The Broncos snapped the Chiefs’ streak of 9 consecutive AFC West titles final season, going 14-3 and reaching the AFC Championship Sport. New England beat Denver 10-7 in that contest after quarterback Bo Nix broke his proper ankle in a 33-30 divisional-round win over the Buffalo Payments.
Kansas Metropolis will intention to recapture its crown after reloading its offense in free company. The Chiefs signed working again Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43.05M deal this offseason after he received Tremendous Bowl LX MVP with the Seattle Seahawks final season. The RB rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries in Seattle’s 29-13 victory over the Patriots.
The Chiefs needn’t fear about their passing assault with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Tremendous Bowl champion, on the helm. Regardless of tearing his ACL in December, indicators are pointing towards him being ready for Week 1.
Nix underwent a second surgical procedure on his ankle in April, which is not superb, however he is anticipated to be prepared for the common season. If he is 100% by Week 1, the QB and new broad receiver Jaylen Waddle may kind a dynamic tandem. The WR by no means completed with fewer than 744 receiving yards in 5 seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Maybe Nix and Mahomes will produce some offensive fireworks to kick off the season.
Talking of fireworks, you are virtually all the time poised to see some when the earlier two league MVP winners sq. off. Payments QB Josh Allen captured MVP in the course of the 2024 season, whereas Rams QB Matthew Stafford was awarded it in the course of the 2025 season.
Stafford ought to stay in league MVP conversations after tossing a league-leading 46 landing passes final season. WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams stay on the roster, giving him an opportunity to guide the passing class once more.
The Payments nonetheless lack a bona fide No. 1 WR, regardless of buying WR DJ Moore in a commerce with the Chicago Bears this offseason. Moore recorded a career-low 682 receiving yards in 17 video games final season.
Allen, nevertheless, may proceed to hold the Payments offense with out elite choices within the passing recreation. The QB had 39 whole TDs final season (25 passing, 14 dashing).
The Cowboys have missed the playoffs for 2 consecutive seasons. Nonetheless, it seems they might be able to reignite their NFC East rivalry with Philadelphia after upgrading their Thirty second-ranked scoring protection (30.1 factors per recreation) this offseason.
Dallas chosen Ohio State Buckeyes security Caleb Downs — a potential generational prospect — with choose No. 11 within the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition they acquired one-time Professional Bowl defensive finish Rashan Gary (a former Inexperienced Bay Packer) and linebacker Dee Winters (a former San Francisco 49er) to shore up their line of defense and linebacking corps.
Pro Football Reference credited Gary with 31 pressures final season, the second-most in his seven-year profession. Winters, in the meantime, logged a career-high 101 tackles (67 solo and 34 assists).
The Eagles stay one of many high groups within the NFC after profitable consecutive division titles, however their offense could possibly be in for a downturn. Philadelphia reportedly plans to commerce three-time Professional Bowl WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots on or after June 1. It hopes rookie wideout Makai Lemon (choose No. 20) is an appropriate substitute, however that is an enormous ask for the previous USC Trojan.
Week 8: Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 2)
The Bears hope third-year QB Caleb Williams takes one other step after main the group to its first playoff win because the 2010 season final season. He threw for 361 yards and two TD passes in a 31-27 NFC wild-card win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Piloting Chicago to a highway win over the defending Tremendous Bowl champions will surely assist.
Though Seattle misplaced offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (now HC of the Las Vegas Raiders), it ought to stay in championship rivalry subsequent season. As of Thursday night time, FanDuel Sportsbook offers the Seahawks +1000 Tremendous Bowl LXI odds, tied for the second finest with the Baltimore Ravens, behind the Rams (+700).
Who may blame the oddsmakers for liking the Seahawks and their stingy protection, headlined by defensive lineman Leonard Williams, LB Ernest Jones IV and security Nick Emmanwori? The Seahawks ranked No. 1 within the league in factors allowed final season (16.9 PPG).
Williams may wrestle on this matchup; the QB may additionally make an announcement if he shreds the elite unit.
This recreation options two of the perfect QBs within the NFL and two beneath probably the most stress heading into the 2026 season.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who’s coming into his ninth season with the group, nonetheless hasn’t reached a Tremendous Bowl. Final season, the two-time league MVP went 6-7 in 13 begins and failed to guide a proficient Baltimore group to the playoffs. The membership hopes he and the group will return to elite kind beneath new head coach Jesse Minter, a former Chargers defensive coordinator.
A minimum of Jackson (3-5 within the playoffs) has received a postseason recreation. Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who’s coming into his seventh season in L.A., is 0-3 within the playoffs. Two of these losses have come prior to now two seasons beneath HC Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh employed former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel as OC this offseason. McDaniel has said it is his objective for Herbert to “personal the place in a manner he by no means has.” We should always see if he’s by this level within the season.
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