8. Green Bay Packers
Injuries were the only reason the Green Bay Packers didn't compete throughout the whole month of January in the NFC, maybe even the reason they didn't represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Losing Micah Parsons was a back-breaker for this team, and obviously they are going to have to start the 2026 season without him. Thankfully, they've been preparing for that scenario all offseason.
This is going to be another fascinating year of in-house player development for the Packers, who lost a lot this offseason, but also had a lot of young guys waiting in the wings. They desperately need breakout years from guys like Matthew Golden, Lukas Van Ness, and MarShawn Lloyd, but the talent of this team is ridiculous. And Jordan Love should be an MVP candidate.
If they can weather the storm until Parsons returns, they have a chance to be the most dangerous second half team in the NFC.
7. Chicago Bears
I'm giving the Bears their due credit for the dramatic rise they had last season under head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson is truly one of the elite offensive minds in the NFL and he proved that last season in Chicago.
Johnson was able to unlock Caleb Williams, and seeing Williams play with so much conifdence reminded everyone why he was considered a "generational" prospect coming out of USC. The Bears also saw the development of young players like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden, who will once again be crucial pieces of the offense in 2026.
The defense is the primary concern for Chicago. They have lived and died in the takeaway department. I'm not sure they have the personnel to truly raise the floor on that side of the ball, which could cause them to stumble.
6. New England Patriots
The reigning AFC Champions added AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs as weapons for Drake Maye this offseason. They should be even better than they were a season ago, right?
I'm not so sure.
I'm not typically one to knock teams for beating the teams in front of them. I'm more of the opinion that you are what your record says you are. In the case of the 2025 Patriots, however, we saw this team dominate one of the "easiest" schedules in recent history, as well as struggle badly offensively in the playoffs.
The Patriots were able to win some tough defensive battles and prove themselves situationally in the playoffs, but this season -- a target on their back and a tougher schedule -- is going to test them significantly.
5. Houston Texans
It's possible the Houston Texans have the most well-rounded roster in the AFC. They are in close competition with a couple of teams there.
I don't think there's any doubt about one thing: The Texans have the best defense in the NFL.
That can take them really far, and if CJ Stroud can build on the progress he made last season, this team can legitimately contend for a Super Bowl. The addition of David Montgomery is going to help raise the floor of the offense tremendously, and I'm expecting second-year back Woody Marks to make a huge impact on the passing game as well.
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