The NFL season remains a couple of months away, but sportsbooks across the country are already releasing their future odds. DraftKings already has their future odds for the winners of all NFL divisions. These odds are sure to change over the off-season, especially with the NFL draft coming up soon. Plus, there is also training camp, which during injuries can occur. Nevertheless, odds are always worth looking at. These are the NFC South divisional winner future odds for the 2021 NFL season.
NFC South Odds by Team
A future in sportsbooks is a general term for any bet that does not occur until sometime in the future. Specifically, seasonal totals and overall winners are incredibly common futures. The NFC South possesses the defending Super Bowl champions, a retooling team, and two rebuilding ones. Surprise teams rise up the ranks every year and the NFC South might have one of those in 2021.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons come in with the longest odds to be the NFC South winner at +1000. The team hired a new head coach in Arthur Smith over this off-season to lead the experienced duo of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. They also brought in Mike Davis in an attempt to stabilize the backfield. Atlanta also looks to improve defensively with the signings of defensive backs Fabian Moreau and Erik Harris, on top of linebacker Barkevious Mingo. If this defense becomes even respectable, then the offense can work their magic, especially with Atlanta’s 2021 fourth-place schedule.
Carolina Panthers
Over the past two off-seasons, the Carolina Panthers have been among the busiest of teams. Matt Rhule is going into his second year as their head coach, and now the team believes they have their franchise quarterback after trading for Sam Darnold. The offense returns receivers D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Christian McCaffrey returns from an injury-plagued season. The defense should be better in 2021 with free agent signings in linebackers Denzel Perryman and Haason Reddick, as well as cornerback Rashaan Melvin. All three bring plenty of experience to a young Panthers defense. Coming in at +800 divisional winner odds, the Panthers might be the best value in the entire NFC South. One injury can change the look of an entire division and the Panthers could take giant steps forward in 2021.
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New Orleans Saints
Entering their first season post-Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints come in with the second-best odds to win the NFC South. The Saints start the season at +260 and have won 10 games or more in each of the past four seasons. The quarterback situation is no longer established with Brees’ retirement. It leaves Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill looking to fill the role under center. The Saints also lost key players like cornerback Janoris Jenkins and receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Not to mention if their elite defensive play returns in 2021, the Saints can make waves in the NFC South. Just last season, the Saints swept the entire NFC South in the regular season. This team can likely beat any team in their division assuming the quarterback situation works out.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It comes as no surprise that the defending Super Bowl champions come in as the favorite to win the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not lose any major contributors from this past season. That being said, it is easy to understand why they are favorited at -167 to win the NFC South. Only an injury might stand in the way of the Buccaneers in the NFC South. Then again, their defense is aging and showed signs of slowing down, especially when Vita Vea got hurt. Brady is also another year older, although, age can never be held against us. If the Buccaneers show any signs of slowing due to age or lacking drive from a Super Bowl win, almost any of the NFC South teams await.
NFC South Divisional Winner Future
The Saints defense will keep them in games most of the year, while Sean Payton and the offense will a change at quarterback for the first time since 2006. Atlanta has to improve on both sides of the ball to stand a chance and could get some help from scheduling and staying healthy. Tampa Bay returns many starters and looks to win the division, something they did not do in 2020. The best value in the NFC South might be the Panthers at +800. This team showed signs of growth in Rhule’s first year in charge and will continue to improve. With uncertainty at quarterback with the Saints, an aging roster in Tampa Bay, and a weak defense in Atlanta, the Panthers might be in the best position to surprise the NFL. Sam Darnold will of course have to take a giant leap forward in his career for this to happen. The chance might be worth it to those wishing to take a chance on some NFL futures.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
