According to USA TODAY Sports, the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a rematch of the big game. All 32 teams open the campaign with aspirations of competing in game 286 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Preseason Contenders and Championship Expectations
Analysts point out strong parallels to the 2022 season, when the Rams won Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium. Joe Bradshaw notes that the Rams look primed to repeat that success on home territory next February.
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills headline a crowded field of contenders alongside the Baltimore Ravens, according to USA TODAY Sports. Haydn Parry suggests that Joe Brady’s promotion to head coach might provide the missing ingredient needed to convert Josh Allen’s talent into a championship run. However, Hugh Ferris argues that aside from an underwhelming head coach hire, there’s little reason to expect the 2026 Bills to differ drastically from recent iterations, though Ferris still picks them to reach the Super Bowl before losing.
Pro Tip: When tracking preseason favorites, examine how coaching changes and home-field advantages historically impact late-season performance in the AFC and NFC.
Individual Awards and Betting Odds for 2026
Individual award races feature tight betting lines heading into September, according to DraftKings Sportsbook data compiled by USA TODAY Sports. Josh Allen enters 2026 as the favorite to win MVP at +600 odds in one analyst’s view, while a panel vote places Joe Burrow (+850) on top with four votes, followed by Lamar Jackson (+800) with two votes.
For Offensive Player of the Year, Jahmyr Gibbs (+550) leads the conversation with four votes from the USA TODAY Sports expert panel, ahead of Ja’Marr Chase (+1000) with three votes. In the Defensive Player of the Year category, Will Anderson Jr. (+500) commands eight out of nine panel votes, outdistancing Myles Garrett (+450).
Did You Know? The NFL’s newest individual honor, Protector of the Year, returns for its second season in 2026 after debuting in 2025. Lions offensive lineman Penei Sewell enters the year as the favorite following Bears guard Joe Thuney’s inaugural win.
Sleeper Picks and Alternative Scenarios
While consensus predictions point heavily toward the Rams and Bills, analysts highlight several alternative paths. David Brindle expects the Denver Broncos to use their playoff loss of Bo Nix to injury as strong motivation to go at least one step further this season. Meanwhile, Ben Collins offers a leftfield scenario where the Los Angeles Chargers reach the Super Bowl in their own stadium, with former Rams quarterback Jared Goff leading the Detroit Lions to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 NFL regular season start?
According to USA TODAY Sports, the 272-game regular-season schedule gets underway on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots.
Where is Super Bowl 61 taking place?
Super Bowl 61 will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Who are the betting favorites for NFL MVP in 2026?
According to DraftKings Sportsbook odds cited by USA TODAY Sports, Joe Burrow leads a panel vote with four selections at +850, followed by Lamar Jackson at +800 and Josh Allen at +600.
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