2016 NFL Breakdown Highlights Trio Of Contenders And Pretenders
Posted by Eric Williams on Monday,August 22, 2016 9:31, EDT in
If you’re gearing up for the quickly approaching 2016 NFL regular season and you want to separate the contenders from the pretenders, then you’ve come to the right place.
My expert NFL betting odds analysis on three of my top half-dozen contenders and pretenders will aid you in your quest to cash in early and often this coming season. Now, let’s get started.
2016 NFL Breakdown Highlights Trio Of Contenders And Pretenders
Contenders
New York Jets
The New York Jets (10-6 SU, 8-6-2 ATS) won an impressive 10 games in 2015 in head coach Todd Bowles’ first season and I believe the recent re-signing of veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick means the Jets will contend for berth in the AFC playoffs after narrowly missing out last season.
Detroit Lions
Not many people outside of the Motor City are talking much about the Lions (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS) but I think that may be a big mistake after seeing the way Detroit closed out their 2015 campaign after a miserable first half of the regular season.
The Lions have strong-armed quarterback in Matthew Stafford and a really good head coach in Jim Caldwell. I know they play in the tough NFC North with Green Bay and Minnesota, but I won’t be surprised if the Lions contend for both, a division title and playoff berth!
Chicago Bears
The Bears (6-10 SU, 8-8 ATS) may have won just a half-dozen games last season, but I think they could approach nine wins and a possible playoff berth, mostly because they have an outstanding head coach that has won wherever he’s gone in John Fox. If Jay Cutler can show some newfound leadership (he probably won’t) and the Bears can find suitable replacement for Matt Forte (they probably won’t), then they could contend, even if the expert aren’t saying so!
Pretenders
Buffalo Bills
Even though they underachieved in a big way last season, the Buffalo Bills (8-8 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) still managed to win eight games and they could surpass that in big way in 2016. However, I’ve tired of Rex Ryan’s big mouth – and consistently underachieving teams. The Bills believe they’re legitimate playoff contenders, but I say they’re nothing more than pretenders that will be better off when the vociferous Ryan gets the axe.
Jacksonville Jaguars
I like the way Jacksonville (5-11 SU, 7-8-1 ATS) played late last season and think quarterback Blake Bortles is as good as any young signal-caller in the league today. Unfortunately for the Jags, I think they’ve wasted too much time with head coach Gus Bradley and believe they won’t be anything more than pretenders at best, until they move on from him.
Los Angeles Rams
I like the Rams’ (7-9 SU, 7-8-1 ATS) drafting of quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and would have to be a complete fool to not like gifted running back Todd Gurley. I also think the Rams may have the best defensive line in all of football, but there’s something they don’t have – and that’s a head coach that knows how to motivate people. I can’t understand why the Rams haven’t parted ways with Jeff Fisher, but until they do, they’re going to be nothing more than pretenders at the very best!
