There isn’t much in the way of sports to bet on right now. So the next best thing is to start thinking now — as free agency starts to come to a close and we head toward the 2020 NFL draft — is future betting on the NFL.
We decided to tackle the best bets you can make right now on potential division winners, and as usual, we split it into a somewhat unscientific short odds (teams listed as favorites only), medium odds (others within that 2-3 range) and complete longshots.
Here’s what we came up with (all odds courtesy of BetMGM):
Short odds
Patriots (-110)
I know, I know. The Patriots lost Tom Brady, but I’m not going to turn down an even money bet on Bill Belichick winning the AFC East. Not when a team quarterbacked by Josh Allen is the only real threat to New England’s domination of this division. I’d jump on these odds before Belichick finds a veteran answer at quarterback. — Steven Ruiz
Indianapolis Colts (+155)
With DeAndre Hopkins out of Houston, the battle for the AFC South crown should be between Indianapolis and Tennessee. Though Philip Rivers is 38 years old and will turn 39 midseason, he’s still an upgrade from Jacoby Brissett, and the Titans’ roster overachieved in 2019. You could talk me into betting Tennessee if the odds were around +200, but with both teams at +155, I’m taking Indy. — Nick Schwartz
Green Bay Packers (+125)
The Pack won the NFC North last year by a whopping three games, and I don’t see anything much changing here. Is Kirk Cousins suddenly going to have a career year out of nowhere? Will the Vikings be able to replace Stefon Diggs’ production after trading him and replacing him with Tajae Sharpe? No and no. I’m surprised these odds aren’t even lower. — Charles Curtis
Medium odds
Dallas Cowboys (+130)
The Cowboys should be the favorites to win the division. Their rotten luck in close games will regress to the mean in 2020, and don’t discount the boost the team will get after it finally moved on from Jason Garrett. The Eagles will be healthier, sure; but on paper, Dallas has more talent. — SR
Seattle Seahawks (+240)
Russell Wilson is arguably the second most-valuable quarterback behind Lamar Jackson, and the 49ers and Rams are still stuck with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jared Goff, respectively. Assuming the 49ers endure even a minor Super Bowl year hangover and the Rams remain the Rams and the Cardinals continue to improve, the race for the NFC West should go down to the final week. There’s a lot of value here at +240. — NS
Buffalo Bills (+165)
I think the Patriots still find a way to win the division, because Bill Belichick. But a defense that was already really good will continue to get better, and the Diggs trade gave them a boost at receiver to help out Josh Allen. I admittedly don’t love the odds here — I wish they were a little longer — but whatever, I’d throw a few bucks on them right now. — CC
Long Odds
Los Angeles Chargers (+1000)
Outside of the quarterback position, the Chargers have just as much talent as the Chiefs. And if they can land Cam Newton, the gap at QB will close significantly. Even with Newton on the roster, Kansas City will be overwhelming favorites, but at 10/1 odds, it’s hard to turn down that value. — SR
Chicago Bears (+400)
The Bears got better on defense by adding Robert Quinn this offseason, and while Nick Foles may prove to be an expensive lateral move at QB, there exists a scenario where he supplants Mitch Trubisky, remains healthy and goes on another glorious run while the Packers and Vikings beat each other up. It’s more likely that Chicago keeps Trubisky on the field for longer than they should, but that’s why this is a long shot bet. — NS
Houston Texans (+310)
I’ll give you a minute to stop laughing. Go ahead.
Done? Good. Let me present this scenario. What if Philip Rivers struggles more for the Colts? And what if Ryan Tannehill falls to Earth and Derrick Henry isn’t as effective a year after hitting the dreaded 300-carry mark for the Titans?
With that in mind, is it really that out of the question to see those odds and think that Deshaun Watson could single-handedly carry this team to a division win again, as long as he’s not disgruntled? Bet you’re not laughing now. And at +310, there’s value. — CC
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