The Best NFL Teams To Bet On In 2021

Identifying the best teams to bet on can be a goldmine if you catch on early enough. Finding the right teams and just auto-betting them every week sounds like a simple sports betting strategy, but it can pay off if you hop on board early enough.

No, you are not going to win on a certain team every week against the spread. It’s just about impossible that you are going to find a team that will go 17-0 ATS in 2021. However, making a serious profit and beating the books on their mistakes is satisfying.

I’m writing this going into Week 2 of the NFL schedule. It’s important to note that overreacting to what happens in Week 1 isn’t a strategy for success. Teams that looked great in the first week could very well disappoint thereafter.

Successful Sunday afternoon 🤘@Caesars_Rewards | #JAXvsHOU pic.twitter.com/6YacnJI2jB

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 12, 2021

Look at it like this: the Houston Texans are currently up in the AFC South. The Colts, Titans, and Jaguars all lost, so the Texans are first in the division. The Texans looked amazing in a 37-21 win, though let’s pump the breaks for a second. Barring a dumpster fire like the NFC East last year, the Texans won’t be winning the division.

Is there an exact science for finding the best teams to bet on in the NFL in 2021? It isn’t exact, but the key is to identify teams that the oddsmakers are going to undervalue, so you can find value. Avoid the inflated lines. That goes for the public undervaluing teams, too. Especially early on in the season, it might take the oddsmakers too long to adjust their odds on certain teams.

In some cases, they never do move the odds correctly. It’s a different sport, but look at the San Francisco Giants. There’s a perfect example of a team that has been undervalued all season and continues to be so to win the NL West.

GREAT TEAMS COVER

Good teams are going to win games, but the great teams find ways to cover games. It is more important to circle the teams that you believe are going to cover spreads rather than simply winning.

When it comes to the NFL, it’s not about only finding the best teams. It’s about finding the best teams to bet on and cover. The Miami Dolphins were severely undervalued en route to a record of 10-6 last year and covered at a high clip.

Who were the best teams to bet on in the NFL last year? Let’s take a quick look at the top ATS teams from 2020. You will be surprised to find that it wasn’t a top Super Bowl contender. In other words, this isn’t so much finding the best team, just the best teams to cover spreads.

Where To Bet On The NFL in 2021

The Best Teams To Bet On From 2020

Team
ATS Record
Covering Percentage

Miami Dolphins
11-5-0
68.8%

Buffalo Bills
12-7-0
63.2%

Green Bay Packers
11-7-0
61.1%

Baltimore Ravens
11-7-0
61.1%

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12-8-0
60.0%

Washington Football Team
10-7-0
58.5%

Pittsburgh Steelers
10-7-0
58.8%

Denver, Cincinnati, Giants, Carolina, Chargers
9-7-0
56.2%

Arizona Cardinals

Super Bowl Odds at Bovada

+3000

Visit Bovada

Super Bowl Odds at BetUS

+3300

Visit BetUS

Super Bowl Odds at BetOnline

+3300

Visit BetOnline

No, this isn’t a case of me overreacting to what the Cardinals did against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. I have the Cardinals winning as underdogs in the NFC West, so I’ve already made it clear what my thoughts are regarding the Cardinals. This is a good team in a boom or bust type of season.

Can't catch Kyler Murray 😅

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/0Xa4LXndSS

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 12, 2021

I’m leaning towards the Cardinals booming this season. Their offense is more than established with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins running the show. While AJ Green isn’t quite the same wide receiver that he used to be, Green is still a talent that can attract attention in the secondary. The Cardinals also have a receiver in Christian Kirk that could be due for a breakout campaign.

The backfield is solidified with Chase Edmonds and James Connor. The way I see it, there aren’t many holes to find on the Cardinals’ offense. It really comes down to how Murray is going to play, and I’m confident that he establishes himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

The defense should hold up well, and if Isaiah Simmons plays as expected, the Cardinals are going to be in business. Simmons was highly touted coming out of Clemson last year, and could be ready to take the next leap in his development process. He was a freak at Clemson. With Chandler Jones up front, and Budda Baker in the secondary, the Cardinals should be well-rounded.

