League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

CBS Sports analysts provide NFL division winner predictions for the 2026 season

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 2:47 PM

Last updated Sep 8, 2026

CBS Sports analysts provide NFL division winner predictions for the 2026 season

Summary

The 2026 NFL regular season has begun, and CBS Sports analysts have released their picks for each division winner. Opinions remain split across several sectors, with experts debating the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots in the AFC East. While some analysts favor the Bills' established history, others point to the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in New England as indicators for a repeat performance. In the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals emerged as the primary contenders. Analysts emphasized the potential impact of coaching changes and roster additions, such as the defensive adjustments made by Cincinnati. These projections arrive as teams adjust to new schedules and personnel changes following the previous season's outcomes.

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CBS NFL

By the Numbers

•Jordan Dajani, Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, Tyler Sullivan, Garrett Podell, John Breech, Ryan Wilson, Bryan DeArdo and Josh Edwards provided the projections.
•Analysts cite the New England Patriots' more difficult 2026 schedule as a reason to favor the Buffalo Bills.
•The Cincinnati Bengals roster includes new defensive additions such as Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen.
•Jesse Minter enters the 2026 season as the new head coach for the Baltimore Ravens.
•The New England Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to their wide receiving corps.

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