'Diggs signs with Dallas'? Cowboys win SB XLI? Wild 2026 predictions
· Yahoo Sports
Predicting the future has been a cottage industry for as long as we can remember. There was probably a time when clairvoyance was a common skillset, when communities at large had people who could see what was going to happen. And sure, there are likely descendants who still weild such powers, or folks who have been awoken from The Matrix and can see outside of space time, but generally they don't write about sports (though they may profit from sports betting, but that's a different story).
Anyways, a recent article appearing on SB Nation made a valiant attempt at seeing the future when it comes to the 2026 NFL season. To say that the predictions aren't to be taken seriously would be an understatement. Auther Jarrett Bailey seems to acknowledge it, with his warning, "how about one more long-form piece for everyone to get angry about?"
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With training camps spinning up around the country, it's the perfect time, mostly because every fanbase has dreams of either maintaining their status as a contender, returning to that perch, or finally escaping the doldrums. Hope springs eternal in the summer.
That's the case for the Dallas Cowboys, after missing the playoffs the last two seasons. It's really for the NFC East as a whole, with the Philadelphia Eagles looking to return to contenders after falling apart in 2025, the Washington Commanders looking to return to the playoffs after a 2024 run to the NFC Championship, and the New York Giants, who have simply sucked for a long, long time.
But some of the predictions are so laughable, they do deserve to be highlighted. Here's a run down of what we think about Bailey's future-gazing into the NFC East teams, starting with his first one, suggesting WR Stefon Diggs is on his way to Dallas. We'll judge them on a scale of Ridiculous - Laughable - Interesting - or We're On Board.
1. WR Stefon Diggs signs with Dallas Cowboys
Outside of stars CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, Dallas has zero depth at receiver. Ryan Flournoy, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Kavontae Turpin are the names behind the terrific duo - that simply won’t cut it
Judgement: Ridiculous
6. Jayden Daniels lights up the Eagles in Week 1
Jayden Daniels enters this season with a point to prove after an injury-riddled 2025 campaign, and he makes a statement in Week 1. The LSU product throws for 284 yards, three passing touchdowns, and adds 64 yards with a rushing score on the ground as Washington defeats Philadelphia 34-27.
Judgement: Interesting
8. Eagles start season 0-2
In terms of survivor pools, many pick the Eagles with such hubris, but are stunned to see that Robert Saleh’s defense does what it did to Hurts in the divisional round this past January.
Judgement: Interesting
13. Myles Garrett has massive night vs. Giants in Week 2
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year sacks Jaxson Dart three times and earns a half sack on another takedown.
Judgement: We're On Board
26. Giants finish last in NFC East again
Despite the addition of John Harbaugh, the Giants end up being the 2026 version of the Las Vegas Raiders - a team that hires a Super Bowl-winning head coach in hopes of taking a leap forward, but performs poorly.
Judgement: We're On Board
30. League leader predictions
Passing yards: No. 3 Dak Prescott: 4,298
Passing TDs: No. 3 Dak Prescott: 33
Rushing TDs: No. 5 Javonte Williams: 12
Receptions: No. 5 DeVonta Smith: 108
Receiving yards: No. 5 George Pickens: 1,375
Sacks: No. 4 Abdul Carter: 14.5
Tackles: No. 2 Sonny Styles: 175
Interceptions: No. 4 Sonny Styles: 4
Judgement: Interesting
32. Jayden Daniels wins Comeback Player of the Year
Daniels reminds everyone that he is one of the best young quarterbacks in football, throwing 26 touchdowns and adding seven on the ground to just nine interceptions as he leads Washington back to the playoffs.
Judgement: Interesting
34. Sonny Styles wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
The Ohio State product will be a top five tackler in the NFL, as well as pick off four passes to help Washington’s defense improve from finishing 28th in success rate.
Judgement: We're On Board
35. Brian Schottenheimer wins Coach of the Year
After two straight years of missing the postseason, Schottenheimer gets Dallas to 12 wins and earns the Coach of the Year award - the same award his father won in 2004.
Judgement: Interesting
45. Cowboys win NFC East
Judgement: We're On Board
48. Eagles earn No. 5 seed in NFC
I was proclaiming they’d win seven games and then blow everything up, firing Nick Sirianni and trading Jalen Hurts. I’ve swung back to a more favorable outcome for Philly, rebounding after the aforementioned 0-2 start by winning 11 games.
Judgement: Interesting
50. Commanders earn No. 7 seed in NFC
Washington bounces back after a five-win 2025 campaign and gets back into the postseason...
Judgement: Laughable
52. Cowboys vs. Rams in NFC Championship Game
The two teams exchange offensive blows, but a Caleb Downs interception with less than two minutes to play seals the 34-30 win for the Cowboys to send them to their first Super Bowl in over 30 years.
Judgement: Interesting
54. Cowboys defeat Bengals in Super Bowl LXI
Judgement: Interesting
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 'Diggs signs with Dallas'? Cowboys win SB XLI? Wild 2026 predictions