Tag: 2020 NFL Bets

How many games will the Carolina Panthers win in 2020?

Assessing the Carolina Panthers’ projected win total for the 2020 NFL season, with best bets for their Over/Under, win range and exact win total.

How many games will the Carolina Panthers win in the 2020 NFL season? We look at BetMGM‘s projected win total and the Over/Under odds, while looking back at the 2019 season and key offseason roster changes.

Carolina Panthers’ 2019 season

Carolina struggled to a 5-11 record in 2019, dealing with the absence of QB Cam Newton. They were only slightly better against the spread, finishing 6-9-1 ATS. They were 11-5 O/U.

Carolina Panthers’ 2020 offseason changes

The Panthers overhauled their coaching staff, hiring former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule from the college ranks. They got rid of both their top quarterbacks, releasing Cam Newton and trading Kyle Allen. They signed Teddy Bridgewater to be the starter and added receiver Robby Anderson. They also drafted defensive tackle Derrick Brown in the first round of the draft.

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Carolina Panthers’ 2020 schedule

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 3: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 7: at New Orleans Saints

Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 13: BYE

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 15: at Green Bay Packers

Week 16: at Washington Football Team

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

Carolina Panthers’ 2020 win total: Best bet

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Projected wins: 5.5 / OVER: -120 / UNDER: +100

Not much is expected from the Panthers this season with an overhauled roster, a head coach without NFL head coaching experience and a strange offseason with the COVID-19 pandemic. They will most certainly be the last-place team in a tough NFC South. All-world running back Christian McCaffrey could give them one game in the division. They also have winnable games against Washington, the Chicago Bears and perhaps the Detroit Lions. Their games against the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos are toss-ups, and the rest look unwinnable. This team will be lucky to win five games this year. Take the UNDER +100.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Panthers will profit $10 if they win five games or fewer.

Exact season wins – bands

0-4 wins: +210

5-8 wins: -250

9-12 wins: +1200

13-16 wins: +8000

The favorite for the Panthers in bands of wins is 5-8, but that will pay out very little. Five seems to be their realistic ceiling. Between the value of the bet and the very likely possibility the Panthers will be bad, the BEST BET here is 0-4 WINS +210.

Exact wins: Best bet

If you are looking to bet on an exact total, five wins is the favorite at +265. Based on their schedule, your best bets are  4 WINS (+375) or 5 WINS (+265).  

Want action on NFL futures betting? Sign up and place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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How many games will the Baltimore Ravens win in 2020?

Assessing the Baltimore Ravens’ projected win total for the 2020 NFL season, with best bets for their Over/Under, win range and exact win total.

How many games will the  Baltimore Ravens win in the 2020 NFL season? We look at BetMGM‘s projected win total and the Over/Under odds, while looking back at the 2019 season and key offseason roster changes.

Baltimore Ravens’ 2019 season

The Baltimore Ravens were arguably the best team in the NFL last season, winning 14 games and clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Not only did they have the No. 3 ranked scoring defense in the league, but they finished No. 1 in scoring offense (33.2 points per game) for the first time in franchise history.

Led by MVP QB Lamar Jackson, the Ravens looked unstoppable for most of the year. But they failed to advance past the divisional round as the Tennessee Titans went into Baltimore and upset the Ravens. While the season ultimately led to a disappointing finish, it was a historic year for the franchise as they set a team record for regular-season wins (14).

Baltimore Ravens’ 2020 offseason changes

After being gashed on the ground by the Titans, the Ravens beefed up their front seven, adding All-Pro DE Calais Campbell and veteran DT Derek Wolfe. In the first round of the draft, the team added LSU star LB Patrick Queen and added Ohio State LB Malik Harrison a few rounds later.

The offensive side of the ball, the team lost All-Pro OG Marshal Yanda to retirement, but they added two young offensive linemen in the draft in LG Tyre Phillips and RG Ben Bredeson. Baltimore also added RB J.K. Dobbins in the second round and improved their wide receiver corps by selecting WR Devin Duvernay and WR James Proche late in the draft.

Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM, or play in their online casino. Bet now!

