The 5 Best NFL Futures Bets to Consider in Week 2
The best NFL futures bets on my Week 2 shortlist are the Bears to win the NFC North, the Bills to win Super Bowl LXI, Caleb Williams for MVP, Ben Johnson for Coach of the Year, and Jeremiyah Love for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Chicago at +180 is my favorite of the five, and every price below is dated and attributed.
Most people bet on NFL futures before the season starts, leaving them behind once Week 1 arrives. That’s fine if that’s your strategy, but you can miss shifting markets and a changing NFL landscape. That’s especially true with NFL Week 1 overreactions, injuries, and variables we can’t predict before the regular season starts.
With the first week complete and Buffalo’s Thursday night win in the books, some interesting bets are taking shape. One or two games can change an opinion quickly, but they don’t settle a season.
Best 2026 NFL Futures Bets Shortlist
| NFL Futures Market | Pick | Odds (Sept. 19, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Division Winner | Bears – NFC North | +180 (DraftKings) |
| Super Bowl Winner | Buffalo Bills | +850 (DraftKings) |
| NFL MVP | Caleb Williams | +800 (bet365) |
| Coach of the Year | Ben Johnson | +850 (DraftKings) |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Jeremiyah Love | +300 (DraftKings) |
Odds note: Prices are as of Friday, September 19, 2026, and each one is attributed to the book quoting it. The Bills number was confirmed on the live DraftKings Sportsbook board that morning. The MVP line is bet365’s, because that market moved after Thursday night and bet365 published a time-stamped price; I have flagged the movement in the MVP section below. Odds and availability vary by location and can change, so confirm the number at your book before you bet.
Chicago Bears to Win the NFC North
The Pick
Chicago Bears (+180) at DraftKings.
The Bears just hung 59 points on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. At +180, I like Chicago’s case in a division that already looks vulnerable.
Green Bay and Detroit, their top two contenders inside the division, seem remarkably flawed. The Packers have a strong passing game and a competent defense, but their offensive line and rushing attack are major red flags. Alternatively, head coach Matt LaFleur has the dubious honor of being Captain Collapse.
The Vikings Are the Immediate Test
The Packers are good enough to lead just about anyone in any game, but they can’t get out of their own way. The Lions, meanwhile, are proving to be too inconsistent on offense despite boasting a loaded roster, while their defense appears to be completely lost.
Chicago’s main threat in the NFC North may be the Minnesota Vikings, who have serious defensive bite but questions on offense. Those questions got louder this week. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray went into concussion protocol after a Week 1 hit against Green Bay and has been ruled out, so Carson Wentz draws the start at Soldier Field.
The two face off Sunday, September 20, 2026. A Chicago win would mean a 2–0 overall start and a 1–0 division record, plus an early head-to-head advantage. That could shorten the Bears’ price, although nothing about future odds movement is certain. For the broader field, see our NFL division odds and predictions.
Buffalo Bills to Win Super Bowl LXI
The Pick
Buffalo Bills (+850) at DraftKings.
The talk of the town following Thursday Night Football is the Buffalo Bills. It’s hard to refute the logic, as the pivot from Sean McDermott to Joe Brady seems to have unlocked this offense.
It’s only two games, but the Bills put up 36 points against Houston and then beat Detroit 41–31 on Thursday night. That is a strong opening argument for Buffalo as a Super Bowl contender.
The Risk with Buffalo
Defense is still a question mark for the Bills, and we can’t be sure how Brady will handle the playoffs. However, Josh Allen looks as good as ever. If Buffalo keeps winning, that +850 could become harder to find; a setback could send the price the other way.
Are the Bills destined to fall short again? That’s the frustration with backing Buffalo, but past playoff losses don’t decide this season. I like this offense’s chances to give Allen another shot. Winning a Super Bowl still means surviving a long season and a difficult playoff path.
Caleb Williams to Win NFL MVP
The Pick
Caleb Williams (+800 at bet365, Sept. 18).
The Bears’ ambitions reach beyond the NFC North. A 59-point opener over the Panthers made that rather loud, and Williams is central to the argument.
Caleb Williams opened 2026 with 334 total yards and four total scores: 269 yards and two touchdowns through the air, plus 65 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. It was just one game, but a 124.1 passer rating and no interceptions made a convincing first impression.
What Williams Needs to Sustain
When you start piecing together a path to the 2026 NFL MVP award, Williams belongs in the conversation. Ben Johnson has talked about chasing the NFL scoring record. If Chicago gets anywhere near that ambition with Williams driving the offense, the MVP case becomes easy to explain.
Everyone is talking about Josh Allen right now, and rightfully so. That is exactly why this price exists. Williams was bet down to +600 at DraftKings by September 16, then Allen threw three touchdowns and ran for two more against Detroit on Thursday night, and the board reshuffled around him: Allen shortened to +350 at bet365 by Friday morning while Williams drifted back out to +800 there, with some books pushing him past +1000.
My Williams pick is a bet on similar passing-and-rushing upside, and I would rather take it at +800 than at the +600 it touched three days ago. The obvious risk has not changed: one explosive opener is still a very small sample, and Allen is the deserved favorite.
