2024 NFL futures betting tips

Now that the NFL draft and the free-agent frenzy are over, rosters are generally set ahead of training camp and the start of the 2024 NFL season. There will still be some movement over the next few months, but those are teams cutting players.

So, now that the cards have been dealt, it’s a perfect time to start making some NFL future betting predictions about this season. There are any number of betting propositions out there, with a fair amount of value if you can decipher them correctly.

One of the best ways to make future bets is guessing which teams will make or miss the playoffs.

Among the gang of 32, here are four teams to check out when looking at those NFL futures.

Falcons to Miss the Playoffs (+225)

There is a ton of hype and optimism surrounding the Atlanta Falcons, who haven't been to the playoffs since 2017. Atlanta is heading into 2024 led by ex-Minnesota Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins, with the team looking to ride his arm into the postseason

Though Cousins is now 36 years old and coming off an injured Achilles, he and his new team are 3-4 (-125) favorites to win the moribund NFC South as well as 12-1 (+1200) to win the NFC, according to NFL conference odds.

There’s still a ton of holes on the roster, however, and teams are going to move on the defense.

But, there is some great value in betting on the Falcons to miss the playoffs, priced at 9-4 (+225), and that is exactly what is going to happen. Atlanta will finish right around break-even, so the postseason drought will continue.

Bears to Make the NFL Playoffs (-125)

There’s no team in the NFL seemingly more interesting heading into the season than the Chicago Bears, we expect them to deliver. Chicago has No. 1 overall selection Caleb Williams at quarterback, and this formerly-mediocre offense should be one to watch.

While the team hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2020, Chicago ended 2023 with some promise going 4-2 in their last six.

While the NFC North is arguably the best division in the league, Chicago doesn't have a very difficult 'other teams' schedule.

Do not expect the Bears to win their division, but at odds of 3-4 (-125), they are going to get into the playoffs. If you’re a fan, Chicago is 11-4 (+275) to win the North, as per NFL division odds.

Bengals to Miss the Playoffs (+180)

The division may well again find all four teams in the playoff hunt this season, with the Baltimore Ravens, top seed in the conference last season, favored to defend its division title behind reigning league MVP (quarterback) Lamar Jackson.

Back to the Bengals and QB Joe Burrow, who has had more than his share of time in the infirmary. The latest issue was wrist surgery, but the team is confident he’s on the road back to being one of the elite QBs in the league.

Cincinnati needs that, especially with a next-to-least defense surrendering 374.6 yards per game last season.

We’re not buying the men in stripes. Cincy missing the playoffs at 9-5 (+180) is the way to go.

Saints to Make the NFL Playoffs (+175)

Since we’ve proclaimed the Atlanta Falcons are not going to make the playoffs this season, someone has to win the pathetic NFC South. Enter the New Orleans Saints, who may be as balanced as any team in the division.

NOLA hasn't really found its footing since quarterback Drew Brees retired, but this is a team that went 9-8 last season (though losing tiebreaker to the Buccaneers). Though inconsistent at times, Derek Carr, ex of the Raiders, had nearly 3,900 passing yards (25 touchdowns, eight interceptions) last season, NOLA ending with 402 points, best in the division.

Go with the Saints at 7-4 (+175) to earn a berth in the playoffs.