Baltimore Ravens’ 2020 schedule

Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 2: at Houston Texans

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 4: at Washington Football Team

Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 10: at New England Patriots

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 14: at Cleveland Browns

Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 16: vs. New York Giants

Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals

Baltimore Ravens’ 2020 win total: Best bet

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Monday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. ET.

Projected wins: 11.5 / OVER: -105 / UNDER: -115

The Ravens have a tough schedule to start the season, including a Week 2 at Houston, followed by a Week 3 game against Kansas City. However, their schedule is very soft at the end of the year as they will finish the season against six-straight non-playoff teams from a year ago.

If they manage to split those games early in the year, they should have no problem surpassing 11.5 wins, even if the rest of the AFC North improves. Take the Ravens over 11.5 wins with confidence as Baltimore has the coaching staff, quarterback play and defense needed to make a Super Bowl run in the 2020 season.

Exact season wins – bands

0-4 wins: +4000

5-8 wins: +1200

9-12 wins: -250

13-16 wins: +220

Another way to bet on the Ravens’ win total is to bet on “exact win bands.” If you believe 11 or 12 wins are the most likely outcome for the Ravens this season, you can bet on them to win between  nine and 12 games at a payout of -250.

While this doesn’t present a ton of value, it is a pretty safe bet as the team has won at least nine games in three-straight seasons. In fact, under head coach John Harbaugh, the team has won at least nine games in nine of his 12 years as the Ravens coach. Don’t be afraid to take the 9-12 wins band for the Ravens this season despite the low odds.

Exact wins: Best bet

After winning 14 games during the 2019 season, it seems somewhat unrealistic that they will be able to do that again. However, this is still one of the best teams in the NFL with arguably the deepest roster in the league. Still, the Ravens should easily hit double-digit wins this season and exactly 12 wins has a payout of +250.

Want action on NFL futures betting? Sign up and place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL win totals: How many games will the Arizona Cardinals win in 2020?

Assessing the Arizona Cardinals’ projected win total for the 2020 NFL season, with best bets for their Over/Under, win range and exact win total.

How many games will the Arizona Cardinals win in the 2020 NFL season? We look at BetMGM‘s projected win total and the Over/Under odds, while looking back at the 2019 season and key offseason roster changes.

Arizona Cardinals’ 2019 season

The Cardinals finished last season 5-10-1. They were much better against the spread, going 9-5-2. Their Over/Under (O/U) record was 9-7.

Arizona Cardinals’ 2020 offseason changes

The Cardinals made a lot of changes in the offseason at positions of need. They acquired WR DeAndre Hopkins in a trade that sent RB David Johnson to the Houston Texans. They re-signed RB Kenyan Drake and LT D.J. Humphries. They added DL Jordan Phillips and LBs Devon Kennard and De’Vondre Campbell in free agency. They selected LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson) in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and added OL Josh Jones (Houston), DL Leki Fotu (Utah) and DL Rashard Lawrence (LSU) with their next three picks.

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Arizona Cardinals’ 2020 schedule

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 2: vs. Washington Football Team

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 4: at Carolina Panthers

Week 5: at New York Jets

Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys (Monday night)

Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 14: at New York Giants

Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams

Arizona Cardinals’ 2020 win total: Best bet

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Monday, Aug. 2 at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Projected wins: 6.5 / OVER: -164 / UNDER: +135

The Cardinals hit their stride offensively in 2019 down the stretch. They retained almost everyone from last season and added Hopkins, arguably the best receiver in the league. Between the continuity in personnel and coaching, the development of quarterback Kyler Murray and the addition of a big-time wideout, they are poised to have one of the most exciting offenses in the league.

After being arguably the worst defense in the league in 2019, they added three defensive starters. They will have their two starting cornerbacks to start the year, unlike 2019, and drafted a dynamic playmaker in linebacker Isaiah Simmons and depth on the defensive line. Looking back to 2019, when they won five games, the defense was given a lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime three times and gave up the lead. One stop in each game would have led to having eight wins.

