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The hopes of many teams in the NFL this season hinge on the performance of their quarterback. Okay, that’s not a surprise. But we have a couple of veterans starting over, and coaches trying to save their jobs.
Obviously when looking at NFL team totals that is going to be a function of what the opposing defense is able to do, so that’s a consideration as well.
Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals Team Totals
Time: Sunday, September 12th at 1 PM ET
Team Totals Odds:
Minnesota Vikings (Over 26.5 -115 / Under 26.5 -115)
Cincinnati Bengals (Over 21.5 -125 / Under 21.5 -105)
The Play: VIKINGS OVER 26.5 (-115)
Ordinarily I would look toward the Bengals in this kind of proposition, as they have made the big move in the draft to acquire rookie Ja’Marr Chase to reconnect with Joe Burrow (both played at LSU). But maybe it’s the move they DIDN’T make that sets them back, as they passed on tackle Penei Sewell (Oregon).
And Burrow has reportedly been a little gun-shy as he recovers from his ACL and MCL injuries that knocked him out of the 2020 season in November.
What we DO know is that Cincinnati is going to need quite a reversal to prevent other teams from dominating the line of scrimmage, as they gave up 5.1 yards per carry last season, which would seem like an open invitation to Dalvin Cook (1557 yards last year).
And if nothing else, Kirk Cousins can put up numbers (4265 yards, 35 TD’s in 2020). What the Vikings’ defense can accomplish is a different story, for a different day.
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams Team Totals
Time: Sunday, September 12th at 8:30 PM ET
Team Totals Odds:
Chicago Bears (Over 18.5 -115 / Under 18.5 -115)
Los Angeles Rams (Over 27 -115 / Under 27 -115)
The Play: BEARS UNDER 18.5 (-115)
I don’t think it would be too far out of line to suggest that there could be some residue left over from Brandon Staley’s brief tenure as Rams’ defensive coordinator (he went to the other suite of offices as head coach of the Chargers). And remember that the Rams gave up fewer yards than any other team in the NFL in 2020.
And now here come the Chicago Bears, who may just be the Bad News Bears if Justin Fields doesn’t blossom into a bona fide NFL quarterback at some point this season. This is a team without much in the way of imagination; it isn’t going to come from Matt Nagy, who is calling the plays on offense. It certainly doesn’t come from much-maligned o.c. Bill Lazor, who could get scapegoated eventually. It won’t come from Andy Dalton, who is like seven-day old stale dinner rolls.
Fields isn’t ready yet either. And we’ll delve into the question of how many Ohio State QB’s from the Urban Meyer or Ryan Day regime thrived in the NFL some other time. Can’t see this Rams secondary getting burned often. Take note that these teams have played each of the last three seasons, and Chicago has scored a total of 32 points.
Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints Team Totals
Time: Sunday, September 12th at 4:25 PM ET (@ Jacksonville)
Team Totals Odds:
Green Bay Packers (Over 27 -115 / Under 27 -115)
New Orleans Saints (Over 23 -115 / Under 23 -115)
The Play: SAINTS OVER 23 (-115)
First of all, let’s point out that because of the hurricane damage in New Orleans, this game was shifted to AllTel Stadium in Jacksonville, and the Packers are favored.
The big story, from the Saints’ perspective, is that Jameis Winston will be leading the offense. And that’s seen with curiosity, as Winston’s last season as a starter with the Bucs two years ago resulted in 30 interceptions.
Now…. let’s acknowledge some other things. One is that two years ago, Winston also became one of a handful of quarterbacks to have thrown for 5000 or more yards in a season. Another is that unlike predecessor Drew Brees, who was last in the NFL in “air yards,” Famous Jameis has the ability to attack defenses downfield, even if Michael Thomas is, at the moment, of no use to the team.
And of course, the Saints have other weapons like Alvin Kamara. And as for the question of whether it hurts them all that much to shift off the “fast track” at the Superdome, well, consider this fast fact: New Orleans topped this posted number six times as the visitor last year.
NFL Week 1 Point Spread Predictions
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills Team Totals
Time: Sunday, September 12th at 1 PM ET
Team Totals Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers (Over 21 -115 / Under 21 -115)
Buffalo Bills (Over 27.5 -115 / Under 27.5 -115)
The Play: STEELERS OVER 21 (-115)
Okay, I know people are a little down on Pittsburgh. But the Steelers are the defending AFC North champions, and Big Ben is still slinging. Yes, there are holes that have had to be filled along the offensive line, but their problems are not as bad as some other teams have.
And I, for one, am a believer that first-round draft pick Najee Harris can make a difference. The Steelers had NO ground game last season. Now they can have one.
Remember that as the Bills apportioned much of their resources toward building offensive explosiveness, expenditure on the defensive side suffered. As a result, their stop unit was pretty much middle-of-the-road, even in the process of winning the AFC East.
Denver Broncos at New York Giants Team Totals
Time: Sunday, September 12th at 4:25 PM ET
Team Totals Odds:
Denver Broncos (Over 21.5 -120 / Under 21.5 -110)
New York Giants (Over 19.5 -115 / Under 19.5 -115)
The Play: GIANTS UNDER 19.5 (-115)
Actually, I’m not positively certain what it means to be “100%” in the NFL, but as Saquon Barkley continues to bounce back from his ACL injury, you have to believe the Giants are not going to overwork him on the first shot out of the box.
And Daniel Jones will have to prove to us that he is ready to take command of an NFL offense and win.
On the other side, you have a Denver defense that has welcomed back Von Miller, and that will make them a gnarly proposition for Jones to deal with. Oh, and let’s not forget rookie Patrick Surtain, who Miller “loves.” The future is “now” for coach Vic Fangio, who won’t be around next season if the Broncos don’t make the playoffs.
