Week 4: What Are NFL Futures, And Is Washington Worth Consideration?

Written By Dann Stupp on October 1, 2021Last Updated on October 3, 2021
NFL futures

Even though NFL Week 4 has arrived, there’s still time to plan ahead and make mid-season NFL futures bets, including ones for the Washington Football Team.

The Washington Football Team (WFT) currently holds a record of 1-2 this season, having recently suffered a 43-21 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.

Washington only managed to secure one victory this year, and it was a narrow one-point win over the New York Giants during Week 2.

The team is now preparing for their upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints (2-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m., airing on CBS. A defeat in this game could have severe consequences for Washington’s aspirations in 2021. However, if you remain optimistic about the team’s chances of making it to the playoffs and potentially even winning the NFC East, what possibilities could unfold?

Perhaps it is the right moment to explore the potential of investing in the NFL futures markets.

What are NFL futures bets?

A futures bet usually involves wagering on an outcome that occurs and is resolved at the end of the entire season.

Instead of placing bets on a particular game or event, your wagers are usually based on the overall performance or outcome of an entire season.

To gain a better understanding of bets such as NFL futures, it is helpful to examine a few examples. These various types of futures bets are commonly offered at numerous sportsbooks across the United States.

  • The victory of a team or individual in securing the division, conference, or league championship.
  • A team earning a spot in the postseason.
  • The team’s overall wins.
  • The performances of individuals, encompassing both season stat totals and shattered records.
  • In Virginia, league awards such as MVP and Rookie of the Year are not available as future betting options.

Certain sportsbooks are notorious for releasing futures bets well in advance. For instance, despite the NHL season being a few weeks away and NCAA college basketball being over a month away, these sportsbooks still allow bettors to place futures wagers on both.

As you can expect, the odds can vary greatly before the season commences. Did a team have a successful draft? Did a prominent player sustain a severe injury?

Or maybe the season has already begun, and our knowledge about a team has increased compared to before. It’s important to note that betting on futures, such as NFL futures, is possible even during the ongoing season.

Latest 2021 futures for Washington Football Team

Due to the team’s lackluster beginning, the likelihood of the Washington Football Team emerging victorious in the NFC East has slightly diminished.

At present, FanDuel holds the title of being the most popular sportsbook in Virginia. They offered the Washington Football Team preseason odds of +260 to emerge as the victors in the NFC East.

Placing a $10 bet on the team to win the division can result in a $26 profit if your prediction is correct. It is important to note that regardless of subsequent events, your +260 odds remain unchanged throughout the entire season.

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Nevertheless, if you were to place that identical bet at present, the potential payout would be significantly higher. The Washington Football Team’s underwhelming 1-2 start has caused a decline in the previously high expectations. Many bettors are unimpressed with their performance, prompting sportsbooks like FanDuel and others to modify the odds accordingly, aligning them with the prevailing skepticism.

Washington’s pre-season odds to win the NFC East stood at +260, but they have now risen to +450. Consequently, the potential payout on a $10 bet has also increased from $26 to $45.

Before placing a futures bet, particularly a mid-season one, it is essential to reflect on whether bettors and oddsmakers have overexaggerated or underreacted. These are the inquiries you should ponder.

Other NFL futures for WFT, Ravens, Panthers

Since the beginning of the 2021 NFL season, what alterations have occurred in the NFL futures odds?

Based on the odds, it appears that the Washington Football Team has a lower chance of winning the division. The Dallas Cowboys, with a strong beginning and a scoring differential of +21, have now become strong favorites at -195 (bet $19.50 to win $10) to win the NFC East. Although Dallas was initially predicted to win the division before the season began, the odds were only at +110. This shift in odds indicates that bettors (and therefore sportsbooks) are clearly impressed with the Cowboys’ performance.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) have maintained their position as the top contenders in the AFC North. Following their electrifying and record-breaking victory against the Lions, the team’s preseason odds of +115 at FanDuel have slightly improved to +110.

Take a glance at the comprehensive list of primary futures bets available for the WTF and Baltimore.

Odds to win the division pre-season Odds to win the division pre-Week 4 Odds to win the AFC/NFC pre-season Odds to win the AFC/NFC pre-Week 4 Odds to win Super Bowl 50 pre-season Odds to win Super Bowl 50 pre-Week 4
Washington Football Team +260 +450 +2700 +3400 +5000 +7500
Baltimore Ravens +115 +110 +650 +600 +1400 +1300

Do you sense something is not quite right? Do you find yourself disagreeing with the probabilities? If that’s the case, maybe it’s a good moment to place a bet. However, as you assess the current odds, remember to also consider what lies ahead and their potential impact on the outcome.

Ultimately, the playoff chances and season performance can be influenced by various factors.

  • Remaining schedule strength
  • Players who are injured but have the potential to make a comeback.
  • Travel plans for the future, anticipated weather conditions, and scheduling bye-weeks
  • Off-the-field issues or concerns
  • All the mentioned factors pertaining to the other teams in the division/league.

Furthermore, make sure to explore alternative sports betting apps in Virginia. Although we mentioned FanDuel odds earlier, there are seven other sportsbooks available in the state, each offering their unique selection of odds and betting options. Therefore, take the time to compare and find the best fit for your future bets.

Photo by AP / Brett Carlsen
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Dann Stupp

Dann Stupp, a seasoned sports journalist, has contributed his writing and editing skills to reputable publications such as The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, and MLB.com. Currently residing in Lexington, Virginia, he continues to excel in his field.

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