NFL · 2 hours ago

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 10

Frank LaBella

Host · Writer

What Do You Think of the Predictions?
Nothing is set in stone, and every division is up for the taking. At this point in this season, we've seen every team for who they are, and now's the time where anyone can really come alive.

What do you think of our division winner predictions? Is your team going to win their division? Let us know in the comments!
Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 9
Eight weeks of NFL football felt incredibly quick, and we're no longer checking out how each team looks this season. There are no undefeated teams, and all eight divisions have decent competition involved.

Let's project who will be at the top of each of the league's eight divisions after the second half of the regular season.
AFC East Winner
The AFC East is tightening up, but Buffalo has yet to show signs of slowing down.

Buffalo Bills Team Profile
- Head Coach: Joe Brady
- Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim Leonhard
- Stadium: Highmark Stadium
- 2026 Record: 7-1
AFC East Winner: Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is playing at an elite level through eight weeks, at least on one side of the ball. Josh Allen is a frontrunner for the league MVP, James Cook is a top-five running back, and the receiving corps is healthy and thriving. Defensively, the Bills allow too many points per game, which has led to multiple close finishes and is their only obstacle.

As expected, New England is playing like a playoff team again and is the only threat in the division. It sucks for Buffalo to have lost the head-to-head matchup a few weeks ago, but they're still the better team overall. The second half of the season is when Buffalo really soaks in the benefits of playing in the AFC East, as they get to face the Jets and Dolphins twice each.
AFC North Winner
Pittsburgh has won four straight and holds control of the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
- Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
- Stadium: Acrisure Stadium
- 2026 Record: 6-2
AFC North Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers don't appear to be at full strength offensively, with names like Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson being out the last few weeks. The 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center seems to have sufficient weaponry anyway, as Pittsburgh continues to churn out victories. If Rodgers can establish a stronger connection with his top receiver in D.K. Metcalf, defenses are going to struggle to find answers.

The Bengals have finally found their offense and serve as a scary obstacle for the division lead. The defense is certainly better than it has notoriously been, but Cincinnati still doesn't match up as balanced as Pittsburgh right now. The Browns and Ravens have been facing offensive struggles, especially Baltimore, who has a lot of question marks at the quarterback position for the rest of the season.
AFC South Winner
The lead for Jacksonville keeps growing larger in a division with struggling squads.

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile
- Head Coach: Liam Coen
- Offensive Coordinator: Grant Udinski
- Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Campanile
- Stadium: EverBank Stadium
- 2026 Record: 6-2
AFC South Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

Here's a team that has absolutely no barriers in front of them, and they're playing out of their minds. Jacksonville scores the fourth-most points in football, with 28.6 points per game. Additionally, they allow the second-least points, with just 15.1 per game. As you can imagine, they've recorded a couple of blowouts through the first eight weeks.

On top of their sensational start, ahead of them is the 29th-ranked remaining strength of schedule, according to ESPN's Power Index. There's really not much else to look at in this division, with the Texans struggling to put it all together despite their offensive weaponry and what is typically regarded as an incredible defense. The Titans and Colts flat out are playing abysmally right now, and don't deserve much attention.
AFC West Winner
The Chiefs have lost the division lead, but it's not time for panic mode yet.

Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile
- Head Coach: Andy Reid
- Offensive Coordinator: Eric Bieniemy
- Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo
- Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
- 2026 Record: 6-2
AFC West Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

They were once 5-0, but now they're behind for the division lead. Two consecutive weeks were matchups with incredible defenses, that of the Seahawks and Broncos, both of which took care of business. The beast of Kenneth Walker has been tamed the last two weeks, and he'll be back soon enough. This team can get hot quickly, and the next few opponents offer easy chances to bounce back.

Kansas City's problem is that the Denver offense, mocked just a few weeks ago for its poor play, has suddenly exploded for five straight wins. Furthermore, Denver has one of the easiest remaining strength of schedule this season, which is something to watch. Ultimately, both teams should be playoff-bound, but Kansas City's firepower is much more threatening, and they should be able to take care of some of the powerhouses late in the season. The Raiders also aren't out of the race, sitting at 4-5, but have traded away their veteran QB. They aren't on the same level as these two squads. Don't make eye contact with the Chargers down low, and we can pretend they're not there.
NFC East Winner
Through all the struggles, Dallas still has plenty of time to jump into first place.

