As a sports juggernaut, the NFL makes headlines 365 days a year. For the first time since 1978, when the slate went from 14 to 16 games, the NFL lengthened the regular season again this year. The 2021 NFL schedule was released on May 12 and all 32 teams will play 17 games over an 18-week season. That means NFL fans get an added week of NFL betting and fantasy football action. It will also affect win total wagering.
Week 1 opens with Dallas's visiting defending NFL champion Tampa Bay on Sept. 9. The week ends with Las Vegas's hosting Baltimore in the fight. Regular-season action concludes with Seattle's visiting Arizona on Jan. 9, 2022. Wild-card weekend, divisional round playoffs and Conference Championship Sunday follow. The season ends with Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
NFC South Division Futures Odds
New Orleans (12–4) won the NFC South regular-season title for a fourth straight time last year. The Saints went on to beat the Bears in the wild-card round and then lost to the Buccaneers in divisional playoffs. Tampa Bay (11–5) began the season with a 7–5 record before winning four straight to finish in second place. Following a 12-year drought, the Buccaneers earned their first playoff berth since 2007. Carolina (5–11) and Atlanta (4–12) both opened the season with a dismal 3–7 record and finished third and fourth, respectively, in the division. Both teams face an uphill climb this season.
Popular U.S.-based sportsbooks are offering a variety of unique preseason betting options. NFC South division title odds, plus win totals for each team, are posted on the NFL futures board at FanDuel. While the odds and prices are subject to change, unless a stud player changes teams, or there is a serious injury, the moves will be subtle. Will the Saints make it five straight championships? Will the Bucs claim their first division title since 2007? In the twilight of his career, will QB Matt Ryan lead the Falcons back into contention? Will QB Sam Darnold jump-start his career in Carolina? Let’s break it down.
Struggling on defense early, New Orleans opened the season with a 1–2 record. Running hot on offense, and shoring up the defense, the Saints won nine straight games before closing the season on a 2–2 run. A seismic offseason shift occurred when Tom Brady left New England and signed with Tampa Bay. Following a sluggish start, the Buccaneers rolled to eight straight wins. The winning run was capped off with a 31–9 victory in Super Bowl LV against the Chiefs. Everyone keeps waiting for the GOAT to play like a 21-year veteran should. Will it happen this season?
Not quite in full rebuild mode yet, Atlanta may be headed there after posting a combined 18–30 record during three straight losing seasons. The Falcons tried to keep up on offense, but faded down the stretch and ended up being outscored by a 414–396 margin over 16 games. Carolina opened the season with a 3–2 record, but the wheels fell off and they closed the year on a 2–9 slide. Following a seven-year run, with QB Cam Newton's guiding the offense, the Panthers have cycled through five different starters. Is it possible that QB Sam Darnold is the answer for the Cats?
NFC South Champion Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-190)
