NFL 2026 Season Preview - BUFFALO BILLS

BUFFALO BILLS                                                                                                   

2025 Record - 12-5-0

Head Coach - Joe Brady

2025 Offensive Rank - 376 YPG (4th); Rushing - 160 YPG (1st), Passing - 216 YPG (15th) SCORING - 28.3 PPG (4th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 293 YPG (7th); Rushing - 136 YPG (28th), Passing - 157 YPG (1st) SCORING - 21.5 PPG (12th) 

Key Player Additions - DJ Moore (WR), Bradley Chubb (LB), Dee Alford (DB), Austin Corbett (OL), Geno Stone (DB), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (DB), Lloyd Cushenberry (OL), Mike Danna (LB)

Key Player Losses - David Edwards (OL), Joey Bosa (DL), Gabe Davis (WR), Matt Milano (LB), Jordan Poyer (DB), DaQuan Jones (DL), Tre'Davious White (DB), Ryan Van Demark (OL), Brandin Cooks (WR), Cam Lewis (DB)  

OFFENSE - Josh Allen returns at quarterback after passing for 3,668 yards a year ago with 25 touchdowns and ten interceptions along with 579 rushing yards (5.2 YPC) and scoring 14 touchdowns. Running back James Cook led the NFL in rushing as he piled up 1,621 yards (5.2 YPC) and scored twelve rushing touchdowns. Ray Davis had 275 rushing yards as the backup. The wide receiving corps will have former Bears player DJ Moore this season and he had 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns last year. Also in the fold are Khalil Shakir (72, 719, four TD), Joshua Palmer (22, 303) and Keon Coleman. The tight ends are Dalton Kincaid (39, 571, five TD) and Dawson Knox, who had 36 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns. 

DEFENSE - Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker are the top linemen and the linebackers are Greg Rousseau (seven QB sacks), Terrel Bernard (65 tackles), Dorian Williams and Bradley Chubb, who had 8 1/2 sacks with the Miami Dolphins last year. T.J. Parker (rookie from Clemson) will look to get time as the edge rusher as well. The secondary has safeties Cole Bishop (85 tackles, three interceptions) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (two interceptions with Chicago last season) and cornerbacks Christian Benford (two INT), Dee Alford (three interceptions with Atlanta) and Maxwell Hairston, who had two picks as well. Geno Stone, who had 104 tackles and two picks with Cincinnati, comes over this season to play safety and Damar Hamlin is another safety. Buffalo led the NFL in pass defense in 2025 and they allowed 21.5 points per game while getting 36 sacks and 13 interceptions. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - There is a new head coach in Buffalo this year as Joe Brady takes over after Sean McDermott was fired after nine seasons that saw the Bills get close to a Super Bowl appearance several times, but they couldn't quite get there. Brady was the play caller on offense for the Bills and he will continue to do that and quarterback Josh Allen is the man the offense centers around. Allen is a two-way threat and will be looking to atone for the rough playoff game he had (four turnovers) as the Bills lost to Denver in the AFC divisional round last January. 

The offense has been one of the best in the NFL in recent years and barring injuries, should continue to be that way this season as James Cook is coming off a huge season at running back and Allen adds to the rushing numbers as well for the team, which led the league in rushing last year. On board to help Allen in the passing game is DJ Moore at wide receiver and he will be alongside  Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer to help improve the passing attack, which slipped to the middle of the pack in 2025 and Allen was sacked 40 times, up by more than double from two years ago. On defense, the Bills will look to have the ball hawking, hands off approach from last year, when they allowed just 157 yards per game. The run defense was gashed for 136 yards (28th in the NFL), so there is a need for improvement there. 

