As we enter December 2023, the market for NFL playoff futures is reaching a crescendo. And we’re going to ride it.
Just a few weeks separate us from the start of the 2024 NFL playoffs. Ahead of Week 13, most are inclined to focus on various odds to make the NFL postseason, the best football betting sites also offer us the chance to laser in on the top of the bracket. Specifically, we can bet on which AFC and NFC teams will win the No. 1 seed in their respective conference.
Let’s get the ball rolling by looking at the latest NFL online betting odds for which team will finish with the best record in the NFC:
Like always, you’ll want to double-check these online NFL betting odds right up until you submit your wager. Our NFL playoff futures are accurate entering Thursday, November 30. Since the league’s playoff bracket won’t be set until the first week of January 2024, that gives the best NFL online betting sites plenty of time to adjust their playoff betting lines.
We will start by parsing the NFC playoff picture and deciding which of the teams laying odds will end up with the best regular season record. After that, we will move on to the AFC playoff picture.
Only six weeks remain in the 2023 NFL regular season. It’s time to get serious about the bigger picture.
The Philadelphia Eagles Continue to Dominate the NFC NFL Playoff Future Market
Not surprisingly, the Philadelphia Eagles (-330) enter with a commanding lead in the NFL playoff futures department. They aren’t just favored to finish with the best record in the NFC. They are heavier favorites to land the No. 1 seed than any squad in either the NFC or AFC.
It’s not hard to see the appeal. Philadelphia has lost just one game all season on the back of an offense that ranks third in points per game. Coming off a Super Bowl appearance last year, they have earned the benefit of the doubt.
At the same time, their defense has slipped off their previous pace. The Eagles are down to 20th in points allowed per game. In particular, they have struggled to stamp out the passing games. They are 31st in total receiving touchdowns allowed and 29th in total passing yards surrendered. Philadelphia is also 28th in points allowed per drive, a truly bottom-of-the-barrel mark that causes concern. On top of all that, the Eagles have games remaining against the No. 1 seeds contenders: The Dallas Cowboys (+1800), San Francisco 49ers (+350) and Seattle Seahawks (+5000). Matchups with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants help offset that difficulty. Whether it’s enough remains to be seen.
So, Who Will Have the Best Record in the NFC?
Of course, it absolutely matters what’s happened to date. Philly has a two-game lead in the loss column over the Cowboys, 49ers and Detroit Lions (+2200).
That margin for error is important. It means every other contender needs to be damn near perfect from here on out.
Dallas has been playing the best of the bunch. They also happen to have a difficult schedule remaining. Both Detroit and San Francisco have easier slates, but they’ve been inconsistent. The Lions go long stretches without getting stops, and the Niners offense is a wild card. Though we’re not crazy about taking a team that pays out less than even money, the Eagles are the clear pick.
OSB Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles (-330)
The Chiefs are Favorites to Finish with the Best Record in the AFC
Take a look at the latest NFL playoff futures for the AFC:
It isn’t necessarily surprising that the Kansas City Chiefs (-110) are favorites to have the best record in the AFC. They just won the Super Bowl, their defense is top notch, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is perhaps the most valuable player in the entire league.
Still, the offense has been a little bit wonky this year. Kansas City doesn’t have much of a ground to lean on, and they’ve scored 21 points or less in four of their past six games.
On the flip side, the Chiefs are tied in the loss column with the Baltimore Ravens (+410), who currently have the highest winning percentage in the AFC. Beyond that, Kansas City’s NFL playoff futures are heavily influenced by their strength of schedule. Five of their final six opponents are projected to miss the postseason. That makes the Chiefs a worthwhile favorite to bag the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
So, Which Team will Finish with the Best Record in the AFC?
As we’ve already mentioned, the Chiefs are a worthy bet here. But we also have our eyes on the Jacksonville Jaguars (+490) and Miami Dolphins (+500). The Jaguars, especially, have a convincing case. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been up and down, but the playmaking aspect of their defense is legit. And Jacksonville’s schedule is favorable moving forward. Five of their final six tilts come versus teams slated to miss the playoffs.
If we were bold enough, the Dolphins would be our pick. They have the best offense, by far, in the NFL, and the defense is on the rise. Miami has allowed 16 points per game over their last four outings, during which time they’ve forced nine total turnovers. But they have also failed to beat an opponent over .500 the entire season.
Baltimore should technically crack our list. They have the highest winning percentage in the AFC at this writing. But their schedule could throw their NFL playoff futures for a whirl. The Ravens still have games on tap against the Niners, Jaguars, Dolphins and pesky Pittsburgh Steelers. There’s a chance this stretch could take them from three losses to six.
Investing in the Chiefs is probably the safest bet. And yet, we just can’t quit the Dolphins. Their absence of a trademark victory is concerning, but the rise of the defense is a massive development too many people seem to be overlooking.
OSB Prediction: Miami Dolphins (+500)
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