NFL Win Total Predictions for Every Team: Forecasting 2026 Season Standings

At long last, the NFL offseason train is reaching its most exciting destination in months: Week 1 of the regular season. The football world will soon begin to gain clarity on which teams belong in the mix for contention — some for a postseason spot and others for a top draft pick.

Prior campaigns can only provide so much background, as plenty has changed from March until now. With many players entering or leaving the league and others having switched teams, everyone benefits from a fresh slate and a 0-0 record. Hope springs eternal in September. 

Which organizations put themselves in the best spots to stack victories in 2026-27? Below, we’ll dive into NFL win total predictions for every team, including their season outlook and payouts for specific record thresholds on PrizePicks.

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2026 NFL Win Total Predictions: What Will Every Team’s Record Be?

Countless elements go into a team’s win-loss mark, even with the old adage being that a club is what its record says it is. Strength of schedule, front office savvy, coaching acumen, experience, injuries, depth, star talent, and more must always be taken into consideration when assessing a professional football team.

After using the Pro Football Network season simulator, I’ve settled on a regular-season record for all 32 squads. Tiebreakers made it an even more challenging exercise (a bit of grace, please), but the entire 18-week season was picked game-by-game based on the aforementioned components.

Attached to each projection is a PrizePicks payout for a pick on said win total, as well as a brief overview of the team. Teams are listed in order of traditional playoff-style conference seeding.  

Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.

Kicking things off is the AFC, which contains some deep rosters at the top and a crowded middle that features some talented crews with questions to answer. 

Denver Broncos: 12

Broncos 12+ Wins Payout: 2.7x Yes | 1.38x No

If the Denver Broncos had QB Bo Nix healthy in the AFC Championship Game, they very well may have been taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. This is a roster that's one of the very best in the sport — the only thing that may slow Denver down, aside from injury, is now playing a first-place schedule. Sean Payton's crew seems built for it.

New England Patriots: 12

Patriots 12+ Wins Payout: 2.77x Yes | 1.33x No

Last year's conference champions, similarly, now have a target on their backs and are also coming off a drama-filled offseason. With that said, this defense was already one of the NFL's premier units, and the New England Patriots added WRs A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to a potent passing attack.

Houston Texans: 12

Texans 12+ Wins Payout: 2.5x Yes | 1.42x No

The Houston Texans will go as far as QB C.J. Stroud will take them... or as far as he can avoid holding them back. Entering the biggest campaign of his career, the veteran signal-caller has no excuses with a top-flight WR in Nico Collins and one of the greatest defenses of the 21st century.

Baltimore Ravens: 11

Ravens 11+ Wins Payout: 1.61x Yes | 2.04x No 

Jesse Minter is back with the Baltimore Ravens, this time as head coach. That should have a prime impact on the flock's defense, and the duo of QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry sets a clear floor on offense. Does Baltimore have enough pass-catching weaponry to get over the hump when it matters, though? 

Kansas City Chiefs: 11

Chiefs 11+ Wins Payout: 2.22x Yes | 1.61x No

All eyes are on QB Patrick Mahomes in his recovery from a torn ACL and LCL, but the three-time Super Bowl champ appears ready to roll for Week 1. The Kansas City Chiefs have similar offensive question marks to Baltimore, albeit with a much more proven coaching staff and player under center.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 11

Jaguars 11+ Wins Payout: 2.56x Yes | 1.44x No

I'm out on the Jacksonville Jaguars being a legitimate threat to get to the big game, but it'd be foolish to count them out of the playoff picture. The offense is returning a ton of talent (sans RB Travis Etienne), and Anthony Campanile's defense is sneaky-awesome. This squad could compete for another AFC South title.

Buffalo Bills: 10

Bills 10+ Wins Payout: 1.38x Yes | 2.7x No

The Buffalo Bills' roster continues to deteriorate around QB Josh Allen, which is a shame considering his immense talent. He likely gives them enough value on his own to make a postseason push, but it'd be the feat of his career to win multiple playoff games with RB James Cook and friends surrounding him.

Cincinnati Bengals: 10

Bengals 10+ Wins Payout: 1.4x Yes | 2.77x No

The only uncertainty with the Cincinnati Bengals' offense is whether everyone can stay healthy. If they can, QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase should vie for MVP and OPOY honors. Did Cincy do enough to rebuild a defense that ranked 29th in EPA per play allowed last year (0.122, per RBSDM)? That's the million-dollar question.

