NFL 2026-27 Season Preview & Betting Tips

Buffalo remain the standard in the AFC East and once again everything revolves around Josh Allen. The Bills enter the year projected as one of the strongest teams in football and have a considerably higher ceiling than a year ago if their revamped receiving corps can give Allen more consistency downfield. New England are no longer the rebuilding side they were a couple of seasons ago, however. Drake Maye led the Patriots to the AFC Championship last season and the arrival of A.J. Brown gives him the established No. 1 receiver the offence was crying out for.

The gap then opens considerably. The Jets have brought Geno Smith back to New York and have some genuinely appealing pieces around him, particularly an excellent young offensive line and a talented collection of skill players. Miami, meanwhile, enter the year with major questions following the departures of Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel. This should ultimately come down to Buffalo and New England, but the Bills remain the more complete proposition.

Bills to win  AFC East

$1.67

BET NOW

Buffalo's win total sits at 10.5 and the Bills look well placed to reclaim the division, with Allen providing the difference in what should be a two-team race.

Baltimore enter a new era following the departure of John Harbaugh, with Jesse Minter taking charge of a roster still capable of winning the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson remains one of the league's ultimate difference-makers and Minter could produce a dramatic improvement from a defence that ranked just 16th in EPA per play last season.

Cincinnati may provide the better betting opportunity, however. Joe Burrow gives the Bengals an elite passing attack when healthy, while a reinforced defence looks significantly more capable of holding up its end of the bargain.

Bengals to win AFC North

$2.50

BET NOW

At a bigger price than Baltimore, Cincinnati appeal as the value play in the division.

Houston's defence gives the Texans a chance against anybody. Nine of 11 starters return from a unit loaded with high-end talent including Derek Stingley Jr., Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter.

Jacksonville loom as the major threat after Trevor Lawrence produced arguably the best season of his career in 2025. There isn't much separating Houston and Jacksonville, but an elite defence is generally the more trustworthy commodity across a 17-game season.

Texans to win AFC South

$2.20

BET NOW

Houston's defence is good enough to drag the Texans through ugly games and gives them the highest floor in the division.

The AFC West could be the most intriguing division in football. Kansas City are coming off a disastrous 6-11 season by their standards, but Patrick Mahomes remains Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have made a serious attempt to revitalise the running game.

The Chargers and Broncos both have enormous upside and this division could produce three playoff teams, but Kansas City are the side with the clearest avenue back to the top.

Chiefs to win AFC West

$2.75

BET NOW

Philadelphia remain extremely difficult to pick holes in. The Eagles possess one of the league's strongest rosters, a dominant defence and an offensive line capable of allowing Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts to control games on the ground.

Dallas may nevertheless be the more interesting futures play. Dak Prescott is coming off another huge season and now has CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens giving him two dangerous options outside.

Cowboys to win NFC East

$2.70

BET NOW

Philadelphia arguably have the more complete roster, but Dallas offer the more appealing price.

There may not be a deeper division in the league. Green Bay look ready to make another jump behind Jordan Love, while Detroit and Chicago both possess significant offensive upside.

Minnesota are hardly an easy fourth team either, making this arguably the deepest four-team race in football.

Packers to win NFC North

$3.60

BET NOW

Green Bay have the balance on both sides of the football to emerge from an extremely competitive division.

Good luck confidently predicting the NFC South. Tampa Bay remain capable of winning it behind Baker Mayfield, but there is considerable uncertainty across the division.

New Orleans are the intriguing side, while Carolina enter the season with renewed optimism following their return to the playoffs.

Saints to win NFC South

$3.75

BET NOW

New Orleans offer a worthwhile price in a division where eight or nine victories could potentially be enough.

Welcome to the heavyweight division. The Rams enter the season as Super Bowl favourites with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams leading an elite offence.

Seattle aren't going anywhere either, while San Francisco should again possess an excellent offence. The Rams nevertheless possess arguably the most complete roster in football.

Rams to win NFC West

$1.83

BET NOW

There simply isn't another roster with this combination of elite quarterback play, receiving talent, pass rush and coaching.