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.
