Last season was a magical one in the National Football League, and filled with massive winning. As we saw, 11 different teams placed themselves with double-digit wins when the regular season came to close. It was an explosive year of football, that ultimately ended with a snore-fest Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams — the Pats would win, 13-3.
The 11 teams that achieved those double-digit wins were the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks. And not just that, but there were other teams who pulled in winning records at 9-7: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans. The winning was everywhere.
Now that the season is over, a new set of odds for NFL over/under season win totals have been released for 2019. My main question is for the new season: Can the winning continue like this?
And my next question: Can teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings meet their expectations from the top NFL betting sites?
Regardless of what answers we may receive, all signs are pointing towards another excellent campaign in the NFL for the 2019 season.
And after all, training camp is just months away! It’s time to place some bets!
After a playoff appearance in 2017, the Atlanta Falcons had a disappointing 2018 campaign finishing 7-9 and finishing 2nd place in the NFC South. As thing stand right now, the Falcons are expected to get two more wins to have them at 9-7 for the season, which could possibly put them into the playoffs. With the power trio of Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, and Julio Jones still intact for the A-Town, I for certain could see them meeting the expectations. And honestly, with that talent load, it may be a double-digit win season, especially if the defense gets better.
After starting out the 2018 season at a dismal 4-5, Baltimore got things together quickly when Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson replaced injured Joe Flacco at quarterback — they would go 6-1 under his leadership to finish 10-6. Surprisingly, however, the odds over at Vegas only have the 8 wins. I was personally expecting 9, maybe even 10 matching the win total from last season. The reason could be either the loss of center Ryan Jensen, or the uncertainty about a “sophomore slump” by Lamar Jackson. Only time will tell, but the future is bright.
The Chicago Bears had a super successful 2018 season compiling a record of 12-4, and earned themselves a NFC North championship. Unfortunately for the Bears, they would lose in the Wild Card round to the Philadelphia Eagles. But there’s even more positive news for Chicago to counter that last tidbit: The Bears are placed at 9.5 wins in the odds, and everything is looking beautiful with their dominant defense led by Khalil Mack. And here’s another positive spotlight: The emergence of Mitchell Trubisky becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback last season.
After a winless 0-16 season in 2017, the Cleveland Browns had a massively successful season at 7-8-1 in 2018 — mainly from the standpoint of the turnaround of the franchise. They would finish just 3rd in the AFC North, but the change of luck is incredibly obvious, especially with the emergence of star quarterback Baker Mayfield. Not just that, but the team is also now being led by head coach Freddie Kitchens. Over the past couple of months since the Super Bowl, I’ve seen multiple experts give them playoffs predictions for 2019. As far as me… Yeah, I can see it.
The Dallas Cowboys would once again fall short of a Super Bowl appearance in the 2018 season, but they would still do their thing finishing with a 10-6 record and NFC East championship. They would win their Wild Card contest against the Seattle Seahawks, but that was about it. Heading into 2019, they currently stand at 8.5 wins in the odds, and that’s exactly where they should be. I could see the new season being another year of the same old past: Another 10-6 regular season, with a possible bounce in the first round. That’s Cowboys football.
After a losing 6-9-1 record, finishing 3rd in the NFC North, and the firing of their head coach Mike McCarthy, the Green Bay Packers are still rated at a high 9.5 wins in the Vegas odds. But hey, that’s bound to happen when your quarterback is Pro Bowler Aaron Rodgers. With the momentum entering a new season with new head coach Matt LaFleur and welcoming additions in Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, Billy Turner, and Sam Ficken, it seems that the Packers are in strong form to have a rebound season. And that’s why we have the 9.5 odds.
The Houston Texas had an amazing season last year with an 11-5 finish atop the AFC South division. They would lose in the Wild Card Playoffs, but it would be an incredible season regardless. So why the 8.5 odds entering 2019? If you don’t remember, the Texans would get off to an 0-3 start and winning nine straight before ultimately finishing 11-5. There’s also concern around the health and consistency of Houston’s defense. And there’s also been some squanderings in the media about the consistency of quarterback Deshaun Watson as well.
