NFL 2026 Season Preview - MINNESOTA VIKINGS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS                                                                                        

2025 Record - 9-8-0

Head Coach - Kevin O' Connell 

2025 Offensive Rank - 275 YPG (28th); Rushing - 108 YPG (23rd), Passing - 167 YPG (29th) SCORING - 20.2 PPG (26th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 283 YPG (3rd); Rushing - 124 YPG (21st), Passing - 159 YPG (2nd) SCORING - 19.6 PPG (7th)  

Key Player Additions - Kyler Murray (QB), Jauan Jennings (WR), Eric Johnson II (DL), Johnny Hekker (P), Ryan Van Demark (OL), James Pierre (DB)

Key Player Losses - Jonathan Greenard (LB), Jonathan Allen (DL), Javon Hargrave (DL), Justin Skule (OL), Harrison Smith (DB), Jalen Nailor (WR)

OFFENSE - The Vikings brought in former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray this year to compete for the starting job with J.J. McCarthy, who missed seven games last year while passing for 1,632 yards with eleven touchdowns and twelve interceptions and scoring four rushing touchdowns. Murray was also injured in 2025, playing in only five games while throwing for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Jordan Mason (758 rushing yards, 4.6 YPC, six TD) and Aaron Jones are the running backs. Jones was banged up last season and had 548 yards (4.2 YPC) and two scores in twelve games. The wide receivers are Justin Jefferson, who made 84 receptions for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns along with Jordan Addison (42, 610, three TD) and Jauan Jennings (55, 436, nine TD with San Francisco). The tight end is T.J. Hockenson, who had 51 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns. 

DEFENSE - There is plenty of talent here, starting with Dominique Orange, Eric Johnson II, rookie Caleb Banks (Florida) and Jalen Redmond up front. The linebackers include Dallas Turner (eight QB sacks), Andrew Van Ginkel (seven sacks), Eric Wilson (108 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks) and Blake Cashman, who led the team with 144 tackles. The secondary has cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers, Jr. and Byron Murphy, Jr. (two interceptions) as well as safeties Jay Ward and Josh Metellus, who had two interceptions and made 86 tackles last season. The Vikings amassed 49 sacks and picked off eight passes while ranking third in total defense. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - It was a pretty big step back a year ago as the Vikings missed the playoffs after a 14 win season two years ago and Head Coach Kevin O' Connell knows the team can rebound and get back into it this season. The Vikings did finish strong, winning the final five games to avoid a losing record and staying out of the basement in the rugged NFC North division. 

The big goal this year is to get the offense back on track after the team let quarterback Sam Darnold leave for Seattle. Second year man J.J. McCarthy was ineffective in 2025 while also missing time with injuries, as he had 14 turnovers in the ten games he started, which resulted in a minus-9 in that area for the team. Kyler Murray has fallen off is recent seasons with the Cardinals, but the coaching staff in Minnesota will look to fix that and hope he can deliver and get the passing attack going again. The Vikings have one of the best wideouts in the NFL with Justin Jefferson and now with Jauan Jennings coming aboard this season, there is potential for a big jump from the 29th place ranking in passing from a year ago. The running game also needs to get going as well and if Jones and Mason can show better results this season, it would be a big boost for the offense, which was 28th overall and averaged 20.2 points, which was near the bottom of the league. 

There is always hope in the current NFL for a quick rebound and Minnesota can see that happen as long as the offense plays better. The defense was solid and should continue to play well, but forcing more turnovers would help out. The Vikings open the 2026 season with two division opponents and (on paper) have what appears to be a favorable schedule, but results come from the action on the playing field. This team can contend in the division battle, where all four teams had a winning record. The NFC is stacked with good teams and should the Vikings make the playoffs, it would take a big effort to make a deep run. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Green Bay 

Week Two - at Chicago 

Week Three - at Tampa Bay 

Week Four - vs. Miami 

Week Five - at New Orleans 

Week Six - BYE 

Week Seven - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Eight - at Detroit 

Week Nine - vs. Buffalo 

Week Ten - at Green Bay 

Week Eleven - vs. San Francisco (Mexico City, Mexico) 

