Last season was marked as the NFL's "most unusual" in decades, according to veteran analyst Cris Collinsworth. The Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty faced challenges, while joint Super Bowl favorites Baltimore, Buffalo, and Philadelphia stumbled. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears transformed from bottom-tier teams to Super Bowl contenders, with the Patriots reaching the big game only to be overpowered by the Seattle Seahawks. Sam Darnold, the Seahawks' quarterback, crafted a redemption story by leading his team to its first NFL championship in 12 years.

As the 2026 season kicks off, here are five key elements to watch:

• The Los Angeles Rams had thrilling encounters with divisional rivals Seattle, with the Seahawks winning the latter to secure the NFC Conference before claiming Super Bowl 60. This season's Super Bowl will take place at LA's SoFi Stadium, where the Rams previously triumphed in Super Bowl 56.

• The Rams executed what some describe as the greatest off-season in NFL history, acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive star Myles Garrett, who recorded a record 23 sacks last season. This positions the Rams as Super Bowl favorites, boasting both the reigning MVP Matt Stafford and the defensive player of the year Garrett.

• Aaron Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, has come out of retirement to join the Rams' formidable defense, featuring two of the era's top pass rushers.

• The Kansas City Chiefs faced a challenging year, with coach Andy Reid missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years and quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffering a significant injury. However, tight end Travis Kelce committed to another year, and the Chiefs signed running back Kenneth Walker, who recently became the Super Bowl MVP.

• For the first time, Mahomes has an elite running back to support him, while Kelce, following his marriage to Taylor Swift, aims to help the Chiefs rebound in what could be his final season.

• The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are set for fresh starts with new head coaches, hoping that Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson can finally lead their teams to the Super Bowl. This season may be pivotal for both quarterbacks as they strive for championship glory.