Finishing 2nd in the AFC South after tallying a 10-6 record, the Indianapolis Colts would go on to win the Wild Card Playoffs before ultimately being bounced out in the Divisional Playoffs. After securing the 10 wins in 2018, the Indianapolis Colts nearly have the same expectations entering 2019 led by Pro Bowlers QB Andrew Luck, TE Eric Ebron and G Quenton Nelson with 9.5 wins in the odds. All of that depends on the health of Andrew Luck. If he can stay healthy, Indianapolis is in good shape of meeting those odds.
After a superb 10-6 season that gave them the AFC South championship in 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars would collapse in 2018 with massive losing, falling to a 5-11 record. That showing would place them 4th in the AFC South. Despite the losing season, Vegas is saying that 2017 could possibly not be a fluke season, placing the win total at 8 in the odds. If the defense can get back in dominant form and Blake Bortles can do his thing, Jacksonville could realistically make a winning season happen. After all, Jalen Ramsey is still doing his thing.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs steamrolled to a 12-4 record with their potent offense, this en route to an AFC West championship and a first-round bye. The Chiefs would win the Divisional Playoff round against the Colts in the postseason, and then would eventually fall to the New England Patriots in an AFC Championship thriller. For the 2019 win total in the odds, Kansas City has a total of 10.5 wins. With Patrick Mahomes alone, that can happen. But KC is loaded with six Pro Bowlers as well. Those 10.5 odds are very real.
After years of struggle, the Chargers would finally qualify for the playoffs in 2018 with a 12-4 record placing 2nd in the AFC West. In the postseason, they would advance past the Wild Card Playoffs into the Divisional. There, they would suffer a 41-28 defeat to the Patriots. Heading into the 2019 season, the odds are still high for the Chargers to have a winning one at 9.5 wins. And you thought the number of Pro Bowlers were high on the Chiefs? LAC has seven: Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Mike Pouncey, Melvin Ingram, Derwin James, and Adrian Phillips.
The Los Angeles Rams would be one of the most dominant teams in the National Football League in 2018, and that was mainly due to their four Pro Bowlers: QB Jared Goff, RB Todd Gurley, DT Aaron Donald, and ST Cory Littleton. With a 13-3 regular season record, they would win the NFC West championship. In the postseason, he would win the Divisional Playoffs and NFC Championship, and we know the story from here — a 3-13 loss to the New England Patriots. Offensively and defensively, however, LAR is loaded, and there’s your 10.5 win odds.
After a superior 13-3 season in 2017 that brought them the NFC North championship, the Minnesota Vikings would take a bit of a hit placing themselves 2nd in the NFC North with an 8-7-1 record. Coming out of the 2018 season are four Pro Bowlers: OLB Anthony Barr, DE Danielle Hunter, S Harrison Smith, and WR Adam Thielen. With that being said, Vegas has Minnesota improving slightly with 9 wins in the odds. With the talent that the Vikings have and the talent at quarterback with Kirk Cousins, it’s accomplishable.
Last season in 2018, the New England Patriots did, well, New England Patriots things finishing the season with an 11-5 regular season record and an AFC East championship. We know the rest of the story, but let’s refresh your memory: The Patriots would win the Divisional Playoffs over the Los Angeles Chargers, the AFC Championship over the Kansas City Chiefs, and then a boring Super Bowl over the Los Angeles Rams. With the Patriots being the Patriots, New England has a total of 11 wins in the Vegas odds. Let’s be honest, that’s going to happen.
The Saints would return to an NFL powerhouse in 2018 with a 13-3 record in the regular season and also winning the NFC South championship. In the playoffs, they would take out the Eagles in the Divisional Playoffs but would be dropped by the Rams in the NFC Championship in a controversial OT game. For next season, the Saints enter with 10.5 wins in the odds with their eight Pro Bowlers: QB Drew Brees, WR Michael Thomas, C Max Unger, OT Terron Armstead, DE Cameron Jordan, RB Alvin Kamara, OG Larry Warford, and OG Andrus Peat.
After winning the Super Bowl in 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles and their five Pro Bowlers (TE Zach Ertz, OG Brandon Brooks, DT Fletcher Cox, SS Malcolm Jenkins, and OT Lane Johnson) would limp to a 9-7 record and place 2nd in the NFC East, however, they would accomplish a playoff appearance. They would win the Wild Card Playoffs over the Chicago Bulls but would get bounced to the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Playoffs. Coming into the 2019 season, they’re 9.5 in the win total. With the talent load, that’s surely doable.
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