Week Twelve - vs. Atlanta 

Week Thirteen - vs. Carolina 

Week Fourteen - at New England  

Week Fifteen - vs. Detroit 

Week Sixteen - vs. Washington 

Week Seventeen - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Eighteen - vs. Chicago  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - DENVER BRONCOS

DENVER BRONCOS                                                                                       

2025 Record - 14-3-0 

Head Coach - Sean Payton 

2025 Offensive Rank - 343 YPG (10th); Rushing - 119 YPG (16th), Passing - 224 YPG (11th) SCORING - 23.6 PPG (14th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 278 YPG (2nd); Rushing - 91 YPG (2nd), Passing - 187 YPG (7th) SCORING - 18.3 PPG (3rd) 

Key Player Additions - Jaylen Waddle (WR), Tycen Anderson (DB), Tyler Onyedim (DL)

Key Player Losses - John Franklin-Myers (DL), P.J. Locke (DB), Dre Greenlaw (LB)

OFFENSE - After being injured (ankle) in the AFC playoffs last year, Bo Nix is back as the quarterback and he finished the 2025 season with 3,931 passing yards and 25 touchdowns and eleven interceptions. He also scored five rushing touchdowns while gaining 356 yards with a 4.3 yards per carry average. Running back J.K. Dobbins led Denver with 772 rushing yards (5.0 YPC) and scored four times while RJ Harvey gained 540 yards (3.7 YPC) and had five touchdowns. The Broncos wide receiving corps has Courtland Sutton (74 receptions, 1,017 yards, seven TD), Troy Franklin (65, 709, six TD), Pat Bryant (31, 378, one TD) and Jaylen Waddle (64, 910, six TD with Miami Dolphins). Evan Engram (50, 461, one TD) and Adam Trautman are the tight ends. 

DEFENSE - D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach and Zach Allen lead the defense up front and the linebackers include Nik Bonitto (14 QB sacks), Jonathan Cooper (eight sacks), Justin Strnad, Alex Singleton, who led the Broncos with 135 tackles and Dondrea Tillman, who had two interceptions. Safeties Brandon Jones  and Talanoa Hufanga (106 tackles) team with cornerbacks Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss (80 tackles) and Ja'Quan McMillan (two INT) in the secondary that helped out with the second ranked defense in the NFL last season, which also had ten interceptions and a league leading 68 quarterback sacks. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Broncos seemed ready to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in ten years after beating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round, but then it was learned quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle in the win and the following week they fell at home against New England in the AFC Championship game. Heading into 2026, Head Coach Sean Payton wants to see the team finish the job. The defense led the way last season, ranking near the top of the NFL in total defense, scoring and rushing while terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with a fierce pass rush. 

The offense will look to get a shot in the arm as they added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who comes over from the Miami Dolphins to join a good core of receivers and give quarterback Bo Nix another option in the passing game. Improving the running game would help after finishing in the middle of the pack and running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey look to do their part along with a solid offensive line that allowed only 23 sacks. If the offense gains consistency with Nix entering his third season, the Broncos should make it to the playoffs for a third straight time. The AFC West is a strong division with the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs looking to dethrone Denver for first place in addition to a very rugged schedule in the first half of the season. It will not be easy, but the pieces are in place for another playoff run and barring injuries to Nix or other key players, this team could very well get to the Super Bowl this time around. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Kansas City 

Week Two - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Three - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Four - at San Francisco 

Week Five - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Six - vs. Seattle 

Week Seven - at Arizona 

Week Eight - vs. Kansas City 

Week Nine - at Carolina 

Week Ten - BYE 

Week Eleven - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Twelve - at Pittsburgh 

Week Thirteen - vs. Miami 

Week Fourteen - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Fifteen - at Las Vegas 

Week Sixteen - vs. Buffalo 

Week Seventeen - at New England 

Week Eighteen - vs. L.A. Chargers  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - LOS ANGELES RAMS

