NFL Futures: 2022 NFC South Betting Preview, Computer Picks and Analysis

It seemed as though we might be getting a season without Tom Brady for about two weeks, but the greatest quarterback in the history of the game decided to run it back. Now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again favored to win the NFC South, but they won't be able to do so without a challenge from the New Orleans Saints — and a little added feistiness from a Carolina Panthers team that should be more competitive with Baker Mayfield under center and Christian McCaffrey now healthy. 

Make sure you continue reading for our NFC South betting preview, picks and analysis, as we'll dive deep into who we think will end up winning this division — or at least where the betting value lies. And if you're a new customer, you might want to grab this DraftKings offer to bet $5 on the NFL and get $200 FREE ➡️ here ⬅️. Free bets are perfect for betting on futures, as you can cash in big without having to risk anything. 

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NFC South Betting Preview, Computer Picks and Analysis

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Week 1 2022: Buccaneers vs. Cowboys

With Brady back in the mix, the Buccaneers are going to be one of the better offensive teams in the league again. Sure, Rob Gronkowski isn't back (for now) and Chris Godwin could require some time to get back to full strength after rupturing his ACL last year, but all of the pieces are in place for Tampa Bay to be great again.

Nobody in the league is better at utilizing their strengths than Brady is, and he's going to continue to pick apart opposing defenses with his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions. The acquisition of Russell Gage also happens to give Brady a shifty slot receiver, which is something he has done well with in the past. 

This defense is also going to be very good, as Todd Bowles is one of the best defensive coaches in all of football. There's a lot of talent in place here, and the team also happened to bring in defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and use a second-round pick on defensive end Logan Hall. 

The Buccaneers have, however, suffered some injuries along the offensive line throughout training camp and preseason. If that group isn't doing a good job of keeping Brady upright, Tampa Bay could have some trouble reaching its potential. 

Verdict: DimersBOT gives the Buccaneers an 80.1% chance of winning the NFC South this year, which is the highest of any team in the league to win their respective division. With that in mind, it's likely Brady and Co. will get the job done here. But we're not advising anybody to bet this at these odds. The value just isn't there. 

New Orleans Saints

NFL Week 1 2022: Saints vs. Falcons

The Saints have all the makings of a sleeper team this season, but it will all come down to how Jameis Winston plays. The polarizing quarterback is coming off of a ruptured ACL that ended a season in which he was doing a good job of managing the New Orleans offense. However, Winston is capable of doing more than just that, it's just about knowing when to take risks.

He's too talented to be a game manager, but he also can't afford to be making tight-window throws all the time. But he is playing with a receiving core that is out of this world, as he'll have Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and first-round pick Chris Olave at his disposal. Alvin Kamara is also one of the best receiving backs in the league, and his ability to run the ball will make life on Winston easier as well. 

In addition to having an offense that should score points rather easily, the Saints had the second-best defense in the league last year, according to Pro Football Focus. New Orleans then went out and added safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye in the offseason, while using a second-round pick on Alontae Taylor in the 2022 NFL Draft. With that in mind, this team's secondary only got better and it's just going to be a nightmare for opposing offenses to play this group. 

Verdict: You can do a lot worse than throwing a little something on New Orleans to win this division — and even the NFC or Super Bowl. All it would take is a good season from Winston for the Saints to do big things. They're as talented as any team in the league. 

Carolina Panthers

NFL Week 1 2022: Browns vs. Panthers

McCaffrey got hurt last season and the Panthers never had a quarterback they were happy with, so it's just hard to put too much weight into last season's performance. Now, the team has upgraded significantly at quarterback in bringing Mayfield into the fold. Mayfield never lived up to expectations with the Cleveland Browns, but he is an above-average quarterback and is going to do a good job of distributing the ball to his playmakers

With that in mind, look for D.J. Moore to turn in a career year. McCaffrey should also put up absurd numbers, especially with Carolina having invested heavily in its offensive line. 

The Panthers defense should also be better this year than it was last year, with Jaycee Horn now healthy after missing most of his rookie season. Horn looks like he can be a lock-down corner in this league, and the Panthers have some other talent in front of him. The only issue is that this Carolina defense is probably average, at best. Considering the same can really be said about the offense, there just isn't too much upside here right now. 

Verdict: You shouldn't go throwing money on the Panthers to win this division just yet, but it'd be understandable if you chose to bet the Over on their season win total. 

Atlanta Falcons

NFL Week 1 2022: Saints vs. Falcons

The Falcons are going to be starting Marcus Mariota to begin the season, and he should be a solid stop-gap option until they're ready to give rookie Desmond Ridder a shot. But Atlanta is likely in a position to take a quarterback in next year's loaded 2023 NFL Draft. It's just hard to imagine the answer is in the quarterback room right now, and there's too much pass-catching talent in place to waste away on mediocre options.

Kyle Pitts should be the best tight end in football very soon, and rookie Drake London has the potential to be a star at wide receiver. The Falcons also have Cordarrelle Patterson playing well in a hybrid role right now. He starts at running back for Atlanta, but he does a lot of work as a receiver. Those three weapons we just mentioned need somebody better to get them the ball. 

As for the defense, the Falcons might not be good this season, but they do appear to be getting there. Atlanta has a good secondary, with A.J. Terrell being as good of a corner as there is in this league. The Falcons should also be a lot better at getting to the quarterback this season. That will make the whole unit play a bit better, and they're just trending in the right direction overall. 

Verdict: Atlanta should be one of the worst teams in the league this season, but brighter days are ahead. The Falcons have some really talented young players and should get a lot better once they're comfortable at the quarterback position. 

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