The NFC South is in a period of transition in 2023, with several teams making notable changes at the quarterback position. But one team from this division will host a playoff game regardless, as someone has to win the division when all is said and done this year. Here, we look at the NFC South futures odds and make our best NFL betting picks for the division.
NFC South Futures Betting Odds
Atlanta Falcons
So far this season, the Atlanta Falcons are the favorites to win the NFC South, by simply being mediocre while the rest of the division has been largely bad. Atlanta does not get much from its quarterbacks, as Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke have taken turns being ineffective for this team. But the Falcons have taken care of business in division games this season and that could be all they need to finish in first in the NFC South.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are trailing the Atlanta Falcons both in terms of their odds to win the NFC South and in the standings as well. The lack of consistency from Derek Carr and the Saints offense is incredibly frustrating to watch, as this team can move the ball at will on one drive and then go long periods of time without moving the ball at all. There is still time for the Saints to turn things around, but they have been disappointing early on.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still somehow in contention to win the NFC South. They have a record that would not be good enough to compete for most division titles but Tampa is just a game out of first place in this division. This season will come down to whether or not the Buccaneers can get enough going offensively to threaten the other two teams in the NFC South race, most of which will fall on the shoulders of Baker Mayfield.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are off to a disastrous start in 2023. They have won just one game and are already eliminated not just from NFC South title contention, but from playoff contention as a whole. The top priority for the Panthers over the rest of this season is simply keeping Bryce Young healthy. The Panthers have to make sure their franchise quarterback does not sustain any long-term damage as they try to get his feet wet in the pros, even as the losses pile up.
NFC South Futures Betting Pick
There is not a clear favorite to win the NFC South this season, as the Saints, Falcons, and Bucs all have their share of flaws that are concerning early in the year. But for now, the Falcons appear to be the best choice to win this division as the Saints and Buccaneers have not proven themselves capable of playing consistently enough to leapfrog Atlanta in the standings.
