NFL Last week of 2004 Betting Preview

With just one week remaining in the regular season, it is the final opportunity for a few teams to claim the final available wildcard spots, or in the case of St.Louis and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Seattle win the NFC West.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> All the other division winners have been decided: New England (AFC East), Indianapolis (AFC South), Pittsburgh (AFC North), San Diego (AFC West), Philadelphia (NFC East), Green Bay (NFC North), Atlanta (NFC South). In the AFC, Pittsburgh have a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Steelers will be the No. 1 seed and will host the lowest seeded Wild Card survivor in a divisional playoff game. The Patriots will be the No. 2 seed and will host the highest seeded Wild Card survivor in a divisional playoff game. As for which teams will claim the two wildcards still available in the AFC, New York (10-5) and Denver (9-6) know a win would be good enough to ensure postseason football. The Jets play the Rams who must win to have a chance of the play-offs, while the Broncos entertain the Colts who are locked in for the number 3 seed. Standing by if either of the Broncos or Jets falter, are Buffalo Bills who host Pittsburgh. Playing in Buffalo at this time of year is never easy, and it won't be a surprise if the Steelers decide to rest a number of starters having secured the number one seed. At the midpoint of the season, Buffalo were a massive 500/1 for the Super Bowl, but are now as low as their pre-season price of 50/1. More realistic winners from the AFC Conference are New England and Pittsburgh at 3/1, with Indianapolis rated at 8/1. In the NFC, Philadelphia have a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Eagles will be the No. 1 seed and will host the lowest-seeded Wild Card survivor in a Divisional playoff game. Despite losing Terrell Owens for the play-offs, some bookies still make Philadelphia favourites. Looking at the wild-card situation in this conference, and the picture is not as clear as in the AFC. The winner of Carolina against New Orleans in the final week could claim a wildcard if other results go their way. The Saints need a Rams loss or a Seattle victory, while the Panthers are relying on a Minnesota defeat, or a Rams loss or a Seattle victory. The only team in control of its destiny are Minnesota who if they win in Washington are in the play-offs. The Vikings though have bad memories from a year ago when in a similar situation need to win at lowly Arizona, yet somehow managed to lose on the final play of the game. Bet on NFL Games for free with a free bet from Bet365