Five NFL contenders with easiest paths to playoffs

As the 2026 NFL season approaches, several teams are identified as having favorable schedules that could lead them to the playoffs. An analysis highlights the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints among the teams poised for a postseason return.
The Lions find themselves in an advantageous position, having faced the sixth-worst winning percentage among opponents in the previous season. This was evident as last year's performance informs the current year's strength of schedule, although it does not entirely account for offseason changes. The Lions are viewed as a strong candidate for playoff contention, particularly with an offense that has the potential to be among the league's most dynamic.
Competing in the NFC North, the Lions will face challenges, but a significant number of their non-division opponents are teams projected to struggle. Specifically, they play ten games against teams that ranked in the bottom half of Pete Prisco's power rankings post-NFL Draft. Their notable opponents include teams such as the Saints, Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals, many of which had disappointing seasons. Additionally, Detroit benefits from consecutive matchups against weaker teams in Weeks 3-5 and Weeks 13-15, providing strategic opportunities to secure necessary wins early and late in the season.
The New Orleans Saints also present a compelling case for playoff contention following a strong finish in 2025. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is expected to leverage a better offense in his second season, especially with the addition of running back Travis Etienne. The Saints have the second-easiest schedule based on last year’s results and are positioned well within the NFC South, where no team finished with a winning record the previous year. This scenario alleviates some of the obstacles that could hinder their playoff ambitions.
Despite the Saints encountering tough back-to-back road games against the Lions and Ravens in the opening weeks, the schedule's overall trend favors them significantly as the season progresses. The combination of their improving roster and favorable scheduling makes them a formidable contender in the quest for playoff success.
As the season nears, fans will watch the Lions and Saints closely to see if they can capitalize on these advantageous conditions to secure their postseason spots.