All articles tagged with #playoff odds
Tim Dierkes’ MLB Mailbag weighs the Tigers’ options on Tarik Skubal—trade him, hold for a playoff push, or buy time—while also covering the Nationals, Rays, and James Tibbs III; he argues a multi-player package at the deadline can beat a compensatory pick, examines playoff odds, and notes how Skubal’s rehab, timing, and market could shape the decision.
The Cincinnati Bengals secured a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, keeping their playoff hopes alive despite long odds. With a 5-8 record, the Bengals are tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the fifth-lowest Super Bowl odds among playoff-eligible teams, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They face the Titans, Browns, Broncos, and Steelers in their remaining games and likely need to win all to advance to the postseason. The current AFC standings show the Kansas City Chiefs leading with a 12-1 record.
The Dallas Cowboys secured a dramatic win with standout performances from players like Luke Schoonmaker and KaVontae Turpin, despite injuries to key players like Asim Richards. CeeDee Lamb made headlines with comments about the Commanders' kicker, his former college teammate. Despite the victory, the Cowboys' playoff chances remain slim, with ESPN giving them less than a 1% chance. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott has been nominated for an NFL sportsmanship award, and former Cowboy K.J. Henry has joined the Eagles' practice squad.
The Chicago Cubs have fallen below .500 and trail the Cardinals in the standings and playoff odds. Despite some recent offensive improvements, the team continues to struggle, particularly in the bullpen. The upcoming series against the Cincinnati Reds features key matchups, with the Cubs needing to find a winning formula. Key injuries for both teams could impact the series outcome.
The MLB preseason power rankings have the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers vying for the top spot, with the Braves leading the pack. Other notable teams include the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays. The rankings also provide playoff odds and observations for each team entering the 2024 season.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to face the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, with the 49ers favored to win with -500 odds as 10-point favorites. Despite the 49ers' historical postseason success against the Packers, both teams are preparing for a competitive matchup after the Packers' impressive victory over the Cowboys. As the 49ers aim for their sixth Super Bowl victory, they will first have to overcome the challenge posed by the Packers.
The Miami Dolphins, after losing to the Buffalo Bills, dropped to the sixth seed and will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round. Despite back-to-back losses, the Dolphins have a chance according to DraftKings Sportsbook's oddsmakers, with the Chiefs favored by 3.5 points. The game is set for a cold Saturday night in Kansas City, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET on January 13.
The Detroit Lions' playoff odds have slightly dipped after their loss to the Chicago Bears, but they remain in a good position due to the collapse of several NFC teams. The Lions currently hold a three-game lead over the final playoff spot with four games remaining. While their divisional odds have dropped, the damage was mitigated by a Green Bay Packers loss. The Lions need to win two games, including one against the Minnesota Vikings, to clinch the division. Their chances of securing the No. 1 seed are slim, but if they win out and get help from the San Francisco 49ers, they still have a shot. The Lions' Super Bowl champion odds have also decreased, but they are on the verge of making it to the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers' loss to the New York Giants weakened their grip on a playoff spot and halted their momentum after a three-game winning streak. Despite remaining in the No. 7 seed in the NFC, their playoff odds dropped from 68% to 47%. The loss raised questions about the team's performance and its impact on the final month of the regular season. The Packers' defense struggled against the Giants' rushing attack, allowing 209 yards on the ground. The upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, another 6-7 team, becomes crucial for the Packers' playoff hopes.
The Miami Dolphins have a strong chance of making the playoffs, with a 99% probability according to a playoff simulator. They have a 33% chance of securing the top seed and a first-round bye, while also having a 66% chance of playing on wild-card weekend. A win over the Tennessee Titans would increase their chances of being the first seed. The Dolphins will need to defeat the remaining winning teams on their schedule to solidify their position as contenders in the postseason.
Following their dominant 32-6 win over the New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills saw their playoff odds increase to 26 percent on the New York Times' playoff simulator. According to sports betting predictions site Dimers, the Bills' playoff chances have risen to 56.1 percent, up from 49 percent last week. While their chances of a bye week remain low, they have a 10 percent chance of hosting a Wild Card game and a 16 percent chance of playing in a Wild Card game.
The Miami Marlins have defied expectations and are enjoying their best season since 1997, with a record of 47-34 at the midpoint of the 2023 season. Their playoff odds have increased to 67.6%, and they are tied with the Braves for the best record in the Majors since Memorial Day weekend. The Marlins have seen significant improvements in their batting average, winning percentage in one-run games, and starting pitcher ERA in June. The team attributes their success to a stacked lineup, contributions from multiple players, and a competitive mindset.