Updated NFL division championship odds
BetDSI has revealed the odds for every team to earn a divisional championship. SportsLine breaks them down and offers picks and darkhorse options.
In this salary cap era, all teams are positioned to be contenders at least every now and then -- if not for a Super Bowl, at least a divisional title.
With training camps set to open around in the league in about a month, online sportsbook BetDSI has released updated NFL divisional championship odds.
Only six teams are posted at +800 (8-1) or higher to win their own division, and three of those are in the AFC East.
There are a few dramatic differences in the odds for 2018 compared to a year ago.Â
The most-notable change comes in the NFC West. Last year, the Seahawks were huge favorites at -450 (risk $450 to win $100), while the Cardinals were +300 (risk $100 to win $300), Rams were +2000 and 49ers were +4000.
The script is being flipped for this season. Now, the Rams are a big favorites, with the Niners right behind and the Seahawks and Cardinals in the distance.
The Packers were big favorites in the NFC North in 2017 (-225, compared to the Vikings at +350). Green Bay is still the favorite, but by the slimmest of margins.
The Eagles (+360) and Jaguars (+700) were big underdogs a year ago. Not anymore.
One thing that hasn't changed: The New England Patriots remain the prohibitive favorite in the AFC East, though even the Pats' number this year is more manageable than last year (-1200).
Below is a breakdown of each division, a pick and darkhorse when the favorite is chosen.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots -800
Buffalo Bills +1000
Miami Dolphins +1000
New York Jets +1100
PICK: The Patriots won their eighth-consecutive AFC East title in 2017, and have taken 15 of the last 17. There's zero indication the Bills, Dolphins or Jets will challenge New England for the crown next fall, either.
Darkhorse: Let's face it, barring a catastrophe, none of the challengers are going to, well, challenge. But we'll go with the Dolphins. Among the three other teams in the East, Miami had the best offense and strongest defense (including ranking 16th in yards gained and allowed). Maybe Ryan Tannehill returns and takes his game to a new level.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers -300
Baltimore Ravens +300
Cincinnati Bengals +1000
Cleveland Browns +1500
PICK: As long as Ben Roethlisberger is behind center and Le'Veon Bell is running/catching his way through defenses, it's tough to go against Pittsburgh, which has won three of four North titles. The Steelers' defense ranked fifth last year, and while salary cap issues have prevented the team from making much of an off-season splash, it didn't need one – it went 13-3 last year, after all.
Darkhorse: The Ravens used a first-round pick for future seasons, with QB Lamar Jackson. They're preparing for life after Joe Flacco, and preparing for the day when Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell aren't terrorizing the rest of the Central (read: 2019 and beyond).
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans +155
Jacksonville Jaguars +170
Tennessee Titans +300
Indianapolis Colts +600
PICK: How would the South have fared if Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt weren't among the players lost to injury in the Texans' injury ravaged 2017 season? For one, the Jaguars may not have gotten into the playoffs and provided us with a memorable postseason run.
That said. Jacksonville is the more known commodity here -- it advanced to the title game, has a stellar defense and improved itself in the off-season. The Jags are confident and stocked to make another run at a Super Bowl.
Darkhorse: This is really a three-time race for the division. Indy isn't going to compete this year, but the Titans and Texans are in the mix. Of those two, Tennessee provides amazing value at 3/1. The Titans could have a top-10 defense under new coach Mike Vrabel, and most experts agree that Marcus Mariota can have a bounce-back year after a horrid 2017. Adding Dion Lewis to the backfield provides a new dynamic.
AFC WEST
Oakland Raiders +175
Kansas City Chiefs +250
Los Angeles Chargers +250
Denver Broncos +350
PICK: This is a close race. But I'll go against the grain a bit and say this is the year Philip Rivers gets it done in the clutch and the defense actually makes stops in the closing minutes. The Chargers have been a few bad breaks away from being division title winners in the last two years. I'll go with it finally happening.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles +160
Dallas Cowboys +280
New York Giants +500
Washington Redskins +800
PICK: The Eagles won the Super Bowl after their MVP-contending quarterback got hurt. Now he's back, and they return most of the key performers returning to get their rings and defend their title. This is a good price for a defense world champion.
Darkhorse: 2017 was a mess for the Cowboys, who had to deal with Dez Bryant drama, Ezekiel Elliott will-he-or-won't-he suspension fiasco and injuries on the defense. But Dallas still finished 13th in offense and eighth in defense. How it'll replace Bryant and now-retired Jason Witten is a mystery, but the Cowboys are certainly the best of the rest.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers +115
Minnesota Vikings +135
Detroit Lions +600
Chicago Bears +700
PICK: The Packers' weaknesses were exposed when Aaron Rodgers got hurt. Suddenly, the team couldn't move the ball or stop anyone on defense. It also showcased the greatness of No. 12, and how important he is to the team. He's back. The team had a great draft and a new defensive coordinator to revamp a slow unit last year. If Rodgers remains healthy, it's going to be a heck of a battle between the Packers and Vikings up top. For now, I'll go with Green Bay.Â
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons +170
New Orleans Saints +185
Carolina Panthers +275
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +500
PICK: The Saints last year got a huge contribution from their rookies to post an 11-win season and playoff berth. Now those players are back and presumably stronger and Drew Brees is signed and poised for another title run. They didn't address some defensive issues, but as long as that unit remains "average," the offense should score.
NFC WEST
Los Angeles Rams -125
San Francisco 49ers +200
Seattle Seahawks +380
Arizona Cardinals +1500
PICK: The Rams won 11 games, ranked in the top 10 in yards gained and yards allowed, and then went and had an amazing off-season that included adding DT Ndamukong Suh and Pro Bowl defensive backs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. With an offense that includes Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, there's not much to harp on in L.A.
Darkhorse: The Seahawks are expected to take a sizeable step backward after salary cap issues finally caught up with them, and the Cardinals are rebuilding. That leaves the Niners, who fueled hope by winning their last five games of 2017. Jimmy Garoppolo signed a huge deal and they shored up offensive line issues. I still think they're a year away, but with a couple of breaks, perhaps that Week 17 showdown in L.A. means something.Â
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