2020 NFL Season Predictions: NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Philadelphia Eagles*
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Football Team
*denotes wild card team
This is arguably the truest “two and two” division in the league in 2020. The NFC East will be a battle between the Cowboys and Eagles, while Washington and the Giants will spend the majority of the season in the Trevor Lawrence discussion.
Related | Coaching keys for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020
At the top end of the division, the offensive firepower of the Cowboys should be too much for the Eagles. With both teams having question marks over their secondary, the onus will be on both offenses to outscore teams. With a receiving core of three potential number one receivers and one of the league’s premier running backs, it should be Dak Prescott and the Cowboys that are celebrating a division victory.
The Eagles seemingly lack that depth at receiver, which could be their downfall. If they have Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery healthy for stretches, this team can go stride for stride with anyone. However, history tells us that they will be relying on big performances from their tight ends and young skill position players, which should prove to be too much.
Related | Three players with most to prove for Washington in 2020
Both the Giants and Washington enter 2020 in a fascinating position. With their two young quarterbacks entering their second season, the looming prospect of Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft class will force them both to have made a judgment on the future of their organization. While neither of these teams will likely be in playoff contention, they are both going to be must-watch teams to see what direction they may be heading in next offseason.
NFC East Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Exact Order Payout: +200
- Dallas Cowboys are currently +1200 to finish with most regular season wins
- Carson Wentz is currently +2500 to lead the NFL in passing yards in 2020
- Saquon Barkley is currently +6000 to win MVP
- Washington is currently +700 to score fewest points in NFL in 2020
Click here for all of the PFN Betting Team’s 2020 wagers
2020 NFL Season Predictions: NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Minnesota Vikings*
3. Detroit Lions
4. Chicago Bears
*denotes wild card team
This division is really one that has the potential to go in any direction. The Packers marched to a 13-3 record in 2020, but the numbers behind that record are not all that impressive. Therefore, if they see turnover regression, or simply some bad luck, we could see them sink back to the pack. However, to go 13-3 while not playing great statistically demonstrates the potential this team has if they get it right in 2020.
Related | Green Bay Packers 2020 Win Total: How hard will regression hit?
Behind them, the Vikings are the steady team of this division. While the Packers feel like they have a much wider range of outcomes, it is hard to imagine the Vikings winning more than 11 or less than eight games in 2020. If the Vikings can avoid going 2-4 in their division this season, they have a chance to steal this division from the Packers.
The Lions will be desperate to show they are the team that started 2-0-1 and not the team that lost their final nine games of the 2019 season. With Matthew Stafford hopefully healthy, the upside of this team is huge. Defensively, they need their new additions at cornerback to step up immediately or they risk being in multiple high-scoring games this season.
Related | 2020 Detroit Lions Betting Preview: Is there value on the Lions?
What makes this division great is that even the Bears have an outside chance of winning the division. We know that the defense will likely rank in the top 10, and if the offense can be even competent then they will have a chance to be in the discussion. When you go 8-8 with an offense that ranked near the bottom of most charts, then that offense just needs to rank in the middle of the league and the team could win double-digit games.
NFC North Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Exact Order Payout: +1200
- Green Bay Packers are currently +190 to win NFC North
- Minnesota Vikings are currently +1200 to win NFC Championship
- Detroit Lions are currently +245 to make playoffs in 2020
- Chicago Bears are currently +200 to finish last in NFC North
2020 NFL Season Predictions: NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Carolina Panthers
Between 2002 and 2012, this division was never won by the same team twice in a row. However, in the seven seasons since then we have seen two teams win it three times in a row, the Panthers (2013-15) and Saints (2017-19).
The Saints are the favorites to be the dominant team once again, as they enter what is expected to be Drew Brees’ final season. The Saints roster is arguably the most complete top to bottom in the entire NFC, with the centerpiece of the roster being a superb offensive line. With their biggest weakness perhaps being a consistent pass rush, their opponents will need to find a way to take advantage or risk being sliced to pieces by this highly efficient passing game.
