CBS Sports model projects Seahawks–Falcons Super Bowl LXI
A post-Week 1 simulation forecasts Seattle and Atlanta as the Super Bowl LXI finalists, with three NFC West teams reaching the playoffs.
CBS Sports has published a computer-simulation projection of the 2026 NFL playoff field after the opening week, forecasting the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons to meet in Super Bowl LXI.
The model projects Kansas City and Cincinnati among the AFC playoff teams, with the Chiefs favoured to win the AFC West after their 31–10 victory over Denver. The reigning AFC champion New England Patriots are projected to miss the postseason.
In the NFC, three teams from the NFC West are forecast to qualify, including Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams entered the season as Super Bowl favourites but opened with a 27–7 loss to San Francisco. Arizona also defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 26–14 in Week 1.
Atlanta is projected to win the NFC South despite losing 20–13 to Pittsburgh. CBS Sports noted that the Falcons started a third-string quarterback and missed two field goals in the defeat.
The simulation also projects Detroit to lead the NFC North, despite Chicago scoring 59 points in Week 1. CBS Sports cautioned that Seattle’s forecast depends partly on the assumption that quarterback Sam Darnold will miss only a short period after an injury described by the Seahawks as not serious.
The projections are based on a simulation conducted after one game and do not represent confirmed playoff outcomes. A longer absence for Darnold could alter Seattle’s projected path.
