After ten full weeks of legal NFL betting, the playoff picture is starting to clear up. Here’s how things are looking for the postseason when examining the current NFL futures.
AFC Playoff Teams Based On The Current NFL Futures
- #1 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs are projected to win the AFC West and place first in the AFC Conference futures. KC is 7-2, is the current top seed in the AFC, and holds a commanding lead in the division.
- #2 Seed: Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens are 7-3 and have a half-game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. The odds say they’ll win their division and most likely lose the AFC Championship Game to the Chiefs.
- #3 Seed: Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins are now 6-3 and are looking solid in the AFC East since the Buffalo Bills have continued to struggle. We expect them to eke out a division championship and potentially make it to the AFC Championship Game.
- #4 Seed: Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jags have impressed this season and have built a nice lead in the AFC South over the Houston Texans. Their projection as the fourth seed has held true for the entire year.
- AFC Wild Card #1: Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals have been in and out of playoff contention over the past few weeks. If they can make it as the 5 seed, they’ll likely be favored to beat the Jags.
- AFC Wild Card #2: Buffalo Bills – Over the past few seasons, Josh Allen and the Bills have been knocking on the door to the Super Bowl, but they can’t get beyond the Chiefs. This year they’re struggling and are currently placed outside the top 7 teams in the AFC.
- AFC Wild Card #3: Cleveland Browns – QB Deshaun Watson is out for the season, but the Browns have been winning without him. They’re tied with the Steelers for second place in the AFC North with a record of 6-3, and play Pittsburgh this Sunday.
NFC Playoff Teams Based On The Current NFL Futures
- #1 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles – Philly appears poised to take the NFC East crown this season even though the Dallas Cowboys are a formidable opponent. The Eagles also project as the most likely team to reach the big game in the odds for Super Bowl betting but hold less favorable odds to win than Kansas City.
- #2 Seed: San Francisco 49ers – The team that could ultimately spoil the Eagles’ Super Bowl plans is the 49ers. They’ve dropped a few games recently while some key players were injured, but the offense is back to full health. The defensive line has also been bolstered by the acquisition of DE Chase Young from the Washington Commanders. Look for the duo of Young and Joey Bosa to terrorize opposing quarterbacks deep into the NFL Playoffs.
- #3 Seed: Detroit Lions – The NFC North-leading Lions can soon put it on cruise control in the division because there is no real threat to take them out of their top spot before the season’s end. They play the Packers on Thanksgiving Day and should provide a nice display of offensive firepower in front of a national audience.
- #4 Seed: New Orleans Saints – Someone has to win the NFC South, so it may as well be the Saints. There will be a light push from the Falcons and Buccaneers, but Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara should be enough to take the division.
- NFC Wild Card #1: Dallas Cowboys – Even though Dallas won’t likely win their division, if they attain the 5 seed, they’ll get a juicy matchup against the winner of the NFC South, where they’ll no doubt be favored to win.
- NFC Wild Card #2: Seattle Seahawks – Geno Smith continues to play well and looks ready to lead Seattle to a playoff berth for the second year in a row.
- NFC Wild Card #3: Minnesota Vikings – Even without Kirk Cousins for the rest of the year, the Vikings should be able-bodied enough to limp across the finish line and finish among the top seven teams in the NFC.
USA Today, Bovada Sportsbook (Bovada LV Review)