The offense will be better. The defense should be at least average. Their continuity in personnel and coaching will be valuable in the shortened offseason during the pandemic. They should be a lock to win at least seven games and will be in the mix for the postseason. Take the OVER 6.5 WINS (-164) confidently, although it will not be a big payout.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Cardinals will win $6.10 if they win seven games or more.

Exact season wins – bands

0-4 wins: +700

5-8 wins: -286

9-12 wins: +310

13-16 wins: +6500

The favorite for the Cardinals in bands of wins is 5-8, but that will pay out very little. Most feel pretty confident the Cardinals can win seven or eight games.

That isn’t the best bet to make. With the history over the last several seasons of second-year quarterbacks making huge jumps in production, expect the Cardinals to be in the mix for at least a wild-card berth in the postseason. If you are looking for a home run bet, take 9-12 WINS (+310). 

Exact wins: best bet

If you are looking to bet on an exact total, seven wins is the favorite at +270. Your two best bets are slightly higher than that. Take 8 WINS (+325) or 9 WINS (+500).  

Want action on NFL futures betting? Sign up and place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Las Vegas Raiders playoff odds and predicted total wins: NFL futures picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Las Vegas Raiders making the 2020 NFL playoffs and predicting their exact win total.

Will the Las Vegas Raiders make the 2020 NFL playoffs? Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds and make our pick. We also predict their exact win total for the upcoming season.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Tuesday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Will the Las Vegas Raiders make the 2020 NFL playoffs?

Yes: +240  | No: -304 

The Raiders improved quite a bit last season after going just 4-12 in 2018. They finished the season at 7-9 and were in the playoff hunt until the final week of the season. In fact, you can make a strong case the Raiders should have made the playoffs if it weren’t for two fourth-quarter collapses in Weeks 15 and 17.

Entering Year 3 of head coach Jon Gruden’s rebuild, the Raiders’ roster has been dramatically overhauled. This offseason, general manager Mike Mayock and Gruden focused on retooling the defense in free agency, adding key veterans such as DT Maliek Collins, LB Cory Littleton and DE Carl Nassib. On paper, this is the most talent the Raiders have had on defense in some time.

The Raiders’ 2020 season will ultimately boil down to just how well QB Derek Carr plays. He set career highs in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating in 2019, but it is clear Gruden wants his quarterback to be more aggressive throwing the ball down the field. The team added WR Henry Ruggs III with the No. 12 pick in the draft and that will finally give this offense the speed it has been lacking.

It’s clear this Raiders team is a distant second, at best, in the AFC West Division, and that means they will have to fight for a wild-card spot. The Raiders will play four playoff teams in their first five games. They could start the season off rough. Look for the Raiders to be a much-improved team from last season, but don’t necessarily expect them to make a run at the playoffs in 2020. Take the Raiders to MISS THE PLAYOFFS (-304) this season.

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How many games will the Las Vegas Raiders win in 2020? Bands

BAND ODDS
0-4 Wins +1100
5-8 Wins -223
9-12 Wins +200
13-16 Wins +12500

The Raiders won seven games last season, but they very easily could have won as many as 10 if it weren’t for a few last-second collapses. With a more difficult schedule this year, it seems unlikely they will improve by two or more wins this season.

The smart play here is to bet on the Raiders to win somewhere between 5-8 games (-223), but there is some outside potential they get to 9-12 (+200) if everything falls correctly. Given the odds for either bet, it’s not worth risking much here.

How many games will the Las Vegas Raiders win in 2020? Exact number

The most likely amount of wins for the Raiders this season based on the odds is 7 (+285). That feels about right given their schedule, their division and their roster.

There is a solid chance this team gets off to a slow start and that could have a major impact on their season. Six wins (+380) isn’t a bad bet and neither is 8 wins (+290). Expect the Raiders’ final win total in 2020 to fall between 6-8 wins with eight wins probably being the best bet on the board.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL team win totals: 5 over bets to make for 2020

A look at BetMGM’s NFL team win totals for 2020 and which Over bets you should make.

Win totals are out for all NFL teams the 2020 season. Every year, teams exceed those expectations, but the hard part is to know which teams will. Here we give you five teams on which you should take the Over and why.

2020 win totals

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, April 12 at 11:30 a.m. ET.

