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Which NFL Teams will make the Playoffs? Odds and Best Bets

by Mike Allen - 11/6/2024

Which NFL teams will make the playoffs Joe Flacco Indianapolis Colts

The 2024 NFL trade deadline has come and gone. You're most likely aware of the early moves. It began with Davante Adams reuniting with the old gunslinger in New York. Somehow, the league let the Kansas City Chiefs trade for DeAndre Hopkins. He was targeted nine times, catching eight of them for 100+ yards and two touchdowns in Monday night's win.

The Chiefs may not be the biggest winner, though.

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Notable Trades

  • Washington acquired CB Marshon Lattimore from the Saints
  • Buffalo traded the Browns for WR Amari Cooper
  • Jets got WR Davante Adams from the Raiders
  • Lions grabbed edge rusher Za-Darius Smith from the Browns
  • KC got WR DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee and Edge Josh Uche from the Pats
  • Minnesota shored up the LT position by getting Cam Robinson from the Jags
  • The Steelers added WR Mike Williams from the Jets and edge rusher Preston Smith from the Pack
  • Cincy traded for RB Khalil Herbert to replace Zach Moss down the stretch
  • Baltimore got CB Tre-Davius White from the Rams as well as WR Diontae Johnson from the Panthers

The Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills all solidly argue for an A-grade. The acquisition of four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore could prove to be the best trade this team has made since bringing on the electrifying Santana Moss nearly 20 years ago.

The Detroit Lions did their best to shore up the pass rush after the loss of Aiden Hutchinson by trading for Za-Darius Smith. There are maybe 1-2 players in the league who could replace this guy, but Smith is very solid. He is top 20 in the league in sacks and hurries this year with a PFF ranking of 31st at his position.

The biggest winner, however, may actually be the Buffalo Bills. Amari Cooper changes this offense. He is a legitimate WR1, and this opens up the field even more for Josh Allen.

There were some other notable moves, but my biggest loser is a team that didn't even make a trade, the Atlanta Falcons. This team has a glaring weakness in their pass rush. The offense is clicking better than it has all year. They are 18-1 betting favorites to win the division. I guess that's the goal then. Cool story.

I wanted to give you those trade updates before we started with the yes/no betting odds to make the NFL playoffs, as well as give you some best bets to make the second half of the NFL regular season even more exciting.

Betting Odds to Make the NFL Playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals

Yes: -110

No: -120

Could the AFC North bring three teams to the playoff table this season? The Bengals traded for a running back, Khalil Herbert, from the Bears. He has solid numbers of nearly 5 years per carry over his first few seasons. We will see how it works out, but as of now, the Bengals have an uphill battle that starts with this Thursday against the Ravens.

Arizona Cardinals

Yes: +125

No: -145

Maybe they make the playoffs but right now, this is a buy-high spot and I recommend a pass. Monitor the line and their remaining schedule and you will probably get a better number later in the season.

Chicago Bears

No: -700

Yes: +450

Boy did things go south in a hurry for the Chicago Bears. That hail mary changed their season, and Matt Eberflus may be the next head coach fired. He isn’t the right guy for this job. They’re 4-4 but the remaining schedule is brutal, especially in the NFC North.

Denver Broncos

Yes: +190

No: -230

We are catching the Broncos off of a loss and if the playoffs started today, they would be in at 5-4. The bad news is they play the Chiefs this week and again in the regular season finale. I wish this week's matchup was a home game because, with Mahomes injured, I would love the spot for the upset. Challenging the Broncos for their spot with be teams like the Colts, Bengals, and maybe the Jets.

Green Bay Packers

Yes: -220

No: +180

Is it time to sell high on the Packers? Jordan Love leads the league in picks. He's been hurt all year and they play in the NFL's best division, the NFC North. They have a murderous remaining schedule, especially on the road in the division, but I love their coach. I think you'll still be able to get plus money next week so if they lose in Chicago, maybe throw a few bucks on them to miss.

Indianapolis Colts

Yes: +145

No: -175

I love a play here on the Colts. It's a buy-low after their abysmal offensive showing against the Vikings in primetime. The defense played exceptionally, though. Of course, they eventually tired but that's fine. Minnesota cooks up some of the best schemes. I don't rate that loss as bad as some will.

This week, Indy will host the Bills and two weeks later, the Lions come to town. After that, though, I see Titans, Jags, and Pats all farther toward the end of the season when these teams might even be tanking.

Los Angeles Chargers

Yes: -290

No: +230

This team has the coach, the defense, and the QB. All that’s missing here is betting value on a yes.

Los Angeles Rams

Yes: +220

No: -260

The (+220) is a big number but too big. Monitor the Rams, though. I love their chances. Right now, though, it’s a bit too much of a wish.

Minnesota Vikings

Yes: -325

No:  +250

Do we fade the Vikings instead of the Packers this week? They have a soft schedule for the next few weeks, and I think they take care of business. The yes bet is out of reach, but fading them in a few weeks will pay higher.

New York Jets

Yes: +350

No: -450

Wow, the sportsbooks are really trying to tempt us here. This team, even with the screwups, played their best game of the season against a first-place team in the win over the Texans. Their remaining schedule may be the easiest we've covered so far. Even at 3-6, I can see the Jets doing it.

If you want them, take them now because it is now or next season for this team. They need to get back to .500 stat. I’ll take a flyer, though. The return of Haason Reddick has changed the defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Yes: -400

No: +300

I love the Steelers now. They are a problem and a threat to win the AFC North.

San Francisco 49ers

Yes: -180

No: +150

Buy now or forget about it because Christian McCaffrey is coming back, and this team is about to take off.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yes: +240

No: -300

This team has so much heart. Baker Mayfield leads the league in touchdown passes. Even without his two best receivers, he destroyed my under bet this past Monday night. This is buy very low spot after the Bucs lost their third straight game.

They have the offense, they will likely get healthier, and they play six of their remaining eight games against teams currently with losing records.

Yes/No Best Bets to Make the NFL Playoffs

Tampa Bay Yes: +240

I like their chances to win shootouts against bad teams down the stretch.

San Francisco 49ers Yes: -180

This team should be much chalkier at this point. The bet is just to make the playoffs, not the Super Bowl.

New York Jets: +350

Things have to start bouncing this team's way, and once they do, they're gonna be a nightmare to play. The game against Houston could have been a blowout quickly. Rodgers is a rhythm guy with his receivers, and that's only going to get better. David Wilson is not of this world.

Indianapolis Colts: +145

The Colts' defense was highly disruptive, playing their best game of the year against the Vikings. The offense played their worst game, but that happens to a lot of teams against Brian Flores.

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