Along with it not being hard to identify the best teams in the NFL for this season, it should not be that hard to identify the worst teams, as well. Sure, there are some teams not projected to amount to much that can shock many, but, typically, the worst of the worst will continue to be that into and throughout the season.
For example, no one is thinking the Los Angeles Rams are going to be a bottom-5 team this year, and the same could be said for the Arizona Cardinals - no one thinks this team is winning it all. We recently predicted the five best teams when the 2026 regular season ends, and we feel pretty confident about those predictions.
Let's do the same exact exercise, but switching it up to the five worst teams when the 2026 regular season ends, and we even included a record prediction for this group.
Predicting the five worst teams in the NFL when the 2026 regular season ends
32. Arizona Cardinals (2-15 prediction)
Unsurprisingly, the Cardinals come in at No. 32 in our worst team predictions for the 2026 season. The Cardinals are trapped in the best division in football, as the NFC West featured three legitimate contenders last year, and you could argue that two of those teams in Los Angeles and San Francisco got a lot better.
Seattle did lose some talent in the offseason, but with how well this team is coached, it's not going to be a shock if they still win double-digit games. You hate to say that the Cardinals have no hope in July, but it does feel that way for 2026.
31. New York Jets (2-15 prediction)
The New York Jets did add a good bit of talent this offseason, but I am just not buying it. Aaron Glenn proved that he wasn't cut out to be a head coach in this league during his rookie campaign in 2025. Sure, Glenn could take a step forward in that regard, but Glenn continually seemed to be overwhelmed.
Quarterback Geno Smith, who is now on his third team in as many years, has unfortunately played horrendous football the past two seasons and seems to be declining. The Jets do have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, which is clearly the year this team is aiming for to make a franchise-altering change, but, as we approach 2026, it's clear that the Jets do not have a path to many wins.
30. Miami Dolphins (2-15 prediction)
The third-worst team in our predictions is the Miami Dolphins, coming in with a 2-15 record prediction for the 2026 season. If nothing else, the Dolphins do appear to be heading in a very specific direction - a rebuild was much-needed, and a rebuild is what this team is going to attempt.
There were a ton of former key players that the franchise parted with in some fashion this offseason, which has left the roster quite barren. Adding in a brand-new coaching staff and a new front office does not help for 2026 success, but this team clearly recognizes where they are.
The Dolphins could be frisky with Malik Willis, but outside of maybe getting lucky here and there, this team is no position to win more than a small handful of games, if that. It should be a brutal year with the possibility of light at the end of the tunnel.
29. Cleveland Browns (4-13 prediction)
The Cleveland Browns are the fourth-worst team in our NFL predictions, finishing with a 4-13 record. The Browns could have ended up being a fun, 'trap game' type of team in 2026, but trading Myles Garrett all but sent an admission to the rest of the league that they are not attempting to be that competitive this year.
The Browns do have some young talent, as General Manager Andrew Berry has largely done a good job outside of the Deshaun Watson trade fiasco. Fortunately, it also seems like the 2027 NFL Draft is quite loaded at the quarterback position, so if Berry can survive into 2027, the Browns may be able to see his draft expertise continue.
For the time being, though, the Browns have a new coaching staff, and what could be the worst quarterback room in the NFL.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13 prediction)
Yet another team that likely doesn't plan on being super competitive this year, the Las Vegas Raiders come in at No. 28 in our power rankings, finishing up our worst team predictions list. With the signing of Kirk Cousins, the Raiders are obviously not wanting to rush Fernando Mendoza out there.
That could be the smart move, as Vegas clearly does not want to squander this opportunity with Mendoza. However, Cousins is nothing more than a backup-caliber player at this point, and the offense is still a bit of a mess along the offensive line and at wide receiver.
The roster construction is going to take a couple more years to complete, so perhaps in 2027, the Raiders could begin to be competitive, but 2026 doesn't offer much hope.