Pretenders and Contenders for the 2016 NFL Betting Season

Pro football betting aficionados across the globe are trying to separate the contenders from the pretenders as the 2016 NFL regular season quickly approaches. Thanks to my expert NFL betting breakdown highlighting three of my top six contenders and pretenders, you’re going to have a great idea of just what to expect out of a half-dozen teams this coming season. Now, let’s get started.

Pretenders

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins (6-10 SU, 5-11 ATS) hired hotshot offensive coordinator Adam Gase to rebuild broken quarterback Ryan Tannehill and restore Miami to its once former greatness, but I don’t see it happening in 2016 – or should I say – not as long as Tannehill is the starter in South Beach. Miami’s ‘franchise’ quarterback (that’s hilarious) is an uninspiring 29-35 in 64 career starts and has been sacked at least 45 times in each of the last three seasons after suffering 35 sacks as a rookie in 2012. Make no mistake about it, Ryan Tannehill is nothing more than mediocre and the Dolphins will suffer until they decide to part ways with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS) parted ways with Chip Kelly and hired former assistant Doug Pederson to restore the Birds’ hopes after they took a huge step backwards under Kelly last season. One of the main reasons I believe Philly will be nothing more than a pretender in 2016 is that it seems as if the Birds never have any competent direction in the front office, hence their strange offseason quarterback decisions. In addition to drafting talented youngster Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in this year’s draft, the Birds also re-signed San Bradford for two years and an insane figure while adding veteran Chase Daniels in the offseason. The Eagles haven’t had a Pro Bowl linebacker since the stone ages and have too many question marks for Pederson to answer in his first season as an NFL head coach.

New York Giants

The Giants (6-10 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) are hoping to get back to being a playoff caliber team, but I don’t see it happening in 2016 – or beyond – until the G-Men learn how to play some sort of competent defense. While I’m expecting Eli Manning and the Giants’ offense to put their fair share of points on the board this coming season, I just don’t see New York’s miserable defense being able to improve enough this season in order for them to get back into playoff contention. The Giants ranked 30th in points allowed last season (27.6 ppg) and basically couldn’t stop running water. I don’t see that improving much under offensive-minded head coach Ben McAdoo.

Contenders

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders (7-9 SU, 8-8 ATS) are clearly heading I the right direction under head coach jack Del Rio and have some of the best young talent in all of football. Now heading into his third season, quarterback Derek Carr has a big arm and the pocket poise to match. Wide receiver Amari Cooper looks like he could be a potential future Hall of Famer and linebacker Khalil Mack is starting to look more and more like the best defensive player in the game today.  The Raiders will contend for a spot in the postseason and I believe it could happen!

Dallas Cowboys

I know Dallas (4-12 SU, 4-11-1 ATS) sunk all the way to four wins in 2015, but that was more of a byproduct of Tony Romo being injured than anything else. If the Boys  can keep their veteran signal-caller upright and healthy this coming season, I think Dallas could have a similar campaign to the stunning 12-4 mark they posted in 2014. The Cowboys should lean heavily on rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott much like they did with DeMarco Murray two seasons ago. If Elliott wins the Rookie of the Year award and Romo stays healthy, Dallas could not only make the playoffs in 2016, but do so by winning the NFC East.

Houston Texans

The Texans (9-8 SU, 9-8 ATS) have recorded consecutive nine-win seasons under head coach Bill O’Brien and that was without a real competent quarterback. Now, with former Broncos backup Brock Osweiler under center, I think it’s quite possible that the Texans reach the double-digit win mark for the first time in the O’Brien era. Houston has a very good defense that ranked 10th in points allowed (20.1 ppg) and a head coach that I believe doesn’t have to take  back seat to anyone. Sure, they’re going to have their hands full fending off  Colts team that will have Andrew Luck back under center this season, but in the end, the Texans will contend.