Dorothy

Ryan Mathews: Week 1 through Week 5 While the stretch of games from Week 10 through Week 12 is undoubtedly brutal, the Lions need to set the tone long before those games are even played. Detroit must take advantage of the open to their schedule. We’re talking winning a minimum four out of their first five contests to maximize the benefits of having that fourth-place schedule. There’s no shame in losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, but dropping any of the other four games against the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, or Arizona Cardinals—a group that combined for a 20-48 record in 2025—could prove costly as the schedule ramps up at the end of October.

That was the case a year ago as well, when the Lions and Green Bay Packers met. Detroit came up short 31-24, and that was the beginning of a 2-4 finish to the season that resulted in the Lions missing the postseason.

After going a combined 10-2 within the division over the previous two seasons (2023-24) before slipping to 2-4 last year, reclaiming the NFC North crown down the stretch will be critical.

The Jaguars were one of the bigger surprises of the 2025 campaign, winning nine of their last 10 games a year ago to finish 13-4 and win the AFC South. The Texans weren't far behind—they won 10 of 11 down the stretch last year to finish 12-5 and both make the playoffs and win a postseason game for the third time in as many years with C.J. Stroud under center.

AFC West Kansas City Chiefs: 13-4 (1) The Chiefs will get right back on the horse and win the division. Patrick Mahomes will be back by Week 1, and the return of Eric Bieniemy is going to be a massive boost to an offense that has lacked explosiveness. The Chiefs have never had a 1,000-yard rusher in the Mahomes era - Kenneth Walker will be a massive boost to that offense.

For the Eagles, last year the issue was offense—despite having quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and a solid cadre of pass-catchers, the Eagles were 24th in the league in total offense. If that offense struggles to find consistency again this year, the door will be opened for a team like the Cowboys to claim the division.

The New Orleans Saints have maintained firm control of their NFC South rivalry against the Carolina Panthers over the past three seasons. Having won five of their last seven games against Carolina, including both games in 2025, the Saints will now look to continue their dominance into the 2026 season.

NFC West Los Angeles Rams: 13-4 (1) The Rams were the best team in the league a year ago, and they got better. Adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to a secondary that needed upgrading addressed their biggest need on the roster. The offense will remain as dangerous as any in the league with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams all returning. They’ll win the division and be the No. 1 seed.

Most intriguing game: at Jacksonville in Week 8 Can the Colts finally end their winless streak on the road against the Jaguars? Indianapolis hasn't won in Jacksonville since 2014.

Final Score: Steelers 23, Ravens 21 Week 15: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Seattle, which had an impressive 29-13 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, was linked to several different opponents for the Week 1 game. Some thought a Week 1 matchup against the Rams or 49ers would be fun. Others felt that a big name in the AFC could travel to Seattle for Week 1.

4 of 10This is the first matchup in this piece featuring two teams that both missed the postseason a year ago. But make no mistake: While the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals were also-rans a year ago, they are arguably the top contenders in the AFC North.