Examining NFC Division Betting Futures

Last week, we took a look at the futures for the AFC divisions. This week, we follow up by handicapping the current divisional races in the NFC. Here’s a look at the updated futures on each division along with a look at how the competitions are going down.

Odds to Win the 2014 NFC East Division

Dallas Cowboys +110

Philadelphia Eagles +150

New York Giants +500

Washington Redskins +800

NFL online betting handicappers know that this is the only NFC division that’s still a four-team race and that’s solely because all four teams have been awful. The Dallas Cowboys lead the way at 5-5, but they are 3-0 against division foes and 2-5 against everyone else. Sadly, the Cowboys lead the NFC with a +11 turnover ratio and are still only .500. Philadelphia is also 5-5 but they are 5-1 on the road and 0-4 at home. As for the New York Giants, they have the most momentum with three straight wins but their -13 turnover ratio is the worst in the NFL. They are tied with the Washington Redskins at 3-6, whose defense is giving up 31.9 points per game. This race is still wide open as nobody seems capable of running away with it.

Odds to Win the 2014 NFC North Division

Detroit Lions -200

Green Bay Packers +300

Chicago Bears +350

Those who bet on the NFL know that this is really the Lions division to lose. Due to quarterbacking injuries to Jay Cutler of the Bears and Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, the Lions are in the driver’s seat. They’re only a game ahead but sharps looking for NFL betting tips should note that the Lions have played one less home game than their two rivals. That’s an edge that can make a difference.

Odds to Win the 2014 NFC South Division

New Orleans Saints -300

Carolina Panthers +200

The Saints are a big favorite on the NFL betting odds here but they are only one game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South. That shows you just how much skepticism the Panthers are still faced with even though they are tied for the longest current winning streak in the NFC (five games). The Panthers have even played one less home game than the Saints and still face the Saints twice. It looks like there’s some good value on the NFL lines here with the Panthers.

Odds to Win the 2014 NFC West Division

Seattle Seahawks -700

San Francisco 49ers +400

Arizona Cardinals +3300

Very quietly, the Seahawks have opened a two-game lead on the 49ers in the NFC West, which is quite surprising. Don’t forget that the Seahawks already won and covered the NFL point spread against San Francisco in their first meeting, which means that they also hold the tiebreaker.

While -700 might seem like an expensive price on the NFL odds, the Seahawks are expecting to add an explosive weapon to their offense once Percy Harvin is healthy, which could be as soon as this week. Beyond that, they only have two road games left and three winnable home games (versus Minnesota, versus Arizona and versus St. Louis). The 49ers have a steep hill to climb to usurp the NFC West from the Seahawks.