The arrival of Tom Brady in Tampa Bay has given the Buccaneers a lot of hope. It is easy to make the case that even with middling quarterback play in 2019, this could have been a playoff team. Brady should offer more than that, especially surrounded by some top-tier offensive talent. Defensively, they have some major holes on the back end leading to questions about whether Brady can keep up offensively at the age of 43.
Related | Buccaneers Season Preview: Is Tom Brady really declining?
After two straight seasons which fell apart in the first six weeks, the Falcons will be desperate to prove they are still a force. However, with gaps all over their roster, they need their superstars to stand up big and carry this team.
The Panthers have little expectations in 2020. They will want to see improvement on both sides of the ball, especially on defense where they invested heavily in young talent in the draft. This might not be a contending team this year, but there is a lot to be excited about in Carolina.
NFC South Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Exact Order Payout: +135
- Drew Brees is currently +2500 to lead NFL in passing yards in 2020
- Tampa Bay Bucs are currently +800 to lead NFL in points scored in 2020
- Matt Ryan is currently +5000 to win MVP
- Carolina Panthers are currently +1000 to give up most points scored in 2020
Click here for all of the PFN Betting Team’s 2020 wagers
2020 NFL Season Predictions: NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Seattle Seahawks*
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Los Angeles Rams
*denotes wild card team
Once again, this division is expected to be a shootout between the 49ers and Seahawks. The 49ers went from a disaster in 2018 to a contender in 2019 with Jimmy Garoppolo healthy. Much like the Packers, the numbers behind their 13-3 record do not stand out, meaning that their 2020 season has a reasonably wide range of outcomes.
Related | NFL Betting: Seattle Seahawks 2020 season preview
The Seahawks are somewhat the equivalent of the Vikings in this division, with a relatively small range of likely outcomes. If you had to put one team down as virtually guaranteed to be in the playoffs, it would be the Seahawks. The simple question is whether this talented roster can avoid the mistakes within their division that seem to plague them every year.
The Cardinals should continue on their upward trajectory in 2020. With two talented teams in the 49ers and Seahawks in their division, this may be a year too early for them as a serious threat. They have multiple question marks surrounding their offensive line and defense that we need to see answered this season before a potential run at the division and playoffs in 2021.
Related | Arizona Cardinals Betting: Can Kyler Murray carry the Cards?
The Rams appear to be a fading force ever since their offense was humiliated in the Super Bowl against the Patriots. They need to find answers in their run game without Todd Gurley and will be looking for Jared Goff to make fewer mistakes if they want an opportunity to avoid a fight for last place in the division in 2020.
NFC West Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Exact Order Payout: +1100
- NFC West is currently +350 to have Super Bowl winner emerge from division
- San Francisco 49ers are currently +450 to repeat as NFC Champions
- Seattle Seahawks are currently +130 to finish 2nd in the NFC West
- Kyler Murray is currently +4000 to win Offensive Player of the Year
- LA Rams are currently -160 to NOT make the NFL Playoffs in 2020
NFC Champions: New Orleans Saints
Every season, the Saints seemingly have the potential to win the NFC and go back to the Super Bowl. However, they seem to invent new and heartbreaking ways to fall short in the postseason. In what is widely expected to be the final season with Brees marshaling the offense, they will be desperate to avoid that happening again.
This roster has so much upside, and when you possess one of the most complete offensive lines in the entire NFL, that is a great way to get the most out of that upside. If the Saints find a pass-rusher across from Cameron Jordan who con contribute regularly, it is hard to imagine how this team is stopped in the NFC.
Super Bowl LV Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
Our 2020 NFL Season Predictions ends with the Super Bowl. And, a Super Bowl between the Saints and Chiefs would be, on paper, one of the most enticing we have seen in a long time. With the fallibility that both sides have demonstrated on defense in recent years, a shootout could be in the cards. While the experience of Brees and Sean Payton counts for a lot, the Chiefs offense is going to be hard to outscore under Mahomes and Andy Reid.
Super Bowl Betting Perspective by PFN’s Chris Smith
- Chiefs vs Saints Super Bowl Matchup is the third favorite option at +2800