Major sports events in January 2026
By Deniss Novickis | Published: January 9, 2026
January is a special month for all American football fans, as the regular season is finally over, and the real battle begins. Fourteen teams made it through to the NFL playoffs, with the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks receiving a bye to the divisional playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending champions, but they are only fourth in the list of top favourites to claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year.
In this article, MightyTips analyses the 2026 Super Bowl odds and other long-term betting options. We'll talk about the main contenders and their form ahead of the decisive clashes, and predict who'll become the world champions at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026.
THE PLAYOFF BRACKET IS SET! 💪#NFLonDAZN #Playoffs pic.twitter.com/PzzUjiPzu9
— NFL on DAZN (@NFLonDAZN) January 5, 2026
The most popular long-term bet is, obviously, the team to win the Super Bowl, yet there are other options to choose from. You can select which division or conference the future winners are representing, as well as bet on whether there will be a first-time champion this year. We'll talk about each betting option below, providing NFL playoffs odds just ahead of the first matches.
The Seattle Seahawks, winners of the NFC West division, are the team to beat, according to the bookies. Curiously, they didn't even make the playoffs last season, but now Mike Macdonald's charges are the top favourites at 4.75. Next come their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, sitting at 5.25.
The Denver Broncos, top seeds in the AFC conference, are third in the list, at 7.50, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles. The defending champions can be had at 9.50. The Carolina Panthers, who made it to the playoffs with a losing record, sit at 176.00, but let's be clear here - if they'll manage to win a single game, this will be a miracle, to say the least.
| Seattle Seahawks | 4.75 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 5.25 |
| Denver Broncos | 7.50 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 9.50 |
| New England Patriots | 11.00 |
| Buffalo Bills | 11.00 |
| Houston Texans | 12.00 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 15.00 |
| Chicago Bears | 21.00 |
| Green Bay Packers | 21.00 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 23.00 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 31.00 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 51.00 |
| Carolina Panthers | 176.00 |
The NFC West division is represented by three teams, including the top two favourites. The bet on the AFC East looks promising, as this division has two strong teams, one of which is destined to play in the AFC championship game.
The bet on the AFC West doesn't look promising, as the Chargers won't make it to the Super Bowl, so taking the Broncos at a higher price is the move if you believe they will go all the way. If you do like betting on underdogs at big odds, opting for the NFC North might be a good idea. The Bears and the Packers play against each other, and the winner will have a good chance to reach the NFC championship at least.
| NFC West (SEA Seahawks, LA Rams, SF 49ers) | 2.30 |
| AFC East (NE Patriots, BUF Bills) | 5.50 |
| AFC West (DEN Broncos, LA Chargers) | 6.00 |
| AFC South (HOU Texans, JAX Jaguars) | 6.50 |
| NFC East (PHI Eagles) | 9.50 |
| NFC North (CHI Bears, GB Packers) | 10.00 |
| AFC North (PIT Steelers) | 51.00 |
| NFC South (CAR Panthers) | 176.00 |
Teams from the AFC conference have won six of the last 10 Super Bowls, mostly because of the dominance of the Kansas City Chiefs and their brilliant quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. However, it's more like a coin flip with a 50% chance for both conferences. With the top two favourites coming from the NFC, and the AFC top seeds being fairly inexperienced, we doubt there's value in betting either of these two options.
| NFC (CAR Panthers, CHI Bears, GB Packers, LA Rams, PHI Eagles, SEA Seahawks, SF 49ers) | 1.71 |
| AFC (BUF Bills, DEN Broncos, HOU Texans, JAX Jaguars, LA Chargers, NE Patriots, PIT Steelers) | 2.10 |
This is a much more interesting option, as you can bet that one of the five contenders will win the Super Bowl for the first time in their history. Once again, we'll take the Panthers out of the equation, so it's basically a bet on the underdogs from the AFC conference becoming the champions. While this doesn't look very likely, it's professional sports, totally unpredictable at times, so betting half a unit on this outcome might bring gold in the end.
| Yes (BUF Bills, CAR Panthers, HOU Texans, JAX Jaguars, LA Chargers) | 4.50 |
| No (Rest of the field) | 1.20 |
Now it's time to talk about the top five contenders in detail. The NFL playoffs 2026 predictions, as always, are not an easy thing to do. American football is a game of inches, everything is decided in one game, and there can and will be surprises, just like in any other season. Still, we can analyse the recent form and squad news to get a better picture.
The Seahawks enter the postseason as the NFC's top seed after posting a franchise-record 14-3 campaign, securing home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. Seattle's success has been built on an impressive balance. The team ranks near the top of the league in both scoring offence and defensive efficiency and rides a seven-game winning streak, highlighted by key victories over fellow playoff contenders. Quarterback Sam Darnold has provided steady, confident leadership, while wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a premier playmaker.
