NFC Division Winners 2026: Bold Predictions for Every Race
The NFC might be the most unpredictable conference in football. One division looks stacked with talent while another is wide open for anyone to take. As the NFL season kicks off, here are my picks for who will win each NFC division in 2026.
Who wins the NFC West in 2026?
The NFC West could be the best division in football. Last season the Seattle Seahawks finished on top with a 14-3 record, while the Los Angeles Rams followed at 12-5. Those two teams met in the NFC Championship game, with Seattle advancing to the Super Bowl.
The San Francisco 49ers posted a solid 12-5 mark, but the Arizona Cardinals struggled badly with a 3-14 record. This year I expect another tight race between the Seahawks and Rams. The difference? Los Angeles added Myles Garrett and still has Aaron Donald on the defensive line. That combination should be enough for the Rams to take the division crown away from Seattle.
Can the Eagles three-peat in the NFC East?
Philadelphia has owned the NFC East for two straight seasons, including a Super Bowl win in 2024. The Washington Commanders faded after a strong 2024 campaign, while the Dallas Cowboys stayed mediocre, improving slightly to 7-9-1 after a tie.
The New York Giants looked promising early last year but injuries derailed their season. I do not see enough improvement from the Giants, and Washington looks headed for another long year. The Eagles should win this division again, with Dallas finishing second.
Will the Packers dethrone the Bears in the NFC North?
The NFC North is another competitive division. Chicago won it last season at 11-9, with Green Bay at 9-7-1, Minnesota at 9-8, and Detroit at 8-9. The Bears now face a first-place schedule, which is always tougher.
If Jordan Love stays healthy, I expect the Packers to take first place this season. The Vikings and Lions will likely hover around the same records as last year, making this a two-team race at the top.
Is the NFC South the most unpredictable division?
There is a running joke that every fanbase in the NFC South thinks their team can win because the others are so bad. That makes predictions tricky since none of these teams stand out as dominant.
Carolina won the division last year at 8-9, edging out Tampa Bay and Atlanta on tiebreakers. New Orleans finished 6-11, but the Saints may have one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. For that reason, I am picking the Saints to shock everyone and win the South. This division has a history of last-place teams bouncing back to win it all after realignment.
Final NFC division winner predictions
- NFC West: Los Angeles Rams
- NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
- NFC North: Green Bay Packers
- NFC South: New Orleans Saints
Where do you think I am wrong? Where am I right? The beauty of the NFC is that anything can happen, and that is what makes this conference so entertaining.