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NFL PREVIEW: NFC East Forecast & Early Predictions (Page 1 of 2)
In preparation for the upcoming NFL football season, here are team-by-team forecasts highlighting key information that you can actually use to cash in next season. These team forecasts are designed to provide insight on predicting total teams wins, so that you can take advantage of the value found in wagering on the Total Team Wins futures propositions.
NFC East: Predictions
Philadelphia Eagles: Prediction Over 9.5 Wins – The Eagles finished the regular season with an impressive string of wins and they head into next year as the team to beat in the NFC East. Philadelphia will need to make some improvements to their offense, but will have (QB) Donovan McNabb back in action leading the attack. With versatile (RB) Brain Westbrook’s ability to make big plays, the Philadelphia offense should be back in high gear.
There is always a lot of pressure on McNabb to finally deliver a championship to Philadelphia. With some off-season improvements, the Eagles should once again reach the double-digit mark in wins this year.
Dallas Cowboys: Prediction Over 9 Wins – The Cowboys had a great rebound season earning 9 wins. Much of that success was due to Dallas top-ranked defense and the emergence of (QB) Tony Romo leading the offense.
Several upgrades to the offensive paid off, especially with the addition of (WR) Terrell Owens. Dallas also has a pair of solid running backs with Julius Jones & Marion Barber, so they can also move the ball effectively on the ground.
The QB situation took an unexpected turn last year with (QB) Drew Bledsoe losing his job early to career backup Tony Romo. Romo was able to make an immediate impact on the team, turning around the season and giving the Cowboys a shot at the division title.
On defense the Cowboys have made some strides developing their 3-4 setup and the addition of new head coach Wade Phillips, should go along away to improving this unit even further. Look for the defense to be even stronger next season, which should take this team over the 9 win mark and seriously challenge for the NFC East title.
New York Giants: Prediction Over 8 Wins – The Giants are another team entering the season with several personnel changes hoping to improve on a mediocre season. New York got off to a red-hot start winning 6 of their first 8 games, but faded down the stretch going only (2-6) in their last 8 & were lucky to backdoor themselves into the playoffs.
Offensively, the Giants are going to have to fill the void left by the retirement of All-Pro (RB) Tiki Barber. Second-year (RB) Brandon Jacobs looked great at times during the season, but also stumbled, so it is questionable whether he can be relied on as an every-down-player. To help elevate this potential problem, NY acquired veteran (RB) Ruben Droughns from the Cleveland Browns. Droughns should be a good fit sharing carries with Jacobs.
The pressure will certainly be on (QB) Eli Manning to finally step up his game and prove that he was worth that 1 overall pick a few years ago. Thus far, Manning has not been reliable in big games and is yet to win in the playoffs.
NFL Picks Week 1
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field Sunday Night – NBC
Line: Packers 3 ½
Over/Under: 46
The oldest rivalry in football is one of the feature games from Week 1 NFL betting action. This battle goes back as far as 1923, when the first meeting resulted in a 3-0 Bears win (they covered as a 2.5-point favorite .just kidding)
This weekends game has a line on it of -3.5 thats the current line at online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com.
The line actually opened at -3, but steady money has been coming in on the home team Packers, pushing the line up to -3.5. Most online sportsbooks are reporting 70 to 75% of the betting volume is Green Bay money. I dont see that changing as we get closer to kick-off, and in fact, I think this number could reach -4.
So if you like the Packers (check below for our pick on this one) you might want to get your bet in now.
The Bears head to Lambeau having won four of the last five games in Green Bay, but note that they were blown out last year 37-3 in Week 11.
In Week 16 the Bears hosted Green Bay and turned the tables beating them 20-17 in overtime.
But this year is different, as the Packers will face a Bears team that finally has a franchise quarterback. This season the rivalry is renewed with a legitimate QB showdown as Aaron Rodgers welcomes Jay Cutler to the division. This rivalry could dominate this division for the next 10 seasons.
In 2008 Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions for an impressive passer rating of 93.8 in his first season as the Packers starter. Cutler threw for 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions last year for a passer rating of 86. Both quarterbacks have big arms and can make any throw required to move the offense.
Green Bay has more weapons for Rodgers to spread the ball around and he had a good year with this group last season. The Bears offer Cutler two very good tight ends in Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark who might be the best tight end tandem in the NFL. The wide-receiving position is average however with all-pro punt returner Devin Hester penciled in as number one and second year receiver Earl Bennett as number two. Matt Forte has a great shot to improve on his 1200-yard season in 2008 with Cutler now in the fold.
But still, edge to the Packers.
The Packers brought in defensive guru Dom Capers to run the defense. He has switched the team over to a 3-4 scheme. The defense has adjusted well in preseason but it can take some time to fully implement the change.
Former Lions coach Rod Marinelli takes over as Defensive Coordinator of the Bears. The strength of the Bears for years has been their defense. Getting DT Tommie Harris back on the field is huge for the team. Marinelli is a noted line coach and Harris has already stated that he has helped him tremendously. Both he and Brian Urlacher are looking to rebound from a sub-par 2008 season. The defensive line is average and will get pushed around. They dont have a great pass rush other than weakside linebacker Lance Briggs, which could hurt them against the Pack. Top corner Charles Tillman is recovering from a back injury and looks good to go for the opener.
Overall, this looks pretty even, as the neither defense will be outmatched by the offense in any significant way
but the Packers do look like they can create some matchup advantages that I like.
I see Green Bay winning this game and will lay the 3 points (Im buying the hook)
Good luck with your NFL betting this weekend.
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