2026 NFL Season Preview: Super Bowl Contenders, and Key Storylines

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The 2026-27 NFL season is here, but not without a bunch of storylines behind the background noise, and of course, all the position battles you could want. The lineups are set, and the teams are ready to go, starting with New England at Seattle in the opener on September 9th.

In this piece, we take a look at some of the stories we have been talking about over the past year or longer. Some of the same questions about the same players have yet to be answered.

AFC

Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen remains a top-three quarterback talent in the NFL, but Buffalo’s true challenge is playoff execution. With a 12–5 record last season, the Bills are undoubtedly real contenders, but taking them “over the top” requires Allen to reduce high-risk turnovers in late-game postseason scenarios.

New England Patriots: New England’s 14–3 run and AFC Championship victory leading into Super Bowl LX was no fluke. Drake Maye established himself as an elite starter (31 passing TDs, 113.5 passer rating), and Mike Vrabel’s defense is legitimate. Acquiring A.J. Brown from Philadelphia in a blockbuster trade gives Maye a true alpha receiver to push for another Super Bowl trip.

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow is right that the offense can compete with anyone, but Cincinnati’s 6–11 record last season was plagued by a defense that surrendered 492 points. Until Lou Anarumo’s unit fixes its pass rush depth and tackling, Burrow’s arm alone cannot save them in a grueling division.

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry (1,595 rushing yards) form a devastating backfield, but an 8–9 campaign highlighted depth issues across the secondary and offensive line. Jackson’s regular-season mastery is undeniable; his legacy now hinges entirely on postseason breakthrough.

Cleveland Browns: It is bleak in Cleveland. After finishing 5–12 and trading 2025 Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett (23.0 sacks) to Los Angeles, the Browns are entering a total rebuild with significant quarterback uncertainty.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville represents the division’s top tier. Trevor Lawrence is a stud and is looking to get the Jags back to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since January 21, 2018, when they lost 24–20 at the New England Patriots

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud is surrounded by young, dynamic playmakers, is backed up by maybe the best defense in the NFL, and he is looking to redeem himself and the Texans after the postseason from hell that he had.

Tennessee Titans: After drafting Cam Ward No. 1 overall in 2025, Ward showed flashes of franchise potential (3,169 passing yards) despite a 3–14 team context. While Ward is primed for a Year 2 breakout, Tennessee’s roster construction still trails Jacksonville and Houston.

Denver Broncos: Denver claimed the division at 14–3 behind a dominant defense, but missed the Super Bowl when QB Bo Nix was injured. Was that a fluke, or will they make it to the big game this time?

Los Angeles Chargers: While Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers notched 11 wins, the questions here lie with QB Justin Herbert. So much praise has been bestowed on him, but he has yet to live up to the hype and take his team anywhere in the playoffs. Will the addition of Mike McDaniel finally unlock what has held Herbert back?

Kansas City Chiefs: A 6–11 slump in 2025 marked the worst season of the Patrick Mahomes era. Betting against Mahomes long-term is risky; expect Andy Reid to retool the scheme and push Kansas City back into playoff contention, though dethroning Denver won’t be easy.

NFC

Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott led the NFL with 4,552 passing yards last season, driving heavy expectations for a deep playoff run. However, line play and defensive discipline remain their ultimate test in January.

Philadelphia Eagles: Trading A.J. Brown shifts wideout duties to DeVonta Smith. With Jalen Hurts entering his fourth offensive coordinator system in as many years (under Sean Mannion), expect Philadelphia to rely heavily on Saquon Barkley’s running game to stabilize the offense.

Detroit Lions: Jared Goff (4,564 passing yards, 34 TDs) commands a Detroit squad built for a Super Bowl push. The backfield belongs to him now. What will he do with this opportunity to be the feature back?

Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams enters Year 2 with better protection and targets, positioning the Bears for a wildcard push. Can he get better at the simpler plays, technique, and, of course, the elusive 4,00 yards?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield enters the final year of his contract without an extension. Historically, Mayfield plays his best football with a chip on his shoulder—expect a highly motivated season in Tampa.

Los Angeles Rams: Los Angeles pulled off the move of the summer by trading for Myles Garrett and coaxing Aaron Donald out of retirement on a one-year deal. Combined with Matthew Stafford’s MVP season (4,707 yards, 46 TDs) and Puka Nacua (1,715 yards), the Rams are arguably the most dangerous team in football.

With Super Bowl LXI set for SoFi Stadium, the Rams have built a roster specifically designed to win a Lombardi Trophy on their home turf once again.