NFC South Title Odds Heading into Week 4

Doesn’t it almost feel like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are simply just daring all of its divisional opponents to make a move and challenge them for the top spot in the NFC South? The reigning division champs have looked nothing like the prior two versions with The GOAT at the helm, and it has everything to do with the injury bug taking a big ‘ol bite out of the roster. So far, nobody has been able to rise to the occasion and unseat them as the top dog. Hopefully, they know the window of opportunity to do so is getting shorter with every passing week. Tampa’s walking wounded will return to the huddle in the coming month. Once that occurs, watch out!

Let’s break down the current offerings at BetRivers Sportsbook and see if there’s anything else to get involved in.

Bet NFC South Title Odds at BetRivers Sportsbook

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While the Bucs currently sit in the catbird seat, it’s been quite the struggle to get there. Tampa dominated Dallas in the season opener. While Dak Prescott’s early departure played a role, the defense was nothing short of elite. Same thing occurred the week after against New Orleans.

The offense struggled to get much of anything done against the Saints stout defense, but the defense played with its hair on fire to lock the win down. Green Bay solved the riddle that was the defense in the first half of last week’s home tilt but got bupkus over the game’s final 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the offense continued to struggle and came up just short of pulling out the comeback win.

In all honesty, Tampa’s got to be thrilled that it’s the owner of a +.500 record. When was the last time you saw a Tom Brady led offense ranked amongst the dregs of the league? I likely had hair back then. Regardless, things will change and do so quickly once Chris Godwin and the offensive line return to health. Once that happens, Tampa’s going to be a chore to deal with as fantastic the defense has played early on. The unit ranks No. 4 overall and has allowed the fewest points in the league (9.0).

As such, it comes with little surprise to see oddsmakers lining them as runaway favorites to take home division bragging rights for the second time in as many years.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints opened the season playing all three of its division rivals. Heading into Week 4’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings across the pond, it stands 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in those contests. And to think it could be 0-3 SU if not for staging a furious fourth-quarter comeback to shock the Falcons back in Week 1. Not a good look for Dennis Allen in his first season running the show!

That being said, there are still some things to like about this team. For starters, it’s nice to see the passing attack making waves with it racking up better than 261 yards per game (No. 8). The problem however has been an inability to turn all that yardage into points (No. 23) with its 21.9 yards per point average ranked No. 29 overall. Alvin Kamara has been a no-show as he attempts to play through a rib injury sustained in Week 1. Rookie Chris Olave has been a nice story reeling in a team-high 268 receiving yards but is still searching for his first touchdown snare. Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry each just picked up foot injuries. Can the former ever stay healthy?

While the defense has been frugal overall in allowing just over 320 yards per game (No. 13), its rush defense has been an issue (No. 26) and it’s only forced three turnovers (No. 18). With the offense struggling, this unit must revert back to the form of the last few years if it’s to have any shot of chasing down the Bucs. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee it happening.

Carolina Panthers

Very interesting line moves with the Panthers this week after BetRivers moved them to 9-1 from 22-1 entering last week’s home tilt with the Saints. In coming out with the 22-14 outright win and cover as short home dogs, are we to truly believe Carolina actually has a shot of competing for the NFC South title? I’m not a believer! They were destroyed in last week’s box score getting outgained 426-293 but got bailed out by the N’awlens offense that turned the ball over three times.

For whatever reason, Baker Mayfield simply just can’t get on the same page as D.J. Moore. The duo only hooked up on one of six targets last week for a whopping two yards. If not for a gifted blown coverage late touchdown to Laviska Shenault, the former Heisman winner would’ve churned out another disgusting stat line. While the team has been in all three of its played games to date, I’m interested to see what happens when the schedule strength ratchets up. My guess is that it won’t be pretty – PASS!

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are owners of the best offense in the division right now with Marcus Mariota leading the unit to just under 355 yards per game (No. 14) and 26.7 points per game (No. 9). Its 13.3 yard per point average clocks in at No. 5! Cordarrelle Patterson has picked right back up where he left off a season ago, and Drake London is currently the frontrunner at BetRivers to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. This attack will become even scarier once Kyle Pitts gets going.

While the defense has been able to force turnovers (No. 10) and be league average against the run (No. 15), it’s surprisingly been a sieve against the pass (No. 27). That comes as a huge shock as solid a CB tandem they possess in A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward. Just like the Detroit Lions, it looks like the Falcons have enough dogs in them to be lucrative investments on a weekly basis, but not nearly enough in the tank to threaten for division bragging rights.