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Posted 08/20/2009 at 10:23 PM
While season totals are maybe not the most popular of wagers they still remain one of the most exciting and enticing of the “Futures.” Over the past few seasons I’ve had good success picking season totals and I’m ready to rock here in 2009. So without further ado here are a bunch of totals for you to munch on. Good luck!
Cleveland Browns (UNDER 6.5)
This team epitomizes the old cliché’ “what a difference a year makes.” Just two years ago the Browns won double digit games and the future looked awfully bright. Now as the team kicks off the 2009 campaign the club is riddled with question marks. New coach and former Jet coach Eric Mangini takes over Romeo Crennel and last season’s GM Phil Savage is out too. There’s also a quarterback battle between Derek Anderson and 2nd year QB Brady Quinn and nobody’s sure either one is very good. All world loudmouth and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. is now in Tampa Bay and Braylon Edwards’s hands have been called into question. Out of conference games against Minnesota, Green Bay and Chicago are no picnic either. This Browns version looks like a 5 win team to me. Play the UNDER here.
Minnesota Vikings (OVER 9.0)
Unlike the majority of the media I was neither annoyed or angered with Brett Favre after he decided to play football again this year. If Brett wants to play and there’s a suitor out there why shouldn’t he play? Fact is Brad Childress and the Viking brass wanted #4 all along and it was just a matter of time. And I still think Favre gives the Vikings a better chance every week than Sage Rosenfels and/or Tarvaris Jackson. Even after Brett’s second half meltdown with the Jets last year. Fact is this is a VERY talented roster in and around Brett Favre. Running back Adrian Peterson may be the best player in the whole league and Jared Allen is a beast on the defensive line. Combine that with Percy Harvin and some good young defenders and you’ve got the making of a legitimate Super Bowl contender. This team should win double digit games and maybe even get to eleven. Play the OVER here.
Philadelphia Eagles (OVER 9.5)
As a lifelong New York Football Giant fan this prediction really pains me. But as far as I’m concerned no team in the NFL has had a better offseason than the Iggles. On draft day the Eagles added two guys that I believe will pay dividends on offense right away. Pittsburgh RB LeSean McCoy will give Bryan Westbrook a much needed breather and Mizzou WR Jeremy Maclin finally gives Donovan McNabb a legitimate threat in the passing game. The defense is real good even with the tragic passing of defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson. The NFC East schedule is always a bitch but the Eagles’ out of conference schedule is favorable. They play the AFC West which may turn out to be the worst division in football. I believe the Eagles and Giants are destined for double digit wins. Play the OVER here.
Denver Broncos (UNDER 6.5)
The Denver Broncos are another example of “how the mighty have fallen.” Even though Mike Shanahan and the Broncos haven’t won a Super Bowl since John Elway retired they still managed to be relevant in the AFC playoff picture. Jake Plummer got them one game away from the Super Bowl a few years ago and the future looked somewhat bright with Jay Cutler under center. Now Shanahan and Cutler (Chicago Bears) are both gone and the outlook now is bordering on bleak. Former New England Patriot coordinator Josh McDaniels is in charge and he may be in over his head. The quarterback tandem of Kyle Orton and Chris Simms isn’t scaring too many opposing coaches and Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall still wants out. The defense is still very iffy and with teams like the Giants, Steelers, Cowboys, Patriots, and Colts on their out of division schedule the prognosis for this patient is not good. Play the UNDER here.
Atlanta Falcons (OVER 9)
When I take a look at the landscape of the NFC the three teams that I would consider elite are the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons come off a great season and now the quarterback and coach have something to build on for year #2. Matt Ryan deservedly won the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and he can only get better. He’s got a top notch RB in Michael Turner, a legitimate burner in Roddy White and a Hall of Fame TE in Tony Gonzalez on the same offense. The Falcons also sport one of the quickest defenses in the conference. The schedule’s not easy but this team is better than last year’s playoff version. Play the OVER here.
These are the 5 totals that caught my eye as we get ready to kick off the 2009 NFL season. I also want to thank my dear friend and colleague Marc Lawrence for providing me with great information for this blog from his outstanding Playbook.com Yearbook!
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