Orr's 2026 NFL Forecast: Burrow's MVP Year, Manning Saga, and 100 Bold Predictions

As the National Football League calendar flips inside the 100-day window until the 2026 season kickoff, the annual ritual of prognostication begins in earnest. Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has laid out his comprehensive vision for the coming campaign with 100 bold predictions, ranging from championship contenders and award winners to the league's broader cultural and business trends. This detailed forecast paints a picture of a league in flux, where established stars are poised for redemption, struggling franchises face pivotal reckonings, and the spectacle of the game continues to expand globally. **The Apex: Awards and the Super Bowl Contenders** At the summit of Orr’s predictions lies a long-awaited coronation. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is projected to finally capture the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award. “This Mayan Calendar/End of Civilization approach is bound to be correct at some point,” Orr writes, acknowledging his perennial selection of Burrow since 2022. The rationale hinges on a confluence of factors: the Bengals boast the league’s fourth-easiest schedule, possess a defense capable of “complementary football,” and face only a handful of daunting road contests. Orr positions this as his final MVP forecast for Burrow, suggesting a victory would provide “a finality to our long, national nightmare.” The ultimate team prize, the Super Bowl, is forecast to head to Baltimore. Orr predicts the Ravens will defeat the Detroit Lions in Super Bowl LXI. This championship run is attributed to the “new energy and a weaponized defense” installed by first-year head coach Jesse Minter, coupled with a healthy season from quarterback Lamar Jackson, who Orr believes will play at least 15 games. The Lions, despite a challenging late-season road slate within their division, are seen as building early momentum against a softer opening schedule to position themselves for a deep playoff run. Individual accolades extend beyond the MVP. Orr anticipates a Comeback Player of the Year battle that will “yield a Johnson-Goldwater landslide” in public debate, ultimately won by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels over Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson. He forecasts Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to throw a league-leading 38 touchdowns, and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle to claim the new “Legacy Award.” On the coaching front, Ravens’ rookie head coach Jesse Minter is the pick for Coach of the Year, while Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Daronte Parker is tipped as the top assistant. **Franchise Fortunes: Rise, Fall, and Quarterback Dramas** Orr’s predictions delineate clear pathways for several franchises. The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks are highlighted as teams primed for success. The Texans, despite an offense “still in the developmental phase,” are bolstered by one of the league’s ten easiest schedules and a strong net rest differential. The Seahawks are predicted to win their division, overcoming the Los Angeles Rams, who are hamstrung by what Orr describes as “the league’s ruthless Jigsaw House of a schedule” and a significant rest disadvantage. Conversely, the outlook is bleak for the Arizona Cardinals. Orr states it is “immensely difficult to imagine the Cardinals not having the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft,” citing a lack of quarterback clarity, a “beyond horrific” schedule, and a first-year head coach in Mike LaFleur. This scenario sets the stage for the draft’s premier drama: the potential selection of quarterback Arch Manning. Orr notes the “renewed interest in this saga” following Eli Manning’s recent comments on his own draft stance, implying the Manning family’s historical aversion to certain organizations could become a major storyline. Quarterback narratives abound beyond the draft. In Washington, Jayden Daniels is expected to flourish under new coordinator David Blough, “hunting for more explosive plays.” In Cleveland, Deshaun Watson is forecast to cement the starting job under offensive-minded head coach Todd Monken, representing a major reversal of fortune. The New York Giants’ J.J. McCarthy will face pressure to stay in the pocket but is predicted to remain a creative rushing threat, while the New England Patriots are tipped for a significant regression following their Cinderella 2025 Super Bowl run. **League-Wide Trends and Cultural Forecasts** Orr’s vision for 2026 extends beyond the gridiron, touching on the NFL’s evolving business and cultural footprint. The league’ continued international expansion is a focal point, with Orr predicting the NFL will book a massively popular South Korean boy band—hinting at BTS—for the Super Bowl LXI halftime show in Los Angeles, as a “precursor to the league’s push for an international game in Asia.” Should that fall through, he anticipates a “naked nostalgia grab” featuring acts like Blink-182 and Weezer. The financial and structural pressures on the league are also scrutinized. Orr warns of an impending “war on international games” as home games become scarcer and more expensive for domestic fans. He also predicts a quiet head coaching cycle after the 2026 season, with teams opting for stability following a year of “massive upheaval” that revealed a thin talent pipeline. Furthermore, the influence of private equity ownership is expected to grow, with cost-cutting measures pioneered by owners like Tom Dundon of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes potentially creeping into NFL front offices. On the field, strategic shifts are anticipated. Orr forecasts a “harder lean into three-running-back sets” or modernized wing-T formations as teams lacking elite passing games seek schematic edges. He also highlights the continued value of veteran defenders, predicting safety Kevin Byard will lead the league in interceptions upon reuniting with coach Mike Vrabel in New England. **Notable Player Projections and Closing Thoughts** The predictions are rife with specific player forecasts. Orr expects a breakout for Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in his second year, while Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd is tipped to become an All-Pro. He projects a sack title duel between Denver’s Baron Browning and Houston’s Danielle Hunter, and believes 49ers edge rusher Joey Bosa will end his retirement to join his brother Nick in San Francisco. The article closes on a characteristically personal note from Orr, dedicating his final prediction to the “Greater Newark Holiday Fund” and expressing his gratitude to readers. The collection of 100 forecasts, blending analytical insight with wry cultural commentary, serves as both a roadmap and a provocation for the coming season, embodying the passionate speculation that fuels the NFL’s endless offseason narrative. *Conor Orr is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, where he covers the NFL and cohosts the MMQB Podcast.*