Last night, the Denver Broncos survived a low-scoring thriller against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football, clinging to their number one ranking in the AFC West division.
Despite their division lead, the Broncos are still listed behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the overall odds to win Super Bowl LX. This suggests that KC will either overtake Denver for the division lead before the season’s end or surpass them in the playoffs as a wild-card qualifier.
By combining odds for divisions, conference winners, and Super Bowl champions, we can use these scenarios to create images for betting on the NFL Playoff picture.
Division futures are accurate predictors of the top four seeds in the NFL Playoffs. In contrast, overall conference and SB futures allow additional insight into seeds four through seven and each franchise’s postseason paths.
As readers may have noticed, there are stark differences between the pro football teams included in the current playoff standings versus what online NFL sportsbooks are projecting.
In the AFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers would qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today. According to the odds, the Steelers and Jags will be ousted from the final playoff picture by the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
In the NFC, online sportsbooks are suggesting that the same seven teams that are qualified for the playoffs today will be the same that ultimately make it when eight more weeks of play have concluded.
The only difference in the NFC is the order in which the teams are seeded.
Key Week 10 Matchups
One game that will immediately impact the standings and NFL futures is an NFC West battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers are 6-3 and have been keeping their heads above water while dealing with injuries to several of their star players.
The Rams are 7-2 but lost their first game to San Francisco earlier this season and need a win this weekend to retain their division lead.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Line
- Spread: LA -5.5 (EVEN), SF +5.5 (-120)
- Moneyline: LA -235, SF +195
- Over: 49.5 (-105)
- Under: 49.5 (-115)
LA is favored to defend its home turf by 5,5 points. If this forecast is accurate, the Rams will take a commanding position in the West, with only the Seahawks remaining to contend with.
Bovada Sportsbook (review) | Niners Nation
