The field is set for the 2020 NFL Playoffs. Without too many postponements or COVID-19 delays, the regular season of the NFL completed its 17-week journey. And we are one month away from the Super Bowl.
An exciting Week 17 provided a lot of drama and shifted some of the playoff pieces around. For the first time, seven teams will compete in each conference, giving us a 14-team playoff field.
Wondering if you’ll be able to bet on the NFL postseason online? All signs point to yes, but the more certain online sports betting option likely will be the Super Bowl in February. By then, there should be apps on your phone ready to use in Michigan. Fingers crossed.
In any case, here’s a look at what the sportsbooks we’re tracking think of the NFL playoff field and the potential Super Bowl 2021 winner.
Super Bowl 2021 odds: Kansas City favored to repeat
The winners of Super Bowl 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs, find themselves as the favorite to repeat as champions this year in the eyes of the oddsmakers. (Odds below last updated Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. ET.)
| Odds to win Super Bowl LV | BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | William Hill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +240 | +220 | +220 | +230 | +180 |
| Green Bay Packers | +550 | +450 | +480 | +450 | +450 |
| Buffalo Bills | +700 | +700 | +750 | +650 | +750 |
| New Orleans Saints | +750 | +700 | +750 | +800 | +750 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1000 | +1200 | +1100 | +900 | +1100 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1100 | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1400 | +1300 | +1300 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +2500 | +3000 | +2900 | +3000 | +2800 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2500 | +2200 | +2000 | +2500 | +2000 |
| Tennessee Titans | +2500 | +2800 | +2800 | +3000 | +2800 |
| Cleveland Browns | +4000 | +5000 | +4800 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +4000 | +4000 | +4100 | +4000 | +3500 |
| Chicago Bears | +8000 | +8000 | +8500 | +9000 | +8000 |
| Washington Football Team | +10000 | +8000 | +8500 | +8000 | +8000 |
Across all sportsbooks, the Chiefs are listed as the favorite. Their odds range from +180 to +240 as of Monday.
The Green Bay Packers find themselves next to the Chiefs, with odds ranging from +450 to +550. The Buffalo Bills come in third, while the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers follow.
NFL wild-card weekend schedule
With the expanded playoff field, that means that next weekend will feature a tripleheader on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s how the playoffs look in the AFC entering wild-card weekend:
- No. 1 Kansas City – Bye
- No. 7 Indianapolis (+6.5) at No. 2 Buffalo – Saturday, Jan. 9, 1:05 p.m. (CBS)
- No. 6 Cleveland (+3.5) at No. 3 Pittsburgh – Sunday, Jan. 10, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)
- No. 5 Baltimore (-3.5) at No. 4 Tennessee – Sunday, Jan. 10, 1:05 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)
In the NFC, here’s how things shape up for the wild-card round:
- No. 1 Green Bay – Bye
- No. 7 Chicago (+9.5) at No. 2 New Orleans – Sunday, Jan. 10, 4:40 p.m. (CBS)
- No. 6 LA Rams (+4.5) at No. 3 Seattle – Saturday, Jan. 9, 4:40 p.m. (FOX)
- No. 5 Tampa Bay (-7.5) at No. 4 Washington – Saturday, Jan. 9, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)
Kansas City Chiefs the team to beat in AFC
The Chiefs have firmly planted themselves as the team to beat in the AFC. While they lost their season finale on Sunday to the Los Angeles Chargers, KC played without a number of key players.
Kansas City was 14-2 this season and led by MVP-candidate Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes threw for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led a Chiefs offense to the top of the NFL in total offense with 415.8 yards per game.
The Buffalo Bills won their first AFC East division title since 1995 this season. Josh Allen had a breakout season, throwing for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns. Both were career-highs by a wide margin. Allen also rushed for 421 yards and eight scores.
Buffalo gets the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. The Colts went 11-5 this season, yet still only managed to be the No. 7 seed.
AFC North rivals collide next Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland topped a short-handed Pittsburgh squad on Sunday to secure its first playoff spot since 2002. After an 11-0 start, the Steelers limp into the playoffs having lost four of their last five.
The most competitive matchup in the AFC this week could be the Tennessee Titans hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Baltimore finds itself as a road favorite against the Titans. Tennessee upset top-seeded Baltimore in last year’s divisional playoffs, 28-12.
Will the Packers be upset in the NFC?
Green Bay owns the first-week bye and top seed in the NFC playoffs. Aaron Rodgers could be the NFL MVP this season, too, ranking right alongside Mahomes. He threw for a league-best 48 touchdowns and just five interceptions while amassing 4,299 yards.
The New Orleans Saints are the No. 2 seed and could be playing their final games with Drew Brees at quarterback. Reports surfaced Sunday that Brees may retire after this season. New Orleans draws 8-8 Chicago. The Bears backed into the playoffs thanks to a loss by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
NFC West rivals meet up this week when the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. These two split the season series, with the home team winning both games.
Tampa Bay is the lone road favorite in the NFC this week as it takes on the Washington Football Team on Saturday night. The Bucs put their high-powered offense (30.8 ppg) against a Washington team that managed to win the NFC East with just a 7-9 record. Washington ranks second in the NFL in total defense, giving up just 304.6 yards per contest.
All of that being said, the Packers have the edge but with the way things have gone in the NFC this year, anything can happen. The NFL playoffs always arrive with a few what-ifs.
