Bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season

The NFL season is right around the corner, and with it comes season-long storylines to track. Here are four bold predictions for the 2026 season.

New York Giants will win the NFC East

New York enters the season with plenty of change, led former Super Bowl winner and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. This Giants team he takes over has won just seven games combined in the past two seasons. Quarterback Jaxson Dart flashed with loads of upside as a rookie, throwing for 24 total touchdowns despite an season shortened by injuries, even though his overall efficiency numbers were inconsistent.

Harbaugh brought in a wave of veteran additions this offseason, including tight end Isaiah Likely and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, to support Dart and star receiver Malik Nabers. The Giants also drafted Malachi Fields, who will likely be in the rotation, and Arvell Reese to help defend against the run, which they struggled in a year ago. 

The NFC East is considered one of the league's toughest divisions, but Harbaugh has a track record of rapid turnarounds, reaching the AFC title game with a rookie quarterback in Baltimore. If Dart takes the leap in Year 2, the Giants have the talent on both sides of the ball to overtake the Eagles, Cowboys and Commanders.

Los Angeles Rams will be a top team, but not the juggernaut many predict

Los Angeles enters the season as the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl after an aggressive offseason that included trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and having star edge rusher Aaron Donald come out of retirement to rejoin the team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the 2025 NFL MVP, returns to lead an offense built around wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Still, there is reason for some skepticism about the Rams reaching the sky high expectation many have placed on them. Stafford is entering his 18th NFL season, and the Los Angeles' schedule includes seven teams that made the playoffs last season, along with a international matchup in Australia. History also is not kind to teams with this much preseason hype, and the Rams defense was among the league's worst a season ago. Expect Los Angeles to win the NFC West and make a deep playoff run, but a Super Bowl-or-bust outcome feels like a lot to ask from a team relying on a nearly 40-year old quarterback and several new pieces on defense.

Kansas City Chiefs will miss the playoffs for a second year in a row

Last season the Chiefs went 6-11 and the way it appears right now they aren't setting themselves up to make the playoffs this year. The biggest concern is whether Patrick Mahomes is truly 100% after he suffered an ACL tear last season. Not mention how competitive the AFC West is, having to compete with the Broncos and Chargers. That puts them in a spot to drop serval division games. The Chiefs since 2020 have been a powerhouse, but last year they fell short, and it's very possible that the dynasty could officially come to an end.

New Orleans Saints will sneak into the playoffs

New Orleans is not being taken seriously as a playoff contender, but the NFC South remains one of the league's weaker divisions, and the Saint's schedule sets up favorably for a wild-card push. A defense that can keep them in the game could be enough for the Saints to sneak into the playoffs in the 2026 season.