TheLines: Crowded NFL Playoffs to set up ‘dramatic’ Super Bowl run

The NFL Playoffs is a crowded field, which is bound to set up a ‘dramatic’ postseason for bettors and sportsbooks, according to analysts TheLines.
Image source: Shutterstock

While there are some familiar faces listed as favorites to win the Super Bowl title, the NFL Playoffs is a crowded field, which is bound to set up a ‘dramatic’ postseason for bettors and sportsbooks, according to analysts TheLines, which tracks odds in the US regulated sports betting market.

The Green Bay Packers open the NFL Playoffs as the favorites to win the Super Bowl, according to a consensus of that nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. The franchise started the season as +1400 favorites but is now listed at +400.

Following the Packers are the Kansas City Chiefs listed at +500, which is the same line they had when the season opened in September. However, unlike the Packers who have a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Chiefs will have to win three playoff games to reach the Super Bowl, starting this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Entering Wild Card Weekend, half of the 14 teams which made the playoffs are listed at +1200 or better. The playoff games will be held beginning this weekend with two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and the final first-round playoff game in a new Monday night timeslot. The home teams are all favorites according to a consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks.

Fresh off their wild overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders — who opened the season at +10000 to win the Super Bowl — will play the Cincinnati Bengals (preseason +15000) in the first round, meaning at least one preseason longshot will reach the second round.

Brett Collson, the lead analyst for TheLines.com, commented: “When you look at the top favorites to win the Super Bowl right now, you see elite quarterback play or home-field advantage, or both.

“While the Packers and Chiefs are the favorites, the stage is set for a dramatic playoff scene this year. And with the game’s biggest names like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers at the forefront, this will be a huge playoff run for bettors and sportsbooks.”

Current odds for each playoff team to win Super Bowl LV as of January 10 (with preseason odds):

  • Green Bay Packers +400 (+1400)
  • Kansas City Chiefs +500 (+500)
  • Buffalo Bills +700 (+1150)
  • Tennessee Titans +750 (+3000)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers +850 (+650)
  • Los Angeles Rams +1000 (+1500)
  • Dallas Cowboys +1200 (+3500)
  • Cincinnati Bengals +1800 (+15000)
  • Arizona Cardinals +2000 (+4800)
  • New England Patriots +2000 (+3700)
  • San Francisco 49ers +2500 (+1400)
  • Las Vegas Raiders +4000 (+10000)
  • Philadelphia Eagles +6000 (+12500)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers +6000 (+5000)

Consensus point spreads for Wild Card Weekend, as of January 10:

  • Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5); over/under 49
  • New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-4.5); over/under 43.5
  • Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5); over/under 49.5
  • San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (-3); over/under 51
  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5); over/under 46.5
  • Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-4); over/under 50