Rude Awakening

My brother in-law and I were arguing about which NFL team will have the biggest rude awakening this season, i.e. largest drop in their win total.

He argues NE because they actually play an NFL average schedule this season. I think it's DEN. They won a lot of close games last season and those are tough to repeat, especially in that division with Mahomes coming back and LAC becoming respectable. My runner up is CHI. Williams won't repeat those late game heroics, will he?

Which team will have the biggest rude awakening in 2026?

 

as long as it isn't the steelers.

 

For me it is a tie between Jacksonville and New England. The former having one off-season they would love to forget and the former not doing enough replacing two of their best skill position players. Classic case of six of one; half dozen in the other.

 

I hadn't even considered JAX. Losing Lloyd changes what that defense looks like.

 

We are doomed.

 

If New England gets AJ Brown, I think they will be in the mix for the playoffs.

 

Well, I hope it's New England. No other team deserves some rude awakenings and playoff droughts more than they do! IMO

Next up, the RATS. Every talking head seems to want this team to get over the hump with Lamar. I wish that team nothing but the worst! LOL

 

Im going to say the Ravens as it will be squarely on Jackson's shoulders if they fail. They can't lay it at Harbaugh's feet this time.

 

We will see what they lose replacing Harbaugh with an inexperienced head coach. Also, losing Linderbaum in the middle of that offensive line should hurt.

 

• NYJ went the inexperienced route and it looked ugly last season.
• NE went the experienced route and ... SB!
• CHI looked respectable with inexperience
• JAX's inexperienced HC looked good
• DAL went with inexperience and it was meh....

 

I stole this from Reddit so I have no idea if it is accurate....but that has to be list? One score wins?

 

I'm going with NE, and Chicago, 1st and Jacksonville, and Denver my close seconds. The only reason I don't put Denver in the 1st category is their D, and if You are a smart HC you can win a bunch of games with just that.