The 2022 NFL season is exactly three months away from its first kick-off. And getting the proceedings going will be the highly fancied Buffalo Bills and the defending Super Bowl champions the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, September 8 at SoFi Stadium.
It’s a way yet to Week 1 of the NFL, admittedly. But with most of the offseason business done and rosters taking shape across all 32 teams, now is actually a perfect time to place some early bets.
The NFL betting market that’s caught our attention for this column is the team “To Make The Playoffs.” This is a feature of the NFL playoff specials available with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review).
Below we highlight some of the best bets to make the playoffs with respect to the NFL odds as they stack up with three months to go before the start of the season.
Baltimore Ravens – Yes -135 / No +105
After a disappointing 2021 campaign that was marred with injuries across the roster, including Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens should be motivated. They have a reasonable shot to make the playoffs with the 23rd toughest NFL schedule according to NFL Strength of Schedule (SOS) rankings.
But they can’t take it for granted. The AFC North is a wild card at the moment.
NFL Pick: Yes (-135) at BetOnline
Buffalo Bills – Yes -500 / No +350
The Buffalo Bills are not only expected to make the playoffs, but they’re also the Super Bowl 57 favorites with multiple sports betting sites. Color the world shocked if they don’t make the postseason.
NFL Pick: Yes (-500) at BetOnline
Cincinnati Bengals – Yes -130 / No +190
The Cincinnati Bengals were the surprise package of 2021. Few would have predicted they’d make the playoffs let alone win the AFC Championship game at the expense of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals are the real deal and they’ll be keen to prove 2021 wasn’t a one-off.
NFL Pick: Yes (-130) at BetOnline
Green Bay Packers – Yes -425 / No +325
Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers have one of the best head coach and quarterback records since coming together three years ago, highlighted by three straight NFC North division titles and two NFC Conference appearances. This year, with their NFC North neighbors undergoing wholesale changes, the Packers are in a prime position to crush it.
NFL Pick: Yes (-425) at BetOnline
Kansas City Chiefs – Yes -210 / No +170
The AFC West has gotten better this offseason but the Kansas City Chiefs are still the team to beat. Six straight division titles are nothing to scoff at. The -210 odds seem way too low, but that only makes a bet on the Chiefs to make the playoffs a value play.
NFL Pick: Yes (-210) at BetOnline
Los Angeles Chargers – Yes -170 / No +140
Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are generating a lot of excitement. Savvy offseason moves such as signing Khalil Mack have bolstered this roster. The LA Chargers very nearly made the playoffs in Brandon Staley’s first season as head coach.
If he’s learned the lessons of 2021, then his Bolts are likely to make the postseason this time around.
NFL Pick: Yes (-170) at BetOnline
Los Angeles Rams – Yes -250 / No +195
No Russell Wilson. An unhappy Kyler Murray. Question marks hanging over Jimmy Garoppolo. Add these together and the NFC West is for the Los Angeles Rams to lose.
NFL Pick: Yes (-250) at BetOnline
New England Patriots – No -165 / Yes +135
The New England Patriots challenged the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title in 2021. Rookie Mac Jones was a revelation in his first season and the Patriots seem to be heading in the right direction with the Alabama Crimson Tide product under the helm. Thus, the Patriots are a potential sleeper NFL pick to make the playoffs.
NFL Pick: Yes (+135) at BetOnline
Philadelphia Eagles Yes -150 / No +120
The NFC East is cornered with the Dallas Cowboys, but the Philadelphia Eagles are the vogue pick in many NFL betting circles after the Birds made the playoffs in Nick Sirianni’s first season. The jury is still out on Jalen Hurts, though. That said, he has a lot of talent around him, including recently acquired A.J. Brown. This is a team on the up potentially.
NFL Pick: Yes (-150) at BetOnline
Pittsburgh Steelers No -400 /Yes +300
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, with Roethlisberger gone, this becomes a little bit more challenging to replicate for the respected head coach. Then again, the AFC North is a wild card this season. This is a longshot bet, but one worth considering.
NFL Pick: Yes (+300) at BetOnline
San Francisco 49ers Yes -200 /No +160
If Trey Lance starts in Week 1, the Niners will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. They have the fifth toughest schedule in the NFL according to NFL SOS rankings. That’s quite the daunting task to entrust to a relative newbie. On the flip side, if the Niners revert back to Jimmy Garoppolo (he’s still on the roster), the Niners have a better shot.
NFL Pick: Yes (-200) at BetOnline
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Yes -125 /No -105
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have the fourth toughest NFL schedule as per NFL SOS rankings. However, with the NFC South in flux, the Buccaneers are the team to beat in the division. As well, with odds of -125 on offer, this feels like a steal bet.
NFL Pick: Yes (-125) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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