The pathway to the upcoming professional football postseason has been unveiled with the release of the 2026 NFL schedule. This comprehensive announcement provides every one of the league's 32 teams with their full slate of matchups for the coming autumn season. Following this reveal, DraftKings has published its anticipated victory counts for each team, offering an early look at the potential dynamics of the competitive year ahead.
The Houston Texans, entering their fourth season under the guidance of head coach DeMeco Ryans, are among the teams generating significant interest. Their schedule includes the customary two contests against each AFC South adversary. Notably, one of these division clashes will see them travel to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars as part of the international game series. Beyond their division, the Texans are slated to compete against teams from the AFC North and NFC East, in addition to facing other clubs that also concluded the 2025 season in second place within their respective divisions, such as the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. This diverse array of opponents ensures a rigorous test for the Houston franchise.
Examining the projected win totals from DraftKings, the AFC East presents a varied outlook. The New York Jets are projected with 3.5 wins, while the Buffalo Bills lead the division's expectations with 10.5 wins. The New England Patriots are predicted to secure 9.5 victories, and the Miami Dolphins are forecast for 4.5 wins. Moving to the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens stand out with an impressive 11.5 projected wins. The Cincinnati Bengals follow with 9.5 wins, the Pittsburgh Steelers with 8.5 wins, and the Cleveland Browns with 6.5 wins. In the AFC South, the Houston Texans themselves are projected at 9.5 wins, closely followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars at 8.5 wins. The Indianapolis Colts are predicted for 7.5 wins, and the Tennessee Titans round out the division with 6.5 wins. This detailed breakdown highlights the expected strength and competitive balance across these conferences.
The Western divisions of the AFC and NFC also show intriguing projections. In the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are anticipated to achieve 10.5 wins. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos both share a 9.5-win projection, while the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to finish with 5.5 wins. Transitioning to the NFC, the NFC East sees the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys projected at 10.5 and 9.5 wins, respectively, indicating a competitive race. The Washington Commanders and New York Giants are both projected for 7.5 victories. For the NFC North, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are both strong contenders with 10.5 projected wins. The Chicago Bears are not far behind with 9.5 wins, and the Minnesota Vikings are projected for 8.5 wins. Finally, the NFC West projects the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers all at 10.5 wins, pointing to a highly contested division. The Arizona Cardinals are projected for 4.5 wins. These figures from DraftKings provide a preliminary framework for understanding the likely outcomes and divisional standings in the upcoming NFL season.
This comprehensive schedule and the accompanying win total projections from DraftKings set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable 2026 NFL season, offering fans and analysts alike a robust framework for anticipating the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead for every team.
