It’s another big week in the world of the NFL, as we will see the 2024 schedule released on Wednesday night.
It will be interesting to see if the odds change at all once we know all the matchups, although, truth be told, I don’t think we are going to see much movement at all.
My Analysis
One thing we do know is that the season opener is an absolute beauty. The NFL announced on Monday that the opening game of the upcoming season, which is set for Thursday, Sept 5, will see the Kansas City Chiefs lock horns with the Baltimore Ravens. These are a pair of teams expected to make deep runs in the playoffs this year. As we all know, though, there are zero guarantees, no matter how good a team looks on paper. For the purposes of this piece, we are going to take a look at a few teams with the potential to rise above expectations this season, although these picks might change once we get the schedule and the NFL full picture.
^Chicago Bears NFC North Winner Pick +265
When you’ve spent some time on the bottom, the only way you can really go is up. At least, that is what the Chicago Bears will be hoping happens this coming season. Despite all their flaws, the Bears did still manage to win 7 games last season, although that record still meant that they were dead last in the division. They had the benefit of the #1 pick in the draft this offseason, using it to land QB Caleb Williams, a player that many believe is a can’t miss prospect. We have seen and heard that type of talk before, so there is always the risk of Williams being a bust. I don’t think that will happen, though, as I think this young man can have the same type of effect on the Bears that CJ Stroud had on the Texans last season.
^Atlanta Falcons NFC South Winner Pick -131
We are going to see something of a common theme in these picks in that the majority of the teams being discussed here will have made some sort of upgrade at the QB position. The Falcons, who have had issues at that position since moving on from Matt Ryan, made an offseason splash by landing the services of Kirk Cousins, a veteran QB who should deliver some much-needed stability under center. It certainly helps that the NFC Sout looks to be very much up for grabs, with any one of three teams in with a shot at winning it. The Falcons are in that conversation, and while a deep playoff run seems unlikely, they are more than good enough to win the South and get into the postseason.
^Indianapolis Colts AFC South Winner Pick +340
I was a little on the fence about putting the Colts in this conversation but eventually decided that they deserve to be here, even if it is a risky proposition. Indianapolis looked to have secured their QB of the future when they picked Anthony Richardson in the draft last season, and while the young man looked good in the early going, his season was derailed by a shoulder injury that put him out for the year. He is back and throwing now, with the Colts saying all the right things about his recovery and progress. If he is fully fit and ready to go, Richardson could be the difference maker in what is sure to be another tight divisional battle in the AFC South.
^MyBookie | NFL Betting Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North Winner Pick +850
The Steelers ended last year at 10-7, barely missing out on the postseason despite juggling 3 QBs, none of whom looked up to the task of being a legitimate starter. They now have a totally new QB room, as well as a new offensive coordinator, and made some offseason moves that should immediately make them better. The big question here, though, is whether the move to land Russell Wilson is going to be an inspired one. Can the veteran QB turn back the clock and deliver the goods that made him a Super Bowl winner? Realistically, he doesn’t have to reach those levels to make this team better than it was last season. Yes, the AFC North is going to be tough, but I think we could see 3 teams from this division make the playoffs. There is no reason why the Steelers can’t be one of them.
^New York Jets AFC East Winner Pick +200
Much like the Colts, the New York Jets had high hopes of a massive season in 2023 with their new QB in town. Things actually went south a whole lot quicker than they did in Indianapolis, though, with Aaron Rodgers going down for the season during the first offensive series of the year. It was all downhill for the Jets from there, but hope springs eternal in the Big Apple, with Rodgers healthy and ready to take another run this season. The problem that the Jets still have, though, is that they are in a tough division, with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins both expected to be very good again this season. Realistically, the Wild Card seems the best bet for the Jets, which they can achieve if Rodgers stays healthy and recovers his MVP form sooner rather than later.
