The NFL’s 32 teams are divided equally into two conferences: the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC), which are further split into four divisions each — North, South, East, and West.

• The regular season will run through January 10th, with teams playing 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks (each squad has one bye week) and squaring off against each division rival twice.

• And these rivalries run deep, especially considering each division winner automatically qualifies for the 14-team postseason, along with the three next best teams in each conference.

The reason for the season is the Super Bowl, of course. And how can you not be romantic about football with Super Bowl LXI (aka 61) slated for Sunday, February 14th? The big game will be hosted at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, home of both the LA Rams and Chargers.

• No, the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday isn’t a universal holiday just yet, so consider this your sign to ask for February 15th off work. Our way-too-early Valentine’s Day gift to you.

With the groundwork laid, it’s time to spill this year’s gridiron tea. Here are the major storylines we’re keeping an eye on.

🐏 Are the Rams in a league of their own?: It sure feels like it. Last year’s NFC finalists only got better this offseason, trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Myles Garrett, convincing three-time DPOY Aaron Donald to come out of retirement (though he isn’t making the trek Down Under), and returning 10 of 11 starters from their 2025 top-ranked offense.

• From reigning MVP quarterback (QB) Matthew Stafford to that star-powered defense, this is one of the most talented rosters in NFL history. No wonder they’re garnering Super Bowl–sized hype.

✈️ The movers and shakers: The defending AFC champion New England Patriots inked All-Pro wide receiver (WR) A.J. Brown, the perfect pairing for QB Drake Maye’s slingshot arm, while signal caller Kyler Murray’s childhood dream became reality — he’s now QB1 for the Minnesota Vikings.

• As for the coaching carousel, the Baltimore Ravens have a new head coach (HC) in Jesse Minter after 18 years under John Harbaugh (who now helms the NY Giants). Elsewhere, former Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is now coordinating the Chargers’ offense.

🤔 “This is it” for Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers: Or so he says. The 42-year-old’s capping off his career with a full circle moment after the Steel City hired Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers HC Mike McCarthy.

❤️‍🩹 Injury updates: Superstar Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is back under center after tearing his ACL in Week 15 last season. It was the first major surgery of the 30-year-old’s illustrious career — time to turn that setback into a comeback.

• The San Francisco 49ers’ substation injury plotline might have been debunked, but they still have a pair of powerhouses on the injured reserve: tight end (TE) George Kittle and defensive lineman Nick Bosa.

🐣 The rookie class: The Las Vegas Raiders took Indiana sensation Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. And while the networking maestro will start the season at QB2, he’s taken some first-team snaps and seems to be coming for veteran Kirk Cousins’ starting job.

1. LA Rams 🐏

The best team in football on paper. Full stop.

2. Seattle Seahawks 💚

The defending champs look ready to run it back.

3. Denver Broncos 🧡

A top-three defense and a new deep threat for QB Bo Nix? Scary times at Mile High.

4. Buffalo Bills 🦬

QB Josh Allen’s been knocking on the Super Bowl’s door…it just might open this season.

5. Houston Texans ❤️

This juggernaut defense is the stuff of QB nightmares. 

🐯 Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: This year’s Bengals roster is a lot like Burrow’s historic 2019 LSU team, including the elite chemistry with partner-in-touchdowns WR Ja'Marr Chase. Time to retire that emotional support water bottle for good.

• Other QBs to watch: Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Justin Herbert (LA Chargers)

🔴 Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons: In this football economy, teams need RBs who do it all. Enter: all-purpose king Robinson. The 24-year-old’s 2025 résumé included 1,478 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards. Expect him to put a little mustard on it, and pick up right where he left off.

• Other RBs to watch: Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins)

💚 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks: Arguably the best WR in football, JSN is also the NFL’s highest paid receiver, and he’s earned every penny — just ask his league-leading 1,793 yards last season. If you looked up dynamic in the dictionary, Smith-Njigba would be looking back.

• Other WRs to watch: Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jaylen Waddle (Denver Broncos), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions)

☠️ Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: The 23-year-old has been the Raiders’’ go-to guy, putting up impressive numbers despite their revolving door of QBs. What happened in Vegas last season gave the franchise its cornerstone QB — and no one will benefit more than Bowers.

• Other TEs to watch: Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals), Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears), Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts)