We're nearly halfway through the 2018 season, and the contenders and pretenders are becoming quite clear …
Some teams that were expected to be among the favorites will need to grind out some wins down the stretch just to make the postseason. And, as a result, there are only a few teams with shorter than 15-1 odds.
Here's where we're at following Week 8:
All odds via the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Monday at 3 p.m. ET. Click on the date to sort.
Risers
Kansas City Chiefs: +550 to +450 (+2.8% Implied probability)
The Chiefs failed to score in the fourth quarter of their game against the Broncos, but still managed to put up 30 points in a seven-point win.
They have what should be a couple of cupcake wins vs. the Browns and Cardinals over the next two weeks, but then have to play the Rams in Mexico City after a bye.
Kansas City will likely be favored in seven of its eight remaining games, making a 14-2 record in Patrick Mahomes' first season under center a real possibility.
Pittsburgh Steelers: +1800 to +1200 (+2.4% IP)
With three straight wins, the Steelers have reached top of the AFC North standings. However, compared to some other teams, they have a pretty tough group of games remaining on their schedule.
Of their nine remaining games, the Steelers have just one that should be considered an easy win (at Oakland). They'll likely be underdogs in three or four but probably won't be favored by more than a few points in the rest.
With so many games up in the air, the Steelers are still in danger of missing the playoffs if they go through another rough patch.
New Orleans Saints: +800 to +700 (+1.4% IP)
Following their Week 1 loss to the Bucs and ugly win against the Browns in Week 2, the Saints have been dynamite.
They just rattled off two very impressive road wins vs. Baltimore and Minnesota, but will have perhaps their toughest task this weekend when the Rams come to town.
If the Saints can ruin the Rams' undefeated season, I expect their odds to move to +500 or perhaps even further. The Rams, whose odds plateaued in recent weeks, could potentially drop to the +300 range.
Fallers
Minnesota Vikings: +1200 to +1800 (-2.4% IP)
The Vikings had a tough task of containing the Saints' offense, and they handled it OK, but ended up losing by 10 points due to a couple of costly turnovers.
They'll need to fare well in the five divisional games remaining on their schedule, including two vs. the Bears and one against the Packers, to make the playoffs.
That loss to the Bills may come back to bite them …
New England Patriots: +550 to +600 (-1.1% IP)
With two other AFC contenders at the top of the risers list, it's only natural that the Pats have dropped a bit. If they have any trouble handling the Bills on Monday Night Football, it's possible that their odds could drop even further.
Jacksonville Jaguars: +5000 to +10000 (-1.0% IP)
Jacksonville had the third-best Super Bowl odds following its Week 2 win over the Patriots. Now there's a very good chance the Jags will miss the playoffs.
If they lose in Indy following their bye week, they could have sole possession of last place in the AFC South. Not good!
