As the NFL offseason unfolds, bettors at BetMGM are already staking claims in the division futures market. With major liabilities and lopsided action emerging across several divisions, here’s a breakdown of where the money and tickets are landing — and what it could mean heading into the 2025 season.
🔥 Most Popular Division Bets by Volume
According to BetMGM, the most bet divisions by ticket count are:
- NFC North
- AFC West
- NFC West
This trio highlights how bettors are looking beyond perennial favorites, aiming for value in crowded or volatile divisional races.
📈 Most Bet Teams to Win Division (By Tickets)
- Minnesota Vikings (+450, NFC North)
Despite Detroit being the favorite, Minnesota leads all teams in ticket count, making them BetMGM’s biggest liability in the NFC North. - Denver Broncos (+350, AFC West)
Public bettors appear optimistic about Sean Payton’s second year, with 43.1% of the AFC West ticket share backing the Broncos. - Seattle Seahawks (+500, NFC West)
Seattle’s loyal fan base is driving ticket volume, despite San Francisco holding favorite status.
💰 Most Bet Teams to Win Division (By Handle)
- Detroit Lions (+120, NFC North)
Backed by 37.9% of the handle, Detroit is drawing both sharp and public money, showing confidence in their status as divisional favorites. - Arizona Cardinals (+450, NFC West)
While tickets are flowing to Seattle, the money is behind Arizona — likely pointing to larger individual wagers and longshot appeal. - Denver Broncos (+350, AFC West)
Denver appears on both ticket and handle leaderboards, signaling broad support from bettors across the board.
Division-by-Division Breakdown & Betting Trends
🏈 AFC East
- Favorite: Bills (-275)
- Most Tickets & Handle: Patriots (48.6% / 50.0%)
- Biggest Liability: Patriots
Despite long odds, New England leads in both tickets and handle. If the Patriots bounce back, it could be a costly outcome for sportsbooks.
🏈 AFC North
- Favorite: Ravens (-135)
- Ticket Leader: Browns (39.8%)
- Handle Leader: Steelers (37.8%)
- Biggest Liability: Browns
With Deshaun Watson expected to be healthy, bettors are bullish on Cleveland’s upside — a sharp contrast to Baltimore’s favored status.
🏈 AFC South
- Favorite: Texans (+110)
- Ticket & Handle Leader: Texans (33.6% / 43.1%)
- Biggest Liability: Jaguars
Although Houston is drawing the majority of support, the Jags remain a threat on the liability sheet.
🏈 AFC West
- Favorite: Chiefs (-125)
- Ticket & Handle Leader: Broncos (43.1% / 38.1%)
- Biggest Liability: Raiders
Denver bettors are buying into an upward trajectory, but Las Vegas looms as BetMGM’s largest concern if they overperform.
🏈 NFC East
- Favorite: Eagles (-150)
- Ticket & Handle Leader: Commanders (33.7% / 46.9%)
- Biggest Liability: Giants
Despite low expectations, Giants action presents a major potential payout for BetMGM if the NFC East turns chaotic.
🏈 NFC North
- Favorite: Lions (+120)
- Ticket Leader: Vikings (32.8%)
- Handle Leader: Lions (37.9%)
- Biggest Liability: Vikings
Detroit is seeing larger bets, but Minnesota’s volume creates a volatile situation for sportsbooks.
🏈 NFC South
- Favorite: Buccaneers (+105)
- Ticket & Handle Leader: Panthers (39.4% / 35.5%)
- Biggest Liability: Panthers
Carolina’s betting popularity is outpacing their projected win total, making them a sneaky liability if they improve under new leadership.
🏈 NFC West
- Favorite: 49ers (+160)
- Ticket Leader: Seahawks (29.1%)
- Handle Leader: Cardinals (35.7%)
- Biggest Liability: Seahawks
San Francisco remains the chalk, but bettors are scattering bets across the division in search of value.
📊 Betting Implications
The early betting trends reveal a classic split: public bettors favor high-reward longshots, while sharper money is backing solid mid-tier value. The Broncos, Patriots, and Vikings are all drawing substantial liability, showing a market hungry for turnarounds.
With training camps still weeks away, oddsmakers will be watching closely — and potentially adjusting lines — based on where bettors continue to place their faith.
✅ Betting Tips
- Watch Liability Teams: Vikings, Patriots, and Panthers are drawing heavy action — a strong early sign of sleeper potential or overhype.
- Don’t Ignore Handle Discrepancies: The Cardinals, Steelers, and Lions are examples of where smart money may be outweighing the volume of smaller bets.
- Check Movement Closer to Camp: As rosters firm up and injuries emerge, some of these +400 bets may shrink fast.
Stay tuned for up-to-the-minute NFL betting insights, line movement, and division race updates throughout the summer.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
