The Saints have stuck their nose in front of the three-horse race in the NFC South, according to updated odds at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. The Saints, Panthers and Falcons all opened at 9-to-5 odds when the Westgate started taking bets on 2015-16 division winners in early May. New Orleans' price has since been shortened, while Carolina – which last season became the first team to repeat as NFC South champs in the division's history – has stood pat at 9-to-5, and the Falcons have been nudged upward.
Of these three division rivals, the Saints, at 40-to-1, are the longest shot to win Super Bowl 50. The Panthers and Falcons both sit at 30-to-1.
The Bucs haven't had a winning record in four seasons and haven't won the division or even made the playoffs since 2007, but hope comes in the form of No.1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston. Color oddsmakers skeptical, however, with Tampa Bay's win total set at 6 at the Westgate.
Here's a snapshot of season win totals and futures odds for the NFC South, as well as our outlook on each team. Odds are current as of Monday, May 25.
SaintsSeason win total: 9 (OVER +120, UNDER -140)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1
Odds to win division: 7/4
The Linemakers’ take: The Saints had the top-ranked offense of 2014 but the second worst defense, leading to the disappearance of the once-dominant home-field advantage of the Superdome (the Saints were 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS there last season). The same regime should produce same problems in 2015. However, playing in a weak division means the playoffs are possible at 8-8.
Panthers
Season win total: 8.5 (OVER +115, UNDER -135)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
Odds to win division: 9/5
The Linemakers’ take: Carolina experienced a severe defensive decline last season and made the playoffs by default. Winning eight games in 2015 will be a stretch. UNDER 8.5 wins looks like one of the better plays among all season win totals.
Falcons
Season win total: 8 (OVER -140 UNDER +120)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
Odds to win division: 2/1
The Linemakers’ take: Atlanta has great offensive potential, but the NFL’s worst defense that produced the second lowest sack total (22) is still an area of concern. The good news is the stagnant culture should change under new coach Dan Quinn, Seattle’s former defensive coordinator.
Buccaneers
Season win total: 6 (OVER +120 UNDER -140)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100/1
Odds to win division: 10/1
The Linemakers’ take: While they won only two games last season, they covered the spread seven times. Jameis Winston will take his lumps, but he’ll also have one of the league’s best WR tandems in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, and this figures to give defenses some trouble.
More division outlooks: NFC East | NFC North | NFC South
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