Who will reach Super Bowl? - NFL predictions for 2026 season BBC NFL team previews 2026: Predictions, rankings, depth charts ESPN Five NFL teams that could race to strong starts in 2026 season USA Today Bold predictions ...
The NFL is notoriously difficult to predict and last season was no different.
Seven of the eight division winners were different from 2024, with two of the Super Bowl favourites missing out on the play-offs entirely - the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
Two outsiders then made it all the way to the big game, with the Seattle Seahawks beating the New England Patriots for their first NFL championship in 12 years.
So, who will be this season's surprise package? Who will be playing at Super Bowl 61 next February? And who will be the main men?
Here, the BBC's NFL experts make their picks for the 2026 season, which begins this week. Plus you can predict your Super Bowl winner at the bottom of this page.
Rob Staton: I think the NFC will be another battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. I'm going to go with the Rams, simply because only two teams have repeated since the turn of the century. I have them facing the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen finally gets to the big game.
Hugh Ferris: You could argue that, aside from an underwhelming head coach hire, there's little reason the 2026 Bills will be any different to the recent incarnations. I'm picking them to finally get over the line, though, and reach the Super Bowl, but to lose nonetheless. It's incredibly difficult to choose anyone else rather than the Rams, isn't it?
Haydn Parry: Surely the Bills can convert Allen's talent and make it to the season showpiece? Joe Brady's promotion to head coach might prove to be the missing ingredient. From the NFC, I think the Rams look most likely to have a strong tilt this campaign, and I see them winning it.
Joe Bradshaw: The last time the Super Bowl was at SoFi Stadium in 2022, the Rams won on home territory and they look primed to repeat next February. From the AFC, surely Bills quarterback Allen is overdue a trip to the NFL's biggest game, even if it will ultimately end in defeat.
David Brindle: After losing Bo Nix to injury in last season's play-offs, I expect the Denver Broncos to use that as motivation and at least go one further this season. As for the Rams, it's very difficult to look past the consensus predictions for the Super Bowl.
Ben Collins: Full disclosure, I'd seen the above before writing this so here's some leftfield picks... imagine if it's the Los Angeles Chargers that actually get to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium, and it's former Rams quarterback Jared Goff that leads Detroit to victory.
Rob Staton: I'm going with Josh Allen . He now has an offensive-minded head coach running the team. Everything will be geared towards him having a big season.
Hugh Ferris: In an attempt to think outside the box, I'm picking Justin Herbert of the Chargers. You might suggest a quarterback in a Jim Harbaugh team isn't likely to get the chance to have an MVP-level season, but the hiring of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator might change that.
Haydn Parry: I might be wearing my blue-star goggles here but Dak Prescott has the ability and the weapons to have an outstanding season. Offence was not the Dallas Cowboys' problem last year and it certainly wasn't Prescott's fault that the team failed to deliver. Dallas just need to find a 'D'.
Joe Bradshaw: Buffalo's new head coach Joe Brady has stepped up from offensive coordinator so knows how to get Josh Allen purring. If the Bills make the Super Bowl, their quarterback will be the obvious candidate for his second MVP award.
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