LOS ANGELES RAMS                                                                                       

2025 Record - 12-5-0 

Head Coach - Sean McVay 

2025 Offensive Rank - 395 YPG (1st); Rushing - 127 YPG (7th), Passing - 268 YPG (1st) SCORING - 30.5 PPG (1st) 

2025 Defensive Rank - 328 YPG (17th); Rushing - 111 YPG (12th), Passing - 217 YPG (19th) SCORING - 20.4 PPG (10th) 

Key Player Additions - Myles Garrett (DL), Trent McDuffie (DB), Jaylen Watson (DB), Grant Stuard (LB), Larrell Murchison (DL)

Key Player Losses - Jared Verse (LB), Cobie Durant (DB), Derion Kendrick (DB), Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Darious Williams (DB), Troy Reeder (LB) 

OFFENSE - Last year's NFL Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford is back at quarterback for his 18th season after passing for 4,707 yards with 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Rams also have Stetson Bennett IV and rookie Ty Simpson (Alabama) available as backups. Kyren Williams is the top running back and he rushed for 1,252 yards last season with ten touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Blake Corum had 746 rushing yards and averaged 5.1 YPC while scoring six touchdowns. At wide receiver is Davante Adams, who led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns while making 68 receptions for 789 yards and Puka Nacua, who led the NFL with 129 receptions, good for 1,715 yards and ten touchdowns. Xavier Smith (18, 303) and Konata Mumpfield provide depth while tight end Colby Parkinson (43, 408, eight TD) is a big time red zone weapon in the passing game. 

DEFENSE - The line will receive a huge boost with All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett (NFL season record 23 sacks last year with Cleveland) coming on board and there has been rumors that eventual Hall-of-Fame player Aaron Donald might come out of retirement to play. As for those who are active for 2026, the Rams also have Kobie Turner, Poona Ford and Braden Fiske up front. The linebacking corps has Nate Landman (team leading 132 tackles) along with Omar Speights and Byron Young, who had 82 tackles, including a team high 12 sacks a year ago. The secondary will have Trent McDuffie manning a cornerback spot this year along with Jaylen Watson (two interceptions) who both come over from the Kansas City Chiefs this year. Emmanuel Forbes, Jr. is another corner and he had three interceptions last season. The safeties are Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl, who made 122 tackles last season. The Rams intercepted 16 passes in 2025 and had 47 sacks. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - It looks to be Super Bowl or bust this season in Tinsel Town as some big name players join the team that was so close to making it there last January. Head Coach Sean McVay remains among the best in the business after speculation he might retire after the last few seasons. Why do that when you have the best offense in the NFL going and now some All-Pro players joining an already solid defense? 

With Stafford back again and remaining healthy, this team has the potential to lead the league in scoring for a second straight year. There is balance with good running and passing games and the line only allowed 23 sacks a year ago. The tandem of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams don't always get the acclamation of other NFL wide receiver duos, but they are among the best there is in pro football. As for the defense, adding Myles Garrett to an already scary pass rush should be a big difference maker and the secondary has two new corners that will have an impact as well. 

Barring injuries to any of their main players, the Rams should be right there in late January competing to make it to the Super Bowl, which will be held in their home stadium in Los Angeles in February. It won't be easy though as they play in the NFL's best division (NFC West) with defending Super Bowl champion Seattle looming large and the San Francisco 49ers as well. The last time the Rams made it to the Super Bowl five years ago, they won it all in the same place where they currently play. Coincidence? The hopes are high and the sky is the limit it seems as the Rams appear poised to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy once again. Now it is up to them to prove it and do it. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. San Francisco (Melbourne, Australia)

Week Two - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Three - at Denver 

Week Four - at Philadelphia 

Week Five - vs. Buffalo 

Week Six - vs. Arizona 

Week Seven - at Las Vegas 

Week Eight - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Nine - at Washington 

Week Ten - at Arizona 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - vs. Green Bay 

Week Thirteen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Fourteen - at San Francisco 

Week Fifteen - vs. Dallas 

Week Sixteen - at Seattle 

Week Seventeen - at Tampa Bay 

Week Eighteen - vs. Seattle  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS                                                                         

