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Ranking the 8 Most Likely Teams To Make the NFL Playoffs Right Now | Week 17 Clinching Scenarios

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

1) Houston Texans
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: OTB --> This Week's Odds: -40000

As close to a sure thing as Texas Toast being thick, the Houston Texans will make the playoffs. While FanDuel and BetMGM have left Houston's odds off the board, you can still find them at Bet365. That said, if you are playing anything with odds this valueless, you may have eaten a moldy piece of the Lone Star state's top gluten-filled loaf.

The team with the NFL's No. 1-rated defense controls its own destiny after a way-too-close call victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. Houston can get in with a win or tie at the Los Angeles Chargers this week, where they are 2.5-point dogs. If division-rival Indianapolis Colts lose or tie with the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, as 6.5-point dogs, the Texans also punch their ticket.

If The Banner State bread references didn't confuse you enough, here's another long list of scenarios that can get Houston a postseason berth in Week 17.

Wins for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers+San Francisco 49ers+Los Angeles Rams+Buffalo Bills+Baltimore Ravens+Kansas City Chiefs=A breadless Texans toast with a couple of champagne glasses.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
NFL Postseason Picture Heading into Week 17
As the NFL playoff picture sharpens, playoff odds grow tighter across the board. Our rankings will only focus on potential playoff teams you can still wager on, meaning if they already clinched or are eliminated, you won't find them here.

Flip forward to see the new No. 1 team on our list.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
8) Indianapolis Colts
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: +870 --> This Week's Odds: +4000

While Philip Rivers's story is a feel-good one, Indianapolis Colts fans are feeling about as good as their quarterback's 44-year-old body after taking a pair of sacks in Monday's one-sided loss to the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Rivers did all he could to keep Indy in a game that the Colts defense had no answer for Brock Purdy and company's offensive attack. Despite Rivers' 277 passing yards and pair of TD throws, it was clear the former Charger had minimal mobility and couldn't make strong throws downfield.

It's not quite mathematical yet, but the likelihood of the Colts making the playoffs is probably worse than Peyton hanging up the Manningcast to suit up as the starter this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even if the Colts can defend their home turf with a win or tie as 6.5-point dogs, a Houston Texans win or tie as 2.5-point underdogs at the Chargers means Indy is done for.

A win by Tampa Bay Buccaneers+San Francisco 49ers+Los Angeles Rams+Buffalo Bills+Baltimore Ravens+Kansas City Chiefs also ends the Colts' season in Week 17.
7) Detroit Lions
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: +154 --> This Week's Odds: +1500

One offensive pass interference a season does not make, but for the Detroit Lions, it kinda does. Detroit almost picked up the 31-29 victory on the final play of the game over Pittsburgh, which would have changed things drastically. Flags flew as Amon-Ra St. Brown lateraled at the one-yard line to Jared Goff, who went somersaulting into the end zone for what looked like the game-winning play. Instead, St. Brown was called for the OP just moments before he caught the ball, in one of the wildest finishes all year.

Now, the Lions need a tie or win as six-point favorites in Minnesota and a Packers loss to stay alive into Week 18.
6) Baltimore Ravens
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: +116 --> This Week's Odds: +700

This season has further proven just how reliant the Baltimore Ravens are on their quarterback. Lamar Jackson undoubtedly drives the Baltimore bus, and without him, they usually crash and burn. The Ravens were very much in Week 16's near-must-win game against the visiting New England Patriots when Lamar exited with a back injury in the second quarter.

Now, Jackson is day-to-day ahead of the Ravens' actual must-win game in Green Bay on Saturday. If they can't get past GB or at least tie, as 2.5-point dogs, they are out. Even with a win on Saturday, the Ravens will be scoreboard watching on Sunday, as Pittsburgh controls its own destiny in the AFC North.

