NFL 2024/25 Season: Final Push/Way-Too-Early Playoff Projections:

We are now coming down the final stretch of the NFL season and things are shaping up to be really good in this year's playoff race. Not only do we have just a couple of teams pulling away from the other. But, we've got a massive group of teams that could go far in the postseason. Looking at what has happened so far, Kansas City leads the way as the favorites once again. Not only are the Chiefs the defending two time champs. But, they also have the top record in the entire NFL at 15-1 through week 17. The Vikings keep creeping up the rankings for top odds and the rest of the NFC looks to take down the current NFC favorites in Detroit. Cincinnati, a team you'd expect to be in the playoff race, still has a glimmer of hope after beating Denver last weekend in overtime. But, they need the Broncos to lose once again as well as a couple of other key things to happen to get in. 

As mentioned earlier, the Chiefs own the best record in football with just one loss in the regular season. That puts them just above Detroit at +350 to win the Super Bowl. This is a big chance for them to win a third consecutive title and show the world how dominant they really are. This would also put Mahomes in the GOAT conversation already (in my opinion) with many years still left - hopefully. 

My top team coming in right now is the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has had some poor moments this season, but has mostly been outstanding. Now only is the defense playing extremely well now, but Josh Allen looks like the best Josh Allen that we've ever seen before. The Bills are real contenders and getting in on them now before their odds get worse is the right thing to do.

You can't have a list of contenders without the like of Detroit in their. Currently the favorite to win the NFC by quite a bit, the Lions have an absolutely stacked roster even without some of their top guys. The way they are playing this is a team that could very well win the whole thing. People say that they could possibly get Aidan Hutchinson back for the Super Bowl as well. 

Although they haven't performed well in the postseason in recent years, the Baltimore Ravens must be mentioned in this list with how great Lamar Jackson is playing with Derrick Henry to his side. Baltimore's defense has been their liability at times though. Not saying the Ravens can't go far, but Lamar/Henry will need to be at their best in order for them to have a chance. 

Finally, I'm going to include the Philadelphia Eagles in this list. Saquon Barkley stands just 101 yards away from breaking the single season rushing record. Only time will tell if he's going to be put out there in a meaningless game. However, it's not so meaningless for Saquon. This is against his former team. The Eagles rely on Saquon a lot now that they have him. Their offense needs to perform if they want a chance as well. 

Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
Buffalo Bills (+600)
Baltimore Ravens (+650)
Los Angeles Chargers (+3500)
Pittsburgh Steelers (+5500)

Detroit Lions (+400)
Philadelphia Eagles (+750)
Minnesota Vikings (+850)
Green Bay Packers (+1500)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3000)

Baltimore/LAC - Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh rematch incoming? With the current standings, we'd see a Baltimore/LAC matchup in the first round. This would be another all-time matchup with two of the best coaches in football going at it once again. Earlier this season, the brothers met up with each other in what was a great 30-23 matchup. It's definitely possible that we see another one in these playoffs. 

Buffalo/Kansas City - This has been the rivalry of the playoffs in the AFC for a while now. It's essentially turning into an Allen/Mahomes rivalry though. Buffalo. wins the regular season matchup while Kansas City wins the playoff matchup. I'm expecting something different this year with the Bills not taking any more of these games for granted. They will give KC everything they have. Beware of the upset.