Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight finish Sam LaPorta (87) runs onto the sphere previous to the sport towards the Chicago Bears at Ford Discipline. Obligatory Credit score: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Pictures
Imagine it or not, the NFL season is now lower than 10 weeks away, and coaching camps warmth up on the finish of the month. The Los Angeles Rams are extensively anticipated to win the Tremendous Bowl, particularly after buying Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
And with the NFL season lurking across the bend, listed here are some daring takes to ponder.
The Patriots Regression Choose Leads a Spicy NFL Forecast
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) speaks with reporters throughout Tremendous Bowl LX Opening Night time on the San Jose Conference Middle on Feb 2, 2026. Maye dealt with the media highlight forward of the Patriots’ championship matchup, getting into one other nationwide second throughout his speedy rise as New England’s franchise passer. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.
1. The Patriots Miss the Playoffs
New England had one of many best schedules in NFL historical past final yr — luck of the draw — and that gained’t occur once more in 2026. The quarterbacking faltered within the AFC Championship and throughout the Tremendous Bowl, however no person appeared to care.
The Patriots gained’t replicate their 2025 marketing campaign, as an alternative ending 9-8 or 8-9 and lacking the match in January.
2. Patrick Mahomes Wins MVP
Are you shopping for the smoke that smells like Josh Allen as one of the best quarterback within the NFL? That’s honest — he’s incredible. However we’re fast to put in writing Mahomes’s obituary. He’ll return, throw for 35-40 touchdowns, and voters will likely be desperate to vote for him once more because the MVP due to his adversity with accidents.
3. Sam LaPorta Traded to Patriots
The Patriots’ primary tight finish, Hunter Henry, is first rate and truly performed effectively in 2025. Nonetheless, the Detroit Lions could not have the money circulate to increase LaPorta, who’s scheduled to hit free company in 2027.
In New England, he can pair with Drake Maye for the subsequent 4-5 years. Everyone wins — apart from the Buffalo Payments, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.
4. The Cowboys Overtake the Eagles in NFC East
There’s one thing mistaken with the Philadelphia Eagles, and 2026 could also be when all of the signs come to a head. The Dallas Cowboys, in the meantime, have spent the 2026 offseason bettering their protection. Dak Prescott is stable, Javonte Williams cooked in 2025, and the aerial playmaking is there.
Dallas will surpass Philadelphia. The NFC East by no means stays in a single kind for very lengthy.
5. The Packers Get the eighth Seed in NFC, Not Customary seventh
Inexperienced Bay has netted the seventh seed within the NFC for 3 straight seasons: 2023, 2024, and 2025. Is that candy consistency, making the playoffs yearly? Or getting fortunate as a result of the seventh seed didn’t present up till just lately?
Inexperienced Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gestures towards the officiating crew throughout a house matchup towards the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Discipline on Dec 12, 2021. LaFleur pushed for a penalty name close to the sideline, including one other charged second to a rivalry sport Inexperienced Bay later gained by a 45-30 rating. Obligatory Credit score: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Regardless, the Packers will regress, earn the eighth seed, and seek for solutions within the 2027 offseason.
6. De’Von Achane Wins the Dashing Crown
The Dolphins haven’t any enterprise passing the ball a lot in 2026: their primary pass-catchers are Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Greg Dulcich. Out of necessity, Miami will run the soccer at a formidable clip, and Achane is the proper man for the task.
He’ll whole over 1,600 speeding yards and win the crown.
7. Mac Jones Saves Any individual’s Season
The San Francisco 49ers are hanging onto Jones in case one thing occurs injury-wise to Brock Purdy, a good plan. However because the commerce deadline looms in November, San Francisco will price-gouge Jones, who will likely be a free agent in March 2027, sending him to a membership with an injured QB1.
There’s no strategy to know which group it’s, however Jones will revive that squad’s postseason aspirations and won’t disappoint.
8. Shane Steichen Is the First Coach Fired
The Colts are all-in to win a Tremendous Bowl, significantly after buying and selling two 1st-rounders for cornerback Sauce Gardner earlier than the deadline final yr. They’re additionally entrusting Daniel Jones to make them the Promised Land, and he’s coming off a torn Achilles, an harm with out a simple restoration outlook.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen throughout the first quarter towards the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Oct 19, 2025. Jones checked in with Steichen throughout an early-game sequence in Inglewood, as Indianapolis labored by its offensive plan towards the Chargers on the street. Obligatory Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Pictures.
By November, Indianapolis could have a 3-7 report or so and hearth Steichen after 4 seasons. CBS Sports activities Jordan Dajani wrote final week, “The Colts had two major goals this offseason: extend Jones and pay wide receiver Alec Pierce. They accomplished both, as Jones signed a two-year, $88 million deal while Pierce became the highest-paid free-agent wide receiver in NFL history with a four-year, $116 million contract.”
“Jones is coming off the best season of his career while Pierce has established himself as an elite deep threat, but the question has to be asked: Are both players worth these contracts, and can they get the Colts back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020? If not, Indy could make a change at head coach.”
Indianapolis is 25-26 on Steichen’s watch, rating nineteenth within the league since 2023 in win proportion. Proprietor Carlie Irsay-Gordon will notice that’s not excellent and put her handpicked coach within the saddle.
Sportsbooks anticipate the Colts to complete 7-10 or 8-9 this season.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