The Bills were knocked off their perch atop the AFC East last season as the New England Patriots came out of nowhere to win the division title and also reach the Super Bowl. But the Bills have vowed to come back this season and not only win the AFC East for the sixth time in seven years, but finally get to the Super Bowl once the playoffs roll around in January. As long as Allen and Cook are on the field and doing their thing, the offense should be among the best in the league. The defense would benefit by forcing more turnovers and getting better pressure on the opposing quarterbacks while also maintaining the solid pass coverage and improve at stopping the run. This team is primed for another successful season, and should they get back to the playoffs, no more excuses as it is by far time for them to finally get to the Super Bowl. 

The clock is ticking. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Houston 

Week Two - vs. Detroit 

Week Three - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Four - vs. New England 

Week Five - at L.A. Rams 

Week Six - at Las Vegas 

Week Seven - BYE 

Week Eight - vs. Baltimore 

Week Nine - at Minnesota 

Week Ten - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Eleven - vs. Miami 

Week Twelve - vs. Kansas City 

Week Thirteen - at New England 

Week Fourteen - at Green Bay 

Week Fifteen - vs. Chicago 

Week Sixteen - at Denver 

Week Seventeen - at Miami 

Week Eighteen - vs. N.Y. Jets  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - CAROLINA PANTHERS

CAROLINA PANTHERS                                                                                        

2025 Record - 8-9-0

Head Coach - Dave Canales 

2025 Offensive Rank - 296 YPG (27th); Rushing - 117 YPG (19th), Passing - 179 YPG (26th) SCORING - 18.3 PPG (27th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 327 YPG (16th); Rushing - 123 YPG (20th), Passing - 204 YPG (15th) SCORING - 22.4 PPG (15th) 

Key Player Additions - Jaelan Phillips (LB), Devin Lloyd (LB), Stone Forsyth (OL), A.J. Dillon (RB), Luke Fortner (OL), Kenny Pickett (QB), Haynes King (QB), John Metchie III (WR), Rasheed Walker (OL) 

Key Player Losses - Cade Mays (OL), Rico Dowdle (RB), A'Shawn Robinson (DL), D.J. Wonnum (LB), Christian Rozeboom (LB), Austin Corbett (OL), Andy Dalton (QB), Yosh Nijman (OL) 

OFFENSE - Bryce Young is entering his fourth season at quarterback and he finished with 3,011 passing yards along with 23 touchdowns and eleven interceptions in 2025. Young also rushed for 216 yards (4.0 YPC) and scored two times. Kenny Pickett and Haynes King will likely be the backups this season. The running game will be led by Chuba Hubbard (511 yards, 3.8 YPC, one TD) after Rico Dowdle left in free agency. A.J. Dillon and Trevor Etienne are also on hand. The wide receivers are Tetairoa McMillan (70 receptions, 1,014 yards, seven TD), Jalen Coker (33, 394, three TD), Xavier Legette (35, 363, three TD) and rookie Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee). The tight ends are Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. 

DEFENSE - Bobby Brown III, Derrick Brown and Turk Wharton man the front line and the linebackers are Devin Lloyd (74 tackles, five interceptions with Jacksonville), Jaelan Phillips (five sacks totaled with Philadelphia and Miami in 2025), Nic Scourton and Trevin Wallace. In the secondary is safety Nick Scott (109 tackles) along with Tre'von Moehrig, Jr. (103 tackles) and cornerbacks Jaycee Horn, who had five interceptions and also Mike Jackson, who had four picks last season. Robert Rochell, rookie Zakee Wheatley (Penn State) and Lathan Ransom add depth. The Panthers totaled 15 interceptions and 30 sacks a year ago and the defense finished in the middle of the pack while allowing 22.4 points per game. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Panthers surprised many by making the playoffs last season, although they won the NFC South division with a losing record. But they battled the L.A. Rams tough in the wild card round, losing 34-31 on their home field. Head Coach Dave Canales would like to see the team improve on that performance in what could be the most competitive division in the NFL. 