These are the win totals for all 32 NFL teams.

  • Arizona Cardinals: Over 7 -115, Under 7 -105
  • Atlanta Falcons: Over 7.5 -110, Under 7.5 -110
  • Baltimore Ravens: Over 11 -105, Under 11 -115
  • Buffalo Bills: Over 8.5 -189, Under 8.5 +155
  • Carolina Panthers: Over 5.5 -120, Under 5.5 +100
  • Chicago Bears: Over 8.5 +105, Under 8.5 -125
  • Cleveland Browns: Over 8.5 +110, Under 8.5 -130
  • Dallas Cowboys: Over 9.5 -115, Under 9.5 -105
  • Denver Broncos: Over 7.5 -105, Under 7.5 -115
  • Detroit Lions: Over 6.5 -125, Under 6.5 +105
  • Green Bay Packers: Over 9 -120, Under 9 +100
  • Houston Texans: Over 7.5 -150, Under 7.5 +125
  • Indianapolis Colts: Over 8.5 -154, Under 8.5 +130
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: Over 5.5 +115, Under 5.5 -139
  • Kansas City Chiefs: Over 11.5 -139, Under 11.5 +115
  • Las Vegas Raiders: Over 7.5 -105, Under 7.5 -115
  • Los Angeles Chargers: Over 7.5 -120, Under 7.5 +100
  • Los Angeles Rams: Over 8.5 -139, Under 8.5 +115
  • Miami Dolphins: Over 6 -110, Under 6 -110
  • Minnesota Vikings: Over 8.5 -159, Under 8.5 +130
  • New England Patriots: Over 9.5 +110, Under 9.5 -130
  • New Orleans Saints: Over 10.5 -110, Under 10.5 -110
  • New York Giants: Over 6.5 +105, Under 6.5 -105
  • New York Jets: Over 6.5 -115, Under 6.5 -105
  • Philadelphia Eagles: Over 9.5 +105, Under 9.5 -125
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: Over 9 -110, Under 9 -110
  • San Francisco 49ers: Over 10.5 -145, Under 10.5 +120
  • Seattle Seahawks: Over 9.5 +125, Under 9.5 -150
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Over 9 -139, Under 9 +115
  • Tennessee Titans: Over 8.5 -115, Under 8.5 -105
  • Washington Redskins: Over 5 -115, Under 5 -105

5 Over bets to make

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9 (-139)

The Bucs won seven games a year ago with QB Jameis Winston throwing 30 interceptions and with a defense that was awful most of the year. They replaced Winston with QB Tom Brady. The offensive weapons are still there and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ defense will be better from Week 1 as he has a track record of very good defenses.

Arizona Cardinals 7 (-115)

The Cards’ potent offense in 2019 will be even better. QB Kyler Murray enters his second year after an Offensive Rookie of the Year performance in 2019. RB Kenyan Drake will be there the whole season and they added WR DeAndre Hopkins. In free agency, they upgraded three starting spots. If the defense, which was almost the worst in the league in 2019, is only okay, they should still win more than seven games.

Detroit Lions 6.5 (-125)

The Lions won only three games last season but that can be attributed to QB Matthew Stafford being injured. They won three of eight games when he played. The defense improved in the offseason. They are good for a 7-9 or 8-8 season.

Houston Texans 7.5 (-150)

Despite what you think about head coach Bill O’Brien, Houston has had double-digit wins each of the last two seasons. That has more to do with QB Deshaun Watson than O’Brien. They did lose Hopkins to the Cardinals in a trade but he now has RB David Johnson, WR Randall Cobb and WR Brandin Cooks. They will still be relevant in the AFC South.

Indianapolis Colts 8.5 (-154)

The Colts won seven games in 2019 with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Now they have an aging Philip Rivers but there is no doubt he is better than Brissett. The offensive weapons are still there and the defense is still talented.

Want some action on any of these? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL team win totals: 5 Under bets to make

Looking at 2020 NFL team win totals and picking 5 Under bets to make.

The Over/Under win totals for every NFL team are posted at BetMGM, and while a lot of teams seem poised to go Over their projected number, it’s difficult to predict which ones will come in Under the projection in a disappointing 2020 campaign.

