2016 NFL Sure Losers Week 1
Posted by Henry Watkins on Thursday,August 4, 2016 5:13, EDT in
You need only look at the current Super Bowl 51 betting odds to see that there are a number of teams that the bookies believe are going to be doomed to an awful season. Those names are not really that surprising to fans of the NFL, because many of those teams are the same ones that have been wallowing in the cellar for a number of years now. There is an expectation that these teams are going to lose, simply because they have done it for so long. They will all be trying to buck that trend with a win in Week 1, but you can almost guarantee that a number of them are going to fail. I don’t really like to pick out sure winners or losers, simply because of the sheer number of factors that go into the outcome of any given game, but let’s look at a few teams that could be on to a beating in Week 1 of the NFL season.
2016 NFL Sure Losers Week 1
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans
The Houston Texans were a playoff team last year after winning the AFC South, and you get the sense that they might be even better this year. They invested a lot of money in Brock Osweiler, who they believe can be the QB to lead them deep into the playoffs. The Bears, on the other hand, are coming off a 3-win season, and while they figure to be better this year, they are still not anywhere near good enough to go into Houston and get a win in Week 1. These two teams have only met 3 times, and it is the Texans who won all 3.
San Francisco 49ers versus LA Rams
In my humble opinion, the 49ers have a legitimate shot at being one of the worst teams in the league this season, and while they may be looking at a match-up with the Rams as a chance to get off to a winning start, I think it will be a loss. The 49ers franchise is an absolute mess right now, while the Rams look to be on an upward trend with Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley leading the way. I just have a feeling that Gurley is going to run the ball down the throat of the 49ers D en route to a comfortable win.
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles
There are few teams with a recent record as poor as the Cleveland Browns. They have been awful for as long as anyone can remember, and their lack of a decent starting QB during that time is one of the major reasons why they have been so bad. They have picked up RGIII for the coming season, but given what he has delivered over the past couple of seasons, so you really feel confident that he can turn the tide? There are some big questions to be answered in Philly, but since they have beaten the Browns the last 4 times they have faced them, you have to think that they will still be good enough to get their season off to a winning start.
