Sports Betting in NFL

When it comes to the NFL, the vast majority of wagers made by sports betting players are on individual contests. It makes sense, especially when you consider all the options available to bet on, ranging from point spreads and totals to live prop bets and more.

What you may not know is that there is a completely different kind of bet that can be made, and they are just as interesting as any game could be.

Futures bets are, as the name implies, wagers placed on events that haven’t happened yet. These can range from which NFL teams are going to win their division or conference, all the way to which player will earn the MVP award, or how well an individual team is going to do throughout the season.

Of course, the most popular futures bet when it comes to the NFL is on which team is going to win the Super Bowl. Those odds are released nearly immediately after the Super Bowl champion is crowned, which means bettors looking to get in on the action early have plenty of opportunity to do so.

Are futures bets right for you? That all depends on what kind of wagers you like to make. For those willing to try and peer into the crystal ball to see what is yet to come, this kind of betting can truly be exciting.

Best Super Bowl Futures Bet

This is a discussion that can have the experts turning blue in the face with differing opinions. Will the Kansas City Chiefs (+650) repeat? Can the San Francisco 49ers (+900) make a return trip and win it all? Will it be Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (+650), one of the most impressive teams in the NFL?

One of the more interesting possibilities may be one that surprises you. The Seattle Seahawks (+2000) have all the tools needed to make a run for the Super Bowl. Their offense is led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league with Russell Wilson, and they’ve revamped their running game to help keep defenses honest.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks have added some layers of talent that hark back to the days of their past glory. The secondary is strong and filled with heads-up players who like to hit, and the defensive line has speed and depth.

Combine all of that with coach Pete Carroll’s experience in leading teams to the postseason and it’s quite possible the Seahawks once again bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Seattle.

But futures are tricky. Other teams that should be in the conversation include the Tennessee Titans (+2800), the Pittsburgh Steelers (+2500) and even Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1400).

Each of these teams have talent, experience and, when healthy, the ability to earn a victory on any given Sunday.

Who’s the MVP of the league?

This award has been owned by quarterbacks over the past several years, and that trend didn’t stop in 2019 when Lamar Jackson was given the award for his outstanding play during the regular season.

The odds once again favor a signal caller winning the MVP nod, and we definitely agree.

The favorite at this point is none other than Patrick Mahomes (+450), and with his Super Bowl championship team pretty intact, that wouldn’t be much of a surprise. However, don’t count out a repeat MVP in Jackson (+800). He’s been given even more offensive weapons to work with in Baltimore, and he hasn’t slowed down any as he looks to take his team even farther into the postseason with the goal of winning it all.

If you’re thinking a quarterback won’t be the one to take home the hardware in 2020 (it’s a strange year, so we can understand that the norm might not be what is expected right now), then you should consider looking at Christian McCaffrey (+3300). He’s the best running back in the league, and with a completely revamped Carolina Panthers team around him and a new quarterback leading the way, he’s likely to be the shining star of the entire show. How McCaffrey goes, the Panthers will go. And, perhaps, the MVP voting.

Which teams are going to win their divisions?

This is going to be a year full of interesting races in the various divisions of the NFC and AFC. For some, the most likely scenario is the favorite walking away with the title and a playoff berth. In others, the potential division champions could be a surprise.

We see the divisions falling pretty evenly between the favorites and those who the oddsmakers like a little less. Here’s where we think it will all end up when the season is finished.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (-390)

It’s hard to bet against a team as solid as the Chiefs, especially with how well they kept their Super Bowl championship team intact. Look for them to win the division title without much trouble.

AFC East: Buffalo Bills (+150)

It’s hard to believe, but Buffalo has put together quite an impressive team. If quarterback Josh Allen can stay in control and keep from getting too rattled in the pocket, he’s going to find plenty of weapons to work with. The defense is solid, too, which makes them a well-rounded team capable of earning a playoff berth and a division crown.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (-200)

Lamar Jackson and his team keep getting better thanks to smart decisions made in the front office. The offense can throw or pass, and can do both convincingly, and the defense is as strong as it has ever been. The Ravens have the chance to win the division and quite possibly much more.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (+120)

The Colts may have underwhelmed in the last couple of seasons, but some smart moves this offseason have bolstered a struggling offense and solidified a defense into one of the more impressive units in the AFC. Look for an aging Philip Rivers to try to find the spark that will take him and his new team to the division title and into the playoffs.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (+240)

Seattle has everything it needs to make a run to the Super Bowl, but first up has to be taking care of business in their own division. With Russell Wilson playing some of the best football of his career, new weapons on offense and a defense looking to regain some of its old glory, the Seahawks are going to be one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL this season.

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (-120)

Dak Prescott may not have the long-term contract he hoped for in 2020, but he’s still the kind of quarterback who isn’t about to back down from giving it his all. Add in the increased talent on C, a solid line to keep him upright and open holes, and a new head coach trying to prove his past successes weren’t a fluke, and the Dallas Cowboys are a dangerous team that should take all NFC East rivals this season.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers (+190)

It’s easy to groan about the Packers somehow missing out on several opportunities to improve their receiving corps this offseason, but in a tight NFC North it’s going to be the coach who can adapt to the changing challenges that will lead their team to the division title. Matt LaFleur is young and talented, and his offensive-mindedness makes him dangerous, especially with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers to lead the team.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints (-115)

Drew Brees may be one of the oldest players in the NFL, but he’s still playing like he’s got years left ahead of him. In what may prove to be the veteran’s final season in the pros, Brees is surrounded by some of the deepest talent he’s ever had to work with. His experience combined with the energy and youth of the offensive weapons around him will make New Orleans a tough team to stop. Their defense is one of the better units in the NFC, and quite possibly the best in the NFC South. Add it all up and the Saints are the team to beat.