We're now crossing over the halfway point of the 2026 NFL Season, and at least in the AFC, the playoff divide is happening. There is a clear cut-off in the AFC between the playoff-caliber teams and those that are not.
The NFC is a bit more uncertain. There is a lot that can still change between now and the end of the regular season, but at this point, we do have a clear reading on which teams stick out as being the top Super Bowl contenders.
Let's dive into our latest Super Bowl contender power rankings with Week 9 approaching.
Updated Super Bowl contender rankings prove that the 2026 season could be special
8. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs' two toughest games of the season thus far have come the past two weeks against Seattle and Denver, and they lost both. The personnel shortcomings on offense, and the lack of a pass rush on defense are becoming clear-as-day needs that the front office probably won't be able to genuinely fix in-season. Sure, Patrick Mahomes is still a thing, and Kenneth Walker III has been outstanding, but those are only two players.
The Chiefs have some work to do. Having an all-time great quarterback and head coach should still keep the Chiefs in the running, though.
7. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions seem to be figuring things out on defense, and with the offense being as explosive as you'll see in the NFL, the Lions are quickly emerging as one of the most complete teams in the sport. This team did get within one game of the Super Bowl back in 2023 with many of the same players they still have, and while the NFC North is a juggernaut of a division, the Lions have enough roster talent to make a run.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati's defense simply has to not lose them games as the season goes on. Sitting at 5-2, the Bengals are positioning themselves well to eventually overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. Quarterback Joe Burrow is arguably the MVP of the league right now, and we also have seen this franchise make a Super Bowl run before. The 2026 season will largely come down to the performance of the defense and if Burrow can stay on the field.
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