Steve Starr
- Scroll below for updated odds to win each NFC division after the NFL’s 53-man roster cutdowns
- The addition of Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams makes the Seahawks (+175) a strong bet to upset the 49ers (+120) in the NFC West
- Tom Brady has too many offensive weapons for the Buccaneers (+140) to fail in the NFC South
After providing our best bets to win every AFC division, today we’re back with our boldest calls in the NFC, forecasting four new division winners in the conference this year.
Let’s look at the latest divisional odds and offer some winners before the NFL season kicks off on Thursday night.
ODDS TO WIN NFC NORTH
| Teams | Odds |
| Minnesota Vikings | +160 |
| Green Bay Packers | +175 |
| Chicago Bears | +400 |
| Detroit Lions | +475 |
VIKINGS WIN NFC NORTH (+160)
Way back in March, we advocated for a juicy +800 bet on the Lions to win the NFC North, and it’s worth noting that the the analysts at Football Outsiders have tabbed Detroit as the most likely NFL team to go from worst-to-first in their division in 2020.
We still support the Lions as a value at +475, but believe Minnesota (+160) will ultimately come out on top in a tight divisional race. After somehow getting Yannick Ngakoue to take a $6 million pay cut to leave the Jaguars and pair with Danielle Hunter on their defensive line, the Vikings now have two Pro Bowl talents coming off the edge.
Kirk Cousins just fine with getting coronavirus: ‘If I die, I die’ https://t.co/e9LVHVhnMN pic.twitter.com/ApzglXlROE
— New York Post (@nypost) September 2, 2020
The offense could be hard-pressed to replace Stefon Diggs, but we trust veteran offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to figure it out.
ODDS TO WIN NFC SOUTH
| Teams | Odds |
| New Orleans Saints | -120 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +140 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +900 |
| Carolina Panthers | +2000 |
BUCCANEERS (+140) WIN NFC SOUTH
We grabbed the Bucs at +700 before Tom Brady made the move to Tampa Bay, but when push comes to shove, we still like them at +140 even though all the value is now gone. With the recent addition of Leonard Fournette, Bruce Arians’ bunch is loaded at every offensive skill position.
Even at a reduced capacity, the 43-year-old Brady should be able to put points on the board with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and he’ll sure as hell protect the football better than Jameis Winston. That will only make Todd Bowles’ fifth-ranked defense (in 2019) all the tougher to score on.
.@TomBrady‘s weapons in Tampa:
– Mike Evans
– Chris Godwin
– Gronk
– O.J. Howard
– LeSean McCoy
– Leonard Fournette pic.twitter.com/A6tRbjXvfw— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 3, 2020
The Saints (-120) have won three-straight division titles and have the type of offensive continuity that should prove beneficial with a shortened preseason, but there are a few too many red flags. Namely, Alvin Kamara’s contract situation, Drew Brees’ “stand-for-the-anthem” snafu from earlier in the summer, and their failed bid at defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
ODDS TO WIN NFC WEST
| Teams | Odds |
| San Francisco 49ers | +120 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +175 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +575 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +600 |
SEAHAWKS WIN NFC SOUTH (+175)
While it brings a tear to every fantasy footballer’s eye that Pete Carroll and Brian Schottenheimer will probably never “Let Russ Cook“, the addition of star safety Jamal Adams means they might not ever have to.
Keep in mind that Seattle (+175) came within inches of defeating the 49ers (+120) in Week 17 last year and winning the NFC West. Since that time, San Francisco has suffered a myriad of injuries at the wide receiver position and could start slow even if sophomore Deebo Samuel and rookie Brandon Aiyuk somehow get back in the lineup for Week 1.
Most regular season TFLs by a safety since 2017:
1. Jamal Adams – 36
T-2. Landon Collins – 21
T-2. Harrison Smith – 21
4. Vonn Bell – 20
5. Tony Jefferson – 18 pic.twitter.com/EvnPQtKcQv— PFF (@PFF) August 30, 2020
The 49ers also shipped away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, so things won’t be so easy for Robert Saleh’s defense this year. In a loaded division with a retooled Rams (+575) team and an ascending Cardinals (+600) squad, we’re riding with Mr. Unlimited and the Seahawks.
ODDS TO WIN NFC EAST
| Teams | Odds |
| Dallas Cowboys | -135 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +160 |
| New York Giants | +1000 |
| Washington | +1400 |
COWBOYS WIN NFC EAST (-135)
The reports coming out of Cowboys camp about CeeDee Lamb make it hard to fathom how any defense will be able to contain a Dallas (-135) aerial attack that also features Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper, but the club’s one weakness this season could come from a traditional area of strength: offensive line.
With the retirement of center Travis Frederick, along with the recent news that right tackle La’el Collins has hip issues, suddenly the Cowboys OL looks vulnerable.
Owner Jerry Jones admits he forced CeeDee Lamb to wear Dallas Cowboys legacy No. 88 https://t.co/b7yerauwuW
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 31, 2020
The good news for Jerry Jones’ operation is that the division rival Eagles (+160) have suffered even more hardships along the line, losing both Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks and left tackle Andre Dillard to season-ending injuries.
While we no longer believe Dallas is a contender to finish with the best record in the NFL, the Cowboys should still crush their NFC East competition.
