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2026 NFL Odds: 3 Best Futures Bets To Make Before The Season

2026 NFL Odds: 3 Best Futures Bets To Make Before The Season

Looking for the best 2026 NFL Odds? We break down three NFL futures bets with expert analysis, playoff predictions, and value before the sportsbooks adjust their lines.

Scott Fish Bowl drafts have started, mini camps are coming up, and the World Cup is on! Oops, wrong football. Summer has arrived, which means so have my season-long NFL odds bets. I’ve been researching for the best ones for each team, and here’s what I’ve come across within the sportsbooks going into the 2026 season:

NFL Odds: Dallas Cowboys To Make The Playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys may have come up short a year ago, finishing at 7-9, but this heavy pass offense seems ready to resume. In redraft leagues last season, Dak Prescott nearly went undrafted yet helped many fantasy managers win their leagues. (Sadly, I was on the other end of that in two leagues.) He still finished the season as a top 10 QB. After the Ceedee Lamb injury, George Pickens stepped in quickly to be Prescott’s top target. He also seems to be in a much better headspace with the Cowboys than he was with the Steelers. Now, Pickens has officially signed his franchise tag. After showing he can be the WR1 or 2, I’m optimistic that he’ll sign a bigger deal with the Cowboys sometime soon. With RB Javonte Williams extended three more years alongside TE Jake Ferguson, I expect a repeat performance from this offense.

Once Micah Parsons got traded, the defense in Jerry World last year seemed nonexistent. The difference now is how impressive they drafted this past April. Along with selecting S Caleb Downs 11th overall, they also selected EDGE Malachi Lawrence later that round with another EDGE in round 3. To assist the rookie prospect out of Ohio State, they also signed veteran DBs Cobie Durant & Jalen Thompson. These guys with DaRon Bland are a secondary that I look forward to seeing. These off-season moves should help DTs Quinnen Williams as well as Kenny Clark, who they got in the Packers trade. (Ironically enough, Parsons is out until mid-October.) I’d say the Cowboys won this trade, at least going into the season.

Failing to make the playoffs last season means an easier schedule come September. The first two games are against their weaker divisional opponents, who have questionable injuries within their own offenses. With the departure of A.J. Brown, is there a new top offense in the NFC East? The Eagles might be reigning back-to-back division champs, but I’m not sure about three straight seasons. The Cowboys winning it at +235 on DraftKings is extremely tempting. On the safer side, I think they at least have a chance at a Wild Card spot. Before the schedule release in May, I was able to find this at +108 on a sportsbook exclusive to Ohio called BetJack. Currently, it’s higher on FanDuel at +112. I’d grab this futures bet before it drops.

NFL Odds: Cleveland Browns Under 5.5 Wins

Oh, bless you, Cleveland! You’ve given me a loving, supportive wife, a fairly priced house, and a new understanding of Cleveland Browns fans. Although I don’t see this team winning many football games, even if they didn’t trade Myles Garrett to the Rams. Had they promoted former DC Jim Schwartz to HC, I doubt this deal would’ve been done. You had multiple players singing his praises, including Cleveland’s own Denzel Ward. Hiring Todd Monken instead seems like another typical move by the Browns. This is no snag on Jared Verse whatsoever. He is a fantastic linebacker, and I wish him much success here.

On the other side of the ball, this is the last season of the DeShaun Watson contract. With the amount he’s being paid, the Browns might have no choice but to start him. That’s not the only change coming to this Cleveland offense. They drafted two prospect WRs in this year’s draft. The top target for Shedeur Sanders last season wasn’t even a WR, but TE Harold Fannin. Hopefully KC Concepcion & Denzel Boston will learn the ropes quickly. No matter who is starting at QB, will they be able to score enough to win?

The best NFL odds by far for this prop is available on DraftKings at +125. It’s -$ on at least two other books. On FanDuel, I’ve been looking to parlay the Browns finishing last in the AFC North with another divisional bottom-feeder.

NFL Odds: Chicago Bears To Make The Playoffs

Feel free to convince me otherwise, but the Ben Johnson effect is real. He leaves my Lions for what was a very impressive first HC season at the legendary soon-to-be-abandoned Soldier Field. This Bears offensive line is by far one of the league’s best. The amount of time Caleb Williams had in the pocket was incredible. Even without D.J. Moore, he’s got a young group of pass catchers to choose from. It’ll be hard to predict for fantasy and weekly betting since the Bears drafted yet another TE. You’d think Cole Kmet would be solely a blocking TE, but that’s probably EXACTLY what they want you to think. 

A lot of this bet has more to do with the lack of trust throughout the rest of the division. I am out on all Vikings players for fantasy. If Kyler Murray starts, then we’re expecting him to be ready after not playing for nearly a year. Speaking of staying healthy, can T.J. Hockenson do that? You never know if Jordan Addison will have more off-the-field issues that’ll lead to suspensions. Finally, we can only hope that Justin Jefferson hasn’t missed a step, no matter the QB. For his sake alone, I hope he gets traded.

Let’s not forget about the one common enemy Chicago Bears and Detroit have: Green Bay. I’m extremely happy for Romeo Doubs. He’s had WR2 potential for years and now he’ll finally be able to show it in New England. The Packers recently extended WRs Christian Watson & Jayden Reed. Despite their big playmaking abilities, were these the best two pass catchers to hang onto, knowing their injury history? If anything, I’d keep an eye on Matthew Golden. One injury from his teammates and he’ll have a golden opportunity. Multiple sources are reporting that Tucker Kraft should be ready by Week 1. Even if he is, I don’t believe he’ll be on fire like he was last fall. Not to mention their only run game was recently arrested.

The one significant change the Lions made was trading David Montgomery to Houston. With a pass-catching RB1 in Jahmyr Gibbs, they seem to be shifting into more of a pass offense. They also have a much easier schedule.  (The Jets in September? Yes please!) Two of their last seven games are against the reigning divisional champions. The Bears may have been swept by them a year ago, but who knows how things will look in the second half of the season? It doesn’t help now that their top CB, Terrion Arnold, was arrested. This is gonna be a Thanksgiving to forget/remember because I’m fairly certain that this will be the game to essentially decide the division.

With the way everything went for the Bears last season, it won’t surprise me if they win the NFC North outright at +330. At the very least, I’m confident they’ll make the playoffs, and most nfl sportsbook odds have this at +110, I’d much rather take the safer bet.

Looking for more than just NFL odds? Visit our NFL Season Preview hub, Game Day Preview articles, and free StatementGames contests to test your football knowledge throughout the season.

Thank you for joining us for this special edition of @avi_eisenberg‘s Best Off-Season 2026 NFL Odds Bets To Place Right Now! Be sure to watch for more great NFL, Fantasy Football, and Bets content coming soon!

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