OK, I have my NFL win predictions ready. I really like these.
New Orleans Over 7 +120 - I've mentioned this one quite a bit over the last couple months so I'll try to keep it brief. Basically I see a tough start for them, but the schedule gets easier as the year wears on. If they can come out of the first 7 games 3-4 then I think this is golden, but even @ 2-5 it looks good to me. They should build momentum in the second half of the year after getting toughened up by all the good early competition, and by then they will be over the loss of Ricky Williams. I see them with a half decent chance of winning their division. Aaron Brooks is ready to step up to the next level. A .500 record should not be asking too much from this team.
I had a number of candidates for my other picks, but settled on these two:
San Diego Under 7 +130 - So much instabilty here. Rookie QB with very high expectations. Everyone remembers the Ryan Leaf fiasco, and as soon as he has some tough outings the comparisons will start. And then the "Flutie should be starting" talk will start all over again. New Head Coach, new Off. and Def. co-ordinators, and a tough division to play in. Three trips to the east coast for early games. A bad start would really help this one. Unfortunately, they start off with some not-too-imposing opposition (@ Cin, vs Hou, @ Ariz)...hopefully they only nab one win out of those three games...but I'll assume they get two. From there it gets pretty hellish: NE, @Den, KC, @Oak, NYJ, @StL, SF, @Mia, Den, Oak, in succession. That kind of schedule should deflate them and take all the wind out of their sails. Season ends with games @Buf, @KC, vs Sea. Will Flutie have the starting job by the time the Buffalo game rolls around? That could be interesting. I'm having real trouble finding 8 wins in there even being generous (8 wins needed to lose this one). I can't figure why this is at plus-money and going up....this team SHOULD have another clunker of a year.
Minnesota Under 8 -115 - Is 9-7 possible here? I really don't think so. Similar situation to SD in that they have a new HC, though they do have an established QB at least. I have my doubts that this offence can be as dangerous as it was in the past with Randy Moss having to carry so much of the load. Defensively, are they any better than last year? I don't think so. There are definitely a number of winnable games on this schedule, particularly in the first half of the year. Come November and December things toughen up considerably though. A stumble here or there against a so-so team and I don't seem them being able to make up for it in the win column to make this prop a loser. Anything less than 4-4 thru 8 and I think this one's gold. 5-3 thru 8 could mean trouble though.
New Orleans Over 7 +120 - I've mentioned this one quite a bit over the last couple months so I'll try to keep it brief. Basically I see a tough start for them, but the schedule gets easier as the year wears on. If they can come out of the first 7 games 3-4 then I think this is golden, but even @ 2-5 it looks good to me. They should build momentum in the second half of the year after getting toughened up by all the good early competition, and by then they will be over the loss of Ricky Williams. I see them with a half decent chance of winning their division. Aaron Brooks is ready to step up to the next level. A .500 record should not be asking too much from this team.
I had a number of candidates for my other picks, but settled on these two:
San Diego Under 7 +130 - So much instabilty here. Rookie QB with very high expectations. Everyone remembers the Ryan Leaf fiasco, and as soon as he has some tough outings the comparisons will start. And then the "Flutie should be starting" talk will start all over again. New Head Coach, new Off. and Def. co-ordinators, and a tough division to play in. Three trips to the east coast for early games. A bad start would really help this one. Unfortunately, they start off with some not-too-imposing opposition (@ Cin, vs Hou, @ Ariz)...hopefully they only nab one win out of those three games...but I'll assume they get two. From there it gets pretty hellish: NE, @Den, KC, @Oak, NYJ, @StL, SF, @Mia, Den, Oak, in succession. That kind of schedule should deflate them and take all the wind out of their sails. Season ends with games @Buf, @KC, vs Sea. Will Flutie have the starting job by the time the Buffalo game rolls around? That could be interesting. I'm having real trouble finding 8 wins in there even being generous (8 wins needed to lose this one). I can't figure why this is at plus-money and going up....this team SHOULD have another clunker of a year.
Minnesota Under 8 -115 - Is 9-7 possible here? I really don't think so. Similar situation to SD in that they have a new HC, though they do have an established QB at least. I have my doubts that this offence can be as dangerous as it was in the past with Randy Moss having to carry so much of the load. Defensively, are they any better than last year? I don't think so. There are definitely a number of winnable games on this schedule, particularly in the first half of the year. Come November and December things toughen up considerably though. A stumble here or there against a so-so team and I don't seem them being able to make up for it in the win column to make this prop a loser. Anything less than 4-4 thru 8 and I think this one's gold. 5-3 thru 8 could mean trouble though.
