NFL Division Odds - AFC & NFC Futures

AFC East Division Winner Odds & Analysis

The Buffalo Bills remain the AFC East favorites after their division futures price shortened from -136 in the preseason to -240 heading into Week 8. Buffalo is 5-1 and leads the NFL in scoring at 32.8 PPG, but its defense has surrendered 28.5 PPG, creating concerns about consistency, especially with a tough slate of upcoming games.

The New England Patriots are the primary challengers at 4-3. The defending division champions stumbled last week and need to stay close in the loss column to prevent the Bills from running away with the AFC East title. The Jets (2-5) and Dolphins (1-5) have struggled through the first two months of the season and remain longshots to contend for a division crown.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

New England defeated Buffalo 29-26 in Week 4, securing an early head-to-head advantage. The teams meet again on December 6, when the result could significantly influence the division race and potential tiebreakers, provided that New England can remain in striking distance over the next month.

Buffalo faces stiff competition over that span with games against Baltimore, Minnesota and Kansas City. The Patriots have a manageable stretch with games against Miami, Green Bay, Detroit and the Chargers. It’s an opportunity for New England to close the gap in the AFC East standings.

AFC North Division Winner Odds & Analysis

The AFC North has developed into one of the NFL’s most competitive division races. Cincinnati is the futures favorite despite sitting behind Pittsburgh and Cleveland in the standings.

The Bengals (4-2) have outscored opponents by 41 points, while Pittsburgh (5-2) has a +15 differential. Cleveland (5-2) has seen its futures odds shorten from +2100 in the preseason to +650, although its offense averages just 19.0 PPG.

Baltimore remains a contender at 4-3, but its price has lengthened from -110 to +250 as it has struggled to win without franchise QB Lamar Jackson.

Head-to-Head Results and Divisional Tiebreakers

Cleveland holds an important early advantage with a 2-0 divisional record, including victories over Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Ravens are 0-2 within the division, which puts them in last place heading into a Week 8 showdown versus the Bills.

The Browns visit Pittsburgh on November 1 in a rematch that could determine the division leader. Pittsburgh also faces Cincinnati on November 15. The AFC North should see some changes at the top after these divisional battles.

Injuries and Team Performance

Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury remains Baltimore’s biggest concern after he missed the Ravens’ Week 7 game against Cincinnati. Baltimore has dropped two games in a row, with both losses coming against division foes. Two games against Buffalo and Jacksonville in consecutive weeks could be losses if Jackson isn’t back to full health.

AFC South Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Jacksonville has emerged as the overwhelming AFC South favorite, with its price shortening from +245 in the preseason to -440. The Jaguars are 4-2 and feature a strong defense that allows just 17.3 PPG and 72.2 rushing yards per game.

Houston remains the closest challenger, although the Texans have dropped to a record of 2-5 despite beating the Jaguars in Week 7. Indianapolis (+425 to +1400) and Tennessee (+800 to +10000) have also seen their division futures odds lengthen since the preseason. The two teams have combined to go 3-11 on the season and appear destined for losing records.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

Jacksonville has a substantial standings advantage, but Houston already owns a head-to-head victory over the Jaguars, winning 34-31 in London.

The Jaguars host Indianapolis on November 1 and visit Tennessee on November 15. Winning those divisional matchups would strengthen Jacksonville’s position before its remaining games against Houston.

The Texans have a relatively narrow point differential of -5 despite their losing record, but they need to convert competitive performances into wins to prevent Jacksonville from pulling further ahead and to avoid falling further behind in the Wild Card race as well.

The Colts are rumored to be sellers at the trade deadline, and the Titans are expected to continue struggling with a young franchise QB and new coaching staff.

AFC West Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Kansas City has moved from a preseason division underdog at +170 to the AFC West favorite at -205. The Chiefs are 5-1, allowing just 17.2 PPG while holding a +40 point differential. They also feature one of the best running backs in the NFL, as Kenneth Walker III trails Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson by just three rushing yards.

