Forget the odds MyBookie NFL betting faithful. When it comes to winning the 2020 Super Bowl title, there are a handful of top title contenders in each conference that stand head and shoulders above all others. Whether it’s because of an elite quarterback, an unstoppable offense, an elite defense or some combination of of the three, I’ve identified the top five Super Bowl contenders in the NFC that can ‘really’ win it all this season. Let’s get started so you can place your bets against their odds to win the Super Bowl LV.
NFL Betting Predictions – Forget the Odds…Which NFC Teams Can Really Win a Super Bowl in 2020?
No. 5 Tampa Bay (7-9)
Look, I’m not going all gaga over the Buccaneers as a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC, but the fact of the matter is that, on paper, this looks like a team that should challenge the best teams in the conference for supremacy. Tampa Bay ranked a stellar fourth in scoring last season (28.6 ppg) and that was with former franchise quarterback Jameis Winston throwing interceptions all over the place. The Bucs have some young talent on defense and they’ll need to improve on that side of the ball after finishing a pitiful 30th against the pass, but a polar-opposite first against the run and 29th in points allowed (28.1 ppg). To that end, I love Tampa Bay’s additions of linebacker Shaquil Barrett, pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh, although I’m not really impressed with their draft. Still, the addition of Brady should help this seven-win team from a year ago, reach the double-digit mark at the very least in 2020. The Bucs will challenge, but they’re not favorites to win the NFC if you ask me.
No. 4 Minnesota (10-6)
Yes, the Vikings finished three games behind NFC North-winning Green Bay last season, but this is a team that I believe will still make a really solid challenge for the NFC crown based mostly on their powerful defense (18.9 ppg, 6th) and stupendous rushing attack. While the Vikes aren’t known for having an explosive offense, they did manage to finish an encouraging eighth in scoring (25.4 ppg) while ranking sixth in rushing, thanks mostly to the contributions of Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook (1,247 yards). Minnesota added veteran run stuffing interior lineman Michael Pearce while drafting LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick after trading veteran Stephon Diggs to Buffalo. If Kirk Cousins doesn’t blow it with some poor play, I believe Minnesota will contend.
No. 3 San Francisco (13-3)
The Niners went a stupendous 13-3 last season while ranking a stellar second in scoring (29.9 ppg) and an equally impressive eighth in points allowed (19.4 ppg) last season. Still, Frisco’s weak link is clearly quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as we saw in Super Bowl 54. While he passed for 3,978 yards and 27 touchdowns, Garoppolo also tossed 13 interceptions, none more costly than the pick he threw in the Super Bowl. Frisco has a powerful rushing attack that ranked second overall and they were phenomenal in ranking first against the pass defensively. I like Frisco’s offseason additions that saw them re-sign veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead while selecting South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw with the 14th overall pick and Arizona State wideout Brandon Aiyuk with the 25th overall pick and I expect them to really contend in 2020 despite my reservations about Jimmy G.
No. 2 Seattle (11-5)
Seattle has an elite quarterback that I believe is as good as any other signal-caller in the game today in the incomparable Russell Wilson. The Seahawks went an impressive 11-5 last season, but came within one yard of sweeping San Francisco last season and winning the NFC West crown. I like the way Pete Carroll and his staff addressed their offseason needs, particularly on defense and I believe their addition of veteran tight end Greg Olsen is going to pay big dividends in the passing attack. The Seahawks finished ninth in scoring (25.3 ppg) last season, but just 22nd in points allowed (24.9 ppg). The good news is that Seattle added a trio of veteran defensive linemen that could all start in tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Brandon Shell and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Seattle also grabbed some young talent on the defensive side of the ball by selecting Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks with the 27th overall pick and Tennessee defensive end Darrell Taylor with the 48th overall pick.
No. 1 New Orleans (13-3)
The Saints suffered their third straight playoff ouster in stunning fashion, but I believe Drew Brees and company are in great shape to make another legitimate run at the Super Bowl in 2020. New Orleans was as explosive as ever in finishing third in scoring last season (28.6 ppg) and they were solid, if not, overpowering in finishing 13th in points allowed (21.3 ppg). Brees will be back under center for at least another year and New Orleans made some smart free agent additions, starting with veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and safety Malcolm Jenkins. The Saints upgraded their offensive line by re-signing veteran Andrus Peat and drafting Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with the 24th overall pick. New Orleans will be hungry and they’ll definitely contend – if they truly move on from Brees’ offseason gaffe on the national anthem, race relations and the military.