We’ve picked out five Under bets to make this year, expecting all five of these teams to come up short in 2020. The New York Giants and Cleveland Browns have been disappointments for years with little hope of turning around, while the Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears have quarterback questions to answer.

New York Giants: 6.5 (-125)

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday, April 11 at 9:15 a.m. ET.

The Giants have averaged only four wins per season over the last three years and it’s not as if they’ve improved during that span, either. Last season, they went 4-12 with an abysmal minus-110 point differential. QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley carry promise on offense, but there are durability concerns with Barkley, TE Evan Engram, WR Sterling Shepard and the offensive line has yet to be fixed. It’s hard to feel confident in the Giants winning at least seven games, which they’ve done just once since 2014.

Las Vegas Raiders: 7.5 (-115)

The Raiders are still rebuilding and don’t know exactly who their quarterback will be. They’ve won more than seven games only once since 2012 and have numerous holes on their roster needing to be filled – primarily at wide receiver and in the secondary. Whether it’s Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota running the show under center, the Raiders won’t be a .500 team. Take the Under and lock them in with a losing record in 2020.

Chicago Bears: 8.5 (-125)

Like the Raiders, the Bears have a quarterback controversy on their hands. Mitchell Trubisky will have to fend off Nick Foles this offseason, though neither QB is a very good option in Chicago. The Bears have plenty of talent on defense with Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roquan Smith and Eddie Jackson, but the offense doesn’t look like a unit that will strike fear in many opponents. They won’t win more than eight games next season.

Looking to wager on NFL win totals? Place a bet at BetMGM.

Cleveland Browns: 8.5 (-130)

Until the Browns actually prove they’re not the same sub-.500 team they’ve been each year since 2007, I refuse to believe they’ve turned the corner. Cleveland was one of the most-hyped teams in the NFL before last season and all the Browns did was go 6-10 to finish third in the AFC North. QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, WR Odell Beckham Jr. and WR Jarvis Landry are all big-name players, but they must play up to expectations. Last season, they absolutely did not, and the defense wasn’t nearly good enough either. With another new head coach, there could be an adjustment period, too.

Indianapolis Colts: 8.5 (+130)

Say what you will about Philip Rivers, but it’s hard to watch his tape from recent years and think he can lead the Colts to the playoffs. The Over/Under of 8.5 wins is fairly high and I’m not ready to call Indianapolis a winning team, even with Rivers under center. They went 7-9 last season and 4-12 in the other season Andrew Luck missed (2017), so they’ve had very little success without the former franchise QB. Darius Leonard, Malik Hooker and T.Y. Hilton are reasons for optimism, as is the offensive line led by Quenton Nelson, but Rivers’ shaky play will be their undoing.

Want some action on any of these? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL Futures Betting: NFC East Division Winner

Analyzing the 2020 NFL futures odds for which team will win the NFC East Division, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The NFL offseason is still very young. The draft is still a month away, and free agency is still a couple of weeks away, but it isn’t too early to start looking at NFL Futures betting. Looking at the NFC East, where it appears to be a two-team division with two rebuilding teams.

Despite being early, we look at the futures odds to win the AFC North.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 6 at 1:15 p.m. ET.

2020 NFC East odds: Dallas Cowboys (+110)

The Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are the favorites to win the division and are almost even money. Dallas was viewed as the more talented team in 2019 that simply under-performed, leading to the Eagles’ division win. They are one of three teams in the division with a new coach, as Mike McCarthy replaces Jason Garrett. Dallas’ offseason is focused on a pair of players — QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper. Both will be free agents. They still have a talented offensive line and arguably the best running back in the NFL in RB Ezekiel Elliott. They could lose CB Byron Jones in free agency and will likely have to address the tight end position. Offense wasn’t the problem, as they were tops in the league in yards gained and in the top five in scoring. No matter what happens in the offseason, Dallas should be in the mix to win the division. However, despite McCarthy’s track record in the league and having the same odds as the Eagles, it does take time to adjust to a new offensive and defensive system. They are a good bet but not a slam dunk by any means.