2025 Record - 3-14-0  

Head Coach - Klint Kubiak

2025 Offensive Rank - 245 YPG (32nd); Rushing - 77 YPG (32nd), Passing - 168 YPG (28th) SCORING - 14.2 PPG (32nd) 

2025 Defensive Rank - 318 YPG (14th); Rushing - 117 YPG (17th), Passing - 201 YPG (14th) SCORING - 25.4 PPG (25th)

Key Player Additions - Fernando Mendoza (QB), Kirk Cousins (QB), Tyler Linderbaum (OL), Alec Ingold (RB), Quay Walker (LB), Spencer Buford (OL), Jalen Nailor (WR)

Key Player Losses - Devin White (LB), Geno Smith (QB),  Kenny Pickett (QB), Daniel Carlson (K), Jamal Adams (LB), Stone Forsyth (OL), Dylan Parham (OL), Elandon Roberts (LB)

OFFENSE - The Raiders brought in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and it looks like he will get the starting job as training camp goes along. Last year with Atlanta, Cousins split time as the quarterback and had 1,721 passing yards with ten touchdowns and five interceptions in ten games. The number one NFL draft pick in 2026 was Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana, fresh off a national championship undefeated season that also included the Heisman trophy. Mendoza will be the Raiders starting quarterback at some point. Tight end Brock Bowers missed five games last season after his huge rookie year in 2024, but he still had 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. Along with Bowers in the passing game are wide receivers Tre Tucker (57, 696, five TD), Jalen Nailor (29, 444, four TD with Minnesota) and rookie Malik Benson (Oregon) as well as tight end Michael Mayer. Second year running back Ashton Jeanty (975 yards, 3.7 YPC, five TD and 55 receptions, 346 yards, five TD) will be the featured back again in 2026 and rookie Mike Washington, Jr. (Arkansas) is expected to get his share of the workload as well. 

DEFENSE - Defensive End Maxx Crosby returns to man the front line and he had ten sacks last season to lead the Raiders. Tackles Adam Butler, Tonka Hemingway (four sacks) and JJ Pegues are also ready to go for the Silver and Black. The linebackers include Malcolm Koonce (4 1/2 sacks), Kwity Paye and Quay Walker, who comes over from Green Bay, where he had 128 tackles a year ago. The safeties are Jeremy Chinn (114 tackles), Isaiah Pola-Mao (90 tackles and two interceptions) and Treydan Stukes while the cornerbacks are Darien Porter and Eric Stokes. The Raiders intercepted eight passes last year and had 37 sacks while ranking in the middle of the pack in the NFL in total defense. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After a disastrous 3-14 finish in 2025, Pete Carroll is gone and in comes new head coach Klint Kubiak, who was the offensive coordinator for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. With a fresh approach on offense and two new quarterbacks, the Raiders will be looking for more explosion this season after averaging only 14.2 points per game last year, which was dead last in the NFL. Cousins brings experience and Mendoza is definitely the future for the team at quarterback and they will have decent weapons to utilize. The offensive line has to get better as they allowed a league high 64 sacks last season while struggling to give rookie running back Ashton Jeanty running room. 

The defense will have Crosby back after a trade with the Baltimore Ravens fell through. Whether he remains a Raider all season long is another story, but for now "Mad Maxx" is the anchor of the defense in Las Vegas. The Raiders were a minus-7 in turnovers and must apply better pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and get more interceptions this season. All in all, it will be a year of transition for the team as they get accustomed to a new coaching staff and personnel leading the offense. Playing in the AFC West, with Denver, Kansas City and the L.A. Chargers around, will be a big task again for this team. If they can double the amount of wins this season, consider that a plus as they build for the future.  

