There are plenty of NFL futures bets to make on DraftKings Sportsbook as the season rapidly approaches.
This is a look at the teams to bet on to miss the 2025-26 NFL Playoffs.
Odds to miss the NFL Playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook
You can read my best bets to MAKE the playoffs here.
Denver Broncos (+100)
The Broncos took a massive jump last season. They went 8-9 in 2023, then drafted Bo Nix to be their new QB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix had a great rookie season, but it was the Denver defense that was the best in the NFL last season. Steady quarterback play and an elite defense saw the Broncos go 10-7 and make the postseason. The Broncos could be due for some negative regression next season, however. They had a favorable schedule last year and took advantage of it, to their credit. According to ESPN’s FPI, they will have the 11th-hardest schedule in the NFL next season. The Chiefs are still the Chiefs, the Chargers should be better in Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh and the Raiders should be improved with Geno Smith and Pete Carroll, instantly making their division a tougher gauntlet.
Bo Nix was a great game manager for the Broncos, but because of their great defense, he was never asked to do much. They should have a great defense once again, but it has been proven in the NFL that maintaining an elite defense is a difficult task. Also, with the tape out on Bo Nix, opposing defenses will do a better job of slowing Denver down. The Broncos should see some regression, but more than anything, this is a bet on other teams in the AFC catching up to Denver and knocking them out of a playoff spot.
Washington Commanders (+130)
The Commanders are another team that took a massive jump forward with a rookie quarterback. Jayden Daniels set the league on fire and ultimately won Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. That type of magical season is hard to replicate once the league is on notice. Every defensive coach in the NFL will have the Commanders circled on their schedule. The NFC East will be improved next year, as well. Of course, the defending world champions will be there, the Eagles, but the Cowboys will have Dak Prescott back and the Giants should be better with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Per FPI, the Commanders have the sixth-hardest schedule in the NFL. With Jayden Daniels’ style of play, injuries are always a risk, as well. So, at +130, it’s worth a bet on the Commanders to miss the playoffs.
Parlay: Browns, Saints, Colts and Titans (+100)
All four of these teams could be in for tough seasons. The Browns have a quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett underway, none of which will strike much fear into opposing defenses. They lost Nick Chubb, and their offense should not be much better than last year’s unit. The team, which went 3-14 last season, won’t be able to make a big enough jump to make the postseason next year, even if one of those quarterbacks exceeds expectations.
The Saints are another team who are unlikely to take a step forward. Their quarterback situation is also in disarray, with Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough fighting for the starting job. In an increasingly tough NFC South, they won’t be able to get into playoff contention.
Count the Colts among those with an abysmal quarterback situation. Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will be fighting for that job this summer. The Colts went 8-9 last year, but they are likely to see some regression. The Texans will be a good team again, the Jaguars should be greatly improved from last season and the Titans should be slightly better with Cam Ward. That being said, the Titans are another team likely to miss the playoffs. They were the worst team in the league last season, which earned them Ward. However, even if Ward hits right away, it’s hard to imagine the team making that dramatic of a leap forward. Ward doesn’t have great weapons to work with offensively and the defense isn’t good enough to carry the team. Both of these teams should finish in the bottom half of the AFC South and miss the postseason.
