The Favorites
Kansas City Chiefs (+400): Even at 4-1 money, the defending champs are a strong bet to win it all given how superior they look in all three phases. It’s been the Chiefs defense, not Patrick Mahomes, that has responded to a rare loss to the Raiders with two dominant performances.
Baltimore Ravens (+600): The Ravens are allowing a league-low 17.3 PPG with a +75 point-differential to match the Chiefs atop the AFC. They come out of their bye week to face a Steelers team that’s been no slouch with a +65 point differential.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+800): The Bucs defense continues to impress with league-best marks in YPG and rushing YPG allowed. Now with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowksi rounding into form, and Antonio Brown expected to debut in Week 9, the Bucs are looking like the most dangerous team in the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+850): With T.J. Watt leading a relentless pass rush, the Steelers are one of the biggest threats to Mahomes and the Chiefs. For now, their concern is surviving two November meetings with the Ravens to stay atop the AFC North.
Seattle Seahawks (+1000): Jamal Adams (groin) missed another game and the Seahawks secondary offered no resistance in a shootout loss to Arizona. Seattle is trying to bolster that deficient unit with midseason additions such as Damon “Snacks” Harrison.
Longshots
Green Bay Packers (+1100): Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams bounced back with a massive performance in Houston and the Packers rolled without starting RB Aaron Jones (calf) or LT David Bakhtiari (hamstring).
New Orleans Saints (+1400): The Saints defense looks porous and Michael Thomas has missed nearly the entire season with injuries and locker room issues. It’s crunch time for New Orleans with the Bears, Bucs, and 49ers coming up over the next three weeks.
Los Angeles Rams (+1700): The Rams defense had a field day with the Bears on Monday night, holding Chicago to a mere 10 points. LA will now face Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
Tennessee Titans (+2000): The Titans have a magical feel about them this year. Ryan Tannehill nearly erased a 20-point deficit and led another game-tying drive in the fourth quarter on Sunday. While they came up short, Mike Vrabel’s squad could again make noise in the postseason.
Buffalo Bills (+2200): Failing to score a TD at the Jets is cause for concern, but the Bills can feel encouraged that their wayward defense turned it around while allowing just four scrimmage yards in the second half of an 18-10 win.
San Francisco 49ers (+2800): While they’re still dealing with key injuries to Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Jeff Wilson (ankle), Richard Sherman (calf), and Raheem Mostert (ankle), the Niners have played inspired ball since their blowout loss to Miami.
Arizona Cardinals (+2800): Kyler Murray is a legitimate MVP candidate and a problem for any opposing defense. Budda Baker has the Cardinals defense firing on all cylinders and this young team will be a threat over the next few years.
Chicago Bears (+5000): The Bears have a top defense and great special teams play, but their offense is toothless. They’ve clearly benefited from a soft schedule to this point.
New England Patriots (+6000): Oddsmakers aren’t ready to count out a team coached by Bill Belichick, but the Patriots have looked absolutely horrible after dealing with limited practice reps ahead of their past two games.
Las Vegas Raiders (+6600): The Raiders never had a chance against the Bucs fearsome front four with their offensive line quarantined throughout the week and RT Trent Brown out with COVID. This is still a dangerous squad with Derek Carr completing 72% of his passes.