The release of the NFL schedule is a massive moment each year for the hotel and travel industry. Fans frantically scramble to purchase tickets to premium games around the nation and then often arrange for airfare and hotel accommodations.
The creation of the NFL schedule also results in pro football sportsbooks adding Week 1 game lines, futures, and props for total regular season wins to their boards. We’ve gathered together these NFL betting elements to paint a playoff picture and offer a glimpse into how each division will be decided.
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills 10-7 [AFC East Champions, 4 Seed]
- New York Jets 10-7 [6 Seed, Wild Card]
- Miami Dolphins 10-7 [7 Seed, Wild Card]
- New England Patriots 5-12
While the Bills have certainly taken a step back in the personnel department, the NFL odds suggest they’ll finish at the top of the AFC East for the fifth time in a row. Oddsmakers believe that the Dolphins are still at least a year away from taking a step to the next level as they are locked in a dead heat with the Jets, who have high hopes upon Aaron Rodgers’ return.
AFC South
- Houston Texans 10-7 [AFC South Champions, 3 Seed]
- Jacksonville Jaguars 9-8
- Indianapolis Colts 8-9
- Tennessee Titans 6-11
The Houston Texans are the class of the AFC South, and they are the only team in the division positioned for a playoff run. Houston is led by second-year phenom quarterback CJ Stroud, who only ranks behind the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Bills’ Josh Allen in the current NFL MVP odds.
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens 11-6 [AFC North Champions, 2 Seed]
- Cincinnati Bengals 11-6 [5 Seed, Wild Card]
- Cleveland Browns 9-8
- Pittsburgh Steelers 9-8
The Ravens appeared to be the best team in the league last season until they ran into KC in the playoffs. Baltimore is projected to win a tightly contested AFC North, and the Bengals are expected to return to a high level of play, with Joe Burrow returning to full-time duty.
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs 12-5 [AFC West Champions, 1 Seed]
- Los Angeles Chargers 9-8
- Las Vegas Raiders 7-10
- Denver Broncos 6-11
The Kansas City Chiefs are the favorite to win it all at Super Bowl betting sites and will most likely be the only team in the West to make it to the playoffs. If their Super Bowl odds prove accurate, the Chiefs will become the first team to win three Lombardi Trophies in a row.
NFC East
- Dallas Cowboys 10-7 [NFC East Champions, 3 Seed]
- Philadelphia Eagles 10-7 [6 Seed, Wild Card]
- Washington Commanders 7-10
- New York Giants 6-11
The logjam at the top of the NFC East between the Cowboys and Eagles continues into 2024-25, while the Giants and Commanders remain in the bottom half. Don’t be surprised to see the Eagles get back on track this year and win the NFC East after their second-half collapse in 2023-24.
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons 10-7 [NFC South Champions, 4 Seed]
- New Orleans Saints 8-9
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-9
- Carolina Panthers 6-11
The Dirty Birds of the A-T-L now have Kirk Cousins under center and acquired rookie quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The QB position seemed to be the missing piece of the puzzle in 2023-24 for Atlanta, and now their roster should include more than enough ammunition to outperform New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
NFC North
- Detroit Lions 10-7 [NFC North Champions – 2 Seed]
- Green Bay Packers 10-7 [5 Seed, Wild Card]
- Chicago Bears 9-8 [7 Seed, Wild Card]
- Minnesota Vikings 7-10
The Packers have the potential to surge beyond the Lions with the maturation of Jordan Love in Green Bay, but the current odds place them as a Wild Card qualifier. Chicago’s selection of Caleb Williams first overall and the acquisition of key offensive free agents have them coming in 7th in the NFC, but they have a lot to prove on the football field this fall.
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers 11-7 [NFC West Champions, 1 Seed]
- Los Angeles Rams 9-8
- Seattle Seahawks 8-9
- Arizona Cardinals 7-10
The 49ers are the massive favorites to win the NFC West, and they are second overall in the 2024-25 NFL futures at legal football betting sites. San Francisco is getting +700 odds on their chances of winning Super Bowl 59, which will deliver profits of 7-to-1 to gamblers who wager on them now.
Bovada Sportsbook (review), NFL Team Schedules For 2024