It’s easy to get lost in the avalanche of offseason news cycles, but not every transaction will pay the dividends that NFL agents and general managers predict. Before teams start facing each other this fall, NFL FanDuel odds teams to make the playoffs They are a useful measure of how well the market believes each team’s offseason maneuvers have improved their chances of playing meaningful football in December and January.
In the AFC, bettors see Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow leading their teams back to the tournament. In the NFC it is a little more complicated. Seven teams make the playoffs from each conference, but each of the four division winners is guaranteed a spot, with last year’s 8-9 NFC South champion earning a playoff spot among multiple 9-8 teams.
The market foresees a similar scenario this season. The Dallas Cowboys (-102) and Chicago Bears (+110) have better odds to make the playoffs overall, but the Buccaneers (+140) would beat them in the tournament given their ranking as the NFC South team with the best odds.
The Ravens are favorites to make the playoffs outside of the AFC despite a poor season for Lamar Jackson’s team last year. The biggest changes will come to the headset, as Jesse Minter returns to Baltimore after developing his defensive training philosophy under Jim Harbaugh with Michigan and the Chargers. Minter hired Declan Doyle, 29, to revitalize the offense after spending last season learning under Bears HC Ben Johnson.
They also added depth through the D-line, starring Trey Hendrickson, Calais Campbell and second-rounders Zion Young. Their third- and fourth-round picks, wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, will also have opportunities to make a difference early.
Kansas City Chiefs (-184)
The Chiefs were playing out of the playoff picture. before Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury ended his 2025 season early, but the market still sees Kansas City as the team to beat in the AFC West. Andy Reid brought back Eric Bieniemy to support the offensive coaching staff, traded both tackles and brought in Kenneth Walker III to help establish the running game. They also added Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier to a QB room that is expected to see action early. Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit lost its two starting cornerbacks, but was reloaded with free agent safety Alohi Gilman and first-round pick Mansoor Delane.
Cincinnati Bengals (-174)
The Bengals finished last season with just six wins after another injury shortened Joe Burrow’s season. The front office responded to its quarterback’s public challenge by investing heavily in defense, including Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen along the line; and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger in the backfield. Despite the poor season for the team overall, Chase Brown emerged as another star on offense by rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Dan Campbell’s team has the third-highest odds to return to the playoffs despite finishing last in the NFC North last season. They spent the offseason remaking their offensive line, moving Penei Sewell to left tackle and signing Cade Mays, Larry Borom and drafting Blake Miller in the first round. Campbell hired Drew Petzing to run the offense, which returns most of its talent, and replaced David Montgomery with Isaiah Pacheco as the effervescent running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs. They also extended linebacker Jack Campbell and gave him the keys to a defense that simply couldn’t stay healthy last year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+140)
Tampa Bay lost a tiebreaker to the Panthers and missed the playoffs last season, and they are currently the best bet to represent the NFC South this year. They bolstered their defense during the draft (Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter) and free agency (Alex Anzalone). The offense lost Mike Evans, but still has great receiving depth with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan. They also extended Cade Otton and brought in Kenneth Gainwell to back up Bucky Irving. Todd Bowles’ teams had won four straight division titles before the coin toss last year, and he hired OC Zac Robinson to reunite with Baker Mayfield after the two shared success along with the Rams.
