NFL Postseason: AFC future odds preview & team analysis

The AFC wild card race was a thrilling one right down to Week 17. The conference was so strong this season that even with seven playoff spots available, the 11-5 Miami Dolphins were left without a spot due to tiebreakers. Here’s a look at the future odds for each of the seven AFC teams that did make the postseason. Check our full NFL betting guide for more information.

AFC Playoff Teams and News

Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl +200 / AFC -105)

(Record: 14-2 SU, 6-9-1 ATS / WC Opponent: BYE)

The defending champions locked up the top spot in the AFC with a 14-1 record before resting their starters to avoid injury last week in a meaningless 38-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Not including Sunday’s loss, Kansas City is 23-1 SU over its last 24 games including a 3-0 SU and ATS run through the postseason last year. As long as quarterback Patrick Mahomes is healthy, the Chiefs are going to be tough to beat.

Buffalo Bills (Super Bowl +600 / AFC +310)

(Record: 13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS / WC Opponent: vs. Indianapolis)

Fueled by a breakout season from quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in both total yards per game (396.4) and points per game (31.3). The Bills’ offense outpaced everyone down the stretch averaging 37.9 points over a 7-1 SU and 8-0 ATS run over the second half of their season. Buffalo could be the one team in the AFC capable of winning a shootout against the Chiefs.

Baltimore Ravens (Super Bowl +1000 / AFC +575)

(Record: 11-5 SU, 10-5-1 ATS / WC Opponent: at Tennessee)

After hitting a mid-season slump in November, the Ravens found their footing with a 5-0 SU and ATS run in which they averaged 37.2 points per game. Four of those five wins came against sub-par competition however in the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Cincinnati Bengals. Lamar Jackson and a great defense make Baltimore a potential contender, but this year’s squad hasn’t shown it can win against top competition. Visit our guide to the top betting sites to find the best NFL odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl +2000 / AFC +1100)

(Record: 12-4 SU, 10-6 ATS / WC Opponent: vs. Cleveland)

The Steelers were a crystal clear Super Bowl contender at 11-0 SU and 8-3 ATS through their first 11 games. But a 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS stumble to end the season has most people ruling Pittsburgh out before the playoffs even begin. As far as live underdogs go, this may be your best bet; Ben Roethlisberger is a seasoned veteran with plenty of playoff experience, and this defense ranks third in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (305.8) and points allowed per game (19.5). A favorable first-round matchup against Cleveland doesn’t hurt, either.

Tennessee Titans (Super Bowl +3500 / AFC +1600)

(Record: 11-5 SU, 7-9 ATS / WC Opponent: vs. Baltimore)

Tennessee has the best running back in the NFL in Derrick Henry (who finished the season with 2,027 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns) and one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league in Ryan Tannehill. But with a porous defense that allowed 398.3 yards and 27.4 points per game this season, it’s going to be tough to slow down these powerhouse offenses in the AFC playoff picture.

Indianapolis Colts (Super Bowl +4000 / AFC +2200)

(Record: 11-5 SU, 8-8 ATS / WC Opponent: at Buffalo)

Indianapolis finished ninth in the NFL in scoring (28.2 points per game) and 10th in the NFL in scoring defense (22.6 points per game allowed) during the regular season. The Colts are a solid team that is good enough to beat anyone on any given Sunday, but this year’s squad doesn’t have the talent the rest of the conference does.

Cleveland Browns (Super Bowl +5000 / AFC +2800)

(Record: 11-5 SU, 6-10 ATS / WC Opponent: at Pittsburgh)

Cleveland managed to compile an 11-5 SU record and advance to the postseason despite allowing more points (419) than it scored (408). Every other team in the AFC postseason picture has a point differential of at least +52 while the Browns have a -11. Perhaps the luck in close games leads to an upset or two, but it is bound to run out sooner than later.