2026 NFL Division Predictions: Predicting Every AFC & NFC Division Winner

The NFL season is almost here, and every fan believes their team has a chance to win the division. While some races seem straightforward, others could come down to the final week of the regular season.

In this article, I'll predict every AFC and NFC division winner for the 2026 NFL season while explaining why each team has the best chance to finish on top. From perennial contenders like the Chiefs and Bills to potential surprise winners, here are my complete 2026 NFL Division Predictions.

Let's get into it.

AFC EAST

2025 Standings:

Patriots 14-3

Bills 12-5

Dolphins 7-10

Jets 3-14

2026 Division Prediction:

Bills*

Patriots*

Jets

Dolphins

(* denotes predicted playoff team)

The last few years the Bills have really started to come on and have dominated that division. But for a long time there with Tom Brady in the division, the Patriots owned that division. Last year, Drake Maye and the Patriots won that division at 14-3. Bills finished second at 12-5. The Dolphins went 7-10, with kind of an up and down year. Again, some key injuries. They lost Tyreek Hill to the grusome leg injury, and that changed the entire offense. After the season, the Dolphins moved on from head coach Mike McDaniel. Then you've got the Jets down at the bottom, a measley 3-14 under new head coach Aaron Glenn. They somehow decided to bring him back for another go. They've brought in some pieces that I think are gonna help them this season, but ultimately, when I look at it this year, it's gonna be much of the same.

I have talked about my love for Josh Allen and the Bills, and I think that this new change to Joe Brady as the head coach is gonna open up things in Josh Allen's game that we haven't seen before, or haven't seen as much of. I think he's gonna be slinging the ball all over the place, and I think that the Bills are gonna ultimately win that division. I think the Patriots are gonna be tough and the addition of AJ Brown is really gonna change things for that Patriots team. Drake Maye is so good at the deep ball. I think AJ Brown, will really open up that field for guys like TreVeyon Henderson and Hunter Henry.

I think the surprise team in this division is going to be the Jets. Bringing in Geno Smith is gonna give a little bit of stability to that quarterback room and just to the offense as a whole. Garrett Wilson's gonna have a much better year than maybe what he has been having, and I think he's gonna be a lot more consistent. Breece Hall is gonna be a little bit better, and will be used a ton after getting paid this offseason. And I think that that defense is gonna figure some things out....maybe.

Closing out that division, I think the Dolphins are going to finish last. Just so many question marks. You obviously lose Tyreek Hill(Free Agent) and Jalen Waddle(Broncos). You lose Tua(Falcons). Bring in Malik Willis to now be your quarterback, which Malik Willis has shown some things in his brief stints with the Titans and Packers when he's gotten the start or when he's coming in relief, but he's never had to throw the ball very much in a game. In fact, he's never thrown more than 23 passes in a game in the NFL.

AFC NORTH

2025 Standings:

Steelers 10-7

Ravens 8-9

Bengals 6-11

Browns 5-12

2026 Division Prediction:

Bengals*

Ravens

Steelers

Browns

Moving on to the North. Atough division to predict year in and year out. You you've pretty much got three teams and then the Browns almost every year. The Browns have not won the division in a long time(1982 AFC Central Champs). So taking a look at last year, Steelers won the division at 10-7 in week eighteen. A last second touchdown, propelled them to that league championship over the Ravens, who were 8-9. The Bengals 6-11, kind of the same story. Burrow battling injury, only played in ten games last year. So an up and down year for the Bengals again, and then you had the Browns, which were just a disaster per the usual.

I think the Bengals are gonna have a big bounce back year and as a Chiefs fan, that pains me to say. The Bengals are not one of my favorite teams, but I can respect how good that offense could be IF all the pieces stay healthy. I really like Joe Burrow to bounce back this year and have a huge year. Him and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins...I think Chase Brown is absolutely electrifying on the ground, and if you can get a full season out of those guys, that team is gonna be better. That defense started to turn a corner a little bit. They still gave up a ton of points last year, but I think that they can be a little bit better. And I think that that offense is just gonna be unstoppable. The NFC North is gonna be a close one because the Ravens, obviously a new regime bringing in Jesse Minter is gonna have a lot of the same philosophies as John Harbaugh has over the years, but just a different look, different feel. Ravens first year OC Declan Doyle(Bears OC in 2025) coming in. It's gonna take a little bit of time to get things going for the Ravens. And I think that that's gonna be a very close race all year between the Ravens and the Bengals. Ultimately, I think the Bengals are gonna edge out the Ravens. In third place, you're gonna have the Steelers who are going to miss out on the playoffs. And I think that Aaron Rodgers is gonna ride off into oblivion, never to be seen from again, never to be heard from.

