The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl victory, but repeating as champions will be a formidable challenge. Despite their success, they are not even favored to win their own division, the NFC West, which has become one of the toughest in the NFL.
A Stacked Division Awaits
The Seahawks’ path to another title goes through the Los Angeles Rams, who have added Aaron Donald to an already dominant defense, and the talented San Francisco 49ers. The Rams are the prohibitive favorites by oddsmakers to win the Super Bowl after Donald rejoined the team following a two-year retirement. With the eight-time All-Pro defensive tackle, two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and cornerback Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles could have the best defense in the league. The Rams also boast a prolific offense led by reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
The 49ers have strengthened their roster by adding star wide receiver Mike Evans and bringing back Deebo Samuel to join Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle. They will need Nick Bosa to return to form after an injury to improve their pass rush.
Seattle raises its championship banner and kicks off the NFL season against New England in a Super Bowl rematch on Sept. 9. It will be just the second time the league opens the season on a Wednesday. The Rams and 49ers play the next day in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, the first of an unprecedented nine international games in 2026.
Seahawks' Key Losses and Retained Stars
The Seahawks lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Raiders and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to Kansas City. However, they still have Sam Darnold and AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the offense, along with a sensational defense.
Cardinals Face a Tough Task
Rookie coach Mike LaFleur has a difficult job leading the Arizona Cardinals in this powerful division. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love should be an exciting player to watch.
Other Divisions to Watch
While the NFC West is a major storyline, other divisions also have intriguing narratives.
AFC West
Kansas City’s reign of nine straight division titles ended last season with a 6-11 finish. Patrick Mahomes is ready to return for Week 1 following ACL surgery, and the Chiefs’ hopes depend on him playing at an MVP level. Denver finished with the AFC’s No. 1 seed but couldn’t beat the Patriots in the conference championship game without Bo Nix. He’s back, and the Broncos acquired receiver Jaylen Waddle to give him a new playmaker. Justin Herbert is running a new offense after the Chargers hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, with tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back from injuries. Kirk Cousins leads the Las Vegas Raiders to start the season, but Fernando Mendoza is expected to take over at some point.
NFC South
The Carolina Panthers won the league’s weakest division with a losing record but nearly knocked off the Rams in a wild-card game. It’s a big, prove-it year for Bryce Young. Baker Mayfield didn’t get his contract extension from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who might have the most all-around talent in the division. New Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has to decide between Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr., with Bijan Robinson making the quarterback’s job easier. Tyler Shough and the Saints finished on a positive note last season, and second-year coach Kellen Moore will have New Orleans in contention in a division where 9-8 might be good enough.
AFC South
Liam Coen led the Jaguars to 13 wins in his first year and helped Trevor Lawrence have his best season. Jacksonville has the talent to compete for a Super Bowl and should make its first consecutive postseason appearances since 1998-1999. The Texans have a stingy defense led by All-Pro edge Will Anderson Jr., and if C.J. Stroud plays like his rookie season, Houston could make a run at its first Lombardi Trophy. Daniel Jones and Sauce Gardner are back healthy for Indianapolis. It’s Robert Saleh’s turn to try to rebuild the Titans, with franchise quarterback Cam Ward and All-Pro Jeffery Simmons anchoring the defense.
NFC North
Caleb Williams led the Bears to a division title in his second season, and Chicago wants to make a run at a Super Bowl behind him and second-year coach Ben Johnson, though questions surrounding the offensive line could hold them back. Micah Parsons might be the most valuable player in the league; the Packers were 9-3-1 with him and 0-5 without him. He starts the season on the sideline recovering from ACL surgery. Kyler Murray is the new quarterback in Minnesota, and coach Kevin O’Connell will try to rejuvenate his career as he did with Darnold in 2024. The window is still open for Dan Campbell, Jared Goff, and the Lions, who have a dynamic offense and a defense that could take another step forward.
AFC North
Aaron Rodgers stuck around for a final season in Pittsburgh to team up with new coach Mike McCarthy and try to recreate their Green Bay magic. Rookie coach Jesse Minter aims to get the Ravens back in championship contention, with Lamar Jackson expected to bounce back and the addition of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Joe Burrow is coming back from another injury-filled season, and Cincinnati’s hopes start with him. Deshaun Watson gets another chance in Cleveland, but the biggest question is how long before Shedeur Sanders takes over for rookie coach Todd Monken.
NFC East
Jalen Hurts has a new offensive coordinator again in Philadelphia. If Sean Mannion gets Saquon Barkley and the run game close to 2024, the Eagles can make another run at the Super Bowl. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have plenty of firepower on offense, and if new defensive coordinator Christian Parker gets the defense going, Dallas will be tough. Jayden Daniels hopes to rebound from an injury-filled season, but the Commanders appear closer to last year’s 5-12 team than the one that reached the NFC title game in 2024. John Harbaugh is changing the culture in New York, and if Jaxson Dart stays healthy, the Giants will be much better.
AFC East
The Patriots won’t have the benefit of an easy schedule after reaching the Super Bowl last season, but they gave MVP runner-up Drake Maye a new No. 1 receiver in A.J. Brown. Reigning NFL Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel had a tumultuous offseason but turned the franchise around in his first season. Josh Allen and the Bills are tired of falling short in the playoffs, which cost coach Sean McDermott his job. Joe Brady tries to lead them over the hurdle. Rookie coach Jeff Hafley and new QB Malik Willis are the new faces of the Dolphins, and it could be a slow rebuild in Miami. Geno Smith is back in New York, but the Jets don’t seem close to ending the NFL’s longest active playoff drought.
