Photo Credit: Fox Sports
0
0
The 2026 NFL season brings another wide-open playoff race. Several teams enter September with legitimate Super Bowl expectations. However, only 14 teams can reach the postseason. The current betting market gives us a useful starting point. The Los Angeles Rams have the shortest playoff odds. The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills follow closely behind. Still, betting markets do not always predict the final standings. Last season provided another reminder of that reality. The Seahawks went from 10-7 to 14-3 before winning Super Bowl LX.
Meanwhile, Kansas City and Detroit missed the playoffs after going 15-2. Therefore, I would approach this year’s playoff race carefully. Some favorites look like strong bets to make the postseason. Others look overpriced based on their current odds. Here are my 2026 playoff predictions for every NFL team.
AFC Playoff Teams
- Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens remain my AFC favorite entering the season. They own the conference’s best current playoff odds. Baltimore sits at roughly -390 to make the postseason. Lamar Jackson gives Baltimore an enormous advantage at quarterback. The Ravens also have enough defensive talent to compete with anyone. Prediction: MAKE
- Buffalo Bills
Buffalo remains one of the AFC’s safest playoff choices. Josh Allen gives the Bills a tremendous weekly advantage. The Bills currently carry the second-best AFC playoff odds. Their roster also has enough experience for another postseason run. Prediction: MAKE
- New England Patriots
The Patriots shocked the league with a 14-3 record last season. They also reached the Super Bowl after a massive turnaround. Drake Maye now enters the season with much higher expectations. New England should remain competitive throughout the AFC East race. Prediction: MAKE
- Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati feels like one of my strongest bounce-back candidates. The Bengals missed the playoffs last season. However, Joe Burrow gives them tremendous offensive potential. Cincinnati currently carries -200 playoff odds. That market support makes sense to me. Prediction: MAKE
- Houston Texans
Houston has developed into one of the AFC’s most consistent contenders. C.J. Stroud remains the centerpiece of the offense. The Texans also carry -180 playoff odds. I expect another strong defensive season from Houston. That should keep the Texans in the playoff race. Prediction: MAKE
- Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers narrowly make my AFC playoff field. They currently carry -168 playoff odds. Justin Herbert gives Los Angeles a reliable quarterback advantage. Jim Harbaugh also brings a strong culture to the organization. The AFC West remains difficult, though. Kansas City and Denver could challenge them throughout the season. Prediction: MAKE
- Jacksonville Jaguars
This is my first major disagreement with the betting market. Jacksonville currently sits just outside the strongest AFC odds. However, I believe the Jaguars can repeat their 2025 success. Jacksonville finished 13-4 and won the AFC South last season. The offense also produced 55 total touchdowns. Travis Hunter’s return adds another major weapon. The Jaguars also face the league’s 11th-easiest schedule. Prediction: MAKE
AFC Teams Missing the Playoffs
Denver Broncos
Denver barely misses my playoff field. The Broncos reached the postseason last year. However, the AFC remains incredibly competitive. The betting market still favors Denver at -140. I expect the Broncos to finish just outside the wild-card race. Prediction: MISS
Kansas City Chiefs
This could become my boldest AFC prediction. The Chiefs currently carry -205 playoff odds. Patrick Mahomes makes this difficult to predict. Still, Kansas City missed the playoffs last season. The AFC also looks deeper than it did several years ago. I think the Chiefs face another difficult January. Prediction: MISS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh remains one of the AFC’s toughest teams. However, I cannot trust the quarterback situation enough. The Steelers currently carry +140 playoff odds. That number suggests the market also sees significant risk. Prediction: MISS
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have enough talent to make this interesting. However, I expect another inconsistent season. Indianapolis currently sits at +170 to make the playoffs. That makes the Colts a team I would avoid backing. Prediction: MISS
Tennessee Titans
The Titans offer intriguing long-shot value. ESPN lists Tennessee at +340 to make the playoffs. Cam Ward could make a major Year 2 jump. Still, I need to see that improvement first. Prediction: MISS
Miami Dolphins
Miami currently owns the AFC’s worst playoff odds. The Dolphins sit around 14-1 to reach the postseason. I agree with that assessment. Too many questions surround Miami entering the season. Prediction: MISS
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland faces an enormous uphill battle. The Browns currently sit around +570 to make the playoffs. The roster needs more consistency before I trust this team. Prediction: MISS
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders also face long playoff odds. Las Vegas sits around +600 to make the postseason. The AFC offers little room for error. I expect the Raiders to fall short. Prediction: MISS
New York Jets
The Jets remain one of the longest shots. Their current playoff odds sit around +690. I do not expect them to overcome those obstacles. Prediction: MISS
NFC Playoff Teams
- Los Angeles Rams
The Rams look like the NFC’s safest playoff bet. They carry the league’s shortest playoff odds at -460. Matthew Stafford returns with another talented supporting cast. Myles Garrett also gives the defense an enormous boost. Prediction: MAKE
