NFC East - Division Preview

Our second division preview takes us to the NFC East, the only division that is home to three teams that have won a title in their time with the National Fantasy League. The Stonebrook Stompers are the only team to have won a division in the past, and the Oak Park Trash Pandas have an AFC conference title to their name - but none of the three have won the NFC before.

Oak Park Trash Pandas -

The Trash Pandas have been one of the most succesful teams of the past few years. Though they fell in the first round of the playoffs in 2025, 2024 and 2023 were consecutive Fantasy Bowl appearances, with a win in the Final in 2024. Oak Park features one of the best keeper classes in the league heading into 2026 with Ja'Marr Chase and Christian McCaffrey being bolstered by a recent blockbuster trade to acquire Kyren Williams and Justin Jefferson. Oak Park opens the season against the Grizzlies, Gryphons, and Huskies.

Projected Division Finish - 1st

Projected NFL Kickoff Result - 3W - 0L (1st)

Oakland Panthers -

The defending champions open the season the first week of September against the Coins, and will try to do something that no team has done before, win back-to-back championships. The Panthers will return a top keeper class in the league with Ceedee Lamb and noted racist Puka Nacua out wide, and possibly Omarion Hampton and Travis Etienne in the backfield. The Panthers are short on picks, including a first round absence, but have made some moves to add to their draft bounty. The Panthers open the season against the Coins, Kraken, and Victinis.

Projected Division Finish - 2nd

Projected NFL Kickoff Results - 3W - 0L (1st)

Stonebrook Stompers -

The only team that has won a division title, winning the NFC West in 2021, and another former champion, winning in 2022, the Stompers will be looking to continue their back to the top in 2026. Missing the playoffs in 2024, the Stompers were able to get back into the dance last season. Stonebrook will have some work to do in the draft with their keeper class not on the same level as their division mates. Josh Jacobs, David Montgomery, and Davante Adams will be likely to return in 2026. The Stompers open the season

Projected Division Finish - 3rd

Projected NFL Kickoff Result - 0W - 3L (4th)

FINAL THOUGHTS -

Football games, even fantasy ones, are not played on paper. But if you look at Sleeper right now it would be fair to say that the NFC East is currently a toss up between the Panthers and Trash Pandas. Both teams have title aspirations and should be able to get off to a good start in 2026. Either team winning would be a good story, the Pandas are hoping for their third Fantasy Bowl appearance in four years, and second title in three years, the best stretch so far. Or the Panthers could be the first defending champion to make it back to the championship in 5 years, and maybe the first franchise to successfully defend their title. But that's on paper.