The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is over, and the new league year officially begins next week. There’s still a long way to go before kickoff, but these five teams can realistically threaten to win their division this season despite the longest odds to do so.
Carolina Panthers (+550)
The NFC South immediately stands out. Though it was with a sub-.500 record, the Panthers just won the division last season, yet they have the worst early odds to repeat in 2026. If you look at the FanDuel Carolina Panthers schedule, the reasons for this are clear—a first-place schedule this year includes first-place matchups with the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the Eagles, and the Broncos for the extra showdown from the AFC. That’s brutal. However, an easy case can be made for the Panthers to have the best quarterback in the division in Bryce Young. They want to win in the trenches by running the ball, which helps keep them in games before Young can come through late. The intense schedule could be the difference, but a strong offseason is the path to a repeat as NFC South champs.
Minnesota Vikings (+700)
The most intriguing NFL latest news might be the quarterback situation in Minnesota. With free agency coming next week and guys like former Viking Kirk Cousins set to become available, the balance of power in the NFC North can shift significantly if quarterback is solved for a team that won 14 games with Sam Darnold at the helm two seasons ago. There are conflicting reports on how the Vikings intend to handle former No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy, but they’re bringing in competition to push the young signal-caller at the very least. One way or another, play at the game’s most important position will be improved for a veteran squad looking to win now.
New York Giants (+650)
John Harbaugh is a new sheriff in town for the Giants, and the expectations are immediately lifted despite the struggles of the franchise in recent years. No doubt, the roster must be turned over quite a bit, but Harbaugh knows what it takes to build a winner. If the Eagles have growing pains with the new offense under Sean Mannion, the Cowboys don’t figure out the defense, and the Commanders are unable to bounce back—plus the Giants finally hit big in the draft and free agency while turning over the roster—we could see New York atop the most competitive division in football for the first time in over a decade.
Cleveland Browns (+950)
The next two feel more unlikely than the top three, but certainly more probable than the Cardinals, Jets, or Raiders taking their divisions. For the Browns, maybe first-time head coach Todd Monken is a major hit. Cleveland has two first-round picks to work with this year as they look to build on the promising 2025 draft class, and the defense has a chance to help keep them competitive. It’s difficult to envision breaking out enough to win the division, though, unless Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow again struggle with injury.
Tennessee Titans (+900)
The Titans were a distant fourth in the AFC South last season while the Colts looked like a juggernaut early, the Texans boasted an elite defense under DeMeco Ryans, and the Jaguars enjoyed a huge Year 1 breakout of 13 wins with Liam Coen at head coach. So, breaking through will be an immense challenge. But former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is tasked with getting as much as he can out of a prospect he loved in quarterback Cameron Ward; if they succeed immediately, and new head coach Robert Saleh quickly gets the other side of the ball—which does have underrated pieces—to play well, Tennessee can make some noise. They’ll likely need an extraordinary offseason to win the AFC South, though.