Super Bowl Odds Update: 49ers Hold as Favorite Heading Into the Final Week

The final week of the 2023-24 NFL regular season is now upon us. Seriously, where has the time gone?

With playoffs starting next week, there are still two postseason spots open in the NFC while the AFC has yet to clinch any Wild Card positions. Simply, that means that plenty of sides have quite a bit to play for this Sunday.

It goes without saying that a team must qualify for the playoffs to be further considered in the Super Bowl LVIII betting market. Of course, after this week, a fair majority of our competitive field will drop off.

As it stands now, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are the big-game favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook. Considering that those sides have secured the No. 1 seeds in the NFC and AFC, respectively, all checks out; with early byes, San Francisco and Baltimore will be playing at least until the third weekend of January.

Before Week 18 begins (and with all games on Saturday or Sunday to close out the regular season), let's survey the list of frontrunners and hopefuls in the Super Bowl LVIII market.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

*Denotes Super Bowl LVII participant

Notable Jumps

San Francisco 49ers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +210

The 49ers (12-4) will be awarded the luxury of flexibility in this final week of the regular season. With the No. 1 seed wrapped up and the fact that their opponent -- the Los Angeles Rams -- has also cemented a playoff spot, most of the competitive incentive is removed for these two sides in Week 18.

Still, it should be noted that San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel appeared on Up & Adams this past Tuesday, declaring he and the starters will be available in Week 18 versus LA. Of course, that does not apply to superstar tailback Christian McCaffrey; the Stanford alum will earn his first NFL rushing title despite missing the regular season finale with a nagging calf.

Even with Samuel's confidence, I would doubt most starters play deep into this game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan knows the ultimate prize is still on the horizon, and health is always paramount through the postseason tournament.

For 2023, the 49ers have been incredibly strong on both sides of the football. Along with others mentioned, quarterback Brock Purdy has been wildly efficient (9.6 yards per attempt), getting pass catchers Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle both over 1,000 receiving yards this year. On D, San Francisco is still led by All-Pros Nick Bosa (92.8 PFF grade) and Fred Warner (8.25 tackles per game).

As a team, San Francisco is scoring 29.4 PPG (third best) this season while allowing only 17.3 PPG (second best). Listed at +210 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII, the Niners are a deserving favorite.

Baltimore Ravens

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +350

As one of only two teams to dismantle the 49ers in San Fran this season, Baltimore's (13-3) title hopes are as high as they have been in the Lamar Jackson era. Speaking of Lamar, the electric quarterback is feverishly approaching his second league MVP award. At FanDuel Sportsbook, Jackson is now showing -20000 odds to be named AP NFL Most Valuable Player.

In line with how Ravens receiver Odell Beckham exclaimed after last week's win over the Miami Dolphins, this Baltimore team is thoroughly talented from top to bottom. Their collective production speaks for itself. In 2023, the Ravens are the second-highest scoring team (29.6 PPG) while simultaneously boasting the stingiest defense (16.4 PPG).

Thanks to a ball-hawking secondary, Baltimore has earned the third-most interceptions (18) in the league to this point. Of those, seven have come courtesy of safety Geno Stone. Up front, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike leads the charge, having already logged 13 sacks this year.

Operating the offense, Jackson has ramped up his play over the past six games. Through that span, Jackson has compiled a 14-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. With All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews going down with an ankle injury earlier in the season, rookie receiver Zay Flowers has been there to pick up the slack -- the rook is 142 yards short of 1,000 entering Week 18.

Seemingly, Flowers could be Jackson's X-factor as the latter looks to escape playoffs woes. With a label of +350 at FanDuel Sportsbook to go all the way, the Ravens trail only the Niners in terms of Super Bowl odds.

Steep Drops

Pittsburgh Steelers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +25000

In the midst of one of the more tumultuous seasons you will see out of Steel City, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) somehow find themselves on the AFC playoff bubble. Notably, head coach Mike Tomlin will keep his streak of consecutive seasons without a losing record (17) alive, but the on-field action has given cause for concern.

The quarterbacking in Pittsburgh has been a prevalent issue. Second-year signal-caller Kenny Pickett made only a dozen starts this season, none of which were particularly productive. Still, the Steelers went 7-5 in games Pickett started in 2023, but he shows a lowly 6-to-4 TD-to-INT ratio. Further out, Pittsburgh has thrown just 12 touchdowns on the entire season -- yes, you read that correctly.

In true Steeler fashion, the defense has been strong. Guided by All-Pro playmakers like T.J. Watt (17 sacks, 4 FF) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (64 tackles), Pittsburgh has been the seventh-stingiest defense in the NFL in terms of points per game (19.6 PPG). Will that be enough to guide them into the postseason?

Essentially, the Steelers' playoff hopes all come down to Week 18 versus archrival Baltimore. Pickett (ankle) has finally returned to action, but Pittsburgh will continue to go with Mason Rudolph under center. As the starter for each of the past two games, Rudolph has passed for a total of 564 yards, winning both contests. Can he go for three in a row with a Super Bowl frontrunner -- albeit a Ravens team that may rest some starters -- across the field?

Atlanta Falcons

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +50000

What to make of the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) this year? To be completely honest, I am not exactly sure.

As it stands now, Atlanta isn't out of the playoff picture yet, but their postseason chances have greatly dwindled over the past month. They now sit behind both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) and New Orleans Saints (8-8) in the division. Additionally, the Falcons are mathematically eliminated from earning a Wild Card spot -- it's NFC South crown or bust.

Under head coach Arthur Smith, neither Atlanta quarterback has experienced consistent success. Second-year starter Desmond Ridder displayed a 10-to-11 TD-to-INT ratio in 14 games this year, while veteran Taylor Heinicke has earned a dismal completion clip 54.4% over four starts.

Rookie running back Bijan Robinson has been a bright spot for the Falcons, but his usage has been sporadic. Still, Robinson is only 52 rushing yards shy of 1,000, which is always impressive. By now, you'd think an offensive harmony between Bijan, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London would have formed, but the Falcons have scored only 19. PPG in 2023 (26th in the league).

Quietly, Atlanta's defense has been rather impressive in the current campaign. Safety Jessie Bates III has nabbed six interceptions, taking one of those back for a touchdown. As a unit, the Falcons have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game (215.2). In terms of defensive scoring, the "Dirty Birds" have been a top-10 team, surrendering just 20.3 PPG.

Through 2023, the Falcons' shortest odds to win the Super Bowl at FanDuel Sportsbook came way back on September 19th, when they came in at +3300 after their 2-0 start. As it is now, Atlanta yields 500-to-1 odds in the big-game market. You should know, even if ATL wins in New Orleans this week, NFL.com gives them only a 36% to advance into the postseason.

Honorable Mention

Trending Up

• Los Angeles Rams +5000

Falling Down

• Seattle Seahawks +20000

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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.