There are now just 4 weeks left in the NFL regular season and the playoff races on both sides are about as tight as it gets. A lot can change in the matter of a few weeks in this league, though, which is why we are going to see if we can predict how things might play out. Will the current NFL Betting favorites, according to the latest odds to win the Super Bowl LIII, continue to stay that way? Will any of the teams below the playoff line make a late run and play their way in? There are a lot of questions to be answered in the course of the next month, so let’s see if we can answer a few of those.
As it stands at the moment, the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles are on the outside looking in, which is where I think they will stay. I like the Cowboys to beat them this weekend and take a firm grip on the division. If that does indeed go down, then things become much clearer in the NFC Wild Card race. I think the Bears hang on in the North, which means that the Vikings slip into the Wild Card alongside the Seattle Seahawks.
NFL Betting Predictions for last weeks of 2018 Regular Season
From Up to the Minute Live: The #Chiefs may rest WR Sammy Watkins until the playoffs, giving his foot the chance to rest and heal until it matters most. pic.twitter.com/GXv7lNzE2F
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) 7 de diciembre de 2018
AFC Playoff Picture
- Kansas City Chiefs (10-2)
- New England Patriots (9-3)
- Houston Texans (9-3)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-5)
In the Hunt
- Tennesse Titans (7-6)
- Miami Dolphins (6-6)
- IndianapolColts (6-6)
- Denver Broncos (6-6)
NFC Playoff Picture
- Los Angeles Rams (11-1)
- New Orleans Saints (10-2)
- Chicago Bears (8-4)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1)
In the Hunt
- Carolina Panthers (6-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (6-6)
- Washington Redskins (6-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
Who gets which benefits?
Let’s start out by taking a look at the AFC, where the 10-2 Kansas City Chiefs look like a solid bet to be in as the top seed. There are a couple of teams on their heels, though, with the New England Patriots certainly among the favorites to once again snag an opening round bye. I think we might see a little bit of an upset here, though, as I think the Houston Texans might well be the team that slides in. Things are a whole lot more clear-cut over in the NFC, where it’s tough to imagine any team being able to beat out the LA Rams and the New Orleans Saints for the top two picks. The Chicago Bears have the best shot at breaking up that party, but they would need to win out and get some help along the way. I don’t see the top two changing the rest of the way.Analyzing Wild Card Teams
Again, let’s start by taking a closer look at the AFC. It is the Chargers and Ravens who currently occupy the final two playoff spots, and while LA is going to have a tough time running down the Chiefs in the West, the Ravens can still catch the Steelers in the North. I’m not so sure the latter happens, though, and with the Chargers looking like a WC lock, that leaves one open spot. I am looking at the Denver Broncos, a team on a hot run right now, at sneaking into that #6 spot.
As it stands at the moment, the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles are on the outside looking in, which is where I think they will stay. I like the Cowboys to beat them this weekend and take a firm grip on the division. If that does indeed go down, then things become much clearer in the NFC Wild Card race. I think the Bears hang on in the North, which means that the Vikings slip into the Wild Card alongside the Seattle Seahawks.
