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2026 NFL predictions: Projecting the 14 teams that will make the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI winner
CBS Sports • • general
Key Points:
- A SportsLine simulation projects the 2026 NFL playoffs with the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills winning their AFC divisions, while the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots secure wild card spots.
- In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are predicted to win the NFC West, Detroit Lions the NFC North, Philadelphia Eagles the NFC East, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers the NFC South, with the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings entering as wild cards.
- The simulation forecasts key playoff matchups with the Rams upsetting the Seahawks in the divisional round and eventually winning Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium, defeating the Ravens.
- The Rams are favored to win the Super Bowl on their home field, overcoming Lamar Jackson's Ravens defense, highlighting their strong defensive capabilities.
- The simulation suggests a competitive season with tight division races and wild-card battles, particularly in the AFC South and NFC North, and highlights the first Valentine's Day Super Bowl.
