2026 NFL Predictions: Who Will Win Super Bowl LXI?

The Seattle Seahawks shocked the world last season, cruising through the NFC, followed by beating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. After a whirlwind of an offseason with new head coaches and players changing places, we have finally reached the beginning of the 2026 season. I share my predictions for the picking season: who will win each division and who will face off in Super Bowl LXI? 

The offseason featured John Harbaugh going from the Ravens to the Giants, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers parting ways, Myles Garrett being traded to the Rams, and so much more. The biggest question going into the season is: Will anyone stop the Rams? On paper, they are far and away the best team in football. Outside of injuries, Sean McVay could be well on his way to his second championship victory. Do I have the Rams winning it all? Let’s dive in.

2026 NFL Predictions – Who will win the Super Bowl? 

NFC Predictions

NFC East

1 – Philadelphia Eagles – 11-6
2 – Dallas Cowboys – 10-7
3 – Washington Commanders – 8-9
4 – New York Giants – 5-12

NFC West

1 – Los Angeles Rams – 12-5
2 – San Francisco 49ers – 10-7
3 – Seattle Seahawks – 9-8
4 – Arizona Cardinals – 3-14

NFC North

1 – Detroit Lions – 11-6
2 – Green Bay Packers – 10-7
3 – Chicago Bears – 8-9
4 – Minnesota Vikings – 7-10

NFC South

1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9-8
2 – Atlanta Falcons – 9-8
3 – New Orleans Saints – 6-11
4 – Carolina Panthers – 6-11

In the NFC, I see it well balanced outside the Rams. I really could see the Dallas Cowboys taking down the NFC East with the Eagles balancing to find their new identity. I struggled with the NFC North, because I am not sold on the Bears, while the Packers may struggle, but I believe the Lions should end up on top. As for the South, the Falcons may win more games than people think, with the Saints not being as good as people think and the Panthers being the Panthers. 

AFC Predictions

AFC East

1 – Buffalo Bills – 12-5
2 – New England Patriots- 10-7
3 – Miami Dolphins – 6-11
4 – New York Jets – 3-14

AFC West

1 – Los Angeles Chargers – 11-6
2 – Kansas City Chiefs – 10-7
3 – Denver Broncos – 10-7
4 – Las Vegas Raiders – 5-12

AFC North

1 – Pittsburgh Steelers – 11-6
2 – Cincinnati Bengals – 10-7
3 – Baltimore Ravens – 8-9
4 – Cleveland Browns – 4-13

AFC South

1 – Houston Texans – 11-6
2 – Jacksonville Jaguars – 10-7
3 – Indianapolis Colts – 7-10
4 – Tennessee Titans – 4-13

My AFC predictions will shock some with me having the Broncos failing to replicate their magic from a year ago and missing the playoffs. I also foresee the Chiefs and Bengals bouncing back and both making the playoffs. Mike McDaniels will make a difference with the Chargers with them winning the division. Another shock, I have Aaron Rodgers getting the Steelers on track and winning the North. 

Playoff Predictions

Wild Card Round

Cowboys over Bucs
Eagles over 49ers
Lions over Packers

Bengals over Texans
Chargers over Patriots
Steelers over Chiefs

Divisional Round

Bills over Bengals
Steelers over Chargers

Cowboys over Rams
Eagles over Lions

Championship Round

Cowboys over Eagles
Bills over Steelers

Super Bowl

The Buffalo Bills beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-21, with Josh Allen winning the Super Bowl MVP.

Final Thoughts: The easy pick is the Rams, but we’ve seen that super teams don’t always end up at the top. As we navigate the playoffs, the Bills winning the one seed will help them get home field, playing a key factor in them making it all the way to the Super Bowl.  As for the NFC, I don’t think there is a clear favorite outside the Rams, and therefore, I have the Dallas Cowboys going all the way for the first time in 30 years. Could you imagine the Cowboys beating the Eagles in Philly? As an Eagles fan, that would pain me. All that said, give me Josh Allen to win his first-ever Super Bowl ring.