Get some action on 2020 NFL division winners by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

2020 NFC East odds: Philadelphia Eagles (+110)

The Eagles have the most stability in the division. They are the only team in the East to have their head coach return, and QB Carson Wentz returns as the starter. Questions remain about whether he is the long-term answer at the position after injuries derailed a promising trajectory. They were ravaged by injuries in 2019, especially at receiver and were middle-of-the-pack both offensively and defensively. They are expected to bolster the offense at receiver to give Wentz more than just a tight end and running backs to throw the ball to. They struggled in the defensive secondary. That will be an area of focus.

However, Doug Pederson is the one coach who remains in the division from 2019, and he has taken the Eagles to the playoffs each of the last three seasons with a Super Bowl title. As such, they make the smart play to win the division.

2020 NFC East odds: New York Giants (+900)

The Giants have a new head coach in Joe Judge and rebuild with young talents on offense, led by QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley and WR Sterling Shepard. With the fourth pick in the draft, they can give Jones more protection or add a defensive playmaker. After all, it was the defense that was the problem all season.

The Giants’ long odds are reflective of what it would take for the Giants to take a big leap from being a four-win team to a division winner. With better protection, Jones and Barkley can lead an offensive improvement and, with the right defenders being added, they make for an unlikely division winner, especially with a rookie head coach.

They are not a good bet.

2020 NFC East odds: Washington Redskins (+1200)

Washington cleaned out the front office and fired Jay Gruden. They replaced him with Ron Rivera as head coach, but they are truly rebuilding. They find themselves in a similar situation as the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. They have a second-year quarterback whose rookie season was far from impressive. They have a high draft pick and new coach. The Cardinals made strides with rookie QB Kyler Murray but still only won five games.

QB Dwayne Haskins should not be expected to improve the way Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes did between their first and second years, and if the Redskins move on from him and draft a quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert, he won’t likely play at the level that Murray did as a rookie.

Essentially, while 12:1 odds does offer an intriguing payout, it would basically be throwing money away.

Want action on the NFC East Division winner? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @senorjessroot and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL Futures Betting: AFC North Division Winner

Analyzing the 2020 NFL futures odds for which team will win the AFC North Division, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

It’s never too early to get into NFL Futures betting, even if we are just completing the scouting combine in Indianapolis and the draft and free agency hasn’t yet occurred. In fact, sometimes you can get a good price on a team before all hell breaks loose.

Case in point – the 2019 Cleveland Browns. They were near the bottom of the pack last spring before landing WR Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants. After several other moves, which appeared to be shrewd, they went from long shots to one of the favorites two win the Super Bowl, seeing their number shrink exponentially. We see now that it was foolish to take them early or late, as they wet the bed and didn’t even come close to making the postseason.

Below, we look at the futures odds to win the AFC North.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, March 3 at 10:25 p.m. ET.

2020 AFC North odds: Baltimore Ravens (-250)

The Ravens are one of just four division favorites with minus-odds, meaning you need to lay more than your potential return. That’s how heavily favored they are. In fact, they’re tied with the New Orleans Saints (NFC South) with the third-best chance of winning their respective division based on the odds – behind only the New England Patriots (AFC East) and defending champ Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West).

Get some action on 2020 NFL division winners by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

QB Lamar Jackson took the NFL by storm last season, and there is no reason to believe he will be slowing down anytime soon. Plus, the Ravens defense is nasty. Couple that with the fact the Pittsburgh Steelers are still not hitting on all cylinders, the Browns are still the Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals are picking No. 1 overall in the draft, and this should be a slam-dunk play.

2020 AFC North odds: Pittsburgh Steelers (+340)

The Steelers are expected to have QB Ben Roethlisberger back under center after losing him to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 1 last season. While he is getting a bit long in the tooth, he is much better for the team’s outlook than if Mason Rudolph or Devlin Hodges were taking snaps. They just missed out on a playoff spot with that duo at the helm. If the Steelers can grab a wideout playmaker in free agency or the draft, and plug a few holes, they could easily challenge the Ravens for the top spot. Coach Mike Tomlin seems to always have his team right there challenging in the end.

