4 video games in opposition to the Cowboys and Giants in addition to dwelling matchups in opposition to the Dolphins, Seahawks, and Raiders, Washington ought to discover a option to squeak out 9 or ten wins, which needs to be sufficient to earn a playoff spot within the NFC.
Tremendous Bowl LX
Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Baltimore Ravens are far too gifted to proceed to be trapped in playoff purgatory. With one other MVP-caliber season from Lamar Jackson, and the Chiefs’ dynasty trying the weakest it has been since Patrick Mahomes’ first Tremendous Bowl win, that is the season that the Ravens recover from the hump and make it again to the Large Sport for the primary time in 13 years.
The Philadelphia Eagles will finally tackle the Detroit Lions with a spot within the Tremendous Bowl on the road. Philly’s offensive line will be capable to neutralize Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. And, as we noticed final season, the Lions wrestle with working quarterbacks, so Jalen Hurts ought to reap the benefits of Detroit’s shaky secondary. Plus, they’ve Saquon Barkley, the very best participant in soccer. The Lions gained’t have a solution for his explosiveness on the bottom and thru the air.
The Eagles and Ravens are mirror pictures of each other. They’ve gifted working quarterbacks, elite working backs, and stalwart defenses that may generate an efficient cross rush with out having to ship additional blitzers. Sadly for Philly followers, Lamar Jackson is significantly better at avoiding strain than Jalen Hurts, who was sacked 13 occasions within the playoffs final yr. That would be the distinction in Tremendous Bowl LX.
Ravens win 30-28