- Seattle Seahawks
Seattle enters the season as the defending Super Bowl champion. The Seahawks also finished 14-3 last season. Repeating as champions will prove difficult. Still, Seattle has enough talent for another playoff appearance. Prediction: MAKE
- Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia remains one of the NFC’s strongest rosters. The Eagles also have postseason experience throughout the organization. They currently carry -186 playoff odds. I expect them to compete for the NFC East. Prediction: MAKE
- Green Bay Packers
Green Bay gets another postseason spot in my projection. The Packers currently sit at -146 to make the playoffs. Jordan Love gives them enough upside at quarterback. The defense should also keep them competitive. Prediction: MAKE
- San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco remains dangerous when healthy. The 49ers also carry -146 playoff odds. Kyle Shanahan’s system gives the offense a major advantage. I expect San Francisco to return to the postseason. Prediction: MAKE
- Detroit Lions
Detroit gets my final NFC wild-card spot. The Lions missed the playoffs after their 15-2 season. That collapse should motivate Dan Campbell’s team. Detroit also has enough offensive firepower to bounce back. Prediction: MAKE
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay represents my favorite NFC sleeper. The Buccaneers currently sit around +130 to make the playoffs. The team started 6-2 last season before injuries caused problems. Tampa Bay expects its five starting offensive linemen back healthy. Baker Mayfield also played at an MVP level early last season. Now, he gets another chance to lead Tampa Bay back. Prediction: MAKE
NFC Teams Missing the Playoffs
Chicago Bears
The Bears narrowly miss my playoff field. They currently sit around -105 to make the postseason. That makes Chicago one of the toughest teams to predict. Caleb Williams could push them into the playoff race. Still, I expect the NFC’s depth to hurt Chicago. Prediction: MISS
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas represents another major disagreement with the market. The Cowboys sit around -105 to make the playoffs. ESPN recently highlighted Dallas as a potential make bet. The defense should improve under coordinator Christian Parker. However, I need to see that improvement first. Therefore, I am keeping Dallas outside my playoff field. Prediction: MISS
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has legitimate playoff potential. However, the NFC North looks extremely competitive. The Vikings currently sit at +154 to make it. I expect them to fall short of Detroit and Green Bay. Prediction: MISS
Washington Commanders
Washington could surprise people this season. Still, the Commanders face a difficult NFC East. Their playoff odds sit around +230. I expect Washington to remain competitive without reaching January. Prediction: MISS
Carolina Panthers
Carolina made the playoffs last season. However, the betting market remains skeptical about another appearance. The Panthers sit around +220 to make it again. I expect the NFC South to produce another playoff team instead. Prediction: MISS
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta remains one of my biggest NFC fades. The Falcons sit around +240 to make the playoffs. I do not trust the roster enough yet. The NFC South should also create a difficult divisional battle. Prediction: MISS
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans faces one of the NFC’s toughest rebuilding challenges. The Saints currently sit around +184 to make the playoffs. I expect them to remain outside the postseason picture. Prediction: MISS
New York Giants
The Giants have several young players worth watching. However, they still face too many roster questions. New York sits around +255 to make the playoffs. That makes them an easy team to leave outside my bracket. Prediction: MISS
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona owns the longest NFC playoff odds. The Cardinals sit at roughly 20-1 to reach the postseason. That number reflects the uncertainty surrounding their roster. I agree with the market and expect Arizona to miss. Prediction: MISS
My 2026 NFL Playoff Field
AFC:
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots
Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Texans
Los Angeles Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
NFC:
Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
Detroit Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The biggest surprises include Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Kansas City, Denver and Dallas miss the cut. Those predictions differ from some current betting expectations. The market favors Kansas City and Denver more heavily than I do. However, preseason predictions always carry plenty of uncertainty. Injuries, quarterback play and unexpected breakouts can change everything. The safest bets appear to involve the strongest favorites. The Rams, Ravens and Bills currently stand out in that group. Still, the best value often comes from teams outside the obvious favorites. Jacksonville and Tampa Bay fit that description for me. The 2026 season should bring another unpredictable playoff race. That uncertainty makes every September prediction worth questioning.
Author Profile
-
Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
Latest entries
FootballAugust 29, 20262026 NFL Playoffs: Who Makes It and Who Misses
FootballAugust 29, 2026NFL Owners Ranked: Worst to First
GolfAugust 28, 2026Matt Gogel Suspended Six Months for Gambling Violation
FootballAugust 28, 2026NFL Preseason Injuries Could Shape the 2026 Regular Season
About the Author
