We are already halfway done with the preseason schedule and teams are stepping up their respective preparations as the start of the NFL season draws ever closer. With just a couple of weeks remaining before the big opening, this is the best time of the season to make predictions on the storylines of the season and grab high-value futures lines while their up.
To help get you set for the 2014-2015 season we’ve already compiled the experts’ predictions for the season, and highlighted ten players who we expect will have break out seasons in 2014. Today, we focus on the specific over-under totals for all 32 teams. Read on our predictions and create a betting account now to start cashing in on a huge season in the NFL.
[sc:Football ]
2014-2015 NFL Win Total Predictions
NFC East
Team
Line
Prediction
Philadelphia Eagles
9.0
OVER
New York Giants
8.0
UNDER
Dallas Cowboys
7.5
UNDER
Washington Redskins
7.5
UNDER
[sc:NFL240banner ]Expectations are at an all-time high in Philadelphia after head coach Chip Kelly guided the Eagles to a 10-6 record and a playoff spot in 2013. Even though the team cut wide receiver DeSean Jackson this past offseason, it’s not hard to imagine the Eagles going over their line of 9.0 wins and at least matching their win-loss mark last season.
They still have their main running back in LeSean Mccoy who was exceptional last season, posting a total of 2,146 yards, including a career-high 1,607 rushing yards. Also quarterback Nick Foles will also return to spearhead Kelly’s up-tempo offense, following his highly-successful season last year where he posted a league-best 119.0 passer rating. With the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins all projected to go under their respective lines this season given their respective struggles, the NFC East is once again the Philadelphia Eagles’ to lose.
NFC North
Team
Line
Prediction
Green Bay Packers
10.5
OVER
Chicago Bears
8.5
OVER
Detroit Lions
8.5
OVER
Minnesota Vikings
6.0
UNDER
It will be a three-horse race in the NFC North this year with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions all pushing their wins over their totals this season. The Packers will be the team to beat with the return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers and bookmakers seem to agree, listing them as -120 favorites to take home the NFC North title.
That doesn’t mean that it won’t be tight at the top this year. The Lions, who finished third in passing yards last season with 280.1 per game, added some depth to their receiver ranks by signing WR Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. With head coach Jim Caldwell pushing for a more balanced attack on their offense, star receiver Calvin Johnson may see fewer touches but of a higher quality as defenses have to account for more receiving threats.
The Chicago Bears showed its offensive prowess last season, scoring the second-most points in the league with 445 as well as breaking team records in total yards, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Their main problem last season was on the defensive end, finishing 30th in the league in points allowed and yards allowed. The Bears top brass addressed their defensive concerns by signing a trio of defensive ends in Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young and those improvements have made the Bears a good pick to go over 8.5 wins and post a winning record this season.
NFC South
Team
Line
Prediction
New Orleans Saints
10.5
OVER
Atlanta Falcons
8.5
UNDER
Carolina Panthers
7.5
UNDER
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7.0
OVER
Bookmakers have listed the New Orleans Saints as the favorites at -175 to win the NFC South and it’s easy to see why. They have at their disposal one of the best quarterbacks in the game today in Drew Brees and with a much-improved defense bolstered by the acquisition of free agent Jairus Byrd, the Saints are a capable bunch on both ends of the field.
The Panthers, on the other hand, let wideouts Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn Jr. leave this past offseason and their inability to replace them will see them fall under their total of 7.5. The Buccaneers, for their part, seem to be headed in the right direction with praise-worthy offseason moves including the hiring of head coach Lovie Smith as well as the signing of veteran QB Josh McCown. They certainly look to be a .500 team this season.
NFC West
Team
Line
Prediction
Seattle Seahawks
11.0
OVER
San Francisco 49ers
10.5
UNDER
Arizona Cardinals
7.5
OVER
St. Louis Rams
7.5
OVER
The defending Super Bowl champions return this season with an almost intact roster and are the favorites at -110 to win the division for the second-straight year. Just like last season, the Seattle Seahawks will rely on their defense which allowed a league-low 14.4 points per game last year. Although they lost Walter Thurmond this past offseason, the Legion of Boom is still the best secondary in the league today and will help the Seahawks go over 11.0 wins this season.
There’s some concern with the 49ers and how they have performed so far this preseason. They have started their campaign with a 0-2 record and although it’s just the preseason, their -54 differential through two games is perhaps alarming only because it is so dramatic. The 49ers lost two of their top three cornerbacks via free agency last season and in a division where any team can beat you the Niners will slip under 10.5 wins.
