2021 NFC East Betting Pick
July 20, 2021
The NFC East was the worst division in football in 2020. We should certainly see improvements across the board in 2021, but this division is still a far cry from being anything resembling a heavyweight. The winner of this division will not be receiving a bye week in the playoffs and it lacks a true title contender. With that said there is one team best suited to earn the divisional crown this season, and it is the Washington Football Team.
NFC East Betting Pick
✅ The competition faced by the Washington Football Team in their division is not exactly fierce. The New York Giants (+450) and Philadelphia Eagles (+550) are the longest shots for the divisional crown. There are just so many question marks and changes surrounding the Eagles, it is impossible to predict them for any level of success this year. The Giants will be improved on offense with the signing of Kenny Golladay and return of Saquon Barkley, but they are a team that is not yet ready for true playoff contention. The Dallas Cowboys (+135) are the favroites to win the division, but that does not feel like the appropriate betting favorite. Yes, the Cowboys get the most national exposure and have very fun pieces in place on the offensive side of the ball but have greater factors working against them. Their total defense and scoring defense will continue to be a problem as it was last season. Additionally they return one of the worst head coaches in the league and one of the most overrated of all time in Mike McCarthy. Balance on both sides of the ball and a coaching edge will help WFT stay ahead fo the Cowboys.
✅ The WFT has an offense itching to explode. After subpar quarterback play was prevelant throughout 2020, WFT brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick to be a steadying veteran presense that also still has the skill set to unlock and elevate explosive players. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin will be the biggest beneficiary of Fitzpatrick's presence, but everyone will benefit. Tight end Logan Thomas should take another step forward this season and running back Antonio Gibson has all the tools to become one of the league's elite. Also, do not sleep on rookie wide out Dyami Brown, who shoul dbring an extra deep ball element to the offense from day one.
✅ The WFT defesnse is absolutely one of the best in the league and it is on this side of the ball that they blow the rest of the division out of the water. Chase Young is a monster in the pass rush but it is nt just him, Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen also played at an extremely high level last season and their pass rush spear heads a great defense. The addition of William Jackson III to the secondary patches a rare hole and this defense is going to be hihgly difficult to beat, front to back. The number two total defense from 2020 could take a step forward to be the top one in the league in 2021.
✅ When looking at the NFC East, there is only one complete team, and it is WFT. I am not the only one catching on to this. Just a month ago, WFT was +260 to win the division, and that has been bet all the way down to +200. That is not ideal, but there is still a great amount of value at that price. Additonally in the same period, their win total was bet from 8 to 8.5 and their to make the playoffs line was bet from +150 to +110. Get in on this one before the value is gone.
