The race to Super Bowl LXI begins with the regular season and we’ve picked out our NFL division winner predictions for 2026.
Past form, free agency signings and draft picks have been taken into account in the betting tips for which teams will top all eight group tables. At the risk of getting a bit giddy, an acca on these selections could give us a whopping windfall of almost 4,000/1.
2026 NFL Division Winner Tips For All 8 Divisions
AFC East
AFC EAST: BUFFALO BILLS @ 8/11
The New England Patriots pulled off a sensational move from two-time basement dwellers to division winners last term with a 14-3 record but they have lost several key players since being bashed up by Seattle in the Super Bowl.
Having previously finished in first place for five straight seasons, the Buffalo Bills had to settle for second best in 2025, but 12-5 was still a fine effort and we’re backing them to return to the summit under new head coach Joe Brady, with wide receiver DJ Moore a great addition.
AFC North
AFC NORTH: CINCINNATI BENGALS @ 8/5
The Baltimore Ravens may find it harder to replace long-time boss John Harbaugh with rookie head coach Jesse Minter and that could open the door for the Cincinnati Bengals to rise up the ladder.
Keeping star quarterback Joe Burrow healthy is the key, as his partnership with standout WR Ja’Marr Chase is arguably the most potent in the whole league, but major improvements on defence can also help turn things around if last season’s injury issues are avoided.
AFC South
AFC SOUTH: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ 4/1
This division was eventually dominated by the Trevor Lawrence -inspired Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans’ formidable defence last season, but it could have been all so different if the Indianapolis Colts hadn’t lost QB Daniel Jones to injury.
Without Jones, the Colts fell from 8-2 front-runners to suffering seven straight defeats, so it will take a big effort to get their mojo back, but all the key pieces are in place for this team to do well if they aren’t mentally scarred by that dramatic slip.
AFC West
AFC WEST: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ 7/4
Talking of teams who collapsed due to being without their main man, the Kansas City Chiefs surrendered top spot in this division for the first time in 10 years after Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL.
The Denver Broncos took full advantage to finish 14-3, ahead of the 11-6 Los Angeles Chargers, but all the signs are that Mahomes will be back fit, fresh and raring to go this term, so we’re predicting normal service will be resumed.
NFC East
NFC EAST: DALLAS COWBOYS @ 9/5
Over the past decade, the Philadelphia Eagles have taken this title five times and the Dallas Cowboys have come out on top on four occasions, with the Washington Redskins providing the only break from the big two’s monopoly in 2020, despite posting a losing record.
Many will see the Eagles as a percentage pick to make it a hat-trick of wins, as they are a solid outfit on both sides of the ball, but we really like what the Cowboys did during the off-season, especially in rebuilding their defence, and they get the nod.
NFC North
NFC NORTH: DETROIT LIONS @ 13/8
The Chicago Bears became the fourth different winner of this division in five years last term, but the departure of WR DJ Moore and some concerning injury issues in the secondary may halt the progress made in recent seasons.
Fitness worries also surround the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings must sort out their QB situation, so that leaves 2023 and 2024 champions the Detroit Lions looking the best bet to bounce back via the attacking axis of Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St Brown.
NFC South
NFC SOUTH: CAROLINA PANTHERS @ 7/2
After four years of Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominance in this division, the Carolina Panthers just managed to shade a tight tussle last term which saw them finish on 8-9 alongside the defending champions and the Atlanta Falcons.
Those three sides and the 6-11 New Orleans Saints all start the upcoming campaign with questions to answer, but Carolina signal caller Bryce Young made nice progress during his third season in the NFL and could prove the difference maker in a wide-open pool.
NFC West
NFC WEST: LOS ANGELES RAMS @ 20/21
This has developed into the hottest division around, with Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks splitting title triumphs with the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers over the past decade.
All three again feature prominently in the betting to go all the way this term, but the already-talented Rams have been given that extra sparkle by trading for sack leader Myles Garrett and luring Aaron Donald out of retirement, while Matthew Stafford leads a star-studded offence.
Betting Tips
2026 NFL Division Predictions
AFC East: Buffalo Bills @ 8/11
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals @ 8/5
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts @ 4/1
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs @ 7/4
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys @ 9/5
NFC North: Detroit Lions @ 13/8
NFC South: Carolina Panthers @ 7/2
Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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