Bookmaker.com NFL Betting: NFC Futures / Odds
The Arizona Cardinals came within inches of completing one of the most improbable runs in NFL history. While they didn’t win the Super Bowl, the Cardinals’ march through the regular season and playoffs has their NFL futures odds for 2009 a little smaller compared to past years.
Sportsbook odds have Arizona priced at +900 to win the NFC championship again, and have the team as a -145 favorite to top the NFC West. As long as Kurt Warner can continue to dodge Father Time and has Larry Fitzgerald and/or Anquan Boldin to throw to, the Cardinals should win the NFL’s weakest division.
The Seattle Seahawks (+275) and San Francisco 49ers (+300) are still reloading their rosters. Seattle finally has a marquee receiver in T.J. Houshmandzadeh – now Matt Hasselbeck’s back must stand up to a full season. And as for the Niners, quarterback Alex Smith is looking strong in camp coming off shoulder surgery but still hasn’t lived up to his first-overall billing.
While competition in the NFC West lacks drama, there are more than enough compelling storylines in the NFC East. One of football’s toughest divisions is up for grabs after a busy offseason. The New York Giants are +160 chalk to win the division and priced at +650 to return to the Super Bowl, but will have to do so without receiver Plaxico Burress.
The team dropped the troubled talent after his shooting accident last season and now must tweak its receiving corps heading into the new season. Not having that big target hurt quarterback Eli Manning last year – especially in the last few games of the season. The Giants’ defense will be great again after ranking among the stingiest in the NFL last season, and has wrecking ball Osi Umenyiora back from knee surgery.
The Dallas Cowboys (+210) are also tinkering with their wideouts after cutting Terrell Owens loose this spring. The Cowboys do have Roy Williams to fill in for T.O. and should get better production from the Texas native now that he’s had time to work with Tony Romo.
The Philadelphia Eagles (+250) and Washington Redskins (+500) can’t be counted out. Philadelphia brought in a lot of young talent but might miss running back Brian Westbrook to start the year. Washington improved both its defensive and offensive lines this offseason.
Another tight race will be in the NFC South. All four teams played at least .500 football last season and three of those clubs, the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints, are all at +200 to win the division this season.
Carolina was the top team in 2008 behind great two-way efforts. The Panthers’ offense is underrated with running back DeAngelo Williams coming off a breakout season. On defense, Carolina restored itself among the NFL’s elite and should have Julius Peppers back in a revamped stop scheme under new coordinator Ron Meeks.
Atlanta and New Orleans’ chances depend on their respective quarterbacks. The Falcons have high expectations for second-year pivot Matt Ryan after he led the team to a playoff berth in his rookie campaign. Drew Brees is coming off a monster year and will again be among the best arms in the league. The Saints just need the defense to show up once in a while.
Things got interesting in the NFC North over the summer. The Chicago Bears gladly opened their doors to disgruntled quarterback Jay Cutler, bumping them up to +170 to win the division and to +900 to top the NFC. Cutler gives the Bears the quarterback they’ve so desperately needed and puts the pressure on Chicago’s defense to pull up its socks after struggling the past two seasons.
Also sitting at +170 to claim the NFC North are the rival Green Bay Packers. Green Bay proved there is life after Brett Favre with a solid 2008 season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hushed doubters and carried the team on his back. The defense is getting a much-needed facelift under new coordinator Dom Capers but will struggle to adjust to his 3-4 schemes.
The Minnesota Vikings (+155) are the favorites to take the NFC North title. While the team has pursued Favre during the offseason, sportsbooks see enough potential in Minnesota to tag it at +900 to win the NFC championship. The Vikings’ hard-hitting defense sometimes gets overshadowed by what running back Adrian Peterson does with the football. Peterson proved he is the best set of legs in the NFL last year and will headline an improved offense – with or without Favre.
2 replies on “NFL Betting: NFC Futures”
The NFC should be a wide open battle this season as there are several teams that have a chance to win the Conference. I disagree with you on the Cardinals winning the West.
Odds are against Super Bowl losers winning their division the following year.
I’ve been saying it since early February…the Cardinals WILL NOT WIN the NFC West this year