When was this published?

This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by Waco Tribune-Herald and curated for The Waco readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Nate Davis, USA Today at Waco Tribune-Herald.

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See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

First to worst in the NFL happens routinely. Ranking 2025 division winners by peril

Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Nate Davis, USA Today, Waco Tribune-Herald · July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

Summer − it's a time of optimism for most NFL fans. Nearly half of the league's teams are striving to build on playoff runs from the previous season.

Why this matters in The Waco

For Waco football fans, the summer optimism is particularly palpable, as many locals eagerly anticipate the upcoming NFL season. With several Texas teams in the league, area residents often find themselves drawn into the broader conversation about division winners and playoff contenders. As the Waco Tribune-Herald notes, nearly half of the league's teams are looking to build on previous season playoff runs, a fact that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, both of whom have a significant following in McLennan County. The prospect of a successful season for either of these teams could have a tangible impact on local sports bars and restaurants, which often see an uptick in business during football season. As the preseason gets underway, Waco fans will be watching closely to see if their favorite teams can make a deep playoff push.

About this story

Original reporting by Waco Tribune-Herald. The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit Waco Tribune-Herald. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 21, 2026 · Source: Waco Tribune-Herald · Reading time: 1 min

Summary created by	The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Nate Davis, USA Today, Waco Tribune-Herald
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 21, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 21, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

First to worst in the NFL happens routinely. Ranking 2025 division winners by peril

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