It’s finally here: Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. It’s a time of great hope for fans — because no matter how a team may look on paper, circumstances can change quickly once teams take the game field.

With that in mind, we asked The Athletic’s NFL writers to think big, have some fun and make one bold prediction for each of the league’s 32 teams.

Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison will start to resemble the WR everyone expected

It’s safe to say Harrison’s NFL introduction has not gone as planned. Labeled as a generational talent before the 2024 draft, the wide receiver put up decent numbers as a rookie but struggled to make contested catches. Last season he battled injuries. Year 3 should bring a jump. Harrison has a solid comfort level with QB Jacoby Brissett. And he knows he has a lot to prove. This doesn’t mean Harrison will be among the NFL’s top receivers (the Cardinals have additional threats in Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Jeremiyah Love), but he should start to resemble the playmaker everyone expected. — Doug Haller

Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson will set single-season all-purpose yards record

Just predicting Robinson to break the yards-from-scrimmage mark wouldn’t be all that bold. He came within 211 yards of Chris Johnson’s record (2,509 yards in 2009) last year. To set the all-purpose mark (which includes return yards), he’ll need to top Darren Sproles’ 2,696 in 2011. This is not a bet that Robinson will return kicks for the Falcons this year. It’s a bet he’ll be overfed in both the rushing and passing scheme in Atlanta. — Josh Kendall

Baltimore Ravens: Ravens will lead league in takeaways

The arrival of Jesse Minter as head coach and Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator has coincided with the return of swagger and confidence to a defense that fell on hard times last year. The addition of Trey Hendrickson and return of Nnamdi Madubuike has surely helped, too. Minter has brought in a defensive system that both attacks and deceives. The Ravens will need bounce-back years from Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, but the mix of accomplished veterans and talented young players, plus a more attacking mindset, is a good recipe for the return of the ball-hawking Baltimore defense from the past. — Jeff Zrebiec

Buffalo Bills: Deone Walker will be Bills defensive MVP

Walker was a fourth-round pick just a year ago, and those who have worked closely with him insist he’s on the verge of greatness. The gargantuan nose tackle slid down the 2025 draft chutes over a nagging back problem the University of Kentucky declined to shut down. So Walker soldiered forth, competing the best he could despite lost-cause game situations. Those performances hurt his stock. Buffalo weighed those reports before adding Walker and molding the rookie to become a star prospect who started every game except the opener. Walker is a 6-foot-7, 331-pound mauler, his oversized frame propelled by a relentless engine. Walker will see recurring opportunities to annihilate offensive lines and leave carriers in a heap. Those visuals will go a long way in establishing him as a bona fide baddie. — Tim Graham

Carolina Panthers: Panthers will finish as a top-five defense

The Panthers’ defense was the NFL’s worst in 2024, when Carolina gave up 404.5 yards and 31.4 points a game, and became the fourth team in NFL history to allow 3,000 rushing yards. Derrick Brown’s return helped the Panthers climb back to respectability last season (16th in total defense). And they look poised to take another jump this year, following the additions of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebackers Devin Lloyd and Bobby Okereke. The interior D-line depth is a little lean, but the back end should be in good shape, provided Mike Jackson repeats a successful 2025 while in a contract year. — Joseph Person

Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland will lead all NFL tight ends in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Yes, the breakout potential for the second-year tight end has that kind of ceiling. Loveland has a growing rapport with quarterback Caleb Williams, trust from play-caller Ben Johnson and an expanding role that takes advantage of all his gifts. Even inside of a share-the-wealth Bears offense with impressive weaponry at all the skill positions, Loveland can sniff 90 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. His continued emergence will go a long way toward determining just how explosive the Bears offense can be. — Dan Wiederer

Cincinnati Bengals: Defense will finish top 10 in points allowed

The ugly, horrific awfulness of the 2025 Bengals defense makes it hard to believe such a dramatic spike from 30th in points allowed to top 10 would be possible. But analyzing what the Bengals have on paper and showed during camp, particularly the energized dominance of Dexter Lawrence, it seems almost reasonable. Their defensive line flipped from fatal flaw to deep, disruptive chaos agent. Dropping Geno Stone for Bryan Cook at safety will do wonders for limiting explosive plays. They have stars, leadership, emerging young players and a boatload of confidence. Can defensive coordinator Al Golden bring the talent to life? Can the linebackers make Year 2 jumps with support in front of them? If yes, this could absolutely be a top-10 group. — Paul Dehner Jr.

