At first glance, the NFC South looks tight and no real value jumps to the forefront of the betting futures market. Typically, one can find value when digging a little deeper when it comes to speculating on the futures of NFL Division Winners for the upcoming season.
The NFC South was quite a competitive division last season, which was won by the Carolina Panthers with a 12-4 mark. The Atlanta Falcons (11 wins, 5 losses) led by rookie quarterback Matt Ryan finished last season second in the South and picked up a wild card berth. Tampa finished third in the standings, with a 9-7 record, while rounding out last year’s NFC South standings were the injury stricken New Orleans Saints, who finished in the basement, with a .500 record.
Currently, Sportsbook.com has the Saints as the preseason chalk at two to one odds on the NFC South Division Champion Futures. While a healthy New Orleans team should be the powerhouse of the division, two to one is difficult to justify from a cellar dweller when seeking value.
The Atlanta Falcons are assigned 21 to ten odds, and figure to be an improved squad under second year QB Matt Ryan. Michael Turner broke out last season, proving he has what it takes to start in the NFL after doing his time behind LT in San Diego. The running game, backed up by monster backup Jerious Norwood should only improve from last year’s stellar performance. While the Falcons’ receiving corps left a little do be desired, the addition of Tony Gonzalez will improve the quality of targets Ryan can throw to. The Falcons could be set to take down the South, however, at twenty-one to ten odds; there is little value in making this pick.
Last year’s division winning Carolina Panthers go off at nine to four odds. Led by offensive standouts DeAngelo Williams, Steve Smith and Quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Panthers are in a great position to repeat as division champs.
Rounding out the South are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21 to 4 nfl odds). The Bucs enter the season under newly hired head coach Raheem Morris, who studied under Mike Tomlin, coach of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Tampa is perhaps the most improved squad in this Southern division, by adding the likes of RB Derrick Ward, as well as signing free agent quarterback Byron Leftwich – who revived his career backing up Steelers QB Ben Rothlesberger.
In the football divisional analysis, a case could be built for any of the teams to best the South. From a value standpoint, however, only the Bucs show any sort of value with 21 to 4 odds. If betting the NFC South Division futures, the Bucs are an easy, yet long target.