Midseason NFL Playoff Predictions Highlight Bills, Jaguars and 49ers as Division Leaders
Analysts at NFL.com project division winners and wild-card teams for the 2026 season, with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers receiving unanimous picks as top contenders.
NFL.com analysts have released their midseason forecasts for the 2026 playoff picture, naming division champions and wild-card hopefuls. The Buffalo Bills, praised for their league-leading offense and improving defense under first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard, received unanimous support as the AFC East leader. In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) were selected by one analyst, while the Cincinnati Bengals were highlighted for their strong quarterback-receiver trio and favorable schedule.
The Jacksonville Jaguars earned unanimous backing after bolstering their defense with Jordan Davis and Jessie Bates III, positioning them as a potential Super Bowl contender. The Denver Broncos (7-2) attracted seven votes for the AFC West, and the Kansas City Chiefs were chosen by fifteen analysts, noting the impact of running back Kenneth Walker III on their ground game.
In the NFC, the New York Giants were favored by nine analysts, citing strong coaching and depth despite injuries. The Detroit Lions (6-2) received six votes for the NFC North, while the Green Bay Packers (6-3) were selected by two analysts. The Chicago Bears were highlighted for their aggressive trade for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and the emerging partnership of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.
The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each received limited support, with the Buccaneers praised for a hard-nosed defense and a favorable remaining schedule. The San Francisco 49ers received unanimous selection as the NFC West leader, credited to Brock Purdy’s early-season performance and overall team completeness.
"The Bills have the league’s top offense and a defense that appears to be getting the hang of Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 scheme," one analyst noted. "The Jaguars fortified an already excellent defense with Jordan Davis and Jessie Bates III, taking pressure off the offense," another analyst explained. "The 49ers are the most complete team of the bunch and should vie for the top seed in the NFC," a third analyst added.