While it may not be home to the nuclear arms race we see in the AFC, the NFC playoff odds are a little more static. On the AFC side, teams like the Kansas City Chiefs (-20,000), Miami Dolphins (-1000), Baltimore Ravens (-450), and Jacksonville Jaguars (-450) have the best odds to reach the postseason.
On the NFC side, it’s just as much of a sure thing at the top. In order to get there, they have to either win their respective division or play well enough to earn a Wild Card spot. Let’s take a look at some too-early NFC Playoff odds and predictions.
Current NFC Playoff Odds After Week 8
NFC North: Detroit Lions (-4000)
Gone is Aaron Rodgers. Gone are the Minnesota Vikings’ ability to win football games. Gone are, well, the Bears. It’s Detroit’s time to shine.
After a league-shattering win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, the Lions beat down the Packers on their own turf and are well in the driver’s seat in the NFC North. Yes, there was a big hiccup vs Baltimore Ravens, but the Lions are still the class of the North right now.
Jared Goff has become a renewed quarterback with David Montgomery going off right beside him. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a top 10 receiver in the NFL and will get more opportunities as Jameson Williams returns from suspension.
Detroit is one of two NFL teams that sit right on the border of the United States and Canada. Each year, millions of individuals adhere to Canada sports betting law and legally place their bets on who will come out of the NFC to face off against the AFC’s best in the Super Bowl. One has to expect the Lions are among the favorites among those in the Great White North this year.
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (-10000)
Heading into the 2023 season, the Eagles were expected to be the have the best NFC Playoff odds — which they now have to share with the Niners. Remember when the NFC East was the laughing stock of the league? Now it’s looking like one of the best divisions in the NFL, and it’s the only one in which all four current teams have won at least one Super Bowl.
Jalen Hurts emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league last year and will continue to do so in 2023. With weapons like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith out wide and the top offensive line in front of him, his job will be among the easiest.
They had to replace both coordinators and it hasn’t tripped them up just yet. Philly has a great opportunity to lock down not only the division but the top seed.
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (-10000)
Quite possibly the most complete roster in the NFL, the 49ers are stacked. I mean, Joe Burrow had something to say about that on Sunday, but the Niners are still the class of the West by a long ways.
On defense, San Francisco is home to one of the league’s best in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. They are an incredibly athletic and disciplined bunch and will be able to shut down each and every offense they come across.
On offense, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle. Is there more to be said? Realistically, if there is a team that is going to challenge the Eagles for that top spot, it’ll be this 49ers team.
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+160)
This division is absolutely wide open. Or, it seemed to be at the beginning of the year. Carolina was going to be a question mark with a rookie quarterback, and they’ve failed to support him. Atlanta is an interesting case, but Desmond Ridder looks rough. The Saints have a compelling argument if they can get it together. However, it’ll be the Buccaneers taking the division even after the retirement of the GOAT.
Baker Mayfield has come alive, and he’s been able to get the most out of his future hall-of-fame receiver, Mike Evans.
Defensively, good luck getting through Vita Vea, Lavonte David, and company. All in all, Tampa Bay has a very favorable schedule and will be able to solidify itself among the contenders down the stretch.
Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers
The Wild Card race is going to come down to the wire. Realistically, there are likely half a dozen teams who can vie for the coveted berths. When it’s all said and done, it’ll be the Cowboys, Seahawks, and Packers playing in the playoffs.
The Cowboys have plenty of talent and Dak Prescott is at the very least a playoff-worthy quarterback. Even if he isn’t, Micah Parsons has the ability to legitimately take over a game on defense. He is a talent not often seen in the NFL.
Seattle is going to be a fun case to watch this year. Geno Smith was written off and just dominated last year. Its helps that he has a pair of stud running backs and plenty of receiver talent out wide. They have to play in a difficult NFC South, however.
Finally, the Packers. Jordan Love is not Aaron Rodgers. However, he doesn’t need to be. The Packers have a fairly complete team around him, and will be able to take advantage of what the defense gives him.
