2024-25 Worst Team In NFL Odds and Predictions

Most NFL preseason prognostications focus on which teams are best positioned to compete for the Super Bowl. All 32 teams spend the grueling offseason jockeying for position by making moves via the draft, free agency, or trades. As is the case every year, some teams will exceed preseason expectations and come out of nowhere to contend. Others, unfortunately, won’t quite live up to the hype.

Let’s talk about that second group. While we generally have a decent idea as to which teams aren’t particularly close to contending for a title, much of the NFL’s popularity stems from its parity. If we knew exactly how every season was going to play out before it began, why would we bother to watch? Betting on football wouldn’t be quite as entertaining either, would it?

Bet365 is giving you the opportunity to wager on which team will finish the upcoming 2024-25 season with the NFL’s worst record. So, which team is the best bet to finish at the bottom of the standings?

Worst Team in the NFL Odds

Carolina Panthers (+400)

The Carolina Panthers enter the 2024-25 season tied with the Patriots the highest odds of finishing with the worst record at +400. Carolina finished last season 2-15, 2 games worse than any other team in football. The usual perk of finishing with the worst record in the NFL is the No. 1 pick in the ensuing draft, but the Panthers didn’t even get to reap that benefit. That’s because they owed their 2024 first-round pick to the Bears as a part of the trade that netted Carolina the first selection in the 2023 draft.

They used that ’23 pick on ex-Alabama standout Bryce Young, who proceeded to have a rookie year to forget. Young completed 59.8 percent of his throws for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in his first pro campaign. He was also sacked 62 times across 16 games, which was the 2nd-highest total in football.

Carolina GM Dan Morgan tried to address the interior of the offensive line this offseason, which could help to keep Young upright in his second season. The Panthers also added an established wideout in Diontae Johnson via trade, which will immediately bring a much-needed veteran presence to an otherwise young receiving corps. The Panthers also upgraded via the draft by grabbing 3 of the top skill players at their respective positions: Xavier Legette (WR), Jonathan Brooks (RB), and Ja’Tavian Sanders (TE).

Defensively, the Panthers have shown flashes of potential but have not been able to put together a complete performance. Injuries to key players have also hampered their ability to perform consistently. The coaching staff faces a significant challenge in trying to mold this young roster into a competitive unit. If the Panthers can’t overcome these hurdles, they could very well find themselves at the bottom of the standings for a second consecutive season.

New England Patriots (+400)

The New England Patriots – historically one of the NFL’s powerhouses – are surprisingly among the top contenders for the worst record this season. The team has struggled to find an identity post-Tom Brady, with inconsistent quarterback play and an offense that has failed to adapt to the changing dynamics of the league. The offensive line issues have only exacerbated these problems, leading to a lackluster offensive output.

This will be the first season since 1999 that the Patriots will have anybody other than Bill Belichick patrolling the sideline. Belichick was let go after a 4-13 showing in 2023, and the team hired former Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo as his replacement this offseason. Mayo has been the Pats’ inside linebackers coach since 2019, but this will be his first head coaching job at any level. To say the 38-year-old is being thrown straight into the fire is an understatement.

New England also jettisoned failed former first-round pick Mac Jones this offseason. Jones never developed as the team had hoped following a promising rookie season, and he’s now Trevor Lawrence’s backup in Jacksonville. In his place, the Pats drafted former North Carolina standout Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick this past April. The team also brought veteran Jacoby Brissett in as a free agent in order to compete with Maye for the starting job in training camp.

The Patriots were extremely thin on playmakers at the wide receiver position a season ago. So, they made a point of addressing that need this spring by drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the 2nd and 4th rounds, respectively. New England is also hoping for a bounce-back season from JuJu Smith-Schuster, while Kendrick Bourne showed some promise a season ago before tearing his ACL.

On the defensive side, the Patriots have not been able to maintain the dominant performances that were a hallmark of their success. Aging players and injuries have taken a toll, and the team’s once formidable defense has become porous. This is one of the younger defensive units in the sport, which is likely why they’re expected to rank among the league’s worst teams again in 2024.

Denver Broncos (+1000)

The Denver Broncos have been in a state of flux for several seasons, with quarterback controversies and coaching changes disrupting any sense of continuity. Their offense has struggled to find rhythm and consistency, and despite having talented receivers, the lack of a stable quarterback has hindered their effectiveness. The offensive line’s inability to protect the quarterback has further compounded these issues.