Denver is a half-game behind the Chiefs in the standings at 5-2, although the Broncos’ +3 point differential reflects a much narrower scoring advantage. That’s due to the offense struggling to put up points as it ranks 24^th in the NFL at 20.6 PPG.

Las Vegas and Los Angeles have fallen well behind, with the winless Chargers seeing their odds lengthen from +190 in the preseason to +15000.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

Kansas City has established a significant advantage in the AFC West with a 3-0 divisional record that includes a Week 1 victory over the Broncos. Denver sits 1-1 in the division but hosts the Chiefs in Week 8. If KC sweeps the Broncos, it will hold a commanding lead in the division. A Denver win will keep the Broncos in the hunt for a second straight division title.

Although the Raiders started off 3-0 on the season, they’ve dropped four consecutive games and are a sinking ship that could see the team make some drastic changes. The Chargers are on the verge of a franchise overhaul with their winless season to date.

NFC East Division Winner Odds & Analysis

The Dallas Cowboys have become the NFC East favorites at +115, shortening from +184 in the preseason following their 38-21 road victory over Philadelphia. Dallas improved to 3-4 as Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes and Javonte Williams rushed for 155 yards against the Eagles.

The New York Giants (4-2-1) still lead the division by 1.5 games, with their odds to win the NFC East shortening from +600 to +125, despite losing starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the remainder of the regular season.

Philadelphia’s odds have lengthened from +122 in the preseason to +1500. The defending division champions have dropped five consecutive games, falling to 2-5. Washington (+800) also remains a longshot at 1-4-1.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

Dallas improved to 2-1 in divisional games following Monday’s Week 7 victory, but New York still holds the early head-to-head advantage after defeating the Cowboys 28-20 in Week 1.

The Giants have a bye in Week 8 before facing Philadelphia on November 8 and Washington on November 12. Dallas hosts Arizona on November 1 before entering the next stretch of its schedule. The Giants and Cowboys do not meet again until Week 17 in Dallas, when their matchup could determine the NFC East champion.

Injuries and Team Performance

Injuries have plagued Philadelphia throughout the season. Jalen Hurts remains on injured reserve with blood clots, while Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert have also missed time. The Eagles’ once-mighty offense is averaging just 18.1 PPG this season, while their defense ranks 27th in the NFL, allowing 371.3 yards per game.

These struggles on both sides of the ball have contributed to Philadelphia’s disappointing 2-5 start and could make the Eagles sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.

Meanwhile, New York has turned to J.J. McCarthy following Jaxson Dart’s knee injury and a poor showing by backup QB Jameis Winston. McCarthy threw for 252 yards in his first start, helping the Giants defeat Houston 27-21 in overtime.

Washington (1-4-1) has also been decimated by injuries, including setbacks to offensive stars Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Poor late-game execution has compounded those problems. The Commanders blew a 14-point lead against the Giants before a clock-management mistake prevented a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, resulting in a 27-27 tie.

NFC North Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Minnesota has emerged as the NFC North favorite at -105 after opening at +450, behind Detroit and Green Bay in the preseason odds. The Vikings remain undefeated at 6-0 behind the NFL’s top scoring defense, which allows only 12.3 PPG.

Detroit and Chicago are serious challengers to the Vikings. The Lions feature one of the NFL’s highest-scoring offenses at 30.7 PPG, while Chicago averages 25.7 PPG and has a 5-2 record.

Green Bay has seen its futures price lengthen from +240 in the preseason to +1125 despite remaining above .500 and handing the Bears their worst loss of the season.

Head-to-Head Results and Divisional Tiebreakers

Minnesota has already defeated Green Bay and Chicago, establishing a 2-0 divisional record. The Bears are 0-2 against division opponents, creating a disadvantage if the standings continue to tighten.

