We are still quite a ways away from the 2026 NFL Playoffs, but that won't stop us from making our weekly playoff predictions. Now that Week 4 is underway, the first quarter of the season will soon be over. October is here, and this is really when the weather gets cold and when games carry more weight.
Even with the NFL having moved to a seven-team playoff format, there are typically always good teams that are on the outside looking in, but one neat statistic that sticks out is that there has been just one double-digit winning team in the 17-game era that has not made the playoffs, and that would be the 2024 Seattle Seahawks.
So, for the most part, a team reaching 10 wins is enough to get into the postseason. Let's roll out our early playoff predictions now that Week 4 is here.
Updated NFL Playoff Predictions with Week 4 beginning
AFC Playoff Predictions
1. Buffalo Bills, 3-0
It's hard not to love how the Buffalo Bills have looked this year, as they have won two games in shootout fashion, and won their third in a more sloppy, grind-it-out game. Both are great ways to win and prove that this team can win in multiple fashions.
While the defense is probably not playing quite as well as you'd like, they're 3-0 for a reason and feel like a juggernaut.
2. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-1
I am still quite high on the Cincinnati Bengals and believe this team can and will win the AFC North this year. Joe Burrow can be a top-3 quarterback in the sport whenever he wants, and this new-look defense does simply have enough good players not to at least be average this year. It could take some time for the Bengals to really begin to gel, but the team did get out to a 2-0 start and showed that they can be among the best in the league.
3. Denver Broncos, 2-1
I am not yet ready to totally discount the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. They have the best roster in the division and do have the most impressive wins of any team in the division, perhaps even the NFL right now, as they mounted two second-half comebacks to defeat Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams, as they showed signs of their 2025 version.
The Broncos might simply be that kind of team and could ride their division and perhaps conference-best roster to their second division title in a row.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-1
The Jaguars have two blowout wins through three weeks and a close loss in Denver. This team is absolutely for real, folks. Jacksonville's roster isn't overwhelming, but this team has consistently won with the guys they have. I see no reason why this team can't win the AFC South again.
5. Kansas City Chiefs, 3-0
Kansas City already has half their 2025 win total here in 2026. While the overall roster talent isn't what it used to be, you are beginning to see signs of the old Chiefs, but a slight drop-off could be on the table with how much tougher the schedule gets.
6. Baltimore Ravens, 2-1
Baltimore simply not enduring a ton of injuries this year could have them right back into the playoffs. I am not sure they'll be able to do enough to win the division, as they do have a first-year head coach, but unless something radical happens, the Ravens could easily scrape together 10 or 11 wins and slide into a Wild Card spot.
7. Las Vegas Raiders, 3-0
Maybe the Las Vegas Raiders are for real...? Perhaps this is a bit too premature, but the Raiders look mostly awesome on both sides of the ball. This team would only have to go 7-7 the rest of the way for a 10-win season, which would likely be enough to get into the postseason.
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