Top 10 NFL prop bets for the 2026 season
It’s hard to believe, but the National Football League season is right around the corner. On 6 August, the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will square off in the Hall of Fame Game, kicking off the preseason as teams prepare to cut down to their final rosters. As players make a case for their place on the team, we take a look at 10 prop bets to consider for this season.
(All odds provided by bet365 Sportsbook & Racebook)
10. Texans to make playoffs
Last season, the Houston Texans made the playoffs but were bounced in a defensive battle with the New England Patriots.
It isn’t news to anyone that Houston possesses one of the best defenses and pass rushes in all of football. Led by Will Anderson Jr., the Texans defense gave up the fewest yards per game a season ago and the second-fewest points per game. On the other side of the ball, Houston boosted its run-game production with the addition of David Montgomery who was one half of the best RB duo in the NFL when he played alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit.
Pair his power-running ability with the receiving threat of Nico Collins, and the Texans will be a threat in one of the weaker divisions in the AFC South.
Bet $170 to win $100 on the Texans to make the playoffs
9. AFC North winner
The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed the AFC North title last year and the previous two years belonged to the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, many teams were bitten by the injury bug, and that was a common storyline for the Ravens in 2025-2026.
After an 8-9 season last year, coach John Harbaugh was let go in January and Jesse Minter is the new head coach. Minter joins Baltimore after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers in 2025.
Can Lamar Jackson return to the form that made him one of the best QBs in the league and perhaps the best dual-threat quarterback as well? Even if he isn’t able to return to that level, he has plenty of help.
Every year, people say Derrick Henry is getting older and can't maintain his production, and after 10 weeks, we all look foolish again.
Last year, Henry finished second in both total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. At his size, he is extremely difficult to bring down, especially when he is in the open field and he lands a stiff arm on the defender.
Bet $110 to win $100 on the Ravens to win the AFC North
8. Chargers to make playoffs
In his first two seasons as the Chargers' coach, Jim Harbaugh really showed where his emphasis was as the defense became a top-five defense in the NFL.
Last season, the Chargers were top five in both total yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Harbaugh’s defense also was in the top nine in both rushing yards allowed and points allowed per game. The Achilles' heel for the team has been protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert was sacked 60 times last season, the third-most in the NFL.
He battled through injuries last year, but when healthy, Herbert isn’t afraid to extend plays with his legs and take off for first downs. He also has one of the stronger arms in the league, but his pass catchers have lacked in previous years as well.
That being said, the Chiefs are not as strong as they’ve been so the AFC West is more up for grabs and the Chargers should have the roster to get into the top seven in the AFC.
Bet $165 to win $100 on the Chargers to make the playoffs
7. Most touchdown passes
Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are one of, if not the best, receiving duos in the NFL. So naturally, the Bengals’ offense has been very pass-heavy, especially with Joe Burrow at the helm.
Last year, Burrow only played eight games due to injury, but when fully healthy, Burrow has shown his connection with the two pass catchers. Chase and Higgins make it very difficult for secondaries to prioritize one over the other because either receiver can make you pay in a 1-on-1 matchup.
Bet $100 to win $450 on Burrow to toss for the most TDs
6. Most receiving touchdowns
As mentioned, Chase and Higgins are quite the pairing but they both can’t catch a TD on the same play. One of the best receivers in the league is the young Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
QB Sam Darnold loves finding JSN no matter where he is on the field. He tallied 119 catches to go with his 10 TD catches. Look for that connection to continue to grow. Jaxon’s speed off the line and ability to create separation makes him so dangerous. So don’t be surprised when Darnold is eyeing him down in the red zone.
Bet $100 to win $850 on JSN to catch the most touchdown passes
5. AFC East winner
The New England Patriots shocked a lot of people when the team made it to the Super Bowl and won the AFC East with a 14-3 record, besting the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen isn’t the type of player to take that lightly. He is a competitor and a gamer. It also helps that the Patriots have quite a tough schedule in the upcoming season.
A big signing for the Bills was picking up WR DJ Moore, who gives a lacking WR room a boost. Giving Allen additional targets is such a major focus, because we all know what Allen can do with his legs and then you add the talent of James Cook in the backfield and that gives defenses enough to worry about as it is.
The Bills will have a new coach running the show after Sean McDermott was fired in January. Allen shouldn’t have to do too much adjusting though as the new head coach is last year’s offensive coordinator Joe Brady who Allen and co. is obviously quite familiar with.
