NFL Expert Picks, Predictions, Against The Spread Sports Illustrated

Breaking down how the betting market is evaluating which player will be selected with the No. 2 pick by the New York Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft. Breaking down the odds for whether or not Ty Simpson will be a first round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Breaking down the opening odds for the NFL Week 1 game in Australia between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.

Toughest game to call: Week 11 vs. Packers.

Each matchup of the regular season is analyzed by the model, which then provides a predicted win percentage for every team throughout its games. Not only does the defeat significantly affect San Francisco’s chances for the division title — but it also marks the Niners’ fifth consecutive loss in head-to-head encounters. While it is difficult to favor the home teams in those matchups, the Rams have a chance for revenge against the Eagles for their playoff loss in 2024 during Week 3 and may surprise Baltimore three weeks later.

  • Breaking down the opening odds for the NFL Week 1 game in Australia between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
  • After their transatlantic trip, the Vikings get a bye — then hit a three-game skid.
  • The Giants have a window to potentially stack a couple of wins together here (when they host the Chargers (who must endure the dreaded early East Coast start time)), then visit the rebuilding Saints.

NFL Win Total Projections for Every Team Ahead of Thursday’s Schedule Release

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I had a difficult time here (because the game will take place in December), when the Packers usually play their best, and it will be in Green Bay. I really had a tough time with this one, but am leaning Washington. Jayden Daniels had one of the best rookie seasons by an NFL quarterback since Cam Newton. At Commanders (at Cowboys), vs. Chiefs is a tough way to start things off.

Steelers Super Bowl Odds Make Massive Jump After Aaron Rodgers Signing

We’ve each gone through the entire schedule (team by team), week by week, separately projecting who will win during opening weekend, on Thanksgiving Day, in each season finale today’s best bets and every game in between. A stacked NFC playoff bracket includes six teams with 11 or more wins, while the likes of Bijan Robinson and Drake London finally appear in the NFL postseason. After three teams finished with eight wins in 2025, the NFC South standings are a little more straightforward this time around. There is much more positivity surrounding the top teams in the NFC (with seven projected to win at least 9.5 games), compared to just three in the AFC. It’s important to note that the regular-season simulations include projected ties, so expected win-loss records may not add up to exactly 17 games for all teams. I think the Cardinals’ offense will be more consistent this season (so I was surprised when I ultimately had them losing five of their final seven games), just as they did last year.

High point: Week 1 vs. Giants.

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Despite Mike Tomlin’s Steelers being regular contenders (and Mike McCarthy’s impressive track record with a healthy quarterback), there exists a chance, albeit small. While the Baltimore Ravens manage to reclaim the AFC North title, the most notable outcome is that the Pittsburgh Steelers finish in last place with only five victories. The competition for supremacy in the NFC North (similarly competitive), is expected to be fascinating, as there is a mere 0.2 wins separating the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions. We also receive statistics indicating how frequently a team achieves which seed and the number of simulations in which they select at various stages during the 2027 NFL Draft. The season is simulated 100,000 times by the FPM, sourced from PFSN’s Football Playoff Meter, yielding average records for wins and losses. The release of the 2026 NFL schedule completed the final step necessary for anticipating the forthcoming season.

However, the combination of four road games in the first six weeks along with the Bucs’ explosive offense takes a toll on Kyle Shanahan’s team. Consequently, Sean McVay can rest his starters in preparation for Wild Card Weekend. This matchup currently feels entirely uncertain (so I’m leaning towards the quarterback who has never lost at AT&T Stadium—across high school), college, or professional levels; after this Week 9 victory, Kyler Murray improves to 9-0 there.

According to the odds, Bijan Robinson is projected to be the top running back in the NFL by 2026.

It’s remarkable that three-quarters of the NFC West are predicted to achieve at least 10 victories, which sheds light on why the Arizona Cardinals are at the bottom of the rankings. Alongside their relatively manageable 2026 schedule, this has resulted in them having the highest projected win total among all AFC teams not expected to win their division. Although we already identified all 17 opponents for each team (we can now forecast potential season developments considering challenging periods), bye weeks, and the timing of specific matchups. The latest betting odds are utilized to forecast the top 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. The betting odds are employed to predict the top 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.