Vegas: Broncos, Patriots most likely to make playoffs; Raiders, Jaguars least

Bovada has come out with its updated odds for NFL teams making the playoffs, and there are some familiar faces at the top of the list — and the bottom.

Their two lowest-odds favorites to make the postseason in 2014 are the two teams that met in the 2013 AFC championship game: the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Both teams have the same odds — they are minus-500 (bet $500 to win $100) on the money line and are set at 1:5 odds.

And why not? Both teams have Super Bowl-caliber quarterbacks in Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, respectively, and defenses that improved their personnel in the offseason. Seems like easy money, albeit at steep odds.

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(Just so we're clear, this is Monopoly money, right? The Shutdown Corner does not endorse real betting with actual legal tender. Nope. Not at all, not one bit.)

And just below that pair are the two teams that were on the other side of the ledger, division foes and 2013 NFC championship combatants the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. The champion Seahawks are at minus-325 on the money line with 4:13 odds, and the 49ers — with the same odds numbers as the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts — are at minus-220 and 5:11.

The other two teams with negative money lines and odds below 1:1 to make the playoffs are the New Orleans Saints (minus-200, 1:2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (minus-150, 2:3).

(If you're, you know, interested in our free advice and whatnot, the San Diego Chargers at plus-180 and 9:5 certainly don't look too shabby. Neither do the New York Giants at plus-200 and 2:1. Again, if you're just like asking our opinion and aren't seeking any actual, um, wagering advice.)

On the low end, Bovada really doesn't care for the chances of either the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Oakland Raiders to make the playoffs. If you're a huge Gus Bradley fan, your $100 bet would win you $800 if the Jags shocked the NFL and made the dance. And likewise, if Matt Schaub tickles your fancy, you can score a cool $700 on that $100 wager if the Raiders get into the tournament.

(You also, of course, can bet on who won't make the postseason. For that side of the coin, may we suggest the Dallas Cowboys at minus-300 and 1:3?)

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm

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