At the present time, Thursday, July 20, there are just 49 days until the NFL regular season begins. But no matter the year, there are always some things that happen which no one saw coming. Here are four such NFL betting predictions from the upcoming 2017 season.
4 Shocking NFL Betting Predictions for the 2017 Season
Believe it or not, players are starting to report to training camp Here’s what you need to know to be ready. https://t.co/zpLiiYdPLs
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 19, 2017
Chargers Rookie Mike Williams Misses Season
To begin with, some NFL prognosticators like the now Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs in 2017 after finishing last in the NFC West again in 2016. However, any chance of that could be ruined before the season even begins. That’s because receiver Mike Williams, the No. 7 overall pick out of Clemson, could miss the entire season. And with San Diego’s recent injury luck, he probably will. At this instant, Williams is dealing with a herniated disk in his back that might need surgery. Williams recently received a second epidural in his back in a last-ditch effort to have him ready at some time during training camp, though the Chargers are preparing as if he will not be ready by that time.How Did Williams Get the Injury?
Williams suffered the herniated disk in rookie minicamp and was ruled out for the team’s OTAs. At a minimum, he’s expected to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. At Clemson last year, Williams caught 98 passes for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Chargers haven’t had a first-round pick play 16 games as a rookie since Melvin Ingram in 2012. Williams originally was listed at +1200 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +5500
- Odds to Win AFC Championship: +2300
- Odds to Win AFC West Division: +380
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 7½ -115 / U 7½ -115
Mitch Trubisky Plays Week 5 For Bears
The Chicago Bears traded up from No. 3 overall to No. 2 in this year’s draft to select North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky. That was odd for two reasons. First, the Bears already had signed free-agent QB Mike Glennon. Second, the Bears certainly would have gotten Trubisky at No. 3 if they had just stayed there. Ideally, the Bears don’t play Trubisky at all this season. However, all in all, I believe Chicago gets off to a 0-4 start and Trubisky gets his first NFL action in Week 5 at home vs. Minnesota on a Monday night.Will Trubisky Make A Difference?
Trubisky officially became a Bear on Wednesday as he reported to minicamp and signed his contract. Trubisky handled second-team reps in the offseason after Mark Sanchez suffered a minor knee injury. Sanchez is expected to be healthy when veterans report to camp next week, so it remains to be seenwhere Trubisky begins the year on Chicago’s quarterback depth chart.Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +8000
- Odds to Win NFC Championship: +4000
- Odds to Win NFC North Division:+2300
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 5½ +130 / U 5½ -160
No Passing Title For Drew Brees
The Saints’ Drew Brees has won the past three passing yardage titles in the NFL and a record seven. He has passed for at least 5,000 yards five times – no one else has done it more than once. In the meantime, Brees is the +250 favorite at MyBookie to win No. 8, but I don’t see it happening. For one, the guy is 38 years old and is bound to start slowing down soon – although Tom Brady hasn’t exactly yet and he’s 40. But I also think the Saints will run the ball more than past years after adding Adrian Peterson to Mark Ingram. You don’t sign Peterson to catch balls out of the backfield. Who do I like on this prop? Oakland’s Derek Carr at +800.Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +3300
- Odds to Win NFC Championship: +1600
- Odds to Win NFC South Division: +300
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 8½ +120 / U 8½ -150
Bucs Win NFC South
Staying in Brees’ NFC South Division, either the Atlanta Falcons or Carolina Panthers have won it the past five years. The longest drought in the division belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who last won it in 2007. That was also the last time the Bucs made the playoffs. I’m here to tell you to bet on Tampa at +300 to win the South. Quarterback Jameis Winston is a superstar waiting to happen. He has one of the NFL’s best receivers in Mike Evans. The Bucs added two more weapons for Winston this offseason in receiver DeSean Jackson and tight end OJ Howard. Jackson leads the NFL with 21 50-yard touchdown receptions since entering the league in 2008. Only four players have more in NFL history. The Buccaneers were the only team in the NFL without a 50-yard pass play in 2016. However, Howard boasts the speed and size (6-foot-6, 251 pounds) to be a dominant tight end as a receiver and blocker. In his four-year career at Alabama, he averaged 15.1 yards per catch and caught seven touchdowns. The Bucs will also score plenty and win the division with a 10-6 record.Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +3300
- Odds to Win NFC Championship: +1600
- Odds to Win NFC West Division: +300
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 8½ -115 / 8½ -115
