NFL Standings 2026: Powerful AFC & NFC Rankings to Watch

On: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 1:04 PM
NFL Standings 2026: Powerful AFC & NFC Rankings to Watch

The 2026 NFL season is finally here, and fans are getting ready for NFL Standings 2026 the first week of regular-season football.

As of September 8, 2026, no regular-season games have been played yet, meaning every NFL team officially enters Week 1 with a 0-0-0 record.

The regular season begins Wednesday, September 9, with a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Seattle will begin its Super Bowl title defense at home.

2026 NFL Standings Before Week 1

AFC Standings

AFC EastWLT
Buffalo Bills000
Miami Dolphins000
New England Patriots000
New York Jets000
AFC NorthWLT
Baltimore Ravens000
Cincinnati Bengals000
Cleveland Browns000
Pittsburgh Steelers000
AFC SouthWLT
Houston Texans000
Indianapolis Colts000
Jacksonville Jaguars000
Tennessee Titans000
AFC WestWLT
Denver Broncos000
Kansas City Chiefs000
Las Vegas Raiders000
Los Angeles Chargers000

NFC Standings

NFC EastWLT
Dallas Cowboys000
New York Giants000
Philadelphia Eagles000
Washington Commanders000
NFC NorthWLT
Chicago Bears000
Detroit Lions000
Green Bay Packers000
Minnesota Vikings000
NFC SouthWLT
Atlanta Falcons000
Carolina Panthers000
New Orleans Saints000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers000
NFC WestWLT
Arizona Cardinals000
Los Angeles Rams000
San Francisco 49ers000
Seattle Seahawks000

Why Are All NFL Teams 0-0 Before Week 1?

The 2026 NFL regular season has not officially started yet. The first game is scheduled for September 9, so there are currently no regular-season wins, losses or ties to separate teams in the standings.

This means the AFC and NFC divisions begin the season completely level at 0-0-0.

The preseason does not determine the regular-season standings. Teams must earn their records during the 17-game regular season.

Seahawks Begin Super Bowl Defense

The Seattle Seahawks have one of the biggest storylines heading into Week 1.

Seattle will host the New England Patriots on September 9 in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks are attempting to begin their Super Bowl title defense with a win in front of their home fans.

The game is particularly interesting because it gives fans an immediate rematch between the teams that played for the Lombardi Trophy only months earlier.

Looking back at NFL history can also help put the current standings into perspective. From historic dynasties to recent champions, you can explore our Super Bowl Winners List to see every Super Bowl champion from 1967 through 2026, including the latest championship won by the Seattle Seahawks. Super Bowl Winners List

49ers vs Rams Could Shake Up NFC West

The NFC West also gets an early spotlight when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Los Angeles Rams on September 10.

The division could become one of the most competitive groups in the NFL, with the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers all entering the season with serious playoff expectations.

The 49ers-Rams matchup will also be played in Melbourne, Australia, making it one of the most unusual games on the opening-week schedule.

Biggest Week 1 Games to Watch

Several matchups could immediately create separation in the 2026 NFL standings.

Patriots vs Seahawks

ChatGPT Image Sep 8 2026 10 32 49 PM
NFL Standings 2026: Powerful AFC & NFC Rankings to Watch 2

The defending champions begin their season against the team they defeated in the Super Bowl. A Seattle victory would give the Seahawks an early 1-0 record and strengthen their position in the NFC West.

49ers vs Rams

Two NFC West contenders meet immediately in Week 1. The result could become important later when playoff positioning and division tiebreakers are decided.

Bills vs Texans

The Buffalo Bills visit the Houston Texans in another matchup featuring teams with playoff aspirations.

Commanders vs Eagles

The NFC East rivalry continues as Washington visits Philadelphia. The Eagles enter the season as one of the teams expected to compete near the top of the division.

Cowboys vs Giants

The Cowboys and Giants close Sunday’s schedule in a primetime NFC East matchup.

Broncos vs Chiefs

Week 1 finishes with Denver visiting Kansas City on Monday Night Football. This AFC West matchup could be an important early test for both teams.

When Will the NFL Standings Change?

The standings will begin changing immediately after the first Week 1 games are completed.

A team that wins its first game will move to 1-0, while the losing team will fall to 0-1. A tie would result in a 0-0-1 record.

Because the NFL regular season lasts 18 weeks, every win can become important when teams compete for division titles, playoff spots and home-field advantage.

How NFL Standings Work

NFL standings are primarily based on:

  1. Wins
  2. Losses
  3. Ties
  4. Winning percentage
  5. Division record
  6. Conference record
  7. Points scored and points allowed
  8. Various tiebreakers

The team with the best record in each division finishes first in that division. Additional teams can qualify for the playoffs through the Wild Card system.

NFL Standings 2026 Prediction

Although every team currently has the same 0-0-0 record, the preseason expectations are already creating plenty of discussion.

The Seahawks are one of the biggest teams to watch because they are entering the season as defending Super Bowl champions. The Patriots also have an immediate opportunity to make a statement by beating Seattle in the season opener.

In the NFC, the Rams and 49ers could battle Seattle for control of the NFC West.

In the AFC, teams such as the Bills, Broncos, Texans, Ravens and Chiefs will be closely watched throughout the season.

However, predictions mean nothing once the games begin. The standings will ultimately be decided on the field.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 NFL standings currently begin with all 32 teams at 0-0-0, because the regular season has not yet started.

That will change very quickly.

The first major standings movement will come after the Seahawks host the Patriots on September 9. The following night, the 49ers and Rams will meet in Australia before the rest of Week 1 takes place.

As the season progresses, this page can be updated after every NFL week with the latest AFC standings, NFC standings, division records, winning percentages and playoff positioning.

Bookmark this page for the latest 2026 NFL standings throughout the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current NFL standings in 2026?

As of September 8, 2026, all 32 NFL teams are 0-0-0 because the 2026 regular season has not started yet.

When does the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026 regular season begins on September 9, 2026, when the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks.

Who is the defending Super Bowl champion in 2026?

The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 season as the defending Super Bowl champion.

When will NFL standings update?

The standings will update after regular-season games are completed, with teams receiving wins, losses or ties based on their results.

Where can I find the latest NFL standings?

The NFL standings can be followed throughout the 2026 season as teams compete for division titles and playoff positions.

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