Yesterday, we went over the NFC East. Today, it’s the NFC South. The division is perhaps the most offensive minded in football and should be competitive this season. We’ll break the division and give you our favorite pick using the odds at Bovada and BetOnline.
We will provide odds for both Bovada and BetOnline’s divisional betting futures, but it’s still important to line shop for the best price available.
Bovada’s to Win NFC South Odds
BetOnline’s to Win NFC South Odds
Odds Analysis
The Falcons are coming off a Super Bowl loss, but it’s unfair to focus on that after the franchise had one of their best seasons in decades. We can expect some offensive regression with a few coaches leaving, but Matt Ryan and Company should still be one of the best in the league. They even have some room to build with an 11-5 finish last year. Their odds are identical at both Bovada and BetOnline at +170 to win the division.
The Panthers Super Bowl hangover after losing to the Broncos last season was for real. They managed just a 5-11 record after an NFC Title win in the 2015-16 season. Fresh after picking Stanford phenom, running back, Christian McCaffrey, they’re itching to make last season a distant memory. They’re a better bet at Bovada at +225 compared to +200 at BetOnline.
Tampa Bay narrowly missed the playoffs last season, going 9-7. They have upgraded on offense by adding DeSean Jackson to an already excellent unit. Like New Orleans, defense remains a problem for the Buccaneers. They’re a better bet at Bovada at +350 rather than at BetOnline where they are +325.
New Orleans is no longer a perennial contender. That shouldn’t fall on Drew Brees and the offense, but more so, on the defensive side of the ball. They’re still an awful team defensively, and that’s the main reason for them being the team that the oddsmakers believe in the least. They’re a better wager at +450 at BetOnline than at Bovada at +400.
Our Pick to Win the NFC South
Atlanta seems like the easy pick at these odds, but let’s remember that Matt Ryan has been a below average quarterback in recent years. That is, until last season. He also has lost his offensive coordinator. Their defense still has tons of issues.
I’m writing off the Panthers, mostly because of their poor secondary. Also, because Cam Newton is overrated by the masses and has not shown to be a consistently accurate passer. They plan to scale back his rush attempts this season, even more so than before, which hurts his overall effectiveness a lot.
New Orleans is a similar situation. Awful defense, but elite offense. The Saints didn’t make any major acquisitions in the offseason to improve their defense. They will continue to score a lot of points, but they will also to continue to give up a ton of points.
Much of this division is unsettled. It’s one of the more wide-open races in the NFL. The Buccaneers have an excellent blend of defensive and offensive prowess. Skill position wise, they have a great young quarterback in Winston. DeSean Jackson was added to help Mike Evans in the offseason.
In a division that is up for grabs – I’m betting on the emerging talent. Also, although the Buccaneers don’t have a great defense, it’s easily the best one in the AFC South. On paper, they could easily be argued as the best team in the NFC South. At +350, I’ll take my chances they end up at the top.
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +350 at Bovada
About the Author
Joseph Falchetti
Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.
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Joseph Falchetti | August 31, 2017Next post
