The NFL Playoffs Are Heating Up
With just four weeks left in the regular season, the NFL playoff picture is heating up! The Patriots and Steelers are dominating the AFC (10-2 record), but Pittsburgh just took a major hit with the tragic injury to linebacker Ryan Shazier.
The AFC South is the surprise division of the year, with Tennessee and Jacksonville both looking playoff bound, after suffering a decade of regular season misery. These two teams still feel as if they are a year away from true contention, but with strong defenses and running games, their time could be now.
Despite dropping four straight, Kansas City remains at the top of the AFC West, but are now tied with both Oakland and Los Angeles. Injuries are piling up for Oakland, while Los Angeles looks to be getting hot at the right time.
At the end of the day, can anyone in the AFC challenge Tom Brady and New England? Betting odds for the NFL playoffs are sure to favor the Patriots, as they have secured the Lombardi Trophy in two of the last three seasons.
Even with two teams sitting at 10-2, the NFC conference presents a much cloudier picture. The Philadelphia Eagles soared into Seattle at 10-1, but left with a few question marks. Seattle’s playoff experience will always make them an odds-on favorite in the NFC.
How about the Minnesota Vikings?!
Winners of eight straight, the Vikings look like a legit Super Bowl threat, with Case Keenum entering the MVP race, despite potentially being on the hot seat.
We cannot forget about the Los Angeles Rams. After a horrific rookie season, Jared Goff has the Rams’ offense humming and now the Rams also serve as a realistic Super Bowl threat in the NFC.
The NFC South is still up in the air, with three teams at eight wins or better. The Atlanta Falcons find themselves in third place, despite last year’s Super Bowl appearance. Their high-powered offense has not been quite the same. Carolina is enjoying a bounce back season at 8-4, but find themselves 0.5 games back of New Orleans, who suddenly found a defense and a running game. Rookie running back Alvin Kamara is a stud. New Orleans and Carolina battled last week, with the Saints coming away with a convincing victory.
Betting odds for the NFL playoffs in the NFC could see a litany of teams with similar odds. There is plenty to still be decided in the last four weeks of the regular season, and the playoffs should be filled with excitement and plenty of high-powered offenses! December is when the NFL season really begins!
