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Could the Lions and Saints go worst to first in 2026?

Yahoo Sports fantasy analyst Matt Harmon and NFL analyst Nate Tice identify the New Orleans Saints as the definitive answer for the team most likely to leap from last in their division to a playoff spot, while also making a case for the Detroit Lions in the loaded NFC North. Check out the full conversation on “Football 301” - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Video Transcript

Well I think the, yeah, the ob- the obvious answer finishing last in their division would be the Lions theoretically finished last in the NFC North, and they, even though that's a really- They did that's a really difficult division.

Obviously, lotta good players.

I mean, like, excuse me, a lotta good teams in the NFC South.

Excuse me, I just spoiled then the, the answer that I think is, our, our other one.

it would be the Lions would be the NFC- We'll get there.

We'll get there yeah.

We're professional podcasters.

We'll get there.

Right, totally, we're good at this.

I did say I was rusty.

I warned everybody at the top.

but no, in the NFC North, you know, there's a lotta good teams, but the Lions still could- Mm-hmm be a very good team and, and win that division.

Mm-hmm.

But yes, I th- I'm guessing that your obvious answer was the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South- Yeah which I, I just spoiled there.

Yeah.

Yeah, I think that's the easiest answer.

I think they're everyone's favorite, but it's one of those where it's like, you know, I have a little hipster in me, and I'm, like, always trying to go, like, "Oh, well you say this, but I think this."

And it's like, no, no, I get the Saints.

Like, I, I get the hype.

They built the whole line.

They added, added auxiliary receivers.

You know, Etienne's not my favorite, but I actually like it for that back field, 'cause I like Devin Neal too to pair with him, and whoever's going with Kamara.

The defense was kinda underrated last year.

Yeah.

I think their defense was, like, 11th in weighted DVOA at the end of the year, and so again, they're playing a weak division.

I think the Bucs are getting slept on a little bit, but I do think that the, the Saints are, like, probably the definitive answer here.

And then if we expand it to losing record and can make a playoff run, is there any others that capture your attention?

I, I, the Lions is a good technically true answer as well.