A look at NFL futures: NFC South and West

The final installment of looking at the futures for the NFL and the 2020 schedule.  Today we wrap it up with the NFC South and West, plus a look at Division, Conference and Super Bowl futures.

NFC South:  It's Brees vs. Brady Division!

New Orleans Saints - Over 10.5
Can Brees keep it going?  Not a lot of weakness with this team.  Schedule doesn't present too many issues.  There is a 3 game road trip as they travel to an improved Denver team, to Atlanta and then to Philly.  Getting KC and Vikings at home towards end of season helps.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Under 9.5
This over/under going to be real close.  I see a 9-7 season, but could move to 10-6.  All depends if Brady is a big difference maker.  Somewhat of a tough stretch between Week 9-14, with games vs Saints then at Carolina, but then 4 home games against Rams, KC and Vikings.  Finish with Atlanta, Detroit, Atlanta, not bad.

Atlanta Falcons - Under 7.5
After the bye week it gets interesting.  They play Saints twice in three weeks with Raiders in between, then Buccaneers twice in three days with the world champ Chiefs in between.  After all that a road trip to play the Chargers.

Carolina Panthers - Over 5.5
I think they can get to at least 6 wins if not 7.  Get a little break in weeks 4-6 with games against Cardinals, Falcons and Bears (oh my!) before going to New Orleans.  They have some tough road games however with trips to Green Bay, Kansas City and Minnesota.

NFC West:  Clearly the toughest division in the NFL

San Francisco 49ers - Over 10.5
They could open up 7-0 with 3 straight home games against Eagles, Dolphins and Rams.  They do have a back to back New York games against Jets and Giants.  After those first 7 games the heat does turn up with road games against Patriots, Seahawks and Saints plus Green Bay at home.

Seattle Seahawks - Over 9.5
After the bye week it gets a little dicey as they travel to Arizona, then home against 49ers and Bills, and road against Rams.  Back home against Cards then fly to Philadelphia.  Get through that batch with 5 wins and they could be front runner for division.

Los Angels Rams - Over 8.5
I am enjoying that most media is down on Rams, although they will still likely finish third in this division.  Tough first 3 games; Dallas, at Philly, at Bills.  Over may be decided right here.  Nice to get 3 out of final 4 games at home and all winnable; Pats, Jets, Cards.

"pssst...people don't think we will be any good..."

Arizona Cardinals - Over 7
Lots of road and home streaks.  After opening on the road vs. 49ers its home for 2 in a row against Lions and Redskins then 3 road games against Panthers, Jets, Cowboys, then 3 more at home against Seattle, Minnesota and Buffalo.

Where Kliff will be watching the playoffs...

The NFC West was the only division that had every team on the over.

Here are my division, conference and Super Bowl futures picks: (odds via DraftKings)

AFC East:  Patriots +125 (Patriots edge out Bills)
AFC North: Ravens -200 (no way they don't)
AFC South:  Texans +350 (Titans probably win it but at +350 why not take Texans)
AFC West:  Chiefs -400 (wouldn't even bet this with that juice)

NFC East:  Cowboys +100 (Might be easy money)
NFC North:  Vikings +165 (close between Vikes and Pack, so not worth the bet)
NFC South:  Saints -110 (Will be fun to see Brees vs. Brady twice)
NFC West:  Seahawks +225 (might be my favorite bet on the board)

AFC Conference:  Ravens +333 (Dark horse: Chargers at +2000)
NFC Conference:  Saints +650 (two others I like are Seattle +1100 and Cowboys +900. Dark horse: Rams +1600, I mean why not)

Super Bowl:  Saints +1300 (Story book ending for Brees) 

All predictions subject to change come August....