After two dismal and disappointing seasons in Denver, Russell Wilson was shown the door earlier this spring. The team traded for Jets’ former first-rounder Zach Wilson shortly after drafting Oregon standout Bo Nix with the 12th overall selection. Nix wasn’t all that consistent over the course of his college career, but the Broncos were desperate to find a solution for their problematic QB situation.

Whether Nix, Wilson, or Jarrett Stidham begins the season as the QB1 remains to be seen. The Broncos also traded former first-rounder Jerry Jeudy to the Browns, which leaves the wide receiver position looking shaky. Courtland Sutton is still here, while the team is hoping Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick, or newcomer Josh Reynolds will step up.

Defensively, the Broncos have had moments of brilliance but have been plagued by inconsistency. Denver has consistently struggled to close out games in recent years. The absence of household names on the defensive side of the ball could hold them back yet again in ’24.

Arizona Cardinals (+1000)

The Arizona Cardinals are another team facing a challenging season ahead. After showing promise in recent years, the team has regressed due to inconsistent quarterback play and a struggling offensive line. Kyler Murray’s injury history and the lack of a reliable backup have left the Cardinals vulnerable. The offensive scheme has also come under scrutiny for being too predictable.

The Cardinals signed Murray to a lucrative contract extension back in 2022, so he’s entrenched as the face of the franchise for the time being. The former Heisman Trophy winner has been one of the game’s premier two-way QBs since entering the league in 2019, though he played just 8 games last season after recovering from a torn ACL. He carried the ball just 5.5 times per game last year, which was a stark decrease from the 8.3 carries he averaged during his career-best 2020 campaign. Now that he’s over a year removed from his injury, perhaps the Cardinals will take the kid gloves off and let him run again in 2024.

Arizona added the best receiver in the most recent draft in Marvin Harrison Jr., whom the team’s brass is hoping will help to transform what was a sluggish offense last season. Michael Wilson also showed flashes as a rookie last season, while Trey McBride quietly emerged as one of the game’s most reliable pass-catching tight ends. Arizona also drafted Trey Benson out of Florida State to complement veteran James Conner in the backfield.

Arizona’s division isn’t an easy one. The NFC West’s 3 other teams combined to go 31-20 a season ago, so improving upon last year’s last-place finish will be a tall order. The Cardinals have enjoyed a productive offseason, and they’re hoping Murray’s potential to return to full strength will give them a boost entering their second season under head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Washington Commanders (+1000)

The Washington Commanders find themselves in a familiar position of uncertainty and turmoil. The team has clearly lacked an identity in recent seasons, though they’re potentially headed in the right direction. Ron Rivera was replaced on the sidelines by the defensive-minded Dan Quinn this offseason. Washington also drafted former LSU standout and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in April.

Daniels’ development is going to be the key not only to this season but for the foreseeable future in DC. Daniels is a potentially game-changing 2-way talent, and the franchise hasn’t had a young QB generate this much hype since the early days of Robert Griffin III over a decade ago. Here’s hoping Daniels enjoys a healthier career than RGIII did.

Unfortunately, Washington hasn’t surrounded their new franchise quarterback with a ton of talent at the skill positions. The reliable Terry McLaurin is still here, but that’s about it. Youngsters like Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown are still question marks at the NFL level, while the team does have high hopes for third-round rookie Luke McCaffrey. The Commanders’ biggest offensive addition in free agency was former Chargers standout Austin Ekeler, though the Western State product looked largely washed for most of the 2023 campaign.

The team has also faced off-field issues, including ownership changes and internal management disputes, which have distracted from on-field performance. These distractions have contributed to a lack of cohesion and focus, making it difficult for the Commanders to build any momentum. As they navigate these challenges, their odds of finishing with the worst record reflect the significant obstacles they face.

New York Giants (+1000)

The New York Giants enter the season with mixed expectations, balancing hope with realistic concerns. The team’s offensive line has been a point of contention, as they’ve consistently struggled to protect quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones is back after tearing his ACL last season, though the G-Men lost star running back Saquon Barkley to the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. New York finished just 6-11 last season after winning a playoff game in Brian Daboll’s first year in 2022.

