NFL Playoffs Betting Update: AFC & NFC Analysis After Reaching Mid Season

Over the last couple of seasons, the NFL has become a little more forgiving to teams looking to make the playoffs. Extending the regular season from 16 to 17 games, and then adding an extra playoff spot in each conference has made getting off to a slower start not as bad as before those changes were made. That said, there is still an immense amount of pressure on teams to get in, and as we hit the midway point of the season, things are about as tight as it gets in both conferences. There are some teams that look destined to be in the playoffs and contending for a Super Bowl, but many more teams who are basically on the bubble. Let’s break down both conferences at the midway point of the season so you can continue planning your bets against the NFL Playoffs Odds.

Playoff Picture After Reaching the Middle of the 2022-23 Season | NFL Betting Predictions

AFC

The Buffalo Bills are sitting atop the AFC with a 6-1 record, and while that is certainly a strong first half, there are a lot of teams sticking close. There are no less than 5 teams – Tennessee, Kansas City, Baltimore, New York Jets, and Miami – all sitting on 5 wins and within striking distance of the #1 seed. After that is when things start to get particularly crazy.

As it stands now, it is the LA Chargers who hold the 7th and final playoff spot in the AFC with a 4-3 record. The Patriots and Bengals also have 4 wins each, so they have to be considered to be in the hunt, although neither one has been able to put together a decent run of form this season.

There are 4 teams – Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Houston – with 2 or fewer wins. Those teams are very much unlikely to be part of the playoff picture, as they would need to be as close to perfect as possible in the second half of the season to have any shot at getting in.

NFC

Over the past couple of seasons, the NFC East has been the weakest division in football, but that has all changed this season, with 3 of the 4 teams in that division all sitting in a playoff spot right now. It is the Philadelphia Eagles, the only unbeaten team in the league, who are #1 at this point, but like Buffalo over in the AFC, it is a lead that is not totally safe.

The Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons are sitting behind the Eagles as leaders in their respective divisions, but you have to say that the Falcons look like the team most likely to drop, as they are 4-4 right now and in a division that also includes the Buccaneers, who can only get better in the second half. Dallas, New York Giants, and San Francisco round out the teams sitting in a playoff spot right now.

The defending champion LA Rams are below the playoff line and in trouble, but they do have the talent to make a move in the second half. Given how tightly packed things are in the NFC at the moment, the only teams that I would automatically count out of the race right now is the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, and Detroit Lions.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?