2026 NFL Season Preview

New England ended Buffalo’s five-year grip on the AFC East and went all the way to the Super Bowl, but the Bills are favoured to take the division straight back.

Division Winner

Buffalo

AFC East Winner

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$1.70

The AFC East is a two-horse race and Buffalo are the right side of it, even at a skinny price.

New England’s 14 win season was outstanding but it came with an asterisk. Only four of their seventeen games were against teams that made the playoffs and they went 2-2 in those. They then met injury-hit opposition through January before falling to Seattle. Mike Vrabel has built something real – especially on defence – and the trade for AJ Brown gives Drake Maye the top-line receiver he lacked, but the Patriots now face the sixth-hardest schedule in the league.

Buffalo have gone over 10.5 wins in each of the last six seasons. There has been change — Sean McDermott is gone and offensive co-ordinator Joe Brady has been promoted — but there is offensive continuity and Josh Allen remains the difference in this division. Trading for DJ Moore addresses the receiving problem that saw Brandin Cooks catching passes in the playoffs, and Bradley Chubb adds a pass rusher to a defence that needed one, so long as he can stay healthy.

The Jets and Dolphins are irrelevant here. Aaron Glenn’s first year returned three wins and Geno Smith does not change the equation. Miami have gutted the roster, looking almost destined for the first overall pick in next year’s draft.

With Allen healthy and the schedule turning against New England, the Bills are the play.

Season Wins Over/Under

New England Under 10.5

Season Wins

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$1.75

The Patriots won 14 games against one of the easiest schedules in football and now get the sixth-hardest. Four playoff opponents last year becomes a far tougher slate.

Player Prop

James Cook

Most Regular Season Rushing Yards

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$8.00

Cook led the NFL in rushing last season and comes back to the same situation with a better passing game around him. The DJ Moore trade matters here: defences that stacked the box against Buffalo now have to respect the outside, and Cook is the beneficiary. Josh Allen’s own rushing volume is the only real handbrake, and Allen has been trending towards fewer designed runs as he ages. Cook is well placed to go back to back.

Editor in Chief

Frankie McDonald

Frankie has spent more than two decades working in the Australian wagering industry and is widely regarded for his expertise in AFL, NRL and horse racing tips.