After a lot of back and forth between the league and the players union, we are definitely going to have a football season in 2020. This, though, will not be anything like you have seen before, and we are not just talking about the absence of fans in the stands. In order to alleviate potential health issues, the preseason has been scrapped this year, while players will go through regular testing in their respective training camps. On the playing side of things, we will also see 7 teams from each conference make it into the postseason. The top-seeded teams will get a bye, while the remaining teams will play in the Wild Card Weekend. With that in mind, let’s look at how each conference might play out so you can plan ahead your bets against their NFL odds.
NFL Betting – Early Conference Predictions
AFC Playoff Predictions
The AFC should be strong again this season, but you do feel that it is going to be tough to knock the Kansas City Chiefs off the top perch. They still have 20 of their 22 starters from last season, so unless something happens to Patrick Mahomes, they get the bye.
For me, the obvious choice to slot into the #2 seed is the Baltimore Ravens. Yes, they have had a couple of guys opt out of the season, but they should still be strong. They did add some nice pieces in the offseason, so if anyone is going to knock off the Chiefs, it will most likely be Baltimore.
Now, here is where things begin to get a little tricky. A lot of people are writing off the New England Patriots without Tom Brady, but by picking up Cam Newton, they may still be able to compete.
They are going to be in a group that includes the Colts and the Bills, all vying for the #3 spot.
I think it might also be a good idea to toss the Pittsburgh Steelers into that mix. I do have some concerns about Big Ben, but reports suggest that his arm looks great. Their defense last season was outstanding, and if the bring more of the same, look out.
The Tennessee Titans cannot be ignored. Was their run to the AFC Championship Game last season a fluke, or are they ready to repeat? The teams mentioned are my 7 in the AFC.
NFC Playoff Predictions
In my mind, the NFC is tougher to predict, mostly because of the Tom Brady factor in Tampa Bay. Does he instantly make that team a winner or does his age finally catch up to him? I have the Bucs making the playoffs, but I think it will be the New Orleans Saints who take the #1 seed.
If we are to assume that Brady still has some good stuff left in the tank, then they will definitely be in the mix behind the division winners. In the NFC East, I think it will be the Dallas Cowboys who win there, while the Seattle Seahawks win the West. That leaves us with the North, which should be a battle between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. After all the drama at the draft, expect Aaron Rodgers to come out with a point to prove. I am taking the Packers to win the North.
Okay, so now that we have our division winders, which 3 teams nab those Wild Card spots? We have already mentioned the Buccaneers, who I think will be joined by the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers. The latter is a scary pick, as we routinely see the Super Bowl loser miss the playoffs in the following season.
