Four Underdogs You Should Bet to Win Their Division in 2020 NFL Season
- Just three of eight preseason favorites won NFL division titles in 2019
- Four of the eight teams favored to win their divisions last season didn’t even make the playoffs
- Winners of the last 11 AFC East titles, the New England Patriots aren’t divisional favorites this year
Looking for an underdog to bet to win an NFL division title?
There’s a groundswell of support suggesting that the Miami Dolphins are about to make a bold move up the NFL standings, as well as the league hierarchy. Even Peter King, that sage of NFL writers, is touting the Fins to finish atop the AFC East.
It’s a sweet notion that in the first season following the death of legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula there’d be some magic afoot in Miami.
It’s also completely whack.
To peg the Dolphins as the turnaround team of 2020 is to ignore the fact that during a 5-11 campaign last season Miami posted a horrendous -188 point differential. By comparison the 0-16 Cleveland Browns of 2017 posted a point differential of -176.
When it comes to going with Miami, a piece of advice – don’t go there.
Oh, there’s going to be some underdog stories written this year. There are every year. But the Dolphins won’t be this year’s version of the 2019 San Francisco 49ers in the NFL divisional odds.
The following teams just might be, though.
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
- +350 odds at DraftKings
The Baltimore Ravens were the NFL’s best team last season, going 14-2. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is the NFL’s MVP.
What’s not to like about Baltimore? Well, history isn’t on their side, for starters.
The Ravens have won two straight AFC North titles. They’ve never earned three in row. After back-to-back titles in 2011-12, Baltimore went 8-8 in 2013.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Steelers are going to win the AFC North. It’s going to happen. With Ben Roethlisberger heathy, the offense will take advantage of its weapons. The defense has multiple DPOY candidates. All signs point to less drama too.
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) September 8, 2020
After missing almost all of last season with an elbow injury, written off Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is about to embark on a revenge tour. The Steelers can run the ball efficiently and Big Ben gives them back their passing game.
On defense, playmaker Minkah Fitzpatrick is in the secondary and the pass rush is absolutely ferocious.
Pittsburgh is poised to make some noise.
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks
- +220 odds at DraftKings
Every season, teams that enjoyed great years follow up by going backwards. Last season, it happened to the Los Angeles Chargers (12-4 to 5-11).
Could the 49ers be this year’s team to back up? According to the Football Outsiders efficiency stat, last season the 49ers were the first team in 35 years to improve by 20 percent on both sides of the ball. Generally, when a team has that much of an uptick, a downturn will follow.
Peter King of NBC Sports predicts the #Seahawks to win the NFC West and that the #49ers will be the 5th seed in the NFC mainly due to QB Play 👀🧾 | H/T @49erswebzone pic.twitter.com/0RRYxEe3XE
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 8, 2020
Last season, the Seahawks were one way way from usurping San Francisco’s division title. This year, they get the job done.
Russell Wilson has more Super Bowl wins than Jimmy Garoppolo.
[crosspsot]NFC North: Green Bay Packers
- +180 odds at DraftKings
The Packers were 13-3 and went to the NFC Championship Game but that’s not the main reason to pick the Pack to win the NFC North again.
Do you really want to put your faith in Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins?
The NFC North title picture in 2020 summed up in one video. #GoPackGo. #RunningAwayWithIt. pic.twitter.com/w4CoAev8lb
— 🧀 Packers #1 Fan™ 🧀 (@ParkerMoes) September 8, 2020
The Packers can run the ball with Aaron Jones and first-round pick AJ Dillon. Edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith combined for 25.5 sacks last season.
Green Bay won’t win 13 games again but every team in the NFC North has issues. Nine games might capture this group and 10 wins will almost certainly get it done.
AFC East: New England Patriots
- +130 odds at DraftKings
Bill Belichick would be smiling right now if Belichick was someone who ever smiled. He’s got the football public right where he loves them to be – doubting his team.
The Hoodie wants to prove he can win without Tom Brady. New Patriots QB Cam Newton wants to prove that he’s still got game and remind all that he was the MVP of the NFL in 2015.
It’s not going to be easy, but here’s why the Patriots’ should still be considered AFC East favorites:
• Healthy Cam Newton is the best QB in the division
• Top 10 NFL Offensive Line
• Best secondary in the league
• Bill Belichick
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) August 25, 2020
The fact of the matter is that until Josh Allen of the Bills locates consistency in his game, a healthy Newton is a better, more proven option under center.
The rest of the Patriots are going to suddenly forget how good they are just because Brady left town? The real mastermind of their success is Belichick and he didn’t go anywhere except back to the drawing board.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