If Young continues to make strides at quarterback and the running game can show improvement, the offense should be better than last year, where the Panthers ranked 27th overall and averaged just 18.3 points per game. Turnovers must be managed as well where the team was minus-2 in that area. The defense was decent enough to keep the team in games and only twice all season allowed over 30 points in a game. Playing in the NFC South sees Atlanta, New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the mix and three teams all finished 8-9 while the New Orleans Saints were just two games behind. There wasn't a lot of player turnover on the roster, so the Panthers should be able to get things going early on this year. They will not be sneaking up on opponents this time, so they better be ready to pick up where they left off last season because it will likely take more than eight wins to make the playoffs.  

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Chicago 

Week Two - at Atlanta 

Week Three - at Cleveland 

Week Four - vs. Detroit 

Week Five - BYE 

Week Six - at Philadelphia 

Week Seven - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Eight - at Green Bay 

Week Nine - vs. Denver 

Week Ten - at New Orleans 

Week Eleven - vs. Baltimore 

Week Twelve - at Tampa Bay 

Week Thirteen - at Minnesota 

Week Fourteen - vs. New Orleans 

Week Fifteen - vs. Cincinnati 

Week Sixteen - at Pittsburgh 

Week Seventeen - vs. Seattle 

Week Eighteen - vs. Atlanta  

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - CINCINNATI BENGALS

CINCINNATI BENGALS                                                                                   

                                                                   

2025 Record - 6-11-0 

Head Coach - Zac Taylor 

2025  Offensive Rank - 329 YPG (17th); Rushing - 94 YPG (29th), Passing - 235 YPG (6th) SCORING - 24.4 PPG (12th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 381 YPG (31st); Rushing - 147 YPG (32nd), Passing - 234 YPG (26th) SCORING - 28.9 PPG (30th)

Key Player Additions - Dexter Lawrence (DL), Jonathan Allen (DL), Bryan Cook (DB), Kyle Dugger (DB), Boye Mafe (LB/DL) 

Key Player Losses - Trey Hendrickson (DL), Geno Stone (DB), Joseph Ossai (DL), Jake Browning (QB), Noah Fant (TE), Cam Taylor-Britt (DB), Tycen Anderson (DB) 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Joe Burrow enters his seventh NFL season and is coming back from injuries last season that limited him to just eight games, as he had 1,809 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Ageless Joe Flacco is the backup and in his 18th season, he passed for 2,479 yards with 15 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Chase Brown is the primary running back, going for 1,019 yards last year (4.4 YPC) and he scored six touchdowns in addition to getting 69 receptions for 437 yards and five touchdowns. Samaje Perine (382, 4.5 YPC, three TD) is the other half of the running attack. The wide receivers are two of the best in the NFL as Ja'Marr Chase (125 receptions, 1,412 yards, eight TD) and Tee Higgins (59, 846, eleven TD) give the Bengals a solid tandem in the passing game. Andrei Iosivis and tight end Mike Gesicki (28, 307, two TD) are the other main targets in the passing game. 

DEFENSE - The Bengals revamped up front and have Dexter Lawrence (acquired from New York Giants) at nose tackle along with Jonathan Allen (free agent signee from Minnesota Vikings), Myles Murphy (5 1/2 QB sacks), Boye Mafe and rookie edge rusher Cashius Howell (Texas A&M). Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, Jr. (106 tackles, two INT) lead the linebacking corps and the defensive backfield has safeties Jordan Battle (112 tackles, four interceptions), Kyle Dugger and Bryan Cook. The cornerbacks include Dax Hill, DJ Turner II (two picks) and nickel back Jalen Davis. Cincinnati's defense had 35 sacks a year ago and picked off 13 passes, but allowed just under 29 points per game, which was 30th in the league. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - Defense, defense, defense is the name of the game as the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season. In 2025, they had one of the worst units in the NFL, allowing close to 400 yards per game while ranking last against the run, giving up 147 yards per game. Opponents torched the Bengals for too many big plays as they allowed 30-plus points seven times last year. Head Coach Zac Taylor is yet again on that proverbial "hot seat" entering the new season, but it's hard to blame him for Joe Burrow being injured so often. As long as Burrow is upright and able to go on game day, this team has a chance to win. 

