Posted on
5/1/2008 8:21:58 PM
NFL Football Betting Action – Early NFC Championship Odds
By Eric Williams
With the NFL Draft taking place this past weekend, the aroma of NFL football is back in the air once again and although it will be approximately four months before the 2008 NFL regular season gets underway, wise NFL bettors know that it’s never too early to begin in their preparation for another exciting NFL wagering season in either, the BetUS Locker Room or BetUS Sportsbook.
With that in mind, this article will look at the early NFL Odds to win the NFC Championship while providing a brief comment about each team’s realistic chances of actually winning the conference title.
Now, before some NFL mini-camp gets underway, let me get busy.
To win the NFC Championship
The Best Bets: While none of these teams can be classified as a definite “lock”, this group of teams represents the best bets to win the NFC Championship in 2008.
Dallas Cowboys +300
The Cowboys’ acquisition of head case cornerback Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones should tell NFL bettors that the Cowboys are desperate to win this season. Offensively, this team will certainly be able to put its share of points up on the board, while they could also be better on the defensive side of the ball with another year under defensive genius head coach Wade Phillips. At the very least, this team will be one of the top contenders to win the NFC in 2008.
New York Giants +500
The Giants shocked the world’ last season, coming together at just the right time and could be even better in 2008, though that fact may not necessarily translate in another Super Bowl victory with the back-to-back Super Bowl thing getting harder to pull off every season it seems.
New Orleans Saints +900
The Saints took a big step backwards last season after winning the NFC South in 2006, but should be a legitimate contender once again in 2008, particularly if they can fix some of their problems on the defensive side of the ball.
Philadelphia Eagles +1000
Say what you want about the Eagles’ perennial playoff failures, all I know is that head coach Andy Reid, despite his turbulent home-life problems surrounding his two jackass sons, continually puts the Eagles in position to contend for a division title or more. Whether or not the Eagles can get over the hump in 2008 remains to be seen, but I’ll remain skeptical until I see their defense.
Legitimate Contenders: These teams are hovering on the fringes of the conference’s elite teams and could genuinely reach Super Bowl XLIII.
Green Bay Packers +550
I have the Packers in the legitimate contender category because of their powerful defense and the fact that they are headed in the right direction. However, no Brett Favre this season means an 8-8 record at best.
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Simply put, the Seahawks missed out on their best chance at winning a Super Bowl a couple of seasons back when they had overpowering running back Shaun Alexander who was released earlier this year. Mike Holmgren is an excellent head coach, but the Seahawks won’t win much more than a division title, if that, in 2008.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1400
Who Knows: This category is for the small group of teams that no one really knows what is going to happen to in 2008. These teams could either end up reaching the postseason or flaming out altogether. Just think … 10-6 or 6-10.
Arizona Cardinals +1800
After a respectable 8-8 record in head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s first season in the desert, the Cardinals seem to be headed in the right direction. I’m thinking another eight-win season is a definite in 2008 with the possibility for more if Whisenhunt can keep young quarterback Matt Leinart away from the keg that is.
Washington Redskins +1600
No Joe Gibbs means this team will be starting over once again. First-year head coach, Jim Zorn, a player I watched for his entire playing career, will certainly have his work cut out for him.
Minnesota Vikings +1600
The Vikings are an excellent wager at +1600. This team is clearly headed in the right direction under head former Eagles offensive coordinator coach Brad Childress and could surprise everyone if quarterback Jarius Jackson can get his head to catch up with the rest of his jaw-dropping athletic ability.
Carolina Panthers +2000
The Panthers have been going backwards for a few seasons now and things won’t get much better next season in what could be head coach John Fox’s final season at the helm.
Chicago Bears +1600
Speaking of teams going backwards, are the Chicago Bears still going with mediocre quarterback Rex Grossman? Lovie Smith had better wake up and fins a real starting quarterback in a hurry or he’ll be out of a job too.
Not Gonna’ Happen: This group of teams has absolutely no chance whatsoever of winning the NFC title in 2008 or at any point in the foreseeable future.
Detroit Lions +2200
Ha, ha, ha, ha. I won’t even waste my time writing about the beleaguered Lions, who will have another head coach following the 2008 season after they part ways with head coach Rod Marinelli. Despite the team’s 7-9 record last season, the Lions fell apart by going a pathetic 1-7 after getting off to a surprising 6-2 start, though I will admit that the retirement of Brett Favre has to be a boon for every NFC Central team besides the Packers.
San Francisco 49ers +2500
The Niners went a dismal 5-11 last season and although I really like head coach Mike Nolan, I’m giving him just one more season as well to get this team back on track. Eight wins and nothing less, will save Nolan’s’ job were it up to me.
Saint Louis Rams +3300
Speaking of coaches that will be out of a job soon, I’ll be surprised if the Rams retain Linehan through the midseason mark if this team isn’t at least 404 by that point. Linehan, a fine football mind, is not suited to be a head coach.
Atlanta Falcons +6500
While I like the Falcons naming former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as head coach this past offseason, the Falcons are so far away from contending that by the time they are, Smith could be long gone while Michael Vick is making highlight-reel plays with his feet for some other NFL team.
The 2008 NFL betting season is around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLIII and beyond!