The wait is over. It's been seven months since Seattle and New England met in a surprising Super Bowl matchup. And now they're squaring off again, on a Wednesday no less, to kick off the new NFL season.
It's one of a few games in Week 1 that promises to shake up the league hierarchy from the jump. With the 2026 campaign finally upon us, let's see where the Top 10 teams stand. Perhaps this is the year the Cowboys finally end their Super Bowl drought with a dynamic offense poised to light up scoreboards like a pinball machine.
Dak Prescott has a scary set of pass catchers and playmakers around him that will give countless defensive coordinators around the league sleepless nights. The high-scoring offense masked the defense’s flaws a season ago, but a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker and a revamped lineup should help the Cowboys compete at a championship level. The football world is seemingly waiting for the clock to strike midnight on last season’s Cinderella despite Trevor Lawrence’s emergence as an MVP candidate.
While the skeptics question whether Liam Coen can keep the No.1 overall pick playing at an elite level, the Jaguars’ improving supporting cast could help an explosive offense spark a surprise Super Bowl run. The pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Joe Brady and Josh Allen to lead a Super Bowl run, after the Bills moved on from Sean McDermott despite reaching the playoffs eight times in nine seasons. With a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality hovering over the team, the Bills are hoping new WR1 DJ Moore and defensive play caller Jim Leonard can produce better results behind a more aggressive approach under new leadership.
Caleb Williams is poised for an MVP run during his second season under Ben Johnson’s direction. The former first-overall pick proved in 2025 that he is the ultimate closer with six fourth-quarter comebacks and six game-winning drives. The "Iceman" can bail the Bears out of bad situations with his late-game magic, but the defense must be more consistent and not rely solely on turnovers to tilt games in Chicago’s favor.
Demeco Ryan’s swarming defense can single-handedly keep the Texans in title contention, with Will Anderson, Jr., Danielle Hunter, Azzez Al-Shaair, and Derek Stingley leading the way. If CJ Stroud can shake off a disappointing playoff run that led to concerns about his status as the team’s franchise quarterback, the Texans are a top-five contender lurking in the shadows. Trading away AJ Brown might have cost the Eagles a WR1, but the improved chemistry between Jalen Hurts and his perimeter playmakers should lead to more consistency in the passing game.
While the former Super Bowl MVP must adapt to another offensive system, the drama-free huddle should help him return to his efficient playmaking. With the ultra-talented defense capable of bottling up opponents until the offense hits its stride, the Eagles are a dark-horse contender to keep an eye on. The Super Bowl LX runner-ups surprised opponents last season as a worst-to-first squad who responded well to a culture change ushered in by a Patriots’ legend.
While Mike Vrabel deserves credit for pulling a rabbit out of a hat in 2025, the team’s chances of being a title contender hinge on their ability to handle the burden of expectations with an upgraded roster featuring more star power on the perimeter. After falling short in the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos come back with a squad that is built to make a deep playoff run with Bo Nix and newly promoted offensive play-caller Davis Webb at the helm. Although Sean Payton has handed off the call sheet to his protégé, the one-time Super Bowl champion will make sure Jaylen Waddle is featured prominently throughout the opening script.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has spent the off-season concocting more blitzes and simulated pressures that will keep quarterbacks running for their lives. Mike Macdonald has the motivation and manpower to pull off a rare back-to-back in a league that has not seen a repeat champion since the 2023 and 2024 Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks could pull it off with Sam Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba spearheading an offense that should benefit from the extra possessions generated by their turnover-obsessed defense, which is loaded with big-play specialists.
Despite the defending champs needing to adjust to the target on their backs, the Seahawks have the pieces in place to hang another banner at season’s end. Les Snead and Sean McVay have assembled a "Dream Team" with a roster littered with MVPs, All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, surrounded by a collection of late-round picks and undrafted studs who perfectly complement the Rams’ premier players. With McVay cleverly moving the Xs and Os around the gridiron like a chess master, the Rams’ combination of talent and tactics could produce an easy run to a title.
