In turn, Sean McVay is able to rest his starters in advance of Wild Card Weekend. When this team is at full strength, I think it can be a problem for anybody — including the mighty Eagles. But I’d be surprised if this team doesn’t betting picks and analysis encounter its fair share of growing pains as it ushers in a new era of Saints football. But I wouldn’t count out a rested Saints team making a statement at home against a hated rival. Went back and forth on this game until ultimately siding with Atlanta. Back-to-back wins give the devoted NOLA fans something to celebrate — and rookie Tyler Shough a moment of respite in an otherwise-challenging rookie season.
- Tampa could certainly outperform my projection early on — but I’ll be more confident in the timing of the team’s eventual course correction once its talented left tackle and sure-handed WR2 return to the starting lineup.
- Which explosive playmaker will decide the NFC title game?
- Are we about to witness the highest-scoring game in the history of the NFL playoffs?
- Factors like the final game of a lengthy MLB or NBA road trip or the implications of arriving late and playing an early match should also be considered.
High point: Weeks 1-5.
Bold predictions for Championship Sunday are offered by our analysts. Not only does the defeat severely impact San Francisco’s chances for the division title, but it also extends the Niners’ losing streak to five games in head-to-head matchups. Although a downturn usually follows Thanksgiving, I believe many of the December games, such as those against Houston and Atlanta, will end up being competitive. I was taken aback to find that I had projected the Cardinals’ offense to lose five of their last seven games — similar to last year’s performance, despite expecting more consistency from them this season. While Tampa may exceed my initial predictions early in the season — my confidence in the timing of the team’s eventual adjustment will grow once its skilled left tackle and dependable WR2 return to the lineup.
NFL Playoff Odds: Using Odds to Predict the 2026-27 NFL Playoff Picture
The Eagles are going back to the playoffs — and perhaps all the way back to the Super Bowl. Adding Azeez Ojulari was a pretty nice move (and I like what this team did in the draft), continuing to stock great players. Could Jaxson Dart leap over Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to lead the Giants to the playoffs this year, proving both of us wrong here? At Commanders, at Cowboys, vs. Chiefs is a tough way to start things off. Still (there is a chance for this team to get hot under Schottenheimer), a former wunderkind who got plenty of seasoning before finally taking his first turn at a head-coaching gig.
Peak performance: Weeks 4 and 5.
- In the end, Rodgers’ former squad stays on an early roll while taking some of the starch out of Pittsburgh’s own encouraging start, dropping the Steelers to 4-3.
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- The floor is pretty high for him, and I thus wouldn’t be surprised if he and his squad undercut my analysis here by making a run to the playoffs similar to what Bo Nix and the Broncos accomplished last year.
- It’ll be fun to see what the discussion is around these two teams, and this game, a few months from now.
- Will Christian McCaffrey make history in his first game against his old team?
I like the Cowboys to be very good in divisional play, and I’d be higher on them if the Parsons saga hadn’t stained their preseason. In my scenario (the bad vibes spill over into a rough start that reaches its nadir in this loss to the Panthers), which drops the ‘Boys to 1-5. This stretch could make or break a return to the playoffs if things go a little better than either of us is forecasting during Brian Schottenheimer’s first season.
Toughest game to call: Week 11 vs. Packers.
What are some other factors to consider such as the last game of a long MLB or NBA road trip or arriving in town late and playing an early game? Finding a solid bet is very similar to developing a game plan for the individual sport – and this takes time. Our team scours through game — team, and player props to try and find opportunity and value. Betting on the NFL moneyline means picking which team will win a game outright.
Ultimately (Rodgers’ old team maintains an early momentum), diminishing Pittsburgh’s promising start and resulting in the Steelers dropping to a 4-3 record. This matchup against Aaron Rodgers promises to be extraordinary, extraordinarily hyped, that is. Following the offseason departures of key coaching staff — many will be watching the Lions, and I anticipate they will respond positively, launching into a strong beginning… Amid total mayhem, Williams managed to pass for 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. This season — the NFC North faces off against the AFC North, with the Bears scheduled to challenge the Ravens and Bengals in consecutive away games, which will serve as a good test.
Who will be the dynamic playmaker to tip the scales in the NFC title game? Seattle’s win marks the only time in 2025 that they rise above.500. However, the combination of four road trips within the first six weeks alongside the Bucs’ explosive offense takes a toll on Kyle Shanahan’s team. A victory in Tampa is definitely within reach; San Francisco will be coming off a mini-bye after Thursday Night Football and has not lost to the Bucs since 2018, including a close win on the road last year following the bye. Honestly, it’s entirely feasible to hear the “JA-RED GOFF” chants after a Detroit victory at SoFi.