The offense is a machine with Burrow under center, especially with a great duo (Chase and Higgins) at wide receiver. Chase Brown does a good job running the football and the offensive line is adequate in pass protection, giving up 36 sacks last season. The defense will tell the story as well as Burrow remaining injury free in 2026 in regards to any success this team will have. The Bengals brought in no less than six new faces along with top draft pick Cashius Howell, who comes in highly regarded from Texas A&M to improve their porous defense. With better pressure on enemy quarterbacks and a run stuffer like Lawrence up front, the hope is the defense keeps opponents scoring down. If the defense can step up and Burrow and his gang do their thing, this team will compete for the AFC North crown and who knows what else can happen when the playoffs come around. 

The Bengals can score points, so it's just a matter of being able to outscore the other team and that is where the defense, with a new look, hopes things will be better this season. Bengals fans (and Zac Taylor) are counting on it. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Two - at Houston 

Week Three - at Pittsburgh 

Week Four - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Five - at Miami 

Week Six - BYE 

Week Seven - at Baltimore 

Week Eight - vs. Tennessee 

Week Nine - vs. Atlanta (Madrid, Spain) 

Week Ten - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week Eleven - at Washington 

Week Twelve - vs. New Orleans 

Week Thirteen - at Cleveland 

Week Fourteen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Fifteen - at Carolina 

Week Sixteen - at Indianapolis 

Week Seventeen - vs. Baltimore 

Week Eighteen - vs. Cleveland  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - ARIZONA CARDINALS

ARIZONA CARDINALS                                                                                   

2025 Record - 3-14-0

Head Coach - Mike LaFleur 

2025 Offensive Rank - 326 YPG (18th); Rushing - 93 YPG (31st), Passing - 233 YPG (7th) SCORING - 20.9 PPG (22nd)

2025 Defensive Rank - 358 YPG (27th); Rushing - 127 YPG (25th), Passing - 231 YPG (24th) SCORING - 28.7 PPG (29th) 

Key Player Additions - Jeremiyah Love (RB), Tyler Allgeier (RB), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Andrew Billings (DL), Isaac Seumalo (OL), Gardner Minshew II (QB), Elijah Wilkinson (OL), Andrew Wingard (DB) 

Key Player Losses - Kyler Murray (QB), Evan Brown (OL), Kelvin Beachum (OL), Calais Campbell (DL), Michael Carter (RB), Jalen Thompson (DB), Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB), Dalvin Tomlinson (DL), Jonah Williams (OL), Darren Hall (DB) 

OFFENSE - Veteran Jacoby Brissett is the quarterback and he threw for 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions last season as well as 3,366 passing yards. Carson Beck (rookie from Miami, FL) and Gardner Minshew II will be the backups. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) is the top draft pick for the Cardinals and he will carry the load in the running game. James Conner, who had back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons prior to 2025, is looking to bounce back after suffering a foot injury that required surgery and ended his season after three games. Tyler Allgeier (514 yards, 3.6 YPC, eight TD with Atlanta) and Trey Benson will be available as well. The wide receivers include Marvin Harrison, Jr. (41 receptions, 608 yards, four TD), Michael Wilson (78, 1,006, seven TD) and Kendrick Bourne, who comes over from San Francisco where had 37 catches for 551 yards last year. The tight ends are Trey McBride, who had 126 receptions for 1,239 yards and eleven touchdowns and Elijah Higgins, who had 30 receptions for 301 yards.

DEFENSE - Linebacker Josh Sweat is the leader on defense and he had twelve quarterback sacks last season. Along with Sweat are linebackers Cody Simon, Mack Wilson, Sr., Barron Browning (two sacks) and Zaven Collins. The defensive front includes nose tackle Roy Lopez and tackles Walter Nolen III and Darius Robinson. In the secondary is safety Budda Baker, who led the Cardinals with 120 tackles last season. Along with him is Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (two interceptions) and Andrew Wingard (84 tackles with Jacksonville) and the cornerbacks are Will Johnson and Denzel Burke, who had three picks last season. The Cardinals totaled ten interceptions and had 30 sacks while giving up 28.7 points per game on defense and were gouged for 40-plus points by opponents four times.

