The Athletic: Vic’s Picks - All the NFL season win-total predictions, including my 6 favorites

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By Vic Tafur May 18, 2020

The release of the NFL schedule not only gave hope to fans that there is football on the other side of this pandemic, but also all the wise guys and betting fools out there. While last weekend’s slate of UFC, NASCAR, charity golf and Korean baseball had gamblers and sportsbooks excited after a long slumber, it was only the beginning. The release of season win totals for NFL teams had people breaking down rosters and schedules and looking for value.

I am such people.

We don’t know much yet about what effects the pandemic will have on the NFL, as far as when and where games will be played, if fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch, and how the rules might be affected. We do know that teams’ offseason workouts will be greatly reduced, if not altogether wiped out.

We also know that some of the prices on these over/under totals are quite expensive — none more so than the Buccaneers, as Tom Brady believers have to bet $300 to win $100 (-300) to get a piece of the over of 8.5 wins.

Two tips: Lean towards the under as the books overcompensate for people’s need to be popular and go with favorites. Adding up the win totals offered at any sportsbook or website will always get you to more than 256, which is the mathematically correct number. And go with the proven, adaptable coach. Andy Reid’s Chiefs are 7-0 going over the season’s win total predictions in his seven years with the team.

I started off with my favorite six totals and then listed the rest of the predictions from worst record to best. (The totals are from sportsbook.ag on Saturday.)

The top six
Arizona Cardinals — under 7.5, -110

Everyone is betting on the Cardinals after they traded for top-five receiver DeAndre Hopkins. But their schedule is tough (four of the first six on the road) and I still don’t know how Kyler Murray won rookie of the year last season. He was decent, but a three-game jump from last year’s five wins seems unrealistic for him and a pretty boring defense.

Indianapolis Colts — under 8.5, +180

Philip Rivers is often lumped in with the great quarterbacks who switched teams late in their careers. But 18 QBs have either won an MVP or started a Super Bowl since Rivers became a starter in 2006, and he is not one of them. He has really fallen off, and I don’t know if a great offensive line fixes a statue who throws the ball up for grabs. Plus, for all the love that the national media showers on general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have won 21 games in his three seasons.

Cleveland Browns — over 8.5, -120

As much as I wrote about how the Browns were going to underachieve last season, I feel just as strongly the other way now. Cleveland added right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency and drafted left tackle Jedrick Wills, so the offensive line is much better, and new tight end Austin Hooper bolsters a dynamic offense with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Odell Beckham Jr. Kevin Stefanski may be new, but he’s a huge upgrade over fired coach Freddy Kitchens.

Baltimore Ravens — over 11.5, -110

The Ravens not only got to keep both their coordinators — amazing how no team waited to raid the Ravens’ or Chiefs’ staffs — but improved their roster on offense and defense. They straight out stole Calais Campbell from the Jaguars, trading a fifth-round pick for the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle. And there is no reason to think that Lamar Jackson takes a step back either. All the Zoom meetings in the world won’t help teams adjust to him.

Green Bay Packers — over 9, -105

Everyone is counting Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out this year. While I do think they were pretty lucky last season AND that Rodgers will only be in Green Bay another year or two, a four-game drop seems way too steep. Running back AJ Dillon was a sneaky good pick in the second round, as he will come in for Aaron Jones late in games and run tired defenses over as the Packers pound the ball.

Miami Dolphins — under 6, +110

Miami had a magical five-win season last year, when everybody thought they were tanking. Congrats to them. But they are likely going to redshirt their first-round pick this season, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and are clearly the worst team talent-wise in their division. Opponents may actually pay attention to the scouting reports of the Dolphins this season.

The other 26
Jacksonville Jaguars — under 4.5, -125

The Jaguars are clearly tanking, and will likely trade more of their few remaining good players during the season. Running back Leonard Fournette in a prove-it, contract year is interesting, but not that interesting. The defense is a problem. But there is no value and no reason to take a stand on this one.

Cincinnati Bengals — under 5.5, -120

I loved Joe Burrow’s LSU highlights as much as the next guy, but a four-game improvement with a rookie QB with no offseason workouts is a little hard to chew. The Bengals lost eight games by one score last season, and their roster is not terrible, but maybe the switch doesn’t get flicked on until the following season.

