Steve Starr
- New NFL 2020 Futures have the Chiefs (+475) and Ravens (+500) as the favorites to be the last undefeated team, but the two clubs face each other in Week 3
- The Saints (+850) and Buccaneers (+1000) square off in the NFL’s Opening Weekend
- The combination of a soft opening slate and a scary rushing attack makes Indianapolis an excellent value at +2000
Who will be football’s last undefeated team this season? While the question seems like a no-brainer at first glance, the NFL has an unrivaled ability to surprise us on an annual basis.
For instance, San Francisco started 8-0 in 2020 after finishing 4-14 the previous season. The year prior, Sean McVay’s Rams opened 8-0 and, in 2017, it was the Alex Smith-led Chiefs at 5-0.
What I’m saying is, this isn’t the type of bet to play it safe on. Let’s check the latest NFL Futures, weigh the schedules, and pick a winner.
NFL 2020 FUTURES – LAST UNDEFEATED TEAM
| Team | Odds |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +475 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +500 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +800 |
| New Orleans Saints | +850 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1200 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +1400 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1500 |
| Buffalo Bills | +1800 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +1800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2000 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2000 |
| New England Patriots | +2000 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2000 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +2500 |
| Tennessee Titans | +2800 |
| Chicago Bears | +3000 |
| Cleveland Browns | +3300 |
| Houston Texans | +4000 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +5000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +5000 |
| Denver Broncos | +5000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +6600 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +6600 |
| New York Giants | +7500 |
| New York Jets | +8000 |
| Carolina Panthers | +10000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +10000 |
| Detroit Lions | +10000 |
| Miami Dolphins | +10000 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +15000 |
| Washington | +15000 |
CONTENDERS TO START STRONG
Before betting on the Chiefs (+475) or Ravens (+500), keep in mind they play each other in Week 3. Baltimore also has what could be a tough home opener against the revamped Browns and a murderer’s row of opponents starting in Week 6.
Meanwhile, if KC escapes their road game versus Lamar and company, their only obstacles would be Cam Newton’s Patriots in Week 4 and the Bills in Week 6.
Brady’s letter to his parents from training camp is hilarious 😂 @TomBrady @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/36HpVGssbQ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 18, 2020
The Saints (+850) and Buccaneers (+1000) are in a similar spot, only they face each other in Week 1. Otherwise, ‘Tompa Bay’ has a relatively soft schedule until a Week 6 matchup with the Packers, who also face New Orleans in Week 3. Basically, it’s clear sailing for whatever club can get the win in the home opener.
With injuries decimating San Francisco’s receiving corps, we’re down on the 49ers (+800), but opening the season against the Cardinals, Jets and Giants doesn’t sound too bad. They do have the Eagles in Week 4, however.
BEST BETS TO SURPRISE
Impressive offensive weaponry and the league’s third-easiest schedule led us to recommended betting on Dallas to finish the 2020 season with the best record, but the Cowboys’ early-season slate (Rams, Falcons, Seahawks, Browns in first four weeks) gives us some pause at +1200 here.
Looking further down the board, we like the Colts (+2000) and their bulldozing ground game to run over the Jags, Vikings, Jets and Bears in the season’s first month. And while we’re all for the Kevin Stefanski era in Cleveland, the Browns, Bengals and Lions in Weeks 5-8 (bye included), don’t seem all that imposing.
Former Badgers RB Jonathan Taylor making a quick impression on Colts:https://t.co/QgK06J8FlE
— Dennis Krause (@DennisKrause1) August 19, 2020
Sticking in the AFC South, Ryan Tannehill and the Titans (+2800) are another sneaky possibility to be the NFL’s last undefeated team if they can carry over their momentum from last season.
Tennessee has Minnesota, Denver and Jacksonville in the first three weeks before tough games with the Steelers, Bills and Texans.
Best bet: Titans (+2800) at Betway.
