NFL Worst to First Predictions for 2023-24: Expert Picks & Betting Odds
With the 2023-24 NFL season now just six weeks away, the excitement is increasing by the day. Prior to the ability to lock in our predictions and picks for Week 1, there are plenty of betting markets to take advantage of. One way to approach the futures markets is by predicting a division winner, and there can be great value in teams that were at the bottom of the standings last season.
With that in mind, our experts have come up with NFL worst to first predictions, which we’ve broken down for you below alongside a $1,000 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus. They also laid out their first to worst picks, which can be located here.
NFL WORST TO FIRST PREDICTIONS: Jets (+250), Bears (+400) and Falcons (+220 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
Click here to sign up at BetMGM for a new-user promo worth up to $1,000 after a first bet on anything, such as our NFL worst to first predictions.
Our NFL Worst to First Predictions for This Season: Picks & Best Bets
Going from worst in a division to first is no small feat, but it’s certainly not impossible. Oftentimes, those teams have high draft picks, which can have a big impact. Similarly, there are always offseason acquisitions that can greatly improve a team’s outlook. Both factors are involved in our best NFL worst to first predictions, so let’s break down our three favorite selections.
New York Jets
The first of which is likely no surprise, as the Jets have received plenty of love in the betting markets this offseason. That’s primarily due to them trading for a future Hall-of-Fame QB in Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers.
He’s the winner of two of the last three NFL MVPs, and New York has been looking for the answer at QB for what feels like forever. However, that isn’t the only reason why they lead off our NFL worst to first predictions.
Rodgers also has two of the best young weapons in the NFL. Firstly, the Jets will have RB Breece Hall back from his knee injury after being on pace to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. While he was unable to do so, that left the door open for teammate WR Garrett Wilson to win the award.
Along with the Jets being able to re-sign superstar DE Quinnen Williams a couple of weeks ago and also having 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year CB Sauce Gardner, they have the pieces to take advantage of the AFC East beating up on one another.
Chicago Bears
Another player that was a Rookie of the Year contender recently is Bears QB Justin Fields. While he didn’t win the award, it’s clear that the team is confident building around him, as they traded away the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Now, the NFC North is as wide open as ever. With the recent trade of the aforementioned Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers are no longer the clear favorite to win the division. In fact, they’re at the bottom in terms of the betting odds for division winners.
On the flip side, it’s the Detroit Lions listed as the favorite to win the NFC North. However, we’re focused on the Bears to add to our NFL worst to first predictions instead. The Lions are still quite a volatile team, as they’ve been at the bottom of the division themselves for quite some time now.
We’re also not nearly as fearful of the Minnesota Vikings in comparison to other division winners. They have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and nearly all of their wins last year came by just one possession. It’s difficult to see them winning so many games at the last second for back-to-back seasons.
Therefore, the next of our NFL worst to first predictions is for Fields and the Bears to make a big turnaround and top the NFC North (+400 at BetMGM Sportsbook).
Atlanta Falcons
To keep the theme of Rookie of the Year awards going, the Falcons currently have the betting favorite on the offensive side of the ball for 2023-24. That would be RB Bijan Robinson out of Texas, who they selected with the #8 overall pick.
While Atlanta still has work to do to be considered a favorite in the NFC overall, this part of our NFL worst to first predictions is also due to the division in which they play. The NFC South was arguably the worst division in the league last season, as all four teams finished with a sub-.500 record.
That’s right, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record. The door is even more wide open for the Falcons, as future Hall-of-Fame QB Tom Brady will no longer be the signal-caller for the Bucs. Similarly, the Carolina Panthers will be trying to get rookie Bryce Young accustomed to the NFL this year.
While the New Orleans Saints acquired Derek Carr from the Las Vegas Raiders, he’ll be learning a new offense, and it won’t be with former Saints head coach Sean Payton. With so much uncertainty in the division, Atlanta rounds out our best NFL worst to first predictions.
Available Betting Odds for the Jets, Bears and Falcons to go From Worst to First Provided by BetMGM
While there isn’t a specific market labeled “Worst to First” at BetMGM Sportsbook, the way to approach this is to simply use the division winner betting market.
In that regard, the Jets come with +250 odds, so a $10 bet profits $25 as long as they top the AFC East. As for the Bears, their +400 odds means that a $10 beat profits $40 if they finish in first place in the NFC North. Finally, the Falcons are listed with a +220 price, so a $10 bet profits $22 as long as they win the NFC South.
How to Wager on Our NFL Worst to First Predictions at BetMGM Sportsbook With up to $1,000 in Bet Insurance
No matter which of our NFL worst to first predictions you’re looking to back, or even if you want to tail all of them or come up with a different pick, there’s never been a better time to join BetMGM. All new members can lock in a $1,000 sign-up bonus, and here’s how:
- Click here to create a new BetMGM account
- Deposit at least $10
- Place a wager of $10+ and up to $1,000
- Receive bonus bets of your wager amount if it loses
This ensures that no matter what, you won’t come away empty-handed from that first bet. You’ll either receive your winnings or bonus bets of equal value if your first bet loses, and with no BetMGM promo code needed, you can sign up here to get started in no time.
Recent NFL Teams That Have Gone From Worst to First
Finally, it’s certainly worth noting teams that have been able to do exactly what our NFL worst to first predictions are anticipating - going from the bottom team in a division to the best. Recently, we’ve seen the following teams do so:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2021-22 to 2022-23
- Cincinnati Bengals: 2020-21 to 2021-22
- Houston Texans: 2017-18 to 2018-19
Our NFL worst to first predictions are looking to add to the above list, so make sure you create a new account at BetMGM to ride along with us while claiming a $1,000 new-user promo.
If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.
The Arena Media Brands, LLC and its partners may receive compensation for links to products and services on this website. The Arena Media Brands editorial team is not involved in the creation of this content.