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Cardinals have a new head coach this year as Mike LaFleur takes over and will look to get the team back in the right direction after a terrible 3-14 finish last year. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is highly touted and the team will give him ample opportunity to get a weak rushing attack (just 93 yards per game in 2025) going again. Having a healthy James Conner will help for sure as he has put up numbers for the Red Birds in the past. Jacoby Brissett played well a year ago and if his wideouts can contribute consistently it would do wonders for the offense. Tight end Trey McBride is among the best in the NFL and a great red zone target. The line has to be better in pass protection as they gave up 59 sacks and were pushed around with the team ranking next to last in rushing yardage. 

Along with the offense, the defense will have to show improvement as well after finishing near the bottom of the league in all major categories. Playing in the NFC West, perhaps the best division in the NFL, puts the Cardinals in an even tougher spot as they face a grueling schedule this season. Six of their first ten games are against teams that made the playoffs a year ago.  An improvement would be doubling the amount of wins this year, but (on paper) that doesn't look likely unless there is a major turnaround on both sides of the football. The Cardinals are looking to build a better foundation for the future and if Love can produce in his rookie season, it will go a long way to getting better balance on offense and showing improvement for this team. If they can get that and the defense shows better results, this team should be better than what happened in the 2025 season. The time is now to make it happen.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Two - vs. Seattle 

Week Three - at San Francisco 

Week Four - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Five - vs. Detroit 

Week Six - at L.A. Rams 

Week Seven - vs. Denver 

Week Eight - at Dallas 

Week Nine - at Seattle 

Week Ten - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Eleven - at Kansas City 

Week Twelve - vs. Washington 

Week Thirteen - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Fourteen - BYE  

Week Fifteen - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week Sixteen - at New Orleans 

Week Seventeen - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Eighteen - vs. San Francisco 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - BALTIMORE RAVENS

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                                                                             

2025 Record - 8-9-0 

Head Coach - Jesse Minter 

2025 Offensive Rank - 332 YPG (16th); Rushing - 157 YPG (2nd), Passing - 175 YPG (27th) SCORING - 24.9 PPG (11th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 355 YPG (24th); Rushing - 107 YPG (10th), Passing - 248 YPG (30th) SCORING - 23.4 PPG (18th) 

Key Player Additions - Trey Hendrickson (DL), Calais Campbell (DL), John Simpson (OL), Jaylinn Hawkins (DB), Durham Smythe (TE)

Key Player Losses - Tyler Linderbaum (OL), Isaiah Likely (TE), Kyle Van Noy (LB), Dre'Mont Jones (DL), Alohi Gilman (DB), Daniel Faalele (OL), Charlie Kolar (TE), Patrick Ricard (RB), Keaton Mitchell (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR)

OFFENSE - Quarterback Lamar Jackson is ready for his ninth NFL season and he had 2,549 passing yards in 13 games last season along with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 349 yards (5.2 YPC) and a pair of touchdowns. Tyler Huntley (426 passing yards, two TD) will look to be the main backup again. The top running back is Derrick Henry (1,595 yards, 5.2 YPC, 16 TD) and Justice Hill will look to get back at it after suffering a neck injury a year ago. The wide receivers include Zay Flowers, who led the team with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. Along with Flowers are Rashod Bateman, Dayton Wade, Cortez Braham, Jr. (rookie - Memphis) and Devontez Walker. The tight ends are Mark Andrews (48, 422, five TD) and Durham Smythe. 