Los Angeles Chargers: 9

Chargers 9+ Wins Payout: 1.38x Yes | 2.85x No

Adding Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator is a nice move by the Los Angeles Chargers, although it may not be what gets them to the promised land. This writer is in "believe it when I see it" mode with QB Justin Herbert, who has all the talent in the world and has gotten the short end of the stick numerous times but isn't blameless in this team always falling short.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 9

Steelers 9+ Wins Payout: 1.81x Yes | 1.92x No

Say it with me: Mike Tomlin may no longer be with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this team will still find a way to flirt with .500. It doesn't get much more ceremonial than Mike McCarthy being the HC for QB Aaron Rodgers' final year. This defense could bounce back in 2026, and bringing in WR Michael Pittman Jr. is nice, but the ceiling of Pittsburgh feels like a wild-card one.

Indianapolis Colts: 8

Colts 8+ Wins Payout: 1.56x Yes | 2.22x No

It feels like forever ago that the Indianapolis Colts ripped their way to a 7-1 start and QB Daniel Jones was a sleeper MVP candidate. It's hard to shake the image of cracks beginning to show in that foundation, however, before Jones' season-ending Achilles injury. His quick recovery is remarkable, yet we aren't buying what HC Shane Steichen is selling anymore.

New York Jets: 6

Jets 6+ Wins Payout: 1.75x Yes | 1.92x No

With HC Aaron Glenn now operating his defense with his personnel, there's reason to buy some improvement by the New York Jets. Moreover, if there's even an ounce of gas left in QB Geno Smith's tank, it could be a decent upgrade. This franchise doubles its 2025 win total, which still isn't a lot, but it's positive nonetheless.

Las Vegas Raiders: 5

Raiders 5+ Wins Payout: 1.35x Yes | 2.77x No

We know the Las Vegas Raiders' defense still isn't going to be good enough to make this an above-.500 team. We think QB Kirk Cousins will eventually give way to No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza, but what week?

Tennessee Titans: 4

Titans 4+ Wins Payout: 1.08x Yes | 4.16x No

Consider this a somewhat uncertain pick. I was a big-time proponent of QB Cam Ward entering the 2025 NFL Draft, and one bad year on a terrible team shouldn't lead me to jump off the wagon. A one-win increase given the Tennessee Titans' changes sounds bad, but this should be a better team either way.

Cleveland Browns: 3

Browns 3+ Wins Payout: 1.07x Yes | 4.34x No

With DE Myles Garrett now a member of the Los Angeles Rams, it's clear that the Cleveland Browns are embracing a rebuild. That's what they should be doing; now their top tasks become finding a top draft selection and (eventually) ridding themselves of the QB Deshaun Watson contract.

Miami Dolphins: 2

Dolphins 2+ Wins Payout: 1.09x Yes | 4.54x No

Sorry, Miami Dolphins fans, this could be a pretty rough year for you once again. The good news is that QB Malik Willis isn't being relied on as a franchise pillar for the long run and could provide some fun moments in a season that seems destined to end in few wins.

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Up next, an absolutely loaded NFC field of possible contenders. 

Los Angeles Rams: 13

Rams 13+ Wins Payout: 2.43x Yes | 1.4x No

With Garrett in the fold and DT Aaron Donald coming out of retirement, the Los Angeles Rams check in with the highest projected win total in this story. GM Les Snead solving the CB problem may have been even more impactful than the additions on the front line. This roster has more star power than any team.

Green Bay Packers: 11

Packers 11+ Wins Payout: 2.32x Yes | 1.51x No

It's been a strange few years for the Green Bay Packers, who have made the playoffs three seasons running but were jettisoned in the first or second round each time. HC Matt LaFleur's seat isn't heating up, per se, but something's got to give with QB Jordan Love now entering year No. 4 as a full-time starter.

Dallas Cowboys: 11

Cowboys 11+ Wins Payout: 2.32x Yes | 1.53x No

How 'bout them Dallas Cowboys? The quartet of QB Dak Prescott, RB Javonte Williams and WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens might just produce the top offense in the sport. It's the defense that desperately needs to be better after giving up more points per drive than any unit in 2025. Even marginal improvement would make a huge difference.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9

Buccaneers 9+ Wins Payout: 1.81x Yes | 1.88x No

In the post-WR Mike Evans era, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just seem trapped. Their highs are extremely impressive, but their lows remind you that they aren't a true contender. In many ways, QB Baker Mayfield gives off those same vibes, which results in an NFC South crown but the worst win total of any division champ.

