2026 NFL predictions: Final record for all 32 teams, Super Bowl LXI pick, playoff matchups and MVP winner

The 2026 NFL season is beginning with a surge of comprehensive projections covering all 32 teams. According to reports from CBS Sports, analysts have projected the final records for every team in the league, identified the 14 teams expected to make the playoffs, and selected a winner for Super Bowl LXI. These predictions extend to division champions and the eventual MVP winner. As the league enters Week 1, specific attention is being paid to individual matchups, with NFL.com providing score predictions and matchup breakdowns for every game, while The New York Times has placed the Steelers at the top of its straight-up and against-the-spread confidence rankings for the opening week. Coverage from major outlets like ESPN, CBS Sports, and Yahoo Sports emphasizes the current betting landscape and expert consensus. ESPN reports that the Los Angeles Rams are currently the Super Bowl favorites and are attracting the highest volume of betting action.

However, USA Today notes that while the Rams are the favorites, they are not the specific championship pick for that outlet. Yahoo Sports has further integrated this trend by utilizing FanDuel odds to shape its season predictions, while another Yahoo Sports report provides a geographical map illustrating which teams different regions of the United States are rooting for to win Super Bowl LXI. Significant narrative focus is directed toward the New England Patriots, who are currently ranked 13th in the Week 1 Power Rankings according to NFL.com. Coverage from NESN, The Boston Globe, and Audacy highlights a divide in expectations for the team. While Audacy offers bold predictions for the season, NESN features an expert predicting a regression for the Patriots following their previous Super Bowl run. The Boston Globe adds that the road to the Super Bowl appears significantly more difficult for the New England franchise this season.

Additionally, the New York Times has raised questions regarding whether the Rams are inevitable winners or if this season will be the year for Josh Allen. Looking ahead, the industry is monitoring several critical developments as the season unfolds. CBS Sports reports that the Falcons have finally named their starting quarterback for Week 1, a key detail for upcoming performance evaluations. Market analysts at CBS Sports continue to provide updated odds, lines, and prop bets for the opening slate of games. The sports community will be watching to see if the betting momentum behind the Rams holds or if the regression predicted for the Patriots manifests in their early-season results. Further predictions from the MMQB staff at Sports Illustrated and insights from Bedard and Giardi at the Boston Sports Journal will likely be tracked against actual game outcomes.