The NFL offseason keeps chugging along. The free agency boom has settled down, and the NFL Combine is in the books. We’ve seen some teams make big moves, both towards contending this year and some away from contending. To make the playoff odds up, let’s walk through the 2026 NFL playoff bets for the AFC teams and their odds to make the playoffs. Who is worth betting, who is worth tossing in a parlay, and who should you stay away from?
Baltimore Ravens (-370)
The Baltimore Ravens are the clear favorites in the AFC North. The biggest question is Lamar Jackson’s health. If he stays healthy, they should be in the postseason. Of course, you can’t bet them outright at this price, but they are worth tossing into a parlay.
Buffalo Bills (-340)
The Buffalo Bills might not know anything about winning Super Bowls, but they sure do know how to make the playoffs. This is the team I’ll start most of my playing parlays with. Buffalo is a regular-season team, and even when the Patriots stole the East last year, they easily made the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs (-205)
Kansas City shouldn’t ever miss the playoffs with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback. Of course, we would have said that last year, and they missed. And we’re likely going to miss before he got hurt. You have to think they bounce back with an easier schedule. They are an easy team to toss into the playoff parlay.
Los Angeles Chargers (-180)
The longer this offseason goes, the more excited I get for the Los Angeles Chargers. Another year of Harbaugh and Herbert together. They bring in offensive genius Mike McDaniels to run the offense. Omarion Hampton looked good when he was healthy, and most of the team looked good when they were healthy. The AFC West is tough, but it sets up well for them to have a shot at winning. Los Angeles already has a lot of my future tickets.
New England Patriots (-170)
The Patriots were the team that surprised everyone last year. Then they underperformed in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl hangover has been tough for teams that lose, and the Patriots have a tougher schedule this year. The coaching and quarterback play should be enough to get them in as a Wild Card, but at this number, the Patriots are a hard team to get in on.
Houston Texans (-180)
Houston is close to Charger levels for me. This team’s defense is more than elite. DeMeco Ryans might be the most underrated coach in the NFL, and despite their struggles in the playoff game, this Texans offense has the ability to be really good. Mix all those things together, and this team is a legit Super Bowl contender. This is another A+ parlay team.
Denver Broncos (-150)
Denver is a team like New England that scares me a little bit. They took the #1 seed in the AFC last year, but their schedule will be brutal in 2026. With Los Angeles and Kansas City in their division, the road simply isn’t as clear for Denver. At this number, they are just a team I will pass on.
Cincinnati Bengals (-125)
It’s hard to trust the Bengals. They should be good. But can Joe Burrow stay healthy? That’s the age-old question. They could be considered for a parlay if you want to bet on Burrow to be healthy.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-115)
Jacksonville is a team I was all about last offseason, and they proved those bets to be right. No reason to completely jump off that train now, other than the AFC is getting crowded. With the Texans in their division and the East and West likely supplying Wild Card teams, it’ll get crowded fast. At only -115, I’m not racing to the window to bet this right now.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+130)
I miss Mike Tomlin already. He was the most reliable coach to bet on every year. Honestly, Mike McCarthy might not be much different. The question is, who plays quarterback? If Rodgers is back, they’ll be borderline playoffs. Maybe it’s Kirk Cousins. Or, could it be a rookie? This is a team I’m keeping my eyes on, but it’s hard to bet on them right now.
Indianapolis Colts (+180)
Yes, Indianapolis looked good last year, leading the AFC until Daniel Jones went down. But, Jones, coming off injury, or Anthony Richardson will be leading them. It’s very hard to trust either of these guys at less than 2/1 odds.
Tennessee Titans (+290)
3/1? Sorry, has anyone watched the Titans the last few years? Hard pass.
Cleveland Browns (+450)
I really wish we got this number in 2026 with Kevin Stefanski as their head coach still. Unfortunately, the Browns traded down at head coach and look like they might be rolling with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. The AFC feels chalky in 2026, so if you want a “longer” shot to bet, Cleveland is probably the team to bet, but it doesn’t feel great.
Las Vegas Raiders (+600)
Will it be a 1-year turnaround for Vegas? From worst to playoffs? It’s unlikely; we don’t see it often. On top of that, all three teams in their division are really good.
New York Jets (+650)
The Jets. Lol. I honestly don’t know what else to write here.
Miami Dolphins (+1000)
Miami is somewhat interesting for the number; maybe Malik Willis is the answer. The problem is, they are tearing the team apart. It seems to be a clear rebuilding year for Miami.
Parlays:
The first parlay I’m taking is the teams I feel the most confident in. The “safe” plays. Chargers, Texans, and Bills pay a nice +219. If you want to get a little riskier and have a sweat, toss in some teams I think have a chance parlay. Steelers, Chargers, Jaguars, and Texans. It’s a balance of safety without getting too risky and pays a cool +962.