AFC East
Team
Line
Prediction
New England Patriots
10.5
OVER
Miami Dolphins
7.5
UNDER
New York Jets
7.0
UNDER
Buffalo Bills
6.5
OVER
Perennial AFC East champions New England Patriots are expected to dominate this shallow division once again this year. The question now is can they go over their wins line total of 10.5. Why not? Tom Brady, although advancing in age, is still one of the top quarterbacks in the league, guiding the Patriots to a 12-4 mark last year. With tight end Rob Gronkowski returning after an injury-plagued season last year, the Patriots are stronger than ever.
Add to that the signing of cornerback Darrelle Revis which will help improve a defense that was 26th in the league last season and the Patriots seem to be a great bet at +700 to win their fourth Super Bowl title.
The Jets, Dolphins and the Bills are expected to play second fiddle once again. However, the Bills should continue to improve this season and go above 6.5 wins. There is excitement among fans with the arrival of wide receiver Sammy Watkins who will boost the Bills’ passing game which was the fifth-worst in the league last season with a measly 193.9 average. With QB EJ Manuel expected to make huge strides this campaign, the Bills will surprise plenty of people this season.
AFC North
Team
Line
Prediction
Cincinnati Bengals
9.0
OVER
Baltimore Ravens
8.5
OVER
Pittsburgh Steelers
8.5
UNDER
Cleveland Browns
6.5
UNDER
The AFC North will be a tough division to call this season with three teams that could step up and make the playoffs or fizzle out in 2014. The reigning division champions Cincinnati Bengals are the slight favorites at +170 to win the AFC North for the second-consecutive year and will once again rely on the exploits of their quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton posted career-high marks in passing yards (4,293) completed passes (363) and passer rating (88.8) as he was rewarded with a six-year $96 million extension this offseason.
The only knock on Dalton is his inability to win playoff games as evidenced by his three wildcard playoff defeats in his last three seasons with the Bengals. Still, with new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in tow the Cincinnatian masters of the regular season and will go over 9.0 wins this season. The Ravens and the Steelers, on the other hand, are both listed at 8.5 wins this season and both teams have the ability to go well beyond that total if their quarterbacks lead them there. For our money then, the difference is in what Baltimore has done for Flacco, who will enjoy having All-Star ball catcher Steve Smith to throw to this season.
As for the Browns…well, 2014 won’t be their year. While we fully expect Johnny Manziel to be calling the plays by the end of the season, the young man has a lot to learn on and off the field. We like the Browns to go under 6.5 wins while Manziel achieve two or less of our five keys to Johnny Football’s rookie season.
AFC South
Team
Line
Prediction
Indianapolis Colts
9.5
OVER
Houston Texans
7.5
UNDER
Tennessee Titans
7.0
UNDER
Jacksonville Jaguars
4.5
OVER
Andrew Luck showed vast improvement last year in his second season, leading Indianapolis to its first playoff victory in the post-Manning era. The Colts aren’t satisfied with just one win though and decided to fortify their lineup by bringing in linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, defensive end Arthur Jones and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks this offseason. The Colts, who finished 11-5 last year, will ride their new recruits over their total of 9.5 wins.
The Texans, on the other hand, are eager to bounce back from their humiliating 2-14 season last year. Their defense, which was third best last year in terms of passing yards allowed with a 195.2 average, has improved tremendously with the addition of no. 1 overall pick linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. Still, starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick who has a career passer rating of just 77.5. The Texans will improve but will still go under 7.5 wins this year.
Another team that should improve in the AFC South is the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have drafted a great rookie class with QB Blake Bortles and receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson. They are definitely a team with plenty of upside and will go over 4.5 wins this campaign.
AFC West
Team
Line
Prediction
Denver Broncos
11.5
OVER
Kansas City Chiefs
8.5
OVER
San Diego Chargers
8.5
OVER
Oakland Raiders
4.5
OVER
The Denver Broncos finished last season with an AFC-best 13-3 record and it is hard to argue against them finishing on top once again this year given the moves they have made this past offseason. They brought in DeMarcus Ware, Emmanuel Sanders, T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib via free agency to boost a defensive side that was demolished by the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII last February.
The Chargers, on the other hand, will enter this season with renewed optimism after their unexpected quick success last year under head coach Mike McCoy. They were fourth in the league in passing yards last year with a 270.5 average as they snuck into the playoffs with a 9-7 slate. This year, they are expected to improve even further with QB Philip Rivers gaining more experience with McCoy’s offensive system and are a solid bet to go over 8.5 wins this campaign.
