Halfway through the 2026 NFL season, the playoff picture is taking shape with historic divisional splits. The NFC North is the only division ever to feature four teams three or more games above .500 through Week 9, while the NFC South is the only division with four teams two or more games below .500.
Contenders include the Buffalo Bills (7-1), off to their best eight-game start since 1993; the San Francisco 49ers (7-1), Super Bowl favorites at +540; the Denver Broncos (7-2), despite the worst yard differential for a 7-2 team in history; the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2), who traded multiple picks for Jordan Davis, Davon Godchaux and Jessie Bates III; the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2), with the NFL's second-best offense in yards; the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2), where Joe Burrow has 26 total touchdowns; the Chicago Bears (7-2), bolstered by Jeffery Simmons; the Detroit Lions (6-2), with a defense allowing 15.5 points per game during a four-game win streak; the Green Bay Packers (6-3), leading the league in deep passing but last in rushing; and the Minnesota Vikings (6-2), who acquired Kirk Cousins at the trade deadline.
Pretenders are the New York Giants (5-2-1), leading the NFC East but not viewed as a true Super Bowl threat; the New England Patriots (5-4), crushed 45-27 by Green Bay; the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2), considered a feisty playoff team but not a legitimate contender; and the Carolina Panthers (3-5), atop the NFC South but a +225 underdog to win the division.
