2024-25 NFL NFC Championship Odds and Predictions  

Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial

As we get closer to turning the calendars from November to December, we’re thankful for exciting NFC battles over three of the four divisions and six of the seven Playoff spots.

However, unlike the AFC Conference where multiple teams have a shot at the top seed, the NFC’s top spot seems to be a foregone conclusion as the Detroit Lions are leading the pack while everyone else tries to catch up.

In fact, as of this writing, the Lions have now moved ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs as the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl 59 next year.

Let’s take a look at the latest NFC Championship odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our 2024-25 NFC Championship predictions. 

NFC Championship Odds 

A lot has changed since the preseason. First, the Lions are actually better than most thought they would be. And, that’s saying a lot considering they had the second-best odds to win the NFC behind the San Francisco 49ers.

Speaking of the reining NFC champs, their odds have fallen from +240 to +1000. In fact, they might not even win the NFC West division after dropping below .500 and losing three divisional games as of this writing.

The biggest movers are the Washington Commanders who jumped from +6000 to +1500 and the Arizona Cardinals from +5000 to +2000. Both teams are in Playoff contention as of publication. Let’s break down these teams below.

NFC Championship Contenders

The following NFL teams are considered the odds-on favorites to win the 2024-25 NFC Championship:

Detroit Lions

As of this writing, the Detroit Lions are not only the best team in the NFC, but they’re widely considered to be the best team in the entire NFL. Detroit has just a one game lead on the Eagles for the top spot in the NFC, but they are crushing opponents on a weekly basis.

In fact, the biggest blowouts this year have come by the Lions. Most recently, they crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars by the score of 52-6 in Week 11. Detroit also has a +159 point differential which is by far the best in the league. The Buffalo Bills are second at +106 points.

Detroit leads the league in scoring and is Top 10 in many major offensive categories like total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, and TDs scored per game. This offense is the best in the league and practically unstoppable.

The defense can use some improvements, but they’re far better than they were last year. If Hutchinson returns for the Playoffs, then Detroit could blast through the NFC.

The Lions still have some tough games on their slate. So, it’s not going to be a cakewalk to the #1 seed in the conference. They still play the Bears twice, Packers, Bills, 49ers and close out the season against the Vikings. This is by no means an easy stretch. In fact, it’s one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league.

We’re going to see just how great the Lions are by time the season ends.

Philadelphia Eagles

In the preseason, I blasted the Philadelphia Eagles for their embarrassing performance at the end of the season. However, I did give them a ton of credit for going out and signing Saquon Barkley. It was a move that I thought could help turn this franchise around and make them contenders in the NFC.

In fact, I actually picked the Eagles to win the NFC because of this move:

“As for the winner, I’m taking the Eagles and the value that comes with their +650 betting odds. This team has an easier schedule, a loaded roster, a desire to vindicate themselves from last year’s debacle, and the leadership to get them back into the Super Bowl from the ownership to the front office to the veterans on the field.”

Philly still plays the Rams, Ravens, Steelers and Commanders. However, they already beat Washington this season. Additionally, the Ravens are highly susceptible to losing against a team like the Eagles.

I think the toughest matchups for Philly that remain on their docket is a trip to LA and a home game versus the Steelers. If this team can finish at 13-4, they will clinch at least the #2 spot in the NFC. If the Lions falter at all, then Philly might catch them for the top spot.

Barkley has been great for Philly as many of us longtime Saquon fans thought he would be. He’s second in the NFL for rushing yards and has helped make the Eagles offense a Top 10 unit.

When fully healthy, this team can run or throw it on anyone. Additionally, Hurts is playing consistently well despite missing his passing weapons for several games over the first half of the season.

The Eagles should clinch the NFC East division before Christmas and be a serious threat to win the conference in January.

Minnesota Vikings

One of the biggest surprises in the NFC this season has been the Minnesota Vikings. This was a team that I thought would be in transition this year and not contend until next season. They lost rookie JJ McCarthy to a knee injury in the preseason and it just seemed like there were too many unknowns heading into the 2024-25 regular season.

One of those unknowns was Sam Darnold who has been a journeyman QB since being dropped from the Jets that drafted him in 2018. He’s played extremely well this year and is a big reason why this team sits 8-2 after 10 games.

Tight end TJ Hockenson has returned after his scary knee injury last year. He, along with Jordan Addison, add more passing weapons for Darnold and take the pressure off one of the league’s top wide receivers in Justin Jefferson.

