Seahawks, Rams, Eagles & Panthers All Given Near-Even Odds to Make Playoffs; Who’s the Best Bet?

• Seahawks, Rams, Eagles and Panthers in tight battle for a playoff berth
• Russell Wilson is playing at an MVP-level for Seattle
• Check the analysis below for our best bet to secure a spot in the NFC Playoffs

There might be 10 weeks left in the NFL regular season, but heading into Week 8, it’s fair to say that every game is now crucial for teams with eyes on a postseason berth.

In the NFC, there’s a logjam of teams that are already staring up at five other teams who are making their claim for a spot – leaving just one more space available among four teams.

NFC Playoff Odds

*Odds from 10/23/19

The NFL Playoff odds have the Saints, 49ers, Packers, Vikings and Cowboys currently favorites to make the playoffs. Who among this four has the best chance to join them?

Let’s explore the possibilities.

Panthers, Seahawks are Tough Outs

Carolina is still without starting quarterback Cam Newton, but they’ve been able to hang tough with a steady backup in Kyle Allen, and the otherworldly play of Christian McCaffrey. He is, without a doubt, one of the most lethal offensive players in football, full stop.

.@run__cmc is keeping pace with some legends. 👀 (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/YC9TUEMvde

— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2019

The third-year back has already piled up 923 scrimmage yards, to go along with nine touchdowns in six games. He’s running at a steady 4.9 yards per tote clip, and has shown the breakaway speed on one play, and grittiness running in between tackles the next down.

He’s powered the Panthers out of an 0-2 hole, and they’re hanging tough in the South as New Orleans continues to dominate.

https://twitter.com/OnePantherPlace/status/1181027183516688387

But they’re not just offense. With their fifth-best scoring clip in the NFL (27.7 points per game), the Panthers are also the only team of these four who rate in the top half of the NFL in the defense, ranking 14th in points per game (22.2). While New England’s D is deserving of all their accolades, Carolina has quietly led the league with 27 sacks.

Russell Wilson this year:

➖ No. 1 in passer rating
➖ T-No. 1 in total TDs
➖ T-No. 1 in game-winning drives
➖ No. 2 in completion %
➖ 0 interceptions
➖ Seahawks 5-1

Coming for that MVP? 👁 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/3ZpZrdz4tc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 15, 2019

In Seattle, the Seahawks are getting the best version of Russell Wilson, who has been dominant this season. Even after a blip on the radar in a loss to the Ravens, Wilson’s numbers are wild: he’s thrown for 1,945 yards, completing better than 68% of his passes, and has 15 TD passes to just one INT.

A team that’s supposed to be in transition, the Seahawks have ridden their franchise pivot to a 5-2 mark and they’re running neck-and-neck with the undefeated 49ers in the West, with two upcoming games still to come that will likely decide the division.

Rams, Eagles Fading

The Rams are the defending NFC Champions, but even with the best young coach in the game, they’re looking more an more like a team in the midst of a Super Bowl hangover. They’re still scoring at a 27.1 points per game clip, but the eye test showed them get totally shut down by the 49ers, while they’ve piled up a bunch of points in losses to the Buccaneers and Seahawks.

Here are the Rams' net yards per drive after the #49ers stopped them on the goal line with 6:27 left in the first half:
-7 yards: fumble
-15: punt
-7: punt
+19: punt
+8: downs
-17: punt
+16: downs
Total net yards: -3

— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 16, 2019

The Jalen Ramsey trade may shake them up in a good way, but there might be too many teams ahead of them to chase down. And still, Todd Gurley’s mysterious knee injury still lingers over all.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are just a season removed from winning it all, but they’re struggling to piece things together. Injuries have taken their toll, and, unlike Wilson, Carson Wentz has not been able to mask the deficiencies.

Blake Jarwin with the TD pass from Dak Prescott!

Play action works so well – Jarwin has NO ONE near him #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/PDObjkJiO0

— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) October 21, 2019

Minus that impressive Thursday Night win in Green Bay, Philly has been drilled by the top teams, including back-to-back thrashings at the hands of the Vikings and Cowboys.

Who’s the Best Bet?

The Seahawks control their own destiny. Not only do they have those two tilts with the 49ers, but they also have head-to-head battles with the Panthers, Rams and Eagles. With Wilson being the best player in this bunch, the Seahawks should be punching their playoff ticket, and you should be cashing in.

The Pick: Seahawks (-150)