Allen had success throwing to tight ends last year but he needs help stretching the field which Moore can add.
Bet $140 to win $100 on the Bills to win the AFC East
4. Most rushing touchdowns
Last year, Jonathan Taylor rushed for the most touchdowns with 18 and we are rolling with him to lead the league again this year. If you look at the running back room, Taylor is THE guy and if you get inside the 10-yard line, the Colts are not afraid to give Taylor three carries to get into the end zone.
The big body of QB Daniel Jones could see some QB sneaks at the goal line, but more often than not, Taylor is getting the ball into his hands.
Bet $100 to win $650 on Taylor scoring the most rushing touchdowns
3. NFC West winner
Last year, the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West division with a 14-3 record.
This season, the LA Rams are who we are highlighted to claim the division. Led by QB Matthew Stafford, the offense is well-rounded with the ground attack of Kyren Williams and the catching abilities of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
The Rams just know how to move the ball no matter what a defense throws at them. Sure, the Rams do miss the presence of Aaron Donald on defense, but they may have filled his shoes with a big offseason move.
Bet $100 to win $100 on the Rams to win the NFC West
2. Defensive Player of the Year
As mentioned above, the Rams were busy this offseason and their attention was focused on bringing in reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
He was the unanimous winner after setting the single-season sacks record with 23. He is a difference maker for any team and he will give the NFC West and the rest of the league fits trying to figure out ways to slow him down because you really can’t stop him.
Bet $100 to win $450 on Garrett to win DPoY
1. Super Bowl LXI winner
Heading back over to Buffalo, don’t be surprised if Josh Allen comes out with an MVP-caliber season. He is the current favorite to win MVP (+550) and rightfully so.
We’ve highlighted Allen and the talented offense of the Bills, but let’s not overlook the defense.
Last year, the Bills gave up the fewest passing yards per game, less than 157 air yards! Their focus this year will be righting the ship on the rushing defense which was in the bottom tier of the NFL. If they can just be middle of the road in that category, offenses will find it tough to move the ball and get points on the board.
Bet $100 to win $1,000 on the Bills to win the Super Bowl
(All odds provided by bet365 Sportsbook & Racebook)
10. Texans to make playoffs
Last season, the Houston Texans made the playoffs but were bounced in a defensive battle with the New England Patriots.
It isn’t news to anyone that Houston possesses one of the best defenses and pass rushes in all of football. Led by Will Anderson Jr., the Texans defense gave up the fewest yards per game a season ago and the second-fewest points per game. On the other side of the ball, Houston boosted its run-game production with the addition of David Montgomery who was one half of the best RB duo in the NFL when he played alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit.
Pair his power-running ability with the receiving threat of Nico Collins, and the Texans will be a threat in one of the weaker divisions in the AFC South.
Bet $170 to win $100 on the Texans to make the playoffs
9. AFC North winner
The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed the AFC North title last year and the previous two years belonged to the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, many teams were bitten by the injury bug, and that was a common storyline for the Ravens in 2025-2026.
After an 8-9 season last year, coach John Harbaugh was let go in January and Jesse Minter is the new head coach. Minter joins Baltimore after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers in 2025.
Can Lamar Jackson return to the form that made him one of the best QBs in the league and perhaps the best dual-threat quarterback as well? Even if he isn’t able to return to that level, he has plenty of help.
Every year, people say Derrick Henry is getting older and can't maintain his production, and after 10 weeks, we all look foolish again.
Last year, Henry finished second in both total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. At his size, he is extremely difficult to bring down, especially when he is in the open field and he lands a stiff arm on the defender.
Bet $110 to win $100 on the Ravens to win the AFC North
8. Chargers to make playoffs
In his first two seasons as the Chargers' coach, Jim Harbaugh really showed where his emphasis was as the defense became a top-five defense in the NFL.
Last season, the Chargers were top five in both total yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Harbaugh’s defense also was in the top nine in both rushing yards allowed and points allowed per game. The Achilles' heel for the team has been protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert was sacked 60 times last season, the third-most in the NFL.
He battled through injuries last year, but when healthy, Herbert isn’t afraid to extend plays with his legs and take off for first downs. He also has one of the stronger arms in the league, but his pass catchers have lacked in previous years as well.