He has been quoted saying that multiple times that once he steps away, he will be done and you will never see or hear from him again. And I really don't doubt that. So I think that the Steelers, obviously making the change from legendary Mike Tomlin, I think they're gonna have a bumpy road this year with Mike McCarthy. Mike McCarthy had some success for the Packers, had some success for the Cowboys, but ultimately he's up and down. I have the Steelers finishing third, and I have the Browns actually improving, and they're gonna be close with the Steelers. I think that they're gonna be over that five wins that they had last year. I think they're gonna be a little bit better. The Browns will have to figure out the quarterback play.

Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, who's it gonna be? Ultimately, I don't know. Ultimately, I don't truly care, but they've got some pieces there in Cleveland that they could be really good. Obviously, losing Myles Garrett, it hurts big time, but they've got some compensation from that trade. And I think brighter days are ahead for the Cleveland Browns, just not quite this year.

AFC SOUTH

2025 Standings:

Jaguars 13-4

Texans 12-5

Colts 8-9

Titans 3-14

2026 Divison Prediction:

Texans*

Jaguars*

Colts

Titans

Moving on to the AFC South, tough division last year. You had the Jaguars. First year head coach Liam Coen kind of came in and shocked the NFL with a 13-4 record. Texans right behind them with a 12-5 record. And then the Colts 8-9 after they lost Daniel Jones, who was on fire to start the beginning of the year. And then he obviously went down with that injury and it just changed the entire trajectory for the Colts last season. Jonathan Taylor was having a lights out season, still finished with a very good season, but I would have loved to see Daniel Jones stay healthy that whole year and see what the Colts could have been. Now, obviously, coming off of that injury this year ⁓ might get back to what they were, but it ⁓ it'll be hard to do that. Obviously, lost Michael Pittman in the offseason(Steelers), that will open up some targets in the offense. They just signed Alec Pierce to an extension. Tyler Warren is there. Jonathan Taylor is there. They've got some pieces. Defense played good. They obviously made the trade last year to go get Sauce Gardner. They have a good secondary. Colts could surprise some people. But I think that the Titans, 3-14 last year, they bring in new head coach, Robert Salah. They bring in Brian Daboll to be their OC. Cam Ward's gonna take that leap in year two. I think he's going to be much better. He's got people around him that are gonna make him much better. And ultimately, I just think the Titans are gonna be a better team.

When I look at that division, though, I can't help but think that the Texans are going to win that division. Their defense was so good last year, their offense was ⁓ pretty good. Red zone offense is where the Texans really struggled. They couldn't score to save their lives. And so those numbers are inflated a little bit. When you look at their offense, it felt like their offense was a lot worse than they were, but it was really just the red zone area. Now they bring in David Montgomery, and I think that he's going to bolster that offense and provide some of that spark that they need in the red zone. I think that they're going to pepper Nico Collins big time this year. And I think that they're going to lean on that defense and the ground and pound game. The Texans win that division. I think that the Jaguars are a close second, and then I think the Colts and the Titans round it out. I think the Colts do some good things. Ultimately, Danny Dimes up and down, as we saw in New York. I think that's what's gonna happen here in Indianapolis. They are going to want to run the football this year, but I'm not sure they're gonna be able to run the football. And the Titans, like I said, are going to be improved, but I'm not sure they're ready to take that next leap up from last place.

AFC WEST

2025 Standings:

Broncos 14-3

Chargers 11-6

Chiefs 6-11

Raiders 3-14

2026 Division Prediction:

Chiefs*

Chargers*

Broncos

Raiders

Moving over to the AFC West, this is a tough one for me. As a Chiefs fan, I have seen a lot of success over the last 10 years or so. The Chiefs obviously winning the West multiple years in a row. And last year, that streak came to an end. Chiefs sadly missed the playoffs.