BET ON THE CARDINALS AT BETUS

BetUS is undervaluing the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl at +3300. They should be an attractive bet on the spread and moneyline at BetUS in 2021. BetUS has an attractive free sign-up bonus to get you started.

Los Angeles Chargers

Super Bowl Odds at Bovada

+2800

Visit Bovada

Super Bowl Odds at BetUS

+2800

Visit BetUS

Super Bowl Odds at BetOnline

+2800

Visit BetOnline

The Los Angeles Chargers are another team that I noted as being really underrated going into this season. I have Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley winning Coach of the Year in the NFL in 2021, so again, this isn’t a case of me being influenced by their Week 1 performance. Mind you, I was impressed with what the Chargers did in Week 1 across the country in an early start against the Washington Football Team.

Justin Herbert is a star. Forget his stats. His receivers dropped seven balls, including two TD’s. Another one hit a guy in the helmet. Bad calls too. Still won on the road.

— Elliot Harrison (@HarrisonNFL) September 12, 2021

The Chargers’ Justin Herbert impressed in his first season under center at quarterback. The rookie out of Oregon passed for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also completed 66% of his passes for a productive rookie campaign. Herbert has room for improvement, and there is a good team surrounding him in Los Angeles. The public is excited about the Rams, but the Chargers might be a team worth watching, too.

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both back for the Chargers, while tight end Jared Cook should provide a lift if he can stay healthy. The Chargers also have one of the more underrated running backs in the game with Austin Ekeler. Defensively they are going to be stout with Joey Bosa disrupting backfields and plugging up running lanes on the ground.

only QB in @NFL history with 400 completions over first 16 career starts??

justin herbert.

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 12, 2021

Everyone knows about the talent on offense for the Chargers, but I think they have one of the more underrated defenses in the league. This is what should help them cover the spread. Note that Derwin James is back and healthy on the Chargers this season. I haven’t heard too many mention his presence, but he should be an impact player throughout this season. Expect oddsmakers to undervalue the Chargers most weeks.

BET ON THE CHARGERS AT BETUS

BetOnline, Bovada, and BetUS are all providing similar odds on the Chargers to win the Super Bowl. BetUS currently has the best odds on the Chargers to cover in Week 2. They offered the best odds on the Chargers in Week 1 as well. I would consider playing the Chargers at BetUS with a free sign-up bonus.

Los Angeles Rams

Super Bowl Odds at Bovada

+1200

Visit Bovada

Super Bowl Odds at BetUS

+1200

Visit BetUS

Super Bowl Odds at BetOnline

+1200

Visit BetOnline

The Los Angeles Rams should be taken very seriously in 2021. After struggling with consistency last season, the Rams are pinning their hopes on Matthew Stafford. The big armed Stafford never had an opportunity to play with a complete team in Detroit.

Yeah, he had Calvin Johnson and some decent weapons most of his years, but his best running back in a decade was an aging Reggie Bush. Stafford never got help from a reliable defense in Detroit either.

✅ First win as a Ram
✅ Highest passer rating in Week 1
✅ NFC Offensive Player of the Week

…And he's only getting started 👀

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 15, 2021

That’s all going to change in Los Angeles with the Rams. Disrespected in his time with the Lions, look for Stafford to finally get the respect deserves.

Stafford won’t be continued on to do everything for the Rams like he had to do in Detroit. Getting critical stops on third down is going to be a foreign concept to Stafford.

He is coming to a team that already has a rock solid foundation on offense and defense. Stafford has to fill in the rest of the blanks for a Rams’ Super Bowl.

The offense has multiple weapons, and is much more well-rounded that he experienced in Detroit. Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and a solid tight end in Tyler Higbee provided Stafford with a solid core to work with.

I like the Cardinals are a better bet in the NFC West just because of the generous odds to win. The Cardinals have a lot of value. However, the Rams are still going to cover a lot of spreads in 2021.

BET ON THE RAMS AT BETONLINE

One of the most reliable sportsbooks you can find online is at BetOnline. I price shopped the Rams at BetOnline and a few other sportsbooks against the Chicago Bears. BetOnline offered the best odds, and we’re seeing the same in Week 2. Along with reliability, BetOnline offers great odds with an excellent 100% sign-up bonus program.

