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The 2024-25 NFL season just crossed the halfway mark. There are a few surprises as to which teams are currently in the Playoff hunt, and which teams are not.
NFL betting sites have ongoing odds as to which teams will make the postseason. Based on the NFL odds as of early November, there are a few teams that we really like as sleepers to make the Playoffs. However, let’s pump the brakes on these teams winning the 2025 Super Bowl.
Just because we like their odds to make the postseason, doesn’t mean we think they will become the next NFL Champions. With that said, let’s dive into our sleepers to make the NFL Playoffs this year.
NFL Odds To Make The Playoffs
| Teams | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | -110 | -120 |
| Denver Broncos | +190 | -230 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +220 | -280 |
As of this writing, all three of these NFL teams are favored to miss the Playoffs. That’s why they’re on our list as Sleeper Teams to make the postseason. There’s some great betting value for each team and we’ll further break down their chances of making the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs below.
NFL Sleeper Teams To Make The Playoffs
The following is a breakdown of our sleeper picks to make the NFL Playoffs:
Cincinnati Bengals
Currently, the Cincinnati Bengals are -110 odds to make the Playoffs. Sitting at 4-5, those are generous odds considering they’re going to have to do a lot of work to dig themselves out of the hole they find themselves in.
Additionally, if the Bengals want to make the postseason, it’s going to require them to snag one of the three AFC Wild Card spots since they’re multiple games back in the AFC North and will most likely not surpass both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
With that said, there’s still plenty to like about the Bengals moving forward. Check out some of the reasons why we are backing Cincy to still make the postseason.
Why We Think The Cincinnati Bengals Will Make the Playoffs
Despite having a losing record at the time of this writing, the Bengals do have a potent offense. Well, they do have a potent passing attack. However, that running game has been dreadful. Yet, the Bengals just made a move at the trade deadline to improve their struggling rushing attack.
On November 5, the NFL Trade Deadline, the Bengals traded with Chicago for running back Khalil Herbert. I really like this move as Herbert is a talented dual-threat running back. He was stuck in a crowded backfield in Chicago, but will now have room to breathe and perform with the Bengals.
Cincy’s Zack Moss has a neck injury and will be out indefinitely. That’s an opening for Herbert to compete with Chase Brown for the starting spot. Keep in mind, the Bengals have the 6th worst rushing offense at 94.2 rushing yards per game.
In fact, they only run the ball 39.25% percent of the time which is the 27th lowest percentage in the league. Adding Herbert could help to improve a bad running game.
On the flip side, the Bengals do have one of the top passing attacks with Joe Burrow and company. The one thing that has limited this group has been injuries. Among many missing players, Tee Higgins has been absent for numerous games over the first half of the season. Although he’s one of several offensive starters to miss time, Higgins is probably the one needed the most in order for the Bengals to make a run at the Playoffs.
With that said, as of now, none of the injuries are season ending. So, I expect the Bengals to return to full health very soon. This offense averages 26.2 points per game, which is the 7th best scoring offense in the league. If they were truly as bad as their 4-5 record then Cincy wouldn’t be putting up that many points.
Despite their struggles, the Bengals do still have a manageable schedule over the second half of the season. A Week 10 TNF matchup against the Ravens could be the beginning of a run at the Wild Card spot. However, even if they lose to Baltimore, Cincy still has hope.
The Bengals have two games against the Steelers and multiple contests against other teams fighting for Wild Card spots like the Broncos and Chargers. Lastly, they also play a struggling Cowboys, Browns and Titans. That’s an easy three wins right here.
For the Bengals to make the Playoffs, they will need to go at least 10-7, if not 11-6. There’s not a lot of room for error. Even if they lose to the Ravens, I still think Cincy can finish 10-7.
Bet: Cincinnati Bengals (-110)Denver Broncos
To the surprise of most pundits and bettors, the Denver Broncos are currently sitting in the final AFC Wild Card spot as of this writing. Yet, they have +190 odds to make the Playoffs despite their current 5-4 record and elite defense.
