With just two weeks left, well two weeks plus tonight’s MNF game, the NFL playoffs still have plenty to teams in play with a legit chance at making it to the NFL playoffs. That’s good news for the online sportsbooks as they can leave the odds open on more teams and hopefully take more dead money.
In the AFC 10 of the 16 teams are still in contention.
Division Leaders
AFC East – New England Patriots (12-2) – The Patriots need only a win at Buffalo or a Jets loss at Chicago to clinch a first bye and home field advantage through the playoffs. The Tom Brady magic is working again. They began the season at 12/1 to win the Super Bowl, Bodog currently has the Patriots as 5/2 favorites. Maybe it’s the (shoes) boots.
AFC North – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) – The Steelers still could earn a bye with a win over the Panthers and a Ravens loss to the Browns. The Steelers were 20/1 to start the season but now sit at 15/2 to win the Super Bowl, which are coincidentally the same odds I give Ben Roethlisberger getting through the offseason without another lawsuit.
AFC West – Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) – The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West with a win over the Titans and a Chargers loss at Cincinnati. Kansas City were 100/1 and sit at 40/1 to win the Super Bowl. I’m a big Chiefs fan but I’m not confident they can hold off the Chargers.
AFC South – Indianapolis Colts (8-6) – The Colts can clinch the AFC South with two wins or a win and Jaguars loss at the Texans in Week 17. The Colts were the favorite at the season start at 8/1 but now at 18/1. 18/1 isn’t that bad considering that injuries have forced the Colts to replace their regular starters with some guys from the YMCA league.
For the division leaders it’s simple, just keep winning games but for everyone else they need some wins and some help.
Wildcard Spots
Baltimore Ravens (10-4) – The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with a win/tie at the Browns, or the following: a Chiefs loss and Chargers win/tie and either a Colts loss/tie or Jaguars loss/tie. The Ravens were 10/1 and 12/1 now. I won’t say anything about the Ravens as Ray Lewis might kill me…
New York Jets (10-4) – The New York F’n Jets can clinch a playoff berth with a win/tie at the Bears or Colts loss/tie or Jaguars loss/tie or both Chiefs loss and Chargers win/tie. The New York F’n Jets were 12/1 early and now 18/1 to win the Super Bowl.
Still in Contention
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) – The Jags can clinch the AFC South with a Week 17 win at the Texans and a Colts loss to the Titans. Jacksonville was 60/1 but now dropped to 100/1, they’ve outperformed everyone’s expectations except the online sportsbooks.
San Diego Chargers (8-6) – The Chargers can clinch the AFC West with two wins and a Chiefs loss, or a win and two Chiefs losses. The Chargers have dropped from 9/1 to win the Super Bowl to 14/1. It looks like the NFL odds makers feel the same way about the Chargers chances of catching the Chiefs as I do.
Oakland Raiders (7-7) – The Raiders can clinch the AFC West with two wins and a Chiefs loss to the Titans and a Chargers loss. The Raiders need a miracle to win the AFC West and Miracles don’t happen to Raiders fans. Week one Super Bowl Odds 100/1, now 200/1
Tennessee Titans (6-8) – The Titans can clinch the AFC South with two wins and a Colts loss at the Raiders and two Jaguars losses. Like the Raiders, the Titans need a miracle so much so that Bodog has stopped offering Super Bowl odds on the Titans even though Miracles can happen in the Music City, just ask anyone from Buffalo.