DEFENSE - Nnamdi Madubuike, John Jenkins and 19-year veteran Calais Campbell (6 1/2 sacks with Arizona) will look to man the front line while Trey Hendrickson (four sacks with Cincinnati last season) is the edge rusher/linebacker along with Roquan Smith (130 tackles) and Tavius Robinson, who had 4 1/2 sacks. Nose Tackle Travis Jones (five QB sacks) is on the physically unable to perform list as training camp began along with Teddye Buchanan, who made 85 tackles last year. The defensive backs are Kyle Hamilton (105 tackles) and Malaki Starks (two interceptions) at the safety spots while the cornerbacks are Marlon Humphrey (four INT), Chidobe Awuzie and Nate Wiggins, who had three picks a year ago. The Ravens totaled eleven interceptions and 30 sacks while the defense was 24th overall in the NFL last season. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After making the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Ravens fell off and missed out on the 2025 post-season and the team let long time Head Coach John Harbaugh go and brought in Jesse Minter, who is widely regarded as defensive guru, to take over as the new head coach this year. 

The Ravens defense slipped badly last season, dropping to 24th overall while finishing 30th against the pass with only 30 quarterback sacks. They were solid against the run, rating in the top ten but they gave up too many big plays and that would eventually cost them a chance to get back to the playoffs. With some new faces on board this year, the team hopes to stay injury free as much as possible and see better results in that area. The offense was up and down as well, but running back Derrick Henry did his part in leading the running attack, which was second in the league. Quarterback Lamar Jackson saw his numbers drop and will look to get the passing game going once again and the main target is wide receiver Zay Flowers, who signed a huge contract extension in the off-season. Some younger wideouts and tight end Mark Andrews are also in the fold. 

The hope is for the offense to have more balance and as long as Henry stays on the field doing his thing and Jackson and company can do their part with the passing game, this team should be right there at seasons end. The AFC North has the reigning division champion Pittsburgh Steelers as well as the Cincinnati Bengals, who are looking to improve to their porous defense and also the Cleveland Browns, who always play solid defense. The Ravens can win this division if things click for them, but they are counting on Jackson getting back to form as well as the defense. The final four weeks of the season should determine how the Ravens fare as they are all division games, including two against the Steelers. A playoff appearance could likely happen and how much success they have in January will depend on the defense showing up and Jackson getting back to his old form on the field. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Indianapolis 

Week Two - vs. New Orleans 

Week Three - vs. Dallas (Rio de Janeiro) 

Week Four - vs. Tennessee 

Week Five - at Atlanta 

Week Six - at Cleveland 

Week Seven - vs. Cincinnati 

Week Eight - at Buffalo 

Week Nine - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Ten - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Eleven - at Carolina 

Week Twelve - at Houston 

Week Thirteen - BYE 

Week Fourteen - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Fifteen - at Pittsburgh 

Week Sixteen - vs. Cleveland 

Week Seventeen - at Cincinnati 

Week Eighteen - vs. Pittsburgh  

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES                                                                             

                                                                       

2025 Record - 11-6-0

Head Coach - Nick Sirianni 

2025 Offensive Rank - 311 YPG (24th); Rushing - 117 YPG (18th), Passing - 194 YPG (23rd) SCORING - 22.3 PPG (19th) 

2025 Defensive Rank - 314 YPG (13th); Rushing - 124 YPG (22nd), Passing - 190 YPG (8th) SCORING - 19.1 PPG (5th) 

Key Player Additions - Jonathan Greenard (LB), Marquise Brown (WR), Andy Dalton (QB), Arnold Ebiketie (DE/LB), Riq Woolen (DB), Dontayvion Wicks (WR), Johnny Mundt (TE)