The AFC West is the toughest it has been in quite some time.

In 2025 you had the Broncos, who were 14-3, Chargers 11-6, Chiefs were 6-11, Raiders 3-14. That third win coming in the last game of the season against the Chiefs.

This is a tough one. I look at the the division from last year, and there's some outliers there. There's some games that maybe went one way or the other because of injuries or because of this or that. But that's the NFL. You have that every year. And so when I think about this division this year.

I think

I think I probably still go ⁓

I'm going to be a homer. I'm going to take the Chiefs to win that division. I just think that that third place schedule is going to benefit them. Still a tough schedule for them this year, but third place schedule I would much rather have than the first place schedule that the Broncos have. And then the Chargers are right there. Chargers were so close last year, like I said. So I'm gonna take them second. Broncos are gonna come down just a little bit.

I still think there's an outside chance that the AFC West has three teams in the playoffs. The Raiders are also going to be improved. Three wins is not very good, but they've brought in some pieces. They brought in some coaches. Obviously, Tom Brady's back there pulling strings. He knows what he's doing. I think the Raiders are looking up. I don't know that this year is where they're gonna want to be, but I think they're gonna be much improved with the new coaching staff.

I am a big fan of Clint Kubiak and the things that he did over in Seattle to win that championship last year.

NFC EAST

2025 Standings:

Eagles 11-6

Cowboys 7-9-1

Commanders 5-12

Giants 4-13

2026 Division Prediction:

Eagles*

Cowboys

Giants

Commanders

Looking over to the NFC side.

We will go to the NFC East, which has been owned by the Eagles the last few years, The Eagles last year, 11-6, Cowboys 7-9-1, Commanders 5-12 with all sorts of injuries to Jaden Daniels. I just hope he can stay healthy this year. And then the Giants 4-13. But it felt like the Giants were not 4-13 there for a while. They have got a young nucleus that is gonna be so exciting. And now bringing in John Harbaugh from the Ravens. the Giants are one of those teams that I am very excited to watch all year. They've got an offense of young stud talent. I think Jackson Dart is gonna be the real deal. Obviously, Malik Nabers coming off of that injury last year.

We'll see how long that takes to ramp him up. It's been super sketchy. A recent surgery to clean up that knee. And Coach Harbaugh has been on record saying it's a very complicated knee surgery. So that's never something that you want to hear in the summer leading up to training camp. Cam Skattebo coming off of an injury himself, and obviously Jackson Dart dealing with concussions and just taking shots last year that you didn't want to see your franchise quarterback take.

So it's gonna be interesting to see when and if they can get that whole young nucleus all together. They bring in Isaiah Likely from Baltimore as well. I think he is going to light the NFL on fire this year. He's one of my players in fantasy that I am trying to snipe everywhere I can late in the draft because there's a reason that they brought him with John Harbaugh from Baltimore.

I don't see this division being a whole lot different. I think Dallas's defense is going to be a little bit better than it was last year, which is hard not to be. Terrible defense. Great offense. Another offensive core that you try to target in fantasy football because there's just so much good about that offense. They lit it up last year. 471 points for, but they gave up 511 points. The Eagles have so many question marks right now. I am scared to death to take them to win that division. Obviously losing AJ Brown, but some other pieces that they lost too. Just a lot of question marks about that Eagles team. And they were already kind of in question over the last few years.

Ultimately, when I look at that division, I think the Eagles are still gonna win that division. And then I think that the Cowboys are going to be second. I think the Giants are gonna make that leap up to third, and I think the Commanders are gonna finish last. Just a lot of replacements on that Commander's team. Jaden Daniels scares the crap out of me. He is so good, he is somebody that I was super high on coming out of college. Obviously had that very successful rookie season last year. Everything that we thought could happen happened.

Battled injury big time, kept trying to play through it. Injury, play through it, injury. I think he only completed four full games last year. So, not what you want out of your franchise quarterback. But they've also just lost some other pieces, and I think that they might struggle this year. So I think Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Commanders this year. That's where I'm at with the NC East.

