Happy Wednesday football fans. I can’t believe that we’re already three-fourths of the way through the NFL season. The upcoming stretch will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Last week, the list of title favorites includes the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and the Seattle Seahawks.
Ironically, two of those teams were victorious, while the other two teams suffered disappointing losses. With that said, here’s a look at where the title contenders rank based on their performances from Week 13.
Third-Best Super Bowl Odds:
Tie: Pittsburgh Steelers & Green Bay Packers (+800)
Last Week: Packers (NR). Steelers (+550)
The Pittsburgh Steelers were the lone undefeated team going into Week 13. In their recent outing against the Washington Football Team, it appeared that Pittsburgh was on its way to adding another win to its resume after jumping out to a 14-0 lead. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off the wagon after that. Washington’s defense came to life, holding the Steelers to just three points the rest of the way en route to an unexpected 23-17 victory. It was the second straight week in which the Steelers played down to the level of their opponent, and this time, they paid the price. However, considering that they are tied for the best record in the NFL, along with having one of the best scoring defenses, it wouldn’t be wise to count them out just yet.
Meanwhile, following a minor setback against the Indianapolis Colts a few weeks ago, the Packers have strung together a pair of victories over the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only are the Packers on their way to another division title, but they are also a top-10 team in rushing; a top-five team through the air and they have the second-best offense in the NFL. I should also mention that their 31.6 points per contest is tops in the NFL. While the Packers haven’t always played up to their potential, this a team that opposing defenses do not want to face in the postseason.
Second-Best Super Bowl Odds:
New Orleans Saints (+500)
Last Week: (+550)
A week ago, the Saints were tied for the second-best title odds with the Steelers. But thanks to the Steelers’ recent loss, the Saints have sole possession of second place on our weekly list. While their 21-16 win over the lowly Atlanta Falcons wasn’t overly impressive, it marked the team’s ninth straight victory following a 1-2 start. On top of that, Drew Brees has been on the shelf nursing an injury over the last three games. During that stretch, backup quarterback Taysom Hill hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard, but he’s made enough plays under center to keep the Saints’ offense operating at a respectable level. And from a defensive standpoint, New Orleans has given up a total of 28 points in their last three games. Given the fact that New Orleans continues to win games with one of its best players out of the mix, this is a team that you should keep a watchful eye on come playoff time.
Super Bowl Odds Favorites:
Kansas City Chiefs (+210)
Last week (+275)
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs continue to sit atop the leaderboard in the title odds race. Although their 22-16 win over the Denver Broncos was a lot closer than most expected, the Chiefs are now tied with the Steelers for the best record in the NFL. Not only that, this team has one of the most explosive offenses in the league. In addition to compiling over 300 yards through the air over the past five games, Kansas City is ranked first in overall offense (427.6 yards per game), passing yards (314.4) and they have the second-highest scoring offense at 30.8 points per contest. No, the Chiefs don’t have a great running game, and they certainly have room for improvement from a defensive standpoint. At the same time, putting your money on this team would not be a bad idea at this point.
