Well friends, we have finally made it to opening week. It has been a long summer not only for the Dallas Cowboys, but a handful of other teams around the league.
Nonetheless, the NFL season officially starts on Wednesday this year with a rematch of Super Bowl 60 when the New England Patriots travel to Lumen Field to take on the defending champions Seattle Seahawks.
Yet, before we get there, I thought it would be a good time to finally share my 2026 season predictions not only about the Dallas Cowboys, but the rest of the league.
From the eight division winners, and six wild card teams to the winner of the MVP and three other major awards.
Listen, by now, you have probably seen prediction after prediction on social media, and the funny thing is, most people disagree with every single take on the internet. So maybe next year you will be like me and put yours on paper so we can all laugh at you when they all hit the fan like mine probably will, but at least I can’t hide like you, good or bad.
Let’s get right into it, huh?
NFC Playoff Picture
The four division winners, I think, are going to be the Los Angeles Rams (13-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8), Philadelphia Eagles (12-5) and the Detroit Lions (11-6), and trust me, I live in Illinois surrounded by my friends who are Bears fans, so calm down and continue reading this post.
I have been working on this since the start of preseason nearly three weeks ago. I did everything I could to get myself to pick the Cowboys to win the division, but, although the defense is a major upgrade from a year ago, the cornerback room is still a huge red flag.
Think about this for a moment though, 15 players that made the 53-man roster for the Cowboys’ defense last year are now unemployed in 2026.
Yet, I just can’t get myself to pick them to win the East because I have seen this story before, but the new guys, Caleb Downs, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary, now all together to start the year gives me optimism.
Still, after those three win their respect divisions, the three wild card teams I am taking are the Chicago Bears (11-6), Seattle Seahawks (12-5) and the Dallas Cowboys (10-7).
Does Seattle have a Super Bowl hang over, or are the Rams just that much better on paper and the field?
The Bears & Dallas have nearly the same problem. Can they trust the defense enough to win a game or two if their offense has an off day?
I probably would have picked the Bears to win the NFC North if they hadn’t lost Coby Durant for the year, who they signed to a 3-year, $40 million contract in March. The week 17 matchup between them and the Lions very well could be for the NFC North title.
That leaves teams like the 49ers, Packers and Panthers on the outside looking in, but let me say this, I would not be shocked if the Panthers won the NFC South. I just trust Baker Mayfield more than Bryce Young. While the media loves the Saints, there is no shot I am picking a team led by Kellen Moore to win that division.
Still, one team that nobody expects to make the playoffs nearly always does every single year, but the NFC is really top-heavy and, let’s be honest, any three of those wild card teams could easily win their divisions and would not shock me if any of them did, but again, this is why these are my predictions and not yours.
@AdamSchefter issues a warning to @stephenasmith 😂
AFC Playoff Picture
When it comes to the AFC, the hardest division winner to pick is clearly the AFC North. It is a two-headed race between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
My division winners of the AFC are the Buffalo Bills (13-4), Cincinnati Bengals (12-5), Denver Broncos (12-5), and Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6).
Yes, I understand Patrick Mahomes is back, but Denver has the most complete roster top to bottom in the AFC West and that is why I am giving them the edge over the Chiefs, although both quarterbacks are returning from an injury they suffered at the end of the 2025 season.
Still, that leaves three wild card teams: I will take the New England Patriots (11-6), Houston Texans (10-7) and the Baltimore Ravens (10-7).
Again, like the NFC, I think all three of these teams could end up winning their division, but I just like the rosters of the others above them, and the reason why I took the Bengals over the Ravens is because, once again, Lamar Jackson has a new offensive coordinator, the 4th of his career.
That leaves teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers with former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy out. Like Dallas a year ago, the defense was not good. They brought in Jamel Dean to help a defense that ranked 26th a year ago. I dealt with Mike McCarthy long enough, I don’t trust him.
I also have the Los Angeles Chargers missing the playoffs and the guy that the media LOVES, Justin Herbert. Their offensive line is a massive issue and until that becomes average, I don’t think even with the defense they have, it is enough to make the playoffs, and have them finishing behind both the Broncos and the Chiefs in the AFC West.
MVP Or Bust?