And I don't think any of them are gonna be particularly good. I think it's gonna be a very close battle all season, much like the NFC East always is. The head-to-head games could be a coin flip all year long. The Eagles having that first place schedule could be tough for them but ultimately I think they pull it out again.

NFC NORTH

2025 Standings:

Bears 11-6

Packers 9-7-1

Vikings 9-8

Lions 9-8

2026 Division Prediction:

Lions*

Bears*

Vikings

Packers

The NFC North...Talk about a fun division. This this is going to be a bloodbath all season long.

The Bears, first place last year, 11-6, the Packers 9-7-1. Vikings 9-8, Lions 9-8. So all four teams divided by two games, and it really did come down to the end. I think moving forward, the the Bears and the Lions are going to be the top of that division for a long time. I think that this is going to be a turning point in the Packers franchise this year. I made the bold take that they're gonna miss the playoffs and LaFleur is gonna be fired. And I think that there may be a big reset coming in the NFC North when it comes to the Packers.

The Bears are gonna be really good again. I like their young nucleus, especially offensively. Defense was up and down. They were third in the league last year in takeaways, but some of those were pretty fluky, some of them were legit. Defense struggled at times, especially in some of the division games. Down the stretch, they got much better, they locked down. Offense, obviously Odunze and Monangaii and Swift and Luther Burden, who I was super high on coming out of college last year. Colson Loveland, and I think Caleb Williams is gonna take yet another step this year. I will admit though that there's just something that feels a little off to me about that Bears team this year. I don't know why. I don't know if it's because they finally had that success last year. Maybe the "Madden Curse" for Caleb....I just get a weird feeling from them this year. They're playing that first place schedule, plus they have to play the rest of the NFC North, which is really good, and that scares me.

So I'm gonna actually take last year's last place team, the Detroit Lions, and they are going to win the NFC North this year. Playing that fourth place schedule is gonna benefit them. You look at their offense last year, their offense was dynamite, defense was very poor, especially in key situations. Mainly due to all of the injuries on the defensive side yet again. I think the defense is gonna turn things around. I think the offense play calling is going to turn things around. They're gonna get back to what they were a few years ago, especially offensively. And I think that the Lions are gonna win the NFC North, followed by the Bears. And then I think it's gonna be close, but I think the Vikings are gonna take that next step.

Their defense over the last few years has been very good. Quarterback play obviously last year hampered them a little bit...okay, a lotta bit. This year bringing in Kyler Murray, I think JJ McCarthy's gonna take some growth steps and whoever that ends up being, which I ultimately think will be Kyler Murray. I don't think you go out and get a guy like that to not be your starter. Kyler Murray's gonna elevate that team just a little bit. I think Justin Jefferson's gonna get back to what he was prior to the last couple of years without having a quarterback. And I think the Packers are gonna finish last. They're gonna struggle. Obviously a murky situation around Josh Jacobs right now. And I think without that run game, it's it's gonna be very tough for that offense. Even with Jacobs, he is getting older, and already started to show some signs of slowing down last year. Mainly due to his injury, but they don't really have a star wide receiver. I know they have Christian Watson who they just gave a big extension to, but he's obviously battled a lot of injuries and a lot of question marks over his time in the NFL. When he IS on the field, he he could be pretty good. But other than that, they've just got a bunch of guys that they rotate through. That the defense is going to be good, I just don't know how long until Micah Parsons comes back from his injury last year. And I think once he does, they might start turning it around and maybe they don't finish it last. But right now in July, I'm going to take the Lions, Bears, Vikings, and the Packers. Matt LaFleur is out of a job after this year. And an interesting name to watch, Mike Tomlin coming out of retirement to come coach the Packers next year. I think going from one storied franchise to another, it just seems like a perfect fit. I think Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the history of the NFL, and I think he is ready to win some more championships. And the Packers are close. I think that they could make that move to go get Mike Tomlin in the offseason.

