Best bet to win every NFC division
The NFL season is just over a week away, and there's still plenty of value in the division markets, where plus-money wagers can pay off in a big way. We already broke down the best bets to win each division in the AFC.
Here are the odds for every division in the NFC and our best bet to win each one:
NFC North| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | -160 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +225 |
| Chicago Bears | +400 |
| Detroit Lions | +2500 |
This market was more interesting when Aaron Rodgers was trying to force his way out of Green Bay, but his presence alone doesn't necessarily mean all is well with the Packers. Rodgers' MVP-level brilliance in 2020 masked some underlying issues with Green Bay's offense (especially along the line), and its defense is due for regression with a new coordinator and depth concerns at every level.
That opens the door for the Bears, whom I've been high on all offseason thanks to their elite defense and an upgrade at quarterback. Andy Dalton should provide enough stability to help Chicago maximize its skill-position talent; if Justin Fields can steal the starting job and show what made him a top-15 pick, the division title is well within reach.
Pick: Bears +400
NFC East| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | +125 |
| Washington Football Team | +240 |
| New York Giants | +400 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +450 |
Washington won this division a year ago despite a revolving door at quarterback, thanks to a young defense that ranked in the top five in seemingly every relevant category. Now, the team installs veteran gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick into an offense teaming with Pro Bowl-level talent and returns the core of that elite defense from a year ago. What's not to like?
The Cowboys may be the best team in this division when at full strength, but that's a lot to ask of a group that fell apart last year without Dak Prescott, who's still battling a shoulder ailment as he recovers from a gruesome ankle injury that sidelined him for most of 2020. Dallas would be more intriguing as an underdog, but with such a short price on the Cowboys, take the safer squad at better odds.
Pick: Washington +240
NFC South| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -200 |
| New Orleans Saints | +300 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +750 |
| Carolina Panthers | +1000 |
The Saints have won this division for four straight years, but even the biggest Jameis Winston truthers would admit it's an uphill battle for New Orleans to best the defending Super Bowl champions across a 17-game season. The Buccaneers return every starter from last year's title group - the first time that's happened in the salary cap era - and are a worthwhile bet even at short odds.
That said, I'm bullish on the Panthers, who have the offensive scheme and dynamic weapons to unlock Sam Darnold in his first year away from the New York Jets. Their defense is littered with first-round picks and should improve in Matt Rhule's second season at the helm. Tampa Bay will likely win this division, but I'll gladly take a shot on Carolina at this price.
Pick: Panthers +1000
NFC West| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | +140 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +190 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +260 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +550 |
The NFL's most competitive division also features its most compelling race at the top. The Rams had the league's best defense in 2020 and replace an inconsistent Jared Goff with record-setting passer Matthew Stafford, while the 49ers were the most injured team a year ago and retain the core from that 13-win group in 2019.
San Francisco might be the safer bet here, given the high-level roster talent and relative consistency from what we've already seen. Yet the upgrade at quarterback can't be overstated for Los Angeles, which looks like a lock to win 11 or 12 games if Stafford stays healthy. If he performs how many expect him to in Sean McVay's offensive scheme, the upside is even higher.
Pick: Rams +140
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.
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