Who will reach Super Bowl? - NFL predictions for 2026 season
Who are favourites to reach the Super Bowl and who will be the surprise standouts? BBC's NFL experts make their predictions for the 2026 season - and so can you.
The NFL is notoriously unpredictable, as evidenced by last season's surprising results. Only two of the eight division winners from 2024 returned, and two outsiders, the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs, advanced to the Super Bowl. Now, as the 2026 season begins, the BBC's NFL experts have made their predictions for who will reach the big game and who will be the stars of Super Bowl 61 in February.
Rob Staton predicts that the NFC will be a showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, with the Rams emerging victorious. He also backs the Bills reaching the Super Bowl, with quarterback Josh Allen providing the spark. Hugh Ferris is more cautious, believing the Bills are due for a loss despite the talent of Josh Allen. Haydn Parry thinks the Bills could finally win it all, aided by the promotion of Joe Brady to head coach.
Joe Brady's arrival could be the missing ingredient for the Bills, according to Joe Bradshaw. From the AFC, he believes the Rams are the team most likely to win, with Josh Allen due for a Super Bowl appearance. Ben Collins offers a more unconventional pick, suggesting the Los Angeles Chargers could make their Super Bowl debut, with former Rams quarterback Jared Goff leading the charge.
Rob Staton's leftfield choice is Josh Allen, who now has an offensive-minded head coach to help him have a big season. Hugh Ferris goes against the grain by picking Justin Herbert of the Chargers, believing that the hiring of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator could change the game for a quarterback in a Jim Harbaugh team. Haydn Parry suggests Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys could have an outstanding season, with the team needing to find a defense to match his talent.
Joe Bradshaw thinks Buffalo's new head coach Joe Brady knows how to get Josh Allen going, and if the Bills make it to the Super Bowl, he will be the clear MVP candidate. David Brindle suggests Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions as a surprising candidate, as he will have no running back competition and is signed to a new deal. Ben Collins believes Cincinnati's improved defense and top offence could lead to a deep playoff run for the Bengals, with quarterback Joe Burrow as the MVP candidate.
Rob Staton leans towards Joe Brady as the head coach who could help Josh Allen reach MVP status, while Hugh Ferris predicts DeMeco Ryans to have a strong impact if the Bills reach the Super Bowl. Haydn Parry is a fan of John Harbaugh, who could lead the New York Giants to an early lift-off with their passionate fanbase and Jaxson Dart's potential. Joe Bradshaw supports Sean McVay to steer the Rams to their third Super Bowl title after a recent coaching carousel.
David Brindle predicts Sean Payton to win his second Super Bowl MVP after a successful stint with the New Orleans Saints, who are now based in Denver. Ben Collins backs Dan Campbell to revitalise the Detroit Lions, with Rueben Bain expected to have an immediate impact in Tampa Bay. Hugh Ferris chooses Caleb Downs, the safety in Dallas, as the player who could have the most impact in the league.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
