Three NFL Football Futures Bets to Make Before the Season

The NFL season is quickly approaching, and our NFL Futures model is updated with the best values you can find before the season begins. We analyze three of the best college football Futures bets you can make before it's too late. Today's bets focus on teams from the AFC East, AFC North and the NFC North divisions.

1. Buffalo Bills to win the AFC East (+120)

We begin our NFL Futures bets in the AFC East, where the Bills have been heavy favorites for a few years thanks to their high-powered offense led by Josh Allen and star wideout Stefon Diggs. The story is a bit different this year, as their divisional rivals have stepped up their game. The Miami Dolphins took a huge leap forward last season and will look to build off a strong foundation in 2023, and there's a new face under center in New York, where Aaron Rodgers will do his best to propel the Jets to relevancy.

Our model isn't buying it - holding the Bills strong as the favorite here, with a 40.9% probability to win the division. There's still a hefty edge here over the other two contenders, and at plus-money value this is simply too good to pass up. 

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2. Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC North (+150)

Moving to the AFC North, where the Joe Burrow-led Bengals will look to fend off divisional rivals like the Ravens, Browns and Steelers for the division crown. We have come to expect big things from Burrow and his crew, as the Bengals made the Super Bowl in 2022 and looked poised for a deep playoff run again last season before falling short. Looking ahead to next season, there's a heavy amount of questions across the AFC North outside of Cincinnati. Is Lamar Jackson happy in Baltimore? Can Kenny Pickett prove he can lead a winning team? Is Deshaun Watson ready to play a full season in Cleveland?

Given all of these questions, there is once again a heavy edge on the favorite, the Bengals, at +150 to win this division. DimersBOT gives Cincy a 40.7% probability to get it done, and that's good enough for us.

3. Detroit Lions to win the NFC North (+145)

The third Futures bet we love pre-season features a team looking to break through to the level of contender that we already know exists in Buffalo and Cincinnati. The Detroit Lions looked like a totally different organization at the end of last season than the one we have come to know and laugh at for two decades. Led by passionate head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions looked the part of a playoff team for much of the second half of the year. With a collection of talented young players we expect to take a leap forward next season, the Lions are one of the best value bets on the board.

With Aaron Rodgers departing this division, suddenly it feels wide open for the first time in years. While the Vikings are the biggest threat, our model gives the Lions a 16% higher probability of winning the division, making this a fantastic play.

Remember to gamble responsibly and set limits on your betting activities. It's important to approach sports betting as a form of entertainment, rather than relying on it for financial gain. Set a budget for yourself and stick to it, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.