The NFL is getting closer and closer to the 2020 regular season. As we continue our series of articles about how the season will go from a sports betting perspective, today we look at which of the teams that are a little down the championship odds list could reward bettors with big wins on the season, even as underdogs. Every year, there is at least one team that surprises us — remember when Jacksonville had a lead on New England in Foxboro going into the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship, for example? — and bettors who see that coming can make a killing against misguided point spreads.
Take a look at our NFL Betting thoughts on some of the middling (or even lower) teams that could emerge as sleepers in 2020.
NFL Betting:
Worst Teams: Turn into a Good NFL Bet this Season?
| Super Bowl Odds | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +650 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1000 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1400 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1700 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +2000 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +2000 |
| New England Patriots | +2200 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +2500 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2500 |
| Buffalo Bills | +2800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2800 |
| Tennessee Titans | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +3300 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +4000 |
| Chicago Bears | +4000 |
| Cleveland Browns | +4000 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +4500 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +5000 |
| Denver Broncos | +5000 |
| Houston Texans | +5000 |
| Detroit Lions | +6600 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +6600 |
| Miami Dolphins | +7000 |
| New York Giants | +7000 |
| New York Jets | +10000 |
| Carolina Panthers | +10000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +10000 |
| Washington Football Team | +10000 |
Carolina Panthers | Check the Odds
The Carolina Panthers have a quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater who, somehow, remains underrated. He led the Minnesota Vikings to an NFC North title before blowing out his ACL. He was 5-0 in relief of Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints last year. Now he will take over the job in Carolina, and there are still doubts as to whether he can be a franchise quarterback. He has tailback Christian McCaffrey as well as receivers Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore. I see Bridgewater as an upgrade on a burned-out Newton — and I see the Panthers turning some heads.
Cleveland Browns | Check the Odds
The Cleveland Browns looked headed for greatness in 2019. Baker Mayfield set the rookie passing touchdown record, and then the Browns went to Baltimore and delivered a 40-25 thumping of the Ravens in Week 4 — the last game the Ravens would lose until the playoffs. The problem last year was that Mayfield’s offensive line was a bunch of backups and retreads. The team has solved the problem and has one of the best skill groups on offense in the NFL — and still has a stout defense. I see them pushing Baltimore for the AFC North title this year.
Arizona Cardinals | Check the Odds
The Arizona Cardinals almost beat the San Francisco 49ers twice last year. This year, they have wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and Kyler Murray comes into his second year as a quarterback. The Cardinals also added Devon Kennard and Isaiah Simmons to upgrade their edge rush unit. The NFC West will be a hard division this year, but the Cardinals could turn into a solid underdog for bettors.
Pittsburgh Steelers | Check the Odds
The Pittsburgh Steelers almost made the playoffs last year with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges running the offense, thanks in large part to an ironclad defensive unit. Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster both missed significant time due to injuries, and the team doesn’t have a lot of options due to a tight salary cap and some existing contracts this year. I’m not sure the Steelers will have a better season than either the Browns or the Ravens, but with Big Ben back with things still to prove, the Steelers will sneak up on some favorites this year.
Dallas Cowboys | Check the Odds
The Dallas Cowboys are on a lot of Super Bowl short lists, but they haven’t made an NFC Championship in 24 seasons, and they still have the same executive leadership they’ve had since then. They have a new coach in Mike McCarthy, but how hungry can Dak Prescott be to give his all for a team that won’t give him the security of a long-term deal? The team’s defense got eviscerated by free agency, but Dallas didn’t do much other than chase bargain-basement defensive line options. The offense is spectacular, but you can’t expect them to put up 50 points a week. Even so, they will continue to frustrate you against teams they should beat — and surprise you against teams that you thought would beat them easily.
