NFC South Division: 2022/23 NFL Betting Preview and Predictions
The Buccaneers are heavy -345 favourites on the NFL odds.
Atlanta Falcons 2022-2023 Betting Predictions
Regular Season Win Total: OVER 4.5 (-130)
Odds to Win NFC South Title: +2500
Fresh off a disappointing 2021 season, during which they failed to tally consecutive wins on their way to a 7-10-0 finish, the Falcons mined a few key building blocks for the future. Most notable among them is quarterback Desmond Ritter. The former Cincinnati Bearcats star didn’t look out of place in preseason action. However, the team is expected to go slow with their budding star, who is expected to back up journeyman pivot Marcus Mariota. Three years removed from his last starting assignment, Mariota represents a major step back from Matt Ryan, who still managed to pile up 3968 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in his final season in Atlanta. With a downgrade under center, and little improvement to a defense that ranked 29th in points allowed in 2021, the real betting value exists in the -105 odds of Atlanta winning UNDER 4.5 games.
Carolina Panthers 2022-2023 Betting Predictions
Regular Season Win Total: UNDER 6.5 (-130)
Odds to Win NFC South Title: +1000
The Baker Mayfield era is set to kick off in Carolina, but will the arrival of the enigmatic quarterback bring an end to a dismal stretch of three straight losing seasons by the Panthers? The short answer is maybe. On paper, the Panthers enjoy the easiest schedule of any NFC South team. And the addition of Mayfield is designed to bring stability back to the quarterback position after enduring a season-long musical chairs nightmare a year ago. However, concerns linger over the long-term health of rusher Christian McCaffrey, who has made it into just 10 total games over the past two years. However, should CMC go down again, it will open the door for Chuba Hubbard to take on a bigger backfield role after racking up 612 yards and five scoring runs in his rookie campaign a year ago. Another steady performance by the Panthers pass defense, which ranked fourth in the NFL last season, should provide Carolina with more opportunities to own the ball. But while this team has intriguing upside as a +269 bet to finish second in the division, playoff hopes remain a pipe dream.
New Orleans Saints 2022-2023 Betting Predictions
Regular Season Win Total: OVER 7.5 (-179)
Odds to Win NFC South Title: +355
The Saints saw their run of four straight NFC South division title wins come to a halt last season, which they closed out with a middling 9-8-0 record. And with the team returning to action with its aging core largely intact, they have nowhere to go but down. While New Orleans can do itself a big favour with a fast start to their schedule, which they kick off with three straight divisional matchups, things get increasingly tougher as the season progresses, with their final eight contests featuring five road dates in which they are very likely to be pegged as (sometimes big) underdogs. Of course, this team could surprise, if they stay healthy. That is something that quarterback Jameis Winston, receiver Michael Thomas, and rusher Alvin Kamara struggled to do last season. That adds to the pressure on a formidable Saints defence that limited opponents to just 19.7 points per game in 2021, and which will once again be this team’s greatest strength. That said, there should be no illusions about a return to playoff action, with the best bet found in the -156 odds of the Saints missing the postseason for a second straight year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022-2023 Betting Predictions
Regular Season Win Total: OVER 11.5 (+100)
Odds to Win NFC South Title: -345
The Buccaneers emerged as the class of the NFC, finishing the regular season knotted with Green Bay with a conference-high 13 wins. Tom Brady’s retirement, and subsequent unretirement, kept Bucs brass on their toes during the offseason. However, the team responded with some solid moves that sets them apart from their divisional rivals. The addition of veteran receivers Julio Jones and Russell Gage helps fill the hole left by the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. However, both injuries and advancing age remain a concern for this Buccaneers dream team. Gage was hobbled by a leg injury during the preseason, and receiver Chris Godwin has reportedly been slow in his recovery from major knee surgery. In addition, center Ryan Jenson, a personal favourite of Brady’s, could be lost for the season with a knee injury. Complicating matters are injuries to offensive linemen Nick Leverett and Robert Hainsey. Indeed, a weakened offensive line could spell trouble for Brady, who turned 45 this summer, and has to hit a wall eventually. Find the betting value in the Bucs’ -130 odds to win UNDER 11.5 games, but avoid the urge to jump on this team’s Super Bowl betting nadwagon this time around.
And then there are concerns about the durability of Brady himself, who turned 45 this summer,
NFC South Predicted Order of Finish:
Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, Falcons
