Add The New York Post on Google The Post’s betting staff gives their best bets and predictions for the 2026 NFL season.
Jahmyr Gibbs leads running backs in receiving yards (+500, FanDuel): Jahmyr Gibbs should be the favorite in this market, which is currently led by Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey. Gibbs is perhaps the best running back in the league, posting 616 receiving yards last year, third most behind Robinson (820) and McCaffrey (924). David Montgomery is now out of the picture, having defected to the Texans, and Isaiah Pacheco is on injured reserve, giving Gibbs the entire workload to enjoy. Last year, Gibbs ran a route on just 59 percent of pass plays, far beneath the 80 percent from McCaffrey and 74 percent from Robinson. With the deck cleared and checkdown specialist Jared Goff tossing the rock, Gibbs should be the favorite to lead the league in receiving yards out of the backfield.
Denver Broncos win the AFC West (+220, bet365): Bo Nix takes a step this year with shiny new weapons in Jaylen Waddle and Jonah Coleman. The Broncos’ offense should be much improved from a playmaking perspective, and the offensive line is ranked No. 1 by Pro Football Focus. Denver also has a top-tier defense. I love Denver this year and they should not be underdogs in this division where I don’t love the Chiefs or Chargers.
Bills to win Super Bowl (10/1, BetRivers): It’s finally Josh Allen’s time to shine. The league’s No. 1 quarterback was a bad call away from going to the AFC Championship Game in a loss to the Denver Broncos. Allen adds DJ Moore to the offense, and their defense should be significantly improved with Bradley Chubb, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and more added. Bullish on Buffalo this season.
Ja’Marr Chase receiving yards leader (+600, DraftKings): It has felt like there have been some warnings from Bengals QB Joe Burrow about what the future holds for him should Cincinnati underachieve again. This may be Cincinnati’s final stand with this group, and if the Bengals are going to be great it will require Chase to be outstanding. I like his odds to lead the league in receiving yards considering Puka Nacua has been in trouble in recent years and Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays for a loaded Seahawks team that may bleed the clock more than Cincinnati, which still has defensive issues.
Giants Under 7.5 wins (-110, DraftKings): I believe the Giants will be improved this year and there will be real reason to be excited heading into 2027. I also believe their schedule is loaded this year and they will struggle to win games. They face two tough teams to start, and their final 12 games are pretty tough. I have concerns that if Malik Nabers is not fully healthy, and he’s missed time in each of his first two seasons, the Giants won’t move the ball effectively. This is still a roster lacking top-end talent that likely needs one more draft cycle before it can truly contend.
Rams (+500, DraftKings): I’m going to be boring, but the Rams are the most talented team in the NFL and seem well-positioned to win their second title under Sean McVay. Matthew Stafford won MVP honors last season, the receiving room is elite with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and the defense could be ferocious with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald hounding quarterbacks. The biggest concern is age with Stafford, Adams and Donald getting up there, but this roster is absolutely loaded. The Seahawks are certainly worthy contenders, but it’s very hard to repeat in the NFL.
Christian Watson Over 774.5 receiving yards (-110, DraftKings): While the void left by Josh Jacobs in the backfield is impossible to overlook, it creates an opportunity for Jordan Love to air it out more frequently, putting Watson in a prime position to thrive. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks departing in free agency and Tucker Kraft still working his way back from a torn ACL, Watson is staring at a significantly larger piece of the target pie. He trailed only Alec Pierce in yards per reception last year at 17.5, and provided he can avoid the injury bug, the former second-round pick is the clear favorite to emerge as the WR1 in Green Bay.
Texans Over 10.5 wins (+120, BetMGM): Defense does win championships, and while there are valid concerns about CJ Stroud’s development, the Texans deserve more recognition after finishing last season with a 12-5 record. Yes, the Jaguars surprised everyone last season by winning the division, but right on their heels was DeMeco Ryan and the Texans, who entered the Wild Card round on a nine-game winning streak. Nico Collins continues to be a game-changer at wide receiver, and with the addition of David Montgomery, they have brought in a reliable veteran for their backfield. The offensive line has also been strengthened by rookie Keylan Rutledge. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter pose a significant pass rush threat to opposing quarterbacks, while Derek Stingley Jr. remains a shutdown corner. If Stroud can limit the turnovers, Houston will be a problem.
Ravens to win Super Bowl (10/1, DraftKings): This one is simple. With a healthy Lamar Jackson and a brand-new coaching staff, Baltimore enters the post-John Harbaugh era with nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Jackson already has two MVP awards under his belt, and we’re well aware of the playoff shortcomings. It’ll be on Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to implement new strategies to finally get the Ravens over the hump.
Bengals to win AFC North (+164, DraftKings): A 2024 that ended in five straight wins and a 2025 thwarted by Joe Burrow’s nine-game absence both ended in no playoff appearances for the Bengals. Every other AFC North team has had a change of guard but Cincinnati, who now own the longest playoff drought amongst the division. You can never go wrong with a healthy Burrow throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins while the defense is trending up after holding opponents to 24 or fewer points in five of the final six games last year. With the second-overall best strength of schedule, if anyone is due for an explosion, it’s the Stripes.
Seahawks Over 10.5 Wins (-115, DraftKings): It’s not to say the defending Super Bowl champs are undervalued, but the Seahawks are returning 20 out of 22 starters to one of the most efficient operations in recent memory. The culture, brotherhood and Mike MacDonald remain consistent. The defense needs no introduction after finishing No. 1 in scoring and DVOA. Darnold must prove he can do it all over with an unproven backfield, but reigning Offensive player of the Year winner Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a safe bet to trust. Barring the Rams in their way, 11 wins is reasonable.
Bills to win Super Bowl (10/1, DraftKings): Something has just gotta give for a Buffalo bunch stuck in Groundhog Day. We know Josh Allen is capable of taking this team to the promised land, but can the supporting cast and defense not soil the bed in the biggest playoff moments? A new scheme is designed to patch up the porous run defense while DJ Moore adds a reliable No. 1 target for Allen. What’s old is new with promoted head coach Joe Brady, who studied under a Sean McDermott regime that’s led the Bills into seven straight postseasons.
Catch up on The Post’s NFL betting previews and predictions for the 2026 season
Amon-Ra St. Brown receiving TD leader (+700, BetMGM): St. Brown has been a touchdown-scoring machine in Detroit, but he’s fallen just short of leading the league in receiving touchdowns for the past three seasons. He’s a magnet for the ball when the Lions are in the red zone and has consistently been at the top of the league in scoring within 20 yards of the goal line. I’m betting this will be the year he gets over the hump.
Dallas Cowboys to miss the playoffs (-110, bet365): Every year is supposed to be the year for the Cowboys and they manage to fall short in spectacular fashion. Last season, the Cowboys defense allowed 30 points per game, the worst in the league. While they made some improvements on that end, they haven’t done enough to convince me they will be drastically improved and they have one of the toughest upcoming schedules this season.
Seahawks to win Super Bowl (12/1, DraftKings): Yes, it’s tough to repeat in the NFL — the Chiefs were the first team in 19 years to do it in 2024 — but this Seahawks team has as good a chance as any to go back-to-back. Their defense is arguably the best in the NFL and it can carry them pretty far. Whether you believe Sam Darnold is elite or not, he went head-to-head with last season’s MVP and outplayed him. I’ll roll with the champs until they prove they aren’t the best.
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
