Super Bowl 2016: Updated Odds and Predictions for Top NFL Favorites

The NFL playoff picture is taking its final mold with just one week to play, yet division titles, wild cards and preferable seedings remain up for grabs heading into the final slate.

The Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals have all clinched a first-round bye, while the NFC North, AFC West and AFC South have yet to crown a division champion.

There are 15 teams in the mix for the 12 playoff spots—and all of them are gunning for a chance to play in the Super Bowl this February in San Francisco.

Here is a look at the updated favorites to win this year’s big game, per Odds Shark:

Team	Odds
New England Patriots	+333
Carolina Panthers	+400
Arizona Cardinals	+650
Seattle Seahawks	+650
Pittsburgh Steelers	+650
Green Bay Packers	+1,000
Denver Broncos	+1,400
Kansas City Chiefs	+1,800
Cincinnati Bengals	+1,800
Minnesota Vikings	+5,000
Washington Redskins	+6,600
New York Jets	+7,500
Houston Texans	+7,500
Indianapolis Colts	+10,000
Atlanta Falcons	+50,000

Despite considerable injury attrition and a midseason skid, the Patriots are favorites to defend their Super Bowl title.

Two of New England’s three losses came in overtime, and both were in games the Patriots certainly could have won.

They are also expected get receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman back for the playoffs, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:

Edelman was the team’s catalyst in last year’s title run, hauling in nine catches for 109 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the Super Bowl.

The Carolina Panthers are no longer undefeated following Sunday's defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, but they’re also no stranger to the playoffs, having won the NFC South crown three straight years.

The Panthers are arguably in better position entering the playoffs with a blemish rather than riding the pressure of maintaining an undefeated target on their backs that only the 1972 Miami Dolphins were able to overcome.

The most interesting team—albeit one currently on the outside looking in—is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Though coming off a 20-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, they’re arguably the most dangerous dark horse among this year’s contenders should they qualify for the postseason, as Dan Wetzel of Yahoo noted:

Pittsburgh has won two Super Bowls in the Ben Roethlisberger era and played for another. When healthy, the Steelers boast the game’s most prolific offense.

The NFC’s dark horse has to be the Seattle Seahawks, the two-time reigning conference champions.

Although coming off a 23-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams, the Seahawks entered Week 16 as winners of seven of their last eight games.

They have the postseason pedigree and an eerie resemblance to a wild-card team that is peaking at the right time a la at the 2010 Green Bay Packers.

The NFL playoffs could very well be en route to a Super Bowl 49 rematch.