BetQL Staff Picks To Make 2022 NFL Playoffs

BetQL Staff Picks To Make 2022 NFL Playoffs

Lucy Burdge: Patriots +135 at BetMGM
I think this is a great bet while it’s at plus-money because I think the Patriots will absolutely make the playoffs this season. After how the season ended for the team last year, they’re really going to get down to business now to go deeper into the postseason. And after seeing how ripped Mac Jones is now after making some major lifestyle changes, I’m convinced this team is not going to be messing around this season.

Dan Karpuc: Vikings (-105 at BetMGM)
I already wrote about why Justin Jefferson is poised to have one of the best individual seasons for a wide receiver in the history of the NFL and, unsurprisingly, I’m very high on the Vikings as a whole. New head coach Kevin O’Connell (formerly the OC of the Super Bowl-winning Rams) will bring an entirely new offensive scheme with him and has already established a new identity and culture as the franchise moved on from veteran Mike Zimmer. I view the NFC North as a close rival to the AFC South for the worst division in the NFL, and Minnesota should benefit from two matchups against the Bears, Lions and maybe even against the Packers, who no longer have Davonte Adams. The Vikings also have matchups against teams like the Commanders, Jets and Giants on their schedule and I can realistically see them going 11-6 or 10-7, which would likely be enough to make the postseason.

Brad Pinkerton: Chiefs (-200 at BetMGM)

Not sure why the team that has the third-shortest odds to win the Super Bowl is only -200 to make the playoffs, but OK. The Chiefs finished with 12 wins last year despite their well-documented flaws, and they'll do it again this year. Glancing at the odds for a few other teams that had at least 11 wins last year shows just how out-of-place K.C.'s playoff odds are: Bucs (-600), Bills (-550), Packers (-450), Cowboys (-300), Rams (-250). I expect the Chiefs' -200 odds to shorten soon.