Additionally, Minnesota has had a reliable rushing attack with Aaron Jones performing well. They brought back Cam Akers during the season to give the team more depth in the backfield.

Defensively, the Vikings have also played well above their expectations and are a big reason why this team sits only one game back of the Lions in the NFC North.

In fact, despite losing to Detroit, it was an encouraging sign that the score was 31-29 and the Vikings played really well for most of the game.

The Vikings still have two games against the Bears and a handful of tough matchups against the Cardinals, Falcons, Seahawks, Packers and Lions.

Minnesota might not be able to catch Detroit for the division crown, but they should still make the Playoffs as one of the three NFC Wild Card teams.

San Francisco 49ers

Although they sit in last place in the NFC West (5-5), the San Francisco 49ers have easily been the most disappointing team in the conference. This was supposed to be the favorite to win the NFC and represent them in the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year.

Unfortunately, they have battled many key injuries that cost them some games. Additionally, inconsistency on both sides of the ball have also relegated this team to being on the outside looking in at the Playoffs as of this writing.

The 49ers are 1-3 in their division and will most likely fail to win the NFC West. And, they don’t have an easy remaining schedule to make up ground. In other words, there’s no room left for mistakes or shoddy play.

San Francisco still plays the Packers, Bills, Bears, Rams, Dolphins, Lions and Cardinals. The Packers, Bills and Dolphins games are on the road, as is the final game of the season versus the Cardinals.

This team is struggling and snakebitten. The injuries keep mounting and I’ve lost faith in the 49ers being a true contender. If anything, they will be lucky to make the Playoffs.

Green Bay Packers

After an encouraging 2023-24 season, I thought the Green Bay Packers could be a Playoff team this year as well. They came so close to upsetting the 49ers in the Playoffs and going to the NFC Championship game.

In Week 12, we’ll find out who the better team is between the Packers and the 49ers. Green Bay just might get a measure of revenge.

This team is a solid one, especially on offense when all of their key players are healthy. Jordan Love looks every bit the part of a franchise quarterback. Additionally, Josh Jacobs has been everything that the Packers hoped he would be when they acquired him in the offseason.

Jacobs brings a reliable rushing attack that makes the offense balanced, dangerous and opens up the play action passing game.

Defensively, the Packers have played better than many thought they would, coming into the season. Currently, Green Bay sits third in the NFC North but still in one of the Wild Card spots as of this week.

I believe the Packers will end up in the Playoffs. They will also be the one team that nobody wants to face as Green Bay has the offense to win in the postseason.

Washington Commanders

You have to love what the Washington Commanders are doing this year. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels will win the ROTY award and has also garnered some MVP votes in the process. He’s led this team to Playoff contender status and gives the franchise hope for the future.

As for the present, Washington can certainly hang with any team in the conference. They have a solid defense and one of the top rushing attacks. Both aspects are crucial for the postseason.

The Commanders might not overtake Philly for the NFC East, but they should capture the 7^th seed in the NFC and make the Playoffs. Once in the postseason, we could see the Commanders pull off an upset in the Wild Card round.

Arizona Cardinals

Just like the Commanders, the Arizona Cardinals were longshots to not only make the Playoffs, but to win the NFC as well. I don’t see the Cardinals being a true contender this year, next year could be one where AZ moves into the upper echelon of the conference.

Currently, the Cardinals lead the NFC West division. However, the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers are all just one game back. It’s going to be a battle for the division and a Wild Card spot. More than likely, with the way the rest of the NFC is playing, the Cardinals or any other West team will need to win their division to make the Playoffs.

Washington, Green Bay and Minnesota all seem to be playing better than any team in the NFC West including the Cardinals.

It’s fun watching the Cardinals become relevant again. Additionally, with all the young pieces on this team, they’re truly building a strong foundation for the future.

Every team holds the fate of their seasons in their own hands. However, some teams need help from others in order to make the Playoffs – yes, I’m looking at the 49ers.

With that said, Arizona still plays the Seahawks twice, 49ers and Rams. They also play the Vikings. But, Arizona gets two easy games in the Patriots and Panthers as well.

If Arizona can go at least 5-2 down the stretch, then they have a real shot at winning the division and making the Playoffs. If they can beat teams like the Rams, 49ers and Vikings, then they have a shot at a Wild Card spot if somehow another NFC West team runs the table.

There’s a lot of “ifs” for the Cardinals, but they have the best shot out of the NFC West teams to make the Playoffs as we close out November.

NFC Championship Predictions: Who Wins The NFC?

