NFL · 1 year ago

NFL Week 8: Predicting the 14-Team Playoff Bracket

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

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1. Kansas City Chiefs (Bye)
The Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the Super Bowl twice in a row, are aiming for a third consecutive victory in 2024. Guided by Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City remains a formidable contender. Having played most of their postseason games on the road last year, the Chiefs are eager to secure home-field advantage this time. Even with this team boasting a perfect record, we still haven't seen a complete game from this group. That's a scary premise.

Super Bowl Odds: +450

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2. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens had shown poorly through two weeks, but have turned a corner and gotten out of their funk with five straight victories. The Ravens are a serious threat in the AFC.

Super Bowl Odds: +550
3. Buffalo Bills
Even if you anticipate a slight regression for the Buffalo Bills this year, it's unlikely to be severe enough to keep them out of the playoffs. The Bills are in good hands with Josh Allen, one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, capable of leading the team based on his own strengths. Their strong coaching and talented roster give them another good chance to secure an AFC East crown.

Super Bowl Odds: +1100
4. Houston Texans
Last season marked a breakthrough for the Houston Texans, sparked by C.J. Stroud's sensational debut. Heading into 2024, Stroud is a bona fide MVP contender, and looked the part in their first two wins of the regular season. The Texans have the pieces of a contender, but we're still waiting on them to put it all together.

Super Bowl Odds: +1300
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Wild Card 1)
Although there's still very clear concerns about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, this defense is elite, which should help guide them to a postseason berth. With the way the AFC North is shaping up, the Steelers continuing to bank wins is only a positive sign.

Super Bowl Odds: +4400
6. Cincinnati Bengals (Wild Card 2)
Despite having an 2-4 start to the regular season, the Cincinnati Bengals at least proved they can compete with some elite teams. The only reason we won't count out the Bengals is because no one is running away with the wild card spots in the AFC. It's early, but let's see the Bengals win multiple games in a row.

Super Bowl Odds: +2800
7. Cincinnati Bengals (Wild Card 3)
With the way the AFC has shaped up this season, the last two wild card spots have the potential to come down to the wire. The Chargers have a good mix on defense and can run the football, which should help give them success down the stretch.

Super Bowl Odds: +5000
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1. Detroit Lions (Bye)
It won't surprise us if the NFC playoff bracket runs through Detroit this season. The Lions have a middle-of-the-road schedule, and their roster is loaded with talent, specifically on offense. If the Lions want to make noise in the regular season and get over the playoff hump to play for a Super Bowl, they'll need vast improvements from their secondary. If their young talent develops at an acceptable rate, the sky's the limit for this team. This team means business once again, and a big win over Minnesota highlighted that.

Super Bowl Odds: +750
2. Washington Commanders
There are a lot of positives to follow with this version of the Washington Commanders. If they can continue to get this type of play from Jayden Daniels, the Commanders can surprise in the NFC.

Super Bowl Odds: +2800
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons continue to look more comfortable with each passing week. This team has what it takes to compete for the NFC South crown and much more.

Super Bowl Odds: +3000
4. San Francisco 49ers
It's not exactly hard to say that the San Francisco 49ers have the most talented roster in football. Still, after two deep playoff runs in a row, the 49ers are due for some regression in 2024, even if we like their eventual outlook. Injuries have put a damper on this team early on, and multiple divisional losses haven't helped their case. Still, no team has separated themselves from the pack in the NFC West.

Super Bowl Odds: +850
5. Minnesota Vikings (Wild Card 1)
The Minnesota Vikings look the part of a real threat in the NFC. A strong defense and an offense that can move the football are leading the charge for this surprise NFC North club. It's completely in the realm of possibility that the Vikings come out on top in the division.

Super Bowl Odds: +1700
6. Green Bay Packers (Wild Card 2)
There's no question about it: the Green Bay Packers are not only on the rise as a contender in the NFC but also a potential Super Bowl dark horse. Jordan Love signed a monster extension this offseason, but was injured in Week 1. With Love returning in Week 4, the Packers playoff hopes have felt a lot more comfortable.

Super Bowl Odds: +1700
7. Philadelphia Eagles (Wild Card 3)
It would be an understatement to say it was a strange end to the 2023 season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Some sizable changes were made this offseason, and the one we envision having the most significant impact came on offense with the hiring of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. With the weapons the Eagles boast on offense, Moore should light a fire under this group and make them a potential top 5 offense in the league. Inconsistencies have been an issue overall through Week 6.

Super Bowl Odds: +1500

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Check out The Smylie Show on SportsGrid
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Bye)
The Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the Super Bowl twice in a row, are aiming for a third consecutive victory in 2024. Guided by Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City remains a formidable contender. Having played most of their postseason games on the road last year, the Chiefs are eager to secure home-field advantage this time. Even with this team boasting a perfect record, we still haven't seen a complete game from this group. That's a scary premise.

Super Bowl Odds: +450

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