NFL Betting: 4 Longshots Who Can Win Their Division

Carolina Panthers

Odds to Win Division: +300

A run of three straight NFC South titles was brought to a crashing halt in 2016 for the Carolina Panthers, who slipped to a 6-10 record in their post-Super Bowl season. They improved to an 11-5 mark in 2017 and made the playoffs, but they were unable to advance past the Wild Card round.

The Panthers success last season came mainly on the back of their defense, one of the more efficient units in the NFL. They allowed the 7th-fewest yards and 11th-fewest points, and our metrics had them as the 7th-best D. Offensively, they were not quite as spectacular, coming in 19th in yards and 12th in points scored. They were 15th in Adjusted Offensive NEP per play, compared to the 7th they managed in their Super Bowl season of 2015.

With most of their stellar defensive unit still in place, bolstered by the signings of Dontari Poe and Ross Cockrell among others, the Panthers hopes in capturing the division rest on their offense. While Cam Newton is still in place, the Panthers have done their best to surround him more weapons -- both in the pass game and on the ground.

They spent a first-round pick on wide receiver D.J. Moore and traded for Torrey Smith while also bringing in C.J. Anderson to replace Jonathan Stewart. But the Panthers also have a new face at offensive coordinator in Norv Turner. Turner has already spoken of his belief that he can turn Newton into a high-percentage passer, expanding "on those things that he can do well and things he may not have been exposed to yet."

The Panthers have the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons to contend with, both playoff teams a year ago, as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who should be better. All in all, it's one of the better divisions in the NFL.

But if Norv and Cam can get on the same page, Carolina should be right in the mix to capture a fourth division crown in six years.