Best Futures Bets in Sports for 2022

• The Chicago Bulls try to hold off the Milwaukee Bucks for the Central Division crown
• Which quarterback will lead the NFL in interceptions this season?
• See our favorite futures bets along with analysis below

We’re quite literally hours away from putting 2021 in the rearview, but why does it feel like it’s not-so-secretly grabbed onto the undercarriage of the vehicle, and joined us for 2022?

Because, my friends, it has. COVID-19 is alive and kicking, and we’ve come dangerously close to stoppages, settling instead for widespread cancellations, uncertain rosters from night to night, and blasts from the past filling out NBA rosters to reach the minimum.

Let’s put away the doom and gloom, at least for one article, and look to the future … wagers.

We’ve combed through the odds and picked some of our favorite future bets that will get settled in 2022. You get your bets in early enough, there’s a chance you can carry over something else from last year: some sweet, sweet winnings.

As always, happy betting. We’ll start with hoops, and a division race worth considering.

2022 Central Division Odds

Odds taken December 30, 2021 at FanDuel

The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t even have a chance to have a title hangover. After an opening night win against the Brooklyn Nets, things started spiraling. There was an ankle injury to Jrue Holiday, and an ailing back that’s shelved Brook Lopez forever.

The stars always shine the brightest on opening night.

Giannis finished with:
32 PTS
14 REB
7 AST
2 BLK

(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/LYWpzzByCd

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 20, 2021

COVID then ripped across the roster, taking down Giannis, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Donte DiVincenzo, Wes Matthews and literally anyone of impact. That they’re 24-13 and third in the East is a testament to that title pedigree.

However, while they’re the favorites to win the Central, they’re currently looking up at the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls are legit, and they hit the jackpot with their offseason pickups. DeMar DeRozan is the perfect 1B to Zach LaVine, and coupled with Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball, the Bulls have the most complete group of guards in hoops.

Just making sure y’all saw this.@DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStarpic.twitter.com/PT0HTwOs6u

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2021

It should be a battle: Milwaukee is top-8 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, while Chicago is fourth in offensive efficiency and 11th on the defensive side.

In the end, the Bulls should chase that division crown — for a franchise so downtrodden, you go after everything you can get. When the regular season nears end, expect them to crank it up to finish strong. Milwaukee? Expect them to gear down, and save that charge for the postseason.

The pick: Bulls (+210)

Odds taken December 31, 2021 at DraftKings

The defending co-champs for this dubious dishonour are nowhere near the leaderboard, for various reasons. Carson Wentz has been reborn in Indy, while Drew Lock has ridden shotgun to Teddy Bridgwater in Denver.

So we’ll have a new pick leader this season, and what a race! We’ve got a 5-way tie for first with 14, with three others just one back at 13.

Joe Burrow throws three interceptions in three consecutive passes 😱

(via @NFLBrasil)pic.twitter.com/6wXoKyiQem

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 19, 2021

I know this sounds crazy, but Joe Burrow just put together a monster 525-yard, 4-TD evisceration of the Ravens, and he’s a favorite here, because matchups matter.

His Week 17 opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs, who’ve gone 10 straight games with at least an interception. He could see himself as the frontrunner heading into Week 18.

Matt Stafford has now thrown a pick-6 in each of his last 3 games 😳

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Ur02XtBuRQ

— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) November 28, 2021

Trevor Lawrence has as good a shot as any to take this too. Jacksonville is in New England this Sunday, and Bill Belichick has been known to mess with young pivots.

Madness to see Matt Stafford and Patrick Mahomes on this list. While Mahomes’ picks have been mostly of the tipped variety, Stafford’s have been plain brutal, and he’ll get a tough 49ers’ defense in Week 18.

The pick: Burrow (+500)

2022 Super Bowl Odds

Week in and week out, it’s been my job to update these odds after the late afternoon Sunday slate. I’d say any of the top-6 has a legit shot to win the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs, Bucs, Packers and Bills have jockeyed for that top spot most of the year.

Yes, the Chiefs have risen from some weird midseason malaise and are currently the best team going, but for my money, there’s no one who can do more than Josh Allen.

"@JoshAllenQB is the king of the cool plays."

📺: @GMFB pic.twitter.com/a0zCPz0uY2

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 28, 2021

Tom Brady is the GOAT, Aaron Rodgers is the best pure quarterback and Mahomes is still the best player in the league, but Allen is the total dual-threat package defenses will have the toughest time accounting for. He’s pushed the Bills to the 6th-ranked offensive DVOA — and he’s buoyed by a defense that’s second in DVOA.

Even in losses, he’s been outstanding, and only a wild windstorm in Buffalo has slowed him down lately.

Bills fans (gulp), are you finally ready for that return trip to the big dance?

The pick: Bills (+850)