2026 NFL Season Schedule Predictions Compiled

Arizona Cardinals:

Prediction 3-14

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 4.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 32

I truly do not expect the Cardinals to be good this year. They are lost key players in Kyler Murray and most likely Josh Sweat. They are also in one of the toughest divisions and have the worst coach out of the four. They are matched up with the AFC West which is not an easy division to play against, either. They have one of the most difficult SOS and I do not think they rise to the challenge.

Atlanta Falcons

Prediction 4-13

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 7.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 20

The Falcons are one of those teams where I just dont know what to do with them. Could they be good? Yeah probably. But could they also be really bad and fall off the table? Again, yeah. I think this year with a new coaching staff, it will take a while for players to learn a new system. Without a first round draft pick this year, they dont really have any cornerstone players besides Penix, who is coming off of his second ACL tear. Historically, this division has been one of the worst in all of football. The teams in their division are getting progressing quicker and they play the NFC North and AFC North, two historically good divisions. I would take the under. 

Baltimore Ravens

Prediction 12-5

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 11.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 6

I expect the Ravens to get off to a bit of a slow start. With the new coaching staff, I think this team will be renewed with a huge sense of purpose. They have a very easy schedule and should look to win their division. I expect Lamar to pick up right where he left off and new OC from the Ben Johnson tree to help push them over the top. 

Buffalo Bills

Prediction 14-3

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 14

The Super Bowl window for the Buffalo Bills is still open. They play in one of the worst divisions in football and have some crucial home games. With a new stadium this year and with Joe Brady stepping in as HC, I expect every home game to be electric and the Bills to have the advantage. Would it be far fetched to say they go undefeated at home in the new stadium?

Carolina Panthers

Prediction 6-11

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 6.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 30

I see the Panthers taking a bit of a step back this year. They have the third hardest schedule out of all the teams and face the NFC North, and are playing a first place schedule which includes teams like the Seahawks, Broncos, and Eagles. It is a prove it year for Bryce Young but the cards might already be stacked against him. 

Chicago Bears

Prediction 12-5

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 27

I think the Bears will pick up right where they left off last year. The only problem on this team is their defensive line. They made major improvements with S Dillon Thieneman and S Coby Bryant. They also brought in Devin Bush to help with the LBs. They play against two pretty bad divisions in the NFC South and AFC East minus the Bills/Pats. They are also playing a first place schedule and get the Eagles, and Jacksonville at home while having to go on the road and play the defending Super Bowl Champs. I expect big things from Caleb being year 2 in Ben Johnsons system.

Cincinnati Bengals

Prediction 7-10

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 3

The Bengals always start off slow and I think the writing is already on the wall for Joe Burrows team. His attitude has shifted and I would not be totally shocked if an early retirement came. They play a pretty easy schedule but I dont know if their defense is good enough to help keep their offense in games. I expect Zac Taylor to be the first coach fired and a complete rebuild in Cincy next season.

Cleveland Browns

Prediction 4-13

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 6.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 4

The Browns also have a very easy schedule but not a very good team. They traded away their best player for a really good player in Jared Verse and some picks. I do not know who the QB is going to be but there has been zero consistency at that position since Baker Mayfield. There is a reason losing teams stay losing (the owner) and until that changes, I do not think we see Cleveland succeed.

Dallas Cowboys

Prediction 12-5

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 8.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 29

Dallas is a very interesting team. It feels like their window is closing soon. They play the fourth hardest schedule while two teams in their own division it seems like are going backwards. They are set up perfectly for a week one disappointment vs The Giants but then should get rolling. Now that Eberflus is off that staff I expect the defense to improve drastically and especially with rookie S Caleb Downs. We know the offense is electric, they just need to stay competitive in games and stay healthy and I expect them to go far. 

