NFL Predictions

Based on the simulation outcomes, the order of the 2027 NFL Draft is outlined here, with playoff results determining the final 14 positions. Entering the playoffs as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, the Bears have built upon their impressive 2025 season with an even stronger performance in 2026. Should the eight divisions unfold exactly as projected in our standings, the playoff bracket for 14 teams would appear as follows.

NFL Playoff Bracket

Although the Steelers consistently performed well under Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy enjoys a successful record with a healthy quarterback, this scenario remains a possibility that cannot be overlooked. With the Baltimore Ravens regaining the AFC North title (the most significant outcome is the Pittsburgh Steelers finishing last in the standings), achieving only five victories. The competitive NFC North is also set to be a captivating contest for supremacy — with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions being separated by just 0.2 wins. Additionally, we obtain information regarding how frequently that team secures various seeds and the number of simulations in which they pick at different stages of the 2027 NFL Draft. The FPM (sourced from PFSN’s Football Playoff Meter), simulates the season 100,000 times and delivers average records for wins and losses. The release of the 2026 NFL schedule completed the final component necessary for forecasting the forthcoming season.

Peak period: Weeks 1 through 5.

• A strong start would do wonders for this franchise.
• The Buffalo Bills return to the top of their division — while the Patriots have six fewer victories in this simulation compared to their 2025 performance.
• While Aaron Rodgers has not yet confirmed his commitment to the team for 2026 (the Steelers’ schedule appears challenging), even if he chooses to return.
• The model then analyzes every matchup of the regular season and gives each team a predicted win percentage across its games.
• In a closely contested AFC South showdown, the Tennessee Titans fall just short of a playoff berth with eight wins, and the Indianapolis Colts miss out for the sixth consecutive year.

The battle between humans and AI hasn’t quite reached T2 levels just yet, but it’s clear the computers are pulling ahead. «GMFB» debates is your cup half full or half empty on quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. PFSN’s 2026 NFL Season and Playoff Predictor is a tool that allows you to play out various weekly scenarios to see how the NFL playoff picture changes with each scenario.

Still — there is a chance for this team to get hot under Schottenheimer, a former hockey betting tips wunderkind who got plenty of seasoning before finally taking his first turn at a head-coaching gig. The Cowboys close the season with games against divisional foes, the Commanders and Giants. If the Green Bay Packers were to be eliminated in the Wild Card round, the Jets could potentially end up with three top-20 picks in the 2027 draft.

Oh — my gosh — could you imagine if Dan Campbell and the Lions are the only thing standing in the way of the Bears claiming a No. 2 seed in the playoffs? That’s not to say the team can’t get better this season. The Commanders embarrassed the top-seeded Lions in the playoffs last year; it was pretty bad for the boys in Honolulu Blue. The Eagles are going back to the playoffs — and perhaps all the way back to the Super Bowl. Adding Azeez Ojulari was a pretty nice move (and I like what this team did in the draft), continuing to stock great players.

High point: Week 1 vs. Giants.

We’ve each gone through the entire schedule (team by team), week by week, separately projecting who will win during opening weekend, on Thanksgiving Day, in each season finale and every game in between. A stacked NFC playoff bracket includes six teams with 11 or more wins — while the likes of Bijan Robinson and Drake London finally appear in the NFL postseason. After three teams finished with eight wins in 2025, the NFC South standings are a little more straightforward this time around. There is much more positivity surrounding the top teams in the NFC (with seven projected to win at least 9.5 games), compared to just three in the AFC. It’s important to note that the regular-season simulations include projected ties — so expected win-loss records may not add up to exactly 17 games for all teams. I think the Cardinals’ offense will be more consistent this season (so I was surprised when I ultimately had them losing five of their final seven games), just as they did last year.

One potential first-time Pro Bowler from each NFC team heading into the 2025 NFL season For now (though), I have to treat McCarthy like a rookie, which means factoring in the bumps that could keep his team’s immediate ceiling on the lower side. McCarthy’s first career regular-season start, on the prime-time stage of Monday Night Football? Myopic Bears fans (like me) think their Ben Johnson-infused team is going to the playoffs this season. They have some tough matchups in that stretch, and the long time away could really impact them.

Peak period: Weeks 4 and 5.

I had a difficult time here — because the game will take place in December, when the Packers usually play their best, and it will be in Green Bay. I really had a tough time with this one — but am leaning Washington. Jayden Daniels had one of the best rookie seasons by an NFL quarterback since Cam Newton. At Commanders (at Cowboys), vs. Chiefs is a tough way to start things off.