Even though two games were played, the first NFL Sunday of the 2026 campaign is upon us. Happy NFL Sunday to those who celebrate! There are teams that have made huge changes with Super Bowl aspirations. Meanwhile, other teams are retooling their rosters. Let’s take a preview into the 2026 NFL Season!
Division Winners
AFC EAST – Buffalo Bills
AFC NORTH – Baltimore Ravens
AFC SOUTH – Houston Texans
AFC WEST – Denver Broncos
Wild Cards — Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Champion – Baltimore Ravens
The Buffalo Bills are a team that longingly desires a trip to the Super Bowl. After a crushing loss to the Denver Broncos, they fired head coach Sean McDermott and elevated offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top spot. They acquired wide receiver DJ Moore in the hopes of solving their issue of lacking a number one receiver. Bradley Chubb, 30, became the latest veteran edge rusher signed who has discovered the fountain of youth. C.J. Gardner-Johnson gave the Bills a dependable safety alongside Cole Bishop.
The key for the Bills this year is Josh Allen not turning the ball over and shrinking in key moments during the playoffs. In the loss to the Broncos, Allen threw two interceptions.
Super Bowl or Bust
The Baltimore Ravens have been invigorated by management’s decision to jettison former head coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore has hired Jesse Minter, the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator, replacing Harbaugh after eighteen years. Minter brought quarterback coach Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to serve as his offensive coordinator. He frequently has one-on-one time with star quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp. Lamar has taken to Doyle’s hard coaching style and the belief that he must go through his progressions before making plays with his feet.
The major key for the Ravens’ success is Jackson’s health, and the defense must become formidable again. Adding pass rusher Trey Hendrickson could pay dividends.
Houston has the defense and what else?
Quarterback CJ Stroud has to take the next step in his development if the Houston Texans are going to be a real Super Bowl contender. What is clear, if Stroud has a great season, he will most certainly cash in north of potentially $60 million because he’s eligible for a contract extension. However, if he throws for less than 4,000 yards and Houston does not win a playoff game, Stroud’s future in H-Town will likely be in doubt.
The Texans defense plays with an aggression and mean streak that hasn’t been seen since the Legion of Boom and the 2000s Ravens defenses. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are the best defensive ends in the NFL. They added Reed Blankenship, joining Calen Bullock in the back end of the secondary.
The Broncos are nearly complete
Lastly, the Denver Broncos would have played in Super Bowl LX had starting quarterback Bo Nix not gotten injured with a fractured ankle in the AFC Championship game. In the divisional round, Nix threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills.
Nix benefits from an offensive line that is cohesive and elite. They’re able to run the ball when necessary, deploy the screen game, and keep Nix clean. The fact that the Broncos do not have key playmakers beyond Courtland Sutton at wide receiver is a concern. Marvin Mims will have to step up in this area.
Full Division Predictions
AFC East: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders
AFC Champions
This year’s AFC Champion will be the Baltimore Ravens. The vibes in Charm City point to a win-now team. If Lamar Jackson stays healthy, Derrick Henry keeps churning out key yards, and the defense regains its intimidating edge, the Ravens will be bound for Southern California.
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