With constant changes at the top of the odds board throughout the season, several other teams remain in the mix and are ready to pounce. A surprising nine teams are still sitting between +1000 and +1500 due to the lack of a clear favorite.
Rams take over top spot from Eagles
After dominating Tampa Bay, the Rams are currently at +425 to win the Super Bowl, up from second place last week and +600 odds. Los Angeles has been favored by oddsmakers since the preseason, but the current hot streak has put the Rams over the top.
After an overtime loss to San Francisco in Week 5, the Rams finished sixth at +1700 odds. Since that loss, Los Angeles has consistently remained the most balanced team in football. The Rams have not trailed in a game since October 12, and their defense, while allowing the fewest points in the NFL (16.3 points per game), continues to drive Stafford to a career year.
As noted by Nate Atkins, senior writer covering the Rams athleticLos Angeles is not only winning but also beating quality opponents.
“The Rams move like their quarterback, and since Stafford has been playing like the best in the game this season, his team is starting to look like the best out there, too. Los Angeles is 9-2 with six consecutive wins, which have come by an average margin of nearly 20 points. The surge has led them to the NFC’s best record and the league’s best point differential at plus-127. They have also defeated the Colts and the teams ranked second and third in point differential. Seahawks, Atkins said.
“Besides a heater in which Stafford has thrown 27 straight touchdown passes since his last interception, the Rams have found a way to turn some weaknesses into strengths. Namely, the secondary has gone from a place of concern at the beginning of the year to making plays, as they have combined to stop Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield six times in the last two games. Their play has helped the defense hold opponents by 10 points or more in four of the last six contests. Allowed to be kept at less.”
Facing only two playoff hopefuls in the final six games, Los Angeles may have an advantage in every remaining regular season game. Local fans are also starting to take notice. So-Fi Stadium announced record attendance for each of the last two Rams home games, giving Los Angeles a strong home field advantage as the playoffs approach.
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Eagles (+650) blew a 21-point lead on the road in Dallas and dropped to second place in the odds. The Eagles were favorites for only one week and dropped from their previous +550 odds. Poor offense doomed Philadelphia in the second half, with the Eagles once again struggling to get the running game going.
Philadelphia hosts the surging Bears on Black Friday before a Monday night showdown on the road against the Chargers. Reduces schedule stress.
Nine teams remained behind the top two
With the Super Bowl contenders on a losing streak, there are nine other teams in trouble that offer some intrigue if they can hit their stride during the stretch run.
Despite sitting out of a playoff spot, the Kansas City Chiefs (+1000) still find themselves as the AFC’s top team in Super Bowl odds. Kansas City probably saved their season by defeating the Indianapolis Colts in overtime on a second-half rally – a courageous win that pushed them above .500. After finally winning a one-score game for the first time this season, the Chiefs need to keep winning to make the postseason.
Speaking of the Colts, they are one of a trio of teams sitting at +1100 odds along with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
After the bye, Indianapolis missed a golden opportunity to defeat Kansas City. The Colts will be tested weekly before the playoffs, finishing the regular season only against teams above .500.
Detroit fell slightly below +900 odds after barely avoiding an overtime home win over the weak Giants. An important NFC North matchup against Green Bay looms over Thanksgiving, with both teams chasing the first-place Bears.
Seattle collected points to keep Tennessee from moving slightly above +1200 odds. The Seahawks still have work to do to earn a solid playoff seed, with games against Indianapolis, the Rams and San Francisco during the final stretch.
The Buffalo Bills (+1200) are tied for seventh with the Baltimore Ravens. An unexpected setback in Houston — playing without QB C.J. Stroud — is worrisome for Buffalo, which will still face Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and AFC East-leading New England in the final six weeks.
Baltimore’s slow climb to a five-game winning streak continues. An easier schedule has helped the Ravens climb back from their unexpected 1-5 start. Baltimore still plays Pittsburgh and Cincinnati (with a returning Joe Burrow) twice each while also battling Super Bowl contenders Green Bay and New England.
The Denver Broncos (+1300) were off during Week 12, but still moved up to +1500 odds. A tough December pits Denver against Green Bay, Jacksonville, Kansas City and the Chargers in consecutive weeks to conclude the regular season.
Even without star running back Josh Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers (+1400) made it easy for the rival Vikings to climb above +1600. An NFC North matchup against Detroit and two games against Chicago highlight Green Bay’s upcoming schedule.
Shaky in a road win in Cincinnati, the New England Patriots (+1500) fell out of secondary contenders. Quarterback Drake Mays remains a top-two MVP candidate, but he will have to deal with a weak offensive line that lost two starters against the Bengals. Thankfully for the Patriots, they had to face the struggling Giants before finally having to bid the season bye.
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