Tuesday, December 10, 2024

NFL Playoff Qualifying Update

 

The NFL playoff landscape has started to take shape as teams secured their spots during Week 13. The Detroit Lions entered the playoff picture after defeating the Green Bay Packers in Thursday Night Football. This weekend, only one other matchup involved two teams that were already among the 14 playoff contenders as they approached Week 14. Despite these changes in the rankings, which team has the best chances of getting an NFL Playoff spot? Here is my take on the NFL Playoff picture with my NFL Playoff Qualifying Update and analysis.

With eight teams in playoff contention competing on Sunday, changes in standings were inevitable, resulting in a reshuffling across both conferences. However, for those looking to start an NFL sportsbook, it is not too late to profit from the NFL this season. This is because there is still a lot of action remaining before the Super Bowl.

The sole game featuring two playoff teams took place in Minnesota, where the fifth-seeded Minnesota Vikings faced off against the fourth-seeded Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, the division-leading Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, along with two wild card contenders, the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders, were on their bye weeks. The Indianapolis Colts also had a bye, sitting two games behind a playoff position.

Biggest NFL Takeaway after NFL Week 13

The Baltimore Ravens ascended in the AFC playoff standings during their bye week, overtaking the Los Angeles Chargers, who suffered a defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. As a result, Baltimore is now positioned fifth, while the Chargers occupy the sixth spot.

In the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surpassed the Atlanta Falcons to claim the leading position in the NFC South. Consequently, Atlanta has temporarily fallen out of the playoff contention.

Current State of the 2024-25 NFL Playoff Race

Bengals Maintain Slim Playoff Aspirations with Monday Night Victory

The Cincinnati Bengals achieved a thrilling victory on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, preserving their tenuous playoff aspirations with a record of 5-8. They trail the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by three games, although they are scheduled to face the Broncos in Week 17. While the Bengals remain in contention, their chances are exceedingly slim.

Cowboys Suffer Narrow Defeat in Uncertain Position

The Dallas Cowboys engaged in a tightly contested match against the Bengals on Monday night, resulting in a record of 5-8 and placing them 12th in the NFC standings. Although they have not been eliminated from playoff contention, they find themselves three games behind Washington with only four games remaining. Currently, they hold the 12th position in the 2025 NFL Draft order, facing a dilemma where they cannot afford to lose further to improve their standing, nor can they secure enough victories to reach the postseason.

Chiefs Clinch AFC West Title for Ninth Consecutive Year


The Kansas City Chiefs have secured the AFC West title for the ninth consecutive year, marking the second-longest division-winning streak in NFL history. The New England Patriots previously held the record for the AFC East, winning for 11 straight seasons from 2009 to 2019. 

Rams narrow playoff gap with victory over Bills

No NFL Betting Prediction saw this coming as the Rams defeated the Bills. In an impressive display of offensive prowess, the Rams and Bills combined for a staggering 86 points on Sunday. The Rams emerged victorious, positioning themselves just one game away from securing a wild card spot and challenging for the NFC West title. Conversely, the Bills may have jeopardized their opportunity for the top seed with this defeat, revealing significant vulnerabilities in their defense. The upcoming matchup against the Lions will pose another challenge for them.

Seahawks seize control of NFC West with victory over Arizona

The Seattle Seahawks have established a two-game lead in the NFC West following their triumph over the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle's defense intercepted Kyler Murray twice, while Geno Smith demonstrated efficiency throughout the game. The Seahawks relied heavily on Zach Charbonnet, who carried the ball 22 times for 134 yards and scored two touchdowns. Both touchdowns occurred in the first half, allowing Seattle to take a 24-10 lead into halftime and effectively manage the clock in the second half.

Dolphins shock Jets in overtime to sustain playoff aspirations

The New York Jets appeared poised to deliver a significant setback to the Miami Dolphins' playoff ambitions. However, the Dolphins mounted a remarkable comeback, securing a victory in overtime. Miami is now tied with the Colts as the first team outside the playoff picture, trailing the three wild card teams by two games with four games remaining. According to sports gambling software analysis, this loss has effectively eliminated the Jets from playoff contention.

Which Teams have a Spot in the NFL Playoffs

In Week 13, the Kansas City Chiefs achieved their 11th victory, making them the first team in the NFL to secure a playoff berth. The Buffalo Bills confirmed their position as champions of the AFC East last Sunday night, guaranteeing a home playoff game. The Detroit Lions earned their playoff spot with a win on Thursday night, while the Philadelphia Eagles also qualified on Sunday.

·         Kansas City Chiefs 

·         Buffalo Bills 

·         Detroit Lions 

·         Philadelphia Eagles

Which NFL Teams are Out of the Playoffs

In Week 13, the New York Giants became the first team this season to be officially removed from playoff contention. On Black Friday, the Las Vegas Raiders followed suit with their tenth defeat of the season, resulting in their elimination as well. Subsequently, on Sunday, the New England Patriots were also eliminated after suffering a loss, compounded by victories from the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans. The Denver Broncos' victory on Monday night further led to the elimination of the Jacksonville Jaguars from playoff eligibility. In Week 14, the Cleveland Browns were added to this list of eliminated teams.