Miami Dolphins

Super Bowl Odds at Bovada

+2800

Visit Bovada

Super Bowl Odds at BetUS

+4000

Visit BetUS

Super Bowl Odds at BetOnline

+4000

Visit BetOnline

If you blindly bet the Miami Dolphins the last two years and nothing else, then you’d be up in the green. Any sports bettor that can say they’re profiting over a two-year span is pretty successful.

The Dolphins covered the spread 56.2% of the time in 2019, up from 50% in 2018. Last season the Dolphins were the best bet in the NFL on the spread. They’ve been the second best bet in the league since 2018 with a cover rate of 59.2%.

The Dolphins covered the spread at an incredible clip of 68.8% last year. They finished with a record of 10-6 and showed signs of progress in the AFC East.

The Buffalo Bills might be the clear favorites to win the division, but the Dolphins could make them work for it. The question is going to be if Tua Tagovailoa comes around quickly this season.

1-0.#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/sS65owVKrH

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 12, 2021

Defensively the Dolphins are going to be fine with Brian Flores leading this team. Offensively the Dolphins need to turn a corner for the Dolphins to compete with the Bills.

Tua passed for 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 64.1% interceptions in a season where he shared time with Ryan Fitzpatrick. The starting job is all his this season. That should provide some confidence.

It doesn’t matter how good the Dolphins are, or how much they’re covering spreads, it’s going to take some time for public perception to turn. The oddsmakers won’t give them much respect. As a result, we should continue to see the Dolphins as a great value bet in 2021.

BET ON THE DOLPHINS AT BETUS

Bovada appears to be the sharpest shop when it comes to the Dolphins. They are getting the most respect at Bovada, which is something you want to avoid. Go for the better value at where they’re being undervalued. BetUS is well off on their Super Bowl odds at +4000. The Dolphins may not win, but I’m giving them better than a +4000 chance. Consider betting the Dolphins with a free-bet bonus at BetUS in 2021.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl Odds at Bovada

+2500

Visit Bovada

Super Bowl Odds at BetUS

+3300

Visit BetUS

Super Bowl Odds at BetOnline

+2800

Visit BetOnline

Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have it at this point in his career? Sure, he’s dropped off, but the Steelers cover spreads and that’s all I’m concerned with. The Steelers have been in the green against the spread in three straight years. Since 2018, they’ve been the fourth best bet in the NFL with a cover rate of 57.1%.

More than ever, I think the Steelers are going into this season without the proper respect. You never heard much about the Steelers entering the 2021 campaign, but I assure you that they’re not going anywhere. Certainly not with T.J. Watt on their defense. Watt, who probably should have won the Defensive Player of the Year award last year, is going to have a good chance of finally hearing his name in 2021.

The @steelers defense was absolutely ferocious on Sunday.

Most pressures by a pass rusher in Week 1:

1. CAMERON HEYWARD 12
2. Arik Armstead 9
3. T.J. WATT 8
3. MELVIN INGRAM 8
3. Myles Garrett 8 pic.twitter.com/OPt1sRSlww

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 13, 2021

The Pittsburgh defense is going to be very good this season and will keep them in games against good teams often. Watt isn’t the only contributor that this defense has either. The Steelers employ a solid defense that includes Devin Bush Jr. and Minkah Fitzpatrick. They ranked third in the NFL with 305.8 yards allowed per game in 2020. Expect more of the same.

How much will we see Roethlisberger regress this season? That’s the question on everyone’s mind. Roethlisberger passed for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions last season. That’s a lot better than some of the Big Ben pessimists will let on. If Roethlisberger can play similarly in 2021, which I believe he will, the Steelers are going to be a good bet once again.

BET ON THE STEELERS AT BETUS

This is another case of BetUS providing excellent value on the Steelers to win the Super Bowl. BetOnline, Bovada, and several others are showing a little more faith in the Steelers to win the Super Bowl in 2021. BetUS is undervaluing the Steelers to win too much in my opinion. That value should impact their point spread and money lines as well. BetUS should be your go-to sportsbook for Steelers betting.

Author: Micheal Gomez