NFL · 2 hours ago

ESPN Ranks All 32 NFL Teams by Their Playoff Odds for 2026

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 8-9
- Division Finish: 3rd in NFC South
- Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 33.7%

Atlanta rounds out the top 10 despite having the lowest playoff probability among these teams. The Falcons are hoping Michael Penix Jr. can provide the stability and upside needed to push the franchise forward. While the odds aren't particularly favorable, Atlanta has enough talent to emerge as one of the NFC's surprise teams if things break its way.
AFC Conference
The AFC is again packed with playoff-caliber teams and elite quarterback play. ESPN's projections favor several familiar contenders, but a handful of rising teams are looking to crash the postseason picture.
1) Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC East
- Head Coach: Joe Brady
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 84.9%

The Bills again enter the season as one of the AFC's safest bets to reach the postseason. As long as Josh Allen is under center, Buffalo will have the offensive firepower needed to win games even when things don't go perfectly. An 84.9% playoff probability reflects both the talent on the roster and the consistency the franchise has shown over the last several years.
2) Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 8-9
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC North
- Head Coach: Jesse Minter
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 82.5%

Few teams can match Baltimore's combination of star power and physicality on both sides of the ball. Lamar Jackson remains one of the league's most dangerous players, while Derrick Henry gives the offense another punishing element. If the Ravens stay healthy, their playoff odds suggest they're firmly in the mix for another deep postseason run.
3) Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 6-11
- Division Finish: 3rd in AFC North
- Head Coach: Zac Taylor
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 69.2%

The Bengals are counting on a healthy Joe Burrow to lead them back into playoff contention after an up-and-down stretch. With Ja'Marr Chase still capable of taking over games, Cincinnati has the offensive talent to compete with any team in the conference. ESPN's projection shows confidence in the Bengals, though there's less margin for error compared to the AFC's top contenders.
4) Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 6-11
- Division Finish: 3rd in AFC West
- Head Coach: Andy Reid
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 67.6%

Seeing Kansas City fourth on this list feels unusual, given the standard the franchise has established. Still, any team led by Patrick Mahomes deserves serious playoff consideration regardless of projections. The Chiefs have repeatedly proven they can overcome roster questions and find their way into the postseason picture.
5) Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 11-6
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC West
- Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 65.1%

The Chargers appear to be building real momentum under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert remains one of the NFL's most talented quarterbacks, and the team showed signs of becoming more balanced last season. A playoff probability above 65% suggests Los Angeles is expected to be right in the thick of the AFC race.
6) New England Patriots
New England Patriots Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC East
- Head Coach: Mike Vrabel
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 61.1%

This could be one of the biggest surprises in ESPN's projections. The Patriots are banking on second-year quarterback Drake Maye taking another major step forward as the face of the franchise. If that happens and the supporting cast improves around him, New England has a realistic path back to playoff football.
7) Houston Texans
Houston Texans Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC South
- Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 57.9%

The emergence of C.J. Stroud has largely fueled Houston's rise over the last few seasons. The Texans have built a roster capable of competing for the AFC South, but their playoff odds show that nothing is guaranteed in a crowded conference. Expectations remain high, though they'll have to prove they can handle being the hunted instead of the hunter.
8) Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 13-4
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC South
- Head Coach: Liam Coen
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 54.0%

The Jaguars remain one of the more difficult teams to project entering the season. Trevor Lawrence has flashed franchise-quarterback potential, but consistency has been a challenge for Jacksonville. Their playoff chances suggest a team that could just as easily compete for a division title as miss the postseason altogether.
9) Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC West
- Head Coach: Sean Payton
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 53.6%

Denver exceeded expectations last season and now faces the challenge of proving it wasn't a one-year surge. Quarterback Bo Nix showed encouraging development, giving the Broncos reason to believe their rebuild is moving in the right direction. The near coin-flip playoff odds reflect both the promise of the roster and the difficulty of competing in the AFC.
10) Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 10-7
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC North
- Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 38.5%