Key Player Losses - Nakobe Dean (LB), Jahan Dotson (WR), Reed Blankenship (DB), Sam Howell (QB), Jaelan Phillips (LB), Adoree' Jackson (DB), Matt Pryor (OL), Brett Toth (OL)  
 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Jalen Hurts is entering his seventh NFL season and he passed for 3,224 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions last year. Hurts also rushed for 421 yards (4.0 YPC) and scored eight touchdowns. Veteran journeyman QB Andy Dalton is in training camp this year and will look to be the primary backup. After a record setting year for running back Saquon Barkley in 2024, the top runner in Philly saw his production drop off in 2025 with 1,140 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and seven touchdowns. Tank Bigsby (356 yards, 5.7 YPC, two TD) will get some carries as well. The wide receivers are led by DeVonta Smith, who had 77 receptions for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns. Along with Smith, Marquise Brown comes over from Kansas City, where he had 49 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns. Dontayvian Wicks, Elijah Moore and rookie Makai Lemon (USC) will look to contribute. Tight End Dallas Goedert (60, 591, 11 TD) is back for his ninth season and was a big time red zone target for the Eagles last season. Rookie tight end Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt) will get his chances in the game plan this year. 

DEFENSE - Defensive tackle Jalen Carter anchors the front line and is looking to bounce back after injuries limited him to ten games a year ago. Along with Carter on the line are Jordan Davis (4 1/2 QB sacks), Jonathan Greenard and Nolan Smith, Jr. as well as Moro Ojomo (six sacks) and Jalyx Hunt, who had 6 1/2 sacks and three interceptions last year. Zack Baun (team high 123 tackles and two interceptions) and Jihaad Campbell lead the linebackers while the secondary features Cooper DeJean (two INT), Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell at the corners with Marcus Epps and Andrew Makuba (two picks) at the safety spots. The Eagles had a plus-6 in turnovers in 2025 as they picked off twelve passes and registered 42 sacks while finishing in the top five in scoring defense. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After winning the Super Bowl two years ago, the Eagles fell in the wild card round of the NFC playoffs and will look to rebound this season. Head Coach Nick Sirianni has been under fire in recent years, even with two Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl title two years ago. The last time the Eagles fell in the first round of the playoffs following a Super Bowl appearance (2022-23), they came back to win the Super Bowl. 

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley will be under the microscope this season after seeing their numbers drop off. In addition, wide receiver DeVonta Smith will have to step up as he is the main man now that A.J. Brown has been traded away to New England. The Eagles were 19th in scoring last year (22.3 PPG) after ranking seventh in 2024, when they averaged 27 points per game. Moving the chains was a problem last year as the Eagles slipped to 37 percent on third down conversions. That must improve if they want to compete in the always tough NFC playoff race. The defense did a decent job overall a year ago, but did struggle against the run compared to years past. Having the front line stay healthy will help make a difference this season. 

No doubt the talent is there for the Eagles to fly high again in 2026, but they have to maintain consistency and get back to where they were on offense to achieve the goal of getting back to the Super Bowl. If Hurts and the passing game can put up better numbers and Barkley regains his form and stays on the field, the offense should see much improvement, which would take pressure off the defense. The NFC East is tough with Dallas looking to improve and the Washington Commanders also looking to bounce back as well as the up and coming New York Giants. The Eagles can win a third straight division title as long as they play their game and maintain focus on the field. How far they can go from there depends on staying healthy and playing consistently. 

TEAM SCHEDULE

Week One - vs. Washington 

Week Two - at Tennessee 

Week Three - at Chicago 

Week Four - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Five - vs. Jacksonville (London, England) 

Week Six - vs. Carolina 

Week Seven - vs. Dallas 

Week Eight - at Washington 

Week Nine - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Ten - BYE 

Week Eleven - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week Twelve - at Dallas 

Week Thirteen - at Arizona 

Week Fourteen - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Fifteen - vs. Seattle 

Week Sixteen - vs. Houston 

Week Seventeen - at San Francisco 

Week Eighteen - at N.Y. Giants  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - NEW YORK JETS

NEW YORK JETS                                                                                                

2025 Record - 3-14-0

Head Coach - Aaron Glenn 

2025 Offensive Rank - 264 YPG (29th); Rushing - 123 YPG (10th), Passing - 141 YPG (32nd) SCORING - 17.6 PPG (29th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 356 YPG (25th); Rushing - 140 YPG (29th), Passing - 216 YPG (17th) SCORING - 29.6 PPG (31st)

