It's your last chance to get in your NFL Futures bets.
I've been looking at the over/under for team wins for the last month or so and there were two teams that stucked out at me:
Vikings O/U 9
Dolphins O/U 8
I'm high on the Vikings and sour on the Dolphins.
With the Dolphins ineptitude on offense (particularly running the ball) combined with them playing in a difficult division, I don't see them having a winning record. Fiedler had enough trouble moving the team downfield while Ricky Williams was keeping defenders occupied. I think that now, with little to no running game, and a very questionable offensive line, that offense is certain to be a doormat offense. While the Dolphins have a good defense, their linebackers have lost a step since their prime (Thomas and Seau). Their defensive line and cornerbacks remain more than sufficient. But, is that enough for this team to win 9 games? I figure they will, realistically, go 2-4 in their division ... possibly 3-3. Given the remainder of their schedule,
http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/MIA
They only play two teams that are clearly poor teams, San Fran and Arizona. They play San Fran, however, one week after flying out to Seattle, then flying back to the East Coast. And this is the NFL, so no games are cake.
A good defense can only get you so far. I have a tough time seeing them squeeze out 9 wins. I think that 6 or 7 is more likely. Therefore, I'm liking the Dolphins under 8 wins on the season.
Now, the Vikings seem like a team that has finally improved upon a weakness for a long time, their defense. They could always put points on the board and last year, they proved that they can run the ball effectively with more than one of their RBs. They have some high draft picks on that defense that are getting just enough experience to the point where they should start making an impact. The defense was already much improved last year and adding Udeze certainly doesn't hurt matters. Taking a look at their starting defense,
http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthcharts/MIN
They are starting to look like one of the league's top 10 defenses. Coupled with a more than capable offense, I see the Vikings winning 10-12 games this year. Keep in mind their weak division, featuring the Lions and Bears. I see them going 4-2 in the division, with the possibility or 5-1.
If they go 4-2 in their division, they only need to go 5-5 outside the division. 6 of their 8 home games are being played against grass teams. Meanwhile, 4 of their away games are in domes! That makes a whopping 12 of their 16 games being played in domes!!!
Needless to say, I am sold on the Vikings winning a minimum of 9 games (which would be a push), with a better than even chance of them winning 10 or more games.
In conclusion, instead of making separate bets on each team, I am combining my predictions about the Vikings and Dolphins into one single bet.
At sportsbetting.com, I found the following play:
Vikings wins -1.5 vs. Dolphins wins
(Vikings are -140)
That's my bet for an NFL Future of the 2004 season.
I am also betting that Stephen Jackson wins Sporting News Rookie of the Year at 12-1 odds.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading that and enjoy the NFL season even more.
Good luck,
Scott
I've been looking at the over/under for team wins for the last month or so and there were two teams that stucked out at me:
Vikings O/U 9
Dolphins O/U 8
I'm high on the Vikings and sour on the Dolphins.
With the Dolphins ineptitude on offense (particularly running the ball) combined with them playing in a difficult division, I don't see them having a winning record. Fiedler had enough trouble moving the team downfield while Ricky Williams was keeping defenders occupied. I think that now, with little to no running game, and a very questionable offensive line, that offense is certain to be a doormat offense. While the Dolphins have a good defense, their linebackers have lost a step since their prime (Thomas and Seau). Their defensive line and cornerbacks remain more than sufficient. But, is that enough for this team to win 9 games? I figure they will, realistically, go 2-4 in their division ... possibly 3-3. Given the remainder of their schedule,
http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/MIA
They only play two teams that are clearly poor teams, San Fran and Arizona. They play San Fran, however, one week after flying out to Seattle, then flying back to the East Coast. And this is the NFL, so no games are cake.
A good defense can only get you so far. I have a tough time seeing them squeeze out 9 wins. I think that 6 or 7 is more likely. Therefore, I'm liking the Dolphins under 8 wins on the season.
Now, the Vikings seem like a team that has finally improved upon a weakness for a long time, their defense. They could always put points on the board and last year, they proved that they can run the ball effectively with more than one of their RBs. They have some high draft picks on that defense that are getting just enough experience to the point where they should start making an impact. The defense was already much improved last year and adding Udeze certainly doesn't hurt matters. Taking a look at their starting defense,
http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthcharts/MIN
They are starting to look like one of the league's top 10 defenses. Coupled with a more than capable offense, I see the Vikings winning 10-12 games this year. Keep in mind their weak division, featuring the Lions and Bears. I see them going 4-2 in the division, with the possibility or 5-1.
If they go 4-2 in their division, they only need to go 5-5 outside the division. 6 of their 8 home games are being played against grass teams. Meanwhile, 4 of their away games are in domes! That makes a whopping 12 of their 16 games being played in domes!!!
Needless to say, I am sold on the Vikings winning a minimum of 9 games (which would be a push), with a better than even chance of them winning 10 or more games.
In conclusion, instead of making separate bets on each team, I am combining my predictions about the Vikings and Dolphins into one single bet.
At sportsbetting.com, I found the following play:
Vikings wins -1.5 vs. Dolphins wins
(Vikings are -140)
That's my bet for an NFL Future of the 2004 season.
I am also betting that Stephen Jackson wins Sporting News Rookie of the Year at 12-1 odds.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading that and enjoy the NFL season even more.
Good luck,
Scott
