NFL Playoffs Odds: Dark Horses Galloping Towards

The goal of every team heading into the new season is to win the Super Bowl, but we all know that there are a few teams that are not going to get anywhere near a championship for the foreseeable future.

That’s the reality every year, so take a look at 4 teams that could break through in the postseason this upcoming season: Jets, Steelers, Bears and Falcons.

My Analysis

That is the question we are looking to answer here, and we have 4 teams that might just make that move, so let’s get right to it.

New York Jets Playoff Line -135

Last season was one filled with promise, but it all fell apart for the Jets in their first offensive series of the year. Aaron Rodgers, their new QB, went down with an injury that kept him out for the season, and it was all downhill for the Jets from that point forward. Rodgers will be back this season and the Jets have made some additions that should see them improve dramatically, to the point that the bookies have them potentially challenging for the division title. I still think that is a stretch given that the Bills and Dolphins will both be strong, but a Wild Card spot is not out of the question.

Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Line +170

The Steelers missed the playoffs again last season, but they still managed to once again close things out with a winning record. This is a team that, had they had a serviceable QB under center, could potentially have made some noise. They address that in the offseason by completely overhauling the QB room by bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, as well as a new offensive coordinator. They also had another great draft, so of things gel quickly, it might well be a return to the playoffs for the black and gold.

Chicago Bears Playoff Line -125

When the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, it became obvious where they were going with the #1 pick in the NFL Draft. To no one’s surprise, they took QB Caleb Williams and instantly got better by doing so. Now, one player does not a team make, but the Bears have made other moves that should make them a good deal better than they were last year. There is always the potential for a rookie QB to fail, but as CJ Stroud showed with the Texans last season, it could also mean a return to relevance.

Atlanta Falcons Playoff Line -310

The Falcons were another team with a QB problem last season, which is one they have had since the end of the Matt Ryan era. They addressed that by picking up Kirk Cousins in free agency, although they did ruffle some feathers by taking another QB (Michael Penix Jr,) in the Draft, but that appears to have been handled well by Cousins after some initial shock waves. The South Division is very much up for grabs and the Falcons could potentially win it with a 10-win season, which is well within their reach.