Which Teams Will Rise And Fall During The 2011 NFL Season

With week one of the NFL season only a day away, we figured today was as good a day as any for fishing around for neat trends. Essentially, every year, there are several teams at the start of the season, predicted to rise and fall based on a slew of factors, including last season, the offseason and training camp. Today for your sports betting pleasure, we will be looking at a few teams expected to rise and a team expected to fall this season.

Expected To Rise:

Green Bay Packers – Despite winning the Super Bowl for the 2010-11 seasons in February, the Green Bay Packers enter this season, with plenty of room to grow. Last year, the Packers got into the playoffs, using the sixth and final spot in the NFC and by being beneficiaries of the New York Giants late season collapse.

According to NFL betting lines statistics, the Green Bay Packers underachieved in the regular season last year. Looking at the statistics, the Packers should have technically ben a 12 and three team, as they had the second best point differential in the NFL during the regular season. However, due to injury and other factors, the Packers only had a 10 and six record, and had to win out to get into the post season. With the entire Green Bay roster healthy headed into the start of 2011, the defending Champions are expected to have a much better season then a year ago.

Cincinnati Bengals – The Cincinnati Bengals went from AFC North division Champions in 2009 to AFC North division basement dwellers in 2010. What’s hard to believe, is that on paper, the 2010 Bengals should have been the team to get to the Super Bowl for the first time in 22 years. However, after a four and 12 record in 2010, there is nowhere to go but up in 2011.

The four and 12 record for the Cincinnati Bengals was a bit misleading, as on average, the Bengals were not having smackdown laid on them, but rather losing by an four points or less. Using a variety of different calculations, the Cincinnati Bengals record, should have actually been six and nine.

This offseason, Head Coach Marvin Lewis was brought back for reasons we can’t even explain, while long time quarterback Carson Palmer and offensive coordinator Bob Bartkowski were exiled from Cincinnati. In there places are 2011 second round draft pick Andy Dalton from TCU and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. While Cincinnati is expected to endure some growing pains from the youth of the team, this isn’t the worst Bengals team to watch.

Expected To Fall:

Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jacksonville Jaguars are considered by many to be one of the worst run teams in professional sports. Nevertheless, last season, the Jaguars managed to go eight and eight when their point differentials suggested, they should have finished six and nine, like the Cincinnati Bengals in the riser column. Jacksonville Head Coach Jack Del Rio wants to open the offense up more this season. However, on Tuesday, he cut long time quarterback and fan favorite David Garrard, in order to explain giving first string snaps to back up quarterback Luke McCown. What’s more, the Jaguars run game this year is virtually non-existent, as both Maurice Jones – Drew and Rashad Jennings will miss the season with knee injuries.

AFC Games In Week 1 Have Fans Chomping at The Bit

Fishing games enthusiasts from across the nation are counting down the days until Thursday’s official kickoff to the 2011 NFL season. After what many fans and analysts alike consider to be one of the longest off-seasons in NFL betting lines history, Thursday will mark a fresh start for the world’s most popular sports league and their fans. Today we will be looking at the sports betting week one games coming out of the AFC. As has been the case the last few years, the AFC has appeared to be the stronger conference during the regular season, while the NFC is the strongest during the playoffs. Here are a few week one games to consider gambling on.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans – For NCAA football betting enthusiasts looking for a big NFL game to gamble on during week one, the clash between AFC South rivals Indianapolis and Houston is your best choice. The rivalry between the Colts and Texans, is considered to be one of the most important going into this season, as the Texans are believed to stand the best chance at winning the division, since the Colts enter the season injured.

In an ideal world, the Houston Texans, a team fans and handicappers alike have waited to breakout for years, should lay the proverbial smackdown on the injury depleted Colts. What’s more, the Colts are without star quarterback Peyton Manning, whose off-season neck surgery, has taken longer to recover from. Making matters worse for the Colts, backup Kerry Collins did not look good in his only start during training camp. Meaning to say, on paper, everything for this game is in Houston’s favor. Look for the Texans to cover the spread and then some, as they open up week one with a victory over Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens – Betting enthusiasts still bitter about the divisional round of the 2011 playoffs upset victory by the Steelers over the Ravens, will waste little time watching the revenge game between these two AFC North divisional foes. Entering their week one clash, both Pittsburgh and Baltimore have made many changes to their offenses. In for Pittsburgh is former New York Jets fan favorite Jericho Cotchery, and out is Antwan Randle El.

For Baltimore, Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmanzadeh are the only returning members of the 2010 – 11 seasons wide receiving corp. The overhaul for both Pittsburgh and Baltimore’s offenses indicates to fans and bookies alike, that each team is making this the year they win the Super Bowl. For all intents and purposes, we are picking the Baltimore Ravens, as this is the final year that defensive captain Ray Lewis plans on playing. Meaning to say, the Ravens should be more emotionally charged for this game, then the Steelers.