NFL Futures: Why Gambling On ‘Worst To First’ Is Gaining Popularity With Sports Bettors – Benzinga – Benzinga

Nearly every year a team who finished last place in their division, wins their division the following year. The worst to first phenomenon has given basement-dwelling franchises hope for at least the past two decades. Since 2002, only twice (2014, 2019) have all eightlast-place division finishers, failed to win a divisional crown the following year.

While that news is great for fans of the perpetually terrible Detroit Lions, how does that help casual gamblers and degenerates? Well, even recognizing the trend takes us halfway there. Consider the following:

*Odds listed were betting odds AFTER the 2021 pre-season.

If you want to capitalize on the trend that has hit 90% of the time over the past two decades, you should bet on one of last year's divisional last-place finishers, to win their division this year. Your options include:

*Odds via BetMGM as of 6/20/22

Vegas seems to have gotten wise, as the odds arent as favorable as last year. You may notice that none of the teams listed have the same odds(+2500) as last years Bengals did.

Aside from the Ravens, who are actually the favorites right now, it may seem like there are no solid options - either to win outright or with fantastic odds. Things fluctuate and odds, as they currently stand, are not what they will be in August.

Consider this though, in 2021, $800 spent, placing a $100 bet on each of the previous year's worst place finishers, to win the division, would have left you with $2600 at years end. Now, it's unclear if 2022 will have its own version of the Cincinnati Bengals, but the potential exists forone of the teams tocome out on top.

If you were to place $100 on each of last years last-place finishers to win the division this year, you would needthe Panthers, Seahawks, Lions, or Jets to win their division outright. To replicate 2021s gambling success, youd need a combination of two to three teams to make the leap.

While there are no surefire outcomesin sports or gambling, a bet on divisional futures is an option to consider.

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NFL Futures: Why Gambling On 'Worst To First' Is Gaining Popularity With Sports Bettors - Benzinga - Benzinga