Denver Broncos

Prediction 13-4

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 11

The future of the Broncos depends solely on the health of Bo Nix. I think they would have had the chance to win a Super Bowl last year if he had not gotten hurt. They run the same team back basically this year with a tougher schedule and a more experienced QB. They face an easy first place schedule in the Jaguars and Panthers but also have to play the Bills at home. Their toughest opponents are in their own division and the NFC West which is brutal. 

Detroit Lions

Prediction 12-5

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 1

I expect the Detroit Lions to return to normal after last season. They have the easiest SOS in the NFL. They struggled to find continuity at the OC position with Dan Campbell taking the reins multiple times during the season but hopefully with a good offseason and adding more depth to the OLine they can be consistent. They play a fourth place schedule against the Giants, Titans and Cardinals. If they are any good they should expect to win 11 games, at least. 

Green Bay Packers

Prediction 10-7

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 17

Overall I think Green Bay takes a slight step back from last year. With Parsons being out for the first few games, I think they manage to hold on but have some tough games on the road at a critical part of the season. With a suspect Offensive Line, I do not see them being favorites on the road. Matt LaFleur has never lost to Sean McVay but I think that changes this year. 

Houston Texans

Prediction 10-7

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 26

It would be nice to see some good QB play from the Texans because truly their defense deserves it. With this being a contract year for CJ Stroud, I expect him to get serious. They have a few games in the cold late in the season but if they are able to hang on, I think they can make some noise in the post season. Beefing up the run game with David Montgomery and their first four picks spent on the OLine, I expect that to take some pressure off Stroud. 

Indianapolis Colts

Prediction 10-7

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 8.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 9

The Colts are another interesting team where if they can just stay healthy (Daniel Jones) they have shown they can compete with the best of teams. I do not think 10 wins for the Colts based off of the schedule they are playing is too unreasonable, especially with a healthy Daniel Jones and no more AR-15 getting tired and coming out of the game. I expect the defense to be even better with Buckners return and spending 5/8 picks on defense in the draft this year. That division is wide open and they have the 9th easiest schedule.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Prediction 7-10

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 15

Again, this division is wide open but I expect the jaguars to take a step back. The Travis Hunter trade has really blown up in their faces. I see them competing in the NFC South and winning a few more games with year 2 of Liam Coen's system but this team doesn't really scare anybody, does it?

"I think you're the Shohei Ohtani of football" -Charles Woodson

"Yeah" -Travis Hunter

Yikes.

Kansas City Chiefs

Prediction 12-5

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 10

Palpatine has returned! And the Chiefs got so much better this offseason landing Peter Woods, and R Mason Thomas, two valuable DLineman. They sniped a rookie corner at #6 overall in the draft and signed K9. Anyone who does not expect them to return to their former selves is crazy. They have a  third place schedule and basically a cake walk to a playoff spot. Do NOT let them host games in January.

Las Vegas Raiders

Prediction 3-14

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 5.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 19

I think this is a learning year for Mendoza. Neither him nor Cousins really moves the needle for me. I like the head coach but I think they need a year to learn this system. They play in a tough division but I think the wheels really fall. Next year I could expect them to improve greatly but I think its a typical rookie season of the QB learning on the job. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction 13-4

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 21

The Chargers are my dark horse to really make a deep Super Bowl run. I really like the addition of Mike McDaniel as the OC and pairing him with Herbert will be nice. With Alt and Slater set to come back they have a pretty good line. It will all be about staying healthy and getting past opponents in the playoffs. Their window is still open.

Los Angeles Rams

Prediction 15-2

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 11.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 28

The Rams should be the unanimous favorite to win the Super Bowl. They do have a pretty difficult SOS but the defense should play lights out with the addition of Myles Garrett. This will be the last year of Stafford most likely so they have to go all in and teach Ty Simpson...wait what?

Miami Dolphins

Prediction 1-16

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 4.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 31

I do not believe in this team at all. They are openly tanking. I would be surprised if they win 3 games. 

