A new NFL season is here, bringing playoff optimism to 32 franchises.
Last season, six teams made the playoffs after missing out the year before, including both Super Bowl participants. The Seattle Seahawks went 14-3 on their way to the championship after finishing 10-7 in 2024. The New England Patriots enjoyed a massive turnaround, going from a 4-13 mark to 14-3 and reaching the big game.
On the other side of the coin, the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions -- the two No. 1 seeds from the 2024 regular season after going 15-2 -- failed to make the playoffs in 2025.
The Los Angeles Rams have the shortest odds to make the playoffs, and the Arizona Cardinals have the longest odds.
Which teams will make the playoffs in 2026 and which ones will miss out? Our analysts break down the odds and offer their best bets.
Note: Odds by DraftKings
and subject to change.
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Dallas Cowboys to MAKE playoffs (+100)
Matt Bowen: The Dallas offense can score points (26.6 PPG in 2025, tied for fifth most), and they have explosive-play ability on the perimeter with Dak Prescott delivering the ball to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. This unit can also get downhill in the run game with Javonte Williams. But I'm really picking Dallas here because of a defense that will be much improved under new coordinator Christian Parker, who brings Eagles DC Vic Fangio's system to town. Headlined by rookie safety Caleb Downs, who will play the Cooper DeJean role in Parker's game plan, and edge rusher Rashan Gary, the Cowboys went heavy on defense in both free agency and the draft to fix a unit that gave up a league-worst 30.1 PPG and 7.1 YPA last season. Parker's changes, paired with a manageable schedule, gets Dallas back in the tournament.
Jacksonville Jaguars to MAKE playoffs (+105)
Liz Loza: Coach Liam Coen and DC Anthony Campanile led a remarkable turnaround for Jacksonville in 2025, taking the team from a 4-13 record the previous season to a 13-4 finish and an AFC South division title. The Jaguars excelled on both sides of the ball, with the offense ranking fifth in scoring (55 total touchdowns) and the defense placing second in the league in interceptions (22) and total takeaways (31). Instead of making major changes, management focused on keeping this momentum by building depth and developing current roster talent. The team is expected to be even stronger following an offensive line realignment and the return of two-way star Travis Hunter. With a middle-of-the-pack 1.0 Football Power Index (FPI) but facing the NFL's 11th-easiest schedule, Jacksonville is well positioned for another playoff run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to MAKE playoffs (+130)
Eric Moody: Tampa Bay started 6-2 last season before injuries took their toll, leading to an 8-9 finish and ending a run of four straight NFC South titles. The Buccaneers expect to have all five starting offensive linemen back healthy, and Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Bucky Irving give Baker Mayfield -- who was playing at an MVP-caliber level early last season -- plenty of playmakers. First-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. should help the pass rush at outside linebacker. Staying healthier could be enough to get Tampa Bay back into the postseason.
Tennessee Titans to MAKE playoffs (+340)
Pamela Maldonado: Treat this as a long shot with upside rather than pretending the Tennessee is likely to get there. Almost every major environmental factor improved for the Titans. Their schedule will be a lot softer than last season, Cam Ward gets Brian Daboll as his new offensive coordinator after surviving a brutal rookie setup, and the receiver room added Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson. Coach Robert Saleh inherited a defense that added pass-rush talent, while the defensive schedule also set up as favorable. Exceeding the season win total of 6.5 is a start, but if Ward makes a real Year 2 jump, eight wins puts Tennessee in the AFC wild-card conversation.