Ben Johnson to Win NFL Coach of the Year
The Pick
Ben Johnson (+850) at DraftKings.
Is this a post about Bears futures exclusively? That wasn’t my intention, I can promise you. However, Chicago looks set up for a fun year, and based on their Week 1 performance, their coaching, and the talent on their roster, it’s awfully hard to envision them not living up to their bold preseason claims.
That goes for Ben Johnson specifically. I thought he had a strong coaching case last year, and sustaining this offensive leap would give voters another reason to pay attention.
The Coach of the Year Narrative
The challenge is the award’s narrative. A turnaround story can be compelling, which is why John Harbaugh and Jesse Minter belong in the conversation. Minter was my preseason choice in our NFL Coach of the Year breakdown. Johnson needs his own season-long case, not just one spectacular Sunday.
Johnson’s opener backed up the ambition. If the Bears keep scoring and winning, I like the upside at +850. But MVP, division, and coaching bets on the same team also expose you to many of the same risks.
If you think the Bears are headed for a historic run, Johnson is worth considering. If the offense cools off or another coach engineers a bigger turnaround, that price alone won’t save the bet.
Jeremiyah Love to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year
The Pick
Jeremiyah Love (+300) at DraftKings.
My last NFL future is Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love to win the 2026 Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Love’s preseason high ankle sprain is part of the risk assessment. He returned for the opener, but I’d keep checking his workload and injury reports rather than assume he is ready for an unrestricted role all season.
Love’s Early Case
Jadarian Price and the rookie pass-catchers can challenge him. Fernando Mendoza is another name to monitor, although Las Vegas opened the season with Kirk Cousins as its starting quarterback. Playing time will matter as much as talent in that race.
Love already made an impact with a five-yard touchdown run in Arizona’s opening win over the Chargers. That is a useful start for a rookie trying to establish his role.
The Case Depends on Health and Workload
A +300 price means this is hardly a hidden longshot. I like the case if Love stays healthy, earns a larger workload, and helps Arizona remain competitive. Those are conditions he still has to meet.
That’s enough for Love to make my five-pick shortlist. The injury history and the uncertainty of a rookie’s weekly workload are the reasons to keep expectations, and the stake, in check.
What Is the Best NFL Futures Bet Right Now?
Chicago to win the NFC North at +180 is my favorite of these five NFL futures bets ahead of the Week 2 Sunday slate. I like the combination of coaching, offensive talent, and the questions facing the rest of the division.
That’s the point of checking these markets during the season: reconsider the evidence and the price. A good football opinion is not automatically a good bet at every number.
Why the Division Is Still Open
The Bears are my preferred play, but Chicago’s defense allowed 37 points in the opener. One offensive eruption doesn’t erase that problem, and the Vikings matchup is an immediate test.
Green Bay’s protection and running game worry me, Minnesota is down to its backup quarterback with Jordan Mason on injured reserve, and Detroit’s defense has had a rough start. Those concerns are why I lean Chicago; they are not proof the division is already decided. Minnesota still won 39-22 in Green Bay without Murray for most of the game, so treat the Bears as favorites, not as a lock.
Three Bets Share the Same Risk
Three selections here depend on the Bears thriving: the division, Williams for MVP, and Johnson for Coach of the Year. Treat them as related positions when deciding how much to risk, not as three independent chances to win.
Compare the available prices before Sunday and pass if the number no longer fits your view. Our sports betting hub has more guides and tools for weighing the next decision.
Play Safe: Gambling should be fun, not stressful. Set limits, stick to your budget, and never chase losses. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-MY-RESET or visit ncpgambling.org. For more resources, see our Responsible Gambling page.
FAQ
What Are the Best NFL Futures Bets Right Now?
My five picks ahead of the Week 2 Sunday slate are the Bears to win the NFC North (+180), Bills to win Super Bowl LXI (+850), Caleb Williams for MVP (+800), Ben Johnson for Coach of the Year (+850), and Jeremiyah Love for Offensive Rookie of the Year (+300). Those are DraftKings prices as of September 19, 2026, except the MVP line, which is bet365’s after that market moved on Thursday night. Check the current number at your book before betting.
What Is the Best NFL Futures Bet for 2026?
The Bears to win the NFC North at +180 is my featured pick. Chicago’s offense made an explosive first impression, but its defense and the strength of its division remain risks. “Best” is an editorial judgment, not a guarantee.
When Is the Best Time to Bet on NFL Futures?
NFL futures can be bet throughout the season, and early-season market movement can create opportunities that weren’t available before Week 1. Injuries, unexpected performances, changing roles, team records, and shifting expectations can all cause futures odds to move substantially.
Do NFL Futures Odds Change During the Season?
Yes. NFL futures odds are continuously adjusted based on results, injuries, player performance, standings, betting action, and other information. A +850 Super Bowl price or +180 division price available today could be substantially different after the next week of games.
Where Can I Bet on NFL Futures?
DraftKings Sportsbook offers NFL futures markets including division winners, conference champions, Super Bowl winners, NFL MVP, Coach of the Year, and Rookie of the Year in jurisdictions where its sportsbook is legally available. Availability and odds vary by location.
Latest Blog Posts