Minnesota visits Detroit on November 1 and Green Bay on November 15, making November an important stretch in the division race.

The Vikings’ defense has carried an offense averaging just 20.8 PPG. Detroit faces the opposite problem, allowing 27.5 PPG despite its explosive offense.

The Bears have looked stronger since Caleb Williams returned from his hamstring injury. Chicago faces Seattle and Detroit over the next month. Those games could keep the Bears among the NFC’s top teams or push them into the race for a Wild Card spot.

NFC South Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Carolina is favored to repeat as NFC South champion after its futures price shortened from +350 in the preseason to +130. However, the Panthers are only 3-3 and have allowed more points than they’ve scored.

Atlanta remains close behind at 3-4 following its upset victory over San Francisco in Week 7. Tampa Bay and New Orleans are both 2-5, although neither is completely out of contention as both have shown flashes of success.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

The division remains tightly contested, with Carolina holding just a half-game advantage over Atlanta.

Tampa Bay recently defeated Carolina 43-13, demonstrating how quickly the race could change. Atlanta visits the Buccaneers on November 1, while Carolina faces New Orleans on November 15.

Defense remains a concern for Carolina, which allows 27.7 PPG, and Atlanta, which surrenders 24.7 PPG. Tampa Bay has a positive point differential despite its losing record.

With no team above .500, the NFC South could remain too tight to predict well into December.

NFC West Division Winner Odds & Analysis

San Francisco has become the clear NFC West favorite, shortening from +305 in the preseason to -350 after opening behind Los Angeles. The 49ers are 6-1, averaging 28.1 PPG while allowing 19.9 PPG.

Seattle remains the closest challenger at 4-3. The defending Super Bowl champions possess one of the league’s stronger defenses, allowing just 17.9 PPG.

Los Angeles has seen its futures price lengthen from -105 in the preseason to +910 after entering the season as the division favorite. Arizona remains a distant fourth and is on the verge of looking toward the future instead of focusing on this season.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

San Francisco has dominated early divisional competition, beginning 3-0 against NFC West opponents. Seattle is 1-1 within the division, while the Rams have already lost both divisional games. The Seahawks face Arizona on November 8, while San Francisco has its bye in Week 8.

The 49ers’ early head-to-head advantage gives them an important cushion if the overall standings tighten. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for San Francisco, as it has endured more injuries to starters than most other teams.

Injuries and Team Performance

Injuries remain San Francisco’s greatest concern. Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans were among several key players sidelined for the Week 7 loss to Atlanta. A few of these players could return in Week 9, following the team’s bye.

Seattle’s defense has allowed only 17.9 PPG, but its 4-3 record leaves the Seahawks trailing San Francisco in the standings.

The Rams continue to produce offensively, averaging 24.3 PPG, but their 3-4 record and 0-2 divisional mark have placed them at a significant disadvantage. LA has suffered key injuries as well. Wide receiver Davante Adams will miss most of the regular season, while it remains unclear when star defensive end Myles Garrett will return.

Recent NFL Division Winners and Historical Trends

The following table shows the division champions from the past three completed seasons.

NFL Division Winner Trends

The 2025 season produced considerable turnover, with seven of the eight divisions crowning a different champion than in 2024. Philadelphia was the only team to successfully defend its division title. That marked a sharp contrast to 2024, when six teams repeated as division champions.

Several other division winner trends stand out heading into the remainder of the 2026 season:

• AFC East: Buffalo won five consecutive division titles from 2020 through 2024 before New England ended its streak in 2025.
• AFC West: Kansas City’s nine-year division championship streak ended in 2025, when Denver captured the title.
• NFC East: Philadelphia won consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025, but no team has won three straight NFC East crowns since the Eagles’ four-year run from 2001 through 2004.
• NFC North: Detroit won consecutive championships in 2023 and 2024 before Chicago took the division in 2025.
• NFC South: Carolina won the 2025 division title with an 8-9 record.