NFL Expands Playoffs to 14 Teams, Sportsbooks Post Updated Playoff Odds
On Tuesday, the NFL announced the expansion of the NFL playoffs to include 14 of the league’s 32 teams, adding a third Wild Card team from each conference and leaving only one bye week for the No. 1 seeds. With six Wild Card games, the move by NFL owners is set to bring in additional television revenue, but what does it mean for NFL betting and DFS?
The simple answer means more games to bet on and larger NFL DFS slates during the first round of the playoffs. But for those who like to bet on NFL futures, the change has other implications.
Interestingly, FanDuel Sportsbook previously released odds for each NFL team to make the NFL playoffs, but it appears the sportsbook has yet to adjust for the new rules. If you were already thinking about betting on say, the Arizona Cardinals +290 to make the playoffs, then now is the time visit FanDuel and lock in your bet.
FanDuel isn’t the only legal US sportsbook with NFL playoff odds available. PointsBet and DraftKings Sportsbook do, too. With lines varying between sportsbooks, you want to use all of your options before locking in a bet.
Take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Tom Brady’s new squad is -176 to make the playoffs, but there’s a significant discount at PointsBet, where the Buccaneers are -106.
That’s not to suggest you want to place all for your NFL playoff bets at PointsBet. For some teams, like Dallas Cowboys -182, DraftKings has the best price (sign up at DraftKings Sportsbook to get these odds).
More NFL playoff teams, more outs for longshots?
Additionally, sports bettors who love to bet on longshots to win the Super Bowl might benefit from more “outs”.
If this rule were in effect last season, the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) both would have made the playoffs.
The most significant impact will be on No. 2 seeds. Consider the fact that the last 14 Super Bowl teams have had the luxury of a bye week during the Wild Card round. Moreover, two-seeds have won the past two Super Bowls.
Under these rules, the Kansas City Chiefs would not have received a bye. While no one doubts the Chiefs would have had their way with the Steelers, the bye week was valuable for players like Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill, who suffered nagging injuries during the regular season. However, from now on, No. 2 seeds will have to go through three teams to reach the Super Bowl rather than two.
The rule may or may not benefit your favorite team, but I have never heard a sports bettor or DFS player complain about too much football.
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images