The NFL season no longer has a set half-point thanks to the new 17 game season expansion. However, Week 8 still feels like a good time to stop and assess. Bettors with bets across the whole season may be either feeling very smug or nervous at this point.
In this article, we review the state of every division and choose the teams we think would combine to make an excellent parlay to make the playoffs by the end of the season.
This is the division with the most intrigue and the most potential winnings. In the AFC North, technically, any team could take the top spot. However, for us, it comes down to the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams have great records, and whichever team doesn’t take the top spot will likely be given a wildcard spot. For your parlay, it may be worth adding both teams to make the playoffs. We think the Baltimore Ravens will edge the top spot if this is a bet that interests you. The talent of Lamar Jackson is too irresistible, and he has much more experience than Joe Burrow.
The other two teams are also in with a shout of making the playoffs as wildcards. If the Cleveland Browns offense can get going, then they have the talent to take another wildcard spot. The Pittsburgh Steelers are less likely to make that push. The defense has been enough so far to cover for offensive frailty, but how sustainable this is will be illustrated over the coming weeks.
It’s hard to look past the Buffalo Bills in this division. This season, Josh Allen has been playing terrific football, and the offensive has been racking up points even in losses. Comparative to the rest of the league, the Bills have one of the easiest schedules left, and if you’re looking for an AFC East team for the playoffs, our pick would be the Bills.
On the wildcard front, the New England Patriots have really found a groove in recent weeks, and Mac Jones has come into his own. The team has just about squeaked into playoff contention and could be an outside shout as a bet to be a wildcard.
The New York Jets and, more surprisingly, the Miami Dolphins have been poor this season, and it doesn’t feel too soon to rule them both out of playoff contention. Don’t be tempted by long odds on these two.
One of the least competitive divisions in the league, and it’s pretty obvious which team you should add to your parlay for playoff qualification. The Tennesse Titans have been a strong force in the league this year. Although the injury to Derrick Henry will be a big concern, there should be enough quality to see off the divisional competition.
Across the rest of the division, there is very little to get excited about as an NFL fan or bettor. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are as uncompetitive as it gets in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts have a pretty touch schedule to face and haven’t been particularly good this season. Compared to other teams in the AFC going for wildcard spots, they are not as strong, so we would save your bets for other teams.
This division houses one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season. Very few experts would have predicted the Kansas City Chiefs to have lost more games already than they did the whole of last season. For bettors, this could prove to be very beneficial. At the minute, putting the Chiefs in a parlay of teams to reach the playoffs will give you unusually good odds. Yes, they have the hardest schedule left in the NFL, but they also have Mahomes. It’s not been his best season, but can he mastermind a seasonal comeback as he has in so many games?
Elsewhere the division is packed with talent, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of these teams make a wildcard pick. The Las Vegas Raiders have started well but lost their head coach in the middle of the season. The Los Angeles Chargers have young QB Justin Herbert, but in recent weeks have turned in very disappointing results. The Denver Broncos are a team not many expected to be competitive but have a .500 record. If we had to choose, our tip would be the Raiders. This season, Derek Carr has been in great form, and it may be enough to push his team to the playoffs. If they do, we won’t bet on them to win the playoff game.
So, to sum up, our picks to reach the playoffs this year are: Bills, Ravens, Titans, Chiefs, Bengals, Browns, Raiders.
Whatever teams you decide to back to reach the playoffs, there is plenty of excitement left in this NFL season. From week to week, the outlook of your parlay bet can change. If you haven’t placed any bets on the NFL this season, now is a great time to do so. In 2018 the US Supreme Court struck down the PASPA, allowing numerous states to legalize online sports betting. In places like Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, and Colorado, you can legally place bets with a licensed sportsbook. If you are in any of the states where it is legal, download a sportsbook and create your AFC playoff parlay.