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.
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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.