NFL Playoffs Odds at DraftKings & FanDuel Sportsbook: Saints Locked In, Steelers, Vikings on the Bubble
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After Week 13 of the NFL season, we are starting to see the playoff picture take shape. Only one team has officially clinched a playoff spot so far this season (New Orleans) and six teams are officially eliminated (Cincinnati, New York Giants, Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Arizona). With four games left for each team, we will know more and more with each passing week as to which teams are still alive and which ones are dead to rights. Now is one of the best times of the season to make playoff future bets. We know each team’s playoff scenario and we can better asses how each team will finish the season as opposed to earlier in the year. Also, there is still plenty of value for a number of teams to get a playoff berth.
| Team | DraftKings Odds To Make The Playoffs | DraftKings Odds To Miss The Playoffs | FanDuel Odds To Make The Playoffs | FanDuel Odds To Miss The Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Virtual Locks
While the Saints are the only team “officially” in the playoffs at this spot, there are a number of other teams we can already bank on getting into the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens 10-2
The Ravens have the biggest division lead in the AFC and are as good of a lock for the playoffs as any team. Even if they lose their last four games (which they won’t) 10-6 will still probably be good enough for a Wild Card spot.
New England Patriots 10-2
The Patriots are in the same boat as the Ravens. It is just a matter of time before they clinch their playoff spot, which will probably be this weekend. They only have a one-game lead over the Bills in the AFC East but with two of their four remaining games against the Bengals and Dolphins, the division is the Patriots to lose.
Seattle Seahawks 10-2
The Seahawks are currently the #2 seed in the NFC as they have the tiebreak in the divisional standing over the 49ers. The NFC Wild Card spots will almost certainly have better records than the AFC, so the margin of error is slimmer in the NFC. However, a win against the Rams this weekend officially puts the Seahawks in the playoffs. Even if they lose, the odds are still heavily in their favor as they have meetings with the Panthers and Cardinals still on their schedule.
San Francisco 49ers 10-2
The San Francisco 49ers were the last remaining undefeated team and now a few weeks later they are the fifth seed in the NFC and looking at a Wild Card spot. Their schedule is tough down the stretch (New Orleans, Atlanta, LA Rams, Seattle) but the Niners are still just one win away from locking down a playoff spot. There is a small chance their game against the Rams in Week 16 could have major playoff implications but the odds are very slim that becomes the case. It might be a Wild Card spot but we can already write the Niners into the playoffs
Should Be In
Buffalo Bills 9-3
The Bills still have a shot at the AFC East as they are only a game back of the Patriots. The two teams still have to meet one more time during the regular season, giving the Bills a chance to even the score. The schedule gets tough the next three weeks (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England) so there is a chance they could need a win in Week 17 to get into the playoffs. As long as the Bills can win at least one more game this season they should be moving on to the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers 9-3
The Packers are leading the NFC North by just one game over the Minnesota Vikings. The two teams still have to meet one more time this season but the Packers have a big advantage as they are 3-0 in the division and won the first meeting between them and the Vikings. They could certainly still miss out on the playoffs if they tank and some other things go wrong. However, with games against Washington, Chicago and Detroit still on the schedule, these Packers are all but officially in at this point.
Kansas City Chiefs 8-4
The Chiefs have a two-game lead in the AFC West over the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are not as good as their record suggests and the Chiefs should be clinching their division in the next couple of weeks. Kansas City needs just two more wins (maybe even just one) to clinch their division. Against the Patriots, Broncos, Bears, and Chargers, two wins shouldn’t be an issue for this team.
Houston Texans 8-4
The Texans have just a one-game lead in the AFC South as the Tennessee Titans are making a run with Ryan Tannehill under center. The two teams still have to play each other twice this season. With their other two games against Denver and Tampa Bay, the Texans should certainly be playoff-bound, even if they lose to the Titans twice and have to settle for a Wild Card.
On The Bubble
Minnesota Vikings 8-4
The Vikings are just one game back of the Packers for the NFC North. They have a one-game lead over the L.A. Rams for the second Wild Card spot. Their remaining schedule is favorable as they still have to play Detroit, Chicago, and the L.A. Chargers. Even if they don’t take the division, the Vikings are the favorite for the #2 Wild Card spot as the Rams have a tough three-game stretch coming up.
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-5
After a 1-4 start, the Steelers now find themselves in the playoffs if they were to start today. The AFC North is all but out of reach at this point so it appears to be Wild Card or nothing for Pittsburgh. The Titans are hot on their heels as they are also 7-5. Two of their remaining games are against playoff-bound teams in Baltimore in Buffalo. The Steelers might need to go 3-1 to get into the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys 6-6
The Cowboys are leading the NFC East with a record of 6-6. The division will only have one playoff spot as neither them or the Eagles will reach the Wild Card. Dallas is ahead of Philadelphia by one game but the two still have to play one more time. They have matchups with the Bears, Redskins, and Rams also on their schedule. The NFC East could very well be decided by the Week 16 matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles.
