Bold NFL Predictions for 2026 NFL Season

Below, I’ve outlined three bold NFL predictions ahead of the 2026 schedule release.

For the purpose of this exercise, I focused on predictions featuring minimum +1000 NFL odds.

Viewed as a zero-sum proposition, some of these may look a little crazy. However, it’s my belief these markets offer a greater probability than the implied odds.

Let’s dive into the predictions. Odds are reflective at time of writing and are subject to movement.

3 Bold NFL Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season

Team with Fewest Regular Season Wins: Carolina Panthers (+2500)

Virtually everything went right for the Panthers last year en route to an NFC South title. Despite the success, I remain skeptical that the team is even good.

Bryce Young lacks the ceiling amongst some of his contemporaries. If he continues to post volatile metrics, Carolina may suffer against one of the league’s hardest schedules.

The division remains easy, but the Panthers face a brutal schedule outside of it. Their 11 non-divisional games come against teams averaging a 9.5 season win total.

It’s a hair higher than Miami (9.4), which is +400 within this market.

Last year, Carolina finished 5-6 outside the division. Playing the NFC North and AFC North plus uniques against the Eagles, Broncos and Seahawks could easily see that record regress.

That’s a problem for a team that ran super lucky last year. Dave Canales’ team finished 6-2 in field-goal games and 7-3 in one-possession games.

Those factors lead me to believe Carolina owns higher than a 3.8% chance to finish with the league’s fewest wins.

Team With Most Regular Season Wins: Cincinnati Bengals (+1800)

Cincinnati placed itself in win-now mode by acquiring Dexter Lawrence from the Giants.

Lawrence, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook arriving should help bolster Cincinnati’s profile against an easy schedule.

Next year, the Bengals project to face the league’s second-easiest NFL strength of schedule and easiest set of opposing offenses.

All of their hard games come at home as well. Next year, the Bengals face three games against teams possessing double-digit win totals. Two – Baltimore and Kansas City – are at home.

I won’t pretend the offensive line remains a problem. But it also failed spectacularly two years ago when the offense ranked fifth in offensive DVOA, per FTN Fantasy.

Last year, Cincinnati dropped to 13th as Joe Burrow missed time. When he returned in Week 13, he led the NFL in completion percentage over expected.

Support has already emerged for the Bengals’ season win total over and as the AFC North champion.

If those movements prove valid, it could lead to a strong season for the Bengals.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (+1800) to Win NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Sam LaPorta will miss time. David Montgomery departs via trade for Houston.

While it wouldn’t shock me if Jahmyr Gibbs emerges as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, St. Brown offers a viable candidacy.

Jared Goff targeted St. Brown 172 times last year. It marked the second time in three years the USC alum notched at least 160 targets.

St. Brown has recorded at least 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns in three straight NFL seasons.

Last year, the Lions’ WR1 finished only two receptions and 392 yards behind NFL OPOY winner Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Recent winners have proven team success contributes to their profile as well. Since the league expanded to 17 games, every winner played for a team winning 12+ games.

The Lions project to face the league’s easiest schedule by opponent win totals.

As a positive regression candidate – 3-5 in one-score games last year – they could easily produce another 15-win season a la 2024.

Those factors lead me to believe St. Brown offers a better OPOY candidacy than his 5.3% equity would suggest.