Separated at Birth: Pairing every AFC Team with its NFC twin
By Paul Gould
Every NFL fan likes to think that their team is peerless and beyond comparison with any other in the league. But whether good, bad or indifferent, there are similarities to be drawn. Here, I’ve made a clumsy and unscientific attempt at uniting every AFC team with its NFC twin based on their current situations:
Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys
The Bengals and the Cowboys boasted high octane offenses that were undermined by porous defences in 2026. For Cincinnati, the sight of Joe Burrow in civvies on the sideline was depressingly familiar, but the offense was still potent enough with Chase and Higgins catching passes from the evergreen Joe Flacco. In CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys arguably possess the next best receiving duo in the NFL. Often tipped for great seasons, the Bengals and Cowboys frequently fail to live up to their billing. Will 2026 be any different?
Bills and Lions – The Bills and Lions are longstanding lovable underdogs still searching for their first ever title. Both have great running games, spearheaded by James Cook and Jahmyr Gibbs respectively, and offences capable of exploding at the drop of a hat. It feels like these teams are facing huge pressure to make it to the Super Bowl this season, amid mutterings that their windows to lift the Lombardi are closing. For many romantic neutrals, the two meeting in the Super Bowl would be a dream match-up.
Patriots and Bears – This pair went from worst to first in 2025 under new coaches and ended up as surprising No. 2 seeds. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye were taken first and third overall respectively in the 2024 Draft and have already shown that they are capable of being elite QBs for years to come. This year, however, they will no longer be playing with house money, and the naysayers stand ready to say ‘told you so’ if either team fails to make the grade.
Texans and Panthers – Bryce Young and CJ Stroud were drafted first and second overall in 2023 but have been on different trajectories since then. Stroud was a revelation as a rookie but has struggled since, while Young has recovered from a shaky start to his NFL career to become a steady player and emerging leader. Both face a crucial third year which could be pivotal in determining their respective futures.
Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Colts and Buccaneers – Victims of spectacular slumps in the second half of the season, this pair’s shared fate transformed them from playoff contenders to also-rans. Another similarity drawing them together is the amount of heat facing the two head coaches concerned going into 2026. Shane Steichen and Todd Bowles may be looking for pastures new if they oversee slow starts.
Steelers and Packers – These storied franchises have ten Super Bowl wins between them (Steelers: 6, Packers: 4) but have been unable to make playoff headway in recent years. Since 2020, the Steelers have had five wildcard defeats and a no-show. In the same period, the Packers have two wildcard defeats, two in the divisional round, one in the Conference title game and a no show.
Chargers and Giants – Although not twins, the respective head coaches are brothers, each with a great track record and distinct approach. Jim Harbaugh may be nearer to achieving his goals with the Chargers, entering the third year of his project in LA. Meanwhile, John’s journey is just beginning in New York following his move from Baltimore. Big cities, big personalities, and an exciting season ahead for the Harbaughs.
Chiefs and Eagles – The Chiefs and Eagles have been joined at the hip in recent years. They competed against each other in back-to-back Super Bowls, with a win apiece. However, both struggled in 2025, especially Kansas City. Each team possesses a strong defense with excellent coordinators leading them.
Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals
These desert dwellers were also basement dwellers in tough West Divisions in 2025, each recording dismal 3-14 records. Strangely, each possesses an elite tight end (Bowers and McBride) and promising young running backs (Jeanty and Love). And they also have Gardner Minshew in common!
Broncos and Seahawks – Stellar defensive play is the common denominator here. Last season, they ended up 2nd and 1st respectively in their conferences for points allowed. Both were the eventual No. 1 seeds, and this was a whisker away from being the Super Bowl match-up.
Dolphins and Falcons – This pairing comes down to one player – Tua Tagovailoa. The situation that he’s left behind in Miami and the one he enters in Atlanta are shrouded in uncertainty and neither is what the respective teams would wish for. In both cases, a new head coach will be picking up the pieces.
Titans and Commanders – Their two young quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Jayden Daniels, featured in the most recent season of the Netflix hit Quarterback. Off the field, both receive the strong guidance of their mothers but, on the field, they need improvement from the supporting casts around them to continue their progress. Ward and Daniels could be stars of the next decade if that help arrives.
Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams
Bear with me on this one. The two teams couldn’t be further apart in terms of their quality or expectations for 2026. But, like the Miami and Atlanta pairing, it’s hard to ignore the trade that took place between them this summer. In 2025, Myles Garrett broke the NFL sack record on a 5-12 team. This year, he could be the final piece in the Super Bowl jigsaw for the Rams.
Jaguars and Saints – I’m twining these two cities based on their excellent young head coaches, Liam Coen and Kellen Moore, both of whom are entering their second year in the top job. Coen had an immediate impact in ‘Duuuvaaal’ last season, guiding the Jaguars to their first division title since 2022 and getting the best out of Trevor Lawrence. Over in New Orleans, Moore’s influence was not so noticeable in terms of the team’s final record, but he has quietly developed the roster and the individuals on it. He’s instilled a positive culture and there’s renewed optimism around the Saints going into 2026.
Ravens and Vikings – This twinning goes beyond the obvious fact that they both wear purple. It’s about their capability to bounce back following disappointing seasons. The Ravens and Vikings made the playoffs in 2024/25 but failed to make it back last season. In both cases, a decline in offensive output was a key factor in their regression. Some of that was inevitably down to injuries but the under-performance of these units cannot be overlooked.
Jets and 49ers – The legacy of Robert Saleh, who ranks among the great defensive minds operating in the league, unites the Jets and 49ers. Despite the Jets’ struggles under Saleh, he did develop a stout defense, a unit which then regressed badly following his departure. Returning to San Francisco as defensive coordinator, Saleh immediately imposed his style on that side of the ball and received credit for keeping the defense afloat amid a slew of injuries.
PAUL GOULD
NFL ANALYST
A freelance writer and editor based in Cambridgeshire, Paul has avidly followed the NFL since the late 1980’s and spends much of his spare time wondering if he’ll ever see the Raiders play in a Super Bowl again.