The team that clinches the #1 seed in the NFC will have home-field advantage throughout the Playoffs including a first-round bye. These are huge advantages for any team as it could be the difference between a Super Bowl appearance or an early NFC Playoff exit.  

Looking over the schedules for the NFC favorites, the Packers (.526) have the toughest strength of schedule as they’re tied with the 4^th hardest overall. The Lions (.509) are 11^th, while the Cowboys (.505) and 49ers (.505) are tied for 12^th.  

The one NFC favorite that has the easiest schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 NFL season is the Eagles (.491). Tied for 21^st hardest schedule in the league, Philly is poised for a big season if they can stay healthy.  

The 49ers have the most balanced roster heading into the season, but the Eagles have loaded up with talent onboth sides of the ball. Adding running back Saquon Barkley is going to make this Philly offense one of the best in the NFL. With an influx of talent and an easier strength of schedule, I like the Eagles to bounce back from last year’s disappointment and finish as the top seed in the NFC. 

Bet: Philadelphia Eagles (+350) 

Which Team Will Finish as the NFC #1 Seed?

With the way things are unfolding, the #1 seed should come down to the Lions and Eagles. Currently, the Lions are 9-1 and the Eagles are 8-2.

I picked the Eagles to win the NFC and I think one of the reasons why is because they end up as the #1 seed and secure home field advantage throughout the Playoffs.

I believe that the Eagles have an easier schedule over the final two months of the season. Sure, the Rams, Ravens and Steelers are tough games but Philly could win all three.

They already beat the Commanders, so I think they will be favored in that matchup. Additionally, they close out the season against the lowly Cowboys and Giants. I fully expect the Eagles to win the NFC East and possibly finish 13-4 or 14-3.

The Lions play the Bears twice, the Packers, Bills, 49ers and Vikings. Despite Chicago’s struggles over the last month, they’re still a team that’s capable of beating the Lions, especially if you believe that they turned the corner following the firing of their offensive coordinator.

Furthermore, the Bills are every bit as good as the Lions, the 49ers will be desperate for a Wild Card spot and should still be mathematically alive in this Week 17 matchup, the Packers and Vikings both want revenge against their divisional rival.

I can see Detroit finishing 14-3 or 13-4 following this final stretch of games. I can also see them going 15-2 and only losing against Buffalo or the final week against Minnesota.

The Lions offer no betting value (-250) and have a tougher schedule than Philly who still provides solid value with their +325 odds.

Bet: Philadelphia Eagles (+325) 

Previous NFC Championship Prop Bets

In addition to the two prop bets above, NFL betting sites had a few more props that we examined in the preseason. Although there are no odds currently available for these props, that doesn’t mean that the sportsbooks won’t have odds for them in the future.

If the betting sites do release odds for these prop bets, our minds have changed some since then.

Instead of taking the 49ers and Eagles for the title game, we like the Lions and Eagles this time around. However, taking the NFC East as the division to win the Conference is still a profitable choice as the Eagles are well behind the Lions with the sports betting sites.

To Reach 2024-25 NFC Championship Game 

Since I picked the Eagles to finish with the top seed, it gives them a higher chance of making the NFC Championship game because they will have home field in the Playoffs and a first-round bye.  

Joining the Eagles in the NFC Championship game should be the 49ers. This team is far too talented to get tripped up in earlier NFC Playoff rounds. With Super Bowl experience, a solid QB, balance on both sides of the ball, and plenty of playmakers all over the field, San Francisco can almost punch their ticket for an NFC Championship game spot as early as October.  

We’re going to get a rematch from the 2022-23 NFC Championship game where the 49ers came up short due to injuries to their quarterbacks.  

Bet: San Francisco 49ers (-140), Philadelphia Eagles (+260) 

Which NFC Division Wins The 2024-25 NFC Championship? 

• NFC West (+140) 

• NFC North (+225) 

• NFC East (+280) 

• NFC South (+800) 

It’s clear that the NFC South will be the weakest division in the NFC this year. In fact, it might just be the worst division in all of football. The NFC East will be a two-team race between the Cowboys and the Eagles, which I believe Philly wins.  

The NFC North is going to beat each other up all year long and it will be a war of attrition as to which team wins. The NFC West has the 49ers head-and-shoulders above the rest, but don’t be surprised if the Rams make some noise this year.  

With that said, I like the Eagles to finish as the top seed in the NFC and to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. At +280 odds, the NFC East is my pick for this NFL prop bet. The cherry on the top is the solid value that it provides as the third longest option for this wager.  

Bet: NFC East (+280)