Super Bowl Predictions: Odds Each NFL Playoff Team Reaches Dallas
The 12 NFL teams that have made the playoffs will begin their quest this coming weekend to be a part of the Super Bowl in Dallas. The New York Jets will face the Indianapolis Colts, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Baltimore Ravens, the Seattle Seahawks will face the New Orleans Saints, and the Green Bay Packers will face the Philadelphia Eagles.
Some teams, realistically, have no chance at making it to the Super Bowl, while others have a much easier road. Which teams need a miracle to even sniff Dallas? Which teams can march their way in without much to worry about?
The following are the odds for each team.
12. Seattle Seahawks
1 of 12
They are a 7-9 team that won its division, we know that much. What may be more confusing is that they're even worse than their record indicates. They make too many turnovers, are near the bottom in both offense and defense and had one win against a fellow playoff opponent (the Bears). Matt Hasselbeck is hurt and Charlie Whitehurst is not much of an NFL quarterback.
Odds: 1,000 to 1
11. Kansas City Chiefs
2 of 12
The Chiefs seemed to come out of nowhere this year with a league-leading rushing attack. Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe have made a good connection as well, and Tamba Hali may be one of the best defenders you don't really hear about.
Having said that, their hardest task is easily this week. The Ravens are known for their tough defense, and I can't see the Chiefs getting past them. If they have to face the Steelers, too, they have no chance. They'd have far better odds if they didn't have to get through those two teams.
Odds: 200 to 1
10. New York Jets
3 of 12
Let's see...the Jets face the Colts, who are 5-1 against them. The Jets lost three of their last five, backing into the playoffs, and Rex Ryan called out Peyton Manning, saying that this matchup would be personal. Hm...I can't see them winning this game. If they do, then the matchups from here on out are somewhat favorable, since they've beaten the Steelers and Patriots in the regular season.
Odds: 75 to 1
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9. Indianapolis Colts
4 of 12
The Colts are a complicated team to rate. On the one hand, they've been here many times before and have rebounded from a terrible stretch. On the other end, who knows if they'll fall into that again, and injuries have made this team a shell of its former self. Too many of their games have been close recently, and it will come back to haunt them; I can't see them beating the Patriots or Steelers even if they do beat the Jets.
Odds: 70 to 1
8. Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 12
The Eagles have had an amazing year. Michael Vick is the "feel awkward about cheering him but feel good nonetheless" story of the year, and the Miracle at the New Meadowlands will go down in Eagles-Giants lore. That being said, injuries to their offensive line combined with their struggles against Minnesota and Dallas (against Joe Webb and Stephen McGee) tell me that they'll have problems against Aaron Rodgers.
You never know with them, though.
Odds: 30 to 1
7. Baltimore Ravens
6 of 12
The Ravens are like the Steelers' little brother. They have almost as good of a quarterback and rushing attack, as well as a defense that's nearly as good (they have the edge in pass defense). Put the two together in the playoffs and the Steelers would win. They have the pieces to make a run, but the defense is aging, and who knows if they can bring the team to Dallas.
Odds: 15 to 1
6. Chicago Bears
7 of 12
Defense and special teams win championships, but you need offense to get there. The Bears offense, which is only decent, is the weakness of the team. Can Matt Forte run enough and Jay Cutler throw well enough to topple whichever team they face? I don't see that happening, though that doesn't mean the defense can't prevent points from being scored. After all, the 2000 Ravens pulled off a near-solely defensive effort for their Super Bowl ring.
Odds: 8 to 1
5. Green Bay Packers
8 of 12
With a statement win against the Bears this past week, the Packers have shown they want to be in the playoffs, and that they can still win games. Their main weakness has been injuries upon injuries throughout the season. Despite the myriad of injuries, they have the talent to remain in games, led by Aaron Rodgers on offense and Clay Matthews on defense.
Odds: 5 to 1
4. New Orleans Saints
9 of 12
The Saints are the defending Super Bowl champions, and certainly have the best chance of any Wild Card team to return to Dallas. They're a very well-rounded team, which is both good and bad. No real weaknesses, but the strengths are not as good as they were in 2009. They have the potential to beat any team, but they have the potential to lose to any playoff team as well.
Odds: 3 to 1
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
10 of 12
The Steelers defense seems to be amazing year in and year out. This year, the offense has been along for the ride as well, with Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace having breakout seasons. They allow the fewest points in the NFL, and have the tools to make a run to the AFC Championship Game without any difficulty. Dallas may be harder, but they could pull it off.
Odds: 2 to 1
2. Atlanta Falcons
11 of 12
The Falcons have a myriad of teams to worry about, while the Patriots really have one. Nonetheless, the Falcons have the ability to beat any team in the NFC. There's a reason they have the best record in the conference. They have a top-five offense and defense, and their only losses have come to playoff teams.
Odds: 5 to 4
1. New England Patriots
12 of 12
The Patriots have seemed unbeatable the last eight weeks. Since they got rid of Randy Moss and since Deion Branch has once again become the primary target of Tom Brady, they continue to light up the scoreboard. They seem destined for Dallas, and if they can get past Pittsburgh's defense, then that should be easy.
Odds: 6 to 5
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