Steve Starr
- BetOnline lists the San Francisco 49ers with the highest win total (10.5) in the NFC
- The Panthers and Lions both have win totals of 6.5 with rumors surrounding the futures of their star QBs
- Kyler Murray’s improved play down the stretch makes the Cardinals (5.5) a confident OVER
As is the case in the AFC, many NFC franchises face question marks at the QB position with free agency and the draft yet to unfold.
The Panthers’ failure to commit to Cam Newton’s future in Carolina likely spells the end, while the Lions could also hit the rest button by replacing Matthew Stafford with Tua Tagovailoa. Meanwhile in Tampa Bay, Bruce Arians has to decide if he wants to spend the waning years of his career with 30-30 man Jameis Winston.
With QB rumors rampant around the league, let’s look at the NFC Win Totals at BetOnline and make some wagers.
2020 NFC WIN TOTALS
| NFC Team | Regular-Season Win Totals | Over Odds | Under Odds |
| Arizona Cardinals | 5.5 | -130 | +100 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 | -115 | -115 |
| Carolina Panthers | 6.5 | +100 | -130 |
| Chicago Bears | 8 | -130 | +100 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 9 | -200 | +160 |
| Detroit Lions | 6.5 | -150 | +120 |
| Green Bay Packers | 9.5 | +100 | -130 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 8.5 | -140 | +110 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 9.5 | +100 | -130 |
| New Orleans Saints | 10 | -130 | +100 |
| New York Giants | 6.5 | +100 | -130 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | -115 | -115 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 10.5 | -130 | +100 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 9 | -105 | -125 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7.5 | -115 | -115 |
| Washington Redskins | 5.5 | -150 | +120 |
PANTHERS AND LIONS HEADING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Carolina and Detroit are each sitting with 6.5 win totals. Take the UNDER on a rebuilding Panthers team that has already jettisoned tight end Greg Olsen and lost future Hall-of-Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement.
Time isn’t exactly of the essence for new Panthers head coach/preacher Matt Rhule after he received a massive seven-year, $62 million contract from billionaire owner David Tepper, so don’t expect a win-now mentality. Once Cam is traded for draft picks, the franchise will likely move forward with a rookie signal-caller like Justin Herbert or go back to Kyle Allen in hopes of tanking for Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.
“Once an MVP always an MVP. If he is healthy, this is the QB version of LeBron James.” — @nateburleson on QB @CameronNewton. pic.twitter.com/A1QoXjONP0
— GMFB (@gmfb) February 12, 2020
Matt Patricia’s situation is much different in Detroit after coaching his club to a 9-22-1 record over his first two seasons with the franchise. While drafting Tua at No. 3 is definitely an option, it’s far more likely that the Lions parlay their catbird seat in the draft into a delicious pick package from a team like the Dolphins, Chargers or Panthers.
With some extra draft capital, the Lions should be able to rebuild their defense and add some weapons for Matthew Stafford. The 32-year-old was enjoying a successful first year in Darrell Bevell’s offense before suffering a season-ending back injury. Take the OVER.
ARIZONA CARDINALS – OVER 5.5 WINS
With half of the NFL seemingly looking for a fresh start at quarterback, the Cardinals have to feel pretty good about kicking Josh Rosen to the curb and drafting Kyler Murray at No. 1 last season.
The AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year joined Newton as the only QBs with 3,500-plus pass yards and 500-plus rush yards in their first seasons in NFL history, and led all rookies in completions (349) and passing yards (3,722).
Kyler Murray’s (@K1) best throws from his Offensive Rookie of the Year Season:
His deep ball accuracy and elusiveness to evade pressure and create out of structure gives Kyler the potential become an elite NFL QB. pic.twitter.com/zc6ZEbBw2F
— NFL Film Review (@NFLFilmReview) February 5, 2020
The diminutive dual-threat star also improved drastically down the stretch, setting up a big second season under offensive-minded head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
While Arizona plays in a loaded NFC West and has tons of needs on both sides of the ball, there is no way they don’t exceed their 5.5 win total in Kyler’s second year in the league.
