NFL Super Bowl graphic: Did league predict Cowboys to play in the big game?

The NFL found itself in a curious situation back in January, when some internet sleuths realized the league actually predicted last season's Super Bowl matchup.

It all stems from a graphic the league posted on social media last September. In that graphic, one player from each team was staring at the Lombardi Trophy. The two players closest to the trophy — and in the center of the graphic — were Drake Maye and Sam Darnold … the two quarterbacks who eventually met in the Super Bowl.

That discovery set the conspiracy theorists off. Did the NFL know the eventual Super Bowl matchup beforehand? Did the league orchestrate those two teams playing in the big game?

Well, the league is at it again in 2026. And if the league suddenly does have predictive power, it certainly seems like the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars will square off in the Super Bowl this season.

If you look closely at that graphic, it's clear that Jagaurs quarterback Trevor Lawrence is front and center, closest to the Lombardi Trophy. On his left, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott appears to also be in the front row.

So, the NFL spoiled it, right? That's this season's Super Bowl matchup and there's no reason to play the games out?

If you believe that, we have a bridge to sell you.

But also … the league managed to throw a third team into the mix. If you look to Lawrence's right, it certainly looks like Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II is also in the front row. Does that mean the league is predicting the first-ever three-team Super Bowl?If you think about the whole thing long enough, it all becomes very silly. The NFL ran into a happy coincidence last season and now people are going to make way too much of that same graphic a year later.

What is interesting, however, is that the NFL was almost certainly aware of the attention last year's graphic received. Knowing that, the league decided to put out the exact same image this season, but made sure the Cowboys were part of the conversation.

That's not a bad marketing strategy, as putting the Cowboys anywhere near the Super Bowl is sure to elicit a wide range of opinions from fans and the brain geniuses who make a living off spewing hot takes for attention.