NFC Championship Odds

The 2023/24 NFL season is well underway, with teams nationwide vying for a spot in the playoffs — and ultimately, the Super Bowl. 

Last season’s NFC Championship winners — the Philadelphia Eagles — have their eyes on a second successive Super Bowl berth. With others in the conference strengthening during the offseason and into the regular season, this year’s battle for the NFC semi-final game will be hotter than most. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about 2024’s NFC Championship odds and the game itself. You’ll find the latest information on the competition, NFC Championship predictions, and tips on the best teams competing in the NFC.

While you wait for Fox Sports’ coverage of the fixture to begin on January 28th, why not compare the latest odds and predict who’ll appear in the matchup? By signing up with a sportsbook, you’re free to bet on an extensive range of NFC Championship markets.

Favorites to Win the NFC Championship

The National Football Conference is a tightly contested group of 16 NFL teams. Some of the sport’s most popular franchises compete in the conference, with the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants of New Jersey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and many more battling it out.

Seven teams from the NFC have a chance to make the NFC Championship game. All four winners of the NFC North, NFC East, NFC South, and NFC West divisions qualify for the playoffs, followed by three of the conference’s best-performing wild card teams. Each qualifying side progresses to the straight-knockout NFL Playoffs — first with the Wild Card Round, then the Divisional games — with the two remaining clubs advancing to the NFC Championship playoff match.

Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers look like a solid pick to win the NFC Championship matchup at this early stage in the campaign. The San Francisco-based side went 5-1 at the beginning of the year, a feat only matched in the conference by the Eagles and the Detroit Lions. 

See below for more details on our favorites to clinch the George Halas Trophy. 

San Francisco 49ers

Boasting seven Conference Championship triumphs — their most recent in 2019 — and five Super Bowl victories, the 49ers serve as one of football’s most successful teams. Led by head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers look set to bag a fourth NFC Championship appearance in five years during the 2023/24 matchup, provided key players remain injury-free.

Christian McCaffrey gave fans a scare in mid-October when the running back suffered a rib injury. Eventually given the all-clear by medical staff, fans will nevertheless have an anxious eye on the 27-year-old during each play. 

Brock Purdy is another whose fitness is required by San Francisco. The starlet’s displays during the regular season were nothing short of phenomenal, so he’ll be key in a push for the NFC Championship. 

Philadelphia Eagles

All four of the Eagles’ NFC Championship victories have come with home advantage – be that at Veterans Field or the Lincoln Financial Stadium. Now seeking a second piece of conference silverware in as many years, the Nick Sirianni-coached outfit must avoid further slip-ups after a shock defeat to the New York Jets in Week 6.

The acquisition of Julio Jones — a veteran seven-time Pro Bowler — added much-needed depth to the roster. Injury problems forced the recruitment team to sign the 34-year-old to a one-year deal, but his big-game experience could turn the Super Bowl runners-up of last year into this season’s NFL champions. 

In addition to Jones, the Eagles pack names like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeAndre Swift. Hurts is in contention for the MVP award this season, with his displays helping Philadelphia compete for the NFC East title. If he and others enjoy form similar to that seen at the start of the regular season when they went 5-0, the Eagles could become big favorites for the NFC Championship.

Dallas Cowboys

Despite a positive winning record in NFC Championship fixtures — going 8-6 overall — the Cowboys haven’t competed for the George Halas trophy since 1996. Mike McCarthy is hoping to bring Dallas back to the top of the NFL in 2023/24 and so far, he’s done a bang-up job.

Almost matching the early season records of the Eagles and 49ers, the Cowboys are in with a shout of winning the NFC East. A blowout by Sirianni’s men in Week 5 did nothing to dampen spirits in the camp — Dallas hit back against the Los Angeles Chargers just one week later. 

They’ve shown their mental strength — now, can Dak Prescott lead a charge toward a first NFC Championship matchup for almost three decades? Judging by the current NFC Championship odds, the AT&T Stadium-based side looks a good bet.

Detroit Lions

Anyone who put the Lions in their NFC Championship predictions during the offseason is one of two things — a liar or a Detroit fan. 

No postseason wins since the early 1990s. Zero Super Bowl appearances since its inception. The worst NFL Playoff record of any team in the sport, including competitors for the AFC Championship. Yet, by some miracle, Ford Field appears on course to host the NFL champions next year.

Ignoring the club’s historical failures, should we be surprised at the efforts of Dan Campbell’s squad? Jared Goff showed the world he was the real deal last season by throwing for over 4,400 yards. The 29-year-old threw for more than 1,600 before week 7 this season, earning a pass completion record of nearly 70%. Amon-Ra St. Brown had a similarly successful 2022/23 and the wide receiver is projected to rack up over 100 receptions by the end of the campaign. 

If you’re looking for an exciting underdog story, taking NFC Championship odds for the Lions is the way to go.

