Been Waitin' All Year For Sunday Night

NFL football is upon us. After months of waiting, fans get to see their favorite teams back in action. From this week forward, there are NFL games every week until February. There’s a lot to look forward to. New faces in new places. Trades that made teams instantly better. Promising rookies looking to make a difference on the field for the teams that struggled last year. Who knows what we will see. All I can tell you is that it is an exciting time to be a football fan. Not to mention the abundance of college football games that will be played on Saturdays coming soon.

As we all know, everyone has their opinions. Experts predict how games will turn out, how many sacks or interceptions a player might have, or how many touchdowns a running back will have in a season. So, I decided that instead of writing an article about stuff you have probably already heard about, I’d make this a fun guessing game. I’m going to “predict” how the season will go. Bold predictions or biased, “hate” filled exaggerations? That’s for me to know and you to guess. I’ll never tell. Anyways let’s get to it.

Here is my semi-knowing, unprofessional, unfiltered, off the top of my head predictions of the 2026-2027 NFL season.

AFC East:

The AFC East has been run by Buffalo and New England since 2009. With the Patriots winning the division 12 of those 17 years. Buffalo did have a 5-year run from 2020-2024 winning the division. The last time Miami won the division was in 2008, and the Jets 2002. I don’t see that changing this year. I think Buffalo will edge out NE with it coming down to the last few weeks of the regular season before someone is crowned.

1)      Buffalo Bills (12-5)

2)      New England Patriots (11-6)

3)      Miami Dolphins (5-12)

4)      New York Jets (2-15)

AFC North:

The AFC North has three teams (sorry Cleveland) that could realistically take the division. It could be close, depending on which players actually feel like playing their best… But for me, I think Lamar Jackson (Ravens QB) will have one of his biggest years. He’ll get back to MVP form and lead the Ravens to top the division.

1)      Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

2)      Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

3)      Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)

4)      Cleveland Browns (6-11)

AFC South:

The South can be competitive. Trevor Lawrence and CJ Stroud both have the potential to excel and have shown they CAN do it. Will they? That’s to be seen. I am a believer in Stroud. Combine that with the brilliance of Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, that’s a good setup that can lead Houston to win the division.

1)      Houston Texans (12-5)

2)      Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)

3)      Tennessee Titans (5-12)

4)      Indianapolis Colts (4-13)

AFC West:

The Broncos’ defense is crazy. Top 10 in practically every category. If they can keep that up, I don’t see how the rest of the division can catch them. However, they did lose some key parts to that defense. John Franklin-Myers and PJ Locke left for new teams, and Dre Greenlaw was released to clear cap space. That might play in to the defensive efficiency of their stout defense. Some might say the Chiefs will get back to form with Mahomes coming back. But the way I see it. Coming back from an ACL and LCL tear is going to be tough. It might hinder the two time MVP’s abilities in the long run. That’s why I think they may struggle this year.

1)      Denver Broncos (15-2)

2)      Los Angeles Chargers (12-5)

3)      Kansas City Chiefs (9-8)

4)      Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)

NFC East:

This was an interesting one. I think I’m going out on a limb here saying the Cowboys will win the division. Although, I don’t think it is too far-fetched. Dak can be good. He’s got a good supporting cast, and they have shown they can produce. They had a top ten offense last year, if they can fix that atrocious defensive effort from last year. They can run away with this division. They brought in some help. Let’s see if it works.

1)      Dallas Cowboys (11-6)

2)      Philadelphia Eagles (10-7)

3)      New York Giants (7-10)

4)      Washington Commanders (6-11)

NFC North:

A pretty competitive division last year. Three teams finishing with 9 wins. It could happen again. I’m thinking Detroit will surge back to top the division.

1)      Detroit Lions (12-5) tie breaker

2)      Chicago Bears (12-5)

3)      Minnesota Vikings (9-8)

4)      Green Bay Packers (8-9)

NFC South:

There were different scenarios that could have played out to decide who was the division winner last year. This division saw 3 teams finish 8-9. Carolina ended up getting the division crown on some technicality tie-breakers. The Panthers did have some good games, even on a few that they lost including taking the Rams to the brink on both occasions they played them. If they can keep growing, this could be a decent team.

1)      Carolina Panthers (10-7)

2)      Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)

3)      Atlanta Falcons (6-11)

4)      New Orleans Saints (5-12)

NFC West:

The NFC West was arguably the best division in football, minus the Cardinals (sorry cards fans). It sent three teams to the playoffs and produced the Super Bowl Champs in the Seahawks. I can see it being the same this year. If the Niners can find a way to stay healthy, it might make it that much more interesting. Honestly, the top three could be arranged in any order and it might be a “good pick.” So, this should be a fun division to keep an eye on.

1)      Los Angeles Rams (14-3)

2)      San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

3)      Seattle Seahawks (12-5)

4)      Arizona Cardinals (4-13)

 PLAYOFFS:

Well, there you have it. My top of the head, without really thinking, without looking up too much information, kinda crazy, out there picks for the year!

Let us know who you think will run the league! Who you got to win it all?