Updated NFL Playoff Odds Favor Colts and Ravens Getting In, Dolphins and Raiders Out After Week 13
- In the race for NFL playoff spots, the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens are favored to lock up the final two AFC Wild Cards
- The Miami Dolphins are the next closest contenders for postseason action
- Both the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots are seen as outsiders at long odds
Week 13 action did little to clear up the muddled NFL playoff picture in terms of the race for AFC Wild Card positions.
Oddsmakers seem equally uncertain as to how things might shake out. One team that currently occupies an AFC Wild Card – the Indianapolis Colts – are given strong odds to retain that position.
Another club currently on the outside of the playoff picture – the Baltimore Ravens – are given a betting line favoring them to climb up and qualify for postseason play.
Currently, the sixth seed in the AFC, sportsbooks are projecting that the Miami Dolphins will slip out of the playoff picture. Likewise, the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots are listed as longshots in the NFL playoff odds.
Odds to Make NFL Playoffs
| Team | Yes Odds | No Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | -278 | +220 |
| Baltimore Ravens | -156 | +128 |
| Miami Dolphins | +130 | -159 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +125 | -152 |
| New England Patriots | +520 | -770 |
Odds as of Dec 9
A 9-3, the fifth-seeded Cleveland Browns are virtual postseason locks with odds of -1115 to make the playoffs.
Colts Looking Comfortable
At 8-4, the seventh-seeded Colts could still win the AFC South title. Either way, postseason play looks like a very safe bet for them.
They go to Las Vegas this week to face the 7-5 Raiders. There’s also a game at 11-1 Pittsburgh.
Jacoby from out of nowhere. 😂@JBrissett12 | @TYHilton13 pic.twitter.com/fALRUAO58b
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 8, 2020
However, Indy should add two more wins against 4-8 Houston and 1-11 Jacksonville. Even at 10-6, the Colts are a playoff team.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts to make playoffs (-278)
Dolphins In Tough
None among these AFC playoff contenders is facing a tougher finishing slate than the Dolphins. Miami has 11-1 Kansas City this week. Then the Fins are home to the 6-6 Patriots. New England already has a win over the Dolphins this season.
Miami hits the road for its last two games – at 7-5 Las Vegas and 9-3 Buffalo. That’s going to be some tough sledding.
GIMME THAT 😤
We've forced a takeaway in 18 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL and the sixth-longest streak in team history. pic.twitter.com/uwd4RfMAyO
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 8, 2020
Two more wins would probably get Miami into the playoffs. But are there two wins left on that docket?
Miami is 1-2 against teams with winning records. The Fins have gotten fat off bad teams. They’re 7-2 against .500 or sub-.500 clubs.
Pick: Miami Dolphins to miss playoffs (-159)
Ravens Facing Soft Slate
No team in this race is facing an easier time down the stretch than Baltimore. Posting a 34-17 win over Dallas on Tuesday, the Ravens improved to 7-5. But they still sit as the #9 seed in the AFC.
There’s a tough test this week against the Browns. But Baltimore recorded a season-opening 38-6 rout of the Browns at Cleveland.
LJ 37 YARDS TO THE CRIB 😤
(via @Ravens)pic.twitter.com/6kL6RcX7xE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 9, 2020
From there, the Ravens get Jacksonville, the 5-7 New York Giants and the 2-9-1 Bengals. At worst, they should finish at 10-6.
As well, Baltimore holds a win over the Colts, which could prove vital in a tiebreaking scenario.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens to make playoffs (-156)
Raiders of a Lost Cause
New home, same outcome. For the second straight season, the Raiders are sputtering to the finish line.
They needed a last-second touchdown strike to slip past the 0-12 New York Jets. That came one week after suffering an embarrassing 43-6 loss to the 4-8 Atlanta Falcons.
I swear this is how that play felt on Sunday, seemed like the ball was in the air forever! #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/WZPBMyQ5Ff
— 𝓡𝔂𝓪𝓷 (@Raider_Ryan1) December 8, 2020
Las Vegas is 1-2 over the past three games. After a trip to Indy this week, they get the 3-9 Los Angeles Chargers and the Dolphins at home. Then it’s a trek into potentially snowy Denver for a game they may desperately need to qualify for the playoffs.
The Raiders have lost seven of their last eight at the Mile High City. They haven’t won in Denver since 2015.
Pick: Las Vegas Raiders to miss the playoffs (-152)
Will There Be More Patriots Games?
There might not be a more intriguing storyline in the NFL than the Pats. But they’ve got a tough row to hoe.
Going 4-1 in their last five to get to 6-6, they’re at the 8-4 LA Rams and Miami the next two weeks.
"We know who we are now."
Sights & sounds from Sunday in LA. pic.twitter.com/i9LScndgTm
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 9, 2020
Then New England faces 9-3 Buffalo, before closing out against the winless Jets.
The Patriots have posted victories over the Raiders and Ravens, which could help in a tiebreaker.
Pick: New England Patriots to miss playoffs (-770)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