On The Outside Looking In
Tennessee Titans 7-5
The Titans are 5-1 since Ryan Tannehill took over for Marcus Mariota. The Titans look like a good team on both sides of the ball. They are currently tied with the Steelers are 7-5 but are losing the tiebreaker if the playoffs started today. Two matchups against the Houston Texans and one against the New Orleans Saints makes for a tough remaining schedule. However, both the division and the Wild Card are still on the table for the Titans. This is my surprise playoff pick at this point in the season.
Los Angeles Rams 7-5
The L.A. Rams are not the same team from last season. 7-5 is not a bad record but right now it isn’t good enough for the playoffs. Their schedule is tough to close the season as they have to play Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, and Arizona. They can make the playoffs if they win out but anything less will make it hard as the Vikings should be able to go at least 2-2 the rest of the way. This weekend’s game against Seattle is almost a must-win for the Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles 5-7
Like the Cowboys, it is NFC East or nothing for the Philadelphia Eagles. At 5-7 it is hard to believe they are still in the playoff hunt but they are just one game back right now. A win against Dallas in Week 16 will probably be a must. With two meetings against the Giants and one against the Redskins, the Eagles could still end up 9-7 but the Wild Card is all but gone at this point.
Chicago Bears 6-6
The Chicago Bears haven’t been the team we expected this season. Their offense has let them down all year. A 4-0 finish is most likely needed for the Bears to make the playoffs. With games against Dallas, Green Bay, Kansas City, and Minnesota, the Bears’ season is all but over at this point.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: +1500
DraftKings Playoff Odds: +2000
Indianapolis Colts 6-6
The Colts are still alive for the AFC South but a Wild Card seems to be their only real hope at this point. Even that is a stretch right now. They are just one game back of a Wild Card spot but the way they are playing right now, that seems unlikely. They are underdogs this weekend against Tampa Bay and they still have to play New Orleans. 9-7 seems to be the best-case scenario for the Colts. That probably won’t be enough unless they can get the tiebreaker over the Titans and Steelers.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: +650
DraftKings Playoff Odds: +600
Oakland Raiders 6-6
The Raiders are only two games back of the Chiefs in the AFC West but that feat seems too big for this team to overcome. A loss against the Titans this weekend all but officially ends their season. It is hard seeing this team go 3-0 against Denver, LA Chargers, and Jacksonville in their last three games of the season. Unless they finish 10-6, the Raiders are unlikely to see the playoffs this season.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: +580
DraftKings Playoff Odds: +600
Cleveland Browns 5-7
The Browns need to go 9-7 to try and make the playoffs. Aside from their game against the Ravens in Week 16 (who they beat earlier this season), the Browns should be able to cruise to at least three more wins as the play the Bengals twice and the Cardinals. Beating the Ravens could possibly keep their season alive but they also have to take care of the small stuff in their other three games. It is highly unlikely, but the Browns still have a sliver of hope.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: +900
DraftKings Playoff Odds: +1400
Next To Be Officially Eliminated
Carolina Panthers 5-7
Ron Rivera is gone and Cam Newton could be next. The Panthers have officially begun the rebuild process. Not that they will, but winning out against Atlanta, Seattle, Indianapolis, and New Orleans still won’t land them a playoff spot. Christian McCaffrey is going to be the Mike Trout of the NFL. All that talent will be wasted on a subpar team. For his sake, hopefully, he gets out of Carolina in a couple of years.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-7
Jameis Winston is not going to win you enough games in the NFL to make the playoffs. Unless Tampa Bay moves on from him, expect a lot of 5-7 records in their future. An improved defense and run game is also a must this offseason.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
Denver Broncos 4-8
The Broncos have a glimpse of the future with Drew Lock. Vic Fangio is not off to a good start in Denver. The defense wasn’t as great as expected this season and the offense needs a major overhaul. It may take more than a year for this team to become playoff-worthy.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-8
The Jacksonville Jaguars have no clue who their quarterback is going to be next season between Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew. At least Leonard Fournette looked great this season. Jacksonville needs to figure out their QB situation and build up from there.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
LA Chargers 4-8
Phillip Rivers may be on his last leg. He has been a statistically good quarterback most of his career but the wins have eluded him, especially in big games. There is a lot of talent on this team, too much to be at 4-8. Maybe we see LA draft their future quarterback this offseason and Rivers gets one last shot while reverting to the Eli Manning/Joe Flacco mentor position next season.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
New York Jets 4-8
Le’Veon Bell got his money and he also got what he deserved in terms of wins (which isn’t many). How much longer will he deal with a losing team before he demands a trade? Sam Darnold has given Jets fans glimpses of his potential. However, there are holes all over this team and one offseason may not be enough to address them all. I’m still not entirely sold on Darnold but I’ve been wrong once before.
FanDuel Playoff Odds: N/A
DraftKings Playoff Odds: N/A
