NFC Division Winner Odds: Underdog Panthers Set To Pounce On The NFC South

Steve StarrSteve Starr | May 6, 2019
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton
Can Cam Newton get the Carolina Panthers back to the top of the NFC South in 2019? (Photo credit: Pantherfan11 CC License], via Wikimedia Commons.)
  • Bovada has updated NFL Division Odds for all 16 NFC teams
  • The Bears (+170) might be a bad bet in the NFC North with the Packers (+200) and Vikings (+230) lurking
  • The Carolina Panthers (+550) look like spectacular value in the NFC South

Following free agency and the draft, NFL rosters are pretty much set heading into the summer. After handicapping each AFC division earlier in the week, it’s time to pick some winners in the NFC using the latest odds from Bovada.

Odds to Win NFC East

Teams NFC East odds at Bovada
Philadelphia Eagles -105
Dallas Cowboys +130
Washington Redskins +1000
New York Giants +1500

The G-Men are a league-wide laughing stock after trading Odell Beckham Jr and drafting QB Daniel Jones sixth overall. Washington’s Dwayne Haskins pick at #15 was met with far less skepticism, and their defense looks downright abusive after claiming Reuben Foster on waivers and trading up for edge rusher Montez Sweat.

However, the smart money has the Cowboys or Philadelphia winning the division for the sixth time in seven years.

With a talented young defense, a full year of Amari Cooper, and the expected healthy return of center Travis Frederick, Jerry Jones is dreaming of Dallas’ first Super Bowl since 1995 (of course he is).

Meanwhile, Eagles GM Howie Roseman is getting credit for painting another masterpiece after deftly maneuvering the salary cap and draft.

NFC East Betting Advice: Eagles (-105) or Cowboys (+130)

Odds to Win NFC North

Teams NFC North odds at Bovada
Chicago Bears +170
Green Bay Packers +200
Minnesota Vikings +230
Detroit Lions +900

My absence of belief in the Bears (detailed here) stems from my lack of faith in Mitch Trubisky and the departure of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but 3rd-round power back David Montgomery should give Chicago’s offense even more juice heading into year two under coach Matt Nagy.

Before the draft, I detailed the pros and cons of picking the Packers to win 10 games, and after Round 1 I laid out why I’m more optimistic than most about the Vikings chances. In the NFC’s most-competitive division by far, there are no easy bets.

NFC North Betting Advice: fade the Chicago Bears (+170)

Odds to Win NFC South

Teams NFC South odds at Bovada
New Orleans Saints -200
Atlanta Falcons +400
Carolina Panthers +550
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1100

The Panthers were 6-2 and riding a three-game win streak heading into a Week 10 Thursday nighter with Pittsburgh when TJ Watt essentially ended their season with a helmet to throwing arm hit on Cam Newton. While Superman’s second shoulder surgery in less than two years is worrisome to say the least, Vegas is severely underrating a Carolina team with sophomore receiver D.J. Moore and muscle-bound Christian McCaffrey.

While Bruce Arian’s Bucs can be safely ignored, the Falcons could be frisky after using the NFL Draft to beef up their offensive line in front of Matt Ryan. The Saints remain the heavy favorites to win their third-straight NFC South title, but 40-year-old Drew Brees seemed to fall off a cliff down the stretch of 2018.

NFC South Betting Advice: the Carolina Panthers (+550) are great value

Odds to Win NFC West

Teams NFC West odds at Bovada
Los Angeles Rams -200
Seattle Seahawks +300
San Francisco 49ers +550
Arizona Cardinals +2500

After an ugly 13-3 Super Bowl implosion to the Patriots, the Rams have done surprisingly little on offense this offseason. Coaching wunderkind Sean McVay is also dealing with a brain drain of sorts after OC Matt LaFleur and quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor left to head up the Packers and Bengals, respectively.

Seattle doesn’t look particularly well-positioned to stop the Rams two-year reign in the NFC West. So far, the Seahawks biggest spring story lines have been the trade of defensive end Frank Clark, Doug Baldwin’s pending retirement, and the gross lovey-dovey video Russell Wilson posted with his wife Ciara after re-signing.

Still, I like the Seahawks chances after GM John Schneider magically turned a league-low four choices in the NFL Draft to 11 picks by the time it ended. Pete Carroll is a college coach at heart, and his message always seems to resonate stronger with young players.

NFC West Betting Advice: Seahawks (+300)

Steve Starr

Steve is one of the many Americans who spends Sunday watching football on the couch and gorging on delicious eats. He describes himself as a good father, great dog owner, and mediocre gambler and husband.