Key Player Additions - Demario Davis (LB), Dane Belton (DB), Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB), David Bailey (DL), David Onyemata (DL), Geno Smith (QB), Nashon Wright (DB), T'Vondre Sweat (DL)

Key Player Losses - Tony Adams (DB), Justin Fields (QB), Nick Folk (K), Jermaine Johnson (LB), Quincy Williams (LB), Josh Simpson (OL), Jay Tufele (DL), Tyrod Taylor (QB) 

OFFENSE - Veteran quarterback Geno Smith is back for a second stint with the Jets after passing for 3,025 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with the Las Vegas Raiders last year. Backups for Smith in training camp include Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook and rookie Cade Klubnik (Clemson). Breece Hall (1,065 yards, 4.4 YPC, four TD) leads the running game and Isaiah Davis (236, 5.5 YPC, one TD) is also available. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson was limited to seven games with a knee injury last year, but had 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Adonai Mitchell caught 33 passes for 453 yards and two scores and rookie Omar Cooper, Jr. (Indiana). The tight end is Mason Taylor, who had 44 receptions for 369 yards and one touchdown. 

DEFENSE - Will McDonald IV (eight QB sacks), T'Vondre Sweat, rookie David Bailey (Texas Tech) and David Onyemata are the main players on the line. The linebackers include Jamien Sherwood (team leading 154 tackles), Demario Davis (143 tackles with New Orleans) and Kiko Mauigoa. In the secondary are cornerbacks Brandon Stephens, Azareye'h Thomas and D'Angelo Ponds. The safeties are Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton (100 tackles with New York Giants), Andre Cisco and Keidron Smith. In the 2025 season, the Jets defense had ZERO interceptions and just 26 sacks, which led to a league worst minus-19 in turnovers.  

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - Head Coach Aaron Glenn is already rumored to be on the "hot seat" after just one season in The Big Apple as the team struggled to a 3-14 record, allowing the most points in pro football, which included 30-plus allowed eight times last season. The team was at or near the bottom of the NFL defensively, except for passing, where they were 17th ranked, but for the first time ever, the Jets became the only team to not have any interceptions for the season. Glenn came on board for his defensive prowess, so they are looking for big time improvement this season. 

On offense, the Jets didn't fair much better, finishing 29th overall and dead last in passing, averaging a paltry 140 yards per game. That is where QB Geno Smith comes in to lead the offense to hopefully better expectations in the upcoming season. Running back Breece Hall was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2025, but he needs to get that burst back that made him so dangerous in his first two seasons. The wide receivers need a shot in the arm as well health wise after losing top man Garrett Wilson to a knee injury. With Wilson back in tow, Smith has a premier target to throw to as well as Hall out of the backfield. The line has to do their part as well after allowing 60 sacks last year. 

All in all, this season has the looks of an uphill battle, but the team should win more than three games. Playing in the AFC East division means facing Buffalo and New England twice and the Jets will also face the AFC West and NFC North teams, which appear to be two of the better divisions in the NFL. The Jets should avoid the basement in the AFC East this season as Miami is going through a rebuild, but they have to prove on the field they can do better this season. It won't be easy, but if the Jets can show improvement on both offense and defense, the future will look a lot brighter after the disaster they experienced a year ago.   

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Tennessee 

Week Two - vs. Green Bay 

Week Three - at Detroit 

Week Four - at Chicago 

Week Five - vs. Cleveland 

Week Six - at New England 

Week Seven - vs. Miami 

Week Eight - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Nine - at Kansas City 

Week Ten - vs. Buffalo 

Week Eleven - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Twelve - at Miami 

Week Thirteen - BYE 

Week Fourteen - vs. Denver 

Week Fifteen - at Arizona 

Week Sixteen - vs. New England 

Week Seventeen - vs. Minnesota 

Week Eighteen - at Buffalo