That being said, the Chiefs are not as strong as they’ve been so the AFC West is more up for grabs and the Chargers should have the roster to get into the top seven in the AFC.
Bet $165 to win $100 on the Chargers to make the playoffs
season officially starts in 50 days ?? pic.twitter.com/Fnr3AyX331
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 25, 2026
7. Most touchdown passes
Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are one of, if not the best, receiving duos in the NFL. So naturally, the Bengals’ offense has been very pass-heavy, especially with Joe Burrow at the helm.
Last year, Burrow only played eight games due to injury, but when fully healthy, Burrow has shown his connection with the two pass catchers. Chase and Higgins make it very difficult for secondaries to prioritize one over the other because either receiver can make you pay in a 1-on-1 matchup.
Bet $100 to win $450 on Burrow to toss for the most TDs
6. Most receiving touchdowns
As mentioned, Chase and Higgins are quite the pairing but they both can’t catch a TD on the same play. One of the best receivers in the league is the young Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
QB Sam Darnold loves finding JSN no matter where he is on the field. He tallied 119 catches to go with his 10 TD catches. Look for that connection to continue to grow. Jaxon’s speed off the line and ability to create separation makes him so dangerous. So don’t be surprised when Darnold is eyeing him down in the red zone.
Bet $100 to win $850 on JSN to catch the most touchdown passes
5. AFC East winner
The New England Patriots shocked a lot of people when the team made it to the Super Bowl and won the AFC East with a 14-3 record, besting the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen isn’t the type of player to take that lightly. He is a competitor and a gamer. It also helps that the Patriots have quite a tough schedule in the upcoming season.
A big signing for the Bills was picking up WR DJ Moore, who gives a lacking WR room a boost. Giving Allen additional targets is such a major focus, because we all know what Allen can do with his legs and then you add the talent of James Cook in the backfield and that gives defenses enough to worry about as it is.
The Bills will have a new coach running the show after Sean McDermott was fired in January. Allen shouldn’t have to do too much adjusting though as the new head coach is last year’s offensive coordinator Joe Brady who Allen and co. is obviously quite familiar with.
Allen had success throwing to tight ends last year but he needs help stretching the field which Moore can add.
Bet $140 to win $100 on the Bills to win the AFC East
4. Most rushing touchdowns
Last year, Jonathan Taylor rushed for the most touchdowns with 18 and we are rolling with him to lead the league again this year. If you look at the running back room, Taylor is THE guy and if you get inside the 10-yard line, the Colts are not afraid to give Taylor three carries to get into the end zone.
The big body of QB Daniel Jones could see some QB sneaks at the goal line, but more often than not, Taylor is getting the ball into his hands.
Bet $100 to win $650 on Taylor scoring the most rushing touchdowns
Jonathan speeeeedy Taylor. ????? pic.twitter.com/UmRnFPqWVv
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 20, 2026
3. NFC West winner
Last year, the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West division with a 14-3 record.
This season, the LA Rams are who we are highlighted to claim the division. Led by QB Matthew Stafford, the offense is well-rounded with the ground attack of Kyren Williams and the catching abilities of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
The Rams just know how to move the ball no matter what a defense throws at them. Sure, the Rams do miss the presence of Aaron Donald on defense, but they may have filled his shoes with a big offseason move.
Bet $100 to win $100 on the Rams to win the NFC West
2. Defensive Player of the Year
As mentioned above, the Rams were busy this offseason and their attention was focused on bringing in reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
He was the unanimous winner after setting the single-season sacks record with 23. He is a difference maker for any team and he will give the NFC West and the rest of the league fits trying to figure out ways to slow him down because you really can’t stop him.
Bet $100 to win $450 on Garrett to win DPoY
1. Super Bowl LXI winner
Heading back over to Buffalo, don’t be surprised if Josh Allen comes out with an MVP-caliber season. He is the current favorite to win MVP (+550) and rightfully so.
We’ve highlighted Allen and the talented offense of the Bills, but let’s not overlook the defense.
Last year, the Bills gave up the fewest passing yards per game, less than 157 air yards! Their focus this year will be righting the ship on the rushing defense which was in the bottom tier of the NFL. If they can just be middle of the road in that category, offenses will find it tough to move the ball and get points on the board.
Bet $100 to win $1,000 on the Bills to win the Super Bowl
Defense ???? pic.twitter.com/XjMDtW0CsG
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 25, 2026