NFL Props: Last Team to Be Undefeated Picks

A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers surprised everyone and won their first 11 games of the 2020 season. Upon reflection, it’s really no surprise the Steelers stayed unbeaten for so long. Of their first 11 opponents, seven finished the season with losing records.

Is there a team out there that could do the same in 2021? It’s possible. In 2019, both the Patriots and 49ers went 8-0 before a loss. The LA Rams did the same in 2018.

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The last unbeaten comes down to a couple things. Of course, there is the quality of play. A team like Tampa Bay or Kansas City is likely to be favored in most or even all of their games in 2021. It’s more than performance though. There is also the schedule.

It’s also not just the schedule, in this case. It’s where games fall on the schedule, and that leads us to our pick for the NFL team that will be the last to be undefeated in 2021.

2019 Repeat?

In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers won its first eight games on its way to a Super Bowl run. Their first loss that year was to NFC West foe Seattle. Last season, the 49ers were decimated by injuries which caused head coach Kyle Shanahan’s team to finish 6-10.

The benefit of that finish though is what many are considering the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2021. Now, the Niners do play in the NFC West which will likely be the NFL’s toughest division. But, they have seven games against teams projected to win seven or fewer games.

The season opens with the Lions followed by the Eagles. Then, the 49ers face two formidable opponents in Green Bay and Seattle. Luckily, both games are at home. Still, those games are followed by a road game at Arizona and then the Colts at home.

The 49ers may have an easy schedule, but the games just don’t fall right to be the last unbeaten.

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Dak Is Back

Like San Francisco, the Dallas Cowboys suffered some key injuries last year, none more important than the loss of QB Dak Prescott. That led to a 6-10 finish and a pretty favorable schedule in 2021.

The big issue is Week 1. The Cowboys will travel to defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay for the annual NFL Thursday Kickoff on Sept. 9. If Dallas can pull off the upset, the schedule has some smooth sailing until the Cowboys hit November.

After the Bucs, Dallas is at the Chargers then has three straight home games with Philly, Carolina, and the NY Giants. New England, Minnesota, Denver, and Atlanta are all winnable games. The Cowboys could be 9-0 heading to Kansas City on Nov. 21.

Bucs Win

But, what if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the season opener (as it is favored to do)? Then, the last unbeaten may very well be the Bucs. Besides the Rams on the road in Week 3, the Bucs could be unbeaten heading to Indianapolis on Nov. 28.

They do play at New Orleans on Oct. 31, but remember the Saints do not have Drew Brees at quarterback anymore. Should the Bucs get past Indy, they play Buffalo on Dec. 12. The schedule gods put that one in Tampa Bay.

The Pick

For the first time in the era of the salary cap, a Super Bowl champion returns all 22 of its starters on offense and defense. Tampa Bay heads into the 2021 with high expectations and the only thing preventing them from another Lombardi Trophy is the injury bug.

That said, back Tampa Bay (+600) to win that season opener, beat the Rams in Week 3, and be the last undefeated team in the NFL in 2021.

NFL Futures Picks

NFL Odds to Be Last Undefeated Team in 2021

San Francisco 49ers +600

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +600

Buffalo Bills +800

Kansas City Chiefs +800

Baltimore Ravens +800

Green Bay Packers +1100

Los Angeles Rams +1400

Tennessee Titans +1600

Cleveland Browns +1600

Minnesota Vikings +2000

New England Patriots +2000

New Orleans Saints +2000

Seattle Seahawks +2500

Dallas Cowboys +2500

Miami Dolphins +2500

Carolina Panthers +2500

Pittsburgh Steelers +2800

Los Angeles Chargers +3500

Washington FT +3500

Jacksonville Jaguars +3500

Arizona Cardinals +4000

Atlanta Falcons +4000

Chicago Bears +4000

Indianapolis Colts +5000

Cincinnati Bengals +6500

New York Giants +6500

Philadelphia Eagles +8000

New York Jets +8000

Las Vegas Raiders +10000

Houston Texans +15000

Detroit Lions +20000