NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl Odds Ahead of Week 18 (Who Secures Wild Card Spots?)
By Peter Dewey
There is a ton up for grabs in the NFL playoff picture heading into Week 18, and while some teams will get to rest with nowhere else to move, others need to win (and maybe get some help) to secure a playoff spot.
Even though the Philadelphia Eagles had a comfortable lead in the NFC heading into Week 16, they've lost back-to-back games and now may need to win in Week 18 to hold off the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Luckily for them, they get a New York Giants team that can't move up or down from the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture, so Philly may be able to get a win even if Jalen Hurts (shoulder) can't go.
The Green Bay Packers somehow control their own destiny in Week 18, as a win over the Detroit Lions would give them the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The Lions and Seattle Seahawks are also in the mix for the final spot in the NFC.
In the AFC, the winner of the Jacksonville Jaguars-Tennessee Titans game will determine the winner of the AFC South, which would alter the standings for the wild card as well.
The New York Jets were eliminated in Week 17, leaving the Miami Dolphins (8-8), New England Patriots (8-8) an Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) in the mix for a spot. How did Mike Tomlin pull this one off?
Each week, yours truly breaks down the NFL and power ranks each team. Here's how things look heading into Week 18:
1. Buffalo Bills (+350) Last Week: No. 2
Game vs. Cincy was suspended following Damar Hamlin's injury. Prayers for him and his family in this scary time.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (+500) LW: No. 1
I don't want to knock the Eagles too far down, but this team needs Jalen Hurts to have a shot in the playoffs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (+500) LW: No. 3
Patrick Mahomes just keeps on winning, and K.C. is still alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (+900) LW: No. 4
Game vs. Buffalo was suspended following Damar Hamlin's injury. Prayers for him and his family in this scary time.
5. San Francisco 49ers (+700) LW: No. 5
The 49ers may be the best team in the NFC, especially if the Eagles don't have a healthy Jalen Hurts in the playoffs.
6. Dallas Cowboys (+1200) LW: No. 6
You don't have to believe in Dallas, but in a weak NFC, the Cowboys could make some noise.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (+2800) LW: No. 8
The Chargers have quietly won four straight and have an elite quarterback... I'm just saying!
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3100) LW: No. 10
Somehow, the Bucs won the NFC South despite a terrible season. Now, Tom Brady gets to do what he does best: win in the playoffs.
9. New York Giants (+10000) LW: No. 13
Brian Daboll's team locked up a playoff spot in Week 17, and this season has been a massive success for any Giants fan considering where they were expected to finish.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (+6000) LW: No. 11
The Jaguars are a win away from taking the AFC South, and they'll just have to beat Josh Dobbs to do so...
11. Minnesota Vikings (+2800) LW: No. 7
We've reach the "unserious teams" part of the Power Rankings? Minnesota has a good record, but this team screams one and done in the postseason.
12. Green Bay Packers (+6000) LW: No. 15
Aaron Rodgers controls his own destiny to make the playoffs. Could Packers fans asked for any more after the awful start for to this season?
13. Baltimore Ravens (+2500) LW: No. 9
So, Tyler Huntley can't just seamlessly take over for Lamar Jackson, huh?
14. Miami Dolphins (+4000) LW: No. 12
Five straight losses have pushed Miami's season to the brink. Can the Dolphins win in Week 18?
15. New England Patriots (+25000) LW: No. 18
It wouldn't be the week before the NFL playoffs without Bill Belichick's team being in the mix.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (+100000) LW: No. 21
I'll say it: If the Steelers make the playoffs Mike Tomlin should win Coach of the Year.
17. Detroit Lions (+15000) LW: No. 17
The Lions did what they needed in Week 17, beating the Bears, but now they need a win and Seattle loss to get into the postseason in Week 18.
18. Seattle Seahawks (+20000) LW: No. 18
Seattle needs a win over the Rams, and a loss by the Packers to get into the postseason. Getting both may be tough.
19. Tennessee Titans (+20000) LW: No. 16
Starting Josh Dobbs with the season and division on the line is less than ideal...
20. New Orleans Saints (N/A) LW: No. 23
The Saints played spoiler for the Eagles, both with their draft pick and for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, by beating them in Week 17.
21. Washington Commanders (N/A) LW: No. 14
Carson Wentz = bad. He struggled mightily to blow any chance of Washington making the playoffs.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (N/A) LW: No. 19
Derek Carr looks to be on his way out, and the Raiders took a step back after making the playoffs last season.
23. Carolina Panthers (N/A) LW: No. 22
Carolina looked a lot better with Sam Darnold under center this season, something to consider heading towards 2023.
24. New York Jets (N/A) LW: No. 24
The Jets need a quarterback, and they had a rough collapse to finish this season. Still, the foundation is there on the roster.
25. Cleveland Browns (N/A) LW: No. 25
The Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and still missed the playoffs comfortably. Watson also didn't play well in several games this season...
26. Atlanta Falcons (N/A) LW: No. 27
Will the Falcons regret winning in Week 17, moving them further back in the draft?
27. Los Angeles Rams (N/A) LW: No. 26
The Rams had one of the worst seasons for a team that won the Super Bowl in the previous season in league history.
28. Indianapolis Colts (N/A) LW: No. 28
The Colts are in search of a quarterback again, and this season has to feel like a massive failure given where they were projected to finish.
29. Arizona Cardinals (N/A) LW: No. 29
Arizona lost on a last-second field goal against Atlanta, but it does help the team's draft position in 2023.
30. Chicago Bears (N/A) LW: No. 30
The Bears are bad, but they saw a ton of great things from Justin Fields to be happy with.
31. Denver Broncos (N/A) LW: No. 31
Imagine having one of the worst records in the NFL despite trading picks for a star quarterback. That is Denver's reality.
32. Houston Texans (N/A) LW: No. 32
The Texans just need to keep losing to guarantee the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft...
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.