2020 AFC North odds: Cleveland Browns (+650)

The Browns still have an impressive offensive core with QB Baker Mayfield, RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Beckham and WR Jarvis Landry, etc. Plus, their defense is sick, too, returning DE Myles Garrett from his helmet-swinging suspension. They’re worth a small-unit wager, especially if they can add some beef to the O-line so Mayfield isn’t running for his life every down. The Browns will face a semi-favorable schedule due to their tumble down the standings to third place in 2019. Will they win the division? Probably not. But stranger things have happened, and their skill position players rival anyone in the NFL.

2020 AFC North odds: Cincinnati Bengals (+2000)

The Bengals are going to improve their personnel with the No. 1 overall pick, but they’re still much further away from the competition even with possibly adding a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. In fact, QB isn’t really their biggest issue, as Andy Dalton was more than serviceable for many years. He is expected to be dealt, perhaps to the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts or New England Patriots. They might get more draft picks in return from someone, helping them improve even quicker. However, they have so many holes to fill that it’s not worth taking a flier on them, even at this rate, which is sure to decrease slightly after some additions.

Want action on the AFC North Division winner? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL Futures Betting: AFC South Division Winner

Analyzing the 2020 NFL futures odds for which team will win the AFC South Division, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

Only dweebs insist “it’s too early to bet on the NFL.” If that were true, BetMGM wouldn’t have done us a solid and listed NFL division futures. The division we are tackling today is the AFC South, which has been dominated in recent years by the Houston Texans — to the tune of four division crowns in the last five seasons.

Below, we look at the futures odds to win the AFC South.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET.

2020 AFC South odds: Houston Texans (+170)

Is Bill O’Brien underrated? The Houston Texans are back-to-back reigning AFC South champions and have won the division four out of the six seasons he’s been the head coach. Even when O’Brien’s teams underperform they still find ways to win; the Texans finished last season with a 10-6 record but a minus-7 point differential. The offensive line, linebackers and the secondary are the most obvious areas of need for the Texans. Regardless of whether they adequately address these needs, we should expect O’Brien’s Texans to contend for the playoffs. 

2020 AFC South odds: Indianapolis Colts (+200)

The good news about this offseason is that it cannot go worse than the last offseason when now-former quarterback Andrew Luck abruptly retired two weeks before the start of the regular season. Backup QB Jacoby Brissett was promoted to the first string and the Colts crested at 5-2 before losing seven of their final nine games to go Under their 7.5 regular-season O/U win total with a 7-9 record.

Get some action on 2020 NFL division winners by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

Brissett’s future is in question and there’s a growing belief that the Colts will use free agency or the draft to upgrade at quarterback. They’ve been linked to Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Teddy Bridgewater, but have also been projected to draft Jordan Love, Justin Herbert or even Tua Tagovailoa. But at this moment Brissett is at the helm and a limited supporting cast featuring Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson, a depreciating WR T.Y. Hilton, and mediocre (yet somehow Pro Bowl) TE Jack Doyle. If the roster doesn’t dramatically improve this offseason, it could be another long, playoff-less season for the Colts.

2020 AFC South odds: Tennessee Titans (+200)

The Tennessee Titans (9-7) were the last remaining AFC South team in 2019, making it all the way to the AFC title game where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 35-24. Tennessee surged to a playoff appearance when QB Ryan Tannehill took over the starting job. Tannehill had a 7-3 record as a starter and was ranked first in yards per attempt and quarterback rating, and third in completion percentage. Still, the Titans are headed into the 2020 offseason facing questions because Tannehill and fellow Pro Bowl RB Derrick Henry are free agents. Henry was the straw that stirred the Titans drink and his dominance was the key to the Titans’ stunning playoff upsets of the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. It’s assumed the Titans will re-sign both Tannehill and Henry, but certainly not guaranteed. There’s even talk that head coach Mike Vrabel could lure free-agent QB Tom Brady down to Tennessee.

