The 2026 NFL season could be tightly contested, with FOX analyst Mark Schlereth predicting no clear top team. He expects only one team to win more than 13 games and pointed to the Buffalo Bills over the Chiefs as the contender.

Speaking on The Stinkin Truth Podcast, Schlereth said most teams are likely to finish around 10 to 11 wins, making it difficult for any side to pull away with a strong record. He also mentioned that the Buffalo Bills could be a strong contender in this scenario.

“Will we have a 13 or 14-win team this season in the NFL? I personally don’t think we will,” Mark Schlereth said on the podcast. "I think there’s going to be a whole bunch of 10 and 11-win teams this year. In both conferences, I think Buffalo’s got a chance.”

The podcast discussion came during a time when Schlereth was asked about the chances of any team finishing the 2026 NFL season with 13 or 14 wins. 

Josh Allen has played a big role in the Bills’ recent success, delivering multiple seasons with 25-plus touchdowns and helping the team win 11 or more games in several years. 

The last time he had a poorer record was in 2019, that too with a 10-6 record in 16 games.

Patrick Mahomes has also stayed among the NFL’s best, with several 30-plus touchdown seasons and 4,000+ yard passing campaigns.

Last year was only the second time in his nine-year career that his QB record dipped below 10 wins (6-8 record) for the Chiefs.

Now, though, Mahomes is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered back in December, while Allen is ready to go under new head coach Joe Brady.

That confidence around Buffalo’s future was further backed by former Bills center Mitch Morse, who believes Josh Allen can bring a championship. 

Morse Adds to Buffalo’s Growing Super Bowl Belief 

A former Buffalo Bills Pro Bowler believes the team is very close to winning a Super Bowl. He feels Josh Allen is in a strong position to win a championship before Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs make their next big run. 

“He’s going to win more Super Bowls,” former Bills center Mitch Morse said on the NFL Network on June 18. “But I feel it’s Josh Allen’s time.” 

Morse also spoke about the changes in Buffalo this offseason, including a new head coach.

Even with that, he said Allen is still expected to play at a high level and lead the team to the same standard. 

Mahomes has multiple Super Bowls, while Allen is still looking for his and the franchise's first.

What do you think? Can Josh Allen finally bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo before the Chiefs return to the top? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote