They are, but will most likely come up against Melbourne or Canterbury in the first round of semis away from home. i think they'd need for absolutley everything to be exactly right for them to win, eg Storm or Dogs to have a shocker, Ref to favour them with a couple of decisions, the planets in correct alignment etc.
That applies for whoever finishes finishes 7th and 8th, whether it be the Broncos, Raiders, Sharks, Cowboys or whoever. However, I reckon that the Storm and the Bulldogs will be most vulnerable in the later games
The Eels are specials though, just like they were last year