Running backs are generally replaceable, but Barkley has been the face of this team over the past half-decade. The team added Devin Singletary in his place. While Singletary is fresh off of a solid season in Houston, he’s not nearly as impactful as Barkley is on a game-to-game basis. Depth in the backfield could be an issue, as the unproven Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Jashaun Corbin are the only other RBs on the depth chart.

The Giants are hoping that the addition of Malik Nabers will help to fortify what was a very underwhelming passing attack last season. Nabers is instantly the most talented receiver Jones will have played with in the NFL, though rookie wideouts tend to face steep learning curves at the NFL level. The Giants do have some legitimate talent on the other side of the ball, too, with newcomer Brian Burns set to join Kayvon Thibodeaux to lead a sneaky-solid defensive unit.

I’m not at all sold on Jones as a franchise QB, while the lack of a threatening run game could mean tough sledding for this offense. Can the defense play well enough to keep them afloat?

Tennessee Titans (+1200)

The Tennessee Titans have been a team of extremes, capable of great highs and disappointing lows. This is another team in transition, and it doesn’t appear as though the tough times will come to an end in 2024. Longtime stalwart running back Derrick Henry is now in Baltimore, while the team fired head coach Mike Vrabel after last season. Some guy named Brian Callahan is now in charge of a team with no shortage of youth on both sides of the football.

The running game may not be a complete disaster even without Henry, though. Tony Pollard was brought in to compete with Tyjae Spears in the backfield, and the Titans are hoping the thunder-and-lightning approach can pay off. However, there are lots of question marks elsewhere. Will Levis was extremely inconsistent after replacing Ryan Tannehill as the QB1 towards the end of last season, and the jury is still out on whether he’ll be the guy to build around moving forward.

The Titans did add some weaponry in the receiving corps, however, with the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd via free agency. The offensive line looks decent enough, as well. Levis is in a better situation than most of the other QBs on bottom-feeding teams, so he won’t have a built-in excuse if he fails to perform.

Defensively, the Titans have been hit or miss. Their pass rush has shown potential, but the secondary has been a weakness. The AFC South is also one of the conference’s tougher divisions these days. The Texans and Jaguars appear to be likely playoff hopefuls, while the Colts are looking to make strides in Anthony Richardson’s sophomore season.

Minnesota Vikings (+1200)

The Minnesota Vikings are a team with significant talent but also glaring weaknesses. Justin Jefferson may be football’s most dangerous receiver, while Jordan Addison will look to build off of a promising rookie season. TJ Hockenson is right there among the game’s best pass-catching tight ends.

There are holes elsewhere on offense, though. Kirk Cousins signed with the Falcons this offseason, and Minnesota drafted ex-Michigan standout JJ McCarthy as his long-term replacement. McCarthy may be a bit of a project, however, which means veteran journeyman Sam Darnold has the inside track to starting under center in Week 1.

Can the Vikings hope to contend with Darnold leading the way? Unlikely. Minnesota is hoping former Packer Aaron Jones will come in and revitalize what was a dormant running game last season, while the defense is far from proven.

I think this is a team that could underwhelm, but they likely have too much talent to actually finish with the league’s worst record.

Who Will Finish With the NFL’s Worst Record?

While there’s an excellent chance that a team with lofty preseason expectations will fail to live up to them, I have a hard time imagining a team like the Chiefs, Texans, 49ers, or Eagles falling off to the point of finishing at the very bottom of the league standings in 2024.

There’s a pretty clear gulf in talent between the teams listed above and the rest of the league. I’m still not sold on the Jaguars or Bears, for example, but they’re far more likely to be mid-tier than the utter dregs of the NFL.

I think the best combination of value and upside here is Denver at the +1000 odds. While Nix could prove to be the long-term answer at QB they’ve been lacking since Peyton Manning, there’s no telling how quickly he’ll adapt to the rigors of the NFL game. This team is going to struggle to put points on the board with any of Nix, Stidham, or Wilson under center all season.

Sean Payton was a splashy coaching hire prior to last season, but the Broncos have a very long way to go in order to catch up to the class of the AFC. In a difficult division that also features the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs in addition to playoff hopefuls in the Chargers and Raiders, I’m expecting Denver to stink it up in a big way again next season.

Best Bet: Denver Broncos (+1000)