Other Potential NFC Championship Winners

Outside the four top contenders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks are in with a shout of notching an NFC Championship win. The Rams have appeared in the fixture more than most with 11 outings, while the Bucs and Seahawks have each participated fewer than five times.

A weak NFC South division gives Tampa Bay the opportunity to make the playoffs’ final NFC game for the first time since 2021, when they eliminated the Green Bay Packers from the bracket.

Rams and Seahawks supporters will no doubt go through a rollercoaster of emotions before the NFC Championship game commences. Both in the NFC West and joined by the 49ers, the pair are expected to contend for the playoffs. Unlike the Southern NFC division, the NFC West is tremendously strong this year, so expect fireworks as the season progresses. 

NFC Championship Betting Tips

Sports betting odds are calculated by more than just recent form. Numerous factors come into play, with betting sites utilizing different algorithms to decide on the most accurate NFL odds.

See below for a curated collection of tips for NFC Championship betting. If you’re uncertain about an outcome, refer to this list to determine the best course of action.

Home advantage matters – Four of the last six NFC Championship games have been won by the home side, while the same applies to three of the previous four AFC Championship matches.

Be aware of injuries – The loss of important players can derail a team’s season. Keep tabs on the latest injury news to ensure your preferred pick is as strong as possible.

Playoff history – Franchises with fewer playoff appearances are less likely to make the NFC Championship final. The Detroit Lions are a good example, with this season representing a rare occasion where they’re competitive. 

Watch the regular season games – You can read up on all the statistics you like, but there’s no better examination than the eye test. Tune in to NFC and AFC fixtures during the regular season to formulate an informed opinion. 

Gamble responsibly – Only bet what you can afford to lose. Throwing money at an underdog — like this season’s Cardinals — might offer large potential returns, but the likelihood of such a wager coming off is too low to justify.

Join online forums – It’s easy to fall into echo chambers on the internet. Try introducing yourself to new opinions by visiting NFL forums.

View the NFL Draft – The annual NFL Draft brings the most impressive new talents to the league. Do some research and you could discover a hidden gem — one that may lead a team to the NFC Championship.

NFC Championship Previous Winners

The inaugural NFC Championship fixture took place in January 1971. Contested between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers at Kezar Stadium, this matchup represented the dawn of a new NFL formula. The 49ers have subsequently appeared in this fixture more than any other side.

1985 was the introduction of the George Halas Trophy. Named after the former Chicago Bears owner, the award is presented to the winner of the NFC Championship. With eight wins, the Dallas Cowboys have added the prize to their trophy cabinet more than anybody else.

2018/19: Los Angeles Rams

After going 13-3 in the regular season and winning the NFC West, the Rams made their way to 2018/19’s NFL Playoffs. A first-round bye was followed by a 30-22 win over eight-time winners, the Cowboys, with a trip to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome up next. Victory in overtime against the New Orleans Saints secured a fifth triumph in the NFC’s biggest fixture. 

2019/20: San Francisco 49ers

The duo of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan led the 49ers for a third consecutive campaign in 2019/20 — winning the NFC West for the 21st time. This achievement marked a turnaround in San Francisco’s fortunes, with the club making the playoffs for the first time in six years. Even better, the Levi’s Stadium faithful ventured to Super Bowl LIV after the 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers at the NFC Championship game.

2020/21: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A second-place finish in the NFC South meant the Buccaneers would partake in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Having gone 11-5 over the regular season, the Bucs were greeted by the Washington Commanders in the first round of playoffs, and the Saints during the second round. Once again, the Green Bay Packers were on the losing end of the NFC Championship matchup, as Bruce Arians’ Tampa Bay secured a Super Bowl appearance thanks to a 31-26 victory.

2021/22: Los Angeles Rams

In a year where the Rams were still getting familiar with the SoFi Stadium — losing three times on home soil — Sean McVay wrote his name into Los Angeles history. The Rams head coach clinched first place in the NFC West, beat the Cardinals in the Wild Card round, saw off the threat of the Bucs during the Divisional round, and knocked out Zac Taylor’s Bengals in the NFC Championship meeting. 

2022/23: Philadelphia Eagles

Unbeaten by their eighth outing, the Eagles’ NFC Championship odds made them a favorite for the 2022/23 NFL Playoffs. A 14-3 record by the regular season’s end concluded with a division win, and a massive victory over the 49ers in the NFC Championship fixture ensued thereafter.

Compare NFC Championship Odds and Sign Up

With all this information in mind, you’re ready to begin making NFC Championship predictions. Sports betting sites across the country — including BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings — dish out a vast array of NFC Championship odds and markets, with specials also available closer to the game’s date.

So, as teams prepare to face off in the game that decides who’ll travel to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII, you can get started by comparing odds across several top sportsbooks. When you’re ready to bet, go ahead and create an account.

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