With Week Four wrapped up, the NFL regular season is now a quarter of the way through. Now is the perfect time to make 2026 NFL Playoff predictions. Through four weeks, many teams have surprised us, and many teams are already looking towards the draft. Only a handful of teams have a true shot at winning Super Bowl LXI, and at this point we are starting to figure out who those teams are. Here are my full NFL Playoff Predictions for 2026-27.
1 Chiefs (14-3)
The Kansas City Chiefs escaped many people’s early NFL Playoff predictions because of their dreadful 2025 season. They look, however, to be in top form heading into their bye week. An early bye makes the first seed crucial, giving them an extra week of rest heading into the playoffs. This team reminds me of the 2022 Chiefs. They have a young defense that slowly improves week by week, Patrick Mahomes playing at an MVP level, and an underwhelming receiving room. 2022 was also the last year Kansas City had Eric Bieniemy before his recent return, so perhaps Bieniemy truly is the difference. They also have Kenneth Walker, who has looked like the best running back in football for the last four weeks. It would be shocking to see the Chiefs fall short of the Conference Championship game this year.
2 Bills (13-4)
The Buffalo Bills look like their usual self so far, which is both good and bad. The offense looks elite when Josh Allen isn’t throwing terrible interceptions. Although it may cost them in the playoff seeding, losing to the New England Patriots can be chalked up to a trap game. The Patriots were hungry for a win, but it doesn’t mean the Bills have any season-destroying issues that we didn’t already know about. This team will live or die by Josh Allen. The defense has been terrible, but Allen will give them hope that they can win it all. Maybe they actually can?
3 Ravens (12-5)
The Baltimore Ravens and the Chiefs are in similar boats. Both missed the playoffs last year, and both are proving that 2025 was just a fluke. Jesse Minter looks like a legit head coach so far, but the true star of the show is that offense. Lamar Jackson has been dealing. He will miss some time with an ankle injury, but they are still built well enough to win a game or two with Tyler Huntley. This team just needs to prove they’re different and win in the playoffs.
4 Jaguars (12-5)
The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t finish with as impressive a record as they had in 2025, but that doesn’t mean they are a worse team. The Jaguars have looked dangerous through four weeks, and I highly doubt that changes. Trevor Lawrence has finally arrived, and Liam Coen is slowly becoming one of the better head coaches in the NFL. Unlike previous Jacksonville teams, this one has a strong chance at making a deep run.
5 Bengals (11-6)
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The Cincinnati Bengals have been hit or miss through four weeks, but they are still 2-2. Their schedule is a bit easier than it has been in previous years, so as long as they beat the teams that are clearly worse, they should be in the playoffs barring a devastating Joe Burrow injury. Is this team as dangerous as they were in 2021 and 2022? Probably not, but all they have to do is make it.
6 Raiders (10-7)
The Las Vegas Raiders look like a legit team to the surprise of just about everybody. The defense is impressive, and the offense is potent. They are not a true contender just yet, but once the reins are passed to Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders may become a top AFC team next year. As for 2026, they’ll be the happiest first-round exits you’ll see all year.
7 Broncos (10-7)
This last AFC spot in these NFL Playoff Predictions will come down to that Week 17 Patriots vs. Denver Broncos game. They have been inconsistent this season, and many are asking questions about the nature of Bo Nix. He was bad against the 49ers, but he is also the kind of player to bounce back quickly. Their defensive injuries are going to make it a lot harder for them, but they are coached well enough that I still think they will make it. It might be a disappointing season compared to 2025, but at least you’re not the Los Angeles Chargers.
1 49ers (14-3)
Injuries don’t seem to matter for Kyle Shanahan, who has coached his team up to become an absolute wagon. Brock Purdy is making an early case for MVP, and the San Francisco 49ers look like the best team in the NFL. As long as Purdy or any other key players don’t get season-ending injuries, this team should roll to the first seed. That seems like a hefty ask for a team that is rarely healthy. I hate predicting injuries to key players, though, so I have full faith in San Francisco to be the best team in the NFC.
2 Bears (13-4)
The Chicago Bears looked terrible against the Minnesota Vikings in Week Two, but I believe that was a one-time thing. This team looks good in just about every way. Their defense shows up in key moments, and their offense doesn’t even need Caleb Williams to score points at will. Once Williams comes back, they should be even better. The NFC North looks much weaker than anticipated, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to secure this spot.
3 Cowboys (10-7)
The NFC East looks dreadful right now. The New York Giants are currently first place at 3-1, but I am not willing to admit that I believe Jameis Winston will lead any team to the postseason. The Dallas Cowboys are the only other team that looks somewhat competent. Their defense is still not at the level that it should be, but the offense is good enough to win them ten games. Sorry Philadelphia Eagles fans, it’s gonna be a rough year.
4 Falcons (9-8)
The Atlanta Falcons went from looking like a future first overall pick holder to one of the best-looking teams in the NFC. I do not doubt that Stefanski is an upgrade from Raheem Morris, but I still have doubts that this team can win double-digit games. Penix is always an injury concern, and they haven’t beaten a truly good team yet. The good news is their division is absolute garbage aside from the Carolina Panthers, who still seem to be the most inconsistent team in the league. 9-8 will be enough to win the NFC South, so whoever gets there will take this spot. The only thing for certain is that it won’t be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
5 Seahawks (12-5)
The Seattle Seahawks look really good. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the best receiver in football, and their defense still looks dominant. The only difference is that the Chiefs are parading around with the best running back in the league. The same running back who won Super Bowl MVP with the Seahawks back in February. Seattle looks like they are missing a rushing attack, and it will likely cost them a true shot at repeating as champs. They, however, are still really good and should win a lot of games.
6 Rams (11-6)
The Los Angeles Rams don’t look as good as people thought, and they are being left out of many NFL playoff predictions because of their rough start. I still believe that they have an elite head coach and elite players on the roster, so I do think they will still end up being a good team. Even if they lose to the Bills, their schedule the rest of the way isn’t terrible. They may not be the super team we thought they would be, but I still think they are a playoff team.
7 Vikings (10-7)
The final NFC spot in these NFL playoff predictions goes to the Minnesota Vikings. They are currently 4-0, but they sure don’t look like it. Going 6-7 the rest of the way sounds about right for this team, even if Kyler Murray gets benched. They may actually win more than 10 games if Murray gets benched, considering how much better Carson Wentz looked.
Minnesota had a good enough start and has an easy enough schedule that it doesn’t really matter who is playing quarterback for them. Their defense is good enough to carry them to the playoffs, and Brian Flores is proving he deserves another shot at head coach somewhere next season. Unfortunately, the QB situation is going to ruin their chances of true contention.
AFC Championship: Jaguars @ Chiefs
NFC Championship: Bears @ 49ers
Super Bowl LXI Prediction: Chiefs Over 49ers
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I am sure fans will riot at the thought of a third Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl, but that is exactly why it feels inevitable. NFL playoff predictions are always just what people want to happen. When is the Super Bowl ever the one people want? Kansas City and San Francisco look like the two best teams in the league right now, so this feels like the obvious pick. Will the 49ers finally beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl after countless heartbreaks? Probably not. This season will end with Mahomes getting his fourth ring, and it’s all Seattle’s fault.
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