2024 NFL Futures Bets: NFC Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions
The San Francisco 49ers have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL heading into next season, and are heavy favorites to represent the NFC once again in next year’s Super Bowl. Their loaded roster is a big reason they finished this past season as the fifth team since 2000 to be favored in every game entering the Super Bowl. However, the 49ers also have seven key defensive players as free agents entering the offseason, and only one team since the Buffalo Bills of the 1990s (the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII) returned to the Super Bowl after losing in the big game the previous season.
Thus, with the odds and history stacked against San Francisco, we do our best prognosticating as we offer a trio of other best bets to win the NFC in the 2024 season, which include some favorites and one long shot play.
- NFL Conference Winner Odds
- NFL Division Winner Odds
- NFL Season Win Total Odds
- NFL To Make the Playoffs Odds
2024-25 NFC Championship Odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
| TEAM | ODDS |
| San Francisco 49ers | +225 |
| Detroit Lions | +550 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +800 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1000 |
| Chicago Bears | +1400 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +1400 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +1500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +2000 |
2024 NFL Futures Bets: NFC Championship Picks & Predictions
Detroit Lions (+550)
The Detroit Lions were one second-half collapse away from reaching the Super Bowl this season, but instead, the 49ers came back from a 24-7 halftime deficit in the NFC Championship, completing the third-largest comeback in championship game history.
Detroit has arguably the most impressive backfield in the league, as David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs were the first running back duo in NFL history to total 1,000 or more scrimmage yards and 10 or more touchdowns each. Pessimists would argue that the Lions benefitted from an out-of-division schedule that saw road games in domed environments at the Chargers, Saints, Vikings, and Cowboys. However, Detroit’s running game should allow it to be successful outdoors in the postseason if need be.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson tested the market for a head coaching vacancy, but his return to the team is massive considering what the unit has been able to accomplish recently. In the last two seasons under Johnson, the Lions rank first in yards per game (393.2), third in points per game (27.8), third in yards per play (5.9), and fifth in Total QBR (63).
The Lions made history with their second ever NFC Championship Game appearance, and they are a great value play to add to that franchise history with their first Super Bowl appearance next season.
Dallas Cowboys (+800)
The Cowboys were one of the most dominant teams we have ever seen at home in the regular season, going 8-0 and winning those contests by an average of 21.5 points per game. In its home games, Dallas led the league in points per game, offensive yards gained per game, and turnover differential, and finished the regular season tied with the 2007 New England Patriots for the sixth-best home point differential in NFL history. Thus, it is mind boggling that the Cowboys’ season ended at home in a disappointing 48-32 Divisional Round loss to the Green Bay Packers. But at some point, a prolific offense combined with a defense that ranked fifth in yards per game and scoring should eventually contribute to more postseason success.
The Cowboys have not had an NFC Championship Game appearance this century, and their 28-year drought without reaching the conference championship is the second-longest active streak behind the Washington Commanders’ 32-year drought. However, the lack of postseason success aside, this is still a team that has gone 12-5 in three straight seasons, and has several key positions returning, including their quarterback/head coach combination of Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy. We are also intrigued by the hiring of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. In the first six years that Zimmer was the Vikings head coach from 2014-19, their defense ranked second in points per game allowed, second in yards per play allowed, and first in Efficiency.
We have a lot of confidence in Prescott entering next season, as he went from being tied for the league lead in interceptions two years ago to leading the NFL in touchdowns (36) this past season. If he continues to improve, the Cowboys are a great value bet to be Super Bowl-bound.
Los Angeles Rams (+1500)
The Los Angeles Rams have made two Super Bowl appearances in Sean McVay’s seven seasons as head coach, and he has guided the team to double-digit wins in five of the seven seasons. The Rams came within one point of knocking off the Lions in the Wild Card Round this season, and few teams have a better receiving duo than Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Because of high-profile trades, this is the first year that Los Angeles has had a first round pick since 2016, and it has more cap flexibility entering this season than it did last season. The Rams lost defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, but there is hope that new DC Chris Shula can help improve a defense that ranked 22nd in total DVOA last year. There is familiarity with Shula in the organization, as he has been on McVay’s staff in some capacity since 2017.
Winning the NFC West is not out of the realm of possibilities for Los Angeles, who has beaten the 49ers twice in the last five meetings. If it adds impact players, especially on defense, with its high draft picks, the Rams are arguably the best value of any team to win the NFC that has odds of +1500 or longer.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archiveand follow him @MikeSpector01.