The Steelers find themselves lower on the list than they're accustomed to, but it speaks to how competitive the conference has become. Much of Pittsburgh's outlook will depend on how quickly Aaron Rodgers settles into the offense and elevates the passing game.
NFC Conference
The NFC appears wide open entering the season, with multiple teams capable of making a playoff push. ESPN's projections highlight a mix of established contenders and emerging challengers across the conference.
1) Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC West
- Head Coach: Sean McVay
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 81.8%

The Rams entering the season with the NFC's highest playoff odds is a testament to how quickly this team has reloaded. Matthew Stafford continues to play at a high level, while Puka Nacua gives the offense a legitimate star to build around. Los Angeles looks positioned to remain one of the conference's most complete teams.
2) Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in NFC West
- Head Coach: Mike Macdonald
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 69.1%

Seattle has become one of the more intriguing teams in the NFC thanks to its blend of young talent and proven veterans. The offense has plenty of playmakers, and expectations are growing around quarterback Sam Darnold in his new environment. A playoff probability near 70% reflects the belief that the Seahawks are ready to contend for the division.
3) Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 9-8
- Division Finish: 4th in NFC North
- Head Coach: Dan Campbell
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 68.4%

After establishing themselves among the NFC's elite, the Lions now face the challenge of maintaining that standard. Jared Goff continues to thrive within Detroit's system, and the roster remains loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Their playoff odds suggest another postseason appearance is more likely than not.
4) San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 3rd in NFC West
- Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 66.8%

The 49ers have too much talent to be ignored despite questions surrounding recent roster changes. Christian McCaffrey remains the centerpiece of the offense when healthy, and San Francisco's core still stacks up well against most of the conference. The playoff projection reflects respect for the roster while acknowledging a tougher road ahead.
5) Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 9-7
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC North
- Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 63.3%

Green Bay continues to trend upward with Jordan Love leading a young and exciting offense. The Packers have developed into one of the NFC's most dangerous teams when everything is clicking. Their playoff odds place them firmly in the postseason conversation entering the year.
6) Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 11-6
- Division Finish: 1st in NFC East
- Head Coach: Nick Sirianni
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 60.5%

The Eagles are coming off another playoff appearance, but expectations remain higher than getting in. Jalen Hurts gives Philadelphia a chance to compete with anyone, and the roster is still loaded with talent. Even so, ESPN's projection suggests the margin between the Eagles and the NFC's top contenders may be slimmer than expected.
7) Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 7-9
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC East
- Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 48.1%

Dallas lands in the middle tier of playoff hopefuls according to ESPN's projections. Much will depend on whether Dak Prescott can stay healthy and return to his best form throughout the season. The Cowboys have enough talent to exceed these odds, but consistency has been an issue in recent years.
8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 8-9
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC South
- Head Coach: Todd Bowles
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 47.3%

The Buccaneers have quietly become one of the NFL's most resilient teams. Baker Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa Bay and helped keep the franchise in playoff contention. Their odds reflect a team that should remain competitive, even if the path to January football won't be easy.
9) Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 11-6
- Division Finish: 1st in NFC North
- Head Coach: Ben Johnson
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 46.5%

Expectations are climbing in Chicago, largely thanks to Caleb Williams's development. The Bears have surrounded their young quarterback with more talent, creating optimism that meaningful progress is on the horizon. ESPN's projection suggests they're right on the edge of becoming a legitimate playoff threat.
10) Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 8-9
- Division Finish: 3rd in NFC South
- Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
ESPN Chance to Make Playoffs: 33.7%

Atlanta rounds out the top 10 despite having the lowest playoff probability among these teams. The Falcons are hoping Michael Penix Jr. can provide the stability and upside needed to push the franchise forward. While the odds aren't particularly favorable, Atlanta has enough talent to emerge as one of the NFC's surprise teams if things break its way.
AFC Conference
The AFC is again packed with playoff-caliber teams and elite quarterback play. ESPN's projections favor several familiar contenders, but a handful of rising teams are looking to crash the postseason picture.