Here’s Your NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
#1 Kansas City Chiefs +350
The Chiefs get the biggest advantage in the playoffs by playing all their games in Arrowhead Stadium. They are also as healthy as they have been all season. The starters were able to take a break in week 18 and get another rest this week. Read more about the NFL playoff picture below.
Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco are back on the field in time for the playoffs and may be what they need to make this a high-powered offense. Patrick Mahomes did not have a great season, but his final game against the Steelers may be a sign of things to come for the Chiefs. It was his third 300-yard game of the season, and he threw three touchdowns.
#2 Buffalo Bills – +600
The second-seed Bills will play the seventh-seed Broncos on Sunday of the opening round of the playoffs. They are eight-point favorites and fourth in odds to win the Super Bowl. Josh Allen should win MVP after his impressive season without another star on offense. They finished 8-0 at home this season and will have the luxury of playing most of their playoff games there unless they run into the Chiefs. The offense was explosive this season, averaging 30.9 points per game. Josh Allen looks poised to lead the Bills on a deep postseason run.
#3 Baltimore Ravens – +550
The Ravens start their playoffs against a familiar foe. They split the regular season series with the Steelers, with the home team winning each game. They finished the season strong to win the division and earn a top seed. Lamar Jackson has traditionally performed badly in the playoffs, but the offense is clicking now.
They scored at least 31 points in their last four games, including against the Steelers in Baltimore. Jackson is ready to prove the world wrong with the help of his defense, which held teams to 9.7 points per game over their last three games.
#4 Houston Texans – +9000
The Texans may have the fourth seed, but they are tied for the lowest odds in the playoffs. The offense looked shaky for the better part of the season, averaging 21.9 points per game, the 19th most in the league.
They went 1-5 against playoff teams this season and have lost two of their best receivers. Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell are done for the season, and guard Shaq Mason (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Chargers. It looks bleak for the Texans against the league’s best defense in terms of points per game.
#5 Los Angeles Chargers – +3000
The Chargers will travel to Houston in the Wild Card round but are the favorite. Jim Harbaugh has transformed this team, mainly the defense, into a contender with a sneaky chance to make a run.
They allowed the fewest points per game (17.7) this season, and the offense has found their groove, scoring at least 34 points in their final three games. The biggest cause for concern for this team is they went 2-5 in the regular season against playoff teams. J.K. Dobbins (ankle) is also questionable this week, which could be a big blow to this team that struggled to run the ball when he missed time during the regular season.
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers – +9000
Russell Wilson and the Steelers are tied with the Texans for the worst odds to win the Super Bowl. They finished the season on a four-game losing streak to the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals and lost the lead in the division. George Pickens looked awful in the final game of the season. T.J. Watt will have to make game-changing plays against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens if they want a chance of surviving to the next round.
#7 Denver Broncos – +5500
Bo Nix will have a tough task in his first playoff game as a rookie. The Bills are the worst draw in the first round of the playoffs, but his defense should help him. They allowed 18.3 points per game this season, and Pat Surtain II is a big reason.
Josh Allen, unfortunately, spreads the ball around, which may negate Surtain’s ability to take away the top receiver. The Broncos are underdogs of eight points, but they still have a slight chance to pull the upset.
Hey, make sure you check out our picks on the GW Daily Picks page.
NFC
#1 Detroit Lions +295
The Lions are the favorite to win the Super Bowl and will play all their playoff games at Ford Field for the first time in franchise history. They scored the most points per game this season (33.2) and easily have the best offense in the playoffs.
The starters had to earn the division by beating the Vikings in week 18, but they got a rest in the first round. Cornerback Terrion Arnold was carted off the field last week but is considered day-to-day. Running back David Montgomery (knee) is also expected back for the Lions’ first playoff game. The bye week should help this team get healthy and be ready to make a run to the Super Bowl.
#2 Philadelphia Eagles – +700
Saquon Barkley transformed this team with the help of several young defensive players. The Eagles have the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl and have already beat the Packers in the opening game of the season. They did get a tough draw with the Packers, but the Eagles are well-equipped to beat anyone in the league. Jalen Hurts (concussion/left finger) logged a full practice on Thursday and should be ready on Sunday. They are 4.5-point favorites at home and should find a way to win.
#3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – +2800
Baker Mayfield had a career year with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. This offense is one of the most dangerous in the league, averaging 29.5 points per game, but the defense has struggled at times this season. This team also benefited from an easy schedule down the stretch after starting 4-6. This team may be on upset watch on Sunday night as a slight favorite against the Commanders.
#4 Los Angeles Rams – +4500
The wildfires in Los Angeles have moved the Rams’ game against the Vikings to Arizona on Monday night. Home-field advantage was never really a big factor for the Rams, so it should not factor into the game too much. The Rams beat the Vikings in Los Angeles once this season, but it will be difficult to do a second time. Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua are tough for anyone to handle, but they need Cooper Kupp to perform better for the postseason.
#5 Minnesota Vikings – +1500
The Vikings may be the fifth seed, but they are one of the best teams in the NFC. There is a reason they are sixth in odds to win the Super Bowl. The defense and offense rank in the top 10 of scoring, and they can win in many ways. Traveling in the playoffs will lessen their chances, but this team has won close games all season. Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson are well-equipped to lead this team on a run.
#6 Washington Commanders – +4500
Jayden Daniels has been outstanding this season. He led four game-winning drives as a rookie and has produced with his arms and legs. He needs his run defense to hold up. They rank last amongst playoff teams at defending the run, which could be a problem against the top teams in the NFC. Daniels is a rookie, but he could take this team to the next round if he plays as clutch as he did in the regular season.
#7 Green Bay Packers – +2500
The Packers are a threat to any team in the NFC, but they must get by the Eagles in Philadelphia. They have six losses this season: two against the Lions and Vikings each, one to the Eagles, and one to the Bears in week 18.
Josh Jacobs changed this team for the better, allowing them to control the clock and be more efficient on offense. They may have to play a perfect game to beat the Eagles on Sunday, but Jordan Love and company are capable.
Super Bowl Prediction
Several teams could win the Super Bowl, but only two will make it there. The team I predict will make it from the AFC is the Baltimore Ravens and the Lions from the NFC. Lamar Jackson has a bad track record in the playoffs, but this is the season that changes. The Lions’ offense is too efficient and explosive, which should be the difference. I am putting my money on the Detroit Lions to win the Super Bowl.