Seattle Seahawks: 12

Seahawks 12+ Wins Payout: 2.17x Yes | 1.61x No

No Super Bowl hangover here for the Seattle Seahawks, who retained a good chunk of defensive production and hope to partially offset the loss of RB Kenneth Walker III with the first-round NFL Draft pickup of Jadarian Price. Can QB Sam Darnold avoid turning into a pumpkin?

San Francisco 49ers: 11

49ers 11+ Wins Payout: 2.17x Yes | 1.63x No

Each second that passes makes a projection of 11 wins for the San Francisco 49ers come off as more dicey. This team can't get out of its own way regarding injuries, and its defense quietly wasn't good in 2025. Siding with HC Kyle Shanahan to figure it out is never a bad idea, but there's a world where the floor falls out for this team.

Philadelphia Eagles: 11

Eagles 11+ Wins Payout: 1.96x Yes | 1.69x No

Buy the dip on the Philadelphia Eagles, even after sending Brown to New England. In a similar vein to Stroud, Philly's true ceiling may be determined by how well QB Jalen Hurts performs this season. GM Howie Roseman has stocked the cupboard with immense talent on the other side of the ball.

Chicago Bears: 10

Bears 10+ Wins Payout: 1.96x Yes | 1.75x No

It's hard to not think the Chicago Bears will at least be in the mix with HC Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams paired up. The defense remains in flux, but Chicago showed enough improvement on the offensive line and in the backfield last year to make up for some of that deficiency.

Detroit Lions: 10

Lions 10+ Wins Payout: 1.36x Yes | 2.94x No

I was more shocked by where the Detroit Lions ended up, standings-wise, than any team in the simulation. This is an easy worst-to-first contender, and winning just one more game than the season prior might be off. Still, the Lions come into the year a bit banged up and play in a tough division.

Minnesota Vikings: 9

Vikings 9+ Wins Payout: 1.56x Yes | 2.22x No

Speaking of said division, can the Minnesota Vikings rebound in the NFC North? QB Kyler Murray is surely an upgrade over J.J. McCarthy, although he comes with consistency and durability questions of his own. DC Brian Flores makes this a competitive team by himself — Minny could certainly surpass this projection.

Carolina Panthers: 8

Panthers 8+ Wins Payout: 2.22x Yes | 1.56x No

In 2025, the Carolina Panthers seemed fortunate to muster eight wins given their bottom-six ranking in scoring offense and a bottom-five ranking in yards per drive on defense. This year, the eight victories will be hard-earned for HC Dave Canales and Co.

New Orleans Saints: 6

Saints 6+ Wins Payout: 1.19x Yes | 3.7x No

The New Orleans Saints could be lumped into the same bucket as a team like the Titans — even if the win total doesn't reflect it, this will be an improved team. It all comes down to whether QB Tyler Shough is the real deal, which remains to be seen.

New York Giants: 6

Giants 6+ Wins Payout: 1.31x Yes | 3.03x No

One thing is for certain with the New York Giants: HC John Harbaugh has the team looking different in 2026. Does that necessarily mean markedly better, though? The jury is still out on that, and it doesn't help that QB Jaxson Dart can't stay out of the medical tent for long stretches of time.

Washington Commanders: 5

Commanders 5+ Wins Payout: 1.16x Yes | 3.57x No

No pulling punches here: I'm avoiding any buzz surrounding the Washington Commanders. Making it to the NFC title game in the 2024-25 campaign may have been the worst thing for this organization, which led to it buying the production as sustainable. There's a lot of work to be done on this roster.

Atlanta Falcons: 3

Falcons 3+ Wins Payout: 1.05x Yes | 5.55x No

QB questions have the Atlanta Falcons in purgatory. RB Bijan Robinson is an absolutely dominant force on offense, and there's a nice support system in place to produce some points, but the most important position is short of standard. On defense, Atlanta is completely without quality pass-rushing juice.

Arizona Cardinals: 2

Cardinals 2+ Wins Payout: 1.11x Yes | 5.55x No

Jacoby Brissett at QB and rookie Jeremiyah Love at RB will have some gaudy numbers at times this season alongside TE Trey McBride, yet this screams a contender for a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That might be the best development for the field general-needy Arizona Cardinals.

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Make 2026 NFL Predictions and Picks on PrizePicks

Thirty-two teams may say they have the goal of competing for a championship this year, but the cream will always rise to the top eventually.

The beauty of football is that a multitude of factors can cut one team’s run at the postseason short while boosting another’s chances. Pre-Week 1 NFL win totals may help provide an early indicator for which franchises to keep an eye on this fall and winter. 

With Week 1 here, be sure to make your 2026 NFL picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

Just pick NFL players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, over/unders, and award futures, now available in 36 states.

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