2015 NFC South Betting Predictions
When I say I will be taking a look at the worst division in the NFL, it’s not that I have anything against the NFC South and its members (the Panthers, Falcons, Saints and Buccaneers), I am merely expressing my freedom of speech to call it as it is. And on that note, let’s take a look at what is likely to become of this worst division in the league.Atlanta Falcons
2014 Record: 6-10, Predicted Record in 2015: 8-8 Season Win Total Pick: UNDER 8.5 (-140) The Falcons will probably be one of the loudest teams in the division, and not because they’ll be using piped crowd noise, but rather ‘coz of the proven leadership skills of their new coach Dan Quinn. Even more favorably, Atlanta has the easiest NFL Schedule in 2015, ranked 32nd in toughness with a 0.409 winning percentage. But even with the improvements they’ll make in 2015, we don’t think they’ll go beyond the .500 mark, so an UNDER season total should be best for bettors in the season win total NFL Odds.Carolina Panthers
2014 Record: 7-8-1, Predicted Record in 2015: 9-7 Season Win Total Pick: OVER 8.5 (+110) So I hear Carolina fans have been talking about their team being a big deal in the NFC South after winning back-to-back divisional titles over the past two years. Yeah, right, I guess it is a big deal to be the best among the worst. Sadly, come the end of the season, the only big deal the Panthers will be talking about is the unwarranted $103.8 million, five-year contract they wasted on Cam Newton earlier this month. The Panthers may be a smidgen above some members of this division, but being a team that has only posted five double-digit wins in its 20 year history, there is not much to hope for, especially in terms of them reaching the 10-win mark. As a positive thing though, the predicted 9 wins (which is well within Carolina’s winning scope) should pay OVER bettors in the win totals. Oh, and if the Panthers somehow squeak their way into the playoffs, avoid them for your money’s sake. I know that they beat the Cardinals in the 2014-15 playoffs, but that was simply because they were playing against a fourth-string QB in Ryan Lindley, as Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton and Johnny Utah were all injured. Plus, the victory over Arizona was Carolina’s first playoff victory in 9 freaking years, so you probably need 9 more years to bet on another Carolina win at the playoffs.New Orleans Saints
2014 Record: 7-9, Predicted Record in 2015: 10-6 Season Win Total Pick: OVER 8.5 (-115) If only Drew Brees was the quarterback in a team like Eagles, then running (or is it flying?) the table would be a guaranteed pick in the Philly lines. But since he is a Saint, a team that failed in 2014 because of their poor home record (3-5), I guess 10 wins is sacred enough as a prediction. FYI, the Saints were flawlessly 8-0 at home during the 2013 season. Therefore, if they can rediscover their home form (as we prospect them to do) and go 5-3 or 6-2 in New Orleans, and then collect another 4-4 road record like in 2014 (or even improve to 5-3), then reaching/exceeding the 10-win mark should be guaranteed.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
