NFL futures: NFC Conference winner odds and a pick

Odds to win NFC in 2024

Stated differently, a bet in this market is a bet on who you expect to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Odds are courtesy of DraftKings.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (+250)
2. San Francisco 49ers (+425)
3. Dallas Cowboys (+600)
4. Detroit Lions (+1000)
5. Seattle Seahawks (+1100)
6. New Orleans Saints (+1300)
7. Minnesota Vikings (+1500)
8. New York Giants (+2500)
9. Atlanta Falcons (+2800)
10. Chicago Bears (+3000)
11. Green Bay Packers (+3000)
12. Carolina Panthers (+4000)
13. Washington Commanders (+4000)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4500)
15. Los Angeles Rams (+4500)
16. Arizona Cardinals (+10000)

This is quite an interesting board to dissect. Consider that both the Bucs and Rams have reached an NFC Championship Game in the past three seasons, yet both find themselves near the bottom of the odds heading into this new season.

The market is clearly expecting some fresh blood in the postseason this year, evidenced by 2023 playoff teams Minnesota, New York and Tampa Bay all sitting at seventh or lower to reach the Super Bowl.

Continuing to work backwards for a moment, we are admittedly intrigued by the value on the Bears this season, but it's a bit premature to consider them a serious contender to go deep in the playoffs.

What a world we live in that the Detroit Lions have the fourth-best odds to reach the Super Bowl from this conference. But expectations are high after the Lions finished last year strong. They have a dynamic roster, particularly on offense, and with Aaron Rodgers out of the NFC North, the division is theirs for the taking.

Unlike the AFC, this feels like the conference to roll with futures on the most talented rosters. It's no surprise to see the Eagles, 49ers and Cowboys at the top of the board here.

Dallas most certainly has the pieces to make a run, but there's just something about this franchise that breeds postseason ineptitude. It's impossible to back them with a futures bet until they prove they can advance past the Divisional Round.

As for San Francisco, quarterback aside, this roster is loaded on both sides of the football. Unfortunately, QB is kind of an important position in the NFL, and there are more questions than answers for the Niners in that regard.

Will surprise darling Brock Purdy be healthy for the start of this season? Would it matter? The 49ers spent considerable resources to draft Trey Lance in 2021, and he was the starter last season before breaking his ankle. One has to think the team would still prefer Lance show he's the guy, and he'll be battling with Sam Darnold for Week 1 starter honors. There's a lot of uncertainty here.

Which leaves just one ...

Our pick in this market

Philadelphia Eagles (+250)

Chalk it may be, but it's the most logical spot to land when looking at the NFC. Philadelphia went 14-3 last season and cruised through the NFC playoffs with a pair of blowout wins. They fell to Kansas City in the Super Bowl, 38-35, but there's plenty to like about Philly making a return trip to the big game.

The key factor for the Eagles is that they've been able to maintain most of their core, and potentially have got even stronger in a few areas. It obviously starts with the quarterback, and Philly has their guy - inking Jalen Hurts to an extension this offseason.

Hurts is surrounded with talent. He's got one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, one of the top tight ends in Dallas Goedert, and arguably the best offensive line in football protecting him. The RB room has some new faces in Rashaad Penny and D'Andre Swift, which should offer up an exciting 1-2 punch should they stay healthy.

The defense did lose starters at DT, LB and safety, but the Philly defensive line should once again be a major strength.

They led the NFL in sacks last season by a sizable margin, and added a pair of first-round picks to the DL in Georgia studs Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.

Darius Slay and James Bradberry remain in place at corner, and there's every reason to expect another elite pass-rush season powering a successful defense.

The team is loaded, and they've been so close to the top. Hurts as the leader of this team keeps everyone focused on the goal in front of them, which should help to avoid any Super Bowl hangover.

Philly has a tougher schedule, but they're one of the NFL's best, and are the understandable and deserved favorite to win the conference. We're buying into the favorites.

Our bet: Eagles to win NFC (+250)