Anderson is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year who clearly has his supporters among the voting panel. The Texans’ edge rusher had 11 regular-season sacks last season and looks poised to take another leap.

The Lions came within a whisker of reaching the big dance two years ago, falling to the Eagles in a thrilling NFC Championship. And they posted a league-best 15-2 regular-season record in 2024 before injuries finally took their toll in the postseason. But with continuity on both sides of the ball and a maturing core, Detroit look ready to take the final step.

Cincinnati’s defence quietly ranked top 10 in red zone efficiency last season and has added speed at linebacker and depth in the secondary. If Joe Burrow stays upright, the Bengals have the firepower to outgun anyone in the AFC.

The Bears have built around Caleb Williams by bolstering the offensive line in free agency and giving the young QB a couple of potential breakout receiving weapons via the draft. They have a new head coach in ex-Lions offensive wizard Ben Johnson and their defence, led by Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson, should be much improved. In a wide-open NFC North, Chicago could sneak into the postseason.

Philly open their title defence at home, and they’ve battered Dallas in two straight meetings. The Eagles’ pass rush should feast on a shaky Cowboys line, and even with Dak Prescott back, it’s hard to see Dallas keeping pace. Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts should control the clock and the scoreboard.

Philly open their title defence at home, and they’ve battered Dallas in two straight meetings. The Eagles’ pass rush should feast on a shaky Cowboys line, and even with Dak Prescott back, it’s hard to see Dallas keeping pace. Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts should control the clock and the scoreboard.

The Chiefs begin their quest to regain the Lombardi Trophy in Brazil. The travel quirks, together with early-season rust and concerns over another slippery surface at Corinthians Arena could combine to keep scoring down. Patrick Mahomes is fit and firing, but two of his leading wide receiver targets are out. Missing star offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, the Chargers’ line will have to step up or Justin Herbert could be spending most of the game running for his life or flat on his back. KC’s defence was elite last year and should be enough to edge a low-scoring affair.

The Bengals have locked in leading wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the long term and they should be able to get enough separation for Burrow to pick apart Cleveland’s secondary. The Browns were bottom five in red zone scoring and third-down conversions, and they’ve got a QB battle still unresolved so Cincy should win this comfortably.

Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife — but this time in black and gold. The Steelers’ new-look secondary featuring Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay is built to feast on aggressive QBs, and Justin Fields may be walking into a trap in his Jets debut.

Fields has weapons in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, but Pittsburgh’s pass rush led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward will force quick decisions. Expect heavy tight end usage from the Steelers to control tempo and give Rodgers clean looks underneath.

This one has all the makings of a gritty, low-scoring slugfest — and Mike Tomlin’s crew knows how to win ugly.

Green Bay have become a popular pick to win the NFC after adding Micah Parsons to a defence that was already trending in the right direction. And they could begin with a bang against the Lions, who are bedding in a couple of new co-ordinators on either side of the ball again.

Jordan Love appears to have overcome offseason hand surgery well enough to lead the Packers offense and Lambeau’s crowd will be rocking.

Two top-10 picks go head-to-head under the lights as J.J. McCarthy makes his NFL debut for Minnesota, while Caleb Williams begins his second season with a revamped Bears offense. Soldier Field has long been a house of horrors for the Vikings, but they swept Chicago last year — including a wild OT win after blowing an 11-point lead in the final 22 seconds

Both QBs will be put under pressure with Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defence a potential difference-maker, especially if Williams struggles to adjust to Brian Flores’ disguised coverages.

The Lions came within a whisker of reaching the big dance two years ago, falling to the Eagles in a thrilling NFC Championship. And they posted a league-best 15-2 regular-season record in 2024 before injuries finally took their toll in the postseason. But with continuity on both sides of the ball and a maturing core, Detroit look ready to take the final step.

The Chiefs begin their quest to regain the Lombardi Trophy in Brazil. The travel quirks, together with early-season rust and concerns over another slippery surface at Corinthians Arena could combine to keep scoring down. Patrick Mahomes is fit and firing, but two of his leading wide receiver targets are out. Missing star offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, the Chargers’ line will have to step up or Justin Herbert could be spending most of the game running for his life or flat on his back. KC’s defence was elite last year and should be enough to edge a low-scoring affair.

The Bengals have locked in leading wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the long term and they should be able to get enough separation for Burrow to pick apart Cleveland’s secondary. The Browns were bottom five in red zone scoring and third-down conversions, and they’ve got a QB battle still unresolved so Cincy should win this comfortably.

Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife — but this time in black and gold. The Steelers’ new-look secondary featuring Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay is built to feast on aggressive QBs, and Justin Fields may be walking into a trap in his Jets debut.

Fields has weapons in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, but Pittsburgh’s pass rush led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward will force quick decisions. Expect heavy tight end usage from the Steelers to control tempo and give Rodgers clean looks underneath.

This one has all the makings of a gritty, low-scoring slugfest — and Mike Tomlin’s crew knows how to win ugly.

Green Bay have become a popular pick to win the NFC after adding Micah Parsons to a defence that was already trending in the right direction. And they could begin with a bang against the Lions, who are bedding in a couple of new co-ordinators on either side of the ball again.

Jordan Love appears to have overcome offseason hand surgery well enough to lead the Packers offense and Lambeau’s crowd will be rocking.

Two top-10 picks go head-to-head under the lights as J.J. McCarthy makes his NFL debut for Minnesota, while Caleb Williams begins his second season with a revamped Bears offense. Soldier Field has long been a house of horrors for the Vikings, but they swept Chicago last year — including a wild OT win after blowing an 11-point lead in the final 22 seconds

Both QBs will be put under pressure with Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defence a potential difference-maker, especially if Williams struggles to adjust to Brian Flores’ disguised coverages.