NFL Playoff Predictions 2026: Make/Miss NFL Playoffs Best Bets
The return of football is almost here as the 2026 NFL season is set to get underway very soon, and all 32 teams begin their fight to reach Super Bowl 61 and potentially lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy. However, before that can happen, they must first reach the NFL playoffs.
We tend to see a lot of turnover in teams when it comes to making the NFL playoffs, even more so since the number of teams advancing to the postseason was expanded from 12 to 14. We almost always see some surprise packages each year, and I’ve been pretty hot at unearthing them.
In 2024, I correctly predicted the Washington Commanders would reach the NFL Playoffs at +310 odds, and they wound up going all the way to the NFC Championship Game! I followed that up last year by successfully predicting the Chicago Bears would make the NFL Playoffs at +184 odds, and that the Jacksonville Jaguars would reach the postseason at +180 odds.
Can I add to that winning run? Let’s dive into the NFL odds and our expert NFL picks for who will reach the NFL Playoffs in the 2026 season.
To Make the NFL Playoffs odds
Odds courtesy of bet365 and available at time of publishing.
- LA Rams -475
- Baltimore Ravens -370
- Buffalo Bills -330
- Seattle Seahawks -235
- New England Patriots -220
- Detroit Lions -200
- Kansas City Chiefs -200
- Cincinnati Bengals -180
- Houston Texans -180
- Philadelphia Eagles -180
- LA Chargers -170
- San Francisco 49ers -150
- Denver Broncos -145
- Green Bay Packers -140
- Jacksonville Jaguars -105
- Chicago Bears +100
- Dallas Cowboys +100
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +125
- Minnesota Vikings +155
- Indianapolis Colts +160
- Pittsburgh Steelers +160
- New Orleans Saints +185
- Washington Commanders +210
- Carolina Panthers +220
- Atlanta Falcons +240
- New York Giants +270
- Tennessee Titans +375
- Las Vegas Raiders +575
- Cleveland Browns +600
- New York Jets +675
- Miami Dolphins +1200
- Arizona Cardinals +1800
As things stand, there are 17 teams available to bet on to reach the NFL playoffs at plus-money odds. Given the aforementioned of teams making/missing the postseason and the unpredictability of the sport in general, you’re a lot better off targeting teams at bigger odds that could be undervalued. That’s worked out nicely for us with the Commanders, Bears and Jaguars in recent years.
With that in mind, let’s break down my best bets to make or miss the NFL Playoffs.
Looking for a new sportsbook for the upcoming NFL season? Make sure you check out bet365, where new users can get $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY when they to create an account and make their first $10 bet - win or lose!
To Make the NFL Playoffs best bet: Atlanta Falcons (+240)
Odds available at bet365 and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The market seems seriously down on the Atlanta Falcons this season, but I’m not buying it. For starters, they’re in an incredibly weak division (as often is the case with the NFC South), with none of the Bucs, Saints or Panthers looking likely to set the NFL on fire. That in itself always has the door open to a playoff berth.
But even without factoring in their weak opposition, there is a lot to like about this Falcons team. Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be Atlanta’s starting QB, and he should at least be serviceable under center for new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who also knows how to get the best out of a middling squad. Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts give this offense a decent ceiling,
Lastly, it’s worth noting how 2025 went for the Falcons. They finished the season 8-9, but won each of their last four games, including a victory over the Rams. In fact, from when they were 3-4, four of their final five losses were by six points or fewer -- with two of them coming in overtime. Things could have been very different for this Atlanta team if at least a couple of those narrow losses had gone there way, and I believe the market has overreacted. I’m predicting a bounce-back year for the Falcons and for them to make the NFL playoffs this season.
Find out our NFL futures predictions for EVERY market
To Make the NFL Playoffs prediction: New York Giants (+270)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Given that the AFC looks particularly stacked this season compared to the NFC, I’m sticking with that conference for the my next prediction to reach the NFL Playoffs, this time targeting the New York Giants. The G-Men went 4-13 last year but were annihilated by injuries, as Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux all missed time. However, when those players did suit up, we saw a team with a lot of potential, and if New York can remain healthy this time, they could make a serious splash.
Abdul Carter made a serious impression last year, and drafting Arvell Reese only adds to the strength of this defense. With playmakers on both sides of the ball and a gem in at head coach now in John Harbaugh, the future could be now for the Giants.
They are in a tough division, but the G-Men have what it takes to hang with the Eagles, Cowboys and Commanders, and if they can build some early momentum, watch out.
Don't miss Chris Farley's Super Bowl 61 predictions and best bets, including his top play at +2000 odds!
To Miss the NFL Playoffs best bet: New England Patriots (+184)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
As mentioned above, the AFC is absolutely stacked for good teams. It may seem crazy taking last season’s Super Bowl runner-up New England to not even reach the playoffs this season, but hear me out. First off, seven of the Pats' 14 regular-season victories were by six points or fewer. This team was deserving of reaching the postseason, but their record certainly flattered them.
Next, while they do have the benefit of facing the Jets and Dolphins twice, they will certainly have their hands full beating out the Bills for the division title again. If they fail to win the AFC East, earning a wild-card berth is no easy task, given you have the Ravens and Bengals in the AFC North, Texans and Jaguars in the AFC South, and likely a three-way battle between the Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers in the AFC West. Those are nine of the AFC’s finest with only seven playoff spots up for grabs, and I’d have those other eight all above New England in terms of ability.
Lastly, we have the Mike Vrabel off-field situation. I won’t delve too much into it, but it can’t be underestimated the impact that may have in the locker room. Enough time may have lapsed for it to be a non-issue, but with how tight this AFC playoff race could be, that whole drama is unlikely to have done the Pats any favors. At +184 odds, I’m happy to roll the dice on New England being on the outside looking in when January arrives, and for the Patriots to miss the NFL Playoffs.
Lock in this +5000 longshot for our expert's NFL MVP predictions
