Minnesota Vikings +3000
Ryan Gosling
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins finally got the proverbial monkey off his back by winning a couple of primetime games in 2019. Will he be able to carry that momentum into 2020? Well, if this Vikings offense has anything to say about it, then yes. For most of the year, the Vikings offense was excellent. They averaged 25.4 points per game (eighth in NFL) and owned the league’s sixth-ranked rushing attack (2,133 yards).
Head coach Mike Zimmer found the perfect balance between using a run-first approach and profiting from two talented receivers in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. The combination of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison in the run game was electric. Cook was one of the best success stories of this past year. He remained healthy and reached the 1,000 yard plateau for the first time in his career, running for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns while also becoming an explosive weapon in the passing game, catching 53 passes for 519 yards.
This season actually seemed quite promising for Minnesota. They made it into the playoffs from a tough NFC North division, only to fall victim to what was arguably the best defense in the NFL in the San Francisco 49ers. The biggest question heading into 2020 will be the future of the team’s offensive weapons, and what will the offense be like without OC Kevin Stefanski? Stefanski left the team to become the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
If the Vikings are able to retain their current offense and keep their players happy, then there is no reason that they will not be able to contend in the NFC. Like we mentioned above, the conference is in rebuild mode, and several teams are in flux. The Vikings have remained somewhat stable and should be able to make some noise. They remain one of 12 NFL franchises without a Lombardi Trophy, and the team hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since 1976. That could change in with Super Bowl LV. These odds are too long for a team with this much talent.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +5500
Ryan Gosling
This one is definitely a long shot, to say the least. There are many reasons that the Buccaneers are unlikely to win next year’s Super Bowl, and one of them is the home stadium “curse.” No team in the history of the NFL has won the Super Bowl in their home stadium. Two teams — the Rams in 1979 and the 49ers in 1984 — basically played in their hometowns, but not in their home stadiums. T.B. would be the first team in history if they managed to do so next season.
However, I do think that they have the roster to make a run. When betting on longshots like this, even if you don’t think it will 100% happen, it still provides tremendous hedging value down the line. There is a lot of talk regarding the Bucs and who will be at the QB position next season. There were rumors of a potential Philip Rivers landing in T.B., but it is much more likely that Jameis Winston is still the QB next year.
If that is the case, and he can limit his turnovers, this team has the potential to make a run. They are in a tough division, but with the Saints and Falcons potentially regressing with their aging QBs, Winston could help take over. I am not saying it is a lock, but there is value at this number.
New Orleans Saints +1400
Ben Rolfe
The Saints’ chances of winning Super Bowl LV got a huge boost this week with the news that Drew Brees will be returning for another year. New Orleans has a loaded roster with talent at all levels. They had one of the most reliable offensive lines in the entire NFL in the 2019 season and should be able to perform to similar standards next year. Defensively they have playmakers all over their defense but will be looking to add to that this offseason.
With a few more additions, especially in their secondary, they could boast one of the most talented defensive units in the NFL in 2020. Their pass rush is their strength, and Marcus Davenport should continue to grow in his third season. Their pass rush can intimidate any offensive line in the league, which, when combined with a talented offense, should be more than enough to keep them in games all season.
The Saints were one yard away from a bye in the 2019 playoffs, which could have made all the difference to their Super Bowl chances. The NFC South is likely to be a weak division again in 2020, and the Saints should be able to take advantage. After years of coming close, 2020 could be their season. At +1400 betting odds, they are worth a look.
Seattle Seahawks +2000
Ben Rolfe
Seattle may not have the deepest roster in the NFL, but they have one undeniable weapon, Russell Wilson. Wilson is more than capable of winning games by himself when it matters most, and they nearly swept the eventually Super Bowl runner up in the regular season. This Seahawks offense is not lacking talent with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf on the outside. They also added tight end, Greg Olsen, during free agency. They need to add a reliable ball carrier, and if they do, then this offense will be a force to be reckoned with.
Defensively they need to add more talent, but that should be their primary focus this offseason. If they can add more playmakers and depth, then they have the offense to outscore most teams. If they get that defense working as a unit, then these odds present tremendous value for a team who were just two wins short of the Super Bowl last season.