It’s that time again! Fantasy football season is back, and even if we have just a glimpse of the playoffs, there’s still room to draft those pretend teams. This year, we’re zeroing in on “Best Ball” formats where you just select your roster for the playoff teams and see how it unfolds.
These leagues don’t require you to draft each week as the playoffs progress, which means some guessing for who might win. Notably, as the No. 1 seeds, the Broncos and Seahawks have home-field advantage and a week to recuperate, but this year’s top teams seem less dominant than in previous seasons; they might surprise us by getting knocked out earlier.
Let’s delve into the odds below, although we all know predicting the playoffs is tricky, sometimes you really have to trust your gut.
Injuries and updates for the 2026 NFL Playoffs
Herbert has struggled with O-line injuries this season but was rested in Week 18. He should be good to go in Foxboro on Sunday night.
Love sat out Week 17 due to a concussion but returned in time for Week 18. Since the Packers locked in the No. 7 seed, they rested several starters. He’s expected to perform well in Chicago during the wild-card round on Saturday.
Purdy took a hard hit in the Week 18 loss to the Seahawks, but thankfully, his non-throwing shoulder is fine. He should be ready for Sunday’s matchup against the Eagles.
Allen has been nursing a foot issue, but after getting a break in Week 18, he should be in good shape for his game in Jacksonville on Sunday.
Jacobs has been dealing with knee and ankle problems for weeks but was able to rest last week for playoff prep. He might not be at full strength, yet he has performed well despite the setbacks.
Dobbins was placed on IR with a foot injury, but his recovery seems to be on track. If the Broncos make it to the AFC Championship game, he could be in play, although he’s probably not someone to prioritize in drafts unless you’re looking for depth.
Jordan has shown promise despite injuries affecting both Nick Chubb and Woody Marks, but he missed the Week 18 game due to an ankle issue. With Chubb inactive, Brooks stepped up, making the backup position more valuable for deeper playoff leagues.
Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot but was back in practice last week and is listed as questionable. We’ll need to monitor his situation this week to see if he’ll play against the Packers.
Adams returned to practice last week, though he’s questionable due to a hamstring injury. The team appears to be taking a cautious approach to ensure he’s ready for the playoffs. Head coach Sean McVay commented that he anticipates Adams will be available.
Pearsall is questionable as well after struggling with back and knee injuries. He was close to playing last week, which suggests he might be ready for the game against the Eagles.
Dontavion Wicks, Packers
Wicks is currently in concussion protocol but has the advantage of an extra week due to the Packers resting their roster in Week 18. His recovery chances seem promising.
Ferguson missed Week 18 with a hamstring injury; it’s unclear how serious it is since the team might have exercised extra caution. Even if they advance, his value could diminish with Tyler Higbee’s return to the active roster.
Seattle Seahawks +420
Los Angeles Rams +440
Denver Broncos +650
Philadelphia Eagles +850
New England Patriots +1000
Buffalo Bills +1000
Houston Texans +1100
Jacksonville Jaguars +1400
Green Bay Packers +1700
Chicago Bears +1900
San Francisco 49ers +2500
Los Angeles Chargers +3000
Pittsburgh Steelers +6000
Carolina Panthers +22500
The Seahawks are the favorites, sitting as the top seed in the NFC. Securing a bye certainly boosts your chances of reaching the Super Bowl. Interestingly, the Rams still feature prominently in the odds despite their wild card game being on the road, and clearly, Vegas recognizes their potential under Matthew Stafford’s coaching.
The AFC landscape feels open, which is advantageous for the top-seeded Broncos. They won’t face a team from the NFC West until potentially the Super Bowl. The Rams appear to be the strongest contenders heading into the playoffs, while the Broncos might just have the gentlest playoff path.
One standout matchup I’ll be looking forward to is the Rams against the Bills. If both teams make it through the wild-card round, there could be a maximum of four games, allowing the Seahawks and Broncos to play one or two games. If I’m mistaken, this also means the rankings might need reevaluation. Feel free to adjust your rankings if you disagree with my picks.
