The playoff picture in the NFL this year is unique thanks to a couple of factors, beginning with the change to a 14-team postseason, whereby the only teams who would earn byes are the top seeds in each conference. The possibility of going to 16 teams if the COVID-19 pandemic forces significant cancellations down the stretch remains a contingency plan. Another factor is the number of teams with records well above .500. In the AFC, nine teams have won at least six games; in the NFC, the top seven seeds all either have six or seven wins, which means that significant change is still possible, especially when you consider that the next three teams have either four or five wins.
Super Bowl futures wagers are one of the most fun NFL sports betting props, so take a look at our thoughts on which teams will fade — and which have the best shot of playing for the Lombardi Trophy in February.
NFL News: Updated Super Bowl Contenders & Pretenders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Contender
Any team with Tom Brady on it is a contender until it goes down fighting. He’s having a throwback season, and the coaching of Bruce Arians has been terrific — with the possible exception of the second loss to New Orleans. It also helps that the Tampa Bay defense has been among the league leaders in rushing yards permitted and total yard permitted per game. The O-line was seen as a potential liability, but it has played well overall. With the New Orleans Saints missing Drew Brees for at least a couple of weeks, the Buccaneers have an opportunity to take charge of the NFC South.
Buffalo Bills – Contender
The Bills are still a streaky team. They started out 4-0 and are now 7-3. They picked up a huge win against Seattle two weeks ago, but a loss to Arizona on a Hail Mary erased a huge chance to give them space in the division from the hard-charging Miami Dolphins. The key is Josh Allen; when he puts up the numbers and protects the ball, the team wins, and wins big. When he throws interceptions, bad things happen. I think he’s made enough maturation for the Bills to be a contender, if he can keep heating up.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Contender
Obviously, the 9-0 Steelers have to be viewed as a contender. Their defense was already stout, and then they brought in Avery Williamson. Chase Claypool has emerged as a possible Rookie of the Year contender at the wide receiver position. They don’t have quite the high octane offense of the Chiefs, but their defense is better than Kansas City’s, and if they can get a lead on the Chiefs, they have the system to clamp down in ways that the playoff teams that got ahead of Kansas City early in games last year failed to accomplish.
New Orleans Saints – Pretender
Drew Brees is out at least a few weeks with rib and lung injuries, and the team announced that Taysom Hill will start in his stead, instead of Jameis Winston, the #2 quarterback. That could build up some real rancor in the locker room unless Sean Payton finds ways to work both into the offense. The Saints delivered a huge rout of Tampa Bay and beat San Francisco last week, but without Brees, it’s hard to see the Saints staying in front of the division. Keep an eye on Brees’ status.
Indianapolis Colts – Pretender
Yes, the Colts just beat the Tennessee Titans to move into first place in the AFC South. However, they have Philip Rivers at quarterback. So while the Colts might have an all-world defense, the time is just ticking before Rivers throws that back-breaking interception at just the wrong time, and the Colts’ season ends earlier than it should have.
Baltimore Ravens – Pretender
That loss to Kansas City showed that the Ravens don’t have what it takes to keep up with a fast-paced offense. The loss to New England showed that all you need to do is build a lead of any kind to frustrate the Ravens. Until Baltimore wins some big games, it’s hard to take them seriously.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