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Miami 

Week Two - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Three - at New Orleans 

Week Four - vs. Kansas City 

Week Five - at New England 

Week Six - vs. Buffalo 

Week Seven - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Eight - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Nine - at San Francisco 

Week Ten - vs. Seattle 

Week Eleven - at Denver 

Week Twelve - at Cleveland 

Week Thirteen - BYE 

Week Fourteen - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Fifteen - vs. Denver 

Week Sixteen - vs. Tennessee 

Week Seventeen - at Arizona 

Week Eighteen - at Kansas City 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - DALLAS COWBOYS

DALLAS COWBOYS                                                                                               

2025 Record - 7-9-1 

Head Coach - Brian Schottenheimer 

2025 Offensive Rank - 392 YPG (2nd); Rushing - 126 YPG (9th), Passing - 266 YPG (2nd) SCORING - 27.7 PPG (7th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 377 YPG (30th); Rushing - 125 YPG (23rd), Passing - 252 YPG (32nd) SCORING - 30.1 PPG (32nd) 

Key Player Additions - Rashan Gary (DL), Cobie Durant (DB), Jalen Thompson (DB), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Dee Winters (LB), Jonathan Bullard (DL), P.J. Locke (DB)

Key Player Losses - Jadeveon Clowney (DL), Dante Fowler, Jr. (DL), Kenneth Murray (DB), Jalen Tolbert (WR), Juanyeh Thomas (DB), Solomon Thomas (DL), Donovan Wilson (DB)

OFFENSE - Quarterback Dak Prescott is entering his 11th NFL season and last year he passed for 4,552 yards and threw for 30 touchdowns while being intercepted ten times. His backups include Sam Howell and Joe Milton III. The running backs are Javonte Williams (1,201 yards, 4.8 YPC, eleven TD), Malik Davis (250, 4.8, two TD) and fullback Hunter Luepke. The wide receivers are led by CeeDee Lamb, who had 75 receptions for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns and George Pickens, who hauled in 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Ryan Flournoy made 40 receptions for 475 yards and four scores while tight end Jake Ferguson had 82 receptions for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. 

DEFENSE - This unit is led on the line by Rashan Gary (7 1/2 QB sacks with Green Bay in 2025), Kenny Clark, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston (5 1/2 sacks) and Quinnen Williams. The linebackers are Dee Winters, who led the San Francisco 49ers last season with 101 tackles, along with DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James (84 tackles) and rookies Malachi Lawrence (Central Florida) and Jaishawn Barham (Michigan). DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant (three interceptions with L.A. Rams) and Shavon Revel, Jr. are the cornerbacks and the safeties include Malik Hooker, Caleb Downs (rookie from Ohio State) and Jalen Thompson, who had 95 tackles with the Arizona Cardinals last year. The Dallas defense was at or near the bottom of the league last year and only had 35 sacks and six interceptions. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The defense is the big issue coming into this year as the Cowboys allowed the most points in pro football a year ago, giving up 30-plus points nine times last season, including 40 or more points three different times. Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer will have a new defensive coordinator in town as Christian Parker takes over that responsibility. The Cowboys added ten new faces and drafted five rookies for the defense this year. 

The offense is just the opposite, finishing second overall in the NFL in 2025 and averaging just under 28 points per game. The passing attack features two of the best wideouts in the game in Pickens and Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson is a red zone weapon as well. To balance things out is running back Javonte Williams, who was spectacular for the 'Pokes last season. As long as Dak Prescott stays healthy behind center, the Dallas offense should continue to fly high again this season. 

It has been over 30 years since this proud franchise made it to the NFC Championship game and that was also the last time they won the Super Bowl following the 1995 season. Dallas fans are impatient and would like to see the team make a move in the playoffs, provided they even make it there. The Cowboys have talent and can score points with anybody and they can make it happen, but as has been the recent history with this team, they seem to find a way to fall short. The big question will be whether or not all the changes they made during the off-season on defense will bring better results.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Two - vs. Washington 

Week Three - vs. Baltimore (Rio de Janeiro)

Week Four - at Houston 

Week Five - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Six - at Green Bay 

Week Seven - at Philadelphia 

Week Eight - vs. Arizona 

Week Nine - at Indianapolis 

Week Ten - vs. San Francisco 

Week Eleven - vs. Tennessee 

Week Twelve - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Thirteen - at Seattle 

Week Fourteen - BYE 

Week Fifteen - at L.A. Rams 

Week Sixteen - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Seventeen - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Eighteen - at Washington  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS                                                                                

2025 Record -11-6-0 

Head Coach - Jim Harbaugh 

2025 Offensive Rank - 334 YPG (12th); Rushing - 122 YPG (12th), Passing 212 YPG (18th) SCORING - 21.6 PPG (20th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 285 YPG (5th); Rushing - 105 YPG (8th), Passing - 180 YPG (5th) SCORING - 20.0 PPG (9th)

