The NFL is now once again under the global spotlight as the 2026 regular season kicks off. The season will run from September 9 right through to Super Bowl LXI on February 14.
The league has grown considerably in popularity outside the United States, giving it more of an international flavor than ever before. Indeed, nine games will be held outside the US this season, a testament to the sense that it is a global product.
There are about 300 games to get through between now and the Super Bowl, so a lot can change, but certain teams have been tagged as contenders. We can highlight eight of them below:
LA Rams
The absolute standout contenders. The Rams are going for it this season, strengthening an already very good team over the summer. The defense is particularly strong, with names like Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald, the latter of whom stunned the world by coming out of retirement to rejoin the team. The Rams are the ones to beat.
Baltimore Ravens
How much stock should one put in the NFL’s Preseason Games, where the Ravens won all three games by a combined score of 78-13? The team looked imperious under new head coach Jesse Minter. Things were off last season, but it looks like Super Bowl chatter has returned to Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills
Perennial contenders. We would keep an eye on the Bills’ NFL Week 2 odds in a tough assignment against the Lions to get a feel for the team’s big-game credentials. The talent is not in doubt, but the questions will remain as to whether the Bills can get over the line when it matters.
Seattle Seahawks
The Super Bowl champions return with much the same roster as last season, and that should be considered a good thing. If anything, experts and sportsbooks are underrating the team that won it all last season.
New England Patriots
All of the above applies to the team that reached the Super Bowl in February. The Patriots have also strengthened, notably trading for A.J Brown, who should give young quarterback Drake Maye more options in the wide receiver role.
Kansas City Chiefs
A bounce-back season is needed. Last season, the Chiefs had their first losing season since 2012, and missed the Playoffs for the first time since 2014. After a decade of dominance, the wheels just seemed to fly off. The core pieces of the team, including head coach Andy Reid and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are still there, so you simply can’t rule them out.
Philadelphia Eagles
After being crowned Super Bowl champions in 2025, the Eagles did not have a bad title defense last season, but it wasn’t spectacular either. The team will need a handful of players to step up to reach the high standards they had the season before last.
San Francisco 49ers
The biggest issue the 49ers have is that they are in the same division as the Rams and Seahawks, adding extra difficulty to making the postseason. Put them in any other division, and they’d be more likely to make the Playoffs. Still, they’d love to upset the Rams and Seahawks, and they have the talent to do it.
