CBS Sports has released a projection identifying the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington Commanders as potential last-place finishers in their respective divisions for the 2026 NFL season.
The AFC East Outlook
While the focus on the West Coast and East Coast teams dominates the conversation, the league’s other divisional battles are also being scrutinized. CBS Sports projects the Miami Dolphins to finish last in the AFC East for the 2026 season.
Raiders: A Tale of Two Narratives
The Las Vegas Raiders present a complex picture where traditional scouting reports clash with betting market data. SI.com notes that oddsmakers have set the team’s win total at just 5.5 for the upcoming season, suggesting a difficult path ahead.
Despite this low projection, sources indicate the Raiders are expected to improve their win total in 2026 following offseason acquisitions. This suggests management believes roster moves can bridge the gap between current expectations and future performance.
The Quarterback Situation
Central to the Raiders’ projected struggles is their quarterback hierarchy. Kirk Cousins is expected to hold down the starting position for Las Vegas until Fernando Mendoza is ready to take over.
Fernando Mendoza is viewed as the quarterback of the future for the franchise in 2026, with his development timeline dictating the team’s offensive ceiling for the season.
Commanders and Browns on the Bubble
The Washington Commanders join the Browns on CBS Sports’ list of potential duds. Both teams face a challenging landscape in their divisions as they attempt to navigate the 2026 schedule.
For Cleveland, the immediate question is whether the organization can reverse its fortunes or if the projected slump reflects deeper structural issues within the roster and coaching staff.
What Remains Unresolved
It is important to remember that these specific divisional standings are projections, not confirmed outcomes. Betting lines and preseason scouting reports provide a baseline, but they do not guarantee final results.
The Raiders’ ability to improve despite a 5.5 win total projection will likely depend on how quickly Mendoza can integrate into the offense behind Cousins. Similarly, the Browns and Commanders must execute better than their projected trajectories suggest to avoid finishing at the bottom of their divisions.