Key Player Additions - Tyler Biadasz (OL), David Njoku (TE), Cole Strange (OL), Trevor Penning (OL), Akheem Mesidor (LB)

Key Player Losses - Odafe Oweh (LB), Keenan Allen (WR), Mekhi Becton (OL), Bobby Hart (OL), Bradley Bozeman (OL), Da'Shawn Hand (DL), Zion Johnson (OL) 

OFFENSE - Justin Herbert enters his seventh season as the quarterback for the Chargers and last season he had 26 touchdown passes along with 13 interceptions and 3,727 passing yards. He also rushed for 498 yards (6.0 YPC average) and scored two times. Trey Lance is the backup quarterback. The running game features Omarion Hampton, who gained 545 yards in his rookie season in nine games (ankle injury) while scoring four touchdowns and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Kimani Vidal led the 'Bolts with 643 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and scored three touchdowns. The wide receivers include Ladd McConkey (66 receptions for 789 yards and six TD), Quentin Johnston (51, 731, eight TD) and rookie Brenen Thompson (Mississippi) along with tight ends Oronde Gadsden II (49, 664, three TD) and David Njoku, who caught 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns last season. 

DEFENSE - Defensive End Justin Eboigbe (six QB sacks), Delvin Tomlinson, Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell lead the front line for the team while the linebackers are Daiyan Henley (team leading 101 tackles), Denzel Perryman, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, who had 13 sacks last year. Rookie Akheem Mesidor (Miami, FL) is another linebacker they will count on this season. The secondary features safety Derwin James, who had three interceptions and 94 tackles along with Tony Jefferson II (54 tackles and four INT) and cornerbacks Cam Hart, Donte Jackson (four picks) and Tarheeb Still. The Chargers defense amassed 45 sacks last season and intercepted 19 passes, which was third best in the league while ranking fifth overall in total defense. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After two consecutive 11-6 finishes and first round AFC playoff exits, the Chargers are looking for more out of this talented roster. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has had success everywhere he has coached in both the NFL and college level. The key for the team will be on offense, where Herbert and company have to play better should they make the playoffs once again. The team has a new offensive coordinator with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and he is regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the game. The hope for 2026 is that will be the difference in offensive production. 

The defense has been one of the better units in the NFL for the past two years, but they will be with a new coordinator (Chris O'Leary) as well as Jesse Minter left to become head coach in Baltimore this season. How well the new plans on defense for this year can mesh with the players will determine just how good they can be. The Chargers were in the top ten in all the major defensive categories last year and feature a hard hitting secondary led by Pro Bowl safety Derwin James.

The 2026 season is Harbaugh's third year at the helm in Los Angeles and the Chargers would love to get out from under the shadow of the Rams, who share the same stadium with them and are deemed as the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Better pass protection is essential in 2026 as the team allowed 60 sacks last season and they brought in no less than five new linemen to help improve in that area. This team should be in the mix for another playoff appearance this season and as long as the key players on both sides of the football stay healthy, the sky could be the limit. The AFC West has the Denver Broncos and the always formidable Kansas City Chiefs looming, so the Chargers know what they have to do to attain success. Once January rolls around, this team should be ready to go in the playoffs. They just have to prove they can do it when the time comes. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Arizona 

Week Two - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Three - at Buffalo 

Week Four - at Seattle 

Week Five - vs. Denver 

Week Six - at Kansas City 

Week Seven - BYE 

Week Eight - at L.A. Rams 

Week Nine - vs. Houston 

Week Ten - at Baltimore 

Week Eleven - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week Twelve - vs. New England 

Week Thirteen - at Tampa Bay 

Week Fourteen - at Las Vegas 

Week Fifteen - vs. San Francisco 

Week Sixteen - at Miami 

Week Seventeen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Eighteen - at Denver  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - ATLANTA FALCONS

