AFC Playoff Picture: Will Dolphins and Chargers Claim Final Playoff Spots?
The AFC playoff picture has been completed, at least according to the sportsbooks. With the Chargers' victory over the Dolphins, the books believe it will be those two teams who run away with the final two spots in the AFC.
Kyle Newman - December 14, 2022, 11:19 AM EST
5 minAFC Playoff Picture: Will Dolphins and Chargers Claim Final Playoff Spots?
The AFC playoff picture has been completed, at least according to the sportsbooks. After confusion with the seventh spot last week, the books now have clarity. With the Chargers' victory over the Dolphins, the books believe it will be those two teams who run away with the final two spots in the AFC.
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AFC Playoff Picture
Despite their loss, the Dolphins are still given -280 odds, or an implied 73.7% chance to make the playoffs. Even though they are now in the unenviable position of likely playing for a playoff spot in Week 18, the books aren’t worried about it. Meanwhile, with their victory on Sunday, the Chargers moved from +165 to -165 to make the playoffs. That’s a change from an implied 37.7% chance to a 62.3% chance to make the playoffs.
The Patriots are another team that saw a strong rise in their odds, going from +275 to +200. The Patriots have a change of a 26.7% chance to a 33.3% chance to make the playoffs. The only team that suffered was the New York Jets. The Jets saw their odds tumble from +106 to +184 to make the playoffs, a change from a 48.5% chance to a 35.2% chance.
This will likely all come down to what happens in Week 18 when the Jets and Dolphins meet. A win over the Dolphins would almost certainly get the Jets in and knock the Dolphins out. So, it’s interesting that Miami, who’s in a more precarious position, has better odds than the Chargers.
Do the books not trust the Chargers against a weaker schedule? Are they that confident that the Dolphins will beat the Jets? Whatever the case, it’s the first time this season that seven teams have better than a 50% chance to make the playoffs in the AFC and that clearly shows that the books believe the fight is almost over.
AFC Teams to Make Playoffs Odds
Team | Odds | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
Miami Dolphins | -280 | 73.7% |
Los Angeles Chargers | -165 | 62.3% |
New York Jets | +184 | 35.2% |
New England Patriots | +200 | 33.3% |
