NFL Futures: Best Bets to Win the NFC (2021)
Opening kickoff of the 2021 NFL season is still nearly three months away, but savvy bettors are placing wagers now on their favorite futures. One of the most intriguing futures bets is the NFC Winner. With so many talented teams to choose from (including the reigning Super Bowl champs) and a few under-the-radar squads on the come-up, there are great odds across the board. Here are my five favorites.
Odds come from BettingPros Consensus
View our consensus futures odds for NFL teams to make the Super Bowl >>
Buccaneers +325
This one should be pretty obvious, right? The defending champs come in with the best odds to win the NFC, and that’s for good reason. Tampa Bay’s offense, led by the incomparable Tom Brady, will return its key offensive weapons for a squad that finished behind only Green Bay in points per game in 2020 (30.8). The defense, which ranked seventh-best in points allowed (21.6), will also return many key pieces. The band is back together for another run at the title, and picking the Bucs to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl for another season is a smart bet with a lot of upside. If you need a little more sugar on top of this analysis, the Bucs have the fourth easiest strength of schedule in the NFL.
Rams +600
Just three years removed from winning the NFC, the Rams come in with the second-best odds to do so in 2021. The upgrade at quarterback from Jared Goff to Matt Stafford has moved the needle for Vegas, as the offense is expected to take a needed step forward in 2021. The Rams were one of the stingiest defenses to opposing teams in 2020 (second-fewest points allowed) but struggled to consistently move the ball and score (23.3 points per game, 22nd in NFL). Still, this team went 10-6 and won a Wild Card playoff game last season. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this team in 2021, particularly if the defense can remain elite.
Packers +800
As of now, Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Packers is uncertain. That’s why this is a tasty line to snatch up now while he and the Packers are still duking it out in not-so-private fashion. This line is sure to become less favorable if Rodgers returns to Green Bay this season, so take advantage of the uncertainty now at +800. Green Bay sports a quality offensive line, an emerging defense, studs at running back and receiver, and the reigning MVP. There is a lot to like for a team that finished 13-3 in 2020 and lost by just five points in the NFC Championship.
Cardinals +2000
My goodness does this offense look good on paper. Electric quarterback Kyler Murray will return DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk, and the team added Rondale Moore through the draft and A.J. Green and James Conner in free agency. This defense can take another step forward in 2021 as well. The additions of first-rounder Zaven C0llins and marquee free agent J.J. Watt will join Chandler Jones and Isaiah Simmons to form an elite unit. The Cardinals have potential for noticeable improvement on both sides of the ball, which is why there is a possibility of them winning the NFC.
Football Team +2200
Vegas has the odds stacked against the Football Team to win the NFC, but this isn’t the most outrageous bet in the book. The team upgraded at quarterback from last year’s Alex Smith swan song, and Antonio Gibson will be back for a second season after breaking out as a rookie. The receiving corps gets an upgrade in the forms of Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. That’s just the offense.
Washington could be the best defense in football in 2021, and the elite talent on that side of the ball shouldn’t be overlooked. Anchored by Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and Kendall Fuller, this formidable defense is one to be feared. If you want to take a flier on a team that could pay sweet dividends, this is my favorite pick.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.