Patriots, Rams Favored to Win AFC, NFC in Latest 2018 NFL Odds Entering Week 4

Entering NFL Week 4, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams are favored to represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl LIII.

Despite losing to the Detroit Lions last week, the Pats are +325 (13-4) favorites in the AFC, according to OddsShark:

OddsShark also noted that the undefeated Rams are heavy favorites in the NFC at +250 (5-2):

If the Pats and Rams both manage to go all the way this season, it would represent a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, which saw quarterback Tom Brady lead New England over the then-St. Louis Rams in an upset.

New England is off to a surprisingly slow 1-2 start, and Brady hasn't looked like an MVP-caliber player in throwing for 644 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

The MVP front-runner through three games is undoubtedly Kansas City Chiefs second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The 2017 first-round pick out of Texas Tech has thrown for 896 yards and 13 touchdowns with no picks so far this season.

His 13 touchdown tosses are an all-time NFL record over the first three weeks of a season.

By virtue of Mahomes' dominance, the Chiefs are 3-0, and they are barely behind New England in the betting odds to win the AFC at +350 (7-2).

The Jacksonville Jaguars narrowly lost to the Pats in last season's AFC Championship Game, but they got revenge by beating New England in Week 2. 

Jacksonville fell to the Tennessee Titans last week, though, placing it at +550 (11-2). Meanwhile, the 1-1-1 Pittsburgh Steelers are the No. 4 choice in the AFC at +650 (13-2).

Things aren't so jumbled in the NFC, as the 3-0 Rams are the runaway choice to win the conference currently.

L.A.s closest competition are the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at +600 (6-1).

Philly is 2-1 and starting quarterback Carson Wentz is back in the fold, but it didn't look impressive in narrow victories over the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.

There is still some belief in the Minnesota Vikings at +650 (13-2), even though they lost 27-6 at home to the Buffalo Bills last week as 17-point favorites.

Other NFC teams in the mix include the 2-1 New Orleans Saints at +750 (15-2) and the 1-1-1 Green Bay Packers at +950 (19-2).

The NFC pecking order may become a bit clearer Thursday night when running back Todd Gurley and the Rams host quarterback Kirk Cousins and the 1-1-1 Vikings.