Dallas Cowboys Team Profile
- Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
- Offensive Coordinator: Klayton Adams
- Defensive Coordinator: Christian Parker
- Stadium: AT&T Stadium
- 2026 Record: 4-5
NFC East Winner: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys sit in the NFC East in 2026, with the Eagles down to the count after losing their quarterback and the Giants also losing their QB1. Theoretically, the path to the division lead is clearer than ever. Yet, they lose games in which they have the clear advantage, such as a matchup against Tampa Bay with a backup quarterback, or an overtime battle with a sub-.500 Cardinals team. The important pieces are healthy, and everything Dallas needs is right in front of them if they can snatch the easy ones.

Give the Giants credit: they've crafted a remarkable season, despite the loss of Jaxson Dart and some running back controversies. The J.J. McCarthy resurgence in New York is cinematic, but how sustainable will it be? From what we've seen so far, it's really a race between New York and Dallas. This division is free for the taking- Dallas has to wake up at some point, right?
NFC North Winner
The most exhilarating division in football is anyone's game, but Detroit has the tools to take it.

Detroit Lions Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Campbell
- Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing
- Defensive Coordinator: Kelvin Sheppard
- Stadium: Ford Field
- 2026 Record: 6-2
NFC North Winner: Detroit Lions

Detroit leads the league in yards per game. There are no holes to fill on offense, but the defense remains the weak side. In a division with three six-win teams and one seven-win team through eight weeks, there's not much room for error.

The talk of the town in this division is the Chicago Bears, who some are even arguing is the best team in football right now. They sure are rolling through teams right now, but after their Week 10 bye, they face one of the hardest remaining schedule. Detroit is also on a four-game win streak, and they appear to be the most talented crew of the four teams, especially after handing the Vikings their first loss of the season and proving they should be higher in the rankings.
NFC South Winner
After a rough start to the season, the Buccaneers are back in the running for a division lead.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Todd Bowles
- Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson
- Defensive Coordinator: TBD
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
- 2026 Record: 3-6
NFC South Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A few weeks ago, it would've been preposterous to expect the Buccaneers to rise to the top of the NFC South. A 0-4 start, Baker Mayfield's injury, and offensive woes had them rotting in the standings. Oxygen has been provided once again to Todd Bowles' squad, and with their starting quarterback back in the game, things look promising. Even without Mike Evans this season, plenty of receiving options remain, and Bucky Irving is emerging as a star in the backfield.

As Tampa Bay comes out of the pile, everyone else in the NFC South is starting to fizzle out. Carolina, who recorded some great wins early, can't move the ball downfield as efficiently lately. Atlanta, which has beaten tough opponents this season, shows signs of weakness every few weeks, especially at quarterback. Lastly, New Orleans, which has kept six of their seven games within one score, isn't scoring enough to win tough games.
NFC West Winner
In their hunt for the next Super Bowl, the 49ers should be hungry for a strong second half.

San Francisco 49ers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan
- Offensive Coordinator: Klay Bubiak
- Defensive Coordinator: Raheem Morris
- Stadium: Levi's Stadium
- 2026 Record: 7-1
NFC West Winner: San Francisco 49ers

This division looked like the toughest to predict before the season started. It's by no means easy, as three of the four teams still look like Super Bowl contenders. When everything clicks, the 49ers are right beside the Lions for the most intimidating offense in football. There's no reason to think this isn't still the best team around, or extremely close to it.

The Rams haven't played up to expectations in 2026, but Matthew Stafford's team won't be lackluster. The Seahawks are surprisingly sitting at 5-4, taking blows in some unexpected matchups. All three teams should have been playoff squads, but with how great the NFC North has been, expect everyone in this division to play better football in the second half, now that the Wild Card looks like the most likely outcome.
What Do You Think of the Predictions?
Nothing is set in stone, and every division is up for the taking. At this point in this season, we've seen every team for who they are, and now's the time where anyone can really come alive.

What do you think of our division winner predictions? Is your team going to win their division? Let us know in the comments!
Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 9
Eight weeks of NFL football felt incredibly quick, and we're no longer checking out how each team looks this season. There are no undefeated teams, and all eight divisions have decent competition involved.

Let's project who will be at the top of each of the league's eight divisions after the second half of the regular season.

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 10

Buffalo Bills Team Profile

AFC East Winner: Buffalo Bills

Pittsburgh Steelers Team Profile

AFC North Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile

AFC South Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile

AFC West Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

Dallas Cowboys Team Profile

NFC East Winner: Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions Team Profile

NFC North Winner: Detroit Lions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Profile

NFC South Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

San Francisco 49ers Team Profile

NFC West Winner: San Francisco 49ers

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