Nine weeks of the NFL regular season are complete, establishing the Chicago Bears at 7-2 as the primary Super Bowl favorite entering the second half of the 2026 campaign, SPORT BILD reported.
Chicago holds the top spot despite quarterback Caleb Williams throwing four interceptions during a recent victory against Tampa Bay. The Bears maintain a dynamic offense highlighted by a statement win over the champion Seattle Seahawks, alongside the league’s top third-down defense. Front office moves added defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to shore up the defensive line.
The San Francisco 49ers sit second at 7-1, remaining undefeated against teams holding a winning record. Quarterback Brock Purdy directs an offense featuring incoming receiver Keenan Allen and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner via trades with the Indianapolis Colts, while superstar Nick Bosa returned to the defensive lineup on Sunday.
The Jaguars added defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, interior lineman Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles, and safety Jessie Bates.
The Buffalo Bills stand fourth at 7-1, anchored by MVP candidate Josh Allen at quarterback. Buffalo traded for Titans safety Amani Hooker to address a secondary vulnerability ahead of a demanding schedule featuring matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos.
Rounding out the top tier, the Denver Broncos hold a 7-2 record through disciplined defense and steady play from quarterback Bo Nix. The Cincinnati Bengals reached 6-2 on a four-game winning streak following a victory in Madrid, relying heavily on the offensive output of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
| Team | Record | Key Addition |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 7-2 | Jeffery Simmons |
| San Francisco 49ers | 7-1 | Keenan Allen, DeForest Buckner |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-2 | Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates |
| Buffalo Bills | 7-1 | Amani Hooker |
The Green Bay Packers climbed to 6-3 after winning five of their last six games, aided by Jordan Love's performance and the expected return of Micah Parsons. The Detroit Lions sit at 6-2, leaning heavily on running back Jahmyr Gibbs ahead of Sunday’s matchup in Munich.
The Kansas City Chiefs hold a 6-2 record dependent on running back Kenneth Walker, adding wide receiver Josh Downs before facing a difficult stretch of games. The Seattle Seahawks dropped to 5-4 as injuries and an inconsistent ground game forced the team to use quarterback Drew Lock temporarily.
Minnesota Vikings supporters welcomed back franchise veteran Kirk Cousins to stabilize an offense complementing a strong defense, while the Los Angeles Rams dropped out of the top ten following injuries to Puka Nacua and erratic play from Matthew Stafford.
