X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2020 NFL Bets: Super Bowl Winners and NFC Playoffs

NFL betting analyst Tim Heaney shares his top futures bets for the Super Bowl LV winner and the NFC Playoffs. These are football sleeper bets for the 2020 NFL season.

A lot of this NFL betting advice may change in the coming days as the league institutes its cutoff for players to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.

Still, football bettors should have an idea about their favorite sleepers and value picks ahead of time, so they know which NFL wagers to make if anything major changes. Also, it pays to know the possible permutations of team outlooks that could change on a dime if Player X says he's not playing this year, or whether we know borderline names will give it a go in the NFL regular season.

In my last NFL betting column, I talked about my favorite AFC Playoff Futures bets. I'll circle back to the topic for the other conference, the NFC, and share my top sleeper from there. To close out this topic, I'll add my sleeper Super Bowl LV winner selections for the upcoming season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2020 NFC Playoff Futures and Division Finish Bet

Arizona Cardinals +650 to finish 2nd NFC West (+650), DraftKings

$100 bet pays $750

I was tempted to just go the distance and go for first place (+900 on FanDuel), but this is a promising alternative if you still, logically, back the San Francisco 49ers as the tops. The Seattle Seahawks’ acquisition of safety Jamal Adams has further strengthened the books’ expectations of their postseason trip, and the Rams probably are better than they looked last year.

However, Arizona’s passing offense will guide the ship, and Kyler Murray showed enough promise as a rookie to bank on a step forward. The arrivals of WR DeAndre Hopkins and RB Kenyan Drake jolt an offense that already had some intrigue (especially with third-year WR Christian Kirk) that’ll air it out often. The defense gets a boost from LB/S hybrid rookie Isaiah Simmons and the additions of DT Jordan Phillips, LB De’Vondre Campbell, and OLB Devon Kennard.

 

2020 Super Bowl Winner Futures Bets

No, I’m not selecting the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers, out of principle. Let’s focus on a larger ROI.

PROFITABLE CONTENDERS

Philadelphia Eagles (+2000), DraftKings
Pittsburgh Steelers (+2500), DraftKings

The Pennsylvania squads are getting a bit underrated. Given, the Steelers are in a tough division with the juggernaut Baltimore Ravens and possibly upstart Cleveland Browns, and the Eagles will surely tangle with the Dallas Cowboys for 1 (max 2) spots, but both teams are built for a deep postseason run.

The Eagles bolstered their secondary, chiefly by bringing in CB Darius Slay.

The Steelers get QB Ben Roethlisberger back, and while his age (38) keeps him in the risky tier, if he finds a way to survive the season, Pittsburgh has the offensive talent and elite offensive line to make a long playoff run. (It would be a better proposition if they can somehow land homefield advantage for most of the postseason, considering Big Ben’s shaky splits away from Heinz Field.)

Even with those questions, the offense has plenty of weapons on the ground (James Conner, Benny Snell, and exciting rookie Anthony McFarland) and through the air (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington and new arrival Eric Ebron). Plus, that defense is loaded, notably after trading for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick last year. (Steal, by the way.)

SLEEPER

Cleveland Browns (+4000), DraftKings
The Browns’ offense may determine whether this can play, but Kevin Stefanski’s system thrived in Minnesota last year, working from the run game outward. Leaning on Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt would be smart, though developing Baker Mayfield to be more efficient in his work with Odell Beckham Jr and tight end Austin Hooper (and, if they keep him, David Njoku). A smooth recovery these next few weeks for possession wideout Jarvis Landry (hip) would help, too. The defense has the talent to survive LB Joe Schobert’s departure.

 

More NFL Playoff Bets to Consider

If you have extra funds to throw bigger darts:

Indianapolis Colts to win AFC Conference (+1200), DraftKings

I’m high on the Colts this year, as explained in my AFC Playoffs column. I’ve added this as another option if you want to buy in strongly, too.

Detroit Lions to win NFC North (+600), FanDuel

Try this if Kenny Golladay and T.J. Hockenson appear ready for Week 1 following their COVID-19-list stays. (Credit to RotoBaller’s Frank Ammirante for the solid case. I faded them earlier this offseason, but for this ROI in a volatile division, it’s not a bad dart, especially with the drafting of RB D’Andre Swift and improvements made on defense:



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!


More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP