With just one week remaining on the NFL schedule, there’s still much to be determined regarding the postseason.
Wild Card positions are up for grabs in both the AFC and NFC, positioning Week 18 to be a thrilling one. Let’s look at the odds and analysis of a few of the remaining hopefuls.
NFL odds to make the playoffs
Detroit Lions (+800 – +850)
The lovable Lions are a true comeback story and have become one of the NFL’s darlings. Head coach Dan Campbell was on the brink of job-loss early in the season but is now considered a contender for coach of the year.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff looked to be a placeholder quarterback before turning his season (and career) around in the year’s second half.
After a 1-6 start, Detroit has won seven of its last nine, setting the table for some Week 18 drama. At 8-8, the Lions aren’t out of it, but they’ll need some help.
What needs to happen for the Lions to make it?
First things first, Detroit will have to go into Lambeau and beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. No small feat, but they did take care of Green Bay in Week 6 with a 15-9 win. It can be done.
If they can somehow pull that off, they will then need the Seattle Seahawks to lose at home to the Rams.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (+350)
At the beginning of November, the Steelers were 2-6, and the playoffs looked like a pipe dream. But leave it to Mike Tomlin to once again have his team in a position to make the postseason.
The Patriots, Dolphins, and Steelers are all 8-8, with New England holding the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. Miami is ranked eighth, while Pittsburgh is at nine.
The Steelers lost to the Pats and Dolphins this season, bumping them down the tiebreaker totem pole.
With an 8-8 record, not only is Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes on the line but so is Mike Tomlin’s historical 15-season streak of not having a losing record. But it’s no easy road for the Steelers.
What needs to happen for the Steelers to make it?
Pittsburgh will have to take care of business against the Browns at home. After that, they’ll require help from the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
They’ll need the Bills to win at home against New England and the Jets to go on the road and beat Miami. Difficult, but not impossible.
Buffalo has owned the Pats in recent years and beat them easily earlier this season.
The Jets dismantled the Dolphins 40-17 in Week 5 in New York but will now have to play in front of Miami’s home crowd with a playoff spot on the line.
Seattle Seahawks (+275)
The Seattle Seahawks shocked everyone this season after being projected to be one of the league’s bottom-feeders.
Geno Smith reignited his career, Kenneth Walker blew up, and the Hawks jumped out to an early 6-3 record. The NFC West looked to be theirs for the taking.
Unfortunately for Seattle, the fairytale has been fading fast. Pete Carroll’s team has stumbled down the stretch, fumbling what looked like a sure-fire playoff season.
They currently hold the final Wild Card spot in the NFC, but because of tiebreakers, even a win in Week 18 might not be enough.
What needs to happen for the Seahawks to make it?
The Hawks will need to beat the Rams on Sunday. After that, they’ll need the Lions to pull off a road upset at Lambeau vs. the Packers.
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