2022 NFL Best Odds & Bets: To Make the Playoffs (NFC)
The NFL Draft has come and gone, and with it comes the dramatic odds changes based on the player needs that each team addressed. Trades, free agency, and injuries can still happen, driving the odds to shift more. But right now, we have a good idea of where every team stands going into the upcoming NFL season. That means now is the time for bettors to evaluate what futures to make.
Rosters are not final, and everyone knows that. However, we can use the information we received from each NFL team’s draft to predict which will make the most progress this season.
After reviewing the new information received from the draft. Here are the best bets for NFC teams to make the playoffs:
Check out our consensus 2022 To Make the Playoffs odds >>
Green Bay Packers (Yes) -500 at Draftkings Sportsbook
The Green Bay Packers finally drafted a wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers. They did not get one of the premier wide receivers from the first round, but Christian Watson has the height, speed, and build that the Packers love in a wide receiver. They also added two additional receivers in the fourth and seventh rounds. These additions and Sammy Watkins make the Packer a prime pick to make the NFC Championship this Fall.
During the first round of the NFL Draft, Greeny Bay bolstered their defense with Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. These picks were disappointing for some, but let us not forget that the Packer’s run defense was one of the worst in the league last year. Both first-rounders will get an opportunity to join the rotation this year and make an impact.
The NFC is weak this year which will help the Packers to make the playoffs. The weak conference and these new draft additions, plus veterans Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander, and Rashan Gary, will give the Packers plenty of big-play ability to push them into the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys (Yes) -280 at Draftkings Sportsbook
The NFC East is the worst division in all of the NFL, and it is hard to picture any team besides the Dallas Cowboys coming out with over 10 wins. Their draft was not a pretty one, but it addressed their needs. They got help on their offensive and defensive lines and added a tight end in the fourth round. Those are the drafts that fans hate to watch, but it means the team is in a comfortable position to win.
The Cowboy’s goal will be to keep Dak Prescott healthy. They do not have much depth behind Prescott, but offensively, they have Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, and Jalen Tolbert. All these players can make big plays this season.
The best part of the Cowboys this season might be their defense. They made massive strides on defense last year. DeMarcus Lawerence, Micah Parsons, and Leighton Vander Esch are growing into great core defensive players. This team is different than previous Cowboys teams of the past that won through their offense. Now the Cowboys can win on both sides of the ball this year.
Arizona Cardinals (Yes) -110 at Draftkings Sportsbook
The Cardinals were the No. 1 team in the NFL until Kyler Murray got hurt. That was with DeAndre Hopkins out for a good portion of the season. With Hopkins sitting out six games, the Cardinals will find themselves in a similar situation this year. The good news for the Cardinals is that they picked up Marquise Brown during the draft. He is a top receiver in the league. Once Hopkins and Brown are both playing, the Cardinal’s offense will be one of the most explosive ones in the NFL.
Arizona is in a tough division, but Seattle looks to turn downward without Russell Wilson. The 49ers are a question mark. Jimmy Garoppolo might get traded, and Trey Lance is still developing. The Rams have had plenty of players leave in free agency, including Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr., and Darious Williams. They had Andrew Whitworth retire this year too. This division has a lot of change this offseason, and that change helps Arizona.
Arizona has the talent to win the division this year.
Early Best Bets for Super Bowl 57 >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you're new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section - including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners - or head to more advanced strategy - like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread - to learn more.
Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.