Heading into Week 18 of the NFL season, there are four division titles, and a total of five playoff spots still unclaimed. The scenarios needed for the teams fighting for said positions range from “win and you’re in” to “but really, what are the odds of all that happening?”
We’re here to answer the latter, and thanks to sports betting, we can do it rather easily by putting together NFL Playoff scenario parlays.
How many NFL playoff spots remain in Week 18?
Three teams will clinch AFC playoff berths this weekend, while two will in the NFC.
Four division titles – AFC South, AFC East, NFC South and NFC East – are up for grabs, so there’s plenty yet to be determined.
Here’s a look at the latest odds to make the playoffs at top-rated sportsbooks:
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Breaking down odds of NFL playoff scenario parlays
There are the boring scenarios that simply require a win and you’re in. That’s the case for Buffalo, Jacksonville, Houston, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Tampa Bay.
What we’re searching for here is the chaos that everyone loves in sports. The crazy finishes that make us believe anything is possible.
So we break down any playoff-clinching scenario that requires more than one outcome and, therefore, can be parlayed. All parlay odds below are from BetMGM.
AFC South division winner parlay odds
The AFC South could be won by the Jaguars, Texans or Colts, with the Jags in the driver’s seat, as they simply need a win over the Titans.
But the others need a win and some help from Tennessee, and here’s how that looks in a two-leg parlay:
- Texans ML + Titans ML: +422
- Colts ML + Titans ML: +470
The Titans are underdogs and to win outright at home against the Jaguars, so that’s clearly the tougher leg no matter which team you pick in Texans vs. Colts.
Pittsburgh Steelers playoff-clinching parlay odds
The one AFC team that doesn’t control its own destiny to get into the playoffs is the Steelers. There are five scenarios for the Steelers, some involving ties, and others involving the Texans and Colts not ending in a tie. Here are the scenarios that can be parlayed:
- Steelers ML + Dolphins ML: +269
- Steelers ML + Titans ML: +339
All in all, these aren’t horrible odds! If you want to assume that Texans vs. Colts doesn’t end in a tie, there’s one more parlay you can make that gets the Steelers in:
- Titans ML + Broncos ML: +527
More: Super Bowl 2024 betting odds | NFL Futures odds
NFC East division winner parlay
The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win, but the Eagles need a win and a Dallas loss (or tie, but for the sake of this exercise, we’ll stick with loss):
- Eagles ML + Commanders ML: +810
The Cowboys are favorites against the Commanders, who are “playing” for the No. 2 pick in the draft.
NFC South division winner parlay
The Bucs are the win-and-in team here, so it’s the Saints and Falcons that will need some help from the Panthers.
New Orleans could get in with a tie and a Bucs loss, but here are the most-likely parlays that would put the Saints or Falcons in:
- Saints ML + Panthers ML: +381
- Falcons ML + Panthers ML: +620
New Orleans Saints playoff clinching parlay
Don’t trust the Panthers? Fine, we get it. But the Saints have another path to the postseason, and it’s this winning parlay:
- Saints ML + Bears ML + Cardinals ML: +767
Much longer odds when put all together, but the Bears winning at Green Bay and the Cardinals winning at home against Seattle seem more likely than the Panthers pulling it off.
Seahawks playoff clinching parlay
Seattle needs help from the Bears, as a win against the Cardinals combined with a Packers loss or tie puts the Seahawks in. They could also tie the Cardinals and get in with a Green Bay loss and Tampa loss or tie, or a Green Bay loss and Saints loss or tie.
Here’s the possible parlay for Seattle’s simplest path to the postseason:
- Seahawks ML + Bears ML: +300
Vikings playoff clinching parlay
Our last playoff scenario parlays come from a team that needs the most help. The Vikings are, somehow, not out of it, but they’ll need to beat the Lions at Ford Field and get help from one of two scenarios, both involving three results going their way.
Oddly enough, this one contains no ties. But here are two moneyline parlays that would get the Vikings into the NFL Playoffs:
- Vikings ML + Bears ML + Cardinals ML + Panthers ML: +2840
- Vikings ML + Bears ML + Cardinals ML + Falcons ML: +2252
So, not great odds, Vikings fans. But it could make for one heck of a weekend, and a nice addition to your bankroll.
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