NFL division predictions, picks & odds for the 2021 season

Free NFL tips, betting preview and divisional analysis ahead of the 2021 season.

Best bets

Indianapolis Colts to win AFC South
1pt 6-4 Betfred & Boyles

Cleveland Browns to win AFC North
1pt 6-4 general

Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
1pt 31-20 Hills

Preview

The NFL career of Carson Wentz could have come straight from the pages of Hollywood following his remarkable transformation from hero to villain in Philadelphia.

Following his bitter departure from the Eagles, Wentz is ready to write a new chapter with the Indianapolis Colts, one that could get off to a dream start.

Wentz is joining a Colts team who went 11-5 last year, matching the record of AFC South rivals the Tennessee Titans, who nabbed the title thanks to their superior divisional record.

The Titans are odds-on to retain their crown this year after completing a blockbuster trade for generational talent Julio Jones. The former Falcon joins a jam-packed offence featuring rushing king Derrick Henry, quarterback Ryan Tannehill and AJ Brown, who will put up plenty of points.

However, it wasn’t the offence that was a problem for the Titans last year. Instead, it was a defence that gave up way too many passing yards and barely got to the quarterback. Ex-Pittsburgh linebacker Bud Dupree has been added to the unit but they could still have plenty of difficulties.

The Colts have a much better balance. Their defence ranked in the top-15 of the majority of the major metrics last season, while their offence averaged close to 28 points per game.

Running back Jonathan Taylor enjoyed a strong rookie campaign with Indianapolis, while they have a good crop of young receivers for Wentz to work with.

There’s no getting away from how bad Wentz was last year, throwing only one more touchdown pass than interception, but reunited with former Eagles coordinator Frank Reich - now the head coach of the Colts - there’s the potential for a renaissance.

The Titans have shown with quarterback Ryan Tannehill what a fresh start can do and Wentz could be the turnkey the Colts need to unlock the potential of this team.

Another divisional favourite worth opposing are the Baltimore Ravens, who saw the Pittsburgh Steelers snatch the AFC North title last year.

While the Steelers have slipped back into the pack, the Cleveland Browns could be ready to take another step forward.

Cleveland went 11-5 last year, won a playoff game for the first time since 1994 when knocking off the Steelers before pushing the Kansas City Chiefs hard in the divisional round.

The Browns have spent the off-season fixing the defence, which gave up far too many points at times, and look to have a much-improved secondary now John Johnson and Troy Hill are on board, while former number one overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney is a nice addition to the line.

The offence was the Browns' strength last season and all the key pieces are back in that regard, including the best running back combo in the league in Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb.

Cleveland are one of only four teams never to go to a Super Bowl and can put their best foot forward in their attempts to correct that this year by winning the AFC North.

The race for the playoffs in the AFC looks like it will be highly competitive this year and one team primed to muscle their way into the picture are Denver.

The Broncos haven’t had a good quarterback since ‘The Sheriff’ Peyton Manning rode out of town, and they made a play for Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Instead, they’ve ended up with the very serviceable Teddy Bridgewater operating under centre.

Bridgewater has been solid wherever he has been and should relish playing with a gifted group that includes fit-again Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Jerry Jeudy and Javonte Williams.

On defence is where the Broncos really shine though, with Von Miller returning from injury to lead from the front. Miller joins Bradley Chubb in the trenches, while the secondary is jam-packed with playmakers.

Denver won a Super Bowl in 2015 thanks to an incredible defence and will pin their hopes on getting back somewhere close to that level with this talented bunch.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Pickswise is the #1 destination for US sports betting, covering the NFL, NBA, MLB and more in unrivalled detail.

For all your US sports betting needs, make sure to check out Pickswise, the home of stateside picks, predictions and odds.