Minnesota Vikings

Prediction 10-7

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 8.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 16

Kyler Murray could be the X factor. He is the great unknown. He finally has a real coach and the coach finally has a talented QB that can use his legs and open up the full playbook. It will be interesting to see how well he can learn a new system and keep the COD allegations to a minimum in a much more tough division.

New England Patriots

Prediction 10-7

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 9.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 12

I think the Patriots take a major step back this year with all of the Russini controversy. They played the third easiest schedule last year, this year they play the 12th easiest. But, I do not think it matters after playing 4 straight playoff teams and 3 on the road to start the season. Its tough to make the playoffs after starting 1-3 and the AFC is stacked. 

New Orleans Saints

Prediction 4-13

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 7.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 2

They have the second easiest schedule but truly I do not think it matters. I think this is a prove it year for their HC and Shough. It really is anyone's division however, they could come out and win 10 games but I know they need a lot more talent on their team to be competitive. 

New York Giants

Prediction 7-10

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 7.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 24

I really want to like the Giants because they have such a young fun team with a lot of talent but I have seen some clips of the rookie camps and training camps and man is it cringy. PTSD from Matt Nagy? I hope Harbaugh has some magic coaching genius he can install in Dart but I still think its gonna take some time for him to really progress as a QB especially if Nagy is going to have him do designed runs like Mahomes and with Trubisky. There is a reason why KC did not want him back... 

New York Jets

Prediction 2-15

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 5.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 5

The Jets are not a good team and Aaron Glenn should not have taken this job. I am looking at this roster and their new draft picks and I feel like it is the same old Jets. Dont get me wrong I think they had a really good draft but they always have good drafts because their team is always drafting in the top 5. Is Geno Smith really the answer? This is why the Jets are always bad. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction 14-3

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 7

The Eagles are another team that I expect to have a really good run/season because if they fall below expectations, I could see Nick Siriani getting fired. You could say that every year with Philidelphia but there has been so much drama with Brown and Hurts and this AI generated team messages. I could see him losing the locker room if they fall behind quickly. But I dont think they will because they have a good team and play in a mid division.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction 8-9

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 8.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 18

I am really excited to see the Steelers this year because I think they will be good enough to beat good teams but also bad enough to lose to bad teams which will make their season so interesting. Ultimately I think McCarthy is a good coach but it is a new system for the rest of the team besides Rodgers and will take a while to implement. 

San Francisco 49ers

Prediction 9-8

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 10.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 8

Prayers up for Kyle Shanahan. I think this might actually impact their season. They face two easy opponents after the Rams game but that travel to Sydney can be a beast of a flight and it might set them pretty far back . The key is always staying healthy for this team and avoiding the substation at all costs. I dont think they will be as good as they have been in the past but, if they can get into the playoffs, I wouldnt want to play them.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Prediction 9-8

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 8.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 23

Overall, the Buccaneers are a good team and they are good enough to win the division. I think they will but if it comes down to them having to tie or even have the other team in their division win and they lose to get a spot or whatever weird scenario happened last year I am out on them. I think Baker is just good enough to get them over but they need to surround him with talent. And the defense is old af, adding Reuben Bain helps, hopefully he can get the defense off the field quicker and give the offense more tries at scoring.

Tennessee Titans

Prediction 2-15

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 6.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 13

I think the Titans had a pretty good draft but their season will depend on how good of a QB Cam Ward is. He is in a new offensive system with Daboll and I think they pair nicely together but the Titans play a tough schedule. Everyone they play is going to try and beat up on them. They could win a few games more than this if their opponents arent careful but they play two pretty good divisions in the NFC North and East. 

Washington Commanders

Prediction 5-12

FanDuel Win Total: O/U 7.5

Strength of Schedule Rank: 25

The Commanders are a very interesting team and if JD5 can play then they are a good team. If he is hurt then they do not have much going for them besides an old defense and Deebo Samuel. Sonny Styles will help for sure but he is only one player. I think the magic that they had two years ago has faded a bit but I would love to be surprised. They play a third place schedule but those teams include the Vikings, Falcons, and Bengals.