Tag Archives: NFL 2026

Red 2026 NFL Picks – AFC North

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AFC – North

Remind Red which teams are in this division.

Baltimore  – Red went heavily in on the Ravens in his top tier fantasy team last season and the result was – not so good.  In the immortal words of W. Bush (channeling The Who), “Fool me once – shame on you [awkward pause] – you can’t get fooled again.”  Unfortunately, it is all too easy to fool Red these days.  A new HC in Jesse Minter might breathe some life back into what was a rather moribund offense in 2025.  But there are a lot of question marks at WR and the O line looks mediocre at best.  The defense is still solid and Derrick Henry remains a stud.  The Ravens have what is likely the easiest opening stretch in the league. Their first six games are against the Colts, Saints, Cowboys (in Rio de Janeiro), Titans, Falcons and Browns.  Not one of those teams had a winning record last year.  But 4 of those games are on the road.  If the Ravens can get off to a 5-1 start, then maybe just maybe.  Red is back in the fold calling it 11-6 for the Ravens.

Cincinnati –  Perhaps the most underperforming team in 2025.  Joe Burrow is back and the Bengals can win with him – if he stays on the field.  That is the big question.  But with the ageless Flacco Joe waiting in the wings . . .   There is no shortage of offensive talent at WR and RB if the helmsman is steady.  Defense is good enough. The schedule is about average.                                                                                                                                                                 Bengals are maybe in at 9-8.

Pittsburgh – The Tomlin era is over and the pundits don’t have much faith in the Stealers’ chances in 2026. If you are one of the Stealers faithful thinking that Mike McCarthy is going to lead them to the promised land, Red has choice real estate in southern Iran he would like to sell you.  Red has seen an AI projection having A. Rodge throw for 4141 yards and 20 TDs.  Red knew that AI was a scam or perhaps in debt to the Mob. The team did invest in new talent this year getting WR M. Pittman, Jr., RB R. Dowdle and some decent draft picks.  The defense has been the linchpin of this team for quite some time, but the crew underperformed in 2025 and isn’t getting any younger.  The schedule is not great either.  The Falcons, Browns twice, Saints (in Paris), and Titans are likely wins.  It’s hard to pick out another 4-5 wins.  Red calls it 7-10 for the Stealers.

Cleveland – If you are a Browns fan, here are your choices.  Dupe or masochist. If you are a Browns quarterback here are your choices.  Really there is no choice, you will be lucky to get out alive.  In turn, the Browns will be lucky to go 4-13 and win a couple of games by accident. 

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – AFC South

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Red NFL Picks 2026 – AFC South

This is not the toughest division to call this year.  It seems  only two teams have a legitimate shot at winning this division. 

Houston – The Texans who proudly play in Houston are the favorite but not by much.  Oddsmakers have the Texans as favorites in 12 games which seems rather bold.  The Texans did have a remarkable finish to the regular season winning 9 in a row.  It looked nobody wanted to see the red hot Texans on the  opposing sideline. When the Texans handily dispatched the Chiefs on Christmas day and then annihilated the Stealers in the Wild Card game, Red though maybe just maybe.  But then came CJ Stroud’s sad showing against the Pats in Foxborough and the Texans remained a two and done playoff team at best.  The Texans benefitted from a favorable warm weather/indoor close to the regular season.  In 2026, they face a much tougher and possibly colder stretch drive with December/January games in Pittsburgh, Landover, MD, Philly and Green Bay.  Fortunately, the running game looks solid with veteran David Montgomery and Woody Marks coming off of a very nice rookie season. Receiving corps is serviceable and could be much better if deep threat speedster Tank Dell can stay on the field – or maybe even get on the field.  However, defense remains the strength of this team and HC Demeco Ryans’ core philosophy of putting together a winner.  Adding Jadeveon Clowney as a spot rusher to an already fearsome front 4 on the D line should be interesting.  The secondary is the weaker link but pressure on opposing QBs will help.  Red wishes he could be at Wembley in Week 6 to see the Jags game.  Texans are 13-4 and get to play a second round playoff game at home.

 Jacksonville – The Jags were the second hottest team to finish the 2025 season with 8 straight wins.  But a grain of salt is required as many of the 8 victims were the dregs of the league. The schedule is not quite so favorable in 2026.  The Jags play only 3 home games through Week 11 (not counting being “home” at Tottenham and Wembly) and have the unusual task of facing 3 straight road games.  This is a team with a lot of youngish playmakers and improving defense and a franchise quarterback entering what should be the prime of his career.  A tougher road probably keeps the division crown out of reach, but the Jags will be in the playoffs going 11-7.

Indianapolis –  The Colts on the other hand finished on the worst note of any team that didn’t completely suck – tanking to a 1-8 record to close out a miserable year in Hoosierville.  Daniel Jones is a perfectly capable quarterback when facing mediocre to poor defenses.  The question is can he step up against competition like the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans at the beginning of the season.  If the Colts win 2 out of those 3, the rest of the division will need to take heed.  J. Taylor is outstanding but was a bit overused with a league leading 323 carries last season out of strict necessity.  But the biggest question will be the availability of QB Daniel Jones.  The oddsmakers have the Colts win total at 7.5.  Sounds about right to Red.  He will bet on the come and call it 8-9 for the Colts.

 Tennessee – “I’ve seen teams suck before . . .”  Oh crap,  Red already used that one, but it could also be appropriate here.  But stranger things.  Red thinks the lowly Titans just might make some noise towards the end of the season.   Can Ward will be better in year two and has a new OC who may know how to use him.  The Titans defense can only get better after giving up 28 PPG in 2025.  HC Robert Saleh has worked to rebuild that sad sack outfit.  A better defense will keep the Titans in a lot of games.  Things are looking up in Nashville but almost everything is up when you have been so close to the bottom.  Titans are 6-11 and maybe just a bit better.