Which NFL Teams will Make Playoffs? Yes or No Betting Odds and Predictions

by Mike Allen - 8/20/2023

Which NFL teams make the playoffs Gabe Davis Buffalo Bills

There are a bunch of NFL futures betting odds available right now, but too many options can lead to paralysis by analysis. That's where we come in.

We have already done most of the heavy lifting for you selecting our four best bets for NFL teams to make the playoffs. Let's jump in!

Doc’s Sports offers NFL picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Buffalo Bills to Make the Playoffs

Yes: -250

No: +195

This line is soft, right? Do the sportsbooks know something we don’t?

I'm sure they do. But what? I would cap the Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs much closer to (-350).

There is something to say about the difference between the NFC and the AFC. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills are each projected to win about 11 regular season games this year, but Philly checks in with betting odds of (-400) to make the postseason.

Even with the AFC adjustment, I like the value we are getting here with Buffalo. They have such a difficult schedule, though. Wild-card spots will be hard to come by in this conference.

It's our job to try and make the case against a (-250). That is a lot of juice to pay. This team was 13-3 last season, though. They outscored their opponents by an average of 27-17, which was good enough for best in the league.

Pick: Buffalo Bills to Make the Playoffs

Carolina Panthers

Yes: +180

No: -220

The Carolina Panthers' projection is to go 8-9 this upcoming season, and this surprises me because rookie NFL quarterbacks don't historically win many games. Sometimes, they can throw a lot of touchdowns, but they always throw a lot of interceptions.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich has come out and said that the team's starting quarterback in Week 1 will be Bryce Young. Some of us thought that veteran backup Andy Dalton would get the early nod, but no.

The Panthers finished off last season well, but they did it with Sam Darnold under center. We can't rate Andy Dalton higher than him at this point, and we still know nothing of how Bryce Young will handle the hardest job in the NFL.

Throw in a fairly tough schedule, and it's a no for me.

Pick: Carolina Panthers Not to Make the Playoffs

Cleveland Browns

Yes: -115

No: -115

Dead even odds! That means there is an argument to be made and value to be had on both possible wagers. The Cleveland Browns are still saturated with talent at their skill positions, but now they have a quarterback they can trust.

Okay, maybe trust isn't the best word, but DeShaun Watson sure is a step up from Baker Mayfield. Looking back, Watson is the most talented QB they have had since Bernie Kosar.

The Browns have one, of if not the, best running back in the NFL in Nick Chubb. The same can be said at the defensive end position with freak athlete Myles Garrett.

Their schedule appears to be quite favorable, with games against the AFC South. Cleveland also has matchups against the Cardinals, Broncos, and Bears. I will take the nearly even-money betting odds on the Browns to make it at least to the Wild-Card Round.

Pick: Cleveland Browns to Make the Playoffs

Los Angeles Chargers

Yes: -140

No: +110

At first glance, this one looks like easy money, but let's do ourselves a favor and make it a hard decision.

The 2023 Los Angeles Chargers are led by 4th-year starting quarterback Justin Herbert. The team, fans, and the sportsbooks have plenty of confidence in him. That isn't the issue here.

The Chargers were 10-7 last season but outscored their opponents by only seven total points. As we dig deeper, there's more. Running the ball effectively is paramount in this league, and the LA Chargers ranked 30th in the NFL last season in yards per rush attempt.

Their schedule for the upcoming season isn't looking good, either. LA will have to play the AFC East, and none of those four games will be easy.

I am taking the plus money for the LA Chargers to end their season earlier than expected.

Pick: LA Chargers to Not Make the Playoffs

In Conclusion

The most confident pick from today is the Buffalo Bills. Their odds are long, but I wouldn't hesitate to wager 2.5 units today and hopefully cash your ticket before the season ends.

A lot of people forget how good Watson truly is. He will likely be the difference maker the Cleveland Browns have been looking for in a quarterback for nearly half a century.

There is also value in the Carolina Panthers missing the postseason. Their young quarterback will make some big mistakes. They always do.

Finally, the LA Chargers are likely to miss the postseason. They haven't done enough to shore up that abysmal running game.

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