Odds to Make the 2018 NFL Playoffs for All 32 Teams

By Eric Rosales in NFL Football
Updated: March 31, 2020 at 12:02 pm EDTPublished:

- Find the best value in the latest NFL playoff odds
- What non-playoff team makes the postseason this year?
- Could any division send three teams to the playoffs?
The mantra used to be: it doesn’t matter where you’re seeded in the NFL playoffs. Just get there. Because once you get in, anything can happen. NFL parity, it’s fantastic!
This decade, however, has challenged that statement, as only one wild card team has overcome the odds and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. That team was the 2010 Green Bay Packers, who finished the year in style with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But you could make a case that the old mantra could be on its way back, helped in large part to a talent surge the NFL hasn’t basked in since Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees broke onto the scene.
So with that in mind, let’s have a gander at the odds for all 32 teams to make the playoffs in the 2018 NFL season.
Odds to Make the Playoffs in the 2018 NFL Season
Team | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs |
---|---|---|
Arizona Cardinals | +800 | -1600 |
Atlanta Falcons | +115 | -145 |
Baltimore Ravens | +150 | -180 |
Buffalo Bills | +500 | -800 |
Carolina Panthers | +135 | -165 |
Chicago Bears | +475 | -700 |
Cincinnati Bengals | +450 | -650 |
Cleveland Browns | +700 | -1400 |
Dallas Cowboys | +150 | -180 |
Denver Broncos | +300 | -400 |
Captain Obvious is going to tell you that in this group, the lead-pipe lock is your Cleveland Browns missing the playoffs. Oddsmakers are doing all they can to incentivize you against it, but this isn’t even because of the team, but the division they’re in.
Pittsburgh and Baltimore are going to be tough, and the AFC West and South have some teams that just figure to be better.
In terms of value, look no further than the Buffalo Bills, who just broke the longest active playoff drought in the NFL last year.
Despite major changes this offseason, this team is on a clear path to respectability under the guidance of Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott. I also think Josh Allen is going to be nice a lot sooner than others.
I also I wouldn’t mind spending my hard earned dollars on a talented Dallas Cowboys team poised for a bounce back season, if their offensive line gets back to world class. And if the Broncos have their next DeMarcus Ware to line up opposite Von Miller, my goodness watch out. They could easily be in the running for a wild card.
Team | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs |
---|---|---|
Detroit Lions | +275 | -350 |
Green Bay Packers | -170 | +140 |
Houston Texans | -155 | +125 |
Indianapolis Colts | +300 | -400 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | -145 | +115 |
Kansas City Chiefs | +125 | -155 |
Los Angeles Chargers | -160 | +130 |
Los Angeles Rams | -220 | +180 |
Miami Dolphins | +500 | -800 |
Minnesota Vikings | -250 | +195 |
Speaking of defense, the closest thing to a lock for me are the Jacksonville Jaguars making the playoffs at -145. They had themselves a year, and their big play ability on that side of the ball can blow up offenses in a hurry.

Team | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs |
---|---|---|
New England Patriots | -1700 | +850 |
New Orleans Saints | -130 | EVEN |
New York Giants | +300 | -400 |
New York Jets | +550 | -900 |
Oakland Raiders | +160 | -200 |
Philadelphia Eagles | -350 | +275 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | -550 | +375 |
San Francisco 49ers | +140 | -170 |
Seattle Seahawks | +225 | -295 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +450 | -650 |
Tennessee Titans | +170 | -210 |
Washington Redskins | +400 | -600 |
Did you know that since 2000, there have been four instances where a division sends three teams to the playoffs in one year? They are the 2011 AFC North, 2013 AFC West, 2014 NFC North and 2017 NFC South.
It won’t be a repeat of the South this year, but it will be for the Saints. Having Drew Brees as your second option behind a running attack led by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, and that improved defense, is a nice recipe in the Bayou.
(By the way, If I were to pick divisions to potentially rock out this year, it would be the AFC and NFC West.)

And finally, the Philadelphia Eagles are the most talented team in football, and it’s not even that close. Taking them to make the playoffs, easy. Also a fan on the action for the Seahawks and 49ers. One of those for sure is making it behind the Rams, if not both.

Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.