·         New York Giants 

·         New England Patriots 

·         Jacksonville Jaguars 

·         Las Vegas Raiders 

·         Tennessee Titans 

·         Cleveland Browns 

·         New York Jets  


Bookie Pay Per Head Service

Friday, December 6, 2024

Rams vs Bills NFL Betting Pick and Prediction for 12/08/2024

 

For Week 14 of the 2024-25 NFL season the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams matchup is looking good. Everyone except diehard Rams fans believe the Bills will defeat the Los Angeles Chargers. However, is it a good bet and can the underdog pull off an upset? Here is my analysis of this matchup with my Rams vs Bills NFL Betting Pick and prediction!

pay per head sportsbooks and bookmakers all have the Bills as the favorite team with a -198 money line. However, some bookies have been shifting the pointspread from 4.5 to 3.5 because of public opinion. Hence, those that were able to get an earlier pointspread were in luck. It is true hat the spread is not very high but it is not stopping sportsbooks from keeping a high money line on the Bills.

For the Rams, this matchup is especially important. This is because with a 6-6 record this season, they still have a chance to win the NFC West crown. In addition, they need the win to secure an NFL Wild Card spot.

Why the Buffalo Bills Will Win

The Buffalo Bills enter the field with an impressive record of 10-2 for the current season. In their most recent game, they faced the San Francisco 49ers, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 35-10. Quarterback Josh Allen completed 13 of 17 passes, accumulating 148 yards and throwing 2 touchdown passes, achieving a quarterback rating of 141.3 without any interceptions.

Khalil Shakir contributed significantly, averaging 7.5 yards per reception with a total of 30 yards on 4 catches. James Cook led the rushing attack for the Bills, carrying the ball 14 times for 107 yards, which translates to an impressive 7.6 yards per carry.

Throughout the game, the Bills executed 56 plays, resulting in a total of 372 yards. They ran the ball 38 times, amassing 220 yards and averaging 5.8 yards per carry. On the defensive side, the Bills allowed 153 yards on 27 rushing attempts, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. In terms of pass defense, Buffalo permitted 11 completions on 18 attempts for 86 yards, yielding a completion percentage of 61.1%.

Buffalo's offensive performance remains impressive, with an average of 29.6 points per game, placing them second in the league. Quarterback Josh Allen plays a crucial role, having accumulated 2,691 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.

According to GetSportsMedia.org, the Buffalo's defense stands out as one of the premier units in the league. This is because they only allow an average of only 18.7 points per game. Furthermore, it ranks as the sixth-best in the NFL. The Bills have recorded 28 sacks and 13 interceptions, showcasing their capacity to hinder rival offenses effectively. They are positioned eighth in passing defense and have shown resilience against the run, conceding 121.9 yards per game. Although injuries to players such as DeWayne Carter and Tommy Doyle may challenge their depth, this defensive unit continues to be a formidable force.

Why the Los Angeles Rams Will Win

Top football handicapping experts (Like me) sat the Rams have shown significant progress on both offense and defense. This is especially true on on the offensive side. Of course, a lot of it comes from the return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to the lineup. Presently, the Rams rank 11th in EPA per drive and 12th in offensive success rate. This achievement underscores McVay's exceptional coaching ability, as Los Angeles boasts the top offense in the NFL in terms of early down success rate, despite facing numerous injuries during the season.

The Los Angeles Rams depend significantly on the capabilities of Matthew Stafford, who has accumulated 2,983 passing yards, along with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Leading the receiving corps is Cooper Kupp, who has achieved 565 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while Kyren Williams contributes to the ground game with 926 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite moments of impressive performance, the Rams' offense averages 21.2 points per game, placing them 20th in the NFL. Thus, it indicates a lack of consistency in their execution. In such cases, it is important for bookies to strategically prevent public opinion betting to run rampant in their sportsbook. This is because it could throw the odds one way making it difficult to even out.

On the defensive side, the Rams encounter difficulties, surrendering an average of 24.2 points per game, which ranks them 21st in the league. Their struggle to contain the run, allowing 144.1 rushing yards per game, has proven to be a significant weakness. Although they have managed to record 28 sacks and 10 interceptions, their challenges in critical situations have been apparent.

Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Rams Game Info

·         Date and Time: 12/08/2024 at 4:25 PM ET

·         Location: SoFi Stadium

·         Watch on: Fox Sports, NFL+, FUBO, YouTube TV

Bengals vs Chargers NFL Betting odds

Team

Pointspread

Total

MoneyLine

Buffalo Bills

 -3.5.5 (-115)

 O49.5 (-105)

-198

Los Angeles Rams

 +3.5 (-105)

 U46.5 (-115)

+166

 Bills vs Rams NFL Betting Pick

Bet on the Buffalo Bills at -3.5

Buffalo's exceptional offensive effectiveness, combined with their robust defensive strengths, offers a distinct advantage in this contest. The Rams' difficulties in defending against the run may create opportunities for James Cook to excel, while Josh Allen's accuracy will pose significant challenges for the Los Angeles defense. Therefore, the Buffalo Bills will be victorious and cover the spread with a final score of 31-20.