NFL playoff odds: Patriots, Jets trending in opposite directions

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With the NFL expanding its playoff field to 14 teams this season, there's more opportunity than ever to take a shot on an under-the-radar squad with postseason aspirations - and even more certainty when betting the juggernauts.

Here are the full NFL playoff odds from theScore Bet, along with a few clubs to target at this early stage:

New Orleans Saints (-330 to make)

What's the scenario in which the Saints miss the playoffs? Drew Brees missed five games last year and New Orleans still won 13 tilts for a second straight season. The roster might be better now than it was in either of those campaigns, and even another Brees injury wouldn't be enough to derail this team.

Houston Texans (-150 to miss)

The Texans have made the playoffs in four of the last five years, but that was before Bill O'Brien traded away DeAndre Hopkins. O'Brien also did little in the offseason to improve a vulnerable defense and suspect offensive line, both of which will be issues in 2020. The schedule does Houston no favors, so this bet could be almost settled by the Week 8 bye.

New England Patriots (+180 to miss)

Betting against Bill Belichick is a frightening endeavor, but these odds are too good not to pounce on considering the state of the Patriots' roster. The offense lacks talent around second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and the defense lost the lion's share of the production from last year's impressive unit. Fade, fade, fade.

New York Jets (+400 to make)

If you're skeptical about the Jets' offensive line or expect stagnant play-calling to hold the team back, you're probably right. Yet this is largely the same roster that won seven games last season - despite some of the worst injury luck of any team this century, according to Football Outsiders. This is an intriguing bet at long odds based on positive regression alone, especially if Sam Darnold can take another step forward in his third NFL season.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.