My new off-season predictions

[Allentown21]

We'll fa & the draft is over and rosters are mostly set.

 

Here is my prediction 

 

AFC championship 

14-3 Cincinnati 44

11-6 Buffalo 27

 

NFC championship 

15-2 LA Rams 30

12-5 49ers 27

 

Superbowl 

Cincinnati 30

La Rams 27

 

 

Bengals get revenge 

 

Burrow MVP 

Garrett dpoy

 

Surprise team- Vikings 

[Stripes]

That would be lovely. Here’s hoping you’re Allentownstrodamus.

[COB]

Please let this all come true.

[Allentown21]

11 hours ago, COB said:

Please let this all come true.

This really should be the Bengals year. 

 

Only way I see Buffalo winning in a hypothetical playoff is if Allen pulled an elway and went alien mode. And even then I think the Bengals would need to make at least 1 big mistake. Basically like last year 

 

Kc is dangerous if Mahomes is healthy in the playoffs obviously.  Thts also a situation where I'd be biting my nails as a Bengals fan

[ArmyBengal]

I hadn't really given much thought to the other teams and what they have done to this point.
Let's take a look...

AFC North:
Baltimore-  I don't think overlooking the Ravens is ever wise with Lamar and they had a down year last year.
Their o-line is going to look different and of course they added Trey to the defense, which should help them some.
I wasn't a big fan of their draft either, which is different.

Pittsburgh-  I think this team is going to feel some growing pains with new coaching, but the defense is solid.
Rodgers is certainly over the hill, but he didn't have an abysmal year last season.
Decent draft, but they also lost some starters from last season in free agency.

Cleveland-  They better hope Jared Verse is fucking All World...

I have heard the talk of the Bengals having the most stability with the only team having the same coach return, but from my perspective I don't know that's really such an advantage.  It's not like the other teams in the division added unknowns as head coaches either.  I think it's about fit.  If they fit what those the players well on those teams, this division could be a lot closer than what I keep hearing.

I'm VERY optimistic with the upcoming season with what I see on paper and the current health status of the Bengals.
Even with the head coaching changes with the other teams and all the hype surrounding the Bengals, I expect this to be one of the best divisions in the league in 2026.  It's not like the other teams hired some no body to come be the head coach of their teams.  I'm not sure being the only team that didn't change head coaches gives us that much of an advantage.

Cincinnati-  13-4
Baltimore-  12-5
Pittsburgh-  11-6
Cleveland-  4-13

[ArmyBengal]

Remainder of the AFC:

New England will be interesting to see what they do against a first place schedule this year.
I also liked their draft.  They should be in the mix again this year.

Buffalo has Allen and will be in the mix because of him alone.  Hated their free agency and ok draft.
That being said, I expect them to be within striking distance of New England.

Jacksonville bled talent in free agency and I hated their draft.  They will not be the same team in 2026.

Houston will be much what they were last year.  Great defense and taking over the AFC South again.
I really liked their free agent additions on both sides of the ball.  This is a true contender.

Denver is another fun team to watch with Bo Nix, but they didn't do much of anything in free agency or the draft.
The addition of Waddle to the offense can't be viewed as a negative and think they are right there as well.

The Chargers and Herbert are pretty solid as well and don't think that's going to change.
They had some decent additions in free agency and the draft.

And last but not least, the Chiefs...
They great unknown with Mahomes and his knee, but I don't really think he's the biggest story for them in 2026.
For me, it's them needing to reload the defense.  The secondary was damn near gutted in free agency.
They added Mansoor Delane (a Bengals favorite for projections) and a 4th round safety.
I loved the addition of Kenneth Walker at RB for them and if Mahomes is 100% they could be interesting.

For me, those are the teams that stack up in the AFC Conference as true contenders.
Those teams are really solid in my opinion with some elite defenses mixed in.

Two AFC teams that I'm interested in seeing what 2026 brings them are the Jets and Raiders.
The Jets bringing back Geno Smith would be a feel good story.  I actually like that roster.
The Raiders and Mendoza at QB along with some other additions will be fun.

Even if the Bengals have the magical season many are projecting for them, this is tough sledding.
I cannot recall an upcoming football season where I have been looking so forward to it starting.

 

[HoosierCat]

Bengals go 0-17

Entire coaching staff shot

Entire roster cut

Mike admits The Family has no clue what it’s doing, shuts down franchise forever

Stadium demolished, replaced by world’s largest Arby’s

Bengalszone rebranded to Arbyszone