Denver was predicted by many to be a losing team and seller at the Trade Deadline. Instead, they’re actually in the hunt for the Playoffs and putting together the building blocks for the rest of this season and for years to come.
Despite having a rookie QB playing wildly inconsistent at times, and an offense that struggles to put up points at times, the Broncos do have enough pieces to make the Playoffs this year.
Why We Think The Denver Broncos Will Make the Playoffs
At times, this Denver offense has shown flashes of potential and success. The team scored 26 points against Tampa Bay, 34 points against the Raiders, 33 points against the Saints and 28 points against the Panthers.
The biggest hurdle that this offense faces is a limited passing game that sits 27th in the league at 187.1 yards per game. That’s largely due to their rookie QB and a shoddy offensive line. However, Bo Nix has flashed some brilliance at times. And, the running game is showing life, which will greatly help this offense moving forward.
The Broncos defense is an elite unit in many major statistical categories. They rank 3rd in points allowed at just 17.9 ppg. Additionally, they are 6th in yards allowed at 295.2 ypg, 9th in run defense (108.7 ypg), and 6th in pass defense (186.6 ypg). Denver has a 9.75% sack rate which is the third best percentage in the league.
At times, this defense has been the sole reason that Denver won a game. However, there were times when the defense was on the field for the majority of the game and ended up bending and breaking. See what the Ravens did to them in Week 9.
Denver still has four divisional games left over the second half of the season. They also have home games against the Falcons, Browns, Colts and Chiefs to close out the year. Even if they lose at Cincy in Week 17, I still see a scenario where the Broncos and Bengals can both make the Playoffs.
Keep in mind, the Broncos already beat the New York Jets who might be the one team fighting with Denver for the final Wild Card spot. And, if they beat the Colts then they should have some breathing room over the teams chasing them.
Lastly, of the teams fighting for the last Wild Card spot, the Broncos have the best defense. When it comes to postseason play, defense and running the ball are the keys to success. Denver can do both.
Bet: Denver Broncos (+190)Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams were my NFC sleeper team during the preseason and I’m sticking with them as we reach the second half of the 2024-25 NFL regular season. Currently, the Rams have +220 odds to make the Playoffs, which is the largest odds of any of our sleeper team picks.
At 4-4, the Rams sit two spots behind the Packers for the final Wild Card spot. However, they’re just a half game back of the Cardinals for the NFC West division lead. That entire division is all within one game of each other.
When it comes to the Rams, you can pretty much throw out their first half of the season due to some key injuries. Now, that their star players are back, this is going to be a team that nobody wants to face.
Why We Think The Los Angeles Rams Will Make the Playoffs
When looking over the Rams’ offensive stats, there’s not a lot to like. However, that all changes with the returns of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Well, provided that neither get thrown out of game for punching defenders.
Kupp and Nacua returned in Week 8 and helped lead the Rams to a big win over the Vikings. Despite losing Nacua to a disqualification in Week 9, for throwing a haymaker, the Rams still beat the Seahawks.
I really like the Rams chances of going at least 6-3 over the second half of the season. They have games against the Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Cardinals and Seahawks. I think LA can win all of those matchups, especially since the Arizona and Seattle games are at home during the final two weeks of the season.
Where the Rams will need to play their best and hope for some success is against the Eagles, Bills, 49ers and Jets. Now, LA has already beat the 49ers this season and they did so while dealing with key injuries.
It’s a toss-up as to how good the Jets will be in Week 16, but the game is on the road and most likely contested in bad weather. LA will get the Eagles and Bills at home, which benefits them greatly.
However, with the way those teams are playing, it’s going to take near perfect outings by the Rams to beat the Eagles or Bills. With that said, if they can pick up wins against both teams, then LA has entered the conversation of a true NFC contender.
Bet: Los Angeles Rams (+220)