No, I am not picking Dak Prescott to win the MVP. Don’t worry, but I expect him to have a very good year like he did last season. I would much rather win a Super Bowl than him win this award.
With that said, I thought long and hard about the winner this year, because let’s be honest, this is a quarterback award, and I am going to go with Joe Burrow if he can stay on the field.
This to me feels like it has to be now or never for these guys. They have either the first or second wide receiver duo in football. You make the pick between Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins or CeeDee Lamb & Goerge Pickens. It’s those two and everyone else.
Not only has the Bengals defense been horrible like the Cowboys, their offensive line is a huge question.
Burrow got hurt after eight games a year ago, but in 2024 he threw for 4918 yards, 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Bengals would probably have to be at least the no. 2 seed in the AFC for him to win the award, but this season could be a tight one between a lot of guys.
What stands out?
You can make a case for Caleb Williams, Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, but please, whatever you do, do not pick Justin Herbert, save your money.
Other Award Winners
I think the offensive player of the year is going to come down to two running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson.
Dan Campbell has made it clear that the offense is going to run through Gibbs, and the reason that I am going to pick him is because this offseason the Lions traded David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
The Lions are going to ride Gibbs until the wheels fall off. He is my pick for OPOTY. Yes, he is the betting favorite right now, but maybe we will see a guy come out of nowhere like we did with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a year ago.
I nearly picked Justin Jefferson, who now has Kyler Murray throwing him the football as long as he can see over his offensive lineman, but if they don’t make a push into the playoffs, I don’t think it will be enough for JJ to take home the award.
As for the other side of the ball, all eyes are on Myles Garrett after being traded to the Rams. The way they are being talked about this offseason, adding him and bringing back Aaron Donald, I don’t want to hear any excuses if they don’t at least win the NFC.
Although Garrett is the betting favorite currently, I am staying away from him. Will Anderson Jr. is my pick.
He finished second last year behind Garrett, and if he can get his sack numbers from 12 (last year) to 15 or 16, and the Texans make the playoffs again behind the play of their amazing defense, I think he will take the honors this year.
T.J Watt and Maxx Crosby are good picks if you are looking to place a bet on someone not in the top three. Also keep an eye on the best corner in football, Patrick Surtain.
The last award I want to touch on is because I truly think the Dallas Cowboys have a guy that will be in the running is defensive rookie of the year.
Caleb Downs is that dude and currently has the third-best odds to win it behind edge rushers David Bailey & Rueben Bain Jr at +700, which is about a 14% chance to win the award.
Downs is going to have a chance to step right in and make the Cowboys instantly better and his impact in the secondary will be felt a little bit more right away than the other two. Look at the Cowboys new defensive coordinator Christan Parker’s track record.
Before coming to Dallas, he coached Patrick Surtain II: First-team All-Pro; Quinyon Mitchell: First-team All-Pro; and Cooper DeJean: First-team All-Pro.
I fully expect Downs to be the next in line.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, my thoughts on the NFL season do indeed have some chalk, but also some picks that some probably won’t agree with and that is okay. Not everyone will have the same predictions. I am sure we will see a team out of the blue have a great year and make the playoffs, etc.
I feel pretty good about the award winners if Joe Burrow can stay healthy and the Bengals can be a top seed at the end of the year.
As for the Dallas Cowboys, they have to make the playoffs this season and win a dang game or two, or it is a failure.
Jerry Jones finally did his job and made this defense good enough during the offseason. He hired the youngest DC in franchise history, and the entire offense is coming back. 10 or 11 wins should get them into the playoffs.
@AggieFootball‘s @CoachMikeElko joined @1053SS. @rjchoppy and @BobbyBeltTX to discuss his expectations for Christian Parker in Dallas
Dak Prescott. I have defended you for years, good and bad, and if the defense can give you something average, this offense is good enough to get it done.
I have seen FOUR playoff wins in my entire 30 years of life. I know how this story goes, it has been a revolving door my entire life. So, as bad as I want to be overly excited about them, they always find a way to let me down, but a drama-free offseason was a good way to start. Now go win some games.
Thanks for taking the time to even get this far, so if you are not a Cowboys fan and stumbled upon this post via social media or something similar, good luck to you and your team, but as always, go Cowboys!
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