Overreactions

On #1, a lot depends on injuries but I could see this happening given schedules, coaching changes, and offseason moves.

1. No AFC Team Will Repeat as Division Champions in 2026

W1: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Last year, the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers stood atop their respective divisions, but there’s a real chance none of them will repeat as champions in 2026.

The NFC West is loaded, so if Bo Nix’s ankle isn’t 100 percent, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will definitely be in consideration. The Patriots overachieved last year with an easy schedule, but things get much tougher in 2026. A team like the Buffalo Bills could very well sneak up and take the division.

As for the AFC South, the Jaguars actually got worse this offseason, which opens the door for someone like the Houston Texans to take the division by the horns. And finally, the AFC North is always wide open, and in my opinion, the Steelers are the third-best team in the north this year. Cincy or Baltimore will win it over them.

W2: NOT AN OVERREACTION

The AFC will yet again be a dogfight for every playoff spot and division. The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals improved this offseason, making the Steelers no longer a lock for the AFC North. The Houston Texans have the best defense in the NFL, and with the Jaguars not improving a ton this offseason, it could be challenging for them to repeat.

For the AFC West, Patrick Mahomes is healthy, and that’s all that needs to be said. Then the AFC East is the one division I can see repeating, but it’s never easy to count out Josh Allen. There are pathways for multiple teams winning divisions this year, making this not an overreaction.

2. The Cowboys, Packers and Steelers will all miss the playoffs for the first time since 1991

W1: OVERREACTION

Do I think the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers are Super Bowl contenders? Absolutely not, but odds are at least one of them will make the playoffs this year.

Dallas has a great offense and an improved defense. Pittsburgh made upgrades all around, and now officially have Aaron Rodgers back. And while Green Bay didn’t really do much this offseason, they’re always in that 7-seed hunt.

I’ll go out on a limb and say none of these teams win their division, but there is a very, very strong chance at least one of them makes it as a Wild Card. I’ll say Dallas sneaks in and Pittsburgh is right on the bubble.

W2: NOT AN OVERREACTION

This one took some thinking, but overall, I can see paths for each of these three teams to miss the playoffs. The main reason is how talented the NFL has gotten over the past couple of years. The NFC and AFC North are two of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The Lions, Bears, Vikings, Bengals and Ravens all improved this offseason. The Packers and Steelers didn’t make major improvements, leaving them to potentially finish third in their division and miss the playoffs.

I’m also not high on Aaron Rodgers returning at all, and think he limits the Steelers’ ceiling as a team. For the Dallas Cowboys, the moves they’ve made this offseason have been outstanding. The reality is that they have a rookie defensive coordinator, Christian Parker. Looking at the division, the NFC West is a juggernaut, and mix that with the NFC North, Second place in the NFC East may not be good enough for a playoff spot.

 

disagree.

step one was a new coach and staff.

very good free agent pickups.

young talent to work with and seem smart and versatile with ability to grasp their roles well.

approach to teaching by the staff.

not just doing what we do.

depth at important positions.

our younger players hitting that important 3rd year plus in the league where many times it comes together.

the rest of our division has had to replace a lot.

 

Everything you list can be applied to the Ravens and the Browns this year..... i.e. nothing is static in the NFL.