Super Bowl Odds Update: The Steelers' Plummet Continues

If the NFL schedule was separated into six equal sections, Week 16 would mark start of the final leg. Simply, that means all teams have three remaining regular season games to state their case.

By this point in the year, three teams from the NFC have clinched a playoff spot: the San Francisco 49ers (who recently earned their division crown), Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. The Baltimore Ravens are the lone AFC side to secure a postseason berth.

To the contrary, last week provided elimination for four more teams: the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders and New York Jets. All that considered, the Super Bowl odds market at FanDuel Sportsbook is narrowing with accelerated precision.

As frontrunners to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in a couple months, the 49ers have seen their odds incrementally shorten after every game since Week 10. Still, this is not the only significant movement within FanDuel's Super Bowl odds.

Before the gridiron action resumes this Thursday in Los Angeles, let's survey the list of recent movers.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

*Denotes Super Bowl LVII participant

Notable Jumps

Cincinnati Bengals

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +10000
Last week: +21000

It has been more than a month since the Cincinnati Bengals lost franchise QB Joe Burrow (wrist) to injury. At that moment, most hope was lost in Cincy, as their odds to win it all at FanDuel Sportsbook exploded to +31000 two weeks after Burrow's medical departure (CIN was +1700 entering Week 11).

Fast-forward to now, and all hope is not lost for Who Dey. Behind poised play from backup quaterback Jake Browning, the Bengals have rallied to an 8-6 overall record. Currently, Cincy's three-game winning streak has served as the team's catapult back into contention. However, the path does not get any easier going forward -- Cincinnati has the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns to close out the schedule.

Undoubtedly, the Bengals are playing invigorated ball at the moment. Behind playmakers like Ja'Marr Chase (12.4 yards per catch) -- who appears set to miss time -- and Joe Mixon (9 total TDs), the offense has still posted 21.9 points per game (PPG), which is 14th in the NFL. Considering Cincinnati is operating with a backup signal-caller, that is not too shabby.

At numberFire, Who Dey currently yields a 22.6% chance to qualify for postseason play. Despite the loss of Burrow, the Bengals still have veteran leadership and a core of players who know what it takes to make a playoff run. Of course, we'll revisit this topic if Cincy wins Saturday in Steel City.

Indianapolis Colts

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +8500
Last week: +12000

Sticking with the theme of injured starting quarterbacks (unfortunately, it's been a prevalent motif in 2023), the Indianapolis Colts are also doing a fantastic job to salvage a year when 2023 first-round draftee Anthony Richardson (shoulder) went down. Fill-in signal-caller Gardner Minshew has provided quality production, showing a clip of 6.7 yards per attempt with a TD-to-INT ratio of 14-to-8.

Overall, the Colts are 8-6 this year, which includes a 6-4 figure when Minshew starts. However, the Wazzu alum may be without top receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion), who is currently iffy for Week 16 at the Atlanta Falcons.

Behind the eighth-best scoring offense in the league (24.6 PPG), Indy is currently in a three-way tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans for the division lead. At FanDuel Sportsbook, the Colts show the second-shortest (+280) odds to win the AFC South. With a soft-ish schedule to close the regular season, Indianapolis could absolutely do the deed.

The Colts will wrap up the regular season at Atlanta before hosting the Las Vegas Raiders and rival Houston. In all likelihood, Indy's playoff hopes will be intrinsically linked to that home finale against the Texans (who the Colts defeated way back in Week 2) -- that will be a game not to miss.

Steep Drops

Atlanta Falcons

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +40000
Last week: +11000

As the team fantasy managers seem to be perpetually frustrated with, the Falcons are currently playing themselves out of the postseason picture. Of course, it was widely expected that only one team from the NFC South would qualify; all sides in the division are at .500 or worse.

Despite having a fairly solid defensive unit (allowing just 19.9 PPG), Atlanta is sitting at 6-8 on the year. They have now lost back-to-back games for the third separate time this season. To make matters worse, each of their recent losses came against divisional foes. Oh, and then there's the fact that head coach Arthur Smith will be making a third quarterback change in the past seven weeks.

After another ineffective performance from second-year signal-caller Desmond Ridder (losing to the Carolina Panthers), Taylor Heinicke will resume starting duties once again. He will do so with Atlanta's season on life support. Perhaps Heinicke will better synergize the talents of their young offensive trio: Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

Just two weeks ago, the Falcons were atop the division and showing +7500 odds in the Super Bowl market at FanDuel Sportsbook. As it is now, the "Dirty Birds" are listed at 400-to-1 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas. Compare that to numberFire's playoff projections, where Atlanta shows a lowly 7.5% likelihood to qualify for postseason play.

Pittsburgh Steelers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +35000
Last week: +14000

As tumultuous as 2023 has been for the Steelers, it is quite shocking that they are even .500 to this point. With a record of 7-7, Pittsburgh is still in playoff contention despite currently sitting in the cellar of the AFC North. Still, after the Steelers' recent loss -- their third straight overall -- in Indianapolis, head coach Mike Tomlin is making a second quarterback change in three weeks. It is tough to blame Tomlin for the move, given that the offense is scoring only 15.9 PPG this year.

Second-year signal-caller Kenny Pickett (ankle) went out with an injury in Week 13. Since then, Mitchell Trubisky attempted to right the ship, but Trubisky could not produce more than one touchdown in any start. As such, the Steel Curtain will turn back Mason Rudolph.

With the veteran presences of All-Pro defenders T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Pittsburgh D is giving up just 20.0 PPG (ninth in NFL), yet every week seems to be a struggle. Simply, we may finally see Coach Tomlin produce a season under .500 -- he has gone 16 conescutive years without ever doing so.

There's reportedly a shot that Pickett plays this weekend versus Cincy, as this AFC North contest will be pivotal for both sides. However, it appears more likely that we see Rudolph taking the snaps come Saturday. After that, the Steelers will close out the regular season by bouncing from opposite ends of the United States, visiting the Seattle Seahawks before playing at the rival Ravens in the finale.

Honorable Mentions

Trending Up

• Los Angeles Rams +8000

Falling Down

• Denver Broncos +14000

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.