Cleveland Browns: Multiple-QB streak will stay alive

The Browns have had at least three different starting quarterbacks in three straight seasons — and 12 times since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999. The current streak seems likely to reach four as the Browns stubbornly give Deshaun Watson one more go in the final year of Watson’s albatross of a contract. Shedeur Sanders will be second up, but if Watson doesn’t make it out of September as the starter, the Browns could end up giving Dillon Gabriel or uber-athletic rookie Taylen Green a look late in the season. It’s not draft season yet, but it’s coming soon. — Zac Jackson

Dallas Cowboys: Rashan Gary will get double-digit sacks

Gary’s career high is 9.5 sacks in 2021. He had 7.5 each of the last two seasons in Green Bay. He has looked like an extremely motivated player throughout training camp, getting as much pressure as any Dallas edge rusher. And the opportunities should be there with an interior defensive line that includes Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are the expected starters at outside linebacker. Von Miller and rookie Malachi Lawrence should see a lot of opportunities behind them. If Gary, 28, stays healthy, he has a chance to have a big year in Christian Parker’s new defensive scheme. — Jon Machota

Denver Broncos: J.K. Dobbins will become team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2019

This prediction can’t be considered a jinx for the oft-injured Dobbins. Not when the veteran himself offered “a pinky promise” at the start of training camp that he would play in all 17 regular-season games this season. Dobbins doesn’t need a perfect attendance record to reach the 1,000-yard milestone. He rushed for 772 yards in just 10 games in 2025 before suffering a Lisfranc injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. So long as he can play 13 games, he’ll hit the 1,000-yard mark in a Denver offense committed to running the ball more this season. Perhaps more importantly, though, the Broncos appear prepared to withstand a potential absence from Dobbins thanks to the addition of rookie Jonah Coleman, who drew rave reviews from the coaching staff for his performance in camp. — Nick Kosmider

Detroit Lions: Alim McNeill will have a Pro Bowl season

We’re talking bold, right? The last time we saw Alim McNeill at full strength, in 2024, he was playing at a Pro Bowl level. McNeill finished top 15 that season among qualified defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate and pressures before a torn ACL ended his season in December. McNeill returned in October 2025, but admitted he was overthinking on the field and regaining trust in his knee. It wasn’t the best version of himself. But now, McNeill believes he’s past the injury. Dan Campbell has raved about him, and offensive linemen say they can tell he’s looking himself again. If that’s the case, McNeill could finally be ready to reclaim his status as one of the league’s best young defensive tackles. — Colton Pouncy

Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden will lead Packers in catches, receiving yards and TD catches

The Packers’ 2025 first-round pick caught just 29 passes for 361 yards last year. He didn’t score a touchdown in the regular season. Golden battled injuries, but his rookie year fell well short of everyone’s expectations anyway. That wasn’t for a lack of skill, though, and his repertoire has again been evident this summer during another productive training camp. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks elsewhere, Golden should see far more targets and prove why the Packers took a wide receiver in the first round last year for the first time since 2002. — Matt Schneidman

Can the Packers claim their first NFC North title since 2021?

Matt Schneidman

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud will answer all questions about his future

Heavily criticized and scrutinized following his postseason meltdown, the Texans’ fourth-year quarterback did not receive the long-term contract extension he had hoped for this offseason. Instead, the Texans remain in wait-and-see mode on Stroud. They did, however, further bolster his supporting cast. An overhauled offensive line, improved running back and tight end units and continued defensive upgrades all translate into the most talented roster Houston has fielded in some time. Stroud just has to do his part. He impressed his coaches and teammates with his determination, focus and effectiveness during training camp and preseason practices. Stroud feels more comfortable in Year 2 with offensive coordinator Nick Caley. If he can continue to improve his decision-making, he and the Texans should make a deep playoff run, and a payday should await him next offseason. — Mike Jones

Indianapolis Colts: Indy will win AFC South

The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season and haven’t won the AFC South since 2014, so what’s more daring than picking them to end both droughts in 2026? Adding to this bold take is the return of QB Daniel Jones, who will be nine months removed from right Achilles surgery when the season begins. If he leads Indianapolis to a division title, while knocking off the defending AFC South champion Jaguars and carving up Houston’s loaded defense in the process, it will be viewed as one of the most surprising and triumphant seasons in recent NFL memory. — James Boyd

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jags will go back-to-back

The Jaguars (not the Colts, James) will win the AFC South for the second year in a row, earning back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time this millennium. They’ll also win a playoff game for the first time in nine years. With the perceived expectation they’ll take a step back in Liam Coen’s second year, along with the likelihood they’ll see an improved Houston challenger, the Jags seem to be flying under the radar. They’re locked in and confident, though, so expect a jump in Jacksonville. — Jeff Howe

Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy will post his first 1,000-yard season