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2020 AFC South odds: Jacksonville Jaguars (+1000) 

The third full season of the Doug Marrone tenure in Jacksonville was an unmitigated disaster. Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey became disgruntled and was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, V.P. of Football Operations Tom Coughlin was fired, and the Jaguars missed the playoffs for the second straight season—finishing with a 6-10 record—after winning the AFC South in 2017. Nick Foles signed a four-year, $88 million contract in the 2019 offseason, got injured in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and saw the Jaguars turn to rookie QB Gardner Minshew — who finished the season as the starter even as Foles came back for limited duty. All signs point to Minshew being the starter next season but, the defense that was elite the previous two seasons finished 24th in the NFL last year and could be the focus of the front office this offseason. The fall-off in defensive sturdiness and a typically unimpressive offense make it clear that the Jaguars are the AFC South team with the most work to do this offseason.

2020 AFC South odds: the pick

It’s surprising how good of a price the Houston Texans (+170) are getting. Houston is the only AFC South team that has its franchise quarterback—Deshaun Watson—locked up heading into free agency and the draft. When healthy, Watson is throwing to one of the best receiving corps in the NFL with DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Stills and Will Fuller. Just like every team, the Houston Texans need to make roster improvements, but as of now, they are for sure the best bet to win the 2020 AFC South title.

Want action on the NFC South Division winner? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL Futures Betting: NFC West Division Winner

Analyzing the 2020 NFL futures odds for which team will win the NFC West Division, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The NFC West has become arguably the best division in football thanks to the recent resurgence of the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Each represented the NFC in the last two Super Bowls, while the Seattle Seahawks have finished above .500 every year since 2012.

Early odds on which team will win the division are out, allowing anxious bettors to wager on the NFC West champion far in advance of the 2020 season. So, let’s dig into the odds.

2020 NFC West odds: San Francisco 49ers (+115)

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, March 2 at 5:20 p.m. ET.

It’s no surprise that the defending champions and Super Bowl representatives are the favorites to win the NFC West again. Coach Kyle Shanahan is the cog that makes this engine go on offense, while the defense is littered with stars up front and at linebacker, namely with DE Nick Bosa and LB Kwon Alexander.

The 49ers aren’t overwhelming favorites to win back-to-back division titles, though, which shows just how strong the NFC West is from top to bottom. On paper, they do look like the best team with many of their top players returning.

A $10 wager on the 49ers to win the NFC West returns a profit of $11.50.

2020 NFC West odds: Seattle Seahawks (+200)

As long as QB Russell Wilson is in Seattle, the Seahawks will be in contention to win the division. They’ve never finished worse than second in the NFC West with Wilson at the helm, which shows how consistent they’ve been as of late. There’s little reason to believe they won’t once again be in the mix for a division crown, even if DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Ezekiel Ansah and LB Mychal Kendricks leave in free agency.

Get some action on 2020 NFL division winners by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

The combination of Wilson, a consistent running game and improved offensive line play make the Seahawks a legitimate Super Bowl contender next season – if they can get out of the NFC West.

2020 NFC West odds: Los Angeles Rams (+260)

The Rams are expected to undergo major changes this offseason, starting with the hiring of three new coordinators. They could lose three defensive starters in free agency and need a lot of help on the offensive line. Not to mention, RB Todd Gurley isn’t guaranteed to be on the roster in Week 1 and QB Jared Goff struggled mightily last season.

There’s a decent chance the Rams will remain a 9-7 team in 2020 behind shaky offensive line play and a defense that lacks talent around DT Aaron Donald on the front seven. CB Jalen Ramsey’s presence certainly helps, as does Donald on the interior, but there isn’t a lot of top end talent beyond those two guys and S John Johnson.

2020 NFC West odds: Arizona Cardinals (+2000)

The Cardinals had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season and lack playmakers around QB Kyler Murray, making this an important offseason in Arizona. They could add a top receiver in the draft at No. 8 overall, but RB David Johnson is a shell of his former self and RB Kenyan Drake could leave in free agency.

They’re getting close to contending in the NFC West, but they’re probably another year away. With the upside of them being +2000, though, and how often teams go from worst to first, they’re worth a small wager to win the division in the event that they have a strong offseason.

Want action on the NFC West Division winner? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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