We'll get into Pittsburgh's scenario in a few more slides.
5) Carolina Panthers
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: +310 --> This Week's Odds: +124

Even if the NFC South may be the worst division in football, the Carolina Panthers have put themselves in as good a position as they've been since the Cam Newton "Superman" days. Carolina has won four of its past seven, which may not sound all that impressive until you look at who it has beaten. The Panthers took out the Packers in Green Bay and the visiting Los Angeles Rams. They are also coming off a hugely important Week 16 win over the only other team that can catch them in the South, our next entry.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: -390 --> This Week's Odds: -146

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have played themselves into being a near coin flip to get into the postseason. Tampa wasted a golden opportunity last weekend by allowing the Carolina Panthers to hand them their sixth loss in seven games and take control of the NFC South. Carolina is now a game up on the Bucs in the division.

If Tampa ties or loses as 5.5-point road favorites over the Miami Dolphins, and Carolina can somehow tie or pull off the upset as 7.5-point home dogs against the Seattle Seahawks, it's bye-bye Buccos.
3) Pittsburgh Steelers
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: -138 --> This Week's Odds: -1100

While the Pittsburgh Steelers are favorites to win the AFC North and punch their ticket to the postseason, it's an actual face punch that could change everything. If the ending of Pittsburgh's near-road loss to the Detroit Lions last weekend wasn't wild enough, DK Metcalf threw hands, or a hand in this case, at a Lions fan, apparently jawing at him while hanging over the first-row railing. The Steelers' No. 1 receiver was swiftly handed a two-game suspension, which could mean he misses the final two games of the season if his appeal is denied.

Pittsburgh can get in this week with a tie or road win over division rival, the Cleveland Browns, as -3.5-point favorites. If the Ravens can't win or tie as 2.5-point dogs at Green Bay, the Steelers also clinch.
2) Green Bay Packers
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: -300 --> This Week's Odds: -3000

The Green Bay Packers are in the driver's seat with their destiny in their own hands. A tie or win over the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night as 2.5-point favorites means a cheddar-filled celly for the Cheeseheads. But, not so fast with the fondue-fest, as starting quarterback Jordan Love (questionable) is in concussion protocol, and backup Malik Willis (questionable) is dealing with a shoulder injury. If you can't Name That Clayton Tune as the team's third stringer, you are likely not alone and won't hear the loud wrong-answer buzzer. However, if the Packers have to rely on the 2023 fifth-round pick, who hasn't taken a snap since last year with the Arizona Cardinals, running the offense, it could be Final Jeopardy in a hurry.

It's not all doom and gloom in Green Bay, as they can get help from an improbable source, about 430 miles up the WI-29. If close division rival the Minnesota Vikings can tie or upset last year's NFC North champs, the Detroit Lions, as 6.5-point Christmas Day road dogs, the Pack is back in the postseason.
1) Houston Texans
Previous Week's NFL Playoffs Odds: OTB --> This Week's Odds: -40000

As close to a sure thing as Texas Toast being thick, the Houston Texans will make the playoffs. While FanDuel and BetMGM have left Houston's odds off the board, you can still find them at Bet365. That said, if you are playing anything with odds this valueless, you may have eaten a moldy piece of the Lone Star state's top gluten-filled loaf.

The team with the NFL's No. 1-rated defense controls its own destiny after a way-too-close call victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. Houston can get in with a win or tie at the Los Angeles Chargers this week, where they are 2.5-point dogs. If division-rival Indianapolis Colts lose or tie with the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, as 6.5-point dogs, the Texans also punch their ticket.

If The Banner State bread references didn't confuse you enough, here's another long list of scenarios that can get Houston a postseason berth in Week 17.

Wins for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers+San Francisco 49ers+Los Angeles Rams+Buffalo Bills+Baltimore Ravens+Kansas City Chiefs=A breadless Texans toast with a couple of champagne glasses.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
NFL Postseason Picture Heading into Week 17
As the NFL playoff picture sharpens, playoff odds grow tighter across the board. Our rankings will only focus on potential playoff teams you can still wager on, meaning if they already clinched or are eliminated, you won't find them here.

Flip forward to see the new No. 1 team on our list.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Ranking the 8 Most Likely Teams To Make the NFL Playoffs Right Now | Week 17 Clinching Scenarios

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