However, the Seahawks are not without concerns. Wide receiver Tory Horton will not feature in the playoffs, although he wasn't their deadliest weapon. Turnovers have been an issue, and lapses in late-half execution could be costly against elite postseason opponents. If Seattle play clean, controlled football and dictate tempo, they have all the tools to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
mood. pic.twitter.com/bP4XShgQF9
— xz* - Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 4, 2026
The Rams' offence has been one of the league's most dangerous units, powered by the veteran arm of Matthew Stafford, the current favourite for the MVP award. He has, arguably, the best NFL wide receiver in Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams, coming back from injury, is another great target available. However, weaknesses remain in pass coverage and on special teams.
Late-season injuries along the offensive line, including the loss of Kevin Dotson, have also raised concerns about depth and protection. The Rams' offensive ceiling gives them a legitimate chance to upset any opponent, but the margin for error is thin. The inability to close games and questionable calls by Sean McVay hurt the team numerous times. The divisional playoffs versus the Seahawks will be key to their success, but with a bit of luck, they can win their second Super Bowl in five years.
Your 2025 NFL MVP.
Matthew F'N Stafford. pic.twitter.com/nB7KOOD7D1
— Otto (@hawkeyeram4life) January 5, 2026
The Denver Broncos secured the number 1 seed in the AFC, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. Their success has been driven by a tough, disciplined defence, paired with a composed offence led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The latter has guided Denver to an impressive number of close wins down the stretch. They also have one of the most experienced coaches in Sean Payton.
Despite their strong record, the Broncos face some offensive concerns. The running game has lacked consistency, and the passing attack often leans more toward ball control rather than explosive production. Denver's defence remains the foundation of its championship hopes, but continued offensive stagnation could be costly against elite competition. The lack of experience in big games might be another serious problem here.
The last time the Denver Broncos won 14 football games. pic.twitter.com/hnAmDbk7tF
— Bad News Broncos 🫏 (@BadNewsBroncos) January 5, 2026
When operating at full strength, Philadelphia's offence is among the league's most dynamic, and the return of right tackle Lane Johnson to practice provides a significant boost to pass protection and the ground game. Linebacker Nakobe Dean, also returning, adds much-needed steadiness to the defensive front. However, QB Jalen Hurts haven't had the best season according to his highest standards, and if he's not at his best, the Eagles will not claim their second Super Bowl in a row.
On defence, the Eagles are capable of creating timely turnovers and momentum-shifting plays, but stability has been an issue. The team thrives when it dictates pace, protects the football, and leverages its versatile offensive weapons. If they consistently win the turnover battle and maintain balance on both sides of the ball, the Eagles have the talent to make a deep playoff run.
Eagles vs 49ers: 2022 NFC Championship
The last time these teams met in the playoffs, a Super Bowl berth was on the line and it turned into a rout.
It was tight most of the 1st half, but once Brock Purdy went down on the opening drive and Josh Johnson followed, the 49ers had no… pic.twitter.com/7JbwPl3vPp
— Fly Eagles Fly Bets (@Fly_EaglesBets) January 6, 2026
The New England Patriots, guided by quarterback Drake Maye, another MVP contender, and a disciplined, hard-nosed defence, put together a dominant regular season by blending efficiency with timely, opportunistic play. Defensively, New England has been one of the league's most reliable units, ranking near the top in both yards and points allowed while performing well against the run and the pass.
That said, there are areas of concern heading into the playoffs. The Patriots have at times struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, ranking lower in sacks and overall pass-rush production. Their red-zone defence has also shown signs of weakness. Limiting penalties and avoiding explosive plays will be critical. New England's playoff ceiling will largely depend on health, focus, and execution. If they can generate more pressure up front and clean up late-game situational lapses, the Patriots have everything for success.
Drake Maye 72% Completion, 4,394 Passing Yards, 450 Rushing Yards, 35 Total TDs 2025 NFL Full Season Highlights.pic.twitter.com/8fnnYDS8fl https://t.co/ihk8VncHk5
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) January 5, 2026
After analysing the NFL Super Bowl odds and the top favourites, let's try to predict the postseason scenario. Starting with the AFC, the Patriots will defeat the Chargers and should come out on top against either the Bills or the Jaguars (and we believe it will be the Bills). The Pittsburgh Steelers should defeat the Houston Texans at home, however, they will lose to the Broncos. This leaves us with a New England @ Denver game for the Super Bowl spot, and we'll go with the Patriots in this one. Betting the Patriots to win the Super Bowl at 11.00 has value all over it.
In the NFC, it will all be decided in the divisional playoffs at Lumen Field between the Seahawks and the Rams. The Eagles have to beat the 49ers, and the Bears will knock out the Packers. Chicago will go all the way to the NFC championship by surprising the Eagles. So it all goes down to choosing between the Seahawks and the Rams, as the winner of this encounter should reach the Super Bowl. We'll make a bold prediction that the Rams will win it this year, however, in terms of value, this might not be the best bet to make.
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