ESPN's 2026 NFL Football Power Index: Preseason rankings, playoff projections, and Super Bowl odds
By
Seth Walder
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) has released its initial preseason ratings and projections for the 2026 NFL season. The simulations provide team rankings (1-32), playoff chances, potential draft order, and Super Bowl odds. Despite the Seahawks and Patriots being the most recent Super Bowl participants (Super Bowl LX), they are not projected as the top two teams entering the 2026 season. The article by analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down the FPI projections, offering data-driven insights into which teams are favored, playoff probabilities, and how the league stacks up heading into the new season.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledThe Seahawks and Patriots played in Super Bowl LX nearly four months ago, but they aren't seen as the two best teams entering the 2026 NFL season.
That's the take from ESPN's Football Power Index, which launched its initial preseason ratings, rankings a
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