Chiefs third-year receiver Xavier Worthy didn’t get much training-camp hype because he had to sit out most drills while protecting a shoulder injury. It’s too bad. He was the Chiefs’ practice MVP over summer drills and is in line for an expanded role after the team purposely limited his route tree last season as he played through a torn labrum. Worthy is still only 23 and should be a full go in Week 1. I think he easily clears his career high of 638 yards from his rookie season — and even gets to 1,000 while flashing higher upside. — Jesse Newell

Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers will lead NFL in catches

Bowers almost did this in 2024 when he caught 112 passes, breaking the rookie reception record and trailing only All-Pro receivers Ja’Marr Chase (127) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (115). The tight end’s knee injury last year curtailed his second season and the Raiders’ offense overall. But he looks healthy now, and in new head coach Klint Kubiak’s heavy-set scheme, he’s the star. Bowers dominated the Raiders’ defense in training camp, had success against a top Texans unit in their joint practice and is obviously the key to igniting the offense. My bold prediction: He breaks the tight end reception record of 126 that Trey McBride set last year, and becomes the first at the position to lead the league in catches since Tony Gonzalez in 2004. — Sam Warren

Los Angeles Chargers: Chargers will finish with a top-five offense

Even after losing center Tyler Biadasz to a season-ending knee injury in training camp, the Chargers have a chance to make a dramatic jump on offense. The reason is new coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel is going to get more out of quarterback Justin Herbert than any previous Chargers play caller. McDaniel is going to get more out of a young receiving group that includes Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. He is going to give Herbert a more reliable running game. The upside here is one of the elite offenses in football. — Daniel Popper

Los Angeles Rams: Rams will break NFL’s sack record

The Rams will have the only defensive line in NFL history with two players with 100 career sacks and a 20-sack season in their careers in Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. Garrett just set the single-season sack record with 23 last season with the Browns. So could this line break the 1984 Bears’ record of 72 sacks in a season? I think it has a chance, because in addition to Garrett and Donald, they feature two players who have topped seven sacks in every season in Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Josaiah Stewart and Braden Fiske should chip in, too. Add in a secondary with two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and coveted players like Jaylen Watson, Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, and these guys can get to an average of 4.3 sacks per game with how many teams will have to answer their own high-powered offense that just led the NFL in scoring last season. — Nate Atkins

Miami Dolphins: Dolphins won’t pick in top six

Universally regarded as one of the NFL’s worst teams, I think the Dolphins will prove to be (slightly) better than that. Austin Mock’s model projects them to win 4.5 games. I’ll boldly predict that quarterback Malik Willis and company win enough games to finish with a better record than the Browns, Jets, Titans, Cardinals, Falcons and Commanders. It’s a low bar, but that’s the kind of season the Dolphins are looking at in 2026. — Jim Ayello

Minnesota Vikings: Vikings will win NFC North

Projecting the NFC North in 2026 is no easy task. The Lions and Packers made pivotal coordinator changes. The Bears will attempt to duplicate the defensive production that thrived on takeaways. And the Vikings have transitioned from young quarterback J.J. McCarthy to veteran Kyler Murray. The Vikings’ divisional hopes hinge on an overhauled run game and the defense’s sustained performance. If those two facets work out as hoped, and Murray’s ability shows in stats that mirror some of his better seasons, the Vikings should be squarely in the conversation to win the NFC North. — Alec Lewis

New England Patriots: Drake Maye will win MVP

On the one hand, this seems totally reasonable. Maye was the MVP runner-up a year ago. During the offseason, the Patriots added A.J. Brown while also improving the offensive line. On the other hand, if Maye really is this good in his age-23 and 24 seasons, we’re talking Patrick Mahomes territory in terms of quarterbacks who were this good this early in back-to-back seasons. The bold prediction here is Maye joins that elite club with an MVP season. — Chad Graff

New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough will earn Pro Bowl honors

We’re no longer in the land of half the league earning a Pro Bowl nod. So pegging the Saints’ second-year quarterback as one of the top three passers in the NFC feels pretty bold. New Orleans went 4-2 in the final six games last season, when Shough compiled an EPA per dropback at 0.06 and a passer rating of 97.8. Shough pulled this off with only Chris Olave and essentially a band of preseason wideouts. Shough seems well on his way to becoming a potent NFC quarterback. — Larry Holder

New York Giants: Malik Nabers will win Comeback Player of the Year

Aaron Donald’s return might throw this prediction for a loop. But Nabers is just so important to the Giants’ success and quarterback Jaxson Dart’s development. The third-year wide receiver brings such a different element to the New York offense. While you never know how a player will respond coming off a major injury, if Nabers can return even somewhat to form, it’ll be huge for the Giants. His presence alone attracts so much defensive attention, it opens up space for his teammates. As Nabers said, “I feel like when I get out there, I feel like I’ll be better than what I was before.” — Charlotte Carroll

