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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs, and we look at the NFL playoff odds entering Week 12.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs. Photo by Mark Konezny via Imagn Images.

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered defeat for the first time this season in Week 11, but they are so widely expected to make the NFL playoffs that they aren't even listed at our best NFL betting sites to do so.

The Chiefs aren't the only team considered a lock for the postseason entering Week 12, as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions are also not listed.

That leaves the Houston Texans in the AFC and the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC as the two biggest betting favorites by the NFL playoff odds.

Meanwhile, perennial powerhouses such as the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals are on the outside looking in entering Week 12, and their odds reflect that.

With plenty to play for across multiple divisions, let's dive into the NFL playoff odds at our best sports betting sites.

2024-25 NFL playoff odds: AFC

(NFL playoff odds via our best sports betting apps)

TeamOdds (bet365)
BillsOFF
ChiefsOFF
TexansYes: -25000/No: +2200
SteelersYes: -5000/No: +1500
RavensYes: -3000/No: +1200
ChargersYes: -1400/No: +750
BroncosYes: -110/No: -110
ColtsYes: +160/No: -200
DolphinsYes: +300/No: -400
BengalsYes: +400/No: -600
JetsYes: +2500/No: -30000
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AFC playoff odds analysis

As previously mentioned, the Bills (9-2) and Chiefs (9-1) have both been pulled from this market due to their dominant records relative to the rest of the conference. The Chiefs are trading just ahead of the Bills by the Super Bowl odds.

Based on their odds, 7-4 record, and weak division, the Texans could be the next team pulled.

The Steelers (8-2) and Ravens (7-4) are still in the thick of a division race, but their odds are so short due to the fact that many AFC teams are below .500.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum, four teams have been pulled from this market because they're so bad.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) and Tennessee Titans (2-8) being OTB means only two AFC South teams have NFL playoff odds. Additionally, the New England Patriots (3-8) and Cleveland Browns (2-8) are also gone.

It's difficult to identify value at this point, since even a team like the Chargers - which would be the fifth seed if the playoffs started today - is trading at -1400.

Therefore, it's best to turn your attention to either the Broncos (sitting in the seventh seed entering Week 12) or Colts (5-6), or you can target a pair of four-win teams in the Dolphins or Bengals if you're truly desperate.

Finally, the New York Jets - who fired their general manager on Tuesday - are likely the next team at the bottom to be removed from this market.

AFC projected playoff picture

SeedTeamPlayoff odds
1ChiefsOFF
2BillsOFF
3Steelers-5000
4Texans-25000
5Chargers-1400
6Ravens-3000
7Broncos-110

As it stands entering Week 12, the Chargers, Ravens, and Broncos occupy the three wild-card positions, with the Colts trailing Denver by one win. Incredibly, even the sixth seed in the NFL playoff picture is trading at absurdly short odds.

The implied probability associated with the -3000 price on the Ravens is 96.77%, meaning our best sportsbooks believe Baltimore is a near-lock to qualify for the postseason.

It makes sense that the Chiefs are still the Super Bowl odds favorites given their status as the No. 1 seed, thus earning a first-round bye.

However, we've seen Kansas City look shaky throughout the season, so the Bills could easily surpass their rivals in the coming games following their Week 12 bye.

2024-25 NFL playoff odds: NFC

TeamOdds (bet365)
LionsOFF
EaglesYes: -30000/No: +2500
VikingsYes: -1400/No: +750
CommandersYes: -600/No: +400
PackersYes: -500/No: +350
FalconsYes: -400/No: +300
CardinalsYes: -140/No: +110
49ersYes: +175/No: -225
BuccaneersYes: +200/No: -250
SeahawksYes: +300/No: -400
RamsYes: +320/No: -450
SaintsYes: +1200/No: -3000
BearsYes: +2500/No: -30000

NFC playoff odds analysis

Similarly to the AFC playoff odds, there's one team OTB as a result of being too good and three are gone due to how bad they are.

Let's start with the good: the Lions are on a tear after a comeback victory in Week 10 and a bludgeoning of the Jaguars in Week 11. As a result, they're the new favorites by the Super Bowl odds.

The Eagles will surely soon follow suit and be removed from this market by our sites with the best sportsbook promos. After that, we see far more teams that could be worthy of a bet.

With the NFC West extremely tight across the board - the Cardinals lead with a 6-4 record and -140 odds to make the playoffs while the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams sit at 5-5 - we can essentially pick our favorite team from the division and get solid odds on it to make the postseason.

The Rams sit second in the division but are trading at the longest odds. 

Now, onto the bad: the New York Giants (2-8) and Dallas Cowboys (3-7) have both been been pulled, leaving only two NFC East teams with playoff odds. Additionally, the 3-7 Carolina Panthers are also OTB despite playing in a relatively weak NFC South. 

The Bears will likely be the next team to follow suit and be removed from this market, while the Saints could hang around for a while due to the aforementioned pitiful division.

NFC projected playoff picture

SeedTeamPlayoff odds
1LionsOFF
2Eagles-3000
3Cardinals-140
4Falcons-400
5Vikings-1400
6Packers-500
7Commanders-600

As we discussed in the above section, this projected playoff picture shows just how competitive the NFC West is. The Cardinals own the three seed heading into Week 12 but are trading at just -140 because the rest of the division sits just one win back of them.

The projected playoff picture shows just how dominant the NFC North has been this season, with three teams expected to make the postseason. The Packers are 7-3, which would put them in first place in the NFC South or West, and yet they sit third in their division.

Outside of the NFC West, there's essentially no value in betting on any of the other projected playoff teams.

How to bet NFL playoff odds

Our sites with the best sportsbook promos set playoff odds for each team, and you then wager on whether that club will qualify for the postseason.

To find these markets, go to your favorite sportsbook, head to the NFL section, and look for "futures." There, you'll find a variety of options, including playoff odds.

Oddsmakers consider many factors when setting or shifting the playoff odds, including the quality of a team's roster, offseason transactions, draft picks, past results, and injuries. The strength of the division and schedule also factor into the total. There’s a price attached to each team total too, and it can change based on the betting action.

NFL playoff odds wagers are futures bets. A successful wager is paid out at the conclusion of the regular season.

How to read NFL playoff odds

Reading NFL playoff odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.

For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600. Negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $200 bet at -200 odds would win you $100, plus your $200 stake, totaling $300.

These odds also reflect the probability of a particular NFL playoff odds outcome. Lower odds (e.g., -250) suggest a higher likelihood, while higher odds (e.g., +500) indicate a lower probability. Our best sports betting sites adjust these odds based on injuries, stats, news, and betting patterns.

If the Chiefs are getting -550 odds to make the playoffs and the Packers are at -155, Kansas City is considered much more likely to qualify. If you bet $100 on the Chiefs and they make the playodds, you’d get $118 back.

NFL playoff FAQs

Who are the favorites to make the NFL playoffs?

The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Detroit Lions should all be considered the "favorites" to make the NFL playoffs, since their odds have been pulled from the best sports betting sites.

When are the 2024-25 NFL playoffs?

The NFL playoffs begin with the wild-card round on Jan. 11-13, 2025. The divisional round will be held Jan. 18 and 19 with the AFC and NFC championship games slated for Jan. 26. 

When will the 2025 Super Bowl be played?

Super Bowl 59 will be played on Feb. 9, 2025.

Where will the 2025 Super Bowl be played?

The 2025 Super Bowl will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.

NFL betting odds pages

Here are our best NFL betting sites:

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