Which NFC Division Winner Future Offers the Best Value?
NFC East
Cowboys +200
Giants +200
Eagles +140
Redskins +1200
There is no sense in getting crazy and betting the Redskins here. I love RG3 as much as the next guy, but they have no realistic shot in winning this division. The Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles all are going to get their fair share of attention, but I do not think any team really offers much value. I faded the Eagles last year in many spots but feel they are probably the best bet in this division this year. They addressed defense in the draft (their glaring weakness last year) and usually teams take a year to really start to gel.
Best Values: Eagles +140
Bets I Placed: None
NFC North
Bears +450
Lions +450
Packers -300
Vikings +2000
Not going to find me betting the Vikings or the Packers here. One lesson I learned in the NFL long ago was to never become too confident in any one team simply because too many injuries occur at the high levels of football. I like the Bears here but cannot say I love them just yet. A disgruntled Forte along with the addition of the immature Brandon Marshall is not a great sign to me. They also only addressed finesse positions in the draft and may suffer because of it. The Lions, on the other hand, addressed defense in the draft and also added another weapon at WR in Ryan Broyles. I think they give the Packers everything they can handle.
Best Values: Lions +450, Bears +450
Bets I Placed: Lions +450
NFC South
Falcons +180
Panthers +600
Saints -140
Buccaneers +1200
Betting the Saints here is not a good idea. They lost their coach for the entire year and the primary ingredient in winning NFL games is great coaching. They also have some suspensions to deal with as well. I think they regress significantly and struggle to win 8 games. The Falcons are also getting old in some key positions (like DE) and did little to improve in the draft. I still have them winning the division though, but do watch out for the Panthers and Cam Newton. They are on the rise and have added pieces to surround him now; I think they push ATL all the way to the end of the season. The Bucs have been Jekyl and Hyde these past couple of years and could offer some value after having another solid draft.
Best Values: Panthers +600, Falcons +180
Bets I Placed: Panthers +600, Falcons +180
NFC West
Cardinals +450
49ers -200
Seahawks +450
Rams +700
I am not in the business of laying 2-1 favorites on future bets, but it is tough to see the 49ers losing this division. You have to remember this team did go 3-13 two years ago, but that was also before Jim Harbaugh got into town. I have little faith in the Seahawks and Pete Carroll as well. He has never shown me that he can do much else besides recruit great prospects in college. I see the Cardinals slowly improving but not nearly enough to win this division. The Rams focused on finesse in the draft but did get Michael Brockers (DT from LSU) in the 1st round; he should make an immediate impact. They also have given Bradford some weapons that he hasn’t had. That said, I do not see them winning this division. They may offer the best value, but I usually have to have a combination of value and some sort of probability to actually make a wager.
Best Values: Rams +700, 49ers -200
Bets I Placed: None
By Rance Young
Follow me on Twitter @behindthebets
