The 2026 NFL season is about to kick off, and Sky Sports' panel of experts have laid out their forecasts, ranging from MVP candidates to projected Super Bowl matchups and division winners. Below is a comprehensive re‑imagining of their selections, enriched with additional context and analysis to give readers a fuller picture of what to expect in the coming year.
**Quarterback Projections** - **Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)** – Ndamukong Suh believes Williams is primed for a breakout third season. After two years of learning the ropes, the former USC star is expected to take command of the Bears’ offense, delivering precise throws and demonstrating the poise of a true franchise quarterback. Suh envisions a "lights‑out" year where Williams leads Chicago to a top‑tier offensive ranking.
- **Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)** – Neil Reynolds is optimistic that Jackson will return fully healthy under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With Minter’s aggressive schemes, Reynolds expects Jackson’s dual‑threat abilities to be revitalized, making the Ravens a formidable contender in the AFC. - **Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)** – Both Bridget Condon and Cam Hogwood place their bets on Burrow. Condon notes that after several seasons of battling a sub‑par defense, the Bengals finally have a unit capable of keeping Burrow upright long enough for his talent to shine.
Hogwood adds that with the addition of healthy weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Burrow can dominate any defense and steer Cincinnati back to the Super Bowl. - **Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)** – Jason Bell foresees the Cowboys fielding perhaps the league’s most explosive offense, with Prescott distributing the ball to elite playmakers such as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Bell predicts that this combination could make Dallas a perennial Super Bowl contender. - **Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)** – Jeff Reinebold crowns Allen as the league’s premier player, citing his strong supporting cast and the arrival of offensive‑minded head coach Joe Brady.
Reinebold expects Allen to continue his elite performance while the Bills’ offense becomes even more dynamic. - **Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions)** – Suh highlights Gibbs as the Lions’ focal point.
If Gibbs stays healthy, he should post "top‑tier" rushing numbers and become the centerpiece of Detroit’s offensive game plan. - **Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams)** – Reynolds predicts that the Rams will unleash a potent aerial attack in 2026, with Nacua maintaining his high level of play despite off‑field distractions during the offseason. - **Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)** – Hogwood points out that with quarterback uncertainty surrounding Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons will lean heavily on Robinson. After leading the league in scrimmage yards last season, Robinson is expected to replicate that production while anchoring Kevin Stefanski’s offense.
**Defensive Standouts** - **Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders)** – Suh expects Crosby to return with renewed vigor, positioning himself as a premier edge rusher capable of disrupting opposing offenses. - **Myles Garrett (Los Angeles Rams)** – Both Reynolds and Reinebold agree that Garrett, a two‑time Defensive Player of the Year, will thrive in Los Angeles alongside Aaron Donald. The pairing should generate a sack‑rich environment, giving Garrett ample opportunities to dominate.
- **Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams)** – Condon speculates that Donald could surprise the league with a possible retirement announcement that doubles as a dramatic comeback, returning stronger and more dominant than ever. - **Will Anderson Jr.
(Houston Texans)** – Hogwood cites a quote from teammate Sheldon Rankins about Anderson’s ability to "shut down practice" at will. Anderson’s disruptive presence is expected to translate into consistent game‑day impact, potentially outshining even Garrett. **Coaching and Scheme Changes** - **Mike McDaniel (Los Angeles Chargers – Offensive Coordinator)** – Suh praises McDaniel’s return to his natural role, where his creativity should unlock the full potential of young quarterback Justin Herbert.
- **Jesse Minter (Baltimore Ravens – Head Coach)** – Reynolds acknowledges the legacy of John Harbaugh but believes a fresh perspective under Minter will rejuvenate both the defense and Lamar Jackson’s play. - **John Harbaugh (New York Giants – Head Coach)** – Condon surprisingly assigns Harbaugh to the Giants, predicting he will guide the team to an NFC East title and nurture emerging talent like quarterback Jaxson Dart. - **Sean Mannion (Philadelphia Eagles – Offensive Coordinator)** – Hogwood notes that Mannion’s arrival could finally resolve the Eagles’ offensive identity crisis, giving Jalen Hurts a revamped scheme that could propel Philadelphia toward head‑coaching consideration.
**Division and Playoff Outlooks** - **NFC North** – Suh backs the Minnesota Vikings as the dark horse, citing a solid coaching staff and organizational structure that many overlook. - **AFC West** – Reynolds foresees the Los Angeles Rams stumbling early despite an opening‑week win over the 49ers. He humorously predicts a spider bite injury to Davante Adams and an Australian accent for Matthew Stafford, yet still expects the Rams to recover and contend for the Super Bowl. - **NFC East** – Condon predicts the Steelers will suffer their first losing season since 2003, attributing the decline to the misguided reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, and anticipates a shocking upset by the New Orleans Saints in Paris.
- **AFC Championship** – Suh projects the Los Angeles Chargers advancing to the AFC Championship, crediting a balanced roster, McDaniel’s offensive scheming, and Khalil Mack’s elite defensive play. - **AFC North** – Reinebold expects the Cincinnati Bengals to clinch the division, emphasizing their ability to score against any opponent. - **NFC South** – Hogwood forecasts the New Orleans Saints capturing the division and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, propelled by quarterback Tyler Shough, whom he likens to Kellen Moore’s successor. **Individual Player Spotlights** - **Dallas Turner (Minnesota Vikings – Linebacker)** – Hogwood highlights Turner as a breakout candidate, capable of reaching double‑digit sack totals and becoming the face of Brian Flores’ defense after Jonathan Greenard’s departure.
- **CJ Stroud (Houston Texans – Quarterback)** – Reinebold envisions Stroud rebounding to lead the Texans to the AFC Championship, leveraging a top‑ranked defense in a relatively weak division. - **Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals – Running Back)** – Reinebold notes Love’s preseason flashes of brilliance, contingent on staying healthy behind a developing offensive line.
**Predicted Super Bowl Matchups** - Suh imagines a showdown where the Denver Broncos defeat the Chicago Bears, with Bo Nix earning Comeback Player of the Year honors under head coach Sean Payton. - Reynolds predicts a high‑scoring duel between the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, where the Rams’ defensive stalwarts Garrett and Donald tip the scales. - Condon foresees the Cincinnati Bengals edging out the Rams in a dramatic finish, with a missed catch by Puka Nacua sealing the Bengals’ first Super Bowl victory. - Bell believes the Rams will dominate the Denver Broncos in a defense‑centric Super Bowl.
- Reinebold projects a Rams victory over the Buffalo Bills, highlighting the trio of Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and Trent McDuffie as the defensive backbone. - Hogwood remains a steadfast believer in Joe Burrow, predicting the Bengals will avenge their Super Bowl LVI loss by defeating the Rams in a shoot‑out. **Final Thoughts** Sky Sports will broadcast every moment of the 2026 season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. Fans can watch live via Sky Sports or stream without a contract through NOW.
The predictions above blend expert opinion with additional insight, offering a detailed roadmap of the storylines that could define the next NFL campaign.