I have waited to the day before the season started to unveil my predictions for anticipation. I will also break it down to three different pages, so this is page 1. The other two will be Awards and Playoff predictions.
Without further ado, here are my standings.
AFC East
Bills
Dolphins
Patriots
Jets
All three teams below the Bills, I expect to have better seasons. If the Dolphins stay healthy, they have one of the easiest schedules to get 9 or 10 wins. The Patriots is one of the most improved teams in the NFL. And the Jets are a sleeper pick to make it to the playoffs.
AFC North
Ravens
Steelers
Bengals
Browns
Ravens might be one of two AFC teams I expect to sweep their division (the Bills). Bengals and Steelers were a toss for me, but I looked back at how Tomlin was able to manage the team in Ben's final years and compared it to this year with Aaron Rodgers and feel confident in picking the Steelers over the Bengals. If the Bengals could had fixed their defense, this is a 12, 13 win team. Instead, they may finish 8-9 because the defense will fail them at the final minutes.
AFC South
Texans
Titans
Jaguars
Colts
This is the Texans division, and nobody else. The Titans will shock everyone and take a big step in Cam Ward's first season. Jaguars will stay the same and will get beat due to the lack of the run and weapons for T Law. They will reevaluate the team at the end of the year. And the Colts will finish near the bottom of the AFC tanking for Manning.
AFC West
Chiefs
Broncos
Chargers
Raiders
Picking against Mahomes and the Chiefs is like picking against Tom Brady. You'll regret it deeply. I expect the Chiefs to be better this year though, and Mahomes will return to his former form. Broncos defense will get better, but the offense will regress. Chargers will disappoint once again. And the Raiders will have growing pains (I expect 2026 will be 10× better).
Total AFC Standings
Ravens
Chiefs
Bills
Texans
Broncos
Dolphins
Patriots
Steelers
Bengals
Jets
Chargers
Raiders
Titans
Jaguars
Browns
Colts
NFC East
Eagles
Commanders
Cowboys
Giants
I think this is the easiest division to predict. Eagles will be one of the best teams in the NFL. The Commanders may regress, but the oldest team in the NFL is still a playoff team. The tricky part is predicting the Cowboys without Parsons. I kinda expect no changes to the team record just because they have one of the best secondary in the NFC and will carry their defense. The Giants will still be dead last, but will be a lot better no matter who the QB will be throughout the season.
NFC North
Packers
Lions
Bears
Vikings
One of the toughest divisions in the NFL will become one of the weakest this year. The Packers may be a top tier team this year, and they would have been top tier before the Parson trade happened. The Lions and Vikings will regress due to key departures for them. And the Bears will be a tad better, I don't expect anything other than under 7 wins.
NFC South
Buccaneers
Falcons
Panthers
Saints
If you take the Saints out (sorry TM3), this is the toughest division of the NFL this year. Falcons has a very easy schedule, they could beat the Buccaneers to win the NFC South. And the Panthers could be back to the Playoffs this year with Bryce Young playing Pro Bowl esque with him throwing to TMac.
NFC West
Cardinals
Rams
49ers
Seahawks
Throughout the season, it will be a battle between the Rams and the Cardinals for the last playoff spot. I am leaning towards the Cardinals due to Matthew Stafford's lingering back issue that made him consider retirement throughout last season and it doesn't seem like his back has healed. The Cardinals will sneak in and return to the playoffs. I don't trust the 49ers with Purdy under center and Aiyuk out for a period of time. The Seahawks could sneak to the top as well, but I feel like that would be a reach right now.
If everyone stays healthy, the NFC West would look a lot different than what I am predicting.
Total NFC Standings
Eagels
Packers
Buccaneers
Cardinals
Falcons
Commanders
Lions
Rams
Panthers
49ers
Bears
Cowboys
Vikings
Seahawks
Giants
Saints
Let me know what you think. Awards article coming soon!