Washington Redskins — over 5.5, -105

Dwayne Haskins has dropped 11 pounds and 4 percent body fat this offseason, so don’t call him a bust quite yet. The offensive and defensive lines are better than you think, especially after the addition of No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. Ron Rivera gets off to a better-than-expected start.

Carolina Panthers — under 6, -130

Matt Rhule keeps signing all of his former Temple players … you fired up yet? The new coach also wasted no time choosing Teddy Bridgewater over Cam Newton and dumping enough veterans where he can set the bar very low and say such wise and numbing things as “we want to build the right way.”

New York Giants — under 6.5, -125

Another new coach. Joe Judge tries out a quarterback (Daniel Jones) that he might not want with a schedule (vs. Steelers, at Bears, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Cowboys) that could bury him early. I do think that Saquon Barkley has a huge year with a staff that doesn’t forget to get him the ball, and if I was foolish enough to pick a non-QB to win MVP, it would be him (80-1). But I am not.

Detroit Lions — under 6.5, -110

Matt Stafford has a bad back, the schedule is road-heavy early and Matt Patricia might be my early favorite for first coach fired. He keeps signing all of Bill Belichick’s defensive rejects out of New England, rubbing his hands together and yelling “The Patriot Way,” but so far, nothing has happened.

New York Jets — under 7, -115

I thought about the over here, as the Jets were the most injured team last season and Adam Gase and sleeper Sam Darnold return for another year together. But I can’t get one thing out of my head: how many players have been much better after leaving Gase, the latest examples being Ryan Tannehill and Kenyan Drake. And road games at the Rams, Chiefs, Colts, Chargers and Seahawks are brutal, even without fans (if that’s how this goes down).

Denver Broncos — under 7.5, +120

Jerry Jeudy was a steal at No. 15, but I am not sold on quarterback Drew Lock. His four wins down the stretch were a little flukish — 6.5 yards per attempt against some bad defenses — and the rest of the division has improved. Melvin Gordon is better at fantasy football than the real game, and he doesn’t give the offense the jolt that many think he does. The defense is good, but not great.

Houston Texans — over 7.5, -105

Bill O’Brien is an awful GM, giving away his best player because he wanted more money, and then overpaying every average free agent he signed. O’Brien, though, is an average coach (I surprised myself writing that, too) and there is enough talent still here that I can’t endorse a three-game drop. Especially when I picked the rest of the AFC South to go under their totals.

Las Vegas Raiders — over 7.5, -105

The NFL loves Las Vegas and gave the Raiders four prime-time home games. A hulking offensive line, Josh Jacobs and a defense with linebackers that don’t need walking canes has to be good enough for a two-game improvement off last year’s seven wins. Derek Carr will throw enough slants to Henry Ruggs III that Ruggs is worth a flyer for rookie of the year at 20-1.

Atlanta Falcons — under 7.5, -120

Atlanta went 6-2 the second half of last season and then signed running back Todd Gurley, with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter admitting last week that he too has no idea what’s up with Gurley’s knee. Apparently, physicals during this shelter in place are a little fuzzy. Pretty faceless and boring team. Seems like a million years ago that people called Matt Ryan “Matty Ice.”

Los Angeles Chargers — over 8, +105

The defense can be one of the best in the NFL and Tyrod Taylor is an upgrade (at this point in their careers) over Rivers. The Chargers are planning to have Taylor and Austin Ekeler run a lot, so file that away in your fantasy football desk drawer. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry is an elite pass catching trio. Plus, the Chargers are used to no one cheering for them.

Chicago Bears — under 8, -110

The trade for Nick Foles and his ridiculous contract looked worse and worse as better QBs signed for a lot less after that move. Factor in the lack of offseason workouts and it’s hard to see the offense being a lot better this year. The defense will get to seven wins, but it’s hard to pick the Bears getting over the hump as Foles was dreadful last season in Jacksonville.

Los Angeles Rams — under 8.5, even

No one is expecting anything of the Rams, so I tried to. And their offense should bounce back a little bit and they still have Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on defense. But, they didn’t really address their offensive line issues and I think they will miss defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and linebacker Cory Littleton.

