NFL Betting: NFC South Futures Odds

Before Bountygate, the Saints were a lock to win the NFC South. However, now that we know the kinds  issues the Saints will be facing, those odds have gone in exactly the opposite direction. In this article, we focus on all the teams in the NFC South.

New Orleans Saints: +180 NFC South, +800 NFC,+1500 Super Bowl 

While their odds to win the division have stayed relatively the same, the Saints' chances of winning the NFC and the Super Bowl have dropped substantially since news of all the bounty-related suspensions. The Saints should still be the favorites in this division, however, and should still be considered one of the most dangerous offenses in the entire league. If Drew Brees can come out of these contract talks happy and ready to play football, the rest of the NFC better watch out. 

Atlanta Falcons: +200 NFC South, +1200 NFC, +2500 Super Bowl 

The dirty birds come in second, but they're not getting as much love as I would have predicted. This is an offense that will likely be almost as dangerous as the Saints'. The Falcons are focusing more and more on the pass, which will make them tough to defense. Their defense has been improving and, if they can fix their crucial secondary issues, they might give New Orleans a run for their money. The Falcons traded for Asante Samuel from the Eagles, giving them three very good corners on their roster. Don’t be surprised if the Falcons make a run at this division. 

Carolina Panthers: +400 NFC South, +2000 NFC, +4000 Super Bowl 

The Panthers are trying keep pace with Cam Newton's rate of improvement. They went from a one-win team to a six-win team last season, and they will surely be trying to get above .500 in Newton’s sophomore season. The question is, will Newton suffer a sophmore slump like so many other quarterbacks? I nearly positive he won’t match last year's numbers, but I don’t see him regressing too much, either. The Panthers aren’t yet ready to challenge the Falcons or Saints for the division, but they will be a tough matchup for all comers. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +1500 NFC South, +10,000 NFC, +20,000 Super Bowl 

The Bucs have the worst odds of any team this upcoming season and, I can assure you, it’s warranted. This team is going to be terrible, possibly the NFL's worst this season. They have loads of problems but few solutions. Only the Rams, Browns and Jags have similarly terrible odds. My guess is it'll be three-team race between the Jags, Bucs and Rams for the first overall pick in the 2013 draft.