It was a frenzied NFL trade deadline, as teams like the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and other contenders geared up for the stretch run.
Now that the major player movement is done, here is a look at the current Super Bowl odds, broken down into tiers. Odds courtesy of FanDuel on November 2.
Super Bowl or Bust
Teams: Buffalo Bills (+230); Philadelphia Eagles (+550); Kansas City Chiefs (+700)
The Bills are the unquestioned Super Bowl favorites, as they continue to run roughshod over their opponents. Nyheim Hines was added at the deadline, shoring up the running back position and giving Josh Allen another weapon. Bills Mafia is dreaming of a ring, and deservedly so.
The Eagles are the lone remaining undefeated team in the NFL and have the inside track on the all-important first-round bye in the NFC. They are the team to beat in their conference, but would be underdogs against Buffalo if they met in the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs have proven to still be a juggernaut despite the departure of Tyreek Hill. Patrick Mahomes gives this team a chance in every game, although it’s looking like Kansas City would need to beat Buffalo on the road in the playoffs to make the Super Bowl.
My favorite bet: Bills +230
Legitimate Contenders
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (+1300); Dallas Cowboys (+1400); Baltimore Ravens (+1400); Minnesota Vikings (+1600)
The Eagles are a bit of a one-year wonder, and thus the oddsmakers have placed three teams from the NFC within striking distance. The 49ers have an elite defense and an offense full of talented skill athletes, but Jimmy G and his mediocrity is always a concern. The Cowboys have looked really good this season, but the playoff path could be tough because they are more-than-likely going to enter as a wild card.
The Vikings aren’t as good as the trio ahead of them in the title odds, but they are in contention for the No. 1 seed and beefed up the offense by adding tight end T.J. Hockenson at the deadline. The Ravens added linebacker Roquan Smith at the deadline and have a really good team, although getting through Kansas City and Buffalo just to make the Super Bowl is daunting.
My favorite bet: Cowboys +1400
Some Holes, But Still Lurking
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2400); Miami Dolphins (+2800); Cincinnati Bengals (+3000); Los Angeles Chargers (+3000): Los Angeles Rams (+3400); Tennessee Titans (+4400); Green Bay Packers (+5000).
The Super Bowl participants – the Rams and Bengals – from last season are in this tier, as are a pair of preseason favorites – the Buccaneers and Packers – from the NFC. Injuries have hammered the Chargers while the Titans are once again just good enough to be in the conversation.
The Dolphins are probably the most intriguing team of the group. They have looked really good when Tua Tagovailoa has been on the field and they just made a big trade for elite edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Miami is almost certainly going to head into the playoffs as a wild card, but this is an ascending team while many of the others here are going in the other direction.
My favorite bet: Dolphins +2800
Living On A Prayer
Teams: New England Patriots (+6000); Seattle Seahawks (+6500); New York Giants (+7000); Cleveland Browns (+8000); New Orleans Saints (+8500); Arizona Cardinals (+9500); Las Vegas Raiders (+9500); Atlanta Falcons (+1000); Denver Broncos (+12500).
There are a few upstarts in this group, but the oddsmakers don’t believe teams like the Seahawks and Giants have a legitimate path to a championship.
The Broncos, Cardinals and Saints had higher expectations in the preseason but are now hanging by a thread after a poor start to the season. The Cardinals have shown offensive improvement with DeAndre Hopkins back in the fold, but they are in last place in the NFC West with a tough schedule upcoming. They are also in line to lose a bunch of tiebreaker scenarios to other NFC teams, which is why they are a longshot to make the playoffs after an 11-6 finish in 2021.
The Cleveland Browns are the most interesting team in this group. Despite a 3-5 record, they are No. 9 in Team DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, and will get Deshaun Watson back in Week 13. The Browns have some work to do to stay in the playoff race until then, but if they can sneak in, this could be a dangerous team when fully equipped.
My favorite bet: Browns +8000
When Is the Draft?
Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (+13000); New York Jets (+14000); Indianapolis Colts (+15000); Washington Commanders (+18000); Detroit Lions (+55000); Carolina Panthers (+60000); Chicago Bears (+85000); Pittsburgh Steelers (+85000); Houston Texans (+100000).
The Jaguars are the only team in the AFC South with a positive point-differential, but at 2-6 they are probably cooked. The poor Jets are 5-3 on the season but are given next-to-no chance to win the Super Bowl by the oddsmakers.
The Colts are technically still alive in the AFC South but it’s been a dumpster fire of a season. At this point, losing is the optimal outcome for this group because it means a better draft slot.
My favorite bet: Jaguars +13000
