Baltimore Ravens +5000
The Ravens have been hit hard with injuries this season. Not only did they lose their starting running back, JK Dobbins, before the season started, they also lost their backup running back, Gus Edwards, before he ever played a snap. They lost both of their Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks for the season, and most recently quarterback Lamar Jackson missed a game with an ankle injury. Despite all of that, they are sitting in a tie for the AFC North with the Bengals t 8-and-6. Ravens fans living in Maryland will have to go to in-person casinos to place their bets as Maryland still hasn’t launched online sportsbooks and that expected launch could still be months away, not in time for the playoffs. Nonetheless, the Ravens are still a good bet for the last few regular-season games.
Embed from Getty ImagesSan Francisco 49ers +3000
The 49ers are only a couple of seasons removed from their appearance in the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Six weeks ago, no one would have considered the 49ers to even be in contention for the playoffs, nevertheless a dark horse to win the Super Bowl, but after winning five of their last six games, the 49ers are in the driver seat for a playoff birth. Their defense, despite a plethora of injuries, still boasts a formidable front seven led by middle linebacker Fred Warner. The offense is built around running the ball and not turning it over. They also boast two of the league’s biggest playmakers in the NFL in Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. No one wants to play this team in the playoffs as they are capable of beating anyone.
LA Chargers +3500
The Chargers have had an up-and-down season, but have put themselves in a position to be long-shot contenders in the AFC. They boast some strong wins this season, including one against their division rival Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the season. The second game against Kansas City took overtime for the Chiefs to pull it off. The Chargers also beat the playoff-contending Bengals, and they went toe-to-toe with the New England Patriots, falling just short of a victory. This team is a good mix of young players like quarterback Justin Herbert and veterans like wide receiver Keenan Allen. Capable of playing good defense, and with an offense that can put up points with the best of them, the Chargers could end up the last team standing in February.
Indianapolis Colts +1600
There is one big reason why the Colts are a dark horse contender — MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor. With a league-leading 19 touchdowns, Taylor is saving his best for last. He has rushed for 140 or more yards in three of his last four games, including a 170-yard effort against a very good Patriots defense in Week 15. The Colts also have one of the easier schedules down the stretch with games against the Raiders and Jaguars to finish off the season. Their Week 16 matchup with another dark horse Super Bowl contender, the Arizona Cardinals, will be a huge test for this team. If they are to pull off a victory against a team like that, the Colts will announce to the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Embed from Getty ImagesArizona Cardinals +1800
The Cardinals are one of three teams in the NFC sitting at 10-and-4 — the Bucs and Cowboys are the other two. The ugly loss to the lowly Lions likely hurt their odds to win in a lot of people’s minds, but the fact remains, the Cardinals have a great defense and an electric quarterback that will always give you a chance in Kyler Murray. The Cardinal’s 10-and-4 record is even more impressive when you consider the division they play in, the NFC West. The NFC West currently sports three playoff teams in which all three currently have winning records — the Rams, the 49ers, and of course the Cardinals. They were the last undefeated team this year and will look to make some noise in the playoffs, and they could shock the world with their first-ever Super Bowl victory.