Tennessee Titans — under 8.5, +115

I think they are going to regret choosing Ryan Tannehill — and guaranteeing him $91 million the next three years — over Tom Brady. The Titans also lost right tackle Jack Conklin and cornerback Logan Ryan. Tennessee has finished 9-7 four years in a row, so appreciate how bold my 8-8 pick is.

Buffalo Bills — over 8.5, -165

Stefon Diggs is going to have a big year, and the young Bills defense still doesn’t get talked about enough. Friendly schedule too. This would have been a favorite play, but laying 165 to win 100 is not how we roll.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — over 8.5, -300

There is absolutely no value here, as everybody thinks Brady is going to bounce back with laid-back Bruce Arians after being freed from the apparent shackles that Belichick had on him. The defense is very good and the receivers are elite, so I will begrudgingly get in line with the public.

Seattle Seahawks — over 9, +135

Pretty amazing. Sharp Football Analysis dug out that Russell Wilson has never received an MVP vote in his career. The Seahawks went 9-2 last year in games decided by seven points or fewer, which many think is a reason to go against them this season. But that doesn’t have to balance out with Wilson going against teams that didn’t have normal offseasons. Shoot off flares for Wilson for MVP at 12-1 and Seattle to win the whole thing at 30-1.

New England Patriots — over 9, -110

Bill Belichick won 11 games with Matt Cassel the last time he didn’t have Tom Brady, and people are also forgetting that the Patriots won 12 games last season with a pretty mediocre version of Brady. I think Brian Hoyer wins the QB job and is good enough for the defense to lead the Patriots to 10 wins.

Minnesota Vikings — over 9, -120

One thing bookmakers will have to deal with is how to account for no fans, if that’s the way this goes. They usually give the home team 3 points, which was not enough in the case of the Vikings and their crazy fans wielding horns. Minnesota was the best home team against the spread the last five years (28-13-1). Kirk Cousins went from being overrated to underrated in a heartbeat and rookie Justin Jefferson should move right into the slot and is interesting at 25-1 to win rookie of the year.

Pittsburgh Steelers — under 9.5, -135

One of the most jarring moments during the NFL shelter-in-place was when Ben Roethlisberger showed up one day on social media. Not only was he clearly not working out, but he had enough facial hair that he could have been mistaken for Bigfoot. Counting on a bounce-back season for Big Ben when his ol’ draft buddies Eli Manning and Rivers are out of football or about to be is asking too much.

Philadelphia Eagles — over 9.5, -105

The Eagles had too many needs to take backup quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round. But Philadelphia added a lot of speed on offense and CB Darius Slay is going to have a big year, a huge upgrade for a secondary that’s really struggled.

Dallas Cowboys — under 10, even

New coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott are going to have some growing pains, and banking on 10 wins in a tougher-than-you-think division seems risky. The Cowboys had a lot of turnover and the free-agent haul of defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, cornerback Daryl Worley, quarterback Andy Dalton and kicker Greg Zuerlein is underwhelming.

San Francisco 49ers — under 10.5, +110

The drop off from DeForest Buckner to rookie Javon Kinlaw is huge, and I think the rumors of the 49ers not being sold on Jimmy Garappolo will only get louder as the offense plateaus a little bit. And you have to wonder how the California teams are going to fare with likelier tougher restrictions than teams in other states — though Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest update was encouraging when he said Monday that teams could start having games in California without fans by early June.

New Orleans Saints — over 10.5, -115

The Saints are set up to send out Drew Brees with a bang, adding Emmanuel Sanders to an already loaded arsenal. They also brought back the offensive line to protect Brees and signed safety Malcolm Jenkins, previously with the Saints from 2009-13, to reclaim his old leadership role in what seems like a cherry on the sundae move.

Kansas City Chiefs — over 11.5, -140

The Chiefs added playmaking running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, which is just plain silly. The offense should put up 40 points a week, as Patrick Mahomes is fully healthy and speedster Tyreek Hill is apparently even more dynamic after discovering yoga. We rode the Chiefs down the stretch, as they were 8-1 to win the Super Bowl at midseason. They are even better now and the odds are still 5-1 to repeat. Jump in.
 
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