Finally, the NFL playoffs are set and, as always, some teams enter with momentum on their side (see: Dallas Cowboys) while others stumble in after a stellar first half of the season (see: Arizona Cardinals).
So which teams have the best chance to win the Super Bowl? And which can you count out? Here's the way I see it:
1) Green Bay Packers (+380): The Packers finished the regular season tied with Tampa Bay for the best record in the NFL (13-4) and ranked second only to the Cowboys finishing 12-5 ATS. The playoffs will go through Lambeau.
2) Dallas Cowboys (+1200): According to my personal power rankings, the Cowboys appear to provide the best betting value. My contention all season long is that if every team in the NFL accesses its "A" game the Cowboys have the most complete "A" game in the NFL and therefore should be the betting favorite. Of course, other factors come into play like how likely a team is to play an "A" game in any given matchup, but the fact remains the Cowboys have the fewest holes on their roster and the kind of high-end talent required to win at any spot on the field. Dallas finished with the best ATS record in the league this season (13-4). They sported the top point differential in the NFC (+172). The defense was one of the best in the NFL at creating havoc and turnovers for opposing offenses. If there is one red flag to note, however, it is this small little nugget: Dallas was 6-0 vs. the NFC East this season and 6-5 vs. everyone else. To win the Lombardi Trophy, Mike McCarthy's crew will have to do more than just demolish the pathetic NFC East. They'll have to beat the best of the best the league has to offer.
3) Buffalo Bills (+750): If I'm betting an AFC team to win the Super Bowl, I like the Bills a bit more than the Chiefs. Buffalo's +194 point differential was the best in the entire NFL this season. Yes, they did get to feast on a soft schedule, but Buffalo has all the requisite parts to win it all. Despite being the #3 seed in the AFC, I'm not concerned about them having to win games on the road in Nashville against Tennessee (lost 34-31 in Week 6) or in Kansas City against the Chiefs -- something they've already done this season.
4) Kansas City Chiefs (+475): Despite what I mentioned above with the Bills, the Chiefs equaled Tennessee with a conference-best 12-5 record during the regular season and have the best odds among AFC teams.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+800)
6) Tennessee Titans (+850)
7) San Francisco 49ers (+2500): Another team that appears to be teeming with betting value is the surging 49ers. San Francisco played in the Super Bowl just two years ago, and the same blueprint is being laid for them to get back. Kyle Shanahan's team can match up with any team in the postseason with their dominant rushing attack and timely plays from Jimmy Garoppolo. They'll have to win a lot of games on the road to make it, but their style of play travels well: win the line of scrimmage and control the football.
8) Los Angeles Rams (+900): One team that appears to be overvalued is, sadly, my Rams. The high-end talent is there to make plays and win games. Matthew Stafford's lack of postseason experience and success, however, as well as his penchant for turning the ball over, create a situation that breeds little confidence this team can play the type of football necessary to win four straight playoff games when the margin for error is at its smallest.
9) Cincinnati Bengals (+1800)
10) Arizona Cardinals (+2200)
11) New England Patriots (+2000)
12) Philadelphia Eagles (+6000)
13) Pittsburgh Steelers (+6000)
14) Las Vegas Raiders (+4000)