2026 NFL playoff predictions: Picks for 8 division winners, 6 wild cards

(16 votes: Band, Cersosimo, Ely, Filice, Gordon, Kownack, McWilliams, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Rosenthal, Shook, Smith, Yam, Zierlein.)

2) New England Patriots (+140) | 3 votes: Abdoo, Bergman, Umerani.

Why Mike Yam chose the Bills: I love that Buffalo promoted Joe Brady, who'll continue to showcase Josh Allen's immense talent. The veteran QB will once again wear the superhero cape to lift this year's Bills past the Patriots in the AFC East. The Pats take a step back with their schedule leveling up from 2025 -- when they had the easiest regular-season slate by any NFL team since the turn of the millennium -- to the sixth-toughest in the league in 2026.

(10 votes: Abdoo, Band, Gordon, McWilliams, Parr, Reuter, Rosenthal, Shook, Umerani, Yam.)

2) Cincinnati Bengals (+160) | 9 votes: Bergman, Cersosimo, Ely, Filice, Kownack, Okada, Patra, Smith, Zierlein.

Why Chad Reuter chose the Ravens: New head coach Jesse Minter brings a fresh voice to a Ravens defense that added stud edge rusher Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Combine a strong defense with a healthy Lamar Jackson and still hungry Derrick Henry, and you've got Baltimore returning to the top of the division.

(15 votes: Abdoo, Band, Bergman, Cersosimo, Ely, Filice, Gordon, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Rosenthal, Smith, Umerani, Zierlein.)

2) Jacksonville Jaguars (+210) | 3 votes: Kownack, Shook, Yam.

3) Indianapolis Colts (+350) | 1 vote: McWilliams.

Why Lance Zierlein chose the Texans: We know the Texans have an elite defense, but their offseason moves to beef up the running game should pay off by taking pressure off C.J. Stroud and allowing the offense to operate more effectively.

(8 votes: Band, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Shook, Smith, Yam.)

2) Los Angeles Chargers (+195) | 7 votes: Abdoo, Bergman, Ely, Filice, Kownack, Umerani, Zierlein.

3) Kansas City Chiefs (+180) | 4 votes: Cersosimo, Gordon, McWilliams, Rosenthal.

Why Dan Parr chose the Broncos: If not for Bo Nix’s injury, the Broncos might have made the Super Bowl last season. With the acquisition of WR Jaylen Waddle and relatively few significant free-agent losses this offseason, Denver has established itself as the most reliable team in a tough division.

(12 votes: Abdoo, Bergman, Ely, Filice, Gordon, Kownack, Okada, Patra, Shook, Smith, Umerani, Yam.)

2) Philadelphia Eagles (+135) | 7 votes: Band, Cersosimo, McWilliams, Parr, Reuter, Rosenthal, Zierlein.

Why Grant Gordon chose the Cowboys: Hype is never hard to find with the Cowboys, but this offseason has been different. They’ve been relatively drama-free, all the while making it clear a Super Bowl is the goal and they’re not shying away from it. So, why not the NFC East? The defense has been overhauled -- including the addition of a Defensive Rookie of the Year front-runner in Caleb Downs and defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Dak Prescott’s offense is loaded and healthy and has finished as a top-five scorer in four of the past five seasons. Dallas is coming off back-to-back seven-win seasons. The last time Dallas had consecutive non-winning campaigns, it went 12-5 the following year and won the division in Mike McCarthy’s second year at the helm. Brian Schottenheimer is in Year 2 and has Texas-sized aspirations.

(10 votes: Cersosimo, Filice, Gordon, Kownack, McWilliams, Okada, Patra, Rosenthal, Smith, Yam.)

T-2) Chicago Bears (+310) | 4 votes: Band, Ely, Parr, Zierlein.

T-2) Green Bay Packers (+270) | 4 votes: Bergman, Reuter, Shook, Umerani.

4) Minnesota Vikings (+420) | 1 vote: Abdoo.

Why Matt Okada chose the Lions: Last year, the Bears won seven of their 11 one-score games on their way to the NFC North title (tied for third-most such wins in the league). That typically spells regression the ensuing season. Therefore, in an extremely tight division, I'm banking on a bounce-back effort from the team that won it in 2023 and '24, with the most trustworthy offense.

(17 votes: Abdoo, Band, Bergman, Cersosimo, Ely, Filice, Gordon, Kownack, McWilliams, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Rosenthal, Smith, Yam, Zierlein.)

2) New Orleans Saints (+290) | 2 votes: Shook, Umerani.

Why Ben McWilliams chose the Buccaneers: A healthy and motivated Baker Mayfield, who's in a contract year, is the best QB in the division. I expect Mayfield to lead Tampa Bay back to the postseason after missing out last season, thanks to a three-way tiebreaker scenario.

(18 votes: Abdoo, Band, Bergman, Ely, Filice, Gordon, Kownack, McWilliams, Okada, Parr, Patra, Reuter, Rosenthal, Shook, Smith, Umerani, Yam, Zierlein.)

2) San Francisco 49ers (+330) | 1 vote: Cersosimo.

Why David Ely chose the Rams: The Rams were just a few plays away from besting the Seahawks for the division last year. What did they do this offseason? Added Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald, while revamping their secondary with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. This year, their defense matches their similarly star-studded offense to win an uber-tough NFC West.