- Houston’s hot streak and Jacksonville’s balanced team make the AFC South more dangerous than most people realize going into the playoffs.
- The NFC runs through the West with Seattle and the Rams holding the top spots, though facing each other could decide who actually makes it to the big game.
LOS ANGELES – The playoff picture has finally taken shape, and the odds reveal which teams are riding genuine momentum into the postseason. Some contenders have stayed the course all season long, while others have completely transformed themselves into threats that look nothing like the squads we saw back in September.
AFC South Contenders Rising
One of the most interesting situations in the legal sports betting markets at the moment is the Houston Texans. Houston has drastically changed after faltering to a 0-3 start that raised their odds to a far-off +10000. They should be given more credit than their +1200 odds suggest given their current nine-game winning streak and 12-5 record.
Houston’s advantageous Wild Card matchup with fifth-seeded Pittsburgh makes them very dangerous. Any playoff opponent who ignores the truth that this is no longer the same struggling team from September is doing so at their own risk as NFL sportsbooks back them heavy.
Jacksonville, the third seed atop the AFC South, has significantly improved from their +8000 opening odds to sit at +1600. With a roster specifically designed for January football, they have the whole deal on both sides of the ball. They are a real threat to advance far into the postseason because of their capacity to manage games and perform well in pivotal situations.
The biggest obstacle, however, is dealing with Josh Allen and a Bills squad that is well-known in Super Bowl betting sites for consistently making the playoffs. The timing of Jacksonville’s growing injuries couldn’t be worse, and if they can overcome Buffalo’s unrelenting assault while attending to their health issues, the road forward becomes much more clear.
NFC West Dominance
Seattle has established itself as the clear Super Bowl favorite at +425 after dominating its way to the top seed. Their dismantling of San Francisco validated everything the odds have been suggesting about their championship credentials.
The Seahawks can beat virtually anyone, though Los Angeles remains their kryptonite after splitting the season series and pushing them to overtime in their lone victory.
The Rams advance remarkably steadily from +2000 to +450 on Bovada. Although the Panthers have previously shown they can hang with Los Angeles in a close 31-28 victory earlier this season, their Wild Card opponent, Carolina, limps in at 8-9.
The Rams rarely lose badly, the majority of their losses are under a field goal, but playing either Seattle or San Francisco, their division rivals, later on would be a serious obstacle to their hopes of winning a title.
