Inside ELWAY’s 2026 NFL forecast

The 2026 NFL season is currently under intense scrutiny as major sports media outlets publish their season previews and predictions. Newsday has released a comprehensive preview focusing specifically on the Jets and the Giants, while also providing analysis on the race for the Super Bowl. This coincides with a broader trend of league-wide forecasting as teams prepare for the upcoming schedule. The focus across these reports is on identifying which teams are positioned for success and which are likely to underperform based on current rosters and projections. Specific coverage from SB Nation emphasizes the concept of underrated teams, identifying four squads that the outlet believes are being overlooked entering the 2026 campaign. Among these underrated teams, SB Nation explicitly highlights the Broncos as a team with more potential than current narratives suggest.

Meanwhile, CBS Sports has taken a more speculative approach by publishing five bold predictions for the season. Their reporting focuses on the possibility of a new MVP title contender emerging and a dramatic turnaround for the Saints, who CBS Sports predicts will move from worst to first within their division. This wave of analysis matters because it establishes the baseline expectations for the 2026 season. The contrast between Newsday's regional focus on New York teams and the broader national predictions from CBS Sports and SB Nation shows a split in how the league is being viewed. The mention of the Saints' potential leap from the bottom of their division to the top underscores the volatility expected in the current NFL landscape. These forecasts serve as the primary narrative framework for fans and analysts as the season begins.

Moving forward, observers will be watching to see if the bold predictions from CBS Sports regarding the Saints and the new MVP contender materialize. Attention will also remain on the Broncos to see if their status as an underrated team, as identified by SB Nation, translates into actual wins. Additionally, the performance of the Jets and Giants will be tracked against the benchmarks set in the Newsday season preview. Coverage does not yet specify exact dates for these team evaluations beyond the initial season entry period.