NFC SOUTH

2025 Standings:

Panthers 8-9

Buccaneers 8-9

Falcons 8-9

Saints 6-11

2026 Division Prediction:

Buccaneers*

Falcons

Panthers

Saints

Moving on to the NFC South, a real barn burner last year with the Panthers 8-9 winning the division in the tiebreaker over the Buccaneers 8-9 and the Falcons 8-9. Saints rounding things out just a few games back, 6-11.

Not a particularly great division and really has not been a great division for a while now. The Panthers really surprised some people last year. Bryce Young turned some things around last year. But I think going into this year, the Buccaneers are going to figure things out. I don't want to say run away with that division, but they're gonna win by a few games. Then I think the Falcons are going to be the second place team in that division. I love the addition of Tua. If(BIG if) he can stay healthy and get Drake London the ball, Bijan can obviously do whatever he wants as one of the best runningbacks in the game. Kyle Pitts.....as a fantasy manager, Kyle Pitts brings up some bad nightmares, but I still think as an NFL talent, Kyle Pitts is outrageous. And I think when they get him the ball, good things are gonna happen. So I think Buccaneers, Falcons, and then I'll take the Panthers followed by the Saints, who are also going to be right there.

Again, all those teams are going to be within a game or two all season of each other. They're going to be trading blows, much like the NFC East. I think that this one's going to be a very tough division to win. And ultimately, whoever does is maybe not the best team, but you just got to get in the playoffs and get hot in January.

NFC WEST

2025 Standings:

Seahawks

Rams

49ers

Cardinals

2026 Division Prediction:

49ers*

Rams*

Seahawks*

Cardinals

Looking at the final division, the NFC West. This is always a fun division.

Last year, the NFL Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, won this division with a 14-3 record above the Rams at 12-5, the 49ers 12-5, and then the Cardinals. Nine games back there from third place at a 3 and 14 record. The Cardinals were abysmal and probably will be again this year if we're being honest. New head coach out there, Mike LaFleur. think he's going to put an emphasis on just getting the best players the ball. I think Trey McBride has been very good over the last couple of years and he's proven that he can be that guy, but I don't think they want him to necessarily be that guy. They drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. where they did for a reason, and he has been vocal about wanting the ball more, and is in a major "prove it" season. They just went out and got Jeremiah Love in the 1st round. They are going to get those guys the ball. They are gonna continue to keep Trey McBride involved and continue to get him targets, but ⁓ not like he has been. He's been outrageous in the target department over the last few years. And I think that that step it's gonna take a step back a little bit. His production might take a step forward, but his targets are gonna come down a little bit. Don't forget about Michael Wilson who very quietly just went over 1000 recieving yards on the year last season.

I think that the 49ers are going to win this division. The 49ers this year are going to be unstoppable offensively. The addition of Mike Evans, he is going to score a million touchdowns this year. There's a reason they brought him in. He is so good in the red zone, and I think they want to take some of that off of Christian McCaffrey's plate. I think that they wanna take some of that off of George Kittle's plate.

Obviously, Kittle coming back from his injury and being up there in age, I think they want to slowly ramp that up. And between Ricky Pearsall and Mike Evans, they are going to feast in that offense. Christian McCaffrey is obviously otherworldly and he's gonna do his own stuff. The Rams are gonna be a close second. They are much the same. Their defense is going to be lights out, even if they don't get Aaron Donald to come back, which I do think they will, but I don't think it'll be until later in the season that he joins that squad. I think their offense is gonna be good. Just gotta keep Stafford upright, keep him healthy. Good things are gonna happen for the Rams. 49ers, Rams, Seahawks taking a slight step back, losing some of that talent from their team, losing some coaching. They're gonna finish third. And then the Cardinals are going to finish last place. They are going to be probably the first overall pick in the draft. If I had to guess, they're not going to be very good. They just don't have top-to-bottom talent. ⁓ first year head coach, ⁓ a lot of question marks. There's always a team that surprises us every year. Maybe they'll be the team to surprise us and run the table next year. They certainly have some offensive talent....

Those are my predictions for the 2026 NFL season and all of the division standings. I hope you guys enjoyed this and I look forward to talking more football on the next episode and blog. So make sure you tune in and I'll catch you guys on the next one. See ya.