π Solak: Bold predictions for this NFL season
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- Myles Garrett is predicted to record 20 sacks with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026 β a feat accomplished only 23 times in NFL history since sacks became official in 1982, and only J.J. Watt (2012, 2014) has done it more than once.
- Dak Prescott is projected to become the 10th quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, joining Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and Jameis Winston in that club.
- The Cowboys' breakneck offensive pace is cited as the fuel for Prescott's chase β Dallas led the NFL in time remaining on the play clock at the snap and in plays per game last season, producing Prescott's career-high 600 pass attempts.
- George Pickens accepting the franchise tag is described as essential to Prescott's chase; Prescott averaged 8.1 yards per pass attempt last season when both Pickens and CeeDee Lamb were healthy, versus 6.7 when one was sidelined by injury or other absence.
- The Chiefs are picked to miss the playoffs again in 2026 despite an improving roster, with Solak flagging the departures of Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie from the secondary, a thin receiver group leaning on Rashee Rice, and a stronger AFC West led by the Broncos and the Chargers under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
- To fix an anemic ground game β the 2024 and 2025 Chiefs produced two of the three least explosive RB-carry seasons this century β Kansas City signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III at a premium price that further compressed their salary-cap room.
Why it matters: The predictions rest on concrete roster and scheme realities rather than vibes: Garrett gets more obvious pass-downs behind Kobie Turner and Byron Young in L.A., Prescott's volume is already there in Dallas's tempo offense, and the Chiefs are absorbing cap hits ahead of a 2027 reset. Pickens accepting the franchise tag is the single hinge for the 5,000-yard chase.