^Green Bay Packers NFC North Winner Pick +210
Getting rid of an MVP QB and handing the reins to a new guy is a move that doesn’t aways go as well as hoped. For a large portion of the season, it did not seem as though things were going to end well, but everything seemed to click into place for the Packers in the final month of the season, with Jordan Love leading his team to 2 straight wins and a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. They then went on to beat the Dallas Cowboys before falling to the 49ers in a game that was a whole lot closer than expected. The way the season ended has a lot of folk feeling that the Packers might be looking at a big year this season, and I am very much in that camp. It could be a 2-horse race between Green Bay and the Detroit Lions for the NFC North.
^2024 NFL SCHEDULE RELEASE.
— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2024
WEDNESDAY MAY 15. 8PM ET. pic.twitter.com/CbhebndAVw
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2023 NFL Teams Upsets
Every NFL Season, a few teams football handicappers expect to be terrible end up surprising. 2023 will be no different. At least five teams many NFL analysts believe should have bad seasons will challenge for playoff spots.
Check out why the following five NFL squads will be complete upsets this betting season and more importantly, the NFL lines to win and if they win this season.
NFL Teams That Will Be Complete Upsets This Betting Season | MyBookie NFL Preview
After Seeing Offseason Player Movements, Which NFL Teams Will Be Complete Upsets This Season
2023-2024 NFL Regular Season: Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023 – Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024
Washington Commanders
NFL Odds to Win: Ravens +6800
National Football Conference | NFC East
The Commanders play in the NFC East versus the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, the Boys, G-Men, and Philly Birds notched playoff spots. This season, D.C. could push all three of those teams for postseason spots.
Sam Howell could turn into one of the league’s better young signal-callers. In fact, Washington believes he will. Throwing the ball to Terry McLaurin helps and the defense, no doubt, will be a great unit.
Super Bowl Upset Pick: Washington Commanders | Bet Commanders to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Chicago Bears
NFL Odds to Win: Ravens +5000
National Football Conference | NFC North
Da Bears feel this is the season Justin Fields becomes one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. It’s difficult to argue against the notion.
Fields is already one of the league’s top rushing quarterbacks. It’s his passing that needs work. However, he showed signs like when he produced a 119 QB rating in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles late last season.
If the Bears defense catches up to the offense, watch out. Chicago could surprise big time on both the money line and agianst the spread.
Super Bowl Upset Pick: Chicago Bears | Bet Bears to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Odds to Win: Ravens +4900
American Football Conference | AFC North
Brilliant NFL head coach Mike Tomlin is comfortable with his offense. Najee Harris is one of the top running backs in the NFL. QB Kenny Pickett should help everyone forget about Ben Roethlisberger.
If the offense flourishes, Pittsburgh can upset Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland in the AFC North because we know the defense is going to be stellar.
Super Bowl Upset Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers | Bet Steelers to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Indianapolis Colts
NFL Odds to Win: Ravens +1925
American Football Conference | AFC South
The Colts are in win now mode. So we shouldn’t believe Indianapolis drafted Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson fourth in the first round to sit him on the bench.
For sure, Richardson may sit for at least a few weeks. But once he gets in there, the Colts expect him to excel. While Anthony is on the bench, top backup Gardner Minshew will get the starts. Minshew has enough around him, especially running back Jonathan Taylor, for the Colts to surprise against the spread if not win games straight up as a money line underdog.
Super Bowl Upset Pick: Indianapolis Colts | Bet Colts to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Atlanta Falcons
NFL Odds to Win: Ravens +6600
National Football Conference | NFC South
The Saints signed Derek Carr and the Panthers drafted Bryce Young, which is why the buzz in the NFC South revolves around New Orleans and Carolina. Forgetting about the Falcons this season, though, will be a mistake.
The ATL has all the pieces to surprise not only their NFC South opponents but also teams like the Cowboys, Eagles, and 49ers. The defense, which wasn’t bad last season, added nose tackle David Onyemata and strongside linebacker Bud Dupree.
If Desmond Ridder takes the next step, and the thinking around the league is that he will, Atlanta’s offense will excel big time. Running back Bijan Robinson is a home run pick, tight end Kyle Pitts and WR Drake London have elite potential.
Super Bowl Upset Pick: Atlanta Falcons | Bet Falcons to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
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