New York Jets: David Bailey will win Defensive Rookie of the Year

Bailey was dominant at times this summer for the Jets, most impressively in joint practices against a solid Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line. The Jets drafted him in large part because of his ready-made ability as a pass rusher and he’s going to get every opportunity to feast on opposing offensive lines with Aaron Glenn calling plays — and often sending in blitzes around him. The question will be how Bailey handles himself once offensive coordinators start scheming up ways to stop him, but with a solid defensive line around him — including some space eaters on the interior — it would not surprise me at all if he ended the season with double-digit sacks. — Zack Rosenblatt

Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles will finish with NFL’s No. 1 defense

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s arrival in 2024, plus the infusion of then-rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, fueled Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LIX title as much as anything else. The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher. GM Howie Roseman shored up the CB2 spot by signing Riq Woolen in free agency and splurged at edge rusher in the draft-day, trade-and-sign of Jonathan Greenard. One of the strongest starting lineups in the NFL is reaching maturity — former first-round picks Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter both signed extensions in the offseason — and should at the very least create more three-and-outs and turnovers than it did in 2025. — Brooks Kubena

Pittsburgh Steelers: DK Metcalf will score double-digit touchdowns

The Steelers revamped their receiving corps over the offseason by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and drafting Germie Bernard in the second round. Coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers also believe that third-year wide receiver Roman Wilson has taken the necessary step forward to be a key contributor this year. However, when Rodgers was asked how a more well-rounded room could open up the offense, the QB made it clear that the passing game still flows through Metcalf. “We’ve got to get the ball to DK,” Rodgers said. “He’s our No. 1 for a reason.” — Mike DeFabo

San Francisco 49ers: 49ers will add a veteran defensive end by midseason

The 49ers entered the offseason with a hole at defensive end and somehow that hole has grown wider. Nick Bosa, who’s coming back from his third ACL repair, missed most of training camp while 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams will start the season on PUP. Meanwhile, third-round pick Romello Height has been in and out of the lineup with various nicks and bumps and has merely looked OK when he’s been on the field. All of which suggests that at some point the 49ers will look to add a free agent like Leonard Floyd or Joey Bosa or perhaps make a splashy trade at the Nov. 10 deadline. — Matt Barrows

Seattle Seahawks: AJ Barner will earn Pro Bowl honors

In 2025, Barner demonstrated he is more than capable of being Seattle’s No. 1 tight end, setting career highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (519) and touchdowns (6). So long as he can fend off second-year pro Elijah Arroyo for opportunities in the passing game, Barner should thrive under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. The former 49ers tight ends coach is expected to feature tight ends in his offensive scheme, meaning more chances for Barner. — Andrew Destin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield will have a career-best performance

Despite losing wide receiver Mike Evans, Mayfield is primed for a bounce-back season for numerous reasons. Injuries limited him in 2025, and he’s healthy again. At 31, he should be in a zone where peak ability meets high-level understanding, and his specialness should be enhanced by new game planner/play caller Zac Robinson. He also has extra motivation — Mayfield is playing out the last year of his contract. And even though Evans was his go-to before injury curtailed him last year, Mayfield still has plenty of inviting hands to throw to with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst vying for his passes. — Dan Pompei

Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard will have the most productive season of his career

That’s not something you’d typically expect from a 29-year-old running back in his eighth season, but Pollard looks primed for a big year — behind an offensive line that is built to overpower. The right-side combo of tackle JC Latham and rookie camp surprise Fernando Carmona at guard are particularly intriguing as a run-blocking combo. Granted, Pollard needs only 1,083 yards to achieve a career high, but the Titans would like to get Tyjae Spears more involved and the overall quality of this offense remains a large question mark. Pollard is going for his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He and Titans predecessor Derrick Henry are the only players on a current streak of four. — Joe Rexrode

Washington Commanders: A rookie will star, but not the one most expect

First-round linebacker Sonny Styles has given little reason to think he won’t have a solid rookie year with the Commanders. But third-round receiver Antonio Williams, an unheralded selection at No. 71, will be the team’s young breakout star of 2026. Williams, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver out of Clemson, boasted a quiet confidence and a skill set that will make him a go-to target for Jayden Daniels and a key piece of the team’s future. Williams has the versatility to play inside and out, despite playing primarily in the slot in college. He also has the route-running polish of a veteran and a knack for making contested over-the-shoulder catches appear easy. Washington already has a third-round receiving gem in Terry McLaurin. Williams may be next. — Nicki Jhabvala