Who will reach Super Bowl? – NFL predictions for 2026 season

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.

Who will reach the Super Bowl?

The Los Angeles Rams have gone all-in on reaching this season’s Super Bowl, which included a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett [Getty Images]

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.

Who will be the NFL’s MVP?

Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions smiles before the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl game in 2026 — David Montgomery’s departure means a bigger role for Jahmyr Gibbs with the Detroit Lions, who made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back this summer [Getty Images]

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.

David Brindle: If it wasn’t to be a quarterback, I fancy Jahmyr Gibbs. He’s signed a new deal and now has no running back competition at Detroit so expect him to see lots of action on a Lions team who are NFC contenders.

Ben Collins: Cincinnati have remedied their defence and still have a top offence. After twice winning comeback player of the year, quarterback Joe Burrow stays fit long enough to bag the award he really wants as the Bengals make a deep play-off run.

Who will be coach of the year?

Rob Staton: It could be Joe Brady if he can help Josh Allen reach MVP status, but in order to mix things up I’m going for DeMeco Ryans. The Houston Texans are going to lead on their defence and I think they’ll be really strong.

Hugh Ferris: If the Bills reach the Super Bowl, then it stands to reason Joe Brady gets the nod as a first-year head coach, putting to shame people (like me) who called him an underwhelming hire.

Haydn Parry: I have always been a big fan of John Harbaugh. He will start from a comparatively low base in New York with the Giants, but with their passionate fanbase and the enormous potential of Jaxson Dart lift-off could be achieved early.

Joe Bradshaw: There has been such turnover on the NFL’s coaching carousel, it has been hard to keep up this off-season. In the face of such instability, I’ll opt for Sean McVay as he steers the Rams to their third Super Bowl title.

David Brindle: I’m going for Sean Payton to pick up his second award, 20 years after winning it with New Orleans. With the work done so far and decisions Payton has already made at Denver, this is the year I think it’ll be formally recognised.

Ben Collins: After Detroit were hindered by a defensive injury crisis last season, Dan Campbell is rewarded as he gets the Lions roaring again.

Who is the NFL rookie to watch?

De'Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Tony Jefferson of the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL pre-season game in August 2026 — The 49ers traded up to select De’Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd overall pick of this year’s NFL Draft – and their first [Getty Images]

Rob Staton: I’d expect Rueben Bain to have an immediate impact in Tampa Bay. Jadarian Price will get opportunities to shine in Seattle. I was a big fan of De’Zhaun Stribling, taken by the San Francisco 49ers. But in terms of pure impact, give me Caleb Downs, the safety in Dallas.

Hugh Ferris: The 49ers have one wide receiver AWOL, another out for the season, and injury question marks over Mike Evans and George Kittle – who’s recovering from a torn Achilles – so along with a returning Deebo Samuel, there’s a gap for De’Zhaun Stribling to fill.

Haydn Parry: It will be interesting to see how wide receiver Carnell Tate, fourth overall pick by Tennessee, adapts among the big boys. With his versatile skillset, the Titans expect him to contribute right from the off – the pre-draft scout reports highlighted his maturity, intelligence, sure hands and catch radius.

Joe Bradshaw: De’Zhaun Stribling was a surprise selection by the 49ers at the start of the second round but given their annual injury issues, he could be in line for plenty of work this season. Some fine displays in pre-season have only increased the hype.

David Brindle: After Kenneth Walker departed, the Seahawks picked Jadarian Price in the draft. He’ll start the season as their lead back, with Zach Charbonnet still recovering from an ACL tear. I expect him to keep that job and become a top running back in the league for many years.

Ben Collins: Sonny Styles’ athleticism caught the eye of NFL teams during the pre-draft process. He could have a big impact at linebacker for the Washington Commanders and soon become one of their leaders.

Who will be the NFL’s surprise package?

Fernando Mendoza talks with the Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak as they leave the field after an NFL pre-season game in August 2026 — Fernando Mendoza was this year’s first overall draft pick but new head coach Klint Kubiak will start with veteran Kirk Cousins at quarterback [Getty Images]

Rob Staton: I’m not suggesting the Las Vegas Raiders are going to go on an improbable run or anything, but Klint Kubiak did an excellent job in Seattle [as offensive coordinator] and should make the transition to head coach with ease. I think this will be the year, finally, that the Raiders show signs of growth.

Hugh Ferris: Here’s a surprise: the New York teams won’t both be terrible. The Jets’ draft and John Harbaugh going to the Giants should mean they could rise to the heady heights of being mediocre.

Haydn Parry: Fernando Mendoza worked wonders at Indiana last year. He probably needs to perform miracles in Las Vegas but it will be fascinating to follow his progress. The lad needs broad shoulders to carry the weight of expectation but the Raiders can hardly do worse than last season.

Joe Bradshaw: Can you call a team with consecutive 11-win seasons a surprise package? Despite great regular seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers have faltered in the play-offs but they are now healthy again and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel looks a perfect fit for talented quarterback Justin Herbert.

David Brindle: Given they missed the play-offs and went 6-11 last season, if the Cincinnati Bengals can stay healthy – especially quarterback Joe Burrow, who missed most of last season with turf toe – they could reach the Super Bowl and upset the status quo.

Ben Collins: Kevin Stefanski was twice named coach of the year at Cleveland and now has a more stable team at his disposal, led by dual-threat running back Bijan Robinson. If the Falcons can settle on a quarterback, they could finally get back in play-off contention.

Which team will have NFL’s worst record?

Rob Staton: The Cleveland Browns are a shambles. The situation surrounding Deshaun Watson is a mess, and it’s frankly incredible he’s still in the league. They can no longer rely on Myles Garrett. They seem destined to fail.

Hugh Ferris: I picked the Browns last year and got it wrong. That won’t stop me doing it again this year. They’re going with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, which will do little other than prove one more time that it might have been the worst trade (and contract) in NFL history.

Haydn Parry: There seems to be a general consensus that the Miami Dolphins are ‘in transition’ – which is NFL-speak for ‘total rebuild’. They are probably in a race to the bottom with the Arizona Cardinals as things stand.

Joe Bradshaw: Iconic edge rusher Myles Garrett has left the Browns and they still have huge questions at quarterback with Deshaun Watson booed by his own fans during pre-season. Their best hope is a top pick in 2027’s stacked-looking draft.

David Brindle: Until now, all of the questions have been tough, but this is easy. After a tumultuous off-season where they moved on from Jaylen Waddle and others, the rebuild is under way for the Miami Dolphins and they face a daunting season.

Ben Collins: Although I’m rooting for British tight end Seydou Traore in his rookie year, this could be a long season for the Dolphins. Their roster looks short on talent having also let Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill go, with Malik Willis entering a season as starting quarterback for the first time.

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