Steve Starr
- BetOnline has odds on what NFL teams will finish with the best and worst regular-season records in 2021
- The Chiefs (+300) and Buccaneers (+500) are favored to top the standings this year
- It promises to be an ugly year for a Houston Texans (+175) club that could go winless in 17 games
Of all the major sports, the NFL is easily the best at creating parity. But heading into the 2021 season, there’s varying levels of hope across the league’s 32 fan bases that their team is Super Bowl bound.
While the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Bills won’t be satisfied unless they hoist the Lombardi Trophy, the Texans and Lions would probably be happy not to go winless in 17 games.
Let’s see what franchises are favored to finish with the best and worst regular-season records this year. Also be sure to check out our tips for betting on NFL football games.
Best Regular Season Record
 |
|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +300 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +500 |
| Buffalo Bills | +900 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1200 |
| Cleveland Browns | +1200 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +1200 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1200 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1400 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +2500 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2500 |
| Denver Broncos | +2800 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2800 |
| Miami Dolphins | +3300 |
| New England Patriots | +3300 |
Fade the Chiefs?
Kansas City (+300) cruised to a league-best 14-2 record last year before being crushed by the Buccaneers in the season finale. While it’s always difficult to bet against Patrick Mahomes, only eight times in 55 years has a team that lost the Super Bowl returned to play it again the next year. Factoring in the inevitable hangover, a lack of weapons outside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, and improving divisional rivals (Chargers, Broncos), the Chiefs sure don’t feel like a sure bet.
Tom Brady’s Buccaneers (+500) have the fifth-easiest schedule in the league, according to Warren Sharp, and a clear path to the NFC South division title with Drew Brees out to pasture. The anti-vaxxers in Buffalo (+900) could also have a shot, however, we expect their division rivals in New York and New England to be much improved in 2021.
What was @PatrickMahomes' best game of 2020? ✍️ pic.twitter.com/QikGsqvrE4
— NFL (@NFL) July 3, 2021
With the third-softest schedule and a much-improved defense, the Browns (+1200) are one of the better values on the board. Stay away from the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers though – all those clubs being listed at +1200 suggests that no one will run away with the NFC West.
If you think you have any clue how this Aaron Rodgers saga ends, you could always put money on Green Bay (+2000) or Denver (+2800). Indianapolis is also intriguing at +2500 if only for the fact they have the sixth-easiest slate of games and their division stinks.
Best Regular Season Record
|
|
| Houston Texans | +175 |
| Detroit Lions | +300 |
| New York Jets | +700 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +1000 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +1200 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +1200 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +1400 |
| Carolina Panthers | +1600 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2500 |
| New York Giants | +2500 |
| Chicago Bears | +2800 |
| Denver Broncos | +2800 |
| Washington Football Team | +3300 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +5000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +5000 |
Houston could go 0-17
Only five teams have had winless campaigns in NFL history and only two — the 2008 Detroit Lions and the 2017 Cleveland Browns — accomplished the feat with a 16-game season. But don’t let the addition of a 17th game on the schedule dissuade you from betting on Houston to do just that.
At the very least, the Texans (+175) are a lock to finish with the worst record in the league. Even if Deshaun Watson pulls a Bill Cosby and miraculously walks free in the next two months, all indications are he’s done in Houston. This is a hopeless franchise bereft of a quarterback, defense or any skill-position talent. Bet the farm.
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