NFL Division Winner Odds & Early Predictions 2026: Seahawks, Patriots Open as Underdogs

The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are both coming off impressive runs to the Super Bowl in 2026, but neither is the favorite to win their own division next season.

With the Super Bowl behind us, we're looking ahead to the 2026 NFL division winner odds with the betting favorites and our early predictions for all eight divisions next year.

📊 2026 NFL division winner odds & betting favorites

Odds via DraftKings as of Monday, Feb. 9. See all of our NFL analysis and expert predictions for football season.

🏈 AFC North odds & prediction

Three of the four teams in the AFC North enter next season with new coaches, though the betting market clearly has faith that Jesse Minter can turn things around in Baltimore in short order. I tend to agree with the pieces in place for the Ravens, who still have All-Pro talents anchoring both sides of the ball and should have some money to spend if they can negotiate a cap-friendly extension with Lamar Jackson before free agency.

Prediction: Ravens to win AFC North (-105)

🏈 AFC East odds & prediction

I can't say that I'm surprised the Bills are favored to win the division after seven consecutive seasons with double-digit wins, but it feels like a mistake to me with so much unknown about Buffalo's new coaching staff and roster talent around Josh Allen. I have more confidence in what Mike Vrabel is building in New England, and we should see the hungriest version of Drake Maye after the way his second season ended.

Prediction: Patriots to win AFC East (+110)

🏈 AFC South odds & prediction

I get the hype around the Texans after the way their defense played last season, though it's hard not to be skeptical about CJ Stroud's progression after such a lousy effort in 2025. Why are the Jaguars not the favorite here? Their defense was among the best in the league, too, and their offense features top-five upside next year with MVP finalist Trevor Lawrence entering his second year under head coach Liam Coen.

Prediction: Jaguars to win AFC South (+180)

🏈 AFC West odds & prediction

The Chiefs enter this season as a betting underdog to win the AFC West after failing to capture their 10th straight division crown. I'm skeptical that changes this year with questions around Patrick Mahomes' health and the Chargers and Raiders likely improving next season. But what about the Broncos? After an AFC Championship run derailed by Bo Nix's injury, I'm shocked to see them priced as the third choice here; I have Denver as my outright pick to win the division, so the plus-money odds are the cherry on top.

Prediction: Broncos to win AFC West (+215)

🏈 NFC North odds & prediction

It feels like the Lions are still benefitting from the afterglow of those incredible seasons with Dan Campbell and his star-studded staff, but Detroit looked like a different team after Ben Johnson (Bears) and Aaron Glenn (Jets) took coaching jobs elsewhere. I'm surprised to see Chicago dealing as such a distant third choice after winning the division last year; it's a close call between the Bears and Packers, so give me the team with better odds.

Prediction: Bears to win the NFC North (+350)

🏈 NFC East odds & prediction

The Eagles were the only preseason favorite to make good on their division odds last year, and they are the only reigning winner to enter this year as the preseason favorite. I'm not so sure consistency is a fair way to describe the current iteration of Philly, though, with some key coaching changes this offseason spelling potential disaster in 2026. I like what I saw from the Cowboys to close last season, so with another year under Brian Schottenheimer, this feels like the year for Dallas to reclaim its spot atop the division.

Prediction: Cowboys to win NFC East (+280)

🏈 NFC South odds & prediction

This is easily the toughest division to predict with all four teams featuring a legitimate case heading into the 2026 season. There's no way I'd lay the short price on the Bucs, who fell apart last season and probably should have fired their coach. Speaking of which, new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski will enjoy his most talented roster as a head coach; and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is a rising star in the league. At these odds, I'm willing to take another shot on a team brimming with potential.

Prediction: Falcons to win NFC South (+370)

🏈 NFC West odds & prediction

I can understand why the Rams are priced as the slight favorites to win the division given that the latest Super Bowl odds have Los Angeles and Seattle as virtual co-favorites across the board. I just disagree with it. The Seahawks' historic defense isn't going anywhere with Mike Macdonald at the helm, and with Matthew Stafford another year older (or even retired), there's too much risk to bet the Rams at this short of a price.

Prediction: Seahawks to win NFC West (+160)

🔮 NFL division winner predictions

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game.

❓ NFL division winner FAQs

Who are the favorites to win their NFL division in 2026?

The eight division winner favorites by the opening odds are the Eagles (-115), Bills (-110), Ravens (-105), Buccaneers (+120), Rams (+155), Texans (+155), Lions (+160), and Chargers (+170).

Has any team gone from worst to first in the NFL?

Yes, it is fairly common for teams to finish last in their division before winning it the next year - it's happened 25 times since NFL divisional realignment in 2002, including twice last season with the Bears (NFC North) and Patriots (AFC East) winning their divisions.

When do NFL division winner bets pay out?

If you place a wager on an NFL team to win their division, you can expect to be paid out shortly after Week 18 concludes in early January. That's why it pays to think ahead with your NFL futures bets knowing it will take months to see a potential profit.