Have the Buffalo Bills arrived, BetUS online sportsbook betting enthusiasts? Are the Pittsburgh Steelers legitimate AFC betting title contenders with Ben Roethlisberger back under center? Will the Tennessee Titans take their surprising NFL betting act another step further to reach Super Bowl LV after coming up short a year ago? Last, but not least, can anything derail the Kansas City Chiefs’ dreams of winning consecutive Super Bowl titles?
With the one-quarter mark of the 2020 NFL regular season almost here and teams in both conferences starting to reveal who they are, it’s time to take a look at one question in particular when it comes to the league’s current landscape. Simply put, which 3-0 teams won’t make the playoffs this season? But before we do that, check out all of the Week 4 NFL odds!
Let’s dive right in, starting in the AFC.
Which NFL Teams Will Not Make the Playoffs: AFC
Buffalo Bills (3-0)
The Bills are sitting atop the AFC East and although New England is 2-1 and looks like it is going to give Buffalo a run with Cam Newton under center, I just don’t see the Bills collapsing to the point where they don’t make the playoffs. Buffalo has some difficult games coming up at home against Kansas City, New England, Seattle, and Pittsburgh while facing the Titans, 49ers, and Patriots on the road. Quarterback Josh Allen has improved immensely and the addition of Pro Bowl wide receiver Stephon Diggs has been nothing short of perfect. I like the Bills, who rank third in scoring (31.0 ppg), to manage 10 wins at the least to get into the postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
I expected the Steelers to challenge everyone in the AFC for conference supremacy with Roethlisberger on the field and the Steelers haven’t disappointed. Pittsburgh sits atop the AFC North standings, mostly because the Steelers have been stupendous defensively. The Steelers rank second in total defense, first against the run, and fifth in points allowed (19.3 ppg). Big Ben has thrown seven TD passes and only one interception and now, Pittsburgh looks more than legitimate. More importantly, the Steelers have a bunch of what looks like easily winnable games at home against Philly, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington, and Indianapolis. There are road dates at Jacksonville, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Even in a division that includes the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh gets in and challenges for the division to win.
Tennessee Titans (3-0)
While Tennessee came up short of winning the AFC South a year ago, the Titans did finish one game behind Houston while making the playoffs and upsetting Baltimore in the AFC Divisional round. This year, the Titans once again look real as quarterback Ryan Tannehill has lived up to expectations and his new, four-year $118 million contracts.
The Titans are ranked first in fewest turnovers with only one while also ranking seventh in takeaways with six. Running back Derrick Henry leads the league in rushing and Tannehill has thrown six TD passes and one interception. Indianapolis and Houston could challenge for the division title, but Tennessee will get it – and the accompanying playoff berth that comes with it.
Kansas City Chiefs(3-0)
There’s not a lot of sense in making some long-winded argument on why Kansas City may not reach the postseason after getting off to a 3-0 start. The fact of the matter is the Chiefs are as well-positioned to reap — and challenge for multiple Super Bowl titles — as any champ in recent memory. As long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are joined at the hip, the Chiefs will contend for Super Bowl titles and nothing less.
Here is a look at the latest Super Bowl Odds
Which NFL Teams Will Not Make the Playoffs : NFC
Green Bay (3-0)
The Packers went a stellar 13-3 to easily win the NFC North a year ago and they have the look of consecutive division winners heading into Week 4. The Packers are ranked second in total offense, sixth in passing, second in rushing, and first in scoring (40.1 ppg).
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers has dispelled critics who said he was aging after last season by nine TD passes and no picks through three games. Running back Aaron Jones is second in the league with 303 rushing yards and Green Bay’s much-maligned wide receiver group is making plays.
While Nick Foles will steady a Bears team that is also 3-0 and Chicago will put up a real fight to claim the NFC North division title, Green Bay has a bunch of winnable contests at home against Atlanta, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, and Carolina and equally winnable road date at Houston, Indianapolis, and Detroit. There’s absolutely no way Green Bay fails to reach the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
Yes, the Seahawks play in a tough division that saw three teams record winning records a year ago. Yes, every team in the NFC West is sitting at 2-1 or better heading into Week 2 and yes, Seattle has a bunch of difficult games remaining on their 2020 regular-season schedule.
Yet, Seattle is as close to a playoff lock as it gets — and I don’t just mean this season. Since MVP-leading superstar Russell Wilson took over as the starter during his rookie season in 2012, the Seahawks have reached the playoffs seven times in eight seasons. Hell, when they didn’t make the playoffs, Seattle still finished with a winning, 9-7 mark (2017).
This season, Seattle ranks ninth in total offense, fifth in passing, and second in scoring (37.0 ppg). Wilson has been phenomenal in setting an NFL record with 14 TD passes in his first three games. Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has 259 receiving yards and four touchdowns. On the other hand, second-year wideout DK Metcalf is blossoming with 297 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Seattle has a bunch of winnable games starting in Week 4 at Miami. The Seahawks have four consecutive ‘easy’ games at Philly, at home against the Giants and Jets, and at Washington. Even with six remaining division games, there’s almost no way Seattle doesn’t reach the double-digit win mark while getting into the playoffs for the third straight season.
Which NFL Teams Will Not Make the Playoffs: Teams in the league 3-0
In closing, every team in the league that is currently 3-0 will make the playoffs in 2020. Furthermore, all should challenge or win their respective divisions.
