Best to worst case scenarios for your NFL team - 2026

[Dude]

Please post what you think your team will do in 2026 season, highest to lowest prediction in W and L.

Pats high: 12-5
Pats low: 10-7

 

[ericd7633]

Eagles:

Best case: 12-5
Worst case: 9-8 (miss playoffs)

Schedule is pretty difficult again this year.

 

[redseat]

Please post what you think your team will do in 2026 season, highest to lowest prediction in W and L.

Pats high: 12-5
Pats low: 10-7

Pats High - 12 - 5
Pats Low - 8-9

 

[jarntt]

For best case and worst case you guys are way too tight.
Best case: 13-4
Worst case: 3-14

 

[redseat]

For best case and worst case you guys are way too tight.
Best case: 13-4
Worst case: 3-14

You happy Stadium will get funded by tax payers?

 

[jarntt]

You happy Stadium will get funded by tax payers?

Buffalo? Meh, I don't get too hung up on it. It's like $600M in NYS $'s? The NYS Budget proposal is like $260 billion. That's like .2% of the Budget if it is paid out in one year. I don't know the specifics, but if it is funded through a bond sale it may be over 20 or even 30 years. To me it comes down to how it is run. If there is public money involved and there is a profit some of it should go back to whomever funded it. Yankee Stadium had public money. There are arguments for and against. Personally I think teh money should be more from the local area and I like the idea of voting on it and letting the people decide. But, in the long run I don't really care one way or the other too much.

 

[redseat]

Buffalo? Meh, I don't get too hung up on it. It's like $600M in NYS $'s? The NYS Budget proposal is like $260 billion. That's like .2% of the Budget if it is paid out in one year. I don't know the specifics, but if it is funded through a bond sale it may be over 20 or even 30 years. To me it comes down to how it is run. If there is public money involved and there is a profit some of it should go back to whomever funded it. Yankee Stadium had public money. There are arguments for and against. Personally I think teh money should be more from the local area and I like the idea of voting on it and letting the people decide. But, in the long run I don't really care one way or the other too much.

No I am talking about the Cowboy's. Just read an article they are staying thanks to Tax Payer money

 

[jarntt]

No I am talking about the Cowboy's. Just read an article they are staying thanks to Tax Payer money

I think that was just for improvements and I didn't think it was that much. I read that a while back. Maybe they will buy curtains for the end zone with it

I don't remember but I thought the city has some ownership or partial ownership of the Stadium, so they do need to spend to upkeep it just like they would any other city building

 

[redseat]

I think that was just for improvements and I didn't think it was that much. I read that a while back. Maybe they will buy curtains for the end zone with it

I don't remember but I thought the city has some ownership or partial ownership of the Stadium, so they do need to spend to upkeep it just like they would any other city building

I will take your word for it since you know better than I about the Cowboys

 

[jarntt]

I will take your word for it since you know better than I about the Cowboys

My lazy google search. Note the underlined. The money comes from the additional sales tax they added to originally build the stadium which also paid the original bonds off early. I guess one could argue if they don't do these renovations they could repeal the sales tax increase to help offset inflation or keep it and use it for other things:

AI Overview

Arlington recently cleared its original $490 million debt for AT&T Stadium 10 years early (as of Aug 2025). However, the city council has approved a new deal, passing in a 7-2 vote in April 2026, to pay $273 million over 20 years starting in 2028 toward, according to CBS News Texas, exterior upgrades and repairs to the stadium, which is part of a plan extending the Cowboys' lease. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Details on Stadium Funding:

• Original Debt Paid: The City of Arlington completed its payments for the initial construction, totaling $490,325,273 in principal, interest, and fees, 10 years ahead of schedule.
• New Investment: The city will contribute $273 million (starting in 2028) for improvements, while the Dallas Cowboys will contribute at least $750 million.
• Funding Source: Funds for the new upgrade plan will come from the half-cent sales tax, hotel occupancy tax, and rental car tax, which were initially approved by voters in 2004.
• Projected Benefits: This agreement aims to keep the Cowboys at the stadium until at least 2038

 

[redseat]

Thank you @jarntt I will admit I was too lazy too look

 

[Clayton]

Chiefs high: 15-2, Super Bowl
Chiefs low: 4-13

Mahomes being injured and the defense being rebuilt I feel the Chiefs are one of the more volatile teams. I also think the AFC at first glance feels clustered together in a tight pack of horses. I think all but like six teams should be thinking Super Bowl or bust

 

[Moab]

duh


20-0
0-17

 

[Xeliou66]

Best case scenario for my Falcons is we win the division and maybe win a playoff game. Worst case is we finish last in the division. The NFC South is wide open and all 4 teams have a shot at the division crown, and all 4 teams could be in the cellar too if things go wrong.
The big question for my Falcons is the QB room - it would be ideal if Penix had a solid season and established himself as our QB, but he’s coming off an injury and has only started 12 career games. Tua is capable of decent play if he’s needed at QB but he’s not the long term answer. Also we have some depth issues at places on D, and with Pearce likely being suspended for a few games I hope the pass rush can hold up okay without him. I think we have a solid roster overall and could definitely win the division, but I don’t want to get my hopes up as this team has broken my heart too many times.

 

[Hotel Security]

Lions? Hopefully somewhere between 8 to 13 wins.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Bears best: 12-5
Bears worst: 7-10

Yeah I know, that's quite a gap. But it gives me a 5 game leverage to say "SEE!! I told you so!!!"

 

[Wamu]

Best case scenario for my team. Now that's just cruel.

Hey f_ck you OP!

Anyone that follows the NFL knows there's no best case scenario for my team. But I'll give it a try anyway.

Best- somehow win double digit games and get to the playoffs. <---ain't happenin'

Worst- the idiot owner starts the scumbag Watson and they become the 1st team to 0-17.

For some odd reason at the start of every season I wanna start drinkin' again.

 

[cdumler7]

I'll go 13-4 as the tops for the Broncos. 1st place schedule, tight games last year that could change for this upcoming season, and Nix coming off an injury keep me from going any higher. At the same time a 14-3 team returning all but 1 starter from last year sets them up well.

Bottom I would say 8-9. Payton has done well throughout his career of limiting even his bad seasons to at worst 7 wins. This isn't one of his bad teams.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

duh


20-0
0-17

now this is a person that understands the assignment.
Those are best & worst case scenarios!

 

[Gypsumstack]

Best Case: Burrow stays healthy all year and puts up god numbers and the Bengals feast on an easy schedule with a revamped defense. They win the North, get the #1 seed and cruise to a Super Bowl win. Burrow is MVP, Chase is OPOY after his second triple crown, and the 2026 Bengals are in the discussion for one of the best offenses in history.

Worst case: Burrow is hurt again, the defense is still a year or two away from really being improved, and the offensive line takes a step back from being just mediocre. With the talent still on offense and a favorable schedule, they still limp into the playoffs as a wild card and get dusted in the first round, but it's good enough for ownership and Zac Taylor signs a 5 year extension.