NFC winner odds are released before the season starts, typically right after the Super Bowl ends. Odds will fluctuate throughout the year, however, based on team performance, injuries, trades and other developments.
For example, say the Dallas Cowboys have +800 odds to win the NFC before the season starts. If they open the year 7-1, their odds will be considerably shorter by Week 9, as they’ll have an easier path to winning the NFC.
Conversely, if the Cowboys start 2-5 or Dak Prescott suffers a season-ending injury, their odds will be much longer by Week 9 since it will be much harder for them to reach the Super Bowl.
Generally speaking, the earlier you bet on a team to win the NFC, the longer the odds will be because there’s more uncertainty. Your potential payout will be higher, but there’s more risk involved because of all the variables at play.
The longer you wait, the shorter the odds will be for a favorite as frontrunners emerge and teams fall out of contention. Your bet has a better chance of winning, but your payout will be lower.
The NFC Championship Game doesn’t take place until late January, so keep that in mind when making your wagers. You’ll have to wait until that game is over to receive your payout, so you don’t want to lock up too much of your betting bankroll on futures bets like these, especially given how risky and difficult to predict they are.
Depending on the odds, it can be a good idea to wager on a few teams before the season starts to give yourself more bites at the apple. That way, you’ll still earn a profit if one of those teams advances to the Super Bowl.