NFL Conference Championship Odds, 3/19/20 Saints Still Team to Beat in NFC?

Saints, 49ers Top Teams to Win NFC?

Despite Tom Brady joining the NFC South, are the New Orleans Saints still the team to beat, not only in that division, but the entire conference? At least one group of oddsmakers believes that to be the case, although the Saints have company at the top.

Two Favorites in the NFC Right Now

According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the Saints have 11/2 odds to win the NFC title in 2020-21, although the defending conference champion 49ers have those same odds to win. Earlier this week, the Saints re-signed quarterback Drew Brees to a two-year, $50 million contract, which was the biggest thing on their offseason checklist.

The 49ers have also been busy this offseason, sending defensive linemen DeForest Buckner to the Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in April’s NFL draft. The team also re-signed safety Jimmie Ward to a three-year, $28.5 million contract.

Dallas Cowboys: The Challenger?

The Cowboys have the next-best odds to win the conference behind the Saints and 49ers at 7/1 odds. While the Cowboys lost cornerback Byron Jones to the Dolphins in free agency, they were able to retain their biggest weapon in the passing game, Amari Cooper, signing the receiver to a five-year, $100 million contract. That said, Dallas still needs to figure out how to lock up quarterback Dak Prescott, which the team should at some point. That said, Prescott might have to play under the franchise tag in 2020 until the Cowboys can figure out how to fit the signal-caller under their cap long term. Nevertheless, oddsmakers clearly feel like the Cowboys can contend in the NFC this season.

Tampa Bay Bucs: The Sleeper?

No team made a bigger splash in free agency than the Bucs, who inked quarterback Tom Brady. Coach and play-caller Bruce Arians will have to adjust his offense to suit Brady, but there’s no question the team upgraded at the position from Jameis Winston. Brady also upgraded from a weapons standpoint, as he’ll now be throwing to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard after struggling in what turned out to be his final season in New England. Whether or not the Bucs can discover a running game and rebuild their secondary is the question, but at 17/2, Tampa is in the mix to win the NFC title next season thanks to its addition to Brady.

The Other Mid-Tier Long Shots

The Packers, Eagles and Seahawks all made the playoffs last season and all three have odds of 10/1, respectively, to win the conference championship next year. The Packers lost Jimmy Graham and Blake Martinez, although they might replace Graham with former Titans tight end Delanie Walker (who’s also drawing interest from the Redskins and the Colts). The Eagles, meanwhile, re-signed safety Rodney McLeod to a two-year deal and are reportedly working on a trade for Lions cornerback Darius Slay. As for the Seahawks, they re-signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a two-year deal, but no word yet on if Seattle can bring back Jadeveon Clowney, who was a big part of the team’s success last season.

The Rest of the NFC Odds

The Bears, Rams and Vikings are all 15/1, respectively, to win the NFC title next season while the Cardinals and Falcons are both 25/1, respectively. The Giants, meanwhile, are 35/1, followed by the Lions at 50/1 and the rebuilding Panthers at 75/1. The Redskins have the longest odds to win the conference championship at 100/1.