ATLANTA FALCONS                                                                                         

2025 Record - 8-9-0 

Head Coach - Kevin Stefanski 

2025 Offensive Rank - 333 YPG (14th); Rushing - 126 YPG (8th), Passing - 207 YPG (19th) SCORING - 20.8 PPG (24th) 

2025 Defensive Rank - 327 YPG (15th); Rushing - 127 YPG (24th), Passing - 200 YPG (13th) SCORING - 23.6 PPG (19th) 

Key Player Additions - Christian Harris (LB), Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Austin Hooper (TE), Avieon Terrell (DB), Jahan Dotson (WR), Da'Shawn Hand (DL), Jawaan Taylor (OL)

Key Player Losses - Kaden Elliss (LB), Kirk Cousins (QB), Leonard Floyd (DL), Darnell Mooney (WR), Tyler Allgeier (RB), Dee Alford (DB), David Onyemata (DL), Elijah Wilkinson (OL)

OFFENSE - With Tua Tagovailoa now with the team, the Falcons have choices between quarterbacks as a new season looms. Tagovailoa was with the Miami Dolphins for six seasons and last season he passed for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Falcons went with Michael Penix, Jr. as Kirk Cousins is no longer with the team and Penix had 1,982 passing yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions last season in only nine games due to knee injuries that required surgery. In addition, veteran Cooper Rush was signed and is in training camp. As for the running game, Bijan Robinson had a big year, going for 1,478 yards (5.1 YPC) and scored seven touchdowns in addition to catching 79 passes for 820 yards and four touchdowns. The wide receivers are Drake London (68 receptions, 919 yards, seven TD), Jahan Dotson (18, 262, one TD with Philadelphia) and rookie Zachariah Branch (Georgia) as well as tight end Kyle Pitts, Jr., who had a team high 88 receptions for 928 yards and five scores. Journeyman tight end Austin Hooper, who spent his first four seasons with the Falcons, returns after making 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns with New England last year. 

DEFENSE - James Pearce, Jr. (10 1/2 QB sacks), Cameron Thomas, Brandon Dorius (8 1/2 sacks) and Maason Smith man the front four while the linebackers are led by Jalon Walker and Christian Harris. In the secondary, safety Jessie Bates III (three interceptions and 98 tackles) teams with Xavier Watts (five INT and 92 tackles) and cornerbacks A.J. Terrell, Jr., rookie Avieon Terrell (Clemson) and Natrone Brooks for a unit that helped the Falcons to a plus-5 in the turnover category with 16 interceptions. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Falcons have a new head coach this season as Kevin Stefanski takes over after six years as the top man with the Cleveland Browns. He will inherit a squad that was in the mix for the NFC playoffs a year ago while playing in a division that saw Carolina finish on top in the NFC South with a losing record. The battle for starting quarterback will get much attention and Penix has the inside track starting out as he has been there already. The Falcons are in good shape running the football as long as Robinson stays healthy and the offensive line does a decent job protecting the quarterback (only 26 sacks allowed in 2025) and opening holes for the ball carriers. The primary targets in the passing game are Pitts and London and some of the new faces will be involved for the quarterback to throw to this year. 

The defense was adequate a year ago, but needs to show improvement against the run as they finished 24th in the NFL in that area. On the other hand, they can get after enemy quarterbacks, getting 57 sacks last year, which was second in the league. The defensive backs get after it as well, but there is a tendency for them to get burned by big plays as they take risks with the aggressive, ball hawking style they play. This team should be in the mix in the division race again, where all four teams can win it this season. So do not be surprised if the Falcons host a playoff game in January by making it to the playoffs for the first time in nine years. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Pittsburgh 

Week Two - vs. Carolina 

Week Three - at Green Bay 

Week Four - at New Orleans 

Week Five - vs. Baltimore 

Week Six - vs. Chicago 

Week Seven - vs. San Francisco 

Week Eight - at Tampa Bay 

Week Nine - at Cincinnati (Madrid, Spain)

Week Ten - vs. Kansas City 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - at Minnesota 

Week Thirteen - vs. Detroit 

Week Fourteen - at Cleveland 

Week Fifteen - at Washington 

Week Sixteen - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Seventeen - vs. New Orleans 

Week Eighteen - at Carolina