Tomorrow, the 2025-26 NFL common season kicks off with a Thursday Evening 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 crew shall be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy when all is alleged and carried out.
AFC
North
Baltimore Ravens
In relation to the AFC North, the Ravens are head and shoulders above everyone else. The Browns are a joke, the Bengals are a defensive atrocity, and the Steelers are banking on a 41-year-old quarterback to make them the promised land.
The Ravens have one of many 4 greatest quarterbacks within the NFL, in addition to an elite coach in John Harbaugh. Working again Derrick Henry reveals no indicators of slowing down, whereas the protection is affected by playmakers throughout the board, like Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and Kyle Van Noy. This could as soon as once more be a crew 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 risk to dethrone Buffalo. The New England Patriots may make the Payments sweat, however I believe the Pats are extra of a Wild Card crew than a division winner. Don’t be shocked, although, in the event that they break up the season collection with Buffalo.
Josh Allen is coming off his greatest season as a professional, whereas Buffalo’s younger vast 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 facet 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 will be dominant at residence, 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 found out 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 not less than has an opportunity to be higher than they had been final yr, in contrast to Indy.
Like I stated in my AFC preview, the Texans have the perfect head coach, protection, and quarterback within the division. C.J. Stroud may not have taken that subsequent step throughout 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 high ten statistically. Houston simply wants to ensure it does all the pieces it may 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 grew to become the full-time starter in 2018.
The Chiefs made some enhancements offensively by shoring up the offensive line and utilizing a first-round draft choose on Josh Simmons, a man who I adamantly consider would’ve been drafted within the high ten had he not gotten damage final yr. They’ll additionally begin a former second-round choose 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 all the pieces you need in an up-and-coming crew. They’ve obtained 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 are 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 of pull off some surprising 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 will break up the season collection in opposition to Vegas, Kansas Metropolis, and Los Angeles, that already places them at 9 wins. After that, they will 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 will 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 adequate 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
High-to-bottom, the Detroit Lions have probably 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 all the 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 perimeters, which supplies them a bonus over most defenses. So long as their protection doesn’t undergo as many accidents because it did final yr, that unit shall be adequate to cease opponents from conserving tempo with the Lions’ offense. Barring an harm to Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, or Jared Goff, Detroit shall be again within the postseason for a 3rd consecutive yr.
East
Philadelphia Eagles
The Washington Commanders are the one reputable risk to the Eagles relating to 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 dealing with 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 choose named Tyler Steen, who’s an absolute monster at 6’6″ and 321 lbs.. With Saquon Barkley operating behind that line, he’ll in all probability end the season as the perfect operating again within the NFL. That can make it simple for quarterback Jalen Hurts to proceed constructing on the Tremendous Bowl MVP efficiency he put up in February. On high 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 not less than 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 crew to win its division this season.
I stated in my NFC preview that the Buccaneers may have probably the most balanced offensive assault within the NFL this season. They’ve three number-one vast receivers and two number-one operating backs, in addition to a top-ten quarterback in Baker Mayfield. In addition they deliver again many starters on a protection that was ranked within the high ten in speeding yards allowed and sacks. If their younger cornerbacks could make a fast transition from faculty to the professional stage, then this crew will certainly win the NFC South and possibly even some playoff video games.
West
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are principally the one crew 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 line of defense, and the Seahawks have a brand new quarterback. If LA can break 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 at all times carried out his greatest to play by means of accidents. We all remember when he threw a game-winning touchdown pass with a separated shoulder. Although a again harm could be very completely different, he ought to nonetheless be capable of sling the ball all around the subject and lead an offense that has arguably the perfect trio of playmakers within the NFL with Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Davante Adams. This protection, which is among the youngest within the league, can even take one other step ahead after averaging eight sacks a recreation within the playoffs. It’s price saying, although, that the Rams are screwed if Matthew Stafford’s harm will get worse.
Wild Card Groups
1. San Francisco 49ers
With the complete providers of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Trent Williams, the 49ers’ offense shall be higher this yr versus final season, once they averaged 22.9 factors per recreation (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 crew within the NFC.
2. Inexperienced Bay Packers
When wholesome, Jordan Love is among the high quarterbacks within the NFL who can really 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 will go 3-3 of their division and beat the Cowboys, Browns, Panthers, Bengals, and Cardinals, there’s a robust chance this crew will discover sufficient wins elsewhere on the schedule to make the playoffs.
3. Washington Commanders
If Jayden Daniels places up comparable numbers to those he had final season, then the Commanders shall be within the playoffs this yr. Granted, they’ve a troublesome schedule, however with 4 video games in opposition to the Cowboys and Giants in addition to residence 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 Huge Sport for the primary time in 13 years.
The Philadelphia Eagles will ultimately tackle the Detroit Lions with a spot within the Tremendous Bowl on the road. Philly’s offensive line will be capable of neutralize Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. And, as we noticed final season, the Lions battle with operating quarterbacks, so Jalen Hurts ought to reap the benefits of Detroit’s shaky secondary. Plus, they’ve Saquon Barkley, the perfect 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 photos of each other. They’ve gifted operating quarterbacks, elite operating backs, and stalwart defenses that may generate an efficient go rush with out having to ship further blitzers. Sadly for Philly followers, Lamar Jackson is significantly better at avoiding stress 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
