“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This edition’s bets feature our favorite NFL futures for the 2024/25 Division Winners market.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Between Bets: NFL Futures | 2024/25 Division Winners
Atlanta Falcons To Win the NFC South (-130)
The Atlanta Falcons are one of three teams, along with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Fransisco 49ers, that are not at plus-odds to win their division. The Falcons were 7-9 last season, finishing third in the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South, finishing 9-7, which is sadly better than the prior season in which they won the division while finishing 8-9.
All of this to say, the NFC South is still putrid and the Falcons have the best roster after putting QB Kirk Cousins at the helm. Cousins has plenty of weapons around him to turn this offense into – at a bare minimum – the best in the NFC South and perhaps one of the best in the NFC. Tampa Bay skirted by last season against subpar competition. It’s hard to see a path that doesn’t include the “Dirty Birds” at the top of the NFC South.
Philadelphia Eagles To Win the NFC East (+135)
The Philadelphia Eagles’ and the Dallas Cowboys’ (+125) odds are the two closest of any division. While the Eagles lost beloved center Jason Kelce, they still boast one of the most prolific offensive lines in all of football. General manager Howie Roseman continued his wizardry this free agency period, adding running back Saquon Barkley and linebackers Bryce Huff and Devin White. The Eagles are adding pieces and continuing to reload, whereas the Cowboys are losing pieces and hoping to keep pace.
Green Bay Packers To Win the NFC North (+210)
The Green Bay Packers ended the regular season absolutely en fuego, winning four straight games on the back of QB Jordan Love, throwing 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The NFC North champion Detroit Lions had a magical run last season and were an eyelash away from playing in the Super Bowl. While the Lions are favored (+150) to repeat as NFC North champs again, the reality is that it’s difficult to do so. The Lions were 5-3 last season in games decided by seven points or less, including a home opener in which the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs were without TE Travis Kelce.
The Green Bay Packers were 4-5 in games decided by seven points or less. Variance year over year in the NFL is why we often see so many new division winners each season. Four new teams claimed their division in 2023/24.
Admittedly, I don’t think the Lions are a pushover; they appear to be here to stay under head coach Dan Campbell. The Packers, however, look poised to continue adding to their already impressive young squad in the NFL Draft with what is projected by tankathon.com as the fifth-most selections. If Love continues to improve and RB Josh Jacobs bolsters a renewed backfield, the Pack could reclaim the NFC North again.
Thanks for reading my favorite NFL futures for the 2024/25 Division Winners market. Looking for more NFL betting and fantasy football advice? Follow me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley.
*Photo Credit: Bob Donnan – USA TODAY Sports*